At this, Shen Yi finally flung the woman in his grip aside, sending feathers scattering across the sky.

"This Emperor requires no promises from you. You aren't worthy of making them."

"I am simply taking back what is mine to take."

With that, he gave a mocking laugh and turned once more toward that light-curtain.

The Giant-Horned Demon Emperor hovered in the air, masking the indignation in her eyes. Still, returning wounded and needing pills to recover was ordinary enough; the only one who'd be displeased by it was surely the White Swan Demon Emperor.

After all, everything within this Alchemy Workshop was its hoard.

But what did that have to do with her? Even if the White Swan came back alive, so much the better — let it go and fight the lion, and pay less attention to her.

At this, the several demon emperors likewise stepped aside, resigned, opening a path.

And watched, wide-eyed, as that imposing figure paced slowly into the Third Den.

"If only the Gold-Winged Demon Emperor were here. She's on decent terms with the Lion Emperor."

One of them felt rather sick at heart. The Thousand Demon Den had already suffered a grievous blow, and here they were still tearing at one another.

This lion's temper was growing more overbearing by the day.

If nothing else — if it merely needed some pills, it could go straight to the Den Master. Would it truly be denied? Why put on this bullying display?

Meanwhile—

Shen Yi stepped into the cave estate and, without hesitation, cast out his black-mist heavenly threads, laying a warding formation across the entrance.

Then his expression sank somewhat.

It was the instant he'd seen the black dharma-robe that his composure had genuinely wavered.

Shen Yi had even gone so far as to handle it himself.

That familiar texture — apart from the pattern, it was identical to the one he wore.

Fortunately, the formations upon it were not so rich.

It seemed unable to discern presences.

"..."

Shen Yi slowly closed his eyes.

This should have been foreseeable, and yet he…