Chapter 600: The Lifetime Learnings of the Ancient Emperor Jiang

Nine chimes resonated. Auspicious clouds on the horizon transformed into lifelike forms of a hundred demons, each with distinct expressions. These demons represented the tribes that had pledged allegiance to the ancient Di Jiang.

The auspicious clouds, having taken the forms of a hundred demons, transformed once more. They bowed respectfully towards the Altar of Heaven before reverting to white clouds, resembling snowflakes or mist, which then drifted down and settled over the altar.

The Altar of Heaven became shrouded in mist, like the primordial haze at the dawn of creation, appearing indistinct, intangible, and profoundly mysterious.

Music began to play, with gentle flute melodies, ethereal guqin sounds, and harmonizing drums and se, creating an atmosphere of profound peace. Countless humans and demons were immersed in the sweet strains.

A mountain-like figure emerged with the music, swaying on the Altar of Heaven. Shrouded in endless mist, it was vaguely discernible as an ancient creature with six legs and four wings. The ancient creature was entirely crimson, like the sun, standing out remarkably in the mist.

With a resonant thud, the music transformed, becoming stirring, powerful, and inspiring. Races with weaker willpower found themselves compelled by the music, feeling an urge to follow the Di Jiang tribe, expand territory, and charge into battle.

The ancient creature danced on the Altar of Heaven. Its movements were graceful and meticulously crafted, representing the most authentic form of ancient dance. The ancient creature vibrated its four wings, stirring up a furious wind as if creating heaven and earth at the dawn of chaos. It transformed into a sun, shimmering brilliantly and radiating boundless light above the Nine-Tiered Altar of Heaven.

This was Zhutian, an ancient supreme being and a half-immortal.

The major powers had already prepared, and simultaneously took out their recording orbs to document the unfolding event.

"Is that the legendary ancient Di Jiang?" someone whispered. "So terrifying, I feel like he's looking at me," another exclaimed. Some people trembled under Zhutian's subtle, almost imperceptible pressure, their legs shaking so much they couldn't stand straight. It was the immense power emanating from Zhutian, combined with the profound weight of ancient history.

"An ancient half-immortal," another person murmured in awe, "from the most prosperous ancient era, who listened to the Four Ancient Immortals preach." They continued, "That was truly the best era, with four immortals appearing simultaneously. The number of half-immortals and Tribulation Transcenders was incredibly vast, completely incomparable to our current age." For the people of this age, the ancient times were history and legend, but for Zhutian, they were lived experiences. This alone made him unparalleled among contemporary cultivators.

"Is the Di Jiang tribe very skilled in music?" Lu Yang asked, surprised. He had noticed that the band performing the stirring music were all members of the Di Jiang tribe, a level of skill that couldn't be achieved overnight.

"The Di Jiang tribe has always been adept at music and dance," came the reply. "Zhutian is the ultimate master of these arts. Music can inspire, but also bewitch. Zhutian, being proficient in rhythm and melody, used this as a foundation to comprehend a nascent form of the 'Law of the Jungle' Dao Fruit, which can control living beings."

"In ancient times, whenever my husband and others held public lectures, Zhutian would always put on a talent show beforehand. His strength is only ordinary, but his performance skills are truly first-rate."

"Why do people around here feel an impulse to submit when they see Zhutian?" Lu Yang asked, having keenly noticed the unusual behavior of those around him.

"He's using his nascent Dao Fruit," came the reply. "He doesn't dare to use his full power here directly. This is the shallowest level of control, a form of psychological suggestion. Used now, it's likely to create atmosphere."

Jiang Lianyi's expression was peculiar. As another possessor of the nascent 'Law of the Jungle' Dao Fruit, and a fellow practitioner who had studied the "Art of Maintaining Aura" with Immortal Yingtian, no trick Zhutian used could escape her notice.

Ten figures, radiating terrifying auras, slowly emerged. Their forms varied, some decrepit with age, others full of vigor, yet all were only slightly smaller than Zhutian's imposing body. These figures represented absolute power. These were the ten Tribulation Transcender Demon Sovereigns under Zhutian's command!

