Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

"Click, click..."

Where the Demon Lord fell, the scorched earth suddenly rose slightly, and the soft, crackling sounds were exceptionally clear in the silence.

Everyone tensed up, gripping their broken weapons tightly once more, their gazes fixed on the writhing creature with suspicion and uncertainty—only to see Lu Wensheng gently wave his hand, a knowing smile flashing in his eyes, like a spring breeze melting thin ice.

The powerful figures did not make a move, but merely examined the land with a sense of curiosity, clearly having already discerned the truth.

The scorched ground slowly cracked open, and a humanoid creature struggled to its feet.

Its body was covered with a thick, hard, blackish-gray scab. With each movement, the scab made a soft, cracking sound, like a sleeping butterfly breaking free from its chrysalis, or like an ancient tree that had been through thunder and fire shedding its charred bark.

Where the scabs fall away, new skin is revealed underneath—skin that at first glance appears as white as jade, yet faintly flows with dark gold patterns. Upon closer inspection, one can see faint dark veins between the skin textures, like a dormant galaxy, indicating the earth-shattering power that this body once bore.

"It's Xie Qingwu?!"

Yan Qingshu looked at the other person's face and blurted out.

Before she could finish speaking, a warm hand covered her eyelids.

Wei Xun's voice rang in her ears with an undeniable insistence: "Don't look at what you shouldn't see. He's not wearing any clothes."

"I don't actually mind," Yan Qingshu said, trying to pry his hands away.

"I mind!" Wei Xun said firmly, tightening his grip even more.

The overwhelming demonic energy and filth that had been attached to the Demon Lord's body had been completely cleansed by the purifying light of the Radiant Sword and the power of the people's wishes. His soul had been taken away by the Heavenly Dao itself, leaving only this body that had shed its luster and returned to its true nature.

Because Xie Qingwu's demonic energy was not strong and his soul was pure, he actually benefited from the purification calamity. His physical body, which once belonged to the Demon Lord and contained immense power, now resonated and merged with his remaining soul in a mysterious way.

Although it is not as powerful as the Demon Lord at his peak, capable of turning the world upside down, and only a fraction of its former strength remains, the primal power it contains is enough to make him a king and ruler in the cultivation world today, occupying a territory of his own.

Heaven's Way: You're not dead? Then you're yours.

None of the people present were dull-witted; with a little perception, they quickly grasped the key to the matter.

The scene of Xie Qingwu bravely facing death to help others was still fresh in everyone's mind, so naturally no one voiced any objection at this moment.

However, an indescribable sense of apprehension still lingered like tiny ice spikes in the hearts of some—after all, he had inherited the remains of the Demon Lord, and in a sense, he already represented the remaining power of the Demon race.

Xie Qingwu's gaze swept around and instantly locked onto Lu Wensheng. A radiant light burst forth in his eyes, like a lost boat seeing a guiding lighthouse, and he opened his mouth to speak.

However, a figure gracefully stood between him and Lu Wensheng.

With a gentle and warm smile on his face, like a smiling spring mountain, Liu Jiqian handed over a set of neat clothes without hesitation.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist. Let's put on our clothes first before we start talking."

Xie Qingwu glanced at him but didn't say anything, slowly taking the clothes and putting them on.

He no longer tried to approach Lu Wensheng, but instead faced the crowd and spoke first. His voice was hoarse from not speaking for a long time, but it carried clearly in all directions: "The majesty of the Demon Lord's bloodline still remains, though less than one-tenth of it is still as important as the sun and moon to fireflies among the lower-level demons. I can represent the remaining demons and swear a great oath to the Demon Lord, to actively restrain my followers, return to the Demon Abyss, seal myself off, and never again be born to disturb this peace."

After he finished speaking, an invisible pressure quietly spread around him. Although it was not violent, it carried a suppressive force originating from the source of his bloodline.

Those demon soldiers who had been scattered and fleeing like headless flies, their faces filled with despair and death, were suddenly pulled by invisible threads under this oppressive aura. Their bodies trembled violently, and they involuntarily stopped in their tracks, looking blankly and fearfully in the direction of Xie Qingwu, slowly gathering together.

The despair on their faces had not faded, but was now replaced by an instinctive fear of those in positions of power based on bloodline.

