Hearing this, Lu Fan, Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others quickly calmed down after a brief moment of shock, exchanging glances and seeing the realization in each other's eyes.
On the other side, Ancestor Shenhui clenched his hand into a fist, his knuckles turning white, as grief, indignation, and realization flashed in his eyes:
"A fighting stage? Seven rounds, four wins? The stakes are the ownership of The name associated with the treasure?"
"Absurd! If the Demon Race truly intended a 'fair' duel, why wait until this moment, when they have besieged the city and forced us into desperation?
This is clearly the cat playing with the mouse; they want to put our last hope and dignity on the chopping block and mince it piece by piece!"
Anyone who could Cultivate to this Realm was shrewd, and they immediately saw through the Demon Race's scheme. Jiang Xuangang deeply agreed and sent a voice transmission to Jiang Hao and the others:
"Hao'er, there is no need to agree. At that time, the Demon Race will surely send Powerful Experts who are impossible to match, using the fighting stage as a pretense to carry out a decisive massacre! This is to completely nip the future of our Immortal Dao in the bud!"
Hearing Jiang Xuangang's voice transmission, everyone felt a warmth in their hearts, but they did not rush to respond, instead communicating secretly via Divine Thought.
"Heh heh, the Demon Race has quite the scheme."
Su Ming sneered:
"Using the name of a gamble to execute a morale-crushing scheme. If we refuse to fight, it shows fear and cowardice, leaving flaws in our Dao Heart. Our morale would instantly collapse, allowing them to brazenly proclaim 'The Immortal Dao has no guts,' launch a general offensive, seize the moral high ground, and even dismantle the resistance of other Immortal Domains."
If we accept the fight... His gaze swept across the few hidden, yet snake-like Primordial Chaos Auras hovering in the sky:
"That fighting stage will be a tomb meticulously prepared for us. The Demon Race has profound heritage. Within the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm, there must be extremely troublesome Powerful Experts, perhaps even those who have hidden their true strength. They can 'fairly' wear us down one by one, or even slay us here. Even if we manage to win a few rounds by chance, they can turn hostile at any moment, overturn the gamble, and directly crush us with brute force. The initiative remains entirely in their hands."
Lin Potian spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and sneered:
"Bullshit gamble! They just want to trick us into going out there to be killed!
Stakes? Who are they trying to fool!"
Lu Fan chuckled despite himself:
"This Demon Master certainly has a good plan, but they seem certain that we have absolutely no room left for resistance."
Just at this moment, Little Red's voice transmitted into everyone's minds.
"No matter, agree to it. Master has already sent a voice transmission to me, telling you all to be bold and proceed."
Hearing this, smiles involuntarily appeared on everyone's lips. Lu Fan took a deep breath, looked toward the Demon Master in the sky, and said loudly:
"Demon Master Your Excellency, what a perfect Open Scheme."
His voice betrayed no emotion, only the calmness that comes from seeing through the essence of things:
"However, Your Excellency seems to have forgotten one thing."
The Demon Master's expression shifted slightly, but he did not respond, quietly awaiting the rest.
Lu Fan continued:
"The foundation of a gamble lies in trust. May I ask, Demon Master, if our side is fortunate enough to win, are the various individuals behind Your Excellency able to swear a Heavenly Dao Oath to immediately retreat and not invade for ten thousand years? If not, how is this gamble any different from a lure and kill?"
The Demon Master was silent for a moment. Instead of getting angry at being exposed, he let out a low, hoarse chuckle:
"Heh... Human Emperor Lu, your mind is indeed quick."
These words sounded like grasping at the last straw, attempting to secure a faint guarantee for this clearly unfair duel, and fit the expected reaction of a leader forced into desperation who seeks to seize any possible opportunity.
Inside Shenji City, many Cultivators who heard Lu Fan mention the "Heavenly Dao Oath" also had a faint spark of hope ignite in their eyes.
Yes, if the Demon Race dared to swear a Great Dao Oath and be restricted by it, perhaps... there might be a sliver of hope?
Inside the Cloud-Afloat Immortal Boat.
Yue Tian raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement appearing at the corner of his mouth:
"Oh? Trying to use the Heavenly Dao Oath to restrain the Demon Race? That is rather naive."
As soon as he said this, even the two Divine Generals beside him were somewhat confused:
"What does the aide mean by that?"
"Currently, the order of the Heavenly Dao no longer exists. The binding force of the Heavenly Dao Oath only applies to beings below the Primordial Chaos level. For those above the Da Luo level, this restraint is negligible, especially for those in the Celestial Golden Immortal Realm; they are long past the point where the Heavenly Dao can restrict them,"
"This…"
Although the two Divine Generals had previously been dissatisfied with the crowd's disrespect, deep down, they felt a degree of pity. Seeing the opposing side being played like puppets by the Demon Race, they felt somewhat moved.
At the same time.
"Heh heh heh."
The Demon Master's low, hoarse chuckle sounded again, this time seemingly carrying a trace of imperceptible 'satisfaction,' as if the prey had finally stepped onto the edge of the trap, following his predetermined route.
"What Human Emperor Lu said... does have some merit."
The Demon Master's voice seemed to soften slightly, "Since we are gambling, there should naturally be some evidence to convince people."
He pondered briefly, as if considering carefully, then said:
"Very well. To demonstrate the sincerity of my Race, I, this Master, can represent the various Demon Venerables participating in this battle and collectively swear an oath before this fight—if the The name associated with the treasure side wins the fighting stage battle as agreed, my Race shall immediately retreat and not invade the Lingxu Immortal Domain for ten thousand years!
Should we violate this, we are willing to suffer the Great Dao Backlash, and our Dao Cultivation shall be eternally sealed!"
The content of the oath was clear and sounded quite binding. Especially the final phrase, "Great Dao Backlash, Dao Cultivation eternally sealed," which was considered an extremely heavy punishment for beings of the Demon Race who pursue power.
However, the Demon Master was inwardly overjoyed. Being able to eliminate these 'variables' was his greatest ambition. And even if they didn't attack the Lingxu Immortal Domain, so what?
The Demon Race had far more power than this; they could simply send other Demon Race Great Experts to destroy the Lingxu Immortal Domain later.
Hearing this, Lu Fan's face appropriately showed a hint of "hesitation" and "struggle," as if he were engaged in a fierce internal conflict.
He turned and exchanged glances with Su Ming, Jiang Hao, and the others, as if consulting silently. Su Ming frowned deeply and shook his head slightly, seeming to dissuade him.
Jiang Hao, meanwhile, looked indignant but forcibly restrained himself.
This performance, seen by the Demon Master and Yue Tian up in the clouds, further confirmed their status as cornered beasts.
Finally, Lu Fan seemed to have made up his mind. He lifted his head abruptly, his voice carrying the tragic solemnity of one who has burned their bridges:
"Good! Since the Demon Master dares to swear this oath, then I shall represent the Lingxu Immortal Domain and accept this gamble! May the Demon Master... keep his word!"
He deliberately emphasized the four words "keep his word," making it sound more like a powerless warning.
The Demon Master felt delighted, his brows seemingly relaxing a bit.
The prey had finally fallen completely into the trap!
"The Human Emperor is straightforward!"
The Demon Master's voice rose, laced with a hint of joy:
"Since that is the case, please have both sides present seven participants. The first battle will commence after the time it takes for One Stick of Incense to burn!"
He formally announced the rules, but in reality, he was already calculating which Demon Race Great Experts, who had concealed their strength or possessed strange Demonic Techniques, to send up, ensuring that Lu Fan, Jiang Hao, and the other primary targets could be eliminated as quickly and with the least cost possible.