At this moment, Liu Mang, having learned the true nature of Hong Huang, had completely immersed himself in his own thoughts. In cultivation terms, he had entered meditation.
No one would have imagined that someone who could not even cultivate would enter meditation. Even if Hong Jun himself came across such a situation, he would have been baffled.
Thus, no one noticed any of this. Everyone was still shocked by Hong Jun's announcement that the Wu-Yao Tribulation was coming.
After Di Jiang and Di Jun finished giving their instructions, they seemed to sense something and turned to look at each other at the same time.
Where their gazes met, sparks seemed to burst through the air.
Neither of them made any movement, yet in the next instant, they stood before each other, separated by less than a fist's distance.
Their actions immediately put both the Wu Clan and Demon Race on edge. Everyone exchanged glances and had already chosen their opponents.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense once more.
After staring at each other for a long time, Di Jiang spoke first. "I hope your Demon Race keeps its word and follows through!"
Di Jun smiled disdainfully. "You should worry about your Wu Clan first. The affairs of the Demon Race are none of your concern."
After speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled before returning to their respective camps.
Both sides understood that when they met again, there would be no more room for such civil conversation. They would each rely on their own abilities.
Di Jun led the Demon Race before Nu Wa. "Saint Nu Wa, if there is nothing else, we shall take our leave. There are still many matters to attend to in the Heavenly Court."
Nu Wa nodded. After pondering briefly, she raised her head and looked at Di Jun and Tai Yi. "Remember what the Dao Ancestor said. As the rulers of the Heavenly Court, I hope you two will take it to heart."
"Given the current situation, I also hope all of you will place the survival of the Demon Race above all else and not act on impulse. If anyone dares to drag our Demon Race into dire straits, I will ensure they perish, body and soul."
The faces of the Demon Race members tightened at Nu Wa's words.
Nine Infants, Gui Che, and the others in particular kept their heads lowered, yet they felt as if a scorching gaze had locked onto them. They did not even dare breathe loudly.
If they truly dared to defy her warning, thunderous measures would likely await them.
Everyone hurriedly said, "We shall obey the Saint's command."
"Of course, our Demon Race cannot simply allow others to bully us.
"Nu Wa looked at Di Jun and Tai Yi as she continued, "As for where to draw the line, the two of you must judge and handle it yourselves."
Upon hearing Nu Wa's words, Di Jun and Tai Yi exchanged a glance, and both saw the delight in the other's eyes.
They had also heard Hong Jun's warning to Nu Wa clearly: even a Saint risked falling if they interfered in the tribulation.
Originally, they had thought that after hearing Hong Jun's words, Nu Wa would no longer concern herself with the life and death of the Demon Race.
Now that they knew Nu Wa would not abandon them, it meant that a Saint stood behind the Demon Race. How could Di Jun and Tai Yi not be delighted?
Di Jun and Tai Yi suppressed the joy in their hearts and bowed. "Thank you, Saint!"
Nu Wa nodded and paid no further attention to the Demon Race. Di Jun naturally understood that she was dismissing them and prepared to leave.
As Di Jun turned, he happened to see Liu Mang standing silently nearby.
After thinking for a moment, Di Jun said to Liu Mang, "Fellow Daoist Liu Mang, would you be willing to return to the Heavenly Court with me?"
Liu Mang was immersed in his thoughts and did not answer. Instead, Nu Wa lifted her eyes and glanced at Di Jun.
With that single glance, Di Jun felt as though all his intentions had been laid bare beneath Nu Wa's gaze, and his face could not help turning slightly red.
He had invited Liu Mang partly because Liu Mang was Nu Wa's acknowledged son. He had hoped to use Liu Mang to bind Nu Wa more firmly to the Demon Race's warship.
As Di Jun watched the contemplative Liu Mang, he suddenly recalled what Liu Mang had told him before. Liu Mang had warned him, before the Dao Ancestor did, that the Demon Race might follow in the footsteps of the Dragon-Han Tribulation.
At the time, he had been shocked, but he still did not believe it and had not taken it to heart.
