When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

"...The Three-Phase Venerable?"

Chu Xianlan slowly repeated his name, "Why was he the only one who left the secret realm back then?"

"I don't know." Ming Si shrugged. "That's a matter for your human race. Even the Third Prince of the Southern Cang Royal Family doesn't understand it, so how would I know?"

What he said made perfect sense, and the wild Third Prince couldn't refute it.

It seems that the Demon King had already set his sights on researching the Myriad Swords Immortal Realm during the Tianyuan Gathering.

However, why is Ming Si so fixated on events from a thousand years ago? Is interest truly the best teacher for the illiterate?

Ming Si seemed to sense what Chu Xianlan was pondering and said, "Because I am very curious."

He paused, then countered, "Aren't you curious?"

Chu Xianlan: "What are you curious about?"

"Back during the Tianyuan Gathering, the lingering crimson mist and malevolent energy of the Myriad Swords Immortal Realm only affected the demon race. The human race was also affected, yet remained unharmed..." Ming Si said, then suddenly moved closer to Chu Xianlan with lightning speed. "Could it be that there's something special about your human race that I could discover?"

Those deep, bewitching eyes were right in front of her in an instant, looking both serious and joking. Chu Xianlan felt like she was being pricked by thorns, and her heart nearly stopped in fright.

Can't you be a little more distant?

The next instant, Bu Xizhou came straight at him without any hesitation, the blade reflecting Ming Si's face, which was almost within reach, silently emitting a warning.

Yi Chen scrutinized Ming Si with a calm expression.

"Oh dear, that half-demon is so fierce, drawing his sword over such a small matter," the demon king feigned fear, quickly raising his hands in surrender. "Unlike me, I'm a pacifist."

Chu Xianlan: "..." Do you know Yan Ling?

Mei said that this was all the information he knew, and after saying that, he stopped talking about the topic and earnestly invited the two of them to join the game.

Chu Xianlan was at a loss for words and didn't know how to explain it to him... Three people can't play Gomoku!

Just then, a group of noisy, uninvited guests rushed into the palace. They were all soft and fluffy, almost making people dizzy.

Chu Xianlan looked closely in a daze and saw that they were several small rabbit demons that were not even as tall as his waist.

...The Heart Rabbit Clan?

Are Bai Xiaotu's clansmen?

These rabbit demons all have erect ears. They are naturally short in stature, with skin as white as snowflakes and a small pinkish tinge on the tip of their noses. Each one is extremely cute and lively, yet they exude a fierce aura that shows indifference to life and death and a willingness to fight anyone who dares to challenge them.

Chu Xianlan immediately recalled what Bai Xiaotu had mentioned: the Heart Rabbit Clan had a strict hierarchy and its own set of rules. Lop-eared rabbits like Bai Xiaotu were at the lowest level and were considered to be at the bottom that could be driven at will, while the group of upright-eared rabbits in front of her clearly belonged to the powerful and evil rabbit lineage.

The rabbit demons rushed toward the throne and bowed to Ming Si.

"Your Majesty, Demon King!"

Ming Si propped his head up and sat up, his face clearly troubled. He sighed, "What important matter do you have to report?"

A leader of the Heart Rabbits suddenly sprang out, shook his fluffy long ears, and raised his head, his voice booming:

"Your Majesty, Demon King! We have come on the orders of the Demon Lord. We urge you to prioritize the continuation of your bloodline, select a Demon Consort as soon as possible, and hold a grand ceremony!"

"Indeed, His Majesty's period of passion is approaching; please consider establishing a consort as soon as possible!"

"His Majesty--"

The Heart Rabbit Clan members looked utterly loyal. Reproducing was an innate instinct in the bloodline of the demon race, and they did not suppress their feelings about this matter at all, speaking of it without any taboo.

Chu Xianlan petrified in situ.

...Is this...is this something they can hear?!

It's one thing to discuss things like establishing a concubine, but for a discussion about the Demon King's private life, like the period of passion, to be casually overheard by him and his master, two outsiders, is... not quite right!

Bei Ming's openness had already been hinted at in the custom of sending flowers to court during festivals. Chu Xianlan was so engrossed in their wild words that she was practically digging her toes into the ground, eager to make a quick getaway. She subconsciously glanced to the side, wanting to exchange a secret signal with her master.

Unexpectedly, their eyes met, and Yi Chen was also looking at him, his gaze slightly deep, as if he were thinking about something.

Chu Xianlan, whose attempt to use the cipher failed, remained silent.

"Step down. I have my own plans regarding the matter of choosing a consort," Ming Si said dismissively, toying with the ends of his hair.

