Chapter 25: The Summit Interrupted
“Please, Dark Hall Master, take your seat.”
Fuming as he was, Night Demon Venerable wasn’t foolish enough to voice his displeasure first.
He wouldn’t play the early bird, offending this rising organization without gauging its master’s strength.
“My thanks for your patience.”
Arrogant as Zong Ji was, he first greeted the six city lords, taking the offered step to de-escalate without stirring trouble.
The man in the crane cloak chuckled softly, gliding down from the black crane with agile grace, exuding the carefree charm of a martial wanderer.
The wind lifted his tied hair, tangling with the silver threads embroidered on his robes, as if a joyful immortal had fallen from the heavens into the blood pool below.
His footing was impeccable, landing silently without borrowing midair force, showcasing his Saint-tier prowess while flexing effortlessly.
“Since everyone’s here, let the summit begin.”
After Zong Ji displayed his strength and settled into the floating bone throne, Night Demon Venerable rose, delivering a brief opening.
“Agreed.”
“Agreed.”
“Agreed.”
…
The other eight demon leaders nodded.
Flames in their factions’ colors erupted from the backs of the nine thrones, and the blood pool below seemed to boil, bubbling furiously.
Cold blue flames ignited along the black iron bridge spanning the pool, casting the infamous demon lair in an otherworldly, tomb-like chill—perfectly demonic.
Below, Ten Thousand Demons Sect members recorded the summit via jade slips, capturing the scene comprehensively.
All three factions came for peace and progress.
They aimed to show other scheming races—especially the demon clans—the demon sects’ united front.
“Agenda item one: Analysis and report on Xuanyu Continent’s current situation.”
The Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s left protector stood at the pool’s center, delivering the agenda with rigid precision.
Zong Ji glanced down and grinned.
Lounging casually, he propped his long fingers on the throne’s skull armrest, his Dark Hall Master’s ring gleaming menacingly.
Dark Eleven was thriving in the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, practically second-in-command.
With the new sect leader’s authority still shaky, the left protector handled most sect affairs.
This meant the Dark Hall essentially controlled half the Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
Brilliant.
Though the world fusion was abrupt, it brought Zong Ji perks.
The Heavenly Dao knew his style—half his thirteen Dark Guards were moles in other sects.
The laws auto-completed, granting him major assets.
“…Given Xuanyu’s murky situation, on behalf of the Ten Thousand Demons Sect, I propose a joint development strategy to all present leaders.”
The left protector spoke, and Yi Mo, prompted by his father Night Demon Venerable, chimed in.
“A fine proposal. The humans are still scattered, the demon clans negligible.
If our demon clans unite first, supporting each other, we’ll seize the advantage.”
Zong Ji was first to back it.
As a demon sect leader, he had the right, and his support was timely—but—
The other leaders’ gazes snapped to him, eight pairs of red eyes staring unblinkingly.
Unfortunately, Zong Ji was the only non-demon in the room.
His words, though heartening, sounded odd from the sole outsider.
“The Dark Hall Master siding with demons is our honor.”
Night Demon Venerable’s eyes glinted.
Since the Dark Hall wanted in on demon affairs, he’d drag them down, binding them to the same rope.
“You flatter me, Venerable.”
Zong Ji saw through his scheme, smiling faintly and nodding noncommittally.
In the plot, Night Demon Venerable was nearing his demise.
Zong Ji couldn’t be bothered to banter.
Once the Venerable was gone, the demon lord seat would open.
The Dark Hall could use Dark Eleven to topple the leaderless Ten Thousand Demons Sect.
Night Demon Venerable was cunning, powerful, and long-established.
Zong Ji wouldn’t face him head-on.
But his son Yi Mo was far weaker.
Once Jing Zhe took his revenge, the Dark Hall would swoop in like a mantis, claiming the sect.
Such a toxic group shouldn’t exist.
Zong Ji had long harbored killing intent.
The Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s countless atrocities—harming innocents, committing every evil—were unforgivable.
When writing One Sword to Immortality, Zong Ji didn’t think much of it.
Villains were meant to be as vile as possible.
But reading the sect’s horrific deeds atop Star-Picking Tower, he couldn’t stand by.
As the creator, he bore responsibility.
Zong Ji didn’t claim his actions were just—everything had two sides.
For greater peace, bloodied hands were inevitable.
The Dark Hall Master lowered his head slightly, black hair spilling over his shoulders.
The ghostly mask flickered in the blue flames, wavering ominously.
The summit proceeded orderly.
With all demon leaders aligned, they formed a temporary alliance, ready to—
Stir trouble.
Nonsense.
They were demon sects—making trouble was their birthright.
Not doing so would be weirder.
The nine leaders rolled up their sleeves, plotting to sow discord among demon clans and fan flames among humans.
Zong Ji was pleased.
Xuanyu wasn’t ready for war, and demons weren’t dumb enough to lead the charge.
For Zong Ji, as long as war didn’t break out, they could scheme all they wanted.
If they succeeded in starting one, the Dark Hall would leap in as justice’s champion.
By then, the temporary demon alliance would end, though that’d be far later than the Dark Hall swallowing the Ten Thousand Demons Sect XD.
One demon leader might lack ideas, but nine together sparked inspiration like a geyser.
Each wicked scheme earned applause from the other eight, ending in sinister grins.
All villains, no exceptions.
Hey, kid, didn’t expect you to be a villain too!
As the summit heated up, the Ten Thousand Demons Sect’s right protector burst in, sweat beading on his forehead, collapsing to his knees in a disheveled heap.
“What’s going on?”
Yi Mo’s brow furrowed tightly.
This was the Ten Thousand Demons Sect—his subordinate’s disgrace was his, especially with all the demon leaders present.
Utterly humiliating.
“The Sword… Sword Sovereign is coming!”
The right protector, pale with survivor’s fear, recalled that world-shaking sword.
Even the ice stone couldn’t stop that man’s cold, relentless steps.
“What?!”
Night Demon Venerable shot up from his throne, face dark with fury.
He hurriedly bowed to the others.
“An unexpected issue, my apologies. Let’s pause the summit. Please return, colleagues—I’ll deal with my dear disciple.”
He turned into black mist and vanished, seething with hatred.
Since Jing Zhe exposed Yi Jue’s Sword Demon alias at Tai Shu Sect, everyone knew the truth.
The revelation caused a stir—some cheered, others panicked.
All knew a clash between Sword Sovereign and Night Demon Venerable was inevitable.
Now, the critical plot point had arrived.