"A'yu is already so grown, why does he still cry like a child? If I can see my child one more time in this life, I will be content." The woman in blue wanted to wipe the tears from A'yu's face, but her fingers passed through.
"But A'yu cannot bear to part. A'yu has been the High Priest of the Demon Realm for nearly ten thousand years, and only then did he earn the chance to see his mother again. He does not wish for his mother to leave like this." A'yu's tears flowed uncontrollably.
He felt even more sorrowful than when his father had left. His father had not lied to him; his mother not only loved him but was also a gentle woman.
Gazing at his mother's increasingly ethereal body, A'yu knelt on the ground and respectfully kowtowed to her twice.
"A'yu is unfilial! I have not been able to find you all these years." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
A'yu had entered the Myriad Races Realm in his youth. However, it was the resting place for the souls of the Ying Tian Beasts, and no one could find it except the next Ying Tian Beast, not even their offspring.
But there, A'yu met the Heavenly Dao and agreed to become the High Priest of the Demon Race, vowing to protect the Demon Race from then on, in exchange for today's opportunity.
The woman in blue smiled with relief. Her last bit of strength transformed into a mark and merged into A'yu's forehead. This was her final protective charm for her child, and the only thing she could do for him.
Witnessing this scene of maternal love and filial piety, Xing Yuan turned her head away, concealing the hint of envy in her eyes. She missed her elder sister again.
Although the Ying Tian Beasts were extremely powerful and had a long history, their parents could only be considered the heartless Heavenly Dao!
While A'yu, the High Priest of the Demon Race, knelt on the ground in immense sorrow, Xing Yuan stealthily took out a communication jade slip to send a message to her elder sister.
After a long while, A'yu composed himself, his face returning to the composed and self-possessed demeanor of a High Priest.
A'yu clasped his hands and said, "Regardless, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to see my mother."
"Due to the war with the Demon Race, Mother left many things here back then, some of which should have been passed down through generations of Ying Tian Beasts. I cannot distinguish which is which, so please retrieve the items yourself."
"Where are those things?" Xing Yuan asked eagerly.
Her thoughts had long since drifted back to Xing Yue on Ruo Yue Peak of the Tian Ya Sect. Although she knew she wouldn't be able to see her elder sister even if she returned now, her heart still yearned for it.
"The items are in the treasure vault of the successive Demon Lords. Therefore..." A'yu said in a deep voice, then suddenly knelt on one knee, his eyes burning with fervor and his face filled with reverence.
"I implore you to succeed to the position of Demon Lord and lead our Demon Race to forge a new path."
"Me? Succeed as Demon Lord?" Xing Yuan decisively shook her head. "You can forget about it! I won't do it."
"Then you don't want those things anymore? As far as I know, there is a crown among them that carries immense power." A'yu's gaze was firm, his words carrying a hint of threat.
He was gambling, betting that this was the Heavenly Dao's intention. Otherwise, why would it have set up so many schemes and specifically made him the High Priest of the Demon Race?
Xing Yuan was indeed somewhat tempted. She had a feeling, as if guided by fate, that these things would be of great use to her. However, she still shook her head.
She coldly refused, "I can cultivate these powers myself. I will not be staying in the Demon Realm for long, so you need not think about this."
"Please reconsider. The Demon Realm has been without a true master for many years. The various Demon Kings are busy fighting for power, making the entire Demon Realm a mess."
"But you are different. As long as you are willing, all the demons in the Demon Realm will unconditionally support you, simply because you are an Ying Tian Beast. An Ying Tian Beast like your mother."
"Mother established the Demon Realm, and you will lead it to a new peak. This is what the prophecy foretells," A'yu attempted to change Xing Yuan's mind.
"You need not say more. I have no interest in these matters," Xing Yuan said indifferently and turned to leave.
It was a wasted trip. She should hurry home.
"Wait!" A'yu gritted his teeth and made a concession.
"How about we each take a step back? You don't have to succeed to the position of Demon Lord, and you can even enter and leave the Demon Realm as you please. But you must at least take on a title within my Demon Race. If the Demon Race is ever in danger, you will assist us. As long as you agree to this condition, I will open the treasure vault for you."
"Fine!" This request was not excessive, and Xing Yuan readily agreed.
Because she agreed so quickly, a hint of annoyance appeared on A'yu's face. He had asked for too little; he should have demanded more.
But A'yu was true to his word and soon opened the treasure vault for Xing Yuan.
Most of the past Demon Lords were wealthy. With years of accumulation, the treasure vault contained no small amount of wealth. But Xing Yuan paid no mind, only taking what caused her bloodline to fluctuate.
Ying Tian Beasts who had reached the Divine Realm could no longer break through through external means. They could only increase their understanding and perception through worldly experiences or by accumulating merit. The amount of merit required was enormous.
Having obtained what she wanted, Xing Yuan turned and left the treasure vault without hesitation.
"Did you get everything?" A'yu confirmed.
"Yes. Since I have what I came for, I'll be leaving now." Xing Yuan waved goodbye to A'yu in a cheerful mood.
"Won't you stay for a while longer? You should at least meet with those Demon Kings!" Sensing Xing Yuan's strong desire to leave, he offered a slight change of reason.
"Alright, let's meet them then!" Having accepted their help, Xing Yuan felt it was indeed not good to just take what she wanted and leave.
Her elder sister had always taught her to be polite and not to harm others carelessly. Xing Yuan naturally wanted to be well-behaved and obedient.
Although these Demon Kings had their own territories, their cultivation was not weak, and their travel speed was naturally fast. In just three days, Xing Yuan had met all the Demon Kings.
As soon as she finished meeting the Demon Kings, Xing Yuan rushed back towards the Tian Ya Sect overnight. Eager to return, she spread her wings and revealed her true form. Her speed, like the wind, made her travel more than twice as fast as when she had arrived.
Upon returning to the Tian Ya Sect, Xing Yuan quickly went to the summit of Ruo Yue Peak. She silently circled the place where Xing Yue was in seclusion and then transformed into her original form, lying outside the cave dwelling, both as a guardian and a companion.
Later, after some time, she also built a secret chamber for cultivation at the peak and eventually entered seclusion herself to cultivate.
Xing Yue closed her eyes tightly. With every breath, a dense spiritual energy fluctuation emanated from her. The spirit stones piled around her like mountains gradually turned to dust as she continuously absorbed them.
Xing Yue suddenly opened her eyes, stood up, and reached the Divine Realm.