On the side of the Immortal Burial Sea's demonic beasts, there were over ten Class III big demons, along with a large number of Class II demonic beasts serving and standing guard. They were all enveloped in transparent orbs of seawater, connecting them to the sea below.

Their forms were bizarre and varied, taking on all sorts of appearances.

There were strange fish of various shapes, shelled mollusks like snails and clams, slender Snake Eels, Octopuses with multiple tentacles, and armored shrimp and crabs wielding sharp claws...

Many bore a strong resemblance—about seventy to eighty percent—to the marine creatures from Shen Mo's previous life.

Even more numerous were the unique, extraordinary creatures of this world, some unlike any known species, others appearing as monstrous hybrids of several demonic beasts.

Among them, those with the highest cultivation were a Spirit Turtle, a Flood Dragon, a Human-faced Fish, and a Crystal Clam!

The potent demonic power emanating from them was so overwhelming that many other sea beasts in their presence became as silent as cicadas in winter, hardly daring to breathe.

Hearing the Heaven Sword Sect Elder speak, a sea beast resembling a Flood Dragon directly retorted in human speech, "Our Marine Race numbers in the hundreds of millions. In terms of sheer numbers, we are not inferior to the Terrestrial Race. So why should we resignedly live beneath you Human Cultivators?"

This Flood Dragon was precisely Shen Gao's father, Shen Lei, a late-stage Class III big demon.

In the eyes of Human Cultivators, the demonic beasts of the sea, much like the flying birds and running beasts of the mountains, were all essentially categorized as 'demons'.

In reality, due to factors such as geography and historical development, the demonic beast factions in the Immortal Burial Sea were far more powerful than their terrestrial counterparts and not nearly as disorganized.

They had even developed unique languages, cultural practices, architectural styles, and cultivation systems.

Consequently, they held themselves in high regard, proclaiming themselves the 'Marine Race'!

They referred to all non-marine beings—Human Cultivators, terrestrial demonic beasts, Spiritual Monsters, and the like—collectively as the 'Terrestrial Race'.

Shen Lei's words naturally garnered the approval of all the Marine Race big demons.

Their meaning was clear: the Marine Race possessed vast numbers, fully capable of rivaling the myriad creatures of the land.

And Human Cultivators were merely one part of the Terrestrial Race. The Marine Race felt they were already being quite magnanimous by deigning to treat humans as equals.

Expecting the hundreds of millions of the Marine Race to obey the directives of the Five Great Immortal Sects? Impossible!

A Spirit Sea Realm expert from the Ghost Corpse School, who carried a crystal coffin on his back, sneered, "What's the use of mere numbers? Weren't you all reduced to rations for the Heavenly Demons from the Outer Realm?"

"If not for your vast numbers but meager strength, feeding the demon head so thoroughly, how could the demon disaster in the Immortal Burial Sea have escalated to such a degree?"

"We Human Cultivators are the masters of the land. Under the leadership of our five sects, we have successfully quelled demon disasters in the past..."

"If not for the fact that our fates are intertwined—like lips and teeth—do you truly believe we'd willingly clean up this mess for you?"

These blunt words greatly displeased the assembled Marine Race big demons, who all began to clamorously refute him.

Alas, what this Ghost Corpse School expert said was all true.

Although the Marine Race was numerous, ninety-nine percent were ordinary fish and beasts, no different from common mortals among humans.

Of the remainder, most were merely Class I creatures with a modicum of demonic power; they were muddle-headed, and communication with them was exceedingly difficult.

Apart from providing ample blood meals for the Heavenly Demons, they were utterly useless!

Fortunately, the Immortal Burial Sea was immeasurably vast, and its hundreds of millions of marine creatures were spread throughout its expanse.

Although the Heavenly Demons currently surging out from the nearby seabed had obtained a large quantity of blood meals, and the demon disaster had spread for a thousand li, this was still but a drop in the bucket compared to the total population of the Marine Race.

Instead, because the number of Heavenly Demons was too great, the nearby blood meals were insufficient to go around.

To continue strengthening themselves, they had to venture elsewhere to prey. Moreover, finding blood meals in the boundless ocean was no easy task. Furthermore, only one in ten thousand of the Marine Race could advance to Class II; these were the creatures that truly identified with their Marine Race status and were capable of joining forces with Human Cultivators against the Heavenly Demons.

