Always Especially Gentle

As soon as the net closed, Sean Shaw contacted Baxa, asking him to bring his demonfolk soldiers and come with them.

Baxa didn’t run—he really did show up, demonfolk soldiers in tow.

So when these junior divine commanders returned, they looked pretty impressive, escorting thousands of demonfolk soldiers in a grand procession straight into the Divine Prison.

His Majesty the Celestial Emperor personally presided over the trial in a side hall of the Celestial Hall.

He spoke earnestly and politely to the Xuanchen Clan elders.

But the Xuanchen Clan elders refused to admit anything, claiming those demonfolk leaders weren’t captured by them, and they had no idea what was going on.

So, the Celestial Emperor summoned Lucia Lu.

Lucia entered the side hall and saw the Celestial Empress, Second Prince Victor Xiao, Fourth Highness Henry Xiao, Fifth Highness Sean Shaw, and Princess Quinn Xiao all present—plus Leo Li and all five Dragon Lords.

The moment she walked in, she was greeted by a barrage of stares—most of them sharp enough to slice bread.

Of course, Sean Shaw’s gaze wasn’t sharp at all. These days, whenever he looks at her, he’s always especially gentle—like he’s got a soft spot just for her.

"Your Majesty." Lucia bowed.

"Lucia, do you still have a Divine Crimson Pill?" the Celestial Emperor asked.

"Yes."

"May I borrow it for a moment?"

Lucia handed it over.

"Thank you." The Celestial Emperor took it and walked over to Gideon Xuanchen. "Cousin Gideon, sorry, but to verify the truth of your words, you’ll have to take this Divine Crimson Pill."

"Your Majesty—" Gideon Xuanchen’s face changed dramatically, but as soon as he opened his mouth, the pill turned into a streak of red light and forced its way in.

The Xuanchen Clan members couldn’t even keep glaring at Lucia—they were so shocked, nine out of ten just slumped in defeat.

There was basically no suspense in the interrogation results.

Guilty as charged!

Every demonfolk leader they imprisoned represented a powerful race on the vast Demonwild Continent.

They used this to control, enslave, and squeeze these races for centuries.

Almost everyone in the Xuanchen Clan knew about it or took part.

Of all their operations, Hundred Blossoms Paradise was the most profitable.

Because it was filled with Flower Fairies—famous across the Ten Wilds Continent, and a huge draw.

There were countless immortals from all over the Ten Wilds willing to pay just to spend time with them...

...

The Celestial Emperor couldn’t help but laugh, clapping his hands. “Whose idea was this money-making masterpiece? Tell me, so I can worship this genius!”

Gideon Xuanchen replied, “It was Darren Xuan.”

The Celestial Emperor’s smile froze. “Who did you say?”

“Darren Xuan,” Gideon said woodenly. “He’s very smart and has the full trust and affection of Father God. Plus, as the prince consort, he actually makes most of the decisions.”

“You’re lying!” Princess Quinn Xiao exploded. “How could it be him? You bully him all the time—why would you ever listen to him?”

Gideon said, “He’s an illegitimate son, and we never thought much of him. But Father God favors him, so there’s nothing we can do.”

Quinn snapped, “You—”

The Celestial Emperor glanced at Princess Quinn Xiao, and she instantly fell silent, biting her lip and glaring fiercely at Gideon Xuanchen.

But after taking the Divine Crimson Pill, Gideon Xuanchen literally couldn’t lie.

He went on, “He’s also cultivated a sinister technique that, using the array over the Wild Marsh Basin, lets him siphon cultivation from those demonfolk leaders. So even though he hasn’t ascended as a High God yet, his power is already top-tier in the clan, and we all secretly fear him.”

The Celestial Emperor was silent for a moment, then suddenly roared, “Guards! Bring Darren Xuan here!”

The divine guards rushed off to arrest him.

The Celestial Emperor turned to Gideon Xuanchen and said, word by word, “I used to have to call you ‘Grandfather.’ But now, I just can’t say it.”