The Heavenly Court, the Demon Clan's sacred hall.
Eastern Emperor Taiyi sat at the head of the hall, his expression solemn.
A moment later, a shadow slowly took shape.
"Gui Che, what did you find?" Taiyi's cold voice echoed through the empty hall.
"Your Majesty, the Three Pure Ones, Zhen Yuanzi, and Hong Yun have all visited Kunpeng's dojo over the past few days."
Taiyi's expression shifted slightly. "Oh? Tell me more."
Gui Che replied respectfully, "The Three Pure Ones entered the small courtyard first, then shut themselves in and didn't come out. I was worried that getting too close might expose me, so I stayed hidden at a distance. As a result, I couldn't determine exactly what happened inside the courtyard. I only know they were playing chess."
"Just playing chess?"
Gui Che nodded. "Yes, but at first, four powerful Innate God-Demons appeared!"
"Innate God-Demons?" Taiyi abruptly rose to his feet.
Gui Che's expression turned grave. "That's right. They seemed to be four of the top ten, including Shichen. Their souls seemed damaged and incomplete, but they defeated the Three Pure Ones in a single exchange."
"Afterward, Kunpeng appeared briefly, and the four Innate God-Demons seemed to fall back into slumber."
"The Three Pure Ones stayed for quite some time before leaving. I followed them, and they happened to run into Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun."
Taiyi collected himself. "They merely happened to meet?"
"Yes. Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun stayed in the courtyard until dawn, then went to the backyard. There were several fruit trees there. Kunpeng never appeared, and Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun ate a few pieces of fruit together."
Taiyi furrowed his brow and fell silent for a while, then slowly asked, "Did you notice anything unusual?"
Gui Che replied in a hoarse voice, "There were a few strange things. I believe there were two in particular."
"First, the one spending time with the Three Pure Ones, Zhen Yuanzi, and Hong Yun was merely an ordinary Acquired Lifeform. Although I was far away, I sensed that he had no cultivation whatsoever."
"Second, the Three Pure Ones and the others seemed extremely respectful toward this ordinary lifeform. I find that very difficult to understand."
Taiyi nodded. "Indeed. I know the Three Pure Ones well. They're all arrogant, haughty men. Back at the Purple Firmament Palace, they looked down even on Kunpeng, who was at the same level as them. They would never show respect to an ordinary lifeform."
"Zhen Yuanzi is clever, too. Unless there's something in it for him, he wouldn't give an ordinary lifeform a second glance. That little courtyard is very strange. It seems Kunpeng is hiding an enormous secret as well."
Gui Che suddenly added, "By the way, Eastern Emperor, I also sensed two powerful Demon Clan auras in the courtyard. They were too far away for me to investigate who they were."
Taiyi waved a hand. "It's all right. You can't be blamed. Kunpeng's cultivation is far beyond what I expected; I fear he's no weaker than I am. The fact that you managed to conceal yourself without him noticing is already impressive."
Gui Che breathed a sigh of relief. Taiyi pondered for a long while, then said calmly, "It seems I'll have to go there in person. You may leave."
Gui Che hesitated. "Eastern Emperor, you'd be putting yourself in danger. There could be a crisis."
Taiyi nodded. "Don't worry. I'll take the Demon Emperor with me."
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
Jiang Ping had been busy in the courtyard for quite some time.
"Now that you've eaten and drunk your fill, go play wherever you like."
"I'm going to take a look around the back mountain. We've had several guests lately, and there's barely anything at home to serve them."
"I'll see if I can hunt some game or gather wild vegetables and fruit. Keep an eye on the house for me."
As he spoke, Jiang Ping took his bow, arrows, and a carrying basket, opened the courtyard gate, and leisurely headed toward the back mountain.
As soon as Jiang Ping was gone, the saying "When the tiger leaves the mountain, the monkeys become king" came to mind. The Heng Ha Generals darted over to the small pond.
Da Huang and Xiao Bai quickly ran over, too. With a splash, water sprayed into the air, and Kunpeng appeared in the pond.
"The master went out today. This move seems to conceal some deeper meaning," Da Huang said gravely.
Xiao Bai grunted. "That's right. The master has hardly ever left the courtyard. It seems this means he's about to emerge into the world, and it also heralds great changes coming to the Primordial World."
"Could we run into some clueless fools who ruin the master's plans?" Kong Xuan asked.
Kunpeng snorted. "No. You and I know the master's divine abilities better than anyone. Everything is under his control."
"Fine, then. We won't worry ourselves over nothing. Let's just wait here."
The group chattered among themselves. Then Kunpeng's expression gradually darkened.
"What's wrong, Kunpeng?" the Golden-Winged Great Peng asked.
"Two unwelcome guests!" Kunpeng said coldly.
"Who are they?" Da Huang asked fiercely.
"They're coming. You'll know soon enough."
The Heng Ha Generals, Da Huang, and Xiao Bai were all astonished.
They had practiced alongside their master, yet Kunpeng's cultivation was still a cut above theirs.
They hadn't sensed anything, but Kunpeng had already detected someone approaching.
"Where is Daoist Kunpeng? I've come today to confer upon you the title of Demon Master!"
As Di Jun's voice rang out, an imperial carriage appeared out of thin air above the courtyard.
Eight colorful phoenixes danced ostentatiously around the carriage, while nine dragon-horses soared proudly before it!
"Di Jun, Taiyi, what an extravagant spectacle!"
"Hurry and put the carriage away. Don't let my master notice!"
"Didn't I tell you not to come to my dojo? Why are you being so rude!"
Feeling Kunpeng's anger, Di Jun narrowed his eyes. "Daoist Kunpeng, you are the Demon Master of my Heavenly Court. Confering your title is one of the greatest events in the Primordial World. How could we do it in a shabby, simple manner? We must observe the proper ceremony."
Taiyi, meanwhile, stared in surprise. "Master? Are you joking, Daoist? Who in the Primordial World could possibly be worthy of being your master?"
In the back mountain, Jiang Ping looked toward the courtyard in puzzlement. "Huh? Why is there a glow in the sky?"
In the courtyard, Kunpeng was furious. He had almost let the master notice them.
Di Jun, Taiyi—don't blame me for this!
"Attack!"
At Kunpeng's command, a barrier sprang up around the courtyard, cutting off the surrounding space from the world outside.
The Heng Ha Generals immediately revealed their true forms!
Da Huang threw back his head and roared. A flash of white light transformed him into a massive white tiger, magnificent and imposing.
Xiao Bai gave a light hop. Five-colored rays burst from his body as he transformed into a qilin!
Di Jun and Taiyi were stunned. They hadn't expected such powerful forces to be hidden in the little courtyard!
Kong Xuan, a descendant of the Phoenix Clan! The Golden-Winged Great Peng!
The last bloodline of the Qilin Clan, the Jade Qilin!
One of the Four Symbols, the Sacred Beast White Tiger!
And the Demon Master Kunpeng, standing nearby and glaring at them, whose strength rivaled that of a Quasi-Saint at the peak of his realm!
The two were shocked at first, but then they were overcome with joy.
If they could persuade these figures to join the Demon Clan, its strength would undergo a world-shaking transformation.
They would surely be able to crush the Witch Clan in one fell swoop and unite the Primordial World!
Then they could rule over the myriad races of the Primordial World and pacify the perilous lands of the eight directions.
The Heavenly Dao would bestow immeasurable merit upon them. As emperors of the Demon Clan, they would seize this opportunity and, with a stroke of destiny, attain sainthood!
"Wonderful, wonderful! Daoist friends, please allow me to say a few words!" Di Jun exclaimed, overjoyed.
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