As for Class III and Class IV big demons, their numbers were even more scarce.

The more distant and profound regions of the Immortal Burial Sea remained, for the time being, unknown.

However, within the currently known areas considered part of the cultivation world, there were only five Class IV Demon Kings!

Each presided over a vast territory, no smaller than several prefectures of the Red Flame Country, reigning as supreme overlords in their respective domains.

With such a number of powerhouses, their collective strength was comparable to that of a major sect!

Consequently, the bottom line for the Five Great Immortal Sects was to treat the Marine Race as a sixth major power, akin to a major sect, and involve them in high-level decision-making.

However, when making decisions, the Riverside Sect, Profound Moon School, Heaven Sword Sect, Ghost Corpse School, and Seven Stars Altar generally adhered to the established convention of majority rule.

For instance, if three sects approved of aiding the Marine Race while two opposed, the "approval" outcome would stand, and the two dissenting sects would still be required to fully support this resolution.

In essence, if the Marine Race were to agree to this, they would ultimately still have to "obey" the Five Great Immortal Sects!

Thus, negotiations for the alliance reached a stalemate.

"If six parties make decisions jointly, a three-three tie is very likely. It would be better to grant our Marine Race two votes in the decision-making process..."

"This way, at worst, it would be a three-versus-four split, allowing resolutions to be determined more quickly!"

"If you agree, our Marine Race is willing to make further concessions regarding the deployment of experts and various resources."

"Everyone... what do you think of this?"

The Spirit Turtle's ancient voice echoed within the great hall.

Generally, the lifespan of demonic beasts far exceeds that of Human Cultivators, and this is especially true for turtle-type beasts. This particular Spirit Turtle had already lived for three thousand years, an existence longer than that of the Five Great Immortal Sects themselves.

Throughout its long lifespan, it had encountered innumerable crises and perilous situations!

Its tortoise shell, which faintly shimmered and appeared quite extraordinary, was covered in old wounds, each scar a testament to its long and arduous history.

Yet, even this widely experienced Spirit Turtle was terrified by the demon disaster.

For this reason, it had strenuously pushed for the alliance to be formed and, using its considerable wisdom, had proposed a new plan.

Possessing two votes in decision-making would prevent them from being entirely reduced to puppets of the Five Great Immortal Sects in the future. Instead, they could leverage this to navigate situations advantageously and retain more autonomy.

"Hmm..."

The Spirit Sea Realm cultivator from the Ghost Corpse School, who had spoken mockingly earlier, closed his mouth.

Subsequently, the experts from the Five Great Immortal Sects present began to communicate using their Divine Sense.

Remaining at a deadlock was not a solution!

If the Marine Race were to subsequently dispatch more experts and contribute greater cultivation resources, then this point was indeed negotiable.

Just as the Spirit Sea Realm experts of the Immortal Sects were deliberating, a peculiar glint appeared in the eyes of Shen Lei, the Flood Dragon. He suddenly interjected, "I disagree with Elder Mo's proposal! Even with two votes, wouldn't it still mean we ultimately have to do whatever the Human Cultivators dictate?"

The Spirit Turtle turned its head, glared at Shen Lei, and asked, "Then what is your proposal?"

The four of them, all Class III big demons, each represented their respective Demon King.

Except for the Demon King whose territory was closest to Sea State—this Demon King had suffered the most from the demon disaster's ravages and could not spare any experts of equivalent rank to attend the alliance talks, sending only two early-stage Class III demonic beasts as representatives.

Therefore, the decisions they made were largely authorized by their respective Demon Kings and could be considered final.

Not long ago, they had discussed this very point, and Shen Lei had not voiced any opposition.

His sudden objection now made one wonder if he was still trying to bargain for more, or if he had thought of some other, better plan.

Shen Lei's massive draconic mouth opened and closed, speaking for a good while, but he essentially reiterated his previous points.

Even the Human-faced Fish, the Crystal Clam big demon, and the subordinates of the Demon King whose domain was currently being ravaged by the Heavenly Demons, successively voiced their opposition to Shen Lei's viewpoint.

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