While the Immortal Chu Dynasty was bustling with activity, the situation in the Demon Court, located billions of miles away, was completely the opposite.
Deep within the Abyssal Depths, the world was shrouded in darkness, with no trace of the sun or moon. On a throne forged from ancient dark dao gold,
Demon Ancestor Di Huang sat, his expression grim. Several demon generals knelt before him, solemnly reporting on the recent battles between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
"This Chu Gucheng truly does not take our Demon Court seriously. Not only has he openly courted other demon forces in the Endless Demon Domain, but he has also dared to scheme against us."
Di Huang crushed the immortal jade cup in his hand, his voice filled with rage. Outside the Abyssal Depths, a terrifying storm of the grand dao erupted, as if the entire universe had been swept by a fierce wind. Countless stars trembled, on the verge of falling.
The terrifying phenomenon caused all the demon citizens to tremble in fear, unable to find peace.
"Ancestor, please calm your anger."
In the grand hall, all the ministers of the Demon Court turned pale with fear, their hearts uneasy.
Di Huang's descendants also stood to the side, silent and unmoving.
The war between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty continued, but the current situation was far from favorable for the Demon Court. Their forces were retreating step by step, constantly being defeated by the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Now, as Chu Gucheng's birthday approached, Di Huang intended to deliver a blow to Chu Gucheng, humiliating him in front of his guests.
He personally blew the Demon Gathering Conch, summoning countless troops to attack the Immortal Chu Dynasty's territory.
However, he had not expected Chu Gucheng to anticipate this move, falling into a trap that Chu Gucheng had long prepared.
Billions of demon troops were trapped by the River Map Five Elements Ancient Formation bestowed by Chu Gucheng to his subordinates. In just a few days, they were utterly annihilated.
Among them were several trusted generals favored by Di Huang, but they were also killed in battle by the joint efforts of the Immortal Chu Dynasty's divine generals, perishing on the spot.
This incident caused an uproar in the Demon Court, with all the demons filled with shock and anger. Di Huang was especially furious, even considering personally appearing at the border to wreak havoc.
But in the end, he restrained himself. The Demon Court now needed him to preside over it, and if he were to go to the Immortal Chu Dynasty, his life would be in grave danger.
The Immortal Chu Dynasty was now filled with powerful experts. Not to mention the Ancestral Dao Realm existences within the Immortal Chu Dynasty, even the distinguished guests who had come for the banquet were not to be underestimated.
Suffering repeated defeats at the hands of Chu Gucheng was nothing short of a humiliating disgrace for Di Huang.
He was an ancient existence who had ruled the Demon Court and commanded the allegiance of countless demons long before Chu Gucheng was even born.
Yet, this junior had left him helpless.
"Father, your son is willing to personally lead billions of demon troops to conquer the Immortal Chu Dynasty and vent your anger."
At this moment, a figure clad in dark golden armor stepped forward, his voice resolute and his gaze firm.
The previously silent hall of the Demon Court was shaken as all the demon ministers turned to look.
The other demon princes were also shocked. At such a critical moment, no one was willing to take such a risk. Even Di Huang himself was extremely cautious.
They all valued their lives and did not want to lose them over this matter. No matter how important face was, it could not compare to their own lives.
"It's actually Di Kun. He's already made a name for himself before, and now he's still trying to curry favor with Father."
"Hmph, but do you really think the Immortal Chu Dynasty is so simple? The Demon Court has long been the overlord ruling all demons."
The current Demon Emperor, Di Huang's eldest son, had been standing silently with his eyes lowered, detached from the matter.
But now, he couldn't help but glance at Di Kun, who had spoken, his eyes flashing with a cold light as he thought to himself.
The other demon princes also exchanged glances, their thoughts varied as they looked at Di Kun.
"Good! You truly are my son, Di Kun. You have not disappointed me. If you can vent my anger as you did before, I will not hesitate to give you the position of Demon Emperor."
"But this time, the Immortal Chu Dynasty has gained the upper hand, and our Demon Court has suffered heavy losses. Conquering the east will not be easy."
"Are you sure you have thought this through?"
Di Huang's eyes flashed with a profound light as he looked at Di Kun, who had stepped forward. With a wave of his wide sleeve, he spoke as if he had expected Di Kun to step forward.
He had long known of Di Kun's ambitions and had been evaluating his methods and character during this time, realizing that he had previously underestimated and overlooked this seventh son.
Now, Di Kun had stepped forward to volunteer, truly not disappointing him.
In contrast, his other descendants now seemed like timid turtles, hanging their heads as if this matter had nothing to do with them. This only made Di Huang even angrier and more disappointed.
