Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

The sky above the island was silent as all the demon generals stared at Chen Yuan, their faces filled with astonishment.

Today, wasn't it supposed to be the day that the Iron Wing Demon General took over the Nether Sea Cave? How come a strange demon general suddenly appeared, who is also a guest of the Iron Wing Cave and wants to open his own residence here?
Those demon generals who decided to follow the Demon General of the Underworld Sea to the Thunder Mountain Cave were even more at a loss.

They have agreed to the Demon General of the Underworld, relinquishing their own territories and continuing to serve him.

But this demon general Kunfeng not only wants to establish his own residence, but also wants to keep them all here, even threatening that those who disobey will die. What will become of them now?
This eerie silence did not last. The Demon General of the Underworld Sea's face turned extremely ugly. He said, "I have already presented the letter of surrender. What happens to the Underworld Sea Cave in the future is none of my business. If Fellow Daoist Kun wants to open his own abode, I can even send him a congratulatory gift."

"But I have ruled the Nether Sea Cave for nearly 20,000 years, and many of my demon generals are willing to continue to follow me. I can take them away, which is also a rule set by the Great Sages."

"With just a word from Fellow Daoist Kun, you want to forcibly detain them, even threatening their lives. What kind of logic is that?"

Before Chen Yuan could speak, the Iron-Winged Demon General sneered, "Ming Hai, how many of your demon generals are willing to continue following you to the Thunder Mountain Cave?"

The Demon General of the Underworld glanced at him and said coldly, "This is my business, what does it have to do with you?"

Iron-Winged Demon General laughed heartily: "This time, I am the one issuing the challenge to you, and I am also here to accept your surrender. Brother Kun is merely a guest in my cave."

"Before he establishes his own residence, I will be in charge of this battle. You must tell me how many demon generals you want to take with you. Are you going to tell me or not?"

The Demon General of the Underworld had a gloomy expression as he stared at the Demon General of the Iron Wings. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "There are a total of... fifty-seven demon generals."

Upon hearing this, all the demon generals were stunned.

They only knew that many demon generals had agreed to continue following the Demon General of the Underworld, but the Demon General of the Underworld had not revealed the exact number. They never expected there to be so many.

Some demon generals immediately regretted their decision. The Nether Sea Cave had surrendered without a fight, which was the greatest disgrace. The Thunder Mountain Demon King would surely only give them a small, barren piece of land.

With so many demon generals crammed together, how will they survive the next six hundred years?

Even the Iron-Winged Demon General was taken aback, then flew into a rage: "Aside from the Nether Serpent Clan, you only have one hundred and four demon generals under your command, and you want to take more than half of them?"

"If you succeed, even if Brother Kun establishes his own domain, he will have no demon generals under his command. How will he pay tribute to the Demon King?"

He had a complicated relationship with the Demon General of the Underworld for so many years, and he had long expected that although the Demon General had offered a letter of surrender, he would never obediently hand over his cave. He never expected that the Demon General would take away more than half of the demon generals.

The Demon General of the Underworld said in a deep voice, "According to the rules set by the Great Sages, although I have been defeated, you are not allowed to stop my demon generals from continuing to serve me..."

Ironwing Demon General interrupted, "Did you tell them clearly that the Nether Sea Cave would be under Brother Kun's command in the future, and that he is the Kun Fish Demon General and a descendant of the Holy Clan?"

The demon generals were in an uproar, and even disregarding the three demon commanders right in front of them, they exclaimed in shock: "The bloodline of the Holy Race?"

"Why would the Kunyu clan, who reside on the Burning Wind Continent, establish a residence on the Heavenly Skeleton Continent?"

"No wonder Zheng Xiong was so vague and refused to reveal the details of this battle..."

The entire Nether Serpent Clan uses "Zheng" as their surname. The high-ranking demon generals standing beside the Nether Sea Demon General were glared at by several high-ranking demon generals from other clans, and they lowered their heads and remained silent.

The Demon General of the Underworld snorted coldly, abruptly silencing the whispers of the demon generals.

