Chapter 43 Trying on the Wedding Dress.

The majestic Demon Palace stands atop the mountain, like a lurking beast, exuding a chilling majesty, yet adorned with amethyst and velvet carpets, it also carries a touch of opulence.

Silence.

Hua Xun followed behind Shang Qu, walking towards the main hall.

She hadn't expected Baili Sheng to see her, but when he actually summoned her to the palace, she couldn't help but feel wary.

Upon reaching the main hall, Shang Qu stopped and did not enter with them.

Hua Xun glanced at him, then looked into the deathly silent hall, pursed her lips, and carefully walked in.

The dome of the main hall is over ten feet high and is carved from a single piece of black jade. The patterns are inlaid with tiny amethyst crystals, like stars in the dark night, making the interior of the hall both hazy and cold.

In the center of the main hall stood a throne of the Demon Lord, about three zhang high, but at this moment, there was no one on the throne.

Hua Xun stood below the seat, her hands involuntarily clenching into fists.

The Wu tribe's innate sensitivity instilled in her a deep-seated fear of those who had tried to kill her.

Behind the palace gate, Baili Sheng was staring intently at the little demon standing below.

She seemed to have changed; her demon core was becoming more abundant and powerful, and her cheeks, like curled camellias being steeped in hot water, gradually unfolded and bloomed.

Only those hands.

Baili Sheng stared intently at her tightly clenched fist, half-hidden in her sleeve.

That's an action she only does when she's afraid.

Just like when she carried him to safety and they were almost discovered several times.

But now, she does it repeatedly in front of him.

After waiting for about half an hour, Hua Xun frowned slightly, glanced at the empty seat again, and was about to turn around and leave the hall to ask Shang Qu.

Before she could turn around, a figure slowly walked out of the palace door beside the throne, his voice cold and indifferent, echoing in the empty palace: "Only half an hour, and you can't wait any longer?"

Hua Xun stopped and looked up.

Baili Sheng was still wearing a black robe, with magic patterns woven from gold and silver threads on it that moved slowly like lightning. He wore a red jade and silver crown, and a red ribbon hung down in front of him, making him both alluring and handsome.

Hua Xun moved her lips, unsure how to address him.

Realizing that she had come here ultimately for a request, Hua Xun finally lowered her head and addressed Baili Sheng as the other demons addressed him: "Demon Lord."

As soon as she finished speaking, Hua Xun felt a chill slowly creeping up from the hall, approaching from afar until it enveloped her.

"Ha," Hua Xun heard a sneer from the seat, "Why has Miss Hua Xun come to see me?"

Hua Xun thought for a moment and decided to get straight to the point: "I've come to ask for the Zhihua Pill."

Upon hearing about Zhihua Dan, Baili Sheng knew it must be related to Qian Zhichou from Qianying City.

"Why should I give you such a treasure?" Baili Sheng asked again.

Hua Xun pondered for a moment, then uttered the words she had prepared on the way here: "During those ten years, I saved the Demon Lord many times, took care of you for a long time, and even nearly lost my life several times..."

When Baili Sheng saw her bring up the events of those ten years, his expression hardened slightly, and his originally cold eyes gradually melted away like ice being exposed to sunlight.

Until he heard...

"I beg you, Demon Lord, even just for the sake of the one time I saved you," Hua Xun lowered her head, her voice unusually quiet, "give me a Childhood Essence Pill."

“I know I took advantage of your kindness, and after this, I will forget everything from the past and never do it again…”

"Hua Xun." Baili Sheng suddenly interrupted her, his voice low and hoarse.

Hua Xun was slightly taken aback, and slowly looked up.

Baili Sheng fell silent. After a long while, he calmly asked, "Why do you need the Zhihua Pill?"

Hua Xun paused, and for some reason, listening to Baili Sheng's flat tone, he felt a sense of absurdity: if she said it was for the sake of the God, he would be furious.

