Two days and two nights after his meeting with Zong Shou, Su Xiaoxiao calmly stepped into the area within the Heaven Demon Vault known as the 'Yuan Demon Abode.'

This residence of the Supreme Yuan Demon was starkly out of place with the grim and sinister atmosphere pervading the Yuan Demon Vault. It resembled an immortal's dwelling instead; yet, the scenery was beautiful, even as the demonic cultivation methods twisted human nature. Even aesthetic sensibilities gradually became peculiar, favoring a bloodthirsty disposition and an inclination toward the bizarre and malevolent. However, it was rumored that reaching the apex of the two great paths of the demonic way eventually led to the same destination by different routes.

Su Xiaoxiao proceeded unhurriedly, but the surrounding attendants cast strange glances her way. It was only when she reached a water curtain barrier that Su Xiaoxiao paused momentarily. Yet, in less than the blink of an eye, she resolutely stepped through. This meeting would determine her life or death, but there was no escaping it.

"My Lord Yuan Demon, may you be blessed!"

With a graceful curtsy, she knelt. Hearing a soft, drawn-out 'Hmm' from ahead, Su Xiaoxiao finally lifted her head to survey the pavilion of water. Li Biexue, with his white hair flowing, stood with his back to her, leaning against the railing. There was no one else present save for Han Qing, who was glaring at her fiercely from the side. Perhaps due to only recently recovering his physical form and suffering a severe drain of vital energy, Han Qing’s face was still entirely bloodless.

"Su Xiaoxiao!" Han Qing ground his teeth, his pupils seeming to ignite with flame. "Do you not feel that you owe me an explanation today?"

"An explanation for what?" Su Xiaoxiao feigned confusion, then realized with a sudden understanding. "Oh, I am truly sorry. I was too eager to save my junior brother that time, acting hastily without careful consideration. I truly never imagined things would turn out that way, almost costing my junior brother his life!"

Her words were sincere, and her gaze utterly genuine. Han Qing, however, was gnashing his teeth, inwardly sneering. Did she think denying it would be of any use? Even if Li Biexue did not deal with this woman today, once this foremost figure of the Cloud Realm's demonic path departed, he had a thousand ways to torment her! The memory of what she had said to Zong Shou that day, when he was on the verge of critical injury and death, caused Han Qing’s expression to contort. No man could accept such humiliation.

"Interesting!" Li Biexue chuckled softly, yet he did not turn around, instead gazing intently at what lay before him. The small lake ahead, filled with countless blooming lotus flowers, was undoubtedly exquisitely beautiful. However, what Li Biexue was truly 'seeing' was not the scenery, but the 'rhythm' formed by the cyclical flow and interwoven radiance of the laws of heaven and earth—a microcosm where the Great Dao could be witnessed.

"This matter concerning Xiaoxiao that day, this Seat requires an explanation—"

Su Xiaoxiao’s mind settled, and her expression turned serious. "I was merely instructing my Saint Son junior brother in the Way of the Demon. Since debuting, Junior Brother has had smooth sailing all the way; he has not only underestimated the heroes of this world but also slighted our Demonic Sect, being far too careless. Did he truly believe that because they followed the same demonic path, they would be utterly loyal and would not take his life?"

Li Biexue listened and merely uttered a casual 'En,' offering no judgment. Su Xiaoxiao seemed unconcerned by this. "If Junior Brother continues to be so unguarded in the future, even if he does not die by Su Xiaoxiao's hand, he will perish at the hands of another comrade. Our Demonic Sect pursues survival of the fittest, the strong preying on the weak. Talent and temperament must both be exceptional. If he were to die then, he would deserve it. Our Demonic Sect Venerables can save him once or twice, but can they always remain by his side to shield him?"

Fire erupted in Han Qing's eyes. Though he wished to retort, cold sweat already slicked his brow. At this moment, Li Biexue finally turned his head. His gaze, cold and tinged with amusement, swept over Han Qing once.

