Dark clouds churned, the sky was dim, and rivers of lava spread across the earth. From above, the ground looked as though it had cracked apart. Scorching heat filled heaven and earth, while demon mist flecked with sparks billowed through the air.
Volcanoes stretched as far as the eye could see, some still erupting. Countless demons and monsters circled among the mountains. Fish even leapt from the lava, stirring White Bone up and down.
Atop a majestic volcano stood a Sacrificial Altar. A black-robed man sat cross-legged upon it. His robe was broad, and his hair even longer. At a glance, it seemed as though the black robe occupied a third of the altar. A snake tail covered in black scales extended from beneath his robe and rested against the altar's edge.
Before the black-robed man, a Bronze Mirror sat atop a massive skeleton. Demon aura churned within it, as though countless Vicious Ghosts were struggling to break free.
A Tiger-Head Great Demon with a human body rode demon clouds over and landed beside the Sacrificial Altar.
"Demon Teacher, His Majesty the Demon Emperor is preparing to head to the Demon Ancestor's Tomb. He asks whether you will accompany him."
The Tiger-Head Great Demon clasped his fists in salute and asked respectfully.
The black-robed man on the altar was the Demon Teacher, a figure whose authority in the Land of Demons and Monsters was second only to the Demon Emperor.
The Demon Teacher answered carelessly, "Tell His Majesty that my divination is at a critical juncture. I cannot accompany him."
The Tiger-Head Great Demon continued, "His Majesty asked me to inquire: if the Demon Ancestor regains his consciousness ahead of time, what should he do?"
"Tell His Majesty not to worry. The Demon Ancestor's soul has long been nothing but