North Sea.
Kunpeng's Face was ashen, and a bone-chilling coldness emanated from his body.
Scene after scene from Zixiao Palace replayed in his mind.
"Hong—Yun—!!"
A suppressed roar, pushed to its limit, squeezed out from between Kunpeng's clenched teeth, carrying endless resentment and killing intent.
That cushion! It should have been his!
That wisp of Hongmeng Purple Energy! It should also have been his!
If it weren't for that idiot Hongyun being meddlesome and giving up his seat, how could Jieyin and Zhunti have risen to power?
If it weren't for Hongyun, how could he, Kunpeng, have lost such a great Opportunity?
Even more hateful was that the last wisp of Hongmeng Purple Energy actually fell into Hongyun's hands!
"Ah ah ah—!"
Kunpeng could no longer suppress the furious rage in his heart and slammed a fist onto the ten-thousand-year-old profound ice table in front of him.
Crack!
The incredibly hard profound ice table instantly became covered in cracks and shattered with a bang.
He wished he could immediately rush out of the North Sea, tear Hongyun into ten thousand pieces, and reclaim the Hongmeng Purple Energy that should have belonged to him!
But…
Kill Hongyun?
Easier said than done.
That idiot Hongyun had many friends.
Leaving others aside, just Zhenyuanzi alone was extremely difficult to deal with.
Zhenyuanzi, holding the Book of the Earth, stood upon the Primordial Land, Innately in an invincible position; who could easily shake him?
Not to mention Hongyun also had a deep friendship with the Witch Race!
Thinking of those thirteen figures whose Evil Qi soared to the heavens, Kunpeng felt a pang of fear.
He was a lone wolf; would he rashly seek revenge on Hongyun?
That wasn't revenge; that was courting death!
Was he tired of living?
Was he just going to let it go?
Would he just watch as Hongyun held his Opportunity, achieving Enlightenment to become a Saint in the future, and freely roaming between heaven and earth?
No! Absolutely not!
He couldn't swallow this indignation!
Kunpeng stopped, his eyes shifting uncertainly.
Direct attack wouldn't work, so he could only… borrow strength!
Since it's not convenient for me to act, I'll use someone else to do my bidding!
He suddenly straightened his body, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes.
Go to the Heavenly Court!
Those two Golden Crows, ambitious as they were, had long wanted to unify the Primordial Land and regarded the Witch Race as a thorn in their side.
Moreover, they must also covet the Hongmeng Purple Energy in Hongyun's hands!
Right! I'll go find them!
A glint of light flashed in Kunpeng's eyes.
Although, when Dijun and Taiyi came to the North Sea to invite him to join the Demon Clan Heavenly Court, he had sternly refused them.
But now… circumstances dictate!
To reclaim the Hongmeng Purple Energy! To avenge this obstruction of his Dao!
Mere Face, what was that worth!
Besides, he was still one of the three thousand guests of Zixiao Palace, a top-tier mighty figure. If he offered to join, would they not give him Face?
Kunpeng no longer hesitated. His figure transformed into a streak of light, rushing out of the North Sea and heading straight for the Demon Clan Heavenly Court beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens.
...
Outside the South Heaven Gate, the gate-guarding Heavenly Generals sensed a powerful Demonic Qi approaching from afar. Just as they were about to inquire, they saw the streak of light enter without slowing down.
"Who goes there?!"
"How dare you! How dare you trespass through the South Heaven Gate!"
The streak of light stopped inside the South Heaven Gate, revealing Kunpeng's figure.
He didn't even look at the shouting Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. He released his Aura, and the pressure of a top-tier mighty figure instantly enveloped the surroundings.
Those Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were like mountains pressing down on them, immediately falling silent, not even daring to breathe loudly.
"Kunpeng of the North Sea, seeking an audience with His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Highness the Eastern Emperor."
Kunpeng's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the Heavenly Court.
Inside Lingxiao Palace.
Dijun sat on the Imperial Throne, his expression calm.
Taiyi stood beside him, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Kunpeng?" Taiyi snorted coldly, "What's he here for? When we invited him to join the Heavenly Court, he made all sorts of excuses. Now he's delivering himself to our doorstep."
Dijun waved his hand, signaling Taiyi to calm down.
"Let him in."
Not long after, Kunpeng strode into Lingxiao Palace.
He surveyed the hall, his gaze lingering on Dijun and Taiyi for a moment, then bowed in salute.
"Kunpeng greets His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, and His Highness the Eastern Emperor."
His posture was very humble, completely different from his usual arrogance.
Dijun looked at Kunpeng below, not speaking immediately, his fingers gently tapping the armrest of the Imperial Throne.
It was Taiyi, unable to restrain his temper, who spoke first, with a hint of mockery in his tone: "Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, what a rare guest. May I ask what brings you to our Heavenly Court today?"
Kunpeng showed no embarrassment on his Face; instead, he displayed a sincere expression.
