"Understood, Beiming Xue will obey the Hall Master's command!"

It wasn't that she didn't want to resist, but Song Zhilun's words had reached this point, leaving her no room for opposition in the face of the entire Heavenly Demon Hall's interests.

What can a Saintess count as?

Just something that can be sacrificed at any time.

It's neither sadness nor anger. As a member of the Demon Cult, one should have a consciousness that puts interests above all else. Besides... following Chen Yuan is not entirely unacceptable.

It's just that she really finds it hard to face the fact that her former opponent will become her bedfellow.

"You've worked hard..."

Song Zhilun was silent for a long time before saying these three words.

"Hehe, it's nothing of the sort. I've heard that many women want to become King Yan's consort but can't find a way. Even Feng Jiuge lowered her status but was rejected by King Yan.

Perhaps I, Beiming Xue, am not even worthy of King Yan's eyes..." Beiming Xue smiled faintly, accepting it quickly. Since she couldn't resist, she might as well think about what position would be comfortable.

Wei Wuya remained silent. Currently, he was just a Saint Heir and had no say. All he could do was maintain his former acquaintance with Chen Yuan.

So as not to make the other party annoyed.

The strong dictate and the weak submit; yielding is normal.

However, those who once yielded were all enemies of the Heavenly Demon Hall. Now, there's finally something stronger than the Heavenly Demon Hall.

... 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

...

"This king has heard that Chi Lian Demon Venerable of the Heavenly Demon Hall and the Saintess of Beiming are as close as mother and daughter..."

Dongfang Sheng paused, recalling rumors about Chen Yuan, saying he favored married women, but Chi Lian Demon Venerable was never wed.

He thought Chen Yuan wouldn't be interested, but unexpectedly, this person's taste became increasingly... unique.

"The request of King Yan is a bit embarrassing, but... it's not that I can't agree. I'll go back and discuss it further with Chi Lian Demon Venerable, see if she..."

Before Dongfang Sheng finished speaking, Chen Yuan suddenly paused, surprised by Dongfang Sheng's peculiar logic that completely misunderstood him.

Then he said:

"Fellow Daoist Dongfang, you misunderstand. What I meant was that Chi Lian Demon Venerable and the Saintess of Beiming are as close as mother and daughter, and I can't bear to separate them, so this matter..."

"I understand."

Dongfang Sheng nodded.

Although Chen Yuan's request was somewhat unexpected for him, for the sake of the Heavenly Demon Hall's interests, it wasn't difficult to accept, but Chi Lian Demon Venerable was hard to handle.

The four Demon Venerables of the Heavenly Demon Hall have made considerable contributions, and if they were sent away as goods, it would inevitably make the subordinates uneasy.

After all, it's different from a Saintess like Beiming Xue.

"Fellow Daoist Dongfang..." Chen Yuan wanted to ask what exactly he understood, why his smile looked so strange, which was damaging to his reputation!

"Actually, King Yan can also see my intention, indeed... the Heavenly Demon Hall submitting to King Yan is merely the icing on the cake, not a timely assistance during adversity. The people below are still somewhat worried.

Even the ancestors have some concerns, which is why I have to speak of such a marriage alliance. I hope King Yan can understand."

"I understand."

"The matter of Beiming Xue can be decided by me, and she can stay in the Yan King Mansion now. However, afterwards, King Yan must make her a concubine, which would also respect the Heavenly Demon Hall's dignity.

As for Chi Lian Demon Venerable... it's impossible for her to marry over, and I can't force her. But allowing her to temporarily serve as a guard for Beiming Xue is no big deal.

As for the rest, it depends entirely on King Yan's methods."

Dongfang Sheng tried to clarify the situation, hoping that Chen Yuan would understand that Chi Lian Demon Venerable wasn't above being sacrificed but needed to have her dignity considered.

"This..."

Chen Yuan furrowed his brows, wanting to refuse but unable to voice it. The Heavenly Demon Hall wanted a deeper connection with Chen Yuan, and he similarly hoped to bind Heavenly Demon Hall firmly to his chariot.

