The formidable fist intent dyed half the sky red. Everyone could see that if Bie Huan, the Sect Master of the Joyous Union Sect, took this punch, Chen Jiuyang would annihilate him on the spot, leaving no trace behind.
After all, Chen Jiuyang's combat power was already well-known throughout the Demonic Path.
"Bang—"
The instant Bie Huan cried out for mercy, Chen Jiuyang's terrifying fist intent abruptly halted.
"Whoosh!!!"
A terrifying surge of energy exploded, scattering the dark clouds in the sky and revealing a massive circular void that was reflected in the eyes of everyone present.
Bie Huan was drenched in cold sweat, her pupils filled with terror. "This punch..."
"...is too terrifying."
The over a hundred elders of the True Demonic Sect exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of shock, joy, and awe.
"How long has the Sect Master been in seclusion? His combat power has ascended to another level."
"The Sect Master is truly talented!"
"Such divine abilities, such combat power, and at the Sect Master's age! His talent! Heaven blesses the prosperity of our Sacred Path!"
Chen Jiuyang's display of dominance this time was entirely different from his previous battles.
He was more powerful, his fighting style had changed, and he had showcased different techniques and divine abilities.
To escape the 'Burial of Joyful Songs' and then instantly reverse the situation from below, defeating Bie Huan in just two or three moves and forcing her to surrender, this relentless pressure that left no room for respite was incredibly overbearing and left a deep impression.
"He truly possesses a third of the bearing of our Sacred Path's Emperors," praised an elder of the older generation with a long lifespan.
Chen Jiuyang slowly retracted his fist, his overbearing and sharp aura instantly receding. He then cupped his fists and said, "I have yielded."
Following an exchange of Sacred Artifacts between the two sides, the jade hairpin tore through the void and returned to the forbidden grounds of the Chongming Sea.
The True Demonic Sect's Sacred Artifact, 'Eternal Calamity,' flew towards the depths of the Joyous Union Sect, beginning to inherit and control the Joyous Union Sect's destiny and various resources.
"Congratulations, Sect Master! Congratulations!"
The over a hundred elders of the True Demonic Sect simultaneously knelt on one knee and congratulated Chen Jiuyang in loud voices.
Twenty-eight years old, peak of the third level of the Venerable Realm!
If this continued, wouldn't he reach the Emperor Realm before fifty?
He was even more astonishing than the ancestors recorded in ancient texts!
Chen Jiuyang declared loudly, "From this moment on, you shall take charge of the Joyous Union lineage. Do not engage in conflict with the disciples and elders of the Joyous Union lineage."
"We obey the Sect Master's sacred decree!"
The elders responded in unison. The female cultivators of the Joyous Union Sect turned pale. Sect Master Bie Huan had been defeated so quickly. Without regard for their feelings, they began to call out names to take over everything in the Joyous Union Sect.
Then, Han Shaofa stepped forward, cupped his fists, and said, "Sect Master."
"Hmm?" Chen Jiuyang looked at him and asked, "Patriarch Han, is there something you need?"
Han Shaofa said, "Sect Master, since ancient times, the Joyous Union lineage has been close to my Jiudu Han clan. The Joyous Union lineage consists entirely of female cultivators. To prevent any defamation of the Sect Master's sacred name, may the disciples and elders of the Joyous Union lineage be handed over to the Sect Master's wife for handling?"
Chen Jiuyang frowned, then quickly understood the implications.
The Demonic Path was filled with all sorts of people, and lustful individuals were countless. Previously, the Joyous Union Sect was an independent major sect, and other forces in the Demonic Path dared not provoke them. Now that it had become a subordinate of the True Demonic Sect, the situation for these female cultivators was uncertain.
Chen Jiuyang's expression softened slightly. "There is no reason why this cannot be done. Please convey a message to Yi Han, telling her to be prepared."
"The Sect Master is wise!" Han Shaofa continued, "How should 'Bie Huan' be dealt with?"
Normally, in the struggle between Sacred Paths, it would end in a fight to the death, and the loser would have no face to continue living. However, Bie Huan was a female cultivator, and she had spoken to beg for mercy, so Chen Jiuyang had spared her life.
One mountain cannot tolerate two tigers; this was indeed a difficult problem.
