Deities: Starting From Goblins

The reason the Demonic Sky Gate still harbors some apprehensions is nothing more than the fear that among the powerhouses of the Central Region, some hidden figures might emerge, perhaps those Sanctuary Powerhouses who have chosen to live incognito among the common folk instead of entering the forbidden realms of ancient times. Therefore, the Demonic Sky Gate did not want to start with a bloodbath, as that would weaken its own strength.

This is the reason for the willingness to negotiate with the Western Wilderness Forces, but it doesn’t mean that the Demonic Sky Gate is afraid. After all, they don’t value the barren lands of the Western Wilderness; what they truly covet are the rich and vast expanses of the Central Region. Now, by deploying thirty thousand troops, the Demonic Sky Gate is making its position clear.

The forbidden realm of ancient times has carried its legacy for ten thousand years; it is said to have been established by a power above the Sanctuary Powerhouses, containing countless Great Law opportunities. This is why numerous Sanctuary Powerhouses flock to it, as the lifespan of a Sanctuary Powerhouse is not infinite, with most only living for ten thousand years at most.

To extend their lifespans, the only choice they have is to continue their cultivation. Therefore, Dashiell Skyward’s statement that many Sanctuary Powerhouses have gone to the ancient forbidden realms does not seem far-fetched. Moreover, the realm opens every ten years, and indeed many Sanctuary Powerhouses were rumored to have gone there a decade ago.

Could it truly be that the Demonic Sky Gate has the only Holy See left in the world? Everyone couldn’t help but turn their gaze toward Peregrine Azure, who came from the Saint Sky Sect, and since the Saint Sky Sect’s Supreme Elder is a Holy See, they hoped that Peregrine Azure could offer a few words of rebuttal, if only to give everyone some confidence.

At this moment, Peregrine Azure was visibly flustered, but still coughed to regain composure and said, “Nonsense, our Supreme Elder has traveled the four seas and did not go to the so-called forbidden realm. Besides, there are no shortage of Holy Sees under the heavens, and not all are eager to ascend further.”

“Many Holy Sees are hidden from the world.” Logan nodded, actually both of them were right. Perhaps most Sanctuary Powerhouses might have ventured to the ancient forbidden realms, but many remained behind. After all, Logan had already encountered a few, such as the earlier Heavenly Saint Daoist and Beast King.

And the Mountain Saint Daoist who had taken his Qian Kun Bead not long ago. Logan had already met three of them, so who could be certain there weren’t others? The Demonic Sky Gate’s statements indeed contained elements of intimidation, as most unaffiliated Sanctuary Powerhouses wouldn’t support any forces.

“You can fool others, but don’t fool yourself,” Dashiell Skyward said with contempt as he glanced at Peregrine Azure. The Saint Sky Sect used to be much stronger than the Demonic Sky Gate, which currently has only a pair of Quasi-Saints, while the Saint Sky Sect has five, several times more than that of the Demonic Sky Gate.

But now the situation has changed. The Supreme Elder of the Saint Sky Sect is trapped in the ancient forbidden realm, and whether he can return remains uncertain. Therefore, the Saint Sky Sect is not a concern, and the Demonic Sky Gate intends to exact revenge for the banishment they suffered a hundred years ago.

The others were skeptical, but a smart person like Cain Scarlet could tell that Dashiell Skyward’s confidence did not seem to stem from lying, coupled with the consistent mention of Peregrine Azure’s travels, which might indeed be to the ancient forbidden realm.

A shadow of gloom spread among them all. Initially, the concern was the lack of Holy Sees’ assistance, but now the deepening cold seemed to indicate a lack of Holy Sees altogether, meaning the Holy See of the Demonic Sky Gate had no misgivings, no need to fear acting or being injured and then ambushed.

Dashiell Skyward smirked triumphantly, glancing at a teacup on the side, “My throat is parched. Having been here for so long, isn’t there someone attentive enough to serve? No one knows how to make a cup of tea?”

In his original plan, he wanted all forces in the Western Wilderness to obey and align with the Demonic Sky Gate, but this trip made him realize it was unfeasible. These forces were a bit smarter than he had anticipated, especially under the lead of several lords, which put him at a disadvantage throughout.

“But it’s no longer important. Consider the three points I mentioned earlier; this is an opportunity for all the second-rate forces in the Western Wilderness. After all, by allying with the Demonic Sky Gate, a mighty power, once we move to the Central Region, you might have a chance to partake in our spoils.”

