Thousands of zhang above the Profound Pill Pavilion, five indistinguishable figures stood in the void, silently watching everything below.

They were the five Saint realm cultivators who had rushed over after receiving the news.

A large man laughed heartily. “Myriad Transformations, this is your carefully selected new Holy Son? He’s not impressive!”

His build was nearly three or four times that of an ordinary person.

The Myriad Transformations Holy Master let out a cold snort. Although his expression was obscured, anyone could feel the trace of killing intent emanating from him.

The large man kept pressing. “What? A dignified Saint realm, going to make a move on someone at the Divine Connection realm?”

After hesitating for a moment, the Holy Master ultimately did not make a move.

The large man exclaimed again, “It seems like this person is one of those four with nine Dao Bell rings. I wonder which family’s kid he is... He’s truly worthy of being called heaven-defying talent!”

Aside from the Holy Master, no one knew Gu Han’s origins. That was also why Gu Han chose not to make a move. He didn’t really care about saving face. He was just afraid that if news leaked, it would incur Flame Emperor’s wrath.

One person said, “You’re quite open-minded about it. That was nine Dao Bell rings! If he’s allowed to grow into a force, what will be left for the families here in the Eastern Wasteland?”

The large man grinned. “Hey, the one with the surname Qi! Among humans, you’re the most cunning! There are four people with nine Dao Bell rings in the Eastern Wasteland. If you’re so capable, go ahead and kill them all? There are even more prodigies in the five domains. Why don’t you go kill them? Do you dare? Can you even finish killing them?”

“You—”

Someone else stopped the two from arguing. “Enough. Isn’t it normal for the younger generation to compete and make a fuss? Right now, the matter of the Profound Pill Pavilion is the priority. We’ve been watching for a while, what are your opinions?” 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

He was the master of the Tiansheng Hall, also the strongest among the few. Since he spoke, the others gave him some face.

The large man turned serious. “This light mist contains a trace of time power.”

The crowd fell silent. Clearly, the large man’s view aligned with theirs. Time power only existed in fragmented records passed down from ancient times, and even those were somewhat vague. They never expected to encounter it here.

The Holy Master was silent for a moment before saying, “I think I finally understand how those several Saint realm cultivators died back then.”

Once tainted by the Great Dao of Time, even the supreme existences in the forbidden zones would face certain death. That power was simply not something living beings could control.

The large man said in retaliation, “What’s the point of thinking! Haven’t we already figured that out? This light mist will dissipate in at most another half hour. The Profound Pill Pavilion has appeared many times. As long as the people entering have lower cultivation, it’s fine. If you let such a great opportunity go, the Heavenly Demon Valley will take it all!”

In the past, the crowd would have let it go. However, with the complete pavilion manifesting, the opportunity was nearly ten times greater. How could they possibly miss it?

The Tiansheng Hall Master shook his head. “Enough. Opportunity inevitably comes with risk. Let them brave it out.”

Afterward, he formed a hand seal, gave a few instructions, and was about to leave.

Suddenly, the large man seemed to have discovered something. “Old Man Tiansheng, your family’s Divine Maiden seems to be captivated by that kid. She’s even using a beauty trap.”

The Tiansheng Hall Master wasn’t annoyed. “If Mengyou succeeds in recruiting a prodigy with nine Dao Bell rings, how could that be anything but a gain for Tiansheng Hall?”

With that, he vanished instantly.

The large man cursed inwardly, Old fox!

If a Divine Maiden with seven Dao Bell rings could be exchanged for a heaven-defying genius with nine rings, that would be a massive win.

The large man smiled ambiguously. “Myriad Transformations, why not make a move? It’s not like you haven’t done this kind of thing before.”

The Holy Master laughed coldly and departed immediately. Upon seeing this, the other two no longer lingered.

The large man laughed coldly. “Not a single one of them is good! Haa... If Di Kan were female, that would be great, then we could also build some connections—hmm?”

Mid-sentence, he seemed to see something and became extremely invested. In high spirits, he laughed heartily and departed. “Hahaha! Old Man Tiansheng, this time, your calculations are off!”

***

Various families had already received a few people’s instructions and the precautions for entering the Profound Pill Pavilion. In the past, they would study them carefully. However, they were too preoccupied with Gu Han and Zhao Mengyou.

Will she go over?

Wu Han clenched his fists. “Mengyou, don’t go over!”

After seeing his goddess being summoned like a servant, Qi Jun felt as if his heart was being cut. “This person is defiling you!”

Zhao Mengyou ignored them. Beneath the veil, her flawless face was already tinged with large patches of red.

Nearby, Elder Li stared intently at her, his heart filled with anxiety. Divine Maiden, be reserved, be reserved! Be—it’s over...

In his dazed gaze, Zhao Mengyou began to slowly walk toward Gu Han. “If Young Master Gu invites, how could I dare to refuse?”

Although her voice was still as moving as before, it carried a hint of fluster. Wu Han and Qi Jun’s hearts were filled with complex emotions. Of course, they were mostly heartache and jealousy.

As she gradually approached, Zhao Mengyou became increasingly anxious. She couldn’t help but take a deep breath, which accentuated a certain striking aspect.

Murong Yan couldn’t hold back. “Ah Sha, are you okay?”