Although the Demon General of the Underworld Sea surrendered without a fight, he had ruled the Underworld Sea Cave for tens of thousands of years and his prestige was immense, so none of the demon generals dared to disobey him.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Chen Yuan, his face full of surprise, and said, "I only knew that there was a mid-level demon general as a guest elder in the Iron Wing Cave, but I did not know that Fellow Daoist Kun was of Kun fish bloodline. My apologies for my disrespect..."

Iron-Winged Demon General sneered: "Stop putting on airs. If you didn't know that Brother Kun comes from the Kun fish clan, would you have surrendered without a fight?"

The Demon General of the Underworld said solemnly, "Regardless of whether Fellow Daoist Kun is a Demon General of the Holy Clan, I am at a disadvantage against two opponents and will undoubtedly be defeated."

"Why waste your time? It would be better to surrender sooner rather than later, which would save you from a fight and prevent any damage to the harmony of the relationship."

Iron-Winged Demon General narrowed his eyes: "You cunning old thief, you only know how to take advantage of others' misfortunes. We are sworn enemies!"

The Demon General of the Underworld said calmly, "No matter what, I will take these demon generals away, and neither of you shall stop me."

Chen Yuan suddenly spoke up: "What if I, Kun, insist on stopping you?"

The Demon General of the Underworld was startled and said solemnly, "Then I can only ask the Demon King to make the decision!"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "Is that so? But you only presented a letter of surrender. We have not accepted the surrender. The ownership of the Demon Commander is still uncertain."

He turned to the demon generals and said, "You can now choose again: whether to continue following the Demon General of the Underworld Sea or to serve me, Kun."

The Demon General of the Underworld Sea's face darkened: "They have already left an oath in the jade slip to continue following me. It contains their divine imprint. What's done is done, Fellow Daoist Kun, don't waste your energy."

Upon learning that Kunfeng was the Demon Commander of the Kunyu, he did not want to create too much enmity with him, so he did not force the demon generals to serve him, but instead used incentives to lure them.

In this way, even if Kunfeng knew that he had taken away more than fifty demon generals, he couldn't say anything, since the Demon General of the Underworld Sea had not violated the rules set by the Great Sages.

But Kunfeng is now forcibly keeping these demon generals, which will greatly reduce the strength of the Underworld Demon Commander, and he absolutely cannot tolerate it.

Moreover, the loss of his cave dwelling had already fueled his anger, which he had forcibly suppressed.

Since Kunfeng has openly broken off all pretense, he will no longer feign politeness.

Chen Yuan ignored them and continued to look at the demon generals: "I have heard that you were all forced to make oaths by the Demon General of the Underworld Sea, is that right?"

The demon generals hesitated. A beautiful woman with a graceful figure looked at the Demon General of the Underworld Sea, then at Chen Yuan, and suddenly bowed gracefully to Chen Yuan, saying sadly, "Reporting to the Demon General, I was forced by the Demon General of the Underworld Sea to continue serving him. I did not know that you were a demon general of the Holy Clan."

"This humble servant is willing to serve the Demon General, even at the cost of fire and water!"

As soon as she finished speaking, several more demon generals rushed forward, stepping over the crowd.

"Demon General, I was also forced to swear an oath by the Demon General of the Underworld Sea..."

"I am willing to serve the Demon General!"

Soon, more than thirty demon generals pledged allegiance to Chen Yuan, denouncing the Demon General of the Underworld for forcing them to make an oath. Now that they had realized their mistake, they begged Chen Yuan to take them in.

The Demon General of the Underworld had a gloomy expression. His eyes swept across the faces of the thirty-odd demon generals, and he said, word by word, "You have already sworn an oath, and you still want to switch sides? Dream on!"

These demon generals all lowered their heads, not daring to look at the Demon General of the Underworld Sea, but they did not change their tune.

They had initially agreed to continue following the Demon General of the Underworld because they were worried that he would be suppressed after taking over the Underworld Cave. But now that a Saint Clan Demon General was going to establish his own residence here, and he was coming alone, he would definitely need demon generals to serve him. This was a great opportunity to rise to power, so why should they continue to follow the Demon General of the Underworld who had already lost power?

