In the world opened by Nuwa, five Emperor-level beings stood tall, suppressing the four cardinal directions, each displaying their divine powers, clearing the meridians of heaven and earth, and calming the chaotic winds, earth, water, and fire.
As Qing Ling, located at the center, received the power of the four cardinal directions into his primordial spirit, his primordial spirit orchestrated the grand dao of the four supreme powers to form a stable structure with the Dao of Wood within his primordial spirit.
As time gradually settled, a great star slowly rose from the domain of Di Jun in the north. This was the nascent consciousness of this world, perceiving the virtue of those who established the realm, and thus establishing the celestial domains.
The Northern Celestial Domain world was centered around the Star of the Demon Emperor, located in the extreme north.
The Southern Celestial Domain world was centered around the Star of the Eastern Emperor, located in the extreme south.
The Western Celestial Domain world was centered around the Star of the Empress, located in the extreme west.
The Eastern Celestial Domain world was centered around the Star of the Demon Master, located in the extreme east.
The Central Celestial Domain world was centered around the Star of the Demon Ancestor, located in the center.
Thus, this world was divided into five directions, named the Demon Realm.
Forty epochs had passed since Empress Nuwa created the heavens and fell into slumber. Under the support of the five towering beings of the Demon Realm, a semblance of respite was finally achieved.
This was no easy task, yielding no merit or direct reward, but merely acting for the demon race.
As heaven and earth gradually stabilized, it was no longer necessary for all five to remain constantly present.
At this moment, avatars of several Emperor-level beings delivered news: a major event had occurred in the demon race, requiring someone to return and stabilize the situation, making crucial decisions.
This matter should have been handled by Di Jun, but Di Jun was currently comprehending a bottleneck in his towering stance, on the verge of breaking through to the Half-Step Hunyuan realm.
The statuses of the Demon Master and Empress were not entirely suitable; they were not representative enough of the demon race.
As the Demon Ancestor, Qing Ling, was also immersed in some form of enlightenment, making it difficult to divide his attention.
Therefore, only Tai Yi could personally return to the Heavenly Court to handle this matter.
This event, in itself, was good news for the demon race. However, it involved the human race!
With the development and proliferation of the human race, successive generations of humans emerged, passing down lineage. However, as humanity multiplied and its lineage continued, their astonishing innate talent, envied by all races, began to decline, while their reproductive speed rapidly increased.
Within a mere ten epochs, the number of humans in various demon domains had each exceeded one million.
Consequently, with a vast human population, the conflict between humans and land intensified, leading to friction over resources within the demon race, and skirmishes with several other races.
While this might not have been a major issue initially, due to the rapid reproduction of the human race, ordinary mortals eventually appeared. They were unable to cultivate the Dao or draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, akin to ordinary wild beasts in the Primordial World who could not absorb such energy.
However, even as mortals, within the environment of the Primordial World, they could still carry weights of ten thousand jin and have lifespans of thousands of years, with many even living for tens of thousands of years.
Over the next forty-plus epochs, humanity's reproduction rate accelerated, and in each of the twenty-eight domains, there were billions of humans.
In this scenario, the demon race could only adhere to the rule of "survival of the fittest" within the demon race.
That is, they preyed on each other; the weak became food, and the strong became hunters.
Thus, ordinary beasts and ordinary mortals began to hunt each other for sustenance. However, even without the talent for cultivation, humans were a race inherently blessed with intelligence, far surpassing other beasts.
After a long period, not only was the human population not controlled, but they even used their intelligence to create hunting tools, nearly driving other demon race tribes to extinction!
This could no longer be tolerated by the clan leaders of the demon race, who suggested releasing the human race throughout the Primordial World, leaving only a portion within the twenty-eight domains to become a common race of the Primordial World.
The demon race had been established for over a hundred epochs, and their inter-tribal conflicts had established well-defined procedures.
Tribes such as the Snake Clan, Spirit Bee Clan, and Spirit Butterfly Clan, with their kin spread throughout the Primordial World, would have those who awakened their intellect and cultivated the Dao return to their ancestral lineage within the demon race.
The human race was to follow a similar process, but unexpectedly, as humans spread throughout the primordial land, they began to intermingle with the Wu clan, living together, hunting beasts collectively, and even intermarrying with the Wu.
This, in turn, alarmed the entire demon race. The Wu and Demon races were irreconcilable enemies. Was this not an act of betrayal by the human race? Was it not akin to selling out the demon race?
Furthermore, the offspring of human-Wu unions, known as Wu Ren, possessed even greater talent and intelligence, and reproduced at an extremely rapid pace. These Wu Ren, with the bloodlines of both humans and Wu, even fought on the Wu-Demon battlefield, killing many members of the demon race in numerous border skirmishes!
This had escalated into a major crisis!
