Chapter 923

When such outlandish claims were all attributed to a single individual, everyone’s first reaction was to assume he was merely boasting.

But when that person not only emerged unscathed, but personally annihilated an entire sect, then perhaps those wild tales might indeed be reality.

Maybe the Lord of the Blazing Demon Hall truly was something extraordinary.

Two months later, the Lianhua Prefecture Sect Assembly convened as scheduled. Thirty-two demon sects gathered, creating an exceptionally lively scene. Though called a “sect assembly,” its true purpose was to determine the leading sect in Lianhua Prefecture.

Demonic energy had fully awakened across the Demon Realm, and the Five Realms’ Gate had officially opened. The imperative to “assault Heaven” was etched into every demon’s blood. With all preparations complete and only the crucial moment remaining, how could they possibly miss such a prime opportunity?

Thus, every Demon Lord had been amassing strength, and every sect hoped to make an indelible mark during the assault on Heaven. Each sought the mantle of prefecture leader, for with that title came far greater authority. It was the aspiration of every demon sect master.

And so they came.

Amid the bustling crowds, Ye Yu, Mo Geilian, and A’Rui searched for their assigned area. Each registered sect had its own allotted space—but after a long while, they still hadn’t found theirs.

“Are you certain you registered?” Mo Geilian asked A’Rui.

“Absolutely,” A’Rui replied earnestly. “I watched them write our sect name down before leaving!”

Watching the two flit about like headless flies, Ye Yu said, “Why don’t you ask one of the attendants? They’re right over there.” He beckoned to a nearby demoness and placed a demonstone before her.

“Greetings, beautiful demoness,” Ye Yu said. “We’re from the Blazing Demon Hall. Could you tell us where our sect’s area is?”

The demoness sauntered forward, lifted a finger, and pointed to a swath of vacant seats in the upper stands, where a banner reading Blazing Demon Hall fluttered.

Ye Yu, Mo Geilian, and A’Rui turned and stared, dumbfounded. They had never imagined they’d secure such prime seating—and a large banner—without spending a single demonstone. It was unbelievable.

“Wait a moment—this doesn’t add up!” A’Rui muttered. By his understanding, only the top five sects in Lianhua Prefecture earned seats in the upper stands. And the Blazing Demon Hall consisted of only three people, ranking dead last in both strength and heritage. They’d never once looked toward the stands, but searched the ground level instead. What did this mean?

Before Ye Yu could ponder further, he felt something pressed into his palm. Turning, he saw the demoness hadn’t taken the demonstone, but instead placed a communication stone in his hand.

“I don’t need this demonstone,” she said. “Keep this communication stone. After the contests, feel free to contact me anytime. I’m quite taken with you.” With that, she departed, leaving Mo Geilian envious.

“Might she be blind?” he murmured. “With so many fine demonesses around, why choose you?”

Ye Yu tapped Mo Geilian on the head, pocketed the stone, and thought that the demoness had been above average—but not to his taste. “There’s a difference between ‘above average’ and ‘stunning.’” He nonetheless respected her gesture; after all, “If you can’t love, at least don’t hurt.”

The three then ascended to the stands and seated themselves beneath their banner. It wasn’t long before they sensed countless gazes upon them, with even divine-sense probes. Irritated, Ye Yu cast a sealing formation to block others’ divine senses, but their presence remained conspicuous.

A’Rui asked via inner-voice, “Why do I feel like I’m sitting on pins and needles?”

Mo Geilian frowned. “’Sitting on pins and needles’? What’s that mean?”

Ye Yu sighed.

A’Rui clarified: “It means you’re so uncomfortable you feel like you’re sitting on spikes. But that’s not important—what matters is why are they ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) all staring at us?”

Ye Yu shook his head. “Maybe because they reserved a hundred seats for us, yet only three of us are here. It looks odd.”

Mo Geilian and A’Rui glanced at the empty seats and nodded in agreement. Indeed—it was conspicuous. But what could they do? The Blazing Demon Hall had only three members; they couldn’t very well drag in strangers at the last minute.

Mo Geilian’s voice hardened. “It’s fine. After today, everything will change. Big Brother, I’ll make sure the Blazing Demon Hall’s name spreads far and wide. I’ll fight for a high ranking at the assembly, polish our reputation, and have demons come begging to join us.”

A’Rui pumped his fist. “You can do it!”

Ye Yu remained silent, formulating his own plans.

Soon, when nearly all sects had arrived, a towering two-zhang–tall brute demon strode to the center stage. This was Wen Yinqing, Valley Lord of Suo Xian Valley—an esteemed first-rate sect in Lianhua Prefecture, and a man of considerable renown. Thus, he would preside over the assembly.

Wen Yinqing surveyed the crowd and spoke in a sonorous voice: “Distinguished demon lords, you all know what this Sect Assembly represents. I will spare you idle words. In short: strength is king. Whichever sect stands unbroken at the end shall be the Demon Sect Leader of Lianhua Prefecture.”