Volume One: The Calamity of the Lich Chapter 111: Emperor Jun Founds the Demon Clan, Reactions from All Sides

Indeed, as one born with the Mandate of the Emperor, Di Jun possessed a wealth of strategies, and those who followed him grew in number. The ranks of demon saints and demon kings under his command also expanded; beings such as Bai Ze, whose intelligence rivaled that of demons, and the Gui Che clan, who once followed the Phoenix clan in ancient times, were all found by Di Jun.

“Your Majesty, is it not time for us to proclaim our existence to the world and establish our clan?” Gui Che and the others looked to Di Jun, seeking his opinion.

However, Bai Ze, standing nearby, quickly intervened. “Your Majesty, that would not be wise. Although our numbers are no longer few, this is by no means the best time to found our clan; we must wait a while longer.”

“Bai Ze, what do you mean by this? The matter of the Eastern Emperor still isn’t—” But before Gui Che could finish speaking, Di Jun silenced him with a swift gesture.

“That’s enough, Gui Che. The strategist speaks wisely; now is not yet the optimal time for us to establish our clan.” As he spoke, Di Jun’s gaze, full of ambition, turned to the depths of the starry sky.

“Moreover, as of now, we have little understanding of the heavens. At the last sermon, we did encounter several beings from the starry sky—apparently, they were star gods from the celestial expanse. This is something we cannot ignore.

“Furthermore, when the final decision is made, we must summon Emperor Xi and Empress Nüwa. To hastily set such matters in stone would be reckless.”

Bai Ze looked at Di Jun with eyes full of admiration. In his view, Di Jun embodied the very ideal of an emperor.

“Your Majesty, there is another matter I must bring to your attention.” At Bai Ze’s words, Di Jun turned his gaze to him.

“What is it, strategist?”

“Does Your Majesty know of the Wu Clan?”

“I’ve heard a little—they claim descent from Pangu’s bloodline.” Di Jun scoffed, his face full of scorn.

“Your Majesty may not know: the Wu Clan originated at the foot of Mount Buzhou, the pillar of heaven. Though they do not seem numerous, each member is of extraordinary strength.

“At the last sermon, two of their most powerful ancestors appeared. It is said the Wu Clan is led by Twelve Ancestral Witches, who first emerged at the close of the previous great calamity.”

Hearing this, Di Jun realized Bai Ze would not have mentioned it without good reason. Bai Ze was versed in past and future; there was little about the primordial world that escaped his knowledge.

“Oh? Is that so? What of these Ancestral Witches’ strength?” Di Jun inquired.

Bai Ze replied slowly, “It is said the Twelve Ancestral Witches possess unfathomable power. Their first appearance was to help the West shape the earth, but they have seldom been seen since. However, there are a few whose names Your Majesty must know.

“Who are they?”

“The God of Spring, Ju Mang; the God of Summer, Zhu Rong; the God of Autumn, Ru Shou; and the God of Winter, Xuan Ming. They are, respectively, the Wood, Fire, Metal, and Rain Ancestral Witches.

“Since their birth, the Wu Clan has been mysterious and low-key. Generally, they do not interfere with the great matters of the world, but this is not an absolute rule.”

Bai Ze’s words brought Di Jun even greater pressure. Yet, far from being daunted, Di Jun felt an urge to conquer, to dominate all before him.

“In truth, Your Majesty need not worry about the Ancestral Witches at this time. From what I know, they will not interfere with our affairs. We need only be wary of other members of the Wu Clan.

“Though powerful, their numbers are limited. This is to our advantage. If Your Majesty’s plan succeeds, then we need not fear them.”

“Well said! Strategist, you echo my very thoughts,” Di Jun declared with a hearty laugh.

“In that case, do you have a sound plan?”

“Your Majesty should join forces with Emperor Xi and Empress Nüwa. When we convene to discuss the founding of our clan, you can announce your plan. I believe then your grand design will come to fruition.”

“So be it. In ten thousand years, summon Emperor Xi and the others. It will be time to put the founding of the clan on our agenda.”

As Di Jun spoke, the demon saints and kings under his command felt their loyalty deepen and their faith in him grow ever stronger.

Ten thousand years later, Di Jun, Tai Yi, Fuxi, Nüwa, and others gathered to discuss the clan’s founding. This time, many noticed that Tai Yi’s strength seemed to have grown even greater than before. Those who had previously harbored doubts quickly set them aside, which greatly pleased Di Jun.

It was also observed that although Tai Yi had lost the Chaos Bell, he had now acquired the Eastern Emperor Bell, a treasure even more attuned to him. This was a supreme innate spiritual treasure. After many suffered defeat at Tai Yi’s hands, admiration for his transformation only increased.

For some time, peace reigned in the primordial world. Yet recently, many powerful beings noticed that the patterns of fate had grown chaotic.

On this day, a resounding voice echoed across the vast world: “I, Di Jun, moved by the stagnation of the myriad clans and their lack of wisdom, hereby establish the Demon Clan. All birds and beasts, all scaled and aquatic tribes, all later-born spirits, may join the Demon Clan.

“I, Di Jun, shall be the Demon Emperor; Tai Yi, the Eastern Emperor; Fuxi, Emperor Xi; and Nüwa, Empress Nüwa. The Demon Clan is thus founded! May Heaven bear witness!”

Countless mighty beings realized that all this had been Di Jun’s grand scheme. What astonished them most was that Fuxi and Nüwa, two primordial divinities, had also become involved.

Tai Yi, now fully recovered, seemed even more inscrutable in strength. Many could not help but sigh in wonder.

As Di Jun’s proclamation spread across the world, clouds of merit began to gather in the sky. Not only those directly involved, but all great beings found their fortunes shifting dramatically at that moment.

As the virtues descended, the greatest share went to Di Jun, who received a quarter; Fuxi and the others, a tenth; the Ten Great Demon Saints, a tenth; the remainder was distributed among all other members of the Demon Clan.

“Di Jun truly hid his ambitions well. With this move, he has gained much merit and his fortune has soared.”

“Indeed. It seems from now on, this world will belong to the Demon Clan!”

“In but a moment, many clans have declared their allegiance to the Demon Clan.”

At once, countless mighty ones sighed with admiration, unable to hide their envy of Di Jun’s cunning.

On Mount Sumeru in the West—

“Brother, Di Jun has come up with such a scheme. Judging by their rising fortunes, it won’t be long before their strength matches or even surpasses ours.” Zhun Ti looked worriedly at Jie Yin, his face even more shadowed with gloom.

“Yes. Who knows when our Western lands will have their day of glory?”

“Don’t worry, brother. We have already changed so much. I believe we will succeed in the end.” Zhun Ti gazed at the countless golden buildings around them, all constructed of precious metals.

Suddenly, an idea struck Zhun Ti, and he turned to Jie Yin. “Brother, do you think we could imitate Di Jun and gather merit and fortune in a similar way?”

Jie Yin quickly stopped him. “Do not entertain such thoughts, brother. This sort of thing likely only works once. Even if it could succeed, the rewards would be much diminished.”

At this, Zhun Ti finally let go of the idea.