The Wing Demon lineage's ancestor was named Green Falcon Ancestor, a relatively well-known Divine Path Ancestor among the Wing Demon lineage. The Metal Demon lineage's ancestor was named Silver Edge Ancestor, considered a truly remarkable Divine Path Ancestor among the Metal Demon lineage.
The last to arrive was named
The appearance of these three ancestors together in the Revival Island Domain was highly unusual. In principle, the Revival Island Domain was clearly not of sufficient caliber. At the very least, it wasn't important enough to warrant the simultaneous appearance of all three ancestors here. A single Demon Race ancestor would be more than enough to annihilate the Revival Island Domain.
The fact that they had gathered here clearly indicated they had their own reasons.
Upon seeing Shadowless Ancestor take his seat, Green Falcon Ancestor chuckled. "Friend Shadowless, now that you've come, I suppose the situation at the Ten Great Holy Lands must be going rather smoothly?"
Shadowless Ancestor laughed coldly. "Who would have thought the Ten Great Holy Lands would prove easier to handle than we anticipated? Having so many of us Demon Race ancestors descend upon Abyss Island, it almost feels like overkill."
Green Falcon Ancestor chuckled again. "That's because we've learned our lesson from the ancient war! If the ten demon lineages had been more closely united back then, if there had been more cooperation, things would never have turned out the way they did. The humans have a saying — a fall in the pit, a gain in wisdom. We can't keep failing to improve."
"Heh, that may be so. But the reason the ten demon lineages are cooperating wholeheartedly this time isn't because of the wisdom you mentioned. It's because of the Celestial Demon Ancestor's Celestial Demon Decree, isn't it? Once that decree comes out, no matter how much we may dislike each other, we have no choice but to cooperate obediently."
Shadowless Ancestor spoke in the same ethereal manner as he had made his appearance.
Silver Edge Ancestor snorted coldly. "I think the Celestial Demon Ancestor is being overly cautious. If the demon race truly gave it everything we had, we could absolutely sweep across the
"Ha ha, Friend Silver Edge, if you truly think that way, you couldn't be more wrong. It seems you haven't absorbed enough from the lessons of ancient times," Shadowless Ancestor said with a sinister laugh.
"Don't give me that act." Silver Edge Ancestor clearly wasn't buying it. "Just take this situation — if you'd listened to me, we'd have simply annihilated the Revival Island Domain and charged straight into Winterbloom Island, smashing through by force. If there really is a so-called teleportation formation there, we'd seize it and attack the human territories just the same. Why does everything have to be so complicated? Could it be that the demon race has been cowed by the human territories?"
Silver Edge Ancestor, much like the late Stone Fiend Ancestor, held the human race in utter contempt. His tone dripped with disdain.
It was clear he believed a direct frontal assault — a sweeping, overwhelming onslaught — would be far more satisfying and far more befitting the demon race's style.
Scheming plots, roundabout tactics — he had no interest whatsoever. And the Shadow Demon ancestors' preferred style of operation was something Silver Edge Ancestor did not appreciate at all.
Shadowless Ancestor let out an eerie laugh. "Friend Silver Edge, it seems that even after suffering a setback, you still look down on the human territories? The seal confining us barbarian demons was broken, yet we still can't invade the human territories — surely you know the reason?"
"Hmph, isn't it because the humans activated that so-called All Heavens Myriad Spirits God-Locking Grand Formation? That's all the humans have going for them — hiding behind formations like cowering turtles. Doesn't that prove they're afraid of us demons?"
The fellow's words actually held a certain amount of logic.
"Hmph, yes, the humans fear the demons — that much is true. But fear doesn't mean they lack ways to deal with us. Haven't you heard about what happened to the Monster Demon lineage's Light Crossing Ancestor? The humans have produced a formidable figure, and that figure won't be easy to deal with."
"Nonsense. Just one human brat — if you let the Metal Demon lineage take point in this fight, I guarantee we'd have his head within a month," Silver Edge Ancestor said viciously.
Green Falcon Ancestor chuckled. "Calm yourself, Friend Silver Edge. Lord Celestial Demon has given his orders — for this battle, we follow command, with Friend Shadowless in charge. We just need to support him."
On the surface, Green Falcon Ancestor seemed to be elevating Shadowless Ancestor's leadership position, but if one parsed those words carefully, there was a subtle hint of sowing discord.
Silver Edge Ancestor snorted coldly but refrained from saying anything too outrageous, instead grumbling. "I hope this battle goes smoothly. Otherwise, the time we waste here could have been spent conquering the Ten Great Holy Lands."
Shadowless Ancestor laughed. "Once the task here is complete, there will naturally be assignments at the Ten Great Holy Lands. Are you really worried there won't be opportunities to earn merit?"
Green Falcon Ancestor sighed. "I'm just worried the Wood Demon lineage will be too ruthless and kill off everyone at the Ten Great Holy Lands. By the time it's our turn, there won't be much left."
"Lord Celestial Demon has his own comprehensive plans. No matter how cunning the Wood Demon lineage may be, he won't let them monopolize all the glory. He certainly wouldn't want any other lineage's contributions to outshine those of the Celestial Demon lineage." Shadowless Ancestor smiled leisurely. "You're really worrying over nothing. Lord Celestial Demon's extreme caution and comprehensive strategy this time stems from the lessons learned in the ancient battle. You have to eat one bite at a time. Last time, we spread ourselves too thin, stretched the battlefield too wide, and the forces of each lineage were cut apart and devoured piecemeal."
That was the plain truth. In ancient times, had the ten demon lineages remained united, acted in concert, and followed orders in all matters, they would never have met with such a disastrous outcome.
In that battle, the demons lost because of underestimating their enemy, because of arrogance.
In terms of raw power, the demon race's combat strength was more than enough to conquer the Divine Abyss Continent.
"I must say, Lord Celestial Demon's decision this time was brilliant. Conquering Abyss Island means the demon race will have a solid base of operations. We can advance to attack or retreat to defend. Most importantly, the martial artists of Abyss Island mostly lack backbone. Aside from the Ten Great Holy Lands, which are a tougher nut to crack, the ordinary factions simply don't have the resolve and grit to fight us demons to the bitter end." Green Falcon Ancestor chuckled. "We've been cutting through them like splitting bamboo all the way here."
Shadowless Ancestor waved dismissively. "These are just small fry — insignificant. The most critical objective right now is to break through Winterbloom Island and enter the human territories. That is the crux of this demon campaign. If we cannot enter the human territories, Lord Celestial Demon's conquest plan cannot proceed as intended."
Silver Edge Ancestor sneered. "You've been running your mouths for ages — so can you actually do it or not? Don't tell me you're still in the planning stage?"
"What's the rush? I already have a comprehensive plan. Besides, the moment to test your combat prowess, Friend, is coming soon. When that time comes, don't let it be that Jiang Chen appears before you and you can't even handle him," Shadowless Ancestor said, employing a goading tactic.
Silver Edge Ancestor laughed coldly. "Are you talking in your sleep? What kind of hard battle has the Metal Demon lineage not seen?"