Deep within the Demon Grotto lay the Baleful Yin Cave.
Chu Mo followed the Golden-Eyed Mountain Lord into the cave. The interior was immensely spacious, its vaulted ceiling soaring overhead, with countless stalactites faintly visible hanging down.
A vast clearing occupied the center. Around its edges stood enormous thrones, unevenly spaced, and more than a dozen figures of various shapes already sat upon them.
Their auras were solid and substantial, their demonic aura soaring skyward. Every one of them was a formidable demon king.
Chu Mo swept his gaze over them and understood.
Including the Golden-Eyed Mountain Lord, exactly twenty demon kings were present-the core force ruling the inner reaches of the Demon Grotto.
The instant Chu Mo stepped inside, every demon king's gaze converged on him, bearing curiosity, scrutiny, wariness, indifference...
"Everyone."
The Golden-Eyed Mountain Lord walked to the seat of honor and spoke slowly. "This is Blood Pupil, the demon king whose name has recently resounded throughout the outer reaches. From today onward, he is one of us, and we shall preside over the Demon Grotto together."
The brief introduction stirred little reaction.
In the world of demons, strength reigned supreme. Chu Mo's record of slaying seven demon kings in succession was the best qualification he could have for a seat here.
The Golden-Eyed Mountain Lord took his seat at the head, and a demon king immediately spoke. "Fellow Daoist Blood Pupil, your methods are ruthless. Those useless fools in the outer reaches are dead, and that is that."
"But now that you have entered the inner reaches, we hope you will restrain yourself for the time being. These are... troubled times."
Chu Mo sat in an empty seat and turned his gaze toward the speaker-a Rat Demon with a roe deer's pinched head and a rat's shifty