Host, Don't Cower

Don't let the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's straightforward demeanor fool you; he realized the truth the moment the words left his mouth.

Did Zhu Ding confess everything?

Or had the Lotus Sword Emperor already discovered some clues?

If that were the case, then his previous words were a deliberate lie?

Meanwhile, Dongfang Xuetong, her anger slightly subsided, was also filled with doubt.

Previously, she believed the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor must have been involved in Xiao Yao's attempted assassination.

But judging by the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's tone and expression just now, it was highly possible he knew nothing, and Zhu Ding had acted entirely on his own initiative.

Xiao Yao, sitting on the courtyard wall, had also thought of these possibilities. He then spoke, "Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor, your subordinate Shātu Demon Sage tried to kill me. If you have nothing to do with this matter, why don't you let my Master handle Shātu Demon Sage?"

This was asking him to abandon Zhu Ding. But if he abandoned him, with the Lotus Sword Emperor's methods, she might indeed uncover the truth.

At that point, he would definitely be exposed.

But if he didn't abandon him, it would mean he was at least partially involved, and he would still be exposed.

What a cunning little bastard!

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor hadn't expected that this youth, who looked like he hadn't even fully grown his feathers, could put him in such a difficult position. He was bound to be a great scourge in the future. No wonder Zhu Ding, who had experienced it firsthand, wanted him dead so badly!

"Lotus Sword Emperor, is that your intention as well?"

Dongfang Xuetong nodded slightly, focusing all her attention on the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor. If he dared to make any suspicious move, she would suppress him first.

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor initially wanted to act, but his powerful premonition of danger stopped him.

Why did he feel the Lotus Sword Emperor could kill him?

He was ranked ninth on the Great Emperor Ranking, while she was tenth!

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor was utterly bewildered at this moment but still had to resolve the current situation.

"Zhu Ding is, after all, my subordinate. If I hand him over to you for punishment, will I still have any face?"

Compared to the past, Dongfang Xuetong was more assertive. "Ghost Fiend, I understand you want to save face, but Zhu Ding not only caused my direct disciple and clan members to fight each other, but he also secretly placed an order with the Dark Palace."

"If you insist on keeping Zhu Ding, I unilaterally declare that our duel will no longer continue."

That's right!

Compared to the solitary Empress Shangyuan, the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor had the support of four other Demon Emperors.

The strongest among them ranked second on the Great Emperor Ranking and also second on the Empress Ranking. She was also the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's Senior Sister.

Although she had Sister Susu's protection, Sister Susu was too elusive, only showing her tail but never her head.

Unless she faced a life-or-death crisis, she wouldn't intervene, or even show herself.

Seeing the Lotus Sword Emperor's resolute expression, the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor didn't know what to do.

But soon, a brilliant idea struck him.

The Dark Palace was Empress Shangyuan's territory. This time, the Lotus Sword Emperor had definitely offended Empress Shangyuan, so he didn't need to clash head-on with the Lotus Sword Emperor.

"Fine! I can give up Zhu Ding, but what about the Dark Palace and Empress Shangyuan? How do you plan to deal with them?" The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor paused for a moment before continuing, "So you are still..."

"Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor, my Master just killed Empress Shangyuan with a single sword strike. The shattered divine talisman on the ground is evidence. Of course, you can also ask Shātu Demon Sage and that Saint Realm cultivator from the Dark Palace." Xiao Yao interrupted him proudly.

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's smug expression froze.

He had intended to take advantage of the enmity between the Lotus Sword Emperor and Empress Shangyuan to secretly kill Xiao Yao.

He never expected that Empress Shangyuan was already dead. No wonder Zhu Ding had appeared before him in such a hurry!

"Lotus Sword Emperor, how do you plan to deal with Zhu Ding?"

Dongfang Xuetong waved her hand, and Xiao Yao, who had been sitting on the courtyard wall, suddenly appeared before her. Then, she parted her rosy lips and spoke in a uniquely gentle tone.

"Disciple, how do you plan to deal with him?"

Xiao Yao had pretty much figured out that his Master couldn't kill the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor, but that didn't mean he couldn't annoy him.

Therefore, he played up the innocence expected of a 12-year-old, deliberately saying in a sweet voice, "Master! Don't you know the Emperor Tier Sword Slave Seal?"

"It's perfect for branding those two Saint Realm cultivators, making them my subordinates for protection, and also finding out who the mastermind behind this incident is?"

Dongfang Xuetong felt that Xiao Yao was quite disgusting like this, but the target of his disgust was not her, but the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor.

She lightly nodded, her face filled with joy. "Good, let's do that!"

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's expression turned panicked. He knew exposure was imminent and also understood how detestable Xiao Yao, who possessed the Chaos Body, was.

In the current situation, if he didn't confess, he wouldn't be able to escape responsibility later.

"Lotus Sword Emperor, I was the one who gave the order."

Dongfang Xuetong was not surprised by this. Let alone those from the Demonic Path, even cultivators who practiced other Dao arts would naturally choose to destroy Xiao Yao if they saw his potential and couldn't obtain him for themselves.

This was why she had previously stated that she would no longer continue the duel with the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor. She felt that it was not appropriate to expose Xiao Yao too early.

After all, there were still Emperor Tier cultivators stronger than her in this world. Even if she protected Xiao Yao at all times, he could still be assassinated.

"The duel is canceled, and this matter is not to be mentioned to outsiders."

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor's eyes went blank. He could accept the former, but canceling the duel was something he absolutely could not agree to.

This was because it was a conspiracy between him and the four Demon Emperors, something they had prepared for at great length.

"Why cancel the duel? What does this have to do with the duel itself?"

Dongfang Xuetong naturally couldn't reveal her true thoughts. She directly threw a tantrum and said, "Who knows if you'll keep using such treacherous schemes behind the scenes? This Emperor doesn't want to duel an opponent like you."

"Lotus Sword Emperor, this Emperor swears that it absolutely won't happen again," the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor quickly said, raising his hands.

But Dongfang Xuetong's gaze was icy, showing no sign of belief. He could only continue, "If this situation happens again, the duel will be directly awarded to you as a win."

These words were truly tempting.

But Dongfang Xuetong, having made up her mind, no longer cared!

Her focus was now entirely on teaching and better protecting Xiao Yao.

Although no words were spoken, having lived two lives, Xiao Yao could see the sacrifices his Master was making for him.

"Master, if you win this duel, what benefits will you get?"

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor immediately knew there was a chance. Before Dongfang Xuetong could reply, he described, "Young man, if you defeat my disciple Wang Teng, your Master's ranking on the Great Emperor Ranking will rise to ninth. Additionally, you can make one request, as long as our Demonic Path forces can fulfill it."

Seeing that Xiao Yao didn't show much interest, the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor continued, "Not only that, but as an apology, this Emperor will bestow upon you an Emperor Tier protective artifact, regardless of whether you win or lose."

Xiao Yao had already realized this was a trap.

[Beep! Host, don't chicken out! You have this System, how can you possibly lose?]

"That's right!" Xiao Yao thought.

Immediately after, he looked at the Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor and said, "That's still not enough!"

Not enough? This young man was too greedy!

The Ghost Fiend Demon Emperor was internally furious, but on the surface, he could only force a smile and ask, "Then what else do you want?"