Summoning the Gods: Start by creating the Eternal Night.

"Thump—thump—thump—"

The ancient and resonant sound of the bell echoed across the summit of Jiulin Mountain, piercing through the clouds and reverberating throughout the entire mountain.

The tolling of the bell, like a horn, announced the official start of the Demon-Slaying Assembly.

In an instant, the once noisy Jiulin Mountain seemed to be muted, and then an even bigger commotion erupted.

Large and small forces and independent cultivators from all over the Eastern Region surged toward the center of the mountaintop like a tide.

There, a giant stage had already been erected, magnificent in appearance, large enough to accommodate tens of thousands of people.

The area around the stage was bustling with noise and discussion.

"It's finally begun! With so many forces gathered this time, we're sure to wipe out the Nine Nether Demon Sect in one fell swoop!"

A young cultivator, his face filled with fervor, gripped his longsword tightly.

A middle-aged martial artist next to him nodded in agreement:

"That's right! No matter how rampant the Nine Nether Demon Sect is, they can't withstand our overwhelming numbers!"

"I just don't know who will end up as the leader of the Demon-Slaying Alliance."

"Is that even a question?" a portly-looking man said proudly. "Naturally, it's the Great Qian Dynasty! With Prince Yuan in charge, the world can be commanded and the people united!"

"I don't see it that way," a wandering monk in a kasaya shook his head.

"Wanfo Temple is the leader of the righteous path, and its members are highly respected. Only when they take the position of leader can the people be convinced."

"Hmph, the Great Qian Dynasty has long since declined, what right does it have to be the alliance leader?"

"Wanfo Temple is just trying to gain fame and fortune; does it even deserve that title?"

For a time, everyone argued endlessly about the position of leader, each sticking to their own opinion, and the atmosphere became increasingly heated.

Just then, a golden light descended from the sky and landed in the center of the giant stage.

As the light faded, Prince Yuan, Qian Yuan, dressed in his princely robes, his face composed, swept his gaze across the crowd below the stage and proclaimed in a clear voice:

"Welcome, everyone, to this Demon-Slaying Assembly. On behalf of the Great Qian Dynasty, I thank you all."

His voice was loud and clear, containing a faint spiritual power, and entered everyone's ears clearly, instantly suppressing the noise below the stage.

"The Qingyun Sect has accepted the invitation!"

An aged voice rang out, and Zhuge Xiu, along with Zhong Xiang and several Qingyun Sect disciples, appeared on the stands to one side of the stage in a flash.

Zhuge Xiu cupped his hands in greeting to Qian Yuan and said, "Greetings, Prince Yuan."

Qian Yuan nodded slightly, a perfectly timed smile appearing on his face:

"Elder Zhuge, you are too kind. The throne has been prepared for you. Please take your seat."

In the stands, seats had already been arranged according to power levels, with the first few rows reserved for top powers, and the Qingyun Sect's sign prominently displayed among them.

Although there are old grudges between Qingyun Sect and Daqian, today they have come to exterminate demons, and both sides have tacitly put aside their past grievances for the time being.

Thank you!

Zhuge Xiu then led his disciples to the Qingyun Sect's seat and sat down.

Feeling the countless envious and awe-inspiring gazes from below the stage, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

This position represents the status and glory of a top-tier power.

"Leng Wuyai of the Xuanming Sect pays respects to Prince Yuan."

Another chilling voice rang out, and Leng Wuyai, accompanied by several Xuanming Sect experts, slowly landed on the stands.

His gaze swept across the entire room, carrying an air of untamed arrogance.

"Vice Leader Leng, there's no need for such formalities. Please take a seat." Qian Yuan gestured with his hand.

Thank you!

Leng Wuyai's seat happened to be next to the Qingyun Sect's. As soon as he sat down, he looked at Zhuge Xiu with a half-smile:

"Hey, isn't this the escaped pig who was beaten to a pulp by the Drizzle Tower not long ago? Looks like you've fully recovered from your injuries?"

As soon as he said that, the surroundings became quieter.

Everyone knows that the Qingyun Sect suffered heavy losses at the hands of the Xiyu Tower last time, and this is undoubtedly reopening Zhuge Xiu's wounds.

Zhuge Xiu's face instantly turned red. His surname was Zhuge, yet he was being compared to a "pig"—this was an utter disgrace!

