Xiao Tian was about to speak, but Jiufeng Demon General cut in, "Xiao Tian, there’s no need to beg for mercy for a dying man like me. I may be weak, but I will not beg this despicable and shameless old creature for mercy! I still have my pride. So what if you’ve obtained great power in the Demon Clan? You will never win everyone’s heartfelt loyalty!" Jiufeng Demon General spoke with resounding conviction.
The Undying Phoenix lashed out again, her power directly shattering Jiufeng Demon General’s tongue. Xiao Tian fell to his knees again and again, but it was too late. Jiufeng Demon General took matters into his own hands, ending his own life.
At this, the Demon Kings were stunned. Xiao Tian remained frozen for a long time, unable to utter a word as tears streamed down his face. He was seething with anger, but he knew he couldn’t die yet. He still had to deliver this news to the Seven-Colored Demon Empress.
"I will lead the Demon Clan back to glory," the Undying Phoenix announced. "Whoever dares to obstruct me, I will kill them, even if it means killing everyone without hesitation. From now on, I am your leader. As for that criminal, the Seven-Colored Demon Empress, I will bring her back to the Demon Clan to await judgment."
The others could only hasten to agree, not daring to defy the Undying Phoenix’s will.
***
Meanwhile, in the Outer Realm, the Seven-Colored Demon Empress had been staying for many days, partly to congratulate Ye Fan and partly to reunite with him. Even now, she had not truly accepted Ye Fan, though she had always supported him from the shadows. Ye Fan, in turn, was exceptionally patient with her. However, their time was cut short by Xiao Tian’s arrival.
"What is it?" the Seven-Colored Demon Empress asked. Normally, members of the Demon Clan’s inner circle wouldn’t follow her out here, yet Xiao Tian had come. What on earth could have happened?
Xiao Tian knelt before her, tears flowing endlessly. "What on earth happened?" the Seven-Colored Demon Empress demanded as Ye Fan and the others approached.
"Boss, I’m sorry!" Xiao Tian howled in misery.
The Seven-Colored Demon Empress scolded him in exasperation, "Can’t you show some backbone? Stop this weeping and wailing!"
Only then did Xiao Tian manage to say, "Boss, A Jiu is dead."
"What?"
The Seven-Colored Demon Empress’s anger erupted, but she maintained a sliver of rationality. "What happened?" she asked Xiao Tian. "Why is A Jiu dead?"
"He was killed by our master! She has revived and taken control of the entire Demon Clan. Any Martial Artist who refused to submit to her rule was killed! A Jiu was the first one she killed!"
"My master?" The Seven-Colored Demon Empress was shocked. She had never expected the Undying Phoenix to revive at a time like this. "Tell me exactly what happened!" she commanded.
Xiao Tian then relayed the entire story, leaving the Seven-Colored Demon Empress heartbroken. She couldn’t believe that she had become a criminal in her master’s eyes and that A Jiu had been killed for supporting her. Following the heartache was a boundless, overwhelming rage. To think the master who had raised her had become such a person! She had always known the Undying Phoenix was ambitious and greedy, but she never imagined that greed would make her so despicable.
"Alright, I understand," the Seven-Colored Demon Empress said, her voice cold. "A Jiu will not have died in vain!"
"Yes! Boss, the other Demon Generals fear her strength and don’t dare to stand up for you. A Jiu is dead, and she is immensely powerful. Boss, you can’t go back!" Xiao Tian pleaded.
"It’s fine. I will handle this myself. You’ve been exposed, so don’t return. Wait until this is settled," the Seven-Colored Demon Empress told him.
Xiao Tian clutched his head and cried bitterly, the feeling of losing his brother leaving him in utter despair.
After hearing this, Ye Fan said to the Seven-Colored Demon Empress, "The Undying Phoenix’s strength is formidable. Her power ranks among the top five in the Demon Clan’s history; she is definitely no ordinary figure. Do you want my help to eliminate her?"
"No. This is an internal matter of the Demon Clan. I will resolve it myself!"
"Farewell!"
With that, the Seven-Colored Demon Empress soared into the sky and vanished.
The Seven-Colored Demon Empress is no match for the Undying Phoenix, but I can’t just step in to help. What a dilemma.
With that, he immediately summoned several Main Gods.
The Red Sand Main God asked, "Little Junior Brother, what happened?"
"The leadership of the Demon Clan has changed hands!" Ye Fan announced.
"What?"
The Main Gods were shocked, not expecting the Demon Clan Leader to be replaced so quickly. Before they could ask, Ye Fan told them everything.
The Great Wilderness Main God spoke first. "This matter is not simple. The Undying Phoenix is an ancient powerhouse. It is said that she once tried to break through to the Subcestor realm, but her Primordial Spirit was destroyed in the attempt! Who would have thought that she hadn’t died at all? She deceived everyone. She didn’t even appear during the Demon Clan’s dark era. After remaining dormant for so many years, she must be terrifyingly powerful now!"
"That’s right," the Red Sand Main God added. "She may or may not have broken through to the Subcestor realm. But even if she hasn’t, she is still immensely powerful. We need to plan our approach carefully!"
Both the Red Sand Main God and the Great Wilderness Main God held the Undying Phoenix’s power in high regard.
Ye Fan said, "The Demon Clan has always advanced and retreated alongside us. Now that the Seven-Colored Demon Empress is in trouble, I absolutely will not stand by and do nothing!"
"We will always support you, Little Junior Brother! How do you plan to handle this?" the Evil Punishment Main God asked.
Ye Fan replied, "I must go to Demon Mountain myself!"
"That’s a good idea. However, if you encounter the Undying Phoenix and you’re not confident of victory, then please ask the senior to intervene!"
The senior they referred to was, of course, the Evil You Ancestor.
Ye Fan agreed, "Alright. If I truly am no match for her, I will definitely ask the senior for help. However, he is currently in seclusion, so I won’t disturb him."
"Senior Brothers, I’ll take my leave. You all observe the developments calmly, but also prepare for contingencies. My current worry is that the Undying Phoenix, driven by greed, will command the Demon Clan’s army to attack us!"
The Main Gods nodded, acknowledging the possibility.
"They’ll have to get past my sword first!" the Godslayer said coldly.
"Alright, Little Junior Brother makes a good point," the Red Sand Main God said immediately. "Godslayer, you and Evil Punishment will hold the northern front to prevent the Evil Gods from rebelling. Great Wilderness and I will guard against the Demon Clan. If the Demon Clan’s army truly attacks, we’re no pushovers!"
The others nodded in agreement.
Then, Ye Fan said, "Senior Brothers, I leave this in your hands. The three Evil Clan Divine Beasts will join you. In such critical times, we must not be careless!"
"Understood!" the Main Gods nodded.
Ye Fan then made his preparations and set off in secret. He had to act covertly, otherwise his involvement would seem unreasonable. After all, this is an internal affair of the Demon Clan. When it comes down to it, even if the Seven-Colored Demon Empress is my wife, I’m still just an outsider.