The proprietress grew up in the Xuanling Realm and had deep feelings for the human race. If she were to rule the Demon Realm, she naturally wouldn't harm humans.
Ji Mo felt quite at ease with the proprietress.
He mused that in the future, he could brag to others that he had once given the Empress of the Demon Realm aç—§ (gua sha), which would be quite an honor.
A drop of blood seeped from the proprietress's palm and was instantly absorbed by the Imperial Seal.
In the blink of an eye, the process of the Imperial Seal recognizing its master was complete.
If the proprietress had refined it herself, it would have taken a considerable amount of time.
However, because Ji Mo personally handed the Imperial Seal to the proprietress, the seal cleverly and proactively recognized her as its master.
The entire fortune of the Demon Realm immediately converged towards the proprietress. An imperial aura emanated from her body, and a terrifying pressure swept across the heavens and earth.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, the Demon Lord."
The demon realm beings surrounding them all bowed, expressing their respect to this new Demon Lord.
With Ji Mo as her backing, no one would likely dare to defy the proprietress in the future.
Her throne would be absolutely secure.
Ji Mo instructed, "Toad, Old Ox, I'm leaving. You two will assist the proprietress in ascending to the throne and ruling the Demon Realm."
He had a sudden premonition that something major was happening in the Xuanling Realm and decided to return quickly.
Toad and Niu Ben nodded, stating they would serve with all their might.
Being able to assist the proprietress was a tremendous opportunity for them.
"Supreme Lord Ji Mo, what about this humble one?"
The High Priest spoke humbly, fearing he would be overlooked.
He did not wish to lose his current status and power.
Ji Mo had no good feelings for this sycophantic spiritual staff, so he casually replied, "Do what you've been doing before, and strive to achieve even better results."
The trace of worry in the High Priest's eyes finally dissipated. He knew his position was secure.
"Brother Ji, what about us?"
Mi Xue Bing Cheng gazed expectantly at Ji Mo. The two girls clearly intended to stick close to Ji Mo and wanted to go to the Xuanling Realm with him.
Ji Mo didn't necessarily want to stop them, but bringing two demonesses, especially very beautiful young demonesses, would be too conspicuous and likely cause trouble.
He said, "You two help rebuild the imperial palace. If you build it beautifully, I'll give you a reward."
The expressions of the two girls clearly showed their disappointment, but thinking of the reward, they reluctantly agreed.
Ji Mo did not delay, taking Xiao Tuan Tuan with him on the journey back to the Xuanling Realm.
Half a day later.
The unconscious proprietress opened her eyes and slowly regained consciousness.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the Desolate Soul Devouring Toad and urgently said, "Quick, quickly notify Mr. Ji. I received news that the Heavenly Demon is coming down to deal with him. Tell him to be extremely careful."
It seemed the proprietress still cared deeply for Ji Mo. Even in her unconscious state, she was concerned for his safety.
Toad understood that the proprietress had likely been captured by the Night Priest long ago and was unaware of subsequent events.
"Your Highness, Mr. Ji is fine. The one who should be careful is the Heavenly Demon."
Toad spoke softly, telling the proprietress not to be nervous and to relax.
Niu Ben, standing nearby, quickly corrected him, "Ha, you need to pay attention. You must address her as Her Majesty the Empress."
Toad nodded quickly, "Right, Her Majesty the Empress. You are now the ruler of the Demon Realm, the new Demon Lord."
Ah?!
"I, the Demon Lord?"
The proprietress's mind couldn't process it immediately.
She remembered that not long ago, she was a captive of the Night Priest, believing she was destined to die. But now, not only was she free, but she had also become the Demon Lord.
This was simply unimaginable.
She didn't believe the Desolate Soul Devouring Toad's words, but then she suddenly discovered she was holding something in her hand – it was the Imperial Seal!
Even more astonishingly, the Imperial Seal had already recognized her as its master.
Only the King of the Demon Realm could wield the Demon Clan's Imperial Seal, which meant she had indeed truly become the Demon Lord.
"What exactly happened?"
The proprietress was eager to know the sequence of events.
Toad grinned widely, spittle flying, and animatedly recounted the events that had transpired during this period.
The proprietress's expression was extremely complex, showing a face full of shock.
It was unbelievable that she had actually won without lifting a finger!
"Your Majesty, I believe we should build a temple to worship and write books to praise the great achievements of Lord Ji Mo, so that all beings in the Demon Realm can properly remember Lord Ji Mo's magnificent deeds."
The High Priest spoke, having been constantly considering how to flatter Ji Mo.
He thus proposed this suggestion, simultaneously proving to the proprietress that he was a useful person.
"Forget it. Mr. Ji is a low-key person who cultivates his heart in the mortal world. He won't care about these things."
Toad said irritably, knowing that Ji Mo was not the type of person who sought worship and gratitude.
More importantly, he disliked the High Priest, feeling that the old fellow was too obsequious. If he managed to climb high with Mr. Ji in the future, Toad feared he would be overshadowed.
"Your perspective is too narrow."
The High Priest retorted, "The power of faith holds extraordinary significance for deities. Lord Ji Mo may not care, but we, as servants, must think for our master and seek more faith."
"Let it be as the High Priest says. From now on, only Mr. Ji shall be worshipped in our Demon Realm."
The proprietress made the final decision, supporting the High Priest.
Although she was now the esteemed Demon Lord, this was all she could do for Ji Mo.
If she had a choice, she truly wouldn't want to be the Demon Lord at all, but rather to stay by Ji Mo's side.
Following this, the imperial city underwent extensive construction. Instead of rushing to rebuild the collapsed imperial palace, they first demolished the Heavenly Demon Temple and erected a more magnificent palace, enshrining a statue of Ji Mo within.
Concurrently, similar temples were established throughout the Demon Realm.
Countless streams of faith converged, then entered Ji Mo's body, nourishing his bones and blood.
...
Xuanling Realm, Gate of the Demon Realm.
Ning Wenjing, holding a small stone statue, quietly waited at the Gate of the Demon Realm every day.
She was waiting, waiting for that person to return.
"Jingjing, don't be foolish. He won't come back."
Ning Yi sighed, looking at the increasingly gaunt Ning Wenjing with heartache.
In his opinion, Ning Wenjing was merely a tool used by Ji Mo to open the Gate of the Demon Realm. Now that his objective had been achieved, he naturally wouldn't pay attention to Ning Wenjing anymore.
"I believe the great liar will definitely come back. Perhaps he'll appear before me any moment now."
Ning Wenjing said dreamily, her trust in Ji Mo absolute.
Then, she couldn't help but say, "Clan Leader, the Ghost Tribe is invading. The entire Eastern Region has almost fallen. Please stop waiting here and lead your people to the Eastern Region to resist the Ghost Tribe."
Ning Yi's expression was grave. Some time ago, the Gate of the Ghost Realm had been opened by a traitor, and the Ghost Tribe had invaded the Xuanling Realm. The flames of war had now spread throughout the entire Eastern Region.
If it weren't for the small person, King Luo Li, leading the experts from the Southern Region to halt the Ghost Tribe's advance, it was likely that the Eastern Region and even larger territories would have already fallen into the hands of the Ghost Tribe.
Ning Yi shook his head and stubbornly said, "No, we must guard the Gate of the Demon Realm. If the Demon Race also mobilizes to invade, then the Xuanling Realm will be utterly finished."
He firmly believed that the Demon Realm would inevitably invade. If the Gate of the Demon Realm was not guarded, then the entire Xuanling Realm would truly be doomed.