Chapter 308

Chapter 308: The Strange Hall

Gong Xi wore a serious expression, intent on exchanging hostages. You You felt an unexpected pang of guilt. After a moment, she sighed and pushed Feng Rong aside. Since their cover was already blown, there was no point hiding the truth.

“City Lord Gong, you’ve misunderstood,” You You stated earnestly. “I meant it when I said they’re my companions. I’m not being held against my will.”

“What?” Gong Xi froze, then retorted, “But they’re from the Divine Clan. You…” She trailed off, disbelief flashing across her face. “Are you…?” Yet You You showed no trace of divine power.

“No, I’m not from the Divine Clan,” You You shook her head.

“Then—”

“But I’m not from the demon tribes either,” she continued. “I’m part of the Human Race!”

“The Human Race? Impossible!” Gong Xi scoffed. “Humans are fragile. They can’t endure even a wisp of Demonic Energy. How could you enter the Demon Realm?”

“…” True, but she was different.

“Ah You…” Gong Xi’s worry deepened as she glared at Feng Rong and Yuan Qi. “Stop lying! I’ll never let them hurt you!” Her face practically screamed, *Blink twice if you’re in danger!*

*Why won’t she believe me?*

“We’re truly not demons!” You You insisted. “We came to retrieve something—not the Demon King’s seal. We don’t care about power struggles here, but we need your help.” Her eyes flicked to Gong Xi’s bracelet.

Noticing this, Gong Xi removed the bracelet. “Is *this* your target?”

“Yes,” You You admitted. “It’s one of the items we seek.”

“So when you asked for it earlier…” Gong Xi’s face flushed crimson before paling. She shook her head vehemently. “Lies! If you didn’t care for me, why risk your life saving me?”

“Huh?” You You blinked. *Care?*

“Don’t deny it!” Gong Xi pressed. “The Divine Clan disdains humans. What binds you to them?”

Feng Rong snorted, eyes glinting mischief. “What binds us?” He yanked You You into his arms and planted a loud, smacking kiss on her lips. “*This* clear enough?”

You You: “…” *Why stir the pot?!*

Gong Xi gaped, trembling finger jabbing at them. Shock, disgust, and fury warred on her face. “You… you…” She whirled on You You, aghast. “Ah You! You’re into *men*?!”

“…” *What?*

“Disgraceful!” Gong Xi ripped off the bracelet and hurled it down, scrubbing her hands like she’d touched filth. “I was wrong about you!” She fled into the Demon Hall.

You You: “…”

Feng Rong: “…”

*Since when is liking men the issue?!*

“Ahem.” Yuan Qi retrieved the bracelet, handing it over. “At least we’ve secured the ‘upper’ volume.”

You You rubbed her temples. *What just happened?!*

“Let’s find the final volume.” Yuan Qi nodded toward the hall.

As they turned, a thunderous crash echoed from within. They rushed inside—only to be met by a surge of Demonic Energy. A familiar figure hurtled toward them: Gong Xi, flung backward like a ragdoll.

Not again?!

Thinking back to the earlier chaos, it all seemed to start when she went to catch her. So… should she catch Gong Xi or not?

As Gong Xi was about to land, Feng Rong’s footsteps echoed behind them.

Her outstretched hand trembled for no reason and she pulled it back just as Gong Xi landed.

Thud!

Gong Xi crashed onto the ground…

You You: “……”

Gong Xi: “……”

“You…” Gong Xi stared at her in disbelief.

Sisters, if I said this was an accident, would you believe me?

“Are you… hurt?” You You reached out again, but noticed wisps of Demonic Energy dissolving around Gong Xi’s waist.

Gong Xi opened her mouth but froze. Her face palmed as she whirled around shouting, “Move! There’s a—” Her words cut off as she gaped at empty space. “…Gone?”

“You again? Must you always cause trouble?” Feng Rong strode over, glaring at the Celestial Demon. “Can’t a Celestial Demon land properly? Are you doing this on purpose?”

Gong Xi shuddered violently upon seeing him. “Stay away, you filthy cut-sleeve!”

“How dare—” Feng Rong’s anger died as You You yanked him backward.

“You’re injured?” You You spotted the bloodstain on Gong Xi’s lip and the unstable Presence. Remembering the healing pills she’d prepared earlier, she thrust one forward. “Take this and recover.”

Gong Xi eyed the pill with conflicted expressions before grudgingly swallowing it. Color slowly returned to her face.

“What happened here?” You You surveyed the vast main hall. Endless rows of black stone tiles stretched beneath towering pillars, gleaming like dark mirrors. No signs of battle remained despite the earlier clashes.

“I… encountered…” Gong Xi hesitated, confusion clouding her features. “A Celestial Fox Phantom attacked me. But when you arrived…” She gestured weakly at the emptiness.

“Celestial Fox?” You You blinked. “There are others?”

“None.” Gong Xi’s fists clenched. “My clan perished long ago. I’m the last Celestial Fox in the Demon Realm.”

The trio exchanged silent glances, letting the unspoken tragedy linger.

Yuan Qi stepped forward. “Where exactly did this phantom appear?”

“Three zhang ahead.”

They moved toward the indicated direction, finding only pristine ground.

“Escaped?” You You wondered.

“Phantoms don’t flee.” Yuan Qi shook his head. “They’re spellcasting manifestations that disperse, not run. But only Celestial Foxes can—” He froze mid-sentence, crouching abruptly to press a palm against the tiles.

“What is it?” You You knelt beside him.

His fingers traced invisible patterns. “A formation was activated here.”