Junior sister took first place again

Xizhou, Hehuan Palace.

With the death of the unparalleled immortal, the Hehuan Palace suddenly lost its pillar of support.

Although Yan Xi, the True Lord of Mirrors, has temporarily taken over the position of Palace Master, his cultivation has not yet reached the realm of Immortal Venerable. In this precarious time, with wolves lurking around, the word "temporary" seems increasingly weak and inadequate.

The palace is full of undercurrents, with three factions wrestling with each other and tensions rising:

The conservative faction, led by several white-haired and experienced elders, insisted on immediately breaking off ties with the demon clan and drawing a clear line.

Not only did they use harsh words, they also took action, forcing the half-demon tribes in the territory that relied on the protection of the Hehuan Palace to leave immediately, under the pretext of "opening their hearts and setting the record straight."

They were deeply afraid that Hehuan Palace would become the next target of the Demon Realm because of its alliance with the demon clan.

Elder Zhao Ji even challenged him in court, his voice shaking the entire palace: "You are young, your authority is yet to be established, and by forming an alliance with a demon, you are courting disaster."

They regard alliances as a disaster and must eliminate them as soon as possible.

The pragmatists strongly supported Yan Xi.

Firstly, the Immortal Lord's last command was as heavy as a mountain and could not be disobeyed; secondly, everyone knew that the demonic disaster was raging across the world, and forming an alliance with the remaining powerful demons was the only way for the Hehuan Palace and even the human race in Xizhou to survive.

Therefore, he strongly advocated abiding by the alliance, opening the border to accommodate refugees of various ethnic groups, strengthening the defense lines of key passes, and actively sending envoys to contact Youzhou Yaori Palace and Dongzhou Bishui Sect to seek support.

However, even within the pragmatists, there are considerable disagreements and debates on how to restrict the entry of demons and balance the distribution of resources between humans and half-demons.

There are also those opportunists who are caught in a dilemma. Some of them are trying to protect themselves and wait and see how the situation develops; some of them have ulterior motives and collude with certain external forces to try to take advantage of the chaos and gain personal benefits.

Yan Xi was in the center of the storm, like standing on a precarious cliff:

While enduring the pain of losing his teacher, he presided over the grand and solemn yet sad funeral ceremony of the Unparalleled Immortal Venerable, and comforted the disciples who were wailing and anxious inside and outside the palace gates.

On the one hand, he had to deal with the daily pressing and sharp questioning and impeachment from conservative elders such as Zhao Kun, and on the other hand, he was exhausted from the verbal sparring in the meeting hall. If he was not careful, he might be accused of "disobeying the ancestral teachings" and "causing chaos in the palace."

He also had to devote all his energy to dispatching manpower and supplies, maintaining the alliance with the remnants of the demon clan, and commanding his disciples to reinforce the shaky border defenses.

We must also accommodate the scarred refugees of all ethnic groups who are pouring in like a flood.

The pressure was like a mountain pressing down on him. Every order he gave was like walking on thin ice, and every breath he took was extremely heavy.

The thousand-year-old giant ship of Hehuan Palace creaked in the raging waves of Xizhou, as if it would break apart and sink at any time.

The joint defense line deployment proposed by Ning Jiasheng encountered unprecedented resistance in Xizhou and was unable to move forward.

One day, scouts urgently reported that a half-demon tribe, being hunted by monsters and suffering heavy casualties, had arrived at the border and was begging for help.

Yan Xi ignored the opposition of many people and forced the opening of Qixia Valley to accommodate them, despite the strong opposition of Zhao Ji and others.

The conservatives were immediately in an uproar and jointly wrote a letter accusing him of "shaking Miyamoto" and "confusing bloodlines", and even secretly colluding and trying to force him to abdicate.

Yan Xi and his junior sister Ye Qingge fought with the conservatives for several days but still failed to suppress them, so they had no choice but to send an urgent secret letter to Youzhou, seeking the help and support of the Demon King.

Dongzhou, Bishui Sect.

Relying on the profound foundation accumulated over the years and the relatively complete sect strength, as well as the decisive hand of the sect leader Shu Yinxianzun, the Bishui Sect still stands as the most solid fortress in Dongzhou and even in the human camp.

