Chapter 972: Undermining

The Demon Domain, the imperial palace of the Demon City.

Since the founding of the demon nation, myriad demon tribes had arrived to pay homage, every single clan great and small submitting to his rule, unifying the Demon Domain to an unprecedented degree.

Under the control of the embryonic form of the Law of the Jungle Dao Fruit, over a dozen Tribulation Transgression stage demon emperors had sworn fealty to Zhu Tian, while many great demons at the peak of the Body Integration stage received his grooming, holding high hopes of stepping into Tribulation Transgression.

"Life is still better nowadays." Zhu Tian reclined upon his imperial throne, yawning comfortably, feeling that his thirty-thousand-year slumber had not been in vain.

Had this been the ancient era, how could he ever have enjoyed such blessings?

The palace was luxuriously adorned, far more magnificent than the imperial palace of Great Xia, surpassing it by a full grade in both artistic and practical aspects.

The imperial palace of the Demon City was designed by Zhu Tian himself, and the furniture within the halls had been crafted by his own hands.

Back when he had just awakened and had not yet restored his full peak condition, Zhu Tian would pass the time by making furniture in his grotto-heaven, all of which was put to use after the completion of the imperial palace.

Within the vast and grand palace, Zhu Tian remained completely alone, requiring neither maidservants nor eunuchs to attend to his needs, and certainly no guards to protect his person.

As a dignified Half-Immortal, and moreover on his own territory, who could possibly harm him?

"Zhu Tian, it seems you are living quite comfortably." A slightly teasing voice echoed from behind, giving Zhu Tian a violent start, nearly causing him to revert to his true form.

Upon catching sight of the newcomers clearly, Zhu Tian hastily put on a smiling face: "So it is Sister Lianyi, Sister Ling, and Big Brother Lu Yang."

"And this Immortal as well."

The Immortal Fairy emerged from Lu Yang's body.

"Yes, yes, yes, and Sister Doudou." How could Zhu Tian dare forget this grand Immortal; though this Immortal Fairy had never spoken of her origins, it mattered little, for no Immortal was someone he could afford to offend.

"What wind has blown the four of you here?" Zhu Tian hurriedly rose to vacate his seat, pouring tea, serving water, and laying out melon seeds.

Ao Ling and Jiang Lianyi had sought him out more than once, whereas Lu Yang had not approached him again since the grand founding ceremony of the demon nation.

He had multiple times conceived the notion of sending a few beautiful demon dancers to Lu Yang to cultivate a good relationship, but worried that sending them directly might create a poor impression, so the matter had been shelved.

"An old friend wishes to meet with you. Is Sovereign Zhu available?"

"Just call me Little Zhu." Zhu Tian bowed and scraped, not daring to say it was inconvenient.

"Right here, please, Sovereign Zhu." Lu Yang displayed the pitch-black ancient ring, and the immense suction generated by the ancient ring drew everyone into the small world.

Stepping into the small world, Zhu Tian felt as though time and space had become distorted, returning him to the ancient era, where countless familiar Half-Immortals and Tribulation Transgression cultivators sat properly listening to a lecture, while Immortal Ying Tian, clad in snow-white robes, faced the crowd and conversed eloquently, his words triggering phenomena of heaven and earth, the Dao music lingering, golden springs gushing from the earth, bringing enlightenment to all living beings.

Zhu Tian retained an impression of this lecture; it was the very first lecture Immortal Ying Tian gave after attaining immortality. Why would it appear here?

Could it be that this lecture possessed extraordinary significance, etched into history to become a historical reflection, reappearing within this small world?!

He watched as Immortal Ying Tian stepped down from the platform, lotuses blooming with every stride, and wherever he passed, the reflections of all living beings dissolved into white mist and vanished one after another.

This scene was not part of Zhu Tian's memory.

Within Zhu Tian's heart, a thought arose: could it be that Immortal Ying Tian's cultivation was profound enough to cross the long river of history, manifesting in the human world through mere historical reflections?

Immortal Ying Tian walked step by step before the stunned Zhu Tian, a profound smile gracing the corners of his lips.

"Zhu Tian, it has been a long time. Is all well?"

"Immortal Revered, is it truly you?!" Zhu Tian suddenly came to his senses, realizing that the person before him was no historical reflection, but the flesh-and-blood Immortal Ying Tian himself!

Immortal Ying Tian smiled and nodded: "Naturally, it is I."

