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T/N: A very short note thanking PennyLoafer for their support and ko-fi donation MWAH! Okay back to the story O.O
Shen Liuxiang’s ears felt itchy, and he rubbed them lightly.
After listening for two or three years, he thought he had become immune to Zhou Xuanlan’s voice. But unexpectedly, upon hearing that just-awakened low and hoarse voice, his heart still pounded faster.
His memory of Zhou Xuanlan remained at his youthful appearance, and upon hearing the voice devoid of the tone of youth, he couldn’t help but wonder how his disciple looked now.
From the other side came a rustling sound, as if someone sat up from the bed, “What’s wrong, Master?”
Shen Liuxiang’s ears, which had just returned to normal, were again tickled as if something kept gently scratching them.
Helplessly, he put the jade slip away and sighed softly.
“It’s nothing, my ears are just pregnant.”
For a moment, the jade slip remained silent.
After the words came out, Shen Liuxiang realized that Zhou Xuanlan might not understand the joke and quickly explained, “I mean your voice sounds beautiful, nothing else.”
After a while, a soft chuckle floated out from the jade slip.
“Okay, disciple understands.”
Shen Liuxiang touched his nose and changed the topic, “Why did you go to sleep so early today?”
“I had a fight during the day and rested for a while,” came the sound of pages being flipped as Zhou Xuanlan picked up a book, “Don’t worry, I’m not injured, Master.”
Shen Liuxiang knew that his disciple got into fights frequently, usually because others came to provoke him and tried to seize territory. Defending their territory was crucial for the demons, and owning their own territory was of utmost importance.
However, the demon world had limited space, and areas with abundant spiritual energy were scarce. As a result, battles to seize territory were a common occurrence in the demon world. Whoever won the fight got to claim the territory.
The current demon kings were outstanding figures in these battles.
The Great Demon King controlled nine mountains and ten seas, possessing the largest territory.
The Third Demon King had three mountains and five seas under their control. Their territory might not be vast, but it was rich in treasures.
As for the Ninth Demon King, they were a newcomer who conquered the Eight Desolations without directly controlling a mountain or a sea.
Shen Liuxiang asked, “What does the Eight Desolations look like?”
Zhou Xuanlan replied, “An endless wasteland, rocks, and withered trees.”
Shen Liuxiang’s eyebrows slightly raised, “Then why did we, the Ninth Demon King, go there?”
The voice from the jade slip sounded a bit helpless, “Master, remember that we agreed not to call me Ninth Demon King.”
Shen Liurang burst into laughter, but midway through, he suddenly realized something was wrong.
He snorted lightly, and his whole body trembled.
Hearing the sudden stop in his laughter, Zhou Xuanlan furrowed his brow, “Master.”
As he spoke, he heard intermittent sounds from the jade slip, “It’s, it’s nothing, the demonic poison is being dispelled, and I’m about to change back.”
Zhou Xuanlan remembered the incident at the Star Tower and asked, “Where are you, Master? Is there anyone around?”
“No one, I’m in my room,” Shen Liuxiang managed to answer.
He covered his chest, trembling all over. The bones in his body felt like they were becoming soft, and while it wasn’t painful, his skin felt hot.
After a while, his undergarments were dampened with hot sweat.
Before, when Emperor Yunyu used a spell to turn him into a child, he said that he would return to his true form after the demonic poison was completely cleared.
Feeling the hot air rushing inside him, Shen Liuxiang groaned uncomfortably and grabbed the bedsheet with his pale and tender hand.
Fortunately, it didn’t last long. Shen Liuxiang’s pupils contracted slightly as the hand clutching the bedsheet became slender, and a strand of dark hair stuck to his slightly damp cheek. The small figure curled up on the bed disappeared, leaving only the lean and tall figure of a young man.
As if every part of his body had been reshaped, Shen Liurang collapsed on the bed, too tired to even move his fingertips.
After a while, he took a deep breath.
He noticed that the jade slip still emitted a faint glow but remained silent. He reached out and picked it up.
Zhou Xuanlan’s grip on the jade slip tightened slightly, and he remained silent.
