Compared to her time on the Profound Sky Continent, Hong Ling had undergone a striking transformation. Her aura was far more captivating, possessing the commanding presence befitting a high-ranking empress.
Hong Ling, however, remained remarkably composed. She had been here for some time and was well aware of Ye Yun’s various exploits, having mentally prepared herself for this reunion. Even upon meeting again, she maintained a calm demeanor.
She first addressed the man in the red robe, waving her hand. "Elder Xu Kun, please excuse yourself for now."
"Understood," Xu Kun replied with a nod. Before leaving, he offered Ye Yun a parting greeting. "Your Highness, Star Lord Ye, please have a good talk." With that, he departed with the guards at the door, subtly closing it behind him.
Suddenly, only a few people remained in the room.
Ye Yun watched Xu Kun leave, then turned to Hong Ling with a sense of wonder. "I never imagined that even the Extreme-rank Main Gods would show such respect to you now."
"If you feel that way, I myself find it hard to believe," Hong Ling sighed, a hint of helplessness in her voice.
Xing Wu, standing beside Ye Yun, observed Hong Ling, equally surprised that the former demon princess of the Profound Sky Continent had appeared here.
At this moment, Hong Ling glanced at Ye Yun and Xing Wu, as if a thought had struck her. "Are you two really married?"
Ye Yun nodded gently and looked at Xing Wu beside him, confirming, "Yes, we have been married for some time now."
"Is that so? That's wonderful..." Hong Ling’s emotions were difficult to gauge, but outwardly, she maintained her smile. "I didn't have the chance before, but I congratulate you. I never thought that given your past relationship, you would end up together."
Upon hearing this, Ye Yun and Xing Wu exchanged a glance and smiled faintly. "As they say, man proposes, but heaven disposes. It's all a matter of destiny."
"Such a beautiful sentiment of destiny..." Hong Ling’s heart was complex. If they were to speak of destiny, was her appearance here and her conversation with them not also a manifestation of fate? Moreover, her earlier exclamation was, in a way, directed at herself, meant to offer comfort. If Ye Yun and Xing Wu, despite their constant conflicts, had found their way together through coincidences, perhaps she, too, had a chance?
Hong Ling lost herself in thought for a moment.
Suddenly, Xing Wu asked with a meaningful gaze, "Tell me, little girl, what exactly have you been through to end up here?"
Ye Yun echoed her curiosity, nodding. "Yes, Hong Ling, what exactly is..."
"Don't rush, I'll explain it all to you slowly," Hong Ling recovered from her reverie, then smiled warmly and gestured for them to sit nearby.
Gongsun Chang, witnessing the surprisingly close relationship between Ye Yun and this princess of the Demon God Domain, felt a significant weight lifted from his heart. He had initially worried that she might be an enemy of Ye Yun, potentially leading to a fierce battle. Now, it seemed he had been overthinking things.
Following this, Hong Ling recounted her experiences in full detail. Essentially, shortly before, she had absorbed a godhead obtained from Ye Yun. Not long after, her cultivation reached the standard for ascension, reaching the Saint realm! She had expected to ascend to what was called the Heavenly Domain, but instead, she had directly ascended to this so-called Demon God Domain.
After hearing the sequence of events, Ye Yun still harbored doubts. "Even if you ascended here, why do they show you such respect?"
"Ah, that..." Hong Ling explained calmly, "According to them, I possess the pure bloodline of a Demon God. The Star Lord here valued my bloodline and took me as his disciple. Later, when my cultivation reaches a certain level, I am to inherit his legacy as a Creation God. They say I will directly reach the level of a Creation God."
This explanation truly astounded Ye Yun. As for Gongsun Chang, he was utterly shocked, never having imagined that the Demon God Domain could be so powerful, possessing a Creation God!
Ye Yun was equally bewildered, and then he seized upon the crucial point! "Wait, you said the Demon God Domain has a Creation God?!"
"Yes, why?"
"This..." Ye Yun frowned deeply. His astonishment stemmed from the fact that the Great Thousand Worlds Rankings, which he had consulted previously, seemed to have no mention of the Demon God Domain. Given the rankings of the preceding great worlds, it was improbable for a great world boasting a Creation God to suddenly appear without any prior notice. He immediately shared his confusion with Hong Ling.
Hong Ling was also surprised, admitting she hadn't asked her master about it. However, she already had a guess. "I think the reason it's not on the rankings might be related to the Demon God Domain's current predicament?"
"What? Is there a problem with the Demon God Domain?"
"Yes, a very big problem!" Hong Ling nodded, her expression turning serious. "To be precise, the reason I invited you here, besides meeting, is precisely for this matter!"
"Oh? Tell me about it." Hong Ling gazed out the window and sighed. "I don't know if you've sensed it, but although this Demon God Domain appears glorious on the surface, it's like a massive prison, sealing off everyone in this great world! No one, not even my master, the Star Lord of the Demon God Domain, can break through the barrier beyond a thousand light-years from the Demon God Domain. Perhaps because of this, the Demon God Domain hasn't appeared on the rankings you mentioned."
This explanation brought Ye Yun a sudden realization. "Something like this exists?!" The situation in the Demon God Domain inexplicably reminded him of the Moon Island they had visited before. However, it was clear that the two were vastly different, the most significant distinction being the scale – even a Creation God was unable to escape the restriction?
Speaking of this, a look of sorrow appeared in Hong Ling's eyes, a pity for the Demon God Domain. "My master told me that this is a curse that has existed since the ancient history of the Demon God Domain. Some say it was a punishment from a supreme deity for the Demon God Domain. Others say it's because the Demon God bloodline is too heaven-defying and thus disallowed by the rules of the Great Dao, leading to its confinement within this world."
Ye Yun raised an eyebrow and remarked, "I find both of those reasons rather questionable."
"It can't be helped. After all, no one alive knows what truly happened in the early days of the Demon God Domain!"
"So, what is the meaning of you telling me all this?" Ye Yun looked at Hong Ling, a vague suspicion forming in his mind.
As expected, Hong Ling took a deep breath and bowed to him. "Regardless of the reason, this ancient bondage has lasted long enough for the Demon God Domain. Therefore, I hope you can help the Demon God Domain lift this eternal curse. If you succeed, the Demon God Domain will pledge allegiance to you!"