Taishi Demon Emperor was brimming with self-satisfaction and pride.

Having ruled as Demon Emperor for many years, this was the first time he had gathered such an immense number of subordinates.

Even though these underlings were insatiably greedy and perpetually hungry, requiring daily offerings of blood, he satisfied them all without hesitation.

Not for any other reason, but solely to defeat the Human Clan's Heavenly Court.

The Demon Clan had always looked down on humans, let alone the insult of being defeated by the species they deemed despicable.

To Taishi Demon Emperor, it was an intolerable humiliation, and he swore to exact vengeance.

Currently, they were still far from sufficient in numbers—ten billion Ghost Soldiers barely sufficed, fifteen billion would be adequate, and twenty billion would render them unbeatable.

Even though humanity possessed methods to counter demons and ghosts, against such overwhelming numbers, any resistance would inevitably falter.

As for the blood offerings required by the ghosts, Taishi Demon Emperor had already planned—he would use the Demon Clan as their food.

One hundred million demons were enough to satiate them.

The immediate priority was conquering the Human Clan and achieving Harmonization Perfection; everything else was inconsequential.

In this world, the least scarce thing was demons.

As long as victory was achieved in this war, everything else could be disregarded, and the ghosts could also be sent back to the Netherworld.

After some more years, demons would gradually emerge once again.

If the Demon Clan could indeed be exterminated completely, they would have been wiped out long ago.

Taishi Demon Emperor, having lived for countless ages, had encountered innumerable demons over the years. From his perspective, he regarded the Demon Clan with the same disdain he held for the Human Clan.

As time advanced, an increasing number of ghosts emerged from the Ghost Gate.

After being offered the blood sacrifices, they flocked to Taishi Demon Emperor's side in submission.

With endless hordes of ghosts, any means to counter them would be futile—nothing could withstand their assault.

The movements within the Demon Country did not escape the watchful eyes of the Heavenly Court.

At the border, Demon Emperor Xiezhi guarded the Long River, and his majestic palace by the riverbanks served as his residence.

At the peak of the mountain stood the Golden Hall, overlooking the vast expanse of land.

This was the Ten Thousand Great Mountains, the sanctuary of the Demon Clan, and the frontline for the Heavenly Court to resist the Demon Country.

At this moment, within the Golden Hall.

Moyu Qilin, Xiezhi, Divine Turtle, Lingying, Chiyou, and Elder Tianji—all major figures at the Harmonization stage—were gathered.

With the northern territories and overseas regions stabilized, the Heavenly Court could now mobilize all its forces to suppress this area.

Additionally, numerous Primordial Spirit cultivators and even more Tribulation Crossing cultivators were stationed here.

Alongside these, ten thousand deities, a million Demon Army soldiers, human troops, and hundreds of thousands of cultivators formed an impenetrable wall guarding the Heavenly Court.

Such an army could easily crush even the combined forces of the Seven Great Taoist Alliances from years past.

Yet the current situation caused those gathered in the hall to appear grim, unable to muster a shred of optimism.

The Demon Clan's forces were stronger than ever.

Especially with the addition of the unpredictable variable—ghosts.

"Including the Eight Sceneries World, humanity has three hundred million people. Even if every one of them were adept at ghost-slaying techniques, they could not possibly overcome the endless hordes of Netherworld Ghosts," someone said.

"Currently, the enemy has formed their own Demon Court, eroding Kunlun's advantage," Lingying reported, one piece of intelligence after another.

Moyu Qilin lay dormant, sleeping soundly, showing no interest in the affairs of the gathered group.

This Qilin was unlike any auspicious one; embodying the Great Dao of Malice, it possessed traits diametrically opposed to the traditional creature. In its wake, countless lives were lost, and its treacherous nature led Song Lin to tolerate it no longer.

Thus, its mind and memories were erased, leaving it to undergo trials beside Xiezhi.

"If the Demon Country attacks en masse, how long can we hold out?" Elder Tianji asked in a solemn tone.

Chiyou paused, calculating the strength on both sides. The result was unsettling: "Three months—at most three months until the enemy reaches the foot of Kunlun Mountain again."

"Just like last time."

"No, this time might be even more dangerous. Taishi Demon Emperor has gone mad, entirely disregarding the consequences."

Everyone in the hall agreed with this assessment: the Human Clan was in grave danger—far beyond the ordinary kind.

Their odds were far worse than before.

Even the ever-optimistic Chiyou was not confident about the Heavenly Court's chances this time.

The disparity in strength between the two sides was simply too pronounced.

"If it comes to the worst, we could retreat to the outer realms. It's no great loss if, in a few centuries, the tides of the Demon Tribulation from the Demon World rise again," Xiezhi suggested.

As the leader of the Demon Clan for tens of thousands of years, Xiezhi had faced numerous rivals who were not all defeated but fled into the boundless cosmos, hoping to rise again.

In the endless expanse of space, many ancient demons lay in hiding, usually emerging during times of calamity like the Upper Pure Demon Tribulation or when the Ancestor Star was weakened, to reap their share.

Back in the day, when Xiezhi fell into slumber, apart from the efforts of the Netherworld, many ancient demons contributed to the turmoil.

"Exactly. With the Divine Lord's cultivation pace, it wouldn't take us more than a few thousand years to recover. The outcome may not yet be decided," Elder Tianji remarked.

Having once been the Heavenly Master of the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance, Elder Tianji had witnessed Song Lin's rise step by step.

The seclusion periods of a Heavenly Master were long; during one retreat, Song Lin ascended to become a Taoist. Another retreat later, Song Lin had separated himself from Tianhe.

This kind of transformation was incomprehensible to anyone who had not experienced it themselves.

"Let us observe the situation while defending our positions. Even if there is a retreat route, we cannot afford to slacken," Chiyou encouraged the group.

