The Demon General Zhao Deyan had already left the Central Plains of the Sui Dynasty ten years ago to serve as the national advisor in the Eastern Turks. He was an out-and-out "traitor to the Sui Dynasty".

However, the situation is chaotic now. Emperor Yang Guang is dead, and the Sui Dynasty has collapsed. Nobody cares about spies anymore.

Shared interests are paramount; those with common interests can become friends.

The Eastern Turks had always wanted to attack the Central Plains of the Sui Dynasty. Recently, they heard that Emperor Yang of Sui had died, so the Khan sent the Grand Tutor to gather information and act as the vanguard.

Zhao Deyan thus returned to the Central Plains of the Sui Dynasty. When Yuwen Huaji learned of his return from the grasslands, he immediately went to the Demonic Sect to find him.

At the Demonic Sect's headquarters, Zhao Deyan and Zhu Yuyan reunited after a long separation.

A Demon General and a Dark Empress, their martial arts skills are roughly equal. They are among the top three of the eight great masters of the Demonic Sect, which is quite a topic of discussion.

Zhu Yuyan has lost Shi Zhixuan and is now looking for a new partner.

A truly powerful one is hard to find, so as a second-best option, Demon General Zhao Deyan is barely a bad choice.

"Demon Commander, would you be willing to join our sect in promoting the Demonic Sect and unifying the martial world of the Sui Dynasty?" Zhu Yuyan extended the invitation.

Zhao Deyan licked his lips, staring infatuatedly at Zhu Yuyan's still alluring figure, and said presumptuously, "I returned to the Central Plains for this very reason: to unify the Demonic Sect and help the Eastern Turks unify the Sui Dynasty. But if we're talking about cooperation, does Empress Yin have any benefits for me?"

Zhu Yuyan frowned and asked, "What benefits do you want?"

"Hehe, doesn't the Empress Dowager know what benefits I want?"

Zhao Deyan's eyes were filled with fervor and longing as he swallowed hard. "Back then, I pursued you, but you refused to let me try to please Shi Zhixuan. Who knew that Shi Zhixuan would fall for Bi Xiuxin and neglect you? I came to your door at night to comfort you, but you rejected me again. Now you know how good I am, right? Shi Zhixuan's wife died, and he would rather become a monk than have you."

"Is this the benefit you want?"

Zhu Yuyan was speechless. Almost twenty years had passed, and this damned Demon General still couldn't forget her.

She could offer any other benefits, but Zhu Yuyan would never betray herself.

“My daughter Wanwan has grown up so much, and you are still so shameless.”

"Wanwan is not your daughter, just your apprentice. You try to use the same words you used to deceive Shi Zhixuan to deceive me. Do you think I'm stupid?"

Zhao Deyan used both threats and inducements, saying, "If Empress Yin doesn't promise me any benefits, then I won't be so interested in this cooperation."

Zhu Yuyan, not one to tolerate Zhao Deyan, said coldly, "You came all the way from the Eastern Turkic Khaganate just to rekindle our past romance?"

"Want to hear my true feelings? Because the more unattainable something is, the more we care about it. I've waited all these years for this opportunity, and today you're the one who took the initiative to seek cooperation..."

One of them was talking about unifying the martial arts world, while the other longed to rekindle their old flame and wanted to have his cake and eat it too. Their conversations were completely on different wavelengths.

While they were locked in a tense standoff, Yuwen Huaji arrived at the Demonic Sect as if it were his own territory.

"Demon General, are you having a romantic conversation with the Queen of the Underworld?"

Yuwen Huaji made a sarcastic remark with a forced smile, displaying an expression of someone who was just watching the show.

"Ahem." Zhao Deyan quickly composed himself and asked Yuwen Huaji what business he had come here for.

Yuwen Huaji got straight to the point, expressing his intention to cooperate.

He will not only collaborate with Zhao Deyan, but also with Zhu Yuyan.

"Lin Bufan possesses the Longevity Manual, the Immortal Seal Technique, and the Secret Scroll of the Sun-Changing Technique. With these three techniques, why should the two of you worry about not being able to unify the martial arts world of the Sui Dynasty?"

Yuwen Huaji made grand promises, saying, "Besides my Yuwen Clan, the Dugu Clan has also joined. I don't believe that our four major forces can't take down Lin Bufan and the little Cihang Jingzhai."

