Chapter 1242: The Mangshan Demon Emperor's Gaze

Mangshan Demon Emperor simply glanced, finally his gaze fell on Bai Xinlan; his eyes were deep, showing no emotion.

Bai Xinlan stood as usual, neither sad nor happy, and was not frightened by that gaze.

After a while, Mangshan Demon Emperor shifted his gaze to Xu Kongwang, looking at him in the same way, staring.

Xu Kongwang felt uncomfortable all over, began to lower his head, not daring to meet his gaze; unaware that the moment he lowered his head, Mangshan Demon Emperor's eyes flashed a hint of disappointment, which he quickly concealed, no longer staring at him but instead looking toward the four Demon Kings behind him.

Black Mountain Tiger King Hei Hu, Earth Origin Bee King Fengwang, Mangshan Snake King Shan Mang, Phantom Butterfly Demon King Diewumeng; these four Demon Kings are the four main pillars of Mangshan Demon Palace and also its core strength.

The four Demon Kings felt nothing special; each stared straight at Mangshan Demon Emperor, the respect and ambition in their eyes impossible to conceal, they were high-spirited, all wanting to become stronger and also to sit in that position, nobody would not wish for that.

Mangshan Demon Emperor nodded in satisfaction: "This time I summoned you all to discuss the future of Mangshan Demon Palace."

"You are all Demon Kings of Mangshan Demon Palace; your strength needs no explanation. Recently within Mangshan there has been some turmoil; certain people harbor impure intentions, wanting to stir up trouble in Mangshan, which is not allowed."

"Remember, within Mangshan, battles at the Demon King level are not permitted; if you wish to start a fight, you may direct it at human forces, but remember, it must not affect ordinary people."

This is a principle, also the rule he established with the human forces; just as on the human side, one may not act against beasts.

Relying on strength, the struggle between human forces and Mangshan Demon Palace has long turned covert, while outwardly it remains peaceful.

One would not say they openly clash; on the surface they still need to maintain it.

Neither side trusts the other; without the agreement's restrictions, some would have already acted.

Minor skirmishes are still possible; large-scale war is still unnecessary, as neither humanity nor the Monster Race can afford the consumption.

Moreover, Tianwai is not merely Cangzhou; there are other provinces, all watching Cangzhou. Once Cangzhou falls into internal strife, external forces will intervene, ultimately benefiting outsiders, which is not what they want.

"The two Dharma Protectors, you are the Dharma Protectors of Mangshan Demon Palace; be mindful of your status."

"Others may act, but you two must not."

"And the four Demon Kings, you had best not interfere in this matter."

"Yes." The four Demon Kings all bowed with clasped hands.

They dare not defy the Demon Emperor's words; at least, not now.

That Demon Emperor is not yet dead; his aura, no one dares to touch.

"And the two Dharma Protectors?"

Bai Xinlan bowed: "Your orders, Demon Emperor, I will naturally obey."

"As for the Right Dharma Protector, I do not know."

Right Dharma Protector Xu Kongwang immediately declared: "I am the same."

Mangshan Demon Emperor nodded slightly, waving his hand at the crowd.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, turned and left; Bai Xinlan's steps stopped, she heard the Mangshan Demon Emperor's voice telling her to stay.

Inside the hall, it soon emptied, leaving only the two of them.

Mangshan Demon Emperor examined Bai Xinlan, satisfied: "Not bad, Left Dharma Protector, you appear to have completed your metamorphosis, your strength greatly increased."

Bai Xinlan bowed nervously: "Demon Emperor, I have no ulterior motives."

Mangshan Demon Emperor smiled and waved: "I actually hope you have ideas; I've sat in this position for a very long time, no one has challenged me, after all these years, are you still not daring?"

"I am old, no longer the Demon Emperor of before; I hope you can take my place and become the new Demon Emperor of Mangshan."

These words are sincere, spoken from the heart.

Bai Xinlan, hearing this, stared in shock at the Demon Emperor before her.

"'Are you puzzled as to why I would say these things to you?' Mangshan Demon Emperor saw through her thoughts at a glance, patiently explaining: 'I am old; you should also have noticed that Mangshan Demon Palace needs a new Demon Emperor; if I continue to sit in this position, it will instead hinder your rise.'"

"'You and Xu Kongwang are the ones I favor; unfortunately, Xu Kongwang has lost his courage and can no longer harbor the ambition to become emperor.'"

"'As for you, your strength was insufficient before, but now I see your strength has risen quickly; you already have the qualifications, I look at you with new eyes, hoping you can succeed me in this position.'"

Mangshan Demon Emperor spoke calmly; those words, if spread, could shake the entirety of Mangshan.

He rose and walked to Bai Xinlan's side; his seemingly aged body gave a feeling of being on the brink of death.

Bai Xinlan lowered her head nervously: "Xinlan dares not."

Mangshan Demon Emperor turned his back to her, lightly saying: "If you have this ambition, you currently possess the strength."

"Within Mangshan Demon Palace, after consideration, only you is suitable; others are not qualified."

"Although Xu Kongwang's cultivation is stronger than yours, he has lost the one essential thing needed to become a Demon Emperor; in this lifetime he could never take that step."

Bai Xinlan's body trembled; she indeed knew this Demon Emperor's methods.

Seemingly aged, but who really knows?

A thousand years ago he was like this; now he still is.

Without any change, is this his disguise, or is it truly so?

Bai Xinlan dare not entertain such thought; at least, not for now.

"'Demon Emperor, Xinlan truly does not harbor this thought.' Bai Xinlan bowed again, expressing her sincerity."

Mangshan Demon Emperor stared at Bai Xinlan for a moment, then returned to that position.

His gaze somewhat forlorn, he waved: "Retreat."

His languid voice echoed inside and outside the hall, seeming filled with disappointment.

Bai Xinlan left the hall, exhaling in relief; she dared not look back, knowing that one was watching her.

Inside the hall.

Mangshan Demon Emperor's expression changed; he stared into the distance, murmuring: "Bai Xinlan, still as before, hiding and concealing; this time she completed her metamorphosis, the Nine-Layer White Dragon Transformation has reached its sixth change, soon she can complete nine metamorphoses; Xu Kongwang lagged a step, allowing her to complete her metamorphosis."

"'After this metamorphosis, Bai Xinlan's talent has increased again, her strength greatly enhanced; compared to previous times, the time required has been halved.'"

"'She must have gained an opportunity; could it be from that place?'"

"His gaze turned toward where Longshe Shan is located."

"'Azure Dragon Bloodline? Interesting, I didn't expect the Azure Dragon Clan to still have surviving bloodline, and moreover, it has reached this level.'"

"'What will his arrival bring to Mangshan?'"

"Perhaps, this is also fine."

Inside Mangshan, the silence is too dead; it needs some vitality.

"Void Forget, you are so disappointing."

"I thought he was the most hopeful person, but…"

Mangshan Demon Emperor shook his head and sighed.