Central Plains' Four Clans, Great Demon Banquet

The land of the Central Plains was fertile. The first seeds sown here by the Human Race took root and sprouted at a visible pace beneath the nurturing of gentle sunlight and abundant river water, bringing hope of a bountiful harvest.

Cooking smoke curled skyward from the newly built cities. Children's laughter mingled with the work chants of the clansmen, forming a vibrant tableau full of life.

Yet beneath this tranquility, undercurrents had long been surging.

Just as Yuan Ming had expected, not long after the Human Race settled upon the fertile soil of the Central Plains, trouble came knocking of its own accord.

This vast land of the Central Plains was not truly ownerless.

For countless years, four great Demon Race powers had entrenched themselves here.

They were:

The Azure Ox Clan, possessed of boundless strength and relatively gentle temperaments.

The Ghost Lion Clan, who came and went like the wind, their methods secret and uncanny.

The Calamity Hound Clan, born able to draw forth disasters, impossible to guard against.

And the Black Ox Clan, hot-tempered and prone to charging headlong into everything.

The four clans were evenly matched and kept one another in check, forming a delicate balance over the long years.

Now, this "outsider" Human Race, numbering in the millions, had suddenly barged in and shattered the existing order. Naturally, they had come to test them, to weigh the mettle of these new neighbors.

The first to act was the seemingly most mild-tempered Azure Ox Clan.

That day, an enormous azure ox the size of a small mountain strode up outside the Human Race city, its heavy footsteps making the earth tremble.

He transformed into a burly man in azure robes, twelve feet tall and knotted with muscle. Appraising light gleamed in his ox eyes, large as bronze bells, while scorching breath puffed from his nostrils.

"I am Qing Shan of the Azure Ox Clan! By the order of my clan's ancestor, I have come to invite the lord of the Human Race to Azure Ox Ridge three days hence, to attend the 'Great Demon Banquet' and celebrate our new neighbors!"

His voice boomed like a great bell and spread through the entire city. The demon power contained within it made countless Postnatal clansmen's hearts pound.

Yuan Ming sat upright within the newly built ancestral temple, his expression calm as he accepted a green jade invitation Qing Shan passed through the air.

The invitation was icy cold in his hand. Ancient runes written in demon script covered its surface, exuding a faint pressure.

After seeing Qing Shan off, Yuan Ming stroked the invitation in his hand, his gaze deepening.

He had long since discovered that the four clans of the Central Plains possessed considerable foundations.

Both the Azure Ox Clan and the Ghost Lion Clan had Golden Immortal Realm mighty figures overseeing them, beings a full major realm above him.

The Calamity Hound and Black Ox Clans, meanwhile, had no Golden Immortals, but each controlled an Innate spiritual treasure of unfathomable power, enough to make up for the gap in cultivation.

As for the Human Race, aside from Yuan Ming himself, a True Immortal, their strongest members were merely Primordial Humans at the Heavenly Immortal Realm.

In terms of foundation, they could be called the weakest among the five clans.

"Those who come bear ill intent..." Yuan Ming murmured. Then he gave a self-mocking laugh. "Ah, no. It seems we are the ones who came."

But no matter how one looked at it, this so-called "Great Demon Banquet" reeked of a Hongmen Banquet from the inside out.

It was both a test and a show of force.

If he did not go, it would mean weakness, and the four clans would surely press their advantage inch by inch. If he went, it would inevitably be a dragon's pool and tiger's den, peril lurking on every side.

Yuan Ming calmed himself and examined his inner state, carefully calculating his current strength.

His True Immortal Realm cultivation was his foundation, while the Heaven-Devouring Dao Scripture and the Heaven-Earth-Human Forty-Nine Return-to-Truth Method granted him vast dharma power and ever-changing methods.

The greatest unknown lay in the Formless Scripture and the [Eastern Lord's Heavenly Patrol] Entry.

"If I do not use Dongjun's Divine Power, then with my current physical strength and Dao arts, I can barely contend with an early-stage Golden Immortal. Protecting myself may be more than possible, but defeating one would be harder than climbing to heaven."

After all, he had yet to bring the first layer of his Formless Scripture to full completion.

Though his Physical Bitter Sea had been opened into boundless vastness and his Life Spring still surged without cease, the "Divine Bridge" connecting body and soul, linking the inner heaven and earth, remained shifting and illusory. It had yet to be fully erected.

"But once I use [Eastern Lord's Heavenly Patrol]..."

