Su Luo casually deflected his lightning spell, not giving him even a moment to gloat.
She then directed the surrounding Nether Flames to attack Yin Youming.
However, Yin Youming absorbed the Nether Flames with a single hand.
This was expected, but Su Luo had already seen through it.
Su Luo spoke leisurely, "Don’t think I don’t know. You’ve been nurturing a pure Nether Flame within your body for a long time. That’s your strongest flame."
Indeed, the flame Yin Youming was using to absorb the Nether Flames was the pure Nether Flame—a case of the greater flame devouring the lesser.
Yin Youming’s hand trembled slightly. "You actually know about it? Then you must also know how powerful this Nether Flame is. It’s on an entirely different level from ordinary flames. I’ve nurtured it with my own flesh and blood for years."
"Indeed, it’s impressive. But now, it no longer obeys you," Su Luo said as she took control of the flame.
The Flame Monarch was truly living up to her name.
"Impossible! It’s connected to my very being. How can you control it?" Yin Youming desperately tried to regain control, but it was futile. The pure Nether Flame completely left his body.
"No! That’s my life’s work! Su Luo, you can’t do this!"
"Think about how you’re going to deal with it now," Su Luo said coldly as she directed the pure Nether Flame to attack Yin Youming.
Although Yin Youming had high resistance to Nether Flames, that was only when he was in control. Now that the flame was no longer his, even a touch was excruciating.
Especially since this pure Nether Flame had been nurtured for over a century—its power was self-evident.
What made it even more unbearable was that someone else was using his own creation against him.
"Su Luo, you insignificant ant! You’re just riding high on your luck!"
"Su Luo, I’ll kill you! Give me back my Nether Flame!"
"Su Luo, stop! Don’t you remember? I was the one who allowed you to join the Seven Heavenly Demons back then!"
Yin Youming was now screaming in agony as the flames consumed him.
Su Luo had no interest in listening to his cries, but remembering how he had tormented her in the past, she felt that burning him a little longer was only fair.
After a long while, Yin Youming could no longer scream. His body was charred black, but he was still alive.
"I’ll keep this flame for now. Whether you can get it back depends on your behavior," Su Luo said before launching an air blast that sent Yin Youming flying.
For now, she couldn’t kill him. Yin Youming was different from others.
Even among the titled Heavenly Demons, he was one of the strongest. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to exchange blows with Nangong Xiyun back then.
Killing such a powerful figure would invite serious consequences, and it wasn’t yet time to flip the table.
After this, Su Luo’s reputation soared.
News of Yin Youming’s defeat at her hands spread quickly. While everyone had thought Little Yu was the recent sensation, Su Luo had unexpectedly surpassed her.
However, most people attributed Su Luo’s victory to her exceptional talent in formations.
Yes, no one believed Su Luo had defeated Yin Youming through sheer strength. They were convinced it was all thanks to the powerful formations she had set up at home.
Anyone who had seen the formations in Su Luo’s home would marvel at how cautious she was. Just how afraid of death did one have to be to set up so many layers of formations?
There were formations within formations, interlocking arrays, and a dizzying array of traps.
For a time, discussions about Su Luo overshadowed those about Little Yu.
The news even reached the Demon Lord, who summoned Su Luo.
In truth, Jiang Ningshu had been planning to call Su Luo anyway. She had just completed the first stage of her recovery and had regained her strength, reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.
It felt good, but it wasn’t enough. Having tasted a bit of success, she wasn’t about to stop now.
However, Su Luo’s diary contained absolutely nothing about her—not a single word.
Jiang Ningshu decided it was time to take action, to make her presence known to Su Luo and see if she could earn a mention in his diary.
"Lord Demon, how’s your recovery going?" Su Luo began with a question that would surely please the other party.
At this point, the Demon Lord had regained a tiny fraction of her strength, and even that was enough to make her happy.
"Not bad, thank you," Jiang Ningshu replied, genuinely pleased.
After all, Su Luo was the only one she could share her joy with.
Originally, Luo Xinlan would have been another candidate, but now… well, that was a different story.
"So, why did you call me here?" Su Luo got straight to the point.
"You’ve been making quite a stir recently. Aren’t you worried someone might come after you?"
"I’ve been keeping a low profile, but if they insist on causing trouble, I have no choice but to fight back."
"Let me help you."
If Jiang Ningshu wanted to help, all she had to do was make a statement—officially recognize Little Yu as a member of the Heavenly Demon Sect and forbid anyone from causing trouble for her or Su Luo.
Such a simple declaration would solve most of the issues. That was the weight the Demon Lord carried.
Of course, this influence didn’t extend to the Four Great Heavenly Demons or the Left and Right Protectors.
"Lord Demon, to be honest, I don’t have much left to offer you. Helping me won’t gain you anything," Su Luo said, assuming Jiang Ningshu had ulterior motives. But regardless, he wasn’t willing to give anything more.
"I know. I’m not asking for anything in return. I’m just happy to see my strength gradually returning. That’s all," Jiang Ningshu replied.
"That’s not necessary. The fact that you called me here today is enough. You don’t need to make any public statements."
This way, the outside world would naturally speculate. If the Demon Lord summoned Su Luo but took no further action, it would be seen as tacit approval.
So, if anyone dared to trouble Su Luo after this, it would mean they were openly defying the Demon Lord.
"As long as you’re happy," Jiang Ningshu said, not objecting.
"If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave," Su Luo said, always ready to leave when there was no further business. It wasn’t wise to have too much interaction with the Demon Lord.
"Wait."
"What else is there?"
"How’s the weather today?"
"Pretty good."
"Anything planned for today?"
"Not really. Just lounging around."
"..."
Jiang Ningshu racked her brain for something else to talk about.
She wanted to make a stronger impression, hoping Su Luo would think of her when writing his diary.
To be fair, it wasn’t entirely Jiang Ningshu’s fault. With Su Luo’s curt responses, it was a miracle any conversation could continue.
Su Luo, too, found it odd that the Demon Lord was suddenly making small talk.
Just as Jiang Ningshu thought of another topic, Luo Xinlan barged in, pushing the door open without a care.
"Ningshu, I’m here!"
Luo Xinlan was surprised to see Su Luo. "Oh, isn’t this Su Luo? You’ve been quite the talk of the town lately."
Su Luo didn’t respond.
Jiang Ningshu asked, "What brings you here?"
Every time she tried to have a private conversation, Luo Xinlan would show up. Jiang Ningshu couldn’t help but feel there was some intention behind it.
"What’s with the tone? We’re not strangers. I come here all the time," Luo Xinlan said with a laugh.
"Right, right," Jiang Ningshu replied, resigned.
Luo Xinlan immediately took control of the conversation, chattering away about this and that.
Su Luo spoke up again, "I’ll take my leave now."
"Wait."
Luo Xinlan, who had been casually chatting with Jiang Ningshu, suddenly turned to Su Luo and asked, "By the way, who do you think is prettier—me or Ningshu?"
She threw out this dangerous question as if it were just a casual, lighthearted joke between friends.
As if anyone would get upset over such a question.
But the real question was—who said they were friends?