207: Su Yang's decree is equivalent to that of the Holy Emperor!

Su Yang saying he would unify the Demonic Path was by no means a joke.

After proposing the idea of integration, Su Yang held very detailed discussions with Cold Moon and Bai Lingxi.

Every detail Cold Moon was stating now was the result of their deliberations.

Cold Moon looked at the people below and continued:

"Fifth, talent cultivation and promotion."

"Establish a unified Holy Demon Disciple ranking system: Outer Sect Disciple, Inner Sect Disciple, True Disciple, Core Disciple, and Holy Demon Emissary. Rank promotion requires assessment of cultivation base, contribution, Heart-Nature, and loyalty."

"Hold an annual Holy Demon Grand Competition. Disciples from every hall may participate; winners receive generous rewards and promotion opportunities. Performance in the Grand Competition will also be factored into each hall's annual evaluation."

"Establish a Holy Demon Elder Council, composed of senior Elders recommended by each hall, responsible for formulating and arbitrating alliance laws, reviewing Disciple promotions, and evaluating major tasks."

"Sixth, integration of intelligence and surveillance."

"Integrate the original intelligence networks of each hall to establish the Holy Demon Shadow Hall, which will report directly to this Venerable. It will be responsible for internal surveillance, external intelligence gathering, and the execution of special missions. The first Master of the Shadow Hall will be appointed by this Venerable personally."

"Each hall must unconditionally cooperate with Shadow Hall investigations. Those who conceal information or obstruct will be treated as traitors."

"Seventh, unified external strategy."

"All external actions of the Demonic Path must align with the overall interests of the Holy Demon Palace. No hall may privately enter into any form of alliance, trade, or war with the Righteous Path or other forces."

"Establish a Conquest Hall, temporarily composed of elites dispatched by each hall on a rotating basis, dedicated to external conquest, resource contention, and territorial expansion. Command authority belongs to this Venerable, while daily management is coordinated by the general manager."

"Eighth, benefit distribution and rewards/punishments."

"Establish a detailed contribution point system. Disciples, Elders, and halls—whoever makes contributions to the Holy Demon Palace, such as completing tasks, turning in resources, innovating Cultivation Techniques, or achieving merits in external battles, can earn contribution points. Contribution points can be exchanged for resources, Cultivation Techniques, promotion opportunities, and more."

"Conduct comprehensive annual evaluations for each hall, including resource contributions, talent cultivation, task completion, Cultivation Technique contributions, and external battle merits."

"Those with excellent evaluations will receive priority access to central treasury resources, reductions in the next year's contribution ratios, and special privileges. Those at the bottom will face penalties such as resource cuts and privilege restrictions. If a hall remains at the bottom, the position of Hall Master will be re-evaluated."

"Ninth, emergency and loyalty guarantees."

"When the Holy Demon Palace faces a major crisis, this Venerable has the right to mobilize all resources and personnel, and each hall must unconditionally obey."

"All Hall Masters, Core Elders, and Disciples above the level of True Disciple must swear an oath upon their Demonic Heart and sign the Holy Demon Blood Pact, vowing eternal loyalty to the Holy Demon Palace and this Venerable. Any betrayal will result in Demonic Technique backlash and the destruction of the Divine Soul."

"The Blood Pact is cast by this Venerable personally; no one can undo it."

Cold Moon finished stating the nine major points in one breath; the hall was silent.

Except for Bai Lingxi, the Seven Hall Masters' expressions shifted uncertainly.

This integration plan could be called drastic.

It almost completely weakened the original independence and power of each sect.

Resource contributions, Cultivation Technique contributions, personnel deployment, unified external actions, and even the signing of an inescapable Blood Pact... every item touched the foundation.

But, did they dare to oppose it?

The Holy Venerable's methods and strength were unfathomable.

They could only console themselves that this plan at least retained the positions of Hall Master and partial autonomy, provided a unified promotion and reward mechanism, offered the possibility of concentrating resources to achieve great things, and had the Holy Venerable as a towering tree to rely on...

If the integration could truly succeed, the Demonic Path would reach an unprecedented height under the leadership of the Holy Venerable.

