552: How can I, a dark demon, remain subservient to humans for long?

At the same time, in the middle section of the Chaotic Sea, on Thousand Star Island, within Thousand Star City.

Inside the main hall.

Of the original thirty-six seats arranged in a circle, only twenty-eight now remained.

"Fellow Daoist Zixiao, recently, the atmosphere and situation within the Alliance have gradually stabilized."

"This is entirely due to the might of the Xuan Emperor Great Dao Lord and the proper guidance of the Fellow Daoists from your esteemed clan."

On the twenty-eight seats inside the main hall, figures were seated cross-legged.

At this moment, one figure stood up and bowed towards the purple-robed, purple-haired figure leading the assembly, his attitude respectful and full of admiration.

"That damned old man of the Wang Family..."

As this figure rose to speak, the expressions of the other figures seated cross-legged darkened.

The Old Ancestor was right; the people of the Wang Family are indeed treacherous... A Middle-aged Cultivator, plump and wearing a gentle smile, felt his heart sink. He immediately stood up, a genial smile appearing on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Wang speaks wisely. The Dao Lord's majesty illuminates everything. The sea territories under my Pan Family's governance are now completely peaceful. My Old Ancestor even specifically instructed me today to properly thank you, Fellow Daoist, and your esteemed clan this time."

Pan Erjiang, the plump Nascent Soul Venerable of the Pan Family, looked highly approving, rising to lavish praises.

After speaking, he looked towards the figure next to him, the Wang Family Venerable, a middle-aged man nicknamed Old Wang.

Their eyes met.

"Hmph."

Both men inwardly snorted coldly at the same time, then turned their heads away.

"What the two Fellow Daoists said is absolutely correct..."

Flattering remarks continuously rang out.

Upon the main seat, Zhou Xiutong felt somewhat helpless. She sighed inwardly, a slight smile appearing on her face, and stood up. If this continued, the Thousand Island Alliance meeting would lose its purpose.

"Fellow Daoists, you exaggerate. The peace within the Alliance is not the achievement of my family alone. Fellow Daoists, there is no need to belittle yourselves."

"We wouldn't dare, we wouldn't dare..."

Voices rose and fell, making Zhou Xiutong feel even more helpless, so she had no choice but to change the subject.

"Fellow Daoists, is there any news regarding the matter I entrusted you all to investigate?"

Zhou Xiutong recalled the Old Ancestor's instructions at the time and asked the envoys from the Void Refining powers present.

During that great war years ago, not only were Cen Ling Dao Palace and Xiwu Divine Hall destroyed, but several Void Refining Great Powers also died, and the strong members of their clans suffered heavy casualties, leading to their decline, making them unable to wield the thousand star token again.

Therefore, only twenty-eight seats remained here.

"That person..."

As soon as Zhou Xiutong spoke, the envoys of the Void Refining powers stopped speaking, their expressions hesitant.

"Please forgive Venerable Zixiao, but we still have no clues regarding that person."

Someone spoke with hesitation, followed by voices of agreement.

Zhou Xiutong nodded and said no more. The Reincarnation of a Dao Lord was not so easily investigated.

"Venerable Zixiao, the person currently responsible for matters related to our Alliance in the Yaoguang Ancient Kingdom is the newly promoted Ninth Young Master. We all know the identity of that Ninth Young Master."

"We wonder... could we perhaps ask Venerable Zixiao to step forward and speak on our behalf regarding the trade aspects... Changes occurred within the Alliance, and many Alliance Disciples perished. Although our respective families have provided compensation, it is still slightly lacking. After all, these Disciples fell for the sake of the Alliance. If we could gain a small advantage in the transactions with the Yaoguang Ancient Kingdom, we could manage things better..."

After Zhou Xiutong stopped speaking, another figure rose, hesitantly making a suggestion to Zhou Xiutong, seemingly entirely for the sake of the Thousand Island Alliance.

As soon as this person spoke, several other envoys' eyes flickered, but they remained silent.

Greedy and insatiable... Zhou Xiutong snorted coldly in her heart, looking towards that figure—someone from the Shengyun Sect... "Fellow Daoist Yan is indeed thoughtful, and the Shengyun Sect's intentions are admirable. Such righteousness truly makes me feel ashamed..."

