With Bai Qi's current strength, ascending to the moon and opening the Hell Gate there to release Zhou Lan would be incredibly easy. So why did Bai Qi deliberately lie to Zhou Lan and postpone for fourteen days?
The reason was simple: after Zhou Lan was released, Bai Qi planned to execute the Eight Discs Unification Plan, and Zhou Lan would be the first demon to be absorbed.
Even though Zhou Lan's strength had been greatly weakened during his years in hell, he was still one of the eight primeval demons. A starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Even if he couldn't defeat Bai Qi, with the immortality of a demon, Zhou Lan would choose to flee.
Therefore, Bai Qi needed time to assemble his troops. Even if they couldn't subdue Zhou Lan, they had to intercept him when he was defeated and tried to escape, buying Bai Qi time to absorb him.
Moreover, a fight between two primeval demons, regardless of their strength, would inevitably cause quite a stir. Bai Qi wasn't worried about the Justice League or SHIELD causing trouble for him. After all, two demons fighting outside Earth would cause no damage to Earth, nor harm to humans. Furthermore, in the eyes of these self-proclaimed righteous individuals, a fight between two demons was nothing more than a dogfight.
What Bai Qi truly worried about was that his battle with Zhou Lan would alert the demons present on Earth, like Xi Mu and Xiao Feng, making them wary prematurely.
It wasn't that these Earth-bound demons were difficult to deal with, but Bai Qi simply didn't want to waste time. Therefore, while attacking Zhou Lan, Bai Qi would allocate a portion of his forces to deal with Xi Mu and Xiao Feng. He didn't seek to inflict significant damage, only to hold them back. After he finished dealing with Zhou Lan, he would immediately go after the two of them. Su Dan Novel Network
First Zhou Lan, then Xiao Feng, Xi Mu, Bo Gang, Zhong Su, Di Kui, and finally Ba Sha.
These fourteen days were reserved by Bai Qi for mobilizing troops, tracking demons, and setting up ambushes around them.
Some might find it strange that Zhong Su and Di Kui were already imprisoned back in hell. How would Bai Qi bring them back to the surface, and why would their absorption be before Ba Sha?
This was very simple. Bai Qi went to great lengths to recharge the Pan Ku Box precisely for this moment.
The righteous energy within the Pan Ku Box at this time was sufficient to reopen the Hell Gates of Di Kui and Zhong Su. Furthermore, since the Holy Lord's Hell Gate had not yet been opened, one of the two demons could return to the surface world through the Holy Lord's Hell Gate.
After Zhou Lan left, Bai Qi managed to summon Zhong Su. Looking at Bai Qi, who was smugly grinning in the mirror, Zhong Su felt a surge of anger.
"Holy Lord, what do you mean by this? Did you summon me just to mock me?"
Seeing Zhong Su's anger, Bai Qi made no effort to hide his smile and said, shaking his head, "No, I've come to show you a clear path, a clear path back to the surface world."
Upon hearing that he could return to the surface world, Zhong Su was stunned for a moment, and his attitude shifted by 180 degrees.
"Holy Lord, as long as you can let me return to the surface world, I'll do anything you ask. Just give the word, and I, Zhong Su, will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Looking at Zhong Su, who was so eager to prove himself, Bai Qi couldn't help but sigh. Hell truly was a good place, capable of making Zhong Su, the most arrogant of the eight demons, display such humility.
Bai Qi spoke unhurriedly, "Zhong Su, I know you're anxious right now, but don't rush. Listen carefully to what I'm about to say. This concerns whether you can leave hell."
"Alright, Holy Lord, please speak. I'm listening attentively."
Bai Qi continued, "Each cycle of the Pan Ku Box can open eight Hell Gates, each corresponding to a demon. It was meant to be just right. But now I'm on the surface, and I don't need to use a Hell Gate to return. So, my Hell Gate is vacant. One of you, Zhong Su or Di Kui, can return to the surface through my Hell Gate."
Hearing Bai Qi's words, Zhong Su became even more excited.
A single Hell Gate could only allow one demon to pass through. Currently, there were two unfortunate demons in hell. Bai Qi's appearance here and telling him these words clearly indicated that he had chosen Zhong Su over Di Kui.
Thinking of this, Zhong Su's favorability towards Bai Qi skyrocketed. All past grievances were long forgotten.
"But don't get happy too soon."
Just then, Bai Qi's voice interrupted Zhong Su's fantasy, "I won't let you use my Hell Gate to return to the surface for free. You have to bring me some benefits."
Zhong Su felt no anger at Bai Qi's request this time. As long as he could return to the surface world, he was willing to pay any price.
However, when Bai Qi stated his demand, Zhong Su found himself in a difficult position. It wasn't that what Bai Qi wanted was too precious, but rather that the item Bai Qi specifically requested was too unusual, and he couldn't refuse it.
Bai Qi actually wanted him to obtain half of Di Kui's earth power and hand it over to him after returning to the surface world.
This was a joke! Di Kui represented the thickness of the earth, while Zhong Su represented the wrathful thunder of the sky. Although their relationship wasn't as irreconcilable as that between the Holy Lord and Ba Sha, Di Kui's earth power perfectly countered Zhong Su's thunder.
Furthermore, although Di Kui was simple-minded, he wasn't so foolish as to casually give away half of his earth power to someone else. If he tried to snatch it, Zhong Su, with his current strength, would likely get nothing but a bruised nose.
It could be said that Bai Qi's request was deliberately making things difficult for Zhong Su. However, considering that there was only one spot, if he refused the Holy Lord, Bai Qi might turn around and contact Di Kui.
To leave hell, Di Kui would likely be very willing to give Bai Qi half of his earth power. At that point, with only Zhong Su left in the entire hell, he might go mad before his strength was depleted. Therefore, regardless of whether he could complete Bai Qi's task, he had to agree first to stabilize Bai Qi.
Seeing Zhong Su agree, Bai Qi decisively ended the call. After all, he wasn't the Holy Lord, and saying too much could lead to mistakes, making the other party suspicious.
After dealing with matters in hell, Bai Qi began to mobilize his forces. Whether they were collecting resources in the universe, building edge worlds, or stationed in the Milky Way to protect Earth, all were summoned back by Bai Qi. Their numbers were so vast and dense that they were beyond visual counting.
Another seven days passed, and the fleet led by Kromiz returned. Their first act upon their return was to report the situation on Xandar to Bai Qi.
Kromiz stated that the inhabitants of Xandar were disobedient and stubborn. Therefore, he had executed the Omega Plan, and Xandar had been mined into an empty shell. A small portion of the fleet remained there to construct the planetary fortress.