Song Lin planned to use his 72 Transformations to send an avatar over. Though he was a clan leader of a minor tribe, he had cultivated his Primordial Spirit, which would be a display of sincerity.

"No need to bring too many people this time. Erlang God, Chiyou, and Lingying can accompany me. Divine Turtle, please divine an omen."

The Divine Turtle closed his eyes, then opened them moments later. He nodded and said, "A great blessing; there is profit without harm."

At his level of cultivation, he no longer needed external tools to divine. A single thought could reveal the fortune or misfortune of an event.

Zhengxin Mei Hua, Bai Mei, and others often sought his guidance in the ancient techniques used by the kings of yore to predict outcomes.

"Good, then let us set out immediately."

Song Lin gently exhaled, his breath transforming into someone identical to himself in appearance and cultivation.

His mastery of the 72 Transformations was extraordinary, combined with his Human Immortal Martial Way, which had ascended to Yang Immortal status. The avatar was almost indistinguishable from himself, apart from its frail endurance and vulnerability to fatal wounds.

The group began their journey and made preparations to rendezvous with the Mei Mountain Seven Saints on the Demon Islands.

"Heavenly Master, twenty-three minor clan leaders are ready to respond, eight of whom have cultivated their Primordial Spirits. The demons' demands are simple; they do not necessarily seek salvation for their entire clans but only wish for their leaders and immediate families to be escorted to safety. In return, they are willing to provoke chaos among their own kin."

"I see, that shouldn't be too difficult."

Song Lin nodded in agreement.

The Donghua Taoist Alliance had adopted a strategy of recuperation and growth but would not let the demons rest easy during this period, for allowing them breathing room would encourage covert plots against the alliance.

The first step was to destabilize the Demon Islands, which lacked a significant strategic buffer with the alliance.

To the west lay the Xuanzong Shangqing Dao Alliance, and to the east stretched the defensive perimeter of Jiuxiao Demon Country. The alliance had stationed heavy forces on both flanks. If internal conflicts erupted within the Demon Islands, the alliance would shift from a three-front struggle to a two-front battle, resulting in even stronger defenses.

This would grant them ample time to forge the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human armies, while Song Lin himself could focus on breaking through to the next level.

Transforming themselves into demons, the group pressed onward.

Erlang God and Song Lin were both highly skilled in Transformation Techniques; changing into a demon form posed no risk of exposure.

Lingying was inherently a demon, needing only a rudimentary shift in appearance.

As for Chiyou, Song Lin concealed him within the Heavenly Burial Coffin.

If Chiyou refrained from making a move, his presence would generally go unnoticed.

"Has there been any contact from the Human Clan?"

Song Lin inquired.

"We've made contact with some, but the others are scattered too widely, and we fear leaks."

The vast ocean was dotted with islands, spread across great distances. Major clans controlled specific sea regions, middling clans resided on large islands, while minor clans occupied smaller islands on the periphery, dependent on the middling clans.

Minor clans were typically dispersed, interwoven among various territories of the Human Clan to facilitate exploitation.

"We're heading to Boiling Sea now, territory of the Sea Dragon Clan, one of the ten great clans."

The group flew thirty thousand miles, passing countless islands at an incredible speed, encountering an array of breathtaking oceanic marvels.

They saw islands larger than a million miles across teeming with giant whales; immense fountains shooting water tens of thousands of feet skywards; gold mountains shimmering upon the horizon; trees bearing an abundance of food; and creatures of the sea clans, surprising and remarkable.

Soon, they reached a remote island.

Song Lin immediately caught sight of Yang Xian the White Ram, Zhu Zizhen the Wild Boar, and Dai Li the Wild Dog, their bodies suffused with demon energy, having fully immersed themselves into their roles.

"Heavenly Master, this way."

The group submerged, diving thousands of feet beneath the surface to locate a water cavern. Following the flow, they traversed winding passageways for untold distances.

Boom!

Their bodies suddenly became weightless, launching them into midair as the sound of rushing water roared in their ears.

Song Lin landed gently, finding himself in a titanic underground cavern. Within were dozens of individuals, all with strange and bizarre appearances.

Lingying stepped forward to make introductions: "Heavenly Master, this is the Hairtail Clan Leader, Shrimp Clan Chief, Yellow Croaker Clan Leader, Pig Clan Chief, Sheep Clan Leader, Water Buffalo Clan Leader, Salmon Clan Leader…"

"Greetings, Heavenly Master!"

The clan leaders were visibly elated, offering Song Lin respectful bows.

"These are the Zhang Family Patriarch and Ma Family Chief."

Erlang God gestured towards two young men.

