Along with the sound of this voice.
Fuhai Demon Emperor folded his fan and bowed, gesturing for her to lead the way.
"Demon Emperor, please."
Jiang Yuechu remained silent as she stepped into the hall.
Inside the hall, the roots of an ancient tree formed the walls, gnarled and intertwined, exuding a vast and primitive aura.
Long tables had already been prepared on both sides, occupied by no fewer than ten Demon Emperors of the Green Phoenix Tree Lineage.
Gazes of scrutiny or contempt projected from both sides of the hall, all converging on the black-clad figure walking slowly toward them.
Upon the massive throne at the head, carved from the root burl of an entire ancient tree, a gaunt old ape slowly rose.
A smile was forced onto its withered face, revealing two rows of yellowed fangs.
It stepped down the stone stairs and personally walked toward Jiang Yuechu.
"The Demon Emperor's presence truly brings honor to my Qingwu Mountain."
As it spoke, it cupped its hands toward Jiang Yuechu, maintaining a very humble posture.
"I have heard of the Demon Emperor's Divine Might, slaying that old scoundrel Heavenly Bamboo in Wangchuan Valley. This matter has spread throughout Yu Mountain. We have long wished to witness the Demon Emperor's elegance, and seeing you today, it is indeed..."
The words were beautifully spoken.
Yet within those cloudy ape eyes, a sharp light flickered constantly, always sizing up Jiang Yuechu's every move.
It truly hadn't expected things to reach this point.
It had originally intended to send out several waves of scouts to uncover Wangchuan's background before responding calmly.
Instead, this New Emperor had simply brought all of Wangchuan's assets and marched toward Qingwu Mountain in a grand procession.
On the surface, it looked like a declaration of war.
But having lived so long, it had seen more than a thousand such confrontations.
If she truly intended to attack the mountain, why make such a fanfare, as if wanting the entire Yu Mountain Great Range to know?
Such ostentation seemed more like a performance for others to see.
It feared these actions were a feint, and she had other designs.
Yet no matter how much it thought, it couldn't guess what this young New Emperor was after.
It simply stopped guessing.
Better to invite her in directly and clear things up face-to-face.
It would also save it from being paranoid and appearing inferior.
With this thought.
Mangshan Demon Emperor warmly gestured, leading Jiang Yuechu toward the arranged seat.
"Come, come. The Demon Emperor has come from afar; it must have been a tiring journey."
"I have prepared some simple wine. Though it cannot compare to the grandeur of a Dao Lineage, it is a token of my sincerity..."
Before it could finish.
She ignored Mangshan Demon Emperor's enthusiasm, merely lifting her eyelids to calmly scan the crowd of demons on both sides of the long tables.
Then, she spoke slowly.
"Are they all here?"
"..."
Mangshan Demon Emperor's smile froze on its face.
The hands of the Demon Emperors on both sides, holding their wine cups, all paused simultaneously.
The atmosphere in the hall became extremely strange in that instant.
Mangshan Demon Emperor's ape eyes narrowed slightly, and deep within the cloudy depths, a flash of coldness flickered.
"What does the New Emperor... mean by this?"
Jiang Yuechu shook her head silently.
Originally, she didn't like strolling out with so many people.
Firstly, because she was truly unfamiliar with this Yu Mountain Great Range and needed someone to lead the way.
Secondly.
She was also afraid that if she started a fight, she would inevitably let a few escape.
Minor demons didn't matter; if they ran, they ran. Their meager Dao Cultivation wasn't worth the effort to chase.
But how could she tolerate high-quality Dao Cultivation like a Demon Emperor escaping from under her nose?
Now, things were perfect.
Not only did the Green Phoenix Tree people lead the way themselves, but all the Demon Emperors were gathered in one place.
Wouldn't that be a wonderful thing?
At this thought.
Jiang Yuechu withdrew her gaze.
She gave a slight smile and made an excuse.
"I have just taken control of Wangchuan and know very little about the situation in the Yu Mountain Great Range."
"Since Elder Mangshan has prepared a banquet, I wish to take this opportunity to get to know the various Demon Emperors of the Green Phoenix Tree Lineage."
"Since we will all be serving under the Xirang Lineage in the future, we should at least know each other's names... Therefore, I want to ask, are all the Demon Emperors of Green Phoenix Tree here?"
