There were too many Demons around for Nie Yun to ask questions comfortably, so he and Xiaofong simply hurried forward, sticking close behind a few of them.

After walking for about another half hour, the two arrived before a massive square. Across from it stood a magnificent palace, thick with Demon Qi and a sinister, evil aura. One glance was all it took to know this was the main lair for the many Demons of the Zi Qiong Mountain Range.

The palace gates were closed. Two enormous, ghoulish faces were carved above the heavy iron doors—grim and terrifying symbols of blood and cold indifference.

The square was filled with Demons, most of whom were at the Ultimate Venerable Level. They all stared intently at the palace gates with reverent expressions.

Nie Yun and Xiaofong had set their disguised cultivation levels to Early-Stage Ultimate Venerable. It was neither high enough to stand out nor low enough to seem out of place. Standing amidst the crowd of Demons, they didn’t attract any particular attention.

Noticing the cautious expressions on the surrounding Demons, Xiaofong suddenly recalled something. ’The Annual Tribute Ceremony...’ he sent to Nie Yun via Sound Transmission. ’Don’t tell me today is the day for Demons from all over the Qi Sea to present their tributes? It can’t be that much of a coincidence!’

’Presenting tributes? What do you mean?’ Nie Yun asked, taken aback.

’It’s like this. While the Zi Qiong Mountain Range, Two Realms Mountain, and Profound Yin Mountain are the three main gathering places for Demons on the Qi Sea Continent, many Demons don’t belong to any of them. These unaffiliated Demons have their own territories, and every year they come to the Zi Qiong Mountain Range to pay an annual tribute. The more they offer, the larger the territory they are granted and the more benefits they receive in the future...’ Xiaofong explained.

’They have a system like that?’ Though surprised, Nie Yun slowly nodded.

’Even though the Qi Sea Continent is largely dominated by humans, the Demon Race is not to be underestimated. After all, a small place like Luoshui City alone had masters like Yao Ning and Yao Tong—who knew what other places held!’

As Xiaofong explained for a while longer, Nie Yun finally pieced everything together.

These scattered Demons ultimately had to follow a unified command, and the source of those commands was the Zi Qiong Mountain Range. For the Demon Race, it was the equivalent of the Divine Holy Empire among the human’s Seven Great Empires, holding dominion over all other Demons. Every year, chieftains from the surrounding territories would bring lavish gifts here to present their annual tribute.

’It looks like we arrived at the perfect time,’ he thought. ’The tribute ceremony is today, and it hasn’t even started yet.’

’No wonder no one questioned us for strolling in so openly. There must be so many Demons on the Qi Sea Continent that even they can’t recognize every single one of their own kind!’

’Since this is the Annual Tribute Assembly, it’s the perfect chance for us to blend in. They’ll surely put all the treasures they collect into the Treasure Vault. We can use this opportunity to empty the whole place out!’ Nie Yun said to Xiaofong via Sound Transmission, a laugh in his voice.

’Okay!’ Xiaofong’s face flushed with excitement.

Having made their decision, the pair slowly moved forward. They hadn’t gone far before they saw a black-faced Demon shouting at another Demon who appeared middle-aged.

"Yao Liao, how’s your tribute looking this year? Don’t tell me Lord Zi Qiong Emperor is going to have you strung up for punishment!"

"Cut the crap. I had my tribute ready three months ago. You, on the other hand... I heard you lot in the Divine Wind Empire got a new Emperor, and he’s been giving you a miserable time!" Yao Liao’s blood-red lips parted in a sinister sneer.

"What the hell do I care if the Divine Wind Empire has a new Emperor? He’s just some brat who hasn’t even finished puberty. If he dared to mess with me, I’d have lopped his head off ages ago!" The first Demon waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, you two. You only see each other once a year, and you start fighting the moment you meet," a tall, gray-robed Demon said with a worried expression as he walked over. "Haven’t you heard? Apparently, the Zi Qiong Emperor isn’t here this time. The great Lord Qi Emperor is in charge of inspecting the tributes. You both know what he’s like—he’s always been strict. I think we’d better save our breath for arguing and figure out how to pass this inspection!"

"I heard that rumor too," Yao Liao said with a chuckle. "Lord Qi Emperor is certainly difficult to please, but I came prepared. Take a look!"

He reached into his robes and produced a finger-sized jade bottle. He hadn’t even opened the lid, but waves of a clear, refreshing fragrance already wafted out, soothing the mind and spirit.

"Primordial Essence Spirit Liquid? Yao Liao, you actually managed to get your hands on something this incredible?"

Upon smelling this aroma, the other two Demons’ pale eyes widened in utter disbelief.

Primordial Essence Spirit Liquid—a treasure condensed from the very essence of heaven and earth. It was a single drop of this Spiritual Liquid that had allowed Nie Yun to break through from the Peak of Armor Realm, undergo Nirvana, and become an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse.

’Back then, a single drop of that Spiritual Liquid had driven Zi Tong and Hei Yan to kill each other. And now this Demon, Yao Liao, was planning to offer it up as a mere gift!’

"Heh heh, it wasn’t easy to get, I’ll tell you that. I went to great trouble for this drop of Primordial Essence Spirit Liquid. But never mind that. With a gift like this ready, I’m confident Lord Qi Emperor won’t refuse. How about you two? If you aren’t prepared, I could lend a hand... provided you each hand over a third of your territory. How about it?"

Yao Liao let out a sly laugh, a cunning glint in his eyes. It was impossible to tell what he was plotting.

"Give you our territory? In your dreams!" the first Demon snorted. "Our harvest wasn’t great this year, but it’s not like we’re going to starve. Besides, Lord Qi Emperor doesn’t punish *everyone*. I doubt I’ll end up in last place!"

"I doubt it, either." The gray-robed Demon also shook his head. He was about to say more when the palace gates ahead slowly swung open, and a troop of tall Demons clad in golden armor emerged.

Every one of these Demons was at the Ultimate Venerable Peak. Their murky Demon Qi shot toward the sky, manifesting in different forms—some gathered in dense clouds that refused to scatter, some drifted like ethereal green smoke, some rippled with the wind, and some were as solid as a steel rod. The variations in their auras indicated that they came from different clans, though none from the Yin Mist Demon Clan were at the forefront.

"By order of the great Lord Qi Emperor, the Demons of every region shall present their annual tributes for inspection! Those who pass may enter. Those who fail will be strung up to suffer the Torture of the Blazing Sun!"

The Golden Armored Demon standing at the highest point scanned the crowd, and his sinister voice echoed across the square.

Demons were typically afraid of sunlight. When exposed to it without any form of defense, a Demon’s body would burn as if doused in acid, an excruciatingly painful experience. For Demons, being strung up for the Torture of the Blazing Sun was considered an exceptionally cruel punishment.

Of course, any Demon who ventured out during the day had methods to resist the sun, whether through Secret Techniques or protective armor. But those being punished were forbidden from using any such measures. If they were discovered doing so, they would be executed on the spot.

"Understood!"

Hearing the Golden Armored Man’s words, the crowd of Demons understood that this year’s tribute requirements were indeed stricter than last year’s. Their expressions all grew grim.

"Alright, form a line and come forward!"

Seeing that his demands were understood, the Golden Armored Man gestured, and the Demon at the very front of the line walked forward.