Ah Sha was also a bit discouraged. “I-I believe in Young Master.”

“Bullshit! My brother here is good at everything, but when it comes to self-control, I have my doubts!”

At this moment, Zhao Mengyou had already arrived before Gu Han. I can’t get any closer.

In her life, she had never been this close to any man before.

She forcibly maintained her last shred of composure. “Young Master Gu, can we talk now?”

Her heart pounded wildly. If he asks me to come closer, if he wants to lift my veil, if he still wants to—

She dared not think further.

A wisp of faint fragrance assailed Gu Han, but he remained unmoved, instead smiling even more eerily. “Should be fine.”

She looks like the demoness! The more I look, the more it fits! I’m ninety percent certain now!

Zhao Mengyou breathed a slight sigh of relief. Yet before she could speak, a hard, cold object suddenly rested on her shoulder. There was also a slight sting on her skin.

She instinctively glanced down and was completely dumbfounded. A sword?

Gu Han took a deep breath. “This time, you’ve fallen right into my hands!”

He had always remembered the words of the shadow. Be wary of strangers approaching with ulterior motives.

Coincidentally, Zhao Mengyou perfectly fit that description. Not only was she deeply calculative, doing whatever was asked, but her demeanor and tone were also a bit like Liu Ying’s. Others absolutely couldn’t imitate this!

Zhao Mengyou subconsciously tried to step back. “What—”

Gu Han tightened his grip on his sword. “Don’t move. Move, and you die.”

At this moment, not just Zhao Mengyou but everyone was bewildered. He went through all the trouble to lure the Divine Maiden just to kill her? Is he out of his mind?

Wu Han flew into rage. “How dare you lay a hand on Mengyou!”

Qi Jun also shouted, “Quickly, stop him! Absolutely do not let Mengyou suffer the slightest harm!”

Even more nervous than the two of them was Elder Li. “Release the Divine Maiden!”

His aura erupted, displaying the might of a seventh-stage Transcendent realm cultivator. He flickered, about to charge at Gu Han, only to be blocked by Gu Tian and Zuo Yang.

“Kill!”

Elder Li’s killing intent boiled. “Zuo Yang, if you don’t get out of the way, don’t blame me for disregarding our past friendship!”

Zuo Yang stopped Elder Li and shook his head. “Junior Brother will definitely give you an explanation about this.”

He knew Gu Han was not a reckless person.

Gu Han was full of confidence. “Senior Brother, it’s fine. He might even have to thank me later!”

Elder Li was so angry his qi trembled. Thank you? I would be more likely to kill you!

Gu Han’s gaze shifted, landing on Zhao Mengyou. “This person is not your Divine Maiden. She is the demoness. Your Divine Maiden was probably switched by her long ago.”

Demoness? Switched?

Aside from Murong Yan and a few others, no one could understand him.

Zhao Mengyou’s pretty face turned pale. “Gu Han, what nonsense are you spouting?”

She could truly feel Gu Han’s killing intent.

Gu Han sighed. “The Myriad Transformations Heavenly Demon Physique. That’s the name, right? Transforming into countless forms that are hard to guard against. Unfortunately, you were a bit too impatient today. You shouldn’t have approached me so quickly because it made you reveal your hand instead.”

The more he spoke, the more confident he became.

”That day, when you transformed into Zhi Xuan, you weren’t this—”

Suddenly, Ah Sha said weakly, “Young Master, she... she’s not the demoness...”

Not? Gu Han’s came to an abrupt stop.

He blinked, an ominous feeling creeping in his heart. “Ah Sha, you... can tell?”

Ah Sha thought for a moment. “W-well, I couldn’t before... but now I can.”

Gu Han was dumbfounded. He never imagined that after Ah Sha’s bloodline evolved, she would be able to see both the Demon Monarch and identify the demoness.

He forced a smile. “Ah Sha, didn’t you say she looked a lot like Liu Ying?”

“I just said she looks similar...”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Ah Sha was also taken aback. “Huh?”

Did I have to state something obvious like this in advance?

Murong Yan clicked her tongue. “Uh-oh... It seems like Brother Gu mistook the Divine Maiden for someone...”

Gu Han was full of embarrassment and somewhat humiliated. Silently retracting his sword, he gazed at Zhao Mengyou with utmost sincerity. “I mistook you for someone else. Do you think you can forgive me?”

Zhao Mengyou had clearly figured out what had happened.

She gritted her teeth silently, trembling. “What do you think?”

I set aside my pride and dignity, and even prepared myself for him to—I never expected to end up like this!

She was furious from the humiliation, her chest heaving uncontrollably. How she wished she could bite Gu Han to death on the spot! After all, she couldn’t defeat him in a fight.

Elder Li was so angry he laughed. “Zuo Yang, he mistook her for someone else? This is his so-called explanation? You are going too far!”

Zuo Yang swept his gaze around as his head started to throb. Gu Han appeared innocent while Gu Tian appeared murderous. Clearly, neither of them could be relied upon. In the end, he could only shoulder this burden alone.

Opposite him, Elder Li’s expression grew uglier by the moment.

Zuo Yang’s frown deepened, but then his eyes lit up. “Got it. I have a particularly reasonable explanation!”