The Hehuan Sect cultivates alchemy; my senior sister helps me refine alchemy throughout the world.

The next morning, the Imperial Advisor himself strolled leisurely to the side courtyard.

The steward, who had originally assigned the menial tasks, followed behind eagerly, bowing and beaming, "Grand Preceptor, why did you come in person? Just tell me, and I'll bring the person over to you."

The Grand Preceptor remained expressionless, raised his withered hand, and said in a hoarse voice, "His Majesty is in a bad mood today. The servants in the menial office are clumsy, so I will personally select a clever one to avoid being blamed by the higher-ups."

The steward dared not ask any more questions and quickly brought out the dozen or so servants in the courtyard, lined them up, heads bowed, not daring to utter a sound.

Shen Yifei mingled in the crowd, head down, neck hunched, covered in dust and dirt, looking no different from the refugees next to him.

But he could feel the Grand Preceptor's gaze sweep over everyone, finally landing on him and pausing for a moment.

Abao, within the Grand Preceptor's sea of ​​consciousness, controlled this body and winked at Shen Yifei.

"He's the one." The Imperial Advisor pointed at Shen Yifei. "He seems quite clever. Come with me."

The steward quickly shouted at Shen Yifei, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and follow the Imperial Preceptor!"

Shen Yifei groaned twice and followed, his body hunched over. After walking a short distance, Abao whispered, "Master, how was my acting?"

"Not bad. Quickly restore your physical body, and I'll teach you the Joyful Union Technique so you can have your fill of pleasure!"

"Master, are you serious?"

"Lead the way quickly!"

The Imperial Advisor, with his hunched back, led Shen Yifei through a series of corridors.

Shen Yifei had already figured out the layout of the Demon Palace last night, but he only realized how big it was when he actually walked around.

The corridor twists and turns, with an armored guard standing at intervals, who bows and salutes the Imperial Advisor whenever he sees him.

After passing through three palace gates, a bright and spacious view suddenly appeared before you, with a grand hall made of black stone standing directly in front of you.

The palace doors were wide open, and standing at the entrance was a tall demon general, clad in heavy black iron armor, with a half-mask covering his face, revealing a pair of crimson eyes.

"Your Excellency, Grand Preceptor," the general bowed, "His Majesty has been waiting for quite some time."

The Imperial Advisor gave a dry "hmm" and started walking into the hall. Shen Yifei followed behind with his head down, and the demon general did not stop him.

The hall was dimly lit. The Demon King sat on a black stone throne, wearing a dark red brocade robe. His hair was white, his face was withered, his eyes were sunken, and his lips were cracked. He looked like a dried-up corpse.

But Shen Yifei could vaguely see a familiar outline between his brows.

Those eyebrows and eyes bear a resemblance to mine.

The gaunt and emaciated person in front of him was actually the first relative he had ever seen in his life.

Thinking of this, Shen Yifei felt a pang of sadness well up in his heart, and two tears welled up in his eyes.

"This is my grandfather... the fiery-tempered but benevolent demon king that Sister Hongxiu mentioned... but now he's a dried-up corpse controlled by a bewitched mind."

The Imperial Advisor approached the throne and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have brought a servant with me. He is quick-witted and efficient, and may remain in the palace to serve you."

When the princess saw the Demon King's current state inside the cauldron, she couldn't help but burst into tears.

Although the Demon King destroyed her demonic roots, Hongxiu knew it was because of Princess Youlan, so she didn't hold a grudge against him.

"Young Master, look at His Majesty now... How valiant His Majesty was back then! Even when he was sealed in the Demon Realm, he would rather suffer himself than let the people suffer..."

Shen Yifei didn't speak; his heart felt like it was stuffed with cotton, making him feel suffocated.

The old man in front of him was his mother Youlan's father, his maternal grandfather whom he had never met.

He had imagined countless times what his demon king grandfather would look like.

Is it fierce and menacing, or majestic and awe-inspiring?

The first meeting turned out to be so tragic.

Seeing that the Demon King had no reaction, the Imperial Advisor coughed and said, "Your Majesty's complexion has improved slightly recently. If you could take some more tonics and pills, it might be even better."

The Demon King slowly raised his head, glanced at Shen Yifei, then at the Imperial Advisor, and his lips moved slightly. "Imperial Advisor...you're very kind..."

The Demon King nodded, then seemed to remember something: "Never mind... You may all leave. I want to be alone."

The Imperial Advisor led Shen Yifei out of the main hall.

Abao whispered, "Master, His Majesty the Demon King's sea of ​​consciousness is far more complex than that of the Imperial Preceptor. The things that Bewitching Heart left in His Majesty's sea of ​​consciousness are not just the Gu Heart Imprint."

"Okay, let's go back first and talk about it then."

Back in the side hall, A Bao withdrew from the Imperial Preceptor's sea of ​​consciousness. "Master, I saw it clearly now. The Gu Heart Imprint in His Majesty the Demon King's sea of ​​consciousness is much deeper and larger than the Imperial Preceptor's. The Imperial Preceptor's is only the size of a fist, while His Majesty the Demon King's... almost covers most of his sea of ​​consciousness."

Mei Shu added, "Controlling the Demon King through bewitching is not as simple as controlling the Imperial Advisor. The Imperial Advisor is merely a puppet, while the Demon King is his vessel."

"Container?" Shen Yifei frowned.

"Yes." Mei Shu nodded. "That remnant soul of Huo Xin may be hidden deep within the Demon King's sea of ​​consciousness."

Shen Yifei was silent for a moment: "Then what if I directly attack his sea of ​​consciousness and tear out his bewitching mind?"

"No," Mei Shu shook her head. "That would be tantamount to waging war in the Demon King's sea of ​​consciousness. His Majesty's soul is already weak; if a battle breaks out, at best his soul will collapse, and at worst he will die on the spot."

"Damn it!" Shen Yifei cursed. "That cunning old fox, Huoxin, is practically tied to the Demon King. Nobody dares to touch him!"

Liu Mengli floated out of the cauldron and sat at the table. "Master, there's no use in being anxious. Since that bastard Huoxin dared to use the Demon King as a vessel, it means he's absolutely confident that no ordinary person can touch him. If you act rashly, you'll be playing right into his hands."

"What can we do? We can't just watch him drain my grandpa dry, can we?"

Liu Mengli said slowly, "There is a way, but it's a little dangerous."

"What method?" Shen Yifei urged.

"Right now, the consciousness of the Bewitching Heart is too deeply bound to that of the Demon King. I suspect he wants to use the Demon King's body to resurrect himself. But what if he sees a body even better than the Demon King's? What do you think he'll do then...?"

Shen Yifei knew Liu Mengli wouldn't come up with any good ideas. "You're not thinking of letting him crawl into my sea of ​​consciousness, are you?"

"Master, you guessed right! Bewitching Heart's greatest weakness is greed. He wanted to acquire all the abilities of the nine of us, which is why he instigated infighting! If you can make him realize that you are the perfect vessel, he will definitely leave the Demon King's body!"

Shen Yifei was speechless; Liu Mengli was putting him on a hot plate.

Look at the Demon King; if I were to be controlled by his bewitching mind, I would end up like that.

"Master, you possess the Five Elements Demon God inheritance of Wan Shuo, as well as the Golden Essence Spirit, spiritual energy, demonic energy, and monster energy—you lack nothing. To Huo Xin, you are the perfect vessel."