Tantai Jin left, and Su Su and Chongyu hurriedly searched for the entrance to the array within the palace chambers.
"It's not the Nine Revolutions Profound Return Array, but a killing array," Su Su said, staring at the four patterns of ferocious beasts. "Jing merely showed the Demonic Beasts a mirror image before."
Chongyu flew over. "While they're all in the Water Prison, let's search elsewhere."
"Alright."
Just as Su Su was about to leave Tantai Jin's chambers, her gaze suddenly fell upon a wedge-shaped stone pedestal.
"Su Su, what's wrong?"
A sudden realization struck Su Su—the curved jade had once mentioned this ancient mechanism used to open secret passages.
She clasped her fingers together, forming a hand seal. A soft white light enveloped her hands as she twisted the mechanism in the eight directions of the Qian Yuan three times each. With a creak, an entrance just wide enough for one person appeared.
Su Su cautiously stepped inside.
Chongyu, transformed into a butterfly, emitted a faint glow. Su Su had expected to find the Nine Revolutions Profound Return Array here, but instead, the hidden chamber was a prison cell.
When she saw the man shackled through his collarbones, Su Su's expression changed. She rushed forward. "Senior Brother!"
Gongye Jiewu had been imprisoned here!
The Demonic Marks on his face had faded, revealing his handsome, clean features. Hearing her voice, he opened his eyes. "Su Su?"
His Demon Core had indeed been extracted. Su Su reached out to touch the chains binding him.
"Don't touch them," Gongye Jiewu coughed softly. "The seals on the chains are linked to the Demon God's chambers. If you disturb them, you'll be discovered."
Su Su had no choice but to withdraw her hand.
Gongye Jiewu whispered, "I'm sorry, Su Su. Don't worry about me. The Demon Realm is dangerous. If you get the chance, leave as soon as possible."
"Senior Brother, do you plan to stay trapped here, punishing yourself? But everyone is waiting for you to return—Father, Master Qingwu, Master Qingqian, and Senior Sister Yaoguang. The disciples of the Hengyang Sect all know that having the Demon Core implanted wasn't your choice."
Gongye Jiewu's fingers trembled slightly, but he remained silent.
During the time he had been under the influence of the Demon Core, becoming Hanba's blade, he had killed many. Even if others could forgive him, he could never forgive himself.
Understanding his thoughts, Su Su said, "Now that the Demon God and the ancient Hanba have emerged, all six realms are in peril. Senior Brother, we need you. If you feel you've committed wrongs, then atone by doing something to help!"
Gongye Jiewu smiled faintly, reminiscent of his former peerless swordsman demeanor.
"Alright," he said hoarsely, his tone as indulgent as it had once been toward Su Su. "This senior brother will listen to you."
"Senior Brother, I'm looking for the Nine Revolutions Profound Return Array. Do you know where it is?"
Gongye Jiewu replied, "When I was implanted with the Demon Core, Jing took me there once. It's in the forbidden area of the Demon Realm. To enter, you need an ancient Demon God's thumb ring. The ring was previously in Jing's possession, but now it should be with the new Demon Lord."
Su Su cursed inwardly. Something worn by Tantai Jin—how was she supposed to get it?
"Senior Brother, wait here for me. I'll find a way to destroy the Nine Revolutions Profound Return Array and take you home."
"Home?" Gongye Jiewu's pupils trembled. "Alright."
Su Su had already walked far away, but Gongye Jiewu's gaze remained fixed on her retreating figure.
Retracing her steps, Su Su found that Tantai Jin and the others still hadn't returned. She concealed herself once more and quietly headed toward the Water Prison.
How long could the puppet hold out? Would it give her away?
In the Water Prison, purple demonic lotuses bloomed lushly. Jing gripped the puppet's chin.
"Tell me, where is the Life Gathering Pearl?"
The puppet was covered in blood but smirked at Jing. "I don't know. Kill me if you dare."
Su Su hid behind a stone pillar. Judging by the situation, the puppet had already endured torture for some time.
It had no life and couldn't feel pain, but it wouldn't last much longer.
Unable to extract the Life Gathering Pearl, Jing's smile vanished. Her nails elongated, sinking into the puppet's neck.
The puppet's face—identical to Su Su's—twisted in agony.
Su Su glanced at the figure seated at the center.