They, as Hall Masters, could also share in the glory.

Weighing the pros and cons, between survival and destruction, there was actually no choice.

Soul Extinguisher was the first to stand up and bow: "Zhenhun Hall respectfully obeys the Holy Venerable's command! We are willing to sign the Blood Pact and vow to defend the Holy Demon Palace and the Holy Venerable to the death!"

Blood Without End followed closely: "Blood Fiend Hall obeys the command!"

"Bone Demon Hall obeys the command!"

"..."

The eight people, including Bai Lingxi, stated their positions one by one, without further hesitation.

Cold Moon nodded slightly, then glanced at Su Yang. Seeing that Su Yang was also satisfied, she was naturally satisfied as well.

"Since that is the case, the specific details will be gradually drafted and implemented by Bai Lingxi in coordination with all Hall Masters within three months."

"I hope you will all cooperate sincerely and not disappoint this Venerable's expectations."

"In addition..."

Cold Moon's cold gaze slowly swept across the Seven Hall Masters below, excluding Bai Lingxi: "This Venerable has one more matter to state here."

The seven people in the hall all held their breath, waiting for what followed.

Cold Moon turned slightly, her gaze falling on Su Yang, who had been silent by her side.

"From this day forward, Su Yang may—at any time, regardless of whether this Venerable is present—fully exercise this Venerable's authority. Throughout the Demonic Path, whether Hall Masters, Elders, or Disciples, all must obey his deployments and orders just as they would this Venerable's. There shall be no defiance."

"This order carries the same weight as the Holy Demon Blood Pact. Violators will be considered traitors and their Divine Souls will be destroyed."

As her voice fell, the air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

Of the eight Hall Masters, except for Bai Lingxi, who already had an idea and kept her expression normal, the other seven had their pupils shrink, and expressions of astonishment uncontrollably appeared on their faces.

Even Su Yang himself had the same expression.

This was not a part they had discussed.

Throughout their previous discussions, there was never any mention of him managing the Demonic Path.

Su Yang shot a look at Cold Moon: "What are you doing?"

Cold Moon shot a look back at Su Yang: "I will arrange it, don't worry!"

Seeing Su Yang and the Holy Venerable exchanging looks, Soul Extinguisher and the others felt resentful.

They revered the Holy Venerable Cold Moon because of her unfathomable strength, the pressure originating from the Origin of the Demonic Path, and her supreme status as the creator of the Demonic Path.

They were willing to submit and sign the Blood Pact because Cold Moon herself was the pinnacle of the Demonic Path, undisputed.

But this Su Yang...

Although he had displayed astonishing majesty when summoning the armor parts earlier, they knew nothing about the Origins or identity of the person before them. Were they to obey his commands unconditionally, just as they revered the Holy Venerable?

Even in front of him, they, as Hall Masters, would have to bow like subjects?

Why?

The shadows under Soul Extinguisher's hood fluctuated violently, blood-colored light flickered in Blood Without End's eyes, and Nether Bone's Soul fire flickered unsteadily... Intense defiance and resistance surged in the hearts of the seven.

Only out of fear of Cold Moon's might did no one dare to speak out in opposition immediately, but the silence and oppression permeating the hall already made their attitude clear.

Su Yang took in the reactions of the seven.

Their defiance was expected; if he were in their position and this suddenly happened, he would also be defiant.

Su Yang was about to decline Cold Moon's proposal, but after thinking about it, he felt this proposal was actually quite good!

There would always be a time in the future when he would need the Demonic Path, and Cold Moon's arrangement could indeed facilitate his mobilization of the Demonic Path's power when necessary.

Also, in case Cold Moon was temporarily unable to manage affairs for some reason, he could become the second leader to mobilize this power, preventing the Demonic Path from becoming a headless fly.

It could be considered an insurance policy for this integration plan.

Since it was beneficial to the overall situation, Su Yang naturally would not refuse.

Since he accepted it, then some things needed to be done thoroughly.

Su Yang's gaze cast indifferently toward the seven people below.

No words, no actions.

But the moment his gaze fell,

"BOOM—!"

An ancient and majestic pressure, like the overturning of the firmament, erupted without warning.