After one defeat after another, the demon race had finally been forced into a sobering realization—conquering Dongyan Island was no longer a realistic prospect.
Given the defensive capabilities Dongyan Island had displayed, the demon race could theoretically throw everything they had at the island and there might genuinely be a chance of breaking through.
But what then? Even if they cracked the defenses, what would they have gained?
In the process of breaking through, at least half of the demon race ancestors present on the battlefield would surely fall.
Could the remaining half wipe out all the cultivators on Dongyan Island? Could they then conquer the human territories? The very notion was laughable—the stuff of delusional fantasies.
When the demon race had first invaded the
It was safe to say that the demon race no longer had the luxury of indulging in pipe dreams. They needed to wake up.
A post-battle review meeting ended with everyone going their separate ways in disgruntlement.
The Heavenly Demon Ancestor returned to the Heavenly Demon clan's camp, his fury burning like a forge. Ever since he had led the demon race to the Divine Abyss Continent in ancient times, his authority had never once been challenged.
But this time, he had not only been stripped of his dignity—he had been forced to swallow an entire bellyful of humiliation.
His cold gaze fell upon the Third Ancestor of the Heavenly Demon clan. "Third, you've got some nerve. Didn't that little speech of yours give them even more reason to laugh at our Heavenly Demon clan? You bolstered human morale and crushed demon race spirit. Where exactly are your loyalties?"
The Third Ancestor of the Heavenly Demon clan let out a soft sigh. "Ancestor, half of what I said was the truth, and the other half was meant to douse the flames."
"What part was the truth?"
"My assessment of the humans—that was genuine. The rest was to cool their temper. If I hadn't said what I did, I was worried the other clans would unite together and turn against us."
"Do they have the guts for that?" The Heavenly Demon Ancestor scoffed coldly.
"This isn't a matter of guts. The way things are heading, it's only a matter of time before it happens," the Third Ancestor replied evenly.
"Third, what are you saying?" The other Heavenly Demon ancestors all turned to stare at the Third Ancestor in shock.
The Third Ancestor sighed. "Can't you see it? Right now, every clan is seething with rage. They're all looking for someone to unleash that fury on—and that someone is us. Even if they don't openly rebel, they'll sabotage us behind the scenes and make sure we suffer alongside them. Otherwise, they won't feel any sense of balance!"
The Heavenly Demon Ancestor was burning with anger, but he said nothing.
He had to admit that the Third Ancestor's words were not wrong.
"Third, if what you say is true, then the great cause of the demon race can never advance? Are we simply meant to give up?" Another ancestor of the Heavenly Demon clan asked, unwilling to accept such an outcome.
The Third Ancestor pondered for a moment before answering. "The demon race's great cause must absolutely not be abandoned. However, given the current situation, we either sit and wait for the demon race to fracture, or..."
He trailed off and paused.
The Heavenly Demon Ancestor's eyes narrowed, then a sharp gleam shot from his gaze as he fixed the Third Ancestor with an unblinking stare. "Third, what exactly are you suggesting?"
"Ancestor, I'm afraid that at this point, we may have no choice but to activate our final card. We are the Heavenly Demon bloodline—we are destined to be the nobility of the demon race, the ones who hold its fate in our hands. As for the rest, since they have already proven disloyal to the demon race, they must be made to die as sacrifices for its great cause..."
His tone was bone-chilling, and the words he spoke sent a collective shudder through everyone present.
They understood his meaning now.
The Heavenly Demon clan, as the supreme bloodline of the demon race, possessed a secret art known as the Heavenly Demon's Secret Art, recorded within the Heavenly Demon Seal of the clan.
Only those of the Heavenly Demon bloodline who had unlocked the Heavenly Demon Seal knew that such an art even existed.