Chapter 592: Reencounter with the Demon Emperor

“Hehe, it’s exactly what you’re thinking!”

“A Thunder Core!”

“Similar to the poison core in your body, it’s specifically designed to store lightning energy.”

Senior Six Paths chuckled, a hint of mockery in his voice: “You’re quite lucky; only core members of the Myriad Calamity Sacred Hall are qualified to form a Thunder Core within their bodies. This Lu Liang must have held a significant position in the Myriad Calamity Sacred Hall. This single core is enough for you to advance all your lightning cultivation techniques by another level.”

Jiang Fan’s breath hitched. It wasn’t just his lightning cultivation techniques that were limited by a lack of lightning energy; even his Empty Current Thunder Surge was significantly impacted. This Thunder Core couldn’t have come at a better time.

Jiang Fan immediately extracted it. Afterward, he confirmed that Lu Liang had nothing else of value on him. He then cast a minor spell, incinerating the body. Amidst rolling smoke, the body was reduced to a pile of ashes. With a sweep of his sleeve, Jiang Fan summoned a gust of wind, scattering the ashes until not a trace remained.

Just then, behind him, Concubine Yunxia’s murmured words broke the silence: “Reducing him to dust and scattering his ashes—you’re quite ruthless.”

Jiang Fan turned his head. Concubine Yunxia had already dressed herself. She handed him the black robe. Jiang Fan took it, draped it casually over himself, and eyed her with distaste: “Are you truly as dim-witted as a pig?”

Concubine Yunxia bit her lip, responding, “Can’t I even make a joke?” She wasn’t a fool, after all. How could she not know that Jiang Fan’s actions were meant to destroy evidence and erase all traces? The man before her was none other than Senior Azure Crane’s disciple. If the body were discovered, wouldn’t Senior Azure Crane immediately follow the clues and find the perpetrator? Reducing him to dust at least ensured Senior Azure Crane would have no concrete evidence.

Jiang Fan replied, “Alright, as long as you’re not foolish. In my opinion, Senior Azure Crane will still come looking for you. Just don’t give anything away when he does. And if you’re discovered, remember to take responsibility yourself; don’t implicate me.”

Concubine Yunxia found herself both annoyed and amused. She’d merely made one foolish mistake, and Jiang Fan seized the opportunity to mock her. She immediately smiled and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll face the difficulties together. If I truly get into trouble, I won’t forget about you!”

Jiang Fan waved a dismissive hand without looking back. “Alright, our paths won’t cross again. Let’s hope we don’t encounter each other ever again in this lifetime.”

Concubine Yunxia was undeniably implicated in Lu Liang’s death. She was even more concerned than Jiang Fan about Senior Azure Crane coming for her. With her intelligence, she would know how to handle the situation.

Concubine Yunxia gave a delicate snort. “I have no desire to see you again either. You’ve done nothing but annoy me; it’s been constant. Meeting you was truly my misfortune!” She no longer entertained the thought of recapturing Jiang Fan. For one, she was severely wounded, and trying to capture that slippery Jiang Fan would be a thankless and arduous task. Secondly, when Lu Liang was insulting her, the sight of Jiang Fan stepping forward had stirred something within her.

Reflecting calmly, aside from their differing stances, she realized she couldn’t find a single flaw in Jiang Fan. Of course, it would have been absolutely perfect if he hadn’t searched her person.

Watching Jiang Fan’s departing figure, a picture of carefree elegance, Concubine Yunxia suddenly recalled something and couldn’t help but smile wryly: “The individual in the mystic realm... it really was him.”

At this moment, where was the Dragon-Binding Lock on Jiang Fan? Undoubtedly, he possessed both a method to undo the Dragon-Binding Lock and a secret passage into the mystic realm. She remembered how foolishly she had vouched to Senior Azure Crane that Jiang Fan was definitely not involved. Her wry smile deepened.

After a moment’s thought, she took out the key and asked, “Jiang Fan, how did you manage to unlock the Dragon-Binding Lock?” This was her last remaining puzzle.

Jiang Fan turned his head, pulled the real key from his hair, and dangled it in front of her. Concubine Yunxia froze. She then looked at the key in her own hand and instantly understood. She couldn’t help but rub her temples, a helpless smile gracing her lips: “Well, you win.” The answer, it turned out, was remarkably simple.

“One last question: what kind of key is this?” Concubine Yunxia examined the false key closely, noting the wear, which suggested it was frequently used.

