"Heh heh, Ah Yu, we're brothers, aren't we? About the Heaven-Overturning Seal—you were right, the power inside me can't repair it at all. You should keep it for yourself. This Eastern Emperor Bell, though, it doesn't seem to need fixing, right? How about you just give that to me? Heh heh, no need to say much, you'll definitely agree, won't you? I always knew you were the best to me..." Liang Xiaoke laughed heartily, snatching the Eastern Emperor Bell from Ye Jingyu and moving to claim it as his own.

"Big Brother, do you know why I only just realized this is the Eastern Emperor Bell now?" Seeing Liang Xiaoke's manner, Ye Jingyu offered a wry smile.

"Oh, right, why did you only figure it out this time?" Only then did Liang Xiaoke show an expression of sudden realization, though his hands clutched the Eastern Emperor Bell tightly, as if a mother were embracing her child.

Ye Jingyu gave another bitter smile and recounted the battle between himself and the sliver of true spirit left by Donghuang Taiyi...

After Ye Jingyu finished speaking, Liang Xiaoke's face contorted into an expression nearing agony. "So, you mean the Eastern Emperor Bell has already recognized you as its master?"

"Mmm..." Ye Jingyu nodded. The Eastern Emperor Bell had been nurtured within his Sea of Consciousness for a long time, establishing a certain bond with him. Once Donghuang Taiyi died, the Bell naturally chose him as its master.

Once such a supreme divine artifact recognized a master, it became exceedingly difficult for others to wield it; even if they could, they might only access a fraction of its true power...

"Then give me your Twelve Heavenly Witches Annihilation Grand Array..." Reluctantly handing the Eastern Emperor Bell back to Ye Jingyu, Liang Xiaoke immediately set his sights on the Twelve Bone Chopsticks and the Chiyou Banner once more.

"Fine..." Without a word, Ye Jingyu presented the Celestial Venerable Blade to Liang Xiaoke.

"What, I don't want your Celestial Venerable Blade..." Liang Xiaoke asked, puzzled.

"My spirit and mind are linked to that Grand Array. You can only control it by killing me..."

"Ugh..." Liang Xiaoke rolled his eyes. What nonsense was this? His strength surpassed his, and he possessed several divine artifacts. Did that mean he couldn't even use one?

"Alright, Big Brother, I promise to save the next good thing for you!" Seeing Liang Xiaoke's crestfallen face, Ye Jingyu consoled him with a smile.

"Sigh... I guess that's how it has to be!" Liang Xiaoke nodded hesitantly, clearly unwilling but resigned.

"Right, why are you the only one here? Where are the others?" Ye Jingyu finally noticed Liang Xiaoke was alone and asked in surprise.

"We got separated..." Liang Xiaoke spread both hands, frankly recounting everything that happened after entering the Heavenly Absolute Forest to Ye Jingyu.

After listening to Liang Xiaoke’s tale, Ye Jingyu was filled with worry. This was the Demon Realm; even someone of Liang Xiaoke's strength could encounter unimaginable danger. What if the others ran into trouble?

"You don't need to worry too much. That little demon girl has been with Ling'er, and Little Peach is by her side too. She should be fine!" Seeing Ye Jingyu so concerned, Liang Xiaoke tried to reassure him.

"What about Xiaoyi? He should have been with you, right?" Ye Jingyu inquired about Lin Xiaoyi next.

"Uh, let's go, quick! He’s still at Monike’s place!" Liang Xiaoke suddenly remembered, smacked his forehead, and grabbed Ye Jingyu, dashing back the way they came.

Ye Jingyu swiftly put away the core formation trigger of the Twelve Heavenly Witches Annihilation Grand Array and followed closely behind him at a rapid pace.

When they arrived back at Monike’s dwelling, they found everything destroyed—even the nigh-indestructible stone bed was utterly ruined. This was the place where he had taken someone's first time, and now it was just rubble?

Of course, Xiaoke wasn't sad about that specific loss; he was merely astonished, horrified, and utterly unable to comprehend. How could this place be reduced to this in such a short time? What about Lin Xiaoyi and his Blood Corpse? Now, he couldn't reach Gongsun Lu at all.

Seeing the wreckage, Ye Jingyu guessed what had happened. Suppressing the anxiety churning within him, he patted Liang Xiaoke's shoulder and said, "They must have been captured. We have to go save them quickly!"

"But we don't know where they were taken!" Liang Xiaoke had been forcibly brought here by Monike; he had no idea where the Sky Wolf Giant clan nested.

Ye Jingyu remained silent, the Moon Wheel on his forehead flickering continuously, sending out rays of silver light that scanned the surroundings.

The Eye of Reincarnation, besides seeing through the essence of things, in its highest state, could even pierce through reincarnation, past lives, and future existences. Though Ye Jingyu hadn't reached that level yet, he could certainly use the Eye of Reincarnation to discern some clues.

"Follow me!" Under the sweep of his Eye of Reincarnation, a path bearing a faint trace of aura appeared before them.

He clapped Liang Xiaoke on the shoulder and dashed off again. Without a second thought, Liang Xiaoke followed.

The two cut through dense forest and arrived at a colossal ravine, spanning the size of more than ten soccer fields. Within the ravine grew a type of grass, three to four meters tall, with roots sharp enough to cut through ordinary Vajra material. At least a hundred Sky Wolf Giants lived in this valley, their bodies weaving through the tall grass, scraping against the roots and sending sparks flying.

Furthermore, at the far end of the ravine, they could see a cave entrance. Hundreds of Sky Wolf warriors, clad in gleaming elite armor, were stationed around the cave. Each warrior stood three zhang tall, looking incredibly robust.

"They must have been taken into that cave!" Ye Jingyu pointed towards the entrance, indicating the trail discovered by his Eye of Reincarnation.

"That cave is guarded by so many Sky Wolf Giants. How are we supposed to get in?" Liang Xiaoke was alarmed. This must be the main settlement of the Sky Wolf Clan.

Ye Jingyu’s brow furrowed deeply as well. Facing this many Sky Wolf Giants, even if his strength surpassed theirs, even if he possessed the Twelve Heavenly Witches Annihilation Grand Array, he couldn't simply fight his way in. As for sneaking in to rescue them, the cave entrance was small, and there were so many guards outside—how could they get in?

"Rumble..." Just as Ye Jingyu was racking his brain over how to rescue them, a massive roar suddenly erupted from the northwest, sounding like thousands of cavalry charging at full tilt.

Ye Jingyu and Liang Xiaoke both looked up. They saw dust rising in the northwest, the sky almost completely obscured by a swirling cloud of grit. Beneath the dust, there was a horde of Minotaurs—a group of colossal Bull-Headed beings, all standing taller than three zhang...

(I've been too tired lately; I'll rest for a while. Three chapters today.)