Ding Yun, after killing the City Lord of Blood Fiend City, a Demon Lord cultivator, taking over the Blood Fiend City's domain, and spending half a month understanding all the situations within the Blood Fiend City's domain, finally issued a summons.
She summoned the city lords of major cities and sect leaders within the domain to Blood Fiend City for a meeting.
Unlike the high-ranking demons in Blood Fiend City who had already sworn allegiance and had been somewhat reassured after half a month of interaction, the local demons who received the summons were undoubtedly a bit apprehensive.
They were unsure of the new Demon Lord's temperament.
They also worried that the new Demon Lord, as a new official, would make a strong start.
What if they, themselves, ended up in the fire?
However, their worries were in vain, because Ding Yun summoned them to give them benefits.
As soon as everyone arrived, Ding Yun quickly appeared on the main hall of the Blood Fiend Demonic Palace. Without saying a word, she first threw out a pile of top-grade demonic artifacts, acquired spiritual treasures, and countless elixirs, leaving the assembled demons wide-eyed and somewhat at a loss. It was then that she spoke with a light smile:
"To be honest, I'm not very satisfied with your cultivation levels, and the items you carry are a bit shabby. Those who know you are demons might think you're a group of beggars I picked up from somewhere.
Look at how poor you all are.
You've all reached the Xuan or Jin level, yet you only have a few mid-grade and high-grade demonic artifacts. Can't you even produce a single top-grade demonic artifact? Don't you feel embarrassed carrying these things out? I feel it's a disgrace to me. So, before the meeting, I'll give you some things first.
Those below the True Demon realm will each receive a set of top-grade demonic artifacts and a box of elixirs. Including True Demons. Those above the True Demon realm will each receive a set of acquired spiritual treasures. You'll also each receive a box of elixirs in a purple-gold container.
Hurry up and come to collect them, don't waste time.
I have other things to discuss with you later!"
To be honest, the first few words Ding Yun spoke indeed made the demons present a little uncomfortable. Some even grumbled in their hearts, thinking, "The well-fed don't know the hunger of the starving." If they weren't outmatched, they would have fought back.
All the demons felt insulted.
However, after Ding Yun spoke her later words, those demons no longer felt insulted. Their faces turned flushed with excitement, and they even thought that the more Ding Yun insulted them, the better.
After all, the benefits were too great.
So great that they would willingly call her mother or grandmother on the spot, let alone just be insulted and embarrassed.
To put it bluntly, many Taiyi Demon Lords might not even possess acquired spiritual treasures, only a few top-grade demonic artifacts to use. One can imagine how rare acquired spiritual treasures and top-grade demonic artifacts are. While the demonic artifacts held by these demons might be slightly inferior to those of the descendants of Demon Emperors and Demon Sovereigns, their situation represented the average level of demons. Most demon cultivators of the same realm in the demon world had similar standards for their demonic artifacts, and some poorer ones might even be worse off than them.
Unless they had some fortuitous encounter.
Or their elders had bestowed better demonic artifacts upon them.
Therefore, even though they didn't yet know what elixirs they would receive next, the top-grade demonic artifacts and acquired spiritual treasures about to be distributed were enough to make their blood surge, giving them a dreamlike sensation.
Some even slapped themselves on the spot.
Fearing they were dreaming.
Then, of course, following Ding Yun's signal, the high-ranking demons who had already been in contact with her for half a month were the first to step forward, lining up to collect items that matched their cultivation levels. The remaining ones, who were still in a daze and disbelieving, quickly followed.
After some demons put away their demonic artifacts and spiritual treasures, they directly opened the elixir boxes. Subsequently, they either gasped in shock on the spot or exclaimed aloud, acting as if they had never seen the world, all being greatly astonished.
After their astonishment came uncontrollable excitement.
However, once most of the demons had collected their items and confirmed that what they had received was almost more valuable than their own lives, they became worried again.
They worried about what Ding Yun wanted them to do.
With such treatment, it seemed like they were being paid to risk their lives, to be shock troops. Otherwise, why would she be so generous? Was it to show off her wealth?
"Alright, have you all received your items?
After you receive them, remember to take your elixirs diligently and cultivate well, refining those spiritual treasures and the like.
Improve your cultivation realms and strength.
I'm not afraid to tell you, my only requirement is to expand my territory. After you've digested these items I've bestowed upon you, you will go and conquer the world for me. You can attack by force or by persuasion; I won't interfere with the methods you use.
As long as it helps me expand my territory.
For those who are truly capable and willing to obey my commands, I will never be stingy with rewards. As long as the contribution is great enough, you can even exchange for innate spiritual treasures and Nine Revolutions Great Luo Purple Gold Elixirs. Don't think I'm boasting.
Since I dare to say it,
I have the ability to achieve it..."
With the conceptual-level River God in her possession, Ding Yun was not afraid of her grand promises being unfulfilled. However, to make her subordinates believe her, Ding Yun specifically took out a few innate spiritual treasures and a few Nine Revolutions Great Luo Purple Gold Elixirs for display. At the same time, she exuded the pressure of a perfected Demon Emperor to instill awe.
After all, as long as one wasn't too unlucky, a single Nine Revolutions Great Luo Purple Gold Elixir could create an Immortal Emperor or a Demon Emperor. If Ding Yun didn't possess the strength of a Demon Emperor, her subordinates wouldn't believe she could produce Purple Gold Elixirs.
For the demons present, the stimuli they received today were more than they had experienced in their entire lives. If not for the pressure emanating from Ding Yun, which made their souls tremble, far more terrifying than the pressure a Taiyi Demon Lord should possess, they would have found it truly difficult to believe these words.
"You... you are a Demon Emperor?"
"A Demon Emperor, my heavens, to be able to see a Demon Emperor with my own eyes in this lifetime is truly fortunate!"
"The demon world generally defaults to Demon Emperors not engaging in warfare lightly, to avoid internal conflict causing excessive loss of strength and affecting the future war between Immortals and Demons. You have been cultivating in seclusion and have not formed a faction, which is why you eliminated the Blood Fiend Demon Lord and are willing to take us under your wing to work for you, right?"
"Gods, our luck is too good!"
"My Lord Demon Emperor, we are willing to die for you!"
"We are willing to die for you!"
...
Before long, voices of loyalty pledges rose from below. Upon learning that Ding Yun was a Demon Emperor, almost all the demons shed their worries and instead became excited and enthusiastic. The principle of strength ruling in the demon world was vividly displayed in this regard.
Ding Yun's strength as a Demon Emperor greatly reassured everyone.
Even as henchmen, they felt fully confident.
Sorry, something came up today, so it's a bit late.
(End of this chapter)