Lan Yan and Jun Yelan returned, only to find Momo still following. This was Jun Yelan's territory, and she had no right to keep anyone. She looked at the person beside her.
Jun Yelan saw Momo clinging to Lan Yan. Thinking that Lan Yan had no one she knew here, he said, "Since that's the case, you can stay. There's just one condition: if you harm anyone beside you, you will suffer a fate more miserable than what you just experienced."
After speaking, he walked towards the cave entrance, subtly placing a restriction on Momo. If Momo were to harm Lan Yan, she would suffer a backlash.
He did not trust any human or demonic beast; only Lan Yan was an exception.
Lan Yan watched Jun Yelan's retreating back, the corners of her lips curving upwards. Seeing Momo still frightened, she smiled and said, "Don't worry, Big Brother is just cold on the outside; his heart is actually very warm. You'll stay here from now on."
"There are still a group of wolf demons outside. You don't need to be afraid; they are my little brothers. You rest first, and I'll go find Big Brother." After settling Momo, she went to find Jun Yelan.
At this moment, Jun Yelan was sitting on a large rock, gazing at the dark sky.
Lan Yan walked over and sat beside him, remaining silent. She sensed Jun Yelan had something on his mind and didn't want to disturb him.
After a long while, Jun Yelan by her side spoke, saying, "You are a cultivator. Do you know why there are no immortals in this world anymore?"
Lan Yan had read the sect's handbook and replied, "It is said that in ancient times, a great war occurred, and immortals were attacked by demonic beasts, suffering heavy casualties. Later, the Immortal Realm was sealed off to recuperate."
From then on, the cultivation world was born, but no one ascended to become an immortal or entered the Immortal Realm.
Jun Yelan let out a cold laugh, "That's the version from the cultivation world. In truth, back then, everyone in the Immortal Realm detested demonic beasts, yet they needed to use demonic beasts as mounts, for cultivation, and even to defeat unknown enemies."
"The demonic beasts were naturally displeased and began to resist, leading to a mutually destructive situation. At that time, there was a most powerful demonic beast. Under his leadership, they could have won. However, the Immortal Realm sent a celestial maiden to the side of the demonic beast."
Lan Yan listened quietly, observing Jun Yelan's expression. She noticed a hint of melancholy, even sadness, in his eyes. This was the first time she had seen Jun Yelan like this. She reached out and placed her hand on his arm.
Jun Yelan, unaware, continued, "The people of the Immortal Realm deceived that demonic beast, making him voluntarily hand over his demon core. In the end, he was burned alive, and the demon realm was defeated from then on."
"What happened to that celestial maiden?"
Jun Yelan turned his gaze to Lan Yan, "She had the demonic beast's child. After giving birth, she cast the child into the abyss, wanting him to die with his father. But the child was resilient and survived, living a life filled with torment."
For some reason, Lan Yan's heart suddenly clenched. Perhaps it was because of the unprecedented expression Jun Yelan showed. She couldn't help but embrace the Jun Yelan before her, murmuring, "Jun Yelan, I am not that celestial maiden, and I would never do such a thing."
She knew Jun Yelan's reservations and that he wouldn't necessarily trust her, but she wanted to try. She wanted the solitary and prickly Jun Yelan to know that she had come for him and would never abandon or betray him.
Jun Yelan's eyes trembled slightly, and his hands moved to caress Lan Yan's back. He had met the mixed-blood Momo today and wanted to talk to someone about this story. Lan Yan was the first person who came to mind.
He thought of Lan Yan's sudden appearance in his life, much like the celestial maiden's arrival beside the demonic beast. But Lan Yan was different; he believed this in his heart and held the person in his embrace tighter.
Lan Yan felt Jun Yelan's emotions and stayed with him. She sensed that Jun Yelan seemed to be connected to this story. In Jun Yelan's past, which she did not understand, he must have endured much.
She stopped thinking about it, wanting only to be good to Jun Yelan now. Her mission of salvation was not just for herself but also for the person holding her.
They embraced for a long time, so long that Lan Yan fell asleep in Jun Yelan's arms.
Jun Yelan carried Lan Yan back and, as before, used his wings to protect her as she slept. In his heart, Lan Yan was his!
Momo, from across the way, opened her eyes for a moment before quickly closing them again. She felt that Big Sister and Big Brother were so gentle. If only her mother and father were like this.
She had never met her parents, only heard that her father was a powerful cultivator and her mother was a flower demon whom her father intended to tame.
Meanwhile, inside the Demon King's Palace, a man in red clothes spun a ring in his hand, staring at Leopard Lord in front of him. "You say Jun Yelan is back, and he brought a woman from another realm!"
"Yes, Demon King, Jun Yelan is too much; he completely disregards you." Leopard Lord bowed his head. "His woman is from the cultivation world or the human realm. The two of them have a daughter, clearly a mixed-blood."
The Demon King's eyes widened, and a seductive smile touched his lips. "Jun Yelan finally has a weakness. It's time to make a move." He had been the Demon King for so many years, yet he was not as feared as Jun Yelan. He had always wanted to act but couldn't find the opportunity.
Therefore, he had leaked some information previously, prompting people from the cultivation world to act and capture Jun Yelan. He had originally thought Jun Yelan was surely dead, but Jun Yelan was truly lucky to return unharmed.
"Go deliver a message. Tell him I welcome Jun Yelan's return and have prepared a banquet especially for him. He must bring his family. If he doesn't come, I will come to his doorstep personally."
Leopard Lord grinned smugly. Now Jun Yelan would fall into the Demon King's hands. He quickly sent his subordinates to deliver the message, still fearing Jun Yelan's family.
The next morning, Lan Yan woke up and went outside the cave to meditate. Her magical power was too weak; she didn't want to die before completing her mission.
A wolf demon ran over holding a letter, shouting, "Miss Lan, someone from below has a letter for Jun Yelan." Moreover, he disliked the person delivering the letter, as they were from the Leopard tribe, his sworn enemy. He beat the messenger soundly before letting him leave.
Lan Yan nodded and took the letter to Jun Yelan.
Upon seeing the letter, Jun Yelan's eyes turned cold. He looked at the confused Lan Yan and explained, "It's from the Demon King, inviting me to his welcome banquet and asking me to bring my family."
"Family?" Lan Yan pointed at herself. Her relationship with Jun Yelan was now completely misunderstood. She asked, "Are you going?"
Jun Yelan clenched the letter in his hand. If he didn't go, it would be more troublesome for the Demon King to come knocking. "Yes."
"Alright, I'll go with you." Lan Yan smiled. She had been uneasy about Jun Yelan going alone and now had a legitimate reason. She handed Momo to the wolf demon and changed into different clothes before heading out.
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan and then took a cloak, draping it over her shoulders, completely covering her chest. "The Demon King is not someone to trifle with. You will follow me closely."
"Okay." Lan Yan smiled faintly and proactively extended her hand, "Jun Yelan, I'm afraid of getting lost. Do you want to hold my hand?"