Di Kun's eyes shone with deep ambition. He had been waiting for this opportunity.
Without hesitation, he said, "Father, please rest assured. Your son will not disappoint you. The Immortal Chu Dynasty may seem to have the upper hand, favored by heaven, but this is not the case."
"As the saying goes, 'Those who follow the dao receive much help, while those who lose the dao receive little.' Chu Gucheng's heavenly mandate is flawed, and he is destined to face a calamity. Although I am far from being his match, I have a way to deal with him."
Di Kun spoke with absolute confidence, his expression calm and composed, as if he had immense backing.
The demon ministers in the hall were all astonished, unsure of what capabilities Di Kun had to dare speak such words.
Many forces and orthodoxies in the Prime-Origin Civilization were now pessimistic about the Demon Court, including other ancient demon clans, who had begun to distance themselves from the Demon Court and draw closer to the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
After receiving invitations from the Immortal Chu Dynasty, some demon forces in the Endless Demon Domain had already sent important figures to offer gifts and congratulations.
Under such circumstances, Di Kun had stepped forward to volunteer and spoken with such confidence, leaving everyone puzzled.
Did he truly have another plan, or was there a powerful figure backing him?
"Good! Since Di Kun has spoken, I naturally believe him. From this day forward, I bestow upon you the Demon Gathering Conch. Within the Demon Court, the conch shall represent my presence."
Di Huang's eyes flashed with a profound light, and with a wave of his hand, the Demon Gathering Conch, shrouded in faint demonic energy, landed before Di Kun.
He knew that Di Kun had secrets.
How had he learned of the location of Chu Gucheng's son, and how had he killed him? Di Huang had never asked.
Now, Di Kun's words made Di Huang think of other possibilities.
Perhaps there was still a chance to turn the tide in the war between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty?
"Thank you, Father. Your son will certainly live up to your expectations."
Di Kun's face lit up with joy as he hurriedly cupped his hands and accepted the Demon Gathering Conch.
He had not expected Di Huang to directly bestow the conch upon him. Such favor had not even been granted to his eldest brother, the current Demon Emperor.
The demon ministers, generals, and princes in the hall were all deeply shaken.
Especially the princes, who could not hide their jealousy.
The Demon Gathering Conch was a symbol of the Demon Ancestor's authority, capable of summoning and commanding all demons. Yet, it had now been given to Di Kun?
They found it hard to accept. What qualifications did Di Kun have? Just because he was unafraid of death?
Di Kun glanced at the people in the hall, a cold smile playing on his lips. He knew their thoughts but paid them no mind.
Then, he cupped his hands slightly to Di Huang, proposed to head to the front lines, and turned to stride out of the hall. Transforming into a golden crow wreathed in solar true fire, he flew out of the Abyssal Depths in an instant.
Di Kun dared to speak such words in front of everyone because he had his own confidence.
He had not forgotten the mysterious voice he had heard on the Bloody Plateau.
That voice had promised to help him become the Demon Emperor and had later informed him of Chu Xiao's location.
In Di Kun's view, the being behind that voice was undoubtedly omnipotent.
And if that being had chosen to help him, using him as a pawn to kill Chu Xiao, it must have its own plans and goals.
Di Kun was not foolish. He knew that the being behind the voice was essentially using him to provoke the war between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
He was merely a pawn—no, the entire Demon Court was a pawn.
That being lurked in the unseen depths of darkness, using the entire Prime-Origin Civilization as a chessboard, playing a grand and shocking game.
Di Kun did not resent such schemes and plots, for they were solid and open strategies.
If he wanted to become the ruler of the Demon Court and control it, relying on his own means would be impossible. Thus, he needed the help of that being.
This was a straightforward exchange of equivalents. What was wrong with his choice?
"It's a pity that the Immortal Chu Dynasty does not realize what a terrifying enemy it is facing."
Di Kun's lips curled into a cold smile, his heart filled with confidence.
After leaving the Abyssal Depths, he headed straight for the current battlefront between the Demon Court and the Immortal Chu Dynasty, personally leading the troops into battle.
In truth, Di Kun did not know how to contact that voice. But the voice had said that it lived in the hearts of all beings, and as long as there was desire, it could sense their thoughts.
Thus, Di Kun knew that the being would come to him again. He would wait here.
The universe was vast, the Vast Expanse boundless. Within the Prime-Origin Civilization, great worlds and timelines were as numerous as the sands of the Ganges River.
Outside the gates of Purple Dew Mountain, Gu Changge, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, gazing at the majestic mountains, suddenly seemed to sense something.
His expression shifted slightly, and then he smiled faintly.