In the dimly lit pavilion,
Xu Wanci sat beneath the pearlescent jade tree, quietly gazing at the clusters of pale blue pear blossoms blooming on the branches. Her eyes were serene and distant, as if lost in reminiscence.
She knew the Nine-Revolutions Jade Demon Pearl nearby was observing her every move, so she had carefully concealed any irregularities—except for her lingering obsession with the color blue.
At this thought, she lowered her lashes slightly, veiling the emotions in her eyes.
Ever since that day, whenever Yan Shuo attempted to control her, she had employed the same initial method—blurring the lines between him and the figure in her memories.
Just as she had anticipated, whenever she spoke in that nostalgic tone, Yan Shuo would ease his control over her, and his murderous intent toward her gradually diminished.
Yet, as time passed, she began to sense the frenzy simmering beneath his calm exterior.
Just as she lost herself in thought, familiar footsteps approached.
She lifted her head, her eyes flashing with perfectly measured delight before she caught herself and turned away with a light scoff.
"Finally found time for me, busy man?"
Yan Shuo’s icy gaze swept over the sea of blue around them—including the dark blue Nine-Revolutions Jade Demon Pearl—but the coldness in his eyes melted away the moment they landed on Xu Wanci.
Her voice was lively and playful, and though she pretended to avert her gaze when she noticed his arrival, her attention never truly left him.
As if no one else in the world could capture her interest.
The hollowness in his chest seemed to fill, his irritation subsiding slightly.
He stepped closer, his expression softening as he noticed the unconscious lift of her lips at his approach.
"Did you miss me, Wanci?"
Hearing his voice, Xu Wanci turned slowly to face him, meeting his gaze with firm defiance.
"No."
Even knowing she was being contrary, a flicker of displeasure still darkened Yan Shuo’s eyes. His voice remained gentle but carried an unyielding edge.
"Wanci, tell me—did you miss me?"
He leaned in slightly, as if demanding the answer he wanted, and the demonic energy swirling around him coiled tighter around her.
Xu Wanci immediately sensed the shift in her mind, her thick lashes fluttering faintly.
Again?
This time, it was triggered simply because he disliked her answer—even though her expression contradicted her words.
Had his need to control her grown this overwhelming?
No matter her inner turmoil, her face remained the picture of docile obedience under his influence. She answered sweetly,
"Of course I missed you."
Satisfied, Yan Shuo withdrew his demonic energy, the crimson fading from his eyes. He smiled, pleased.
"Good girl."
Xu Wanci blinked slowly, her usual liveliness returning to her gaze. She stood and hurried to the dark jade table, proudly lifting a wine jug.
"I prepared your favorite Springwater Wine ages ago, just waiting for you to drink it."
She poured him a cup, her voice bright. "Try it—does it taste better when I pour it for you?"
She had no real memory of what that shadowy figure in her mind truly liked. She only vaguely recalled blue robes, a crimson mole, and a breathtaking field of blue flowers...
But that wasn’t enough.
Not enough to make Yan Shuo realize how deeply that person had influenced her.
So, once she confirmed Yan Shuo knew little about the man in her memories, she began fabricating details.
The Springwater Wine was one such invention.
Unseen, Xiao Yuyan silently noted this new preference.
So, he liked... Springwater Wine.
Though his past felt like an illusion, he now found himself searching for those fragments—the shared history Xu Wanci spoke of.
He still didn’t understand the unfamiliar emotions stirring in his chest, but his body moved before his mind could resist.
For the first time, the Heavenly Dao carried a trace of mortal warmth—though he remained unaware of it himself.
Yan Shuo watched Xu Wanci’s smiling face as she held out the wine, his fingertips tinged with a sinister demonic aura.
Had she blurred their identities this much?
What demonic cultivator would willingly drink spirit wine that harmed his body?
Yet, unlike before, he didn’t rage or refuse with excuses before storming off.
Step by step, he closed the distance between them, his dark eyes churning with suppressed turbulence.
He took the cup from her hand and drank it in one go. The spirit wine burned through his meridians, corroding his organs, but he didn’t use his demonic energy to neutralize it. Instead, he let the pain consume him—if only to smother the emotions rising in his chest.
A faint smile touched his lips, his voice laced with the metallic tang of blood.
"The Springwater Wine from Wanci is naturally the best."
"I love it."
Xu Wanci masked her surprise, her eyes curving with delight.
"I knew you’d love it!"
Yan Shuo’s madness deepened as he watched her radiant smile.
Let her mistake him for another—so long as she belonged to him.
After all, the one by her side now was him, and him alone.
...
Once Yan Shuo left, Xu Wanci lowered her head, the smile on her lips fading bit by bit.
