Chapter 43

Everyone raised their cups and drank heartily in the rear courtyard.

After several rounds of wine, the exuberant atmosphere gradually calmed.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Di Yi pondered for a moment, then said solemnly, "To be honest, my brothers and I have a favor to ask. I wonder if you would be willing to agree?"

A request for help?

Tai Cang raised a brow, silently wondering, What could someone like me, with only the cultivation of a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, possibly help them with?

Yet seeing their grave expressions, he smiled. "What a coincidence. I also have something I wish to discuss with you all."

The Essence of Heaven was crucial to condensing the Supreme Heavenly Flower.

Gathering it alone was truly difficult, but with the Demon Race's assistance, it would become much easier.

What a coincidence indeed!

Di Yi and his brothers exchanged smiles.

Each side needed something, so cooperation naturally fell into place.

"In that case, Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, please speak first." Di Yi raised a hand in invitation. "As long as it is within our power, we will not refuse!"

The other Golden Crow Princes nodded one after another, and even Bai Shang gave a slight nod.

Interesting.

Tai Cang understood inwardly. Their request was evidently genuine.

Anything that could make even Bai Shang take a stance was surely no trivial matter.

"The matter is simple enough." Tai Cang spoke bluntly. "I need a large amount of Essence of Heaven and wish to borrow the Demon Race's strength to gather it."

That was all?

Di Yi and the others froze.

They had thought it would be some thorny matter, never expecting it to be so simple. Essence of Heaven was practically inexhaustible in the Nine Heavens Star Domain.

"Leave it to me!" Di Yi readily agreed. "I will immediately dispatch a thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals to gather it for you."

"Once this matter is settled, the Essence of Heaven you need should be sufficient."

Di Yi turned to Lu Ya. "Little Ten, pass down the order. Dispatch a thousand Grand Unity Golden Immortals to the edge of chaos to gather Essence of Heaven."

"Yes, Big Brother!"

Lu Ya immediately clasped his hands in acknowledgment and quickly left the hall.

"How decisive."

"Was this the bearing of a prince?"

A trace of envy flashed through Tai Cang's eyes before he returned to normal. Rising to clasp his hands, he said, "Then I must thank Fellow Daoist Di Yi. But what exactly is the matter you mentioned? I am merely a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, so I fear I may not be equal to such an important task."

The moment he said this, Bai Shang, Di Yi, and the others brightened. This matter concerned the Demon Race's future and could not afford any mishap.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Di Yi rose and said solemnly, "Only you can accomplish this. Even Father Emperor and Uncle are helpless. Only someone like you, who possesses the law of space, can help our Demon Race open up that world."

"The law of space? Opening a new world?"

Tai Cang's pupils contracted as his heart shook. He had never expected the Demon Race to have already begun developing a new world. Had they foreseen the coming calamity and begun preparing in advance?

With that thought, Tai Cang readily agreed. "Since it is within my abilities, I will naturally do my best."

A favor from the Demon Race was quite valuable. Especially after discussing Dao with the Three Pure Ones, Tai Cang knew that beings such as Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi were exceedingly difficult to kill. That made this favor even more valuable. Besides, he had accepted their kindness several times already. This was a good opportunity to repay it.

"Excellent!"

Seeing Tai Cang agree, Di Yi and the others beamed with delight. He quickly stepped forward and grasped Tai Cang's wrist. "Fellow Daoist, you are truly loyal and righteous. Time is of the essence. Let us head to that world at once. With your attainments in space, you will surely be able to break the restrictions within and help our Demon Race completely take control of it."

"Let's go!"

Tai Cang was also filled with curiosity toward the Demon Race's new world. Everyone immediately mounted clouds and left the Sun Star, arriving under the escort of numerous Demon Gods at a dark region within the Nine Heavens Star Domain.

The place was pitch-black and devoid of light. If not for the Demon Race army stationed around it, one might have thought they had entered another realm by mistake.

"Greetings, Your Highnesses!"

Demon Race cultivators along the way bowed in greeting. Di Yi and the others held incomparably exalted status as princes; even quasi-saints dared not slight them.

When they reached the depths, they saw blazing golden flames and many great Demon Race experts gathered together. A towering golden gate stood before them, with Demon Race cultivators constantly entering and leaving. What caught the eye was that most of those returning were severely injured—these were all quasi-saint experts, which showed just how dangerous it was inside.

