The Demon Realm, the Thirty-three Heavens, Phoenix Perch Palace.
" Mother Queen, we're so bored in the demon realm! Can we go out and have some fun?"
The third of the Ten Golden Crows, Di San, was circling Qin Yuan, gently tugging at her sleeve and shaking it.
His True Sun Fire was contained within him, with only a faint golden halo clinging to his feathers.
"Yes, Mother Queen, spending all day in the Heavenly Court doing nothing but cultivation is incredibly boring."
The fifth brother and the fifth Five Emperors also came forward, smiling and chiming in.
The seventh Di Qi, flew directly behind Qin Yuan and echoed, " Mother Queen is the best! Please agree to our request!"
The younger ones exchanged a wink with the old Di Yi.
Di Yi, of course, also wanted to go out and play, so he flew to Qin Yuan's side and said earnestly, " Mother Queen, please rest assured. After the lesson we learned last time, my brothers and I have long been able to control the True Sun Fire within our bodies and will never easily leak it out again, causing trouble."
"Moreover, my second and third brothers and I have already broken through to the Early Taiyi Golden Immortal, which is enough to protect our younger brothers in the Primordial Wilderness world."
Qin Yuan looked around at his sons, who were staring at him expectantly, his face full of helplessness and worry.
She reached out and gently stroked the third son's head, scolding him playfully, "You two are so arrogant! Just because you're Primordial Unity Golden Immortal doesn't mean you're so great! Have you forgotten how you were tricked last time and almost lost your lives?"
"The Primordial Wilderness is a deep and dangerous place! Listen to your Mother Queen and focus on your cultivation in the demon realm. Once you break through to the Daluo Golden Immortal and have the true power to protect yourselves, it's not too late to go out and travel."
"Ah? Daluo Golden Immortal?"
"When will we be able to wait?"
" Mother Queen..."
The golden crows immediately let out a wail, each one of them wilting like a frostbitten eggplant.
They surrounded Qin Yuan, continuing to pester him with their own words. Some said they were just going to wander around the outskirts, some promised they would not cause any trouble, and some even brought up the reason that if they didn't go out and explore, their Dao Heart would become unstable.
At this moment, Di Si flew to Di Shi's side and whispered, "Tenth Prince, Mother Queen favors you the most. Go and say a word for her, otherwise... hmph..."
Di Shi didn't want to speak, but recalling the time he was isolated for trying to dissuade his mother, he hesitated for a moment before finally saying, " Mother Queen, we can now control the True Sun Fire within our bodies. My eldest and second brothers are all at the Primordial Unity Golden Immortal level. If we are careful, it should be... alright."
He said it somewhat reluctantly, but ultimately he stood on the side of his brothers.
Qin Yuan looked at his ten sons, and a tender spot in his heart was touched.
She thought that the children had learned their lesson from the previous ordeal, and that going out to see the world might not be a bad thing.
She finally softened and sighed softly, "Fine, fine. Since you are so eager to go, your Mother Queen will grant your request."
"Really? Thank you, Mother Queen!"
" Mother Queen is the best!"
The golden crows cheered and jumped for joy, their bodies shimmering like ten small suns, making the Phoenix Perch Palace even brighter.
"However!" Qin Yuan's expression turned serious, and his tone became stern. "Listen up, all of you! First, do not provoke trouble, especially between the Witch Clan and the Human Clan! Second, follow the arrangements of your eldest brother, Di Yi, and do not act on your own! Third, you must return within a hundred years! If you violate this rule, you will never be allowed to step out of the Demon Realm again!"
"Yes, Mother Queen! We will certainly remember this!"
All the golden crows agreed in unison, with unwavering ease.
Unable to contain their excitement any longer, they bowed to Qin Yuan in farewell, transformed into ten golden streaks of light, and flew towards the South Heaven Gate, disappearing into the vast sea of clouds in the blink of an eye.
Qin Yuan gazed in the direction they had left, a lingering worry still in his eyes.
Before long, hurried footsteps came from outside the palace, and Eastern Emperor Taiyi appeared at the door with a solemn expression and a hint of anxiety.
"Sister-in-law, is my elder brother here? I urgently need to speak with him."
Taiyi's voice broke the silence of the palace.
Qin Yuan withdrew his gaze, turned to Taiyi, and asked in confusion, " Your Majesty? He's not here. Taiyi, what happened that caused such a rush?"
Just then, the space outside the palace gates rippled slightly, and Di Jun, dressed in imperial robes, stepped in, his expression calm and revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Sister-in-law, you don't know, that..."
Before he could finish speaking, Di Jun appeared in front of him.
"Brother!" Taiyi rushed to Di Jun upon seeing him, his tone accusatory and urgent. "Tell me, did you secretly order your subordinates to slaughter human cultivators and collect their souls and blood essence?"
Upon hearing this, Di Jun paused slightly, met Taiyi's gaze, and remained expressionless, neither confirming nor denying, but simply remaining silent.
His attitude undoubtedly confirmed Taiyi's guess.
Taiyi shocked and furious, and his voice rose involuntarily. "Brother! Are you confused! Have you forgotten what Dao Venerable Lin Tian said back then?"
" Lin Tian's cultivation is unfathomable; even the Dao Ancestor has to give him some leeway. By acting as you are now, aren't you just handing yourself over to him and bringing annihilation upon our Demon Race?! What are you thinking?!"
Faced with Taiyi's repeated questioning, a complex emotion flashed deep in Di Jun's eyes, a mixture of helplessness, determination, and a hint of weariness.
He spoke slowly, his voice deep and carrying an undeniable authority. " Taiyi, everything my elder brother has done is for the future of the Demon Race, for the survival and prosperity of our clan."
"For the sake of the Demon Race? Using such a self-destructive method?" Taiyi was so angry he almost laughed. He pointed towards the Primordial Wilderness outside the palace gates, "If Lin Tian gets angry, who can stop him? You, the newly promoted saint, or the Chaos Bell in my hand? Brother, wake up! It's not too late to stop now!"
Di Jun slowly shook his head, offering no further explanation, only repeating, "My mind is made up."
"You...!"
Seeing that Di Jun was so stubborn, Taiyi felt a mixture of anger and disappointment. Knowing that further persuasion would be useless, he turned and left.
He left behind only one resentful sentence. "You'd better watch yourself! I hope you won't lead the Demon Race into an abyss of no return!"
Watching Taiyi storm off in anger, Qin Yuan stepped forward and gently took Di Jun's arm, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and worry. " Your Majesty, Taiyi's words are not without reason. Although the human race is weak, the Dao Venerable Lin Tian behind them... we really shouldn't provoke them lightly. What is the reason for your actions?"
Di Jun grasped Qin Yuan's hand in return, feeling its warmth and softness.
He reached out and gently pulled Qin Yuan into his arms, stroking her hair. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he softly said, " Qin Yuan, don't worry. I've got everything covered."
His voice was soft, yet it carried a resolute weight, as if he were about to bear all the burdens.
Qin Yuan nestled against Di Jun's chest. Although she still had many doubts and anxieties in her heart, she felt Di Jun's determination and ultimately chose to trust and support him.
She raised her head, a hint of moisture welling in her eyes, and looked firmly at Di Jun, saying softly, "No matter what lies ahead, I will always stand by Your Majesty's side."
Di Jun held her tightly, his gaze fixed on the deep, boundless void, as if confronting the mysterious Heavenly Dao of Heaven.