AUOF - 96

Sang Li and Ji Hengyu spent a full three days holed up in the room together.

When she finally came to her senses, her mind was still foggy.

His hand was still wrapped around her waist, and because of her fair skin, the bruises scattered across it were particularly noticeable. Sang Li cautiously wiggled her toes, only to find her legs tightly entangled by his snake tail. The grip was soft yet firm, the silver scales dazzling. Each scale seemed to have been carefully soaked in a spiritual spring, refracting a beautiful, crystalline light that contrasted with the mottled red marks on her skin, creating an indescribable sense of decadence.

The tail’s grip was too tight, causing the soft flesh of her legs to bulge where it pressed, the skin reddening and tingling with pain whenever she moved. It was clear how excessive he had been.

Sang Li felt a flicker of embarrassment but didn’t dare disturb the sleeping Ji Hengyu. Carefully, she tried to pull her legs free.

Once freed, she let out a sigh of relief and prepared to sneak away while clutching her clothes.

But before she could even get off the bed, the snake tail snaked back from behind her, hooking her ankle and pulling her back. This had happened countless times already—every time Sang Li thought it was over and tried to leave, he would yank her back and relentlessly start another round.

Sang Li admitted that at first, she had been the one immersed, initiating the seduction. But after the initial moments, things spiraled out of her control.

She covered her chest with her clothes, trembling as she looked at Ji Hengyu in front of her.

It was true what they said about male beauty being alluring.

The Ji Hengyu before her now was exceptionally captivating, vastly different from his usual aloof demeanor. He leaned closer, his hair cascading down his shoulders and onto her chest. His upper body was bare, his skin pale and marked with red and blue scratches. His waist tapered inward, transforming into shimmering scales, and below that stretched his beautiful silver-white snake tail.

Though Sang Li had always been afraid of soft-bodied creatures, his tail was simply too exquisite and agile to resist.

Some thoughts were better left unexamined—the more she dwelled on them, the hotter her face burned.

Lost in thought, her calf suddenly felt a chill.

She couldn’t help but shiver as the cold sensation slowly rose. Clenching her thighs together, she slowed her breathing: ‘No, no more.’ What respectable person could endure such treatment? Even she, a demon, felt like she might lose her waist entirely.

‘Hmm?’

‘…’

The last time he’d made that drawn-out hum, things had spiraled completely out of control.

Sang Li realized she couldn’t continue this recklessness any longer. No matter what, she couldn’t indulge so excessively.

Straightening her expression, she said: ‘I haven’t been to Fumo Palace in a long time. Master will surely scold me.’

Ji Hengyu chuckled softly, lowering his head to nibble her ear: ‘Just once.’

‘You can’t fool me—I won’t believe you even once.’ Sang Li pushed against him. Just an hour ago, he had said the same thing, but his promises were far from trustworthy.

‘Get up.’

Seeing her stubborn refusal to yield, Ji Hengyu sighed regretfully, planting a lingering kiss on her hair before finally rising to release her.

Facing away from him, Sang Li began dressing piece by piece.

At least the man had some conscience. When she was utterly dazed, he had cleaned her repeatedly, leaving her feeling fresh and dry enough to head straight to Fumo Palace without issue.

After ensuring her messy hair was neatly combed, Sang Li adjusted her posture: ‘Then I’ll be going.’

‘All right.’ Ji Hengyu nodded.

Sang Li glanced at him suspiciously, finding it hard to believe he was being so agreeable.

With a faint smile tugging at his lips, it was obvious he wasn’t up to anything good.

Sure enough, before she could even leave the hall, his slow, leisurely voice followed her: ‘Remember to come tonight.’ He emphasized, ‘Or I can come to you.’

Her foot slipped, and Sang Li dared not delay further, bolting out of Shuoguang Hall.

Watching her flee in panic, Ji Hengyu burst into laughter, amused.

But his good mood didn’t last long before Ji Wu disrupted the atmosphere: [Master, can your body handle this?]

Ji Hengyu’s smile froze: [Mind your own business.]

Ji Wu: [That Fan Sha Flower…]

The smile on Ji Hengyu’s lips grew fainter as he gazed distantly in the direction Sang Li had departed. [Let it be for now.]

