The first Demon Lord

Knowing that his current priority was to locate the first of the seven demon beasts and convince them into joining him, Ace was in a dilemma as to how he should start things off.

Ace's plan wasn't to just tame the seven demon beasts as required by the mission, but to have all of them hop onto his boat. He needed them to be faithful to him for the remaining time in this dimension at least.

If Ace was going to worry about being backstabbed by the demon beasts once the great disaster nullifies the contract between him and them, then what was the point of him coming into this dimension?

Arriving at an area which was close to the first demon beast, Ace stopped in his tracks. Even though he might not have a clear vision of the first demon beast from this far, it wasn't worth the risk to have detailed surveillance either.

Unwilling to alert or disturb the demon beast around this area suddenly, Ace realised that he had to come up with a plan on the spot. There wasn't much time for him to lose.

All he had with him right now was his sword and nothing else. During the one month seclusion he spent in that forest, he had already used up all of his cultivation resources.

Ace had intended to restock on some elixirs and essential tools initially but forgot about it because he rushed here after the meeting with the Official.

Convincing the first Demon Lord to join him wouldn't be easy, but Ace had his way to convince the Demon Lord into joining him. He didn't have a choice, the future of the cultivation world was gathered here, so was his disciples and himself.

Unsheathing his sword, Ace allowed it to levitate in the air while he cautiously stepped onto it, being wary of his actions, so that the surrounding blades of grass would be safe from harm.

Ace was sure that if he harmed these blades of grasses, the first impression he was going to leave behind would be disastrous. In the eyes of the first Demon Lord, he would be nothing more than a menacing demon who was out to cause trouble.

From the blades of grasses, which were brimming with life, Ace could conclude that these blades of grasses were of great importance to this Demon Lord.

The first impression matters, and for this reason, Ace was being cautious of himself. But the first thing he could do was figure out the identity of the first demon beast.

"Young boy, you can stop looking around for me. I've been before your eyes this entire time."

The ground Ace was standing on tremored. The tremor caused a strong vibration which made Ace lose his balance, but before he could even regain his balance, an explosive force sent him flying.

"You have been standing on my body for long enough now."

Ace used his sword and stabbed it into the ground, making use of it to stabilize himself to land on the ground.

It's also at this moment that Ace realised what in the world happened. He had been standing on the body of the first demon beast he was searching for.

The blades of tall grass, which Ace had been seeing up until now, were the lethal weapons of this demon beast.

A gigantic turtle with a gigantic body. This was the first demon beast, which was feared by the others in this dimension.

Ace stared at the sharp blades of grass, which had manifested into colossal cannons that were pointed at him. Swallowing a deep gulp of saliva, Ace took a step back and raised his hands into the air.

"Senior, please give me the chance to explain myself for intruding on your territory."

Ace pleaded fearlessly despite the crushing pressure which the Demon Lord was releasing towards him.

The turtle remained silent, retracting its cannons on second thought. Its eyes were demanding an answer. That was the conclusion Ace arrived at in just a matter of moments.

"Senior, as one of the seven Demon Lords who are respected by the other demon beasts in this dimension, I'm sure that you know of the impending disaster. Are you just going to allow it to happen?"

Instead of saying that Ace was explaining himself, he was questioning the Demon Lord. If the Demon Lord gave Ace an nonchalant answer, then Ace would have to tame it by force.

"Young boy, you should leave right now. I know your intentions, but there's no one who can prevent the destruction of this dimension."

The turtle Demon Lord left as it turned around, its cannons facing Ace to be used as jetpacks.

"I need your assistance!"

Ace shouted as he slashed towards the turtle Demon Lord without holding back.

It was a risk Ace was taking. If the Demon Lord was too weak and perished under his attack, then he would have restricted himself for the rest of his life, but he had to do it.

The turtle turned back swiftly despite its colossal body, and made use of its sharp bushes to form a shield to protect itself to nullify the attack.

Ace had underestimated the strength of these Demon Lords.

The strongest defense a turtle can put up was its shell, yet it managed to nullify Ace's attack with just the miraculous weapons and methods it possessed.

"Young boy, if you have been here three years later, you might possess the strength to prevent this disaster. But now, you should just take your leave."

The turtle sighed as it retreated into its shell.

"I'm the inheritor of the Divine Phoenix, that's the basis for my strength. The reason why I have confidence to prevent the impending disaster. Senior, please lend me your strength if you want to see a brighter future."

Ace persuaded without the slightest intention of leaving, sheathing his sword, Ace sat on the ground with his legs crossed.

Just what does this young boy want with me? I've done everything in my power to make him left, I've shown him the disparity in our strength. I've explained to him that it was still too early for him. I've shown him the incoming despair despite my overwhelming strength. Why wouldn't he leave?

"Young boy, I've changed my mind. Let's go, I'll join you on the mission to prevent this upcoming disaster."

The turtle was unable to remain stubborn in the end.

"Senior, it took you long enough. Long enough for your friend to arrive."

Ace said towards the turtle Demon Lord as he looked towards the clear sky, which was looming with ominous clouds. Crackling with thunder as they release a deafening sound.