The news brought by the Wan Fo Sect was like a thunderclap, catching everyone off guard.
The Demon Race now had eighteen Demon Lords, but no new Demon King.
Xu Yi had previously thought this was a custom of the Demon Race, but now it seemed it was because the Demon King was still interfering in the Demon Race's affairs, so no Demon Lord dared to claim the title of King.
Xu Yi glanced at Ji Buwang.
Ji Buwang had once told Xu Yi that when he first joined the Xuanji Sect, he could also communicate with Liu Jinghong through a special magic treasure.
Was the Demon King communicating with the Demon Lords through similar means?
And if the Demon Lords had already ascended, why were they still meddling in the affairs of the lower realm?
Was there a larger conspiracy at play?
Everyone’s expressions were grim, their hearts feeling as if a massive stone was pressing down on them.
"It's just the Demon King, isn't it? Look at all of you, like cabbages struck by frost. You've lost your edge before even fighting the Demon Race. What kind of fight is this!"
Teacher Li, with his fiery temper, seeing everyone looking dejected, stood up and shouted.
"Teacher Li..."
Xu Yi felt a pang of shame.
Her original intention was to unite the Five Great Sects and jointly discuss a solution for the Demon Race, but the outcome was the opposite.
"Xu Yi, it's not that I'm saying you're usually a clever girl, but how come your mind isn't working at this moment?" Teacher Li said with great distress. "If the Demon King could come down, he would have already returned to kill his way through the Kyushu Continent. How could he be hiding in the shadows, playing dirty tricks? It's completely unnecessary!"
Xu Yi and the others felt their spirits lift.
Teacher Li was right. With the Demon King's strength, killing them would be as easy as killing chickens. There would be no need to go through such a convoluted process to deal with them.
Therefore, he was also restricted and could not appear in the lower realm.
Since that was the case, what was there to be afraid of?
No matter how strong the Demon King was, he couldn't do as he pleased.
The Kyushu Continent was, after all, their battlefield.
"Teacher is right, I was thinking wrongly," Xu Yi lowered her head seriously, her eyes shining with determination.
Teacher Li hummed contentedly twice and said no more.
Xu Yi looked at the five sect leaders. "Esteemed leaders, at this juncture, we must unite. Otherwise, if the Demon Race suddenly attacks, we will only be able to fight them individually."
Except for Venerable Changshou who nodded heavily, the other four sect leaders responded in unison, "We are willing to take on the responsibility of eradicating demons and return peace to Kyushu."
Xu Yi cupped her fists and bowed respectfully to them.
...
"We're here! We've finally arrived at the Xuanji Sect!"
Wang Yang ran a few steps ahead, looking up at the majestic mountain gate, his eyes filled with admiration and awe.
The other disciples, disregarding etiquette, also trotted forward to stand with Wang Yang, exclaiming in unison, "Wow!"
Many cultivators nearby heard the commotion and looked over, smiling kindly.
They had seen many similar scenes recently and were accustomed to them.
However, a small group of people, considering themselves worldly, sneered disdainfully, mentally cursing the group of country bumpkins who had come to see the world, finding it truly laughable.
But they were soon proven wrong.
"Wang Yang, lead the disciples to keep up."
"Coming, Master!"
The young man who was mistaken for a country bumpkin was actually a disciple of the sect, and there were several elders who looked formidable!
Although it was an unknown small sect, it was still much better than them, the wandering rogue cultivators.
The cultivators who had mocked Wang Yang in their hearts quickly withdrew their smiles, their brows even showing a hint of resentment.
Because of this small matter, they couldn't help but pay more attention to Wang Yang's group.
Upon discovering that Wang Yang and his group had not chosen a secluded spot to settle but were instead continuing towards the Xuanji Sect's mountain gate, they felt a sense of smugness.
Even if they had a powerful master, they were still country bumpkins. The good spots inside were already taken.
With Xuanji Sect disciples present, they couldn't use their cultivation to drive others away, so they would eventually have to retreat in disgrace.
Those who were gloating, with their arms crossed, prepared to watch the show.
However, Wang Yang and his group passed through countless cultivators and went deeper inside, showing no intention of stopping.
They were startled.
Could those country bumpkins be entering the Xuanji Sect to attend the grand ceremony?
But they were reassured shortly after.
Because this was absolutely impossible.
That group of people clearly came from a small place and had never even been to the Xuanji Sect. How could they be invited to the grand ceremony?
These people probably didn't even know the rules of the Xuanji Sect and thought they could just announce their arrival and participate.
The cultivators curled their lips, revealing smiles tinged with malice.
See, those country bumpkins would soon be driven back in disgrace.
Before Wang Yang and his group even approached the mountain gate, Xuanji Sect disciples had already spotted them.
A disciple with a kind face stepped forward to inquire, "May I ask if you seniors and fellow Daoists are here to attend the ceremony?"
"Ye-yes, indeed."
At his master's signal, Wang Yang nervously took out an invitation from his embrace, standing very straight.
The other disciples also subconsciously adjusted their posture, holding their breath.
Even though they knew this was an invitation personally written by Ancestor Xu and that there would be no problems, they couldn't help but feel nervous.
The Xuanji Sect disciple didn't think much of it. Upon receiving the invitation, he smiled even more kindly, "So you are fellow Daoists from the Fire Talisman Sect. Please follow me."
The Xuanji Sect disciple returned the invitation to Wang Yang and then enthusiastically led the way.
Wang Yang took back the invitation, carefully put it back in his personal belongings, and looked at his master.
Zhan Fei cleared his throat, "Let's go."
"Yes."
Wang Yang and the others, their faces beaming with joy, followed their master and elders, their very backs exuding liveliness.
"Th-they got in? They really got in?"
The smiles on those people's faces froze. They raised their arms in disbelief, frantically rubbing their eyes.
How could this be possible?
"Could this be a hidden sect that has emerged specifically for the Xuanji Sect's grand ceremony, which is why they are so crude in their manners?" someone murmured.
Besides this explanation, they could not find a more reasonable one.
Thinking that the country bumpkins they looked down upon had actually entered the Xuanji Sect's mountain gate under the guidance of a Xuanji Sect disciple, those people felt a pain as if their hearts had been gouged out, their eyes filled with naked jealousy.
Wang Yang and his group were unaware that they had inadvertently drawn a lot of animosity.
They were now being guided through the Xuanji Sect by another disciple.
Whether it was the hospitality of the Xuanji Sect disciples or special instructions they had received, this disciple, upon learning of Wang Yang's group's identity, did not immediately take them to their resting place but instead led them on a tour of the Xuanji Sect, introducing the scenery to them one by one.
Wang Yang found everything to be a scenic view, overwhelming him.
The Xuanji Sect was indeed a top sect, truly magnificent. Even ten Fire Talisman Sects at their peak combined could not compare.
In this regard, Zhan Fei and the elders Nanbei felt even more deeply.
They were people who had experienced the peak period of the Fire Talisman Sect, so they could naturally feel the gap more keenly.
They did not dare to hope that the Fire Talisman Sect would ever reach such a day. As long as they could pass down the sect's heritage, they would be content.