Ren Tianxing stared at Ye Xiu in surprise, not expecting his powerful move to be so easily neutralized by the demon bug's ability, but since he had spoken first, he could not go back on his word: "Fine, the Demon Bug Sect is indeed full of those who like to flee underground. So be it."
The Drought Demon Bug Emperor was more concerned with Ren Tianxing's abilities, and he deliberately asked: "The move Gate Master Ren Tianxing just used doesn't seem to belong to the Demon Peak Sect's power. Could it be..."
Ren Tianxing did not wish to reveal too much about the strength of his Evil Word Vow, so he turned and flew upwards: "Bug Emperor, there’s no need to say more. I believe the Sect Master has been waiting for us for quite some time."
Watching the Demon Peak Sect members depart, Ye Xiu also felt something strange: "The power within that Bug Emperor fellow is identical to your Evil Eye. Could he be one of the Three Fiends of the Evil Body?"
"We must keep a close watch on that fellow." The Bug Emperor let out a cold laugh, seeming to see a glimmer of hope. "That is the legendary Evil Word Vow. If I can obtain it, I will possess even greater power of the Evil Body."
Ye Xiu nodded. It seemed two of the Three Fiends of the Evil Body had already appeared. The last one should be in the hands of Jia Yunxin, who had trespassed into the Fire Map Purgatory: "Bug Emperor, we should hurry to Desolate Bone City as well, lest we give others cause for gossip."
The Bug Emperor composed himself and began to move, cautiously instructing: "Regardless of the situation atop Mount Sumeru, we have only one objective: Ren Tianxing of the Demon Peak Sect."
"The Bug Emperor intends to kill him!" Ye Xiu was not overly concerned with this dog-eat-dog affair. His focus was only on the synthesis of the Heavenly Sword Ultimate Blade, as that boy Jun Bugu would never stay guarding the Demon Bug Sect. "The armies gathering at Desolate Bone City will soon head for Mount Sumeru. The Celestial Spire and the Ultimate Blade..."
"Rest assured, I have them with me." The Bug Emperor had a broad carapace on his back, and no one knew what lay within it. He nodded: "Let's go. Enter Desolate Bone City."
Beneath the azure sky and amidst the swirling yellow sand attacking the city, the Bone Sect had once again returned to its moment of peak prosperity. The city gates were flung wide open, displaying the magnanimity of Garuda. People from various sects chatted and laughed at the city entrance, symbolizing a favorable new landscape within the Boundless Realm.
As soon as Ye Xiu and the Drought Demon Bug Emperor entered the city, attendants from the Bone Sect came to greet them, guiding them toward the Sky Ladder: "Please."
Ye Xiu felt a wave of nostalgia for the Sky Ladder Pavilion. At the end of the lofty structure, Jiu Liansheng, a confidant of Garuda, warmly welcomed the arriving guests. Upon seeing Ye Xiu, he couldn't help but smile secretly: "It's the Drought Demon Bug Emperor from the Demon Bug Sect. Please proceed to the main hall."
The Bug Emperor was courteous; despite being of the insectoid race, he dared not act arrogantly: "Thank you."
"What's wrong? The Sect Master's favorite right-hand man is now greeting guests, haha." Ye Xiu, seeing the Bug Emperor had already walked in, deliberately teased Jiu Liansheng, clapping him on the shoulder: "Have the people from the Demon Peak Sect arrived yet?"
"Why are you so concerned about that flock of crows?" Jiu Liansheng felt that Ye Xiu wouldn't ask without reason and immediately grew tense. "Are those guys planning some move?"
Ye Xiu leaned in close and cautiously whispered: "Gate Master Ren Tianxing of the Demon Peak Sect and the Drought Demon Bug Emperor both possess one of the abilities of the Three Fiends of the Evil Body. Friction between them could erupt at any moment. It’s best to have the Sect Master be wary."
"I see. I shall report this immediately!" Jiu Liansheng nodded with extreme trust. "The representatives of the various sects have mostly arrived. You should hurry inside as well."
Regarding the representatives of the various sect masters, Ye Xiu had interacted with some as friends and others as rivals. Thinking of this, he felt quite honored, because the moment he stepped into the Sky Ladder Grand Hall, everyone cast looks of approval his way.
"Ye Xiu, long time no see!" The Birdman was the first to greet him, though after all they had endured, his face was etched with fatigue. "Where have you been hiding lately, you scoundrel?"
"I knew you would come. I heard..." Ye Xiu naturally knew the news of Elder Tianyuan of the Sun-Blind Clan's death. He explained, "I know about the battle at Mount Sumeru, but please believe Jun Bugu. I will explain everything to everyone at the assembly later."
The Birdman nodded. Ye Xiu usually didn't talk much, but he always hit the crucial points: "It seems we may have to fight side-by-side again this time."
Ye Xiu walked towards the Bug Emperor, encountering the Demon Queen along the way. He asked with concern: "Demon Queen, is Qi'er doing alright?"
"Mmm, she still mentions you often." The Demon Queen smiled gently, her expression complex. "The crisis facing the Boundless Realm is approaching. I truly hope one battle can usher in peace."
"Move aside, move aside! Make way!" At this moment, someone came yelling from the Nine Heavens. It turned out that Old Liu, astride his Ghost Execution sword, had crashed directly into a pillar of the main hall. "Ah, good thing I made it in time."
"Who are you!" Jiu Liansheng lunged to stop Old Liu. "Who are you?"
Ye Xiu stepped forward, smiling as he explained: "He is the new Gate Master of the Myriad Paths Mountain. Old Liu is also my friend."
