Chapter 574: Invitation Letter

Ancient Dijiang was already incredibly powerful. The Great Yu National Preceptor survived ten days of bombing by an Immortal, but that was because he meticulously hid in a corner of space, taking very little damage from the self-detonation's aftermath.

When Immortal Fairy spoke of Ancient Dijiang withstanding ten attacks, she meant enduring ten direct hits while standing at the very center of an explosion, which is a completely different level of difficulty compared to the Great Yu National Preceptor's situation.

Furthermore, how could the explosive power of an Immortal compare to that of Immortal Fairy?

Currently, Ancient Dijiang is on the verge of unifying the Demon Realm. His strength has reached new heights, placing him in the first tier of Half-Immortals. Even the second-in-command of the Immortal lineage is no match for him, demonstrating Ancient Dijiang's immense power.

***

**Dijiang Clan**

"Have all the invitations been sent out?" Ancient Dijiang flapped his wings slightly, exuding a subtle yet palpable aura of ancient and mysterious dread.

In the Demon Realm, power commands respect. Those kneeling below him were the strongest from various tribes. He had controlled these major tribes precisely by controlling their most powerful members. A closer inspection would reveal a complex pattern imprinted deep within the eyes of these demon powerhouses – a master-servant mark planted by Ancient Dijiang. Anyone bearing this mark was bound to obey Ancient Dijiang, their life and death no longer their own.

The Dijiang Clan's envoy had intended to plant this master-servant mark on Clan Leader Jin. Who would have thought that the Qiongqi Clan possessed such profound hidden strength, capable of shattering the token?

The Dijiang Clan Leader nervously watched the Ancient Ancestor, feeling quite anxious. "Reporting, Lord," he stammered, "invitations have been sent to all major powers, except for the Four Great Demonic Sects, whose whereabouts are elusive, preventing delivery."

"The Four Great Demonic Sects? Hasn't the Immortal Sect been removed from the list?"

"There's also a rising power called the Heavenly Court Sect, whose members are all from the ancient Heavenly Court..."

The Dijiang Clan Leader recounted the Heavenly Court Sect's exploits in detail, from Daoist Dou's appearance in Hanshui City to the Young Sect Master's disruption of the Wen Dao Sect's celebration. All these incidents demonstrated the Heavenly Court Sect's power.

Ancient Dijiang snorted coldly, "Heavenly Court? What an absurd notion. I've roamed the ancient world for tens of thousands of years and have never heard of any Heavenly Court. It's likely something fabricated, just like the Immortal Sect."

"As for Daoist Dou, who knows if he's merely a theatrical creation by Great Yu cultivators? Nothing to be afraid of!"

"The Ancient Ancestor is wise!"

"And our Dijiang Clan's prodigies, who have been hidden for so long, it's time for the world to witness the might of the Dijiang Clan."

A faint smile played on Ancient Dijiang's lips. The Dijiang Clan's prodigies were personally trained by him, considered his direct disciples and undeniably powerful. He then coldly glared at the Dijiang Clan Leader, who was prostrated on the ground.

"Who permitted you to speak to this Ancestor? Do you not understand the proper hierarchy? Send someone at the Tribulation Transcending stage to speak with this Ancestor."

***

"You all should have received the invitation from Ancient Dijiang by now. What are your thoughts?"

Emperor Xia had convened the leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects. Six invitations lay on the table.

Qiu Jin'an shrugged, "What else can we do? We'll go. Watching a spectacle costs nothing."

"Didn't Daoist Yunzhi already tell us about this? The consensus then was that Ancient Dijiang unifying the Demon Realm would actually help restrain those demon clans hostile to humans. In the future, whether for trade or for exchanges between cultivators, it would be much more convenient. The benefits outweigh the drawbacks, so our Great Xia doesn't need to get involved in this matter."

"As for his appearance at this juncture, it must be related to the coming Great Era. However, Ancient Dijiang isn't strong enough to threaten Great Xia, so we can simply observe."

"That's true."

