Chapter 1776

"What is this?!"

Only after Cody died did Nikki snap back from her shock.

Looking at the kneeling Mei Chong and Lin Yin, then at Xu Jingming, her beautiful eyes were full of disbelief.

"As you can see,"

Xu Jingming smiled and did not hide it. "Mei Chong, too, has long been my soul slave."

Nikki's breathing instantly hitched.

Enslaving a princess was already a heaven-shaking act; now even a Ruler-level powerhouse was under his control...

Just what terrifying power did this former half-student of hers hide?

"Master."

At this moment, Ruler Mei Chong rose gracefully.

She came to Xu Jingming's side, bowed slightly, and spoke:

"Master, there is a matter I must report to you.

Even if Lin Yin and I do our utmost to disguise it, absolute obedience to you is engraved in the depths of our souls.

If someone with ill intentions observes us long-term, they will inevitably discover some unnatural clues.

Cody is an example; there is no guarantee there won't be a second."

"Oh?"

Xu Jingming looked at her. "Then what solution do you have?"

Mei Chong gave a charming smile, a trace of cold light flashing in her purple pupils:

"Simple. Enslave everyone in the Phantom Demon Palace, and won't that solve it?"

The hall fell abruptly silent.

Nikki sucked in a sharp breath; Lin Yin also widened her purple eyes slightly.

Xu Jingming, however, laughed.

"Interesting."

He stroked his chin, dark purple Lei Guang swirling in his eyes. "Then call them all over."

"Yes, Master."

Ruler Mei Chong smiled beautifully; as she rose she had already resumed that charming Ruler's bearing.

Her jade finger tapped lightly, and strands of divine sense messages flew instantly to every corner of the Phantom Demon Palace.

As the ruling core of the Phantom Demon Ruler.

Those able to reside here permanently were all elites without exception.

Not long after the order was issued.

Powerful auras rose from all parts of the palace complex, converging toward the main hall.

The hall doors stood wide open, and figures filed in one after another.

Some had bone wings on their backs, some had demon horns on their heads, some were covered in scales — forms varied.

But their auras were all vast and majestic; the lowest were all Eternal Stage One!

Soon, the entire Phantom Demon Palace — a total of 245 Eternal-stage demons — had all assembled.

They automatically arrayed themselves by strength and status, whispering and discussing animatedly.

"The Ruler suddenly summoned us; I wonder what the matter is?"

"Could there be a change in the Abyssal Tide?"

"Hush — the Ruler has appeared!"

"..."

The clamor came to an abrupt halt.

All demons bowed simultaneously and shouted in unison:

"Greetings, Ruler Mei Chong!"

However, the next moment, they all froze.

They saw that Ruler Mei Chong did not walk out alone.

Rather, she followed behind a towering demon body.

It was precisely Xue Yuan!

Even more stifling was that Mei Chong's bearing... actually carried a faint hint of respect?!

This was simply inconceivable!

No matter how strong Xue Yuan was, he was merely an Invincible Eternal.

How could he make a Ruler treat him so?

Just as the demons were shocked and doubtful, whispering privately.

Xu Jingming had already walked to the center of the grand hall.

His gaze swept calmly across the assembly; that gaze was not sharp.

Yet it made every demon who met his eyes feel an inexplicable chill in their hearts.

"I summoned everyone today because there is a fortuitous opportunity to bestow upon you."

Xu Jingming spoke slowly.

His voice was not loud, but it entered every demon's ears clearly.

Fortuitous opportunity?

The demons looked at each other in blank dismay, not understanding why.

Xu Jingming no longer spoke further; he slowly raised his right hand.

In the center of his palm, a speck of pink light ignited.

It transformed into a complex and profound pattern, with a heart at its center, glowing pink.

Immediately afterward,

Within his 4.6-meter demonic body, vast spiritual thought power like the sea erupted explosively!

The core light of the Soul-Eroding Mark flared brightly, instantly splitting into hundreds of streams of pink light.

As if endowed with life, they precisely shot toward every Immortal Stage demon in the hall!