“It’s my house key. If you don’t mind, please return it.” Jiang Fan extended his hand.

Concubine Yunxia, however, clenched her fist and tucked the key into her robes. She said triumphantly, “No.”

Jiang Fan sighed helplessly. “Have it your way. Farewell.” He leaped, transforming into a streak of iridescent light, and sped swiftly into the distance.

Concubine Yunxia remained standing there for a long time. She sighed softly. “I wish you a safe journey, Jiang Fan.” A hint of wistfulness tinged her voice. Recalling their interactions over the past few days, their constant battles of wits, it had actually been quite interesting.

She picked up Springni Demon King and tenderly bandaged its wounds. She murmured softly, “I shouldn’t have brought you out this time.”

Thump—

Just then, a soft thud sounded from the ground behind her. Concubine Yunxia turned her head, surprised to see Jiang Fan had returned. She couldn’t help but laugh as she chided, “Didn’t we agree our paths wouldn’t cross again? What are you doing back here?”

The next moment, her expression froze. A hand rested on Jiang Fan’s shoulder. Behind him, a handsome, golden-haired middle-aged man slowly emerged. He gazed at Concubine Yunxia with a somewhat peculiar expression.

“Demon... Demon Emperor!” Concubine Yunxia’s smile vanished, and she quickly bowed with utmost respect.

The Demon Emperor’s perceptive gaze flickered between Concubine Yunxia and Jiang Fan. “Yunxia, your relationship with this human appears to have improved significantly.” As he recalled, Concubine Yunxia rarely spoke to anyone in such a manner. She had always been like a lotus flower, to be admired from afar but never sullied. Gentle and beautiful, dignified and serene, humble and composed. Even towards him, her husband, she maintained this demeanor.

Concubine Yunxia made no attempt to conceal anything; indeed, it would have been impossible to hide anything from the Demon Emperor’s discerning gaze. “He saved my life.” Those four words were all she offered.

Upon hearing this, the Demon Emperor nodded slightly and said, “No wonder, then.” In truth, he had no real suspicions. He understood Yunxia’s character well. Such an act as betraying him would never occur with Concubine Yunxia.

“What exactly transpired here?” The Demon Emperor surveyed the extensive devastation, particularly the thousand-zhang chasm nearby. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Concubine Yunxia truthfully recounted the events.

“You weren’t mistaken? An ancient giant, truly?” The Demon Emperor’s gaze flickered sharply.

Concubine Yunxia nodded. “Otherwise, Senior Azure Crane would not have fled in such panic.”

The Demon Emperor’s expression grew inscrutable. No one could tell what he was thinking.

After a long silence, Concubine Yunxia asked, “Demon Emperor, are our two races about to face a great catastrophe?”

The Demon Emperor snapped out of his thoughts. He shook his head slightly. “There will be trouble, yes, but it won’t escalate into a major catastrophe. After a millennium, an ancient giant has reappeared. The Divine Sects from the Outer Domains will be even more concerned than we are. It won’t be long before experts from the Outer Domain Divine Sects descend to eradicate that ancient giant.”

That was indeed true. Ancient giants were a recognized threat. The Divine Sects from the Outer Domains had enjoyed a millennium of peace and prosperity. They would hardly tolerate such a lingering threat. They would undoubtedly arrive swiftly.

“Yunxia, do you have no clues about the one who got there first?” The Demon Emperor’s tone suddenly shifted. It seemed his earlier thoughts hadn’t been about the ancient giant after all, but rather the treasure within the mystic realm. A treasure capable of extending an ancient giant’s lifespan by a millennium. The Demon Emperor couldn’t even begin to imagine what it might be.

Concubine Yunxia’s heart gave a sudden lurch. Her peripheral vision instinctively wanted to dart towards Jiang Fan, but she forcibly restrained herself. Before the Demon Emperor, any subtle movement would be instantly exposed. She shook her head, her voice calm and gentle. “No. The only suspect, Jiang Fan, was even thoroughly searched by Senior Azure Crane.”

“Is that so?” The Demon Emperor furrowed his brow. An old monster like Senior Azure Crane acted with considerable meticulousness. Since Jiang Fan had been searched, his involvement could be ruled out.

However, he looked at Jiang Fan, now free of the Dragon-Binding Lock, and voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind: “How was his Dragon-Binding Lock undone?”