Chapter 546: Evil Intentions

The scene immediately devolved into chaos. The guardian families and royal households who supported the Yun family—or more accurately, those still loyal to the Little Demon Empress—were numerically at a disadvantage, yet not significantly weaker. Furthermore, their unwavering loyalty to the Demon Emperor's lineage gave them an upright posture and a much stronger aura than those who harbored guilt or a sense of shame.

At the center of this pandemonium, the Yun family remained remarkably calm. This was particularly true for Yun Qinghong, the family patriarch, who sat in silence from start to finish.

Though he uttered no words aloud, he was far from silent. As the two factions squared off, he repeatedly sent profound energy messages to the Little Demon Empress.

“Little Demon Empress, please control your emotions. This is absolutely not the right time for you to intervene… and above all, do not forcefully protect my Yun family. Prince Huai and his faction are hoping you will do just that.”

“My Yun family will take full responsibility for this matter!”

Yun Qinghong knew the Little Demon Empress's temperament better than anyone. He himself had once been beaten by her so severely that he couldn't get out of bed for a month, and her disposition had changed dramatically after she became the Little Demon Empress. Given her character, in a situation like this, she would undoubtedly have killed someone on the spot had Yun Qinghong not immediately sent her a psychic message to intervene.

Just as Yun Qinghong finalized his strategy and prepared to stand, Prince Huai suddenly chuckled and said, "Everyone, please calm yourselves for a moment. Regarding the Yun family's continued status as a guardian family, it's clear that the majority support their expulsion."

"What does a larger number matter!" Mu Yubai sharply retorted, "Prince Huai, do you truly believe that with enough people on your side, you can dominate everything? Hmph, a group of ungrateful traitors to their ancestors and lineage, even ten or a hundred times more of them would still be nothing but contemptible rubbish!"

Mu Yubai's words immediately caused the murmuring in the hall to escalate. Mu Feiyan nudged him with an elbow and gave him a harsh look. Mu Yubai simply snorted coldly and turned his face away.

Prince Huai's expression remained impassive as he unhurriedly stated, "Brother Mu, I confess I don't quite follow your reasoning. However, one thing you said is indeed true: sheer numbers don't necessarily signify anything. After all, in our Illusory Demon Realm, as in any world, what truly determines everything is not quantity… but power!"

"What new trick are you trying to pull now!" Yan Zijing asked cautiously. They were not so naive as to believe Prince Huai's statement that "sheer numbers don't necessarily signify anything" was meant to favor them; he undoubtedly had a far more sinister scheme.

"My meaning is quite simple. In terms of support, we outnumber you by nearly thirty percent! However, I'm sure you won't be convinced by numbers alone, and many overlords from across the land would also find it unconvincing. Therefore, on behalf of those who support the expulsion of the Yun family from the guardian families, I propose a method that is more fair, just, and likely to win your assent… This can also be considered an opportunity I am offering to the Yun family and to all of you!"

"In previous Demon Emperor's Centennial Grand Ceremonies, it has always been a tradition for the various guardian families and royal households to demonstrate their skills and prowess on stage. As this is the Little Demon Empress's first Centennial Grand Ceremony, it certainly cannot be overlooked! So, how about this…" Prince Huai raised his hand and snapped his fingers with a smiling expression. "Each side will select twelve individuals to participate in duels. Naturally, the contests at past ceremonies have always featured the younger generation, as their strength determines a faction's standing for the next hundred years. This occasion will be no exception! The age range for selection will be under thirty-five years old!"

"If the final outcome is that we 'fortuitously' emerge victorious, then you should have no further objections, correct?" Prince Huai asked with a smile.

"Excellent! A splendid proposal, Prince Huai!" praised King Zhong.

"In terms of numbers, we have already secured a victory, but deciding the outcome through a contest of strength will be far more convincing. I have no objections!" Helian Kuang loudly affirmed.

Prince Huai's proposal brought mocking smiles to the faces of everyone on the East side, while the complexions of those on the West side instantly paled.

They all knew full well that the West side was at a significant disadvantage, not just in numbers, but also in "quality."

The East side boasted seven guardian families. If the top young genius from each of these families participated, that would mean seven individuals who were among the absolute best of the younger generation throughout the entire Illusory Demon Realm: Helian Ba of the Helian family, Chi Yang Yanwu of the Chi Yang family, Bai Jie of the Bai family, Nangong Yan of the Nangong family, Lin Hanchuan of the Lin family, Jiufang Yu of the Jiufang family, and Xiao Donglai of the Xiao family. Every one of them was already renowned across the Illusory Demon Realm!

On the West side, however, the only members of the younger generation at a comparable level were Su Zhizhan of the Su family, Yan Chengkong of the Yan family, Tianxia Liuge of the Tianxia family, and Mu Hengyi of the Mu family. The Yun family, in fact, had no young disciples who could reach this caliber; their only one, Yun Xinyue, had already tragically perished.

