‘Let's do it this way: gather all the large, medium, and small leaders of your Ancient Demon Race, right now.’
Ye Yunfei pondered for a moment before speaking.
‘Understood. I will gather them immediately.’ Demon King Baigu nodded.
The Three Great Demon Kings currently followed Ye Yunfei's commands without question.
A moment later.
All remaining large, medium, and small leaders of the Ancient Demon Race were assembled before Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei entered a palace and had these leaders enter one by one, implanting Soul Restrictions within them.
Given Ye Yunfei's current level of Soul Power, planting Soul Restrictions on Imperial Realm experts was somewhat challenging, but it was much simpler for martial artists at the Soul Formation Realm and below.
In less than two days, Soul Restrictions had been planted on every large, medium, and small leader of the Ancient Demon Race, turning them into Ye Yunfei's slaves.
In this way, the Ancient Demon Race truly became a force under Ye Yunfei's command!
Next, Ye Yunfei entered the Phantom Tower. He personally refined a large batch of demonic pills, then brought a group of the stronger Ancient Demons into the Phantom Tower, having them consume the pills to break through and advance.
Within the Phantom Tower, two or three months later, a great number of Ancient Demons broke through one after another, their strength significantly increased!
Many who had been at the late Yuan Soul Realm even broke through to become Soul Formation Realm experts!
The Ancient Demon Race was numerous and long-lived, resulting in a large group who had been stuck at the late Yuan Soul Realm. Now, thanks to Ye Yunfei, they had all successfully broken through!
Of course, the few months inside the Phantom Tower were only a bit over a day in the outside world.
‘Master, our Ancient Demon Race now possesses over two hundred Soul Formation Realm experts, an unprecedented peak of prosperity! Furthermore, after consuming the pills you bestowed upon us, the combat power of us three has also greatly increased. In the future, we will cultivate the techniques you provided, and our strength is bound to grow even stronger! Although Master slew many of our kin, the changes over these last two or three days have been tremendous. The overall strength of our Ancient Demon Race has risen by a whole level!’
Inside the Phantom Tower, the three Demon Kings stood before Ye Yunfei, their excitement palpable.
Although they were now his slaves, witnessing the rise in their race's strength still filled them with great agitation.
‘This is only the beginning. As long as you follow me, future developments will be even greater,’ Ye Yunfei said indifferently.
‘Master, rest assured. From this moment on, our Ancient Demon Race will act entirely according to your orders,’ the three Demon Kings declared in unison.
‘Good,’ Ye Yunfei gave a slight nod.
‘Master, since the Ancient Demon Race inflicted such great harm upon the Tianxuan Continent in the past, sparing the lives of these three Demon Kings was letting them off easy,’ Hu Miao suddenly remarked.
‘Enough. It's simply that I have come to realize it is time for me to foster some forces of my own within the Xuanhuang Star Domain. The Ancient Demon Race is a good option,’ Ye Yunfei thought.
‘That's true. The Ancient Demon Race is populous, and they are a race adept at reproduction, so their numbers will continue to grow. Moreover, their combat prowess is quite decent.’ Hu Miao couldn't help but nod in agreement.
‘Alright. I now intend to set up some formations at the entrance and exit points of the Guyao Realm, to defend it and prevent outsiders from barging in at will,’ Ye Yunfei said to the three Demon Kings.
In Ye Yunfei's eyes, the defensive capabilities at the Guyao Realm's entry points were too weak; any expert with a bit of strength could force their way in.
Now that the Guyao Realm effectively belonged to him, Ye Yunfei naturally wanted to arrange its defenses properly.
Subsequently, Ye Yunfei went to the entrance and exit points of the Guyao Realm and personally set up over a dozen great formations.
These formations included defensive ones, isolation ones, and even offensive ones, each one highly sophisticated.
With these formations in place, Ye Yunfei believed that not even an expert at the late Imperial Realm would be able to force an entry.
‘Master, the Yan Nation's expeditionary army is currently attacking the Taiheng Star Domain. The nearby star domains have united to form a joint star domain army to resist the Yan Nation. What should we do?’ Demon King Aoyue suddenly asked Ye Yunfei.
