Yao Huo and Jiu Xian Daoist's Dharma images faced each other, surrounded by countless domain lords watching intently, awaiting Xu Mu's decision.
If Xu Mu chose to join forces with Yao Huo, it was highly likely they would all disperse immediately. They couldn't even deal with Jiu Xian Daoist alone, let alone others.
However, they had a general understanding of Xu Mu's character and principles.
From his challenge of the Eight Directions Heavenly Wall to all subsequent events, it was clear that Xu Mu was not someone who would compromise easily. He enjoyed taking risks!
This was precisely why Old Ancestor Wang and others were still holding their ground, believing there was a high probability Xu Mu would reject Yao Huo's offer and take a perilous gamble.
In such a scenario, a chaotic battle would ensue, giving them an opportunity to contend for the Heavenly Book. Even if they couldn't obtain it, or if the Heavenly Book didn't exist, Xu Mu would be killed!
"Hurry up, half an incense stick's time. Don't disappoint me!"
Old Ancestor Wang stared grimly at Xu Mu. Half the time had already passed, and everyone present was waiting for his answer when the time was up.
At this very moment, Changsun Wuji and the other domain lords finally managed to grasp the situation from the ongoing conversation.
They were all profoundly shocked.
The Heavenly Book was in Xu Mu's possession?
Their temporary alliance leader had managed to seize the Heavenly Book in a place only domain lords were qualified to enter, and from the hands of numerous domain lords and even half-step Human King powerhouses?
They exchanged glances, unable to fathom such a feat.
"Heh... truly formidable."
Changsun Wuji exchanged a subtle glance with the King of Linghai before quietly retreating behind the crowd.
Apart from him, almost everyone else gazed at Xu Mu with burning eyes, wishing to imprint his majestic presence firmly in their minds.
Yin Zhongxiu, however, looked on with a hint of worry.
Let alone Xu Mu, a newcomer to the Demon Extermination Division, even he himself, if he had obtained the Heavenly Book, would not willingly hand over such a treasure. He would want to keep it for himself. And now, Xu Mu had clearly done just that.
But the consequences of such an action were severe.
Regardless of the miracles he had performed, Xu Mu was no match for Yao Huo. Yao Huo was a peak powerhouse at the half-step Human King realm. Despite Xu Mu's exceptional talent, he was merely a fourth-stage Lord. The gap between them was as vast as the difference between heaven and earth, unbridgeable by talent and opportunity alone.
As Yin Zhongxiu pondered this, he recalled the heavily injured and unconscious Yan Yu. For the past few days, he and some friends had used all their points to exchange for elixirs, barely managing to keep Yan Yu alive.
No matter the outcome between Xu Mu and Yao Huo, neither had any reason to harm Yan Yu. Therefore, he needed to find someone to entrust Yan Yu to, as he himself could not heal the injuries.
"Lord Yao Huo, Yan Yu is gravely injured. He is also a talented junior of our Demon Extermination Division. What do you say..."
Yin Zhongxiu whispered, transmitting his voice to Yao Huo.
Upon hearing this and seeing Yan Yu's lifeless appearance, Yao Huo turned his head without a word.
The meaning was clear: he would not concern himself with it. His eyes were solely focused on the holy relic, having lost all interest in Yan Yu.
"He's too badly injured. Forget it."
The other domain lords casually glanced at Yan Yu and shook their heads. His injuries were too severe. It was hard to imagine how he had survived this long, but even if he had, the outcome would likely be death, with little hope of recovery.
"Heh heh..." Yin Zhongxiu chuckled coldly. "Too badly injured? The Pharmaceutical Department of the Demon Extermination Division can rival the Medicine King Valley. Yan Yu's injuries, though tricky, are not beyond help."
It was simply that no one was willing to pay the price to save him.
"Xu Mu, Senior Jiu Xian, Yan Yu's injuries may not be treatable here..." Yin Zhongxiu gritted his teeth and walked towards Xu Mu with Yan Yu in his arms.
Xu Mu finally remembered Yan Yu's existence.
"Go to the City of Unyielding and find Shuju. If I manage to leave here alive, I will naturally find a way to cure him."
Xu Mu sighed. He was in no position to protect himself, let alone take Yan Yu with him.
"Alright."
Yin Zhongxiu nodded, as if that was the only option.
He carried Yan Yu and silently walked back into the crowd. Many fellow members of the Demon Extermination Division watched him with complex expressions mixed with a hint of admiration.
