A Request from Tanggu Valley, The Heavenly Queen's Tears of Blood!

Chen Ran's "Solar Furnace" plan was like a lightning bolt that pierced the eternal night, dispelling the confusion in everyone's hearts.

Instead of being trapped in a besieged city, waiting for doom at home, it was better to take the initiative and set up the battlefield on the enemy's path!

This wild and bold idea instantly ignited the suppressed bloodlust of all the great powers.

"Good!" Lord of the Heavens was the first to rise, his eyes filled with uncontrollable fighting spirit. "Let's do it! If this succeeds, my disciples of the Intercepting Sect will be the first guardians of this 'Solar Furnace'!"

Primordial Heavenly Venerate, uncharacteristically, did not object. He thoughtfully calculated and said, "Using the Sun Star as the core, drawing upon the infinite True Sun Fire as energy, and supplementing it with my Jade Void Palace's artifact refining techniques... if this fortress can be built, its power is truly immeasurable."

The Saints reached an agreement.

An unprecedented delegation, shouldering the future of the Primordial Era, was thus formed.

The leader was Empress Nuwa herself, her identity serving as the sole link to persuade the Demon Race.

The deputy leader was Chen Ran, the proposer of the entire plan.

The Three Pure Ones, due to their status, could not personally appear. They sent their most core disciples, Guang Chengzi and Zhao Gongming, to represent the Heavenly Origin Sect and the Intercepting Sect, respectively. The two Venerates of the Western Sect and the Four Dragon Kings also accompanied them, demonstrating the resolve of the entire Primordial Alliance.

They had only one goal:

To travel to Tanggu Valley in the far north, find the Heavenly Empress Xihe of the Demon Race, who had long since lost the will to live, and have her hand over all secrets concerning the Sun Star.

Auspicious clouds rolled, tearing open the ten thousand miles of ice sealing the northern border of the Primordial Era.

The further north they went, the thinner the spiritual energy in the world became, replaced by a bone-chilling stillness that could freeze the Primordial Spirit.

The atmosphere within the team was as cold and oppressive as the weather.

Guang Chengzi looked at the unchanging, vast snowfield below, his face showing undisguised disgust.

"Hmph, remnants of the Demon Race, a place to barely survive, they certainly know how to choose. Such a desolate wasteland is fitting for these creatures born of dampness and eggs!"

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

Zhao Gongming, standing beside him, immediately darkened his expression and let out a cold sneer, "Guang Chengzi, watch your mouth! We're here to ask for a favor, not to show off! Besides, if your Heavenly Origin Sect hadn't stabbed us in the back back then, would the Demon Race be in this state?"

"Zhao Gongming!" Guang Chengzi roared in anger, "What did you say! Back then, the Demon Race acted against the Heavenly Dao, slaughtering the Human Race, and everyone had the right to punish them! What was wrong with my Heavenly Origin Sect acting in accordance with the Heavenly Dao and for the people?"

"In accordance with the Heavenly Dao and for the people? What a joke! Did you kill fewer disciples of the Intercepting Sect than the Demon Race?"

Seeing the magical power fluctuations on both of them growing stronger, almost about to erupt into a fight on the northern icefield.

"Enough."

Nuwa's cold voice rang out, devoid of any emotion, yet containing an irresistible Saintly might, instantly calming the surging magical power of the two.

She did not look at anyone, only gazing towards the sky further north, and sighed softly.

This sigh calmed Guang Chengzi and Zhao Gongming, but it also made the atmosphere even heavier.

Chen Ran watched all this unfold, understanding in his heart.

This so-called "Primordial Alliance" was as fragile as a piece of tissue paper. Old hatreds were like buried volcanoes, suppressed only by the threat of an "external enemy," ready to erupt at any moment.

He had to succeed.

Only the success of the "Solar Furnace" plan could bind the interests of all factions together with a visible rope.

After flying for an unknown amount of time, just as everyone felt their souls were about to freeze stiff from the cold, at the end of the silent icefield ahead, a completely different scene suddenly appeared.

It was a vast valley, spanning tens of thousands of miles. Inside the valley, it was warm as spring. A colossal golden Fusang Divine Tree stood in the center, emitting a faint but pure aura of True Sun Fire, like a cautiously beating heart, providing the last bit of life to this small world.

