Volume One: Calamity of Witches and Demons Chapter 124: The Heavenly Court's Conspiracy, The Final Rift Between Witches and Demons
As the mocking words directed at Di Jun faded, his expression darkened as he looked toward the group of the Wu tribe.
The one who had spoken earlier was a great shaman of the Wu tribe.
“Oh? I am conferring with Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, and what place is there for you to speak? If I’m not mistaken, you are of the Wu tribe, correct? Truly a band of barbarians, ignorant of proper manners!”
“Well, Di Jun, if you have the guts, say that again today!”
“Wu Li, stand down. Don’t let others truly believe our Wu tribe knows nothing of proper etiquette!”
At this moment, Shi Jiuyin glanced at the man who had spoken, the great shaman Wu Li.
Wu Li, hearing this, resentfully retreated behind Shi Jiuyin and the other ancestral shamans, casting a shadowy glance at Di Jun.
“Indeed, dwelling in a barbarian land, you disgrace us all. To be in your company is nothing but humiliation for me.”
“Hahaha, Di Jun, you’ve got nerve! Do you really think that by becoming this so-called Heavenly Emperor, you amount to anything at all?”
Even Shi Jiuyin and Qiang Liang, the two ancestral shamans, could not endure Di Jun’s humiliation.
What countless powerful beings could not understand was that Zhen Yuanzi and Ao Qing also cast cold, icy gazes at Di Jun.
“Di Jun, I advise you to retract your words and apologize before all these great ones present, or else your celebration today may not come to pass!” Ao Qing stepped forward, pointing directly at Di Jun’s face without mercy.
Zhen Yuanzi, Geng Ning, and others unhesitatingly stood behind Ao Qing.
“What a joke. An emperor’s words are no play, once spoken, they cannot be taken back, let alone apologizing to you. I invited you as a sign of respect; do you really think the Heavenly Court fears you?”
Hearing Di Jun’s words, many wondered where he found the confidence to utter such things.
“Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, you just claimed to devote yourself to the Dao and avoid worldly affairs, so what do you mean by this now?”
As Di Jun spoke, it was as though he believed he had Zhen Yuanzi firmly in his grasp.
“To let you know, Di Jun, Senior Brother Zhen Yuanzi is now a disciple of our master. Do you still think he has no reason to intervene?”
As Ao Qing finished speaking, many were shocked by the news.
They knew little about Qing Xuan—those of the same generation were either gone or in perpetual seclusion.
He was low-key, and if it weren’t for the legends about him, few would have even heard his name. Thus, they could not fathom the extent of Qing Xuan's power.
“Haha! It turns out I am the clown here. No wonder you, Zhen Yuanzi, refused my invitations time and again. It seems you truly do not appreciate the honor given!”
Di Jun’s face turned icy as he looked at Ao Qing and the others. Anyone would find repeated refusal hard to endure, especially someone as ambitious as Di Jun.
Today, before countless powerful beings, he believed this was his moment of strength. In his mind, a little scheming would yield success, but he had not expected such a situation.
“Honor? What is your honor worth? My master ignores you because he will not bully the weak. You truly think yourself a figure of importance? What a joke.”
“Indeed! I, the ancestral shaman, never expected this. Not only are you cunning, Di Jun, but your ambition is immense! You even disregard our uncles. Today, let my brother Shi Jiuyin and me teach you a lesson.”
At the same time, Qiang Liang and Shi Jiuyin, the two ancestral shamans, led the great shamans and Wu tribe warriors to step forward, their eyes fiercely locked onto the members of the Heavenly Court and the demon tribe.
Qiang Liang’s words sent shockwaves through many present.
Everyone knew the Wu tribe dwelled beneath Buzhou Mountain, but none had expected their connection to Qing Xuan.
Qiang Liang was enveloped in lightning, while Shi Jiuyin was surrounded by the strange laws of time.
Their mere presence oppressed all those seated, leaving them breathless. Many knew the Wu tribe was mysterious and powerful.
But they had never witnessed their combat, let alone seen the ancestral shamans in action.
“Quickly, set up the formation!” Di Jun and Fuxi swiftly issued orders to the demon tribe members behind them.
Di Jun’s eyes were filled with gravity; he and Bai Ze had discussed this beforehand.
Hundreds of years ago, in the Lingxiao Palace of the Heavenly Court—
“Heavenly Emperor, many of our demon tribe warriors sent out to expand have disappeared!”
“Have you determined what caused this?”
Di Jun looked down at Ying Zhao and several demon saints, as well as numerous demon kings.
Upon his inquiry, Shang Yang and Qin Yuan, two demon saints, stepped forward to reply.
“Your Majesty, if our guess is correct, the Wu tribe is secretly behind this. It is said they even divide up the slain warriors among themselves.”
The two saints glanced at Bai Ze before answering Di Jun.
Di Jun fell silent for a moment, then turned to Bai Ze.
“Strategist, what do you make of this?”
“Your Majesty, it appears now that neither our demon tribe nor the Heavenly Court can hope for peaceful relations with the Wu tribe.”
Bai Ze sighed as he replied.
In truth, though he had not witnessed the Wu tribe’s mystery and might firsthand, he knew it could not be simple.
Just then, someone came to report from outside.
“Your Majesty, several tribal leaders have arrived at the Heavenly Court seeking refuge. The guards at the Four Gates await your and the demon saints’ instructions.”
After meeting these tribal leaders, Di Jun learned the whole story.
They had originally lived in tribes around Buzhou Mountain, but when the Wu tribe appeared, conflict ensued, and they were ultimately driven out.
Having understood the cause and effect, Di Jun accepted them.
“Strategist, do you have any way to deal with the Wu tribe?”
Di Jun could only place his hopes in Bai Ze.
“Your Majesty, our contact with the Wu tribe has been limited. Everyone sent out has perished at their hands.
The tribal leaders who sought refuge said their bodies are strong, each one a powerful warrior, though their numbers are few. That, at least, is our advantage!”
“Oh? So you have a plan, then?”
Di Jun saw the gleam of wisdom in Bai Ze’s eyes and eagerly asked.
“I wouldn’t call it a plan, but Your Majesty, have you forgotten that the Heavenly Court’s grand celebration is about to be held? At that time, we can…”
Thus Bai Ze and Di Jun devised strategies to tempt or coerce powerful beings into joining the Heavenly Court or the demon tribe.
At the same time, they sought to probe the Wu tribe’s strength and situation, so as to gain valuable insights for future confrontations.
Back at the Heavenly Court celebration, as Di Jun finished speaking,
Countless demon saints, demon kings, and members of the Heavenly Court, along with newly joined great powers, began to form ranks with Di Jun and the Three Sovereigns.
“So this is where Di Jun’s confidence comes from! No wonder he dared to turn against so many powerful beings; it turns out he had long been plotting this!”
Yu Qing Yuan Shi looked at Di Jun’s grand formation, felt its overwhelming might, and his expression changed dramatically.