Chapter 237

Chapter 237: The Emperor’s Whereabouts

“My… Demonic Source…” Ming Ye finally gasped out, his eyes widening with immense fear as the Demonic Energy around him leaked away like deflating air, dissipating at an alarming speed. “Who… are you?!”

He seemed to want to say more, but in the next instant, all the Demonic Energy burst apart, dissolving into wisps of Black smoke. Only his lifeless body remained, embedded so deeply into the stone peak that it couldn’t be pried loose.

You You: “…”

The battle had ended too abruptly. Even the participants couldn’t make sense of it!

“You You!” Feng Rong rushed over, pulling her into a trembling embrace as he frantically checked her for injuries. “Were you hurt by the Demonic Energy? Are you in pain anywhere?”

“I… think I’m fine,” You You shook her head.

“Demonic Energy is no small matter!” Feng Rong’s tension only grew. He dragged her far from the peak where Ming Ye’s body was lodged, retreating to the floating peak near the pool. “Let me check your divine sense and meridians. Even a trace of Demonic Energy could corrupt you!”

The demon tribes were older and far more terrifying than their ancient Divine Clan. Even the Feng Clan’s legacy contained only fragmented rumors about them, claiming they’d gone extinct. Yet here they were, lurking in the Immortal Realm disguised as deities.

You You frowned. Ming Ye’s final words hinted at deeper secrets. His presence in the Seventh Heavenly Layer and its ruin likely served a purpose—but what?

“Friend You… are you alright?” A familiar Voice Transmission suddenly bubbled into her ear, accompanied by the gurgle of water.

You You jolted, remembering Xiao Man still hidden in the pool. “Xiao Man!”

“What’s happening? Can I come out now?” Xiao Man’s voice echoed, blurred by splashes.

“It’s safe now!” You You reached into the water and hauled her out.

“You’re unharmed—” Xiao Man’s relief died as she gaped at the cracked, flattened ground around them. “Where… is this?” She’d fallen into the Immortal Palace’s pool, but now it resembled a warzone. Her confusion lasted until she spotted a familiar figure sprawled nearby. “Heavenly Emperor Hong Fei?!”

You You hurried to the motionless body. A quick check confirmed her suspicion: a faint thread of vitality lingered. “Xiao Man, the one controlling this body for centuries wasn’t Emperor Hong Fei. A demon immortal swapped her original spirit. The real one must be trapped elsewhere.”

She explained everything—how Ming Ye’s schemes had gone undetected for centuries. “If we find her original spirit in time, she might survive. Do you know where they’d hide it in the Seventh Heavenly Layer?”

Xiao Man hesitated. “I’m just a lowly immortal… but Fuqiu Valley might hold answers. It’s a cursed place near the palace’s edge. Fairy maids sent there never return. Divine Lord Ming Ye often ordered newly arrived female immortals to be taken there too.”

“Can you lead us there?”

“If we’re still in the Seventh Heaven Palace, yes. But…” She glanced at the unrecognizable landscape. “Where exactly are we?”

You You: “…”

“Did we escape the Seventh Heavenly Layer? Is it safe here?” Xiao Man pressed, gesturing at the huddled clusters of female immortals watching them fearfully. “You saved so many! How did you—”

You You: “…”

Feng Rong: “…”

How to explain they hadn’t left the Seventh Heavenly Layer… just accidentally leveled its Heavenly Palace?

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Protected by the pool’s formations and You You’s invincibility skill, Xiao Man had missed the chaos. To her, mere minutes underwater had somehow erased an entire palace.

You You’s control over her skills had improved—mostly. While Sword God’s Heaven-Defying Strike now targeted enemies selectively, its collateral damage remained… enthusiastic. The male immortals who’d attacked her were gone; the female immortals, unharmed but shell-shocked, stared at the ruins.

Centuries of oppression under the fake emperor had broken them. Unlike the defiant Sisters You You once saved, these women showed no relief—only terror. Their poison curses and crushed spirits couldn’t be mended with words. They needed their true emperor restored.

But first, Fuqiu Valley.