"Your Majesty, that succubus is truly remarkable, that figure, tsk tsk! All the women I used to know pale in comparison to this Su Xiaoxiao; they are utterly common and not worth mentioning. Since she offered herself so willingly, why did you refuse her, Your Majesty?"

After Su Xiaoxiao departed, Hu Zhongyuan, astride his warhorse, rode up beside Zong Shou. He kept staring in the direction the Saintess of the Demonic Sect had gone, practically drooling.

"Are you worried that Queen Xuanyuan and Marshal Kong will be jealous? What is there to fear? A true man should have multiple wives and concubines, holding beauties in both arms, tasting all the exquisite sights the world has to offer—"

Before Hu Zhongyuan could finish his sentence, there was a loud thud on his head. He turned to see Su Chuxue, clearly infuriated, bringing the back of her Blood Moon Blade down squarely upon him. Her eyes were wide, staring him down angrily.

Hu Zhongyuan flinched internally. He had completely forgotten that Xue'er was present. He hadn't expected his niece to resemble a tigress when she became angry.

Zong Shou, meanwhile, paid them no mind, concentrating all his effort on bringing his own state of mind to peace.

His brow remained tightly furrowed as he replayed the recent events in his mind, finding them increasingly unsettling.

"This woman is extraordinary, a good match for Junior Brother. In fact, it wouldn't be entirely inappropriate for Junior Brother to indulge in a dalliance with her, fulfilling her desire—"

Zong Shou froze. That voice had come from his Senior Brother, Ming Yu. A bizarre sensation immediately rose within him. This Senior Brother had always been a man of few words and little levity. What was wrong today that he would engage in such banter?

Ming Yu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, also looking contemplative, gazing in the direction Su Xiaoxiao had gone. He mused, "It must be the Nine Secrets Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Art!"

Hmm?

Zong Shou’s expression instantly grew solemn as he looked toward Ming Yu.

Had he truly fallen prey to that enchantress's secret technique just now? His killing intent had vanished inexplicably, and desire had inexplicably surfaced.

But the Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Art? He had never heard of this Demonic Path charm technique before.

"It cannot be strictly called a charm technique! It is about emotion. All sentient beings in the world possess emotion! Charm techniques are transient; emotion is what endures."

Ming Yu explained in detail, "The seductive methods this woman practices are merely superficial. The true foundation is the Nine Secrets Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Art! The seven emotions of the mortal world—Joy, Anger, Sorrow, Fear, Love, Hate, Desire—are all contained within it. It can manipulate a cultivator's various emotions. While its offensive power isn't strong, it is an incredibly terrifying, inescapable secret art. No wonder this woman became the Saintess of the Demonic Sect. If I’m not mistaken, that Su Xiaoxiao just now must have used this technique to stir your feelings."

Zong Shou’s face instantly turned a sickly pale green. Did this mean he had already developed feelings for that enchantress? What a joke!

"No matter how potent the technique, it couldn't make you fall for her instantly, especially for someone like you, Junior Brother, with such firm resolve, mastery over illusionary arts, and an unshakeable mind. However, from what I know, the Nine Secrets Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Art does possess an opportunity to trigger latent potential, elevating the technique several levels beyond its peak. At that moment, even a Grandmaster might struggle to resist. Right now, Junior Brother, you have merely developed a slight liking for her. But over time, with gradual influence, that could change—"

Seeing Zong Shou's face beginning to turn a shade of green, Ming Yu smiled and offered reassurance, "If it truly is this technique, then Su Xiaoxiao has also paid a price. She must also offer her true affection! If she does not give first, how can she expect genuine affection from others?"

Zong Shou’s mood only worsened.

Whether it was him developing feelings for the enchantress, or Su Xiaoxiao genuinely falling for him, neither prospect was pleasant.

Furthermore, the feeling of being schemed against yet being completely unable to defend against it was particularly vexing.

Evidently, Ming Yu had no solution either. After dropping the line, 'There is no cure; you must look after yourself,' he irresponsibly vanished into the void.

The battle here was concluded, the Demonic Path temporarily forced out of the Cloud Realm's conflicts. For a Venerable of his Saint Realm, there was naturally no need to linger.

However, that high-ranking expert from the Sword Sect, the Venerable who resembled a youth, offered him one final reminder before leaving.

"Your Majesty, have you ever heard of the method of 'Planting the Demon in the Dao Heart'?"

Zong Shou was certainly familiar with it; it was famous within the Demonic Sect, existing in various forms—using talismans as seeds, the Demon Fetus Crucible, or more uniquely, through threads of affection.

Among the Seven Spiritual Sects of the Three Venerables and Six Gates of the Sentient Path, the Seven Spirit Sect specialized in this path, though they had slightly modified the Demonic methods.

He himself was currently still acting as a crucible, nurturing Zhao Yanran’s demon fetus.

"It’s quite similar, only lacking the Dao Heart Crucible. Emotion is a double-edged blade; it can wound in both directions. It depends on which of you is more skilled. Will you become bound by her threads of emotion, or will this enchantress completely become your captive? If you lose to her, she can certainly advance her Primordial Demon Seven Emotions Art to a higher level. But if she loses to you, severing the threads of affection will become impossible in the future. Moreover, this technique bears some resemblance to the Bride Sacrifice Art; in a sense, she is cultivating a profound magical path on your behalf."

