The next time Ye Jingyu opened his eyes, half a month had already passed. The first thing he saw was Xue Ling, clad in a long white dress, sitting by his bedside, holding a hot towel and gently wiping his body.

Seeing Ye Jingyu finally awake, joy bloomed in Xue Ling’s eyes, and she exclaimed, “Brother, you’re finally awake! How do you feel now? Should I immediately inform the City Lord?”

Ye Jingyu shook his head, a flicker of disappointment crossing his eyes. He had initially hoped the first face he saw would be hers, but he quickly composed himself. Given her current status, there was no way she could attend to him personally; even if she wished to, Yuan would never permit it.

Seeming to catch the disappointment in his eyes, a shadow of sadness passed over Xue Ling’s face.

Noticing the dimness in Xue Ling’s expression, Ye Jingyu immediately forced a smile. “Come now, little one, shouldn’t you be happy that your brother is awake? Why the long face? Perhaps you didn’t want me to wake up? If that’s the case, I can just go back to sleep!”

“No, no, that’s not it! I am very happy that you woke up, Brother, truly very happy…” Hearing this, an anxious look flashed across Xue Ling’s face, and she rushed to explain, but perhaps due to her nervousness, her explanation only became more muddled.

“Heh, alright, tell me, how long was I unconscious?” Ye Jingyu asked with a faint smile, observing Xue Ling’s tense demeanor.

He felt that most of his injuries had healed, and much of the power within him had returned. However, he understood his body’s condition deeply; the more severe the injury, the longer the period of unconsciousness. Given the gravity of his injuries this time, he estimated he should have slept for a very long while.

“Brother has been unconscious for half a month…”

“Hmm? Half a month? Only half a month?” Ye Jingyu blinked in surprise. His most conservative estimate had been over three months. To think it was only half a month now! Had his body silently grown significantly stronger again?

“Mmm…”

Seeing Xue Ling nod, Ye Jingyu finally confirmed it. A massive wave of divine sense swept over his body, revealing that save for a lingering ache in his chest, he was completely restored. A surge of elation filled him. It seemed every time his body was destroyed and then rebuilt, it became even more formidable.

If he endured a few more injuries this severe, wouldn't his strength advance by leaps and bounds? Pah, pah, pah, what was he thinking? Wasn't that just courting suffering? He certainly didn't have a penchant for self-flagellation.

With Xue Ling’s assistance, Ye Jingyu climbed out of bed and dressed. Mu, who had already received word, hurried over. After confirming Ye Jingyu was largely fine, he escorted him toward Yuan’s palace. As Mu put it, Ye Jingyu had won that duel and was now the commander of the Blood Demon Legion. Before he officially took command, Yuan, as the proposer of this legion, naturally wished to meet him.

Walking along the path to the palace, Ye Jingyu’s heart was filled with apprehension. After all, he had dealings with Yuan millennia ago. What if Yuan truly recognized him?

With a nervous heart, Ye Jingyu followed Mu into Yuan’s palace.

It was a palace predominantly deep purple, with obsidian flooring and a violet vaulted ceiling. There were few ornate decorations; instead, the walls and stone pillars were intricately carved with vivid patterns that seemed to chronicle the history of the Demon Clan’s struggles.

Yuan, dressed in a loose white brocade robe, sat casually upon the throne at the front of the hall, his deep-set eyes fixed entirely upon Ye Jingyu.

Sensing Yuan’s unwavering gaze, Ye Jingyu, despite his inner turmoil, maintained an outward appearance of nonchalance, mimicking Mu’s posture as he bowed to Yuan.

Seeing that Ye Jingyu displayed neither tension nor excitement upon meeting him, appreciation dawned in Yuan’s eyes. Truly worthy of being the transcendent powerhouse who repelled Jue; even this level of composure was something few possessed.

As for Ye Jingyu, Yuan certainly wouldn't suspect him to be the same person from millennia past. After all, thousands of years had elapsed, and Ye Jingyu had never reappeared. Except for those closest to him or his mortal enemies, who would remember? Back then, his interactions with Yuan had been minor skirmishes, and in Yuan’s eyes, Ye Jingyu was merely an insignificant figure. How could Yuan possibly recall him? Even if he did remember, he would never associate the current Ye Jingyu with that past self; their auras differed too profoundly.

Regarding Xue Ling’s intense worry for Ye Jingyu on the day of the duel, Yuan hadn't read too much into it. After all, Ling was inherently benevolent, and encountering a human here was rare. Seeing a human harmed so severely, concern was normal. He had questioned Ling about it that day, and her explanation was consistent with that. He would never suspect any hidden history between this newly appeared face, Ye Jingyu, and Ling.

“Jing, congratulations on winning the duel, and congratulations on becoming the first commander of the Blood Demon Legion!” Among demons, there were rarely superfluous pleasantries. After thoroughly assessing Ye Jingyu, Yuan spoke directly.

“Thank you, My Lord, for granting me this opportunity!” Ye Jingyu offered no smile, maintaining a facade of cold detachment, bowing slightly to Yuan.

“Heh, this opportunity wasn't given by me; you earned it yourself. I have reviewed your records, and I am quite satisfied with your background. However, regardless, I initiated this Blood Demon Legion, so… I require your allegiance!” Yuan paused slightly as he said this, his gaze locking intensely onto Ye Jingyu’s eyes.

Ye Jingyu met Yuan’s stare without flinching. Outwardly, he showed a brief hesitation, feigning surprise, but quickly adopting an expression of sincere awe. He clenched his right fist against his chest, and his voice rang out with unwavering conviction: “I swear by the Spirit of Darkness, I, Jing, shall devote my life and soul to Lord Yuan alone. Should I ever violate this oath, may I suffer the calamity of celestial lightning, my soul scattered, and my body reduced to ash!”

Seeing the firmness in Ye Jingyu’s eyes and hearing his resolute oath, a satisfied smile spread across Yuan’s face. In the current Celestial Realm, perhaps due to the rules of the Heavenly Dao, any oath sworn—be it by a demon or an immortal—must be honored. Those who broke their vows were, without exception, cleaved into dust by heavenly tribulations…

It was for this very reason that neither the Demon Clan nor the Immortals took oaths lightly. Once sworn, however, they were absolutely binding…