Chapter 872: The Little Demon Queen's Determination

Xiao Yun and Tianxia Qiyi brought the child before Xiao Lie. "Grandfather," Xiao Yun said, "please give this child a name."

Xiao Lie reached out, touching the infant's tiny hand but not picking him up, fearful of accidentally disturbing the little being who had just escaped a nightmare. Suppressing his tears, he slowly said, "When I named your father, Xiao Ying (Azure Hawk), I hoped he would soar like an eagle, majestic and powerful in all directions. But I never imagined he would leave us so soon, so young."

"Through half a lifetime of ups and downs, of changes and tribulations, I have finally seen and understood much. For this child... I don't ask for any great achievements or fame when he grows up. I only wish for him to live a life of peace and safety, free from disaster. So, I will name him... Yong'an."

"Yong'an..." Xiao Yun murmured, then nodded emphatically. "Yes, Yong'an it is."

"Child, do you hear? Your name is Yong'an," Tianxia Qiyi said, holding the infant tightly. Though she had stopped sobbing, her tears continued to fall uncontrollably.

"Xiao Yong'an, a good name indeed," Yun Qinghong said with a faint smile. "As the saying goes, 'great tribulations lead to great blessings.' Yong'an faced disaster immediately after birth but bravely endured. From now on, his good fortune is surely boundless."

"Yes, he is truly resilient," Yun Che nodded with satisfaction. "The devilish energy that had invaded him was more than I expected. During the purification process, my biggest concern was whether he could endure until all the energy was purged. But he was remarkable... It took three full hours, twice as long as I had estimated, yet he held on with incredible tenacity."

This was heartfelt praise, especially coming from Yun Che. Xiao Yun's eyes welled up with emotion, and a deep sense of pride appeared on Tianxia Qiyi's tear-streaked face. She hugged the child tightly, unwilling to loosen her embrace even for a moment.

"Hahahahaha..." Tianxia Xiong Tu burst into laughter, looking up at the sky. "Previously, Xuan-Yuan Wentian scared me half to death; just thinking about it made me tremble with fear. But... if even a newborn child can defeat his power, what reason do I have to be afraid of him? If he dares to come again next time, I'll risk my life to make sure he never returns!"

"Hahaha, well said, Brother Tianxia!" Yun Qinghong also laughed heartily. "Yong'an has set an incredible example for us. What is there to fear from Xuan-Yuan Wentian now? Brother Tianxia, please stay today, and our two families will drink to our hearts' content. As for preparations for battle, we can discuss them tomorrow!"

"Excellent!" Tianxia Xiong Tu agreed readily.

Xiao Yong'an's rebirth after his ordeal swept away the gloom that had shrouded the Yun family, replacing it with an almost palpable atmosphere of fervent joy. Even the heavy shadow left by Xuan-Yuan Wentian seemed to have vanished.

As the head of the Twelve Guardian Families, the change in the Yun family's mood subtly dispelled much of the gloom hanging over the entire Demon Imperial City.

However, after the initial euphoria faded and calm returned, they still had to confront the immense dread stemming from Xuan-Yuan Wentian... the potential for imminent, catastrophic destruction.

More than ten days passed. Yun Che's injuries had healed completely, and the Little Demon Empress and Feng Xue'er were also mostly recovered. The aftermath work in Demon Imperial City was largely complete. Under the leadership of the Twelve Families, Demon Imperial City began preparing for the crisis that could arrive at any moment... The terrifying shadow cast by Xuan-Yuan Wentian that day left them no room for negligence or complacency.

Powerful figures from across the Illusory Demon Realm, either by summons or voluntarily, began gathering in Demon Imperial City, ready to collectively resist Xuan-Yuan Wentian. After all, if Demon Imperial City were destroyed, the entire Illusory Demon Realm would fall apart.

Yun He, Yun Jiang, and Yun Xi, the three Grand Elders who sacrificed their lives in the battle against Xuan-Yuan Wentian, had been buried. The Yun family disciples doubled their daily training time and intensity. After the joy brought by Xiao Yong'an's birth gradually subsided, the Yun family, and indeed the entire Demon Imperial City, became enveloped in an increasingly thick atmosphere of tension.

This was because Demon Imperial City was facing the most terrifying crisis in its history, far surpassing the Prince Huai Rebellion. If they couldn't withstand it, there would truly be no Demon Imperial City left in the world... this was no exaggeration.

Every day, Yun Qinghong would leave home to discuss counter-measures with the other family patriarchs and regional kings. Yun Che didn't need to ask for the outcome; he could tell from his father's expression that they were unable to find any truly effective solutions. After all, Xuan-Yuan Wentian's power was too terrifying; in the face of such overwhelming strength, strategies, profound artifacts, and numbers all seemed exceptionally futile and powerless.

Moreover, as someone who had directly confronted Xuan-Yuan Wentian, he understood Xuan-Yuan Wentian's dreadfulness far better than they did.

Yun Che sat on the highest rooftop of the Yun family, his gaze calm, silently watching the distant horizon. He had remained in this position for most of the morning. At that moment, with her colorful robes fluttering, the Little Demon Empress appeared gracefully beside him, her face cool as she said, "When do you plan to return to the Demon Imperial Palace?"

Yun Che turned his head, smiling. "Caiyi, is it true that if you don't see me for an hour, you'll miss me so much you can't eat or sleep?"

"Hmph!" the Little Demon Empress scoffed. "Don't forget, you're now a member of my Demon Emperor Clan. Since you've returned, of course, you should reside in the Demon Imperial Palace."

"I know," Yun Che said, looking helpless. "But my mother always hates to see me go."

"You're just afraid your Empress wife and Xue'er will get jealous, aren't you!" After saying this, the Little Demon Empress unconsciously averted her gaze, avoiding eye contact with him.

