The Ruins of the North Sea.

Thirty-three levels of palaces stretched on, rising and falling, with winding jade waters and fragrant water pavilions.

The ridge beasts on the eaves were neither gold nor silver, but carved from agate wood that was difficult to find even a single piece in millions of years. In the Upper Realm, this agate wood would be used to inlay the Emperor's throne, but unexpectedly, here it was merely used as a material for the ridge beasts.

Under the eaves and beams hung lanterns of green muslin and colored glaze, not lit by candle flames, but by night-glowing pearls the size of adult fists in colors of pale yellow like candlelight, ocean blue, rouge red, and pomegranate red. Hung beside the gold-painted jade pillars, they were already splendid in daylight, but at night, they instantly transformed the place into a glittering world of colored glaze.

Not to mention the luxurious and grand halls and pavilions inside, warm and fragrant in all four seasons.

Outside these layers of palaces was a vast imperial city, and beyond the imperial city stretched tens of thousands of miles of vast lands.

The Ruins of the North Sea were not located in the North Sea outside the continent. This place existed outside the Taichu Continent, and did not belong to the Upper Realm.

Back then, Goddess Nuwa created the Ruins of the North Sea merely as a dwelling place for a few ancient deities. However, after the great war between immortals and demon beasts, the demon beast race was nearly exterminated, and this place became their only refuge. With Nuwa's barrier, the immortal race could not find this place and were helpless.

As time passed and generations changed, after several generations of development, the Ruins of the North Sea were not inferior to the imperial city of any country outside, with an area even larger than half of Canghe. Within the barrier, the demon beast race multiplied and thrived, becoming more prosperous by the day, almost a sleepless land.

Inside the hall, cold plum incense burned in the octagonal auspicious golden beast incense burner. A bunch of peach blossoms were inserted in the malachite twisted peony patterned vase on the table. The scent of cold plum and peach blossoms blended together into an indescribable fragrance that lingered in the air.

Emerald gem curtains hung all around, tinkling like pearls falling on a jade plate when the wind blew, very pleasant to the ear. The green color made the entire room seem to glow, much like the famous Starfall Waterfall in the Upper Realm.

Ning Chang sat by the window, gazing at the beautiful scenery outside. His eyes moved to the chess board beside him. He picked up a black piece and played against himself for more than half an hour, but his mind was restless and he couldn't concentrate. He sighed and put the chess piece back in the container.

A soft laugh came from the door: "Why does immortal Ning Chang sigh? Is it because I have been a poor host?"

The guards at the entrance of the great hall immediately bowed. That person waved his hand and walked in.

Dressed in white robes brighter than snow, with black hair and a golden crown, wide sleeves and long robes, smiling before speaking, incomparably handsome, his every movement exuded a sense of nobility that made people not dare to look directly at him.

Ning Chang sighed inwardly again.

With such a stately appearance, he looked even more extraordinary than the Heavenly Emperor. Who would know that he was actually the ruler of the demon race?

"Is the immortal lord accustomed to staying here?" Zhou Chen smiled faintly.

His current cultivation was only at the middle stage of Nascent Soul, which was nothing in the eyes of the immortals in the Upper Realm. Therefore, Ning Chang's lament was purely about Zhou Chen's appearance and bearing.

But if Zhou Yin were here, he would definitely be surprised, because the last time they parted, Zhou Chen was only at the early stage of Nascent Soul. Now, not long after, he had actually advanced another level.

The cultivation speed of the demon beast race was incomparably fast compared to other races, but there were gains and losses. It was also more difficult for them to have offspring compared to other races.

"Your Majesty's generous hospitality is truly overwhelming for this lowly immortal. I am deeply grateful, but I have already told you everything I know. This insignificant Ning Chang is of no importance. It is useless for the Demon Beast Emperor to keep me imprisoned here any longer," Ning Chang said indifferently.

He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, dressed in Daoist robes, upright and neat, like those highly revered immortal statues in the mortal world. However, at the moment, he did not have the transcendent air of those clay statues. Beneath his forcibly calm exterior, there was a heart that was vaguely anxious.

"Excessive modesty is equivalent to hypocrisy. The immortal has a deep background in the Heavenly Court, and even the Heavenly Emperor Chengming has to give way to you. There is no need to belittle yourself like this."

The maidservant presented a set of white porcelain tea ware that was so clear it was almost transparent. Zhou Chen did not let others do it for him. Washing, moistening, placing, pouring, watering, whisking, smelling, brewing, pouring - a series of actions flowed smoothly, as if he was doing the most delightful thing in the world.

Unfortunately, Ning Chang had no intention of appreciating it.

Those with ulterior motives were not in a hurry, but he, who should have been more patient, couldn't sit still.

"Tell me, Your Majesty, what do you want?"

