Wan Mo the Great Emperor, the second strongest in the Demon Realm.
His status was equivalent to that of Emperor Yu Hua in the Great Bright Domain.
The fact that he personally rushed here today showed how much importance he attached to this summons.
"Haha."
The laughter of Wan Mo the Great Emperor was infectious.
After descending from the sky, he first paid his respects to Emperor Yang, which was considered giving Emperor Yang ample face.
Only then did his gaze fall upon the three of them, Lie Tian, Jian Yi, and Zhuan Tian the Great Emperor: "These three must be Lie Kong, Jian Yi, and Zhuan Tian the Great Emperor, correct?"
Jian Yi was the alias of the Sword Master.
He couldn't directly tell others that his name was Sword Master.
As for Lie Kong, he was also using a false name.
Emperor Yu Hua, who had escaped from the Thunder Domain, was aware of Lie Tian's emergence.
Many crucial pieces of information had been hidden by Emperor Yu Hua.
For example, Chen Fan possessed the ability to freely enter and exit the Thunder Domain.
In any case, it was evident that Emperor Yu Hua harbored ill intentions.
Lie Tian and the other two dared not be disrespectful, and quickly returned the greeting: "Greetings, Wan Mo the Great Emperor."
Even Zhuan Tian the Great Emperor put away its arrogance.
There was no other way; this person's status was too formidable.
And... extremely formidable.
Wan Mo the Great Emperor concealed his demonic aura, appearing very amiable: "No need to be so formal. Although we are not family, we share common goals. That is, we are fellow travelers. From now on, we shall address each other as fellow Daoists."
After a brief chat with the three, Wan Mo the Great Emperor specifically conversed with Chen Fan and his companions for a while.
Only then did he turn around and greet more than ten Seventh-Order Great Emperors one by one.
Finally, it was the turn of the Heavenly Emperors in the plaza.
"Esteemed guests, thank you for gracing our Demon Realm with your presence."
Wan Mo the Great Emperor's voice echoed: "It is my honor, Wan Mo, to serve as the envoy for this gathering..."
It had to be said, Wan Mo the Great Emperor's words were incredibly persuasive.
And he gave everyone ample face.
Even the Heavenly Emperors were not overlooked by Wan Mo the Great Emperor.
With just a few sentences, he won the hearts of all present.
"He's a master."
The Sword Master transmitted his thoughts: "The people below are all fired up."
Chen Fan nodded subtly.
Indeed, Wan Mo the Great Emperor understood people's hearts very well.
A moment later, Wan Mo the Great Emperor invited everyone to a gathering.
"Everyone."
With a casual wave of his hand, countless fine wines brewed from the power of the Great Dao appeared: "This is wine I brewed using the Great Dao of the Demon Realm. Please, do not be stingy, drink as much as you like."
Wine of the Demonic Path.
All present's eyes gleamed with divine light.
Even Chen Fan accepted a jar and drank with a smile.
"Excellent."
One had to admit Wan Mo's generosity.
He was willing to bring out such precious items.
Truly magnanimous.
A moment later, the crowd dispersed.
Wan Mo did not leave, but instead invited all the Eighth and Seventh-Order Great Emperors to gather within.
"Everyone."
Wan Mo clasped his fists towards the assembled guests: "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence today."
He repeated his earlier words.
The others all expressed that they dared not accept such praise.
Wan Mo the Great Emperor continued: "Regarding the attack on the Thunder Domain, I shall not detail the plan. It is not that I do not trust you all, but this plan is based on stringent secrecy. Therefore... I will remain in the Hell Yang Realm. When the day of departure arrives, I will set out with you."
Secrecy.
The Sword Master felt helpless. This wouldn't do.
He had come to gather information, but Wan Mo was too guarded.
Yet, he couldn't directly ask, so he had to settle for the next best thing.
He then stood up and said: "Fellow Daoist Wan Mo, I have a slight doubt. I hope you can provide an answer."