In terms of sheer power, Su Zhizhan and Helian Ba were tied for first place among the younger generation of the twelve families. Su Zhizhan was the only one on the West side who could truly hold his own. Of the other three, Tianxia Liuge was at Profound Emperor Realm Stage Four, while both Yan Chengkong and Mu Hengyi were only at Profound Emperor Realm Stage Three.

Conversely, the lowest profound energy level among the prodigies from the opposing seven families was also Profound Emperor Realm Stage Four!

And that wasn't even the worst of it.

Of the "Seven Illusory Demon Sons," who represented the absolute pinnacle of the younger generation's strength in the entire Illusory Demon Realm, the East side possessed a full five!

Combined with the seven geniuses from the seven guardian families, this amounted to a total of twelve individuals!

This was precisely why Prince Huai proposed that each side select twelve participants.

The West side, however, only had two of the "Seven Illusory Demon Sons."

And these two individuals were ranked sixth and seventh, respectively.

All the patriarchs and heads of royal households on the West side gritted their teeth in frustration. With such an enormous disparity in strength, how could the West side possibly win? The only likely outcome was not just defeat, but utter humiliation! Prince Huai, by seemingly dismissing his own numerical advantage, appeared to be offering the Yun family an "opportunity." However, his true intention was clearly to expel the Yun family while simultaneously humiliating all the families and royal households who opposed him, in full view of the world. It was a scheme of extreme malevolence.

"As for the rules, while they will differ slightly from the straightforward contests of previous years, they are quite simple," Prince Huai continued, his smile widening as he observed the expressions on the West side's faces. "Both sides will engage in one-on-one combat. The defeated will withdraw, while the victor remains until they are defeated by an opponent. This process continues until one side is completely eliminated, and the other still has combatants standing, at which point the outcome will naturally be determined. This method will not only fairly decide the victor but also instantly reveal the disparity in strength between the two sides. If the contest culminates in a final duel between a single remaining combatant from each side, it suggests comparable strength. However, if one side is entirely defeated while the other still has many individuals who haven't even had a chance to participate... tsk tsk, that would be truly humiliating to the extreme. Do you... dare to accept this challenge?"

The rules proposed by Prince Huai caused the expressions of those on the West side to shift once more, and a chill settled in their hearts.

If it had been twelve one-on-one matches, with victory determined by the number of wins, then with strategic matchups and extraordinary luck, the West side might have harbored a tiny glimmer of hope for a win or a draw.

However, even with an almost infallible advantage, Prince Huai still opted for this elimination-style competition. It must be said that his nature was meticulously cautious to an extreme, for this method was undeniably the fairest. It completely extinguished any last possibility of a West side victory, and the power disparity would be unmistakably highlighted by the number of their combatants who never even got to participate, thus thoroughly humiliating the opposition.

The patriarchs of the West side all wore grim expressions, gritting their teeth. This challenge absolutely could not be accepted! To accept would guarantee not only defeat but also a crushing humiliation!

Even if retreating would lead to a significant loss of morale, they absolutely could not accept this.

Tianxia Xiongtu, who had always been reluctant to involve himself in disputes, finally found himself unable to remain seated. He rose, his face grim, and stated, "Prince Huai, do not forget your place! Your authority is not so vast that you can decide the fate of our guardian families! So what if you win? By what right does the Yun family have to leave the guardian families simply because you emerge victorious?"

"An excellent question, Patriarch Tianxia!" Prince Huai's eyes narrowed, his gaze like sharp blades. "Then I will give you the clearest possible answer: if we win, it will prove that we are more powerful than you! Between heaven and earth, strength is paramount! The greater one's power, the greater one's right to speak and to control! As the strong, we possess the right to decide everything, while the weak lack even the right to refuse the decisions of the strong! This holds true in every world, on every level!"

"Is this answer satisfactory to you, Patriarch Tianxia?"

Every word Prince Huai uttered was saturated with his burgeoning ambition. At this stage, an increasing number of people sensed an ominous undercurrent. The principle of strength reigning supreme was indeed the most fundamental law of survival in this world. How many profound practitioners were not striving for greater power, not seeking to ascend above others?

Prince Huai's own profound energy was formidable, and his subordinates wielded power capable of overthrowing the world. He spoke with immense confidence and overflowing arrogance, leaving Tianxia Xiongtu momentarily speechless.

"Yun Qinghong, this matter originated with your Yun family, and its outcome will determine your family's destiny. Do you lack even the courage to state your position?" Prince Huai turned his gaze to the continuously silent Yun Qinghong. "Tell me directly, will you accept this supremely fair contest, or will you refuse?"

"Brother-in-law, you absolutely must not accept! Only the Little Demon Empress can issue commands and decide the fate of your Yun family. There's no need to pay any attention to those petty individuals!" Mu Yubai stated in a deep voice.

Mu Yubai's words echoed the thoughts of everyone on the West side, but no sooner had he finished speaking than Yun Che stood up, even before Yun Qinghong, and declared loudly, "Accept! We absolutely must accept! Is there anyone my Yun family could possibly fear!"