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So the commotion beneath the Red Cloud Sea was caused by Senior Lu Yi. After learning the full story, Shen Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

“There’s one thing I need your help with: help us locate the World Tree. Also, please keep an eye out for any news regarding Lu San, Lu Shisi, and Zhanyu.”

“You’re too kind, Senior.” Shen Yun bowed his hands. “I’ll do my best.”

Just as they were speaking, a disciple arrived with a report.

“Sea Lord, representatives from other sects have arrived with their disciples. They are already waiting at Spirit Beast Mountain. You must be present in person for the Spirit Awakening Ceremony.” Upon hearing this, Shen Yun nodded and said to Qin Zhou, “Senior, I have some matters to attend to within the sect. I’ll go handle them first.”

“Very well.”

Qin Zhou stood by the lake, quietly watching him leave.

Seeing this, the disciples of the Red Cloud Sea glanced back at Qin Zhou every few steps. How strange. Who is this man? Why does he feel so familiar? And the Sea Lord even addressed him as “Senior”…

Qin Zhou let them stare at him without a care.

The Red Cloud Sea is the “Kingdom of Spirit Beasts” and holds an extremely high status throughout the Spirit Mountain Realm. Typically, after novice beast tamers complete their basic training and gain recognition from their sect or clan, they follow their elders to the Red Cloud Sea to contract their first spirit beast.

This process is called “Spirit Awakening.”

The spirit beasts of the Red Cloud Sea are also the finest on the entire continent.

Generally, tamers who successfully contract a spirit beast at the Red Cloud Sea possess extraordinary talent. The “protagonist” would naturally come to the Red Cloud Sea for Spirit Awakening as well, though that would likely be part of the later plot. Qin Zhou crouched down and touched the lake’s surface with his finger—

“Lu Yi, don’t kill that demon beast.”

Wen Jue’s voice came from the water, “I won’t kill it. This thing isn’t an ordinary beast. It has an inner core, but this core is strange—it’s filled with demonic energy. It’s the first time I’ve seen something like this.”

Wen Jue replied to Qin Zhou, already holding Duyan’s inner core in his hand and examining it.

“Logically speaking, whether it’s a spirit beast or a demon beast, the inner core is its vital point. Yet even after I ripped your inner core out, you’re still fine. You’re quite an interesting demon beast.” These words were directed at Duyan.

“You… you know full well I can’t die. Even if you crush my inner core a million times, I still won’t die. I advise you not to waste your efforts!”

Duyan’s voice was barely a whisper. A mass of black mist lay lifelessly on the ground.

Duyan’s self-reference had shifted from “this body” to “I.” Over the past two days, he had suffered terribly at Lu Yi’s hands. He might not die, but he still felt pain!

“Lu Yi, don’t you long to go out and see the man you love?” Duyan said, refusing to give up. “He’s right there on the surface of this lake. As long as you break this formation, you can get out.”

Duyan didn’t understand why Lu Yi’s personality had changed so drastically after waking up. But an inner demon makes a target easy to deal with; no matter how powerful a person is, they have a weakness in their heart. Even if he is Lu Yi, the number one person in the Spirit Mountain Realm.

Even in the face of death, he was still trying to seduce him. Wen Jue felt like laughing.

“This formation is meant to trap you—do you think I don’t know that? If I break this cage for you, do you think you’ll be free to do as you please?”

Wen Jue tossed its inner core into the air, then caught it steadily in his hand.

Duyan couldn’t bring himself to smile. “If you don’t break this formation, I can’t get out, and neither can you. Don’t you want to see the man you love?” Damn it all, how could someone wake up one morning and suddenly have a lover!

Now, even dreams come with a pre-assigned partner?! If it weren’t trapped in this water prison, it would definitely go see for itself what kind of man could make Lu Yi develop a demon of obsession!

Wen Jue couldn’t be bothered to respond and simply sat down cross-legged.

In truth, by now he had a fairly clear understanding of his situation. This body of his was likely the “Lu Yi” from the Spirit Mountain Realm that Qin Zhou had mentioned.

The “Lu Yi” was created by Qin Zhou, the God of Creation. Though he didn’t know the man’s identity, Wen Jue could sense that this body’s cultivation was even stronger than his own in the Zhutian Realm—it had even reached a realm sufficient for ascension.

As for why he hadn’t ascended, it was likely due to that black mist demon beast. The formidable figure who had sealed the demon beast here?

This was likely how Qin Zhou saw him.

Had they met before this, he would likely have been plagued by inner demons.

In the end, he hadn’t turned out the way Qin Zhou had imagined.

But now…

Hmph, now that he and Qin Zhou have shared an intimate moment, that man can’t very well turn his nose up at him. Whether good or evil, he’ll have to put up with it.

If he dares to reject him, he’ll just lock him up.

Wen Jue raised his hand, and a strand of spiritual energy carried his voice outward—“Qin Zhou.”

“What is it?”

His lover’s voice seemed to be right by his ear, traveling through the deep sea, penetrating this underwater prison sealed by the formation, and clearly seeping into his, sending a tingling sensation through his heart.

“Have you been up there the whole time?” 

“Mm, I’ll stay with you for a while.” 

“What’s it like up there?”

Qin Zhou looked up. “It’s beautiful. In a little while, the setting sun will cast a crimson glow, turning the lake’s waters red.” 