A blaze of heat flashed through Yuan Ming's eyes. "Drawing upon the supreme might of the Sun Star to empower myself, dealing with an ordinary Golden Immortal should be more than enough."

Yet this was also his greatest trump card. Once exposed, it would not only draw deeper wariness from the four clans, but might even attract the scrutiny of the two imperial lords above the heavens!

"It seems I must make this trip. And I must display sufficient strength to earn their respect, without revealing my true trump card."

Yuan Ming had made up his mind.

This Great Demon Banquet was a dragon's pool and tiger's den, but he, Yuan Ming, had to brave it!

He would make the four clans of the Central Plains understand that the Human Race was a bone not easily gnawed!

Three days later, Azure Ox Ridge.

This was the settlement of the Azure Ox Clan, its mountains layered in emerald hues and its spiritual energy abundant, presenting a scene of peace and harmony.

Yet Azure Ox Ridge was permeated by an unusual, murderous chill today.

Within a broad valley, a massive stone table had been laid out, covered with all manner of rare demon beast flesh, spiritual fruits, and immortal brews.

The leaders of the four great Demon Race clans had gathered here long ago, yet the atmosphere was somewhat delicate.

The Ghost Lion Clan's leader was a powerful lion clad in black-gold battle armor, swift and agile as a specter. His name was Black Xiong.

He spoke first, his voice hoarse and sharp. "Everyone, we have gathered today because of this Human Race that suddenly appeared. What do you all think?"

The Calamity Hound Clan's leader was a lean black hound with sinister eyes, named Dou Cang.

He bared his sharp fangs and said darkly, "Hmph. They are merely a weak, lowly race, yet they dare dream of standing on equal footing with our four clans?"

"In my opinion, there is no need for nonsense. We should simply pen them up and use them as rations! That will save them from getting in our way on this land."

The Black Ox Clan's leader was the most massive of all, muscles bulging across his entire body like a moving mountain. His name was Hei Tian.

He laughed roughly. "Dou Cang, I support you! But the Human Race was created by our clan's Nüwa. If anything goes wrong with them afterward, it has nothing to do with us. This matter was done by your Calamity Hound Clan!"

As he spoke, he tore into a roasted demon beast leg dripping with fat, looking utterly unconcerned.

At those words, Dou Cang bared his teeth. A crafty glint flashed through his eyes, and he said no more.

The Azure Ox Clan's leader was named Qing Shi. He had a sturdy build and an honest-looking face, yet his eyes held a steady calm.

He said slowly, "Hei Tian's words are reasonable. After all, this Human Race has ties to Her Majesty Nüwa. Rashly exterminating or penning them up may be inappropriate. In my view, we should first try to make contact and learn more about them before deciding."

Just as the four Demon Race leaders, each harboring their own thoughts, argued among themselves, a melodious flute melody drifted in from outside the valley.

Then, a figure slowly approached.

He wore an elegant robe of plain azure, his posture straight and tall, his features handsome, his expression relaxed. It was as though he had not come to a Hongmen Banquet that might be fraught with danger, but an ordinary gathering among friends.

His aura was restrained, yet he seemed to have merged with heaven and earth. He did not flaunt himself, but possessed an innate air of transcendence.

This man was Yuan Ming.

As one of the Primordial Humans personally molded by Nuwa, Yuan Ming's Dao body and appearance needed no praise. He carried an innate, otherworldly charm.

"Yuan Ming, Fourth Ancestor of the Human Race, greets the clan leaders." Yuan Ming cupped his hands in salute, his voice mild yet carrying an authority that could not be questioned.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries came the gifts Yuan Ming had brought for the four clans.

The Human Race of the Central Plains had only recently been established, its foundation still shallow and its Innate treasures scarce. Naturally, Yuan Ming was reluctant to casually give away such precious resources.

After much deliberation, he had brought a statue of Holy Mother Nuwa that he had personally carved.

The statue was made from a piece of warm Innate jade. Yuan Ming had poured into it his reverence for the Holy Mother and his hopes for the Human Race.

The Nuwa in the statue was benevolent yet majestic, her gaze seeming to see through the ages. She held a clump of earth in her hands, preparing to mold life.

This statue was not merely the embodiment of humanity's faith, but also a symbol of the bond between the Human Race and Nuwa.

Yuan Ming solemnly presented the statue and said, "This is an image of Holy Mother Nuwa, revered by my people and carrying the faith of all our millions. As we meet for the first time today, I offer it as a gift. I hope the clan leaders will remember the Holy Mother's grace in creating humanity, treat my people kindly, and coexist with us upon this land of the Central Plains."