"I was careless!"

"I never should have agreed to this."

Seeing the scene before him, Tai Cang's eyelids twitched. He inwardly cursed Di Yi and the others for digging him into a huge pit. He had thought he was merely helping break a few spatial barriers. Who would have imagined that this situation was far from risk-free? One careless mistake, and he might even lose his life.

"Father!"

"Uncle!"

By then, Di Yi and the others had already rushed to the gate, hurrying toward Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi.

"Di Yi, why are you here?"

Seeing his sons suddenly appear, Di Jun's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, though his voice still carried reproach. This place was extremely dangerous. Di Yi and the others were merely Grand Unity Golden Immortals and had not even entered the Grand Unity realm. If anything went wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Hm?"

Just as Di Jun was about to continue reprimanding them, his gaze suddenly caught sight of Tai Cang among the crowd. His expression changed drastically. "Tai Cang? Why are you here?"

At those words, Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, Kunpeng, Fuxi, and the others all frowned, wariness flashing through their eyes. Tai Cang's appearance had caught them completely off guard and made them even more vigilant. Though his cultivation was nothing to fear, he represented the three teachings of the Cang Sect. This new world, which the Demon Race had yet to fully control, was as full of unknowns as the Beast Realm Laozi had opened in the past. If news leaked out, it would inevitably attract monstrous trouble.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Demon Emperor!"

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Demon Sovereign!"

"Greetings, esteemed seniors!"

Feeling the sharp gazes around him, Tai Cang could only step forward and clasp his hands in salute. Bracing himself, he explained, "I came at Fellow Daoist Di Yi's invitation to offer my assistance."

Hearing this, Di Jun and the others darkened further. Di Yi had actually brought Tai Cang here—utterly absurd! Yet Kunpeng and the others, mindful of Di Yi's status as a prince, did not dare speak rashly for the moment.

"Di Yi!"

"How do you explain this!"

Di Jun abruptly turned and glared furiously at Di Yi, suppressing his anger. This place concerned the rise and fall of the Demon Race. Had Di Yi not been his own son, he would have severely punished him already.

"Please calm your anger, Father!"

Sensing Di Jun's fury, Di Yi and the other Golden Crow Princes immediately panicked. Di Yi took a deep breath and hurriedly explained, "It was I who invited Fellow Daoist Tai Cang here for help. I heard that this world is covered in spatial barriers, obstructing our race's progress in taking control of it. Fellow Daoist Tai Cang is proficient in the law of space and will surely help us quickly break through the barriers and seize this world sooner!"

After speaking, he looked nervously toward Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi.

"What?!"

"The law of space?!"

"Is that true?!"

Sure enough, Di Jun and the others changed color at once, staring at Tai Cang with eyes full of shock and doubt. Di Jun in particular knew exactly what the law of space meant, and what an opportunity it represented for the Demon Race.

In an instant, Di Jun flashed before Tai Cang and urgently asked, "Little Friend Tai Cang, have you truly mastered the law of space?"

"That is indeed the case."

Tai Cang knew that if he did not demonstrate his value, he would find it difficult to leave safely today even as an invited guest. The Demon Race would never let him go unless they completely controlled this world.

With a thought from Tai Cang, the law of space emerged in his palm.

This was... the law of space!

It truly was the law of space!

Wonderful! With the law of space assisting us, our chances of success will greatly increase.

Kunpeng, Fuxi, and the other Demon Race experts watching from afar revealed delighted expressions. The way they looked at Tai Cang also became friendlier, and their earlier hostility vanished without a trace.

It really was the law of space. Ecstasy flashed through Di Jun's eyes as he seized Tai Cang's shoulder. "Fellow Daoist, please lend our Demon Race a hand. Once this is done, I am willing to present you with a top-grade innate Lingbao."

A top-grade innate Lingbao!

Tai Cang's heart jolted. He had not expected Di Jun to be so generous. This only showed how determined the Demon Race was to obtain this world. He immediately replied, "I will certainly give this my all."

Di Jun laughed heartily and turned to Eastern Emperor Tai Yi and the others. "Everyone, now that we have Fellow Daoist Tai Cang's aid, it is time to launch the final assault. Send the Ten Great Demon Marshals to lead a million-strong army here with the Zhou Tian Star Banners. I will pacify this world in one stroke and open a new heaven and earth for our Demon Race."

