Qingqiu's secret realm, a blood sacrifice of demons

Many figures had already gathered atop the nine mountain ridges surrounding Moon-Drawing Mountain.

Qingqiu had not sat idle over the past five days. By now, Moon-Drawing Mountain and its surroundings had taken on an entirely different appearance.

A veil of mist shrouded Moon-Drawing Mountain, while a vast sea of clouds surged above the valley like an immense platform of water.

Clearly, Qingqiu had placed restrictive wards within Moon-Drawing Mountain, barring entry to anyone without authorization.

Outside Moon-Drawing Mountain, banquets had already been laid out amid the rows of jade balustrades, painted galleries, pavilions, and towers atop the nine mountain ridges.

Every demon and nature spirit from the All Heavens and Myriad Worlds who could reach Qingqiu had a seat, whether they were Demon Lords of the upper three realms, Demon Kings of the middle three realms, or even lesser demons of the lower three realms. All could sample delicacies from land and sea and drink exquisite nectar.

The princes and princesses of Qingqiu's Yousu Clan were seated across the nine ridges, together with the nobles of Qingqiu's azure, red, black, and gray fox clans.

As Qingqiu's current clan leader, Yousu Lian, the Demon Venerable of Nine Illusions and Myriad Forms, personally presided over the cloud hall above the nine ridges. From his lofty vantage point, he could survey all nine ridges and Moon-Drawing Mountain, which they guarded like nine tails.

Aside from the elders of Qingqiu's various clans, only the five princes and princesses at the heart of its current generation—Yousu Mu, Yousu Zhen, Yousu Yue, Yousu Xue, and Yousu Zhao—were entitled to seats within the cloud hall.

Beyond these central figures of Qingqiu, rows of Shattered Jade Ice Platforms and auspicious jade Cloud Beds had been arranged within the hall for guests from the sacred lands of the various