In the lower realm, within the demon territory of Southern Willow Constellation, many tribes subsist on flora. This region is relatively safe and is not adjacent to the Witch race's dominion.
In Willow Constellation City, at the heart of the demon territory, dozens of Golden Immortals and Grand Unity Immortals of the human race, pale-faced and disheveled, rushed into the forbidden area of the city, the Nuwa Shrine.
"Holy Mother Nuwa! Holy Mother Nuwa, have mercy and save us! The demon race seeks to exterminate us!"
"Holy Mother Nuwa, Holy Mother Nuwa, we beg you, show mercy and save us, your humble ants!"
Outside the Nuwa Shrine, a Demon Sage, leading dozens of demon soldiers, blocked the entrance, speaking coldly, "Do not disturb the Holy Mother Nuwa! Come out quickly and accept your death! As long as you surrender, the mortals in your tribes may be spared.
If you remain obstinate and do not heed Lord Eastern Emperor's decree, then do not blame us for killing and extracting your souls!"
The twenty-odd Golden Immortals and Grand Unity Immortals of the human race were terrified and naturally dared not step out of the shrine, only pleading for Holy Mother Nuwa's mercy.
The Heavenly Hole Demon Sage wore a look of helplessness. He absolutely dared not commit acts of slaughter within the Nuwa Shrine.
Yet, he also had to obey Lord Eastern Emperor's decree.
As the standoff continued, brilliant golden light emanated from the Nuwa Shrine, and Nuwa's pháp thân walked out of the statue, her face filled with sorrow.
Upon seeing Holy Mother Nuwa manifest, everyone prostrated themselves, respectfully proclaiming, "We pay homage to Holy Mother Nuwa!"
"Rise," Nuwa's pháp thân said. "I am but Nuwa's descendant, not her true self."
The twenty-odd humans rejoiced ecstatically and said, "As long as it is you, Holy Mother, who is willing to save us, please show mercy!"
Nuwa's descendant sighed, looking at the twenty-odd humans, and said, "The demon race regards me as their mother, and all demon race subjects are my subjects.
The human race also originated from the true self's creation, and it was with great effort that the human race came to be.
You are all my children, yet you slaughter each other. Regardless of who lives or dies, my heart aches.
Before me, swear the Great Heavenly Oath and the Heart Demon Oath: if you again associate with the Witch race to harm the demon race, you shall suffer the pain of being devoured by ten thousand demons, the torment of being burned by ten thousand thunders, and the punishment of having your souls seared by ten thousand fires! You shall kneel before my shrine for a hundred thousand years, your fate determined by heaven. If you survive this trial and reach the end of your lifespan, then your destiny is fulfilled."
After speaking, she turned to the Heavenly Hole Demon Sage and said, "You may withdraw. If any humans escape to my shrine, for my sake, spare their lives and let them undergo punishment before my shrine!"
The Demon Sage heard this and respectfully agreed, bowing and taking his leave.
The Heavenly Hole Demon Sage flew back to the Heavenly Court. Along the way, his capable subordinate, a minor general, complained, "My lord, these humans are so ungrateful, and yet Holy Mother Nuwa still protects them like this. Is that not too biased…"
"Silence!" The Demon Sage roared sharply. "Do you wish for your soul to be scattered? How dare you question Holy Mother Nuwa's decree! If there is a next time, I will personally send you to the Demon Execution Platform to endure the ninety-nine and eighty-one great tortures!"
The minor demon's face turned ashen, and he trembled uncontrollably. He quickly knelt and pleaded, "My lord, spare me! This humble one dares not again! This humble one dares not again!"
The Heavenly Hole Demon Sage snorted coldly, his expression displeased. "This time, I shall spare you for your ignorance of proper conduct and its consequences. Upon returning to the Heavenly Court, you shall receive three thousand chastisements with the Demon Subduing Staff."
The minor demon's face paled further, but at least he could live. He respectfully bowed and expressed his gratitude.