If they were merely cohabiting and hunting ordinary beasts with the Wu clan, the higher echelons of the demon race might have tolerated it out of respect for Empress Nuwa. But now, it had escalated to inter-tribal warfare!
However, a significant number of humans had also been integrated into the Heavenly Court's demon lineage. As fellow humans, they naturally defended their kin and did not oppose the actions of their kin in the lower realms.
Regardless of which faction of humans it was, after fifty-plus epochs of growth under the protection and tutelage of the demon race, humanity had produced twenty to thirty formidable figures! Coupled with the first generation of humans brought under the tutelage of various powerful ancestors, many of them were not to be trifled with.
Consequently, within the demon race, there were factions that favored humans and factions that detested them.
But all of this changed with an accidental discovery.
It was unknown which powerful being discovered that spiritual treasures refined from the souls and primordial spirits of humans could easily tarnish the bodies of the Wu clan, breaking through their incredibly resilient physical defenses!
At this, the entire demon race began to find humanity increasingly unbearable, and humanity's situation within the demon race became precarious.
It was under these circumstances that Tai Yi returned to the Heavenly Court to personally manage the grand affair.
In the Lingxiao Treasure Hall of the Heavenly Court, over a hundred Demon Sages and more than ten Demon Gods were arranged in two columns: those guarding the demon domains below were on the left, and those serving in the Heavenly Court or on celestial array duty were on the right.
Tai Yi stood beneath the Emperor's throne, his body erect. His peerless countenance, accentuated by his magnificent imperial robe, exuded an aura of overwhelming authority, causing the over a hundred Demon Sages below to hold their breath.
This god of war, though undefeated, was a ruthless individual, unlike the Heavenly Emperor who sought to balance all factions.
Tai Yi surveyed the over a hundred Demon Sages. Among the great sages of the demon race alone, there were seven or eight human Demon Sages. If the matter of humanity was not handled properly, it was a minor issue that could potentially shake the very foundation of the demon race's unity and morale.
Tai Yi said, "Bai Ze, Demon God."
"Your subordinate is present!" Bai Ze stepped forward, respectfully awaiting orders.
"The rumor that human souls can tarnish the bodies of the Wu clan, where did it originate?" Tai Yi asked, his face betraying no hint of anger or joy, his tone nonchalant.
Bai Ze respectfully replied, "Reporting to Your Excellency the Eastern Emperor, your subordinate has already employed various means to divine the origin of this rumor. Unfortunately, no source has been found. It is likely that some being of unparalleled power, proficient in divination, has obscured the heavenly secrets. If Your Excellency the Heavenly Emperor possessed the Hetu Luoshu, or if the Holy Mother Nuwa were present, they could naturally pierce through this rumor."
Tai Yi nodded, waved his hand, and Bai Ze discreetly returned to his position without another word.
"Gui Che, Demon God!"
"Your subordinate is present!" Gui Che quickly stepped forward to receive orders.
"Among the Demon Gods, you are most adept in the Dao of primordial spirits and souls. Can you confirm whether the human soul can break through the Wu clan's physical bodies? Is it true or false? Is it an isolated case or universally applicable?"
Gui Che's heart trembled. These words, even if they offended humanity, were asked by the Eastern Emperor in front of everyone in the Heavenly Court, making it impossible for him to refuse.
"Reporting to Your Excellency the Eastern Emperor, the primordial spirits of humans can indeed tarnish the bodies of the Wu clan, break through their physical forms, and even have a significant restraining effect on the bodies of Great Wu."
Upon hearing this, the faces of several human Demon Sages in the Heavenly Court turned instantly pale.
"However," Gui Che continued, "your subordinate has discovered that it is not only the primordial spirits of humans that can break through the Wu clan's physical bodies and restrain them. Other beasts also possess this effect, albeit with less potency due to the insufficient number of gathered souls. The more human primordial spirits and souls there are, the stronger the effect! However, compared to human primordial spirits and souls, those of beasts are less effective."
Tai Yi nodded upon hearing this and addressed everyone: "All Great Sages are pillars of our demon race. What are your views on this matter? Speak freely."
After this statement, silence fell upon everyone in the hall for a moment. Then, a Demon Sage stepped forward and said, "Reporting to Your Excellency the Eastern Emperor, humans have colluded with the Wu clan, harming our demon race's citizens. They do not remember our kindness but repay it with ingratitude. Since this effect exists, why not refine treasures to slay the Wu using the primordial spirits and souls of humans, annihilate the Wu, and unify heaven and earth!"
As his words fell, thirty to forty Demon Sages stepped forward in unison, exclaiming, "We wish for Your Excellency the Eastern Emperor to issue an order to forge supreme treasures to slay the Wu, annihilate the Wu, expand our demonic might, and unify heaven and earth!"
