The Last Time

"I was just proposing an idea. Who knows what the future holds?"

But Su Luo thought to himself that time was running short.

If they truly had to part ways later, Su Luo had already considered it.

It might seem a bit heartless, but he believed he’d quickly grow accustomed to it.

For him, farewells were nothing new—he’d experienced far too many already.

Still, reluctance was inevitable.

No matter what, he would cherish the present.

Little Yu spoke earnestly, "No matter what happens, I’ll always stand by your side."

"That’s truly heartwarming to hear."

Su Luo was genuinely moved. Those who would say such words to him were exceedingly rare.

"The one who should be happy is me."

Little Yu gazed at Su Luo, her thoughts drifting back to the past.

It was through him that I first saw the world.

She would never forget how Su Luo had saved her back then and treated her with extraordinary kindness in the days that followed.

To him, it might have been nothing special, but to her, it was overwhelming generosity.

Little Yu had once been an orphan with nothing to her name.

Lost in these memories, she suddenly threw herself at Su Luo.

"What’s wrong?"

"I’m going to eat you up." Her face flushed as she spoke, making her look utterly enchanting.

......

After a considerable delay, Su Luo and the others finally returned to Soulreturn Valley.

The moment they arrived, they were met with fervent admiration.

"Demon Lord, we’ve been making waves lately!"

"Exactly! Everyone’s talking about our exploits!"

"What’s our next move?"

Su Luo had already held an unshakable position before, but after Feng Chengkai and Lei Shi returned and recounted his deeds at the Earthly Fiend Sect—vividly and passionately—the entire New Heavenly Demon Sect was electrified.

Who wouldn’t want their leader to be formidable?

So they eagerly awaited the next grand undertaking.

Would they storm the righteous sects? The old Heavenly Demon Sect had once attacked all ten major sects simultaneously.

Could they pull it off? No—with the Demon Lord leading them, success was guaranteed.

Their fervor was bordering on fanaticism.

Su Luo raised a hand, silencing the crowd.

"This is only our first step. But our strength is still far from sufficient. For now, we continue our secluded cultivation."

Huh?

No one had expected this. They’d assumed they’d ride this momentum into another grand spectacle.

"Don’t be disappointed. Do you even know your own limits? Frankly, we’re still weaker than the old Heavenly Demon Sect. If we get too bold now, we’ll die."

"We have the Demon God Scripture. Given time, we’ll grow stronger."

"And when that time comes, it’ll be your turn to shine."

Su Luo’s words brought clarity to the crowd.

Understanding, however, didn’t quell their restless desire for chaos—especially their thirst for blood.

Trapped in Soulreturn Valley for so long, deprived of large-scale slaughter, many had built up a dangerous pent-up aggression.

But one look from Su Luo silenced any dissent.

They had no choice but to obey.

Once the crowd dispersed, Su Luo made his way to his temporary quarters.

Only Jiang Ningshu was there.

"Where’s Xiyun?"

"She said she’d go back and make an appearance."

Nangong Xiyun was, after all, a peak master of the Seven Stars Sword Sect. It wouldn’t do for her to stay with the Heavenly Demon Sect indefinitely.

She still needed to return occasionally to handle affairs—though none were particularly pressing.

Jiang Ningshu sat in meditation, practicing how to further suppress her aura.

After reaching the Tribulation Transcendence stage, she often unconsciously radiated an overwhelming pressure—far more intense than before.

Her power had grown too rapidly, leaving her control lacking.

Having once lost her strength, Jiang Ningshu had grown accustomed to lying low.

Now, her presence practically screamed, "I am powerful."

Rumors had already begun circulating within the Heavenly Demon Sect:

"Who’s stronger—the black-robed one or the Demon Lord? The black-robed one feels more intimidating..."

Jiang Ningshu knew Su Luo didn’t care, but she had no intention of being pushed into the Demon Lord’s seat again.

Besides, mastering this power would allow her to advance further. Why not seize the opportunity?

Yet today, her control failed again, triggering a backlash that unleashed an even greater wave of pressure.

The entire Soulreturn Valley trembled under its weight.

"Damn, the black-robed one’s terrifying—even stronger than before!"

"She does this every now and then. I’m gonna have a heart attack one of these days."

"If you’re still standing, count yourself lucky. Look at those guys—foaming at the mouth, passed out cold."

Though they were used to it by now, the sheer magnitude of the black-robed one’s power never failed to astonish.

They understood: aside from the Demon Lord, there was also this immensely powerful black-robed figure. Recently, a red-robed one had joined, seemingly just as formidable—though she rarely showed her hand.

Jiang Ningshu sighed. "Another failure."

She’d tried countless times, but success eluded her.

Still, she hadn’t lost confidence. Mastery was only a matter of time.

"You’ll get there. No need to rush," Su Luo reassured her.

Jiang Ningshu gave him a puzzled look. "How do you suppress yours so flawlessly?"

"Because I’m cheating."

"Cheating?"

[What you see is only what I allow you to see.]

With this unique ability, Su Luo faced no such struggles.

But even without it, his skill in aura suppression was exceptional—not due to talent, but centuries of practice.

He didn’t elaborate on the "cheating" part, opting instead to share his insights with Jiang Ningshu.

Of course, his methods might not work for everyone—individual physiology varied.

Still, they served as valuable guidance.

"You really can do anything, can’t you?"

"Heh, impressive, right?" Su Luo occasionally indulged in showing off around those close to him.

"Very." Jiang Ningshu meant it.

Su Luo laughed and continued explaining his techniques.

Jiang Ningshu began applying them, though full mastery remained elusive. She still needed to adjust them to her own body.

Gradually, she improved—though her aura wasn’t yet fully contained.

At that moment, Nangong Xiyun returned.

"You’re back so soon?"

Su Luo was surprised. He’d expected her to be gone for at least a month.

"Turns out they don’t really need me."

Unless it was a major event, the Seven Stars Sword Sect rarely required Nangong Xiyun’s intervention.

Since she could laze around anywhere, she might as well do it here.

She slung an arm over Su Luo’s shoulder. "Didn’t expect you back already. Come on, let’s go play over there."

"Right after returning?"

"Hehe."

Su Luo sighed but followed Nangong Xiyun.

This was their usual code.

Phrases like:

"Let’s head inside."

"That grove looks nice. Wanna check it out?"

"Su Luo, up for it?"

She never tired of it.

Not that Su Luo minded.

Some time later, Nangong Xiyun lay sprawled over Su Luo, her eyes slightly dazed.

But soon, her expression shifted to one of determined reflection.

"Okay, last time today. I need to focus on cultivation—I’ll surpass Jiang Ningshu!"

Her fighting spirit flared anew.

Then she looked at Su Luo, hoping for encouragement.

And once again, she succumbed...

"Okay, for real this time—last one..."