"May I ask, My Lord, who is Xuan Xin?" Wu Huan pondered for a moment before asking the question that had been puzzling him. The ancient texts of the Demon Clan were relatively well-preserved, and despite his extensive reading, he had never heard of anyone named Xuan Xin. Yet, judging by the Demon Lord's tone, this Xuan Xin was a formidable individual.
"Fool, isn't Xuan Xin standing right beside you?" Yu Ju retorted.
"My Lord must be mistaken. We have never heard of a person named Xuan Xin. However, I have heard of Yu Tian." Wu Huan stepped forward, yet dared not approach the barrier too closely. "Yu Tian is the Creator God of Cang Xuan."
"Yu Tian is the Creator God? Laughable!" Yu Ju burst into laughter, his amusement growing. "Yu Tian is merely a dog by the Creator God's side!"
"Xuan Xin is the true Creator God?"
"Yes, Xuan Xin is the true God of Cang Xuan." Yu Ju stared at Xiao Man for a long time, then gave up struggling. "I have hated you for so many years, only to find out that, like me, you were also plotted against by a scoundrel."
Xiao Man remained silent, quietly observing Yu Ju, wondering how long his madness would last.
"Do you think I've gone mad?"
Xiao Man calmly replied, "Anyone sealed for ten thousand years would likely be somewhat abnormal. I understand."
Yu Ju, mid-laugh, shed tears. "Xuan Xin, you called me your friend, yet you personally destroyed my physical body and sealed me. What do I truly mean to you?"
"Perhaps, because you were my only friend, you could not tolerate my mistakes even more," Xiao Man mused. "Yu Ju, if the Xuan Xin you speak of is truly the Creator God of Cang Xuan?"
"Naturally."
"If so, how could she not destroy your primordial spirit?" Xiao Man asked softly, her voice laced with doubt. The dignified God of Cang Xuan, even if the Demon Lord was difficult to kill, surely wouldn't pose a challenge to her, unless she didn't want to kill him!
"What do you mean?"
"This sealed land where you are confined, spanning a thousand miles, is barren, devoid of spiritual energy..."
"It was likely used to suppress me."
"No, in my opinion, all this spiritual energy has been used to maintain your primordial spirit, preventing its destruction," Xiao Man said gently. "Perhaps she was protecting you in her own way."
"Lies!"
"Why would I lie?" Xiao Man retorted. "As an outsider, I can only offer an objective assessment. If she truly intended to destroy your primordial spirit, she would only need to reverse the sealing array and have the earth absorb your spiritual energy. It would take a century, not ten thousand years, for you to vanish into dust, let alone bring ruin to this thousand-mile stretch."
"No, I don't believe it."
"Then do you wish to venture out and see what a desolate wasteland your sealed territory has become?"
Yu Ju fell into a long silence, offering no reply.
Xiao Man was in no hurry, sitting outside the barrier to wait. She knew deep down that the longer she delayed, the more disadvantageous it would be for her. If the other party sensed their movements and Yu Ju hadn't broken free, they would be in grave danger. However, without persuading the Demon Lord, releasing him rashly would mean they would bear the brunt of the consequences.
"Zhu Qing." Xiao Man had deliberately left Zhu Qing outside to facilitate communication with those outside.
"Master, what are your orders?"
"Pass down the command: all those in the Land of Inability are to lie low," Xiao Man said softly. Even if the Demon Lord broke the seal, it would take time to regain his strength. Yue Tianxia was not a threat, but the person behind Yue Tianxia was someone they had to be wary of.
"Yes, Master."
"Yu Ju, have you made up your mind?" Xiao Man inquired. "If not, you can continue thinking here. By the time Yu Tian discovers the flaw in the sealing array, you may not have another chance to get out."
"Yu Tian!" Yu Ju's expression finally shifted. That was right, how could he forget? There was still one person, the instigator of all this. "Release me!"
"My condition..."
"I agree!" Yu Ju said without hesitation, his gaze towards Xiao Man filled with complexity. "Whatever your conditions, I will agree. I swear upon my primordial spirit, I will never go against your will."
"Deal."
Xiao Man reached out towards the barrier, and the sealing runes lit up again, as if responding to her. Xiao Man felt a sense of confusion. For some reason, as soon as she touched the sealing runes, many runes appeared in her mind, guiding her to break the seal.
"Wu Huan, are you ready?" Xiao Man looked at Wu Huan. Yu Ju's physical body was gone, his three souls and seven spirits were outside, and only his primordial spirit was sealed here. Upon emerging, the primordial spirit would require a vessel, and Wu Huan was that vessel.
Wu Huan nodded, his expression calm and steady. He had long anticipated this day and accepted his fate with equanimity.
Xiao Man cast a deep glance at Wu Huan and began to dismantle Yu Ju's seal. Each iron chain bore nine seals, and every step had to be precise. Xiao Man's entire focus was on breaking the seals.
Yu Ju's gaze followed Xiao Man continuously. As the first iron chain was undone, Xiao Man's complexion paled slightly. Wu Huan felt a pang of worry, but he was unable to approach the barrier. He could only wait until Xiao Man had broken all the seals before he could enter.
"Be careful, don't hurt yourself," Yu Ju cautioned Xiao Man. "The runes on this Demon Subduing Formation can inflict harm."
"I am aware of the risks, there's no need to worry."
Yu Ju lowered his gaze, speaking no further, allowing Xiao Man to continue breaking the seal. Only by shattering the seal could he regain his freedom. Other matters could be dealt with once they were out.
"Are you my soul?"
"Only the three souls," Wu Huan replied. "The rest are with her."
Yu Ju's expression was placid. "What is your relationship with her now?"
"A cooperative one," Wu Huan answered earnestly. "She is helping rescue My Lord, and we are helping her fight the Heavenly Sword Sect."
"A small Heavenly Sword Sect warrants her attention?" Yu Ju asked, puzzled.
"My Lord has been sealed for ten thousand years and is unaware of the external situation. Currently, the highest cultivation level on the Cang Xuan Continent is only the Soul Transformation stage. Once one reaches this stage, they are ostracized by the Cang Xuan Continent. If they stubbornly refuse to leave, they will be annihilated by the laws of heaven and earth. Yue Tianxia of the Heavenly Sword Sect, through some unknown means, has deceived these laws, thus becoming one of the top experts on the Cang Xuan Continent."
"Why did she come from the Yong An Continent?" Yu Ju asked, bewildered. What had happened during these ten thousand years? Why had Cang Xuan Continent changed hands, and why had she ended up in this state?
"Perhaps to evade Yu Tian's surveillance, someone sent her to the Yong An Continent. After all, a lower realm like Yong An would not be of his concern."
"I'm asking why she became like this?"
"Do you think I would know?" Wu Huan gave a wry smile. He himself had cultivated for millennia to reach his current state, and he couldn't even leave the Ghost Realm for extended periods. If it weren't to release the Demon Lord, why would he risk utter annihilation by leaving the Ghost Realm?