Sometimes, having too many exit strategies reduced one's fighting spirit.

Kunlun Zengcheng.

At the city's gate, Divine Turtle stood guard, and within the city lay sprawling clusters of grand buildings.

Layer upon layer, these structures extended upward toward the mountain.

Zengcheng was situated above the foot of Kunlun Mountain and beneath the Immortal Realm, at the junction between mortals and deities.

Zengcheng was divided into three layers and nine tiers.

Core Formation cultivators lived in the lower layers, known as Wandering Immortals. Purple Mansion cultivators inhabited the middle layers, called Independent Immortals. Tribulation Crossing cultivators occupied the upper layers, referred to as Human Immortals. Primordial Spirit and Harmonization cultivators, known respectively as Earth Immortals and Immortals, could reside in either the upper layers or the Immortal Realm.

Of course, during the Heavenly Court's early establishment, these hierarchical systems were not overly rigid.

Within the lower layers.

This area was suffused with steaming clouds and vibrant mists. Immortal cranes, purple orchids, white birds, Jiao-dragons, and various other rare creatures roamed freely.

"Wait for me, senior sister!"

Two streaks of tunneling light darted across the sky, accompanied by the bell-like laughter of a young woman.

"Do not make a commotion. Today marks the day our Grandmaster achieves a breakthrough. Later, we shall follow our master to offer congratulations. Do not lose manners," the more mature-looking woman at the front frowned and chided.

The mischievous junior behind stuck out her tongue, refraining from further words.

Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she inquired, "Senior sister, was it true that our Grandmaster arose from the Taoist Temple alongside the Eastern King?"

"Indeed, that is widely known. Why ask such questions?"

"It's nothing; I was merely curious."

Soon, they arrived at the Taoist school and sought their master.

Their master was a Core Formation Wandering Immortal and possessed their own Taoist school.

Zengcheng was similar to a blessed land, typically bestowing the full benefits of such a place only to those who owned their own Taoist school, for which Core Formation cultivators qualified.

Those below Core Formation did not receive such privileges.

While Core Formation cultivators could reside in Taoist schools, other disciples were not wholly prohibited from living there. Disciples, servants, and Taoist soldiers, among others, could reside within but required a specific level of aptitude.

Quickly, a group departed, carrying invitation letters as they headed toward the upper layers.

The upper layers resembled an Immortal Realm, with all Taoist schools floating amid white clouds, amidst Essence Qi concentrations ten times or more abundant than those of the lower layers.

The group arrived at the Grandmaster's Taoist school.

The school was adorned with rows of tables, protectors, and heavenly ladies serving exquisite dishes. The celestial guests gathered, immersed in wine, music, and dance, in complete ease and grandeur.

The day was for celebrating the Grandmaster's Immortal Ascension Ceremony, and all acquaintances and friends had come to offer their congratulations.

Previously, the Grandmaster resided in the middle layers. After successfully crossing the tribulation, she now had a new Taoist school in the upper layers.

"Qianzai True Monarch (Shi Yinhua) has arrived!"

"Lei De True Monarch (Guu Yuchan) has arrived!"

"Eight Sceneries Wuji Sword Master (Yan Jiuge) has arrived!"

"Eight Sceneries Primordial Mother (Wu Chen) has arrived!"

"Emperor Xia's Envoy has arrived!"

"Dangmo Emperor's Envoy has arrived!"

One illustrious figure after another arrived, and the disciples of the Taoist school, tasked with greeting the guests, found their horizons greatly expanded. They had never imagined their Grandmaster's stature to be this extraordinary, making them proud to be her disciples.

With the arrival of the distinguished guests, the Grandmaster herself appeared.

For the two disciples, this was the first time seeing their Grandmaster's true form, and they couldn't help but marvel at her beauty and magnificence.

With green hair flowing over a white robe, a crimson sword complementing her red attire, she exuded an aura of heroic elegance and unyielding presence.

"Congratulations to Taoist Qingyu," Shi Yinhua stood and offered his congratulations.

"Greetings, fellow Taoists," Qingyu replied warmly.

The woman was none other than Qingyu, of the Wu State Royal Family.

She was an extraordinary individual, being both a member of the Wu State Royal Family and the niece of Ziyun from the infamous Ziyun and Tianhe scandal. Despite the public's doubts and disdain, Qingyu overcame this disgrace and earned respect through her strength.

In recent years, her cultivation level lagged behind others of her era.

Shi, Yan, Guu, and Wu were all Thunder Tribulation cultivators. As contemporaries, Qingyu had only recently managed to cross her tribulation.

However, Qingyu's path diverged from theirs significantly—she practiced swordsmanship, refined Taoist soldiers and talismans, mastered Thunder Skills, practiced alchemy, and pursued Body Refinement. Her path as an all-rounded Heavenly Master had naturally cost her extra time.

Now that she had achieved success in the Thunder Tribulation, her future potential was limitless.

At this moment, the Heavenly Court's Imperial Decree arrived.

"Qingyu of Donghua Sect..."

The decree enumerated Qingyu's merits—from her journey at the Taoist Temple to her contributions to the Heavenly Court, from Wu State to the Eight Sceneries World and the Xia Country.

Her battle accomplishments were countless.

"Granted the Mei Mountain Taoist School, titled Mei Mountain Primordial Monarch!"

"Tasked with jointly guarding Kunlun Mountain alongside the Manifestation Saint True Monarch Erlang!"

"Congratulations, Taoist," resounded the voices of the celestial guests.

In the void, Song Lin's Divine Thought briefly manifested, revealing his face for a fleeting moment.

"Thank you, Divine Lord," Qingyu replied with respect.

Thus, yet another True Monarch joined the ranks.

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