Chapter 1614: The New Clan Chief of the Celestial Fox Clan

In the heartland of the Demon Race in the Eastern Wilderness, at Qingqiu Mountain, within the Sky Fox Hall, Liu Ye, Ye Yan, Niu Kun, Old Ancestor Qinghua, and Old Ancestor Heihu gathered, their expressions solemn.

Bai Ling'er sobbed uncontrollably, clutching a lifeless five-tailed spirit fox. Her face was heartbroken, and her eyes were swollen and red.

Upon learning of an impending catastrophe in the Dongli Realm, the Human Race's Soul Transformation cultivators adopted a 'better safe than sorry' approach. They contacted the Soul Transformation cultivators of the Demon, Sea, and Barbarian Races, setting aside past grievances to unite against the external threat.

Shen Haoran attempted to lure and kill Bai Ling'er. However, Bai Xin turned the tables, drawing Shen Haoran into a trap. To ensure Shen Haoran fell for it, a fierce battle erupted between the Human and Demon races in the Eastern Wilderness, resulting in heavy casualties. It was through this conflict that they discovered the entry point of cultivators from other realms, allowing them to set an ambush and severely injure the cultivators from the Tianlan Realm.

It was a costly victory. Two Soul Transformation cultivators from the Tianlan Realm died in battle. Bai Xin, who was skilled in illusion arts, was attacked by three Soul Transformation cultivators, a Soul Transformation stage puppet beast, and a fifth-tier spirit beast. Facing five opponents, he unfortunately perished.

Before the operation began, the Soul Transformation cultivators from both the Human and Demon races had agreed that should one of them perish, their respective forces would look after the deceased's faction.

Long Hanyi and her companions possessed flying spirit treasures, allowing them to escape from Niu Kun and Liu Xiuyun, who could not catch up. Liu Ye and the others returned with Bai Xin's body.

"I promised Fellow Daoist Bai that should he unfortunately perish, I would certainly protect his descendants. Young friend Bai, please don't be overly sad. If you encounter any trouble, you can seek help at the Taiyi Immortal Sect. As long as it's within my capabilities, I will not refuse," Liu Ye said solemnly. Bai Xin was proficient in illusion arts, which was precisely why he became the enemy's primary target.

Old Ancestor Qinghua snorted coldly. "Fellow Daoist Liu, Fellow Daoist Bai just died like that? Is this your explanation?"

After True Monarch Tianlang's disappearance, the Eastern Wilderness Demon Race became fragmented. It was only by relying on their vast numbers and the support of the Southern Sea Demon Race that they managed to retain most of their territory. However, the Eastern Wilderness Demon Race's precious treasures had gradually been lost. Currently, they possessed only one Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure: the Ten Thousand Peoples' Brush, which Bai Xin alone could wield.

Bai Xin was not a Confucian cultivator, so he could not unleash the full power of the Ten Thousand Peoples' Brush. Coupled with being besieged by the equivalent of five Soul Transformation cultivators, he met his demise.

"Exactly!" Old Ancestor Heihu said, frowning. "No matter what, Fellow Daoist Bai sacrificed himself for the Dongli Realm; he didn't have to go. You must provide generous compensation. Regardless, Bai Xin was a member of the Eastern Wilderness Demon Race, and his death means the greatest loss for us."

"I don't want any compensation! I just want my Old Ancestor to be alive again!" Bai Ling'er wailed. Bai Xin had raised her as his successor and treated her exceptionally well, making it impossible for her to accept the fact of his death.

Niu Kun sighed softly. "We've discussed it. We will provide compensation, but it can only go to Bai Ling'er. This was Fellow Daoist Bai's dying wish. He said that if he died in battle, Bai Ling'er should be well cared for, and no one else should lay claim to these cultivation resources. Ling'er, if you don't mind, you can call me Uncle Niu. If anyone bullies you, you can come to the Myriad Demon Valley in the Central Plains. Uncle Niu will support you."

"Giving the compensation to Ling'er, I have no objection. However, how do I know Fellow Daoist Bai died at the hands of foreign cultivators? Perhaps you orchestrated his death. No matter how precious the compensation, can it be more valuable than Fellow Daoist Bai's life?" Old Ancestor Qinghua sneered. The Human and Demon races had long-standing grievances, and Bai Xin's death was too suspicious. Why wasn't it a Human Race cultivator who died? Why was it Bai Xin specifically?

"I am willing to swear an oath by my Inner Demon that this matter is absolutely true. If I speak even one lie, I shall be forever stuck at the early Soul Transformation stage, and the lineage of the Three Flames Palace shall be extinguished," Ye Yan said, his tone grave. Swearing by his Inner Demon and the lineage of the Three Flames Palace was naturally no small matter.