The humming sound from the jade slip disappeared, and this time, a voice floated out with a hint of laziness and a soft gasp at the end.
“Hey, are you asleep?”
The flickering candlelight fell on Zhou Xuanlan’s eyebrows and eyes, and in the interplay of light and shadow, his eyes seemed even deeper.
“I can’t sleep,” his voice was low, “Master, I want you to keep me company.”
Shen Liuxiang was momentarily stunned but then opened a book, saying, “In that case, let me read to you tonight.”
In the end, it was Zhou Xuanlan who read the books for most of the night, while Shen Liuxiang dozed off in a daze. When he woke up the next day, he put away the jade slip that had lost its glow, dressed up, and went to find Old Jiu, still concerned about the demonic poison.
The Golden Crow Tortoise took a bite of the blood, showing no sign of red on its entire body. It lifted its head from the water tank to see Shen Liuxiang’s face. “I’m still not used to your appearance.”
“Well, then look at it more,” Shen Liuxiang felt pleased that the demonic poison had been dispelled. He picked up a porcelain bowl by the poolside and fed Old Jiu some fish crackers.
Not far away, several figures approached slowly, with a man in purple clothes and a jade crown at the forefront. His handsome face exuded a natural arrogance.
He was conversing with someone when he inadvertently caught sight of the figure sitting by the poolside. His expression immediately darkened, and with a sleeve flick, he turned around and walked away swiftly.
Old Jiu relished the fish crackers and said, “Xingchen is back. Isn’t he your younger brother? Why didn’t he come to greet you?”
Shen Liuxiang turned his head to look at Xu Xingchen, who was leaving, and squinted his eyes.
In the original story, after Emperor Yunyu’s fall, Xu Xingchen became the new Emperor, but then he inexplicably fell in love with Su Baiche. Using the power of the Emperor’s Palace, he repeatedly kidnapped Su Baiche. Once, he almost forced himself upon Su Baiche, which infuriated Zhou Xuanlan, who was unbeatable at that time, and resulted in the destruction of the thousand-year-old Emperor’s Palace.
Shen Liuxiang clicked his tongue lightly, “He’s a bit foolish, but I won’t bother with him.”
Ever since he met Shen Liuxiang, Xu Xingchen’s face had been gloomy, full of displeasure. His subordinates behind him exchanged glances, and someone couldn’t help but remind him, “Young Master, you are showing the same attitude in front of the Emperor. Is that appropriate?”
Xu Xingchen frowned, “So what? I genuinely detest him. Do I have to pretend to like him?”
This older brother who suddenly appeared pretended to be weak because of the demonic poison, and their father fell for it, providing him with medicine and taking care of his health every day.
When he had a cold in his childhood, he endured it on his own, and his father didn’t care. Why does Shen Liuxiang receive such treatment?
His subordinates were getting a headache.
Everyone could see that the Emperor cared about this wandering child, and after seven years, Xu Xingchen still treated him this way, which might anger the Emperor.
However, Xu Xingchen was stubborn, and no one could persuade him.
In a distant pavilion, Emperor Yunyu stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Xu Xingchen, who rushed back to the palace with anger. His expression showed no emotions.
Standing beside Emperor Yunyu, Zhang Huaiwu said, “Young Master Xingchen has completed all the tasks entrusted by the Emperor during this trip, and he has also suffered a lot.”
Emperor Yunyu made no comment and said, “Shen Liuxiang’s demonic poison has been dispelled, and I plan to let him and Xu Xingchen go to the Demon Realm together.”
Zhang Huaiwu furrowed his brow, “But the Demon Realm is a dangerous place. How can Young Master Xingchen venture into such danger? What exactly is the matter?”
Emperor Yunyu replied, “Someone in the Demon Realm is plotting to kill the demon beasts. We need to find out who it is.”
Zhang Huaiwu’s face changed slightly.
Hundreds of years ago, a catastrophe struck the continent when the four great demon beasts, Tantu, Qiongqi, Taowu, and Hun Dun, appeared at the same time, causing a calamity in the Three Realms.
With his own strength, the Emperor killed Taowu and Hun Dun, and sealed Tantu and Qiongqi, resolving the crisis. As a result, he was hailed as the Emperor, respected and revered by everyone.