The leader of the Heart Rabbit tribe was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. "Your Majesty! You say this every year, but every time..."

In the blink of an eye, an invisible demonic aura filled the hall.

The rabbit demons' expressions changed; their short legs trembled under the weight, rendering them unable to move.

Ming Si remained languid, but the ease in his eyes was gone: "As I said, I have my own considerations. But you all… are so anxious about my marriage? Could it be… that the Heart Rabbit Demon Lord can't wait any longer and wants to support the new king?"

The hall fell silent upon hearing this.

The atmosphere was off.

"Your Majesty, spare my life!! I have no disloyal intentions!" The Heart Rabbit clansman's eyes showed urgency, and he quickly prostrated himself and kowtowed.

The Demon King had his considerations, and so did they. Bringing up these matters rashly was not merely meddling.

The previous demon kings of the Northern Underworld had prosperous bloodlines and many had several concubines in their harems. However, Ming Si was different. His behavior was too unconventional. He had been on the throne for many years and had no intention of taking a concubine, let alone having any offspring.

The atmosphere of war between the two realms is intensifying. Even if the Demon King is powerful, there is still a possibility that he might perish in the flames of war. If something were to happen... wouldn't the Black Python Demon Clan's demon bloodline, which has lasted for tens of millions of years, be cut off here?

But this is presumptuous speculation about the life or death of those in power; how dare they say such things?

To answer would be to overstep one's bounds.

Ming Si ignored their opinions and dismissed the demons.

Each with their own thoughts, the rabbits could only maintain their dignity and get up to leave.

"Oh dear, these little rabbits are meddling too much. I'm sorry to have made you two laugh. How about... we end our conversation here for today?" Mikoto said with a disappointed tone and a regretful expression.

Chu Xianlan felt no regret; he had wanted to escape for a long time.

It's unbelievable that even the Demon King couldn't escape being pressured to get married.

Looking back at the magnificent palace, Chu Xianlan suddenly realized that Ming Si was actually quite clever.

As long as there are no descendants, no one can ever compete for the position of Demon King, thus solving the problem at its source.

Fewer births, better births, a lifetime of happiness.

High, really high.

However, he still felt that Ming Si, the demon king, had lost too much privacy, like running naked in the street, with his subordinates knowing exactly when he was in heat.

and many more.

Isn't Master a half-demon? He remembered that Xiao Huandu seemed to have said that not only demons, but also half-demons have a heat cycle... What was it again?

Thinking of this, Chu Xianlan's breathing quickened slightly. She secretly glanced at Yi Chen walking beside her. The heat of passion wouldn't affect half-demons or demons without partners, but conversely, if they had partners...

The more similar the ethnic groups are, the closer their climax periods will be.

Ming Si's true form is a black python, and his master... is also a snake.

Chu Xianlan was taken aback.

He seemed to suddenly understand what his master's look at him in the main hall meant.

No, that's not right. He's misunderstood. Master couldn't possibly mean that!

Between her and her master... although they had done a lot, it hadn't really developed to that extent yet. Chu Xianlan's earlobes turned a rosy red. She dared not look at Yi Chen's cold and dignified profile anymore, and she couldn't imagine what this face would look like when it was moved.

In her panic, some of Hua Ling's vulgarities popped out from some corner of her mind again... Stop!

The open-minded atmosphere in Beiming is toxic!

Chu Xianlan roared inwardly, but the next second, a cold touch covered his earlobe, making his shoulders tremble.

"It's so hot."

Yi Chen's calm voice almost brushed against my ear.

The sound fell like a feather brushing against her earlobe, spreading down her shoulder to her lower back, making half of Chu Xianlan's body tingle and itchy, and her body felt hotter.

They were in a quiet, secluded alley, with no one or any demons around. In the blink of an eye, the tall, white figure easily pinned the boy against the wall, toes touching toes.

In the shadows diagonally above the alley entrance.

The magical artifact concealed all its aura. Qiao Yu leaned against the wall, a slightly surprised expression on her face.

oh……?

She really hadn't expected that.

That master and apprentice had such a relationship.

I never imagined that one day I would see such a real, inescapable, and deep-seated depravity in Yi Chen.

So, for whom would this ruthless and desireless paragon of immortals break his rules and principles? He was moved, and it just so happens to be his own disciple?

That's really... interesting.

Qiao Yu sneered inwardly, slowly loosened her arms, withdrew her gaze, and disappeared into the shadows.

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(T_T I'm stuck on one more chapter, should be able to get through it by tomorrow morning!)