In just a short while, human and demon cultivators had each formed battle formations, facing off against each other. The air was thick with murderous intent.
Over the past half month, any encounter between the two sides inevitably ended in bloodshed. No one knew how many disciples had already died. And that didn't even touch on the deep-seated hatred between humans and demons over thousands of years, which was now vividly reflected in these disciples.
"You demon brat! You dare come here to die?" a Xuanyang Sword Sect disciple shouted, pointing his long sword at the demon team.
The demon side immediately spat back, "Human hypocrites! Last time we let you escape, but this time, your dog lives won't save you!"
"Come on! Let's see who dies first!"
"Slaughter these demon cultivators! Avenge my senior brother!"
"Exterminate the human dogs! Sacrifice for our demon clan's heroic souls!"
Both sides drew their magic tools, and a chaotic battle was about to erupt. Several impulsive disciples had already clashed. Sword light and baleful qi collided with deafening roars.
Yu Xiaotang saw the situation spiraling out of control and hurriedly flew between the two sides, shouting, "Stop! Now's not the time for internal conflict! The beast is in the valley—do you want to let it take advantage of us?"
But her voice was quickly drowned out by the shouting.
A bloodied demon cultivator even spat at her. "Hehuan Sect woman! You say stop and it stops? Who do you think you are? Our demon blood feud isn't something you can just settle!"
Another Xuanyang Sword Sect disciple roared, "Move aside! Today I'll take this demon brat's life and avenge my senior brother!"
Yu Xiaotang's face darkened.
As the young sect master of Hehuan Sect, she had never suffered such humiliation. She was about to react when the demon leader raised a hand to stop his followers.
"Enough!" The demon leader's voice rang like a bell, commanding and undeniable. "If we fight, it won't be now! Do you want the humans to laugh at us?"
At the same time, Yuan Yingqi shouted, "Xuanyang Sword Sect disciples, sheathe your swords! Don't make the demons think we're taking advantage!"
In truth, both had already exchanged glances in secret.
They knew that if they didn't let their disciples vent some of their accumulated hatred first, genuine cooperation was impossible. Each disciple carried blood debts. If they didn't release some of that rage now, they might lose control later when fighting the beast. The purpose had now been achieved—both sides had shed blood and paid a price. The anger had been vented, and some revenge had been taken. Now it was time to focus on the real task.
The demon leader glanced around coldly. "Fight later. Right now, internal conflict is just asking for death!"
Yuan Yingqi said in a grave tone, "He's right. We can settle our grudges later. For now, cooperation is necessary."
Though Yu Xiaotang was unhappy, she understood. Suppressing her anger, she said, "Then let's discuss a strategy."
Representatives from other major sects also stepped forward to plan. The lower disciples still glared at each other, their magic tools humming, but at least the fighting paused for now. Still, the murderous aura in the air was heavier than before.
"Since we're cooperating, let's talk tactics," the demon leader said first, voice icy. "Who takes the lead? Who provides support?"
The calm was shattered.
"Of course your demons take the lead!" a Xuanyang Sword Sect disciple snapped, barely hiding his hostility. "Your bodies are strong, perfect for close combat! And you demons are tough anyway, dying won't be a loss!"
"Bullshit!" The demon leader exploded with rage, his baleful qi surging. "Why should we lead? I say the sword cultivators are the strongest attackers—they should spearhead the assault!"
"Our sword cultivators are strong offensively but weak defensively!"
"So we're supposed to die first? You hypocrites sure have clever schemes!"
"Someone has to go first, right? Or should the pill cultivators from Medicine King Valley?"
A disciple from Tianyin Valley couldn't help but suggest, "How about… drawing lots?"
"Drawing lots?" Both sides shouted in unison. "Why?! How do we know they won't rig it?!"
Yu Xiaotang tried to mediate, "Everyone calm down, I think we can arrange it like this…"
Her words were again drowned out by bickering. Each representative grew more agitated, even flickers of spiritual light flashing as tempers flared.
"If we can't agree, then everyone fights their own way!" a Beast Taming Sect disciple yelled.
"Fine! Let's see who strikes first!" the demon leader's disciple shot back.
A monk from Mingguang Sect clasped his hands, voice calm yet slightly mocking, "Amitabha. You Daoyou are arguing endlessly, but in the end, it's just that no one wants to take the lead."
The remark hit home. Silence fell, and everyone looked a little embarrassed.
The demon leader snorted. "The bald donkey sure talks a lot! Why don't you Mingguang Sect take the lead?"
The monk smiled faintly. "I'd like to, but Mingguang Sect's methods aren't suited for strong assault. We might slow down the extermination of the beast."
"Sounds nice!" Xuanyang Sword Sect disciples sneered. "You're just scared!"
"Exactly! Saying it's not your specialty doesn't hurt standing in the back. You could at least defend, or chant some prayers to boost us!"
The monk was speechless, retreating to the side.
But this incident only made everyone more unwilling to yield. No one wanted to be the first to die, or send their disciples to die. The stalemate returned, thick with awkward silence.
Finally, Yuan Yingqi broke it. "Here's what we do. Each side sends ten people as the vanguard. I'll personally lead them. Agreed?"
The demon leader considered briefly, exchanging glances with three other demon disciples before nodding. "Fine. But we have a condition—we'll lead our own team too. Don't want you sabotaging us secretly."
Yu Xiaotang quickly said, "Then I'll—"
"Junior Sister Yu, no need." Yuan Yingqi interrupted. "Hehuan Sect is best at formations. You set up traps and hold the enemies instead."
It sounded formal, but in truth, it was to keep Hehuan Sect from taking part in the glory. Yu Xiaotang was annoyed but had no choice to argue.
Finally, a consensus was reached: Xuanyang Sword Sect and demons each contribute ten disciples to the vanguard, led personally by Yuan Yingqi and the demon leader.
Other sects would provide support.
On the surface, the problem was solved, but every disciple knew this was only temporary. When the real fight began, no one knew what would happen.
Xie Zhaolin watched from afar, shaking her head. Words or not, when the fight started, they'd probably sabotage each other. She concealed her aura deeper, ready to enjoy the show. Once they were bloodied and exhausted, that would be her best opportunity to strike.