Chapter 724: Chapter 743: To Repel Foreigners, One Must First Pacify the Nation
“Heavenly Emperor is boundless!”
Mountains echoed and seas roared with enthusiasm, resounding boundlessly through the Thirty-Three Layered Heaven, countless Immortals and Demon Kings hurried towards Lingxiao Palace.
Inside Lingxiao Palace!
Three Quasi-Saints sat in high seats, namely Kunpeng, Kong Xuan, and Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad. Ye Xuan sat on the central imperial throne with Nine Heaven Mysterious Maiden by his side.
The Group of Immortals from the Heavenly Court had expressions of surprise and doubt, for Ye Xuan had returned with two significant Quasi-Saints, both well-known and reputable, instantly boosting the prowess of the Heavenly Court.
From the central imperial throne, Ye Xuan looked down upon the Group of Immortals with an expression neither sad nor happy. As his gaze moved to every Immortal and Demon King, they hurriedly averted their eyes.
“Where is Shen Gongbao?”
Ye Xuan spoke softly, and as his words fell, Shen Gongbao quickly stepped forward, bowing deeply to Ye Xuan.
“Is there nothing you wish to convey to your Emperor?” Ye Xuan asked, slightly narrowing his eyes.
Ye Xuan’s tone was somewhat unfriendly, causing Shen Gongbao’s face to subtly change and a hint of bitterness to flash across his eyes, for he knew what Ye Xuan was thinking.
Since the resurgence of the Ancient Demon Court, many Immortals from Jie Sect had fostered good relations with it, and Shen Gongbao had even personally delivered congratulations, clearly an unforgivable act.
“Heavenly Emperor, I…”
Shen Gongbao hesitated, ultimately unable to defend himself, evidently holding his own reservations.
Ye Xuan tapped his finger compulsively against the table in front of him, emitting rhythmic sounds, creating an oppressively tense atmosphere that gradually silenced the Immortals and Demon Kings of the Heavenly Court.
“Jie Sect Immortals, step forward.”
Suddenly, Ye Xuan spoke calmly, causing the faces of the Jie Sect Immortals to shift with apprehension as they stepped forward sequentially.
“Your Highness, you…”
Shen Gongbao felt a surge of foreboding, as he sensed something incredibly dire was about to transpire, his voice shook with shock, but upon seeing Ye Xuan’s ruthless eyes, he swallowed his words back down.
“Seas may change into mulberry fields, and time may transform, though you Jie Sect Immortals have followed your Emperor for seventy to eighty thousand years, with neither remarkable feats nor major failings.”
Ye Xuan paused slightly and continued, “However, my eyes tolerate no dirt; today I give you Jie Sect Immortals a chance. If there are any among you who wish to leave the Heavenly Court, you may do so now, and I will not hinder you.”
As Ye Xuan’s words concluded, sounds of sharp intakes of breath filled the air, many eyes intensely focused on him, each filled with complex emotions.
Clearly, Jie Sect’s secret alliance with the Ancient Demon Court had crossed Ye Xuan’s red line, otherwise he would never have made such a statement.
Silent, utterly silent, profoundly silent.
The followers of Jie Sect, led by Shen Gongbao, were deathly silent at this moment, not knowing how to respond to Ye Xuan. Hesitation flickered in everyone’s eyes.
Watching this scene unfold, Ye Xuan slowly shook his head, aware that the attitudes of these Immortals were unimportant. Clearly, any decision made by the Jie Sect was influenced by the will of the Heavenly Sect Master.
Ye Xuan also knew that Nuwa had once approached the Heavenly Sect Master, which had caused him to waver, thus affecting the loyalty of the Jie Sect followers toward him.
Ye Xuan was a straightforward person: those who were disloyal were of no use to him. If his subordinates harbored double intentions, it was better to oust them from the Heavenly Court—such was his way of dealing with people.
The influence of the Ancient Demon Court was vast, having once been the orthodox power of Heaven and Earth. Moreover, since Nuwa had personally sought out the Heavenly Sect Master, only the Heavenly Sect Master could authorize secret communications. Otherwise, the Jie Sect Immortals surely wouldn’t have had the courage to associate with the Ancient Demon Court. Ye Xuan understood this principle all too well.
With a wave of his hand, Ye Xuan eased the breath of Shen Gongbao and other Jie Sect Immortals, though all their faces turned slightly pale, and their eyes were heavy with burden.
“Let the Great Demon Kings step forward.”
After the Jie Sect Immortals withdrew, Ye Xuan called out again, causing the Great Demon Kings to hesitate in their expressions. Nevertheless, they stepped forward and bowed deeply to Ye Xuan.
“Among you are those who once followed my Demon Kings in the Lower Realm and those who pledged loyalty to me, Ye Xuan. As members of the Demon Race, with the Ancient Demon Court reemerging in the world and the Saint Nuwa’s strong support, the intention is to take control of the Three Realms and restore the demons as the sovereigns of Heaven and Earth.”
As Ye Xuan continued, the faces of the Great Demon Kings shifted with emotions, their minds obviously filled with turmoil.
“There is no room for two suns in the sky, nor two rulers among the people. The Thirty-Three Layered Heaven under my rule will inevitably clash with the Ancient Demon Court. Being of the Demon Race yourselves, this puts you in a difficult position. For thousands of years, you have been loyal to me; today, I offer you a choice. If any wish to leave the Heavenly Court, I will not stop you. However, should we meet again after you join the Ancient Demon Court, do not blame me for not cherishing our past.”
As Ye Xuan’s words fell, the Lingxiao Palace fell into a deathlike silence, clearly a move by Ye Xuan to consolidate the internal order of the Heavenly Court and remove any element of unrest.
Silent, utterly silent, deathly still.
This profound silence lasted for several moments, every Demon King displaying a struggle on their faces.
As Ye Xuan stated, they were of the Demon Race, with the Ancient Demon Court as the rightful regime, strongly supported by Saint Nuwa.
Two reigning Demon Emperors, the highest existence among the demons. If they continued to follow Ye Xuan, they would inevitably bear the stigma of betraying their own kind.
Additionally, since Nuwa’s Dharma Decree had spread through the Three Realms, the countless demons had turned their loyalties to the Ancient Demon Court, putting them in an exceedingly difficult predicament.
Suddenly, a figure stepped forward—a crocodile-headed humanoid, a Great Demon King with the cultivation of Daluo Fourth Layer Heaven, known as the True Monarch Crocodile Demon.
“Your Majesty, it is not that I wish to leave the Heavenly Court, but I am after all a member of the Demon Race. If it weren’t for the call from the two great Demon Emperors and Lady Nuwa, I would loyally follow you. Yet, carrying the stigma of betraying my race is not something I wish for. Today, I can only apologize to you.”
With a face of shame, the True Monarch Crocodile Demon knelt and kowtowed to Ye Xuan, clearly bidding farewell, a decision hesitated over for a long time.
“After all, we’ve had a monarch-subject relationship for tens of thousands of years. Since you have decided to leave, I wish you a prosperous future.”
Ye Xuan exhibited no intent to kill or anger. With a wave of his hand, he summoned Gold Star Taibai, who presented a three-thousand-year Peach, which he then personally handed to the True Monarch Crocodile Demon.
“I reward those who contribute and punish those who err. From today onwards, you are no longer of my Heavenly Court. This three-thousand-year Peach is your compensation for the tens of thousands of years of service. You may go.”