"Zhou Hong, we finally found you," Zhou Sheng Gu said hurriedly.
"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Zhou Hong asked in confusion. Had something major happened?
"It's bad. Miss sent me to tell you that her relationship with Zhou Qing has likely been discovered by a young master from the Gus family. He's Miss's cousin and they've never gotten along. Miss is currently investigating the details, but you must prepare for the worst. If the family really finds out, you're as good as dead. Miss told me to tell you to enjoy whatever you haven't yet."
Zhou Hong was speechless.
"What does your Miss dating Zhou Qing have to do with me, Zhou Hong?"
Zhou Sheng Gu rolled his eyes. He didn't have the time or inclination to argue with Zhou Hong about such things now.
"When the family is angry, they won't reason with you. You were Zhou Qing in your past life anyway."
"This is outrageous! That was my past life. Why are you bothering me in this life?"
"Zhou Hong, I've delivered Miss's message. I'm very sorry about this. Think carefully about what you need to do. Escaping is impossible. If the family truly finds out, you're as good as dead. While they haven't found you yet, do whatever you wish to do." Zhou Sheng Gu sighed, seemingly unsure how to face Zhou Hong, and flew away.
Zhou Hong felt a surge of anger, but alas, in the eyes of others, he was as weak as an ant.
"I need to implement my plan quickly. I hope my guess is correct. I don't know if obtaining this divine artifact, the Metaverse, can save my life, but I have to take the risk." Zhou Hong had no time to waste and quickly headed for the Demon Cultivation Realm.
Fortunately, time in the Metaverse and the Divine Realm were different. A brief outing in the Divine Realm meant months had passed inside.
It would take time for Gus Ning's cousin to report this to the family, for the family to speak with Gus Ning, and for investigations to take place. This period, when converted to Metaverse time, could be a year or even several years.
Without further ado, Zhou Hong went to the Demon Cultivation Realm, defeated all the Demon Emperors, and made them pledge allegiance to him. Faced with absolute power, they had no choice but to submit. Thus, Zhou Hong conquered the Demon Cultivation Realm in the fastest possible time.
Afterward, Zhou Hong traveled to other realms, crushing all opposition with his absolute power.
Zhou Hong wouldn't have possessed such strength normally. He had to thank Gus Ning for giving him a cheat, though he didn't know how she managed it. Without her, Zhou Hong wouldn't have become a Demon Emperor so quickly, nor would he have possessed over a thousand worlds' worth of power immediately upon entering the Demon Emperor realm, instantly surpassing all native Demon and Immortal Emperors.
Over the next month, Zhou Hong subdued all the Emperor-level powerhouses in the other realms. Then, Zhou Hong commanded them to announce this news to all lower, lower-lower, and even lower-lower-lower realms throughout the entire Metaverse. In short, everyone must know that the master of this Metaverse was named Zhou Hong.
Zhou Hong also set a deadline: if anyone within their jurisdiction remained unaware of Zhou Hong's lordship after a year, he would kill them.
Though the powerhouses of all realms were furious with Zhou Hong, they were helpless and could only follow orders to spread the word rapidly.
Of course, Zhou Hong wouldn't just stand by. He had all the Emperor-level powerhouses from each realm personally help break through space and travel to every lower realm to disseminate this information.
At this very moment, outside the Metaverse, Gus Ning found her cousin, Gus Tiao.
"What do you want?" a man asked with a slight sneer.
"Gus Tiao, what did you mean just now when you said I was finished? I hope you can explain clearly."
"Hmph, don't play dumb. You're in a relationship with a piece of trash from the Metaverse, and you think no one will know? I've already reported it to the family. Just wait for the family's interrogation. We'll see how the family punishes you then."
Gus Ning's face changed. It was as she feared.
"Gus Tiao, I was merely playing around with a man in the Metaverse. I didn't fall in love. Can't women have fun with men in there if men are allowed to?" Gus Ning argued.
"Don't try to argue with me. The family will know soon enough."
Gus Ning stopped talking to Gus Tiao. Zhou Hong could only try his best to explain the situation later.
Just then, an enraged voice echoed from above the family ancestral hall: "Gus Ning, come to the family hall immediately for interrogation."
Hearing the voice in the air, Gus Ning's body trembled. She hadn't expected the interrogation to be so soon.
"Alas, it's all up to his fate now." Gus Ning sighed helplessly. She herself wasn't afraid; the family would at most punish her. But Zhou Hong was different. He would surely face utter annihilation with no chance of survival.
Gus Ning immediately headed to the family hall, intending to do her best to defend Zhou Hong's life.
Behind her, Gus Tiao's laughter echoed: "Gus Ning, I suggest you stop arguing and just confess. I've already provided the family with complete evidence. To bring you down, I spent several years searching for evidence in the Metaverse. Hahaha."
Gus Ning glared back at Gus Tiao but said nothing, quickly turning and heading to the family hall.
Other members of the Gus family, hearing the furious pronouncements in the air, were all bewildered. They also headed towards the family hall to see what was happening. However, before they reached the hall, they gradually learned that Gus Ning was in a relationship with a piece of trash, a low-class man, from the Metaverse, and that she was deeply in love, bringing shame to the Gus Divine Clan.
Suddenly, the members of the Gus family scorned Gus Ning's actions. It was akin to how humans on Earth would react if they discovered a noble lady from their family engaging in carnal acts with a caged pet, such as a Tibetan Mastiff or some other dog. Disgusting, nauseating. Of course, this was just an analogy. In their eyes, all humans in the Metaverse were like various dogs kept in cages by Earthlings, merely playthings.
Gus Ning entered the family hall. Indeed, dozens of family leaders were seated in the hall, including her father and grandfather.
"Gus Ning, speak. Is this true or false?" an elder at the head of the hall asked with great anger.
"Grand Elder, this is a false accusation. How could I possibly fall in love with a human from the Metaverse? I was merely playing with men, like other disciples from different families."