Ning Chang was a little irritated. For some reason, he suddenly thought of the name of this new Demon Beast Emperor. The demon race mostly had no surnames. Among the previous generations of Vermilion Birds or Demon Emperors before him, none had the surname Zhou. He didn't know where his surname came from.

"What can you give me?" Zhou Chen smiled. As the other party became anxious, he became unhurried.

Ning Chang sighed, "To be honest, I don't agree with exterminating the cultivators either, but it wasn't decided by the Heavenly Emperor alone. In the entire Upper Realm, at least seventy to eighty percent of the people agree with this plan, because the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is decreasing day by day, and will eventually be insufficient. Immortals also have selfish desires.

"But rest assured, Your Majesty, the Upper Realm's target is the cultivators, and has nothing to do with the demon beast race. Even the Heavenly Emperor, no matter how arrogant, would not go so far as to provoke the demon race as an enemy. Your Majesty can just watch from the sidelines."

When one is at the mercy of others, one has no choice but to lower one's head. Ning Chang decided to be frank and, of course, took the opportunity to distance himself to avoid being blamed by association.

Zhou Chen smiled, "Since the immortal belongs neither to the innate faction nor the latecomer faction, and has always been impartial and upright, your words are naturally credible. However, there is one thing I don't understand. In the war between immortals and demon beasts back then, few low-level demon beasts survived. Even if they multiplied, they wouldn't have become so rampant.

"Moreover, after thousands of years of slaughter by humans, they were already on the verge of extinction. If that's the case, where did those demon beasts that have recently appeared in the Lower Realm come from? Could it be that I released them?"

Ning Chang forced a smile, "Your Majesty asks me, but who can I ask?"

Zhou Chen lowered his eyes, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile, "You can ask Chengming. Otherwise, I can invite the immortal's relatives here to ask them. It's all the same."

Ning Chang's lips moved slightly, but he didn't say anything.

Previously, everyone in the Upper Realm, including him, did not take this race that had lost its ruling position in the Upper Realm tens of thousands of years ago seriously. But ever since being brought here by Zhou Chen, he realized that he had been gravely mistaken.

As the saying goes, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. Moreover, after the battle between immortals and demon beasts, the demon beast race has been recuperating in seclusion here for tens of thousands of years, and has already mostly recovered. Even though no primordial deities with heaven-defying powers like Nüwa have emerged, it doesn't mean they can be underestimated.

You could even say that the demon race, having learned their lesson, has more vitality than the arrogant and scheming immortal race in the upper realm.

Since the new Demon Beast Emperor took charge of the demon race, the previously scattered tribes have been fused together. Now, the Northern Sea Ruins are like an iron barrel. Even without Nüwa's barrier, if the upper realm wanted to conquer it, they would have to pay a huge price.

"Those demon beasts," Ning Chang paused, "Your Majesty knows they are just low-level demon beasts. Strictly speaking, they don't belong to the demon beast race. Why bother investigating it?"

Zhou Chen didn't even lift an eyelid as he poured and sipped his tea, not even glancing at him, looking refined and leisurely.

If he really put on airs, even Ning Chang, as an upper immortal, wouldn't be worth looking at.

Sure enough, immortal Ning Chang sighed, "In the battle between immortals and demon beasts 60,000 years ago, the demon beast race was defeated. Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon and others all perished. Only White Tiger was imprisoned beneath the Southern Sea. I wonder if Your Majesty knows this?"

First selling a favor.

Who knew Zhou Chen's expression remained unchanged as he said lightly, "I also know the place imprisoning White Tiger is called Lianyin Immortal Residence, and it collapsed not long ago. Don't tell me you plan to use this information to sell me a favor?"

Ning Chang said sheepishly, "Your Majesty is indeed brilliant and perceptive."

Seeing that Zhou Chen was unmoved and it couldn't be hidden anymore, he had to say, "Initially, the upper realm captured a few demon beasts. Someone came up with an idea to give the beasts aphrodisiacs, then found some human women to mate with them. The demon beasts born from this not only had changes in appearance, but were also much more ferocious than the previous generation."

The upper realm has always been aloof, viewing humans as ants. Even though this matter was shocking, Ning Chang spoke of it without any guilt. Instead, because those demon beasts were at least somewhat connected to the demon beast race, the upper realm unleashed the beasts to wreak havoc while pushing the blame onto the demon beast race, which was really unreasonable.

That's why he had been reluctant to reveal the truth earlier, fearing that Zhou Chen would get angry and casually destroy him too.

Zhou Chen smiled ambiguously, "What does the matter of raising demon beasts have to do with the Tianyan Sect in the lower realm? You originally wanted to exterminate the cultivators, so why cooperate with a human sect? Could it be you have the idea of 'once the cunning hare is dead, cook the hunting dog'?"