Lu Yang smacked his lips inwardly; Immortal Ying Tian was truly something else. Among the Half-Immortals, Zhu Tian was one of those who had listened to Immortal Ying Tian's lectures with utmost seriousness, yet even he was dazed and fooled completely. What would happen if it were anyone else?

"I did not expect you, Zhu Tian, to choose to slumber. In the blink of an eye, thirty thousand years have passed, the world is vast and empty of old acquaintances; seeing you today makes this journey worthwhile."

Tears welled up in Zhu Tian's eyes; indeed, I have slept for thirty thousand years, yet I still cannot evade you all.

It was one thing for Jiang Lianyi and Ao Ling to appear one after another, but how is it that even Immortal Ying Tian has popped out now.

When I didn't come out, not a single Half-Immortal showed themselves; the moment I established the demon nation, Half-Immortals emerged one after another, and from time to time, Immortals would even appear.

The number of Immortals now was greater than in the ancient era. Could they leave a little room to shine for someone like him, the foremost person beneath the Immortals?

Looking at this posture, who knows if Immortal Qilin might pop out later on.

Wait, aren't there rumors nowadays concerning the Struggle of the Great Age?

Could it be that he himself had initiated the Struggle of the Great Age?

At this thought, Zhu Tian's inner excitement surged; he truly was the most exceptional one.

"Immortal Revered, please take a seat." Zhu Tian brought out several imperial thrones, all of which were newly crafted within the last two years.

The crowd sat down one after another, after which Zhu Tian produced an imperial table, laying out fruits and pastries, considering every detail with utmost thoughtfulness.

"Zhu Tian, you are doing quite well for yourself in the Demon Domain, even establishing a demon nation." Immortal Ying Tian smiled.

"It is all due to the kind favor of my fellow Daoists." Zhu Tian spoke the truth with humility.

It truly was the kind favor of his fellow Daoists, otherwise Jiang Lianyi would have become the sovereign of the demon nation.

"That is also a testament to your capability. In my view, your establishment of the demon nation now to consolidate the strength of the demon race is a wise move."

"The embryonic form of the Law of the Jungle Dao Fruit inherently allows the controller to grow more powerful the more people they govern. Lianyi was accustomed to solitude and never did so, and as for you, you had no opportunity to do so in the ancient era."

In the ancient era, Tribulation Transgression and Half-Immortal cultivators walked the lands everywhere. Had Zhu Tian wished to establish a demon nation, to say nothing of Immortal Qilin above, several other demon Half-Immortals would have disagreed.

"The Half-Immortals of the current era remain low-profile for various reasons, which has granted you the opportunity to establish the demon nation. You ought to cherish this stroke of fortune and diligently contemplate the embryonic form of the Law of the Jungle Dao Fruit."

"Zhu Tian shall bear the Immortal Revered's teachings firmly in mind." Zhu Tian broke into a cold sweat; since his awakening, he had been indulged in enjoyment, indeed neglecting his cultivation.

Immortal Ying Tian rose, circling the crowd with his hands clasped behind his back, before suddenly inquiring: "Zhu Tian, what do you think of this small world I refined?"

Zhu Tian flattered: "That which the Immortal Revered refines is naturally excellent. This small world is quiet and elegant, devoid of all material things, precisely symbolizing the state of a clear and luminous mind..."

Lu Yang, however, held a different perspective: "The small world is good, it just feels a bit empty, not quite suitable for habitation."

"The intent of a clear and luminous mind is indeed a fine concept, yet the Immortal Revered has long attained this realm, so why use a small world to embellish it? Why don't I craft a set of furniture for the Immortal Revered to adorn this small world." Upon hearing this, Zhu Tian instantly changed his tune.

Immortal Ying Tian nodded: "That would be well."

The three exchanged smiles, the atmosphere harmonious.

The Immortal Fairy crouched upon the imperial throne, watching the three smile for a long while, always feeling that the words just spoken contained a hidden trick, and could not help but ponder over it carefully.

Suddenly, realization dawned upon the Immortal Fairy, and she pointed at Immortal Ying Tian, exclaiming aloud.

"Oh~ I get it! Ying Tian, you were embarrassed to ask Zhu Tian for furniture directly, so you invited Little Yangzi to act as your shill!"

Immortal Ying Tian: "..."

Innocent, you only choose to be clever at times like this, don't you?