Chapter 507: Chapter 446: Xia Capital Demon Gathering, Those with Scales and Horns!
Lingzhou City.
For this grand conference, the entire Lingzhou City was cleared out. All ordinary mortals were relocated to the western part of the city, while the eastern part was transformed into the largest venue and a complex of palaces.
The large-scale construction wasn’t solely for this event; these palaces would later serve as the Imperial Palace for Xia Country.
At this moment, Xia Capital, also known as Lingzhou City, had attracted a considerable number of people dressed in exotic attire.
Since the region was fragmented and ruled by various kings, the people in the border areas sought to distinguish themselves from the Central Plains Dynasty by deliberately reviving the traditions of the Ancient Times.
In the Chu and Shu territories, most people sported long hair and tattoos.
The customs of blood sacrifices and human offerings had also made a comeback.
From the perspective of the Donghua Taoist Sect, these two places were steeped in outdated practices and near-barbaric behavior.
As for the envoys representing the mortals, they were left to be entertained by Wu Yi and the others.
The venue in the eastern part of the city, also known as the Circular Altar, was already set up. Rows of tables were arranged from the center outward, and disciples carried trays to place wine, fruits, and refreshments upon the tables.
For now, the appointed time had not yet arrived, and not everyone was present. The Five Great Heavenly Masters of the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance, the Green Dragon Minister, Master Bai Mei, and all the ministers and masters from the various Taoist Schools had already gathered.
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master wore a pleased smile as he glanced at the other celestial masters around him. Inwardly, he was rather satisfied—Song Lin was no longer causing trouble, seemingly having accepted the outcome.
In truth, breaking away from the Dragon Head Master’s system gave him more freedom, as he no longer had anyone watching over him.
The demons and monsters cared little for managing affairs. As long as the negotiations of this conference went well, the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance would ride this wave to unprecedented heights.
"The Black Heaven Law Realm Minister, Beisha, has arrived!"
A black cloud loomed over the city as a black-robed Taoist radiating Demonic Qi descended from the heavens with his entourage.
"Young friend Beisha! Long time no see!"
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master stood to greet him. Though they were of different generations, Spirit Treasure rose to his feet as a sign of respect and attention.
"Please, have a seat!"
"The Minister from the Witch God Heavenly King Dao Alliance, Black Crow, has arrived!"
Whoosh!
A howling Yin Wind swept through the air, painting the sky a greenish hue.
Countless green lights converged to form a figure in a green robe, their face obscured from view.
This was the Heavenly Dharma Master, the most enigmatic and ruthlessly sinister celestial master of the Wu State Dao Alliance.
The entourage brought by the Heavenly Dharma Master all bore facial tattoos and exuded an aura of demonic nature.
Soon, all the human celestial masters were gathered in their seats.
The time for the magic meeting had arrived, yet the demons and monsters were tardy, arriving one after another in a grandiose manner.
"The Left Great King of the Whale Chicken Clan, Wind Great Saint, has arrived!"
In the sky appeared a towering rooster, as massive as a mountain, its eyes as large as millstones, and its crimson comb radiating the heat of the sun.
Whoosh!
The Whale Chicken descended, transforming into a man draped in a red-feathered cloak, with scarlet eyes and a crimson beak.
The Demon Clan’s titles followed a structured hierarchy—those who have crossed tribulations were called Demon Commanders or Demon Generals, while those who attained Primordial Spirit were called Great Saints. The head of a tribe earned the title of Primordial Spirit Demon Lord or Harmonization Demon Master.
Being called a Great Saint meant one had achieved the Primordial Spirit.
Wind Great Saint strutted arrogantly to his seat, leading the Demon Clan warriors.
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master wore an awkward expression but dared not show anger. After all, this was a tribe with a Harmonization Demon Master.
"Dragon Uncle Taihuo Demon Lord has arrived!"
A figure, shrunken to the size of a normal human by tens of thousands of times, descended. Taihuo’s attitude was far less arrogant, likely because he had been defeated by Spirit Treasure Celestial Master before.
"The Giant Turtle Crown Prince Demon Saint has arrived!"
Amidst swirling mist and water vapor, a youth with skin covered in pitch-black scales descended, followed by his physically imposing entourage.
"Well, so many have arrived!"
The Crown Prince Saint greeted the other Great Saints with a laugh and made a polite gesture toward Spirit Treasure Celestial Master.
"The North Sea Yu Xiexun Great Saint has arrived!"
"The South Sea Crane Clan’s Crane Feather Great Saint has arrived!"
Whoosh!
A white crane emerged, its wings spanning a hundred miles.
The immortal crane transformed into an ethereal woman adorned in a pristine white feathered robe, radiating immortal energy.
Her face was similar to a human’s, save for vertical pupils in her eyes and streaks of silver at her temples.
"Princess Hee Ling!"
The Giant Turtle Crown Prince’s eyes lit up. Just as he attempted to approach her, he was held back by a few other Demon Commanders, nearly igniting a conflict between the two sides.
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master hurriedly intervened to mediate the situation.
"Everyone, now that all parties are present, please take your seats so that we may begin discussions."
The five Demon Clan Great Saints took their seats.
Whale Chicken Great Saint snorted coldly and remarked, "There’s nothing to discuss. You humans rely on us demons. Contracts are trivialities. Whatever we decree, you obey."
"Who says we are your vassals?"
