Chapter 601: Rise in Rebellion

Everyone held their breath as four bolts of immortal lightning descended, signifying the establishment of the Demon Nation and Zhutian's ascension as its first ruler. Witnessing the birth of the Demon Nation firsthand made their journey worthwhile.

Zhutian, with a stern expression and a deep voice, turned his gaze to the invited Phoenix Clan. "Phoenix Clan, the Demon Nation has been established, and this is precisely the time we need assistance. If you are willing to join now, I promise to treat you generously!"

"If you are unwilling, the Tribulation of the Great Era is approaching. For the future of the demon race, I will be compelled to employ certain measures!"

The various forces attending the ceremony were inwardly shocked. Was Venerable Zhutian planning to consolidate his power by immediately subduing the Phoenix Clan and unifying the entire Demon Realm?

The Phoenix Clan members felt a chill. They had anticipated that Zhutian would challenge them after establishing the Demon Nation, but they hadn't expected him to act so swiftly.

Jiang Mingzi, the old patriarch of the Phoenix Clan, rose to his feet, waved his sleeve, and let out a cold snort. Wisps of flame drifted from his body as he assumed a defensive stance. "Venerable Zhutian, don't assume I am unaware of your intentions. You plan to unify the Demon Realm and the East Sea, transforming the Demon Nation into the world's greatest power. Your subsequent strategy is to then assault Great Xia and the Buddhist Nation!"

"By then, every race will be cannon fodder, dragged to the front lines to fight solely to satisfy your ambition, while only your Di Jiang Clan remains unscathed!"

Zhutian exuded an oppressive aura, a combined might of his own and the ten Tribulation Stage Demon Emperors. This power was as imposing as a mountain, pressing down on Jiang Mingzi and causing his bones to creak. With a cold and disdainful expression, Zhutian gazed at Jiang Mingzi, who was still struggling to resist. "You junior are quite impertinent. Not only you, but even Jiang Lianyi would respectfully address me as 'fellow Daoist' were she to meet me!"

"Your knowledge is shallow. You have not experienced the events of antiquity, cannot empathize with me, and do not comprehend the horrors of the Tribulation of the Great Era. What right do you have to speculate about my intentions?!"

"With mere baseless nonsense, you dare to set me against the world. You truly do not know the meaning of death!"

Zhutian exuded a terrifying aura. He was not angry because Jiang Mingzi's speculation was unfounded; on the contrary, Jiang Mingzi's guesses were correct. The Demon Nation had just been established and its foundation was unstable; it was not yet capable of confronting two powerful adversaries like Great Xia and the Buddhist Nation simultaneously. Therefore, he had to feign anger and rebuke Jiang Mingzi, dismissing his words as sheer nonsense. He hadn't expected the Phoenix Clan to possess such sharp minds; alas, their intelligence was misguided!

Jiang Mingzi secretly reached into his bosom. He still possessed several supreme treasures left by his ancient ancestors, capable of dealing Zhutian a decisive blow at a critical moment.

*Swish, swish!*

Two figures appeared, standing shoulder to shoulder beside Jiang Mingzi.

"That's the ancient ancestor of the Dragon Clan from the Demon Realm!"

"And also one from the East Sea Dragon Clan!"

The Dragon Clan of the Demon Realm and the Phoenix Clan shared a common destiny. If the Demon Nation subdued the Phoenix Clan, the Dragon Clan would be next. They could not simply stand by and watch Zhutian treat the Phoenix Clan in such a manner. While the two Dragon Clans outwardly sent cultivators of the Integration Stage to attend the ceremony, two Tribulation Stage cultivators had secretly arrived as well.

Three Tribulation Stage cultivators from the Dragon and Phoenix Clans!

"Overestimating yourselves." Zhutian sneered. Ten Tribulation Stage great demons emerged, ready to fight the three Tribulation Stage cultivators from the Dragon and Phoenix Clans at his command. Once these three were defeated, he could naturally brand them with master-servant imprints. His combat strategy was a snowball effect: controlling all defeated enemies to continuously expand his own forces. He dared to declare himself the foremost being below immortals, based on ancient claims. This was the source of his confidence. With himself and ten Tribulation Stage cultivators, he was assured victory against any ancient demigod!

