Chapter 599: Pulling Hatred

At the exit of the Ancient Realm of Creation, a tense standoff crystallized between the opposing factions.

“Chief Jiang, I counsel you that surrender now is the only prudent course; your Phoenix Clan has gone too far,” the Nine Infant Clan Chief said coldly, his gaze gleaming like a venomous serpent.

“Leaving aside the fact that your Phoenix Clan sent three people in this time, two of them obtained rewards on the third tier, and yet another has failed to appear!”

The demonic elders present had all previously entered the Ancient Realm of Creation, and they knew it was divided into three tiers, with only those passing the first tier receiving the most fundamental reward.

The prodigies of the Demonic Alliance had failed to pass even the first tier, being eliminated outright.

Ao Yue and his peers had met their defeat on the second tier, obtaining only the most basic rewards.

Meng Jingzhou, Jiang Shishi, and Su Lian’er had secured the rewards of the third tier.

If it were merely that, it might be endured, for every generation saw demonic prodigies who obtained the third-tier rewards.

The problem, however, lay in the unprecedented fact that someone had actually failed to leave the secret realm!

The Ancient Realm of Creation was inscrutable and profound; its third-tier rewards were grand enough to arouse the envy of even the Body Integration stage, so what manner of prize would await someone who remained within?

The Nine Infant Clan was suspected of being the financial backer behind the Demonic Music Heavenly Maiden, and their young master had even entrapped the prodigies of the Demonic Alliance within the ancient realm, drawing the bitter resentment of the major demonic clans; they desperately needed to divert the demons' attention.

And the Phoenix Clan was the perfect target!

To this end, the Nine Infant Clan had gone so far as to invite their Clan Chief to apply pressure.

“If your Phoenix Clan is willing to submit to the Demonic Kingdom, this matter can be forgotten and forgiven!”

The Nine Infant Clan Chief’s gaze was gloomy, revealing the true purpose of this excursion.

The Phoenix Clan had long been within the scope of the Demonic Alliance's suppression and assimilation, but unfortunately, their heritage was too profound, and the ancient Di Jiang dared not act rashly.

This presented the perfect opportunity to use the weight of the Demonic Alliance to pressure and assimilate the Phoenix Clan!

This would be a magnificent achievement!

“Forgotten and forgiven—what grand arrogance!” The Phoenix Clan Chief sneered repeatedly, the thoughts of the Nine Infant Clan Chief transparent at a glance.

The Phoenix Clan Chief was named Jiang Xi, a graceful and charming lady clad in a phoenix robe, noble and extraordinary, sharing a three-tenths resemblance with Jiang Shishi.

The Phoenix Clan was a matrilineal clan where female powerhouses predominated; by custom, the position of chief was always held by a woman.

“The geniuses of your own clan were inferior in skill, yet you turn to blame it upon my Phoenix Clan?”

Without the assistance of Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou in the first trial, and the inspiration brought by their actions, how could Jiang Shishi have cleared the second tier and obtained the Phoenix Visualization Diagram?

This was a supreme treasure of visualization left behind by their ancient ancestor; Jiang Shishi was already exceptionally talented, and with the aid of this visualization treasure, her ascension to the Tribulation Transmutation stage was practically set in stone.

Based on this matter alone, their Phoenix Clan was determined to protect these two men!

The original conflict had been the Nine Infant elders uniting with the Demonic Alliance to pressure the Phoenix Clan.

The Phoenix Clan had their Dragon Clan allies and a host of clans that had received Lu Yang’s aid in the secret realm, so they did not fear the Demonic Alliance.

Seeing this, the Nine Infant Clan called their Chief over, and the Phoenix Clan, refusing to be outdone, summoned their own Chief as well.

As matters developed to this point, the chiefs of the major clans had arrived in full force to bolster their respective sides.

“What is the situation with Third Junior Brother? It has been three days and he still hasn't come out?” the Third Senior Sister quietly inquired of Meng Jingzhou.

If anything were to happen to her junior brother in the secret realm, she would feel guilty for a lifetime.

Meng Jingzhou wore a helpless smile: “Senior Sister, setting aside the rule that prevents any disclosure of what occurs within the secret realm, meaning I cannot speak of it, even if I could, I truly have no idea what that grandson Lu Yang is doing in there.”

“You need not worry about him, Senior Sister; based on my understanding of him, he should be perfectly safe in the secret realm, perhaps even more comfortable than we are out here.”

Meng Jingzhou knew best what hidden cards that grandson Lu Yang possessed—internally protected by an ancient immortal, and externally capable of summoning Eldest Senior Sister with his Pictographic Boxing; with both internal and external cultivation complete, what could possibly go wrong.

“Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!”

The Nine Infant Clan Chief’s expression turned ferocious; the majority of the demonic clans had already joined the Demonic Kingdom, and the ancient Di Jiang’s unification of the Demonic Domain was an ordained conclusion, yet the Dragon and Phoenix clans remained blind to the situation, daring to offer stubborn resistance when he had kindly advised them to seek refuge early.

They truly did not know how the word 'death' was written!

“Haha, why is it so lively here?”

A hearty laugh drifted down from the sky as forces from outside the Demonic Domain arrived at the scene!

“Is that not the Nine-Headed Serpent? You were once shut inside a secret realm by me for five whole years, do you remember? It has been over a thousand years since we last met, hasn't it?”

“And you from the Taowu Clan, what was your name again? Do you still remember me? I even gave you a thrashing once!”

Meng Jingzhou found the voice familiar, and looking up, he saw his Master.

The Third Elder sat upon a cloud, cheerfully enumerating the embarrassing pasts of the Nine Infant Clan Chief and the other demons.

Aside from the Third Elder, there were also the First Elder, Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder, and Seventh Elder.

More than half of the elders of the Dao Seeking Sect had arrived at the Ancient Realm of Creation.

“They have finally arrived.” The Third Senior Sister let out a sigh of relief; seeing that matters were trending toward an escalation, she had contacted the Eldest Senior Sister to ask what should be done.

The Eldest Senior Sister’s reply had been simple: I will send people over to draw attention away.

It just so happened that the founding of the Demonic Kingdom was imminent, and the various major factions of the cultivation world were sending representatives, the Dao Seeking Sect being no exception, so the Eldest Senior Sister instructed the elders traveling to the grand founding ceremony to assist Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

“People of the Dao Seeking Sect!”

Upon seeing these familiar faces, the Nine Infant Clan Chief’s anger soared to his crown, his face contorting until, with a loud bang, he transformed into his true Nine Infant form—a colossal body composed of nine heaven-swallowing pythons.

The events of a thousand years ago remained fresh in his memory; had it not been for this bunch of fellows, why would he have been imprisoned in a secret realm for five long years!

He had nearly delayed his own cultivation!

The Chief of the Taowu Clan was likewise beside himself with rage; a thousand years ago he had been high-spirited, a prodigy praised by everyone in his clan, yet when his fame was at its peak, these fellows from the Dao Seeking Sect had privately challenged him to a single combat.

Had the Dao Seeking Sect fellows used underhanded tricks to defeat him, it might have been tolerated, but that occasion had been a fair duel, and his skill had simply been inferior, losing to the Dao Seeking Sect's Third Elder in a contest of physical flesh and pure strength!

This matter was regarded by him as a singular humiliation, spoken of to no one, and he had sunk into despondency for a long time because of it.

Now that the Dao Seeking Sect's Third Elder had dredged this matter up and laid it bare before the public, how could he possibly endure it!

Not only these two clans, but even the habitually good-tempered Jade Rabbit Clan showed fierce hostility upon seeing the elders of the Dao Seeking Sect.

“It is the people of the Dao Seeking Sect, everyone attack together!”

Seeing the Dao Seeking Sect exposing their embarrassing secrets one by one, the assembly of demons could care less about refinement or grace, nor did they care about the Demonic Alliance; they desired only to swarm forward and capture them!

The great demons manifested their true forms one after another; for a time, a chaotic dance of monsters ensued, and demonic aura surged into the heavens.

Seeing that the objective had been achieved, the First Elder hastily pulled everyone along to flee.

“If you have the capability, stand still!” The Nine Infant Clan Chief pursued desperately from behind, but how could the First Elder heed his nonsense? Riding upon the clouds and mist, he fled at the absolute maximum speed!

The bustling Ancient Realm of Creation instantly became desolate and empty, leaving only the Third Senior Sister and Meng Jingzhou looking at each other in mutual bewilderment.

Even the Phoenix Clan had joined the pursuit.

Though the Phoenix Clan harbored no deep hatred toward the Dao Seeking Sect, failing to give chase at such a moment would make them appear entirely out of place.

The corner of Meng Jingzhou’s mouth twitched; it was fortunate that he had kept a low profile in the Demonic Domain and had not exposed his identity as a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, for if it had been exposed, the consequences would be unthinkable.

“Haha, I am out!”

The exit of the Ancient Realm of Creation swung open, and Lu Yang leapt out, waiting for everyone to welcome him.

“Where is everyone?”

The second update will be at eleven o'clock.

(This chapter ends)