"A celestial slave?" Empyrean Mu and the Great Dream Lord seemed surprised.

"Yes, it's like stumbling upon a treasure. Who would've thought that a slave, whose fate is as insignificant as dust, would harbor the potential of a Heavenly Monarch? By chance, the Heavenly Deity Alliance granted us an extra spot this time. So, we brought this slave along to broaden his horizons," Wan Ji said with a smile, laying the groundwork for Yun Xiao's identity.

"A slave entering the fray… truly unexpected," Empyrean Mu nodded. "However, it does comply with the rules."

"Indeed," the Great Dream Lord agreed.

They exchanged glances, each seeing deeper meanings in the other's eyes.

As they discussed Yun Xiao, the young people hadn't gone far. So as they walked, three curious gazes fell upon him.

Finally, they all subconsciously glanced at the place where Yun Xiao's

root of sin

had been purified.

As men, they felt a chill, perhaps even a touch of sympathy. But soon, their attention drifted elsewhere.

This group of young geniuses—male, female, and a slave. Naturally, the slave was overlooked.

Mu Zixiao and Mu Zhilu seemed particularly interested in Wan Ji's seven daughters. They approached them, chatting casually, behaving appropriately and politely, leaving a good impression on these sisters who had never interacted with men before.

"Hai Qing, is it true that in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm there are no men, only these slaves?" the youthful Mu Zhilu asked curiously, glancing at Yun Xiao.

Hai Qing felt a bit awkward, nodded, and said, "That's indeed the case, but the slaves do make their contributions."

"That's true. After being free from desires, perhaps one can focus entirely on the Dao. It's a shortcut to immortality," Mu Zhilu joked.

He knew that the disciples of Harmony Divine Palace looked down on slaves, so he said this to get closer to them. But he hadn't expected that Hai Qing and the others were grateful to Yun Xiao.

"Then why don't you swing the knife yourself and castrate yourself? You could take this shortcut too," Yun Xiao suddenly said.

His unexpected words immediately plunged the group's atmosphere into an icy chill.

Mu Zhilu was stunned for a moment, then whispered to Hai Qing, "Is this slave a bit..."

Hai Qing felt a flicker of displeasure. "Young Master Mu, regardless, he is part of our Extreme Yin Celestial Realm and our comrade in battle."

"Understood!" Mu Zhilu seemed quite well-mannered. Realizing his misstep, he smiled at once. "I was presumptuous. I apologize, Sister Hai Qing."

Mu Zixiao also spoke up for his brother. "My little brother doesn't know about the customs of your realm. Please grant him a chance to make amends."

Their attitudes were gracious, but their apologies were directed entirely at Hai Qing and her sisters. Yun Xiao, the one who had been slighted, received not even a word. Ɍ�

"My father came to discuss an alliance," Mu Zhilu continued, steering the conversation. "In the upcoming battle at the Grand Assembly Arena, we'll be allies. Our Ancestral Star and Nine Yin Star aren't far from the Extreme Yin Star. We can stand back to back and support each other..."

Hai Qing and her sisters glanced toward their mother. Seeing her engaged in harmonious talk with Empyrean Mu and the Great Dream Lord, they joined in, planning with the three gifted youths. Yet, mindful of their realm's taboos, they kept a respectful distance.

Yun Xiao and Feng Yao, feeling rather bored and not inclined to join, sat together on a nearby rock.

"Feng Yao."

A black-robed youth named Meng Huan had been watching her for some time.

While Mu Zixiao and the others conversed, he approached her and asked, "Why not join the discussion?"

"I'll just listen to my sisters," Feng Yao replied coolly.

"Very well." Meng Huan glanced at her. In his eyes, Feng Yao and Yun Xiao sat side by side, so close that it blurred any distinction of rank. His green eyes suddenly locked onto Yun Xiao, and a subtle tremor shook his gaze.

At that moment, a chilling soul force invaded Yun Xiao. It was strong indeed.

Without a word, Meng Huan was sending a blatant, unmistakable warning. He wanted Yun Xiao to move aside so he could sit next to Feng Yao.

Only Yun Xiao, sensing the intimidation, knew he was being threatened. To Feng Yao and the others, Meng Huan appeared to be a polite young man.

For now, it was a warning, but it could soon become a deadly threat.

In Yun Xiao's eyes, Meng Huan transformed into a towering green demon, ghastly emerald eyes fixed on him, as if threatening Yun Xiao not to defy him.

It was clear that Meng Huan was confident in his status and talent—enough to believe he could easily crush a slave.

He was an Anima Immortal, capable of all this without betraying the slightest emotion.

But then, Yun Xiao suddenly smiled. He acted as if he'd noticed nothing, a subtle curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

Then, under Meng Huan's watchful gaze, he quietly extended a hand toward Feng Yao.

With one swift motion, he reached into her embrace.

"Ah!" Feng Yao's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her heart pounding. She never imagined Yun Xiao would be so bold, launching a sudden move in front of so many people, leaving her utterly stunned.

By the time she regained her senses, Yun Xiao had already withdrawn his hand. He brought it to his nose, took a sniff, and smiled at Meng Huan. "What a lovely scent."

