"Today we'll continue talking about the demon race."

The storyteller struck the gavel, successfully drawing the attention of everyone in the audience.

"Speaking of the new sect leader of the Demonic Sect, he truly has ruthless methods. In just one month since taking office, he has led his disciples to eliminate several powerful sects in succession."

"You have to understand that those sects, even if their overall strength is only at a mid-level, are still ancient sects with profound foundations."

"The fact that such a colossal entity disappeared into the annals of history evokes both sighs and awe, and compels us to take a new look at this Demon Sect Master."

"It is said that ambition requires corresponding strength, and this is indeed true. I heard that this Demon Sect Master is only two hundred years old, but his cultivation has already reached the ninth realm, which is beyond the reach of countless people..."

"Under such circumstances, the smaller sects could not withstand the pressure and successively submitted, while the remaining sects were all living in fear..."

"Given time, he might become the first person in history to unify the demon race..."

Long Cheng stepped into the teahouse carrying a large amount of food. He looked around a few times, and after spotting the pure white figure, he pursed his lips helplessly before walking over and sitting down beside him.

Ming-ge is really something. Every time he comes down from the mountain to this town, he always says he's tired after walking only a few steps and needs to find a place to rest.

He always seems to end up staying at this particular teahouse; he always manages to find it perfectly.

What's so good about this teahouse?

Long Cheng looked at the storyteller on the stage, who was engrossed in his tale, with a puzzled expression. Was it just because someone was telling a story? There was nothing particularly interesting about it.

Yin Ming was listening intently until Long Cheng poured himself a cup of tea, and the teapot fell onto the table with a soft tapping sound. Only then did he realize that the other person had been sitting in front of him at some point.

"You've already bought everything?" Yin Ming asked absentmindedly, looking at the food piled on the table.

"Yes, Ming-ge, have you rested well? It's almost time, we should head back soon, otherwise Elder Mo will start nagging again."

Long Cheng picked up a skewer of candied hawthorns and took a bite, but it didn't taste sweet as he had imagined. Instead, it had a sour taste that seemed to hit him right in the head, making his face contort in pain.

He quickly took out a handkerchief to cover his mouth and nose before spitting out the sour and bitter hawthorn.

Seeing Yin Ming sitting opposite him looking distracted, Long Cheng suddenly smiled slyly and handed him another string of candied hawthorns.

"This candied hawthorn is so delicious, Ming-ge, you should try it."

"Is that so?" Yin Ming was lost in thought, unaware of Long Cheng's teasing smile, and took a bite of the candied hawthorn.

"It is quite sweet." Yin Ming casually chewed a few bites and swallowed, then sighed with some annoyance. He put down two jade stones on the table, stood up, and smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes.

"Let's go."

Huh? Sweet?

Long Cheng's smile froze instantly. He stared suspiciously at the candied hawthorn in his hand. Had he heard correctly? Brother Ming said this stuff was sweet?

Could it be that his sense of taste is malfunctioning? Thinking this, Long Cheng brought the candied hawthorn in his hand to his lips and took another bite.

Even though he only took a small bite, he was still so sour that his face contorted in pain.

Long Cheng, refusing to believe it, took a bite of the remaining hawthorns, and they were all sour!

Feeling so sour he questioned his existence, Long Cheng quickly took out some candied fruit to neutralize the sour taste in his mouth.

His gaze shifted to the candied hawthorn in Yin Ming's hand, and he was puzzled. Could it be that only Ming's candied hawthorn was sweet?

"Brother Ming, are you still going to eat this candied hawthorn?" Long Cheng followed behind Yin Ming and noticed that he hadn't eaten anything from his hand, so he asked.

"If you want some, you can have it."

The two had already left the bustling city area. Thinking that they would be patrolling the back mountain later, Yin Ming handed the candied hawthorn to Long Cheng, gave him some instructions, and then took off flying towards the Divine Realm.

Long Cheng's eyes sparkled as he looked at the candied hawthorn in his hand, and he couldn't wait to take a bite...

Ugh, it's still sour!

***

The Grand Elder, reflecting on this magical month, also found it unbelievable.

He originally thought that the sect leader would remain negative because of Yin Ming's death, but he never expected that such a series of events would happen later.

When the sect leader decided to attack other sects, he hesitated, fearing a backlash and even more so that the sect leader's move would lead to the destruction of the Demonic Sect.

In retrospect, he was too conservative.

Regardless of the sect leader's original intentions, the Demon Sect's territory now covers half of the Demon Race's landmass, making it stronger than ever before.

All of this is thanks to the sect leader!

The disciples of the Demonic Sect, who had previously been full of complaints, gradually came to believe in their new sect leader after enjoying superior treatment.

They have always believed in the supremacy of the strong, and now that they have witnessed Lingyao's strength firsthand, they are convinced that under the leadership of the new sect leader, the Demon Sect's status will rise to a new level and dominate the region!

***

Meanwhile, Ling Yao, the person directly involved in the controversy, was currently raging in his study.

He swept all the bamboo slips and paper books off the desk and slammed his hands on the table.

He had searched the entire world, but why was there still no trace of Yin Ming?

Lingyao suddenly frowned. Something was wrong...

He only flipped through half of it; the other half was still missing—the Protoss!

Could the fireflies have hidden him among the gods?!

Lingyao immediately gritted her teeth in hatred. This woman dared to send Yin Ming to such a dangerous place!

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind, causing a hint of panic to appear in his eyes—

Or was it Yin Ming who wanted to go?

No, it won't happen.

No matter what, Yin Ming would never flee to the God Clan to avoid him. If a demon went to the God Clan, wouldn't that be courting death?

The more Lingyao tried to banish the thought from his mind, the clearer the terrifying images became. He immediately made a decision: he couldn't think about it anymore; he had to go directly to the God Clan to find someone!

Although Lingyao had speculated countless times about why Yin Ming faked his death... no matter what the answer was, he wanted to hear Yin Ming tell him himself!

Now that the Demonic Sect's influence has expanded, it can serve as his backing.

If Yin Ming is truly among the gods, then even if it means starting a war between gods and demons, he will definitely bring him back!