Chapter Seventy: Fortuitous Encounters

“Escort the prince to the Doomsday Volcano and assist the Lord of Crimson Flame City in repelling the demons. Depart immediately, no mistakes allowed!”
“Yes, sir!”
In truth, Lei Jue was in a hurry to leave—not out of concern for the effects of the Doomsday Volcano's eruption. That place was far from the Divine Realm; even if the demons invaded, their reach would never extend here.
Officially, they were to aid the Lord of Crimson Flame City, but the reality was that Lei Jue wanted to seize the Godslayer Blade as quickly as possible. Everyone present could see through this pretense.
Lei Jue was the first to stride ahead of the Lord of Crimson Flame City, stepping through the grand doors, while the ten elders followed at his heels, displaying unrestrained arrogance.
Beyond the semicircular high platform at the palace entrance, clouds swirled thickly—this was an altitude of ten thousand meters. Lei Jue summoned the Sacred Beast, the Celestial Phoenix. A stream of prismatic light flashed through the sky, and a golden phoenix, wings spanning thirty feet, hovered above the clouds.
The prince shot a glance at the Lord of Crimson Flame City, then mounted the Celestial Phoenix and soared into the sky. The ten elders also summoned their royal gryphons and flew off in formation.
The Lord of Crimson Flame City furrowed his brow as he gazed at the prince, who was about the same age as his eldest son. An unspoken heaviness pressed upon his heart. Silently, he mounted one of the gryphons and followed after them.
Though the Ice Queen felt anxious, restless as if sitting on needles, she was powerless to act. Only Lingge remained indifferent, her expression utterly calm.
Wu Xuanyuan spoke:
“In a moment, all the leaders will be able to witness the eruption of the Doomsday Volcano through the crystal ball. Let us behold together the moment when the Godslayer Blade returns to the world!...”
That evening, Hei Yu left the Magic Academy. A patrolling guard hurried over and relayed a message: Commander Lin was waiting for him at the Demon Empire Tavern.
Recalling that he’d asked Lin just days before to help find materials for crafting a staff, Hei Yu wondered if there had been progress.
He made his way alone to the Demon Empire Tavern. Upon entering, he saw Lin Aosoul seated in the center booth, opposite a visibly displeased Yixin. Today, Yixin wore standard silver armor with a crimson cape, exuding heroic spirit.
“How did you two end up together?”
“There you are, Hei Yu!” Lin Aosoul raised his glass in greeting, his enthusiasm causing the liquor to spill.
Yixin immediately shouted, “I wouldn’t have known if someone hadn’t told me—you fought with someone from the Divine Realm? And a prince, no less! Don’t you realize the royal family’s been watching your every move, always using your dark powers as an excuse?”
“Uh… Well, nothing serious happened, right?”
Hei Yu dreaded nothing more than Yixin finding out about such things—she’d inevitably lecture him—so he tried to brush it off.

“Relax, it was me who fought them, not Hei Yu. They came looking for trouble, and I was their target! Hei Yu, sit down! Let’s talk about your staff.”
“When did you two get so close?” Yixin asked, full of suspicion.
“It’s not like he suffered any losses—what’s there to make a fuss about…” Just thinking of Lei Jue’s arrogance that day made Hei Yu uncomfortable; he harbored little fondness for the royal family.
Drinking as he spoke, he muttered, “Why is he a prince anyway? Aren’t Thunder and Crimson Flame the two strongest families on the continent? Why doesn’t my father crown himself emperor too, then I’d be the third prince.”
“Idiot—keep dreaming!” Yixin snapped. “Father would never be as self-important as the Emperor of Thunder. The Crimson Flame family will never declare themselves emperor, never place themselves above others, nor seek the worship of the masses.”
“Let’s get to the point, my friend. I called you here about the staff. Just letting you know, I’ll be heading north of the Great Wall soon and won’t be back for a while. I’ll bring back the materials you need.”
“Heading north so suddenly—what’s happened?”
“It’s said to be related to the Doomsday Volcano. The past few days, the volcano’s been unusually restless. Father’s gone to the Divine Realm for an alliance meeting—it must be about to erupt,” Yixin said, frowning.
“The Doomsday Volcano?”
“Yes,” Lin Aosoul continued. “Before leaving, the Lord instructed that half of the Holy City’s elite guards be sent north to reinforce the Great Wall, and the other half remain to defend the city. If the Great Wall falls, demons may invade.”
Hei Yu had heard legends of the Doomsday Volcano, the Godslayer Blade, and the Demon King’s reincarnation; nearly everyone on the continent knew of them.
“So I’ve taken leave from the academy to join the guard reinforcement,” Yixin said.
Only then did Hei Yu realize why these two rivals were suddenly together.
“If you’re both going, I’ll go too. I’ve never encountered real demons—I’d like to test my skills against them.”
“You’re nowhere near strong enough. Just stay here and keep training,” Yixin replied mercilessly.
“Why am I not strong enough? You’re at the mid-stage, and so am I. Why can’t I go?” Hei Yu retorted, gritting his teeth.
Yixin folded her arms across her chest. “You know your own limits…”
The two bickered endlessly.
At that moment, a figure dressed in black slipped in through the tavern’s back door and took a seat in a shadowy corner. Boss Ling emerged from behind the bar and set a glass from his tray on the table.

The drink was layered in three parts: the bottom, black; the middle, brown; the top, a pure white cloud floating above.
“Boss Ling, you’re as refined as ever,” the mysterious figure remarked, eyeing the exquisite drink with a smile. He sampled the topmost layer—the taste was delicate and smooth. Without further ado, he declared,
“The Demon King hasn’t fully awakened, so it isn’t yet time for the Doomsday Volcano to erupt. We must prevent it, or all our efforts will be wasted.”
Boss Ling’s face turned deathly pale at these words. For a moment, he was too stunned to reply.
“Prevent the eruption?…”
But he quickly composed himself, maintaining his elegant demeanor, and soon managed a wry smile.
“What must be done, must be done. Looks like I’ll have to close up early tonight.”
After speaking with the man in black, Ling Xi walked over to Hei Yu’s table, bent down, and set the remaining three drinks before them.
“Well, what a day—why is everyone gathered here?”
“Boss Ling! Have you heard about the Doomsday Volcano?” Hei Yu asked.
“The Doomsday Volcano? The one north of the Great Wall?” Ling Xi feigned confusion—if he pretended not to know at all, it would seem suspicious, since Hei Yu considered him ‘all-knowing.’
“That’s right. They say the volcano will erupt this evening—it’s a big deal,” Hei Yu complained.
“This evening?…” Ling Xi glanced at the clock—it was nearly five. Time was running short. He stood, maintaining his smile, and said,
“I have some matters to attend to. Enjoy yourselves.”