Ning Chang said with a bitter smile, "This I truly don't know. Your Majesty knows the upper realm is divided into seven palaces and eighteen halls. Only the immortal lords in the seven palaces can participate in the core discussions before the Heavenly Emperor. I'm just one of the eighteen halls. The Heavenly Emperor is already wary of me, so how would he let me know?"

Zhou Chen smiled slightly, "Alright then, let's change the subject and talk about cooperation."

Ning Chang became alert, but still smiled, "Your Majesty is joking. I'm just a minor immortal without power or influence. How could I dare cooperate with Your Majesty?"

Zhou Chen took a sip of tea and said slowly, "I heard your beloved daughter Lai Roujia is renowned for her beauty. Some time ago, Immortal Lord Yi Hua of Chengyuan Palace admired her and went to ask the Heavenly Emperor Chengming, wanting to take her as a concubine. I suppose I haven't congratulated you yet, Immortal Lord!"

Ning Chang tightened his grip on the teacup. After a long while, he said sarcastically, "Your Majesty's reach is truly long. There's nothing in the three realms that you don't know about."

"You flatter me." Zhou Chen accepted it as a compliment and continued, "Immortal Yi Hua's romantic reputation is known not only in the upper realm but even here. I bet it has spread throughout the demon beast realm too. Even though your daughter is exceptionally beautiful, I'm afraid she would have a hard time keeping his exclusive favor for even three months. Immortal Lord, you're a prominent figure in the heavenly realm, so how have you fallen to the point of having to sell your daughter?"

"Enough!" Ning Chang's face flushed red, his teeth gritting. He stood up abruptly. "Demon Beast Emperor, speak plainly if you have something to say!"

This was the deepest pain in his heart. He had always cherished his daughter like a precious pearl since she was little. How could he have imagined that one day she would be chosen to become someone's concubine? If it were anyone else, he would have firmly refused.

But Yi Hua was the master of Chengyuan Palace, with a status far above his Mingyang Hall, one of the eighteen halls. Moreover, he was not from Chengming's direct lineage. The Heavenly Emperor, in order to win over Yi Hua, naturally went along and gave his daughter to Yi Hua as a favor. How could he not hate such contempt and humiliation!

But even if he hated it, what could he do? Although the upper realm was full of immortals, it ultimately came down to two words: power. Ning Chang knew that with Mingyang Hall's status, let alone confronting the Heavenly Emperor, he didn't even have the right to oppose Yi Hua.

He could only grit his teeth and send his daughter out in pain. Who knew that half a month later, news came that his daughter had fallen into the Zhuxian Pool and vanished without a trace. Upon hearing this, Ning Chang was devastated, his heart and liver shattered. He almost went to fight Yi Hua to the death.

But it was only almost. Besides his daughter, he still had a wife and son. Yi Hua was a confidant of the Heavenly Emperor. Killing him was a small matter, but the Heavenly Emperor would never stand on his side. If implicated, he might not even be able to protect his wife and son.

Ning Chang deeply hated his own insignificance and incompetence. He could only suppress his towering hatred and act as if nothing had happened, continuing to bow and scrape before Yi Hua and the Heavenly Emperor. The Heavenly Emperor was very satisfied with his attitude of quelling the matter and even sent two immortal maids as compensation. But Ning Chang never forgot this deep blood feud for a single day. He just buried it deep in his heart, unwilling to mention it.

Now that Zhou Chen brought it up, it was like ripping open that bloody wound, pushing him to the brink of collapse.

Zhou Chen said sympathetically, "I just feel sorry for you, immortal. There's one more thing I don't understand."

If there's a conflict, it's easy to handle. The scary thing would be if you didn't hate.

"Speak..." Ning Chang's eyes were bloodshot. He spoke hoarsely, too angry to even use respectful language.

Zhou Chen slightly curled his lips and spoke lightly, "The Heavenly Emperor Chengming currently has a lifespan of over 30,000 years, even less than you all, yet he is deep and scheming, skilled in trickery. Among the seven palaces and eighteen halls, he pulls in confidants and sows discord. Those who defy him, have grudges with him, or have been punished by him - you are far from the only one. So why has he been able to sit stably on the throne of Heavenly Emperor until now?"

Ning Chang laughed coldly: "You think he has no enemies? Wrong! It's just that those who wanted him dead have died themselves. Now, from the matter of the demon beasts, we can see the clues. Although he wants the cultivators to perish, he also doesn't forget to sow discord among the human race, making them view the demon beast race as enemies!

"In this way, those who are at odds with the demon beast race and regard the upper realm as sacred, how could they imagine that the mighty Heavenly Emperor is the one behind all the trouble? Even if Your Majesty knows now, what can you do? Run out and tell those humans that the demon beasts were not released by you, but by the Heavenly Emperor? Would they believe it?!"