"Uh..." Yun Che took the Little Demon Empress's hand and gently pulled her soft, delicate body into his embrace. "Whether Yue'er and Xue'er will be jealous, I don't know, but my Caiyi wife certainly is."

"You..." The Little Demon Empress's eyes flickered with panic, then she stubbornly turned her face away, though she didn't struggle to escape Yun Che's embrace.

"Alright, I understand. Starting tomorrow, I'll be at the Yun family during the day, and at night, I'll return to the Demon Imperial Palace to accompany my Caiyi wife."

Yun Che's gentle whispers caused the Little Demon Empress's delicate body to relax. She whispered, "I just said it casually, you don't have to... force yourself..."

The Little Demon Empress's voice suddenly trembled, as she felt Yun Che's palm unexpectedly cover her chest, gently caressing her.

"..." The Little Demon Empress instinctively struggled for a moment but immediately softened again, allowing him to have his way. Her breathing became slightly hurried, and a lovely flush spread across her cheeks.

Yun Che's wrist moved, and his hand skillfully slipped directly under the Little Demon Empress's colorful robes, freely enjoying the soft, snowy curves beneath his palm. Waves of emotion rose in his heart, marveling that the Jade Spirit Liquid from the Frozen Cloud Asgard was truly effective; it could now completely fill his hand!

The Little Demon Empress's docility only encouraged Yun Che's further advances. With nimble fingers, he untied the sash of her colorful robe from behind. A single pull brought her skirt directly down to her waist, instantly exposing her jade-white shoulders and delicate breasts to the air.

If they were in the Demon Imperial Palace, she might have let Yun Che do as he pleased, but this was the Yun family! A slight coolness brushed her snow-white skin, and she immediately pushed Yun Che away as if shocked, hastily rearranging her robes. The dignity of the Demon Empress was utterly gone in that moment.

"You... you've been sitting here for quite a while. What are you thinking about?" Fearing her sudden actions might hurt Yun Che's pride, the Little Demon Empress bit her lip slightly and initiated conversation.

"...I'm thinking about the question everyone is thinking about: how exactly should we deal with Xuan-Yuan Wentian if he returns?"

Yun Che let out a slight sigh, speaking with a touch of melancholy. "In these past three months, thanks to Xue'er, my profound energy has surged dramatically. The increase is greater than any before; I feel as if my entire being has been completely reborn, reaching a realm I never even dreamed of, even gaining a sense of being invincible in the world."

"But... even with such a massive increase in my strength, I still can't defeat Xuan-Yuan Wentian, even when combining forces with you and Xue'er."

Yun Che's words made the Little Demon Empress's slightly flushed cheeks grow solemn. She suddenly said, "Yun Che, you must promise me one thing."

Yun Che smiled faintly. "Are you going to say that if Xuan-Yuan Wentian returns to the Illusory Demon Realm, I should use the Primordial Profound Ark to take everyone and escape, leaving only you behind?"

"...Exactly!" the Little Demon Empress nodded heavily. "On that day, Xuan-Yuan Wentian had already expended a significant portion of his power to forcibly break through the city's protective formation. Yet, even so, the three of us combined were still no match for him. Although he appeared severely wounded, his foundations were completely untouched."

"And before he escaped last time, he clearly stated that in another three months, his devil blood would fully awaken, and at that time, his power would reach a so-called 'perfect' state. The way he looked then didn't seem like an empty threat. If everything he said comes true, then the next time Xuan-Yuan Wentian appears, he will be even more terrifying than before."

"These past few days, I've also been thinking about how to deal with Xuan-Yuan Wentian, but I can't find any possibility. If we stay and try to resist... it would only be a pointless sacrifice! Fleeing is not shameful; it's the wisest choice! Xuan-Yuan Wentian's power is too abnormal; it must have a bottleneck and huge side effects... If you and Xue'er temporarily avoid him, you will surely be able to defeat him one day!"

"If it's the wisest choice, then of course, I must take you with me!" Yun Che said, his brows furrowed.

"I cannot leave!" the Little Demon Empress firmly shook her head. "Don't forget my identity. I am the Demon Emperor of the Illusory Demon Realm, inheriting the will of the Demon Emperor lineage for ten thousand years. If I flee, I would not only abandon Demon Imperial City and the Illusory Demon Realm but also trample upon the dignity of the Demon Emperor lineage, betraying the will and all the glory accumulated over ten thousand years!"

"Everyone else should leave this place as soon as possible, rather than wait for a meaningless death. Only I have no option but to fight to the death; there is no escape for me!"

"Alright," Yun Che nodded with a smile. "In that case, of course, I will stay with you."

"Foolish!" the Little Demon Empress rebuked, her eyes cold. "If you die, who will care for and protect your family and women? Who will defeat Xuan-Yuan Wentian in the future and save the Illusory Demon Realm from peril?"

"..." The Little Demon Empress's tone softened. She said softly, "Don't forget, I was already destined to die soon. Even without Xuan-Yuan Wentian, I have less than two years left to live."

She turned around and said softly, "Yun Che, in the last phase of my life, to be able to become husband and wife with you, I am infinitely content. Rather than passively await death, dying in battle, upholding the will and glory of the Demon Emperor, is a far better destiny for me."

"As long as you agree to this one thing for me... until that day arrives, I will do anything you wish."

Having spoken, the Little Demon Empress rose into the air and flew far away. As her figure vanished from Yun Che's sight, a faint whisper reached his ears: "When you return to the Demon Imperial Palace, you are permitted to bring your Empress wife and Xue'er with you."

Yun Che: "..."

Oh... I just realized I actually missed publishing a chapter yesterday!

The Cang Yun Arc is about to begin, and Yun Che is about to undergo his ultimate evolution! However, the direction of this evolution might be a bit...