“Isn’t that just like a blood pool? Is that really beautiful?”

Qin Zhou’s voice carried a hint of laughter. “It’s not that kind of gory scene. There’s wind, and leaping spirit beasts—it’s a truly beautiful, wondrous spectacle.” 

“I can’t see it, though. I’m just a demonic beast of the dark arts, of unknown origin, here only to bewitch my heart.”

“Bewitch?” Qin Zhou’s voice grew solemn. “It’s bewitching you?”

“Yes.” Wen Jue glanced at the dying Duyan lying nearby and said, “This creature is evil. It might even take on your form to deceive me in a moment. I’ve searched for a long time, but I haven’t found its weak spot. Its inner core is also strange—it can’t be crushed.”

“The Duyan’s inner core is formed from the world’s evil thoughts. To completely destroy it, you’ll need ten divine artifacts. However, those artifacts are scattered across the world—they won’t be easy to find.”

“Is that so?” 

“Doesn’t that make it pretty hard to kill him?”

Qin Zhou said in a grave tone, “But the light of merit can damage his inner core. If he tries to beguile you, don’t hesitate.” 

Wen Jue grinned. “Got it.”

In the Zhutian Realm, he didn’t possess much merit light, but here, it seemed to be in abundance. Wen Jue pinched his fingertips, and a golden radiance flared up, like water gushing from a spring, spurting out in bursts.

Seeing this, the Dark Nightmare sneered, “The Light of Merit cannot harm my inner dan. Lu Yi, you should know that in this world, aside from the Ten Divine Artifacts, nothing can harm my inner dan. You cannot kill me; otherwise, you wouldn’t have trapped me here for thousands of years using your own body.”

Wen Jue couldn’t stand seeing this black blob acting so arrogantly. He had complete faith in Qin Zhou’s words.

If Qin Zhou said it would work, then it would definitely work.

A radiance of merit emanated from Wen Jue’s fingertips, instantly enveloping the pitch-black inner core. Nothing happened.

Duyan sneered, “I told you it wouldn’t work.”

“Qin Zhou, no reaction.” Wen Jue looked up at the sky and sent a telepathic message.

“Mm, give me a moment.” As he spoke, Qin Zhou opened the Map of Mountains and Rivers and immediately modified its settings.

【 Do you wish to change the damage mechanism for ‘Duyan’s Inner Dan’ from ‘Vulnerable to Divine Artifacts’ to ‘Vulnerable to Light of Merit’?】

【 Confirm】

“Try again,” Qin Zhou said.

Wen Jue once again enveloped the spiritual light with his Light of Merit.

“Aaah—!!”

In an instant, Duyan’s blood-curdling scream shook the heavens and the earth!! The entire Red Cloud Sea trembled once more.

Who on earth is it!

Who on earth is guiding Lu Yi against him!

No, how could his inner core have been damaged by the golden light of merit!

“It seems it’s done,” Qin Zhou said, steadying himself. “It’s done. What did you do?”

Qin Zhou replied calmly, “Just a little trick.”

Wen Jue praised him without hesitation, “That was impressive.” 

Qin Zhou paused, “…Hmm.”

Hearing Wen Jue praise him… hmm, that felt good.

“This thing is so ‘dark’ it’s beyond belief. Who knows how much bad karma it’s accumulated? While I’m down here, I’ll at least flay a layer of skin off him.” 

“Alright.” As long as he’s having fun, he wasn’t worried about any bugs. Once Wen Jue had his fill, he’d just fix it back.

“Then what if I want to see you?” Wen Jue said softly. “I seem to have truly been bewitched by that thing. It keeps whispering in my ear that I’m thinking of a certain man. Now I really want to see you—what should I do?”

He lowered his voice, like a gentle breeze blowing into Qin Zhou’s ear, softly whispering of longing. Qin Zhou’s finger, tapping the lake’s surface, twitched slightly, sending ripples across the water.

After a long while, his voice was slightly hoarse. “All right.” 

“Hm?” Wen Jue paused in surprise.

But Qin Zhou had already taken out the Map of Mountains and Rivers.

【 Do you want to be teleported to NPC “Red Cloud Sea’s Seabed” – “Lu Yi”?】

【 Confirm】

Qin Zhou thought to himself; he was a man of self-restraint.

The immediate priority was to find the World Tree.

But he couldn’t help himself—he’d first checked on Lu Yi’s whereabouts, and now, because of a single remark from him, he was heading to the great array beneath the sea, where he might even run into Duyan.

The Creator God throwing himself into the fray—it’s truly… ridiculous. I’ll have to kiss him hard on the lips and force him to say nice things. As a punishment.

Wen Jue hadn’t expected to actually see Qin Zhou in this space.

His eyes widened, as if trying to process why he had suddenly appeared before him. But before he could say a word, he was kissed.

Wen Jue: “……” Alright.

A smile flickered in Wen Jue’s eyes.

That’s right—he’d completely forgotten that Qin Zhou was a god here. A god who’d lost his composure.

Duyan, tormented to the point of delirium: “……” Oh no, everything’s starting to look double.

Huh? They’re even overlapping. Damn Lu Yi… Damn him…

Your inner demon… I will capture the one you care about and make you taste the agony of living in torment!