At that moment, the demons around them looked at the Demon Race Great Emperor, who seemed to have walked out of the river of time, their faces filled with excitement.
Countless among them had only heard that the Demon Race had a Great Emperor ancestor, but had never seen him. Now that they finally had, everyone bowed in greeting:
"Greetings, Great Emperor Ancestor!"
"Greetings, Great Emperor Ancestor!"
The stooped figure waved a hand, and everyone felt a gentle force lift them up.
Then he looked kindly at Luo Qingshan and Luo Xuannü and nodded with a smile, filling their eyes with delighted surprise.
The next moment, the stooped figure turned toward the masked Ye Xingchen, and his aged voice rang out:
"Fellow Daoist, with cultivation like yours, why take offense at the younger generation? This old man is Luo Tianhe. Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"
As soon as Luo Tianhe finished speaking, countless demons around them drew sharp breaths.
"Hiss..."
That single remark from Luo Tianhe amounted to acknowledging that Ye Xingchen was also a Great Emperor expert of the same level.
"May I ask what brings you to the Demon Race, Fellow Daoist? Though, as you said, the Demon Race is nowhere near as powerful as it was in ancient times, it is still no place for just anyone to trespass. Please explain yourself, Fellow Daoist, otherwise..."
As soon as Luo Tianhe finished speaking, he raised a hand. Streaks of laws descended throughout the Demon Race's territory, as though the Heavenly Dao itself had descended, and a terrifying formation appeared. It was none other than the Demon Race's mountain-protecting formation-the Myriad Demon God-Slaying Grand Formation.
Standing in the void, Ye Xingchen sensed the terrifying formation and could not help thinking:
As expected of the Demon Race. Though its current strength is nowhere near what it was in ancient times, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Its foundations are still deep. Although this formation poses no threat to Ye Xingchen in the heavenly emperor realm, it would give an ordinary great emperor realm expert quite a headache!
Seeing this, Ye Xingchen had no desire to go to war with the Demon Race, so he looked at Luo Tianhe and said:
"An old acquaintance entrusted this Emperor with returning the Demon Race's race-guarding divine artifact. Where is the Demon Empress?!"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan stepped forward and bowed slightly to him, a gesture of respect toward a Great Emperor expert.
"This junior, Luo Qingshan, currently serves as the Demon Empress. Please speak, Senior!"
As Luo Qingshan looked at Ye Xingchen's figure, she kept feeling a familiarity she could neither explain nor describe.
"Mm, good, good. Already an immortal thearch realm expert at such a young age. Your future holds promise."
"You must remember this: though we of the Demon Race neither contend nor seize, we are not to be bullied by anyone. As the empress, you should lead the Demon Race to restore its glory from ancient times!"
Hearing the imposing figure's words, the many demons were inwardly shocked. From what he had said, this person was actually a demon as well?!
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Xingchen turned his hand over, and a miniature Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower appeared in his palm. With a casual wave, a gentle force lifted the tower and slowly lowered it into Luo Qingshan's hands.
Looking at the little tower in her hands, which radiated an ancient air, Luo Qingshan was puzzled. She raised her head and looked questioningly at Ye Xingchen.
Sensing the question in Luo Qingshan's eyes, Ye Xingchen smiled slightly, his gaze full of gentleness as he looked at her.
"This tower is our Demon Race's race-guarding divine artifact-the Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower! You should have heard of it. Its whereabouts have been unknown since the war between immortals and demons in ancient times. This old man also obtained it by chance."
"This old man originally had no intention of returning it to the Demon Race. Seeing the state of the Demon Race today made me very angry. But after thinking it over, although the Demon Race is nowhere near as glorious and magnificent as it was in ancient times, its proud backbone remains. In the end, this old man could not bear to see the Demon Race weakened, so I appeared today to return its race-guarding divine artifact!"
At that moment, hearing Ye Xingchen's words, everyone fell silent.
Luo Tianhe flashed straight to Luo Qingshan's side, reached out to take the miniature Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower, and examined it carefully.
The more he looked, the more excited he became, until he could not stop his whole body from trembling. Finally, he burst into laughter.
"It truly is the Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower! It truly is the Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower! Our race-guarding divine artifact has finally returned to our race. What a blessing for the Demon Race! Good, good, good!"
Those three cries of "good" instantly jolted every demon back to their senses. With the Great Emperor ancestor personally verifying it, it seemed this truly was the Demon Race's divine artifact that had vanished back in ancient times.
"This... this really is the legendary race-guarding divine artifact of the Demon Race-the Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower! Heaven truly blesses the Demon Race! Heaven blesses the Demon Race!"
Hearing Luo Tianhe's words, an Immortal Emperor ancestor cried out excitedly, tears filling his eyes.
Dozens of other Demon Race Immortal Emperor experts were just as excited.
The many demons watching below were even more excited, their faces flushed red. The Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower was something every demon had heard of since childhood, a divine artifact that every demon was obliged to search for throughout their life.