"You... you..." Feng Yao was both embarrassed and angry. She wanted to strangle him but didn't dare; instead, like a flustered girl, she pounded Yun Xiao's shoulder twice.

Of course, she wasn't the most shocked.

The black-robed youth before them, who had witnessed this unbelievable scene, stared with wide green eyes, as if frozen in place. Even the soul force within him spiraled into chaos.

Yun Xiao's five fingers were like daggers piercing into his mind.

This was a slave, and beside him was a peerless prodigy with the talent of a Boundless Immortal!

It was as if a toad had devoured swan meat right before his eyes!

"You..." Meng Huan's throat burned with fury.

"Run along now, little brat," Feng Yao said. Though annoyed with Yun Xiao, she guessed that this youth had provoked him first. Naturally, she didn't show Meng Huan any kindness and waved him away.

"Fine!" Meng Huan realized he'd been humiliated. He couldn't make sense of any of it.

Even if he told others what he'd just witnessed, perhaps no one would believe him. That was the most ironic part.

At that moment, Hai Qing heard a bit of commotion. She looked over with concern and asked, "What's going on?"

Feng Yao chuckled softly. "Oh, it's nothing. That Meng Huan told a joke. It was quite amusing."

Mu Zixiao and Mu Zhilu noticed that Meng Huan and Feng Yao seemed to be getting along and couldn't help feeling a touch of envy.

It was clear that among the beauties of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, Feng Yao was the brightest jewel in the crown. They hadn't dared to approach her, but now it seemed Meng Huan had gotten ahead of them.

"Well, it's not that easy. The taboos of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm can't be overcome," they thought. With that, they relaxed a bit.

But what puzzled them was that when Meng Huan returned to their side, his expression seemed dark and brooding.

▬ι══🪦✧⚰

"What are you doing? You're so bad!" Feng Yao was still blushing. There was no helping it; her heart raced, the Mortal Dust Devil Blood surging through her, painting her red all over.

"There are too many blind fools around. Naturally, I need to declare my sovereignty in time," Yun Xiao said.

"Do you have to declare it like that?!" Feng Yao was truly exasperated. The guy had asked him to give up his seat, and he'd gone and squeezed her—wouldn't that drive people mad?

"They came to form an alliance. Aren't you pushing them away?" Feng Yao asked helplessly.

"Alliance, my foot. They're just here to stake their claim, ready to take advantage when the Harmony Divine Palace collapses," Yun Xiao said with a chuckle.

"What do you mean?" Feng Yao asked.

"You'll see soon enough. If you want to beat a dog that's down, you have to be the first to the well," Yun Xiao said calmly.

"In your mind, everyone is so treacherous," Feng Yao pouted.

"You're just too naive and innocent," Yun Xiao replied.

"Hmph." They whispered sweetly among themselves, while over with Hai Qing, genuine discussions unfolded with the three young prodigies.

The elders watched the harmonious mingling of the youths and felt content.

"It's about time. I'll take the children back to the Ancestral Star to make preparations," Empyrean Mu said, cupping his hands toward the three Divas.

The Great Dream Lord was ready to depart as well. Noticing the gloom clouding her son's eyes, she sensed something weighed on his mind and was eager to ask him about it.

The three Divas personally saw them off.

"That's fantastic, Mother. With the help of these two great celestial sects, things should get much easier for us, right?" Hai Ying said, holding Wan Ji's hand.

Wan Ji rolled her eyes. "Easier? Hardly! When the battle begins, you'll need to spend at least forty percent of your energy guarding against them stabbing you in the back."

Her daughters were stunned into silence.

"Mother, didn't you say that the Ancestral Land, Nine Yin Soul Sea, and the Southern Divine Dragon Realm all have disputes? Isn't the enemy of our enemy our friend?" Hai Qing asked helplessly.

"In the realm of Immortals, there are no eternal friends or enemies—only eternal interests," the Ice Lineage Diva Yu Ji said coldly.

"Then all those detailed plans I discussed with them..." Hai Qing couldn't help feeling frustrated.

Was all that effort for nothing?

"It's still useful," Yun Xiao suddenly spoke up.

His role here was rather peculiar. When he opened his mouth, the Ice Lineage Diva leaned in, while the Snow Lineage Diva clearly didn't want him to utter a word.

"How so?" Hai Qing asked, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

Yun Xiao replied, "At least when we collaborate later, we can strike first, catch them unprepared, and stab them in the back before they can do the same to us."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

The Ice Lineage Diva's eyes lit up. As expected of a Boundless Immortal—he truly had his ways.

The Snow Lineage Diva rolled her eyes.

This damn slave… so cunning and deceitful. I expected nothing less of the one even daring to use projection talismans to threaten me...

Wan Ji chuckled softly. She found this young man increasingly intriguing.

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

And so, the matter of the alliance came to a close.

Yun Xiao thought they would now wait quietly for the battle to commence.

But suddenly, thunderous roars echoed around the Extreme Yin Star. A massive force of peak powerhouses was closing in, surrounding the place!

"The Heavenly Deity Alliance Joint Law Enforcement Division is here to capture the criminals! The Extreme Yin Star is hereby sealed off!"