This assassin is upright

Chapter 384 The War of the Demons
"Step~"

With a soft footstep, Yu Zhun disembarked from the boat and arrived at the last island marked on the route map.

Behind him, Helmod and his three companions followed closely.

As soon as they landed on the island, they sensed something was amiss.

The demonic energy here is excessively dense compared to other islands.

After a quick detour, they found a hole in a certain area of ​​the island. It was a bottomless hole that opened directly into the ground and went straight down. No matter how they used their senses or other senses, they could not perceive the situation at the other end of the hole.

"Are we going to jump right off here?" A hint of uncertainty flashed in Lu Wen's eyes.

“If nothing unexpected happens, that should be the case.” Yu Zhun nodded. “According to the information given in the previous route map, this cave entrance is the only passage to the underground world without going through the ocean.”

It's not impossible to enter the underground world from the ocean, but the ocean also contains inexplicable horrors and dangers, so there's no need to force your way in if there's a shortcut.

"But what if the demons of the underworld predict our landing point in advance and lie in wait there?" Helmod raised his concerns.

"Perhaps there is." Yu Zhun nodded slightly, then changed the subject, "But I think the possibility is slim."

"Judging from all that has happened before, the ninth level of the Netherworld has a more obvious and clear order, and at the same time, there are a large number of demons."

"This kind of behavior of waiting at the landing point is not only less profitable, but it is also likely to be prohibited by other demons."

"Even if there are people lying in wait, we're not going to be taken advantage of."

“That’s true.” Helmod nodded slightly, his eyes showing agreement, clearly agreeing with Yu Zhun’s words.

"Of course, we can't be too careless either." Yu Zhun looked at the other four, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in his eyes. "The formation we just learned can be activated now."

As soon as he finished speaking, the other four quickly took their positions next to Yu Zhun. The moment the Demonic Battle Formation was formed, the auras of the five people were twisted into one, and their powerful auras seemed to be completely integrated.

"Let's go, get off!"

With a low shout from Yu Zhun, the five men maintained their battle formation and leaped toward the cave entrance in front of them.

Soon, they were completely plunged into the darkness of the cave, only able to feel themselves falling rapidly towards a place where the demonic energy was becoming increasingly concentrated.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but the surging demonic energy below had become terrifyingly dense, causing even the five of them, Yu Zhun, to gradually slow down. By the time they finally landed at the other end of the passage, their speed had decreased to almost negligible.

Looking around warily, Yu Zhun and his group of five quickly felt relieved.

No powerful demons attacked them as they landed. Instead, not far from where they landed, demons holding different signs approached them enthusiastically as soon as they landed.

"I didn't expect these newcomers to be able to use the [Demon's Descent Battle Formation] so quickly!" one of the demons laughed heartily. "Our Demon Slayer Clan needs newcomers like you!"

"With your pathetic strength, the Demon Slayers dare to challenge us, the Trolls?" another demon scoffed, then smiled at Yu Zhun and the others. "Why not join us? We'll offer you excellent benefits!"

"Our Crimson Demon Clan is quite powerful; you are welcome to join us."

"Look at us, we Blood Demons are veteran members of the Blood Demon Clan..."

Hearing the group of demons talking one after another, Yu Zhun and the others went from being wary at first to looking at each other in bewilderment.

What kind of bizarre development is this?

"Stop arguing, everyone!"

Yu Zhun raised his hands and said loudly, "We're new here, could you tell us about the basic situation here?"

“Yes, yes, we were too hasty!” The troll demon slapped his head and then said, “The ninth level of the Netherworld is quite different from the other levels you’ve seen before.”

“Here, everyone fights in the manner of demons.”

“Large numbers of demons band together to form the Demon Clan, striving for the interests that belong to each other.” As he spoke, a demon from the Troll Clan chuckled, “Even the blood food that enters the lower levels is fought for in this way.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhun and the others were immediately surprised.

It's really interesting that the ninth floor has developed into such a unique shape.

If I'm not mistaken, this is inextricably linked to the existence of the [Demon's Descent Battle Formation].

The more people in a battle formation, the stronger it becomes. For the demons who acquire the battle formation, cooperation and teamwork become the better solution.

With the addition of other guiding factors, it has become like this.

"Could you tell us about the hierarchy among the demons?" Hermod asked curiously after a moment's thought.

