After a brief discussion with Mo Yuan, the two went their separate ways.

Mo Yuan’s task was to find a way to wear down the Demon Lord’s strength as much as possible, while Song Wanning entered a secret chamber to consume the Seven-Petaled Flower.

Early-stage Divinity Transformation versus the Peak of Divinity Transformation offered no chance of victory.

But someone at the Mid-stage Divinity Transformation against a battered and bruised opponent at the Peak of Divinity Transformation? That was a different story.

’When the time comes, with Mo Yuan providing support and controlling the situation, we’ll definitely run that Demon Lord into the ground!’

Song Wanning composed herself and closed her eyes.

The Seven-Petaled Flower was an Innate Spiritual Object. A single petal could allow someone to advance an entire minor realm. The effect was even greater for those with higher Cultivation, making it a supreme treasure that everyone vied for.

’I’ve taken one petal, but there are still six left... I’ll give them to Father later. Mom and Dad’s Cultivation will surely reach new heights.’

The thought filled her with renewed strength.

...

"BANG—"

The Demon Lord slew another Fifth-rank Magical Beast. Utterly exhausted, he collapsed to one knee.

His face was covered in blood, and his body was riddled with the beast’s claw marks. A chunk of flesh dangled precariously from one shoulder, threatening to fall off at any moment...

"Pah!"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, his expression terrifyingly dark.

"Mo Yuan! You coward! You piece of trash! If you’ve got any guts, come out and fight me!"

"What’s so great about hiding and pulling these dirty tricks?"

At first, he’d just thought he was unlucky. But after being teleported in front of one Fifth-rank Magical Beast after another, he’d have to be an idiot not to figure out what was happening.

He was being played! Tricked!

The only one capable of this had to be Mo Yuan. After all, only he could open the Demon Sea, and who knew what other secrets he was hiding.

"If I had known that bitch was hiding secrets from me, I should have torn her limb from limb and thrown her into the slums to be ridden by ten thousand men!"

Bloodlust filled the Demon Lord’s eyes as he roared out his curses.

’That woman actually dared to keep secrets from me. Death was too good for her.’

These words, however, thoroughly enraged Mo Yuan.

With a dark expression, Mo Yuan seethed, "You bastard. Say one more word against my mother and just you try me."

His sinister voice echoed all around, confirming the Demon Lord’s suspicions.

The Demon Lord sneered, then pushed himself to his feet. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Your mother was nothing but a common slut. I only said a few words, why are you getting so agitated?"

"Back in the day, your mother, the great Young Master of the Demon Clan, insisted on chasing after a poor boy like me. She threw herself at me relentlessly; I couldn’t shake her off no matter how hard I tried."

"Tell me, with trash like that, who would’ve given her a second look if it wasn’t for the Demon Lord’s throne?"

"QI YANG!!!!!!!"

Mo Yuan’s fists clenched, his teeth grinding together with an audible CRACK. He wished he could rush out right now and teach that bastard a lesson.

But he knew Qi Yang was only doing this to bait him out. He couldn’t fall for it.

"What’s the matter? Angry?"

Qi Yang laughed. "What if I told you that the whole ’hero saves the damsel’ act back then was just one big scheme? Would that make you even angrier? Hahahaha!"

He threw his head back and roared with laughter.

"That mother of yours... she was so sheltered, so hopelessly naive. Everyone revered her, doted on her. But not me!"

"I just gave her the cold shoulder, played hot and cold, and she stupidly fell for it... Tell me, how could an idiot like that ever have become the Demon Lord?"

"You see? In the end, she was nothing more than my stepping stone! Hahahaha!"

Qi Yang couldn’t stop gloating. Making the Young Master of the Demon Clan fall for him—that was a testament to his own ability! 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

His only mistake was not being ruthless enough. He should never have let her get pregnant. If he hadn’t, there wouldn’t be remnants of the old guard still clamoring to bring back Mo Yuan!

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes. But that would be over soon. He would eliminate this obstacle shortly.

Qi Yang had never once considered Mo Yuan his son. He had loathed him from the moment he was born.

Of course, Mo Yuan knew this. His eyes were bloodshot, like a caged beast driven mad, struggling to break free and attack.

His voice squeezed out from between clenched teeth, "Qi Yang, I forbid you from mentioning my mother again! I forbid it!"

’Mother was young and naive. She trusted Qi Yang too easily, and she’s already paid the price.’

’Qi Yang is not worthy to even speak her name.’

"Hmph!"

Qi Yang snorted coldly, and a torrent of even viler words spewed from his mouth.

The woman who had once been his wife, with whom he’d shared a bed for years, was now being talked about as if she were garbage...

Mo Yuan was at his breaking point. If not for the last shred of reason holding him back, he would have already rushed out to take Qi Yang down with him!

Just then, Song Wanning emerged from the secret chamber, greeted by the sight of Qi Yang’s vile face spewing filth.

Her expression darkened, and she gave Qi Yang a long, hard look.

In him, Song Wanning saw a shadow of Gu Qingyuan. The only difference was that Gu Qingyuan cared more for his reputation. Even after slaughtering the entire Song Family and seizing countless resources, he had maintained the air of a lofty master, as if unstained by a single speck of dust.

She felt a pang of sorrow for the previous Young Master of the Demon Clan, and for herself as well.

’Both of us paid the price for our poor judgment of character. Now, it’s time for those bastards to get their punishment.’

She stepped forward and placed a hand on Mo Yuan’s shoulder. "Don’t let him provoke you. He won’t be acting so smug for much longer."

Her light touch was like a stream of icy spring water from a high mountain, instantly dousing his fiery rage.

Mo Yuan calmed down abruptly, though his face was still flushed. He turned his head. "Senior, did you break through?"

"Yes."

Song Wanning nodded. She had successfully broken through to the Mid-stage Divinity Transformation.

Her rate of advancement was nothing short of terrifying.

’I’m so glad I decided to seize Ye Chuxue’s opportunities,’ Song Wanning thought again. ’Otherwise, I’d still be struggling in the Nascent Soul Stage.’

’I really have the Heavenly Dao’s "gifts" to thank for this.’

The corners of her lips curved up as she shot a quick glance toward the sky.

She enjoyed pissing off the Heavenly Dao every time she scored a victory.

"Really? That’s fantastic!"

Joy flickered across Mo Yuan’s face, only to be replaced by a cold, murderous glint.

"It’s time that bastard got what’s coming to him!"

"Come here. I’ll tell you what to do."

Song Wanning called Mo Yuan to her side and, pointing to a sand table, began to lay out her plan.

They would need the help of other magical beasts—the more High-Rank beasts, the better.

Furthermore, she needed Mo Yuan’s full cooperation. There could be no room for error.

"Your top priority is to track my every move and monitor my condition. At the same time, you need to control the magical beasts and do your best to keep them from hitting me by mistake..."

Song Wanning was about to take a risk, but she wasn’t an idiot. ’Losing my life for the Demon Lord’s throne? That’s not a price worth paying.’

That was why she explained everything clearly to Mo Yuan beforehand, ensuring that every step of the plan was foolproof.

Mo Yuan listened intently, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

’Senior is brilliant. Why didn’t I think of that?’

’Following Senior’s plan, we can not only destroy that bastard, but we can literally make him die of rage!’