"What you say has merit. The conduct of those in our Demonic Sect is indeed thus. Han Qing, you must take this as a warning. If you perish due to carelessness at the hands of your own kind, then this Seat cannot determine whether I should avenge you or rejoice in the emergence of talent within our Demonic Sect."

Han Qing dared not speak, only bowing deeply and respectfully to Li Biexue. The latter paid him no mind.

"Then, why did you use the Yuan Demon Seven Emotions Art, that single opportunity for an abrupt, rank-surpassing sublimation? You knew I was here, knowing you could never truly die under the sword of that brat. Was it truly, as you claim, to conceive a demonic fetus with him? Or were you dissatisfied with my prior arrangements? Or perhaps, did you truly fall in love with that fellow?"

"Except for the last one, the other two reasons apply!" Su Xiaoxiao tilted her head up, her gaze firm, yet carrying a hint of provocation as she met Li Biexue’s eyes. "Su Xiaoxiao has only met Zong Shou a few times; there can be no talk of affection. At most, it is slight admiration. However, I am truly dissatisfied with the arrangement to marry Junior Brother Han Qing. What qualities does Junior Brother Han Qing possess that make him worthy of this disciple?"

Flames nearly shot from Han Qing’s eyes; he let out an angry laugh. Unworthy? He was the most outstanding disciple of the Demonic Sect in the past several thousand years. The Great Heaven-Defying Demonic Magic he cultivated was a twelfth-tier world-ending divine ability, infinitely close to the thirteenth-tier supreme level. Countless powerful figures in the demonic path had high hopes for him, considering him the most likely successor to the Blood Saint Demon Lord to reach the Ultimate Realm. His future achievements were destined to surpass even the Blood Saint Demon Lord! The one who was truly unworthy was Su Xiaoxiao herself! It was her honor to be favored by him. If they were not in the Yuan Demon Abode, if Li Biexue were not present, he would surely have slapped her hard across the face and used every means possible to humiliate and crush her!

"What the Yuan Demon Lord desires is merely a demonic fetus! In that case, Zong Shou would be a far more suitable candidate than Junior Brother—" Su Xiaoxiao’s expression was calm, completely ignoring Han Qing’s glare. "The Nine-Tailed Profound Fox possesses the Great Dao of Boundless Beginning and End, with potential surpassing the Great Heaven-Defying Demonic Magic. He has the qualifications to forge his own bloodline! Furthermore, his innate talent in the Way of the Sword surpasses everyone under heaven! Such a prodigious genius is a hundred times better than Junior Brother. To be frank, Junior Brother Han Qing is not worthy of holding a candle to Zong Shou."

At this point, Su Xiaoxiao gave a slight smile. "And there is the Lu Family's World-Burning Eye. Coupled with my Myriad Spirits Primordial Fetus, we are certain to give birth to the complete World-Burning Bloodline. Perhaps our Cloud Realm Demonic Sect could even influence the Lu Family—"

Li Biexue was finally moved. His gaze seriously swept over Su Xiaoxiao from head to toe. "I may have underestimated you. In terms of aptitude, you are far inferior to Han Qing, but in terms of temperament, you are far superior. If Han Qing possessed your aptitude for cultivating the Great Heaven-Defying Demonic Magic, I would have no worries about the foundation of the Cloud Realm—"

Han Qing, looking terrified, was about to speak but was forcefully silenced by a wave of Li Biexue's sleeve.

"However, you must also be aware of the drawbacks of the Yuan Demon Seven Emotions Art."

"Emotion is a double-edged sword. To make Zong Shou move, this disciple naturally must also treat him with true feeling!" Su Xiaoxiao gave a bitter smile. "But regardless of whether this disciple succeeds or fails, wins or loses, it will not affect the Yuan Demon Lord’s final acquisition of the demonic fetus."

Hearing this, Li Biexue’s eyes flickered as he fell into deep thought. Su Xiaoxiao let out a breath and completely relaxed her body, knowing that her fate now rested entirely on the judgment of this Supreme Yuan Demon. She had done all she could; there was nothing more to be done except await the final decision of the Supreme Yuan Demon.