"The Old Ancestor most admires people who value loyalty and righteousness like this. When I return to the clan this time, I will certainly meet with the Old Ancestor and let him know the considerations of Fellow Daoist Yan and the Fellow Daoists of the Shengyun Sect."

Zhou Xiutong's expression remained unchanged; she spoke with a smiling demeanor, seemingly full of affirmation and praise.

"This..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Venerable Yan, the envoy of the Shengyun Sect, looked greatly alarmed.

"It was just careless talk for a moment; how could I dare disturb the Dao Lord? Absolutely not..."

"Venerable Zixiao, it was my lack of foresight. Please punish me."

Venerable Yan repeatedly waved his hands, his face somewhat pale.

Hmph, what a fool, trying to take advantage of her youth. Venerables like Wang and Pan felt disdain in their hearts.

Venerable Zixiao was young but extremely shrewd; how could she be deceived by a few words?

Looking at the purple figure who smiled and praised them without changing expression, the Venerables sighed inwardly. The Number One Genius of the Chaotic Sea was not so simple.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, what mistake have you made? As a Junior, how could I presume to speak of punishment?"

Zhou Xiutong laughed, lightly replying, but did not bring up the matter again.

The Venerables sitting in this great hall all had their own agendas, but unless they committed a fundamental error, a simple warning would suffice. After all, the entire Thousand Island Alliance now respected the Zhou Family. Killing people and exterminating clans without cause would eventually lead to chaos in the world.

"Whew..."

Seeing that Zhou Xiutong did not pursue the matter, Venerable Yan wiped away a cold sweat and slowly sat down.

"The Sect Master and the Elders thought too simply..."

Venerable Yan glanced at the dignified Venerables seated around him; not a single person had spoken up in agreement, even though if the matter succeeded, all the Void Refining powers present would benefit... In the center of Thousand Star City, inside the main hall, figures departed one after another.

Zhou Xiutong stood up and walked out of the hall with Zhang High Peak, the Zhang Family Venerable.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, these people all have their own motives. Fellow Daoist, you must not be careless."

The two walked side by side, and Zhang High Peak spoke softly.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for informing me. Xiutong understands."

Zhou Xiutong smiled softly.

"There is one more thing; my Old Ancestor entrusted me to..."

"Stop. Fellow Daoist, there's no need to say more. Given the relationship between our two families, why bother with formalities?"

Zhang High Peak, the Zhang Family Venerable, wanted to say more, but Zhou Xiutong interrupted him.

Zhang High Peak was silent for a moment, then nodded. During that great war five years ago, their Old Ancestor was severely wounded and nearly perished. If the Xuan Emperor Dao Lord had not intervened, perhaps... Zhou Xiutong left Thousand Star Island and returned to Gui Zhou Island in the northern Chaotic Sea, which was perpetually shrouded in mist.

"Second Uncle, where are you going?"

Amidst the Tianning Peaks, Zhou Xiutong paused and called out ahead.

"Xiutong."

Hearing this, Zhou Leyi turned around.

Zhou Xiutong took a step and arrived beside Zhou Leyi.

"Senior Black Demon sent word that he plans to leave soon."

Zhou Leyi nodded towards Zhou Xiutong.

"The Old Ancestor honored the agreement and long ago granted Senior Black Demon his freedom, allowing him to leave or stay as he wishes. It's just, that message..."

Zhou Xiutong hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"If we inform Senior Black Demon, we might be suspected of coercion. If we don't inform him and allow Senior Black Demon to leave, he might be in danger..."

"I am also concerned about this very matter."

Zhou Leyi nodded.

"However, since our conscience is clear, we don't need to worry too much."

He then added a sentence.

"That's true."

Zhou Xiutong softly agreed.

At the same time.

North of Gui Zhou Island, atop a solitary peak shrouded in black mist.

Beneath a giant Wutong Tree, a black, demonic figure sat cross-legged, sensing his cultivation base, which, though not yet restored to the Dao Integration Realm, was already stable.

The Black Demon Dao Lord's eyes were distant. He only needed to rescue the true body that was suppressed elsewhere, and he could return to his Dao Lord status.

"Hmph."

"How can I, Black Demon, remain subordinate for long?"

The Black Demon Dao Lord inwardly snorted coldly; he did not wish to stay here for another moment.

(Making up for yesterday...)