The remaining dozen or so demon generals were all confidants of the Underworld Demon General and were highly valued by him. At this moment, they were either hesitant or indifferent, and did not immediately pledge their loyalty to Chen Yuan.

After all, they had already sworn an oath and left their divine imprints. According to the rules set by the Great Sages, they could only continue to follow the Demon General of the Underworld Sea, even if the matter was brought to the Demon King of Thunder Mountain.

Chen Yuan's gaze swept over these loyal demon generals, and he smiled slightly: "Very good. As long as you are willing to pledge allegiance to me, no one can forcibly take you away."

The Demon General of the Underworld narrowed his eyes and shouted sternly, "You have already sworn an oath, and I have never forced you. If any of you wish to switch sides, I will report to the Demon King, and you will all suffer the torment of having your souls extracted and your spirits refined!"

The demon generals' expressions changed, and they dared not speak again, only looking at Chen Yuan.

The beautiful woman who had spoken first looked over with a pitiful expression, making her seem quite endearing.

Chen Yuan looked at the Demon General of the Underworld Sea and frowned: "Fellow Daoist of the Underworld Sea, are you really unwilling to back down?"

The Demon General of the Underworld Sea had lost all his scruples. Without these demon generals and their demon beasts, how could he possibly make a name for himself in the war between the two realms?

He said coldly, "I have done nothing wrong. Fellow Daoist Kun, if you want to forcibly keep them here, I am afraid I cannot comply."

Chen Yuan suddenly switched to a secret telepathic communication: "Fellow Daoist Minghai, what do you think is the reason why a mere Kun fish demon general like me would come to the Heavenly Skeleton Continent to serve the Demon King?"

The Demon General of the Underworld Sea paused for a moment, then replied telepathically, "Fellow Daoist Kun is a Demon General of the Holy Clan. How he acts is beyond my comprehension."

He still refused to budge. These demon generals were crucial to his future ability to make a comeback, and he would not back down in the slightest.

However, when it came to the Demon King of Leishan, he did not openly answer in front of these demon generals.

Chen Yuan transmitted his voice, "Fellow Daoist Minghai, do you know that the Demon King encountered three Kun Fish Demon Kings on the battlefield of the war between the two realms?"

The Demon General of the Underworld Sea was shocked: "Is this true?"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "If Fellow Daoist Minghai does not believe it, he can ask the Demon King for verification. As for these demon generals, who they should serve, the Demon King can also make that decision."

"But before that, they must not leave the island even a step."

The Demon General of the Underworld looked hesitant, and his firm resolve to not back down had wavered somewhat.

Could it be that Kunfeng's establishment of his residence here is related to the Kunyu clan, and involves the conspiracy between the Thunder Mountain Demon King and the Kunyu Demon King?
He was skeptical, and asked telepathically, "Fellow Daoist Kun is clearly a demon general of the Holy Clan, so why did you choose to establish your residence here?"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "This matter involves many aspects, and I cannot tell you. However, the Demon King knows the details, so Fellow Daoist Minghai can ask the Demon King."

The Demon General of the Underworld Sea immediately felt troubled. How could a mid-level Demon General like him dare to inquire about the secrets of the Thunder Mountain Demon King, especially since it might be related to the Kun Fish Clan?
Are we left with no choice but to leave these demon generals behind and depart in despair?

However, he was truly unwilling to give up these demon generals, and was caught in a dilemma.

Offending Kunfeng is one thing, but no matter how powerful his bloodline is, he's only a mid-level demon general.

But if Kunfeng's establishment of his residence was authorized by the Demon King of Leishan, wouldn't taking these demon generals with him anger the Demon King? Forget about making a comeback, the Demon King of Leishan could immediately kill him without a burial place.

Moreover, the Thunder Mountain Demon King clearly forbade the demon generals from fighting each other, yet he tacitly allowed Kunfeng to serve as a guest elder of the Iron Wing Cave, and even sent a demon general to hint at his surrender. Could it be that he wanted Kunfeng to leave him a complete Nether Sea Cave?

