In a small courtyard of the Heavenly Court's Thunder Division, Xiang Haocu stood outside the door, looking worriedly in the direction of the door inside.

Ever since Xiang Tiandi returned to the Heavenly Court, he had been placed under house arrest in this small courtyard. The entire Thunder Division was abuzz with rumors, causing Xiang Haocu to feel extremely concerned about his father's situation.

Especially along the way, seeing the layers of defenses outside the small courtyard, and even three true gods guarding it, made Xiang Haocu feel even more the gravity of the situation.

His father, Xiang Tiandi, was practically being guarded like a prisoner.

He had finally obtained permission to come and visit Xiang Tiandi, wanting to ask his father how he could help him next.

Opening the courtyard door, he saw that the stone path inside the yard meandered, the ancient trees were lush, with a scenery as rich as a true mountain and forest, nothing like a house where Xiang Tiandi was imprisoned.

A familiar silhouette appeared in a small pavilion, sitting cross-legged, motionless as he gazed at the mountain and water inside the small courtyard.

"Father..." Xiang Haocu walked to the pavilion and said in a low voice, "Are you okay?"

"What could possibly be wrong with me?" Xiang Tiandi said without turning his head, "The outside world must be in uproar, right?"

Xiang Haocu replied, "Everyone is talking about the failure to siege the Sky Flipping Sect this time. Now most people think that you are being punished for the failure, which is why you're being watched."

"Hmph." Xiang Tiandi snorted coldly, "What about the other true gods of the Thunder Division?"

Xiang Haocu shook his head, "No true god has spoken."

Xiang Tiandi's voice grew deeper, like a dull thunder in the summer sky, echoing throughout the small courtyard, "And what of Wanxian Island? Any reactions? Has Ming Yue caused any more trouble?"

Xiang Haocu said, "No, after Ming Yue returned to Wanxian Island, it seems like he has been in seclusion to restore his cultivation. The God-Slaying Immortal was called for questioning by the Celestial Emperor and has not returned yet..."

Xiang Tiandi narrated event after event occurring inside and outside the Heavenly Court, from the true gods to the immortals, and also various cultivators in Central City. Basically, whatever Xiang Tiandi asked, he would answer.

This made Xiang Haocu feel as if he had gone back to the days when he would receive guidance from his father, answering various questions every night.

After a long time, Xiang Tiandi sighed softly, "Haocu, you've worked hard these past few days."

Xiang Haocu worriedly said, "Father, what should we do next?"

Xiang Tiandi's voice gradually became ethereal again, "Don't worry, as long as the Celestial Emperor hasn't spoken yet, there is still a chance."

"Haocu, be careful outside. Try not to leave the Thunder Division, and definitely don't provoke the people of Wanxian Island. If they can't deal with me, they might come for you."

Feeling the concern in his father's words, the corners of Xiang Haocu's mouth revealed a warm smile. Among all the immortals and gods, he was the only one who could feel paternal love, this care from Xiang Tiandi since childhood made him respect and admire his father greatly.

So, Xiang Haocu finally couldn't help but ask the question that's been stuck in his heart since the Heavenly Arena: "Father... do you... do you really have demon blood? If the Celestial Emperor learns about the demon blood, will he still be on our side?"

"Silly child," Xiang Tiandi smiled, "Come closer, let me tell you."

Xiang Haocu stepped forward a few steps, and then he heard the other say, "Closer..."

"A little closer..."

With each word Xiang Tiandi spoke, the voice seemed to become sharper, more piercing, as if a knife were scraping inside his throat, revealing an anxious mood.

Xiang Haocu walked into the pavilion, hesitating, "Father, are you alright?"

"What could possibly be wrong?" Xiang Tiandi suddenly turned around, showing a trace of struggle in his eyes, before finally smiling gently, "Just a bit impatient in my practice lately, I got a bit off-track."

Looking at Xiang Haocu in front of him, he reached out his hand, patting the other's head, "Haocu, without realizing it, you've grown so much."

"While I'm not around, you must continue to diligently practice the Nine Heavens Demon Clearing Thunder Technique, and never slack off."

"I've left you some elixirs and treasures in your room, use them yourself, but make sure not to reveal them."

"Whatever you do in the future, always plan an escape route, anticipate defeat before victory, always have a trump card up your sleeve."

"Remember to clean your mother's grave every year..."

Listening to Xiang Tiandi's incessant instructions, one thing after another, a sense of sadness welled up in Xiang Haocu's heart, he couldn't help but say: "Father... is it this serious this time?"

"Don't worry, at most they'll only lock me up for a while." Xiang Tiandi comforted Xiang Haocu, finally saying, "In the future, if anything happens, go and find Jiu Xiao Marshal; he is someone you can trust."

After speaking, Xiang Tiandi waved his big hand, and a gentle Primordial Spirit power had already taken up Xiang Haocu, sending him outside, "Alright, you go now."

"Father!" Xiang Haocu felt a sense of terror rise in his heart, instinctively feeling that it seemed like once he left this time, he might never see the other again.

He struggled to return but was firmly and gently pushed towards the courtyard door by the other's Primordial Spirit power step by step.

Xiang Haocu's eyes reddened, about to say something, but suddenly felt a fishy taste come rushing at him.

He turned to look, only to find that the courtyard door had unknowingly transformed into a large mouth.

Whoosh!

…

More than half an hour later, Xiang Haocu's eyes were widened, his gaze fixed on Xiang Tiandi's direction in the small pavilion.

Suddenly a foot kicked Xiang Haocu's cheek, sending his head rolling away.

"Don't eat so messily, that's a bad habit you need to change."

Si Yi Heavenly King withdrew his right foot, glanced at the bloodstains all over the ground, and then looked at the figure inside the pavilion, smiling excitedly, "This is the real Xiang Tiandi, congratulations on finally overcoming your heart demon."

"Our Sweeping Demon Marshal is back."

Xiang Tiandi turned around, revealing a mouth full of blood, his eyes flickering with cold light, filled with a disregard for life, devoid of any emotion.

He said faintly, "Are they satisfied now?"

Si Yi Heavenly King smiled, "Don't worry... this time we will bear the burden for you. Having overcome your heart demon, your value has greatly increased; just focus on your cultivation to break through 140% Tao conversion level as soon as possible."

Xiang Tiandi asked, "Why did no one in the Heavenly Court send reinforcements at that time?"

Si Yi Heavenly King said coldly, "Someone suppressed the information."

"Who?"

Si Yi Heavenly King looked up at the sky and sneered, "In the Heavenly Court, who else is capable of suppressing such a major issue?"

Xiang Tiandi remained silent for a while, then asked, "Where is Zhou Bai?"

Si Yi Heavenly King: "Now the Heavenly Court may seem calm on the surface, but underneath, it's surging with undercurrents. At the moment, we don't have the time to deal with Li Xiuzhu and Zhou Bai. We'll address everything once we resolve the situation with Wanxian Island. Why? Do you want revenge?"

Xiang Tiandi coldly laughed, a cruel light flashing in his eyes, licking the bloodstains on his lips, "No reason, I just want to taste him."

-----

Nine Star Poisonous Milk

A hot-selling novel on the bestseller list, somewhat similar to Tomorrow's Calamity, featuring humor, blood-pumping moments, and exciting points. The entire book is exhilarating, and the update speed is even faster than mine. I highly recommend it.