Tanggu.

The last refuge of the Demon Race.

However, before the group could get close, a powerful formation surged into the sky, filled with vigilance and hostility, blocking them firmly outside.

Within the grand formation, the figures of countless demons could be vaguely seen, each holding weapons, their expressions grief-stricken, staring intently with hatred at the "enemies" in the clouds.

An old man in a white robe, with a refined appearance but eyes filled with exhaustion and vicissitudes, walked out from behind the formation.

It was the last strategist of the Demon Race, the Demon Marshal Bai Ze.

Behind him, surviving Demon Marshals such as Ying Zhao and Ji Meng stood in a line. Although their auras were weak, the ferocity of ancient great demons had not been extinguished.

"Who goes there! How dare you trespass upon our Demon Race's forbidden land!"

Bai Ze's voice carried a bone-chilling coldness.

"Bai Ze, it's me." Nuwa's clear voice pierced through the formation.

Upon seeing Nuwa's Saintly carriage, Bai Ze and all the other demons' expressions changed.

They bowed with complex expressions, their voices betraying no hint of whether it was respect or sarcasm.

"So it is Empress Wa's Holy Carriage. May I ask why you, a Saint of the Demon Race, have descended upon my humble Tanggu today?"

"Presumptuous!" Guang Chengzi, hearing the sarcasm in his words, immediately reprimanded.

Bai Ze did not even glance at him, only staring at Nuwa.

"No need for formalities." Nuwa's voice remained calm. "I have come today to discuss a matter of great importance concerning the entire Primordial Era, and also concerning the survival of your Demon Race, with fellow Daoist Xihe."

Upon mentioning "Xihe," a look of pain and resolve flashed across Bai Ze's face.

"Reporting to Wa Empress. The Heavenly Queen's heart died long ago, when Emperor Dijun and the ten Crown Princes met their demise. Tanggu Valley now holds no Heavenly Queen, only a flock of lonely souls awaiting the world's end. She will not see you. Please leave."

This blunt dismissal created a tense standoff.

Just then, Chen Ran stepped forward, passing Empress Nuwa.

He didn't speak to Bai Ze, instead fixing his gaze on the colossal Fusang Divine Tree.

His voice, amplified by the Human Way's destiny, clearly resonated throughout the valley.

"Senior Xihe, I am Chen Ran of the Human Race. I come today not to reopen your wounds, but to tell you that some wish to erase your pain, and the memories you hold most dear, from this world entirely!"

Buzz!

With a wave of his hand, Chen Ran activated the Heavenly Net System.

The internal data of the captured "Star Devourer" probe transformed into a massive light screen, projected above Tanggu Valley.

A cold star map, clear flight paths, and the highlighted final target: [High-Value Resource Zone 7322: Sol Star].

Below it, a line of cold, emotionless text:

[Conclusion: Must complete 'harvest' of this high-energy reaction source before the competitor 'Gestalt' main fleet arrives.]

"I know you hate us all. You hate the Witch Race for killing your children, and you hate us so-called righteous sects for standing by while your Demon Race fell."

Chen Ran's words struck every demon's heart like a heavy hammer.

"But have you considered? When one day, even the birthplace of Emperor Dijun, the supreme Sol Star, is devoured like a piece of meat by these iron behemoths from beyond the heavens... the last shred of connection between you, and Demon Emperor Dijun, in the Three Realms and Six Paths, will be severed completely!"

"At that time, in heaven and earth, past and future, no one will remember that a peerless Demon Emperor was born amidst the blazing sun!"

"All traces of his existence will be utterly erased!"

"Your bone-deep hatred, your endless sorrow, will become a joke no one understands!"

Boom—!

A terrifying surge of killing intent, so potent it dimmed the heavens and moved the Saints, erupted from the canopy of the Fusang Divine Tree!

This was not magical power, but pure, condensed... resentment, born from endless grief, despair, and hatred!

Stimulated by this resentment, the entire Fusang Divine Tree ignited with golden True Sun Fire, its flames soaring skyward, almost melting the glaciers of the far north!