Wan Mo the Great Emperor showed no signs of annoyance; instead, he was quite pleased: "Fellow Daoist, please speak your mind. Since we are cooperating, it should naturally be based on mutual equality."
These words were spoken with great openness.
The Sword Master nodded, then asked: "I wish to inquire, what is the confidence level for this invasion of the Thunder Domain?"
It was not a major issue, nor would it arouse any suspicion from Wan Mo.
"Naturally."
Wan Mo nodded: "You will know when the time comes, Fellow Daoist. While we do not have a hundred percent certainty, there is about a thirty percent chance."
Thirty percent was not a small number.
If they could break through the Thunder Domain with one hundred percent certainty, the Demon Realm would have acted long ago.
Five percent would have been normal.
"Understood."
The Sword Master nodded, acknowledging the statement.
Thirty percent was acceptable to everyone.
The group chatted briefly again before dispersing once more.
...
Not long after leaving, Chen Fan and his party met with the Sword Master.
"Something is wrong."
The first words spoken by the two upon meeting were this very sentence.
And it was spoken in unison.
The others all wore expressions of confusion.
What was wrong?
They could only look at the Sword Master and the City Lord with bewilderment.
The Sword Master stated gravely: "Firstly, Wan Mo's attitude is not right. It's too ostentatious. Moreover, when I asked Wan Mo about our chances, he said thirty percent."
"Is there something wrong with that?" Lie Tian asked, confused.
"Of course, there is."
The Sword Master said: "The Thunder Domain is a Ninth-Order Great World. Even the Great Bright Domain is not confident. Do you think the Demon Realm has a thirty percent chance?"
Upon hearing this, the others immediately sensed that something was amiss.
Chen Fan nodded. This was something he had also considered.
"Emperor Yu Hua would not give the power of the Divine Firmament Great Dao, which he plundered, to the Demon Realm."
He spoke: "A direct confrontation is certainly not feasible, so I have two speculations."
"First, the Demon Realm has control over a passage connecting to the Thunder Domain."
*Swish.*
The Sword Master's expression changed: "Could it be Qi Nan and Shu Yuan?"
"No."
Chen Fan shook his head: "It's difficult to explain the specific reasons, but it shouldn't be Qi Nan and Shu Yuan's doing. Therefore, if my guess is correct, the Demon Realm might possess a passage leading to the Thunder Domain. Of course, this possibility is very small."
"Why?"
Apart from the Sword Master, the others were all bewildered.
The Sword Master sighed: "If such a passage truly existed, do you think we would still be alive now?"
The more than ten Eighth-Order cultivators of the Demon Realm would have already stormed the Thunder Domain.
Chen Fan said: "Then there is only the second possibility."
"What is it?"
"The Five Realms Alliance."
The Sword Master concurred: "That's what I suspected as well."
The six of them looked at each other, dumbfounded.
Chen Fan had to explain again: "The Demon Realm intends to attack the Thunder Domain. Even if there is only a sliver of a chance, the Five Realms Alliance would intervene. At that time... the Five Realms Alliance would be the executioners who disrupt our opportunities."
"Without knowing the true situation, we would naturally consider the Five Realms Alliance as mortal enemies."
"Those who ruin my opportunities are no different from those who kill my parents. Even if I have to fight to the death, I will confront the Five Realms Alliance."
"Therefore, I suspect that the Demon Realm's target this time might be the Five Realms Alliance."
"Hiss."
This explanation made all of them gasp in disbelief.
Apart from the Sword Master who had some understanding, the others were somewhat stunned.
This...
They had deduced so much from just a single sentence spoken by Wan Mo?
"Then what should we do?" Everyone was at a loss.
"What can we do?"
Chen Fan's expression was grave, and he looked at the Sword Master: "I need you to relay the message back, narrating what Wan Mo said. Of course, do not reveal our speculations."
"To instigate conflict between the Five Realms Alliance and the Demon Realm?"
"Correct."
Chen Fan nodded: "The Five Realms Alliance is not weak and will undoubtedly make thorough preparations. If we suddenly betray them then, perhaps... there will be unexpected gains."