King Kuangshan Subdues Demon Ox Clan's Soul

"Beast, perish!"

Mu Ningning's slender figure, trailing a wisp of electricity, darted back and forth through the seawater.

Her sword light flashed repeatedly, battering several shrimp demons until they couldn't lift their heads. Their once-sturdy shells exploded like shattered eggshells, their demonic blood quickly spreading through the water.

Li Ping'an flicked out two black paper talismans. The talismans emitted a faint glow, absorbing all the demonic blood before burning themselves up in the seawater.

This way, they wouldn't attract more monsters.

Li Ping'an gazed at the remaining shrimp demon corpses, a hint of emotion in his eyes, then let out a low sigh.

Yu Yingshu tugged on Gu Qingcheng's arm and transmitted his voice, asking, "Senior Brother Gu, what's Senior Brother Ping'an sighing about? Is he annoyed that Junior Sister Mu is fighting too slowly?"

Gu Qingcheng carefully analyzed Li Ping'an's expression and earnestly replied via voice transmission, "Senior Brother Ping'an is likely contemplating the impermanence of life and the constant conflict between myriad races. Although Senior Brother Ping'an's cultivation progress isn't as rapid as ours for now, his Dao heart is incredibly profound. Otherwise, how could he, at the Void Refining Realm, have devised so many new artifact refining methods?"

Yu Yingshu praised, "That makes sense!"

"What's wrong, Senior Brother? Are you unhappy?"

Mu Ningning floated back with a cheerful smile, asking with concern.

Li Ping'an brushed his sleeve and led the three of them to find some small demons hiding nearby. He sighed again.

"What a shame these big shrimp weren't contaminated by the miasma from that fallen great demon. They've been nourished by spiritual energy for years... they'd surely taste great steamed."

Black lines appeared on Gu Qingcheng and Yu Yingshu's foreheads.

Li Ping'an turned and called out, "Brother Gu, Brother Yu, don't fall behind. There are still some lurking demons around here. We should also gain some combat experience."

"Coming, coming!"

"Senior Brother, let us try too! We haven't killed any demons yet!"

Li Ping'an cautioned, "Don't be careless when eliminating demons. Don't underestimate a demon just because it's small, and always manage your magic power replenishment. I read in ancient texts that the miasma from demon corpses might hide residual soul power from great demons. Remember not to get close and constantly chant the 'Clear Cloud Art'."

The three solemnly agreed and embarked on this stress-free demon-slaying journey.

Peaceful times and a life free from worldly conflict – that probably described these four disciples of the Myriad Cloud Sect.

About sixty to seventy miles beneath the sea, it was a completely different scene.

Groups of disciples in various colored Daoist robes used their escape techniques, shuttling back and forth on the seabed. They trapped large numbers of shrimp and fish demons, using all their might to snatch kill counts.

Amidst the fierce battle of demon slaying, Bu Linhai, a disciple of the Sea Gazing Sect, frowned slightly, his spiritual sense searching everywhere.

That sword cultivator...

That Myriad Cloud Sect disciple who had so basely humiliated him. He would surely repay this day's profound shame!

He'd found him! He was in the southwest direction!

Bu Linhai transmitted a few words to the junior brother beside him and moved through the seawater like a swimming fish. Right before several Immortals, he directly used his water escape technique and rushed towards the southwest.

The team of Sea Gazing Sect disciples led by Bu Linhai was specifically there to obstruct and harass the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples.

The other four members of the team raised no objections to Bu Linhai's solo departure. They continued to keep a close eye on the path of a Myriad Cloud Sect disciple team, striking first whenever they found a demon.

—The Sea Gazing Sect disciples were divided into two groups. Six teams were engaged in such petty actions, disrupting the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples. Another two teams, composed of peak True Unity Realm Grand Perfection disciples with the strongest cultivation and most magic treasures, who already knew the demon distribution map, were rapidly racking up points at the front.

What Bu Linhai didn't know was that the moment he made his move, a wisp of spiritual sense floating around him carried this information to 'that sword cultivator.'