Immortal Master Shu Yin was well aware of the ferocious power of the Demon Realm, and that the wealthy Dongzhou would be the first to bear the brunt of the impending catastrophe.

She used all her sect's strength and spared no effort to fulfill the alliance with the Sun Palace, opening up the sect and coastal cities to accept the displaced people who fled from Zhongzhou and Qingzhou like a tide and were covered in wounds.

Along the long coastline, beacon towers are connected and heavily guarded, making it an important frontline town facing the demonic disaster.

However, Dongzhou is now facing an unprecedented difficult problem - the large-scale landing of the East China Sea monsters.

The evil energy accumulated and raged, causing a destructive and terrifying demonic rain that corroded the bones and soul, causing all living things to wither.

In order to seek a chance of survival, countless water and monster tribes were forced to leave their homes and temporarily take refuge in the coastal areas of Dongzhou.

After several difficult negotiations, the leaders of the Bishui Sect finally made a blood oath with the five powerful demon kings who ruled the East China Sea, and designated specific coastal and inland areas for their resettlement.

In an instant, from the ferocious patrolling Yaksha, the giant claw shrimp soldiers with scary shells, to the great demons that have been able to transform perfectly and have a deep aura, their figures are all over the designated resettlement area. Their number is so huge that it exceeds that of the four states of the human race.

Living space and resources for survival suddenly became extremely scarce, like dry tinder, instantly igniting the fuse of conflict.

In the coastal fishing village of "Wangchao Bay", the simple huts built by human refugees using broken wood and sails are intertwined with the reef caves temporarily dug by sirens, which emit a strong smell of the sea, and are extremely crowded.

One day, in order to fight for the only sweet water well in the valley that still had clear spring water, dozens of young and strong men on both sides quickly escalated their verbal dispute into a fierce fight, with sticks and rocks flying everywhere and roars and curses shaking the sky.

If the elite members of the Bishui Sect's law enforcement team had not arrived quickly and suppressed and dispersed the rioters with force, a bloody incident with dozens of casualties would have occurred.

The appearance of sirens that cannot transform is mostly different from that of ordinary people. They are either covered with scales or have swaying tentacles. They have a strong fishy and salty smell. They have lived in the deep sea for a long time and feel many discomforts when they first land on the land. Their behavior often causes panic among humans.

A team of crab generals who were ordered to patrol and maintain order mistakenly entered "Zhangmuli" where humans gathered because they were unfamiliar with the route.

Its tall, ferocious shell and its huge claws flashing with cold light frightened the women and children so much that they screamed and fled in all directions. Several people were trampled and injured in the chaos.

This incident spread like wildfire, deepening the human race's general fear and rejection of the demon race.

On the contrary, sirens who have been away from familiar waters for a long time are anxious and irritable. Some of them are naturally violent and may show their ferocity if they are slightly stimulated or misunderstood in a crowded, noisy and resource-scarce environment. Occasionally, injuries may occur, further worsening the relationship.

Conservative forces inside and outside the Bishui Sect took the opportunity to fan the flames.

"The clear waters attract monsters into the house, and the fertile land of Dongzhou will become a monster territory", "The sea monsters have come ashore, they must have some plans, and the foundation of our human race is in danger!" and other sensational rumors are rampant, pointing directly at the decision of Shu Yinxianzun.

There are also insidious demon spies and evil-minded villains mixed in with the refugees and monsters.

They may spread vicious rumors to sow discord, or disguise themselves as radical elements of the opposing camp and attack human villages or temporary demon camps in the dark of night.

They always leave behind bloody scenes, intending to completely ignite a larger-scale racial conflict and tear apart this fragile alliance.

Fortunately, Shu Yinxianzun possesses both wisdom and courage, is able to see through everything, and has a ruthless hand, so he is able to turn the tide:

She issued a strict decree, announcing to the entire East Province: "During this time of peril and destruction caused by the demonic calamity, anyone who incites human-demon conflict, deliberately persecutes half-demons, or plots to undermine the anti-demon alliance will be considered a traitor and will be executed immediately, including their accomplices!"

This order is absolutely not empty words.