"Yes!"

Bai Ze and the other Demon Marshals accepted the order and departed. Kunpeng organized the injured to receive treatment and halted the entry of other cultivators. The chilling air of an impending battle spread through the area, making Tai Cang's heart inexplicably heavy.

After everyone else left, Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi came to Tai Cang's side. Seeing his concern, Di Jun reassured him, "Fellow Daoist, there is no need to worry. Once we enter, Tai Yi will lead a squad of quasi-saints dedicated to ensuring your safety. The will of this world has already been heavily wounded by my brother and me, so it is nothing to fear."

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi would personally protect him?

Tai Cang immediately felt reassured. Clasping his hands, he said, "Then I will trouble Fellow Daoist Tai Yi. With a peak quasi-saint leading the protection, even if a Saint arrived personally, they would not be able to harm me in the slightest. He could form ties with the Demon Race and receive a supreme treasure besides—why not?"

"Father, we want to go too!"

Several Golden Crow Princes were eager to try.

Di Jun refused decisively. "With your mere Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, you have not even touched the River of Destiny. Going in would be nothing but courting death."

Without waiting for Di Yi and the others to speak, Di Jun directly ordered, "Someone, escort the ten princes back to the Sun Palace and confine them there. Without my decree, no one is to let them out."

"Yes!"

A quasi-saint expert answered and stepped forward. Clasping his hands toward Di Yi and the other Golden Crow Princes, he said, "Your Highnesses, please come with me."

Di Yi and the others looked at one another. They had not expected to be shut out, yet they did not dare disobey. Like wilted eggplants, they lowered their heads in dejection. "We take our leave, Father."

"Father, may you return victorious soon."

"Uncle, please make sure to protect Fellow Daoist Tai Cang. He is the honored guest we invited."

Though filled with unwillingness, the Golden Crow Princes ultimately departed. Only Bai Shang remained. As a Grand Unity Golden Immortal capable of communicating with the River of Destiny, he naturally would not miss this chance to earn merit.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

The sounds of tearing wind rose one after another as the Ten Great Demon Marshals led a mighty million-strong army toward them. Their silver armor gleamed like snow, illuminating this dark region. The army halted before Tai Cang and the others, then shouted in unison:

"Greetings, Demon Emperor!"

"Greetings, Demon Sovereign!"

The earth-shaking cries shook Tai Cang to his core. This was the Demon Race that ruled the prehistoric heavens. With such military might, they could sweep across countless worlds.

"Rise!"

Di Jun's imposing gaze swept across the assembly. "Ten Great Demon Marshals, heed my command. March at once. Kill without mercy any who resist!"

"Yes, sir!"

Bai Ze and the other Demon Marshals immediately led their forces toward the gate. In the blink of an eye, the million-strong army had vanished through it, leaving only Tai Cang and the others behind. Faintly, flashes of blades and shadows could be seen beyond the gate, while the sounds of battle gradually subsided.

"The time has come." Di Jun exchanged a glance with Eastern Emperor Tai Yi. "It is time for us to act."

"Little Friend Tai Cang, follow me."

Filled with anticipation, Tai Cang followed Eastern Emperor Tai Yi. After entering the new world, he saw a vast expanse of heaven and earth. Though it could not compare to the prehistoric world, it was still boundless. Dense spiritual energy formed mist that shrouded the surroundings, making even the million-strong Demon Race army appear tiny within it.

"Little Friend Tai Cang, look."

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi pointed into the distance. "That is where the spatial barrier lies. Half the world remains sealed behind restrictions, and we need your law of space to remove the obstacle."

Hearing Eastern Emperor Tai Yi's words, Tai Cang immediately looked in the direction he indicated.

Countless colorful spatial barriers stood between heaven and earth in the distance. Large numbers of native inhabitants could vaguely be seen gathered at their edges.

"I understand."

Tai Cang nodded in agreement.

He was not a softhearted person. Though aiding the Demon Race would bring endless slaughter, cultivators had always lived by the law of the strong devouring the weak. Moreover, the resources of this world were so abundant that they even surpassed the Thirty-Three Heavens controlled by the Demon Race.

"Senior Tai Yi, when do we begin?"