Mo Fan ignored the pig-like screams echoing from outside the cave, instead fixing his gaze on the group of demon soldiers before him.
These were the current high-ranking members of Black Wind Mountain, yet their eyes darted away, avoiding his.
Seeing this, Mo Fan knew his goal had been achieved.
“I know that, even if you don’t speak, you still have some reservations in your hearts.
I can understand this, but you are all high-ranking members of Black Wind Mountain. You cannot just laze about like the demon soldiers of other demon mountains, waiting for death!
My goal is not this small Black Wind Mountain!
Thus, the old rules of the Hundred Thousand Mountains do not apply to Black Wind Mountain.
Only by being different can we stand out!
What’s wrong with half-demons?
Though half-demons are born of demon and human, they still carry our demon bloodline. How can they not be considered members of our demon clan?”
Mo Fan spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping over the demons as he sneered, “You lot look down on half-demons?”
“Let me tell you, because half-demons have human blood, they can cultivate human techniques from a young age. And because they have our demon blood, they can awaken divine abilities and practice our demon methods!
Strictly speaking, every half-demon’s cultivation talent is stronger than yours!”
“What?!”
“That’s impossible!”
“No way!!”
“…”
The demons shook their heads in disbelief at Mo Fan’s words.
“Great King, I can believe that half-demons can cultivate both demon and human methods, but to say their cultivation talent surpasses ours? I don’t believe a word of it!”
Chirpy spoke up, feeling Mo Fan was exaggerating.
As the first of Mo Fan’s confidants to awaken a divine ability, Chirpy was brimming with confidence, ready to take on anyone.
Mo Fan smiled, not blaming Chirpy, for his words did have a flaw.
Half-demons indeed had great potential, but cultivating both human and demon methods required far more resources than focusing on one. Moreover, their cultivation speed would inevitably slow significantly, the price of dual cultivation.
Likewise, if a half-demon chose to focus solely on one method, their speed wouldn’t surpass others and might even be inferior.
The strength of demons lies in their divine abilities and physique!
But half-demons are inherently weaker in physique compared to demons. So, if they only cultivate demon methods, they would be weaker than pure demons, especially in their true forms.
The strength of humans lies in their bodies’ affinity with the Great Dao and their sharper minds compared to the muddled demon clan!
Half-demons inherit both human and demon bloodlines but not all their strengths. Thus, in cultivating human methods, they aren’t necessarily faster than human cultivators.
This is why half-demons are shunned by both races. Their bloodline and identity are indeed unappealing, and more importantly, few are willing to invest heavily in nurturing a half-demon.
Of course, exceptions exist, like the White Tiger Saint King…
But Mo Fan naturally wouldn’t say this. Black Wind Mountain was severely short of manpower, even after recruiting demons at the Broken Temple Market. This was why he targeted half-demons.
For Mo Fan, resources were not an issue, as he had plenty of spirit stones. Naturally, he wanted to nurture a group of half-demons.
Given the current situation, since half-demons were disliked by both races, if he could firmly grasp this group, their power would be considerable!
To Mo Fan, recruiting half-demons wasn’t for short-term gains but for long-term strategy!
“Since you don’t believe it, how about a bet?”
Seeing Chirpy’s disbelief, Mo Fan smiled.
A bet?
The surrounding demons grew excited. As demons, they loved mischief, and gambling was the most thrilling part of it.
This was why Red Eyes had once fallen into Rattlesnake’s trap.
“How do we bet?”
Sure enough, Chirpy’s interest was piqued.
“Simple. Since you think half-demons aren’t as strong as demons, how about a fight with Little Yellow?”
Mo Fan smiled, then added after a moment’s thought, “But Little Yellow just broke through to the Demon Soldier realm today and needs time to adjust. How about we set it for a month from now?”
“Fine, a month it is! You said it, Great King!”
“No going back on your word!”
Chirpy was thrilled, already envisioning himself thrashing the half-demon who had caused Red Eyes trouble in front of everyone.
“Of course, my word as king is final!”
“If you beat Little Yellow, I won’t recruit half-demons anymore. But if you lose, you accept the outcome and never speak ill of half-demons again!”
Mo Fan looked at Chirpy, a slight smile on his lips.
“Deal, Great King, don’t worry. I won’t lose!”
Chirpy grinned, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit.
“Of course, besides Chirpy, others can join too. But you can’t bet for free. Each must offer a treasure as a stake!”
Mo Fan smiled, his gaze sweeping over the demons.
“Fine, count me in, Old Ox. Let’s see how great these half-demons are!”
“I’ll join too!”
Big Strength and Mr. Pig spoke up, showing support for Red Eyes and Chirpy.
Mo Fan didn’t mind, as these guys were close.
Seeing them join, other demon soldiers exchanged glances, and a few more signed up.
“White Elephant, you’re not joining?”
Mo Fan’s gaze turned to White Elephant, who had just entered the cave. He had the highest cultivation among the demon soldiers.
“No, since the Great King is willing to make this bet, it shows confidence in Brother Little Yellow!”
“And with so many brothers already betting, my participation won’t change much.”
White Elephant shook his head with a smile, his large ears and long trunk swaying comically.
“You’re clear-headed. But why do you always keep that elephant head?”
Mo Fan smiled, curious.
From what he knew, White Elephant’s spirit form’s weakness wasn’t his head, so there was no need to keep it.
“Ahem… Great King, it’s just habit.”
“In the depths of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, demon cultivators usually show their true heads. It feels more natural and serves as a display of strength and deterrence.
In the same cultivation level, the strength of one’s true form often determines the advantage.
Showing our true heads at all times deters many, saving a lot of trouble,” White Elephant replied.
“I see, no wonder you all sport beast heads.”
Mo Fan nodded, not dwelling on the topic.
He noticed that nearly all of Black Wind Mountain’s captains and leaders had joined the bet for the fight in a month, which reassured him.
Next, he began distributing rewards.
His trip to the Broken Temple Market had yielded many fine items, and with the battles of the Three Mountains and subsequent fights, Mo Fan’s internal space was practically a mountain of various magical artifacts.
The demon soldiers’ eyes gleamed with excitement upon hearing rewards were to be distributed.
After Mo Fan finished, he had the demons call in the two outside.
When they entered, Mo Fan looked at Red Eyes, who flinched and gave him a silly grin.
“G-Great King!”
“Oh? Still calling me Great King?”
“Not cursing me anymore?”
“N-No, I wouldn’t dare… I was just worked up earlier…”