"The half incense stick's time is up."
At this moment, Yao Huo, who had been silently keeping track of time, spoke.
Hearing this, Xu Mu quietly gripped Qiongqi's fur and said solemnly, "Are you ready? We'll need to run fast later."
Sensing the movement at the Dark Palace, Little Qiongqi let out a silent sigh of relief and then exclaimed loudly, "Run your sister!"
Ignoring Xu Mu's astonishment, Little Qiongqi stretched and continued, "I say, have you all forgotten about me?"
He cast a sideways glance at Xu Mu and then looked up at Yao Huo floating in the sky. Yao Huo's flaming Dharma image made him feel drowsy.
"What do you mean?"
Yao Huo looked at Qiongqi, a sudden sense of foreboding rising in his heart.
Forgotten what? Yes, he seemed to have forgotten something. But what was it?
Qiongqi's large eyes were serious. "This is the core region of Xishan."
"This is our territory."
"If you want to harm my friend here, have you considered my feelings?"
As Qiongqi spoke, everyone's expression froze.
Yes, they seemed to have forgotten that before they entered the Dark Palace, there were many powerful demonic beasts in the vicinity. They had even fought with them. Why were they absent now?
"The Dark Palace, the gate, the gate has been closed!"
At this moment, a lord exclaimed in shock, realizing that the gate of the Dark Palace had been closed at some unknown time, and the sealing formations on it had also been largely repaired.
And who else could have accomplished this silently but the Qiongqi tribe, who were guarding this place under the command of Emperor Fuxi, the Human Emperor?!
"Roar!"
"Humans, leave this place!"
"Or die!"
At this thought, within moments, immense demonic energy surged from all around, followed by a dense mist. Within the mist, numerous noble, golden eyes suddenly opened, blazing with true fire.
Those were the eyes of the great Qiongqi demons!
"Second Uncle, Mother, you're finally done!"
Little Qiongqi beamed with joy. He had sensed the presence of his tribesmen earlier and had remained silent because he knew his tribesmen were secretly repairing the seals of the Dark Palace and he did not want to disturb them. Now that the seals were reinforced, Yao Huo's confrontation with Xu Mu had perfectly diverted everyone's attention!
Little Qiongqi spoke loudly, "Good news, the demon god's soul clone is dead. Xu Mu killed him. But these people now want to kill Xu Mu!"
"Mother, Second Uncle, dear brothers and sisters, grandmothers and grandfathers, can you tolerate this?"
"Damn it!"
Upon hearing this, Yao Huo guessed what was about to happen. The Qiongqi tribe might protect Xu Mu, and he would have no chance to act. He shouldn't have given Xu Mu that half incense stick's grace period.
"Speak less. You snuck into the palace, and we'll deal with you later!"
"Kid, you're grounded for a hundred years when we get back!"
"You're too reckless!"
Hearing that the demon god's soul was dead, all the descendants of divine beasts present felt a sense of relief. Immediately after, Little Qiongqi's mother, his second uncle, and other tribesmen simultaneously roared at him.
Waiting outside was their tribal decision. But Little Qiongqi had secretly slipped inside.
Those Qiongqi of the fifth stage were extremely furious. They had lived for countless millennia, and it had taken their tribe countless millennia to have this one offspring. If anything were to happen to Little Qiongqi inside, their tribe would bear an unbearable cost, possibly even risking the extinction of their lineage!
"Oh."
The young Qiongqi shrank back, looking somewhat fearful.
In contrast to his fear, the humans who had previously surrounded Xu Mu were even more terrified. For now, they were not only facing the Qiongqi tribe but also the snake tribe of unknown bloodline and other terrifying great demons. They had them completely surrounded!
Jiu Xian Daoist hadn't expected such a turn of events. He glanced at Qiongqi, then at Xu Mu, and suddenly let out a laugh.
The Qiongqi at the forefront was the most powerful, and it spoke, "Child, come to our side."
Little Qiongqi dared not resist, but he hesitantly took half a step forward and then asked softly, "Second Uncle, my friend..."
"Bring him along, all of you, come over."
This Qiongqi, the one who could suppress Yao Huo head-on, was also the one Little Qiongqi feared the most, his Second Uncle. He was clearly growing impatient.
"The human who killed the demon god is now a friend of my Qiongqi tribe."
"Come over boldly and without fear. Let's see who dares to touch you!"