Passing through the devastated Ancient Netherworld Ancestral Court, the sizable party marched toward the depths of the forbidden grounds.
Leading the way were, naturally, the three meek and cringing "Demon Ancestors."
Beside Xie Changsheng, apart from Ao Lie, Commander Li had also tagged along, curious about this supposed "supreme treasure of the Lower Realm."
"Say, you three old bastards, you're only at the Ninth Order, yet you dare call yourselves 'Demon Ancestors'?"
"In the Demon Realm, with your paltry cultivation, people would think your bloodlines weren't pure enough even to have you guard their gates."
"Your nerve is a damn sight greater than your ability."
At those words, the three Demon Ancestors trembled all over. Wiping away their sweat repeatedly, they said with bitter smiles:
"You give us far too much credit, exalted envoy! In this remote backwater, that's just something those little brats below us call us. It means nothing! Before you, we're merely a few little demons, nothing more!"
In truth, these three great demons could hardly be blamed for groveling so shamelessly.
The cultivation world was a place where mighty waves sifted the sand. Those true geniuses of the Demon Race, with unyielding hearts and spirits bold enough to swallow the heavens, had long since ascended to the Demon Realm in pursuit of greater heights.
Most of those who remained in the Lower Realm were old schemers whose potential had run dry and whose cultivation had stalled at the Ninth Order, or who had lost their ambition early and wanted only to lord it over others down here.
Though they, too, had once been young, hot-blooded, and arrogant.
Another local old demon gave a couple of dry chuckles, trying to strike up a connection. "You're right to chastise us, exalted envoy. Still, over the generations, our Ancient