NOVPUBEmerging from the interlacing alleys, the view directly ahead gradually became expansive.
Xu Zimei’s gaze was fixed intently on what lay straight ahead.
In the open space in front, there was a deep and boundless demon pool.
It seemed that, after tens of thousands of years of erosion, the Demonic Qi within the demon pool had become so faint it was almost invisible.
Some crystal-clear pool water surrounded a large tree and gently undulated.
The eyes of everyone present were drawn to this tree.
The height of the large tree could almost rival that of the volcano.
It continued to grow until the very peak of the volcano, its entire body dark black.
The thick trunk of this Demon Tree was also densely inscribed with the ancient text of the Demon Race.
The characters shimmered with light amidst the fiery red volcanic magma.
The Demon Tree was lush, its branches occupying nearly all the space, seemingly emptying the dense interior of the volcano.
The leaves of the Demon Tree were oval, each leaf burning with a faint black flame.
Within these flames, there arose grating sounds of struggle.
It was as if each leaf represented a life.
"Thank goodness, the Ancestral Tree is unharmed," sighed the White Bone Demon with relief.
Xu Zimei walked step by step toward the open magma land ahead.
The Seven-faced Demon General and the White Bone Demon stayed behind, not following him.
Watching Xu Zimei walk step by step towards it, the Demon Tree seemed to have been in slumber for a very long time.
Those branches hanging down to the earth began to tremble and slowly sway.
At a certain moment, all these branches erupted in uproar, and each leaf on the tree radiated light.
Heaven-reaching Demonic Qi swirled around, and the originally clear pool water beneath instantly turned dark once again.
The calm surface began to boil, and layers of ripples surfaced at one’s feet.
Xu Zimei stepped onto the water’s surface, approaching the Demon Tree step by step.
He reached out with his right hand, touching the somewhat withered trunk, its bark cold and rough.
All the demonic characters on the trunk began to tremble, emitting dazzling light that enveloped Xu Zimei.
...
"Master, let’s go. This world does not accommodate us," someone’s booming voice came by the ear.
Fragmented images flickered continuously in front of the eyes.
"We were born free; since when does Heaven dictate our fate?" 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
"Master, hurry! We’ll cover you, the Heavenly Tribulation is coming.
As long as you live, our Demon Race will have hope."
"No, even though I may die today, the Demon Race will endure forever.
After one cycle of Reincarnation, I shall return.
You must wait calmly for that day, even if this Epoch perishes, I will remain indestructible."
"Our race has plotted for several Epochs, why must Heaven meddle in our affairs? I cannot accept this!"
"When has Heaven ever been fair? In the Nine States, power rises and falls.
The world speaks of ten great Immortal Sects residing on Immortal Mountain and Peng Island, legends say Immortals harbor thoughts of salvation for the world, for all beings.
But with so many Immortals in the world, which one can claim their heart free of malice, and who dares guarantee there are no utterly wicked ones among them?
Just because they are Immortals, do they deserve to be held above all?
The Demon Race is scorned from birth; rumors paint us as the incarnation of all that is evil in the world, with hearts of stone and brutal hands.
We did not choose to be born into the Demon Race, nor can we decide it, and there are those among us who harbor thoughts of kindness and survival.
This world refuses to see beyond black and white, ready to cry foul and exterminate at the mere word ’demon,’ regardless of goodness or wickedness."
"Whether gods or Immortals, everyone starts off weak and clambers through the mire to become strong,"
"Who the hell is nobler than whom in this world? Someday, I’ll drag you, Heaven, off your divine pedestal and let you taste that same flavor."
...
Shattering images, one after another, filled with roars of rage and helpless sighs, as well as bloodied bodies collapsing and rising again, flickered before Xu Zimei’s eyes.
"At the dawn of the world, there was no distinction between good and evil."
"All beings are a community of both good and evil; it’s just that some have more goodness, while others have more malevolence.
My Demon Race simply seeks fair recognition. Why must everyone assume that ’demonic’ equates to evil?" Xu Zimei murmured to himself.
He gently touched the trunk of the Summoning Demon Sky-covering Tree before him, his face unbeknownst streaming with hot tears.
Despite feeling nothing, the tears unceasingly fell.
This race, countless individuals sacrificing, striving through epoch after epoch.
All for the pursuit of some semblance of fairness.
But it’s all futile. The prejudice of the masses is mountainous, immovable no matter how hard you try.
Those Immortals won’t allow you to change people’s perceptions either.
If there were no demonic evil, wouldn’t the Immortals simply become ordinary mortals? Without the contrast of evil, where would goodness come from?
Immortals must stay aloft, so demons must wallow in the mortal realm.
"If all beings refuse to change, then let’s reshuffle the deck," Xu Zimei suddenly turned his head to look at the Seven-faced Demon General.
He said, "Let the demons rise above, generously aiding others, and become the saviors of the world.
As for the Immortals, they shall be spat upon, overflowing with malevolence. How does that sound?"
"Good... good," the Seven-faced Demon General stammered, responding thoughtfully after a pause.
"But if we do this, how are we any different from those Immortals?"
"I’ve suddenly realized that there is no absolute fairness in the world. Some are born into wealth, others into poverty.
Some are born healthy and whole, while others are afflicted with disabilities.
Being human, be a bit selfish; live freely first, then consider others, and create a relatively fair world," Xu Zimei stated.
"At least, it won’t be like this world, where Heaven conspires with those pseudo-Immortals to annihilate my Demon Race."
After finishing, Xu Zimei turned and placed his hand on the Summoning Demon Sky-covering Tree.
In a soft voice, he said, "Old friend, I’ve kept you waiting long enough."
The Summoning Demon Sky-covering Tree seemed to understand his words, its branches and leaves gently brushing Xu Zimei’s shoulder.
The Ancestral Tree began to shake.
The entire volcano followed suit, trembling as the earth cracked open with fissures, and the magma from deep underground surged into a violent uprising.
The sound of "crackling and snapping" erupted.
Xu Zimei opened the portal to the True Fate World, chuckling, "Come with me, for I still wish to battle Heaven once more.
Together, we’ll create an era of prosperity, an epoch for the Demon Race."
The ground’s fissures worsened, and the magma from below spouted fiercely.
The lava turned into a sea of fire, engulfing everything within it.
At that moment, in the outside world, a thunderous "boom and roar" resounded high in the sky.
As if Cang Tian himself were angry, thundering above.
The peak of the volcano erupted completely.
Bursting masses of fire shot out like meteors from the mouth of the volcano.
This stretch of land was bathed in a fiery red hue.
The earth cracked, shrouded in a thick black fog, resembling a meteor shower from heaven, this volcanic eruption was tremendously awe-inspiring.
And at this moment, several figures suddenly appeared in this realm.
