Si Qing held her breath.
Qi Yu also looked solemn.
The woman stretched out her slender, fair hands and affectionately kissed Feng Mian's fingertips.
Qi Yu was stunned.
Just as she was wondering if this was some mistress Feng Mian had found, the woman lowered her head to look at the demon egg and slowly said, "Father, please wait a little longer. When the time is right, I will definitely release you."
Qi Yu was utterly shocked.
Si Qing's eyes widened.
Wait, the woman called Feng Mian "Father" and told the demon egg to wait.
So, was it as she suspected?
Before Si Qing could recover from her shocked speculation, she saw the woman suddenly snap her fingers in mid-air.
Immediately, countless demon insects, resembling centipedes, burrowed out from underground, continuously chewing on something.
Qi Yu frowned.
She could vaguely sense a strong smell of blood.
These centipede-like creatures were clearly gnawing on human skeletons.
Their mouths also contained wood shavings, dirt, and rocks.
There was even a piece of cloth hanging from them.
Qi Yu closed her eyes.
No wonder the villagers and house debris that had fallen from above had vanished without a trace.
They had all been eaten by these monsters.
Qi Yu rubbed her temples with a hint of helplessness. After being eaten by these demon insects, the humans' souls were also shattered. Let alone resurrection, they wouldn't even have a chance to reincarnate.
Si Qing's eyes darkened.
At this moment, the woman seemed to sense a different aura and suddenly turned towards the direction where Qi Yu and Si Qing were standing, asking in a stern voice:
"Who is it?!"
Qi Yu no longer intended to hide their presence.
She and Si Qing dispelled their barrier and walked out step by step.
As they met the woman's gaze head-on, Qi Yu finally recognized her true identity.
Feng Yiran.
The daughter Feng Mian had after his marriage.
She had only met her once before and hadn't seen her since. She never expected the mistress of this demon lair to be her.
"You, why are you here?" Feng Yiran was startled.
Si Qing's voice was cold, divine power brewing in her hand. "Although I don't know what you're doing, or why you've chosen to cause trouble instead of living a peaceful life, no matter what, it's no longer the time when the former Heavenly Dao controlled the Three Realms. It's only natural that the Heavenly Dao would know about the commotion you're causing now."
Qi Yu also expressed her disdain, "I originally thought a new demon had emerged, but I never expected it to be just some remnants..."
She raised her hand and snapped her fingers in mid-air.
The winds and clouds above the demon lair changed abruptly.
A powerful divine force surged into the demon lair, sweeping up everything within, including the potent demonic energy, into the sky.
Feng Yiran didn't have time to steady herself, nor could she protect the demon eggs, as they were all swept up by this immense divine force, leaving her struggling to stand.
Qi Yu and Si Qing stood in the clouds, bringing the demonic Feng Yiran, the unconscious Feng Mian, and the demon eggs to the Thirteenth Heaven.
The Heavenly Punishment Arena of the Thirteenth Heaven.
Six stone pillars stood in all directions, each entwined with layers of shackles.
Qi Yu sat on the highest Heavenly Dao throne, divine light obscuring half her face.
Below, representatives from all races across the Four Seas and Five Lakes, except for humans, stood on either side.
Feng Mian, the demon eggs, and Feng Mian's daughter, Feng Yiran, were all firmly controlled by heavenly soldiers and generals.
Qi Yu rested her chin on her hand, gently tapping the armrest of her seat with the other.
Jin Yan stepped forward and bowed, stating, "After careful examination, the demon lair in the mortal realm was sealed before today. It was Feng Mian's daughter who, without the support of Feng Mingxi, Feng Yunzui, and Feng Sixian, unilaterally opened the demon lair to place Feng Mian inside and attempted to transfer Feng Mian's soul into the demon egg in an effort to resurrect her father."
Qi Yu looked at Feng Mingxi, who was now the Dragon King of the South Sea. "Did Feng Mian's daughter seek your help to resurrect Feng Mian? Is this true?"
"It is true," Feng Mingxi stepped forward. "Many days ago, Feng Yiran, Feng Mian's daughter, did come to seek our help. However, it is against heavenly principles to unilaterally resurrect a demon sinner, so neither I nor my two sisters agreed. Feng Yiran then disappeared."
Qi Yu looked at Feng Yiran. "How did your father die?"
She didn't recall sentencing Feng Mian to death.
And even if she had, before she became the Heavenly Dao, after becoming the Heavenly Dao, she had issued a general amnesty, and Feng Mian, as a demon, could have been revived.
"...My father did not die, but after you became the Heavenly Dao, for some reason, his demonic power suddenly began to decline severely, weakening day by day. For a demon, losing demonic power is worse than death..." Feng Yiran slowly replied, "That is why I went to seek help from Feng Mingxi, who was then the Demon Lord, hoping he could perform a resurrection ritual."
Demons who underwent the Demon Lord's resurrection ritual would be reborn as if new, their ailments cured, and they would regain their powerful demonic energy and handsome appearance.
Although this would cause the resurrected demon to grow with their memories intact, it was indeed the best method of treatment for demons who had lost their demonic power.
Qi Yu looked at Feng Mian's unconscious profile. "But because you were refused, you found another way to have Feng Mian's soul enter the demon egg and be reborn through it?"
Feng Yiran nodded.
Qi Yu looked at Feng Yiran on the platform and suddenly remembered that she should have a brother named Feng Zichi; they were both Feng Mian's children.
She looked at the demon egg and gently beckoned.
A soul was directly pulled out from within by Qi Yu.
The moment the soul detached, the demon egg stopped developing.
Feng Yiran cried out in protest, but it was too late.
Feng Mian's resurrection was thwarted by Qi Yu, and his somewhat weakened soul appeared before everyone.
Feng Mian had thought he would be able to be reborn with the help of the demon egg and his daughter.
But he never expected to be dragged out before his dream had even begun to unfold.
Looking at Feng Mian before her, Qi Yu rested her chin on her hand and suddenly smiled. "Feng Mian, long time no see. Do you miss Yu Zhen?"
"...Qi, Qi Yu..." Feng Mian had heard that Qi Yu had become the Heavenly Dao, but in reality, ever since Yu Zhen defected to the Blood Demon Fiend, he hadn't had a chance to see Qi Yu up close.
This was the first time.
"I'm asking you a question," Qi Yu looked at Feng Mian. "Do you miss Yu Zhen? Although she was wicked and sinful... she has actually reincarnated. If you wish, I can let you see her again at any time."
Saying this, Qi Yu paused, then smilingly amended, "No, I'll let you reincarnate again, and for all eternity, become Yu Zhen's... son. How about that?"