***

**Golden Buddhist Nation**

"Ancient Dijiang is establishing a Demon Nation?"

The Lord of the Buddhist Nation was tall, with a glistening bald head and bare torso, seated on a lotus pedestal. Behind him stood a Buddha statue forged from immortal gold. He looked at the delivered invitation, turning his prayer beads in silence. He wrote down the names of those eligible to attend, tore them into small strips, crumpled them into balls, and began to draw lots.

"Never mind, I'll just pick someone to go."

***

**Eastern Sea**

The Old Dragon Emperor was coiled around a stone pillar, his body nearly ten thousand meters long. His azure scales showed signs of age, and his dragon claws were thick with calluses. Yet, no one dared to underestimate this ancient dragon; in both the Eastern Sea and the Demon Realm, there was likely no older demon in existence. In his youth, he single-handedly quelled the Nine Dragons Civil War, which had nearly fragmented the entire Eastern Sea.

"It's been a while since I've had contact with my kin in the Demon Realm. Sending a few young dragons to reminisce would be good, and they can inquire if there's any news about the Ancient Ancestor."

***

**Nine Nether Sect**

Mu Baiyi happily reviewed the barbecue restaurant's earnings. At this rate, he would surely pay off his loans within his lifetime, and even have enough left over to properly build Fengdu City.

"It's all thanks to the Heavenly Court Sect."

Just as he was reveling in his joy, a piece of intelligence from a subordinate utterly shocked him.

"The Demon Realm is establishing a Demon Nation, sending out invitations to all major powers to bear witness?"

"Why wasn't our Nine Nether Sect invited? Oh, right, they can't find our location."

Such major news, yet not a single rumor had leaked beforehand. Was Ancient Dijiang's information blockade truly so effective?

Mu Baiyi found himself in a dilemma. Logically, they should follow Young Sect Master Lu's plan, focus on earning money by running the barbecue restaurant, and not get involved in this matter. However, missing such a momentous event as the establishment of a Demon Nation, destined for the annals of history, would feel like a loss in the future.

After a moment of thought, he called over Shi Huagu. "Ask Young Sect Master Lu what the Heavenly Court Sect's stance is."

Shi Huagu was equally shocked to learn that Ancient Dijiang was establishing a nation. He quickly took out his Nine Nether Token, typed out a lengthy message, and sent an inquiry to Young Sect Master Lu.

Soon, Lu Yang replied: "I've been in the Demon Realm all along."

Mu Baiyi and Shi Huagu gasped. Who would go to the Demon Realm for no reason? Young Sect Master Lu must have known about Ancient Dijiang's plan to establish a nation long ago and had rushed there in advance! This was the true depth of the Heavenly Court Sect.

"Junior Brother, who are you replying to?" Third Senior Sister noticed Lu Yang writing something.

Lu Yang casually said, "Oh, it's from the Nine Nether Sect. They were asking where I am."

"...Nine Nether Sect?" Third Senior Sister was silent for a moment before replying with a questioning tone, for the first time doubting if she had heard correctly.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou then fully disclosed everything about the Heavenly Court Sect, specifically mentioning that Eldest Senior Sister was the Sect Leader, and eight elders along with Daoist Buyu served as Guardian Heavenly Kings. This was met with an even longer silence from Third Senior Sister.

Each generation surpasses the last. Even their master hadn't done such things in his youth.

At this moment, the three were seated on animal skins, not rushing to the Dijiang Clan. With a month still remaining until the Imperial Palace's construction was complete, there was no need to arrive early. The three were heading to a different place instead: the Ancient Realm of Creation.

If not for the establishment of the Demon Nation, the Ancient Realm of Creation, which opened once every hundred years, would have been the most anticipated event in the Demon Realm. When the Ancient Realm of Creation opened, all prodigies of the Demon Realm would participate. Aside from cultivation level restrictions, there was only one other requirement to enter the Ancient Realm of Creation: being of pure blood.

Coincidentally, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were both of pure human blood, perfectly meeting the criteria.