But after such a long time since the catastrophe, people had forgotten the fear they once felt. They now attempted to find the location of the sealed Tantu and Qiongqi to harness the infinite power of the demon beasts.
“Dealing with demon beasts is not a trivial matter. It would be better for us to
” Zhang Huaiwu stopped mid-sentence and suddenly realized that the Emperor wanted to use this opportunity to assess the two young masters.
The news of the two young masters’ journey to the Demon Realm spread throughout the Emperor’s Palace, and every corner of the palace became busy.
When Shen Liuxiang received the news, he found it hard to believe.
He had long planned to go to the Demon Realm, but on one hand, the demonic poison prevented him from going, and on the other hand, the Demon Realm was not that easy to traverse.
Most demons had keen senses and could discern whether someone was human or demon based on their aura. Ordinary cultivators entering the Demon Realm would be discovered in no time and devoured by the demons.
To enter the Demon Realm, one had to conceal their aura and disguise themselves as demons.
The various imperial teachers worked hard for a long time and created a medicinal spring overnight to eliminate the aura of the two young lords.
When Shen Liuxiang arrived at the medicinal spring, he was greeted by familiar faces. As these imperial teachers saw him, they all snorted disdainfully and turned their heads away.
Shen Liuxiang was used to such treatment and looked at the dark water in the spring.
Shao Hong grabbed a handful of spirit grass and sprinkled it into the water, saying, “Soak in the spring for half an hour, and it will conceal your aura. No demon will be able to detect you.”
Shen Liuxiang noticed that the spirit grass in his hand looked particularly familiar and raised an eyebrow.
This spirit grass was called “Furong Bone,” which Emperor Yunyu often threw into the medicinal pool he soaked in every day, and the quantity in Shao Hong’s hand was several times more.
“I heard that Furong Bone is excruciatingly painful. Old Shao, is that true?”
Xu Xingchen, dressed in splendid attire and with a jade crown on his head, appeared at the door with a group of people following behind him.
Shao Hong bowed and replied, “Indeed, ordinary people would find it unbearable.”
Xu Xingchen looked around and noticed that there were quite a few people present, including Zhang Huaiwu. He pondered and said, “So, are you all here on behalf of my father to supervise me? There’s no need for that. I can endure pain, and I won’t give up halfway.”
A person next to Zhang Huaiwu hurriedly said, “Young Master Xingchen, you are overthinking it. Your determination is understood by the Emperor. We are not here to supervise you. There are others besides you going into the medicinal spring this time.”
As he finished speaking, the expressions of the people around them became subtle, and they all looked at Shen Liuxiang.
Shen Liuxiang’s phoenix eyes narrowed, and after a moment, he stepped back in panic, “No, I can’t stand even a bit of pain.”
Zhang Huaiwu furrowed his brow, and the imperial teachers, led by Shao Hong, were even more displeased, their faces showing dissatisfaction.
“If Young Master can’t endure this little pain, how can he become someone great?”
“Emperor Yunyu once dared to venture into the Demon Realm alone. If Shen Liuxiang has the ability, he can also do it without entering the spring.”
“Shen Liuxiang may show timidity in front of us, but it is permissible. However, he must not show such weakness outside; otherwise, it will damage the Emperor’s reputation.”
Xu Xingchen sneered, “Scared already? Just watch me.”
With that, he swiftly took off his outer robe and glanced at Shen Liuxiang, who was struggling and shouting, “I’m scared, I’m scared, I don’t want to go in.” Xu Xingchen coldly hummed and straightened his back.
He would never show any fear in front of them, just to let Uncle Zhang, Old Shao, and the others see the difference between him and Shen Liuxiang in terms of temperament, determination, and ability.
Xu Xingchen stepped into the spring, and the dark water instantly submerged his body.
His face turned pale in an instant, and cold sweat appeared on his forehead. The water seemed to infiltrate his body and scrape against his bones like a sharp blade, making it excruciatingly painful and immobilizing him.
Someone saw his uncomfortable expression and asked, “Young Lord, how do you feel?”
