The old Demon Venerable's words fell, and the atmosphere in the hall had only just begun to ease.
But just then...
The Demon Venerable seated third to the right of the Red-Bearded Demon Venerable suddenly spoke.
His body was covered in dark red scales, and a faint tremor ran through his voice.
"Lord Red-Bearded, I have a question."
"If... and I do mean if, Qingwu Heavenly Lord chooses to release that Qilin of his own accord..."
"And offers the Golden Qilin Holy Court sufficient compensation?"
At those words, the enthusiasm that had just kindled in the hall cooled again.
The scaled Demon Venerable continued, cautious but clear and methodical.
"By then, the Qilin of the Golden Qilin Holy Court will have rescued one of their own bloodline and received compensation."
"Will they still be willing to march with us on the Purple Cloud Domain?"
"After all, this Qingwu Heavenly Lord is no longer the little fellow who had just ascended from the Northern Frost Continent."
"He's at the peak True Immortal stage, only one step from becoming a Profound Immortal."
"If the Golden Qilin Holy Court wants to move against a Human Race cultivator like him, they'll have to weigh the cost."
He looked around at the Demon Venerables gathered there.
"If the Golden Qilin Holy Court ultimately stays out of it, the Blazing Lion Holy Court still can't take the Purple Cloud Domain on its own."
"Then we'll have to settle for second best and demand compensation from Cangwu Holy Land."
His argument was well reasoned. After hearing it, several Demon Venerables who had been brimming with confidence gradually grew solemn.
The burly Demon Venerable scratched his head and muttered,
"What Scales said... seems to make some sense."
"If that brat loses his nerve, releases the Qilin, and pays