He was constantly used as cannon fodder and a tool, yet he had absolutely no ability to resist; his face practically screamed "incompetent husband."

There was silence.

The young disciples held their breath, their gazes fixed on the elders of each sect; while the powerful figures all looked at Lu Wensheng—in the cultivation world, strength has always been paramount. After this battle, Lu Wensheng wielded a divine sword, carried the wishes of all living beings, and his character and virtue were recognized by the Heavenly Dao and the people. The position of leader of the righteous path was now the will of the people, and his decision would be the most convincing.

Lu Wensheng met everyone's gaze, slowly shook his head, a gentle yet firm smile on his lips echoing in the morning breeze: "There's no need for that."

The moment those four words were uttered, the entire room fell silent.

His gaze swept over the demons whose faces showed despair, then over the powerful figures standing to the side with complicated expressions, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, before finally settling on Xie Qingwu.

"Heaven and earth give birth to all things, each with its own nature and its own place."

The demons are also beings of this place, born from the Demon Abyss, and are part of the cycle of Heaven's Way.

Simply resorting to expulsion, banning, and suppression is like trying to block a flood; eventually, the dam will burst.

His tone was calm, yet it carried a wisdom that understood the ways of the world: "Today, fellow Daoists are here to witness the end of the catastrophe. You should know that peace cannot be maintained by one side retreating or isolating itself."

He paused, his gaze becoming profound: "Xie Qingwu, and all the demons who are willing to lay down their weapons and abide by the rules, from this day forward, can have a legitimate identity in this world, just like demon cultivators, and coexist with all races."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

Many powerful figures looked astonished and turned to the most senior elder, hoping he could offer some words of dissuasion.

But the Supreme Elder stroked his beard and pondered. A hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, which then turned into realization and amazement. Finally, only a gratified smile remained, and he nodded slightly. As an old man, he was wise and insightful. He instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Lu Wensheng's actions and secretly praised him: This kid has a far-sighted vision and a broad mind that is beyond the reach of ordinary people!

Although the young disciples couldn't quite grasp the key to it, seeing the leader speak and the Supreme Elder tacitly agree, their doubts immediately vanished, leaving only unconditional support in their hearts: the leader's thoughts and ideas are naturally far superior to ours, if he says it's okay, then it must be okay!

Yan Qingshu's eyes lit up, and she clenched her fist in surprise, exclaiming in a low voice, "I understand! Isn't this just like ethnic integration? Prevention is worse than cure; turning enemies into friends is the best strategy!"

Those around her seemed to be deep in thought upon hearing this.

Lu Wensheng took in everyone's reactions and understood the situation clearly.

He knew that if he followed Xie Qingwu's advice and drove the demons back to the Demon Abyss for confinement, it would seem like a permanent solution, but in reality, it would pose endless hidden dangers.

Firstly, the demon race is inherently arrogant. They have temporarily submitted due to the pressure of their bloodline and the momentum of defeat, but how can their resentment be easily extinguished? As time goes by, there will inevitably be ambitious individuals who secretly accumulate power and wait for an opportunity to rebel, and the shadow of the war between immortals and demons may once again loom over them.

Secondly, although Xie Qingwu's heart is now turned towards the light, he carries the remains of the Demon Lord and leads a group of isolated demons who are regarded as outsiders. How can he maintain his authority for long? The dog-eat-dog and treacherous atmosphere within the demon race cannot be reversed by personal prestige alone.

A demon race that cannot truly achieve stability and unity will always be a sword hanging over the heads of the cultivation world.

Moreover, as a race derived from the world, the demon race cannot be completely eradicated as long as negative emotions and impurities exist in the world.

They were born in the Abyss of Demons and are part of the balance of Heaven.

Instead of expending energy on a one-sided extermination, which only increases bloodshed and hatred, it would be better to take a different approach and implement a more subtle and gradual strategy.

Lu Wensheng's mind raced, and a grander and more thorough plan had already taken shape.

As the saying goes, force can restrain the form, while spiritual restraint can restrain the mind.

What is more powerful and enduring than armed conflict or the sealing of barriers is the immersion and assimilation of culture.

When the demons take on human form, they'll be grateful and thank them.