Is It Strange

Su Luo felt that Jiang Ningshu had mostly recovered.

Though the heavenly tribulation had been fierce, the actual damage to Jiang Ningshu was limited—she had simply exhausted her stamina.

Just as Su Luo was about to set her down, Jiang Ningshu shook her head.

Su Luo then found a spot to stop.

"Rest here for a while."

"Hold me a little longer."

"Did the lightning strike scramble your brain?"

Jiang Ningshu rarely made such requests, which was why Su Luo was surprised.

"Is it that strange?"

"A little, yeah."

Su Luo leaned back against a tree and sat down, while Jiang Ningshu nestled into his embrace beside him.

At this moment, it felt like something should be said—yet also as if nothing needed to be said at all.

Finally, Su Luo spoke. "Now that you’ve broken through to the Tribulation Phase, what are your plans?"

Becoming an immortal was no easy feat.

After all, in this unfinished novel, even Lin Xuan had never reached that realm.

Su Luo himself had spent a long time trying but never achieved it—perhaps limited by his innate potential.

But Su Luo didn’t particularly care. The Tribulation Phase alone made him practically invincible.

Hearing his words, Jiang Ningshu instead said, "Kiss me."

?

"Definitely struck by lightning. Something’s off with you."

"It’s your fault. You made me realize… that I could feel dependent on someone too."

Jiang Ningshu recalled how at ease she had been during the tribulation, never once fearing any mishap.

All because Su Luo was there.

As for his question about future plans—none of that mattered. What mattered was now.

Su Luo didn’t say anything more. He simply lowered his head and kissed her.

The two lost themselves in that tender moment.

"So this is where you’ve been sneaking around. I wondered where you’d gone."

Nangong Xiyun suddenly appeared, with Little Yu naturally in tow.

Originally, they had planned to wait for Su Luo to come find them, but Jiang Ningshu’s commotion had been too noticeable—of course they’d sensed it.

So they came over.

And then stumbled upon this scene.

Jiang Ningshu remained in Su Luo’s arms. Unhurried, she responded to Nangong Xiyun’s words: "Hah. 'Sneaking around'? What a ridiculous choice of words. And let me remind you—I’m stronger than you now."

Jiang Ningshu was outright gloating. Normally, she wouldn’t bother, but seeing Nangong Xiyun, she couldn’t resist flaunting her newfound strength.

"And what of it? If you dare hit me, I’ll just collapse and let Su Luo avenge me." Nangong Xiyun didn’t back down in the slightest.

"Where’s your dignity?"

"I’m not stupid. If I can’t win, I can’t win." Nangong Xiyun shrugged, feigning indifference.

But inwardly, she was seething.

She did have pride. They had all been on roughly the same level before—now Jiang Ningshu had suddenly surged ahead. That was unacceptable.

But if she acted too petty, she’d only invite mockery. Better to play it cool.

Secretly, Nangong Xiyun resolved to train harder in private. She had to break through soon.

"Jiang Ningshu, congratulations." Little Yu was genuinely happy for her.

"Thank you."

Jiang Ningshu had no issues with Little Yu.

After some brief conversation, Su Luo and the others prepared to leave.

Their destination this time was naturally the New Heavenly Demon Sect.

They’d been away long enough—it was time to return.

There was another reason too: the next phase of events would unfold in the south.

But the journey back was leisurely, filled with sightseeing rather than urgency.

Lin Xuan was still in the north, busy digesting an immortal’s legacy. Returning too soon would be pointless.

If following the original plot, Su Luo would have to guide the sect members in cultivating the Demon God Scripture.

But right now, Su Luo just wanted to enjoy himself with Little Yu and the others. The sect could figure things out on their own.

And so, a month later, they finally arrived back at Soulreturn Valley.

Jiang Ningshu and Nangong Xiyun donned black robes, becoming the "Black-Cloaked Ones."

"We welcome the Demon Lord’s return."

The members of the Heavenly Demon Sect were practically moved to tears at Su Luo’s arrival.

They’d been trapped in Soulreturn Valley all this time.

Cultivation was one thing, but did they really have to be confined like prisoners?

Some of them had been itching to go out and have some fun.

Still, the forced isolation had paid off—their cultivation progress was undeniable.

"Good. It seems you’ve all been working hard in my absence."

Su Luo offered the obligatory praise.

Feng Chengkai spoke up. "Demon Lord, when can we leave?"

He was eager to make a name for the New Heavenly Demon Sect and accomplish something grand.

"Soon. Once you’re all a bit stronger, we’ll make our move—let the world know the might of the New Heavenly Demon Sect."

Su Luo wasn’t just dangling empty promises. When the time came, they would strike.

Otherwise, how could they restore the Heavenly Demon Sect’s glory?

Someone else chimed in: "But we already feel plenty strong."

After cultivating the Demon God Scripture for so long, their confidence was through the roof.

They wanted a chance to prove themselves.

"You still need more training."

"Trust us, Demon Lord. We’re ready."

Confidence was good, but Su Luo didn’t appreciate being contradicted. His expression darkened.

I give you an inch, and you take a mile? Must I repeat myself?

The atmosphere instantly turned tense.

Little Yu stepped forward. "If you can defeat me, then you’ve earned the right to speak. But you’re not strong enough yet."

She wasn’t one to overstep, but she felt this was the right moment to intervene.

Su Luo was the Demon Lord—it would be beneath him to discipline them personally.

Feng Chengkai was at the Cave Void Realm, and the Demon God Scripture had filled him with confidence.

Yet Little Yu thoroughly humbled him. He stood no chance.

At this point, the black-cloaked Jiang Ningshu spoke: "Why not all come at me? If you can defeat me, then the Demon Lord might consider you strong enough."

Some had experienced this black-cloaked figure’s prowess before, but they believed in the saying: Three days apart, view with new eyes.

One person’s strength was just that—one person’s.

So they took her up on the challenge.

And indeed, three days apart, view with new eyes—but it was Jiang Ningshu who embodied the phrase.

With a single minor whirlwind technique, she sent them all tumbling to the ground.

Defeated in an instant.

Only when they were all lying there did Su Luo finally say, "If you can’t even beat her, what makes you think you’re ready to leave? To go out and die? Keep training."

With that, Su Luo turned and walked away, followed by Little Yu, Jiang Ningshu, and Nangong Xiyun.

Their departing figures radiated an aura of indomitable strength.

Though every one of them had lost, perhaps following such powerhouses wasn’t a bad thing after all.

And Su Luo’s inner circle was terrifyingly strong.

The black-cloaked figure who had just fought was proof enough—and now there was another one.

Though she hadn’t made a move, her strength was undoubtedly formidable.

In that moment, many of them shared a single thought:

I want to grow stronger—strong enough to stand by Su Luo’s side.

Such was the allure of the mighty.