Yan Shuo was even more unhinged than she’d thought.
Before, he had only controlled her actions and interactions with others. Now, he demanded that her every word and gesture conform to his desires.
If this continued, she might soon forget her own true preferences entirely.
Thinking of the two treasures in her dantian, Xu Wanci slowly closed her eyes.
The Celestial Ginseng could help her break through to the Nascent Soul stage—and even ascend to the rare dual Nascent Divinity realm. But it would also summon a doubled heavenly tribulation.
The demonic realm lacked spiritual energy. Surviving even a single heavenly tribulation here would be near-impossible, let alone a doubled one.
Choosing to undergo her tribulation here was tantamount to suicide.
But before the Demon Realm’s sovereign, only the heavenly lightning could shield her from his scrutiny long enough to escape.
Her fingers brushed the Heavenly Spirit Pill in her dantian, and her gaze hardened as she glanced at the ever-watchful Nine-Revolutions Jade Demon Pearl.
She had no other choice.
At worst, she would lose her cultivation and start anew.
If she could form a Nascent Soul once, she could do it again.
She refused to lose herself—to become a puppet for someone else’s amusement.
Xu Wanci stood and walked steadily toward the pavilion.
Now that her decision was made, she had to prepare thoroughly.
The demonic realm lacked not only spiritual energy but also the heavenly Dao’s power necessary for a tribulation.
She had no idea what the consequences would be if the power of the Heavenly Dao was insufficient, but if she failed to summon the lightning tribulation, she wouldn’t be able to deceive Yan Shuo and fake her death before his eyes.
Her actions would only provoke his fury.
The moment she failed, she would either die by Yan Shuo’s hand or be refined into a puppet whose every emotion was dictated by him.
She couldn’t afford to make such a losing bet.
During this time, she had to find a way to obtain a spiritual treasure imbued with the power of the Heavenly Dao.
Yan Shuo watched Xu Wanci, who had grown increasingly silent these days, often lost in thought as she gazed at the jade pear blossoms. His footsteps paused for a fleeting moment.
Suppressing all the thoughts in his heart, he quickly stepped forward and spoke softly,
"Wanci, what are you thinking about?"
Xu Wanci turned her head to glance at him, but her eyes no longer held the joy and anticipation they once did. Instead, they were calm, as gentle as still water.
She gave him a faint smile, carrying a weariness she herself hadn’t noticed.
Yan Shuo’s heart plummeted.
This version of Xu Wanci was eerily similar to how she had been before losing her memories—like someone who still remembered Xiao Yuyan and was willing to sacrifice everything for him.
She shouldn’t be like this.
She should smile at him with delight, her eyes and heart filled with him alone.
Countless emotions surged within Yan Shuo: fury, madness, jealousy… and even fear.
Having once possessed Xu Wanci’s complete trust and devotion, he couldn’t bear the slightest possibility of losing her.
He clenched his fists, as if trying to grasp something, but from the very beginning, his hands had been empty.
Xu Wanci seemed oblivious to his turmoil. She lifted her head and asked him with an expectant expression,
"Yan Shuo, did you forget?"
"You promised to take me to your treasury to pick out a spiritual treasure, didn’t you?"
Yan Shuo finally snapped out of his daze. Seeing Xu Wanci looking up at him with a bright smile, waiting for his answer, he slowly unclenched his hands—yet his heart remained hollow.
As if struck by a sudden thought, his eyes darkened with restrained madness.
"Wanci, become my Demon Queen, will you?"
"What?" Xu Wanci was momentarily stunned, staring at him in confusion.
The moment the words left his lips, even Yan Shuo himself froze.
He had initially seen Xu Wanci as nothing more than a pastime, a distraction from his boredom. He had never once considered making her his true Demon Queen—someone who would stand by his side, sharing his life and ruling the demon realm with him.
But once the idea took root, he realized he didn’t reject it. Instead… he found himself anticipating it.
Through the Heavenly Oath, their bond would be recognized by the Heavenly Dao.
She would become his rightful Demon Queen, bound to him forever—even if she regained her memories.
So what if her heart still belonged to Xiao Yuyan? She would have no choice but to look only at him, until she gradually became exactly what he desired.
A woman whose heart held only him.
With this thought, Yan Shuo leaned down, his right hand gently cupping Xu Wanci’s cheek. His voice was tender as he repeated his question, speaking with unprecedented sincerity:
"Wanci, become my Demon Queen, will you?"
"My Demon Queen, bound to me through the Heavenly Oath, recognized by the Heavenly Dao."
Feeling her stillness, he unleashed his demonic aura without restraint, his crimson eyes devoid of any trace of black.