Only now, upon seeing Liu Mang deep in thought, did those memories resurface.
Seeing that Liu Mang still did not speak, Di Jun continued solemnly, "If you are willing to come, I am willing to treat you with the same status as the Demon Master."
If Di Jun had merely wanted to build ties before, he now genuinely wanted to keep Liu Mang.
Di Jun believed Liu Mang must have more thoughts concerning the Wu-Yao Tribulation.
If he could learn more, then even if he could not change the Demon Race's fate, at the very least he could help them prepare for the tribulation.
Di Jun's words left not only Tai Yi and the Demon Gods stunned, but even Nu Wa looked over with curiosity.
The Demon Master's status ranked only below Di Jun and Tai Yi. Even Fu Xi could not compare.
If Di Jun merely wished to curry favor with her, he could have simply given Liu Mang some idle post and supported him. There was no need to go this far.
Nu Wa could not help wondering what Liu Mang had said to Di Jun to make him so determined.
Standing beside Di Jun, Tai Yi quietly said, "Big Brother, should we reconsider?"
Di Jun ignored Tai Yi. Instead, he lowered his head and looked at Liu Mang with a serious expression, waiting for his answer.
Tai Yi did not understand, but Di Jun did. Right now, he was asking Liu Mang for help, not the other way around.
If Liu Mang could lead the Demon Race through the tribulation, then let alone granting him the treatment of a Demon Master, Di Jun would even be willing to worship him.
The premise was that Liu Mang had to be willing to return to the Heavenly Court with him.
After a while, seeing Liu Mang remain silent, Di Jun knew there was no hope. He gave a bitter smile. "It seems you are unwilling, little friend. I hope I will have another chance to seek your guidance."
After speaking, Di Jun cupped his hands toward Nu Wa once more and departed with the others.
He did not know that Liu Mang had been completely absorbed in his thoughts and had no reaction at all to what was happening outside.
As he passed Kunpeng, Di Jun gave him an expressionless glance and coldly asked, "Demon Master, will you return to the Heavenly Court with us?"
In truth, Di Jun had long been somewhat dissatisfied with Kunpeng. Though this man held the esteemed position of Demon Master, he seemed neither demon nor not demon.
After arriving here, he had not gathered with the other Demon Race members. Having merely paid his respects to Di Jun, he had gone off by himself to some corner, who knew what he was thinking about.
Now, faced with Di Jun's invitation, Kunpeng not only failed to take it as an opportunity, but actually paused to consider it carefully.
Di Jun could not help frowning.
"Your Majesty, I still have some personal matters to handle. Once they are settled, I will return to the Heavenly Court!"
"At a time when we need people most, I hope the Demon Master will place the overall interests of the Demon Race first and return soon."
After saying this, Di Jun turned and left without waiting for Kunpeng's reply.
When Liu Mang raised his head, he happened to see Di Jun leading everyone away. They had already shrunk to the size of grains of rice, and in the blink of an eye, vanished beyond the horizon.
Liu Mang looked utterly bewildered. They had been chatting quite happily earlier, so why had this man left without even saying goodbye?
"He's leaving just like that? He heard so much information from me, yet didn't even say goodbye when he left. And he calls himself the ruler of the Heavenly Court. He has some manners, but not much! Next time we meet, I'll squeeze a little more out of him and help him learn some manners."
Nu Wa: ...
Nu Wa listened to Liu Mang's words with a face full of dark lines. If he wanted to trick someone, then just trick them. Why did he need so many excuses?
Di Jun was truly being unfairly blamed.
Though the departing Di Jun was cloaked in True Sun Flame, he suddenly felt a chill run through his entire body. He sensed some great terror approaching, but after calculating for half a day, he found nothing.
What Nu Wa truly wondered was what Liu Mang had told Di Jun that made him willing to offer Liu Mang a position comparable to Kunpeng's.
Nu Wa, her gaze dangerous: It seems you still have plenty of things hidden from your mother.
Before Nu Wa could think further, Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun stepped forward.
Before you continue