"Hmpf, after your mistake, do you think you can still speak so arrogantly?" Ashflame Crow's said, his ink-black eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Ashflame, don't be too hard on him. It's not like Ragingflame led ten thousand demons, nearly a fifth of our forces, against the immortals and lost them all, including Nightmare Heart." Flametailed Peacock said, her voice frighteningly calm. "Oh wait, you did just that."
Ragingflame Crow grunted. He was highly displeased by his two fellow elders' attitude, but what could he do? However, he wasn't willing to endure too much, and when he finally couldn't take it anymore of his fellow elders' passive-aggressiveness, he retorted. "If both of you had helped, the situation wouldn't have devolved to this state."
"We warned you about the immortal's might, but now you're blaming us?" Ashflame Crow said, displeased by the blame in Ragingflame Crow's words.
"Don't be too harsh on him. After all, he is still too immature." Flametailed Peacock said, still treating Ragingflame Crow like a kid who didn't understand the world of adults. Although the words seemed to aim to dispel the conflict, Ragingflame Crow could hear the ridicule within them.
"Hmpf, out of all the immortals, only one was worthy of danger. The others couldn't harm me at all!" Ragingflame Crow said, his irritation leading to his temper exploding.
"Harm?" Flametailed Peacock said, her head swiveling towards Ragingflame Crow. "But you couldn't harm the strong ones either, right?"
"..." Ragingflame Crow stayed silent as he recalled Xia Yushan, Daoist Moneybag, Hun Jusang, Bing Huoyuan, and many more. It was true that they teamed up and couldn't harm him, but neither could he harm them. With that group of cultivators interfering, he had no chance at eliminating the weaker cultivators after his sneak attack.
Truthfully, Ragingflame Crow felt that their chances of actually defeating the top disciples were meager. If all three elders had attacked, then they might be able to kill the weaker disciples, but the chances of killing the top disciples were still low.
"Not only that, but Nightmare Heart died. Nightmare Heart was the most promising demon after Sunfeather, the descendant that inherited the ancestor's blood the most." At the mention of Sunfeather Crow by Ashflame Crow, all three elders' faces distorted.
Sunfeather Crow was a demon that had been born over three hundred years ago. At birth, the yang essence within him was extremely potent. With enough time, he had the chance of becoming the next true demon of the Golden Crow Clan, but that all went down the drain when he was killed by a cultivator of the demon cage realm.
That incident resulted in the Golden Crow Clan launching a massacre that killed over fifty percent of the humans within their territory and the surrounding territories. Unfortunately, they weren't able to personally witness the perpetrator. Although the Golden Crow Clan was able to deal a fatal blow to the perpetrator, so the cultivator should have long died by now. The one who was most outraged was Ashflame Crow as Sunfeather was his most prized descendant.
At most, it was only a small comfort. To this day, there has yet to be a demon born that inherited Golden Crow Ancestor's bloodline as much as Sunfeather Crow.
Suddenly, all three of them turned their heads towards the highest mountain with smoke coming out of the peak, Sun Origin Mountain. The mountain was a volcano and the most sacred land of the Golden Crow Clan not only because it was Golden Crow Ancestor's lair and birthplace, but it had the effect of nourishing yang and fire attribute to those who entered.
"The ancestor is summoning us," Ashflame Crow said, causing his fellow two elders to nod.
Ragingflame Crow had an ugly expression, but he quickly schooled it. He would have worried if only he were summoned, but since Ashflame Crow and Flametailed Peacock had also been summoned, that meant it wasn't a trial for the death of Nightmare Heart and the thousands of demons that died because of him.
Without delay, all three of them flew toward Sun Origin Mountain.
The three Unity Realm level demons didn't enter by flying into the mouth of the volcano. Instead, they entered through the cave wide enough for flight at the side of the volcano. At first, the air was cool, but that soon changed the deeper they were until the rocks were glowing a fiery red. When they reached the center, they saw nine more elders already present.
With the addition of Ragingflame Crow, Ashflame Crow, and Flametailed Peacock, all twelve of the Golden Crow Clan's demon elders had arrived. Some of the elders present spared Ragingflame Crow a glance, and within their eyes was mockery, disdain, sympathy, and much much more.
Ragingflame Crow knew that had it not been for the ancestor's summon, they would have no doubt started mocking him, especially Serenewave Raven. Serenewave Raven did not inherit the yang or fire attribute that most of the Golden Crow Clan had, but a mutated water attribute. This caused Serenewave Raven's relationship with his fellow demons to be rather poor, especially with Ragingflame Crow.
The two rivals locked eyes as electricity seemed to spark between them before averting their gaze at the same time. They were incompatible as fire and water.
Since all twelve elders had arrived, Golden Crow Ancestor did not prolong the wait. He wasn't the type to lead people on, which was why he immediately summoned the elders after Leviathan Ancestor contacted him. However, some things must be addressed.
"Ragingflame Crow, I heard that ten thousand descendants and Nightmare Heart perished under your orders." The voice was surprisingly calm as if Golden Crow Ancestor was just asking about the weather, but the majesty within could not be hidden.
If Ragingflame Crow were a human, his whole body would have been doused in sweat. Even now, his body seemed to deflate, and his head unconsciously lowered, not even daring to meet Golden Crow Ancestor's eyes. Against all odds, he managed to keep his voice steady. "Yes, I will accept whatever punishment ancestor has prepared."
Golden Crow Ancestor nodded, not denying the punishment. "Indeed, you are wrong. Had you waited, you might have accomplished your goals."
There was a pause before Ragingflame Crow timidly raised his head. What did the ancestor mean by that?
Golden Crow Ancestor had already diverted his focus away from Ragingflame Crow and addressed all the elders present. "Leviathan Ancestor contacted me moments ago."
