At these words, the two demon emperors wore differing expressions.

They hadn't taken human form.

One was a black bear, the other a silver-gray ape, both standing hunched.

The black bear instinctively took a step back.

The ape furrowed its brow, a trace of displeasure showing in its eyes. "What's with all the barbed talk? This Emperor hasn't provoked you. Today the Thunder-Hoof Demon Emperor has issued an order — whatever grudge you and Savage-Mountain may have, come along with me now."

At this, Shen Yi rose unhurriedly from the throne. "It certainly won't be able to come."

Hearing that placid tone, the ape finally lifted its head to properly regard this towering lion, and upon taking in the wounds covering its body, its expression grew steadily more uncertain, clouding over.

It had heard earlier that this foolish lion had gone off to hunt cultivators and never returned.

It had assumed the creature had died out there.

Yet by the looks of it now, the lion had come back alive, while Savage-Mountain was nowhere to be seen.

Could what it had said just now be true?

After a moment's thought, the ape smiled. "No wonder you dare speak to This Emperor like this. Come by some rare fortune, have you — about to soar into the heavens? I only wonder whether the Thunder-Hoof Demon Emperor still measures up to your standards."

With that, it raised a hand slightly. "After you?"

"Heh."

The lion lowered its head slightly and let out a cold laugh, striding unhurriedly out of the cave estate.

The other two demons exchanged a glance, their faces grim, and fell into step behind it.

The black bear was itself the demon emperor of the Forty-Eighth Den, ranking among the bottom rungs. It had never had much standing before the Gold-Eyed Lion Emperor to begin with, and had simply been on better terms with Savage-Mountain; now, on abruptly hearing of the latter's death, it felt somewhat oppressed.

Still, Savage-Mountain had always conducted itself with too little regard for anyone's feelings, and its luck had been rather poor besides —…