With that ceremonial announcement.
The entire front courtyard of Ma Mansion froze in unison, whether they were Demon Race members drinking merrily or human cultivators forcing smiles.
The next moment.
The dark mass of people rose from their seats as if by prior agreement.
Whether human or demon, all faced the mansion gates with respectful expressions, hands hanging at their sides.
Even those notoriously hot-tempered Demon Kings were exceptionally docile now, afraid that breathing too loudly might displease that Demon Emperor.
This deathly stillness lasted for the time it took an incense stick to burn.
From beginning to end, the White Bone Chariot outside the mansion gates did not move in the slightest.
After an incense stick's time.
The curtain of the White Bone Chariot was finally lifted by a slender hand.
First to descend was a black-gold long boot.
Then the entire figure stepped out of the chariot.
It was a deer.
Entirely different from the two deer demons welcoming guests at the entrance.
This deer had a long, slender build, white fur all over its body smooth as satin, and towering antlers seven or eight feet long, wrapped in pale golden patterns.
Its eyes were narrow and long, its pupils vertical slits.
Though most of its body had already taken human form, it had deliberately retained that deer head.
A black-and-gold robe draped over its shoulders, its hem trailing three feet along the ground.
Two deer demon attendants followed behind him with bowed backs, arranging the corners of his robes for him.
He carried himself with the air of one who looked down upon the world, arrogant beyond measure.
He halted.
His narrow eyes swept indifferently across the courtyard.
His gaze passed over the trembling human cultivators without granting them even the slightest pause.
It finally settled on