The Heavenly Hole Demon Sage felt a sense of relief. These minor demons had no understanding of the might of powerful cultivators, daring to openly discuss a sage. Were it to be noticed, even he would not be able to withstand the repercussions.
The Heavenly Hole Demon Sage returned to the Three Heavens above. Overseeing all affairs here was the Demon God Ying Zhao. Upon hearing the report, he could only sigh helplessly and say, "So be it. Since that is the case, let them live."
Beside him, Demon God Ji Meng frowned, "But if we are so lenient, will those humans colluding with the Witch race be absolved of their crimes once they escape to Holy Mother Nuwa's presence?"
Ying Zhao shook his head. "If they can escape to Holy Mother Nuwa's presence, then their lives are meant to be spared."
"But how can the task assigned by Lord Eastern Emperor be completed?" Demon God Ji Meng said. "Fei Lian and Fei Dan are subordinates of His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor, and Demon God Qian Yan is rumored to have a close relationship with the Ancestor of Demons. If Lord Eastern Emperor is displeased, only you and I will bear the punishment!"
Ying Zhao's brow furrowed. "This is indeed troublesome! Brother Ji Meng, do you have any suggestions?"
Ji Meng sneered, "Kill all humans near the Witch race border! Directly gather their souls and submit them."
Ying Zhao was shocked. "But this is too cruel. The human race is vast, and the tribes bordering the Witch race number in the hundreds of millions. This matter is too grave; it cannot be done."
Ji Meng sighed, "Then, Brother Ying Zhao, you shall bear the punishment alone!"
With a wave of his hand, six Demon Sages and a hundred thousand demon soldiers behind him transformed into rolling demon clouds and descended to the lower realm.
Seeing this, the Heavenly Hole Demon Sage hesitated and asked, "Lord Ying Zhao, what should we do?"
Ying Zhao's expression was uncertain. "What Ji Meng said is reasonable, but it is also too cruel. You shall descend once more. Any humans who have had contact with the Witch race, regardless of gender or age, immortal or mortal, shall be killed.
However, remember, do not kill humans who have no connection with the Witch race. This is Lord Eastern Emperor's bottom line; we must not cross it!"
The seven Demon Sages behind him and the Heavenly Hole Demon Sage all assented and descended to the lower realm once more.
In the lower realm, countless killings began.
The human race reproduced at an ever-increasing rate, their numbers long exceeding billions. Those near the Witch race alone numbered in the hundreds of millions.
Now, numerous demons descended, unleashing destructive divine abilities, annihilating one human tribe after another. The number of human deaths soared, and Ji Meng Demon Sage's Myriad Souls Gourd was filled to the brim.
In another direction, Demon Sage Qian Yan only killed those humans who colluded with the Witch race, not pursuing them to the death. He then relocated humans to the Witch race's territories to settle.
Therefore, the number of souls he collected was the least among the five Demon Gods.
In the northern regions where he was, the human race gradually stabilized, and no large-scale slaughter occurred.
However, in the southern regions, countless humans perished, and innumerable humans fled. Some even abandoned the demon race and defected to the Witch race, seeking refuge and safety from death.
Such slaughter naturally angered the powerful figures of the human race. An ancient human powerhouse, forced out of his seclusion and breakthrough in beheading a corpse, defeated several Demon Sages and led a group of humans to flee southwest, heading directly towards the vicinity of Longevity Mountain.
Upon hearing the report from the Demon Sages, Ji Meng's heart tightened and he said, "Does this human powerhouse have any connections with other Demon Sages and Demon Gods in the Heavenly Court?"
The Seven Severed Demon Sage, who had returned after being defeated, reported, "Reporting to my lord, your subordinate heard my elder brother, Seven Xuan, say that when he descended to Cloud Dream Marsh to carry out His Majesty the Heavenly Emperor's decree, he sparred with this human Demon Sage named Zhao. He said that his pursuit of the Dao was firm, his divine abilities surpassed his peers, and if he could reach the Demon God realm, he would surely have a place in the Heavenly Court.
