Chapter 190: Occupation

“High Priest,” spoke the five demon generals in unison.

The figure shrouded in black mist before them was none other than the High Priest, the highest-ranking figure within the Church of the Demon God!

Although most of the Xia Clan’s transcendents were willing to fight for mortals and for the entire Xia Clan, there were still some extremely selfish individuals who had defected to the Church of the Demon God. Because the Church of the Demon God was significantly weaker compared to other factions within the Xia Clan, it had to remain hidden in the shadows, and the identity of every transcendent within the Church was kept secret.

As for the ‘High Priest,’ the highest-ranking figure of all, his identity was naturally even more confidential.

Even when communicating with the five demon generals, he would never reveal his identity.

“Congratulations, Generals, on signing the Abyssal Pact,” the figure in black mist spoke.

“Hmph, congratulations? I think it should be us congratulating you, Church of the Demon God. Now we are truly bound together with you. Our cooperation will greatly assist your Church in gaining the faith of the entire Xia world,” said the towering demon with a cold snort.

“Gaining the faith of the entire Xia world cannot be achieved in just one era,” the figure in black mist replied. “Unless one of you rises to become a Demon God.”

Once a Demon God arises, it becomes truly invincible within the mortal world. However, a Demon God can only remain in the mortal realm for a maximum of ten thousand years before ultimately having to return to the Abyssal Depths. The newly risen Demon God must abide by the ‘Abyssal Pact’ and assist the Church of the Demon God in gaining the faith of the Xia world. Although demons may raise humans, the reproduction of demons through birth is extremely difficult. As time passes, the number of demons will gradually decrease, and ultimately, this world will still belong to humanity.

Therefore, after negotiations between the Church of the Demon God and the demons, the Abyssal Pact was finally signed.

“Although I hope one of you will become a Demon God, you yourselves understand that the possibility is very low,” the figure in black mist continued. “Thus, my greatest hope for you is simply to help our Church expand its faith.”

“Just mutual assistance,” the female demon with red scales said in a melodious, seductive voice. “Now we’re on the same boat. In the future, we’ll need the High Priest’s continued help.”

“High Priest,” the tall, ice-blue demon then spoke, “as previously requested, please first provide us with all the recorded maps of the transcendent worlds within the Xia world.”

“No problem,” the High Priest immediately replied, transmitting the maps to the five demon generals through the crystal orb.

In fact, the negotiations had been quite smooth.

Because both sides understood each other’s desires and there were no contradictions! The reason the Abyssal Pact had only been signed now was because the five demon generals had been extremely cautious, spending the past few years gathering every bit of information about the Xia world. Many demons had concealed their auras and identities, infiltrating the human world, collecting more and more intelligence until they had gained a thorough understanding of the Xia world.

Having experienced countless wars in the Abyss, these five demon generals clearly understood the importance of knowing both oneself and the enemy.

Therefore, they had chosen to endure for several years, patiently gathering information about the Xia world before finally deciding on the terms of cooperation with the Church of the Demon God.

“Eight major transcendent worlds, over a hundred minor transcendent worlds?”

“Excellent.”

“We’ve been hiding for so long. The transcendents of the Xia Clan mustn’t think we’ll keep enduring forever.”

“It’s finally our turn to make our move.”

The five demon generals were filled with anticipation.

This was the most crucial step in their entire plan! Only by utilizing the ‘minor transcendent worlds’ could they gain an absolute advantage over the Xia Clan.

“Then I shall wish you all success in advance,” the figure in black mist said.

“You Church of the Demon God must also be careful. After all, we don’t recognize any of your transcendents. If we accidentally kill one of your people, there’s nothing we can do about it,” the female demon general spoke sweetly. “So you’d better stay hidden and avoid revealing any weaknesses. Otherwise… if we kill them, it will just be in vain unless you tell us the identities of your transcendents.”

