Before long, word came back from the Two Domains Alliance requesting the patriarchs of every sect to lead their forces to the Tianxing Plateau without delay to organize a counteroffensive.
Qingjun was currently reorganizing the forces under her command. For this decisive battle, both domains would mobilize their full strength, marching their armies toward the Tianxing Plateau.
Qin Sang, meanwhile, brought Jingyu along and headed first for the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.
***
Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.
Having received word in advance, the demons stood waiting outside the valley.
Knowing their master was bringing a Demon King back to the mountain, the White Cat stood stiff and meticulous beside the Willow Demon, its round face taut and its almond eyes wide, terrified of committing a breach of etiquette in front of a Demon King.
Fat Chicken eyed the white crane beside it out of the corner of its eye, its eyes burning with fury as it cursed inwardly.
The white crane was deliberately nuzzling and whispering sweet nothings with Yue'er right before its eyes, acting completely lovey-dovey.
With a raucous caw of laughter, the white crane sauntered casually over to Fat Chicken, slung a wing around it, and said with an envious, careless grin, "Who would've thought you weren't bluffing, little Fat Chicken? You really are the scion of a Demon King! Now that you've hit it big, don't you go forgetting your brother! I'll have Yue'er bring her sisters over and let you take your pick. Three wives and four concubines won't be a problem at all!"
"My name is Chilei, damn it!" Fat Chicken snarled in fury.
Yue'er pinched the white crane with a hint of jealousy, her breath fragrant as orchids. "Are you looking to take three wives and four concubines yourself?"
"My heart belongs solely to you, as heaven and earth can witness! How could my eyes ever hold any other little vixens?" the white crane blurted out, without missing a beat or batting an eyelid.
Yue'er's face flushed with shy sweetness.
Inwardly, the white crane sighed. There was nothing for it—she had the backing of the Snake King, and its own master had never known how to take its side. It truly could neither beat her nor scold her.
Fortunately, it was slick and slippery by nature, sweet-talking Yue'er until she felt as though she were soaked in a pot of honey. It hadn't suffered much at all; instead, it enjoyed no end of gentleness.
The only trouble was that Yue'er clung to it too tightly, leaving it unable to gallivant outside, which was indeed rather stifling.
Knowing the white crane's nature all too well, Fat Chicken sneered, "Keep them for yourself. I don't have the good fortune to enjoy such things."
Even as they spoke, Qin Sang and Jingyu appeared quietly before them.
Having overheard what the white crane had just said, Jingyu showed great interest. "If you know any respectable candidates of good character, you may invite them over to see. If you can find a good match for Little Pang, this king will surely reward you well."
Fat Chicken went pale with fright.
Inside the cave dwelling.
Qin Sang introduced Jingyu to the assembled demons, announcing that she would remain in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea to cultivate from now on.
Jingyu promised that whenever she had leisure, she would not hesitate to give them guidance, leaving the demons overjoyed.
Once the demons had greeted Jingyu, Qin Sang had the Willow Demon, Old Macaque, the White Cat, Fat Chicken, and the white crane remain behind, then produced several jade slips.
"Take a look at this cultivation technique first," Qin Sang said, handing one of the slips to Jingyu.
Within the jade slips were none other than the first four layers of the *Heavenly Demon Refining Form*.
Once the counteroffensive against the Sin Abyss succeeded, everything would fall into place. These demons were all trustworthy, and Qin Sang had chosen them to receive the *Heavenly Demon Refining Form* to leave a lineage among the demon race, ensuring that the legacy of this art would not be buried with him.
The Willow Demon had taken form from vegetation and could not practice the *Heavenly Demon Refining Form*, but it could still glean some insights from it.
Upon taking the *Heavenly Demon Refining Form*, the demons were instantly filled with astonishment, completely enraptured by what they saw and unable to tear themselves away.
Jingyu was the first to regain her senses, unable to conceal the astonishment in her eyes. "In ancient times, this kind of art could only have been the true inheritance of a great clan! To think you obtained the complete first four layers, Fellow Daoist! Alas, I have immersed myself too deeply in my clan's legacy and cannot switch to this technique. Even so, the *Heavenly Demon Refining Form* is of immense benefit to me as well. After pondering it for a time, I am certain to gain much. Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Qin!"
"Are the demon race's top inheritances also incomplete?" Qin Sang asked in turn.
Jingyu nodded. "Most are. My clan's inheritance was derived by an exceptionally brilliant ancestor from a fragment of an ancient demon art, gradually refined only after being passed down through generations."
