After conquering Shang Yang and learning of Bai Ze’s abilities, Di Jun asked,
“Bai Ze, to your knowledge, how many other great demons are at your cultivation level?”
Bai Ze quickly replied,
“Your Majesty, to my knowledge, there are nine other great demons. Some of them possess cultivation levels even higher than mine! They are Gui Che, Qin Yuan, Lu Wu, Fei Lian, Ying Zhao, Bi Fang, Jiu Ying, Chong Ming Bird, and Kai Ming Beast.”
Upon hearing Bai Ze’s words, Di Jun asked again,
“How strong are these great demons?”
Bai Ze respectfully answered,
“They are comparable to Ji Meng. Their strength is neither significantly weaker nor significantly stronger.”
Tai Yi heard this, turned to look at Ji Meng, and asked,
“Bai Ze, do you know where they are located?”
Bai Ze shook his head and replied to Tai Yi,
“I am truly uncertain about that! They roam freely and do not have fixed territories.”
Di Jun sounded somewhat disappointed,
“This means we will have to spend a considerable amount of time?”
Bai Ze then added,
“However, I saw Kai Ming Beast lingering in Han Qiu not too long ago. I am unsure if it is still there.”
Di Jun’s eyes lit up. He asked Bai Ze,
“Where is Han Qiu?”
“It is not far ahead.”
Di Jun immediately instructed Bai Ze to lead the way and galloped towards Han Qiu.
After Bai Ze guided Di Jun and Tai Yi to Han Qiu, he said to Di Jun,
“Your Majesty, this is Han Qiu!”
Tai Yi nodded upon hearing this,
“Elder Brother, there is indeed a great demon here.”
Di Jun nodded,
“Indeed, I can sense it too.”
Ji Meng immediately spoke up,
“Your Majesty, allow me to subdue Kai Ming Beast for you!”
Since being injured by Tai Yi, Ji Meng had been recuperating. Seeing Bai Ze repeatedly offering strategies, he felt he needed to contribute something to avoid appearing useless. Thus, Ji Meng volunteered to confront Kai Ming Beast.
Di Jun, seeing Ji Meng’s initiative, agreed,
“If that is the case, you shall be the vanguard. Let me see the true strength of Kai Ming Beast!”
Upon hearing this, Ji Meng immediately advanced towards Han Qiu. After Ji Meng departed, Bai Ze expressed his concern,
“Your Majesty, Ji Meng might not be Kai Ming Beast’s match. Should I go and provide him support?”
Di Jun chuckled,
“You are a strategist, how can you engage in such matters? I shall go.”
Shang Yang, standing nearby, chimed in with a laugh,
“Your Majesty, allow me to go.”
Di Jun nodded,
“Very well, I shall trouble you. Be careful and do not get injured yourself!”
Shang Yang nodded,
“Your Majesty, rest assured. Together with Ji Meng, we shall capture Kai Ming Beast!”
With that, Shang Yang followed Ji Meng.
Ji Meng arrived before Han Qiu and shouted loudly,
“Kai Ming Beast! Come out and surrender!”
Kai Ming Beast, who had been napping, was disturbed by the commotion at its doorstep and came out immediately. Upon seeing Ji Meng blocking its path, Kai Ming Beast patiently asked,
“Fellow Daoist, who are you? Why have you come to my Han Qiu?”
Ji Meng, seeing Kai Ming Beast emerge, raised his head and declared,
“I am Ji Meng, sent by my King to subdue you. If you are wise, you will surrender quickly!”
Kai Ming Beast was surprised. This creature named Ji Meng was already at its cultivation level, and yet it was merely a subordinate? Sensing that the situation was unclear, Kai Ming Beast asked,
“May I know who your King is?”
Ji Meng, seeing Kai Ming Beast inquire, did not hide anything and promptly replied,
“My King is Di Jun of the Solar Star!”
Kai Ming Beast searched its memory but found no acquaintance. It then said to Ji Meng,
“You should retreat quickly. We have no grievances. I shall overlook your trespassing on my abode.”
Seeing that Kai Ming Beast had no intention of submitting, Ji Meng immediately brandished his Hai Gang Fork and attacked. Kai Ming Beast, realizing that its kind offer was met with such insolence, did not hold back and unleashed its spiritual treasure to engage Ji Meng.
Di Jun observed their engagement and realized that, as Bai Ze had stated, Kai Ming Beast's strength did indeed surpass Ji Meng’s. However, with Shang Yang providing support, Di Jun was not overly concerned.
