Kunpeng Enters the Heavenly Court

North Sea.

Kunpeng's face was ashen, a bone-piercing chill radiating from his entire being.

The scenes from Zixiao Palace replayed endlessly in his mind.

"Hong—yun—!!"

A low roar, suppressed to the breaking point, squeezed through Kunpeng's clenched teeth, dripping with endless venom and murderous intent.

That cushion! It should have been his!

That strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi! It should have been his too!

If not for that fool Hongyun giving up his seat, how could Jieyin and Zhunti have risen?

If not for Hongyun, how could Kunpeng have lost such a monumental opportunity?

Even more hateful—the final strand of Hongmeng Purple Qi had fallen into Hongyun's hands!

"Aaaah—!"

Kunpeng could no longer contain the fury raging in his heart. He slammed his fist into the Millennium Ice Table before him.

Crack!

The unyielding ice table instantly spiderwebbed with cracks and shattered into pieces.

He longed to charge out of the North Sea right then, tear Hongyun limb from limb, and seize back the Hongmeng Purple Qi that rightfully belonged to him!

But...

Kill Hongyun?

Easy to say.

That fool Hongyun had no shortage of friends.

Leaving aside others, just Zhen Yuanzi alone was extremely troublesome to deal with.

Zhen Yuanzi wielded the Earth Book; standing upon the Primordial Wilderness, he was inherently undefeatable. Who could easily shake him?

Not to mention that Hongyun also had deep ties with the Witch Clan!

Thinking of those thirteen figures, each radiating overwhelming Sha Qi, Kunpeng felt a shudder in his heart.

He was alone, with no allies. Rushing off to take revenge on Hongyun?

That wasn't revenge—that was suicide!

Was he tired of living?

Should he just let it go?

Watch helplessly as Hongyun took his opportunity, attained sainthood in the future, and roamed freely between heaven and earth?

No! Absolutely not!

He couldn't swallow this!

Kunpeng stopped pacing, his eyes shifting uncertainly.

If a direct assault wouldn't work... then he had to... borrow strength!

Since he couldn't act himself, he'd use someone else's blade!

He suddenly straightened up, a flash of resolve in his eyes.

To the Heavenly Court!

Those two Golden Crows were ambitious, long wanting to unify the Primordial Wilderness and seeing the Witch Clan as thorns in their side.

Moreover, they were surely coveting the Hongmeng Purple Qi in Hongyun's hands!

Yes! Go to them!

A glint of cunning flashed in Kunpeng's eyes.

True, back when Di Jun and Taiyi came to the North Sea to invite him to join the Demon Race's Heavenly Court, he had refused them sternly.

But now... circumstances were stronger than pride!

To reclaim the Hongmeng Purple Qi! To avenge this Dao-Blocking Grudge!

What was a little face compared to that?

Besides, he was one of the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace, a top-tier great power. If he voluntarily submitted, how could they refuse to show him respect?

Kunpeng hesitated no longer. His form transformed into a streak of light, bursting out of the North Sea and shooting straight toward the Demon Race's Heavenly Court beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, the guarding Heavenly General sensed a powerful demonic aura approaching from afar. He was about to challenge it when the streak of light charged straight through without slowing.

"Who goes there?!"

"Insolence! How dare you trespass through the Southern Heavenly Gate!"

The streak of light halted inside the gate, revealing Kunpeng's figure.

He didn't even glance at the clamoring Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. The aura around him erupted, and a pressure belonging to a top-tier Great Power instantly enveloped the surroundings.

Those Heavenly Soldiers and Generals felt as if a mountain were pressing down on them, instantly falling silent, not daring to breathe loudly.

"Kunpeng of the Northern Sea requests an audience with His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Highness the Eastern Emperor."

Kunpeng's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached the Heavenly Court.

Inside the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

Di Jun sat upright on the Emperor's Throne, his expression calm.

Taiyi stood to the side, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Kunpeng?" Taiyi snorted coldly. "What does he want? Back then, when we invited him to join the Heavenly Court, he made every excuse to refuse. Now he comes knocking on our door himself."

Di Jun waved his hand, signaling Taiyi to calm down.

"Let him in."

Before long, Kunpeng strode into the Lingxiao Treasure Hall.

He swept his gaze around, pausing briefly on Di Jun and Taiyi, then bowed in salute.

"Kunpeng greets His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Highness the Eastern Emperor."

His posture was extremely humble, a stark contrast to his usual aloofness.

Di Jun looked at Kunpeng below but did not speak immediately. He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the Emperor's Throne.

It was Taiyi beside him who couldn't hold back his temper and spoke first, his tone laced with sarcasm: "Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, what a rare guest. I wonder what brings you to our Heavenly Court today?"

Kunpeng showed no trace of embarrassment on his face. Instead, he put on a sincere expression.

"In the past, Kunpeng dwelt long in the Northern Sea, immersed in Dao comprehension, unconcerned with worldly affairs. Looking back now, I realize I was truly short-sighted, like a frog at the bottom of a well."

