Peacock King

Jiang Xian turned to Yan Ruyu beside him and said, "Princess Yan, you said earlier that you planned to seek refuge with a mighty figure of the Demon Race?"

Yan Ruyu nodded. "Peacock King, one of the Southern Region's foremost Demon Race mighty figures. He holds our Azure Emperor Lineage in considerable esteem. I originally intended to take my people to his place to lie low for a while."

Jiang Xian considered it. Peacock King, an Immortal Second Realm Mighty Figure, held no small standing among the Demon Race. He took good care of Yan Ruyu and later treated Ye Fan quite well too. This was a good opportunity to go over and bring Peacock King under his command along the way, after which he and Ye Fan could head to the Bronze Immortal Palace.

"That works out perfectly. I also wanted to bring Peacock King under my command. I'll give you a ride." Jiang Xian raised his head and gestured toward the sky.

He had kept the Machine Race spaceship hovering in the sky, following them all along. Soon, they saw a silver-white pyramid-shaped spaceship slowly descend from the clouds and hover above their heads.

Yan Ruyu and the Demon Race members behind her looked up at the same time, their faces filled with shock. Big Dipper favored "ancient methods of crafting," and almost none of them had ever seen a technological creation like this.

"Young Master Jiang, this is..." Yan Ruyu's voice carried unmistakable curiosity.

"I suppose it counts as a Saint Weapon. Riding this will be much faster than flying there ourselves." Jiang Xian spoke casually.

The hatch opened, and Jiang Xian led everyone into the spaceship. Inside, the main cabin, straight out of science fiction, left Yan Ruyu and the female demons behind her speechless. Everywhere they looked were things far beyond their understanding, and they all gazed around curiously.

"Tell me where Peacock King is. We'll be there shortly," Jiang Xian said to Yan Ruyu beside him.

"Young master, he's deep in the Qixia Mountain Range in the Jin Kingdom. Young Master Jiang, when we meet Senior Peacock King, could you let me speak to him first? I'd like to see whether I can persuade him to join you." Yan Ruyu spoke softly, afraid that this senior of the Demon Race might inadvertently offend Jiang Xian.

"Sure." Jiang Xian nodded.

The spaceship soon rose silently through the clouds, then accelerated toward the location Yan Ruyu had provided. The two places were not actually very far apart. At the Machine Race spaceship's speed, they arrived above a stretch of lush green mountains in mere moments.

Yan Ruyu landed before the entrance to the cave abode and said to the Demon Race guard at the door, "Sorry for the trouble, but please announce that Yan Ruyu, descendant of the Azure Emperor, seeks an audience with Senior Peacock King."

Hearing that she was none other than Yan Ruyu, a descendant of the Azure Emperor, the Demon Race guard dared not show the slightest neglect and hurried inside to report. Before long, a rumble came from deep within the cave abode, and the great doors opened with a crash. Peacock King emerged. He looked no older than seventeen or eighteen, dressed in splendid multicolored robes, with sharply defined features and the distinctive air of someone long accustomed to high standing. But when he saw Yan Ruyu, most of that imposing air faded, replaced by a trace of concern.

"Your Highness, was your journey safe?" Peacock King asked with concern.

Yan Ruyu bowed slightly, gratitude in her voice. "Thank you for your concern, senior. I did encounter some setbacks along the way, but fortunately, someone came to my aid, and I escaped danger safely."

After glancing at Jiang Xian, she said quietly, "Senior, could we speak in private?"

Peacock King's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Jiang Xian, Ye Fan, and Pang Bo, then quickly withdrew his gaze and nodded. He soon understood that these three were presumably the benefactors who had helped the princess, but she apparently had something to discuss alone.

"Of course, Princess. Come inside."

Before entering, Peacock King first instructed his subordinates to properly entertain Jiang Xian, Ye Fan, Pang Bo, and the Demon Race members who had come with them.

The two entered the cave abode. Peacock King casually set up a soundproof barrier, then turned to Yan Ruyu and asked seriously, "Your Highness, what are the backgrounds of those three humans behind you just now? Especially the young man standing in front. I actually couldn't discern the depth of his cultivation."

Yan Ruyu took a deep breath and briefly recounted what had happened recently-her decision to lead her Demon Race followers into the protection of the Fenglingyueying Sect, the Ji Family's divine body coming to seize the Emperor Weapon, Jiang Xian casually defeating Ji Haoyue, and then effortlessly killing the Ji Family elder.

Peacock King's face grew grave after hearing her account. After a moment's silence, he said, "Princess, you just said that you were leading your Demon Race followers into the protection of the Fenglingyueying Sect. Just what is this sect's background? I've lived for thousands of years and know a little about every notable force in the Eastern Wasteland, but I've truly never heard of this Fenglingyueying Sect. How could you entrust the fate of the entire Demon Race to this sect?"

Yan Ruyu answered earnestly, "Senior, the Fenglingyueying Sect's foundations are far beyond anything any holy land or great family on Big Dipper can compare with. Young Master Jiang is merely an Outer Disciple of the Fenglingyueying Sect, yet few great families or holy lands across Big Dipper could produce the things he casually bestowed on me."

With that, she took the Immortal Blood Pill from her sleeve, carefully cut off roughly one-fifth of it, and offered it to Peacock King. A dark red luster flowed over that small piece of the Immortal Blood Pill, and the aura of life's essence it released was so invigorating that even Peacock King's aura briefly faltered.

"Senior, this is a pill Young Master Jiang casually gave me, called the Immortal Blood Pill. One pill can extend a person's life by five thousand years. This piece is more than enough to extend your life by a thousand years. I would now like to give it to you."

Peacock King tightly gripped the small piece of the Blood Pill and looked up at Yan Ruyu, his tone graver than before. "A casually offered introductory gift is a pill that extends life by five thousand years. This Fenglingyueying Sect truly is unfathomable. It may well far surpass emperor-level powers."

Yan Ruyu nodded gently. "Senior, I actually came today to discuss something with you."

Peacock King watched her, waiting for her to speak.

"Senior, although I now have an Emperor Weapon in hand, I cannot shoulder everything alone. The Demon Race has been fragmented for years, each faction acting on its own. I want to unite the Demon Race, but I alone am far from enough." Yan Ruyu's tone was earnest, her gaze imploring. "You command great respect among the Demon Race. If you would be willing to come forward and help me reorganize our people, uniting them would go much more smoothly. What do you think, senior?"

Peacock King fell silent for a while, lowering his head to look at the small piece of the Blood Pill in his palm.

Peacock King cupped his hands slightly toward Yan Ruyu, his manner utterly solemn. "From this day onward, I am willing to serve under you, Princess, and follow your orders. I am willing to serve the Fenglingyueying Sect."

Yan Ruyu bowed in return. "Thank you, senior!"

The two soon came out. Peacock King walked up to Jiang Xian, stopped, and bowed. "Young Master Jiang, the princess has already told me everything. Since she has led her Demon Race followers into the protection of the Fenglingyueying Sect, I will naturally follow the sect as well. Whatever orders you may have in the future, I would not dare disobey."

Jiang Xian nodded. "Uniting the Demon Race is indeed more than she can manage alone. With you assisting her, things will be much better."