They had never expected someone to return it, and this person was very likely a living Demon Race Great Emperor as well.
At that moment, Luo Qingshan was likewise immensely excited as she looked at the miniature Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower in her hands, her face flushed red.
The race-guarding divine artifact that could spare every demon the tribulation of taking form had actually appeared in her hands. How could she not be excited? Looking at the imposing figure before her, Luo Qingshan bowed deeply to him.
Seeing this, all the demons, including the great emperor realm Luo Tianhe, bowed deeply toward that imposing figure.
Everyone offered this bow willingly.
That figure accepted this bow proudly.
Having calmly accepted the demons' bow, Ye Xingchen raised a hand, and a gentle force helped everyone up.
"To use it, you need only channel a trace of immortal spiritual power into it, and the Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower will return to its original size."
"Once restored to its normal size, the Heavenly Demon Spirit Transformation Tower can immediately connect to the Demon Race's immortal veins, becoming one with the entire Demon Race and anchoring its providence."
"No one can take it away, so you may safely place it anywhere within the Demon Race's territory. As for where to put it, this old man will not concern himself with that. Now that the divine artifact has been returned, this old man is leaving!"
Having said that, Ye Xingchen was just about to step away when Luo Tianhe's aged voice rang out:
"You and I are both Demon Race Great Emperors. Since you have returned, why leave again? Could it be for..."
Hearing Luo Tianhe's words, Ye Xingchen did not dare respond carelessly, or he would expose himself on the spot. So another Demon Race Great Emperor expert had disappeared, and he did not know what that person had gone off to do. This was not something he could answer casually.
Hearing Luo Tianhe's words, Ye Xingchen did not answer directly, but instead said:
"A great era is about to arrive, and tremendous changes will occur on the Divine Desolation Continent. This Emperor has other matters to attend to. If the Demon Race faces trouble, this Emperor will naturally return."
After saying that, Ye Xingchen turned toward Luo Qingshan beside him and asked:
"As the Demon Empress, why do you carry such a strong Human Race scent?!"
Hearing Ye Xingchen's words, Luo Qingshan froze slightly, her pretty face flushing red, but she answered:
"Reporting to the Great Emperor Ancestor, this junior's husband is of the Human Race!"
Since this person was a Demon Race Great Emperor ancestor, Luo Qingshan did not conceal it and spoke directly.
The moment Luo Qingshan finished speaking, a terrifying divine sense swept past. A moment later, Ye Xingchen smiled slightly and said in pretense:
"Good, good. The man of the Human Race in Phoenix Perch Palace possesses great providence and an unparalleled bearing. He should be a fine match for you."
Having said that, Ye Xingchen took the Tasseled Immortal Gauze awarded by the system directly out of the system space and, with a casual wave, sent it into Luo Qingshan's hands.
"This is the Tasseled Immortal Gauze, woven from silk spun by the Heaven-Devouring Ancient Silkworm. It is impervious to water and fire and possesses astonishing defensive power. When worn by a woman, it can withstand a full-powered strike from a great emperor realm expert. This Emperor gives it to you today, in the hope that the two of you can walk hand in hand and lead the Demon Race to restore its glory."
With that, Ye Xingchen lingered no longer. He took a step and vanished instantly, without anyone being able to detect him.
The next moment, Ye Xingchen had already appeared inside Phoenix Perch Palace. He gently removed Steal the Heavens and Replace the Sun, then, as though nothing had happened, picked up his fishing rod with a smile and walked toward the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Meanwhile, in the void above Empress Palace, Luo Tianhe could not help saying softly:
"His strength far surpasses this Emperor's. Phoenix Perch Palace has a formation that even this Emperor's divine sense cannot see through, yet he discovered what was inside with a single sweep. That shows how powerful he is. Fortunately, he is also a demon. What great fortune!"
Hearing Luo Tianhe's words, Luo Qingshan asked:
"Ancestor, did this Great Emperor ancestor go to...?!"
Hearing Luo Qingshan's question, Luo Tianhe turned and took a step, vanishing into the depths of the Demon Race's territory. His aged voice drifted through the air:
"This involves great karma. This Emperor cannot speak of it, and the empress should not ask. First, settle the race-guarding divine artifact in place and let those demons who have yet to take form do so. This Emperor must also enter slumber."
"Now that a great era is about to arrive and our race-guarding divine artifact has returned, the Demon Race is sure to flourish. Moreover, his judgment agrees with this Emperor's. Ye Xingchen is indeed a fine match for the empress. This boy will surely contribute to the Demon Race's future!"
Looking in the direction where her ancestor had vanished, Luo Qingshan turned toward Phoenix Perch Palace, her pretty face faintly flushed.
She happened to spot her husband walking toward the pavilion in the middle of the lake. Gazing at that retreating figure, which filled her body and soul, Luo Qingshan's eyes brimmed with deep affection.