Upon hearing this, Wang Wu pondered for a moment and then asked:

"Do you know the method to break the Stone Demon's petrification curse?"

"Yes, it's not a secret and quite simple. You just need to have a Celestial First-Grade Lifebound Demon Soldier or retrieve a Celestial First-Grade Lifebound Flying Sword, and with a gentle slice, the petrification curse of the Stone Demon can be dispelled."

"Celestial First-Grade? You must be joking, senior. Where would I find a Celestial First-Grade Lifebound Demon Soldier or Flying Sword?" Wang Wu was stunned.

Grandpa Tree shook his head, "I am not joking. I also don't possess a Celestial First-Grade Lifebound Demon Soldier. The root I've cultivated within my body for thirteen thousand years is currently equivalent to only a Celestial Third-Grade Lifebound Demon Soldier. To cultivate to Celestial First-Grade, either wait for another fifty thousand years or plant ancient trees all over the West Wilderness."

"As for the Human Race, as far as known, the strongest Lifebound Flying Sword is the world's treasure of the Immortal Alliance created by Lu Ji, who lived for 9000 years to cultivate a Celestial Third-Grade Lifebound Flying Sword. Nowadays, this is the world's treasure of the Immortal Alliance and rarely taken out."

"Moreover, all current Celestial Realm First-Grade Great Cultivators among the Human Race have Lifebound Flying Swords that are generally Celestial Fifth-Grade to Celestial Sixth-Grade. From this perspective, Xiong Wu, it's incredible that you managed to cultivate a Celestial Sixth-Grade Lifebound Demon Soldier, and such an achievement would make you stand out anywhere."

"So, is there no other way?"

Wang Wu felt disheartened.

"No, that Stone Demon should be the last Stone Monster across the Four Seas and Eight Wildernesses. It has lived for at least a hundred thousand years, and with its talent, it can absorb the Essence of Gold Qi from the Profound Iron Mine day and night, making its edge comparable to a Celestial First-Grade Lifebound Demon Soldier."

"Since it's so powerful, how was it driven away by the Human Race?" Wang Wu asked curiously.

"Because it was alone and weak. Once, the Four Seas and Eight Wildernesses were filled with the Monster Race. When they were strong, you didn't even need to encounter them; daring to secretly discuss them would result in being randomly matched with a monster to duel."

"Later, the Spirit Race of the Ancient Tree Race like me emerged. We fought against the Monster Race and contested every piece of space. The battles were overwhelmingly fierce, and only after winning did we achieve everything. But we hadn't yet enjoyed the fruits of victory before your Demon Race appeared."

"Then came repeated clashes, countless years of rivalry, and ultimately your Demon Race won everything. The Demon Race, represented by the Dragon Race, almost annihilated the Ancient Tree Race… And then, as you might guess, the Human Race came."

"Where did the Human Race cultivators come from?"

"Perhaps from other Great Wildernesses, though some believe that the Human Race evolved from the Demon Race, but there's no evidence. No one even knows if other Great Wildernesses exist. I've traveled over a million miles across the North, South, East, and West Seas yet found no borders, only endless oceans..."

"In any case, you needn't worry about that Stone Demon. Unless you're willing to trade with it, it will seldom confront you."

"Now, I've answered so many of your questions. You need to give me an answer too: do you agree to the Southern Wilderness Left Demon Emperor's recruitment?"

"Could I ask one more question, is the Southern Wilderness Demon Race's attack on the Profound Iron Mine already known by the Human Race? What's the comparison of forces between the sides? Besides, this is the West Sea, where West Sea Demon Race cooperated with the Human Race not long ago."

Wang Wu asked again, not wanting to be cannon fodder.

"I'm glad you asked. To put it this way, the Southern Wilderness Demon Race has been battling the Human Race for years with mixed victories. Comparing the forces, the Human Race is indeed powerful, but due to the long battle lines, both the Southern Wilderness Demon Race and the Eastern Wilderness, Northern Wilderness are opting for surprise attacks."

"This time, the Southern Wilderness Demon Race has also allied with the South Sea Demon Race and the West Sea Demon Race, evading the challenging sea crossing thanks to these two sea demon forces. Of course, a portion of the spoils must be shared. After all, the Profound Iron Mine is the key material for refining Lifebound Demon Soldiers and forging Lifebound Flying Swords."

"The Human Race has deployed two Celestial Realm First-Grade Great Cultivators here, and twelve hours into the battle, three additional Celestial Realm First-Grade Great Cultivators will arrive for support. Their dedication to the Profound Iron Mine is incomparable. This war isn't a surprise attack but a strong offensive; no one can resist the temptation of a Profound Iron Mine."

"As for the West Sea Demon Race once cooperating with the Human Race, it seems absurd but is actually normal. To the Human Race, all demons are the same, but to the Demon Race, other demon races and the Human Race are no different from each other."

"This is an intricate web of survival of the fittest."

"Once, when Master Jade Bee was at its peak, the West Sea Demon Race begrudgingly recognized the West Sea Bee Kingdom, and the Human Race acknowledged several small demon countries like the Snow Mountain Demon Country and Celestial Dao Mountain Demon Country, backed by Master Jade Bee's support, understanding the principle of lips to teeth protection."

"However, when it was injured and its cultivation severely damaged, everything changed. This wasn't a simple confrontation, but—ah, I was troubled by this often. Twenty years ago, I once persuaded joint forces from the West Sea, North Sea, East Sea, plus the Northern Wilderness Coalition to strongly attack the Human Race while also urging cooperation from the Southern and Eastern Wilderness Demon Races."

