My Pinewind Prefecture! Hm?

"The Emperor requires an explanation."

The sea of clouds drifted hazily, and an enormous figure stretching beyond sight gradually came into focus. Its indigo skin layered over itself like piled mountain ranges.

It merely lowered its gaze in silence, with no anger visible in its eyes.

Yet Monk Hui Jing felt as though he had fallen into an ice cellar, even his limbs growing stiff.

This great demon called the Southern Emperor was one of the earliest demons of the entire Great Southern Continent. It had survived to this day, outliving countless dazzling peers. Both its strength and reputation stood at the very pinnacle.

Not to mention himself—even if his master came in person, he would likely have to speak with utmost courtesy.

Clearly, this fiend had already learned what had happened in Pinewind Prefecture.

"Southern Emperor, please hear this humble monk out. What happened today was an accident, and absolutely not the work of our sect—"

Before Monk Hui Jing could finish, he saw a chill smile curl across the great demon's lips. "You mean to say that us old recluses know nothing of the Divine Dynasty's affairs, and your grand Bodhi Sect likewise knows nothing of that General Nanyang?"

"We truly did not know."

The words escaped Monk Hui Jing's mouth instinctively, but the instant he finished speaking, his heart clenched and sweat poured over his entire body.

Someone who could stand alone against eight demon immortals of the same realm and slaughter them alongside dozens of fifth-grade great demons—how could the Bodhi Sect possibly not know of such a being?

Though it was the truth, it left him with the feeling that he could not clear himself even with a hundred mouths.

Sure enough, the Southern Emperor's smile faded, and its gaze gradually turned indifferent.

Feeling that