The Demonic Beast Forest Is Not What It Seems

Xia Wantang's anger was naturally influenced by her Demon Race bloodline.

The owner of the Supreme Yin Demonic Physique could almost be considered the king of demonic beasts. Naturally, she would be angry if her own people were being persecuted.

The other four, unaware of the hidden circumstances, thought she was simply overcome with grief and anger over her missing friend.

Qu Zhuowen couldn't help but offer comfort:

"Sister Tang, don't worry. Perhaps your friend has already left Luoshui Town and is living well right now."

Xia Wantang calmed her emotions before speaking:

"My friend and I shared a life-or-death bond, which is why I was so... I apologize for startling you all."

[Tang Wan gained 5 favorability points with Yan Wen. Current favorability: 20. Exchanged for 50 faith points.]

[Hooray, Host! We've saved up enough for another two ten-pulls!]

Xia Wantang: Oh, Yan Wen is quite loyal and righteous. He was actually moved by that statement and his favorability increased.

Qu Zhuowen nodded sympathetically:

"So that's what happened. No wonder. We understand."

Xia Wantang: Sister Zhuowen is so sweet, soft, and considerate. Come here, into big sister's arms!

However, she was indeed quite angry right now.

The Heavenly Demon Cult committed all sorts of evil deeds, persecuting both human cultivators and demonic beasts. This time, they were determined to nip the Heavenly Demon Cult in the bud.

Just then, Yan Wen also noticed something unusual in the Demonic Beast Forest:

"This is clearly the Demonic Beast Forest, yet we've been here for so long, and even after Fellow Daoist Tang made such a commotion earlier, no demonic beasts have appeared. It's truly strange."

Upon hearing this, the other three finally reacted:

"That's right, isn't this the Demonic Beast Forest? Where are all the demonic beasts?"

"It seems there really is something strange going on."

"Could this forest eat people and demonic beasts?"

Xia Wantang suggested:

"Perhaps it's because we're in the outer area of the forest. Let's head to the central region."

The Heavenly Demon Cult's lair was in the center of the Demonic Beast Forest. Wandering around the outskirts would be a waste of time.

The other four agreed with the suggestion and immediately set off towards the center of the forest.

As soon as they reached the central area, the group discovered a clue.

Qu Shengwen pointed to the scorched charcoal on the ground, lost in thought:

"There are traces of human activity here."

Ling Xuan also noticed the demonic beast skeletons not far away:

"There are demonic beast skeletons there. Combined with the charcoal on the ground, it seems human cultivators rested here previously and dealt with a demonic beast."

Qu Zhuowen frowned:

"If these cultivators who came for trials truly met their demise, there should be remains left behind. How can they be nowhere to be seen, dead or alive?"

Xia Wantang concluded:

"So, there must be something strange going on in this Demonic Beast Forest. We really came to the right place."

Yan Wen noticed more charcoal traces nearby:

"Those cultivators seem to have gone towards the mountain valley in the middle."

Finally, there was some progress. The five continued to follow the charcoal traces.

But as they got closer to the valley, the traces of human activity became even more apparent.

Xia Wantang knew that these traces were not left by cultivators who came for trials, but by the activities of the Heavenly Demon Cult members.

At the same time, she was secretly assessing whether she could defeat the Heavenly Demon Cult leader.

The Heavenly Demon Cult leader's late-stage cultivation was at the Spirit Emperor Realm Peak. Since the Heavenly Demon Cult had only recently been founded, his cultivation shouldn't have reached the Spirit Emperor Realm yet. He wouldn't be her match.

Speaking of which, it might not be a bad thing for Yan Wen and the other three that they couldn't track down the Heavenly Demon Cult in the novel.

Yan Wen's current cultivation was only at the late stage of the Profound Heaven Realm. Moreover, with only four of them in the group, the other three were all at the Mystic Martial Realm. They might not be a match for the Heavenly Demon Cult leader and his many followers.

If the Heavenly Demon Cult were to use their evil techniques or blood sacrifice formations, the four of them might not come out unscathed.

The elders of Asking Dao Valley were too careless to actually send four juniors to investigate this matter.

They probably thought that those outer disciples had merely met their unfortunate end due to insufficient strength during their trials.

"This is strange. Why are there more and more traces of human cultivators the further we go into the center?"

"And we've walked so far, yet we haven't seen a single demonic beast. This Demonic Beast Forest is a misnomer."

Qu Shengwen said dejectedly, waving his fan.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, a furry head suddenly appeared not far away.

It still had a pair of red beast ears on its head.

Ling Xuan immediately assumed a fighting stance:

"Everyone, be careful, there's a demonic beast!"

Xia Wantang naturally noticed the other party as well; it was a Three-tailed Fire Fox with fiery red fur all over its body.

The Three-tailed Fire Fox wasn't a high-level demonic beast, but this one had cultivated to the late stage of the Profound Heaven Realm, which was quite impressive. It was probably not young.

She could sense that the Three-tailed Fire Fox held no ill will towards them. Instead, it seemed to be asking for help?

"Wait, don't rush to attack. This demonic beast doesn't seem to mean us any harm."

"Its cultivation is at the late stage of the Profound Heaven Realm. I can deal with it anytime if necessary."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Three-tailed Fire Fox came charging over, startling Qu Zhuowen into taking a step back.

Because of Xia Wantang's words, the others didn't take any action.

As it got closer, the Three-tailed Fire Fox stopped, shaking its head and rolling its round, dark eyes as it observed the five of them.

Finally, it stopped in front of Xia Wantang and let out a series of strange cries.

Due to her Supreme Yin Demonic Physique and Spirit Feather Fox Demon Tribe Bloodline, Xia Wantang could actually understand the meaning behind its cries:

"King, King, in a cave somewhere in this valley, there are dozens of human cultivators hiding!"

"They captured many of our demon race companions and human cultivators and cruelly killed them."

"King, please save us quickly!"

Hearing the demon fox call her "King" gave Xia Wantang a rather absurd feeling. It was probably because she hadn't gotten used to her demon race identity yet.

However, the demon fox was very cute, and its words were so pitiful.

Unable to bear it, she crouched down and gently petted its head to comfort it.

[Tang Wan gained 10 Favorability Points from Yan Wen, current Favorability Points: 30. Converted to Faith Points: 100.]

[Wow, host, that's a huge breakthrough! Your unintentional action actually increased favorability by ten points!]

Xia Wantang: ???

Good heavens, if someone didn't know better, they'd think she had just petted Yan Wen's head.

Gaining ten favorability points at once, so it turned out this fellow Yan Wen liked people who were close to nature.

Noticing the confused or surprised looks from the others, Xia Wantang explained:

"There are almost no demonic beasts or human cultivators in the Demonic Beast Forest. It's too abnormal."

"I have a feeling this demon fox is asking us for help."