‘Maintain the status quo, do not move,’ Ye Yunfei replied.
‘We understand,’ the three Demon Kings answered.
‘Report! An envoy from the Nine Li Imperial Dynasty has arrived and requests an audience with the three Demon Kings!’
Just at that moment, an Ancient Demon rushed over from afar, shouting the report.
‘Oh? An envoy from the Nine Li Imperial Dynasty? Master, what do you think…?’ The three Demon Kings all looked toward Ye Yunfei.
‘Meet him,’ Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
‘Very well. Hurry, bring him here!’ Demon King Aoyue said.
A moment later.
Inside a palace overflowing with demonic aura, the three Demon Kings sat in the center. On the guest's seat sat an elder who resembled a eunuch. The elder was accompanied by six guards, each with sharp, imposing gazes.
‘Esteemed Liu Gonggong, to what do we owe the honor of your visit to our Guyao Realm?’ Demon King Wuque asked, breaking the silence.
‘Three Demon Kings, now that the Yan Nation's great army has arrived, given its power, it will inevitably conquer our Xuanhuang Star Domain and the surrounding four star domains in the end. I wonder what your intentions are, Honorable Demon Kings? Will you dispatch troops to resist the Yan Nation's army?’ Liu Gonggong asked in a piercing voice.
‘Our Ancient Demon Race is weak and only seeks self-preservation. For now, we do not plan to dispatch troops,’ Demon King Wuque said, recalling Ye Yunfei's words.
‘Haha… The three Demon Kings are indeed perceptive of the larger situation. As is well known, the Yan Nation's expeditionary force is powerful, triumphant in every battle, capturing every target it strikes, and will undoubtedly conquer the Xuanhuang Star Domain and the four surrounding star domains. Therefore, any force that foolishly attempts to resist the Yan Nation's army is simply overestimating its own abilities.’
Liu Gonggong let out a loud laugh. His voice was sharp and high-pitched, making his laughter sound rather eerie.
‘Oh? Liu Gonggong, what exactly do you mean by that?’ The three Demon Kings were all taken aback upon hearing this.
‘Three Demon Kings, this humble one comes bearing an offer—for your surrender,’ Liu Gonggong stated.
‘Surrender?’ The three Demon Kings were stunned.
‘Liu Gonggong, we do not quite understand,’ Demon King Wuque inquired.
‘Three Demon Kings, speaking frankly, in truth, our Nine Li Imperial Dynasty is a subsidiary force under the Yan Nation. Honorable Demon Kings, if your Ancient Demon Race announces its allegiance to our Nine Li Imperial Dynasty and henceforth follows the orders of our Lord Nation Master, then once the Yan Nation's army conquers the Xuanhuang Star Domain, our Nine Li Imperial Dynasty can guarantee the safety of your Ancient Demon Race. Moreover, from then on, your Ancient Demon Race would also be, in effect, a subsidiary force of the Yan Nation. Surely the three Demon Kings are aware of the Yan Nation's illustrious reputation. By becoming a Yan Nation subsidiary, in the vast expanse of the starry sky, no one would dare provoke your Ancient Demon Race lightly again.’
Liu Gonggong spoke his piece clearly.
‘What?! Your Nine Li Imperial Dynasty is actually a subsidiary force under the Yan Nation?!’ The three Demon Kings were greatly shocked by Liu Gonggong's words.
‘Indeed. Three Demon Kings, to surrender or not, do consider it carefully. However, should you choose not to surrender... unpleasant events are likely to ensue.’
At this point, Liu Gonggong's voice turned icy.
Boom! Boom! Boom…
The six guards beside Liu Gonggong simultaneously stepped forward, releasing torrents of spiritual energy.
These six guards included two at the mid-Imperial Realm and four at the early-Imperial Realm!
Boom…
Liu Gonggong also stood up, a powerful surge of energy erupting skyward.
This Liu Gonggong also possessed mid-Imperial Realm strength!
Three at the mid-Imperial Realm, four at the early-Imperial Realm!