At this point, the youth smiled casually, "In truth, none of it matters. Even if feelings arise, it won't cause your resolve to collapse or lead you to the Demonic Path. At most, you will be helpless regarding her. And what this woman truly desires is likely just breeding with you. I eagerly await the Demon Child born from the Myriad Spirits Primordial Fetus—"

Zong Shou became even more displeased. Breeding? Was he being treated like a stud animal? What nonsense.

However, after hearing the man say this, he felt slightly reassured.

There were simply too many secret arts in this world that were impossible to defend against.

Once the agreement was settled, in the blink of an eye, the void beyond the domain quieted down. Those Grandmaster Venerables had all departed. Even the several divine intentions of the Grandmaster realm pressing down upon Zong Shou were withdrawn one by one. As for the Peerless Primordial Demon Li Biexue being forced to withdraw from the Cloud Realm conflict first, dissolving the alliance of the Three Teachings, Zong Shou no longer cared what the Celestial Venerable Qing Xuan and Zhu Zi would think or how they would react.

With the war concluded, the amassed Spirit Masters of the Void Ships and the one hundred thousand elite cavalry could also be dismissed.

"Ten years?"

Returning to the two colossal jade carriages, Zong Shou's expression grew cold.

It was predictable that the Demonic Sect's counterattack ten years later would be ferociously intense.

However, that Peerless Primordial Demon seemed certain that he could not remain in the Cloud Realm for long, which is why he acted without fear.

The terms proposed through Su Xiaoxiao’s mouth were conditions Zong Shou could not refuse.

The primary culprits who hunted and slaughtered the subjects of Da Qian would inevitably drain a significant portion of Da Shang's national strength. And defeating the Half-Step Grandmaster level Blood Saint Demon Lord within thirty years would be even more arduous.

As the armies dispersed, Zong Shou's imperial procession, guarded by thirty thousand cavalry, headed towards the direction of Dong Lin.

This great victory in the Southern Border required a grand ceremony for the triumphant monarch. On one hand, it was to glorify national prestige; on the other, to boost the morale of the populace and the military.

Ren Bo had been preparing for this for a long time. Even this miserly old man had been unusually generous, sparing no expense for this Triumph Ceremony. He had been relentlessly urging Zong Shou to return quickly for the past half a month.

And on the very next day, good news arrived from Kong Yao’s front: the five prefectures in the south had been completely pacified and fully incorporated into Da Qian’s territory.

However, Kong Yao’s army halted before Hundred Victories Pass. Kong Yao attempted probes several times, but all ended in failure. Casualties were not heavy, but the Patriarch of the Shi family proved himself worthy of his reputation as a renowned general. It was not an overly treacherous pass, yet it was defended impregnably. Crossing the river was even more impossible; Da Shang’s naval strength remained intact. Having chosen to hold a defensive posture, even the supremely talented Shi Ruolan could do nothing for the time being.

The second piece of news arrived from within Da Shang itself.

"This Chong Xuan truly did not die!"

The Emperor of Yuan Chen had already returned to Da Shang. Someone personally witnessed a youth bearing a striking resemblance to Chong Xuan entering and exiting the Fenghua Palace, appearing before the Emperor. His movements were secretive and extremely furtive, yet they did not escape the notice of the vigilant.

At this moment, Da Shang’s eighteen million troops had been routed in the Southern Border, causing the already collapsing structure to lose several more supporting beams. This spurred countless 'vigilant individuals' to seek a way out.

Da Qian, having secured hegemony over the Cloud Realm and possessing the momentum to advance into the Central Plains, was undoubtedly the most suitable power to align with in the eyes of some. This allowed Da Qian's covert agents to easily extend their hidden tentacles deep into the heart of Da Shang over dozens of days and nights.

In the Central Plains, the noble and powerful clans held no secrets from him. If he wished, he could even know what style of undergarments Yin Yu’s concubines wore daily.

"To the west of the Imperial Capital, a large number of children are missing? All born during daylight hours, causing unrest and unease in the Imperial Capital—"

Zong Shou’s heart grew heavy. With merely a moment's thought, he knew there must be a problem, and the lives of these children were likely forfeit. However, when Demonic Sect arts require the blood sacrifice of children, they usually seek those born during the dark hours. Cases requiring those born during the day were exceedingly rare, and such a large scale exceeded common knowledge.

After pondering for a moment, Zong Shou contacted Zhang Huai via a spirit talisman. It took Zhang Huai only half a day to provide him with an answer.

"It is rumored that when the Tomb of Emperor Qin was constructed, two million, four hundred thousand laborers were buried alive to guard the secrets within. It must be a place where Yin energy converged, accumulating for thousands of years in the Dark Abyss, further intensifying the malevolent force. Infant Yang blood, provided the child is not more than nine days old, contains innate vital energy that can dispel Yin and ward off evil. This is merely my conjecture, not confirmed, for reference only—"

Zong Shou frowned. Zhang Huai claimed it was conjecture, but Zong Shou was ninety percent certain that Yin Yu Chong Xuan was preparing to open the Tomb of Emperor Qin prematurely.

He sighed softly, helpless, only capable of a cold sneer. The citizens of another nation were not his concern as the ruler of an empire. To be unable to protect one's own people was one thing; to condone a deviant sorcerer harming the lives of his own subjects? Did such an emperor deserve to be called wise? Preposterous!

However, since Yin Yu was genuinely preparing to seize the Twelve Golden Figures, Zong Shou could not hesitate either and needed to make preemptive preparations.

The third piece of news arrived from the Outer Domain—from the Asura tribe scout Hu, with whom he had not communicated in a long time.