Tantai Jin rested his chin on one hand, watching Jing interrogate "Su Su" with an impassive expression.
Even if she died before him, it seemed his heart wouldn't stir. Seeing this, Su Su felt an indescribable bitterness.
During their last parting, the youth's eyes had shimmered with tears, silently pleading for her to look back.
But now, he had become the cold, ruthless Demon God from her memories, his eyes devoid of warmth.
Recalling Ye Chu Feng's words about him leaping into the River of Wailing Ghosts, and Cang Hai mentioning how their master had found the youngest disciple three years ago—he had searched for her in that river for five hundred years. Su Su's heart ached faintly.
Chongyu stole a glance at Su Su, feeling guilty. It still hadn't told her about the Thousand-Mile Scroll.
Its instincts had been right—Tantai Jin was no good person, now a fearsome Demon Lord. Yet... the current situation seemed partly its fault.
If it had told Su Su the truth after leaving the scroll—that Tantai Jin hadn't lied, that Su Su had indeed promised never to abandon him—would he have avoided demonic cultivation?
Should it say something now? Would that only add to Su Su's burdens?
As Jing prepared to kill the puppet, a blade intercepted her sharp nails.
Jingmie said, "Enough, Jing. The Demon Lord is present. It's not your place to decide. She's the only one who knows the Life Gathering Pearl's whereabouts. Kill her, and where will we find it?"
Jingmie had his own calculations. Everyone knew this woman was the Demon Lord's old acquaintance—someone he had once cherished. The Demon Lord's temper was unpredictable. If Jing killed her, he might be displeased.
Jing glanced at Tantai Jin, her beautiful eyes shifting from anger to coquetry. "Demon Lord, does your heart ache for Li Susu?"
She deliberately stroked the puppet's cheek, leaving two deep crimson gashes.
The puppet groaned, and Jingmie clicked his tongue softly.
Tantai Jin's gaze lingered on the puppet's face. He sneered. "Heartache?"
His tone was indifferent as he said, "Do as you please with her. I only want the Life Gathering Pearl."
With that, he cast one last glance at the puppet, his expression cold, before vanishing into thin air—truly showing no concern for "Su Su."
Jing chuckled lightly. "Jingmie, see that? The Demon Lord is truly heartless."
Her red lips curled. "In that case, I won't rush. Jingmie, guard her. When she's willing to talk, we'll let her go."
Jing straightened her sleeves and sauntered out of the Water Prison.
Once she left, Jingmie spat at her retreating figure. "Just a fabricated shell, that venomous woman."
The ancient Hanba was arrogant and formidable, but Demonic Beasts were inherently greedy and resentful of subordination. Jingmie, once a renowned Demonic Cultivator, now ranked below Jing, harbored long-standing resentment.
Hanba always made him clean up her messes. Even now, with the Demon Lord's emergence, she remained above him.
Jingmie narrowed his eyes, turning to the puppet.
His cold fingers, like a serpent's tongue, traced the puppet's face. The puppet gritted her teeth and recoiled. Jingmie sighed regretfully. "Little girl, though you've ruined my plans time and again..."
He licked his lips, grinning sinisterly as he inhaled near her neck. "A Demigod... a Goddess... what do you taste like? Tell me the Life Gathering Pearl's location, and perhaps I'll spare you."
Hidden behind the pillar, Su Su felt a surge of disgust at his lecherous smile.
She formed hand seals, preparing to use the puppet to teach Jingmie a lesson.
But before Jingmie could touch the puppet's collar, a bolt of lightning struck beside him.
Stumbling back, Jingmie looked around frantically before dropping to his knees. "Demon Lord, this lowly one was merely scaring her..."
No one was there, but Jingmie didn't dare act recklessly.
Perhaps Tantai Jin's demonic aura still lingered in the Water Prison. Though Demonic Cultivators were lustful, Jingmie valued his life more. Not bold enough to push further, he retreated hastily.
Su Su withdrew her hand, relieved she hadn't acted—otherwise, Tantai Jin might have discovered her.
She thought: Jing is cruel and ruthless, but Jingmie seems ambitious and flawed—perhaps a weak point.
Initially, Su Su had only wanted to test the waters, but she unexpectedly found an opportunity.
