Chapter 551 - 558: Meeting Gong Ye

The Fox Demon didn’t seem the least bit guilty under Song Wanning’s gaze. Instead, she just beamed at her.

"Sister, don’t be mad at me for being forward. I only acted in the heat of the moment..."

She covered her mouth, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled, looking utterly innocent.

The smile on Song Wanning’s lips deepened. "It’s no matter. In fact, I have yet to thank you for your help."

’If the Fox Demon hadn’t helped, it would have taken me more time to capture the Double-headed Eagle. The main problem was that I couldn’t harm it, which made things difficult.’

’After all, my techniques are all killing blows, and the Double-headed Eagle was incredibly fast!’

’It really put me in a tough spot.’

"Hehe, don’t mention it, don’t mention it."

The Fox Demon’s smile widened, but a flicker of excitement shone in her eyes.

’As long as I can get in with the Snake Clan, I’ll have a temporary foothold. At the very least, if I’m being hunted, someone can take the heat for me.’

And so, she began plotting how to stick to Song Wanning.

To her surprise, Song Wanning took the initiative and invited her to come along.

The Fox Demon was ecstatic.

But she couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy. It was all going too smoothly, which put her on edge.

And just like that, a Fox Demon was added to Song Wanning’s side.

After capturing the Double-headed Eagle, the Flying Artifact changed course and headed for the Hundred Demons Palace. It was only then that the Fox Demon truly grasped the situation. The one calling the shots was Song Wanning, not She Yi.

’No wonder making eyes at She Yi earlier didn’t get me anywhere.’

’Looks like I have to get on Song Wanning’s good side.’

Meanwhile, Song Wanning held the Immortal Furnace and monitored the Double-headed Eagle trapped inside.

The Double-headed Eagle was incredibly arrogant and defiant. Once it recovered its strength, it began cursing up a storm.

Though it hadn’t yet taken human form, it could already speak. A torrent of foul language assaulted the ears, making Song Wanning’s temple throb. She finally just sealed its mouth to get some peace and quiet.

She then took out the bloodline guidance, intending for the Double-headed Eagle to lead her to the Space Fragment and the senior. But strangely, when the guidance fell upon it, it didn’t take the eagle away.

Her expression immediately darkened, and she quickly probed inside with her Divine Sense.

Following the bloodline’s pull, she sensed her way forward, bit by bit, until she finally determined the truth: the bloodline guidance wasn’t pointing to the Double-headed Eagle at all, but to the fleshy tumor on its head.

’There’s something in here?’

A thoughtful glint appeared in Song Wanning’s eyes. Without hesitation, she telekinetically burst the tumor. A rather strange-looking inner core appeared before her.

The Double-headed Eagle shrieked in pain and began to frantically ram the walls of the Immortal Furnace.

This time, Song Wanning showed no mercy and killed it instantly.

She then tossed the Double-headed Eagle’s corpse to She Yi.

As for her, she held the strange inner core, lost in thought.

The closer she got to the inner core, the stronger the bloodline guidance reacted. This proved it was the inner core of one of the senior’s descendants, which had been swallowed by the Double-headed Eagle by some fluke.

’Only, the Double-headed Eagle lacked the ability to absorb it, and instead just grew an ugly tumor...’

’So, the senior’s descendant has perished?’

Song Wanning’s expression grew heavy. If that was truly the case, it was a real shame.

’Oh well, I’ll just take it one step at a time. If the line has truly ended, there’s nothing I can do about it.’

On the Flying Artifact, She Yi cradled the Double-headed Eagle’s corpse, his eyes welling up with tears of gratitude.

’This is the corpse of an Early-stage Integration beast! It must still have its inner core...’

’Master is actually willing to give it to me?’

The nearby Fox Demon was green with envy. ’Song Wanning is so generous,’ she thought. ’If only she’d given it to me!’

This solidified her determination to hitch her wagon to this powerful backer, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at Song Wanning.

Song Wanning opened her eyes, having already stored the other inner core.

Seeing the Fox Demon’s eager expression, she smiled. "Next time we find one, it’s yours."

’After all, She Yi is bound to me by contract, so of course he comes first.’

Hearing this, the Fox Demon nodded eagerly, her gaze now fixed on Song Wanning with starry-eyed adoration.

「...」

The rest of the journey was smooth, and without any further trouble, the human and two demons arrived outside the Hundred Demons Palace.

Song Wanning sat on the Flying Artifact, her expression grim.

Because as they neared the Hundred Demons Palace, the bloodline guidance had begun to react again.

This made her uneasy. ’The invader is here. I really hope the senior’s descendant isn’t the invader...’

’If that happens, it’ll be a repeat of Jiang Cen’s fate, and that would be a terrible shame.’

"You go."

Song Wanning ordered She Yi to announce their arrival. She would meet the invader first, then decide what to do.

In the Hundred Demons Palace, Gong Ye was admiring flowers when he heard the report. He crushed the bloom in his hand, a cold light flashing in his eyes.

’Those people abandoned me back then, and now they want to swoop in and reap the rewards? They really take me for a fool!’

"Go! Let them in!"

Gong Ye turned and entered the main hall, seating himself on the high throne to await the arrival of the Snake Clan members.

The Snake Clan’s past abandonment still stung, so he now relished the chance to see them eat crow.

A short while later, Song Wanning, She Yi, and the Fox Demon entered the great hall.

On a black throne in the very center of the hall, a figure in red lounged, his smooth hair cascading behind him and pooling on the floor.

He looked utterly at ease, and his position happened to align perfectly with the location of the Three Lives Mirror.

’This is the invader from the Demon Race!’

Song Wanning had finally confirmed the invader’s identity. A profound look flashed across her face.

’However, the bloodline guidance isn’t pointing at him.’

’It seems the person I’m looking for is somewhere else in the Hundred Demons Palace. Maybe it’s one of the other Demon Cultivators here.’

"Greetings, Demon King!"

She Yi, ever perceptive, led Song Wanning in a bow to Gong Ye. They had agreed beforehand that She Yi would handle the negotiations.

Gong Ye’s gaze swept over the three of them. After a brief, dismissive glance at Song Wanning and the Fox Demon, his eyes settled on She Yi.

"What are you doing here?"

Gong Ye asked, feigning ignorance, already planning the many ways he would humiliate She Yi.

"The Clan Leader sent me with an invitation, hoping Lord Demon King might return to the Snake Clan for a visit."

As he spoke, She Yi respectfully presented the invitation.

Gong Ye raised a hand, and the invitation flew into it. He saw the unique emblem of the Snake Clan and felt no suspicion, only contempt. He sneered.

’How laughable.’

"We have nothing to discuss. I have long since left the Snake Clan. Why would I go back?"

Gong Ye had seen the Snake Clan’s true colors long ago. He wanted to make them regret their decision, to force them to watch, step by step, as he rose to power.

"Lord Demon King, the Clan Leader and the elders regret their actions deeply. They hope you will give this your full consideration. We are willing to wait here for your decision."

She Yi replied respectfully, reciting the lines Song Wanning had prepared for him in advance.

But as he spoke the words, She Yi was nervous.

’Even now, I don’t understand what Master is trying to accomplish.’

’Staying in the Hundred Demons Palace... isn’t that just asking for death?’

’I wish we could leave right now!’

"Oh?"

As expected, Gong Ye’s expression shifted at his words, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

’They’re willing to stay?’

’Heh.’