North Nether.
Kunpeng's face was livid, and a bone-chilling cold radiated from his entire body.
The scenes from Zixiao Palace replayed over and over in his mind.
"Hong—Yun—!!"
A suppressed roar, pushed to the limit, squeezed through Kunpeng's clenched teeth, carrying endless venom and killing intent.
That Cushion! It should have been his!
That Hongmeng Purple Qi! It should have been his too!
If that idiot Hong Yun had not meddled and given up his seat, how could Jieyin and Zhunti have risen to prominence?
If not for Hong Yun, how could he, Kunpeng, have lost this heaven-defying opportunity?
What was even more hateful was that the final Hongmeng Purple Qi had actually fallen into Hong Yun's hands!
"Arghhh—!"
Kunpeng could no longer suppress the fury in his heart. He suddenly slammed his fist into the Millennium Ice Table before him.
Crack!
The incomparably sturdy ice table instantly filled with cracks before shattering with a boom.
He wished he could rush out of North Nether at once, tear Hong Yun limb from limb, and take back the Hongmeng Purple Qi that should have belonged to him!
But...
Kill Hong Yun?
Easier said than done.
That idiot Hong Yun had plenty of friends.
Leaving aside anyone else, Zhen Yuanzi alone would be extremely difficult to deal with.
With the Earth Book in hand and standing upon the land of the Primordial Wilderness, Zhen Yuanzi was inherently invincible. Who could shake him easily?
Not to mention that Hong Yun had a deep friendship with the Witch Clan!
At the thought of those thirteen figures brimming with baleful energy, Kunpeng felt a chill in his heart.
He was all alone. If he rashly went to seek revenge on Hong Yun...
That would not be revenge. It would be suicide!
That would be like an old man hanging himself—was he tired of living?
Was he really supposed to let it go?
Was he supposed to watch Hong Yun seize his opportunity, attain sainthood in the future, and roam freely between heaven and earth?
No! Absolutely not!
He could not swallow this grievance!
Kunpeng stopped in his tracks, his expression shifting uncertainly.
A direct assault would not work. Then he could only... borrow someone else's strength!
Since it was inconvenient for him to act personally, he would use someone else's blade to kill!
He abruptly straightened, a look of resolve flashing in his eyes.
To the Heavenly Court!
Those two Golden Crows were ambitious. They had long wanted to unify the Primordial Wilderness, regarding the Witch Clan as a thorn in their side and a thorn in their flesh.
Moreover, they were certainly drooling over the Hongmeng Purple Qi in Hong Yun's hands as well!
That's right! He would go find them!
A glint flashed through Kunpeng's eyes.
Although Di Jun and Taiyi had once come to North Nether to invite him to join the Demon Clan Heavenly Court, and he had sternly refused them...
But now... the situation was stronger than the person!
To reclaim the Hongmeng Purple Qi! To avenge this Dao-Blocking Grudge!
What did a little pride matter?
Besides, he was at least one of the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace, a top-level mighty figure. If he took the initiative to submit, surely they would not refuse to show him some respect?
Kunpeng no longer hesitated. His body transformed into a streak of light and shot out of North Nether, heading straight for the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
Outside the Southern Heavenly Gate, the guarding Heavenly General sensed a powerful demonic aura approaching from far away. He was just about to ask a question when he saw the streak of light continue at full speed and charge straight inside.
"Who goes there?!"
"Presumptuous! How dare you trespass into the Southern Heavenly Gate!"
The streak of light stopped inside the Southern Heavenly Gate, revealing Kunpeng's form.
He did not even glance at the Heavenly Soldiers and Generals shouting at him. As he released his aura, the pressure belonging to a top-level mighty figure instantly spread in every direction.
Those Heavenly Soldiers and Generals felt as if a giant mountain had been pressed down upon them. They immediately fell silent, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Kunpeng of the Northern Sea requests an audience with His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Majesty the Eastern Emperor."
Kunpeng's voice was not loud, yet it clearly spread throughout the Heavenly Court.
Inside Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
Di Jun sat upright on the imperial throne, his expression calm.
Taiyi stood to one side, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Kunpeng?" Taiyi snorted coldly. "What is he here for? When we invited him to join the Heavenly Court before, he made every excuse to refuse. Now he's actually delivered himself to our door."
Di Jun waved his hand, signaling Taiyi to calm down.
"Let him in."
Before long, Kunpeng strode into Lingxiao Treasure Hall.
He swept his gaze around, letting it linger on Di Jun and Taiyi for a moment before bowing in greeting.
"Kunpeng greets His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Highness the Eastern Emperor."
He lowered his posture considerably, completely different from his usual arrogance.
Di Jun looked at Kunpeng below but did not immediately speak. His fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the imperial throne.
Taiyi, however, could not contain himself and spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of mockery. "Daoist Kunpeng, what a rare guest. May I ask what brings you to my Heavenly Court today?"
There was not the slightest embarrassment on Kunpeng's face. Instead, he wore an earnest expression.
"Kunpeng once lived in North Nether for a long time, focusing wholeheartedly on comprehending the Dao and ignoring worldly affairs. Looking back now, I truly was narrow-minded and ignorant, like a frog in a well."
