As Song Xi's nagging continued, the wolf demon and Zhao Mei'er tensed, their gazes following Xi'er and Song Xi towards Ouyang Ye, who had dispelled the mist, leaving them stunned.
"Where is Mu Anxiao?" Ouyang Ye strode before them.
"She..."
"Replying to Master, Mu Anxiao ignored my advice and insisted on confronting the demon beast. Not only that, she..." Zhao Mei'er interrupted Xi'er, glancing at Ouyang Ye before continuing, "She also unilaterally used her spiritual energy to fight the demon beast. Master... it was she who prevented us from going to her aid, not that we refused to help."
"Is that so?" Ouyang Ye said, his gaze flicking to Zhao Mei'er before settling on the wolf demon.
The moment Ouyang Ye looked at him, the wolf demon's mind flashed with memories of Ouyang Ye's ruthless past. In those fleeting moments, he found himself speechless. Yet, thinking of Mu Anxiao's safety, he knew he had to speak. He fell into a deep contemplation.
Ouyang Ye, observing the shifting emotions on the wolf demon's face, narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, is what she said the truth?"
"The truth..." the wolf demon repeated, casting a glance at the terrified Zhao Mei'er beside him. He hesitated, then said, "Why are you asking me?" He deliberately feigned ignorance.
"Enough nonsense, answer," Ouyang Ye stated coldly.
Seeing Ouyang Ye's indifferent expression, the wolf demon's heart sank. He replied, "Yes, it is true that Mu Anxiao went of her own accord."
"She didn't let you help," Ouyang Ye added.
The wolf demon knew Zhao Mei'er's words were an attempt to distance herself. However, the facts supported Zhao Mei'er's account of Mu Anxiao's actions, and denying it would be unrealistic. With no other choice, he decided to respond based on Zhao Mei'er's narrative. "Yes, she didn't let us help."
"You didn't help because she didn't let you," Ouyang Ye said, then turned his attention to Song Xi. "You tell me."
"Replying to Master, I followed Mu Anxiao. But... as soon as the demon beast appeared, she told me to leave. Before I left, she... she said that in her eyes, I was merely bait. Believe me," Song Xi said, his gaze towards Ouyang Ye becoming cautious, "you know Mu Anxiao's temperament. I couldn't do anything at that moment, so I had no choice but to obey her and come back."
"Master, my husband and they are telling the truth," Xi'er said quickly, fearing Ouyang Ye might punish Song Xi.
Song Xi looked at Xi'er with deep gratitude, saying nothing.
Ouyang Ye then shifted his gaze to Xi'er. "You didn't tell her that the demon beast was immortal."
"I did, but she wouldn't listen," Xi'er replied truthfully.
"She wouldn't listen," Ouyang Ye echoed, lowering his eyes. He paused, briefly contemplating Mu Anxiao's stubborn nature, and let out a cold laugh. "Mu Anxiao, she really thinks highly of herself."
Xi'er: "Master..."
"You all wait here for me," Ouyang Ye commanded, walking past them towards the waterfall.
After Ouyang Ye left, the mist and smoke reappeared. Just as they had hoped to see clearly, they were plunged back into darkness the moment they turned around.
"Master, he won't punish us, will he?" Zhao Mei'er couldn't help but ask.
At the same time, the three of them turned their attention to Zhao Mei'er. The next moment, Xi'er's face hardened. "Zhao Mei'er, you're quite bold to interrupt me now."
"I was only thinking for everyone's benefit," Zhao Mei'er stammered, intimidated.
Xi'er let out a cold laugh. "Well said, 'for everyone's benefit.'"
"I spoke the truth," Zhao Mei'er insisted.
"Yes," Xi'er replied, her expression cold. "You spoke the truth, but you also stole my spotlight."
"I..."
"If there's a next time, I won't let you off lightly," Xi'er interrupted in a low voice, stepping forward and fixing her gaze in the direction Ouyang Ye had gone.
Following Xi'er's words, Zhao Mei'er dared not utter another sound.
The wolf demon and Song Xi exchanged glances, remaining silent.
Over there.
Ouyang Ye stopped before the waterfall, tilting his head to stare at the demon beast bound by ropes. A slight smile curved his lips. "Long time no see."
Upon hearing him, the demon beast used its strength to look down at Ouyang Ye. "Ouyang Ye, release me, or I will keep my word and destroy your home."
"I'm truly curious now, whether you truly are immortal," Ouyang Ye said, his gaze fixed on the demon beast's crocodile-like face.
The demon beast chuckled.
As Ouyang Ye prepared to speak, the ropes binding the demon beast suddenly glowed with a blue light. Ouyang Ye immediately recognized the secret connection between the demon beast and Mu Anxiao. "A method of communication," Ouyang Ye stated, directly severing the 'channel' through which they communicated.
Immediately after, the demon beast let out a baby-like cry...
Seeing this, Ouyang Ye's face became grave. "Mu Anxiao, using a spell again," he said, looking up towards the top of the waterfall.
At the same time, the demon beast painfully uttered, "You and that person aren't allies."
Hearing this, Ouyang Ye withdrew his gaze and looked back at the demon beast. "We cannot say allies. She is my fiancée."
"Fiancée..." the demon beast repeated, then laughed. "She is an immortal. If I recall correctly, you were once injured by an immortal. That's why you hate immortals. Now you say that little immortal is your fiancée? Do you expect me to believe that?"
"She is not someone who gives up easily," Ouyang Ye said calmly.
The demon beast paused, "What do you mean by that?"
"It means she will never let you off," Ouyang Ye said, taking a step back and waving his arm... sealing the emitted spiritual energy with demonic arts.
The demon beast stared at Ouyang Ye's actions, its already enormous eyes widening further. "What are you doing?"
"Demonic arts cannot kill you, so I must borrow my fiancée's power," Ouyang Ye said with a sinister grin. "To kill you."
"I am a celestial beast. If you... if you kill me, and the Heavenly Realm finds out..."
"I am already an enemy of the Heavenly Realm. But Mu Anxiao," Ouyang Ye said, "is different from me."
"You intend to use her to kill me," the demon beast suddenly understood Ouyang Ye's intention.
Ouyang Ye smiled. "So clever."
"This entire situation was orchestrated by you," the demon beast stated plainly.
"I had no such foresight. However, I must thank you. Without your reminder, I wouldn't have thought of these things. In any case, this is all just a coincidence," Ouyang Ye said, beginning to anticipate Mu Anxiao's reaction.
After Ouyang Ye's words, the demon beast frantically tried to contact Mu Anxiao. However, for some reason... it could not get any response.