Song Huilan felt a little disappointed, but also inexplicably relieved.

She didn't know what was wrong with her. Compared to the Venerable One who treated her like a precious jewel before, she preferred the somewhat aloof Venerable One now—perhaps the current one was more like the Venerable One she remembered from the beginning, the Third Prince of Da Zhao, Shang Beiyu.

Song Huilan sat next to the handsome young man, fiddling with the sash of her clothes, listening to the conversation between the handsome young man and the demons.

"Your Excellency, Yun Yao is preparing to attempt to become a Pill Saint, but Lord Chonghua has sent word that Jun Luoying is determined to go north to intercept Han Yuzong and Ling Qing. Lord Chonghua has already led his men and Jun Luoying north. Should we send more people to stop Yun Yao from attempting to become a Pill Saint?" A young demonic cultivator respectfully reported and asked the handsome young man for instructions.

"Do your best to harass her. It would be best if you could prevent her from successfully reaching the Pill Saint realm, but do not harm her life." The handsome young man said indifferently, showing no regard for Song Huilan beside him. "She is my person. You should know your place."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the demon priest replied.

Just as they were about to leave, the handsome young man said again, "I'm afraid you can't handle this matter. Go find Meijiang and Guiying to go with you."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the demonic warrior replied again, hands behind his back, and turned to leave.

Once everyone else was out of the cave, the handsome young man turned to look at Song Huilan beside him.

Seeing her fidgeting with the sash on her clothes, looking sullen, and considering the passionate time the handsome young man had spent with her recently, Jiu Yue's true form wasn't entirely indifferent to her: "Do you have any objections to my plan?"

Song Huilan: "???"

The Venerable One's true form has awakened, and he has not only become colder, but also more of a straight man.

"No, Huilan... I wouldn't dare," Song Huilan said meekly, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Then why do you look like this?" the handsome young man asked in a cold tone.

He still has the face of a handsome young man, and he still has the memories of the past, but the power of his original body has diluted these feelings.

Song Huilan stared blankly at him, who had suddenly changed his demeanor, unsure of how to respond.

The handsome young man—no, Jiu Yue—suddenly said, “Pleasure me, just like before.”

Song Huilan: "..."

His appearance reminded her of the aloof and arrogant Shang Beiyu of the past.

A hint of joy flashed in her eyes, and Song Huilan snuggled closer like a docile kitten.

Through the eyes of the handsome young man, Jiu Yue saw the pure joy in her eyes and felt her sincere tenderness. He gently raised his hand and pulled her into his arms. He was somewhat bewildered and realized why his demonic shell clone would keep her by his side and dote on her exclusively.

His relentless pursuit of Yun Yao was solely due to obstacles in his future and unrequited love, leaving little opportunity for the development of genuine feelings.

His demonic clone left Song Huilan behind, simply because he also experienced the taste of human love.

“No wonder humans are flocking to it,” Jiu Yue said with a faint smile, as the handsome young man held the beautiful and gentle Song Huilan tightly in his arms. He gently lifted her pointed chin and said, “It does taste quite good.”

Looking at the faint smile on his face, as if the snow had just melted, and his handsome yet proud appearance, Song Huilan felt as if something had struck her heart, and she finally felt that same flutter of the heart she had felt at the beginning.

This is the Venerable One in her heart, the Venerable One she fell in love with at the beginning.