Zhuge Xiu glared angrily at Leng Wuyai: "Leng Wuyai! Stop spouting nonsense!"

Leng Wuyai scoffed, his eyes full of disdain: "Heh, what? Did I say something wrong? Or do you want to fight me?"

Zhuge Xiu trembled with rage. He had only recently managed to reach the mid-stage of the Celestial Realm with the help of a sect's secret treasure.

Leng Wuyai, on the other hand, was a genuine late-stage Celestial Realm cultivator, making the difference in strength between the two vast.

But being humiliated like this, he had no choice but to endure it for now!

"Hmph! I won't stoop to your level!" Zhuge Xiu suppressed his anger and turned his face away.

"Hahaha..." Leng Wuyai burst into laughter, "If you don't dare to do it, then just stay put! You escaped pig!"

Seeing this, the other factions in the stands lowered their heads, barely suppressing their laughter.

Even Qian Yuan didn't speak up to stop it. Qingyun Sect and Daqian already had a grudge, and he was happy to see Zhuge Xiu suffer a setback.

Zhuge Xiu, feeling the subtle mockery around him and witnessing Leng Wuyai's arrogant demeanor, finally lost his temper, slammed his hand on the table, and stood up abruptly.

"Leng Wuyai! Don't push your luck! If you want a fight, I'll fight you!"

"Alright!" Leng Wuyai also stood up, his murderous aura surging.

"Let me see just how much you, the Grand Elder of the Qingyun Sect, have improved over the years!"

The two were on the verge of exchanging blows, their auras clashing, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

"Amitabha."

A Buddhist chant rang out like a clear spring, carrying a peaceful yet powerful force that instantly suppressed the aura of the two.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw Masters Mingjue and Mingkong of Wanfo Temple leading a hundred monks as they slowly walked onto the platform.

Master Mingkong clasped his hands together, looking peacefully at Zhuge Xiu and Leng Wuyai:

"Please calm down, both of you."

"Today is the Demon-Slaying Assembly, a gathering of heroes from across the land to discuss the grand plan to destroy demons. How can we resort to violence because of personal grudges?"

"If word gets out, wouldn't the Nine Nether Demon Sect become a laughingstock?"

Although his tone was gentle, he exuded a powerful aura of a peak Celestial Realm expert.

The invisible pressure made both Zhuge Xiu and Leng Wuyai feel a chill in their hearts, and they involuntarily restrained their aura.

Leng Wuyai snorted coldly and sat down first: "Hmph! For the sake of Wanfo Temple, I'll spare you today."

Zhuge Xiu sat down with a livid face, but his gaze toward Mingkong held a hint of gratitude.

Seeing that the two had stopped acting impulsively, Mingkong withdrew his aura, put his hands together, and said:

"Thank you both for your understanding. We are gathered here, and we should prioritize the greater good and work together to fight against the evil Nine Nether Demon Sect. We must not let small things cause us to lose sight of the bigger picture."

Mingkong nodded slightly to the two men, then turned to Qian Yuan, cupped his hands, and said, "Prince Yuan, we are late."

Qian Yuan smiled and said, "Master Mingkong, you are too kind. Please take a seat."

Wanfo Temple is located at the very center of the assembly platform, second only to Daqian Temple, highlighting its status as a leader in Buddhism.

Thank you!

Mingkong and Mingjue also sat down in their seats at Wanfo Temple. Mingjue's gaze swept over the crowd on the stage, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

Wanfo Temple came here to compete for the position of leader of the alliance. The display of strength just now was to intimidate all parties.

The commotion on the stage subsided, but the discussions offstage became increasingly heated.

"Good heavens! Master Mingkong of Wanfo Temple is actually at the peak of the Celestial Realm!"

"This is going to be interesting! The Great Qian Dynasty, the Ten Thousand Buddha Temple, the Xuanming Sect, and several other top-tier forces that haven't shown up yet... the position of alliance leader is going to be fiercely contested!"

"Look! It seems another top-tier force has arrived!"

Following the sound, everyone looked and saw several figures flying rapidly towards them from the distant horizon, exuding an extraordinary aura.

...

Subsequently, the Xuanqing Taoist sect, the Blood Killing Pavilion, and other forces also made their appearances and took their seats.