Chapter 102: Appointment

Next morning, Xiong Batian entered the dungeon and saw Yaoye huddled in the corner of the cage. The bloodstains on the ground and the sight of Yaoye made Xiong Batian burst into joyous laughter!

"Hahaha! Yao Mo Ran! This is the outcome of defying me! Who would have thought you'd face this day?"

Hearing his father's name, Yaoye revived a spark of life, lifted his head slightly to glance, then sank back into silence once more!

"Yaoye! Hand over the Creation Cauldron at once, and you won't suffer these hardships! Or submit to me!"

Facing Xiong Batian's mockery, Yaoye lowered his head again, clutching his knees tightly!

Xiong Batian turned away and gave a fleeting glance backward. "Yaoye, ponder this well. I shall grant you one day. If you refuse, heh heh! Then don't blame me!"

With these words, Xiong Batian turned and strode out. Yaoye remained utterly still, as if lifeless.

Observing Yaoye's helplessness and confusion, Elder Ding felt a mix of concern and dread. He worried if Yaoye could endure, afraid that Yaoye might succumb to despair and ally with the Demon Race!

"Yaoye, listen to me. Despite the great dangers, I must warn you now. You are a dragon, fated to soar through the nine heavens. You must not sink into this abyss. Consider your kin—Yang Xiaotian, Nangong Feng, and the rest! None of them escaped suffering. Hold on, Yaoye!"

Hearing Elder Ding's encouragement, a fighting spirit gleamed in Yaoye's eyes—the long-lost fire of determination. Elder Ding smiled.

"Yaoye, do not despair. Wait quietly for the right moment, and hold firm!"

Yaoye uttered no words, yet the light in his eyes intensified. At this moment, Yaoye possessed an uncanny allure, his bloodshot eyes radiating a peculiar, eerie glow.

Time passed gradually, and Yaoye was as if forgotten—no one interrogated him, no one brought food. He sat in his original spot, eyes tightly shut, unmoving.

In the Demon Clan's grand hall, Chilian, Manghuang, and the others gathered. Their faces were grim, and Mangyuan looked bewildered.

"What's this? We only returned once. Is it so dire for the two of you? Has something occurred?"

Chilian, upon hearing this, slammed the table in fury. "Humph! Outrageous!"

"Big brother, what exactly happened?"

Manghuang rose and declared solemnly, "Xiong Batian possesses extraordinary talent and was favored by the Alliance Leader. He wishes to monopolize the credit."

Mangyuan stood abruptly. "Impossible! He was actually chosen by the Alliance Leader?"

Chilian rose, indignant. "I cannot swallow this humiliation! Back then, without us, he would still be a mere local. Now he wants to trample on our necks!"

Having spoken, Chilian turned to leave the hall. Manghuang intervened, stepping forward.

"Do not act rashly. Xiong Batian merely seeks to have his father, Xiong Batian, claim all credit for the Creation Cauldron, so the entire clan might join the Demon Race. Simply agree to his terms! A gentleman takes revenge in ten years; it is not too late. Fortunately, we did not reveal the matter of Liu Xin."

"Are we yielding like this? I refuse!"

Manghuang patted Chilian's shoulder. "Little brother Chilian, calm yourself. Consider: Xiong Batian is now a favored figure before the Alliance Leader. We can seize this chance to negotiate with him!"

Chilian's head shot up in surprise, eyes fixed on Manghuang.

"What do you mean?"

Manghuang chuckled slyly, "With only the two of us, it's difficult to persuade the Leader to halt the cleansing plan. But with Xiong Batian, yes! We can exploit their ignorance of Liu Xin's situation to secretly nurture him."

Upon hearing this, Chilian sneered, curling his lip dismissively.

"What scheme is this? Even if we cultivate Liu Xin, we won't have the opportunity... wait! Are you suggesting...?"

Chilian pointed upward. Manghuang burst into laughter and nodded vigorously.

"Yes! The Special Inspector conducts inspections once every fifty years. In a few years, he will arrive. Then, we can directly approach the Special Inspector. What is Xiong Batian then? He will be ours to slaughter at will!"

Chilian gave a cold snort. "Perfect! By then, Xiong Batian, I will make you repay a hundredfold!"

Manghuang clapped Chilian's shoulder. "Enough, cease this gloom. Later, when Xiong Batian arrives, mind your tone!"

Chilian nodded. Just as their conversation ended, Xiong Batian entered. Looking at Chilian and the others, he casually cupped his fist.

"What brings the elders here?"

Seeing Xiong Batian's demeanor, Chilian nearly exploded in anger, but restrained himself upon meeting Manghuang's gaze.

"Nothing. It is merely to convey an appointment. Yaoye and the Creation Cauldron are now under your full charge. You may depart!"

Upon hearing this, Xiong Batian laughed loudly, turned without offering a proper bow, and left!