Watching the demonic beasts scatter in terror at his sudden appearance, Xu Fang couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh.

  He couldn’t blame them—after all, in the Northern Uttarakuru Continent, Xu Fang had long become a figure akin to a god of slaughter!

  "Senior Kunpeng, are you there? An old acquaintance has come to visit. I hope you can spare some time to meet!"

  Xu Fang’s voice carried far, piercing directly into Kunpeng’s secluded retreat.

  The valley trembled slightly as his words echoed, rousing the ancient being from his meditation.

  "Xu Fang!"

  With Kunpeng’s quasi-saintly cultivation, he didn’t even need Xu Fang to announce himself—his presence alone was unmistakable.

  "You little thief! How dare you show your face here? Seeking death!"

  Fury burned in Kunpeng’s heart as he emerged from seclusion, teeth clenched.

  BOOM!

  The mighty Demon Master’s Palace materialized in the sky, its oppressive aura bearing down on Xu Fang.

  Kunpeng had long wished to skin Xu Fang alive.

  Not only had Xu Fang slaughtered countless demons in the Northern Uttarakuru Continent, but he had also once looted Kunpeng’s hidden treasure trove, stealing precious Kunpeng blood essence and other treasures. That alone was enough to earn him Kunpeng’s undying hatred.

  "Senior Kunpeng, I did not come here today to fight."

  Though his cultivation was far inferior, Xu Fang showed no fear. Gazing calmly at the enraged Kunpeng looming above, he spoke evenly, "I come bearing a matter of life and death for the demon race. I hope you will hear me out."

  "Life and death for the demon race?" Kunpeng sneered. "The greatest threat to the demon race’s survival is letting you live!"

  With a roar, Kunpeng slammed his palm downward!

  The might of a late-stage Quasi-Saint shook the heavens and earth!

  The Northern Sea churned violently, mountains trembled, and the skies darkened in an instant.

  "I’ve long heard of the great ambitions of the Northern Sea’s Demon Master Kunpeng. Yet now, it seems you are nothing more than a short-sighted fool. What a pity…"

  Xu Fang shook his head slowly, completely ignoring the colossal palm descending upon him. Instead, he sighed, "What a shame that my method to revive the demon race shall go to waste, for there is no worthy master to receive it!"

  "Brat, what did you say?!"

  Kunpeng’s palm had already begun its descent, but those words struck him like a thunderbolt.

  Xu Fang met Kunpeng’s gaze, his lips curling into a cold smile. "It’s true that I once killed many demons, but behind it all was the Jade Emperor’s command. If you have the guts, go to the Heavenly Court and seek vengeance from him!"

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  "I, Xu Fang, was merely a pawn. Now, I too have been deceived by the Heavenly Court and have decided to rebel—to join forces with the demon race. But alas, the great Demon Master turns out to be nothing but a coward!"

  Kunpeng’s expression flickered between shock and suspicion. He had indeed heard of Xu Fang’s rebellion against the heavens.

  And he knew well that Xu Fang had once acted under the Jade Emperor’s orders.

  But did Kunpeng dare seek revenge against the Jade Emperor?

  If he had that kind of courage, he wouldn’t be the Demon Master—he’d be the Demon Emperor!

  After the great war between demons and witches, both races had fallen into ruin. While the Witch Race’s remnants, led by the Houtu Empress, retreated into the Netherworld, Kunpeng had gathered the scattered demons in the Northern Uttarakuru Continent.

  His lifelong ambition was to restore the demon race’s former glory—and perhaps, in doing so, ascend to the throne of the Heavenly Emperor himself.

  Even during the great calamity of the Demon-Witch War, Kunpeng had been a figure of immense ambition. Now, hearing Xu Fang speak of reviving the demon race, he found himself hesitating.

  But Kunpeng was not one to trust easily.

  "You’ve betrayed the Heavenly Court, slaughtered a million of the Jade Emperor’s soldiers, and made enemies of the Western Buddhist Sect. With just your Great Luo Golden Immortal strength, how could you possibly stand against them? What makes you think you can speak of reviving the demon race?"

  Empty words meant nothing.

  Kunpeng remained unconvinced.

  Yet Xu Fang merely pointed at himself and replied, "Because I, Xu Fang, have reached the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm in just three hundred years. Breaking through to Quasi-Saint is only a matter of time. With my reputation and battle prowess, am I not worthy of an alliance?"

  Kunpeng fell silent.

  After Xu Fang’s massacre in the Northern Uttarakuru, Kunpeng had investigated him thoroughly. He knew of every battle Xu Fang had fought across the Three Realms.

  What shocked him most were two feats in particular:

  First, Xu Fang had fought alone against countless demon kings while still a Taiyi Golden Immortal.

  Second, he had slaughtered a million heavenly soldiers in a single battle within the Heavenly Court.

  Even Kunpeng himself, at the same cultivation level, could never have achieved such things!

  And Xu Fang’s rise to fame had taken only a few centuries. Such talent was truly rare in all the Three Realms.

  "I stand before you now, Senior Kunpeng. If you wish to take revenge, I will offer my neck willingly."

  Seizing the moment, Xu Fang pressed on, "But if you still dream of restoring the demon race’s glory, why not join forces with me? I swear to you—within three hundred years at most, I will deliver results that satisfy you."

  "Besides, both the Heavenly Court and the Western Buddhists have been the demon race’s enemies. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. The choice is yours, Senior Kunpeng."

  With that, Xu Fang waited calmly.

  Kunpeng’s face twisted with conflict. Part of him wanted to refuse and crush Xu Fang where he stood, but another part burned with anticipation.

  What if this young man truly succeeded?

  Once hope took root, it grew uncontrollably.

  Xu Fang had planted a seed in Kunpeng’s heart, and with his words, it had already begun to sprout.

  "Fine!"

  At last, Kunpeng made his decision, growling through gritted teeth, "I’ll give you one chance. But if you betray me, I will hunt you down across the Three Realms and banish your soul to the Nine Nethers, ensuring you never reincarnate!"

  "You’ve made the right choice, Senior."

  Xu Fang smiled. "Let us cooperate happily."

  "What’s your plan?" Kunpeng demanded coldly.

  Xu Fang wasn’t bothered by Kunpeng’s hostility—it was only natural given their history.

  "The Buddhist Sect has a plan—two hundred years from now, they will begin their ‘Dharma Propagation to the East.’ You’re aware of this, yes?"

  Seeing Kunpeng nod, Xu Fang continued, "My intention is to use this scheme to overthrow both the Buddhists and the Heavenly Court. But first, I must establish my own faction."

  BANG!

  Kunpeng spat out a command token, his voice icy. "This is the Demon Master’s Token. With it, you can mobilize all demonic forces in the Northern Uttarakuru. Use them as you see fit."

  "Many thanks, Senior."

  Xu Fang nodded. "In that case, there’s no time to waste. Since you’ve already emerged from seclusion, why not summon the demonic hosts now and announce our alliance? It will make things easier for me in the future."