Hua Xun did not respond.

Baili Sheng chuckled softly, stood up, and walked down the stone steps one by one: "Let me guess."

"Could it be because of... Changsang Jiuqing?"

Hua Xun's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Baili Sheng looked at the expression on her face that showed she had been right, gave a short, sarcastic laugh, and stopped in front of her: "Looks like I guessed right."

Hua Xun pursed her lips, then suddenly relaxed them: "It is indeed for the sake of the Divine Lord, I beg the Demon Lord..."

"Do you think I care whether he lives or dies?" Baili Sheng's voice suddenly turned sinister.

Hua Xun took a step back, his palm rapidly gathering azure magic power as he assumed a defensive stance and cautiously stared at him.

Seeing her clearly wary expression, Baili Sheng stood quietly in place, seemingly lost in thought, staring at her intently.

The magical power in Hua Xun's palm gradually dissipated as time passed. She straightened up and said, "I did not intend to disturb you today."

"You won't call me 'Demon Lord' anymore?" Baili Sheng asked rhetorically.

Hua Xun paused, not responding to his abrupt question.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the red and purple crystals embedded in the black jade pillar. Thinking of the festive scenes she had witnessed along the way, she continued, "Whether you believe it or not, Baili Sheng, I am happy for you both that you were able to put aside your past grievances and achieve a happy ending with Fairy Qingjiao."

Baili Sheng's pupils suddenly dilated.

Achieving enlightenment?

In that instant, he seemed to understand why she had come today specifically to see Qingjiao, a complete stranger to her, and not... him!

Baili Sheng felt a profound sense of irony: "You think I'm going to marry Qingjiao, so you're asking to see her today?"

Thinking this way, he asked the question.

Hua Xun did not deny it, but added, "It's also because Fairy Qingjiao is kind-hearted and has helped me before."

Baili Sheng's eyes flickered slightly as he stared at her without saying a word.

Hua Xun explained, "After you left Dahe Village, I wanted to come to the Demon Clan to find you, but I was unconscious for a long time due to damage to my dantian."

"It was Fairy Qingjiao who saved me."

Baili Sheng's face suddenly turned pale, and his demonic energy became chaotic for a moment.

He remembered that she had been injured while protecting him by leading the cultivator away.

He also taught her the wrong Wind Control Technique, causing her meridians and magical power to become disordered.

But at that time, all she wanted was to find him...

"Furthermore," Hua Xun paused, "if it were Fairy Qingjiao, I would never have to fear that she would want to kill me."

Baili Sheng swayed slightly, and despite the seemingly casual remark, he couldn't help but take a half-step back.

He considered killing her.

This time, no one spoke.

The empty palace seemed to allow even their breathing to be heard clearly.

After an unknown amount of time, Baili Sheng's voice became somewhat hoarse from tension: "You want the Zhihua Pill?"

Hua Xun's eyes flickered slightly.

Baili Sheng: "I can give it to you."

Hua Xun suddenly looked up.

Baili Sheng froze for a few moments because of her actions, then sneered, "Qingjiao has been away these past few days. Since you're here, why don't you try on her wedding dress for her?"

Hua Xun's eyes were somewhat confused.

Baili Sheng chuckled: "Didn't you say you were happy to see me and Qingjiao achieve a happy ending?"

"She's about your size, why don't you try it for her?"

As he said this, Baili Sheng stared intently at her expression, not missing a single subtle change.

After a brief moment of surprise, Hua Xun only asked, "Would Fairy Qingjiao mind?"

"I will prepare another brand new one for her."

"If I finish the test, will you give me the Childhood Essence Pill?"

"...That's right."

Hua Xun pondered for a moment, then quietly said, "Okay."

Baili Sheng stared intently into her eyes, which showed no signs of sadness, and after a long while, his gaze shifted to her brow.

That's where the Spirit Rhinoceros Gu entered.