Xu Xingchen had never experienced such pain before. For a moment, his teeth were chattering, and he bit his tongue, barely managing to say, “This pain is nothing to me.”
Everyone looked relieved, and then they looked at Shen Liuxiang, who was still hesitant to enter the spring. Their expressions turned dark again.
Both were sons of the Emperor, one raised in the Imperial Palace and the other wandering outside. The difference between them was so great in terms of character, determination, and ability. Xu Xingchen had always surpassed Shen Liuxiang since they were young.
Someone urged, “Young Master Shen, the effect of the medicine will be gone soon. You better get into the medicinal spring quickly.”
Under the angry stares of everyone, Shen Liuxiang had no choice but to step into the spring. As soon as the spring water touched his skin, his body trembled.
“Pain! It’s too painful! It feels like my bones are being crushed. If I stay in the spring for half an hour, I will die!”
He hurriedly turned back, but Zhang Huaiwu and Shao Hong blocked his way, coldly saying, “The Emperor ordered that Young Master must stay in the spring for the full time.”
Shen Liuxiang’s face was filled with despair. His damp black hair hung behind him, and his body trembled uncontrollably.
“Pain! It’s too painful!”
Usually, Xu Xingchen would have mocked him if he saw him in such a pathetic state. However, Xu Xingchen was currently in intense pain and had no time to pay attention to him.
So Shen Liuxiang bit his lip and, seemingly on the verge of tears due to the pain, looked at Xu Xingchen, “Second Brother, don’t you feel the pain?”
Hearing this, everyone’s eyes fell on Xu Xingchen.
Xu Xingchen’s face stiffened. As time passed, the effect of the Furong Bone became stronger, and he was now in too much pain to speak. But with so many people watching, he couldn’t show it.
Xu Xingchen, with his hand under the water, he fiercely pinched himself.
“It doesn’t hurt at all!”
He turned his neck and looked at Shen Liuxiang, sneering, “This little pain in the flesh is nothing to me. If I can’t bear this, how can I rule the Imperial Palace in the future?”
As soon as these words came out, everyone present nodded in satisfaction.
“This is the demeanor that our Young Master of the Imperial Palace should have.”
“Young Master, hold on a little longer. Half an hour will pass quickly.”
“It doesn’t matter. I believe that no matter how long he soaks, Young Master Xingchen will endure.”
Amidst the praise, the spiritual energy in the room slightly trembled, and a new figure appeared by the spring.
Everyone quickly bowed and greeted, “Greetings, Emperor.”
Emperor Yunyu’s gaze fell on the spring, where Xu Xingchen remained motionless, with veins popping on his forehead. He seemed to be enduring silently, while Shen Liuxiang on the other side

侀 a slender, fair hand grabbed his clothes and pulled gently.
“It’s too painful, Emperor, please let me out of the medicinal spring.”
Wu Hong and the others looked at this scene and couldn’t help but feel disgusted.
A coward, he can’t even endure such a little pain!
He doesn’t deserve to be the Young Master of the Imperial Palace, and he should never ascend to the position of Emperor in the future!
Xu Xingchen couldn’t help but applaud inwardly.
Now, can Father the Emperor see it clearly? Shen Liuxiang is so weak, he can’t even bear a little hardship.
Emperor Yunyu glanced at the people whose thoughts were written all over their faces, then he looked at Shen Liuxiang, who was begging him with great difficulty.
After a moment of silence, he remained speechless.
“Enough pretending. The amount of Furong Bone in this medicinal spring is less than one-third of what you have in your own medicine pool.”
Everyone was taken aback and turned their gaze to Shen Liuxiang.
Then they saw the beautiful young man, with a hint of helplessness in his sigh, “Unfortunately, I wanted to continue acting for a while longer.”
His painful expression disappeared almost instantly, and he lightly raised his eyebrows. He stretched his arm and began swimming in the large medicinal spring, sighing with pleasure.
“It feels so comfortable.”
Everyone was left dumbfounded.
T/N: Whose excited to see Zhou Xuanlan?!?!?! To be honest
 I’m more excited to see whether dear Su Baiche is in the Demon Realm still hahaha