"Demon Lord of the Demon Realm? How could he be here..."
The Hall Master of Tuoluo frowned, his hands behind his back gradually clenching into fists, on guard.
If the true Demon Lord were here, they would have no chance of harming anyone, let alone bringing back the demon girl's bloodline...
With that thought, he raised his hand slightly, and a fiery red signal flare appeared in his palm.
"Bang—!" A huge crimson spark bloomed in the pitch-black night sky, instantly illuminating half the heavens.
"Signal flare! This is bad! We need to finish them quickly!"
Zhu Que watched the colors gradually fade, her heart pounding, her breathing growing rapid.
The battle was about to erupt, and the atmosphere instantly became tense and hostile.
...
Petals danced in the air, and vibrant flowers bloomed in profusion.
Amidst an endless sea of flowers, a woman's hair was swept up by the wind...
Entering the Sea of Consciousness once more, Bai Ran stood before the fifth tombstone.
"Do you wish to lift the fifth layer of the seal—" a ancient and steady voice echoed in her ears.
Her hands, hanging by her robes, gradually tightened. She looked up, her eyes resolute: "Yes."
A familiar dizziness washed over her. When she opened her eyes again, the surroundings had become utterly strange...
...
"You unfilial son!!! Do you intend to infuriate me to death before you're satisfied—!!!"
Within the resplendent and towering palace, Mo Huai'an knelt on both knees, his eyes filled with defiance.
"Huai'an does not wish to inherit the position of Divine Emperor, nor does he desire the power and status you speak of."
"What Huai'an seeks has always been for one matter alone."
Each word was forceful. Mo Huai'an looked directly at the person on the throne, his eyes bright and firm, never flinching.
On the main seat, Mo Chengze's face flushed red, his shoulders trembling violently, and his chest heaved with anger.
"You are going against me for that demon girl! Fine! Very fine—!!!"
"She is not a demon girl; she is Huai'an's beloved." Mo Huai'an looked directly at Mo Chengze, his tone unwavering.
Mo Huai'an and Bai Ze had been forcibly brought back to the Divine Realm. Today was their first day back.
Mo Chengze's grip tightened, crushing the armrest of his throne. "Since that is the case, do not blame me for showing no mercy!"
"Guards! Escort him to the Celestial Prison!!"
"Without my command, no one is to release him privately—!!!"
Two guards approached, lifting Mo Huai'an from the ground, one on each side, and dragging him out of the palace.
Mo Chengze swayed and sank back powerlessly onto his seat. He rubbed his temples, his face etched with fatigue.
Just then, the Fourth Elder entered the palace. After stopping, he slowly bowed.
"Divine Emperor, what should be done with the child who returned with the Prince...?"
"The child?" Mo Chengze rubbed his temples and sighed deeply. "Who is it this time?"
The Fourth Elder gritted his teeth and nodded, lowering his head even further. "It is... it is the demon girl and the Prince's own flesh and blood..."
Upon hearing the word 'demon girl,' Mo Chengze's rage flared uncontrollably. But the next moment, as if struck by an idea, a strange, chilling smile curved his lips.
"Go and bring him here... I wish to see this child myself..."
"Yes." A chill ran down the Fourth Elder's spine, and he quickly retreated from the palace.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a small figure was pushed and prodded into the hall.
He timidly gazed at his surroundings, his small hands clenched tightly, as if terrified of everything unfamiliar before him.
"You are Bai Ze?"
A voice suddenly appeared from nowhere, startling the young Bai Ze. He froze in place, too afraid to move.
"Come here, stand before me."
The small head lifted, and he shyly looked up at the high platform. A middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, appraising him from head to toe.
"Come! Did you not hear me!"
The voice, laced with boundless fury, made Bai Ze's eyes redden. He could only bite his lower lip and stiffly walk towards the platform.
Soon, Bai Ze reached Mo Chengze. His limbs trembled, and he dared not look up at the man before him.
Suddenly, a large hand reached out and forcefully gripped Bai Ze's chin, forcing him to lift his head.
The force was so great that his tender skin instantly turned red, even showing signs of bruising.
Mo Chengze scrutinized Bai Ze's face, his disdain and disgust undisguised. "You truly have a face that disgusts me..."
Though it hurt, Bai Ze remained silent, not uttering a sound.
"Do you wish to see your mother?"
At these words, Bai Ze, who had endured the pain without a sound, felt tears welling up in his eyes. He finally spoke, "Yes."
"Hmph," Mo Chengze snorted and threw him aside with force. Bai Ze's small body slammed heavily onto the ground.
He trembled all over, his limbs weak, unable to get up.
This appearance further disgusted Mo Chengze. "To be so terrified upon seeing me, you useless thing!"
Perhaps it was his immense hatred for the demon girl that made Mo Chengze deeply loathe this innocent child.
He had initially thought that if this creature showed some courage, he might train him to deal with the demon girl.
However, thus far, Bai Ze's displayed cowardice and timidity were entirely unsatisfactory to Mo Chengze.
"Guards—! Throw this child out of the palace—!"
Throw him out of the palace? Even the guards who came to receive the decree seemed surprised, to cast out a child who looked no more than five years old.
Without protection, without food, wouldn't that be leaving him to fend for himself?
But as it was the Divine Emperor's command, even if the attendant was displeased, he could not disobey in the slightest...
Bai Ze was thus dragged away by two attendants and unceremoniously expelled from the palace.
"Oh, whose child is this, so small?"
As Divine Realm citizens passed by, countless sharp gazes converged on the young Bai Ze.
"I heard that this is the child of that demon girl and the Prince, who angered the Divine Emperor and was cast out."
"What, he is the demon girl's child?"
"Yes, the dirty blood of the demon race flows within him."
...
Each word was like a sharp blade, piercing deeply into Bai Ze's heart...
"I am not dirty!"
The small body stood up, tears in his eyes, glaring furiously at the crowd. "My mother is not a demon girl!"
"Thud—"
A stone was thrown, hitting Bai Ze on the head, and soon blood began to seep out.
The one who threw the stone was a child of the same age as Bai Ze, who held his mother's hand, his face full of disgust.
"Pah! Your mother is a demon girl! We all know it, and you still want to lie!"
"I'm not lying!" Bai Ze's eyes were red with tears, weakly retorting.
"My mother is not a demon girl! You are!!!"
His voice broke with sobs, yet no Divine Realm citizen showed any pity.