"Mai." Laura gave her a gentle smile. "You worked hard to get this treasure, so of course it belongs to you. I'm already grateful you're willing to share the manual."
She stepped forward and warmly hugged Yun Jin.
Yun Jin smiled and returned the hug.
The next moment.
Laura's nails suddenly shot out, sharp and vicious, stabbing toward Yun Jin's neck. She put everything she had into that strike. To put it bluntly, all those clansmen who left back then were nothing but her pawns.
But now, her pawn had taken the initiative instead, and that was unacceptable.She was the Patriarch of the Di Sha Demon Clan, she had to hold absolute control.
Since Mai refused to hand over the treasure, she could only silence her.
Laura's nails touched Yun Jin's neck, but it was like she struck solid stone. They did absolutely nothing.
Laura's expression changed instantly.
"Patriarch, what's wrong?" Yun Jin smiled at her.
Laura's face kept shifting. She finally forced out a stiff smile. "Mai, I..."
Yun Jin let out a soft laugh. She lifted her fingers, and demonic energy turned into threads that wrapped around Laura in an instant, forming a tight cocoon that left only her head exposed.
"Mai, what are you doing!" Laura's voice trembled.
"Patriarch," Yun Jin said softly, "you knew searching for that treasure was almost certain death, yet you still used every trick to deceive the clan. You pushed us to risk our lives to chase something that might not even exist. You should know how high the death rate is for low rank demons like us once we leave this place. For a sliver of hope, you sent us out to die. Like you wished, my brother died, the others died too. Out of all who escaped, only I survived."
Laura steadied her breath. "Mai, calm down. You know I did it for the future of the Di Sha Demon Clan."
Yun Jin's voice stayed gentle. "Yes. Those were the same passionate words you used to trick us into dying for you. But tell me, were you really that selfless? Patriarch, the volcanic chamber was completely emptied. A powerhouse of the Tian Qi Demon Clan left behind many things. Where did they all go? None of the other clansmen received anything."
That member of the Tian Qi Demon Clan clearly enjoyed luxury. He created so many regions, yet now not a single item remained. Even his bones were buried. If his legacy disappeared, then it was obvious who took everything.
Naturally, Laura took it all. She had never intended to share anything with the clan.
Laura's gaze flickered. "There actually wasn't that much. Besides, those things were sensitive. How could I dare take them out?"
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "Then the treasure I picked up from the Tian Qi Demon Clan is also sensitive. I shouldn't take it out either. I'm sure you can understand that, right? So why attack me? If I didn't prepare ahead of time, I'd already be dead under your hands."
Laura's expression kept twisting.
After a long silence, she finally squeezed out another forced smile. "Mai, I..."
Yun Jin flicked her fingers. The demonic ropes tightened sharply, making Laura's face twist in pain. Beneath the pain was a flash of horror. She was the Patriarch, the strongest in the Di Sha Demon Clan, already at the Tianmo realm.
But Mai's strike left her without any room to resist.
Just how much had Mai gained from that treasury, and what realm had she reached now?
"Patriarch, you can't save the Di Sha Demon Clan." Yun Jin's voice turned calm. "If you don't have the ability, you should give the position to someone who does. You've been Patriarch long enough. It's time to pass it to a stronger demon."
Yun Jin bent down a little and smiled at her. "Why not give it to me?"
Laura's voice shook. "I..."
"Not willing?" Yun Jin gave a light laugh. "If you give up the position willingly, I'll have fewer problems. If you don't want to, then I'll have to handle it myself. I'm sure the clan will accept a stronger Patriarch soon enough."
Her tone was mild, her eyes steady, but Laura felt her blood go cold.
She understood.
Mai wasn't joking.
She had tried to kill her, and Mai would never show mercy in return.
Laura trembled. "Fine, I'll give you the Patriarch's position. I only hope you'll spare my life."
Her voice was utterly humble.
In the Polar Night Demon World, strength ruled. She had no other choice but to bow.
"Good, you're a good girl." Yun Jin reached out and touched Laura's head. "But someone as cunning as you makes me uneasy. Come, open your mind. I'll plant a tiny seed in your sea of consciousness, and we'll consider everything in the past wiped clean."
Laura's eyes shook violently.
"Of course, if you don't want to, I don't mind destroying your sea of consciousness directly." Yun Jin's smile didn't change.
Laura spoke in defeat. "I'm willing."
In the library of the Devouring Demon God, Yun Jin had learned a mind control technique. It came with one condition. The target had to submit willingly, or they would likely die from resistance.
For Yun Jin, that wasn't a limitation at all.
If Laura cooperated, great.
If not...
She could die.
Fortunately, Laura's will to live was strong. She cooperated during the entire process.
Once Yun Jin planted the demon seed in her sea of consciousness, Laura's earlier resentment faded. When she looked at Yun Jin again, all that remained was obedience.
"Very good." Yun Jin nodded. "Gather all clansmen and announce the change of Patriarch."
"Yes." Laura bowed and obeyed without hesitation.
Soon after, she sent orders for every Di Sha Demon Clan member to gather at the mountaintop.
Although confused, the clansmen rushed over immediately.
Their eyes all carried a hint of anxiety.
They had unfinished tasks in their hands.
Di Sha Island wasn't big, but the Di Sha Demon Clan had over a hundred thousand members. After years of heavy labor, they all looked dazed, on the verge of collapse.
The doors to the Patriarch's hut opened.
Yun Jin walked out first.
The clansmen froze for a moment.
Then Laura stepped out behind Yun Jin, bowing slightly in a humble manner. "For years, we've been gathering resources for the acceleration plan, and the workload kept increasing. Everyone's been pushed to the limit, so of course you all look exhausted."
Yun Jin nodded. She had already guessed as much. The last time she came, Laura still lived comfortably as Patriarch. This time even Laura was forced to work day and night.
"Patriarch, this is..." Laura's behavior left the clansmen confused, and someone finally asked.
Laura spoke at once. "This is our new Patriarch, Patriarch Mai. Patriarch Mai is a late Tianmo realm powerhouse, far stronger than me. It's only natural I give up the position."