"Now that the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court has been established, His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Highness the Eastern Emperor command the myriad demons, and their might resounds throughout the Primordial Wilderness. This is the great trend of heaven and earth, the glorious righteous path!"
"As a member of the Demon Clan, how could Kunpeng continue standing apart and seeking only his own purity?"
"Today, Kunpeng has come especially to pledge allegiance! I am willing to labor for the Heavenly Court and contribute to the great undertaking of unifying the Primordial Wilderness, even at the cost of my life!"
His speech was grand and righteous, full of lofty rhetoric.
Taiyi could not help curling his lips. This old fellow's skin was truly thick.
When they had established the Heavenly Court, they had gone to North Nether to invite him. What had he said then?
He had claimed that he was focusing wholeheartedly on the Dao and wanted nothing to do with worldly affairs.
Now he had just returned from Zixiao Palace and had already come running over to say he wanted to "contribute"?
Only a fool would believe him!
This old fellow had clearly suffered humiliation in Zixiao Palace and lost the Hongmeng Purple Qi. He was jealous that Hong Yun had obtained the opportunity.
He was also wary of Zhen Yuanzi and the Witch Clan behind Hong Yun and did not dare act himself, so he wanted to drag the Demon Clan into the water!
A mocking smile curled up at the corner of Taiyi's lips. He was just about to sneer at him a couple of times.
Di Jun, however, calmly raised his hand and stopped him.
He looked at Kunpeng, the smile on his face unchanged while his mind rapidly calculated.
Kunpeng wanted to borrow their blade to kill, using them to deal with Hong Yun and even the Witch Clan.
Di Jun could see through those intentions.
But was this not also an opportunity?
They wanted the Hongmeng Purple Qi in Hong Yun's hands as well!
As for the Witch Clan...
A cold gleam flashed through Di Jun's eyes. There would inevitably be a war between the Demon Clan and the Witch Clan!
For the Demon Clan to truly unify the Primordial Wilderness and become the protagonist of heaven and earth, this was an obstacle they had to overcome!
Although Kunpeng's intentions were impure, he was powerful, a top-level mighty figure.
His joining would bring more benefits than drawbacks to the Demon Clan.
Furthermore, using Kunpeng's "Dao-Blocking Grudge" with Hong Yun as a pretext to attack Hong Yun would be perfectly justified!
Even if the Witch Clan intervened, the Demon Clan would still hold the moral high ground.
As for Kunpeng's little schemes...
Once Kunpeng entered the Heavenly Court, bore the mark of the Demon Clan, and accepted the Demon Clan's appointment, he would no longer be free to waver between sides!
"Daoist, what admirable enlightenment!" Di Jun laughed as he clapped his hands.
"The Demon Clan is precisely in need of capable people. Since you are willing to come, my second brother and I welcome you wholeheartedly!"
Kunpeng's heart leaped with joy. He knew the matter was settled.
"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"
Although Taiyi was somewhat displeased by Kunpeng's opportunistic behavior, since his elder brother had agreed, he would not object.
Besides, he truly wanted to kill Hong Yun and seize the Hongmeng Purple Qi.
Now that this old fellow Kunpeng had arrived, he could serve as the spearhead!
Di Jun continued, "Daoist, you are a mighty figure of the Primordial Wilderness, highly respected and virtuous. Now that you have entered my Heavenly Court, you should naturally be entrusted with an important position."
"I wish to appoint you as the Demon Clan's Master, granting you the title of 'Demon Master.' You will oversee the written language of all demons and enlighten the myriad demons. Your position will be second only to myself, my second brother, and the two Daoists Nuwa and Fuxi. What do you think?"
Demon Master!
A position second only to Di Jun, Taiyi, Nuwa, and Fuxi!
This position was undeniably lofty!
Kunpeng was satisfied.
Di Jun was willing to pay quite a price.
Although he was still beneath Di Jun, Taiyi, and the others, it was already an extremely high position and showed him sufficient respect.
"Kunpeng thanks His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor for his gracious favor!" Kunpeng bowed deeply once more, his tone sincere.
"Demon Master, there is no need to be so formal." Di Jun gestured for him to rise, his smile widening. "From now on, you and I, sovereign and subject, shall stand united and create a glorious future for the Demon Clan!"
"Attendants, deliver the decree!"
"Appoint Kunpeng of the Northern Sea as Demon Master and proclaim it throughout the Primordial Wilderness!"
"Yes!" A Demon God outside the hall immediately accepted the command and hurried away.
Although Taiyi was still somewhat displeased, seeing that Di Jun had already made his decision, he said no more. He merely shot Kunpeng a cold glance.
From that day onward, Kunpeng officially joined the Demon Clan's Heavenly Court and became the highly respected Demon Master.
He stood to one side of the great hall, looking at Di Jun and Taiyi on their thrones. Then he swept his gaze across the other Demon Gods inside the hall, a gloomy glint flashing through his eyes.
Di Jun, Taiyi, you want to use me?
But when have I not been using you?
Just wait, Hong Yun! What you owe me, I will make you repay—with interest!
What I, Kunpeng, lost, I will definitely take back with my own hands!