Though many came to pay the annual tribute over the years and didn’t recognize one another, the Golden Armored Man on reception duty had an impression of them all. Seeing that the two Demons—Nie Yun and Xiaofong in disguise—were unfamiliar, he immediately blocked their path.

"Replying, Sir. We are new. This is our first time paying tribute. Here is our gift. Please inspect it."

Nie Yun was already prepared. He gave a faint smile, and with a flip of his palm, a Jade Gourd appeared in it.

The moment he produced the gourd, it released the rich fragrance of elixirs, a clear sign that its contents were of a high grade.

"Hundred Spirits Golden Crow Pills for healing? Not bad. Good stuff. This gourd has a full hundred pills. You qualify. You may pass."

After a glance at the Jade Gourd, the Golden Armored Man’s eyes lit up.

Nie Yun had obtained this healing elixir from the Mi Tian Sect’s Treasure Vault. While it was a priceless treasure to others, it was practically useless to a Healer like him.

"Many thanks!"

Nie Yun chuckled, handed over the elixirs, and strode toward the main hall with Xiaofong.

"Master, we passed just like that? Aren’t they going to ask who we are or where we’re from?"

Following behind Nie Yun, Xiaofong’s dark eyes were wide with surprise.

"They won’t. They only care about wealth. When someone’s willing to pay up, they’re more than happy to accept, so why would they investigate too closely? Besides, the infighting among Demons is even more vicious than among humans. These leaders look comfortable, but they could be killed and replaced by their own subordinates at any moment. The Golden Armored Man knows this. The question was just a formality," Nie Yun said with a laugh.

This annual tribute conference was just a form of control the Demon Race exerted over its subordinates. As long as you paid the tribute, nothing else mattered. They didn’t make any other strict demands.

’That makes sense. The Qi Sea Continent is simply massive, not to mention all the islands and seas. Killings happen every day. With a Demon or two dying and another one or two appearing, it would be impossible to investigate even if they wanted to.’

"Let’s go!"

Having finished his explanation to Xiaofong, Nie Yun stepped into the hall’s Array.

The world spun around them. When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a vast hall. The air was grim and oppressive; this had to be the most important conference hall in the Zi Qiong Mountain Range.

’So it’s a Spirit Void Illusion Array. The Array itself is brilliant, but without a Secret Realm Powerhouse to control it, it’s practically useless!’

The entire hall was enveloped by a Grand Array. The slightest touch would conjure countless phantoms and monsters. Evil qi condensed in the air, refusing to disperse. It seemed that with a single thought from the Array’s controller, it could form a massive, sharp sword to slay anyone within.

Imposing and grim!

However, that was how others perceived it. With a single glance, Nie Yun identified it as a Spirit Void Illusion Array. This type of Array was powerful when presided over by a Secret Realm Powerhouse, but for an Ultimate Venerable to try and trap him with it was nothing more than a pipe dream.

The hall was filled with Demons, all standing silently on either side with bated breath. At the center of the hall stood a throne of skulls. A brocade-robed Demon of indeterminate age was seated upon it, his hawkish eyes radiating immense authority.

The second-in-command of the Zi Qiong Mountain Range, Qi Emperor!

An old monster who had survived his attempt to break through to the Secret Realm!

’So strong!’

Nie Yun sensed his power for a moment and immediately perceived how terrifying this man was.

’His combat strength isn’t necessarily greater than my own, but his Soul Power has reached the peak of Qi Sea Great Perfection, just a single step away from the Spirit Level! No wonder he survived his attempt to break through to the Secret Realm. With Soul Power at this Realm, he could probably tear someone to shreds using his soul alone, without any other power!’

Although there was only one sub-realm of difference between the Peak of Qi Sea and Qi Sea Great Perfection, the latter represented a state of absolute completion—the ultimate limit of the Realm. A supreme expert with a Great Perfection Soul would have several times the combat power of an opponent with equal physical strength.

With his Great Strength Dantian, Nie Yun’s raw power had reached a full Myriad Phenomena, comparable to a Secret Realm Powerhouse. However, his soul was only at the Peak of Qi Sea. ’In that respect, I’m no match for this man at all!’

"I will be presiding over this year’s annual tribute conference!"

Just as these thoughts crossed Nie Yun’s mind, Qi Emperor spoke from the high platform.

His voice was deep and powerful. Infused with Soul Power, it echoed in everyone’s ears, making their minds reel and crushing any thought of defiance.

A Qi Sea Great Perfection Soul made one invincible within the Qi Sea Level. Even an ordinary Early-Stage Secret Realm powerhouse would find it difficult to kill him. Most of the Demons in the hall only had Soul Power at the Qi Sea High Level; they stood no chance of resisting an expert with Soul Great Perfection.

Instantly, the hall fell deathly silent, the previous uproar vanishing completely.

"Since all of you have paid your annual tribute, we of the Zi Qiong Mountain Range will naturally not be unfair. Here are some elixirs that will aid your Cultivation. Take them!"

With a great wave of his hand, Qi Emperor summoned countless dark-red elixirs into the air. They spun rapidly, suspended above the crowd by a special Qi Force.

"Thank you, Lord Qi Emperor!"

Seeing that the elixirs were brimming with Spiritual Qi, one of the Demons’ eyes flashed. He stretched out a hand and lunged for one of the pills dancing above his head.

The moment his palm touched the elixir, a peculiar force shot down from it. The Ultimate Venerable Peak Demon stumbled backward, spat a mouthful of blood—PTHOO!—and was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.

"This..."

Seeing this, the crowd realized that although the elixirs were meant for them, they had to be skilled enough to take one. Understanding this, no one else dared to make a move.

"It is your honor to receive these elixirs from Lord Qi Emperor. However, you must have the skill to take one! Only the capable are qualified to accomplish great things with Lord Qi Emperor!" a Golden Armored Man beside the high platform said, glancing at the crowd with a cold snort.

"I’ll go!"

Provoked by the taunt, a middle-aged Demon roared. His body transformed into a streak of light, and he shot toward one of the elixirs, the sound of his roar trailing behind him.

CRACKLE!

Once again, the elixir unleashed a spinning Qi Force that shot toward the middle-aged Demon. Unfazed, the Demon’s hands became a blur as he executed eighteen sets of hand seals in an instant. Each set was a Royal Family’s Top-Grade Martial Art, creating layers upon layers of Palm Seals.

WHOOSH!

His eighteen sets of hand seals blocked the spinning Qi Force from the elixir. He snatched the pill from the air and swallowed it whole.

CRACK! CRACK!

The moment the elixir entered his stomach, the middle-aged man’s aura surged violently, like oil poured on lava. Both his power and his presence skyrocketed. It was clear he had benefited immensely from the elixir.

"Let’s give it a try!"

With someone having been the first to test the waters, the rest of the crowd was stirred into action. One after another, they began to lunge for the elixirs in the air.

Nie Yun and Xiaofong inconspicuously grabbed one each. While the elixir was a huge boon for Demons, it was poison to the two of them. After taking the pill, they feigned swallowing it before casually tucking it away in their clothes.