Ascending the Demon Realm

"Come back—" His roar intensified as he expanded.  

The surging power within the barrier terrified me. Cracks began spreading across the translucent dome!  

I scrambled backward. Yu Tu seized my arm in panic. "Stop! It's dangerous!"  

Instead, I dragged him toward the Reverse Scale Divine Sword, plastering on my signature capybara-calmed smile.  

"Alright then, Angry Scale Baby. What do you want now?"  

"Good...Leave your phone." His voice rumbled like distant thunder.  

My phone?  

I obediently pulled out the device.  

"Face it toward me." His shrinking form regained a normal pitch.  

The blade shrunk to nail-clipper size, voice turning nasal. "Play videos. Display mode."  

Seriously? All that commotion just to watch short videos?  

Fine.  

As I approached the altar, Yu Tu remained frozen—clearly unprepared for a divine sword's modern cravings.  

"Why's this fox brat clinging to you? I just want TikTok!" The blade's sudden bellow sent icy energy lashing out.  

Yu Tu recoiled, staring at the vivid red welt blooming across his pearl-white hand. My chest tightened.  

I hastily activated hover mode—demon realm phones floated with crystal-powered batteries lasting centuries—queuing endless soapy mini-dramas: "I, Bai Niangzi, reincarnated! This time I'll never marry that useless Xu Xian..."  

Grabbing Yu Tu's wrist, I fled.  

Sacrificing my brand-new phone (parental reward for college admission) to placate a bored artifact? Worth surviving.  

Outside the barrier, I inspected his fading mark. "Does it hurt?"  

He blinked, pink lips curving as he shook his head, lashes fluttering. My thumb brushed residual pearlescent shimmer—demonkind's loyalty, once given, surpassed even love.  

"Did the sword's energy hurt you?" He suddenly spun me around, frantic.  

Warmth flooded me. "I'm fine."  

Yu Tu turned to examine the shimmering gate, now bearing updated warnings: DO NOT TOUCH PHONE! ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN!  

"Let's...go to your dorm." His tail bristled.  

Agreed.  

Donghuang University's museum clearly overqualified for casual visits. Others gained knowledge—I nearly lost my life, destroyed artifacts, and donated a luxury phone.  

The sight of my mushroom-shaped pod house soothed me. Each student received standalone dwellings—critical for demons avoiding territorial disputes. Father's warning echoed: Never accept roommates.  

As Yu Tu's portal closed behind us, I exhaled. Today's near-disaster proved my elaborate disguises meant nothing to ancient relics. That sword saw through everything.