A peerlessly beautiful woman, clad in golden palace attire, exuding regal grace yet with a face etched with heartbreaking weariness, slowly emerged from the flames.

With a single step, she appeared above the formation, facing everyone directly.

It was the Demon Race's Heavenly Queen, Xihe.

Her eyes held no tears, only two burning orbs of vengeance, capable of incinerating the nine heavens.

She stared intently at Chen Ran, her voice raspy, like two stones grinding together.

"Out...siders...!"

She slowly turned her head, her gaze sweeping over Guang Chengzi and Zhao Gongming, a desolate, self-mocking smile gracing her lips.

"So, you victors have come to me, the loser, to beg for my help against a new enemy?"

"No."

Chen Ran shook his head, his expression sincere, devoid of any pretense.

"We are not here to ask for your help."

"We are here to offer you, and the entire Demon Race, an opportunity for revenge."

"Revenge?" Xihe froze.

"Yes, revenge." Chen Ran's voice suddenly rose, filled with a captivating power. "With the Demon Race's current strength alone, you can never exact blood vengeance from the Heavenly Dao, nor from the myriad races of the Primordial Era. But now, the opportunity has arrived!"

"A common, even more powerful enemy, who wishes to destroy us all!"

"I, Chen Ran of the Human Race, as the Deputy Leader of the Primordial Alliance, formally invite the Demon Race to join us!"

"From this day forward, we are no longer enemies, but allies!"

"We will journey together to the Sol Star, using that great celestial body as a furnace, forging its boundless power into an unassailable war fortress! A supreme divine weapon, belonging solely to our Primordial civilization!"

Chen Ran's gaze met Xihe's burning eyes.

"This is not a request, it is a transaction."

"The Demon Race contributes your knowledge and control over the Sol Star."

"In return, our Alliance grants the Demon Race the qualification to rise anew in this new era! An opportunity for your demon banners to fly once more in the nine heavens! An opportunity for you to personally pilot this 'Solar Furnace' and exact blood vengeance upon those who destroyed our home!"

"Then, you will no longer be a defeated survivor hiding in the frozen wastes, but a hero who guards the Primordial Era! A creator of the new order to come!"

His words ignited a burning passion in all the demons present!

Dying in battle was not frightening.

What was frightening was being forgotten, dying without value!

Xihe's heart was deeply stirred.

She looked at Chen Ran's young, resolute face, then at her people beside her, whose eyes had rekindled with the flame of hope.

She knew she had no other choice.

"Alright."

Xihe finally nodded, her eyes regaining the brilliance and decisiveness befitting a Heavenly Empress of the Demon Race.

"I agree to your terms."

"But, I have one condition."

She stared at Chen Ran, speaking each word with blood-soaked sincerity.

"I want you, in the presence of Saint Wa Empress and the disciples of the Three Pure Ones, to swear a blood oath upon the Primordial Great Dao with the future destiny of your entire Human Race!"

"Everything you have said today will be fulfilled! The Demon Race will be an equal member of the alliance, gaining its rightful status and glory! If this oath is broken, your Human Race's destiny for ten thousand generations will be eternally cursed by the countless souls of my Demon Race, never to recover!"

As soon as these words were spoken, even Nuwa's expression changed slightly.

This oath was too heavy!

This was no longer just Chen Ran's affair; it was gambling the future of the entire Human Race!

Guang Chengzi was about to object.

Chen Ran, however, raised his hand and stopped him.

He looked at Xihe, his face showing no hesitation.

"I, Chen Ran of the Human Race, hereby swear..."

But before he could finish speaking.

A clear and proud voice suddenly came from the top of the Fusang Divine Tree, interrupting him.

"Mother!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man, dressed in golden feathered robes, with a handsome face, and an innate arrogance and loneliness in his brows, who had appeared on the crown of the tree at some unknown time.

Behind him, the image of a Three-legged Golden Crow could faintly be seen.

It was Di Jun and Xihe's only bloodline, the last Golden Crow—Lu Ya!

He looked at his mother, tears in his eyes, but his voice was incredibly firm.

"How can we ally with our enemies for the deep hatred of the Blood Sea?"

"Have you forgotten how your brothers died!"