The old scoundrel Nine Zhao in the Lingxiao Palace is his close friend. Other than that, he has no significant connections."
Ji Meng sneered upon hearing this. "Then I shall personally meet this peerless genius of the human race. To have ascended from the low end of the immortal path to the brink of beheading a corpse in merely fifty-odd Yuanhui. Since karma has ripened, we absolutely cannot allow such a figure to grow!"
Ten billion li east of the Longevity Mountain region, a giant cloud sped westward, carrying nearly a million humans. Behind the giant cloud, two Demon Sages and dozens of Golden Immortals and Grand Unity Immortals followed closely, yet dared not get too near.
At the forefront of the giant cloud, a white-bearded elder sat cross-legged, accompanied by two human Grand Unity Immortals who propelled the giant cloud forward at great speed.
The white-bearded elder asked, "Five Zhao, Six Zhao, have you requested aid from all other human branches?"
Five Zhao replied with bitterness, "Reporting to Elder Zhao, let alone requesting aid from them, they are counting on us to save them.
Aside from our clan branch under Demon God Qian Yan in the north, which is relatively safe, our clan branches in the east have also suffered heavy losses. However, it is not as ruthless as the slaughter of our southern branches. Even those branches with no connection to the Witch race are not spared by the demon race."
Zhao's heart ached upon hearing this, and he closed his eyes wearily. "Fine, fine!
My Zhao lineage of humans shall henceforth break ties with the demon race! Great Immortal Zhenyuan once guided me. I believe he will not stand idly by and watch us die before Longevity Mountain. After this ordeal, you shall go to the impoverished lands in the west. I, with some of my kin, will retreat to a secluded corner in the southwest, awaiting a future resurgence!"
"A future resurgence? You, Demon Sage Chu Zhao, may not have the chance!"
A cold voice echoed, and a colossal palm radiating dark light descended, striking towards the giant cloud.
Zhao's expression darkened. He countered with a palm strike, simultaneously igniting an ancient lamp that emitted a bright yellow flame, attaching itself to the giant palm.
Their palms collided. The Golden Flame Divine Palm repelled the dark giant palm but dissipated in the process.
Zhao urged, "You all retreat quickly. I will hold off the demons!"
With a wave of his sleeve, a vast golden divine wind blew, propelling the giant cloud and significantly increasing its speed towards the horizon.
Zhao said coldly, "May I ask which Great Demon God has arrived to seek the complete annihilation of my human race?"
Ji Meng emerged from the void, sneering, "Elder Zhao, Demon Sage Chu Zhao, what valor!"
Simultaneously, five Demon Sages behind Ji Meng streaked through the air in pursuit of the giant cloud.
Zhao's expression changed slightly. He threw out a golden divine lamp, instantly bathing the area in brilliant golden light that formed a barrier, stopping the five Demon Sages.
Ji Meng's eyes turned cold, and two dark divine lights shot from his eyes, obscuring the heavens and earth, shattering the golden light.
The five Demon Sages instantly flashed and pursued the departing giant cloud.
Zhao's divine abilities were shattered, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"As expected of a Grand Unity Immortal on the verge of beheading a corpse. If you were given another three to five Yuanhui to truly sever your evil corpse, I might not be able to destroy you!"
Ji Meng exclaimed, then instantly transformed into his dragon-cloud form. Torrential rain and wind descended, and black clouds rolled in, pressing down on the sky. He moved within the clouds and rain as a half-dragon-cloud, his killing intent sweeping out. The stars were hidden, and the Zhou Tian Star Dou array enveloped him as he lunged towards Zhao.
Zhao, already injured and merely a Grand Unity Immortal, how could he contend with a Demon God of the Quasi-Saint realm?