“That’s no problem.” Another demon said in a low voice, “You’ve already mastered the Demonic Descent Battle Formation, so you should know that its power is greatly related to the number of people in it.”

"Ten demons are the minimum standard for the demons, because only with more than ten demons can one summon a [True Demon] and fully utilize the power of the [Demon Advent Battle Formation]."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhun nodded slightly.

He knew this, of course.

It takes ten people to summon the [True Demon], and the power of the [True Demon] is enough to elevate the [Demon's Battle Formation] to a higher level. Therefore, it will be much more difficult for the five of them to stand out on this level.

“A group of demons with fewer than one hundred members is called the ‘Ten Demons,’ and they are considered the weakest among the demons.” The demon glanced disdainfully at the Demon Slayer who had spoken first.

"They are the Demon Slayers, also known as the Ten Demons."

"We may be outnumbered, but our individual strength is by no means weak!" Upon hearing this, the demons of the Demon Slayer Clan were displeased. "While numbers are important in the [Demon Descent Battle Formation], individual strength is equally important!"

"Besides, if those five are willing to join, then we can also become the [Hundred Demons]!"

"Individual strength?" The demon who spoke up sneered. "Apart from the six demon lords and their six demon followers, it's meaningless for other demon followers to talk about individual strength."

After saying that, the demon returned to the main topic, "After the Ten Demons comes the Hundred Demons, and then the Thousand Demons and the Ten Thousand Demons."

"However, the [Ten Thousand Demons] are already a legend. After the six Demon Lords appeared, there were no more [Ten Thousand Demons] on the ninth floor."

"The Thousand Demons are the pinnacle." With that, the demon spoke proudly, "We, the Absolute Heaven Clan, are the Thousand Demons."

"Among all the demons present, only we have reached the level of the [Thousand Demons]." As he spoke, he looked at Yu Zhun and the others.

"So, how about joining our Heavenly Clan?"

The Heavenly Clan... The Thousand Demons...

Yu Zhun looked thoughtful, pondering the other person's words repeatedly before slowly speaking, "You just mentioned the six Demon Lords, may I ask who they are?"

“The six Demon Lords are the six strongest individuals on the ninth level of the Netherworld.” Another demon spoke in a deep voice, a hint of apprehension in his eyes. “Each of them is capable of fighting against the Ten Demons single-handedly; their strength is incomparably formidable.”

"If it were just a matter of individual combat strength, the six Demon Lords shouldn't have such a big impact, right?" Yu Zhun couldn't help but wonder.

Because of the [Demon's Descent Battle Formation], the influence of individual power on the ninth level of the Netherworld is greatly reduced. Even a powerful demon capable of fighting against ten demons alone is no match for a hundred or a thousand demons. Therefore, these six demon lords must possess other terrifying abilities.

“Indeed.” The demon who spoke nodded. “If it were only individual combat power, the six demon lords could not have achieved their current status.”

“But each of them has a ‘Demon Lord’ under their command.” A hint of fear flashed in the demon’s eyes when he mentioned the words “Demon Lord”. “The ‘Demon Lord’ is only about a hundred people, but they can fight against ten thousand with a hundred. Even the ‘Thousand Demons’ are no match for them.”

"A hundred against ten thousand?!" Yu Zhun and the others were shocked at the same time.

Having mastered the [Demon Descent Battle Formation], they were well aware of just how terrifying the increase in numbers would be to the formation.

The difference in strength between a battle formation of one hundred men and one formation of ten thousand men is not simply a hundredfold, but can reach a thousandfold or even ten thousandfold.

It can be said that this so-called "Demon Lord's Clan" is capable of fighting against tens of thousands with hundreds of enemies, and is even more terrifying than the six Demon Lords facing the "Ten Demon Lords" alone.

"How can they be so strong?" Yu Zhu couldn't help but exclaim. "Could it be that among the Demon Lord's followers, each demon's strength far surpasses that of a demon?"

“That’s not it.” Another demon shook his head. “The demons under the command of the six demon lords are naturally very powerful.”

"But if we're talking about far surpassing us..."

"It shouldn't be that bad."

"The reason they are so powerful is because they possess an even more powerful battle formation." As he said this, a strange light flashed in the demon's eyes. "It is a battle formation that only the six demon lords know about, and it is even more advanced than the [Demon Descent Battle Formation]."

"However, no one has ever seen what that battle formation looked like."

