Ding Yun had clearly taken a liking to the Blood River Demon Emperor, intending to recruit him for her own use with good intentions. However, to the Blood River Demon Emperor, this was nothing short of utter humiliation, not only to himself but also to his master, the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor.
As for the Innate Spiritual Treasures that Ding Yun mentioned, he didn't take them seriously at all. After all, even many veteran Demon Emperors wouldn't dare claim to possess Innate Spiritual Treasures, let alone Ding Yun, a Demon Emperor he had never even heard of before. Therefore, the Blood River Demon Emperor dismissed Ding Yun's words as sheer nonsense, a deliberate attempt to insult him.
Consequently, in the very next moment, he was so enraged that he spat out blood.
He then abandoned any pretense of verbal bravado, waved his hand, and quickly gathered his junior brothers, junior sisters, elders, and other followers, making a hasty retreat to the Myriad Laws Sect.
Ding Yun, on the other hand, made no move to stop them. She merely watched them leave, then turned to order her subordinates to spread the word about today's events, lest the Blood River Demon Emperor conceal the news and fail to inform his master, the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor, of his arrival.
Following that, naturally, came more waiting.
Waiting for the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor to come knocking.
This time, Ding Yun's wait was a little longer than usual. Unlike the previous occasion, where she had received the Blood River Demon Emperor on the very afternoon the Nine Nether Demon Lord escaped, there was no movement for several days after the Blood River Demon Emperor fled, causing Ding Yun considerable impatience.
She was even contemplating personally storming their stronghold.
Meanwhile, the Blood River Demon Emperor had his own unspoken difficulties. It wasn't that he didn't want to inform his master quickly; it was primarily that he was afraid to disturb his master's seclusion. The Myriad Laws Demon Emperor had reached the apex of the Demon Emperor realm many years ago and had largely detached himself from worldly affairs for the past few millennia, dedicating his attention to breakthrough efforts. He frequently entered seclusion, and his temper had become somewhat more volatile. The Blood River Demon Emperor was unsure if his master was currently experiencing any insights for his breakthrough.
If his master was indeed on the verge of an insight, disturbing him might result in him being beaten before he could even utter a word.
Given his current severely wounded state, he might not be able to withstand it.
His other junior brothers and sisters also shirked responsibility, not daring to directly approach the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor's secluded location to disturb him.
Thus, the matter remained in a stalemate.
In the end, Ding Yun, unable to contain her impatience any longer, specifically cultivated an auxiliary cultivation technique of the path of detachment, called the "Seven Emotions and Six Desires Corpse Slaying Art."
This secret technique allowed one to sever the seven emotions and six desires, using them as avatars.
Furthermore, the higher the grade of the Spiritual Treasure used during the corpse-slaying process, the more powerful the resulting avatars would be. To this end, Ding Yun, using the conceptual-level River God, forcefully created thirteen top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures for her own corpse-slaying.
She successfully differentiated into thirteen avatars, each with a cultivation realm similar to her own. Concurrently, she herself entered a state of absolute detachment and absolute rationality.
This state was highly conducive to her comprehension of laws.
As long as she could maintain this state, she believed she would soon break through to the Demon Venerable realm.
However, Ding Yun was not in a hurry to break through. The primary reason she cultivated this secret technique was her concern about encountering an ambush if she personally went to the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor's main base to cause trouble, and her worry that her current strength might not be sufficient for an easy crushing victory.
Before undertaking significant endeavors, Ding Yun was disinclined to gamble.
She preferred to engage in overwhelming, absolute victories.
Therefore, her cultivation of this technique was actually aimed at ensuring she could absolutely and effortlessly crush the entire Myriad Laws Sect. With thirteen avatars, plus herself, that made a total of fourteen cultivators at the peak of the Demon Emperor realm.
This force was sufficient to contend with a Demon Venerable-level power. Thus, as soon as she successfully cultivated it and became proficient with her avatars, Ding Yun couldn't wait and personally went to their doorstep.
