Soul Land 5: The Rebirth of Tang San

Chapter 253: We Are Still Missing One

The Celestial Fox Vision was foresight, control of fate, and the most potent support ability. They had no chance of victory with a Celestial Fox powerhouse supporting the other side. Even though this member of the Celestial Fox clan wasn’t at the god level, it was all the same.

They wouldn't dare make a move against the young Celestial Fox. Among the demon and nymph clans, no power dared to strike at a Celestial Fox clan member—not openly, at the very least. Once identified, the attacker would become a mortal enemy of the Celestial Fox clan, and even if no one did anything, fate itself would become their enemy.

Thus, when the power of destiny manifested, the aura of the two Great Demon Kings of the Peacock Demon clan was immediately suppressed, and they lost any intention to engage.

The young Celestial Fox smiled, saying, “I greet the two seniors. I am Yu Yiran, of the younger generation of the Celestial Fox clan. The Ancestral Court has personally arranged this investigation. Both you and we must follow the will of the Ancestral Court. Under the auspices of the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor, we are tasked to investigate this case. Before the case is concluded, we would trouble everyone to cooperate. Otherwise, we will have difficulty explaining this back at the Ancestral Court.”

Wang Yu was about to say something in response, but Wang Han was faster. “Fine. We shall follow your words.”

A faint silver light flickered over him, and the surrounding power of destiny almost instantly dissipated. His voice swiftly spread throughout the depths of the estate. “All members of the Peacock Demon clan, come to the council hall.”

Yu Yiran's expression subtly changed—the opponent's divine consciousness had forcefully dispersed his control over destiny. Control over destiny wasn't everything, and its effect was limited against those with divine consciousness. Thus, he couldn't suppress the two Peacock Great Demon Kings with destiny. Of course, what the Peacock Great Demon Kings feared was not him attacking them, but rather supporting the two true phoenix Great Demon Kings, something they could not prevent.

However, it was clear the Peacock Demon clan still dared not openly defy the will of the Ancestral Court, choosing instead to cooperate, which slightly relieved Yu Yiran. Their visit this time couldn't possibly strip the Peacock Demon clan of control over Kali City. Their intention was merely to incriminate them—to pin a crime on the Peacock Great Demon King, then continue to manipulate proceedings from within the Ancestral Court. To rally for the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor. The power balance between the Peacock Demon clan leader and the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor would eventually shift in favor of the latter.

It didn't take long for members of the Peacock demon clan to gather in the hall. The Peacock demon clan had a long heritage, but their numbers weren't that high. It was an immutable law: powerful beings generally had problems conceiving.

Those who arrived in the hall were all of the seventh order or above; naturally, those below the seventh order had no business being accused of anything at that level.

In total, over two hundred members of the Peacock Demon clan at the seventh order or above filled the hall to the brim, their presence causing the spatial elemental fluctuations in the air to become significantly more intense.

Yu Yiran also felt a surge of surprise in his heart. Despite the Peacock Demon Clan not having a Demon Emperor among their ranks, their foundational strength was undeniably profound! Among the many strong individuals of the Peacock Clan present, there were more than twenty at the Demon King level. Although there were only two Great Demon Kings, the siblings Wang Han and Wang Yu, the gathering of so many from the Peacock Demon Clan exerted an invisible yet overwhelmingly oppressive force.

The gazes of the two true Phoenix Great Demon Kings also grew more solemn. After all, they were in the Peacock Demon Clan territory. Without the leadership of the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor, even they would not dare to strut around and ruffle others’ feathers.

Wang Han stated calmly, "All members of our clan above the seventh order are here. We hope to clarify this matter quickly, and if it ultimately proves unrelated to us, then we shall seek an explanation from the Ancestral Court."

Yu Yiran responded, "Of course, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation. However, I must ask one more question: are all nobles above the seventh order present here?"

"Indeed," Wang Han replied lightly.

A faint voice sounded, "One has not arrived."

Wang Han swiftly turned, his gaze piercing through the crowd. Upon seeing who had spoken, his eyes immediately betrayed a flash of annoyance, and his expression soured.

The speaker was none other than Wang Yan—indeed, the very same eldest legitimate son of the Peacock Great Demon King who had once led a capture attempt against Mei Gongzi only to return defeated.

"Who else has not arrived?" Yu Yiran had already stepped forward, indifferent to the presence of many Great Demon Kings and Demon Kings. With the protection of the Celestial Fox Clan, he was not concerned about anyone daring to harm him. Moreover, with the blessing of fortune, it would be difficult for anyone to do that even if they tried.

Wang Yan, feeling the varied gazes of his clanspeople, was about to say something when a stunningly beautiful middle-aged woman beside him stated lightly, "There is a half-blood who is not present. She should be attending Kali Academy."

As soon as she spoke, even Wang Han and Wang Yu found themselves unable to comment. This was because she was the reigning matriarch of the Peacock Demon Clan, the legitimate wife of the Peacock Great Demon King.

"May I ask who you are?" Yu Yiran inquired.

"This is the queen of our Peacock Demon Clan," Wang Han said.

"I greet Your Majesty," Yu Yiran said, bowing slightly in greeting. The matriarch of a clan held a distinguished status indeed. This queen was not only stunningly beautiful, but her bloodline aura also emitted a sensation that was elusive to pinpoint, indicating her strength was at least at the tenth order.

"You've come to our doorstep to bully us, so spare us the false courtesies. We will naturally comply with the orders from the Ancestral Court, and will not leave any flaws for you to find."

Undoubtedly, the queen justified her son's earlier statement in front of their clanspeople. Regardless of her feelings, her son was still her son, and she could not stand idly by as he faced humiliation in front of others.

"Could the queen perhaps summon this half-blood?" Yu Yiran asked with a smile.

The Peacock Queen glanced at her and responded lightly, "This half-blood has always been spoiled and arrogant and does not heed my commands. If you wish for her presence, you must summon her yourself."

Yu Yiran's gaze flickered, "In that case, I shall overstep my bounds."

***

Above Kali City.

Two figures appeared out of thin air.

The sky had darkened, and the distant sun slowly set, signaling evening's arrival.

Two similarly slender figures faced the direction of the sunset, remaining silent for a long time.

Finally, the Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor, Lin Ximo, broke the silence. "Do you concede?"

The Peacock Great Demon King's lips curled in a hint of scorn. "Concede? You think you've won?"

The Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor shook his head, saying, "No, I was the one who lost before. As much as I hate to admit it, I now feel I lost back then. To seize that opportunity, I gave up the love of my life. Though most of our people would not see it as anything significant, they simply do not understand what love is. I have lived as if ants were gnawing away at my heart all these years. It was this hatred, this unwillingness, this excruciating pain that drove me to break through time and again. No matter how much pain I endured, it was never as intense as the torment in my heart. Only then could I break through the barriers and reach where I am today? If I were given another chance, to choose once more..."

"What would you do? Would you give up that opportunity? Would you choose her?" The Peacock Great Demon King asked, looking sideways.

The Crystal Phoenix Demon Emperor gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "No, I would still make the same choice as before because both you and I carry the fate of our species. We both have the mission to rejuvenate our races. Since the mutual demise of my father and your father, my lineage was left with only seventeen members. If I cannot rise, it won't be long before my line ceases to exist among the phoenix clans. For the fate of our race, personal feelings are no longer important."