Chapter 1820

"Jealousy? That's not quite it."

The Black Wind Ruler grinned. "I'm merely curious.

After all, this is the first time I've seen an Eternal-stage cultivator treated this way by an Undying Ruler."

He paused, his gaze turning to the Enchanting Pet Ruler. "Enchanting Pet, you agree, don't you?"

"My Lord Black Wind jokes."

The Enchanting Pet Ruler covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, her flowing eyes brimming with allure.

She tilted slightly to the side, her peach-heart tail swaying gently, voice soft and sweet:

"Lord Xueyuan possesses peerless talent.

And he seized first place on the points ranking for the Phantom Demon Star Domain, bringing supreme glory.

As the Phantom Demon Star's deputy, I hold him in reverence — how could I not?"

"Should, of course should."

The Black Wind Ruler chuckled, probing no further.

Since the Phantom Demon Ruler hadn't spoken, he naturally wouldn't continue meddling in idle affairs.

"Alright, disperse then."

The Phantom Demon Ruler waved a hand, not wanting to keep entangling on this topic.

She looked at Xu Jingming, voice gentle:

"Xueyuan, you've toiled this trip. Take Elise and go settle in to rest first.

Later, I'll host a banquet to celebrate your merit."

"Many thanks, Lord Phantom Demon." Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

"Phantom Demon, then let's discuss the cooperation matter.."

The Black Wind Ruler also spoke up.

"Good." The Phantom Demon Ruler nodded.

Soon, the Eternal-stage demons on the plaza dispersed one after another.

The Enchanting Pet Ruler also gave a graceful salute and turned to leave.

Only, before leaving, she looked deeply at Xu Jingming once more.

A hint of meaning only the two of them could understand flashed in her violet pupils.

"Let's go too."

Xu Jingming took Elise's hand and walked toward his west-side palace.

Linyin followed quietly behind the Phantom Demon Ruler, coldly beautiful and silent as ever.

Only the Phantom Demon Ruler didn't notice at all.

Deep in those violet pupils, the brand of the Heart-Corroding Pattern had long since dyed them with the blazing heat of absolute loyalty.

Inside the west-side palace.

Xu Jingming had just stepped through the hall doors when Elise couldn't wait to speak:

"Xueyuan, that Enchanting Pet Ruler just now — the way she looked at you was so strange."

Her violet eyes were full of puzzlement. "She's an Undying Ruler; why would she be so respectful to you?"

"Maybe because I'm too handsome."

Xu Jingming grinned.

Coupled with his appearance after absorbing the Xuan Yu Ming Huang bloodline, he looked slightly sinister.

"Hateful! I'm being serious with you!"

Elise pouted and punched him once, her proud bosom trembling lightly with the motion.

She knit her fine brows, pondering seriously:

"No, that look definitely wasn't just admiration or respect.

When my mother looked at those Blood Demon Palace heaven's favorites, it wasn't that kind of look either."

Hearing this, Xu Jingming's heart stirred slightly.

Elise is indeed sharp — worthy of being a heaven's favorite from the Blood Demon Palace.

He reached out and encircled her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace, and said in a low voice:

"You'll know later."

"So mysterious......"

Elise pouted her red lips, but didn't press further.

She tilted up her stunning face, craftiness swirling in her violet pupils:

"Then what do we do now? Continue cultivating?"

Xu Jingming looked at the alluring delicate body in his arms, but didn't nod.

Instead, he asked in his consciousness sea:

'Vera, what's your plan?'

'Hehe, I was ambushed to death by those two bitches back then — this debt I've remembered all along!'

Vera's voice carried cold hatred, but quickly turned crafty:

'But a direct head-on clash is too troublesome; I've long had a scheme prepared.'

She paused, then continued:

'In the legacy you got from me before, there's an SSS3-grade "Yin Erosion Pill".

On the surface, it looks exactly the same as the buff-type pill "Vitality Pill".

But after taking it, it will cause a significant loss of strength.

Even against a Sovereign-level being, the effect is still very strong.

If that vile Phantom Demon takes it, his strength will drop to that of an Initial Tribulation Sovereign.

Then dealing with him will become simple.'

'Oh?'

