"Right then, enough talk of these matters. Since we’ve finally managed to meet, let’s go drink!" Garuda, utterly vexed by these recent troubles, seized Ye Xiu’s arm, and the group headed toward the upper chamber.

"Let's go, let's go!" Upon hearing the word 'wine,' Jiu Liansheng became instantly animated. He tossed aside his gourd, threw an arm around Ye Xiu’s shoulders, and exclaimed, "Let's see if your tolerance for liquor has increased, kid."

...

Tianyun Ji had also received the invitation from the Bone Sect. There were few members left in the Sun-Blind Clan now; Elder Tianyuan had been killed by Jun Bugu, and Elder Liuyun had passed away. Currently, only the 'Birdman' could uphold their standing. He summoned several elite disciples and instructed them, "We haven't had a chance to witness the terror of Sha Juntian yet, but everyone here understands the strength of that Jun Bugu, don't they?"

Those disciples had certainly seen it—Elder Tianyuan’s profound power, instantly vanquished by a single sword strike from Jun Bugu. "Senior Brother, we must avenge Elder Tianyuan."

"We will certainly exact this revenge! Damned Jun Bugu!" The Birdman raised the Heaven’s Punishment Bow, left behind by Elder Tianyuan. The bow’s luminescence remained as potent as ever. "We must fully leverage the power of the Bone Sect. I believe the current Sect Master of the Bone Sect understands everything by now."

At the Fox Spirit Palace, the Demon Empress had also finalized all her arrangements. Her current strength should be comparable to that of the ancient Yaoying Qiannian. "People of the Fox Spirit Palace, listen to my command. I may not return from this journey to Desolate Bone City. If anything happens to me, you must assist Qi'er well."

"Mother Empress!" Seeing such a solemn deployment, a wave of sorrow washed over Qi'er. This wasn't a deployment; it felt more like the Demon Empress's final testament. "Mother Empress, I must go with you."

The Demon Empress stroked Qi'er's tear-streaked cheek. "This is something every generation of Demon Empress must endure. Besides, we aren't entirely without hope."

"Your subordinate obeys!" The retainers of the Fox Spirit Palace were divided into two groups: one remained to guard the palace, while the other—like sworn martyrs—was fated to follow the Demon Empress.

The Demon Empress took a step forward, and the entire Lost Forest was stunned by the aura emanating from her. Her nine tails swept across the world, shifting the very clouds and wind. "This is also the moment of our Fox Spirit Palace’s ascent. I shall lead you toward glory."

Far away in the Celestial Cave, Ren Tianxing, the Gate Master of the Demon Peak Sect, had obtained the Evil Whisper Vow. Though his cultivation hadn't fully manifested its potential, his confidence was already soaring. "At the gathering in Desolate Bone City, a method to deal with Sha Juntian will certainly be decided. If my predictions are correct, the Lord of the Bone Sect will surely toss out that deceptive nonsense that whoever kills Sha Juntian can control the Interspatial Realm. To preserve our strength, I believe I should take a few elite members with me. Who among you is willing?"

The Demon Peak Sect relied heavily on its Four Wind Hall Masters for crucial missions, making the selection for this expedition uncertain. "The Gate Master already possesses the power of the Heavenly Emperor Evil Body; of course, we are willing to follow. The rise of the Demon Peak Sect hinges on the day Sha Juntian breaks the ice!"

"Hmm." The Demon Peak Sect had always existed beneath the other clans, and the Evil Whisper Vow he held was naturally an advantage. "Very well, select the necessary personnel to accompany me."

Each major clan made its own preparations. Upon Mount Sumeru, the Death Gods of the Dark Path had finished recuperating. However, their commitment to protecting Sha Juntian was far less straightforward than Jun Bugu’s.

"I have purged all the power within my body. When the day you break the ice arrives, perhaps the Primordial Embryo of the Demon Realm can attain even greater strength!" Jun Bugu rested a hand on the ice seal. Only he could communicate with Sha Juntian. "Do you have confidence in shattering the siege mounted by the various sects of the Interspatial Realm?"

Sha Juntian’s gaze flickered, his murderous intent staggering the surroundings. "With the fusion and explosive surge of the Primordial Embryo of the Demon Realm, those of lower cultivation will be utterly annihilated. A siege by the sects is merely a joke!"

Jun Bugu glanced at the Death Gods gathered near the mountain. "And what about those Death Gods? Do you truly believe they will aid you?"

"At least they are doing so now." Sha Juntian spoke with arrogance, yet he recognized the necessity of allies. "As long as the Gate of the Demon Realm has not fully opened, I still require the assistance of these Death Gods. As for how long you’ve infiltrated the Interspatial Realm, I genuinely wish to know how much power of the Primordial Embryo of the Demon Realm remains within you!"

"Roar…" At that moment, a gigantic Snow Ape Divine Beast lunged past Jun Bugu. Jun Bugu merely glared at it, and the creature was instantly reduced to bloody pulp.

Sha Juntian’s eyes shifted to the Boundless Dao Master beside him. He sighed, "The strength of the Daoist sects in the Interspatial Realm cannot be underestimated. The Boundless Dao Master possesses an evil power at the Divine Sovereign level. If his power can advance further, he might be able to seize the power of the Primordial Embryo of the Demon Realm."

"Are you still afraid?" Jun Bugu trembled slightly. The mighty Primordial Embryo of the Demon Realm was afraid of mere Daoists? "Do you know who will be participating in this encirclement?"

"Members of the various sects of the Interspatial Realm. Do you think I hold them in high regard?" Sha Juntian stated plainly. "I only sense the existence of the Ksitigarbha Buddha Dharma within the Interspatial Realm, and that divine weapon that once sealed me in the Mortal Realm seems to have resurfaced as well."

Jun Bugu was unaware of Sha Juntian’s experiences in the Mortal Realm and exclaimed in surprise, "Does that mean you require my help with one more thing?"

"To be absolutely certain, I hope you can help me kill the one possessing the Ksitigarbha Buddha power, or destroy that divine weapon!" As Sha Juntian spoke, his eyes brightened, and a red light immediately transmitted from Jun Bugu’s arm, piercing directly into his mind. "Go, perform this final service for the Primordial Embryo of the Demon Realm."

Jun Bugu felt the fear radiating from Sha Juntian. At that moment, he became like a soaring dragon, traversing the vast lands of the Interspatial Realm. He flew over towering mountains and crossed long rivers, finally hovering above Desolate Bone City. This was Sha Juntian’s terror, and his fear instantly spread into a grand hall. His dread was focused on only one person: the Death God, Ye Xiu!

"It's that Ye Xiu!" Jun Bugu certainly recognized the fellow. He had always desired a true showdown with him. "Hahaha, so your fear is precisely the one who interests me. I know this person!"

Sha Juntian blinked rapidly, explaining, "This person’s identity is that of a Death God, but why he harbors Ksitigarbha Buddha power within him, I cannot fathom. I once broke one of his blades in the Mortal Realm; who knew his strength would become so formidable today?"

"Rest assured, I will find him. After all, a duel with a master is far more exhilarating than destroying a divine weapon!" Jun Bugu held his Feng Sword and charged toward the Divine Beasts on Mount Sumeru. "Well said, Ye Xiu! Wait for me! Hahahaha!"