The progenitor of the Golden Crow Clan allowed his words to sink in. It was unusual for the three true demons of the Demon Cage Realm to contact one another, at least to the elder's knowledge. For the Golden Crow Ancestor to mention it, something big must have been brewing.
"Leviathan Ancestor plans to hunt down the invaders of Demon Heaven." Golden Crow Ancestor once again allowed his words to sink in before continuing. "He will be mobilizing most of his clan members. In total, he will send around thrice our numbers."
All the elders present sucked in a cold breath. The Golden Crow Clan had around a hundred thousand descendants at the Core Formation Realm level and above, ninety thousand now after Ragingflame Crow's mistake, but that didn't matter. Leviathan Ancestor planning to send thrice that amount, three hundred thousand, was a huge commitment.
"Not only that, he will even offer treasures and resources only available to his territory should we agree to cooperate." At the mention of the resources exclusive to the Leviathan Clan, the elders present couldn't help but feel their hearts move at the offer.
Although water attribute materials were at odds with the Golden Crow Clan's yang and fire attributes, that didn't mean water attribute resources weren't helpful. In fact, they were extremely beneficial. Yang and fire attribute was explosive, and the chances of entering cultivation deviation or injuring oneself were high. If the Golden Crow Clan had certain water attribute treasures, it would not be an exaggeration to say the whole clan's strength might rise to another level.
Before, Leviathan Ancestor had always refused the Golden Crow Clan's offer of trading for the water attribute resources, so the elders present couldn't help but wonder what changed. They didn't think it was specifically the immortals' descent. After all, this wasn't the first time they had invaded the Demon Cage Realm.
After pondering, they reached the conclusion that one of the immortals must have offended Leviathan Ancestor or hold some sort of treasure or object that was extremely beneficial to Leviathan Ancestor, prompting him to make such a significant movement.
"However," Golden Crow Ancestor interrupted their thoughts, his voice severe. "Hunting down the invaders won't be without any risks. As you know, I cannot leave the core territory whenever the immortals descend, so you will have to judge the situation yourself. Not to mention that the immortals' foundation is deeper than ours. If they are pushed to the brink, there is no guarantee that you will be able to guard against their trump cards."
"Ancestor, even if it means sacrificing my life, I will make sure to make them pay for their massacre of our clan members!" Ragingflame Crow was the first to speak. First, he wanted to wipe away the shame of his defeat. Second, he wanted revenge on the cultivators. Three thousand years ago, his parents had been killed by the cultivators.
"I haven't agreed to Leviathan Ancestor's proposal yet. Even if I have, you will not participate." Golden Crow Ancestor said, his tone not fluctuating at all as he gazed at Ragingflame Crow. "With your injured state, you are a liability. You are worth more alive, so quickly heal yourself."
"When I'm healed, can I join the assault?" Ragingflame Crow asked, deliberately ignoring the fact that Golden Crow Ancestor said that he hadn't agreed to Leviathan Ancestor's proposal.
In his eyes, it would be a stupid move to turn down Leviathan Ancestor's proposal. The gains far outweighed the risks. Even if half the remaining ninety thousand Core Formation Realm level demons and above died, it would be worth it if even two more elders were created. And with the Leviathan Clan's exclusive resources, there was a chance that those who were only a hair's grasp away would enter the equivalent of the cultivator's Unity Realm. The lifespans of demons and humans were different. Demons cultivated slower than humans, but they also had a longer lifespan.
"That is your punishment for your careless actions. You allowed your emotions to dictate your actions beyond the acceptable boundaries." Golden Crow Ancestor emotionlessly rejected Ragingflame Crow's heartfelt desires.
"But!" Ragingflame Crow cried out, wanting to object, but upon seeing the Golden Crow Ancestor's emotionless gaze, he could only swallow his words and turn silent.
"Now, as I've said before, I have yet to agree to Leviathan Ancestor's demands. I already said the risks, now all of you will vote, yes or no. Whichever decision has the support of the majority, I will follow. In the end, it is you elders who will handle the attack on the invaders should you agree. I won't be of much help, so choose wisely." Golden Crow Ancestor said.
Ragingflame Crow immediately put his vote towards yes. Even if he couldn't participate, he wanted to deal a blow to the cultivators who killed his parents. If he could become a true demon, he would have long tried to break the seal on the Demon Cage Realm and look for his parent's killers.
Including Ragingflame Crow, nine out of the twelve elders chose yes, cementing the agreement with Leviathan Ancestor's proposal.
"Serenewave, why did you choose no, you coward? No wonder you haven't made any advancements for the past thousand years with your timid nature." Ragingflame Crow mocked upon seeing Serenewave Raven choose no.
"Hmpf, I prefer to err on the side of caution. I'm not a hotheaded idiot who got ten percent of the clan's demons killed." Serenewave Raven ridiculed, refusing to show any weakness.
"You!" Ragingflame Crow said as fire began to appear on his body.
"Enough, have you two forgotten in whose presence you are in?" Ashflame Crow said, his wings unfurled and the ash-grey flames burning dangerously at both ends.
Immediately, both Ragingflame Crow and Serenewave Raven quieted and apologized. Although Ashflame Crow wasn't the strongest or the oldest, he was the most dangerous of all the elders. His unique ash flame could turn his targets into literal ash. The effect was near-instantaneous on those on the same level and weaker than him.
"Thank you, Ashflame." Golden Crow Ancestor said.
"I'm only doing my duty, Ancestor." Ashflame Crow said with great humility.
"You can all return, I will speak to Leviathan Ancestor. According to the situation, Leviathan Ancestor's clan members will all arrive in four to five years. He also gave the same proposal to the Jade Rabbit Clan, so the time we strike at the cultivators is not set in stone." Golden Crow Ancestor said as he submerged himself back into the magma.