Xu Jingming's heart stirred, 'You mean having Lin Yin deliver the pill?'

'Exactly!'

Weila chuckled, 'Toward her own daughter, she naturally wouldn't have any precautions.'

'Not a bad idea.'

Xu Jingming nodded, and through the Corrosion Mark summoned an Immortal-rank demon guard.

He had him hand the Yin Corrosion Pill to Lin Yin, and as for the related plan, he also notified Lin Yin through the Corrosion Mark.

'Lin Yin understands; when the time comes to act, I will notify the master.'

Lin Yin's voice echoed in the depths of his heart through the Corrosion Mark.

In silence, Xu Jingming completed all preparations.

Meanwhile, Iliis in his arms remained completely unaware.

This is the benefit of enslaving all the Immortal-rank beings of the Phantom Demon Palace.

When handling affairs, there's no need for him to personally intervene.

Just over three hours later.

Lin Yin's voice then sounded through the Corrosion Mark:

'Master, the Black Wind Sovereign has departed; I am ready to begin the operation.'

'Good.'

Xu Jingming replied, then turned his gaze toward the busy Iliis below and said:

'Iliis, let's go; it's time to watch the show.'

'Mmm... wait......'

With a gulp, Iliis swallowed something unknown.

Then she took a long breath and dressed.

Swaying her voluptuous figure, she left together with Xu Jingming.

'What show are we going to watch?'

'You'll find out soon.'

'Tsk tsk, you're still hiding things from me!'

'You didn't hide things from me either—you have a World Sovereign mother?'

'......'

As they walked, Xu Jingming spoke lightly.

Just as Weila had said.

With the Divine Country token of the Nether Phoenix Sovereign in hand.

Even if Lin Yin's plan fails, the Phantom Demon Sovereign can do nothing to him.

Deep within the main hall, in the sleeping chambers of the Phantom Demon Sovereign.

The Phantom Demon Sovereign had just changed into a loose robe and sat gracefully on the soft couch.

Her violet eyes slightly closed, she was regulating her breath to recover from the expenditure of the Divine Country teleportation.

'Mother.'

A clear, cold voice sounded.

Lin Yin entered, holding a jade tray.

On the tray lay a pill, entirely lustrous white, emitting a faint, pure fragrance.

'Yin'er, you've come.'

The Phantom Demon Sovereign opened her eyes, gazing at her daughter's icy beauty, a hint of softness flashing in her eyes.

'Mother, this is an SSS3-grade pill I happened to obtain, the 'Vitality Pill'.'

Lin Yin stepped forward and presented the jade tray.

Her expression was gentle, her cold face still bearing a smile.

This is the terror of the Corrosion Mark.

After enslavement, even striking one's own mother causes no hesitation.

'Oh?'

The Phantom Demon Sovereign was somewhat surprised, somewhat relieved, and spoke:

'Since you obtained this opportunity yourself, you need not give it to me.'

'Mother, I am only a first-rank Immortal.

This pill's effect is too fierce; I fear I cannot use it.

You should use it; if a suitable pill appears later, just give it to me.'

Lin Yin spoke softly.

'An SSS3-grade pill......'

The Phantom Demon Sovereign pondered briefly, then nodded and said:

'Indeed, then you give it to me.'

"Later I'll find you some pills with milder effects."

Speaking, the Illusion Demon Ruler no longer hesitated, putting the pill into her mouth.

The pill dissolved upon entering her throat, turning into a stream of warm energy that flowed through her limbs and bones.

At first everything was normal.

The Illusion Demon Ruler could even feel a wave of comfort coming from her divine body.

However, the next instant——

"Mmph!"

The Illusion Demon Ruler's complexion abruptly changed!

A heart-piercing agony suddenly erupted from the depths of her soul!

That pain was as if billions of steel needles simultaneously stabbed into her divine soul.

Making her unable to suppress a muffled groan, cold sweat instantly seeping out on her forehead.

"Th-this... what's going on?!"

The Illusion Demon Ruler abruptly opened her eyes, her purple pupils filled with shock.

She could clearly feel that her divine soul was being crazily eroded by a bizarre power!

Her originally stable-as-a-mountain soul power, at this moment, rapidly collapsed like a breached flood!