After Di Jun and Tai Yi left Kunlun Mountain, they traveled and roamed across various regions, with Di Jun always diligently focusing on their cultivation.
As Di Jun journeyed, he observed numerous untamed demonic creatures without leadership. He then said to Tai Yi:
"Tai Yi, I have an idea that could help both of us advance our Great Dao further!"
Upon hearing this, Tai Yi exclaimed joyfully:
"Big Brother! What method is it?"
"Little Brother, as we've traveled, we've seen many demons who are essentially masterless. Why don't we establish a tribe, naming it the Demon Tribe, what do you think?"
"Does Big Brother mean that after we establish the Demon Tribe, you will be the Demon Emperor?"
Di Jun nodded:
"Precisely. Our brothers will establish the Demon Tribe, bring all the demons in the world under our banner, and then set up the Demon Court. Afterward, both you and I will be Demon Emperors. This way, our Great Dao can surely progress!"
Tai Yi joyfully agreed:
"Let it be as Big Brother says. If you are the Demon Emperor, then I shall be the Eastern Emperor."
Seeing that Tai Yi had no objections, Di Jun immediately began his planning.
Di Jun said to Tai Yi:
"After all, we brothers are still few in number and strength. Let's first subdue some powerful demons to serve us!"
Tai Yi also felt Di Jun's words were accurate; with just the two of them, they were indeed a bit short-handed.
Xi He and Chang Xi had long been won over by Di Jun and Tai Yi's culinary skills and had been persistently following them.
When Xi He and Chang Xi heard Di Jun and Tai Yi mention going to subdue powerful demons, they excitedly wanted to join as well.
Di Jun and Tai Yi, resigned, had no choice but to let the two women accompany them.
The four of them continued their travels. Along the way, Di Jun captured a small demon and inquired:
"Do you know of any powerful great demons?"
This small demon, a transformed wild dog that usually preyed on the weak, could not withstand Di Jun's intimidation. It immediately begged for mercy:
"My lord, spare me! Ahead is Wang Shan. On Wang Shan, there resides a Qilin. It can speak and understand the emotions of all things. My lord can go and see!"
Di Jun found this amusing. Did this little demon think he was ignorant? The entire Qilin clan now resided on Kunlun Mountain, and they only appeared for auspicious events. Where could a Qilin possibly be?
Di Jun was surprised that this mere wild dog spirit dared to deceive him. Enraged, he declared:
"You dare to lie to me? Since the last great battle, Shi Qilin swore a heavenly oath that Qilin only appear for auspicious omens. Where is this Qilin you speak of?"
As Di Jun spoke, he released a fraction of his aura. The wild dog demon immediately trembled uncontrollably, its legs shaking, and it frantically pleaded:
"Grandfather, spare me! It truly has the appearance of a Qilin!"
Xi He, seeing that the wild dog demon's words did not sound like a lie, intervened:
"Fellow Daoist Di Jun, it seems this little demon isn't lying. Why don't we go and take a look?"
Seeing Xi He speak, Di Jun turned to the small demon and said:
"If you dare to deceive me, I will find you to the ends of the earth, and you will suffer greatly!"
After speaking, Di Jun released the wild dog demon. The four of them then headed towards Wang Shan together.
Upon their arrival at Wang Shan, Di Jun swept his divine sense across the area and indeed discovered a great demon in the middle stage of Da Luo realm within the mountain.
At the same time Di Jun and his companions arrived, the great demon also detected their presence.
However, the great demon dismissed them as mere travelers, not taking them seriously, unaware that Di Jun and his group were specifically there for him.
When Di Jun and Tai Yi reached Wang Shan, Tai Yi bellowed:
"Di Jun and Tai Yi, along with Xi He and Chang Xi, have come to pay a visit!"
The sound reverberated layer by layer, reaching the ears of the great demon. The demon heard the voice filled with vitality, indicating unfathomable cultivation, and dared not delay, quickly coming out to greet them.
As the great demon emerged, it immediately bowed and said:
"Bai Ze, greetings to you four Daoists!"
Di Jun observed Bai Ze: it resembled a lion, its fur was pure white, its head had a single horn, and it had a goatee, radiating an aura of peace and wisdom.
Tai Yi immediately realized they had been deceived by the wild dog demon. Although this Bai Ze indeed bore some resemblance to a Qilin, Qilin had twin horns; how could it have a single horn?