If not handled properly, it was inevitable that people from the Joyous Union lineage would secretly cause trouble and create conflict.
Chen Jiuyang said solemnly, "I greatly admire Bie Huan. My personal guard still lacks a commander, and Bie Huan is perfectly suited for this position."
Those who knew a little about Chen Jiuyang's background knew that his current personal guards were not of high cultivation but were those who had followed him since his humble beginnings.
By doing this, Chen Jiuyang could resolve this potential hidden danger and conflict, and also supervise Bie Huan to prevent any resentment or troublemaking thoughts.
Han Shaofa cupped his fists towards Chen Jiuyang. "The Sect Master is wise!"
Then, he looked at 'Bie Huan,' who was being healed by the five Grand Elders of the Joyous Union lineage, and asked, "How is it?"
'Bie Huan' put on her magical artifact clothing, but it was no longer the phoenix attire. It still concealed her peerless face. She cupped her fists towards Chen Jiuyang and said, "Bie Huan abides by the Sect Master's sacred decree."
Han Shaofa chuckled and said, "Then, Commander Bie, please summon the patriarchs of the nine lineages of the Joyous Union to return to the Sacred Sect with me to pay respects to the Sect Master's wife."
"Yes," Bie Huan replied.
The Sect Master's wife was Qiu Yihan, who possessed the Heavenly Charm Physique. It was only right for her to unify the nine lineages of the Joyous Union in Bie Huan's place, and no one could find fault with it from any angle.
...
A few hours later, the Demonic Path was shaken.
The Joyous Union Sect had disappeared, replaced by the Joyous Union lineage of the True Sacred Sect.
Of the Nine Sacred Sects, three had fallen into the hands of the True Sacred Sect.
Of the one hundred and eight lineages of the Demonic Path, thirty-six were now under Chen Jiuyang's command.
The remaining difficult bones were Samsara, Supreme, Tai Xuan, Great Dream, and Pure Unity.
Among these, Supreme, Tai Xuan, and Great Dream were the most formidable.
Chen Jiuyang's confrontation with 'Bie Huan' of the Joyous Union today had involved falling into her divine ability and almost being defeated.
If not for the divine ability taught to him by Princess 'Shi Le,' he might not have been able to defeat 'Bie Huan.'
The thirty-six lineages that had already submitted to Chen Jiuyang certainly hoped that he could unify the Nine Sects of the Demonic Path.
For a very long time, the Sacred Path forces had not been so unified and powerful.
With the addition of the Joyous Union lineage, the remaining elders and disciples of the True Sacred Sect exceeded three hundred thousand, not including the family members of the thirty-six lineages who had not yet joined the True Demonic Sect.
Such a massive force could not be underestimated by any power.
And currently, Chen Jiuyang, thanks to the good fortune bestowed by Emperor Yan, had the five great Sacred Lands in a state of disarray, leaving them no time to deal with him.
The Joyous Union Sect was relatively unique within the Demonic Path, with all its members being beautiful female cultivators. After submitting to the True Sacred Sect, most of the female cultivators would migrate to the True Demonic Sect within the next three days. The subsequent follow-up work would be handled by other cultivators of the True Demonic Sect.
In the main hall of the True Demonic Sect.
Qiu Yihan, clad in a sacred, pitch-black phoenix robe, with a peerlessly cold and beautiful countenance, sat on the phoenix chair slightly below the Sect Master's dragon throne. Before her were the patriarchs of the nine lineages of the Joyous Union, dozens of Grand Elders, and over a hundred elders. As for the true disciples, she would meet them uniformly later.
"Greetings, Madam."
The female cultivators of the Joyous Union lineage all bowed to Qiu Yihan, who was seated above.
Qiu Yihan's expression was calm. "I have already divided the areas for all of you sisters. For daily cultivation, missions, and resource distribution, everything will be handled according to the rules of the Sacred Sect. You need not worry about becoming cauldrons or suffering unfair treatment."
For female cultivators like those in the Joyous Union Sect, who cultivated媚功 (Mèi Gōng - charm/seduction techniques) throughout their ranks, in the vast True Demonic Sect, if she, the Sect Master's wife, did not step forward to preside, they were very likely to become cauldrons and suffer a tragic fate.
"Thank you, Madam!"