Old Ancestor Qinghua and Old Ancestor Heihu pursed their lips and said nothing more. Ye Yan had spoken to such an extent that if they still didn't believe him, it would mean they wanted internal conflict. Bai Xin had just died, and Cheng Zhanxian had not long entered the Soul Transformation stage. At this time, falling out with the Human Race would bring no benefit.

"Ling'er is one of us, a member of the Demon Race. Even if you didn't say so, we would still raise her well."

Bai Ling'er wiped away her tears, stood up, and bowed to Liu Ye and the others, asking, "May I ask Senior Ye, what are the names of those who killed my grandfather?"

"Long Xiaoyao, Sun Hao, Li Shuo. They possessed Soul Transformation stage puppet beasts and fifth-tier spirit beasts. Even with a Heaven-Reaching Spirit Treasure, Fellow Daoist Bai was no match, let alone you, young friend Bai. For now, focus on your cultivation. In the future, seek an opportunity to enter the Tianlan Realm and avenge Fellow Daoist Bai," Ye Yan gently comforted her.

Bai Ling'er nodded and said solemnly, "I ask all seniors here to bear witness. I, Bai Ling'er, swear to the heavens that I will temporarily assume the role of Sky Fox Clan Leader, leading my clan to prepare for war. As long as this revenge remains unfulfilled, I will not consider personal romantic matters. Should I violate this oath, may I be devoured by ten thousand bolts of lightning."

With Bai Xin's death, the Sky Fox Clan was highly likely to descend into internal strife. The Demon Race was not a monolithic entity. Although Old Ancestor Qinghua and Old Ancestor Heihu spoke amicably, once Niu Kun and the others left, Old Ancestor Qinghua might turn hostile, and Bai Ling'er would be helpless. Seizing the opportunity while many Soul Transformation cultivators were present, Bai Ling'er proposed to temporarily assume the role of Sky Fox Clan Leader, preventing internal conflict within the Sky Fox Clan. With so many Soul Transformation cultivators as witnesses, other clan members would not dare to openly contend with Bai Ling'er for the clan leader position. Bai Xin, if he had a spirit in heaven, also would not wish for internal strife within the Sky Fox Clan.

"Well said. If you ever encounter any trouble in the future, come to Myriad Demon Valley and find your Uncle Niu," Niu Kun was the first to express his support and agree.

Old Ancestor Qinghua and Old Ancestor Heihu's expressions were somewhat unnatural but quickly returned to normal. They indeed had other intentions, but Bai Ling'er had preemptively blocked their arguments, leaving them little to say. Bai Ling'er's reasoning held moral high ground, and coupled with Bai Xin's recent death, it was truly difficult to oppose her.

Ye Yan and Liu Ye both expressed their approval. They also did not wish for internal conflict within the Sky Fox Clan, as that would only benefit the foreign cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Liu, Fellow Daoist Ye, Fellow Daoist Niu, this time our Eastern Wilderness Demon Race has paid a heavy price. In the future, for matters this dangerous, it won't be the turn of our Eastern Wilderness Demon Race. The Ten Great Sects and Ten Great Families of the Southern Sea are not to be trifled with; they surely have masters. The next time you want to ambush Soul Transformation cultivators from other realms, we will not participate," Old Ancestor Qinghua said coldly. The Eastern Wilderness Demon Race sent Bai Xin to battle, and he died, so she truly dared not easily trust the Human Race again.

The Eastern Wilderness still had three Soul Transformation cultivators. Cheng Zhanxian had only recently entered the Soul Transformation stage. If another Soul Transformation cultivator were to die, the Eastern Wilderness Demon Race might not be able to hold onto their current territory, repeating the mistakes of over four thousand years ago.

"Exactly! And that Long Hanyi, don't let her escape! It would be best to capture her alive. If the Tianlan Realm is weaker than our Dongli Realm, find an opportunity to launch a counterattack," Old Ancestor Heihu echoed.

"Her true form is a fifth-tier flood dragon, so capturing her alive won't be easy. Rest assured! We've already organized a group of masters. As soon as she dares to show herself, we'll kill her immediately," Liu Ye said confidently. They had attempted to soul-search captives, but the captives self-destructed. It was through severe interrogation that they learned the Tianlan Realm had been unified, becoming a superpower: the Tianlan Sect.

The Tianlan Sect had been unified for over six hundred years, investing vast resources and cultivating numerous masters specifically for invading other realms. As for how many Soul Transformation cultivators the Tianlan Realm possessed, the captives were not entirely clear. A conservative estimate suggested at least twenty Soul Transformation cultivators, with the true number likely being much higher.

Old Ancestor Qinghua nodded. "That's good. I hope this matter concludes as soon as possible."

Subsequently, witnessed by numerous Soul Transformation cultivators, Bai Ling'er gathered her clan members and officially became the Sky Fox Clan Leader.

The next day, Ye Yan and the others departed from Qingqiu Mountain, each returning to their own homes.