Faced with the overbearing Jiu Ying's demands, the Human Race tribesmen were startled, then filled with righteous indignation and excitement.
"Jiu Ying, do you truly believe your Demon Race can act with impunity, disregarding even Empress Nuwa? You are all deserving of death!"
"This is utterly outrageous! You dream of us handing over our own kin!"
"Demon Race, do not bully the Human Race when we are weak. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west!"
The Human Race tribesmen roared their anger.
They would, of course, never agree to Jiu Ying's request to hand over their kin in exchange for the Demon Race's retreat.
Though the Human Race had multiplied and now numbered in the tens of millions, their people were not for sacrifice, nor for compromise. How could they possibly yield to the Demon Race's will?
They would rather die than do such a thing!
However, their angry accusations only made Jiu Ying and the assembled demons laugh even harder.
A mere Human Race, like ants, dared to stand before their Demon Race and speak of backbone and a refusal to yield, even unto death? It was a jest!
Jiu Ying ignored the Human Race's outrage and fixed his gaze upon the three Human Ancestors.
"These Human Race tribesmen are ignorant of their own mortality, but you, as leaders of your tribe, should understand that the survival of the race is paramount at all times.
"Therefore, you should give me a satisfactory answer, yes?"
Upon hearing this, the three Human Ancestors exchanged glances and shook their heads.
"What you say holds some truth, but we do not agree."
"Indeed, why should we Human Race suffer such unjust calamity? Do you demons truly believe you can control us?"
"The Human Race will not abandon its kin, even if it means shedding the last drop of blood. If the Demon Race wishes to fight, then fight. No more words!"
As the three Ancestors spoke, they chuckled. With a thought, they unleashed their full cultivation, preparing for a desperate battle.
Jiu Ying, unconcerned by their cultivation, merely shook his head repeatedly.
"I gave you a chance, and you did not cherish it. If this matter escalates to Empress Nuwa, you cannot blame me."
Jiu Ying spoke with feigned regret, though his heart was brimming with joy.
After all, with this incident, he would have an excuse even if Empress Nuwa blamed him later. Moreover, with Emperors Di Jun and Dong Huang Tai Yi to mediate, he was finally free of all restraint.
With this thought, Jiu Ying waved his hand grandly.
"Attack!"
Tens of thousands of demons, upon hearing the command, moved as one, soaring towards the Human Race.
The Human Race tribesmen, gripping their weapons, stood ready, preparing to fight the demons to the death.
Just as the battle was about to erupt, a voice rang out.
"Stop!"
As the voice faded, a figure appeared before the Human Race, facing the demons. Channeling her divine power, she halted the advancing demons.
This was a female immortal, her form somewhat delicate. Standing before the Human Race and wielding her power, she managed to block the charging demons, demonstrating her profound and unfathomable abilities.
"Who is this!"
Not only the demons were perplexed, but the Human Race was also bewildered, unsure of the identity of this sudden entrant.
Jiu Ying, seeing that the Human Race's attitude was genuine, hesitated. He waved to halt the advancing demons and inquired.
"Who are you? Why do you obstruct the Demon Race's actions?"
Judging by the Human Race's reaction, this woman was clearly not one of their allies. So, who could she be?
The woman ignored Jiu Ying and turned to face the three Human Ancestors. She nodded, her voice filled with approval.
"You have indeed lived up to our expectations. Those who wish for salvation must first save themselves. You faced peril and fought bravely, earning our aid."
"???"
The three Human Ancestors, and indeed all the Human Race tribesmen, were utterly baffled. They could not comprehend the meaning behind the fairy's words, nor how to respond.
On the other hand, Jiu Ying, insulted by the woman's blatant disregard for him, became furious and shouted.
"Who are you? I am speaking to you, do you not hear?"
He, a great Demon Saint, personally addressed her, yet she completely ignored him. This was an unprecedented humiliation.
However, this outburst did not sway the woman in the slightest. Instead, she pointed at Jiu Ying and said to the Human Race.
"See? Individuals like this, who can only bellow and rage, will suffer terrible fates even in high positions. You must not emulate him."
These words only deepened the Human Race's confusion. They truly could not fathom the thought process of this fairy who had suddenly appeared.
Standing between two armies was one thing, but to so brazenly disregard Demon Saint Jiu Ying and even mock him? Was this truly not problematic?
It was indeed highly problematic. The entire Demon Saint Jiu Ying was about to explode. He pointed at the female immortal and declared.
"Very well! You wish for death, do you? No matter who you are, you have offended me today, and I shall make you a sacrifice for the Human Race!"
With that, Jiu Ying prepared to order his army to attack again, to crush the Human Race before him, and this interfering interloper.
Just then, a multitude of voices rang out.
"Hey! Is that Jiu Ying shouting so loudly?"
"Indeed, it is Jiu Ying, the one who was beaten to a pulp by the Island Master and Senior Big Bird working together back then."
"Speaking of which, Jiu Ying is truly pathetic. Weren't his cultivation realms higher than the Island Master's back then? Now he's not even as good as the Elder Sister who appeared later. How dare this fellow ask for names!"
As these voices sounded, countless figures emerged from the rear of the Human Race, appearing beside them. They continued to point at Jiu Ying and the demons in the sky, chattering amongst themselves.
Seeing these beings appear, the Human Race breathed a sigh of relief, exclaiming in surprise.
"Saint Guard Army, I never thought you were still here. We feared you had abandoned us."
"Haha! As expected, Heaven blesses our Human Race! Our Human Race is not destined for extinction!"
"Esteemed immortals, long time no see. Is the one in the sky also from your side?"
The Human Race tribesmen were familiar with these beings. At some point, these figures had appeared around them, and although they did not mingle with the Human Race, they offered much protection, aiding the Human Race against fierce beasts and even demons.
The Human Race, grateful for their kindness, regarded them as their Saint Guard Army, holding them in utmost reverence.
When the three Human Ancestors saw these beings appear, they also relaxed. A significant portion of their confidence in challenging the Demon Race stemmed from these elusive beings.
Their appearance here now increased the Human Race's chances of victory!
Hearing their words, the Human Race tribesmen understood that the fairy in the sky was likely their leader. They bowed to her in gratitude.
"Heh heh! So you are the beings who have been secretly protecting the Human Race!"
Jiu Ying, witnessing this turn of events, chuckled. Today, he not only intended to complete his mission but also to kill these beings as a warning to others.
He had feared they would not show themselves, but now that they had, it was exactly as he wished!