Devil Palace

That night, Jiang Deyuan sat alone atop a reef, gazing into the distance at the water shimmering with rippling moonlight.

At the gathering not far away, everyone had drunk themselves into a sprawled mess, the fragrance of wine permeating the air.

Hong Changyi, still somewhat sober, came over hugging a wine jar.

"Are you really planning to go to the Devil Palace tomorrow?"

"Better to say I'm going back, right? It was where my father grew up, the foundation my grandfather built with his own hands. I've avoided it all these years. It's time to bring this to an end."

He took the wine jar from Hong Changyi and gulped down a huge mouthful.

"And you? What terms did Purple Sovereign Pavilion offer, for you to be hopping about like a monkey?"

"Nothing much. They're helping treat my old man's injuries. You know my family's situation."

Hong Xuanji, Fu Danwei, and the Five-Thunder Divine Lord had undergone tribulation in the same century. The latter two had succeeded smoothly, but Hong Xuanji alone had failed his tribulation.

Purple Sovereign Pavilion had asked Hong Changyi, this "master of connections," to contact the younger generation's experts, promising in return to help him heal Hong Xuanji.

"Three immortal pills. My old man's injuries have fully healed, and he's already begun preparing for another attempt."

"Old Master Hong still hasn't given up?"

"His lifespan is nearly at an end. He has to take one last gamble."

Jiang Deyuan said nothing more, merely drinking one mouthful after another.

Watching him, Hong Changyi scratched his head. "How about Xuanxing and I come with you tomorrow to back you up?"

"No need. I'm going back to inherit the family estate. If you two follow me there, would that be backing me up? You'd be smashing up my family's