Seeing that Bai Ze was extraordinary, Di Jun bowed in return:
"Greetings, fellow Daoist!"
Bai Ze, perceiving that all of them possessed cultivation far superior to his own, dared not be disrespectful and hastily invited them into Wang Shan.
After Di Jun and his group entered Wang Shan, Di Jun spoke directly:
"Fellow Daoist Bai Ze, we have come today with an important matter to discuss. As we've journeyed, we've seen countless demons fighting amongst themselves, creating chaos. My brother and I wish to establish the Demon Tribe and lead all the demons in the world. We have come specifically to request your assistance! What are your thoughts on this?"
Bai Ze saw that Di Jun's ambitions were grand, his cultivation profound, and his demeanor extraordinary. Moreover, despite his superior cultivation, he did not resort to brute force to compel cooperation, indicating he was a suitable leader.
Furthermore, Bai Ze himself had always desired to achieve something significant. Their aspirations aligned perfectly; pledging his allegiance would be a wise choice.
Thus, Bai Ze rose and bowed, stating:
"Bai Ze wishes to offer his humble service and await your command!"
Di Jun was overjoyed and quickly helped Bai Ze to his feet.
Tai Yi also exclaimed happily:
"Welcome aboard!"
Xi He and Chang Xi's lips curved into slight smiles.
Di Jun, immensely pleased with having subdued Bai Ze, inquired about many future matters. Bai Ze did not disappoint Di Jun's expectations, offering many strategic plans.
Di Jun laughed heartily, exclaiming:
"With Bai Ze here today, what reason is there to fear that our great endeavor will not succeed!"
Hearing Di Jun's words, Tai Yi understood that Bai Ze held a significant position in Di Jun's heart.
Di Jun then turned to Bai Ze and asked if there were any other great demons nearby.
Bai Ze, aware that Di Jun was currently in need of capable individuals, said to Di Jun:
"Great King, to the north of Wang Shan lies a place called Zhang Yuan. There, you will find the individuals you require!"
Di Jun was overjoyed upon hearing this. The group immediately set off towards Zhang Yuan.
As fate would have it, on their way to Zhang Yuan, Di Jun encountered that wild dog demon again.
Tai Yi, with a wave of his hand, summoned the wild dog demon.
The wild dog demon was in the middle of chasing a deer demon, seeing its lunch for the day potentially secured. However, it was suddenly enveloped by a dizzying sensation. Upon opening its eyes, it saw Di Jun and his companions again, its heart nearly leaping out of its chest. It forced a sheepish grin and said:
"What a coincidence, esteemed sirs!"
Before Di Jun could speak, Bai Ze exclaimed:
"It's you?"
Tai Yi turned to look at Bai Ze and asked:
"Bai Ze, you know him?"
Bai Ze replied:
"This little demon was plundering the treasures of other small demons within my territory on Wang Shan. When I found out, I disciplined him, expelled him from Wang Shan, and forbade him from ever stepping foot here again!"
Tai Yi nodded:
"So that's how it is!"
Saying this, he roared at the wild dog:
"Speak! Were you disciplined by Bai Ze and harbored resentment, which led you to send us to Wang Shan?"
The wild dog demon, on the verge of tears, cried out:
"Esteemed sirs, I do indeed hold some resentment towards Lord Bai Ze. However, when you asked me where there were great demons, I only knew of Lord Bai Ze on Wang Shan!"
Tai Yi pondered for a moment, thinking it plausible. He then asked again:
"Didn't you say there was a Qilin on Wang Shan? Where is it?"
The wild dog demon put on a pained expression and miserably said:
"Isn't Lord Bai Ze the Qilin?"
Tai Yi, exasperated, burst into laughter and pointed at Bai Ze, saying:
"You call this a Qilin? Have you never seen a Qilin before, or are you speaking nonsense?"
"My lords, I truly have never seen a Qilin before. However, my ancestors once went on campaign with the Qilin clan, so it has been passed down orally about the appearance of a Qilin. My lords, please spare me! I thought Lord Bai Ze was a Qilin, I didn't intend to deceive you!"
Chang Xi, seeing how terrified it was, felt pity and spoke up:
"Tai Yi, ignorance is not a crime. Don't frighten him anymore!"
Seeing Chang Xi intervene, Tai Yi gave a sheepish smile:
"I was merely scaring him, I meant no harm!"
With that, he released the wild dog demon. The wild dog demon immediately knelt in gratitude and fled like a streak of lightning.