"After all, the Demon Lords rarely make a move. The last time they did was when they wiped out the only two remaining members of the Ten Thousand Demons on the ninth floor."

A more advanced battle formation?

Yu Zhun and the others exchanged glances, their eyes gleaming.

The [Demon's Descent Battle Formation] is already very powerful; if they could acquire an even more powerful battle formation...

Our strength will inevitably surge!

"Is there any way to join the Demon Lord's faction?" Udyr asked impatiently.

Upon hearing this, the demons around them burst into laughter.

"Join the Demon Lord's faction?" One of the demons shook his head, both amused and exasperated. "That's a good idea, though."

"Unfortunately, the Demon Lord's Clan never recruits anyone."

“Every demon among the Demon Lords is personally recruited by the six Demon Lords, and they are enslaved beforehand, so that they cannot absorb blood and food to enter the lower levels and can only stay here forever.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Zhun and the others' expressions darkened.

If the condition for obtaining that higher-level battle formation is to remain here and be enslaved forever, they certainly wouldn't agree.

Seemingly sensing Yu Zhun and the others' thoughts, another demon spoke up quietly, "If I'm not mistaken, you are probably interested in the formation of the [Demon Lord's Clan]."

"The Demon Lord's faction will never accept you, but it's not entirely impossible to obtain the formation."

"Hmm?" Yu Zhun's eyes lit up. "Is there a way?"

"Winning the War of the Demons will not only grant you all the blood offerings for the next descent, but also a chance to challenge the Demon Lords." The demon paused, "If you can defeat the Demon Lords, you will obtain an even more powerful formation."

"Of course, that's on the premise that you can win and survive the [Demon Lord's Clan]."

“Or…” the demon beside him chuckled, “No one knows how the six demon lords obtained the formation, but since they can obtain it, others naturally have a chance to obtain it as well.”

"You can try your luck; maybe you'll find it?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding demons burst into laughter again.

If it were really that easy to find, the ninth floor wouldn't only have those six demon lords.

Yu Zhun and the others exchanged glances, politely declined the offers of the many demons present, and then chose a direction to leave.

After walking a little further away, Helmod spoke in a deep voice, "Yu Zhun, we've got the general situation figured out. What's next?"

“It seems we have no choice but to join the Demon Clan.” Yu Zhun sighed. “Unless we have the strength to break the existing order, we must win the Demon Clan War to obtain the blood offerings and enter the next level.”

It seems that the five of them simply do not possess the power to disrupt the existing order.

In that case, there is only one path ahead of them.

That means joining the Demon Clan, participating in the Demon Clan War, becoming the final champion, and then considering whether to challenge the Demon Lord Clan.

"Then why didn't we agree to their recruitment just now?" Lu Wen couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Of course it's because the situation is unclear." Yu Zhu jumped up and slapped Lu Wen on the head. "Among those recruited demons, there is only one [Thousand Demons]. The strength of this [Thousand Demons] is also unknown."

"If we're going to join, we want to join the team that's most likely to win!"

“Yu Zhu is right.” Helmod stroked his chin. “If we want to win the championship, we need to choose the method with the highest probability of success.”

“But…” His brows furrowed, “Those powerful demon hordes, numbering in the thousands, won’t take us seriously.”

"In this way, even if we win the championship and obtain the blood offerings, we may not get any. If we choose to challenge the Demon Lord's followers, the other demons may not cooperate."

Formations require the cooperation of all members.

If one cannot control the absolute discourse among the demons, how can one expect such a vast multitude of demons to obey one's commands?
“This…” Yu Zhu was stunned for a moment, then nodded in annoyance, “What you said makes sense.”

"It is indeed very difficult to completely control the discourse of the demons by simply joining one of them."

“Unless…” Yu Zhu paused, unable to resist looking at Yu Zhun, “this Demon Clan was built by us from scratch.”

In the world of Divine Revelation, Yu Zhun once established the [God of Slaughter] guild.

Even though the [God of Slaughter] guild has now become one of the largest five-star guilds on Blue Star, guild members will still absolutely obey Yu Zhun's orders. This kind of authority is what they need.

Upon hearing Yu Zhu's words, the others looked at Yu Zhun.

"To establish a cult of demons...?"

A thoughtful look flashed in Yu Zhun's eyes.

"Isn't that impossible?"

(End of this chapter)