He spoke with anguish, suddenly bursting into tears: "My poor Ah Chen, your father has let you down!"

Who says immortals have no desires or demands? Even though the upper realm has divine palaces and heavenly splendor, it has never lacked love, hate, and resentment. The four races were born from heaven and earth, inheriting the ancient times and multiplying.

There has never been a race that truly lived without conflict. The current position of the immortal race was also obtained by driving away the demon beast race back then.

Ning Chang had endured to the utmost in his daily life. Now, far away from the Heavenly Court, although facing the mortal enemy of the upper realm, once his emotions were stirred, he no longer had to restrain his identity or worry about being discovered by the Heavenly Emperor.

Zhou Chen did not interrupt, letting him cry until he was satisfied, then slowly said: "The Heavenly Emperor has four consorts, but the one he favors the most is a man. Chengming loves him dearly, even elevating his status above the four consorts and bestowing upon him the cultivation of an upper immortal, allowing him to sit on equal terms with the other upper immortals."

"As for Yi Hua, not only do you have a grudge against him, but others also dislike him. The Flying Shadow Palace is also a confidant of the emperor, and often opposes Yi Hua. With his imperial mindset, Chengming would never allow the Chengyuan Palace to dominate alone in order to keep his subjects in check."

Ning Chang gradually calmed down and pondered: "Although Your Majesty is in the demon beast race, there is nothing you don't know."

At this moment, he no longer dared to have the slightest contempt for Zhou Chen. Although these matters were not confidential, if one had not stayed in the upper realm for a long time, it would be absolutely impossible to know them.

The immortal race and demon beast race had a predestined enmity, and the upper realm would never allow a demon beast to infiltrate. So how did this emperor know about these things?

Could it be...

His heart trembled slightly, not daring to think further.

Zhou Chen smiled: "Does the upper immortal think I've been talking to you for half a day to have you help gather information in the upper realm?"

Suddenly, his smile faded, his eyes darkened with a hidden glow, his temperament changed abruptly from casual to stern, instantly exuding the majesty of one who ruled the world. His gaze slowly swept over Ning Chang's slightly embarrassed face, as his intentions had been seen through.

"What I know is only more than you, not less! The reason I'm telling you so much is just to let you know that although you are from the upper realm, you don't necessarily have to be enemies with the demon beast race. Since ancient times, immortals and demon beasts have not coexisted, but that is merely a continuation of the grudges from the great war back then. However!

"When heaven and earth were first divided, the four races were born. When has there ever truly been a race that was exterminated? Even though our demon beast race had nowhere to turn back then, we have already recovered now. The rise and fall of powers is just the cycle of the Dao."

"Therefore, whether it is I or other members of the demon beast race, we have never had the intention of retaking the upper realm and making the immortal race disappear. What we seek is nothing more than..." He paused, seeing that Ning Chang's attention was completely captivated by his words.

"For the peace of heaven and earth, to just change the Heavenly Emperor."

Ning Chang was stunned into silence by his words, unable to speak for a long time.

Zhou Chen said indifferently: "You understand the current situation without me saying it. You were originally a cultivator from the lower realm. Even though you have ascended, you can't be considered part of the human race anymore. But when the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.

"This time, Chengming can exterminate the cultivators for the sake of monopolizing spiritual energy, but what about next time? The North Sea Ruins have Nüwa's barrier, so even if Chengming wants to destroy it, he is powerless. The demon beast race can stand by and watch, but what about you?"

Ning Chang remained silent. Zhou Chen was not speaking nonsense. On the contrary, every sentence he said was so correct that it heavily struck Ning Chang's heart.

He was a meticulous person and naturally could sense that recently, the Heavenly Emperor had been imperceptibly and gradually dealing with those who did not submit to him. At the same time, he used the plan to exterminate the cultivators to divert the attention of the upper realm.

Once the lower realm cultivators were wiped out, the next ones to be dealt with would probably be the so-called latecomers and middle factions like them.

Today was the day the North Sea Ruins commemorated Nüwa, the mother of the demon beast race. The entire North Sea Ruins was immersed in the festive atmosphere. Brilliant fireworks continuously burst in the sky. In the distance, outside the palace walls, the sound of laughter faintly drifted in, breaking the silence of the room.

"I don't understand," Ning Chang finally spoke, getting straight to the point. "Since Your Majesty is of the demon beast race and this matter has nothing to do with the demon beast race, just as Your Majesty said, the Heavenly Emperor simply cannot find this place, let alone attack it. Then what is Your Majesty worried about? Why cooperate with me?"

Seeing that the other party was already moved, Zhou Chen caressed the white jade tea cup and smiled slightly.

"Do you know why my surname is Zhou?"