In just over a month, the Law Enforcement Hall of the Bishui Sect launched a thundering attack and publicly beheaded several criminals who deliberately provoked and brutally killed half-demon refugees and destroyed facilities in the resettlement area. Their bloody heads were hung high at the gate, and the murderous intent frightened countless people with ulterior motives into silence.

A special "Human-Demon Assistance Office" was set up, which was jointly headed by three highly respected and fair elders in the Bishui Sect, and a highly respected and sensible envoy sent by each of the five demon kings.

This department is responsible for mediating disputes of all sizes between humans and demons, clearly dividing temporary living areas to avoid friction, and coordinating the distribution of food, medicine, cloth and other survival supplies that are urgently needed by all parties, striving for fairness.

At the same time, Shu Yin mobilized elite secret guards and sect forces to set up a dragnet to vigorously eliminate the lurking demon minions, spies, and those bandits who took advantage of the chaos to rob and fish in troubled waters, trying to cut off the mastermind behind the scenes.

Immortal Master Shu Yin patiently and repeatedly warned the entire state's military and civilians, "The demonic calamity has not yet subsided, and the flood is overwhelming. At this critical moment of life and death, anyone who destroys their own defenses would be utterly foolish. Youzhou is far away, and reinforcements are difficult to arrive. If Dongzhou wants to survive, we must unite with the East Sea demons who are also suffering from the demonic calamity. Only by doing so can we have a glimmer of hope."

"They are not our enemies, but our allies in the fight against the demons, sharing life and death with us. They are also the victims of the demon rain, whose homes have been destroyed and forced to flee their homes."

In the land of Dongzhou, the coexistence of war and friction between humans and demons has become a key touchstone to test whether this hastily formed alliance can be tempered into steel under the heavy pressure of demonic flames and the flames of internal suspicion, rather than falling apart.

Youzhou.

Every order issued by the Sun Palace is like an undying spark, spreading across the continent at the fastest speed.

The new emperor Ning Jiasheng sits at the center of the government, his eyes are as sharp as lightning and his orders are as strong as a mountain. No one dares to disobey him.

The huge demon war machine operates efficiently under his will, as if it were his own arm.

Relying on the continuous and steep mountains, deep canyons and ancient relics in Youzhou, the "Wall of Guixu" joint defense line has begun to take shape thanks to the unremitting efforts of countless demon craftsmen and soldiers day and night.

The armored demon warriors patrolled the newly built city walls and beacon towers day and night, clearing out the remaining monster strongholds in the territory like a cancer, and the murderous atmosphere became more and more serious day by day.

In several designated open areas on the border of Youzhou, several large but makeshift "Wujian Camps" built with logs and huge stones have sprung up.

This place has become the last harbor for countless desperate people who have escaped from the clutches of the devil, but it has also become a boiling melting pot where racial barriers, survival pressures and complex emotions are intertwined.

When the human refugees who fled in panic first saw the burly, ferocious or strange-looking demon soldiers, instinctive fear and vigilance were almost written on their faces. They subconsciously hugged the only remaining valuables in their arms and huddled in the corner of the tent.

The demon soldiers who were ordered to maintain order were also filled with worries when faced with this large group of humans with different customs and who might have deep-rooted hostility towards the demons. They were wary of possible conflicts and riots.

An invisible spiritual gap has been drawn, and daily pushing, quarrels and even small-scale conflicts often occur.

The half-demons and half-bloods who fled from Qingzhou, Zhongzhou and even Xizhou are the largest in number and their situation is the most miserable and pitiful.

Not only do they carry the deep physical and mental scars left by the monsters, but they also carry the deep-rooted hatred from certain extreme groups in both races and the brutal pursuits along the way.

Discrimination and bullying have not disappeared in the Wujian camp.

In the Lonely Wook Camp, a half-demon boy, whose demonic pupils revealed their characteristics simply due to hunger and fatigue, was surrounded in a dark corner by several extremely xenophobic human refugees. They beat and kicked him, and snatched away the life-saving food biscuits he had just received and had not yet had time to eat.

In another camp called Luoyanze, several ragged mixed-race children were openly excluded from the daily water-collecting team. They could only watch from afar and lick their cracked lips.

The demon generals in charge of the camp's security had to dispatch elite patrols, armed with sharp blades and scanning with hawk-like eyes.

