Just as everyone was being collectively moved, Lin Xiao cleared his throat, seemingly apologetically saying, "Um... I am sorry to interrupt, Sect Master Niu. I am also a Semi-Monster, and I was deeply moved by what you just said, however..."
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes, a hint of frost glinting in his gaze, "Can you explain how this dream of yours is related to your plan to attack Beacon City?"
Niu Batian glared at him and turned to the audience, "Listen well, everyone! I have reached an agreement with a 'Mysterious Person' who can single-handedly control the Eight Great Demon Sects!"
"And the content of the deal is—"
"As long as we seize Beacon City and, as the vanguard, launch an all-out assault on the Qinglan Sect!"
"This person guarantees that from then on, within the territories ruled by the Demons, our Semi-Monster clan will no longer suffer any oppression!" Thɪs chapter is updated by nοvelfire.net
"Moreover, once the Qinglan Sect perishes, the Demons will rule supreme! Our Semi-Monster clan can then rise again, reclaiming the glory of our ancestors!"
When he finished outlining his grand plan, the room fell silent.
The Demonic Cultivators present were all significant figures in their respective territories and naturally possessed insight far beyond ordinary people.
Soon, someone questioned, "Sect Master Niu! It's not that we don't trust you! But... we don't trust those lofty human cultivators!"
"That's correct! For hundreds of years, while the Righteous Path flourished, we and these human cultivators hid in exile, following the path of the Demons together. Yet, despite such a close relationship, we have endured endless insults! These people simply can't be trusted!"
Hardly had these words been spoken when another elderly Semi-Monster, one wearing an iron bucket helmet, said,
"Sect Master Niu! Setting other matters aside, you just mentioned signing a contract with some important figure. May I ask who this person is? Since you want us to join, why not tell us directly?"
These questions threw the entire assembly into an uproar.
"Exactly! Ever since the first great war between the Righteous Path and the Demons, where the Demons were defeated and forced to withdraw from the Central Land, the Eight Great Demon Sects disbanded, each harboring their own agendas! I truly can't imagine any great figure capable of rallying the Eight Great Demon Sects to work together as one!"
"Those not of our kind are sure to have different hearts! We can't trust them, Sect Master Niu!"
"These human cultivators! They act like fellow cultivators on the surface, but privately, they look down on us as worse than beasts!"
As the voices of doubt from the crowd grew louder, Niu Batian ascended his high throne once more, preparing to offer an explanation.
Suddenly, a clear voice resounded through the hall, "Would you all be willing to hear what I have to say?"
The voice was calm and devoid of fluctuations, yet it carried an inexplicable aura of majesty.
In an instant, everyone turned towards the sound. They saw a man dressed in common Demon Sect attire, wearing a peculiar mask adorned with nine painted circles, and gracefully waving a folding fan. Although his face was hidden, he still exuded an air of refined elegance.
It was Ji'er Bangying, the one who had openly challenged Niu Batian!
Niu Batian narrowed his eyes and said in a chilling tone, "Brother Ji'er, I bet you won't live much longer tonight. Fine, I'll let you say your last words!"
As it turned out, he had already learned this man's identity from his benefactor, the Princely Heir of Beichuan! What Master of the Hard Bang Gang! He was clearly a spy sent by the Qinglan Sect! I'll kill him to consecrate the war banner tonight, sooner or later! A slight delay won't make a difference!
Under everyone's gaze, Lin Xiao stretched lazily before his expression turned solemn, and he declared forcefully, "In my opinion, reasons like the rise of our race, repeating ancestral glory, regaining dignity... these are all too grandiose and impractical!"
"To put it bluntly, we just want to take back the cultivation resources and women that belong to us! Isn't that so?"
At these words, everyone looked at each other, falling silent.
Lin Xiao continued, "Everyone, think carefully. Over these years, who has been snatching away our Semi-Monster cultivation resources and women? Back when our Semi-Monster clan established our domain in the Evil Wind Ridge area, thriving and multiplying, did those renowned righteous sects, like the Qinglan Sect, ever come to expel us?"
Upon hearing this, the more knowledgeable Demonic Cultivators among them nodded in silent agreement.
Indeed, the Semi-Monster clan had been entrenched in the Evil Wind Ridge for over a thousand years. Proliferating from major clans like the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox and the Barren Bull Demon, their numbers had swelled to hundreds of thousands. Throughout this time, they had truly not suffered any hunting or persecution from the Righteous Path.
Even their forced departure from the Evil Wind Ridge was because the previous Semi-Monster leader had recklessly thrown in their lot with the Demon Sect faction during the first great war between the Righteous Path and the Demons. Only after the war were they driven out by several major Righteous Path sects.
"Very well, it seems everyone agrees."
Lin Xiao inwardly sighed in relief. He then continued aloud, "Our Semi-Monster clan is renowned for its uniquely alluring beauties, which have always attracted despicable perverts from the human race. Think back, everyone, over these years, how many of the villains who abducted the women of our clan were disciples of the Righteous Path?"
Mentioning this matter, the atmosphere in the room immediately became grave.
Actually, everyone knew the truth in their hearts.
After joining the forces of the Demons, the Semi-Monster clan was subjected to constant contempt and oppression. Not only that, but to secure their own survival, they often had to offer the beauties of their clan to these human Demonic Cultivators. If the number of offerings was insufficient, the latter would concoct various pretexts to brazenly seize them by force!
The Hehuan Sect and Joy Sect alone abducted thousands of beautiful Semi-Monster women each year to serve as cultivation nourishment!