Someone in the rear couldn’t hold back and roared in protest.
Song Lin turned his head to see an old acquaintance—it was none other than that familiar face, Taixuan, the stout man with a strong sense of justice.
"Where did this noisy brat come from? Drag him out!"
The Giant Turtle Crown Prince shot a disdainful glance, utterly dismissing the others. As a few of his subordinates moved to capture Taixuan, Spirit Treasure Celestial Master quickly ordered his men to escort Taixuan out first.
"My subordinate acted rashly. I apologize for the embarrassment."
"Heavenly Master Tianji, the states of Chu and Shu have already negotiated terms with the Great Saints here. We have the blueprint. If you are willing, the three alliances and three nations can stand united, advancing and retreating together."
"What is the content of the agreement?"
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master inquired.
"I shall read it aloud."
Hee Ling rose to her feet, her gaze sweeping over everyone present. Her voice was ethereal, beyond mortal comprehension, carrying an air of contempt for the world.
What pomposity and pretense.
Song Lin furrowed his brows. These five Great Saints were all show-offs, each one worse than the last.
"First, the Demon Lords and Taoist Alliance Celestial Masters shall form an alliance of brothers. The Celestial Masters of the Taoist Alliance will be the younger brothers and must revere their elder brothers."
"Second, the border restrictions on the Demon Clan shall be lifted. All demons and monsters are free to enter and exit the interior. To better protect the Human Clan, the five Demon Clans will station troops within the borders. If the Demon Clan commits any crime, it shall be punished by us, with no interference from humans."
As Hee Ling narrated, members of the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance grew increasingly distressed. The terms were utterly demoralizing, yet they could do nothing about it.
Still, this was somewhat bearable, as their own interests were not directly threatened.
The next term was a hard pill to swallow.
"Third, three hundred thousand humans shall be offered to us annually. Furthermore, the dietary habits of the Demon Clan must be respected. Man-eating inns, human offerings, and related industries are to be permitted for development."
Whoosh!
The members of the Heaven and Earth Xuanmen Alliance erupted in uproar.
"Heavenly Master..." Taoist Bai Mei anxiously tugged on Spirit Treasure Celestial Master’s sleeve.
Removing the border restrictions for demons and monsters already hinted at tacit approval for them to secretly prey on humans.
But now they were demanding three hundred thousand humans annually. Across three nations, that would total nine hundred thousand.
Did the five clans even number a hundred thousand themselves?
Such an enormous appetite!
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master’s face turned grim. To his dismay, he realized that water-based clans were not the only ones involved this time. He had originally assumed they wouldn’t meddle in terrestrial affairs, but now his calculations were completely off.
Three hundred thousand?
Was this even acceptable? To maintain population growth, the majority of humans would have to be raised like livestock.
While he considered agreeing temporarily and finding a way to stall for time, Spirit Treasure Celestial Master decided to make one last attempt to negotiate.
"Could there be some flexibility?" Spirit Treasure Celestial Master hesitated, his face troubled.
"Is flexibility even a question? Have you ever thought about it? Annual border wars result in over a million deaths. By cooperating with us, you will no longer have to fight wars—we will restrain our subordinates. Besides, shouldn’t you be more concerned about the Dragon Abyss Conference that occurs once every hundred years?"
Hee Ling left no room for compromise.
"Hmph, negotiate if you want. If not, then get out. You haven’t even paid for past offenses. Go back and await your demise."
The Giant Turtle Crown Prince sneered.
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master’s expression twisted, alternating between green and white, as inner turmoil played out across his face.
"However, there is room for compromise. I can personally lower the human offering to one hundred thousand."
"What is your condition?" Spirit Treasure Celestial Master knew there were no free lunches in this world.
"I’ve heard your nation boasts martial artists brimming with vitality and two exceptional alchemists—Taihua and Donghua. Our request is simple..."
Hee Ling paused, her enchanting gaze sweeping toward Song Lin and another, indicating she had done her research beforehand.
"Refine ten thousand Ren Pills annually, each weighing ten Liang."
"Ren," as in "Human."
Taihua nearly coughed up blood at this blatant mockery.
Song Lin’s plan had to be executed, even if it cost him his life to take her down!
"Haha, me?"
Song Lin incredulously pointed at himself.
"The conditions are already very lenient. Humans are numerous, and even natural deaths exceed one hundred thousand annually. How can you still be dissatisfied with this arrangement?"
Spirit Treasure Celestial Master was naturally satisfied—one hundred thousand was a trivial number, and the task was merely to refine ordinary pills. Nevertheless, it would be at the expense of Song Lin and the others.
"Agree to it. I will make it up to you in the future." Spirit Treasure Celestial Master transmitted his voice secretly.
Song Lin pretended not to hear. He stepped forward, moving instantly to stand before the gathering of demons and monsters.
"The terms are decent... except..."
Song Lin gazed intently at the assembled demons.
Memorizing each of their expressions.
What were those eyes?
Eyes that regarded humans as mere commodities, mere goods. Even when trying to sound kind and congenial, the demons couldn’t hide their inherent arrogance.
It was as if they were saying: "Look at these fragile humans. How could they resemble us, beings destined for the Dao?"
"Except your gazes offend me greatly. I’ll dig out each and every one of your eyes and feed them to dogs!"
"Scales and horns, those born of eggs and bred in wet muck—how dare you bargain with me?"