Li Ping'an clicked his tongue.

'They've come as expected.'

But they four had already hidden themselves over here, and the other side still wanted to come and stir up trouble? The Sea Gazing Sect should just change its name to 'Petty-Minded Sect'!

And they called themselves one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects?

Li Ping'an made arrangements in secret, transmitted a few words to his three teammates, and then... he took out four magic treasure net bags and distributed one to each of them.

"My friends, when you're eliminating demons, keep an eye out for any delicious ones not contaminated by the miasma. I'll bring some back to honor my Master."

"Okay!"

Mu Ningning agreed sweetly, and Yu Yingshu and Gu Qingcheng also readily assented.

These two also had something to say.

In their eyes, their strongest companion, Senior Brother Ping'an, was so leisurely and unconcerned, completely indifferent to the ranking of this trial. So, they would just follow along; neither of them cared about the meager rewards offered by the Sea Gazing Sect.

Meanwhile;

Above the sea, in a patch of shallow white clouds.

Elder Yan Sheng's immortal sense enveloped the entire scene, and he was slightly troubled.

The current situation was very unfavorable for the Myriad Cloud Sect.

The disciples of the Myriad Cloud Sect in various teams were all being 'shadowed' by disciples of the Sea Gazing Sect.

With so many Immortals watching, the Sea Gazing Sect disciples couldn't directly attack and harass the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples. However, they could snatch the demons targeted by the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples and lingered near them, causing them immense annoyance.

Many Myriad Cloud Sect disciples, having had their kills stolen repeatedly, were furious.

Fortunately, everyone's state of mind and cultivation were still quite good, and they had received instructions from the Elders beforehand, so they didn't directly engage in a full-blown fight with the Sea Gazing Sect disciples.

On the immortal treasure bronze mirror, which publicly displayed the disciples' demon-slaying rankings in real-time for numerous rogue cultivators, the disciples of the Myriad Cloud Sect had all fallen to the lower ranks.

Elder Yan Sheng and the other Immortals of the Myriad Cloud Sect were utterly humiliated.

Elder Yan Sheng took a puff of his expensive pipe tobacco, pondering how to encourage Li Ping'an to strive for progress and excel. The Elder had a vague idea of how many Spirit Burst Art artifacts Li Ping'an carried.

But Elder Yan Sheng then reconsidered.

If he gave the order, Li Ping'an would surely obey, but what would be the point of forcing Li Ping'an to act?

The sect's prosperity or decline wouldn't hinge on a single ranking in the Six Sects' trial. The sect's flourishing depended on the number of Golden Immortals and Heavenly Immortals, as well as... treasure troves like the Casting Cloud Hall.

'Forget it,' Elder Yan Sheng sighed inwardly. 'A Master should also respect a disciple's wishes.'

A few bursts of laughter drifted from the sea.

'Let's see what Little Ping'an and the others are up to. They're actually having fun killing demons.'

Elder Yan Sheng chuckled and looked down, only to feel his Nascent Soul tremble, his vision blacken, and he nearly uttered a disrespectful curse to Ancestor Dazhi.

Heh, hehe, heh heh heh.

The Myriad Cloud Sect's strongest disciples in this expedition...

Were catching jellyfish.

Meanwhile;

Far from the coast of the Eastern Sea, on a desolate stretch of land.

The rising wind and sand swept away the last vestiges of green from this barren land. White bones exposed in the gravel formed a path leading to a volcano ahead.

Thick smoke billowed from the volcano.

Dozens of massive demonic beasts sprawled around the crater, greedily absorbing the turbid Heaven and Earth spiritual energy of the area.

This was a mid-sized demon territory in the southeastern region of the Western Continent. The demon king's throne was set upon the volcanic lava.

From the molten rock, which flowed like dark blood, a mighty and imposing humanoid figure slowly emerged.

His three-zhang tall body was clad in black armor, and the horns on his head had elegant curves. The jade nose ring on his bull's nose was a magic treasure and a fashionable adornment among his clan.