Tai Yi looked at the Demon Sages below. Those who spoke were the Demon Sages guarding the demon domains below, who harbored the deepest resentment towards humanity. Originally comrades-in-arms, their kin were almost wiped out by their so-called allies. On the battlefield, Wu Ren of human descent slaughtered demon cultivators. They fought desperately for the demon race to conquer the world; how could they tolerate such humans?
However, a dozen Great Sages from the Heavenly Court also stepped forward in opposition, led by a human Demon Sage named Jiu Zhao!
Jiu Zhao respectfully bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Excellency the Eastern Emperor, absolutely not, absolutely not! If we truly set this precedent, the world will believe that our demon race fears the Wu clan, resorting to refining treasures with the lives of our own people to slay the Wu. This act will not only break the hearts of humanity but also cause all cultivators in the world to look down upon our demon race, and it will further alienate the myriad tribes of the demon race!"
Over there, a Demon Sage clad in armor roared, "Nonsense! The might of our demon race was earned with the blood of countless demon warriors, not with such disgrace as you describe! Your human race has broken faith, forgotten the grace of our demon race's teachings, and instead allied with the Wu clan to kill our demon race. How can this be tolerated! Your human race multiplies so rapidly, has allied with the Wu clan, and yet bears the name of our demon race. Are you plotting to benefit from both sides, lure the Wu to destroy the demons, and then secretly collude with the Wu during a major war, leading to the deaths of all our demon race's tribes?"
At these words, the faces of many Demon Sages present turned grim, and dozens more stepped forward, supporting the extermination of humanity!
The few Da Luo of the human race were extremely anxious, lamenting their plight and pleading their innocence.
The hall erupted into a cacophony of arguments, with neither side willing to yield.
Tai Yi remained silent for a long time before shouting, "Presumptuous! How dare you make such a clamor in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall of the Heavenly Court?"
With this shout, all the Demon Sages fell silent, daring not to speak further.
Tai Yi thought of the creator of the human race, Empress Nuwa. No matter how flawed humanity was, they were created by Empress Nuwa. At this moment, Empress Nuwa was still planning for the future of the demon race, even sacrificing her saintly power to fall into slumber. How could he possibly make Empress Nuwa's heart grow cold?
Tai Yi said coldly, "I have made my decision on this matter. All of you need not argue further. Shang Yang, Demon God!"
"Your subordinate is present!" Shang Yang, in her distinctive light gauze white ceremonial robe, was highly conspicuous among the Demon Gods. She was the Demon God specifically responsible for presiding over sacrifices and conveying the Heavenly Emperor's decrees, holding a status similar to the White Dragon Saintess and Qilin Saintess of the three tribes in the past.
Tai Yi said coldly, "Transmit my decree: The human race has colluded with the Wu clan, harmed our demon race's citizens, and their crimes are unforgivable. However, considering they were created by our demon race's Saint, Empress Nuwa, a measure of leniency shall be granted. Yet, severe punishment is still required to prevent any malicious intent from disturbing the Heavenly Court. Order the Demon Gods Qian Yan, Fei Lian, Fei Dan, Ji Meng, and Ying Zhao to lead the Heavenly Court's Eastern Expeditionary Army of thirty-six Demon Sages and a million celestial soldiers. Under my decree, they shall completely exterminate all humans connected to the Wu clan, collect their souls and primordial spirits to forge the Wu-Slaying Sword. I myself shall personally sharpen this sword, summoning the souls of countless members of the demon race to gather within it. This sword, forged by the sons and daughters of our demon race across three generations, shall be hung outside the South Heavenly Gate to deter those with malicious intent. Furthermore, two additional domains shall be opened outside the twenty-eight existing domains, specially designated for humanity to cultivate and multiply. They shall not be permitted to have any further connection with the Wu clan. Within these domains, they must treat the beasts kindly and not drive them to extinction, thereby upholding the balance of all things and the long-term path. Henceforth, within the demon race, the use of human souls shall not be mentioned again. Humans are also members of our demon race. If we use the blood of our kin to kill the blood of our enemies, what dignity do we have as a race? However, if anyone harbors ulterior motives, our demon race shall pursue them even to the ends of the earth, pursue them even if they are kin, pursue them even if they are powerful; there shall be no forgiveness! I hope all the myriad tribes of our demon race will live in harmony, as one race, with tolerance and unity, becoming powerful in the world, commanding respect among all the races of the Primordial World, and I hereby inform heaven and earth, the universe and the primordial chaos!"
Shang Yang respectfully said, "Your subordinate obeys the decree and will immediately transmit it to the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, and the Twenty-Eight Domains of the Primordial World!"
Fei Lian, Qing Xuan, Ji Meng, and other Demon Gods respectfully followed, "We respectfully obey the Eastern Emperor's decree!"