Song Lin felt somewhat surprised, noting how young these two leaders were. Their cultivation nearly reached the Purple Mansion level, and judging by their aura, they had been practicing Human Clan cultivation techniques.

The two young men exchanged a smile, as if they understood Song Lin's thoughts. The Zhang Family Patriarch, Zhang Muyao, laughed and said, "I'm not the Zhang Family Patriarch yet, but come tonight, I will be."

"Donghua Heavenly Master, I have admired you for a long time. You have exemplified the Human Clan's indomitable spirit, and the humans of the ocean hold you in high regard."

Among the Human Clan were not only pure humans but also many Half-demons, though Song Lin had yet to interact with them. Rumors indicated this group treated humans even worse than the Demon Clan did.

The two clan chiefs were Half-demons, and they not only domesticated humans for the demons but even sacrificed their own kin to curry favor. Zhang Muyao had two sisters—one had been sent to serve demons and survived only three days; the other had been made into a meal to entertain visiting demons.

"From today onward, I will take the name Zhang Luyao, and I vow to fight against demons to the death."

Zhang Luyao spoke calmly of the bloody and cruel reality, as if discussing someone else's tragedy and not the tears and agony of the Human Clan.

The other demon clan leaders were already weeping uncontrollably, presumably reminded of their own family tragedies.

As lower-ranking demons, their fate was similar.

Had the Donghua Taoist Alliance's victories not been so impressive, they wouldn't have dared to approach its people. Now, seeing a glimmer of hope, they were prepared to risk everything to act.

Song Lin understood that words at this moment were unnecessary. He stepped forward, placing a hand on the shoulders of the two young leaders, saying, "I will save you and lead you to freedom. One day, humanity and the demon race will clash in a decisive battle."

"Tomorrow night, we act!"

...

Night enveloped the world, the moon hung cold and solitary.

Huanren Island.

A large island with a population of two million, overseen by the Zhang and Ma clans.

In the eastern mansion, the current Zhang Family Patriarch, Zhang Gaowei—a Half-demon with fish scales on his face and venomous snake-like teeth—gathered his clansfolk for a meeting. His servitude to the demons earned him their bloodline.

The Zhang clan's 681 members were all present.

"Tomorrow, noble guests from the Sea Dragon Clan will visit. Every family must provide one young woman to serve, and one young man for the banquet. Fairness shall prevail—whoever is chosen must comply."

Zhang Gaowei's green eyes pierced through the crowd.

This was his way of pledging loyalty. Huanren Island was full of humans, but nothing demonstrated unwavering fealty better than sacrificing one's own kin.

Most clansfolk displayed sorrow, despair, or numbness. A small, elegantly dressed minority brimmed with confidence, evidently certain that their families wouldn't be chosen.

Soon, names were drawn. Ignoring the anguished cries of the chosen families, Zhang Gaowei immediately had them taken away.

"Blood relatives remain; the rest may depart."

Soon, only 30 remained—a mix of elders and youths—all direct descendants of the Zhang family.

Cre-e-eak!

The door slammed shut.

"Hmm? Where is the ninth branch's Muyao?"

Cre-e-eak!

The door glided open. Zhang Luyao stepped in, smiling and greeting everyone one by one.

"Apologies for my tardiness. Patriarch, grandfather, father, uncles…"

"What are you standing there for? Sit down immediately!"

Father Zhang rebuked him.

His grandfather and father sat at the very bottom, evidently of low status.

Zhang Luyao's smile faded, his gaze bore into his father and the patriarch across the room.

"I have a question today. Three years ago, was the drawing truly fair? And grandfather, father, did you sacrifice my sisters to enter the Zhang family's inner circle?"

"It's been so long. Why bring this up? The drawing was completely fair. No more talk of this—sit down!"

"Very well, let's put this aside for now. I now wish to rebel against the demons. Will you join me?"

"How dare you!"

"Ungrateful wretch!"

"Watch your tongue!"

Angry voices erupted.

"I see."

Zhang Luyao smiled faintly, summoned the Emperor Sword, and unleashed his mana without reservation.

"Purple Mansion? You've actually…"

Bang!

The doors slammed shut once more.

A moment later, they reopened. Zhang Luyao emerged, strolling leisurely, a faint trace of blood on his cheek.

Song Lin and the others had somehow appeared outside the courtyard.

Zhang Luyao presented the sword, bowing deeply. "Thank you, Heavenly Master."

Song Lin gripped the Emperor Sword, its blade radiating brilliance before shooting into the pitch-black clouds, exploding into a golden firework.

"Rise up!"

In the quiet of the night, Boiling Sea erupted like fireworks.

The demon clans revolted! A blood-drenched night.

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