Ren Zu and Jasmine appeared at the center of the vast main hall of the Palace of the Leader of the Divine Cult of the Heavenly Demon, emerging out of nowhere as if space itself had simply opened to receive them.
The hall was vast and silent, enveloped by a solemn atmosphere that bordered on the sacred. The floor, made of perfectly polished black jade, gleamed like an absolute mirror, reflecting every detail above with an almost unreal clarity. As one walked upon it, there was the strange sensation of being suspended between two worlds.
Above, the domed ceiling was composed of countless embedded crystals, each emitting a soft, cold glow like distant stars. The light was not intense, but sufficient to fill the environment with an ethereal tone, creating the perfect illusion of an infinite night sky. When reflected in the jade below, the effect doubled, transforming the hall into a space where heaven and earth blurred together, as if there were no longer any distinction between above and below.
Supporting this grand structure stood colossal columns of black crystal, perfectly carved. Along their surfaces, golden dragons and crows had been masterfully engraved, their bodies coiling along the columns in intricate detail. Under the light of the crystals, these figures seemed to come alive, as if silently observing everything that occurred in that place.
Ren Zu smiled faintly, speaking calmly, "It seems we arrived at the right time."
"..." Jasmine remained silent at his side, her black eyes scanning the surroundings with a turbulent mixture of emotions, until they finally settled on the figure standing beside one of the large arched windows. The young woman, who resembled a pure and immaculate fairy dwelling in a world above the nine heavens, radiated a powerful profound aura. Her heart wavered upon realizing that the other's profound aura had reached the peak of the Divine Tribulation Realm! In just one year… she had surpassed multiple levels. What kind of monster was that?!
Her gaze then shifted to Ren Zu at her side. A complex glimmer passed through her dark pupils, difficult to decipher. Was this the result of dual cultivation with him? No… not exactly. It would be more accurate to say it was a consequence of her status as his "wife." He had refined countless pills, resources that even she, with all her knowledge, did not recognize and which had clearly been fundamental in pushing Xia Qingyue to that level. Even so, it was undeniable that the [Myriad Dharmic Wheel] had also played a crucial role in this abnormal advancement.
Even so, she could not suppress the unease growing in her chest. The speed of this progress defied any logic she knew, breaking limits that should have been absolute. If that was only the beginning, then how far could Xia Qingyue go under Ren Zu's influence?
The woman standing by the window was, without a doubt, Xia Qingyue. Over the past year, her beauty had risen to a new level, becoming even more refined and ethereal. The moment she sensed his presence, she turned quickly. Her eyes, once calm and clear like the surface of a still lake, shone with a rare and genuine emotion, breaking her usual coldness. Without any hesitation, she walked toward him, her steps light yet filled with urgency, as her soft voice rang out with unusual sweetness, "Husband! You've finally returned!"
Ren Zu opened his arms the moment she approached close enough, pulling her into a warm embrace. His hand wrapped firmly yet gently around her slender waist as he tilted his face, inhaling the familiar scent of her hair.
"I'm back, Qingyue..." he murmured against her hair, his voice low and filled with affection.
Xia Qingyue smiled—a rare, soft, radiant smile capable of completely transforming her naturally calm expression into something warm. She returned the embrace, her delicate arms wrapping around his neck, her body fitting perfectly against his, as if that place had always belonged to her.
"Qingyue missed you..." she whispered, her voice low and full of emotion, burying her face briefly in his chest. "Very much."
For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away.
It was an intimate moment, almost saccharine, overflowing with a tacit understanding that needed no words. The simple intertwining of their bodies said everything, a silent connection that only time and closeness could build.
A few meters away, Jasmine watched the scene with her arms crossed, her expression gradually growing heavier. Her black eyes narrowed, fixed on the two, while a faint blush appeared on her cheeks—something she refused to acknowledge. A low sound escaped her lips, an almost inaudible "hmph," as she turned her face aside, as if it did not deserve her attention. Even so, her rigid posture betrayed her completely. Her gaze only shifted away for brief moments before returning, as if drawn back against her will. There was something unsettling about that scene; she frowned slightly, her fingers tightening around her own arm more than necessary. Deep down, it irritated her more than it should. And that was precisely why she refused to look for too long.
After a few moments, Xia Qingyue finally pulled away from the embrace, albeit reluctantly, as if that brief instant had passed far too quickly. Her eyes, which had overflowed with softness just moments ago, gradually returned to their usual crystalline calm. Then they moved, settling precisely on the red-haired beauty accompanying her husband. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze assessing Jasmine from top to bottom without haste.
"Who is this, husband?" she asked at last, her voice calm and indifferent. Even so, there was a subtle inflection in her tone—slight but perceptible—making it clear that this was not mere curiosity, but a question that demanded an answer.
For a brief instant, the air around them seemed to grow heavier.
Jasmine, who had until then avoided looking directly at the other, cast her a sideways glance upon hearing the question. Her eyes narrowed slightly more, and the previous blush had already disappeared, replaced by a proud and somewhat defiant expression.
Ren Zu smiled, clearly amused by the situation, as if merely watching a small spectacle unfold before his eyes.
"She is your new sister..." he said calmly, before adding without the slightest restraint, "My new wife."
For an instant, the world seemed to freeze.