Jingmie was currently at the Unity Stage of demonic cultivation, nearing the Tribulation Stage. Unlike Tantai Jin, he couldn't directly absorb other Cultivators' power, so he kept female Cultivators in his chambers as furnaces.
Following him, Su Su saw the girls—some Demonic Cultivators, others from the Righteous Path—their clothes tattered, their beauty withered.
"Su Su, don't act rashly," Chongyu said.
It glanced at her—well, Su Su wasn't being impulsive.
Her expression was grim, but she resisted the urge to drag Jingmie out for a beating. Acting on impulse now would jeopardize the destruction of the Nine Revolutions Profound Return Array.
If that happened, not only would the six realms suffer, but these girls would also be doomed.
The pitiful girls were barely alive. Chongyu sighed in its childlike voice. "Being a furnace is so tragic."
Their Cultivation would vanish, their beauty fade, their youthful bodies wither into frailty and old age.
Su Su suddenly remembered the white-robed youth in the nightmare demon's illusion, who had willingly become her furnace to mend her soul.
He had known the consequences—furnaces were despised, and he would grow weak and old.
Su Su lowered her eyes, her emotions tangled.
After tailing Jingmie, Su Su noticed him selecting new beauties among the Demonic Cultivators.
Assuming he was picking furnaces for himself, she was surprised when he didn't touch any, instead giving them instructions.
The demonic beauties swayed seductively, their eyes alight with ambition.
"The nights in the Demon Realm are lonely and cold," Jingmie said with a smile. "The Demon Lord isn't immune to feminine charms. If any of you capture his heart, you might become the future Demon Queen."
"Lord Jingmie jests," the women flirted back.
Jingmie grabbed one, kneading her waist. "I'll send you over shortly."
Su Su counted—nine female Demonic Cultivators in total.
Jingmie really knew how to play. Tantai Jin was in for quite the treat.
Chongyu perched on her shoulder. "Su Su, you seem unhappy."
"Not at all." She stuffed it into the Universe Bag. "The first rule of survival: do more, talk less."
Chongyu blinked. "Really?"
"Mhm."
Thanks to Jingmie's scheme, Su Su now had an idea for stealing the thumb ring from Tantai Jin.
The Demon Realm had no day or night, but at certain times, the temperature plunged unbearably. Though immortals and demons were impervious to cold, this chill seeped into the bones.
Demonic Beasts called this period "night."
The Demon Realm was harsh and barren.
While the Demon Palace maintained order, outside, Demonic Beasts indulged freely.
When night fell, Jingmie led the seductive female Demonic Cultivators to Tantai Jin's chambers.
"I'll go in first. Wait here with the wine."
The women nodded.
Seizing the moment, Su Su knocked out one of them and caught the wine jar she dropped.
These women were alluring but weak in cultivation. Su Su seamlessly took her place, and no one noticed the substitution.
Some wore translucent veils for allure; others bared their slender waists.
The one Su Su had replaced also wore a veil.
To ensure perfection, Su Su transformed into her likeness, replacing the veil with mermaid gauze. She erased the Epiphyllum mark of a Demigod from her forehead and adorned her eyes with blue crystals like the others.
Soon, Jingmie emerged. "Go in."
Head bowed, Su Su entered with the group.
The wine she carried was Drunken God Brew—once offered to deities in the mortal realm, now inexplicably abundant in the Demon Palace.
Upon entering, Su Su immediately saw Tantai Jin.
He toyed with several Demon Cores, not bothering to look up. "Set them down."
The women placed the wine jars on the table before him.
Su Su knelt, mimicking their movements. As she set down the jar, Tantai Jin paused, finally lifting his gaze.
His eyes swept over Su Su before indifferently lowering again, his mood unreadable.
The lead demoness, emboldened by his glance, purred seductively, "Demon Lord, to celebrate our victory in the War of Immortals and Demons, may we perform a dance for you?"
Tantai Jin's pale fingers brushed a wine jar, neither refusing nor agreeing.
Su Su: "..."
Since when did drinking come with entertainment? They hadn't included her in rehearsals.
At this moment, Su Su dearly hoped Tantai Jin would reject them and throw them out.
Instead, as if to spite her, his icy voice rang out. "Very well."
Leaning back on his throne, Tantai Jin coldly watched Su Su as he addressed the group. "Dance. Impress me, and you'll be rewarded."
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