Jiu Liansheng surveyed the situation in the hall, then immediately went inside to report to Garuda: "Sect Master, everyone is here. We can begin."
Garuda chuckled lightly, sweeping open his heavy golden armor. Instantly, wind and clouds surged in, greatly enhancing the atmosphere of the entire hall: "Garuda, representing the Bone Sect, welcomes you all."
"Everyone, please take your seats." The Beast Elder had now devolved into a servant by Garuda's side. As he looked at the sect members, a wave of contempt washed over him. In a short time, all of you will become Garuda's servants; why bother putting on such proud faces in front of me?
"Thank you, Sect Master!" Everyone promptly sat down. Coincidentally, the Bug Emperor and Ren Tianxing were seated on the same side, and killing intent gradually surfaced in their exchanged glances.
Garuda also settled into his seat and announced loudly: "I have summoned everyone here today for only one matter: to jointly discuss the campaign against Sha Jun Tianxia and the salvation of the Boundless Realm."
The Beast Elder knew the terror of Garuda. Hearing his words, he immediately rose and bowed: "The Fierce Beast Sect is willing to follow the Sect Master; everything will be arranged according to your command."
"Good!" Garuda and the Beast Elder were merely putting on a synchronized act. His gaze was sharp as he fixed it upon the other sects present: "With the great enemy before us, we can no longer engage in internal strife as before. The death of the Limitless Dao Master is proof enough. Only through united effort can we achieve peace for the Boundless Realm."
"Eradicating Sha Jun Tianxia, the Myriad Paths Mountain bears inescapable responsibility." Old Liu was the first to stand up, representing the Myriad Paths Mountain and all its disciples. "The actions of the Limitless Dao Master have already demonstrated the resolve of our Myriad Paths Mountain. Everything is to be arranged by the Sect Master."
"The selfless sacrifice of the Limitless Dao Master deeply moved me. The Dao Sect is the pride of the entire Boundless Realm."
"The Fox Demon Palace has nothing more to say regarding the campaign against Sha Jun Tianxia." The Demon Queen's gaze was peerlessly cold; a mere shift of her eyes attracted the attention of many.
The Birdman stepped forward representing the Sun-Blind Clan: "The Sect Master understands the resolve of the Sun-Blind Clan. Elder Tianyuan died in the battle at Mount Sumeru. My Sun-Blind Clan must have this revenge."
"Elder Tianyuan paid too great a price. There is also a matter here that Ye Xiu of the Demon Bug Sect needs to explain to everyone." Garuda smoothly brought Ye Xiu forward. "Some matters are best heard directly from him. Let us hear his account."
Ye Xiu nodded toward the Bug Emperor and walked to the center of the hall. He meticulously recounted the story of Jun Bugu, as that Jun Bugu had indeed committed a grave error and had died by his own hand.
"So that's how it is. The entire sequence of events is truly astonishing." The Birdman sighed upon hearing the news. "It turns out the Demon Realm Nascent Embryo entered the Boundless Realm in ancient times. This is a massive conspiracy."
Garuda, having heard the account, mused: "The mysterious Witch Maiden acquired the power of Jun Bugu's Demon Realm Nascent Embryo. Is she allied with those from the Demon Realm?"
"I only feel that she is completing some mission alone." Ye Xiu naturally omitted what he knew about the Netherworld King of the Dead Nation; he merely wished to use the collective strength to understand this woman.
The Demon Queen pondered: "No wonder Jun Bugu previously returned the power of the Fox Demons. Only the pure power of the Demon Realm Nascent Embryo could be absorbed by Sha Jun Tianxia."
Garuda now understood the might of the Demon Realm Nascent Embryo. He turned his head to look at the Bug Emperor and Ren Tianxing beside him: "Gate Master of the Demon Bug Sect, and Gate Master of the Demon Peak Sect, concerning this matter, what are your thoughts..."
The Bug Emperor's thoughts were entirely consumed by the power within Ren Tianxing, so he replied casually: "The Demon Bug Sect is unequivocally ready to form an alliance against the enemy, though I fear some parties might be unwilling."
Ren Tianxing pointed at Ye Xiu and exploded again: "The Demon Bug Sect killed the Master of my Four Winds Hall. Are we just going to let this debt slide? I see no sincerity in forming an alliance."
Garuda saw that this matter involved Ye Xiu and tried to smooth things over: "How about we discuss this after the matter of Sha Jun Tianxia is concluded?"
"I just want the Demon Bug Sect to give me an accounting," Ren Tianxing held onto Ye Xiu stubbornly. "A killer should pay with his life."
The Drought Demon Bug Emperor sneered and confronted Ren Tianxing: "Your subordinate was incompetent and died at another's hand. Who is to blame? In front of so many Gate Masters, what exactly do you intend to do?"
The Demon Queen knew the details of Ye Xiu killing the Master of the Four Winds Hall, so she stepped in to explain: "That day, the Master of the Four Winds Hall abducted my daughter. It was entirely thanks to Ye Xiu's help that we rescued her from him. If anyone is at fault, it should be the Demon Peak Sect itself."
"Nonsense!" Ren Tianxing hated that the matter wasn't escalating further. "Why doesn't the Demon Queen also mention why the Master of the Four Winds Hall abducted her daughter? Why don't you mention your past with the Death God!"
"The Death God..." Some low-ranking members in the hall had begun to whisper about this topic. Others were merely ignorant, as all the Gate Masters had already vaguely guessed Ye Xiu's identity.
Seeing the Demon Queen speechless, Ren Tianxing grew arrogant: "By the Laws of the Realm, the Death God is an enemy of the entire Boundless Realm. The Demon Queen was with the Death God and even bore him a daughter. How do you account for that!"