Ji Wu remained silent.

**

Fearing she wouldn’t be able to endure much more, Sang Li deliberately took on a slightly distant mission, planning to hide out for a few days.

The task lasted exactly a month. After finishing the handover at Fumo Palace and collecting her reward, she brought the exchanged beast meat to Moon Forest.

In just one month, Big Eyes had grown significantly.

It devoured the wild beast meat Sang Li had specially prepared, eating heartily. The pungent aroma of raw meat spread everywhere, stirring the lurking demonic seeds in the shadows. Now that Big Eyes was the boss of the area, they dared not act rashly and could only watch helplessly from the darkness.

After Big Eyes finished eating and drinking its fill, it distributed the remaining portions, burped, and shrank its body to nestle against Sang Li’s stomach.

She stroked it for a while, realizing she couldn’t keep ignoring Ji Hengyu. Steeling herself, she prepared to head toward Shuoguang Hall. However, just as she stepped out of Moon Forest, she noticed a striking shadow standing under a tree.

He wore a crimson robe, his long hair tied high, revealing a face that exuded righteousness yet icy detachment.

His gaze followed Sang Li, clearly indicating that Shen Zheyou had been waiting there from the start.

Sang Li’s eyes flickered, sensing trouble. She pursed her lips, feigning ignorance and avoiding eye contact as she walked past him. Just as she was about to brush past, a sword sheath blocked her path.

The tip of the sword gleamed, intricate engravings lining the cold sheath, adorned with crow-feather-colored tassels—all signs of its sharpness.

Sang Li’s throat bobbed as she calmly met his gaze: ‘What does Lord Shen intend?’

‘There are some matters I wish to confirm with you.’

Unlike Ji Hengyu’s inherent aloofness, Shen Zheyou’s coldness permeated every fiber of his being.

His expression showed no fluctuation as he spoke with steady intonation, but Sang Li didn’t think it was as simple as it seemed. She glanced at his empty right sleeve and said, ‘I am now a Demon Suppressing Guard, and Master has personally confirmed my identity. Therefore, I see no need to converse with you. If Lord Shen doesn’t step aside…’

Shen Zheyou’s icy gaze fell upon her. Exerting pressure with his thumb, the sword slid out of its sheath, its cold light piercing through the air.

The sudden surge of murderous intent startled the birds in the forest, their cries echoing in the distance. Beside her, Big Eyes let out familiar calls. Her expression hardened as her spirit energy surged within her consciousness, sending a message directly to Big Eyes—

[Don’t move.]

If Shen Zheyou had been lying in wait for her in Moon Forest, he likely already knew of Big Eyes’ existence.

He hadn’t killed it or exposed it outright, perhaps to avoid alarming her prematurely, intending to publicly slay it later and then punish her accordingly. But regardless of Shen Zheyou’s intentions, Big Eyes must not emerge!

This was Gui Xu Sea, with the Abyss Prison beneath. Once Big Eyes was exposed, Ji Hengyu, as the master of Gui Xu, would no longer be able to protect her again, no matter what.

Big Eyes called out urgently, its low growls resonating.

Rarely stern, Sang Li snapped: [If you dare come out, I’ll abandon you.]

The weight of her words silenced the forest commotion instantly.

Feeling guilty, she softened her tone, soothingly adding: [Run deeper into Moon Forest. Don’t worry about me—I’ll be fine.]

Big Eyes responded weakly, seemingly agreeing.

Only then did Sang Li feel reassured, straightening her spine to face Shen Zheyou.

Shen Zheyou’s cultivation far surpassed hers. The subtle fluctuations of her spiritual energy were like ripples in the wind—he certainly noticed. A faint smile played on his lips: ‘It seems you’re quite at ease.’

Sang Li retorted: ‘Not as much as Lord Shen, who follows young women stealthily and blocks them on the road. One wonders what you plan to do.’

Shen Zheyou’s gaze darkened.

After a moment, he spoke: ‘Has Miss Sang ever heard of the Spirit Clan?’

Sang Li’s heart skipped a beat, but she masked her unease: ‘Lord Shen need not speak in riddles. Ever since the illusion incident, you’ve harbored doubts about me. However, the Spirit Clan was destroyed five hundred years ago. Lord Shen needn’t pin every accusation on me.’

