Chapter 2476

If it were not for Zhu Yanyi’s sake, even reincarnation might have been impossible. Yan Aohan did not voice this thought aloud.

If Ling Shu wished to reincarnate, some special arrangements would be necessary. Naturally, as the Master of the Underworld, Yan Aohan had the authority to allow a demon to reincarnate. However, the final decision rested with Ling Shu.

Yan Aohan kept this secret even from Zhu Yanyi. Thus, all she knew was that Ling Shu would reincarnate in five years.

After the Silver Fox departed, the three of them briefly discussed his visit. Their conversation focused mostly on the bond between the Silver Fox and Ling Shu, with little else said.

With the Silver Fox gone, life returned to its usual calm.

Zhu Yanyi resumed her leisurely routine: treating patients when they came, resting and nurturing her pregnancy when they did not, and occasionally going out to gather herbs for a change of scenery. Time passed swiftly in this rhythm. In the blink of an eye, another year had gone by.

For cultivators, a year was merely a drop of water. For those with long lifespans, it was hardly worth counting.

One day, news reached them of a gathering of demons in the city.

Yes, the Gathering of Demons. It occurred only once every hundred years. Demons from all regions would gather to celebrate, and the location rotated among the major cities of the Demon Realm.

Hearing of this event, Zhu Yanyi naturally wanted to see the festivities. She wished to compare it with the mortal world’s celebrations to see if the atmosphere was similar.

"Where there is life, there is festivity," Zhu Yanyi observed, looking around. Having seen the real Demon Realm, she couldn’t understand why the demon realms in TV dramas and movies were so different.

In films and spirit projection, the Demon Realm was always filled with oppressive demonic energy, dim sunlight, and demons in grotesque forms. The creators seemed to aim for maximum disgust and malice.

In reality, the Demon Realm was simply inhabited by different life forms. There were human-shaped demons, half-demon half-human beings, and fully beast-shaped demons. Regardless of their form, while they might fight and plunder each other in daily life, they coexisted peacefully during important festivals. Even in ordinary days, there was no overwhelming demonic aura.

"Look, red lanterns," Zhu Yanyi noted, observing the shops on either side of the street. "Red lanterns seem to be quite universal."

Yan Aohan also noticed them. "Except for our Underworld, red lanterns are common in almost all realms."

The Underworld did not use red lanterns not because they couldn’t, but because red lanterns could destabilize certain souls.

Red is the color of sunlight. Some say it represents passionate fire; others say it smells of blood. Regardless, in the Underworld, red is merely a tool of punishment.

If an investigation revealed that a soul had committed heinous crimes before death, the energy of red sunlight was used to punish these evil souls. Thus, red is the color that suppresses evil spirits.

Therefore, ordinary families in the Underworld generally did not use red. It wasn’t that they couldn’t, but that they dared not.

Imagine living a peaceful, healthy life, and suddenly hanging a red lantern. It would be akin to a living person deciding to take poison out of despair. This was why red lanterns were absent in the Underworld.

Of course, people in the mortal realm were unaware of this. Living souls who had once entered the Underworld had never seen red lanterns. Instead, they saw Yin Messengers leading the way with white lanterns. Thus, living souls believed white lanterns were used to guide the dead, giving rise to the legend that souls needed white lanterns.

Zhu Yanyi had heard these legends but held no strong opinions on them.

Looking at the red lanterns on both sides, she said, "Since we can’t use red lanterns in the Underworld, we could use green or blue ones. You always have people use white lanterns. It’s too monotonous."

Yan Aohan listened and replied, "I accept my wife’s suggestion. Next time we return, let’s hold a lantern competition. Besides red lanterns, other colors are nice too. A colorful world creates colorful memories."

Zhu Yanyi nodded in agreement.

Ouyang Tianyun, accustomed to their occasional displays of affection, felt indifferent. "You two don’t need to come out to join the crowd. You could just stay home and make honey."

She was teasing them for showing off their love.

Zhu Yanyi glanced sideways at Ouyang Tianyun. "Tianyun Senior Brother, I’ve known you for more than a day or two. Why are you still so silly? Are you sure you want to compete with me on the topic of honey?"

"Never mind, I was just speaking casually. Please don’t mention it," Ouyang Tianyun quickly denied. If she admitted she was being deliberate, she would surely torment her.

Zhu Yanyi smiled triumphantly, then turned to Yan Aohan. "She just doesn’t understand you. Your sharp tongue is sharper than mine."

Only Zhu Yanyi would speak so openly about Yan Aohan. Yan Aohan was speechless and could only rub Zhu Yanyi’s head, his eyes full of doting affection. "Well, now that you have inherited my sharp tongue, that is enough."

Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow, then said, "There are quite a few things in this Demon Realm. There is a teahouse ahead. Let’s go sit for a while and taste the tea here."

Tea leaves in the Demon Realm grew naturally, but the roasting methods differed, resulting in distinct flavors.

The three of them went over and found a seat.

Although many demons had come to watch the festivities, few were drinking tea at the teahouse. Besides Zhu Yanyi and her companions, there were only four or five other customers.

"Have you heard? I heard the Ten Thousand Demons Battlefield is about to be opened," said a cat demon drinking tea.

"The Ten Thousand Demons Battlefield? Is it really going to be opened? Didn’t they say it was forbidden because the killing intent was too heavy?" asked a sparrow demon.

"The Ten Thousand Demons Battlefield was indeed forbidden. However, some time ago, our Wolf King signed an agreement with the ruler of an external plane. So, the battlefield will be opened. They will send humans, and we will send demons. Whichever side has more survivors will have the right to notify the other side for the next hundred years," the cat demon explained.

The sparrow demon was quick-witted. "If that’s the case, does it mean someone is setting a trap for our Demon Realm?"

"Why would you say that? The Wolf King is one of our own demons. Would he harm his own kind?" asked a dog demon nearby.

The cat demon replied, "I think the sparrow demon has a point. We all know the Wolf King is a demon, but he cultivates the Path of Ruthlessness. If he were to use us as sacrifices, I think it is possible."

"That would be terrifying," the sparrow demon said.

"That is why the Fox Clan Leader has gone to negotiate. I truly believe the Ten Thousand Demons Battlefield is a place people want to open but also fear to open," the cat demon concluded.