This demon was King Kuangshan. He possessed immense strength and numerous transformations. He was one of the thirty-six demon kings in the southeastern region of the Western Continent and the current pillar of the Demon Ox Clan.

King Kuangshan had cultivated for over thirty-six thousand, two hundred years.

Although he had suffered repeated defeats in battles against human powerhouses, he had managed to survive to this day thanks to a secret clan inheritance technique. The battle axes in his hands had slain over a dozen human Heavenly Immortals.

When King Kuangshan disguised himself as a human and walked the Eastern Continent's mortal realm, he even gave himself a domineering title.

Niu Benben.

His motto was essentially "strength in numbers"!

Now, King Kuangshan's arrogant face showed a hint of a smile. He raised a hand to stroke his most prized horns, propped his chin on his left hand, and closed his eyes on his throne.

A single ox louse, which had strayed outside, sensed the presence of human Qi cultivators nearby.

One of these Qi cultivators had a noticeable crack in their Dao heart, presenting an opportunity for the ox louse.

'The edge of the Eastern Sea?'

King Kuangshan's fingers traced his right horn, and he gradually recalled something.

About two years ago, one of his subordinates went to the Eastern Sea to seize a treasure but was exposed midway and perished under the barrage of magic treasures from human Immortals.

That subordinate carried a Thousand-Year Ox Louse gifted by King Kuangshan, which could have preserved his Nascent Soul.

However, there were too many human Immortals at the time, and the subordinate was hacked to death, leaving not even a sliver of a remnant soul.

Now, it was that ox louse, which had sunk into the ancient ruins of the Eastern Sea with the subordinate's corpse, sensing the presence of a vulnerable little Qi cultivator nearby.

A smile played on King Kuangshan's lips.

With nothing else to do, why not go to the Eastern Continent for some fun?

King Kuangshan's interest was piqued. He unleashed a portion of his Divine Ability, and a wisp of his demonic soul descended into the ox louse, granting him a clear view of the surroundings of the ancient ruins.

'Oh? A human Immortal Sect is using miasma to train its disciples?'

King Kuangshan snorted.

If that was the case, then he would have to retaliate against these human Immortal Sects!

King Kuangshan was adept at such matters. As long as his demonic soul could reach a place, he could find a Qi cultivator with a noticeable crack in their Dao heart and exploit it, igniting their inner demon.

At best, the Qi cultivator would suffer qi deviation and damage their Dao foundation, making future progress difficult.

At worst, he could directly control the Qi cultivator's mind, making them his own, and then casually kill a few more young human Qi cultivators!

Brilliant.

"Let this lord see who has a crack in their Dao heart... Hmph, why is this young human's Dao heart like a hornet's nest? To be able to cultivate even with such a Dao heart, humans are truly blessed."

King Kuangshan muttered to himself. The ox louse, carrying a wisp of his demonic soul, transformed into an invisible black light and approached the rapidly approaching...

Bu Linhai, a disciple of the Sea Gazing Sect.

As Bu Linhai manipulated water, the black light, which was the Thousand-Year Ox Louse, directly drilled into Bu Linhai's ear.

No one among the Immortals present noticed this situation.

Generally speaking, inciting an inner demon in a Qi cultivator involves three steps: temptation, invasion, and transformation.

All living beings have seven emotions and six desires in their hearts.

To incite an inner demon in a human Qi cultivator, one must fully exploit their desires.

King Kuangshan was a mid-tier demon king in the southeastern region of the Western Continent. If he were to unleash his full power, he could briefly contend with a Golden Immortal Qi cultivator of the human race. How could someone like Bu Linhai, a disciple in the True Unity Realm, possibly resist him?

At this moment, Bu Linhai's eyes were solely fixed on Gu Qingcheng, the sword cultivator from the Myriad Cloud Sect. He was consumed by rage.

Little did he know, King Kuangshan was already using the cracks in his Dao heart to get a general idea of the thoughts in his sea of consciousness.