"Do you presume that since the die is cast, and with the addition of the Lu Family, this Seat must agree? And allow you to escape my control?" When Li Biexue spoke again, a chill pierced Su Xiaoxiao's heart, while Han Qing was filled with manic joy.

However, in the next moment, Li Biexue’s eyes suddenly flashed with sharp light as he glanced outside. He murmured softly, "Increase Profound Law Manifestation Wing... How could Zong Shou possess it? Let her enter!" The last sentence was amplified as he commanded the attendants outside the Yuan Demon Abode. Then, with a sweep of his sleeve, he declared, "You two, withdraw!" This matter was too crucial; even Han Qing was not qualified to hear of it. But just as the two were preparing to bow and depart, Li Biexue’s expression shifted suddenly.

"Su Xiaoxiao, you may stay!"

Both Su Xiaoxiao and Han Qing were momentarily stunned. The latter could only withdraw with frustration, while Su Xiaoxiao felt a dawning sense of hope, though confusion clouded her expression, that her fate might have taken a turn. In less than fifteen breaths, a woman appearing to be in her early twenties entered the room. Su Xiaoxiao recognized her. This woman was known as Demon Lotus, an extremely outstanding cultivator among the hundred-plus Divine Realm experts of the Demonic Sect. Had she already returned to the Cloud Realm?

Just as Demon Lotus was about to bow, Li Biexue spoke directly, "Is it truly the Increase Profound Law Manifestation Wing? How did you know? Did you see clearly? Has this object truly fallen into Zong Shou's hands?"

"When Lü Wushuang dominated the world back then, Demon Lotus had just entered the Demonic Flora Valley. Because several elders in my lineage once served under Lü Wushuang, I learned of it through a fortunate coincidence—" Su Xiaoxiao’s heart stirred. Lü Wushuang was the third Peerless Hegemon of the Cloud Realm, following King Chi You and Overlord Xiang Chu, preceding Heavenly King Ran Wu.

"That object was shaped like a wing, neither metal, jade, nor stone; even Demon Lotus’s divine sense could not fully discern its nature. Moreover, the Profound Void Sect was entirely wiped out shortly after the Middle Ages, its main mountain base cast into the Dark Abyss." As she spoke, Demon Lotus conjured an image in the void using a transformation technique. Li Biexue watched closely, his expression growing increasingly grim, his vital energy surging, causing the very qi of heaven and earth to stir. It took a full quarter of an hour before calm returned.

"It really is that thing—" Li Biexue let out a cold laugh and retracted his gaze. Seeing Su Xiaoxiao looking curious and bewildered, he asked casually, "Are you curious what the Increase Profound Law Manifestation Wing is, that it could cause this Seat to lose composure just now?"

Su Xiaoxiao held her breath, not daring to answer. She knew that Li Biexue’s state of mind had not yet stabilized; the ambient spiritual energy of heaven and earth still subtly undulated as proof. One wrong move today could spell disaster.

"It is rumored that Lü Wushuang was the most undeserving of the Four Peerless Hegemons—" The one who spoke was Madam Demon Lotus. "This statement is actually not false; Lü Wushuang’s strength was the weakest among the four, yet he could dominate the Cloud Realm and suppress countless contemporary heroes. Even those in the Ultimate Realm had to show him deference. The foundation of this man's reliance was precisely this Increase Profound Law Manifestation Wing."

Su Xiaoxiao’s delicate eyebrows lifted slightly, curiosity piqued. She listened as Madam Demon Lotus continued: "This divine treasure contains both the divine principles of 'Increase' and 'Manifestation.' 'Increase' means to augment, and 'Manifestation' means to reinforce. Hence its name, Increase Profound Law Manifestation Wing! This item can elevate the strength of any cultivator by several tiers, or it can be applied to artifacts! Legend holds that if a half-step Heaven-Opening artifact is reinforced by this item, it can immediately ascend to the rank of a Heaven-Opening Divine Artifact!"