"Boom!"

    A deafening roar of thunder crashed down, shaking the heavens.

    The sheer volume of the thunder made ears ring, and the quiet confession Yin Feijing had just made was utterly drowned out.

    In the next instant, a sharp wave of air swept across the area.

    Wherever it touched, hundred-year-old trees and massive boulders alike were obliterated.

    Ye Yu, his mind focused, surrounded himself and Yin Feijing with sword energy, creating a protective barrier.

    Only then were they able to stand firmly amidst the chaos.

    As the wave subsided, the tribulation clouds in the sky began to slowly dissipate.

    This was the definitive sign that the heavenly tribulation had come to an end.

    The sea below was still churning violently, but Xie Muling was nowhere to be seen.

    Ye Yu immediately dispelled the sword energy around him and prepared to step forward to investigate.

    But before he could take even two steps, a white figure suddenly hurled itself into his arms.

    The impact was so strong that Ye Yu was forced to stagger back two steps.

    The white figure was none other than Xie Muling.

    Though her clothing was somewhat tattered, she radiated an even more vibrant aura than before.

    Even the two dragon horns on her head gleamed like the purest white jade, dazzling in their translucence.

    Standing to the side, Yin Feijing’s eyes widened in shock.

    It wasn’t the sight of the dragon horns that surprised her.

    What startled her was the intimate way Xie Muling clung to Ye Yu, their embrace far exceeding what could be considered normal between senior and junior disciples.

    When Yin Feijing had first seen Xie Muling earlier, she herself had tried to rush forward, only to have Ye Yu stop her with a single hand pressed against her forehead.

    At the time, she had thought their relationship seemed friendly, even playful.

    But now, with Xie Muling draped over Ye Yu like this, Yin Feijing couldn’t help but feel a surge of unease.

    What on earth was going on between them?@@@@

    Yin Feijing felt a wave of urgency, a desire to separate them immediately.

    But she had no suitable excuse to intervene.

    Thankfully, Ye Yu acted swiftly, lifting his hand to push Xie Muling away.

    "Senior Sister, can you mind your image? You’re a dragon, for heaven’s sake!"

    "Who cares about being a dragon? It’s just the two of us here anyway..." Xie Muling’s words trailed off as her gaze landed on Yin Feijing, who stood nearby.

    Her expression shifted, and she quickly leapt down from Ye Yu, walking toward Yin Feijing with slow, deliberate steps.

    Her pupils turned into sinister, vertical slits.

    In that instant, Yin Feijing felt as though she had been plunged into an icy abyss.

    Her body trembled uncontrollably.

    In her eyes, it was as if a colossal true dragon, thousands of feet tall, loomed behind Xie Muling, staring down at her insignificant form with disdain.

    Dragon’s Might!

    An instinctive suppression that overwhelmed all members of the demon race.

    Just as Yin Feijing stood paralyzed, unsure of what to do, Ye Yu stepped in front of her.

    Only once a decision was made could she assert her rightful place and demand that Xie Muling step aside.

    This was what it meant to act with proper justification.

    Xie Muling, however, was unbothered.

    "I’ll answer for Junior Brother—sure, you two can be Dao companions! But don’t interfere with my cuddling time!"

    Ye Yu and Yin Feijing’s expressions instantly became a kaleidoscope of emotions.

    Meanwhile.

    Yun Roumu found herself accidentally wandering into a secret realm.

    Here, she faced countless perils and barely escaped death multiple times.

    At long last, she reached the heart of the secret realm.

    There, she saw an ice coffin.

    Inside it lay a woman of unparalleled beauty, perfectly preserved.

    This puzzled Yun Roumu.

    Why would such a pristine corpse be preserved in a place like this?

    As she pondered, a spiritual form of the woman suddenly appeared above the ice coffin.

    With a gentle motion, the woman raised a finger and pointed into the void.

    The seal suppressing Yun Roumu’s demon power shattered instantly.

    Behind her, two butterfly wings manifested, their gentle movements scattering tiny starlike fragments into the air.

    The woman smiled faintly. "I never thought I’d find someone like you. Though you’re only a half-demon, your bloodline is quite pure, and your aptitude is impressive.

    You are worthy of becoming my successor."

    Though Yun Roumu remained cautious, she took a half-step back and asked softly, "Who are you?"

    The woman’s figure grew more distinct, and behind her, massive phantom wings similar to Yun Roumu’s spread wide.

    Every beat of the wings shed starlight, creating a mesmerizing scene.

    The woman then introduced herself.

    Like Yun Roumu, she was also a Chaos Illusion Butterfly.

    Her name was Zhimeng.

    The only difference was that Zhimeng was a great demon, while Yun Roumu was only a half-demon.

    Two thousand years ago.

    Zhimeng had reached the late stage of the Ascension realm.

    Becoming an immortal within a century was a certainty for her, as simple as plucking something from her pocket.

    But then, her enemies came for her.

    A fierce battle ensued.

    Though Zhimeng repelled her foes, she sustained fatal injuries and knew her days were numbered.

    Not wanting to die in vain.

    Zhimeng used a secret art to forcibly create this secret realm and set up barriers.

    Only those with her bloodline, the Chaos Illusion Butterfly, could enter.

    Her goal was to find a successor to carry on her legacy and avenge her death.