The Demon Venerable Had Someone He Loved

The Illusory Demon Sect.

Almost every sect had come, orthodox and demonic alike. Presiding over this Orthodox-Demonic Friendship Conference were Jing Yuan, the new sect master of the Illusory Demon Sect, and He Yan, the commander of the Demonic Cult.

Gu Yi stood in the crowd, watching He Yan. Even after four years, the hatred of having been driven into a corner still made him tremble all over.

Xie Wenyun immediately noticed something was wrong with Gu Yi. He gently steadied Gu Yi by the shoulder. "Junior sister?"

Only then did Gu Yi snap out of it. He shook his head lightly. "I just spent too long on Sword Flight. I'm feeling a little unwell."

He Yan sat in the seat of honor, listening to Jing Yuan speak. Though it served little purpose, they still had to go through the motions.

Suddenly, he keenly sensed a gaze brimming with killing intent.

But when he tried to find its source, that gaze vanished.

His brows furrowed slightly. It had been a long time since he had felt such blatant killing intent.

His gaze swept over the disciples of the various sects attending this Orthodox-Demonic Friendship Conference, one by one.

Finally, it settled on one person.

Lin Yuan, the grandson of Lin Hai from the Qingling Sword Sect, who had run wild at the Blood Demon Sect three years ago!

To think that three years later, this so-called genius was still at Golden Core.

After Jing Yuan's long-winded, tedious speech ended, he began explaining the specifics of this "social gathering."

They amounted to little more than matches between disciples and choosing someone who caught their fancy.

If both parties were interested, they could try getting to know each other, perhaps "go on a date" or something.

Before he had even finished, Gu Yi already felt many gazes landing on him, making him feel as though needles were pricking his back.

Before Jing Yuan could finish, He Yan suddenly spoke. "Wouldn't that alone be rather dull?"

Jing Yuan frowned in displeasure at He Yan's words.

But given He Yan's position, he said nothing.

"Those gathered here are outstanding disciples from every sect. Naturally, marriage alliances should also put everyone's abilities to the test."

Fanning himself, He Yan rested his gaze on Lin Yuan with the hint of a smile. "I say we let everyone hunt demonic beasts together. Whoever kills more will get first choice of the person they favor."

Getting first choice of the person they favored would undoubtedly improve their chances of success. Sure enough, the disciples began discussing it animatedly.

But He Yan had not finished. "Not only that, I will also give a magical artifact to whoever takes first place."

A magical artifact gifted by the commander of the Demonic Cult would surely be powerful.

"What does everyone think?" He Yan asked, glancing at Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan's expression was grim. Since this was about marriage alliances, those attending were disciples their sects had devoted resources to nurturing, or even their sons, grandsons, and cherished daughters!

The very reason he had originally planned activities such as sparring and dates was to ensure they all went home in one piece.

As for whether they actually found someone they liked, what did that have to do with him?

Had the agreement not stipulated that it be held at the Illusory Demon Sect, he would never have wanted to get involved in this mess.

But now that He Yan had interfered, everything had been thrown into chaos. These disciples were all young and hotheaded. They might well come to blows during the hunt over first place and the magical artifact.

Before he could stop it, the disciples below voiced their agreement.

"I agree! Sparring is so boring!"

"I agree too! Thank you for generously offering a magical artifact, Sect Master He!"

"We agree too!"

Jing Yuan's brow was deeply furrowed, but he could not defy He Yan. With so many disciples agreeing, they would probably have no choice but to go ahead.

"Everyone, hear me out." After some thought, he slowly said, "A hunting contest is fine, but you may only hunt demonic beasts. You must not fight and harm one another during the hunt. Otherwise, the Illusory Demon Sect will accept no responsibility for anything that happens!"

Gu Yi listened quietly in the crowd, his expression equally unpleasant.

He Yan was not someone who acted without preparation. Back then, he had been willing to maintain his disguise at Gu Yi's side for so long just to kill him.

With him suddenly pulling something like this, Gu Yi could hardly help suspecting that He Yan was up to something again.

But for the moment, Gu Yi could not figure out exactly what He Yan intended to do.

The hunt was set for three days later. For those three days, they would continue their regular "socializing" according to Jing Yuan's arrangements.

Unsurprisingly, Gu Yi received a huge pile of gifts and love letters.

Disciples from many sects even came to visit him. Fortunately, Jiang Lingzhou and Xie Wenyun stopped them all.

When Jiang Lingzhou and Xie Wenyun first arrived at the Illusory Demon Sect, they had not exchanged a word. Things had only improved slightly over the past few days. Gu Yi felt that Jiang Lingzhou must have been having another of his spoiled young master's tantrums.

And just as Gu Yi had expected, Lin Yuan had not bothered him again. Even when they met, he would not spare him another glance.

"Did you know? The Demon Venerable Gu Yi actually had someone he loved!"

With the day of the hunt still some time away, Gu Yi had grown bored and decided to take a walk. After all, it had been years since he had returned to the Illusory Demon Sect, and he needed to scout the place out to retrieve his Life Lamp.

Unexpectedly, he had not gone far before he heard several disciples of the Illusory Demon Sect chatting with a few girls from the orthodox sects.

Gu Yi had not intended to join in, but since they were talking about him, he could not help pricking up his ears.

I had someone I loved?

That was ridiculous... even I didn't know about it.

Gu Yi was so focused on their discussion that he failed to notice Lin Yuan had appeared nearby at some point.

Unlike the unruffled Gu Yi, Lin Yuan had begun cautiously searching for Gu Yi's Life Lamp from his very first day at the Illusory Demon Sect.

He knew full well that if Ye Yiyi was not Gu Yi, then finding Gu Yi's Life Lamp was his most urgent task.

He could not delay any longer. He had to find him as soon as possible.

In fact, Lin Yuan had spent the past three years trying to find Gu Yi's Life Lamp, but the Illusory Demon Sect was not a place one could easily enter.

He had tried every method he could, but had never found a way in.

Only with today's Orthodox-Demonic Friendship Conference had this rare opportunity finally arrived.

At this Friendship Gathering, he could not only carefully investigate the disciples from the many sects, but also use the opportunity to search for Gu Yi's Life Lamp.

He let no tiny clue, no detail that might be connected to Gu Yi, slip past him.

"Whom did Gu Yi like?" Lin Yuan walked over and asked directly.

The people from the various sects immediately looked at him in astonishment.

They had never expected Lin Yuan to take an interest in gossip about the Demon Venerable.

Hearing his question, Gu Yi's mouth twitched. Why were you everywhere...?

"You may not know this, Young Master Lin, but the person Gu Yi liked was none other than our sect master, Jing Yuan!" the Illusory Demon Sect disciple said conspiratorially.

Gu Yi thought, Lies! Outright lies! When had I ever liked Jing Yuan? I didn't even know him, all right?

As far as Gu Yi was concerned, Jing Yuan might well have been a trusted subordinate He Yan had arranged to take his place at the Illusory Demon Sect.

Lin Yuan's brows drew tightly together. Gu Yi liked Jing Yuan?

Why had I never heard of this before?