Ye Zichen learned her name, then after a brief chat, he learned a little about her and what shed been through.

Her name was An Lu, and she was seventeen years old.

She belonged to the Demon Realms Earth Demon Race, but she possessed the Heavenly Demon Bloodline, which appeared less than once every ten thousand years.

In order to obtain her bloodline and Heavenly Demon Soul, the Demon Emperor falsely accused her tribe of colluding with outsiders and selling out the Demon Realm, then had every last one of them executed.

Shed taken advantage of the Demon Emperors absence to flee.

But in her panic, she chose the wrong path and bumped into Ye Zichen.

The rulers of the first era couldnt help but sigh upon hearing her tragic tale. An Lu had suffered so much misfortune at such a young age. Pu Jingwans eyes reddened, and she pulled An Lu into an embrace, then proclaimed An Lu her new younger sister.

Even Ye Zichen reacted in much the same way. She was only a teenager, yet shed lost her entire clan.

Furthermore, someone locked her up to steal her blood and soul. This was pitiful indeed.

However, the Heavenly Demon Bloodline really was scary. She was only seventeen, but from the look of things, she was a half-step diviner. Throughout the entire God Realm, only top disciples of each mountains Holy Lands could compete.

As she recalled her painful history, An Lu couldnt help but burst into tears.

Pu Jingwan hugged her close, warming her heart.

That means the people coming to take An Lu back are the Demon Emperors subordinates, said Yang Jian with a furious snort. He acted awfully meek back in the arena, but it seems in the Demon Realm, hes ruthless indeed.

How many people in his position are soft-hearted and compassionate? Ye Zichens gaze was decidedly unfriendly. He turned to Yang Jian and said, If the Demon Emperors subordinates show up, Ill leave them up to you.

Thats no trouble. Yang Jian nodded. Consider it my loss if he dares so much as say no to me.

Woof woof! The Howling Celestial Dog barked in agreement.

Ye Zichens companions comforted An Lu as they continued rushing back to the Third Eras territory.

En route, Yang Jian, who was leading the pack, came to a sudden stop. The entire teams gazes grew serious. Theyd presumably run into An Lus pursuers, the Demon Emperors subordinates.

Before long, a team of around a dozen people came into view.

Their leader was a swarthy, horned, bewitching woman, beautiful yet demonic. The group behind her was more varied, but all of them had a dark purple skin.

Based on their auras, none of them were ordinary. Especially the woman in front.

She was a ruler!

When she realized this, An Lu was stunned, like a startled rabbit. She burrowed deeper into Pu Jingwans arms, but didnt dare so much as look at her pursuers.

Its them, right? asked Pu Jingwan softly.

An Lu nodded, her gaze filled with terror. Her fear was bone-deep; it was obvious how the Demon Emperors Palace had treated error.

Dont be afraid. With big sister here, no one will hurt you.

Ye Zichen glanced at Yang Jian, who said, Howling Celestial Dog.

Woof! Woof!

Yang Jians trademark divine artifact, the Erlang Lance, appeared in his hands. The blade scraped against the ground, while the Howling Celestial Dog followed hot on his heels. He stood in place, dignified and imposing, and waited for the demons to arrive.

That blasted girl can really run, said the horned woman with a sinister snort.

Look over there, is that They looked over at Ye Zichens group. The horned womans gaze intensified.

Theyre here, said one of the rulers accompanying Ye Ziche. The others unleashed their auras as well, one after another.

Wretched little girl, you sure can run! The demons reached them. If looks could kill, they would have ripped An Lu apart already.

Boom!

They completely ignored Ye Zichen and his group and headed right for An Lu.

Boom!

A streak of blade light slammed into the dirt. The demon woman, startled, took an involuntary step backward.

Are you blind? Cant you see me standing here? Dont interfere! The woman didnt seem to take Yang Jian seriously in the slightest. The girl is our Demon Palaces target. If you dont want to bring calamity upon yourself, hurry up and hand her over.

The other demons walked over as well, but in an instant

All twenty rulers accompanying Ye Zichen took action. Their domains overlapped, forming a single, overwhelmingly large domain.

The approaching demons were visibly stunned, and the womans pupils constricted.

Surprisingly, however, she didnt seem afraid. Instead, she calmly appraised Ye Zichen and his companions.

Before, shed only paid attention to the fleeing An Lu. As a member of the Demon Palace, she didnt take Ye Zichens group into consideration at all. She barely even paid attention to her surroundings.

Now that she evaluated them more carefully, she found that they were...

Rulers.

All of them were rulers!

And based on their auras, they were from the God Realm.

Just which faction did they belong to, to send so many rulers on a single expedition? Were they from a Holy Land?

It seemed that the demons were at a clear disadvantage.

The woman leading them was the only ruler in their ranks, while the others were peak diviners.

Friends of the God Race, we apologize if we offended you, and plea for your forgiveness, she said with a faint smile.

Drop the polite nonsense. We dont know you, said Yang Jian.

That doesnt matter, said the woman, still maintaining that calm smile. You might not know me, but im sure you know of the Demon Emperors Palace. Were all the Demon Emperors subordinates, and he has a keen interest in that girl. Would you mind doing us a favor and returning to us? We need to take her back with us.

The Demon Emperors Palace? Never heard of it, said Yang Jian.

The demon womans smile instantly froze.

He said he didnt know the Demon Emperors Palace, but he was obviously just looking for trouble.

The Demon Emperors Palace, the God Emperors Estate, the Yao Emperors Altar, and Emperor Hades River Styx.

Anyone who lived in the Three Realms knew about these factions; there was no way not to. Furthermore, Yang Jians group were all rulers; saying they didnt know was nothing but a blatant lie, and proof of their enmity!

You wont do us this favor? asked the woman.

Scram! Thats doing you enough of a favor already. As he spoke, Yang Jian whirled his Erlang Lance, the sharp lance light lighting up the demons faces. Say so much as a single word more, and youll leave your dog heads behind.

Woof, woof. the Howling Celestial Dog cried out.

I wasnt talking about you. Lie down, said Yang Jian.

Just as the womans expression changed, a blue command medallion appeared in Ye Zichens hand. Scram!

When she saw it, the womans expression changed dramatically. She took several steps backward, then looked at Ye Zichen. Might I ask your name so that I can report to my superiors upon my return?

Ye Zichen! Ye Zichen faced the demon woman expressionlessly. Go back and tell your Demon Emperor that I, Ye Zichen, am taking An Lu with me. If he wants to take her back, he can come looking for her himself.