Kai Ming Beast and Ji Meng fought intensely, with neither gaining a decisive advantage. However, Kai Ming Beast’s slightly higher cultivation meant it held a subtle edge, constantly pressing Ji Meng. Shang Yang, disregarding decorum, seeing Kai Ming Beast gaining the upper hand, immediately joined the fray.
Under the combined assault of Shang Yang and Ji Meng, Kai Ming Beast was quickly subdued and brought before Di Jun. Before Di Jun could speak, Bai Ze interjected,
“Kai Ming Beast, you now have only two paths: either you submit to our lord, as we have, or face annihilation!”
Kai Ming Beast, looking at Di Jun, said with a bitter expression,
“Kai Ming Beast is willing to submit!”
After subduing Kai Ming Beast, Di Jun learned of Chong Ming Bird’s whereabouts from it. They then proceeded to find Chong Ming Bird. Upon their arrival, neither Di Jun nor Tai Yi made a move. Chong Ming Bird was subdued by Shang Yang and Kai Ming Beast, and thus, Di Jun gained another demon general.
Following the subjugation of Chong Ming Bird, Di Jun also brought Gui Che, Qin Yuan, Lu Wu, Fei Lian, Ying Zhao, and Jiu Ying under his command. Only Bi Fang’s whereabouts remained unknown. Di Jun personally employed the He Tu Luo Shu to divine Bi Fang’s location, only to discover that Bi Fang was on the Western Mountain. Di Jun initially planned to send Gui Che and Jiu Ying to subdue Bi Fang, but Bai Ze quickly intervened, advising Di Jun,
“Your Majesty, Bi Fang has a fiery temperament. I suggest that only you can subdue it. Otherwise, given its nature, I fear it would rather die than submit to Your Majesty.”
Di Jun’s interest was piqued by this. He personally set off for the Western Mountain.
Di Jun, Tai Yi, and the other eleven demon generals arrived at the Western Mountain, only to find it scorched for a thousand miles. Bai Ze immediately said to Di Jun,
“Your Majesty, Bi Fang is a beast of fire and possesses a volatile temper. I believe only you can personally handle this matter.”
Di Jun murmured to himself,
“A beast of fire? Interesting. I am curious to see its mastery of flame control!”
Bai Ze chuckled,
“Your Majesty, you jest. You are the Golden Crow from the Solar Star. In terms of flame control, only the Phoenix can rival you. Bi Fang is likely no match for you!”
Di Jun laughed heartily and instructed everyone to stop, stating he would go alone. Tai Yi initially wanted to accompany Di Jun, but Di Jun refused, asking him to stay and look after Xi He and Chang Xi.
Di Jun ventured alone into the Western Mountain. He found that Bi Fang, true to its nature as a fire-attribute beast, had indeed ravaged the mountain. If not for his own expertise in fire, he might not have even found Bi Fang and would have turned back. Di Jun pressed deeper into the mountain and finally, at the center, saw a crane-like bird. Though it moved with the grace of a crane, it possessed only one leg. Its azure feathers were adorned with red markings, and it had a white beak. Di Jun addressed it,
“You must be Bi Fang!”
Bi Fang, surprised that someone could reach this place, scrutinized Di Jun and replied,
“Indeed, I am Bi Fang. What brings you here?”
Di Jun smiled faintly,
“I have come looking for you!”
Bi Fang could not believe it. It had always been shunned, deemed an ill omen. To think someone would seek it out. Bi Fang looked at Di Jun and asked,
“Why are you looking for me?”
“To ask for your help!”
“Help? What kind of help?”
“To join me in establishing the Demon Court. I will make you a demon general, a commander of a region.”
“You might as well say you want me as your subordinate. Begone!”
Di Jun frowned slightly, looking at Bi Fang, and said,
“The world calls you Bi Fang, a beast of fire. How about we have a contest? Let’s see who can withstand higher temperatures! If you lose, you will come with me. If I lose, I will give you this spiritual treasure I hold. What do you say?”
Di Jun then produced the He Tu Luo Shu. Bi Fang gazed at the He Tu Luo Shu in Di Jun’s hand, sensing the aura of a prime spiritual treasure, and immediately agreed. Di Jun smiled faintly and unleashed his Solar Divine Fire. Bi Fang immediately felt as if it were engulfed in flames.
Bi Fang exclaimed in shock,
“What is this fire? How can it be so potent!”
Di Jun smiled slightly,
“You have lost! Come with me.”
Bi Fang, dejected, had never imagined being defeated in its area of expertise. Bi Fang did not renege on its promise and promptly submitted to Di Jun.