"This is... Soul Enslavement?!"

"No—! Lord Enchantress, save......"

Cries of alarm, roars of anger, and pleas for mercy instantly filled the air!

One demon attempted resistance, unleashing divine power.

However, the overwhelming pressure of the Enchantress Sovereign's dominion descended like an invisible mountain, crushing all resistance!

"Pfft-pfft-pfft......"

The pink streams ignored defenses, piercing into the abdomens of each demon.

The power of the Soul-Eroding Mark began to wildly erode their souls, imprinting the mark of absolute loyalty.

The screams and struggles gradually faded.

The hall fell silent once more.

245 Immortal Stage demons.

Their eyes shifted from initial shock and resistance to emptiness, then gradually regained clarity.

Yet within that clarity, not a trace of difference remained.

Only pure, fervent reverence and obedience remained!

They turned as one, facing Xu Jingming.

Like the most devout believers, they crashed to their knees.

Their voices rose in unison, echoing through the hall:

"Greetings, Master!"

The sound surged like a tide, reverberating through the main hall of the Phantom Demon Palace.

Gazing upon the sea of black-clad Immortal Stage demons kneeling beneath his feet.

Xu Jingming's purple-red eyes flickered with a deep light.

From this moment on, the core palace of the Phantom Demon Star.

Along with all the high-ranking demons within, was entirely under his control.

Even if the Phantom Demon Sovereign spoke, it would be useless!

"Not bad." Xu Jingming smiled freely and ferociously.

Among humans, he could not perform soul enslavement on other immortal deities.

But having come to the demon race, it was different—enslavement would cause no problems.

When he eventually left the demon race, he could simply take all these Immortal Stage beings with him.

To forge his own cadre.

By then, Blue Star would be even safer.

As for killing them to extract essence points?

On one hand, the Phantom Demon Sovereign remains unvanquished, so he cannot act yet.

On the other hand, he is soon to enter the Abyssal Demon Tide, so there is no rush.

"This..."

At this moment, Nikki, standing gracefully to the side, had her eyes flash with strange light, her heart surging.

Too strong.

Alone, he infiltrated the demon race's territory.

Not only did he take the Phantom Demon Sovereign's daughter as a soul slave.

Now he has also fully controlled the Enchantress Sovereign, another Sovereign Stage powerhouse, and all the high-ranking Immortal Stage demons of the Phantom Demon Palace!

He has nearly brought under his command the core power of an entire Sovereign Stage star!

Such methods and courage have long surpassed her imagination.

"Master's divine might!"

She bowed her head slightly, her voice soft, yet her heart was shaken beyond calm.

Xu Jingming's purple-red eyes swept across the hall, then he gradually restrained his aura.

The light of the Soul-Eroding Mark faded, and the suffocating soul fluctuations in the hall gradually subsided.

"All rise."

His voice was plain, yet seemed to carry supreme authority.

"Yes, Master!"

The 245 Immortal Stage demons responded in unison.

They rose respectfully, hands at their sides, eyes blazing with fervent obedience.

With the Sovereign of the Phantom Demon Star and all Immortal Stage demons enslaved, the coming days would be simple.

Xu Jingming needed no further reservations.

He could now operate here in peace, while awaiting the opening of the Abyssal Demon Tide.

"Everyone return to your posts, everything as usual, do not reveal any flaws."

He waved his hand and said.

"Yes!"

The demons withdrew from the great hall in an orderly fashion.

Before long, only Xu Jingming, Mei Chong, Lin Yin, and Nikki remained in the hall.

"Master, what are your orders next?"

Lord Mei Chong stepped forward, her figure swaying, gauze skirt fluttering lightly, her bearing alluring yet respectful.

"Maintain the normal operation of Phantom Demon Star, secretly gather all the resources and intelligence I need."

Xu Jingming instructed, "Especially news of the 'True Demon Canon', you must pay extra attention to it."

"This servant understands." Mei Chong gave a graceful bow.

Xu Jingming said no more, turning and returning to the west palace.