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Demon City.
This city is ranked number one on the ancient Asian continent.
No fancy names here — it's named straight up after demons.
Inside the city lord's mansion, eight demons stood, each looking different but all radiating a powerful aura. Their eyes met as if silently contemplating something heavy.
At that moment, the city's master, Liyan, spoke up:"Everyone, I know why you're here. But that thing — we can't just use it lightly. Even a fragment of it packs a serious punch!"
Since Huomu City and Jinyan City fell to the hands of the capital's minions, most of the other six demon city lords knew there was no way to peacefully coexist with the Fire Lord.
The Fire Lord's army of fire dragons was almost a match for their entire forces.
The six demon city lords figured that if they had been in the shoes of Chiyan, lord of Jinyan City, they'd have been wiped out in one move.
That meant even if all eight city lords combined their demon armies, victory against the Fire Lord's dragon army wasn't guaranteed.
So, the only option was to meet here at Demon City and discuss how to deal with the Demon Lord.
"Liyan's right," one said. "That thing hasn't been used since we got it, and somehow, every time it's even been considered, disaster followed."
"In the end, it boosts the power of all eight demon lords... but the cost of using it? Nobody even dares imagine. Unless it's absolutely necessary, we shouldn't touch it."
The others nodded in agreement after Liyan spoke.
Seeing that no one wanted to take risks, Huoyuan's face darkened instantly.
His Huomu City was already lost, but the other demon lords' territories were still safe — so of course they could talk like that.
The only reason he showed up today was worry that the Fire Lord would threaten their lands next.
Thinking this, Huoyuan scowled and said, "You guys just wanna sit this out, huh?!"
Jinyan's lord, Chiyan, was equally upset:"My brother Huoyuan and I have both lost our lands. If we don't use that thing, are we just supposed to wait and die?"
"Cough cough," Liyan cleared his throat lightly, calm but firm:"Now's not the time. None of us really know the price we'd pay. We can't just go using that thing."
"Bang!" Huoyuan slammed his fist on the table, voice rough and angry:"Are you still gonna stand on the sidelines? Both my land and Chiyan's are lost."
"That just shows the Fire Demon Lord rules this continent through brute force. How can you expect to be spared?"
"Or do you just want to surrender without a fight and bow down to his dragon army?!"
"If we don't use that thing now, it'll be too late later! It's not too late yet!"
At that, the other demon lords knew Huoyuan was calling them cowardly.
The second city's lord, Hanyou, who was an ice demon radiating a chill so fierce it could freeze living beings even under the scorching sun, spoke calmly:"Huoyuan, we're not afraid. We're just thinking things through. That's not cowardice like you say."
"After all, handing over our lands to the Demon Lord — that alone would make any of us unhappy."
As she spoke, cold mist rose around her, slowly drifting through the hall.
"Bang!"
Chiyan's face darkened as well. He and Huoyuan were basically demons on the same sinking ship now. If Huoyuan was blunt, he'd be blunt too.
"Look, it's simple — either we use that thing, or we wait for the Demon Lord's dragon army to come crashing down on us, and we lose badly."
He unleashed flames all around him, eyes locking with Hanyou's frosty gaze. Fire and ice, totally incompatible.
"Hey, hey, wait a minute, everyone!" Liyan quickly cut in, seeing things getting out of control:"We're all demon city lords, allies on this continent. No need for infighting!"
"Well, Liyan," someone said, "I heard you have ties with the demons of the other seven continents. Can we ask for their help?"
"Yeah, facing the Demon Lord alone without using that thing? We might not even beat the dragon army."
"We've all had contact with demons from the other continents before, but Liyan is the most connected. Why not send someone now to ask them for troops?"
For a moment, it felt like all eyes were on Liyan. But he only gave a bitter smile and said:"You don't know... Not long ago, the demons from those other continents sent troops asking for help too. They're also being attacked by the Demon Lord and barely holding on."
The room fell silent instantly.
"Then... maybe we have no choice but to use that thing?"
Seeing the others quiet, Liyan finally made his decision.
"This..." someone murmured.
"If what Liyan says is true, and each continent has its own Demon Lord..."
"No wonder the black energy created eight Demon Lords — one to rule each continent and become the world's master!"
"Why is the black energy so unfair? Are we really weaker than the Demon Lords?!"
They all began whispering despairingly, barely paying attention to Liyan's next words.
"Cough cough," Liyan interrupted their doubts, "There are eight continents, and seven of them are occupied by Demon Lords."
"The one without a Demon Lord hasn't been able to send help — so we're on our own here."
"Now, it's time to decide — do we use that thing or not?"
At that, the demon city lords had no more hesitation. One after another, they said:"If that's the case, the black energy is biased, the Demon Lords are terrifying — but if we never fight, how will we know if we can't win?"
"Liyan, let's go. Use your authority as city lord to open that mysterious space, take out that thing, and use its power to resist — even beat — the Demon Lord!"
"The only question is — who pays the price?"
"Liyan is the Power Demon — his body's tough and can withstand a lot of damage. It has to be him."
"But we're demon city lords too. We'll probably have to bear some of the cost as well."
"Doesn't matter. The price is unknown, but if we can beat the Demon Lord, it'll be worth it!"
Huoyuan and Chiyan looked at the demon lords who originally wanted to sit this out but now all agreed. They couldn't help but feel contempt.
Knowing there's no way out but to fight with everything they've got, and not fearing the unknown cost of using that thing — just as the two of them had hoped.
The Demon Lord?In front of that thing, no one can resist. Everyone will kneel.
"....."