"There was once great momentum, and I even sent a strong branch body to join the battle. But as casualties increased, the coalition began to quarrel and in-fighting. Disputes arose endlessly, and my lips were worn out trying to appease all sides but it was still futile."

"When the Snake Emperor emerged and Dragon Island vanished from the North Sea, the situation became uncontrollable. The Human Race sought peace on one hand, while the coalition hurriedly searched for the Snake Emperor and Dragon Island, rumored to hold secrets of the Dragon Race. Then the coalition scattered, and my efforts went in vain. Now, West Wilderness Human Race uses Western Wilderness Demons as vanguard, attacking my Black Forest. I continue to persuade and resist the expansion of the Human Race."

"Otherwise, that Stone Demon would at least have been able to hide underground. After the Ancient Tree Race is exterminated, where can this old man hide?"

"When the Spirit Race is wiped out, how will your Demon Race cope?"

"When the Land Demon Race is extinct, how will the Sea Demon Race manage?"

"Such words have already been spoken numerous times by this old man. Everyone understands the reasoning, but everyone harbors ambitions, has their own ideas, and thinks they are the exception..."

"So, Xiong Wu, will you accept the Southern Wilderness Left Demon Emperor's recruitment or not?"

"Alright, I agree, but as a junior, I have a question. Can the senior tell me about the Great Witch Priest?" Wang Wu hurriedly asked, as these opportunities were rare.

After all, even General Xuelang, the former Mountain Master of the Great Snow Mountain Academy, doesn't really understand it.

"The Great Witch Priest? Haha, where did you dredge up this old relic? It's nothing more than a Heaven-Pleading official position established during the Dragon Race's dominance, divided into twelve, named after the Four Seas and Eight Wildernesses, but ever since the Human Race appeared and slew the Ancestral Dragon, using the Heavenly Repairing Dao to refine Dragon Blood as Spirit Essence, the Dragon Race's system can be swept into the trash heap."

"Nowadays, it's just some remnants trying to restart the Rising Dragon Dao, trying to recreate past glory. So the so-called Great Witch Priest, though it seems mystical and ghostly, is actually all rubbish!"

"Their era is already over, it's over. Now they are merely hanging on by a thread, even your Demon Race's most glorious era has ended, yet you remain unaware. Refining Dragon Blood as Spirit Essence is the great trend of the Human Race. Do you know the Human Race slays millions of Demon Race annually to supplement as Spirit Essence?"

"This old man is curious to know, once the Human Race Cultivators have exterminated the Spirit Race and Demon Race, where will they acquire Spirit Essence? Surely they can't resort to mutual slaughter?"

"Therefore, heed a piece of advice from this old man: cooperate, unite. This might not change the ultimate outcome, but at least it can delay a little longer."

"These words were spoken by this old man to your parents hundreds of years ago. Back then, the West Wilderness Demon Race was still quite decent, but look today, where are they?"

"Over the past five thousand years, only the Bear Demon Emperor had grand plans and foresight, but the result was a thousand years of pursuit by the Human Race. This old man advised it to hide in the Black Forest, but it disagreed, and when it finally wanted to hide there, it was all too late."

"The Human Race is adept at plotting and planning, often spanning hundreds or thousands of years focused on a single undertaking. This is something both you and I find difficult to compare to."

"Xiong Wu, you grew up under the watchful eye of this old man. Your actions give this old man a glimmer of hope. Don't be afraid; the Hundred-Change Ruyi Demon Leaf is this old man's eyes, but I have never used it to threaten any Demon Race. The reason this old man is willing to do this is to facilitate communication with your Demon Race. If you feel unsafe, you may return the Hundred-Change Ruyi Demon Leaf."

"Senior is jesting!"

Of course, Wang Wu wouldn't return the Hundred-Change Ruyi Demon Leaf, which he had refined and strengthened multiple times.

This item, apart from being perceived by Grandpa Tree, is susceptible to attack by the Great Illusion King Insect, but in other respects, it's absolutely excellent.

For instance, when worn, it provides a Passive Concealment +1 effect, which, with Wang Wu's current Level 22.7 Passive Concealment, is highly effective in certain key situations.

Grandpa Tree did not dwell further on the matter and instead directly handed Wang Wu a peculiar Jade Seal.

"Carry this item southward for five thousand miles, and the West Sea Demon Race will respond accordingly. This is also an essential marker for identifying friend and foe on the battlefield. You can directly meet the Southern Wilderness Left Demon Emperor and follow its orders. Also, don't worry it will seek your life. Compared to Lu Wuchen from the Human Race, the Southern Wilderness Demon Race is very welcoming to you."

"However, sometimes the divisions among demons can be greater than those between humans and demons. I hope you're mentally prepared for this. Don't hold too much hope, but also don't give up easily. Cherish every chance for joint combat, for at least now your Demon Race can still launch counterattacks."

"Why is senior speaking in such a manner?" Wang Wu was surprised, thinking Grandpa Tree was too pessimistic. Is this any way for a mediator to speak?

"Haha! After you've run back and forth non-stop for ten thousand years just because of the situation, come ask this old man why he speaks like this."

"The persuasion you're encountering now is your first, but it's already this old man's countless times. This old man has witnessed countless, exceptionally talented Demon Race geniuses rise, and also witnessed their fall and decay. This old man truly has no mood to fool you anymore."

"Because the results are nearly the same, the only difference is being able to secure a bit more time for this old man's race."

"This, I have never concealed."

"How to choose is up to yourselves. This old man is merely treading the path once taken by the Monster Race. In bygone days, when the Dragon Race rose and unleashed slaughter, the wise of the Monster Race urged the Ancient Tree Race to unite. Just like now at this moment!"

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