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Chapter 852: Chapter 858: Prologue
A large Devil Beast Tribe.
Finding that several of their subordinates had not come to present their tributes, they didn’t need to think twice to know that something must have happened. They immediately dispatched someone to investigate.
It wasn’t long before the Devil Beast that was sent out returned, bringing back an expected answer—the whole tribe had been exterminated.
"Which family has such audacity to dare to lay hands on the Devouring Sky Python clan!" Upon hearing the definitive news, a Great Devil roared in anger.
"Is it those old turtles from the north or those flat-haired beasts from the south?"
You should know that among the clans in the Secret Realm, the Devouring Sky Python clan was one of the strongest, rivaled only by three other tribes. Therefore, their first suspects were the two major clans that were closer.
Because other tribes either were vassals or lived in isolation, only seeking to protect themselves.
"No matter who it is, we must teach them a lesson!"
If they backed down in this situation, how could they stand in the Secret Realm in the future? What would the other vassal tribes think of them?
But as a group of Devouring Sky Pythons angrily took up arms and headed straight for the southern territory of the Three-Fire Phoenix Birds, a major battle erupted, and both sides suffered numerous casualties. When they were ready to temporarily cease hostilities and prepare to fight again in a few days, the misunderstanding was finally cleared up.
"Flat-haired beasts, listen well, if you dare to touch my clan’s vassals again, I will devour you all!"
"Hmph! A bunch of shameless snakes, inferior in competence, knowing only how to argue with words! Besides, when have we ever laid hands on those worthless ants? Are they worthy?" The Phoenix Bird, though not a Phoenix, nevertheless inherited the Phoenix’s pride and spoke with venomous sarcasm.
"If not you, then who could it be? Could it be that several of my clan’s vassal families disappeared into thin air?" The Devouring Sky Python’s tone also faltered slightly, suddenly lacking confidence. It seemed they really had no concrete evidence that the Phoenix Birds were the culprits.
"Fools!" The Phoenix Bird couldn’t be bothered to say more, taking its flock of magical birds and flying far away.
Having been put in their place at the hands of the Phoenix Birds, when the Devouring Sky Pythons turned north to confront the Snake Turtles, they were a bit wiser, choosing not to engage in combat immediately but to ask some questions instead.
After all, not to mention the Snake Turtle’s astounding defense, the Spirit Snakes on their backs were also exceptionally vicious. It was best not to engage in combat if avoidable.
"Old Black Turtle, did you lay hands on my clan’s vassals?"
The leading Snake Turtle looked very old and spoke slowly, "No."
"And your territories are not suitable for my Turtle Clan to inhabit."
The Snake Turtle clan, unlike the other three major tribes, did not have any vassals but was united with most turtle demons within the Secret Realm.
Furthermore, the territory they were currently living in was far from reaching its limit, and they were not keen on expanding their territory.
The Devouring Sky Pythons were impulsive by nature and not so bright, not even thinking of conducting a thorough investigation before coming to ask. Now they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
But the old turtle, having lived through countless years, had long since cultivated a pair of discerning eyes and took the initiative to lead the Turtle Clan away.
The Devouring Sky Python did not provoke further, turning around to return to its own territory.
"If it was neither the old Black Turtle nor those flat-haired beasts, could it be the white cats from the west?"
But then they thought better of it—the two clans were far apart with mountains separating them; it seemed unnecessary to make such a large effort.
As they racked their brains, a third-order Devouring Sky Python, covered in blood, frantically fled back to Python Valley.
"Ancestor! The cultivators who left decades ago have returned!"
Upon reaching safety, it cried out loudly and then fainted on the spot, unmoving.
Fortunately, its shout had attracted the attention of many Devouring Sky Pythons, who rushed towards it.
"This is Python Qing! Wasn’t it sent to investigate those vassal tribes?"
"It just mentioned cultivators..."
At these words, the scene fell silent instantly.
Back then, they were all participants in the great war, and the image of third-order demon beasts being slaughtered like grass once again emerged before their eyes, making their bodies uncontrollably shiver.
"Quick, go inform the Elders!"
It took a while before one of the Python devil beasts reacted, hurrying towards the ancestral lands as if some terrifying presence was chasing after it.
"Elder! Disaster has struck! Cultivators have entered!"
"What did you say!?"
One by one, massive heads turned around, cold snake eyes staring at it.
"Python Qing has been seriously injured and fled back to our territory. He said that the group of cultivators from decades ago has come back, then he fainted."
That Python devil beast trembled as it finished speaking.
"No wonder! That group of our tribes must have been killed by the cultivators! It’s no wonder no messages got out."
But at this point, who still cared about that?
"No! The news of the cultivators’ return must be quickly relayed to the other Great Devil Tribes! Relying on us alone, we probably can’t withstand those cultivators."
The thought of those two puppets, terrifying like demons, still instilled fear in them even now.
"That’s right! We must split up and quickly formulate a plan. We have to gather a large army to drive out the cultivators before they can attack Python Valley!"
Although such actions would certainly result in a great number of devil beasts dying, better a dead fellow daoist than a dead self!
From the exterminated tribes, it was clear that the cultivators were closest to them, and they were continuing to close in!
The thought of cultivators reaching their doorstep after a while was something they dared not consider.
Several Great Devils split up, moving with the greatest speed to inform the Snake Turtle and Phoenix Bird, as well as the surrounding Fourth Order Great Devils.
The other third-order Python devil beasts summoned their vassal tribes, ordering them to be ready for battle at a moment’s notice.
Because of one message, the entire Devouring Sky Python clan frantically busied themselves.
----
Meanwhile, at Solitary Peak’s stronghold.
"Big brother, are you sure this method will work?" Li Chengshuo asked with a doubtful expression.
The wounded Python devil beast that had managed to escape was purposely let go by them.
"Logically, it should work." Li Chengsheng said calmly.
Based on the last clearing, the devil beasts in the Secret Realm were filled with fear towards cultivators.
The fear that the two Fifth-order puppets had instilled in the devil beasts was surely deeply etched in their minds.
If they knew that the cultivators were back, the fear would make them band together for warmth, uniting to oppose them.
Especially the Devouring Sky Python Clan, knowing that the cultivators were nearest to them would do everything they could to rally the devil beasts into a large force, using the power of all devil beasts to deal with the cultivators.
"Let our people get ready, we are about to face the final great showdown," Li Chengsheng said in a deep voice.
Before releasing that Python devil beast, the clanspeople at the stronghold had already completed a rotation and had allowed more of their people to enter the Secret Realm, all for this great showdown!
If they won, even if some devil beasts luckily survived, they couldn’t stop them from exploiting the Secret Realm.
If they lost, they would have to flee the Secret Realm and wait for the next opportunity to clear the area.
"Alright," Li Chengshuo and the others answered in succession.
It wasn’t just those clanspeople, they had to do the same.
After all, in the great war, they were the main force.
