Mu Anxiao's purpose for this visit was simple: to uncover Ouyang Ye's internal plans and to ascertain the extent of the demon realm's development. Before this, the demon realm, in Mu Anxiao's impression, was a somber, dark place. She had expected to feel an overwhelming sense of oppression upon arrival. Instead, it resembled a land of celestial beauty. While she was reluctant to admit its appeal, the facts remained.
The aerial view was striking. Parting the clouds, Mu Anxiao gazed once more at the colorful lake below. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, a profound, inexpressible pressure washed over her with that single glance. To alleviate the heaviness in her heart, she quickly lifted her head and looked forward.
At that moment, Ouyang Ye turned his head to look at Mu Anxiao, who was flying beside him. "Are you afraid?"
"What is there to be afraid of? I..." Mu Anxiao lost the courage to look down. "I'm used to flying." With that, she parted the clouds again.
Ouyang Ye's lips curved into a smile. "The depths of this colorful lake are filled with fish spirits and demon fish. For you to have survived your encounter," he fixed his gaze on Mu Anxiao's profile, "is nothing short of a miracle."
"There's no such thing as miracles. If not for my spiritual energy, I... I wouldn't have survived." Mu Anxiao refused to look at Ouyang Ye.
"Then, by that logic, there were no vine spirits or wolf demons involved here." Ouyang Ye stated calmly.
Mu Anxiao hadn't expected Ouyang Ye to try and pry information out of her at this moment. Her heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean by that?" She feigned ignorance, turning to look at Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye tightened his grip on Mu Anxiao's arm. "It means nothing, I just feel..." he said, deliberately quickening their pace. "You are too kind." With that, he led Mu Anxiao downward.
The biting wind swept across their faces, its roar filling the air...
Mu Anxiao clearly had no opportunity to probe further. All she could do now was... tense her nerves and descend with Ouyang Ye.
In the blink of an eye, Mu Anxiao, with her disheveled hair, stood with Ouyang Ye atop a mountain peak. What surprised Mu Anxiao was that it turned out to be a place resembling a Daoist temple. As far as the eye could see, countless steps stretched before Mu Anxiao. Such a magnificent sight completely drove away her thought of escaping Ouyang Ye. "What is this place?" she asked, filled with curiosity.
"A place for cultivating demonic arts." Ouyang Ye replied indifferently.
"Cultivating demonic arts..." Mu Anxiao repeated, sensing something amiss. She quickly turned to Ouyang Ye and asked, "What do you want to do?"
"This place is quite suitable for you." As Ouyang Ye spoke, he began to pull Mu Anxiao towards the thousand steps.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao flatly refused, "I'm not going." She quickly hooked her other hand around the stone railing behind her, forcing herself to stand her ground in defiance...
At this, Ouyang Ye had only pulled Mu Anxiao forward a couple of steps before being overwhelmed by her immense strength. "What exactly do you want?" he asked, releasing his grip and turning to face her.
Mu Anxiao narrowed her eyes, shaking the arm that Ouyang Ye had gripped painfully, and retorted, "What do you want?"
"I simply want to send you here to cultivate for a period of time." Ouyang Ye stated directly.
Mu Anxiao's brow furrowed. "Is this also part of your plan?"
"No."
"No... Then why do you want to send me there? I'm not going." Mu Anxiao declared, hugging a stone pillar on the railing.
"You don't like Juan'er, do you? Since that's the case..."
"Why is she there and I'm here?" As Mu Anxiao spoke, her eyes widened. "Ah, I get it." She pointed at Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye looked at Mu Anxiao's astonished expression with a hint of helplessness. He sighed and said, "What have you figured out now?"
"You and that... woman, have an affair, and you're afraid I'll see and tell, so you're sending me to this desolate place..." She paused midway. A dollop of bird droppings fell near Mu Anxiao's feet. Seeing it, she paused for a few seconds. "So you're sending me here, right?" she asked, tilting her chin.
Ouyang Ye glanced at the bird droppings at Mu Anxiao's feet, then at her attire, and said, "You're so dirty that even the birds mistake you for their privy."
"Whether I'm dirty or not has nothing to do with you. If you find me repulsive, you can leave. I'll find my way down the mountain myself. Even if I die here, it has nothing to do with you." Mu Anxiao deliberately tried to frighten Ouyang Ye.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ye's face darkened. "If you threaten me with death again, I..."
"Then kill me." Mu Anxiao intentionally interrupted Ouyang Ye, letting out a dismissive scoff. "Ouyang Ye, if you dare make me step foot into this place of demonic cultivation, I swear I will turn this entire place upside down."
"To arrive here is to cultivate demonic arts; that is the rule." Ouyang Ye stated calmly.
"The rule? Is this for that woman..."
"I had intended for that woman to teach you demonic cultivation. However, since you dislike her, I can only follow your wishes and send you to this place."
"I shouldn't have stopped you just now. I should have let you go about your own business, then I wouldn't have to be here." Mu Anxiao was filled with regret.
Ouyang Ye replied, "Even if you hadn't stopped me, I would have found a way to bring you here."
"You..."
"The food here is quite delicious."
"What does the food's taste have to do with me?" Mu Anxiao said. Considering Ouyang Ye's obstinate nature, she realized that no matter how much she protested, she wouldn't be able to reach the palace. So... her only option now was to compromise. "I'll go, but you have to agree to one request."
"Speak."
"Bring the vine spirit and the wolf demon here." Mu Anxiao, not trusting Ouyang Ye to treat them well, made this request.
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Ye's expression turned cold.
Mu Anxiao became anxious. "Such a simple request, and you won't grant it? That's excessive."
"Mu Anxiao, they are your enemies. I'm helping you teach them a lesson, and you..."
"As I said, this is my business, and it has nothing to do with you. Furthermore," Mu Anxiao interrupted, her expression serious, "you know that this is between them and me. Naturally, dealing with them should be something I complete myself."
"You want to deal with them personally?" Ouyang Ye asked, his eyes brightening as if he were about to be convinced by Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao nodded. "Yes, only by dealing with them myself will I feel at ease. If you help me deal with them..." She paused intentionally, then continued, "It's not impossible, though."
"What do you mean?" Ouyang Ye found it hard to believe Mu Anxiao would compromise so easily.
Mu Anxiao's lips curved into a smile. "It means... take me back. From now on, whoever I dislike, you can help me resolve it."