He was like a candle flickering in a storm, about to be extinguished at any moment.
Zhao, concerned for the human race and unable to contend with Ji Meng, could only self-destruct his primordial spirit treasure, the Golden Lamp, creating a slight rift. He then self-destructed his physical body, and his primordial spirit fled.
Ji Meng swiftly pursued, understanding the principle of never leaving a root to sprout again.
Ji Meng threw out a Heavenly Gang Wind and Rain Banner, which landed before Zhao's primordial spirit. The vast rain curtain transformed into blades, and the boundless wind essence became sword Qi, blocking the extremely fast primordial spirit.
Seeing this, Zhao's heart hardened. His primordial spirit plunged into the torrent, enduring countless tortures of blades, swords, wind, and rain. His primordial spirit body was severely damaged, but he managed to escape.
Ji Meng chuckled. A damaged primordial spirit, where could it escape?
However, at that moment, a Daoist suddenly arrived on clouds, shouting, "Demon God Ji Meng, show mercy where mercy is due. Why must you be so relentless?"
Ji Meng fixed his gaze and saw that it was Great Immortal Zhenyuan of Longevity Mountain.
He felt a prickling sensation on his scalp and, suppressing his unwillingness, said with a smile, "Since Great Immortal is willing to intercede for this wretch, I shall naturally give him face.
This humble god shall now withdraw."
Zhenyuanzi was a supreme mighty figure comparable to the Demon Emperor. Ji Meng naturally dared not act presumptuously. Moreover, he felt guilty about massacring humans and dared not use the demon race's name to bluff.
Seeing this, Zhenyuanzi waved his sleeve, and five Demon Sages tumbled out from within his sleeve. "These five juniors trespassed into my dojo without permission and were thrown out by me. Demon God Ji Meng will not hold it against this rustic fellow, will he?"
Ji Meng suppressed his anger with great effort and replied, "I have disturbed Great Immortal's cultivation. We shall take our leave!"
With that, he waved his hand, and the five disheveled Demon Sages quickly followed behind him and retreated.
Only then did Zhenyuanzi depart. However, looking at the damaged primordial spirit in his hand, he sighed, "It was destined for you to undergo this tribulation."
After this incident, Ji Meng no longer dared to slaughter humans and instead recalled his forces and returned to the Heavenly Court to report.
The other Great Demon Gods also returned to the Heavenly Court and completed their tasks.
Although Qing Xuan collected the fewest souls, Tai Yi did not show any signs of blame, much to the astonishment of everyone in the Heavenly Court. What was the relationship between Demon God Qian Yan and the Ancestor of Demons or Lord Eastern Emperor to warrant such favoritism?
And although Ji Meng collected the most souls, Tai Yi merely said coldly, "Considering your dedication to the demon race, I shall not hold you accountable for deviating from my decree this time and arbitrarily massacring humans. Take care of yourself!"
In the lower realm, after this incident, the human race finally developed a rift with the demon race and began to tread cautiously, biding their time.
As for the million humans who had defected to the Witch race, they brought many individuals with excellent aptitudes to the Witch race, fostering the proliferation of Wu-human bloodlines.
In Du Guang, after fifty-odd Yuanhui of development, the human race also produced two or three Grand Unity Immortals. However, this lineage of humans was much smaller in number, numbering only a million due to natural geographical limitations.
Yet, they were thus spared this calamity.
And the Witch Slaying Sword was successfully refined. Although there was no vast number of human souls, Tai Yi instead summoned countless souls of fallen demons and those who had reached the end of their lifespans. It took seventeen Yuanhui to refine this ultimate treasure to counter the Witches, the Witch Slaying Sword!
After more than ten Yuanhui, Nuwa, who had been slumbering in the demon realm, awoke and returned from the void.
In the Nether Blood Sea, Ming He, after a long period of seclusion, finally emerged, holding a banner and commanding the waters of the Blood Sea to drown mountains and flood the land.