Chapter 21: The Ugly Go First, the Handsome Stay Behind

Ye Jiuyao led his companions in a desperate sprint through the dense forest, stirring up billowing dust that roused the primal beasts of the Netherworld Secret Realm into a frenzy. The sects from the Southern Barbarian Domain, hot on their heels, cursed Ye Jiuyao and his group for their shamelessness, but escaping took precedence over indignation—there was no time to spare for such things.

"Emperor," someone gasped, "it seems there's no path ahead…"

"Ah, misfortune never comes singly," Ye Jiuyao sighed. "You all go on ahead—I'll stay behind to cover you."

"But—"

"No buts. You're ugly, and your luck is rotten. So head back to Great Zhou, tell my father and the others I’m off to accomplish something big before returning. Focus on your cultivation, especially that primal technique."

Ye Jiuyao snapped, and though his companions felt a surge of gratitude, his last words left them bewildered. Still, they fled with remarkable speed.

"Honestly, 'if you're ugly, you go first; if I'm handsome, I stay behind'—never heard that one, have you? No wonder you're all useless. It's my fault for teaching you too little," Ye Jiuyao muttered, watching them escape before a wicked smile curled his lips. He became a fleeting shadow, vanishing into the forest.

The mark on his forehead flickered in and out of sight, and the Canglang Diagram within his dantian shimmered with a light invisible to others.

"The Divine Monkey’s relic? How could such a formidable artifact exist in this newborn world? Why, then, is the primal energy here so thin?" Ye Jiuyao pondered, though none of his suspicion showed on his face. Fueled by the increasingly scorching aura emanating from his forehead, he sped onward with all his might.

The pursuers, upon spotting his trail, abandoned their chase for the others and focused solely on him—he was their true quarry; the rest were mere incidental targets.

"Here," Ye Jiuyao murmured warily, scanning his surroundings. The area brimmed with vitality, with no sign of danger, yet the very ordinariness heightened his sense of unease.

"Boy, let me out. I’ll grant you boundless power and authority. Come… come…" An enticing voice echoed. Ye Jiuyao scoffed and followed its call, soon reaching a cave.

Long-burning lamps lined the walls, and at the center stood a stone stele engraved with three bold characters.

"Primal Monkey of Demon Suppression?" Ye Jiuyao read aloud. As he spoke, scorching pain flared from his forehead.

"Ah!!"

"The Demon Suppression Stele!"

Suddenly, Ye Jiuyao shouted with two distinct voices, his expression twisted in agony as veins bulged beneath his skin, making him appear terrifying.

"Child, hold fast to your heart," a gentle voice—Xuanniang’s—flowed through him like a stream, instantly clearing his mind. He sat cross-legged in meditation.

"Old friend, if all nine of you emerged together, I might fear you. But you alone? What chaos can you cause?" Ye Jiuyao’s voice rose like a thousand bells, erupting in an instant. A tempest formed in his mind, crushing the invading will.

"Whew… My cultivation is still lacking. Nearly let you escape. Next time you want out, tell me first—don’t embarrass yourself." Ye Jiuyao sent a thought deep into the mark on his brow, detonating it within.

"The Demon Suppression Stele, is it?"

"Come… come closer. I can give you endless power, if only you…"

"So, all I have to do is break the seal? Then you’ll come out and reward me handsomely?" Ye Jiuyao sneered. Such tricks, meant for children, had fooled him countless times in that mysterious cave—deceived by nine monstrous beings. He had been young and naïve then; now, only a fool would let them out.

"Ah, you know already. So why not let me out?"

"Fine, fine…" Ye Jiuyao kicked the stele, shattering it. A shadow wreathed in black smoke shot out and dove straight into his body.

"Heh heh… Now I’ll possess you! Ha ha ha…"

"Damn it, idiot. The schemes never change."

Ye Jiuyao had changed his mind only because he sensed a longing from the Canglang Diagram—a yearning he had never felt in thirteen years.

Thus, he allowed the demon out.

The dark energy rampaged within him. From the Canglang Diagram came a woman’s cold snort—clearly Xuanniang’s. Hearing it, Ye Jiuyao formed a seal and entered the diagram.

"Xuanniang, what about this—"

"No harm. Letting him out is beneficial to you. He can guide your alchemy. After all, this demon monkey stole plenty of pills and manuals in his day; he’s surely learned enough. Otherwise, how could Monkey Wine contain nine thousand years of Dao’s enlightenment?"

Ye Jiuyao was startled. He hadn’t expected the demon he’d accidentally sealed years ago to possess such world-shaking power.

But then, he reasoned, anything sealed within the Canglang Diagram could never be ordinary.

Ye Jiuyao exited the diagram and, for once, settled down to meditate. Soon, black smoke billowed from within him.

The smoke quickly condensed into a figure: gaunt-faced, with a sharp mouth and sunken cheeks—his body reminiscent of a monkey. Though humanoid, he lacked the fullness of human cheeks.

"Boy, I’ll give you a chance—become my servant, and I’ll protect you," the monkey addressed Ye Jiuyao, only to be met by loud snores, leaving him thoroughly embarrassed.

"Hey, show me some respect. My hands are stained with the blood of millions; I’ve slaughtered demons, ghosts, and gods beyond count…"

"I’ve pilfered hundreds of elixirs, ruined feasts and banquets you couldn’t begin to imagine…"

No matter how the monkey boasted, Ye Jiuyao remained motionless, snoring loudly through the afternoon. Only at sunset did he slowly awaken.

"So hungry… Huh, you’re out already? Much weaker than I imagined. Is your strength fading…?" Ye Jiuyao eyed the monkey with curiosity, irritating him further.

"Listen, brat, I hate chatterboxes most. Keep this up and I’ll kill you…"

Ye Jiuyao refused to believe him and continued his barrage for hours. In the end, the monkey was defeated—out-talked and outlasted.

"You little pest, try to outwit me? Obey, and enter the Canglang Diagram. I might spare you. Otherwise—"

Ye Jiuyao flashed a sly grin, smacking his lips as if ready to start again. The monkey, terrified, dove into the diagram.

Sensing this, Ye Jiuyao smiled and, with a thought, followed him in.

Meanwhile, outside, the area was surrounded by dozens of Primal Energy Realm experts, over thirty in total, with more than ten at the peak of their cultivation.

Yet none dared step into the lush, vibrant place—one foot beyond the boundary would mean certain death.

"What do we do? That bastard went in—this is a forbidden zone. Did you see the bones? They say even some Insight Realm cultivators died here…" The group whispered anxiously. They knew secrets the outside world did not, and not one dared cross the threshold.