Outside Emperor Hall.

A circle of Demon Cave creatures surround layer upon layer.

Overlooking from above the Demon Cave World.

Emperor Hall is deep at the center of the lowest level of the Demon Cave.

Infinite darkness that meets the eye.

Only a faint blue glow, providing a dim view.

Millions of Demon Soldiers stationed around Emperor Hall.

Around Emperor Hall, there are no buildings, only an endless dark plain.

Demon Soldiers, Demon Warriors, Demon Generals, all awaiting orders.

"Welcome, Demon King!"

"Welcome, Demon Emperor!"

"Welcome, Demon King!"

One Demon King after another flies in from the Dark World.

Heading towards Emperor Hall against the wind.

...

Soon after.

Emperor Hall, council chamber.

On the tall throne.

A sharply featured demon, wearing a black crown, touches the snake head statues on the chair with both hands, eyes like a hawk.

"Double-bodied Buddha Karma, greets Heavenly Emperor!"

"Great University Master, greets Heavenly Emperor!"

"Son of Evil greets Heavenly Emperor!"

"Mo Kui greets Heavenly Emperor!"

The four flying Demon Kings look at the throne's Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor and pay respects.

The Great Demon King on the throne is none other than the ruler of the Demon Cave World, Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor, the highest being here, with the highest Cultivation strength.

All nine Demon Kings are under his control.

Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor's eyes, like stars in the sky's black curtain, emit a faint glow.

He sweeps his gaze. Says in a deep voice:

"Only you four are left?"

The four Demon Kings look at each other.

"I summoned you because I sensed a great increase in Spiritual Energy in the human world, and... it seems I feel the Dragon Vein is reviving. What... is going on?"

The four Demon Kings bow.

The Double-bodied Buddha Karma is an entity of two bodies, two heads, and two mouths.

Their heads face each other, and the left head says:

"Respected Heavenly Emperor, please calm your anger. The human cultivators are growing stronger. Five Demon Kings went to the human world for attack planning, but were accidentally captured by humans. Their fate is still unknown. After the disappearance of five Demon Kings, the power of the Dragon Bone seems to have dissipated. Without Dragon Bone suppression, the Dragon Vein began absorbing Spiritual Energy from the human world! This allowed the Dragon Vein to revive!!?"

Upon hearing this.

Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor's eyes glow more brightly.

Shimmering.

The two heads of Buddha Karma sweat in fear and step back, fearing the anger of Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor.

"Despite the five Demon Kings not being as powerful as you, they are far above the Human Immortal Realm. The progress of human cultivators is indeed rapid. Spiritual Energy revives over seventy years, yet it shouldn't defeat five Demon Kings. After their disappearance, did you investigate?"

The four Demon Kings glance at each other again, sweat forming.

"Report, Heavenly Emperor, we have been constantly sending subordinates to investigate, but... the progress of human Cultivation far exceeds imagination. Neither disguised humans nor surface cultivators we bribe meet our expectations. Previously, the most important partner of Drought Demon King has declared not to cooperate with Demon Cave World anymore. Cultivators above the Heaven Stepping Realm cannot be recruited by Demon Cave World, and those below, though many, are not useful."

This is true.

Upon hearing this.

Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor surprisingly does not get angry, but nods slightly, saying:

"Human Cultivation progresses faster than expected by this emperor."

"Heavenly Emperor... humans now have mature cultivation courses, passed down generations, with ample Spiritual Energy. Dragon Vein revives, and our Demon Cave lacks such inheritance. If delayed, we may find it difficult to conquer the human world."

"I also think the same. Humans achieve such accomplishments in seventy years, and if given ten more, it may be unimaginable."

Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor nods again, saying:

"If we cannot block the sun, even if Demon Cave conquers human lands, it would be in vain. Issue this emperor's commands—"

Voice halts.

The entire hall falls into a brief silence.

Moments later.

Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor said:

"First command, all Demon Cave beings, enter the state of war preparation. When Nine Stars in a Row day arrives, this emperor will use the Dragon Vein to cover the sun, blowing the counterattack horn."

Upon hearing this.

The Demon Kings are surprised, looking at Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor in disbelief.

"Heavenly Emperor, the Dragon Vein still has Spiritual Power, isn't it..."

Before he finishes speaking.

Abandoned Demon Heavenly Emperor said deeply: "This emperor naturally knows. Human Cultivation progresses quickly now, and only by advancing the plan... Besides, Nine Stars in a Row day is when the Dragon Vein is weakest; then it is completely assimilated. This is a rare chance. Moreover, we have plenty of Dragon Bone. With Dragon Bone suppressing the Dragon Vein, Row day is when Demon Cave enters the world."

"Heavenly Emperor is wise!"

"Issue the second command of this emperor, thoroughly investigate human cultivators. Report on their strongest cultivators' details swiftly."

"Yes!"

The four Demon Kings bow simultaneously.

Swoosh swoosh swoosh.

Disappear in place.

...

Demon Cave beings fear the Dragon Vein.

The revival of Dragon Vein's Spiritual Energy now concerns them.

After returning to their respective palaces, the four Demon Kings immediately send Demon Generals to the human world, disguised as humans for secret investigation.

...

Fang Yu, who achieved the Overlord Body, restores everything around him and returns to Coastal Manor.

In the manor.

Zhou Hai no longer holds the demeanor of a Heaven Stepping Realm peak cultivator.

Properly entertains Fang Yu's friends.

Yan Hu and Fan Tong eat and drink heartily, enjoying themselves.

"Didn't know Brother Yu is Emperor Yu of Tiandu Mountain... Wow, does that mean I can do whatever I want in the future?" Fan Tong says smiling.

Yan Hu, more straightforward, just focuses on eating.

Chen Daotian laughs: "Certainly do whatever... Hey, Zhou Hai, is there any more wine?"

Pointing to the table's old stored red wine, Chen Daotian is in a daze.

Zhou Hai is about to cry.

The wine has been his cherished collection for years.

But within such a short time, these three have spoiled everything.

"Sirs, I'm really out of wine... If I lie, let lightning strike me." Zhou Hai raises three fingers.

"Which you dare not." Chen Daotian said.

"Brother Chen... Brother Yu isn't here, aren't you afraid he'll be angry or fight?" Yan Hu says.

Yan Hu once could fight, but now things are different, everything changed. His brute strength is now useless.

Chen Daotian snorts: "Not to mention one Zhou Hai, even a thousand Zhou Hai cannot satisfy me!"

Zhou Hai: "..."

"These guys don't even know the gap beyond the Human Immortal Realm."

"..."

"Of course, they further don't know, Brother Yu's strength is truly powerful!"

"What exactly is Brother Yu's strength?" Fan Tong asks curiously.