“This… shouldn’t we?” Many people were already wavering. Since they couldn’t outmuscle a giant, it might be better to just go along with the Demonic Sky Gate. Being the enemy of the Demonic Sky Gate meant being isolated and weak. However, not a single person dared to openly admit this, especially since the several Lords had yet to take a stance.

With a single glance, Cain Scarlet intimidated a few of them. Compared to these short-sighted people, the several Lords obviously had a longer-term view. Cooperating with the Demonic Sky Gate obviously wouldn’t work, not only because it’s a case of ‘when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold,’ but more so because the Demonic Sky Gate never kept its word.

Seeing that many people were considering switching sides, Dashiell Skyward once again spoke, “Don’t worry about anything. Anyone who wishes to can directly join under the banner of the Demonic Sky Gate. If any of the major Lords or Sect Heads present are dissatisfied, it’s the same as declaring public enmity with my Demonic Sky Gate!”

These words undoubtedly gave quite a few people some confidence, particularly the smaller sect forces. Originally, they had allied with Cain Scarlet and others to jointly confront the Demonic Sky Gate, not out of any righteous indignation but out of fear of the Demonic Sky Gate’s assault.

Now it was different. Joining the Demonic Sky Gate would allow them to avoid everything and even receive protection. No matter how one looked at it, it seemed to be a worthwhile deal. Though getting involved with the Demon Path sounded disgraceful, in this age, the Demonic Sky Gate’s power meant that following the strong was the only way out.

A Sect Leader from a minor sect was the first to become restless and stood up, “I am willing to follow the Demonic Sky Gate. In fact, my sect has a deep connection with the Demonic Sky Gate; a hundred years ago, someone from the Demon Path once served as our Sect Leader. With this relationship, it seems only logical and proper.”

“Do you have to be so shameless? What deep connection with the Demonic Sky Gate? It was clearly that Demon Path member who killed your previous Sect Leader and forcibly took the position for several years. In the end, it was the major Lords who had to take action and jointly kill that Demon.”

Sandy Wexler was left speechless by what he saw. This Sect Leader truly was a despicable character. With just a few casual promises from Dashiell Skyward, he was willing to submit? And to use such a hypocritical reason, it was truly admirable in its own way.

How could one take the words of the Demonic Sky Gate seriously? In the past, they were merely used as cannon fodder. At this moment, the three major Lords and seven great Sect Leaders were all very angry. Dashiell Skyward was obviously tricking people, all talk with no proof or evidence. And who could meet the previous three demands anyway?

The next moment, another Sect Leader from a small force spoke, “I am also willing to join the Demonic Sky Gate. My sect is not like your major forces. We’re located only a hundred miles away from the Demonic Sky Gate, and if there were a confrontation, the first to be destroyed would be us.”

Dashiell Skyward glanced at these two Sect Leaders disdainfully. They were small forces with barely a hundred or so people, and as Sect Leaders, they were only at the pinnacle of the Throne Realm, hardly mainstream. In normal times, the Demonic Sky Gate would definitely look down upon such forces.

However, in order to win people over, Dashiell Skyward still put on a delighted face, “Very well, the Demonic Sky Gate will certainly not treat you unfairly. The previous three conditions do not apply to you: you don’t have to give thirty million Spirit Stones, nor do you have to send your children to the Demonic Sky Gate as hostages.”

“Moreover, to demonstrate our favor, the Demonic Sky Gate is willing to offer several hundred thousand Spirit Stones as a reward for joining under the Demonic Sky Gate’s command. After we take the Central Region, you two Sect Leaders will benefit, and we will assist you in breaking through to the Dominator Realm.”

The two Sect Leaders showed a hint of joy. They had not expected that joining the Demonic Sky Gate’s banner would bring them so many advantages. Initially, keeping to themselves to avoid a great war seemed good enough, but now, they felt the Demonic Sky Gate wasn’t so detestable after all – no one had previously been willing to give them Spirit Stones.

Now that two sects had compromised, and it seemed like they were benefitting from the situation, it made other sects, already fearful of the Demonic Sky Gate, very tempted. The inevitable battle was between the Demonic Sky Gate and great sects like the Saint Sky Sect of the Central Region; why couldn’t they choose the better side?