“Our identities will never be exposed,” the figure in black mist replied. “Don’t worry. Our transcendents of the Church will be cautious.”

…

Night fell over the province of Anyang.

Beside the imperial road, a caravan had set up camp, with tents and a campfire burning.

“Thud.” “Thud.”

Within the camp, a massacre was taking place. Some among them had drawn their weapons and silently ambushed their companions. This was merely an ordinary merchant caravan, with the strongest among them only a Knight of the Heavens. Facing an unprovoked ambush, the other members of the caravan were all slain. It appeared to be a simple internal conflict within the group, with the methods of slaughter appearing quite ordinary.

“Alright, all the nuisances have been dealt with.”

Dozens of people stood by the campfire.

“Let’s go,” said one thin man, who extended his hand. His fingers transformed into sharp, grotesque claws, and his demonic energy naturally radiated outward. If the aura of transcendent power had been covering the area, it would immediately be clear—this was a demon or a transcendent of the Church of the Demon God! The transcendents of the Church of the Demon God cultivated demonic energy, and their bodies naturally contained latent demonic power. However, they usually kept it suppressed and did not actively use it.

With a casual slash of his claw, he tore—

space itself was ripped open.

“Go!” the thin man unleashed his demonic energy, enveloping the other dozens of people.

Whoosh.

Instantly, they entered the spatial rift, which quickly healed.

“Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~” Within the turbulent, chaotic interstitial space, these dozens of people arrived.

“General, he has already arrived outside the minor transcendent world! Help us guard it!” The thin man’s body began to change, transforming into a demon clad in black scales with red curved horns. The other dozens of people also underwent transformations, revealing their true forms. They were all demons! This was a gathering by command, and with careful precautions, they had all traveled in human form to converge at this location.

“Boom!” Under the lead of the black-armored demon with red curved horns, this large group of demons traversed the interstitial space, and within the span of a single breath, arrived at another location within the interstitial realm.

They saw ahead, an oval-shaped world connected to the inner membrane of the ‘Xia world,’ attached to it.

“You’ve arrived,” a thin demon clad in purple armor appeared out of nowhere. “There is no Xia half-god guarding here. Enter.”

“Yes, General.”

All dozens of demons responded in unison.

Rip~~~

The membrane of the oval-shaped world was torn open, and they all entered.

General Yanze watched this scene with anticipation in his eyes. To prevent any mishaps, he had sent one of his demonic energy avatars here to assist in guarding! He was worried about the presence of a Xia half-god here. Because this time, the team he had dispatched was extremely important—it was composed of the true elite forces among his demons. He had a total of six fifth-stage demons under his command, and he had dispatched three of them this time.

Thus, if any were lost, the cost would be too great.

His demonic energy avatar had rushed over in advance to check, and indeed, there was no Xia half-god guarding around this transcendent world. That made sense, considering there were over a hundred minor transcendent worlds, while how many Xia half-gods were there?

…

Inside the minor transcendent world.

The dozens of demons flew in, led by the black-armored demon with red curved horns, who spoke coldly, “This place will be our territory from now on. I don’t want to see any trouble arise. Exterminate all the native transcendents of this minor world! Leave no one alive!”

“Yes.”

Among them were three fifth-stage demons, six fourth-stage demons, a group of third-stage demons, and a few weak demons with exceptional talents.

Even the group of third-stage demons were all at the peak of the Saint realm. Not to mention that some among them were nearly as strong as half-gods, rivaling the top of the Saint Rankings. With such a large group working together, they were comparable to half the power of the Saint Rankings. Moreover, either they possessed immortal bodies or terrifying vitality. In battle, even the top thirty of the Saint Rankings working together would struggle to gain the upper hand.

The Saint Rankings were a list that included humans, native transcendents, and the race of magical beasts alike. Therefore, even if the human experts on the Saint Rankings joined forces, they would be roughly equal to this group.

Within the minor transcendent world, they were practically invincible.