The demons of the Xiaohan Realm were much the same; the pinnacle heritages of the humans, witches, and demons were all fragmented.
Qin Sang fell into thought.
After a short wait, the demons finally returned to their senses. Overwhelmed with gratitude toward Qin Sang, they bowed down one after another and chorused, "We thank our King for imparting the art!"
"Rise. From now on, the disciples of both the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea and Qingyang Temple belong to my lineage, without distinction. Remember well that you must never harbor prejudice against other races among yourselves; if any trouble is stirred up, there will be no leniency!"
Qin Sang swung his sleeve and said in a grave voice, "An art must not be imparted lightly. A few rules must be established for the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea..."
That night, Qin Sang led the demons toward the Tianxing Plateau.
Jingyu stayed behind in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea to enter seclusion. However, as she needed to comprehend the art during this period and was in no rush to take elixirs to attempt a breakthrough, she could reinforce them at any time once the great war began.
***
Tianxing Plateau, Ice Crystal Palace.
The Nascent Soul cultivators were gathered together in a grand assembly.
The moment Qin Sang stepped into the hall, a flurry of gazes turned toward him in unison.
"Fellow Daoist Qin has finally arrived!"
Daoist Zhenyi stood up in person to welcome him, his eyes shining with vibrant light as he praised him repeatedly. "This poor Daoist had always envied the demon race for producing Demon King Mingyue, only to discover that he is, in fact, an outstanding young talent of our human race!"
Qin Sang offered humble words of self-deprecation and cupped his hands to greet the assembled Nascent Soul cultivators.
The others returned the courtesy one by one, marking their true formal acquaintance.
His seat had been arranged next to Qingjun.
Qin Sang swept his gaze across the room and noticed that everyone's seating was rather haphazard. He surmised that old Daoist Zhenyi had also been caught somewhat off guard by his and Qingjun's sudden rise, and, fearing trouble might arise, had simply abandoned strict seating arrangements altogether.
This left several busybodies thoroughly disappointed.
They had been deeply intrigued by the grudge between Qin Sang and Dongyang Bo, but both men proved to be cunning old schemers who revealed nothing on the surface. Had they torn away all pretenses and come to blows over the seating, it would have made for quite a spectacle.
Once everyone had assembled, Daoist Zhenyi sealed the restrictions of the Ice Crystal Palace. With a solemn expression, he turned to serious business.
"Old Demon Ye and Old Ghost Tianzheng have been heavily wounded, while we have gained two powerful reinforcements in Fellow Daoist Leng and Fellow Daoist Qin. This is the optimal moment for our counteroffensive. According to the scouting done by Fellow Daoist Tongyou and myself, the Sin Abyss is already consolidating its forces and showing signs of withdrawal. We must never allow them to pull back so easily! Once the armies are assembled, we will advance along three routes. This poor Daoist and the Jinjia brothers will command one route; Fellow Daoist Tongyou and Fellow Daoist Dongyang will command another; and Fellow Daoist Leng and Fellow Daoist Qin will command the third..."
The counteroffensive plan had already gained the approval of all parties, so there was no need for further debate. Daoist Zhenyi directly laid out the deployments.
The commanders of all three routes were among the pinnacle figures of both domains, and none contested the choices.
"This poor Daoist has already contacted our fellow Daoists in the desert. When the time comes, they will also strike with all their might to tie down a portion of the Sin Abyss's forces. With our three armies advancing together, we will drive the Sin Abyss back to the Heavenly Scar in one fell swoop! Fellow Daoist Chifa was plotted against by Old Demon Ye, sustaining severe injuries that ultimately led to his demise in the heavenly tribulation. In this decisive battle, we shall certainly avenge him and make the Sin Abyss pay in blood!"
Old Daoist Zhenyi struck the table and shouted aloud.
The Nascent Soul cultivators were visibly invigorated. After being suppressed by the Sin Abyss for so many years, they could finally strike back and vent the frustration pent up in their chests.
When old Daoist Zhenyi mentioned Patriarch Chifa, a man and a woman among the Nascent Soul cultivators in the hall glanced at each other, both letting out cold snorts of mutual disgust.
They were none other than Patriarch Chifa's two disciples.
After Patriarch Chifa fell, the discord between the two had caused the Chunyang Sect, the foremost sect of the Xiaohan Realm, to split. Every time they met, it went like this, regarding each other as bitter enemies.
At this point, someone noticed that Daoist Zhenyi had made no mention of the demon race.
"Daoist Zhenyi, have you contacted Feather Demon King? What does Heavenly Demon Mound intend to do?"
Chapter 1276