Zhu Yuyan was tempted. Putting aside Shi Zhixuan, she had long wanted to teach Cihang Jingzhai a lesson and couldn't stand Fan Qinghui.

If we could use the power of the Dugu and Yuwen clans to eliminate Cihang Jingzhai and get rid of Fan Qinghui, it would undoubtedly be a good thing.

Most importantly, Yuwen Huaji had no ulterior motives towards her; it was just a cooperative relationship, which was much more agreeable than with Zhao Deyan.

“Okay, I’ll join.” Zhu Yuyan agreed to cooperate.

"Then, I'll join too."

Zhao Deyan looked at Zhu Yuyan with a wicked smile and licked his lips: "Empress Yin, this general will follow you until you change your mind and are willing to throw yourself into my arms."

"Shameless." Zhu Yuyan was utterly speechless.

Meanwhile, a major event occurred at Cihang Jingzhai.

That is, Master Yixin has passed away peacefully.

After helping Shi Zhixuan shave his head and become a monk, and accepting Shi Zhixuan as his disciple, Master Yixin accomplished a great act of kindness.

He had fulfilled his long-cherished wish and had a premonition that his time was not far off.

Upon examining the He Shi Bi jade, it was indeed as described.

The He Shi Bi jade released energy that reflected his future, which was that he passed away peacefully, and his soul became a Buddha and ascended to heaven.

Well, so be it. To die is to die. To give up the physical body and gain eternal life is a good thing.

Master Yixin passed away with a smile on his face; his lips were turned up at the moment of his death.

The physical body is dead, leaving behind the shimmering He Shi Bi jade.

The He Shi Bi jade is filled with energy, just like the Evil Emperor's Relic.

The only difference is that the energy in the Evil Emperor's Relic is demonic power, while the energy in the He Shi Bi is righteous light.

What would happen if they were all absorbed?

Is it a matter of neutralization leading to nothingness, or of mutual support resulting in greater strength?

Lin Bufan was thinking about this question very seriously.

For the time being, there is no intention to steal the He Shi Bi jade.

It's impolite to take someone's things right after they die.

Master Yixin was deeply respected by everyone at Cihang Jingzhai, and the entire Cihang Jingzhai wore mourning clothes for him for three days.

On the third day at dusk, the enemy stormed the door.

The Yuwen Clan of Yuwen Huaji, the Dugu Clan of You Chuhong, the Demon General Zhao Deyan's Demon Xiang Sect, and the Yin Gui Sect of Zhu Yuyan and Wanwan.

The key is quality, not quantity. This time, all the participants are top-tier experts, totaling five hundred people.

The Cihang Jingzhai nunnery only had about a hundred people, and Yuwen Huaji was confident that he could absolutely crush them.

"Why are there white cloths everywhere? The atmosphere is so sad and desolate. Has someone died at Cihang Jingzhai?"

Yu Chuhong had just lost her son and grandson, and was extremely sensitive to white-edged stripes, as well as the scent of death.

Yuwen Huaji sent spies to capture a nun and question her.

They soon learned that the deceased was Master Yixin.

"Master Yixin is dead?" Zhu Yuyan was secretly delighted upon hearing this: "Heaven is helping us! Master Yixin had a piece of He Shi Bi, which is the nemesis of our demonic path. Shi Zhixuan was immobilized by He Shi Bi that day, which allowed Lin Bufan to launch a sneak attack and absorb all his internal energy."

Zhao Deyan became even more interested, feeling that the trip was worthwhile: "The Longevity Manual, the Jade Disc of He, the Sun-Changing Technique, and the Immortal Seal Scroll—this trip will surely yield a rich harvest."

"With Master Yixin gone, their combat strength has been greatly reduced. This is the perfect time for us to strike. There's no need for us to be timid and sneak around in ambushes. Let's just charge straight in."

Full of confidence, Zhao Deyan was the first to leap out.

The young monk and Hou Xibai were guarding the outer perimeter. When they saw Zhao Deyan coming, they immediately flew over as well.

"Who dares to trespass into Cihang Jingzhai?" The young monk struck a pose as if performing the Great Sun-Changing Ritual.

Seeing a little boy trying to stop him, Zhao Deyan said contemptuously, "I am Zhao Deyan, little monk. If you don't get out of my way, I'll beat the shit out of you."