In an instant!
The deafening, mountain-shaking, tsunami-like cries of worship within the grand hall seemed to have their throats seized by an invisible hand, like a well-trained army hearing a silent command, and abruptly came to a halt!
The shift from utmost clamor to absolute silence was utterly seamless, as though it had always been meant to be so.
At this moment, only heavy breathing and pounding heartbeats remained in the hall.
"You are all the pillars and backbone of our clan."
Sha Minghong's voice regained its calm, yet it carried the weight of a thousand jun, as he said:
"The future of our clan rests upon your shoulders."
At this, he paused. His gaze sharpened like a blade as it swept over those below.
"Next, let us discuss the first step of this great campaign of conquest—
Where should our blades point first?"
The moment those words were spoken, the hundreds of Demon Lords in the hall felt their hearts turn solemn.
The new clan chief, Sha Minghong's declaration that he would "rule over the True Dragon Sea," had been neither empty talk nor wild boasting.
He was serious—and he intended to put it into action at once!
A killing chill instantly replaced the earlier fervor. Every Demon Lord held their breath and focused their minds, rapidly calculating and deducing in their hearts.
At the same time!
They were also secretly assessing this new ruler's courage and methods.
After a while.
The brief silence was broken.
Among the row of half-Venerable clan elders standing beneath the high platform's throne, an old man with white hair and beard, his aura deep and steady, was the first to step forward. He respectfully bowed toward the throne, his voice vigorous with age.
"Reporting to the Clan Chief!
In this old man's humble