The people who had just surrendered were not easy to control at all. Ling Xiao had no way to treat them as brothers. Without special methods to keep them in check, things would go badly wrong once they rebelled.
Therefore, feeding them his specially made pills was absolutely necessary.
On the other side, Xie Li led the disguised scorpion people into Langdon City, helped Wu Xiang complete the handover, and fully seized control of the city.
After settling matters at the city lord’s mansion, Wu Xiang hurried to the Heavenly Principle Alliance’s hideout, the place where Ling Xiao was staying.
In fact, dealing with things here was somewhat easier than at the city lord’s mansion. After all, everyone here was human, so it was enough for them all to swallow those special pills.
Ling Xiao left all these minor details to Wu Xiang’s Restoration Society and did not bother with them himself.
The Restoration Society had quite a few members, though most were active in various places. Even in the jungles outside the city, there was a force of more than a thousand people.
This force took advantage of the night to enter Langdon City and set up camp. They only awaited Ling Xiao’s order for the general assault, and the war to overthrow the True Demon Empire could begin.
Over in the Northern Han Kingdom, they were also coordinating with the actions here, preparing their troops and standing ready to attack the True Demon Empire at any moment.
That very night, Wu Xiang brought Gao Yangwen’s head to the Heavenly Principle Alliance and handed it to the deputy leader who had always been deeply dissatisfied with Gao Yangwen.
This deputy leader’s greatest grievance was Gao Yangwen’s collusion with the True Demon Empire. So this time, he immediately reached an agreement with Wu Xiang and launched an internal coup.
He swiftly eliminated Gao Yangwen’s close confidants, took control of the Heavenly Principle Alliance, and announced that they would join forces with the Northern Han Kingdom to fight the True Demon Empire together.
As for the future ownership of the Heavenly Principle Alliance, nothing had been decided yet. For now, having the same goal was the best outcome.
Almost at the same moment, Bai Qianjiao and Hong Li were hurrying towards the Demon Capital.
This time, the two of them were returning from the Divine Phoenix Continent to the Demon Capital to attend the Heroes Assembly that was being held there.
Bai Qianjiao still wore pure white robes and appeared resilient and coldly beautiful.
Hong Li wore a fiery-red silk dress, and a trace of arrogance and complacency always showed between her brows.
After all, to them, the Sea Clan had now annexed more than half of the Heavenly Dragon Continent. On the Heavenly Dragon Continent, the status of their Sea Clan was far higher than it had been on the Divine Phoenix Continent.
“Senior Sister, this time when we return to the Heavenly Dragon Continent, the two of us must take first and second place at the Heroes Assembly. We will let those lowly humans on the Heavenly Dragon Continent see that our Sea Clan is the most outstanding!”
Hong Li had always looked down on humans.
Back at the Martial Dao Festival, she had lost to Ling Xiao and had never been able to let it go.
Over the past year, she had trained extremely hard at Divine Phoenix Academy, and her cultivation had advanced very quickly.
Combined with the innate advantages of the Sea Clan and her exceptional talent, she had now reached the late Sixth Artistic Heaven stage.
In her view, among the young martial artists who had participated in that year’s Martial Dao Festival, her cultivation was definitely second to none.
Her senior sister Bai Qianjiao was even more terrifying.
Having awakened the Primordial Great White Shark martial soul, Bai Qianjiao’s cultivation had now reached the early Seven Star Heaven stage.
Therefore, the two of them were bound to become the main attractions of this assembly.
“Hong Li, there is always someone stronger out there. Don’t be too arrogant. I have heard that Ling Xiao has already reached the level of the top ten Phoenixes of the Divine Phoenix Empire. If he competes, I am afraid we won’t be able to beat him.”
Unlike Hong Li, Bai Qianjiao was cautious and wise. “There is also that Ji Mingkong. Her cultivation may not be weaker than ours. This Heroes Assembly is truly full of unknowns.”
“Senior Sister, you are boosting others’ morale and crushing our own spirit. I know Ling Xiao has caused a huge commotion this time, but aren’t those just rumours? Do you really believe he is that powerful? Besides, the Heroes Assembly is being held in the Demon Capital. Would he dare to come?”
Hong Li said disdainfully.
“Anyway, it is always better to be careful.”
Bai Qianjiao did not quite believe Ling Xiao could have reached the level of the ten Phoenixes, but she felt his cultivation was definitely no weaker than theirs.
“Rest assured, Qianjiao. Even if that Ling Xiao really dares to go to the Demon Capital, I will make sure he never returns.”
Riding tall warhorses side by side with Bai Qianjiao and Hong Li was a young man in his mid-twenties.
If Ling Xiao were here, he would certainly recognise this person as the Peacock Phoenix, Kong He.
All ten Phoenixes of the Divine Phoenix Empire were under thirty years old.
This Peacock Phoenix Kong He was only twenty-two, yet his cultivation had already reached the half-step Cave Heaven realm.
Although this placed him at the bottom among the ten Phoenixes, compared to other martial artists of the same age, he was truly very strong.
Kong He had been pursuing Bai Qianjiao, so this time he had followed her and Hong Li back to the Demon Capital, hoping to help the two of them gain face.
After all, he was a noble of the Peacock Clan of the Divine Phoenix Empire, and that carried considerable prestige.
Bai Qianjiao smiled at Kong He and said, “Thank you, Kong He, for being willing to accompany the two of us back to the Demon Capital this time.”
In truth, she felt no romantic affection for Kong He.
Although Kong He was outstanding among the younger generation of martial artists, the person Bai Qianjiao truly liked was someone else.
Ever since that person had appeared in her life, he had completely captured her heart.
Some things, however, she could not say openly.
For now, she could not afford to offend Kong He.
“Senior Sister, why be so polite with him? The Peacock Phoenix will sooner or later become my brother-in-law. Heehee.”
Hong Li laughed from the side.
“Don’t talk nonsense. The Demon Capital is just ahead. Let’s quicken our pace.”
Bai Qianjiao felt a little flustered. She clamped her legs against the horse’s flanks and sped up.
The sky had already grown dark, and they really did need to hurry.
Bai Qianjiao’s mind was heavy with thoughts.
Hong Li and Kong He, however, were full of spirit and confidence.
Especially Kong He. In his view, this so-called Heroes Assembly was nothing more than a children’s game. As long as he took part, first place would be his for the taking.
After all, the Heroes Assembly only allowed martial artists under thirty to participate.
According to the intelligence networks of both the Divine Phoenix Empire and the True Demon Empire, there was not a single martial artist under thirty on the Heavenly Dragon Continent who was his match.
He had no reason to doubt that.
Yet he did not know that Ling Xiao had long since arrived on the Divine Phoenix Continent, had already taken control of Langdon City, and was now heading towards the Demon Capital.
Even less did he know that since coming to the Divine Phoenix Continent, Ling Xiao had personally killed two martial artists at the early First Cave Heaven realm.
The current Ling Xiao was no longer someone Kong He could handle.
Holding Yue Nu’s hand as they flew through the sky and gazed down at the Demon Capital below, Ling Xiao felt a surge of emotions.
Scenes from the past involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
Back then, he had been nothing more than a little beggar whom anyone could bully. His only goal each day had been to stay alive.