He would not accept any answer from her lips other than "yes."
Xu Wanci knew full well that Yan Shuo was controlling her—more forcefully than ever before.
Yet, for some reason, her mind remained perfectly clear, completely unaffected.
It was as if someone had shielded her from his influence, allowing her to answer with her true will.
This time, she saw it clearly—the terrifying, blood-red glow in Yan Shuo’s eyes as he exerted his control.
She also knew she had no right to refuse. She couldn’t let Yan Shuo discover she could resist him.
Moreover… she needed the Heavenly Dao’s power from the oath.
It would be far more effective than any spiritual treasure.
Just as Yan Shuo wished, she whispered softly,
"Yes."
But from beginning to end, there was not a trace of joy in her eyes.
The moment she answered, even though Yan Shuo knew she couldn’t refuse under the influence of his demonic aura, genuine delight still flickered in his gaze.
Meanwhile, high above in the heavens, Xiao Yuyan silently withdrew the Heavenly Dao’s power from his hand.
This was her choice.
He lowered his gaze, staring at the red mole on his left wrist—so vivid it sent a sharp pang through his chest.
Expressionless, he averted his eyes, reverting once more to the detached, desireless incarnation of the Heavenly Dao.
Yet the void around him grew increasingly tinged with blue.
A day later, news of the Demon Lord’s wedding had spread throughout the demon realm.
The cultivation world, keeping close watch on the demon realm, also learned of it immediately.
During this time, led by the Taiqing Sect and the Jiang Family, all major sects and clans had worked swiftly to carve out a hidden path to the demon realm—one that wouldn’t attract attention.
Then, at the cost of exhausting an entire spirit vein and countless spiritual treasures, they amassed enough spiritual energy to sustain four Tribulation Transcendents fighting at full strength in the demon realm for half an hour.
The Buddhist Monk emerged from seclusion ahead of time, crafting artifacts to disguise their spiritual energy as demonic aura while using his divine soul to guide their way.
Jiang Qiuning tied her long hair up neatly, dressed in practical attire, her once-gentle demeanor replaced by the cold authority of one who wielded great power.
Since Xu Wanci’s abduction, she had worked tirelessly without rest, yet her posture remained straight and unyielding.
Her gaze flickered toward Jiang Ze, clad in black robes as he adjusted to the demonic aura shrouding him.
"In three days, the Demon Lord’s wedding will throw the demon realm into chaos."
"This is our best chance."
Here, she could no longer suppress her worry. Turning to Jiang Ze, she bowed deeply.
"Bring Wanci back safely, Uncle."
Under the cover of the wedding’s distraction, the four Tribulation Transcendents would infiltrate the demon realm, locate Xu Wanci, and use five teleportation talismans to return.
Once back in the cultivation world, even the Demon Lord would pose no threat.
But the mission was fraught with peril.
Jiang Ze, now a Tribulation Transcendent, showed no expression as he acclimated to the demonic aura. His voice was calm, yet carried an unshakable resolve.
"I will bring her back to the cultivation world."
Not far away, the Sect Master of the Wuji Sect watched as Ji Wang returned from the Abyssal Demon Lands with the Soul-Severing Fruit. He opened his mouth, then closed it, finally sighing.
"Elder Ji, I know Xu Wanci is tied to your karma."
"But… when you enter the demon realm, please prioritize your own life."
"This Immortal-Grade Return Talisman will bring you back to the cultivation world instantly. Do not throw your life away needlessly!"
Ji Wang remained silent, quietly polishing his Cloud-Severing Blade. The red mole on his neck, once vivid, now seemed faded under the sunlight—just like his spirits.
Meanwhile, the Great Elder and Third Elder of the Taiqing Sect, both bound for the demon realm, wore expressions of serene indifference.
Third Elder Gu Yunqi even teased in a lighthearted tone:
"I wonder what that demonic cultivator who captured the Demon Lord's heart even looks like?"
"Still, no matter what, we ought to thank her. If not for her, we wouldn’t have such a golden opportunity."
Amidst the chaos in the demon realm, their chances of safely rescuing Xu Wanci had increased by another twenty percent.
She lifted her gaze to the clear blue sky, finally revealing her worry:
"I wonder how she’s faring in the demon realm now?"
The Grand Elder patted her shoulder reassuringly:
"Her life token shows no reaction—as long as she’s unharmed, that’s enough."
"True." Gu Yunqi withdrew her gaze. Her aura had mellowed slightly compared to before, and the obsessive, frenzied glint she once had for opportunities was now gone from her eyes. "When she returns, we’ll make sure to nourish her properly."