She used the Blood River Demon Emperor's rudeness as an excuse to visit.
After all, a pretext could always be found for any grievance.
However, as Ding Yun's primary objective was to establish her authority and absorb the entire Myriad Laws Sect for her own use, she did not engage in wanton slaughter upon arrival.
She merely continuously exuded a terrifying aura of pressure and simultaneously struck towards the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor's secluded location with a palm strike, refraining from harming anyone else. Following this maneuver, the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor could no longer remain in seclusion. He erupted in fury, intercepted Ding Yun's palm strike, and rushed out, questioning Ding Yun with a mixture of shock and anger.
Concurrently, the Blood River Demon Emperor quickly transmitted a message to his master, briefly explaining the general situation. He highlighted two main points: firstly, that the opponent's strength was not to be underestimated, capable of easily severely injuring him; and secondly, that the opponent had deliberately come to provoke them, intending to use his master's reputation to elevate his own prestige.
With the Blood River Demon Emperor's expert explanation, there was truly no fear that the two would not clash.
Ding Yun, however, did not immediately resort to killing moves. She intended to spar with the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor, first engaging him in a battle of physical prowess, and then proceeding to a magical combat. The conclusion she reached was that she was indeed stronger than the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor, but the difference was limited.
If it came down to a desperate fight, she might be able to trade severe injuries for the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor's demise.
But Ding Yun did not wish to kill the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor; she intended to recruit him for her own use. Therefore, with a clear understanding of the situation, Ding Yun quickly released her thirteen peak Demon Emperor-level avatars, surrounding the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor.
At this point, the Blood River Demon Emperor and the other disciples of the Myriad Laws Sect, who had initially held out some hope, felt their hearts turn to ice.
The Myriad Laws Demon Emperor himself was also startled.
During his one-on-one duel with Ding Yun, he had already begun to worry, contemplating whether to seek a peaceful resolution or to employ his ultimate techniques in a life-or-death battle.
But with Ding Yun's current display, there was no longer any opportunity for a life-or-death struggle; it was clearly his end!
His courage faltered, and his strength waned.
Before Ding Yun's avatars even moved, he sustained an injury.
At this juncture, Ding Yun could discern some of his thoughts and understood that, as a Demon Emperor, he likely valued his reputation but also feared death. As long as she maintained the right balance, there was still hope of persuading him to join her.
Therefore, in the next moment, Ding Yun ceased her attack and declared:
"Myriad Laws Demon Emperor, do you wish to become my vassal? I will not interfere in the internal affairs of your Myriad Laws Sect, but you must formally submit to me. Do you understand?
You surely do not wish for millions of years of cultivation to be lost in vain.
Nor do you want your disciples to suffer any harm.
You must understand that I have already shown considerable leniency by not killing a single member of your Myriad Laws Sect. However, I cannot guarantee that I will remain this calm and composed indefinitely. Therefore..."
As she spoke, the thirteen avatars standing beside Ding Yun simultaneously unleashed terrifying Demon Emperor-level pressure, giving the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor the distinct impression that if he uttered a single word of refusal, he might instantly turn to dust.
Ultimately, the saying "the wise man submits to circumstances" prevailed in the Myriad Laws Demon Emperor's mind:
"Yes, from this day forward, the Myriad Laws Sect will hold you in highest regard."
Ding Yun was quite satisfied with his sensible compliance. She immediately produced an offensive and a defensive top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure as a gift and said:
"Good. I appreciate straightforward individuals.
These two top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures are bestowed upon you for your protection. Later, take some time to bring your disciples to my domain to register. Corresponding benefits will be distributed.
Furthermore, do not feel ashamed. Within a century at most, I will break through to the Demon Venerable realm. You should also strive diligently and contribute more. I have many ways to help you break through to the Demon Venerable realm as well. Other Demon Venerables may not possess this capability, but I am different."
While bestowing benefits and winning hearts, Ding Yun did not forget to paint a picture of future glory for him, regardless of whether he believed it or not. She had certainly laid out a grand vision.
(End of this chapter)