Jasmine flushed completely red, the blush spreading explosively across her face up to her ears. Her eyes widened, her lips parting in pure shock, but irritation quickly followed, intense and impossible to hide.
"Y-you… you're talking nonsense!" she exclaimed, her voice coming out louder than intended, fully betraying her emotional state. "I never agreed to that! I'm no one's sister!"
She turned her face away abruptly, as if wanting to distance herself from that absurd statement… but she did not take a single step back. Her fingers clenched tightly, and for a brief moment, her gaze returned to Ren Zu—too quickly for anyone less attentive to notice, yet filled with something far beyond simple indignation. There was confusion there. Resistance… and something dangerously close to desire.
Xia Qingyue, on the other hand, did not show excessive surprise. Her clear and tranquil eyes rested on Jasmine with quiet attention, evaluating her without haste, as if absorbing every detail with precision. What first caught her attention was the girl's profound strength—there was no perceptible fluctuation of profound energy around her, as if she simply did not exist within the field of spiritual perception. Which meant she was far stronger than she appeared....
And also, although she had noticed it before, the girl possessed a beauty that defied the heavens. Her skin had an impeccable softness, fair as polished jade, without the slightest imperfection. Her red hair, vivid and intense, fell naturally down her back, creating a striking contrast with the delicacy of her features. Every trait of her face seemed sculpted with extreme care—fine, well-defined eyebrows, deep and expressive eyes, a delicate nose, and perfectly proportioned lips. Her eyes, in particular, carried an intensity difficult to ignore. There was a peculiar mixture of arrogance, pride, and suppressed emotion within them, as if they concealed far deeper layers than she allowed to show. Even now, turning her gaze aside and clearly irritated, her expression possessed a vitality that made her impossible to ignore.
As someone perceptive and intelligent enough to see the true essence of those before her, she knew that this girl was not ordinary and also noticed that the emotion hidden in those eyes was the same emotion she herself carried in her heart toward her husband. Should she give her a little push? She had helped Feng Xue'er before.... A faint smile, almost imperceptible, curved her lips.
"I understand…" she murmured after a few moments of silence, her voice calm and elegant, without the slightest fluctuation. Her eyes remained on Jasmine for a brief moment longer before she concluded with flawless naturalness, "Then, welcome, sister."
Jasmine almost choked on her own breath.
"W-who is your sister?!" she retorted immediately, her voice coming out sharper than she would have liked, filled with genuine exasperation, her brows furrowing in visible irritation. "Don't call me that! I'm not… I'm not…"
The words simply would not come out.
Ren Zu chuckled softly, the deep and carefree sound echoing gently through the vast hall.
"No need to get so nervous. It was just a joke…" he said, winking at Jasmine.
Jasmine snorted in response, turning her face away forcefully, her arms crossed in a defensive manner.
"Idiot…" she muttered, almost inaudible, her lips moving in a series of low complaints that likely contained more than one insult directed at him.
Ren Zu did not seem to care about her reaction. His gaze returned to Xia Qingyue, the smile still present, though now softened.
"Sorry, Qingyue. She's just a friend of mine," he corrected calmly.
Jasmine maintained her indifferent expression, but inside… something did not sit right. The word "friend" echoed in her mind uncomfortably. Her fingers tightened slightly against the fabric of her clothes, and for a brief moment, her gaze wavered. It was a strange feeling, difficult to name, as if something within her had been pushed into a place where it did not belong. After all, the past two years she had spent by his side had been indescribably happy; complex feelings had taken root in her heart during that time. Was it because of them that this… bothered her so much? She frowned slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line. Her heart tightened subtly, almost imperceptibly, yet impossible to ignore.
Xia Qingyue nodded calmly. Her husband seemed to have noticed that the girl harbored some feelings for him, but did not wish to force anything. She made a slight, elegant bow.
"My name is Xia Qingyue. I am the wife of the Demon Lord. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Jasmine regained part of her composure and responded calmly:
"This princess is called Jasmine. You may call me Jasmine...."
Ren Zu looked at the two of them for a moment, satisfied with the introductions, and then asked, "Where are Xue'er and Caiyi?"
Xia Qingyue replied with her usual calm:
"The two of them are still in seclusion, consolidating their advancement. They should come out soon."
Ren Zu nodded, the calm smile remaining on his lips.
"Good. While they're not out, I'll go visit my adoptive parents, my adoptive sister, my grandfather, and my aunt. I want to see how they've been over the past year. Do you want to come along...?"
Xia Qingyue did not hesitate.
"Yes," she replied with the same calm as always, her voice soft, as if that decision were only natural. Her eyes lingered briefly on Ren Zu, carrying a subtle trace of closeness before turning away.
Jasmine, on the other hand, let out a sigh.
"Hmph… even if you hadn't said it, I was already going there," she declared, in a tone that tried to sound indifferent but carried a clear intent. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "There's someone I want to see...."
She did not elaborate further, but for a brief moment, a memory crossed her gaze—something distant, yet important enough to soften her expression, if only slightly.
Ren Zu observed the two for a moment, a faint smile appearing on his lips, as if he had expected exactly those answers.
"Then let's go."
In the next instant, the space around them distorted almost imperceptibly.
And then, they disappeared.
The vast hall returned to absolute silence, as if nothing had ever been there.
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