Those who violate the ban, deliberately provoke fights, and bully the weak are severely punished by being whipped in public or even thrown into temporary prisons. This is the only way to maintain this fragile and tense order in this precarious situation.

Ning Jiasheng's iron-blooded decree, "Anyone who persecutes half-demons will be punished by the whole world," was read out repeatedly day and night in every corner of the camp, his voice cold and murderous.

This ban is the only amulet for half-demon hybrids, but it is also like a heavy shackle, constantly reminding them of the embarrassment of their identity and the danger of their situation.

Ning Jiasheng sat in the Sun Palace, his golden eyes gazing at the map of the Five States on the huge sand table, which was full of flames of war.

The secret envoy sent by Yunhua Immortal Venerable of the Xingchen Sect is carrying top-secret information and is trudging through a dangerous journey full of dangers.

On the desk, the ink on the secret letter from Mingjing Zhenjun of Hehuan Palace, which was anxiously and desperately asking for help, was not yet dry.

And in the land of Bishui Sect in Dongzhou, the taut string between the human race and the sea monsters that came ashore was always on her mind.

The dilemma faced by her allies is her dilemma, and also the dilemma faced by the entire anti-demon alliance.

With her supreme authority and iron-blooded tactics, she forcefully united the native demon tribes of Youzhou and the various demon tribes of the East China Sea that arrived one after another, integrated resources, and prepared for war.

On the one hand, they continuously sent out capable and experienced envoys and elite teams that had experienced hundreds of battles, carrying precious elixirs, talismans and some food supplies that were already stretched thin in Youzhou's warehouses but were related to the lives of countless people, and crossed the dead and silent land where monsters were rampant.

One of the teams was led by Mo Jiaoxi, who rushed to support the Hehuan Palace in Xizhou. The supplies they brought temporarily solved Yan Xi's urgent needs.

Not only do they need to assist Master Mingjing in suppressing the internal strife within the palace, intimidating conservatives like Zhao Ji and consolidating his power, they also need to help integrate the remaining forces in Xizhou and consolidate the defense line.

The other team was composed of several great fox demons who were good at governing and mediating disputes, and they rushed to the Bishui Sect in Dongzhou.

They will go deep into the Human-Demon Assistance Department and, with Youzhou's experience in handling refugee and half-demon issues, help quell the endless disputes and teach some specific methods of pacifying the people, dividing areas, and improving efficiency.

There is also a Jingwei composed of the elite members of the Shadow Wolf Clan, who quietly sneaked into the wasteland in the east that was severely eroded by demonic energy. They were responsible for meeting the envoys of the Star Sect and escorting them to Youzhou safely.

Maintaining this alliance full of cracks and internal and external troubles is far more dangerous and difficult than fighting a life-and-death battle with monsters on the battlefield, but it is actually related to the life and death of all living beings in this world.

Demon domain.

Deep in the Jiuyou Palace, which is constructed of endless darkness and twisted demonic energy, the huge and invisible will of the inner demon is "watching" with great interest the tragedy and comedy of all living beings unfolding in this catastrophe.

In the Xingchen Sect, Immortal Yunhua was struggling to hold on amidst the ruins and increasingly thin spiritual energy.

In the Hehuan Palace, the young Master Mingjing was struggling under the attacks of the elders and the pressure of refugees, and was having a hard time.

In the vast land of Dongzhou, the fragile and tense balance between the human race and the demon race on land is like a pile of eggs, which may collapse at the slightest spark.

And the "child" He cares about most—the new Emperor Ning Jiasheng, who sits in charge of Youzhou—is working tirelessly to protect the flame of hope that is about to be extinguished in the strong wind, putting out fires everywhere...

"Struggle, little beauty..." Silent thoughts echoed through the palace, carrying a chilling amusement and cruel anticipation. "Holding together this fragile fortress, held together by suspicion, fear, and fleeting interests, like quicksand between your fingers. Watching it peel and crumble, inch by inch, beneath your burning gaze... This futile and painful process itself is the ultimate beauty of decay in the universe."

"I have prepared a feast, and await your final, desperate yet stunning beauty."

The smoke of war and the wailing of living beings in troubled times burned more strangely and fiercely in His whispers, as if offering a sacrifice for the final curtain that was about to come.