Chapter 753: Bending the Will of a Great Demon God

"He Motian. Zi Mo." Mou Qi smiled faintly, giving small nods to the two unexpected arrivals. "It's been a while."

The three were fellow high-ranking Gods and thus naturally knew one another.

Though the starry skies were filled with divine beings, there were only a few dozen high-ranking Gods, each a figure of renowned status. He Motian had always stood out as one of the most prominent among them.

His fame stemmed from his ascension as a Great Demon God despite not being of the Demon Races. This made him an anomaly in the starry skies.

It was also because of his origins with the Titan Race that He Motian had long faced criticism within the Demon Races. Many Demon Gods never fully accepted him, often using his origins to question his legitimacy.

Despite this, after Sovereign Demonheaven's fall, He Motian was the one who brought the splintered Demon Gods back together.

The reason the Demon Races and the Demon Gods did not collapse entirely after the fall of their Sovereign was because of him. Thanks to his remarkable efforts, they managed to hold on to the remaining twenty-six Demon Realms.

His contribution was undeniable, and in time, the other Demon Gods came to trust this Great Demon God born of the Titan Race.

Mou Qi, well aware of He Motian's strength and Zi Mo's cunning, immediately shifted to a more courteous tone when he saw them.

With a light smile, he said, "I didn't come to compete with you for any opportunities in the Abyss. The truth is, I had some unfinished business with Han Yi. This visit is just a convenient chance to look around."

"Han Yi?" He Motian's wary expression relaxed at Mou Qi's assurance. One of his three faces turned toward Zi Mo and gave her a subtle signal. Then, addressing Mou Qi with another face, he said, "We heard you were here and thought it only right to pay a visit. Truthfully, things haven't been going well for us in the Abyss, but Sovereign Luo has descended into a vessel, and we're acting under her guidance."

He Motian used Luo Hongyan's name to send a clear message: Even if Mou Qi harbored other intentions, he would do well to weigh the authority of a Sovereign.

"I really have no interest in the Abyss. Don't misunderstand," Mou Qi said with a light-hearted laugh.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

He and He Motian conversed easily, clearly enjoying each other's company.

Zi Mo, while also a high-ranking God, had never been particularly close to Mou Qi and remained silent on the side, watching the Frost Crystal God's divine platform with faint curiosity.

A pack of jackals,

Ying Yue cursed inwardly.

She originally thought that He Motian and Zi Mo would be displeased at Mou Qi's arrival, giving her and Han Yi a chance to maneuver out of their situation.

Unexpectedly, He Motian and Mou Qi appeared more than familiar with each other. Their conversation was filled with smiles and casual cheer.

"Ying Yue, thank you for everything you've done for me," Han Yi whispered at her side, her voice tinged with resignation. There was sorrow in her eyes, the kind that only came during an inevitable parting. "Those things we share...please keep them safe for me. I'll be leaving with Mou Qi."

Han Yi had accepted her fate. There was nothing she could do without a powerful backer, regardless of the divine crystals and artifacts she had gathered.

He Motian and Zi Mo's relaxed attitudes after learning that Mou Qi was here for her made it evident that they would not be of help.

There was nothing she and Ying Yue could do. At this point, Han Yi saw no reason to drag Ying Yue down with her. It was better for her to face the consequences alone.

"We'll find a way," Ying Yue whispered back, still trying to offer comfort. "We've gained so much. I really think—"

Before she could finish, Han Yi raised her voice, tone sorrowful but full of steely resolve. "Lord Mou Qi! I'll go with you!"

"That's the right choice." Mou Qi nodded with a smile. "You know my status within the Spirit Race. Leave this wretched place with me, and you could one day rise to become a high-ranking God yourself. Isn't that far better than what you have now?"

"Can those so-called gains of yours really compare to the treasures in my vault?" Mou Qi scoffed, casting a contemptuous glance at Ying Yue.

Although he had heard Ying Yue's words, he held no interest in the artifacts and materials of mere mid-ranking Gods.

"That's true, Mou Qi," He Motian echoed in agreement.

Suddenly, a strange thought took root deep within his sea of consciousness. It came without warning, so abruptly that by the time he noticed it, it was already impossible to suppress.

A foreign sensation seized him, like another will had infiltrated his mind. His many demonic souls churned violently, stirred by soul fluctuations that did not belong to him.

"Hold on." He Motian's tone changed sharply, and he snapped, "Mou Qi, what do you mean you're taking Han Yi away?"

Zi Mo blinked in surprise, then glanced sideways with a strange expression. "He Motian, perhaps you need to keep your curiosity in check. Not everything concerns you, and not everything needs to be questioned."

Mou Qi's overbearing attitude and Han Yi's sorrowful reluctance were more than enough for Zi Mo to guess the situation.

Han Yi was not of the Ghost Race and had never shared any bond with Zi Mo. Therefore, Zi Mo had no reason to risk offending Mou Qi over someone like her.

"Han Yi only became a mid-ranking God thanks to my help back then," Mou Qi said with a laugh, assuming He Motian was simply being nosy. "She owes me. Isn't it only natural that I bring her back to my domain?"

"What if I object?" He Motian sneered, baring his teeth in a cold smile.

Mou Qi froze, as if seeing He Motian in a new light. "He Motian, do you even know what you're saying?"

"I do." He Motian smiled, all three of his faces wore the same expression. Zi Mo, Ying Yue, and the Sun God watched in stupefaction as He Motian said with domineering clarity, "I want you to give Han Yi her freedom. Do you understand me now?"

Mou Qi's face darkened. "Are you serious?"

"Extremely," He Motian replied coldly.

"Is that how you want to play it, He Motian? Trying to steal a woman from me?"

A scepter inlaid with countless gemstones appeared in Mou Qi's hand.

Nine-colored flames ignited along his sleeves, brows, the corners of his eyes, and across his arms. They then spread across the Lunar Divine Palace with Mou Qi as the center.

These flames ranged from icy cold to blazing hot, capable of annihilating souls to brimming with vitality.

"He Motian, you'd better think this through carefully. Think about the person standing behind me," Mou Qi warned.

Even as a fellow high-ranking God, Mou Qi knew he was not necessarily a match for He Motian. Moreover, many Demon Gods still lingered above the bizarre mist in this section of the starry skies, with several being under He Motian's command.

Mou Qi was aware he held no advantage here, so he had no choice but to invoke his Sovereign.

"I'll consider myself unlucky if that Sovereign of yours really bothers to step in over something this trivial," He Motian said with a wide grin. "Mou Qi, care to step outside and fight me?"

"No need." Mou Qi gave He Motian a long, hard look. The nine-colored flames faded, and he withdrew the scepter. "He Motian, I'll be staying here for a while. Our Spirit Race will send others to take part in the disturbances above the bizarre mist.

"Whatever happens next, just know you brought it on yourself."