Heaven Dou Imperial City, the Dugu Mansion.
Within the wide courtyard, space suddenly tore open, revealing a pitch-black crack.
From within, the Mirror Image Clone—Ye Xiuquan—stepped out, bringing with him Hu Liena.
At that moment, Ye Yu, who had been guiding Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong in their cultivation, sensed the return of his clone. Rising to his feet in surprise, he said,
"You girls continue on your own for now. I'll step outside."
But as Ye Yu left the hall, curiosity got the better of Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong, and they followed him out.
By then, Ye Xiuquan was already walking toward him with Hu Liena in tow.
The women of the mansion were all aware of Ye Xiuquan's existence as a Mirror Image Clone. But seeing Hu Liena following behind him instantly changed their expressions.
—This vixen! She came here to fight for a share as well?!
Ning Rongrong puffed up her delicate cheeks in irritation.
Back during the Upper Three Sects and Lower Four Sects Tournament, she had already noticed Hu Liena seeking Ye Yu out. From that moment, she knew this woman would become a rival.
And sure enough—here she was!
"Main body."
"Hu Liena wishes to see you."
Spotting Ye Yu, the clone spoke directly.
"Ye Yu!"
Hu Liena's charming face flushed with tears. Her eyes glistened red as she rushed forward, throwing herself into Ye Yu's embrace.
"I finally found you! I was so afraid… afraid we would never meet again in this lifetime!"
"Nana, what's the matter?"
Ye Yu frowned slightly, puzzled.
Through sobs, Hu Liena recounted everything: after hearing about Ye Yu's overwhelming strength, she had gone to her teacher Bibi Dong, hoping to mediate between him and Spirit Hall. But instead, she provoked Bibi Dong's fury. She told Ye Yu of Bibi Dong's wrath, and also relayed what Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan had secretly revealed to her—the true nature of her teacher.
If not for Yue Guan's words, she might never have found the courage to defy Bibi Dong.
"What!"
"You mean Bibi Dong suspects that I was the one who destroyed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan—and that Yu Xiaogang's disappearance is because I killed him?"
Ye Yu could not help but laugh coldly at her words.
Hu Liena nodded earnestly.
"Ye Yu, I know your strength is like that of a god. But even so, if you're caught off guard, you might still be ensnared. My teacher is ruthless—she'll exploit any weakness without hesitation. You must be careful not to let her find a soft spot to strike at."
"I understand."
Ye Yu smiled faintly.
"Nana, thank you. Thank you for choosing me without hesitation, for escaping Spirit City just to warn me. From now on, you'll stay here in the Dugu Mansion."
Though his acceptance left Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Ning Rongrong helpless, they still forced polite smiles toward Hu Liena in welcome.
After all, Hu Liena's warning had value.
It revealed the depth of Bibi Dong's hatred toward Ye Yu. If she could not touch him directly, she might target those close to him instead. Having this knowledge beforehand gave them all time to prepare.
Thus, Hu Liena took up residence in the Dugu Mansion.
Bibi Dong, though well aware her disciple had defected to Ye Yu's side, dared not act openly. Until she attained godhood herself, she had no courage to provoke him. No matter how furious she was inside, she could only pretend nothing had happened.
With Ye Xiuquan assisting, the Heaven Dou Empire's armies and Spirit Hall's Spirit Master legions continued their unstoppable advance.
After taking the Kingdom of Pelagius, they successively conquered the Kingdom of Gilicres, the Kingdom of Hadrian, and the Principality of Tianluo.
Now, the frontlines of Heaven Dou and Spirit Hall were pressing directly against the Star Luo Empire itself.
Only two vassals remained: the Kingdom of Running Wolves and the Principality of Xingyao, both to the east of Star Luo.
But once the Star Luo Empire fell, those two would be nothing more than grasshoppers waiting for autumn—doomed to perish.
It was clear now: the unification of the continent was only a matter of time!
The other great powers of the continent recognized this reality. None dared raise their banners to aid Star Luo.
Back when Pelagius fell, Grand Duke Zhu Xuanfeng of the Hell Spirit Cat Clan had already resolved on a path: he would preserve his clan's future by secretly offering allegiance through his second daughter, Zhu Zhuqing.
What had started as a reluctant gamble was now his greatest stroke of fortune.
With Heaven Dou and Spirit Hall sweeping across the land, Zhu Xuanfeng felt no sorrow—only urgency to contact Zhu Zhuqing.
And so, he summoned his eldest daughter, Zhu Zhuyun.
With painstaking persuasion, he laid bare the current peril of the clan. In the end, he succeeded in convincing her.
"Zhuyun, the clan's future rests with you. You must make Zhuqing understand—we have never abandoned her. The family needs her now more than ever."
"Tell her this isn't coercion. Tell her we're truly happy she's with Ye Yu, that we sincerely bless them. In our eyes, Ye Yu is already the son-in-law of our Hell Spirit Cat Clan."
"Is Ye Yu not the one aiding Heaven Dou and Spirit Hall in unifying the continent? With our family's cooperation, their conquest of Star Luo will be smoother—and their rule over it afterward all the more secure!"
Before she left, Zhu Xuanfeng exhorted her earnestly.
Zhu Zhuyun's beautiful eyes flickered with a complicated light.
"Father, don't worry. I understand. I will persuade Zhuqing."
She did love her younger sister—but never enough to wager her own life.
The cruel gu-raising system of succession meant that the loser's fate was nearly always death. That left her with no choice but to compete against Zhu Zhuqing.
And though she knew if she treated her sister too kindly, Zhu Zhuqing would sacrifice herself for her out of deep emotion, Zhu Zhuyun did not want that either.
She wanted Zhu Zhuqing to fight.
No matter who lived or died in the end, at least both of them would have struggled for survival.
This was why Zhu Zhuyun had always restrained herself: despite her advantages in age, cultivation, and influence, she never struck the killing blow. Even when she chased Zhu Zhuqing to Suotuo City, she deliberately let her escape.
It was never because she was incapable—it was because, deep down, she could not bear to kill her.
"Zhuyun, if Zhuqing refuses to forgive us, then approach Ye Yu directly. He is no fool. If you tell him everything between you and Zhuqing, he will understand. And if necessary… offer yourself."
"Ye Yu has many women. Surely he cannot resist beauty. Combined with your relationship to Zhuqing, this could sway him."
Worried his younger daughter might refuse reconciliation, Zhu Xuanfeng hesitated before adding these last words.
"For the clan's survival… Zhuyun, I'm afraid you'll have to suffer."
Zhu Zhuyun only smiled brightly in response.
"Father, it's nothing. For the clan, I accept it."
In truth, she felt little burden at the thought. Her feelings toward Dai Weisi were shallow at best—a partnership born of political betrothal, nothing more.
Her heart, in truth, admired only strength.
And in her eyes, Ye Yu was the ultimate embodiment of strength: a mortal who stood shoulder to shoulder with gods.
If she could share even a single night with such a man, the very thought made her shudder with excitement.
Her body trembled just imagining it.