[Interpersonal relationships require good communication.]
[The same holds true for the Demon Clan.]
Every word Ye Yu spoke struck a chord in Bu Haoyanâs heart.
Especially the last line: If weâre going to fight, letâs fight the fiercest and most ruthless one.
Amazing! Simply amazing! Bu Haoyanâs blood boiled, and he felt an overwhelming surge of energy that demanded release.
He asked eagerly, âElder Ye, who should we attack? Name a target, and Iâll issue the order right now! No hesitation!â
Ye Yu turned, pointed at the map on the wall, and declared with resolute clarity, âZhaomo Pass!â
âThatâs it, letâs attack Zhaomoââ
Bu Haoyan started enthusiastically but faltered halfway through his sentence.
Zhaomo Pass was universally acknowledged as the strongest sect within a million-mile radius.
Its sect leaderâs power and its foundational strength both far surpassed those of Heavenly Dragon Cliff.
Though Bu Haoyan was a battle fanatic eager to make a name for his sect, he wasnât a fool.
He understood the vast disparity between the two sects.
This was a hopelessly one-sided fight with a predetermined outcome.
So, he forced a smile and said, âElder Ye, how about we pick a different target? I know youâre brimming with ambition and eager to achieve great things, but Heavenly Dragon Cliff just canât measure up to them.â
As he spoke, Bu Haoyan felt his face grow hot.
His earlier bold declarations now felt like they were slapping him in the face.
Point and weâll strike? The first target and he was already backing down.
It was truly embarrassing.
Afraid that Ye Yu might leave in anger and sever their newfound camaraderie, Bu Haoyan quickly added, âActually, itâs not that we canât fight them. Itâs just that we need to wait for the right time! If we want to claim the title of the strongest someday, weâll undoubtedly have to face Zhaomo Pass.â
Ye Yu didnât say a word, only gazing at Bu Haoyan with a look of disappointment.
The sect leaderâs voice grew quieter and quieter until it became almost inaudible.
Bu Haoyan, a dignified sect master with Sky Demon-level cultivation, felt utterly humiliated, lowering his head like a child caught doing something wrong.
[Demonic cultivation levels after the Ascension stage, in ascending order: Earth Demon, Sky Demon, Mystic Demon, Demon King, Demon Lord, Demon Emperor, Demon Sovereign, Demon Monarch.]
Seeing this, Ye Yu decided to fan the flames further.
He let out a disappointed sigh and said with heartfelt sincerity, âSect Master, do you think Iâm unaware of the gap between us and Zhaomo Pass?
But the reason I suggested targeting them first isnât to make things difficult for you.
Itâs to help you take the first step in our plan.
Squashing soft targets is for old grannies.
Everyone in the Demon Lord Bai Xichuâs territory knows that Zhaomo Pass is the strongest.
But so what?
Weâll fight the strongest!
Thatâs the Heavenly Dragon Cliff way!
Daring to do what others deem impossible!
Tell me, who else in the world has such courage?
I guarantee, once we make our move, Heavenly Dragon Cliff will become a household name.
Even if we donât take down Zhaomo Pass, securing the title of second strongest wonât be an issue.â
Bu Haoyanâs eyes began to gleam.
In Bai Xichuâs domain, Heavenly Dragon Cliff wasnât even in the top five sects.
But the title of second strongest? That would be an incredible boost to their prestige.
No one in the sect would dare say he was inferior to his father after that!
Bu Haoyan was clearly tempted.
Ye Yu, not giving him a moment to breathe, continued his verbal assault.
âSecond strongest is just the beginning!
A man born in the Demon World must not live in mediocrity.
Our goal is to be the strongest!
Weâll forge powerhouses through battle!
As we fight Zhaomo Pass, weâll use our title as the second strongest to attract other cultivators to join us, constantly replenishing fresh blood.
Weâll keep fighting, relentlessly, until we make Zhaomo Pass fear us and submit!
Sect Master, donât hesitate any longer.
If you fear, youâll lose for life!â
Under Ye Yuâs relentless persuasion, Bu Haoyan was finally swayed.
The two of them spent hours devising a perfect battle plan.
[The Next Day]
Ye Yu and Bu Haoyan arrived near Zhaomo Pass.
As they gazed at the towering sect gates, Ye Yu gave Bu Haoyan an encouraging look.
Bu Haoyan nodded slightly, pulled out a wine flask from his waist, took a swig, and flew forward alone.@@novelbin@@
His not-so-towering figure emanated a tragic, heroic aura, as if he were a warrior walking toward his final battle.
This was the start of their plan.
Heavenly Dragon Cliff and Zhaomo Pass had no longstanding grievances or recent disputes.
If Bu Haoyan were to directly declare war, not only would it lack justification, but even the sect elders wouldnât approve.
Even if he forced them to fight, they wouldnât go all out.
Thus, to make a name for themselves and initiate a full-blown war with Zhaomo Pass, they needed the right pretext.
Ye Yu had come up with the perfect solution.
A high-ranking figure from Heavenly Dragon Cliff would provoke Zhaomo Pass, preferably ending up beaten beyond recognition.
This would frame Zhaomo Pass as bullies who oppressed the weak.
With this excuse, they could stir up the emotions of Heavenly Dragon Cliffâs members, turning the conflict into a vendetta.
A fight to the death would showcase Heavenly Dragon Cliffâs might.
Of course, the only person suitable for this role was Bu Haoyan himself.
Initially, Bu Haoyan had been hesitant to lower his dignity and provoke someone outright.
But under Ye Yuâs relentless persuasion, he relented, setting aside his pride for the greater good.
Under Ye Yuâs watchful gaze, Bu Haoyan approached the gates of Zhaomo Pass.
He announced loudly to the disciples guarding the sect, âI am Bu Haoyan, Sect Master of Heavenly Dragon Cliff. May I ask where your sect elder is today?â
Soon, Zhen Qiubei, the guardian elder of Zhaomo Pass, stepped out and greeted him with a respectful salute.
âI did not expect the esteemed Sect Master Bu to visit. May I ask what brings you here?â
Bu Haoyan grinned and sent a private voice transmission to Zhen Qiubei: Iâm here to insult your mother!
Zhen Qiubei froze, clearly not expecting such words.
What he didnât know was that, for the next incense stickâs time, Bu Haoyan continued insulting the ancestors of Zhen Qiubei and his current Dao partnerâs ancestors through voice transmission.