Before Kong Xuan could speak, Bi Ding said, "I know you are an influential figure among the demon race, but I didn't expect you to be so frivolous with your words, speaking as if they were mere farts, so casually. Our people are the indigenous inhabitants of this desolate land, the earliest to live here. Later, your forces, for various reasons, were defeated everywhere and fled here in disarray, gradually encroaching upon our living spaces. If anyone should leave, it should be you. You should not only withdraw from the Western Guard but also leave the Demon Realm."
"This world is governed by strength. You initially occupied the entire desolate land, but now you hide in those dark corners, afraid to show yourselves. What does this signify? People, at times, must accept their fate. If you're not capable, you're not capable; don't force it. If you have a bone in your mouth, eat it with peace. If you still covet someone else's meat, be careful you don't lose the bone too," Kong Xuan said.
"If we talk about strength, the Demon Emperor is the strongest now. If none of us yield and we fight each other to the point of mutual destruction, the Demon Emperor's side will take the opportunity to emerge and reap the benefits. By then, there will be no place for us in the Demon Realm," Xin'er said.
Mo Qi felt gratified. Bringing Xin'er to argue on this trip was the right decision; he didn't even need to speak.
Kong Xuan and the others were utterly shocked.
This composure, this meticulousness, how could it belong to a ten-year-old child?
This was clearly an adult with extensive life experience!
Mo Qi sometimes found it particularly strange. Over the years, Xin'er's appearance and physique had not changed; she still looked like a ten-year-old child. Cultivators should indeed resist aging better than ordinary people, but before adulthood, their physical development should not be affected.
Mo Qi surmised it was due to Xin'er's rebirth through witchcraft, so he didn't ask further.
The others around them were muddle-headed and didn't pay attention to this issue at all.
However, some among the Witch Tribe had once asked Wu Qixian, "It's been decades now? Why hasn't Xin'er grown up at all?"
Wu Qixian always mumbled that he didn't know, perhaps she was ill.
Some among the Witch Tribe had their suspicions but dared not ask more. After all, her use of this technique didn't harm anyone.
At this moment, everyone began to argue chaotically, shouting themselves hoarse, their faces flushed red, and spittle flying everywhere.
Kong Xuan felt outnumbered and wasn't very eloquent, so he called the flower demon Hua Xianfu and the spider demon to help him argue, while he closed his eyes to rest.
He felt that a battle was inevitable today and needed to conserve his strength.
When Mo Qi saw Hua Xianfu, he kept giving her flirtatious glances.
Upon seeing Mo Qi, Hua Xianfu was first shocked, then her eyes darted left and right, appearing very flustered. She had been in for a while but hadn't dared to open her mouth.
Kong Xuan was very surprised. "Aren't you usually quite talkative? What's wrong today?"
Hua Xianfu lowered her head instead, her face blushing.
Kong Xuan, helpless, had to ask her to leave.
The spider demon, however, was very strong in combat, her mouth being equivalent to two.
The battle became a stalemate.
The two from the Demon-Human tribe primarily spoke of their ancestors, tracing their lineage back, and consistently claimed to be the masters of this land.
The Demon race primarily focused on their strength and current situation, stating that they had already occupied a large portion of the Western Guard and controlled vast mining areas. Therefore, these resources belonged to the Demon race and would not be shared with others.
The half-beasts mostly remained silent, siding with whoever seemed to be gaining the upper hand.
Xin'er had stopped speaking after her initial few remarks.
This was because she realized that no matter how much she said, they would twist her words.
Mo Qi felt a bit regretful. This wasn't a negotiation; it was clearly a verbal brawl.
This wouldn't solve anything!
Mo Qi roared, "Silence!"
This roar, like thunder from a clear sky, stunned everyone.
Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Mo Qi slowly said, "Everyone, don't just focus on immediate benefits. If we are not united, we will be defeated one by one by the Demon Emperor. But if we unite, becoming a single rope, we will be invincible. We should set aside our immediate interests and prioritize the formidable enemy we face. Everyone should be clear that if we fight to a mutual defeat, the Demon Emperor will exploit our weakness and easily gain an advantage. Imagine, everyone, the scenario if the Demon Emperor and his minions continue to enslave us. Thrown into the Melting Pool to become nourishment, or suffering the torment of fragmented spirit stones, living like walking corpses, worse than death, in perpetual darkness. If you all consider these consequences, perhaps you won't be so heedless in fighting over these petty gains here."
The Melting Pool was a pool built by the Demon Emperor on Revenge Mountain, used for soaking living people to provide nourishment for his cultivation; it was extremely cruel.
This speech still failed to awaken them. After a brief silence, everyone started to stir again.
If they continued to argue like this, this trip would have been in vain.
"How about this, we make a bet. Whoever wins, we listen to them. What do you say?" Mo Qi suddenly said unhurriedly.
Everyone stopped arguing.
After a few breaths, they unanimously agreed, "So be it."
But what should they bet on?
Mo Qi proposed that they enter the Jin Mine. Whoever mined the most spirit stones of the highest value within a specified time would win.
"No," Kong Xuan immediately retorted. "We are not skilled at this. I suggest we go to the Spirit Beast Mountain. Whoever obtains the most Spirit Beast Pills wins."
Spirit Beast Pills were pills refined from the essence of demonic beasts through demonic fire.
Demonic fire was possessed by beastmen, half-beasts, demon-humans, and demons, but not by humans.
Therefore, Kong Xuan's proposal was deliberately targeting Mo Qi.
As expected, the other two parties readily agreed.
Xin'er was instantly enraged, "You are too shameless! To propose such an obviously unfair competition method, have you no shame?"
Kong Xuan, realizing he had gone a bit too far, coughed dryly. "I was merely proposing a plan. If it's not acceptable, we can discuss it further."
Mo Qi said calmly, "I agree. Let's do it this way."
"Big Brother?" Xin'er looked at Mo Qi in surprise.
Kong Xuan was overjoyed, lest Mo Qi go back on his word. He immediately said, "Then it's settled. Everyone has agreed. Don't say it's unfair or that it doesn't count later. Anyone who says that, I'll argue with them."
Mo Qi said resolutely, "I will never go back on my word." He then turned to Xin'er and said, "Don't worry, I have my own plans."
Xin'er didn't know what his intentions were. Although she still felt the odds were slim, seeing his confident demeanor, she couldn't say much more.
Thus, on the side of the Yi Mo Sect, Mo Qi was the contender. The Demon race also sent Kong Xuan. The half-beasts sent Niu Hu, the demon-humans sent Huo Mo, and the beastmen sent Wu Huo.
The two previously sent by the beastmen had never returned. These four parties had to provide an explanation.
After discussion among the four parties, they concluded that they had not come and had gotten lost!