How could Core Disciple Cheng and the others not think about it? But the more they thought about it, the more they felt Fang Chen was just bluffing. Xie Aman had already given them Grand Transference Immortal Talismans. How could she be plotting against them? Any normal person, knowing such items were in play, wouldn't have dared to act, right?

Fang Chen said with a smile, "As I said, don't think about it. Your brains aren't wired like Eldest Senior Sister's; thinking more is pointless. Tell me about the Taicang Realm. You said the demon race has already taken control of more than half of it? How?"

"We don't know the exact details. We only know that within every top-tier power in the Taicang Realm, there are our people, many of whom are like Shao Guangyin," replied Core Disciple Cheng.

"So, just like when you laid the trap for Eldest Senior Sister, besides trying to lure out Wang Chongsong, you also wanted to force her to awaken her past life memories and become one of yours. That way, you'd effectively have indirect control over the Enlightenment God Palace," noted Fang Chen coldly.

The five nodded silently, conceding to Fang Chen's point.

The shifts in the Taicang Realm ought to have been noticed by the Fangcun and Shengwang Realms. Perhaps the Yang Gods are also contributing behind the scenes, fulfilling their duty to warn others.

At that thought, Fang Chen felt a touch of relief. There was a high probability that the Enlightenment God Palace had long since detected the demon race's presence and was already making its own preparations. It's only that he hadn't yet reached the sufficient level within the Palace to be included in matters at this level.

Fang Chen smiled. "That's a good thing. Tell me about the Fallen Immortals of the Major Immortal Realm. They're the work of your Demon Race, aren't they?"

"That isn't exactly a secret." Core Disciple Cheng nodded. "They are our handiwork, but they aren't demons. They are just humans who practiced our race's cultivation methods. It was an experiment conducted by our ancestors. Later, they discovered that when humans of this realm practice our techniques, they become incredibly bloodthirsty, sinister, cunning, and vicious. Once they realized this, our ancestors halted the experiments."

"That doesn't add up. Why then are there nine-transformation True Demons?" asked Fang Chen.

"Because high-level demons and those above are not subject to these limitations. They can still use human shells to practice demonic techniques without being affected in that manner. We, on the other hand, are different. We can only progress via your immortal paths," said Core Disciple Cheng.

"What was the real reason your ancestors stopped the experiments? If the Fallen Immortals are sinister, cunning, and vicious, wouldn't that be a good thing for you? They could help you plunder the Nine Realms."

Core Disciple Cheng sighed. "It is precisely because they are too sinister and cunning that our ancestors could not control them. We couldn't reach any agreements with them; they would betray us and stab us in the back at any moment. Once they gained complete control of the Major Immortal Realm, they actually began hunting our race down. So, they have nothing to do with us now. Compared to you lot, we want the Fallen Immortals to be extinct even more."

Xu Kun nodded. "Exactly! The Fallen Immortals are a common enemy to both our races. Those guys go back on their word. They're all petty cowards. You shouldn't believe a single word a Fallen Immortal says."

Fang Chen glanced at them. "Earlier, back at the district..."

Core Disciple Cheng admitted candidly, "The Great Sorrow Army of the Zhisheng Immortal Dynasty came to investigate because of a report from Xu Kun. The goal was to force you to leave the district with me so I could make my move. We aren't in league with the Fallen Immortals. We simply borrowed their momentum."

Xu Kun pleaded, "Core Disciple Fang, we've been so honest. You've asked everything you needed to, and we've answered. How do you plan to deal with us? Don't kill the donkey once it's finished the work."

Fang Chen didn't respond immediately. He was contemplating something seriously. If humans practicing demonic techniques turned into Fallen Immortals and became sinister, treacherous, and cruel, could the demon race use this as a weapon to ruin the Nine Realms?

The possibility is low. If the Nine Realms became filled with Fallen Immortals, it would bring more harm than benefit to the demons. They don't want to inherit a complete mess after they've successfully plundered the realms. But if they are pushed to the brink...

Fang Chen's attention shifted back to the five souls. He had already covered the less sensitive topics, which was why they hadn't resisted much until now.

"List all the names of the demons you know. Not just in the Enlightenment God Palace. Include those in super-first-class powers like the Taiyi Immortal Sect, as well as ordinary first and second-class sects. There must be your people there too. I want a complete list. Not a single name left out."

"Impossible! We cannot tell you this. Giving you that list would deal a massive blow to our race!" said Core Disciple Cheng, struck with shock and rage.

He immediately looked toward Xu Kun and the others.

His soul began to burn, wisps of white smoke rising. Even so, he showed no intention of compromising, staring at his companions with savage eyes. Xu Kun and the others were also struggling, their souls burning as they displayed expressions of extreme agony.

Fang Chen advised, "Your status isn't that high. The number of demons you know can't be that many. Even if we wipe them all out, it won't have much of an impact on your race's cause. Why suffer like this? If you confess honestly, as True Gods of the Underworld, you can still practice cultivation and achieve a different form of immortality within this world."

"Bullshit!" Core Disciple Cheng roared savagely. "If you learn of even one person, you'll use this same method to force names out of them! You think I don't understand the concept of pulling out the radish and bringing the mud with it!?"

Xu Kun had originally been on the verge of breaking, considering whether to just confess. But hearing Core Disciple Cheng's words, he froze.

If each demon confessed the names of another group of demons, and that group subsequently betrayed others, the cycle would continue until every awakened demon in the Fangcun Realm was hunted down one by one! Even a ninth-transformation True Demon would find it difficult to halt such a collapse unless they went public, forcing a final showdown with the nine-transformation immortals of the Nine Mortal Realms. If it came to that, the demons' chances of victory likely wouldn't even exceed fifty percent!

Because of this, the demons dared not gamble. If they lost, they would face the catastrophe of total extinction.

Realizing that, Xu Kun's face flushed a deep crimson, his expression one of extraordinary agony. He couldn't help but cry out for mercy, yet not a single word regarding the list escaped his lips.

"If you don't speak, you will die and be completely annihlated in soul," Fang Chen said indifferently.

"Don't speak!" Core Disciple Cheng growled, his face contorted.

Despite being the very first person to open his mouth to save his life earlier, he was now the most persistent, clenching his teeth and refusing to budge. In the blink of an eye, fifty percent of his soul had already evaporated. The pain was bone-deep.

Xu Kun and the others were in no better state, letting out wave after wave of low roars, as if doing so could alleviate the suffering. Unfortunately, the agony brought upon them by the imperial edict could not be numbed. This pain would only continue to compound as time passed, tenfold, a hundredfold.