The Nether Realm remained restless.
Dark winds moved across the land.
Inside a quiet chamber of the Demon Palace—
Demon Prince Moyan Jue stood near the window.
His expression was calm.
But his eyes were distant.
As if thinking about something far away.
Someone important.
Footsteps approached.
Mo Xiaoqi entered and bowed slightly.
"Your Highness."
Moyan Jue did not turn immediately.
"Mo Xiaoqi," he said.
His voice was low.
"I have decided something."
Mo Xiaoqi lifted his head slightly.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
Moyan Jue slowly turned around.
"I am going to the mortal realm."
Mo Xiaoqi's expression changed.
"The mortal realm?" he repeated.
"Yes."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Mo Xiaoqi frowned slightly.
"May I ask why?"
Moyan Jue paused for a moment.
Then he answered—
"I am going to meet someone."
Mo Xiaoqi looked at him carefully.
"Someone important?"
Moyan Jue's eyes softened slightly.
"Yes."
Silence followed.
Then he spoke again—
"My good friend."
Mo Xiaoqi seemed surprised.
"I did not know you had such a person."
Moyan Jue gave a faint smile.
"It has been a long time."
His gaze grew distant again.
"Too long."
Mo Xiaoqi remained silent.
Waiting.
Then Moyan Jue continued—
"His name… is Tianwei Li."
The name was spoken softly.
Almost like a memory.
Mo Xiaoqi nodded slowly.
"And he is in the mortal realm?"
Moyan Jue nodded.
"Yes."
Another pause.
Mo Xiaoqi spoke carefully—
"The mortal realm is not safe right now."
Moyan Jue did not seem concerned.
"I know."
"But you still wish to go."
"Yes."
His answer was firm.
There was no doubt.
Mo Xiaoqi lowered his head slightly.
"Then I will prepare everything for the journey."
Moyan Jue shook his head.
"Then… when will we leave?"
Mo Xiaoqi asked.
Moyan Jue turned toward the window again.
"Soon."
The wind moved slightly.
His expression remained steady.
"I will find him," he said quietly.
No matter where he was.
No matter what had changed.
Far away—
In the mortal world—
The morning light had just begun to rise.
Outside the city gates—
Wu Jinhai and Qiao Yu Zhen stood beside their horse.
The road ahead was long.
And unknown.
Wu Jinhai adjusted her sleeve slightly.
"Are you ready?" she asked.
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded.
"Yes."
They both mounted the horses.
With a light movement—
The horses began to run.
Leaving the city behind.
The road stretched forward.
Empty.
Quiet.
The wind brushed past them as they rode.
Neither of them spoke at first.
Only the sound of the horse's hooves echoed along the path.
After some time—
Wu Jinhai spoke.
"We will reach the mountain path by noon."
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded slightly.
"I know."
Silence returned.
The journey continued.
They passed fields.
Trees.
Small streams.
The scenery slowly changed.
The air became cooler.
The path narrower.
After riding for a while—
They reached a turning point.
The horses slowed down.
Wu Jinhai pulled the reins slightly.
In front of them—
The road split into three directions.
Three different paths.
Wu Jinhai looked ahead.
"There are three routes," she said.
Qiao Yu Zhen looked at them carefully.
"Which one?"
Wu Jinhai pointed ahead.
"Mingzhu," she said, looking at the first path.
Then—
"Lianzhou," she said, turning to the second.
Finally—
She looked at the third path.
"Mt. Zhaoshen."
The atmosphere around that path felt different.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Wu Jinhai spoke again—
"That is the only way to Mount Luzun."
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded.
"I see."
There was no hesitation.
Wu Jinhai held the reins firmly.
"Then we go this way."
She guided the horse toward the third path.
Toward Mt. Zhaoshen.
The moment they entered—
The air changed.
The light seemed dimmer.
The trees grew denser.
Shadows stretched longer.
Qiao Yu Zhen's gaze sharpened slightly.
"This place…"
Wu Jinhai spoke calmly—
"It is not an ordinary path."
The horse moved forward slowly now.
Carefully.
The road became uneven.
The wind quieter.
Almost still.
Wu Jinhai looked ahead.
Her expression remained steady.
"We must be careful from here."
Qiao Yu Zhen nodded.
"I know."
Silence followed.
But this silence—
Was different.
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Were you surprised, excited, or maybe a little anxious? I'd love to know your thoughts and have your support as we continue this journey together.