Only thus would the Heavenly Demon Hall spare no effort to prevent the Eastern advance of Buddhists.

If he refused, both sides would likely feel a thorn in their hearts.

"Very well, as Fellow Daoist Dongfang suggests..."

"Chi Lian's life has been tragic and her character steadfast, King Yan... show some tolerance." Dongfang Sheng paused for a moment and suddenly said.

After all, she's been a loyal subordinate for over a century, and he doesn't wish for her to be mistreated.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly but did not make any promises.

He just gave a vague nod.

After that, Chen Yuan and Dongfang Sheng held friendly talks on deeper cooperation. Although Dongfang Sheng kept saying that he needed to go back and ask the ancestral master for command.

Both sides actually understood well that the Heavenly Demon Hall indeed wanted to cooperate with Chen Yuan, and Dongfang Sheng himself could make the decision; he was just looking for an excuse.

After some mutual flattery, Dongfang Sheng suggested taking his leave.

But Chen Yuan did not agree; he hosted Dongfang Sheng for a banquet before letting him go.

When the Heavenly Demon Hall came, there were four people, but when they left, only two departed, as Beiming Xue was to wed and hence would stay in the Yan King Mansion.

While Wei Wuya stayed partly as a hostage for the Heavenly Demon Hall, he also wanted to stay by Chen Yuan's side for further training, hoping to learn something from him.

In a word, the discussions between Chen Yuan and the Heavenly Demon Hall were fairly pleasant, and he also formally extended his reach into Blood State, something even the Sima Family hadn't accomplished.

The following days were quite peaceful.

Chen Yuan met Beiming Xue a few times, but the two of them did not engage in any substantive relationship, something implicit to both, but Chen Yuan was not interested in romantic affairs at the moment.

He merely inquired in detail about what Beiming Xue took from the Primordial Void Realm back then.

The answer he got was a map.

"What map?"

Chen Yuan showed some interest, thinking that the resource of a Heavenly Demon Hall Saintess definitely surpasses that of the two loose cultivator Grandmasters, so she must have gone out of her way to hide her identity for a reason.

Even now, at this realm, he still had some doubts.

Beiming Xue walked to the desk, and based on her memory, accurately drew the map. As for the complete version, it had already been handed over to Dongfang Sheng.

However, she only received some resource rewards and no other reaction, making her realize that the item she obtained didn't seem that valuable.

"Please take a look, King Yan!"

"This seems like a secret of the Heavenly Demon Hall, no?" Chen Yuan didn't rush to look but asked with a smile.

In his view, the map likely had no use to him now. Even if it led to a Secret Realm, the resources within were no longer valuable to him.

He was simply curious about it.

Beiming Xue looked at Chen Yuan and said with a faint smile:

"The master has betrothed me to King Yan; from now on, Xue'er belongs to the Yan King Mansion and knows where her loyalties lie. Whatever King Yan asks, whether or not it's a secret of the Heavenly Demon Hall, Xue'er will not withhold anything."

It must be said, Beiming Xue's words were exceptionally well-spoken. Even though Chen Yuan was not particularly interested in some secrets of the Heavenly Demon Hall, hearing her statement was still pleasing.

Beiming Xue, sensible!

She knows where her allegiance should lie now. Regardless of whether it's intentional, the attitude is there, unlike those annoying, clueless women who cannot figure out the situation.

"I understand your sentiment."

Chen Yuan patted her hand, initially having little interest in Beiming Xue, merely wanting an extra residence occupant. Suddenly, he developed a bit of interest.

Following that, Beiming Xue's exquisite face flushed slightly as she laid out the map before Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan examined the map carefully, but his brows furrowed slightly.

He couldn't understand the script on it, distinct from the mainstream script in the Central Plains, resembling the Divine Marks once appearing on his body.

As for the map, he didn't quite get it, only vaguely sensing some resemblance to the current geographical landscape.

"Does the Heavenly Demon Hall have any insight on this map?"