However, Zhutian dared not act rashly. Among the three was a Tribulation Stage cultivator from the East Sea Dragon Clan. If he truly attacked them, subduing the East Sea in the future would likely prove extremely difficult.

Both sides found themselves in a stalemate. Fortunately, Zhutian had anticipated this turn of events.

"Haha, the demon race is establishing a nation and is about to unify. How can such a grand event possibly proceed without our Heavenly Court Sect?" Someone in the audience laughed heartily. Upon seeing this, those nearby quickly moved aside, revealing an empty space. In the center of the clearing stood Young Sect Master Lu and the black-robed figure. The two leaped and soared onto the Altar of Heaven. Though only two individuals, they subtly created a tripartite standoff.

"Who are you?!" Zhutian frowned, looking at the two with displeasure.

"It's Young Sect Master Lu of the Heavenly Court Sect!"

"It's him! He actually came!"

"That's right, Venerable Zhutian is an ancient demigod; it would be strange if the Heavenly Court Sect didn't make an appearance."

"It's said that the Heavenly Court Sect originates from the ancient Heavenly Court, with Heavenly Venerable Dou at its helm, a true immortal!"

"Is this a battle between ancient forces?"

"Who is the one in black robes? Is he also a Guardian Heavenly King?"

"It's possible!"

The crowd below the stage immediately grew excited. The Heavenly Court Sect's appearance made the situation even more chaotic. Was a fight about to break out?

Mu Baiyi and Deputy Sect Master Shi, concealed within the crowd, had finally witnessed the Heavenly Court Sect's arrival. "The Heavenly Court Sect has indeed arrived. Young Sect Master Lu was already in the Demon Realm when Venerable Zhutian issued invitations to the various forces. His appearance in the Demon Realm at such a critical juncture surely indicates a deeper agenda!"

"Indeed, but who is that black-robed individual? If he's merely a Guardian Heavenly King, he likely won't be able to manage this situation. To stand as Zhutian's equal, could the Heavenly Court Sect Master himself have arrived?"

The two whispered amongst themselves. Although the Di Jiang Clan had not invited them, it didn't stop them from coming to observe the spectacle. In Young Sect Master Lu's plan for the Nine Nether Sect, there was an item regarding "External Liaison with the Demon Realm." Initially, they were puzzled, given the multitude of demon clans; who were they meant to contact? Now the answer was clear: with Zhutian unifying the Demon Realm, they needed to establish contact with the Demon Nation!

"Could this also be within Young Sect Master Lu's predictions... or even that Zhutian's establishment of the Demon Nation was orchestrated by the Heavenly Court Sect?" The two exchanged glances, seeing fear reflected in each other's eyes. If merely the Young Sect Master possessed such terrifying foresight, what kind of individual must the Sect Master be?!

Terrifying.

Zhutian's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Heavenly Court? What an absurd notion!" The Heavenly Court was merely a fabrication of the four ancient immortals; how could it truly exist? Perceptive individuals noticed the hostility in Zhutian's tone. It seemed he... did not acknowledge the Heavenly Court?

Just as Lu Yang was about to improvise a few words, a disdainful voice rang out. However, this voice originated from the Di Jiang Clan seated on the main platform below.

"How is it that any common riff-raff can now enter the Altar of Heaven?" The speaker pushed off with his feet, soaring onto the Altar of Heaven. With his chin slightly raised, he looked down on Lu Yang, radiating arrogance. "So you are that supposedly formidable Young Sect Master Lu, rumored to be able to fight Lu Yang of the Dao Seeking Sect to a draw? You appear to be nothing extraordinary!"

"In my estimation, both you and Lu Yang are merely overrated talents, much like monkeys playing king when the tiger is absent from the mountain."

"And you are?"

"Zhu Yunwu!"

Zhu Yunwu, Venerable Zhutian's personal disciple and the peerless prodigy of the Di Jiang Clan!

The second update will be at eleven o'clock.

(End of Chapter)