Mangshan Demon Emperor frowned.
Although it felt that what this demon said was hard to believe, on second thought, what was the harm in telling her?
Besides, it could boast about its own foundation.
No matter what was discussed next, it could make her wary and give itself the upper hand.
A smile reappeared on Mangshan Demon Emperor's face as it said leisurely, "Oh, that is a bit unfortunate."
It pointed to both sides of the hall.
"The eleven Demon Emperors present are all the backbone of my Green Phoenix Tree Lineage."
"However, there are three more Demon Emperors rushing back from outside. They should arrive in about half an hour."
As it spoke, it glanced at Jiang Yuechu intentionally or unintentionally.
"If the New Emperor wishes to meet them, you might as well wait a moment. Once they arrive, I will introduce them one by one."
Hearing this.
Jiang Yuechu was no longer in a hurry.
She nodded.
Her gaze swept around the hall, and she walked straight toward the throne at the head.
Mangshan Demon Emperor's expression changed slightly.
That was its seat.
But before the words could leave its mouth, the black-clad figure had already sat down nonchalantly.
Propping her chin on one hand, her dark eyes half-closed, she looked like she was getting bored while waiting.
The hall fell into a dead silence.
The gazes of the eleven Demon Emperors all shifted toward Mangshan Demon Emperor.
Mangshan Demon Emperor's face twitched a couple of times.
Banshan Demon Emperor had already gripped his silver spear.
Fuhai Demon Emperor also folded his fan, a cold light visible in his narrow eyes.
But Mangshan Demon Emperor ultimately endured it.
It slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, a smile forced onto its face.
"The New Emperor is bold; I admire that."
Having said that.
It actually retreated to a lower position and sat down by the long table.
The atmosphere in the hall was extremely eerie.
The eleven Demon Emperors each had their own thoughts as they looked at one another.
Banshan Demon Emperor gritted his teeth, his face ashen, as he looked at his own Elder.
Mangshan Demon Emperor merely shook its head slightly, signaling him to stay calm.
Half an incense stick later.
Heavy footsteps echoed from outside the hall.
A one-horned demon covered in iron-gray scales strode into the hall.
"Iron Horn pays respects to the Elder."
Mangshan Demon Emperor nodded.
After another moment.
A cold aura drifted in from outside the hall doors.
A thin, pale man appeared silently within the hall.
"Xuanlin greets the Elder."
After the two Demon Emperors took their seats, both instinctively glanced toward the head.
Seeing that the person sitting on the throne was not Mangshan Demon Emperor but an unfamiliar Girl in Black Robes.
Both demons' expressions changed as they looked at Mangshan Demon Emperor.
Mangshan Demon Emperor merely waved its hand slightly, signaling them not to say more.
Jiang Yuechu opened her eyes.
"One more to go."
Mangshan Demon Emperor's lip twitched.
"Demon Emperor Nanyin is advanced in years and travels slowly. New Emperor, please wait a little longer..."
Before it could finish speaking.
The thirteen Demon Emperors in the hall all rose together.
Banshan and Fuhai even hurried out of the hall doors to meet the newcomer.
A moment later.
An old woman with silver hair, clad in dark red scale armor, walked slowly into the hall supported by Banshan and Fuhai.
The old woman was hunched, her face withered.
Yet the eerie light flowing within those vertical pupils made all the demons in the hall afraid to meet her gaze.
Clearly, her status was not low.
Jiang Yuechu was deep in thought.
It seems there is an unexpected surprise...
The old woman entered the hall, her vertical pupils shifting slightly to lock onto the black-clad figure sitting on the head throne.
There was no expression on her withered face.
She simply spoke indifferently.
"So it was you who killed Heavenly Bamboo?"
Jiang Yuechu looked at this late-arriving old woman.
A hint of a smile finally surfaced in her dark eyes.
They were all here.
She slowly stood up.
"Since everyone is here, let us begin."
Mangshan Demon Emperor's face darkened.
"Begin what?"
Jiang Yuechu did not answer.
She merely tilted her head slightly and glanced around the hall.
And then.
Three hundred and sixty-five acupoints opened simultaneously.
Rolling black mist erupted from all around her.
"Of course, it is time to start the meal."