“Right,” Lin Yun nodded with a smile.
“Then it’s settled. When the time comes for the Hidden Dragon Abyss, you’re in,” Little Azure Dragon said.
…
Elsewhere.
Demon Beast Mountain Range.
Demon Commander’s Mansion.
A massive demon beast figure strode in from outside.
The Demon Commander, seated on the throne ahead, immediately rose.
“Demon Lord, you’ve emerged from seclusion.”
The normally imposing Demon Commander lowered his stance, bowing to the approaching demon beast.
If Lin Yun were here, he would instantly recognise this beast as the one his team had released from the castle.
“Yes, my strength has recovered considerably,” the Demon Lord replied as he walked, his icy voice carrying immense authority.
“Congratulations on your recovery, Demon Lord!” the Demon Commander quickly offered.
“I was suppressed for far too long. Even with the resources used this time, I’ve only regained half my strength, still far from my peak,” the Demon Lord said, his voice chilling and spectral.
The Demon Commander immediately responded, “Even if your strength isn’t fully restored, Demon Lord, you possess the power to shatter heaven and earth, far beyond our reach. Only you can lead our demon race back to glory, to dominate the entire continent!”
“Yes, though not fully recovered, my current combat strength is sufficient,” the Demon Lord said.
As he spoke, he walked straight to the throne at the front and sat down.
The Demon Commander stood respectfully by his side.
“During my years in seclusion, did you follow my orders for the demon race to keep a low profile?” the Demon Lord asked.
“Of course!” the Demon Commander replied promptly.
The Demon Lord continued, “Have any significant events occurred in these years?”
“There’s one matter. A human named Lin Yun recently visited the Dragon Clan and has a close relationship with them. I’m concerned he might facilitate an alliance between the Dragon Clan and the human race,” the Demon Commander said worriedly.
“Lin Yun? Who is he to have ties with the Dragon Clan?” The Demon Lord showed a trace of surprise.
The usually stoic Demon Lord seemed particularly stirred at the mention of the Dragon Clan, as if it evoked distant memories.
“Demon Lord, if our intelligence is correct, Lin Yun was part of the human team that freed you. He’s young, a prodigy among humans, likely at the third-tier Eternal realm now,” the Demon Commander reported.
“If he could bring about an alliance between the Dragon Clan and humans, kill him! Our plan can handle the Dragon Clan’s interference, but avoiding their involvement would save us trouble,” the Demon Lord said.
“Demon Lord, he’s an Eternal. Killing him won’t be easy…” the Demon Commander said helplessly.
He continued, “Lin Yun spends most of his time in human territory. If we send a powerhouse to deal with him, human reinforcements would arrive quickly. Killing him is difficult and could cost us a valuable demon race expert.”
“Before he reached Eternal, we tried to eliminate him several times, even using Soul-Breaking Poison, yet he survived and stepped into Eternal.”
The Demon Commander sounded frustrated about failing to kill Lin Yun.
“Then send a sufficiently powerful Heavenly Demon. What strength level would ensure a swift kill?” the Demon Lord asked.
“His current realm is likely third-tier Eternal. Given his performance, I estimate a sixth-tier Heavenly Demon, comparable to a human third-tier All Things realm, would be needed to eliminate him quickly,” the Demon Commander said.
He added, “However, a sixth-tier Heavenly Demon is a high-ranking, precious, and critical asset to our demon race. Sending one on such a risky mission…”
After all, an assassination in human territory, even if successful, might mean no return.
The Demon Lord’s voice grew colder, “Our demon race warriors must be willing to sacrifice for our cause, even a sixth-tier Heavenly Demon. What’s a small sacrifice? If the human race and Dragon Clan truly unite, the cost to our demon race will far exceed one sixth-tier Heavenly Demon.”
He turned to the Demon Commander, “As the current leader of the demon race, don’t you have the resolve to make such decisions?”
“This…”
The usually authoritative Demon Commander looked embarrassed.
He could only respond, “Demon Lord, you’re right. I just thought, since this matter is significant, and even though Lin Yun is close to a Dragon King, uniting the two races is no easy feat, I didn’t risk sacrificing our experts to assassinate him.”
“Uniting the two races is indeed difficult, and the Dragon Clan won’t agree easily, but it’s not impossible. Do you know why I was suppressed hundreds of thousands of years ago?” the Demon Lord asked.
“Why?” The Demon Commander was curious, unaware of events from so long ago.
“With my strength back then, no race in this world could truly defeat me! I was set to rule this world, but the human race’s strongest Human Emperor and the Dragon Clan’s Dragon Emperor allied, sacrificing their lives to suppress me!”
As the Demon Lord spoke, his chilling eyes flared with startling killing intent and cold light.
In an instant, the hall’s temperature plummeted to a terrifying low, the entire space encased in ice!
Even the Demon Commander shivered, imagining the depth of the Demon Lord’s fury over that event.
“But so what? Those two paid with their lives, while I still live and have returned to this world, heh heh!” the Demon Lord let out a sinister laugh.
“You’re absolutely right, Demon Lord!” the Demon Commander echoed.
Curious, the Demon Commander asked, “How did the human race cooperate with the Dragon Clan back then? It seems unlikely. And why would the mighty Dragon Emperor sacrifice his life to aid the Human Emperor?”
The question stirred the Demon Lord’s long-sealed memories.
“When that Dragon Emperor was young, due to certain circumstances, he wandered into human territory, met the Human Emperor, and formed a bond. Both were yet to rise to power then. Later, one became the strongest Human Emperor, the other the mightiest Dragon Emperor. Though their races never allied, their personal friendship was deep,” the Demon Lord said, his gaze narrowing.
