She was indeed using the identity of Song Ming and Hai Jing's daughter.
Song Ming and Hai Jing really had died inside the secret realm, and they really had forced out their last breath so they could send their daughter away before the end. All of that was true. Yun Jin hadn't lied about any of it. Except for one thing.
This Liu Yue was probably already dead. She'd tried her best to return to the Devouring Demon Domain, but the two demon domains were too far apart. As a young demon, she had no real way to make it home.
She didn't dare expose her Devouring Demon Clan identity in the outside world either.
Inside the Devouring Demon Domain, her clan was naturally supreme.
But in distant demon domains, the moment anyone heard she belonged to a superior demon bloodline, plenty of demon clans would risk everything to devour her bloodline and consume her flesh.
Liu Yue could only hide, inching slowly toward the Devouring Demon Domain. She'd already been careful enough. Even so, according to the mission description, someone still discovered her identity. In the end, she was gravely injured and dying.
Liu Yue's final wish was for her corpse to return to the Devouring Demon Domain.
Yun Jin hadn't accepted that mission. But based on the mission notes, Liu Yue's injuries were so severe she wouldn't survive more than a few days.
The demon who hurt her wasn't going to let her go either. Once she died, he'd clean her corpse without leaving the slightest trace. There was no way he'd reveal that he'd killed a superior demon either.
So from a certain perspective, Yun Jin taking Liu Yue's identity was perfect.
The Devouring Demon God searched his memory and indeed found the impression of the two demons Yun Jin had mentioned.
"Song Ming and Hai Jing." The Devouring Demon God let out a soft sigh. "They were once peerless geniuses of my demon clan. Unfortunately, in pursuit of a higher realm, they left the clan to explore. I'd been waiting for their return this whole time, but I never expected them to die in the Youbu Demon Domain."
Tears slid slowly down Yun Jin's face. "Before Father and Mother died, their greatest regret was that they couldn't see the Demon God one last time. But… after wandering for two thousand years, I finally made it home. This way, Father and Mother can rest in peace."
Her words were perfectly heartbreaking.
The Devouring Demon God's voice grew gentler. "Good child. You did well. These two thousand years must've been hard on you."
The moment Yun Jin heard that, her acting exploded. She burst into loud, messy sobs.
The Devouring Demon God waited patiently for her to finish.
A long while later.
Yun Jin wiped her tears. "Forgive me, Liu Yue lost composure."
The Devouring Demon God spoke warmly. "A Demon God will always Embrace his children."
From the moment Yun Jin entered the great hall, he'd been using his own methods to confirm her identity.
Bloodline: flawless.
Demonic energy: flawless.
Those two alone were enough to determine that this Liu Yue had a ninety nine percent chance of telling the truth.
Add in the matching story of Song Ming and Hai Jing.
The Devouring Demon God was fully convinced.
He couldn't help sighing inwardly.
Liu Yue had wandered outside for two thousand years without receiving any resources from the clan. She'd relied on herself alone, crossing multiple demon domains to return to the Devouring Demon Domain.
He couldn't imagine how much she'd suffered to cultivate to this level.
This child had it far too hard.
The Devouring Demon God even started reflecting on himself. He'd been restricting his people from venturing out all these years. Had he been limiting their growth instead?
Going out carried the risk of death, but it also carried the possibility of forging true powerhouses.
Liu Yue was right in front of him, a top tier genius born from hardship.
The more he looked at Yun Jin, the more satisfied he felt.
On the high throne, the black cloaked figure rose and slowly walked toward her. He asked, "Your talent pleases me. Are you willing to take me as your master and become my eighth disciple?"
The disciple competitions had been held countless times.
The Devouring Demon God could no longer remember how many disciples he'd taken.
But the ones still alive now…
There were only seven. If Yun Jin agreed, she'd be the eighth.
She lifted her head with delighted surprise. "I'm willing! Liu Yue is willing!"
The Devouring Demon God nodded in satisfaction. "You've wandered outside, so you've probably heard about the disciple competition ten years from now. But you're different from the others. You belong to the Devouring Demon Clan. You're my child. If you want to participate, participate. If you don't, just send some demon to die in your place. My reputation doesn't matter as much as you do."
He was speaking from the heart. A peerless genius of the Devouring Demon Clan had finally appeared. He really didn't want Yun Jin to face any danger.
"Demon God, if you say that, I… I…" Yun Jin looked like she was about to cry again.
But she held it in. After a moment, she steadied herself. "I've heard about it. The disciple of Purple Lightning Demon God is only a Tianmo who mastered three fourth level Primordial Forces. I've also mastered three Primordial Forces, one of which is the most aggressive, Primordial Metal. With that and the innate abilities of the Devouring Demon Clan, there's no reason I'd lose! I'm willing to fight for you and for the Devouring Demon Clan to reclaim our glory!"
The more she spoke, the more her voice burned with energy.
The Devouring Demon God liked her even more. He nodded again and again.
"Rest assured, Demon God, I've survived countless dangers wandering outside. A tiny disciple competition won't scare me," she declared.
The Devouring Demon God grew even more satisfied. "Good. Then you'll be the one to compete. Remember, victory isn't what matters most. What matters is that you stay alive."
"Thank you for your care, Demon God." Yun Jin answered with genuine emotion.
She couldn't help sighing inwardly. The Devouring Demon God really did treat his own people differently. If she'd been any other demon, even with higher talent, he wouldn't care whether she lived or died.
"These next ten years, I'll invest the full resources of the Devouring Demon Clan into raising you. Liu Yue, I believe in you."
Yun Jin's eyes lit up. "I won't disappoint you."
Excellent.
She'd get a mountain of resources before the competition even started.
This Demon God was truly her kind of person.
"From today onward, you'll stay in the Demon God Palace. I'll have the Demon Armor Guards take you to a side hall to live in." His tone was warm and gentle.
Yun Jin thanked him with a grateful look, then hesitated, looking conflicted.
The Devouring Demon God chuckled. "Speak freely."
Yun Jin couldn't help asking, "Demon God, I'm just curious… why is the Demon God Palace so dark?"
It was a childish question.
The Devouring Demon God smiled. "You're only two thousand years old, so it's normal you don't know. But… it's almost time. When Eternal Night descends, true power will sweep across this realm."
When Eternal Night descends.
True power will sweep across this realm.
What was that supposed to mean?
Yun Jin didn't quite understand.
The Devouring Demon God didn't explain. "You've worked hard to return. Go rest for now. I'll come find you tomorrow."
"Yes." Yun Jin answered respectfully.