Seemingly ignoring her words, Shen Zheyou countered: ‘Do you know why the Spirit Clan perished?’

Sang Li frowned.

‘To achieve enlightenment, humans must first cultivate qi and establish roots; demons must train day and night, shedding bones and forming pills, to absorb the essence of heaven and earth. Regardless of whether they are human or demon, cultivation is essential.’ Shen Zheyou stared directly into Sang Li’s eyes, his expression intense. ‘However, one clan was unique—they sprang forth from heaven and earth, born with the innate ability to freely manipulate spiritual energy for their own use. Even newborn saplings could transform into forms. Does Miss Sang know why?’

Shen Zheyou unsheathed his sword with one hand.

Standing with the blade in hand, the sinister wind tousled his waist-length hair, his robes fluttering fiercely. His figure was tall and imposing, like a pine tree growing on a rugged cliff, devoid of slackness, radiating only resolve and cold determination.

A buzzing filled Sang Li’s ears as she summoned Huagu Ling, cautiously retreating to create distance.

‘Later, through divination by Celestial Lord Tianxiang, it was discovered that these beings had absorbed the power of the Stone of Heaven’s Suppression, thus manifesting in the world as the Spirit Clan.’ Shen Zheyou advanced step by step, his pale pupils glinting with cold light. ‘This trace of divine power continually affected the six realms, causing celestial chaos, preventing the Heavenly Gate from closing. Despite exhausting all efforts, the Divine Realm could not discern the reason until the Heavenly Dao unveiled the truth and obliterated that small Spirit Continent, barely ending the turmoil.’

‘Miss Sang, the Spirit Clan contained the power of the Stone of Heaven’s Suppression—it cannot exist in this world.’

The Stone of Heaven’s Suppression was originally used to mend the heavens.

It could close the Heavenly Gate, but it could also open it.

However, once the divine stone dispersed, breaking free of the heavenly array, the Stone of Heaven’s Suppression lost its ability to close. As long as it existed and grew stronger, the rift in the Nine Spirit Realm would persist and deepen.

Shen Zheyou suddenly understood why the Heavenly Gate kept reappearing—because—

The Spirit Clan still lived in this world.

Eager to confirm everything, Shen Zheyou swung his sword energy toward Sang Li.

Summoning Huagu Ling to block the attack, she seized the opportunity to release an illusionary mist, taking advantage of the spreading haze to run toward Shuoguang Hall. However, Shen Zheyou gave her no chance to escape. Despite her quick reactions and timely dodges, her shoulder was still grazed by the sword energy.

Her clothing tore, and the injured mark bled but quickly healed.

Sang Li repaired her torn sleeve amidst the mist, leaping into the air about three feet high. Suddenly, a palm-thunder struck her crown, sending a deafening buzz through her head. Her body, like a bird with broken wings, crashed solidly to the ground.

A metallic tang filled her throat, but Sang Li forced the surging blood back down.

Watching the approaching figure through the mist, her heart raced chaotically. Gritting her teeth, she struggled to rise, but her body felt nailed to the soil, unable to move an inch.

One step, two steps, three steps…

He was almost upon her.

Dizzy and disoriented, Sang Li bit down hard on her tongue, desperately trying to resist the binding spell cast upon her. But Shen Zheyou’s spiritual power far exceeded hers—resistance was futile, and she couldn’t budge even slightly.

Huagu Ling sensed the crisis and frantically manifested its spirit form, its tiny wings dragging Sang Li’s arm in an attempt to lift her. Seeing Shen Zheyou appear before her, Huagu Ling immediately positioned itself beside Sang Li, launching a wall of fire at him.

The flames shimmered brilliantly, surrounding Shen Zheyou, but he remained motionless. When the fire dissipated along with the mist, he was still unscathed.

Looking down at her from above, Shen Zheyou raised his palm. Hovering above it was a reddish-brown, faintly glowing pill.

‘If you are not of the Spirit Clan, I will let you handle me as you wish. But if you are, I can only bring you back to the Divine Realm to be dealt with by the Supreme Lord.’