"In the past, Kunpeng resided in the North Sea for a long time, diligently comprehending the Dao and staying out of worldly affairs. Looking back now, it was truly shortsighted, like looking at the sky from the bottom of a well."
"Now, the Demon Clan Heavenly Court has been established. His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor and His Highness the Eastern Emperor rule over all demons, their might extending throughout the Primordial Land. This is the great trend of heaven and earth, the brilliant Righteous Path!"
"As a member of the Yao Race, how can Kunpeng remain aloof and care only for himself?"
"Today, Kunpeng has come specifically to pledge his allegiance! I am willing to serve the Heavenly Court with all my might, to contribute to the great cause of the Yao Race unifying the Primordial Land, even if it means ten thousand deaths!"
His words were grand and righteous.
Taiyi curled his lip upon hearing this. This old fellow, his skin was truly thick.
When the Heavenly Court was established, and they went to the North Sea to invite him, what did he say then?
He said he was diligently comprehending the Dao and staying out of worldly affairs.
Now, as soon as he returned from Zixiao Palace, he came running to say he wanted to "contribute"?
Only a ghost would believe him!
This old fellow was simply angered in Zixiao Palace, lost the Hongmeng Purple Energy, and was jealous that Hongyun had gained an Opportunity.
He himself feared Zhenyuanzi and the Witch Race behind Hongyun and dared not act, so he wanted to drag their Yao Race into it!
Taiyi's lips curled into a sneer. He was about to utter a few sarcastic remarks.
But Dijun subtly raised a hand to stop him.
He looked at Kunpeng, his smile unchanged, but his mind was rapidly calculating.
Kunpeng wanted to use someone else to do his bidding, to use them to deal with Hongyun, and even the Witch Race.
This intention could not be hidden from Dijun.
However, wasn't this also an Opportunity?
They also wanted the Hongmeng Purple Energy in Hongyun's hands!
As for the Witch Race…
A cold light flashed in Dijun's eyes. There must be a battle between the Witch and Demon Races!
This was a hurdle the Yao Race had to overcome to truly unify the Primordial Land and become the protagonists of heaven and earth!
Although Kunpeng's intentions were impure, he was powerful, a top-tier mighty figure.
His joining was more beneficial than harmful to the Yao Race.
Moreover, using Kunpeng and Hongyun's "obstruction of Dao" as a pretext to act against Hongyun would be perfectly justified and have a proper reason!
Even if the Witch Race interfered, their Yao Race would still hold the moral high ground.
As for Kunpeng's little scheme…
As long as Kunpeng joined the Heavenly Court, bore the mark of the Yao Race, and accepted the Yao Race's conferment, he would no longer be able to be half-hearted!
"Fellow Daoist has great insight!" Dijun clapped his hands and laughed.
"The Yao Race is in need of talents. We, my second brother and I, welcome your arrival wholeheartedly!"
Kunpeng rejoiced in his heart, knowing that the matter was settled.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Although Taiyi was still somewhat displeased with Kunpeng's opportunism, since his elder brother had agreed, he would not object.
Moreover, he also truly wanted to kill Hongyun and seize that Hongmeng Purple Energy.
This old fellow Kunpeng's arrival was just right to be used as a pawn!
Dijun continued: "Fellow Daoist is a mighty figure of the Primordial Land, highly virtuous and respected. Now that you have joined our Heavenly Court, you shall naturally be entrusted with an important task."
"I wish to confer upon Fellow Daoist the title of 'Demon Master' of our Yao Race, to oversee all demonic writings, and to enlighten all demons. Your status will be second only to myself, my second brother, and Fellow Daoists Nuwa and Fuxi. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"
Demon Master!
A status second only to Dijun, Taiyi, Nuwa, and Fuxi!
This position was undoubtedly high!
Kunpeng was satisfied in his heart.
This Dijun was willing to pay a high price.
Although he was still below him and Taiyi, etc., it was already an extremely high position, which was giving him enough Face.
"Kunpeng thanks His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor for his great favor!" Kunpeng bowed deeply again, his tone sincere.
"Demon Master, there's no need to be so polite." Dijun gave a slight gesture of support, his smile growing wider, "From now on, you and I, monarch and subject, shall be of one mind, and together we shall create the glorious hegemony of the Yao Race!"
"Come, issue the decree!"
"Confer Kunpeng of the North Sea as the Demon Master, and proclaim it throughout the Primordial Land!"
"Yes!" A demon god outside the hall immediately received the order and hurried away.
Although Taiyi was still somewhat displeased, seeing that Dijun had already decided, he said no more, only giving Kunpeng a cold glance.
From then on, Kunpeng officially joined the Demon Clan Heavenly Court, becoming the revered Demon Master.
He stood at the side of the great hall, looking at Dijun and Taiyi on the throne, then scanned the other demon gods in the hall, a faint glint flashing in his eyes.
Dijun, Taiyi, you want to use me?
And am I not also using you?
Just wait, Hongyun! What you owe me, I will definitely make you return with interest!
What I, Kunpeng, have lost, I will definitely take back with my own hands!