The Demon General of the Underworld Sea's expression shifted constantly, while the Demon General of the Iron Wings sneered incessantly, and Chen Yuan remained calm and composed.

The demon generals looked anxious as the three demon commanders suddenly fell silent and began to communicate secretly. Many guesses arose in their minds, but they dared not speak out and disturb them.

However, from the expressions of the three demon generals, they could see some clues, as if this Kunfeng demon general had the upper hand.
After hesitating for a long time, the Demon General of the Underworld Sea finally managed to transmit his voice with difficulty: "I have relinquished the Underworld Sea Cave by order of the Demon King, and I have no other choice."

"If we keep these demon generals, we will be weak and alone, and can only eke out a living under the Demon King. It would be better for us to die. I cannot comply."

He was still unwilling to relinquish these demon generals. The war between the two realms was different from the internal strife among the demon race; low-level demon beasts and demon generals were also extremely important.

Otherwise, it would be enough for the Demon Saints and Great Saints of the Burning Demon Realm to take action. Why impose so many rules to encourage infighting among the demon race and allow stronger demon generals and commanders to emerge?

A hint of coldness flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes as he transmitted his voice, "You want to take away the half-demon general and all the clan's treasures? What is my purpose in establishing a residence here?"

"Of course, if you insist on doing so, I, Kun, cannot stop you, but I'm afraid you won't live to see the start of the war between the two worlds."

The Demon General of the Underworld Sea was filled with shock and anger: "Are you threatening me?"

Chen Yuan said calmly, "You are welcome to try. I am a dignified demon general of the Holy Clan. I have come to the Heavenly Skeleton Continent to serve the Demon King. How could you possibly scheme against me?"

As he spoke, he activated the Kunpeng True Blood, and black wings unfurled behind him, with surging demonic energy rising into the sky and covering the universe.

The demon generals were terrified. The combined pressure from his bloodline and cultivation level made them almost want to worship him, and they hurriedly retreated.
Ironwing Demon General laughed heartily and no longer concealed his aura: "Brother Kun, have you figured it out? This old thief dared to scheme against you, so just kill him. The Demon King won't blame you for it!"

The Dark Sea Demon General's pupils contracted as he stared intently at the black wings behind Chen Yuan.

Although he had never met the Kunyu Demon General, who else but the Kunyu clan, who are experts in the art of space, could control such a vast spatial power?

Ironwing Demon General's words finally made Underworld Demon General let go of his last obsession. He sighed and said, "Enough. I shouldn't force these demon generals to make oaths. I'll destroy those jade slips and leave them all to Fellow Daoist Kun!"

This was not a secret message; the demon generals who had just pledged their loyalty to Chen Yuan were overjoyed.

Those demon generals who were still hesitant, seeing that the Demon General of the Underworld Sea had relented, finally felt relieved and expressed their willingness to serve Chen Yuan.

However, eight demon generals remained hesitant, clearly loyal to the Demon Commander of the Underworld Sea.

The Demon General of the Underworld also hesitated, saying, "These eight demon generals have followed me for a long time. Could you allow me to take them away?"

Chen Yuan glanced at them and saw that among the eight demon generals, there were three high-level demon generals and five mid-level demon generals. Their strength was quite remarkable among the demon generals, and they were obviously highly valued by the Demon Commander of the Underworld Sea.

He naturally wouldn't leave these people with ulterior motives behind, and nodded: "Fellow Daoist Minghai can take them away, but they must leave something behind, so that Brother Kun and Brother Tie can't have made a wasted trip."

The Demon General of the Underworld said with a bitter expression, "That's natural. Judging from Fellow Daoist Kun's cultivation, he should have recently advanced to the mid-level Demon General."

"My physical body is stuck in a bottleneck, and my cultivation has stagnated for quite some time. I still have a few bottles of cultivation pills on hand, which should satisfy Fellow Daoist Kun." (End of Chapter)