The Demon Court Palace’s grand hall is quiet and majestic, with its ceiling covered in black stone. Rough strokes outline a few simple designs, vaguely resembling a phoenix, yet upon closer look, akin to a nine-tailed fox. Nonetheless, this hall is not dark or cold; rather, it is bright and warm, as if directly basked in sunlight. At this moment, upon hearing the Barbarian Emperor speak, Lu Chen’s anger slowly dissipated. He cast a glare at the Shadow Demon, then looked toward the throne and said: "Emperor, we’ve just received news from Human Extreme City that those old fellows have begun to clean up the puppets we planted among the Human Race." "Hong Tian acted personally, directly capturing Qiu Yangming, with none of the remaining hundred and thirty-two puppets spared." The Shadow Demon sitting opposite glanced at him and said in a sinister tone, "Sky Dome City and several nearby garrison cities are in a similar situation, but at a slower pace. So far, only twelve puppets have been caught." Then, the demon beside it, with its whole body exuding faint sparks and clad in nothing, entirely golden, spoke in a buzz: "Earth Flame City’s situation mirrors that of Human Extreme City, where the puppets in the city have almost been completely swept away." Once the three Great Demons were done speaking, the Barbarian Emperor continued to lean on that bone-white throne, concealed in shadows, its features obscured and visible only its jade-white hand tapping on the chair back. Clang, clang, clang... In the slow yet crisp rhythm of tapping, the attending dozen or so Great Demons fell silent, even Jiaolong Luchen retracted his gaze, his head slightly bowed. With a lazy and indifferent tone, the Barbarian Emperor said: "Daoist Zi Ying has thoroughly studied arrays, exceeding even her master’s Qimen calculations and deduction. Moreover, she pays continual mind to the surroundings, fully aware of Earth Flame City and the nearby ten garrison cities... We anticipated this." "However, the situation in Human Extreme City was somewhat unexpected." Once he finished speaking, a flash of resentment crossed Lu Chen’s eyes, yet he dared not express the slightest hint of rebuttal. Now, the Barbarian Emperor paused, lightly chuckled, and said, "Lu Chen Ancestor, don’t overthink; I am not blaming." "Emperor, I dare not!" Lu Chen replied solemnly. "Daring not doesn’t mean... forget it," The figure atop didn’t continue but gestured dismissively and said: "I just want to tell you all, do not underestimate the Human Race, especially the ’Little Sword Immortal’ who has just arrived at Taizhou Mountain Battlefield." The several Great Demon Kings looked at each other. The Red Gold demon murmured with some doubt, "Emperor, we know his natural gifts and cultivation are strong, and his growth rate is extraordinarily fast." "However, he nearly died when attacked by Ying Shen, which is enough to show that his swordsmanship is far from being a threat to us." The Shadow Demon beside him echoed, "We have investigated thoroughly. He only possesses the Fifth Realm of Divine Power swordsmanship and the Divine Power Realm Step Technique, which is suspected to be an ancient legacy, apart from that ancient Divine Beast Azure Dragon." "Given these augmentations, he was only able to break Ying Shen’s Bloodline Divine Ability. His strength isn’t as formidable as imagined." The Barbarian Emperor chuckled at their words, without refuting them, but said with a laugh: "What if he hasn’t inscribed his Divine Will on the ’Heaven and Earth Bridge’ yet?" The Great Demon Kings’ expressions all shifted, and Lu Chen, more shocked, exclaimed: "Emperor, I do not doubt your words, but if Chen Yi had no support from ’Heaven and Earth Bridge,’ how could he have killed Ying Shen?" One must know the Shadow Demon with the Sixth Realm Divine Power and three Great Divine Powers—it has ’Heaven and Earth Bridge’ support! If Chen Yi hadn’t inscribed his Divine Will, it wasn’t merely a matter of ’Heaven and Earth Bridge’ suppression. But under this addition and subtraction, nearly four times the difference in cultivation and Divine Will, how did he manage to slay Ying Shen! "Understood?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel fire.net The Barbarian Emperor laughed twice, then with a slight seriousness continued, "While he may not yet be threatening to us now, but..." "If we let him live on, he will surely become a threat to the entire Demon Court!" Its words were not referring to itself or the Great Demon Kings, but encompassing the entire "Demon Court." This wording sufficiently conveyed its stance. The Great Demon Kings naturally grasped the implication in its words, exchanged glances, and Lu Chen asked: "Emperor, how do you intend to act?" "Abandon the previous plan and change it." "Haha, Lu Chen Ancestor, are you reluctant to see the plans of the past years go to waste or do you underestimate the threat posed by Chen Yi?" As it spoke, the Barbarian Emperor got up, slowly emerging from the shadows into the light. And saw its form was entirely humanlike, face square, thick brows, big eyes, wide mouth and nose, resembling a Human Race General. It wore a crimson robe, as fine and smooth as silk, with the front open, revealing curled chest hair. Even with a smile, its presence still carried undeniable, imposing might. Lu Chen looked at it, slightly parted his mouth, revealing several fangs. But soon he closed his mouth again, shaking his head and said, "Emperor, I obey." "That’s more like it," The Barbarian Emperor smiled and nodded, then glanced around. Seeing no other Great Demon King speak up, it continued: "Remember you all, whether the prior plan succeeds or fails is not critical; even if we cannot heavily damage the Human Race, as long as that one exists, it will not affect our goals." "Do not forget, our purpose in all this is for that secret realm—to obtain it, we shall gain all the hidden treasures of the Ancient Demon Court!"