"Okay," he finally replied in a hoarse voice.

*

Hua Xun originally thought that Baili Sheng had already prepared a wedding dress for Fairy Qingjiao, and that she only needed to try it on.

Unexpectedly, Baili Sheng took her directly out of the Demon Palace and arrived at the most bustling street in Yongjin City.

Night has fallen, the time when the demons, who dislike daylight, go out.

On the streets, the vendors, who were transformed from demons, were no different from the demon cultivators and humans, hawking their wares for a living.

Hua Xun walked behind, glancing up at Baili Sheng, who had used an illusion spell, wondering why he had brought her here.

But since she had asked for a favor first, she didn't say much and just followed quietly.

Baili Sheng suddenly stopped.

Hua Xun, who was keeping a close eye on his steps, also stopped immediately, stopping exactly three steps away from him.

She looked up and saw Baili Sheng looking to her left.

Hua Xun followed his gaze and saw only a pastry shop in front of her.

The pastries of the demon race are very similar to those of the human race, but the variety of styles is not as great.

The pastries in the shop are mostly made with amethyst fruit and dhara flower nectar, which are very popular among the demons.

Hua Xun glanced at it a few times before looking away, then raised her eyes to meet Baili Sheng's gaze.

Hua Xun paused for a moment: "Have we arrived?"

Baili Sheng's expression hardened slightly, his thin lips pressed tightly together, and he continued walking forward.

Hua Xun quietly followed.

Along the way, Baili Sheng walked and stopped frequently, as if he had never visited the streets of the Demon Realm before.

Hua Xun didn't know where he was going, but she didn't say anything more and just followed silently behind.

Baili Sheng stopped again, this time in front of a pavilion.

The pavilion was very luxurious, with countless crystals inlaid on the walls. Stepping inside, every gorgeous garment was adorned with fluorite, creating a dazzling and colorful spectacle.

On the magnificent garment, numerous unnamed magic arrays were drawn, making it clear at a glance that this was not just clothing, but also a rare defensive magic artifact.

Hua Xun glanced at a jade-green dress. Perhaps it was enhanced by magic, because the dress seemed to be worn by the person, and the skirt fluttered gracefully.

"Want to try?" A deep, enigmatic voice rang out in front of him.

Hua Xun snapped out of her reverie and shook her head: "I don't want to." Then she asked seriously, "Where is the wedding dress?"

Baili Sheng stared at her for a long time, his face growing increasingly gloomy.

After a while, he looked at the shop owner whom Shang Qu had already arranged in advance: "Take her to try it out."

The owner dared not say anything more and took Hua Xun upstairs.

Baili Sheng remained quietly standing in the shop, her gaze slowly falling on the emerald green dress, looking at it for a long time.

I used to say I would savor the pastries when I returned to the Demon Realm, but I don't like them anymore.

I don't want the colorful dresses I used to like anymore.

A little demon who forgets things as easily as she says she will.

A fickle little demon.

"Your Majesty, you're dressed." A respectful voice came from upstairs.

Baili Sheng casually raised his eyes to look around, but his breath caught in his throat when he saw the red figure slowly walking out of the stairwell.

It was a bright red wedding dress with gold trim, the hem of which trailed on the ground like flames moving without wind, and the gold thread embroidered with dark gold phoenix patterns shimmered with tiny starlight as she moved.

Beneath the magnificent and dazzling headdress, the girl's skin was as white as jade, her cheeks were pretty, and she was slightly frowning as she adjusted her wide sleeves and the shawl that was floating softly.

Her expression showed no joy, only calmness.

*

Thousand Shadows City, Fallen Moon Tower.

The deity sat quietly alone in the empty room, his eyes lowered in deep thought.

Above their heads, a dark purple halo continued to spin silently, heavily suppressing all living beings below.

After an unknown period of time, a splash of red entered his consciousness, and the Divine Lord slowly opened his eyes, his expression one of realization.