One first-tier half-immortal, ten Demon Sovereigns, and nearly a hundred major races—this force was even stronger than the power the Second-Generation Grand Imperial Advisor of Dayu had amassed for their restoration attempt!

"Look quickly, isn't that the Supreme Elder of the White Tiger tribe?" someone exclaimed. "Didn't they say he had fallen? He's actually still alive?!"

"Still alive! He's an old Demon Sovereign at the late Tribulation Transcender stage!"

"And that one," another voice added, "that's the Clan Head of the Taotie tribe. It's said there was originally another Taotie Tribulation Transcender contending for the clan head position with him. They fought one-on-one, and he single-handedly killed the other!"

"Really? He killed someone of the same rank?"

"How can this be fake? Go ask around the Taotie tribe, everyone knows!"

"Is that nine-headed snake over there the old Clan Head of the Nine-Infant tribe?"

As the origins of each Tribulation Transcender Demon Sovereign were gradually recognized, all the Integration stage cultivators present were filled with trepidation. Supreme Zhutian was too well prepared; with such power, even the Dragon and Phoenix tribes might be unable to resist and would have to submit!

Zhutian pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke, his expression solemn: "A great era is approaching, yet the demon race is a scattered heap of sand, fighting amongst themselves, which deeply pains me. How can such a demon realm preserve itself in the coming era's struggles? Before I fell into slumber, I received a commission from the Qilin Immortal. The Qilin Immortal hoped that I would lend a hand and save the demon realm when it faced peril in the future. I am not one who craves power. It is merely due to the Qilin Immortal's commission, and with this great era upon us, fearing a repeat of the ancient tragedies, that I now desire to unify the demon race and establish a demon nation. Only by uniting the strength of all races into a single rope can we overcome the calamities of this great era and preserve the power of the demon race! The Qilin Immortal has fallen, and there is no one in the demon race to hoist the great banner. Though I am untalented and cannot reach the Qilin Immortal's height, I have merely clashed with many half-immortals. My fellow cultivators have shown me favor, bestowing upon me the esteemed title of 'Foremost Beneath Immortals,' a title I truly feel unworthy of."

Zhutian's tone was downcast, as if he felt the title "Foremost Beneath Immortals" was an overstatement, even if he possessed such strength, as it didn't align with his humble nature. He also seemed to be reminiscing about his deceased fellow cultivators, lamenting that they departed too soon, leaving the heavy burden of unifying the demon realm on his shoulders.

Then Zhutian's eyes brightened, and he broke free from his ancient memories. He rallied himself, recognizing that this was no time for despondency. He needed to focus on the present and shoulder this great responsibility.

With a resolute gaze, Zhutian declared in a resonant voice audible throughout the entire Demon City: "Let the heavens bear witness, let the Four Immortals bear witness! Those people are gone, the ancient times cannot be pursued. The calamity of a great era is approaching. For the sake of all the demon beings in the world, I hereby announce that the Demon Nation is established here, and I am its first ruler!"

Boom—boom—Suddenly, dark clouds gathered, and lightning flashed with thunder. Four purple lightning bolts, as thick as water vats, struck down, as if the Four Ancient Immortals were witnessing this historic moment and sanctioning Zhutian's establishment of the nation.

Zhutian's body trembled with excitement, his eyes welling up with tears. "Zhutian here bows in gratitude to the Four Immortals!" he cried.

The stooges arranged by the Di Jiang tribe applauded enthusiastically below the stage, creating thunderous and deafening applause.

Jiang Lianyi was speechless. She thought: "My husband's commission, 'Foremost Beneath Immortals,' using talismans to create lightning, even arranging stooges to lead the applause—you're truly well-prepared." Jiang Lianyi suspected that Zhutian had put everything he learned in Immortal Yingtian's class to use here.

Lu Yang's expression was solemn; it was the first time he had met an opponent who was his equal in acting.