I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 623: How is This Possible?

Previously on I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors?...

Cao Youqian accepted three human cultivators and three demons as disciples, imparting a cultivation technique and establishing a hierarchy based on who achieves entry first, while warning them to avoid the perilous Demon Lake. He agreed to shelter the Hundred Races previously under the Poison Dragon, abolishing human sacrifices and instituting annual recruitment for his Tyrant Fist Holy Land, with Lei Qilin as their intermediary. The next day, Xia Kang sought Lei Qilin's protection to safely return to the Great Xia Tribe, leading them to swiftly arrive at the tribe's city, where their sudden appearance triggered widespread alarm among the humans.

Within the Great Xia Tribe, complete pandemonium had erupted.

The guards atop the walls gazed in terror at the fearsome Demon King looming ahead, their grips on weapons faltering badly. The more timid among them had collapsed unconscious from sheer panic.

The bolder soldiers merely crouched behind the battlements, peeking out cautiously with just a portion of their faces visible.

In the heart of the city, throngs of folks dashed about in mindless frenzy, akin to flies without direction. The Chieftain and High Priest swiftly assembled every tribal elder for an urgent council.

They had to deliberate on countermeasures against this never-before-seen Demon King.

"Fellows, that Demon King's power eclipses even the High Priest's and mine combined. United, we might still fall short in driving him away."

"Let's decide who will guide the tribe's women and children to safety."

The Chieftain cut right to the chase from the outset.

The nearby High Priest remained silent, merely observing the assembled elders with a subtle gaze.

Before long, grumbles echoed from the elders. "Just what has that shame, Xia Kang, been up to?"

"We offered him redemption, yet he squandered it and dragged our Great Xia Tribe into this massive disaster."

"Precisely, we ought to have sacrificed that boy to Lord Demon Dragon ages ago!"

"..."

The Chieftain's face twisted in grim displeasure as he absorbed the chatter. In the past, his authority in the tribe stood unchallenged.

Not even the High Priest could defy him. But his lineage had faltered, and his cherished grandson had committed this outrage.

This blunder stripped him, the Chieftain, of all dignity. That's why the elders aligned with the High Priest chose now to strike.

Without his side bearing some cost in this calamity, preserving their standing in the tribe would prove impossible.

"Quiet!"

Once his allies had sufficiently heated the room, the High Priest advanced to seize command.

True enough, his voice alone plunged the hall into utter stillness. All gazes fixed upon the High Priest.

This outcome suited him perfectly. He proceeded deliberately, "Bickering over blame at this juncture serves no purpose."

"Our priority must be enduring this ordeal."

"We stand ready to heed the High Priest's directives."

A majority of the hall's elders aligned with the High Priest. This encompassed a few the Chieftain once viewed as loyal supporters.

Witnessing this betrayal, the Chieftain seethed inwardly, yet kept his composure.

He observed the proceedings with icy detachment, mentally cataloging each disloyal face.

Should the Great Xia Tribe weather this storm, he vowed to punish these turncoats harshly.

The High Priest grinned and declared, "With your confidence in me, I'll outline my thoughts briefly. The Chieftain's earlier point rings true."

"Together, you and I might not vanquish that Demon King. Thus, I propose the Chieftain commands a portion of our warriors to stall him for one hour."

"Once we've fled Great Xia City, you may retreat. This approach would curb our Great Xia Tribe's casualties to the barest minimum."

"What say you all to this plan?"

Beneath the table, the Chieftain's fist balled tightly. Rage surged within him, tempting him to lash out.

Were infighting not a sure path to the tribe's ruin, he'd have thrashed the High Priest on the spot.

His own allies wore faces of deep revulsion too. The High Priest's idea amounted to a death sentence for them.

Even before they voiced opposition, the undecided elders voiced support in droves.

"The High Priest speaks wisely."

"Such a strategy truly limits our Great Xia Tribe's harm."

"..."

As the Chieftain teetered on the edge of fury, a booming call pierced from beyond the hall.

"Report..."

This cry hushed the entire chamber at once. The Chieftain promptly called out, "Come in."

"Affirmative."

With that, a sturdy warrior bearing bronzed skin strode inside. He saluted the assembly and intoned, "Salutations to the Chieftain, High Priest, and esteemed elders."

"Skip the ceremony."

The Chieftain pressed urgently, "Has the Demon King forded the river?"

The warrior answered, "To the Chieftain: No, the Demon King remains on the far side. Young Master Kang has returned, bearing glad tidings."

Bang!

One elder pounded the table and rose, raging, "Xia Hu, how dare you peddle lies! With the Demon King at the Long River's edge, you call this good news?"

"Seize him and execute at once!"

"Hold."

Deep down, the Chieftain clung to faith in his grandson, Xia Kang. He inquired further, "Did Kang'er reveal the Demon King's background?"

Xia Hu reported, "To the Chieftain: Young Master Kang claims the Demon King as his Martial Uncle, dispatched to relay his Master's command."

"It bears the decree from the Five Elements Mountain's new lord."

These revelations silenced the room. Faces across the hall shifted through a storm of emotions.

The High Priest's faction resembled choked fowl, cheeks aflame, words trapped in their throats.

"Can this be real?"

The Chieftain queried, joy lighting his features, "I knew my bloodline couldn't fail utterly."

"This servant dares not mislead."

Xia Hu himself struggled to credit Young Master Kang's report. Yet the Demon King displayed zero aggression toward the Great Xia Tribe, prompting him to deliver the word.

"Excellent, splendid, truly outstanding!"

The Chieftain boomed, "Lead me to the wall for a view. Join if you wish; otherwise, gather your kin and escape."

He exited the hall ahead, trailed swiftly by a handful of elders. The High Priest's lot, left with no recourse, followed with grim resolve.

Fleeing the Great Xia Tribe might spare their lives, but they'd poured immense toil into elevating it to its current glory.

Relinquishing it all went against their grain.

Beyond Great Xia City's gates, Xia Kang eyed the wall's soldiers with exasperation. He hadn't foreseen his Martial Uncle causing such alarm that they refused to unbar the entrance.

Still, it carried an upside—no one caught his undignified tumble when tossed by his Martial Uncle.

Recalling the incident, Xia Kang winced at the lingering ache in his rear.

Moments later, known silhouettes crested the wall.

Xia Kang spotted the group and bowed hastily, proclaiming, "Grandfather, Kang'er has succeeded in his task."

"I've met the Ancestor of Body Cultivation and joined his sect. I'm here now to proclaim my Master's decree."

The Chieftain, High Priest, and the rest of the Great Xia Tribe froze upon hearing this, minds still reeling.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed near their ears.

"Xia Kang, you stand for the Ancestor of Body Cultivation now, not the Great Xia Tribe. Why bow to these mere mortals!"

At these words, all present dropped to their knees, prostrating toward Thunder Qilin.

"We pay respects to the Envoy."

"Hmph."

Thunder Qilin acknowledged curtly, then proclaimed with commanding presence, "This King arrives by the Ancestor of Body Cultivation's mandate to deliver his edict to the Great Xia Tribe..."