"Now that the Demon Race's Heavenly Court has been established, with His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Highness the Eastern Emperor commanding all demons and wielding authority over the Primordial Wilderness, this is the grand trend of heaven and earth—a righteous and glorious path!"

"As a member of the Demon Race, how could I continue to stand aloof and look after only myself?"

"Today, Kunpeng has come specifically to pledge my allegiance! I am willing to serve the Heavenly Court with utmost loyalty, to contribute to the great cause of unifying the Primordial Wilderness under the Demon Race, even if it means death without regret!"

His words were high-sounding and righteous.

Taiyi curled his lips in disdain. This old fellow really had a thick skin.

Back when the Heavenly Court was first established, they went to the Northern Sea to invite him. What did he say?

He said he was focused on Dao comprehension and unconcerned with worldly affairs.

Now, having just returned from Zixiao Palace, he comes running to say he wants to "contribute"?

Only a fool would believe that!

This old bastard had simply been humiliated at Zixiao Palace, lost the Hongmeng Purple Qi, and was green with envy that Hongyun had obtained the Opportunity.

He was also wary of Zhen Yuanzi and the Witch Clan backing Hongyun, so he didn't dare make a move himself. He wanted to drag the Demon Race into the water!

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Taiyi's mouth. He was about to speak a few words of ridicule.

But Di Jun subtly raised his hand to stop him.

He looked at Kunpeng, his smile unchanged, but his mind was rapidly calculating.

Kunpeng wanted to use a borrowed knife to kill—to use them against Hongyun, and even against the Witch Clan.

This intention couldn't fool Di Jun.

But then again, wasn't this also an opportunity?

They also wanted the Hongmeng Purple Qi in Hongyun's hands.

As for the Witch Clan...

A cold light flashed in Di Jun's eyes. A war between the Demon Race and the Witch Clan was inevitable!

This was a hurdle the Demon Race had to cross if they truly wanted to unify the Primordial Wilderness and become the masters of heaven and earth!

Although Kunpeng's intentions were impure, his strength was formidable—he was a top-tier Great Power.

His joining would bring more benefits than drawbacks to the Demon Race.

Moreover, using Kunpeng's "Dao-Blocking Grudge" with Hongyun as a pretext to move against Hongyun was perfectly justified and gave them a legitimate reason!

Even if the Witch Clan interfered, the Demon Race would still hold the moral high ground.

As for Kunpeng's little schemes...

Once Kunpeng entered the Heavenly Court, bore the brand of the Demon Race, and accepted their enfeoffment, he would no longer be able to harbor divided loyalties!

"Fellow Daoist has seen the light!" Di Jun clapped his hands and laughed.

"The Demon Race is in need of talent. Since you are willing to come, I and my younger brother welcome you with open arms!"

Kunpeng was overjoyed inwardly, knowing the matter was settled.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Although Taiyi was somewhat displeased with Kunpeng's opportunistic demeanor, since his elder brother had agreed, he would not oppose it.

Besides, he really did want to kill Hongyun and seize that Hongmeng Purple Qi.

With that old bastard Kunpeng showing up, he was the perfect pawn to use!

Di Jun continued, "Fellow Daoist is a great power of the Primordial Wilderness, of high virtue and prestige. Now that you have entered my Heavenly Court, you shall naturally be entrusted with an important post."

"I wish to appoint Fellow Daoist as the teacher of my Demon Race, titled 'Demon Master,' to oversee all demonic texts and educate the myriad demons. Your status shall be second only to myself, my younger brother, and our two Fellow Daoists, Nuwa and Fuxi. What does Fellow Daoist think?"

Demon Master!

A status second only to Di Jun, Taiyi, Nuwa, and Fuxi!

This position was undeniably high!

Kunpeng was satisfied in his heart.

This Di Jun certainly knew how to invest.

Though still beneath him, Taiyi, and the others, it was already an extremely lofty rank—enough to give him face.

"Kunpeng thanks Your Majesty the Heavenly Emperor for his deep favor!" Kunpeng bowed deeply once more, his tone sincere.

"The Demon Master need not stand on ceremony." Di Jun made a gesture of raising him up, his smile growing even warmer. "From now on, you and I, sovereign and subject, shall work as one to create the glorious hegemony of the Demon Race!"

"Summon the attendants! Issue the decree!"

"Appoint Kunpeng of the Northern Sea as Demon Master, proclaim it to the Primordial Wilderness!"

"Yes!" A Demon God outside the hall immediately accepted the order and hurried away.

Though Taiyi was still somewhat displeased, seeing that Di Jun had already decided, he said no more and merely shot Kunpeng a cold glare.

From then on, Kunpeng formally joined the Demon Race's Heavenly Court, becoming the highly esteemed Demon Master.

He stood at one side of the hall, gazing at Di Jun and Taiyi on the throne, then swept his eyes over the other Demon Gods within the hall, a faint glint flickering in his gaze.

Di Jun, Taiyi—you want to use me?

Am I not using you in turn?

Just wait, Hongyun! What you owe me, I will make you repay with interest!

What I, Kunpeng, have lost, I will take back with my own hands!