—Scrutinizing thoughts is not the same as scrutinizing memories.

"No wonder this fellow is so furious. He was humiliated during a duel, and before he could even wound his enemy, his backside was exposed, leaving him feeling the chill wind on his bare rear."

King Kuangshan found this quite amusing.

However, his true form could not laugh.

A sudden burst of laughter would disrupt his image as a cruel and bloodthirsty king.

King Kuangshan immediately took action, slowly beginning to erode Bu Linhai's primordial soul. Using Bu Linhai's eyes, he observed the sea.

A swarm of ants who hadn't yet become Immortals in the sea, and a group of Immortals on the surface who hadn't amounted to much.

They were not worth mentioning.

At this moment, Bu Linhai quietly stopped his movement, using his spiritual sense to observe the figures of Li Ping'an and the other three.

Bu Linhai thought to himself, 'One in the Light Condensation Realm, two in the Void Refining Realm, and one in the True Unity Realm. No wonder these four dare not venture deeper into the ancient ruins; they have a junior sister dragging them down.'

King Kuangshan, hidden in the shadows, was also a bit curious: 'How does this fellow plan to get revenge on his adversary?'

Bu Linhai narrowed his eyes slightly and hid behind a piece of coral rock on the seabed. He casually eliminated two strange-looking fish demons, and his Dao heart began to spin rapidly.

Although Bu Linhai was angry, he had not lost his reason.

With several Immortals watching from above, would going directly to fight the sword cultivator from the Myriad Cloud Sect be a good idea?

Not only would it be useless, but he would also be directly punished by his sect.

Should he secretly attack using the Water Control Art?

Such a petty move would not escape the notice of the Myriad Cloud Sect Immortals.

If he were to secretly injure these disciples, the Myriad Cloud Sect Immortals would likely not let it go, and his own sect would also punish him.

Bu Linhai's thoughts raced. He analyzed the situation from various angles, discarding one idea after another. Then, his eyes lit up, and his spiritual platform flashed.

He had an idea!

Bu Linhai observed his surroundings for a while and discovered that he was not far from a hidden cage for monsters located somewhere inside the ancient ruins.

These hidden cages were originally set up by the Sea Gazing Sect Immortals for the convenience of their disciples in "slaying demons." If the two teams of peak True Unity Realm disciples from the Sea Gazing Sect fell behind, they could activate these cages.

Now that the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples were being delayed, their Sea Gazing Sect elite teams had a significant lead. These hidden cages were now useless.

A cold smile flickered across Bu Linhai's lips as he turned and headed towards the hidden cage.

Each hidden cage contained three to four hundred small demons and three to six semi-transformed demonic creatures that had achieved some level of sentience.

'I just need to act eager to contribute and go to that hidden cage to kill demons. Then, I'll pretend to be overwhelmed and flee, leading the horde of demons towards these Myriad Cloud Sect disciples. They won't be able to hold on, and the Immortals above will rescue them, causing them to withdraw early and lose all face. As long as the Myriad Cloud Sect disciples are embarrassed, my sect won't punish me.'

That's how he'd do it!

Bu Linhai activated the Sea Gazing Sect's Water Control Immortal Art. His Dao body almost merged with the seawater, making his concealment exceptionally effective.

King Kuangshan's demonic soul, hidden in the shadows behind Bu Linhai's primordial soul, wore an expression of "I can't believe you're not fighting for yourself."

No, are all human Qi cultivators such cowards?

If you have an enemy, go fight them!

Using someone else to kill is completely unnecessary!

This coward isn't even thorough in using others to kill; he just wants to teach a lesson to those other sect's junior Qi cultivators.

King Kuangshan shook his head as he watched.

With such a mindset and such weakness, he wouldn't survive three days on their Western Continent. No, at most half a day, and there wouldn't even be bones left!

"Let me handle this."

The bull demon on the lava throne revealed a faint, cold smile, and a wisp of black energy rose.

He began to accelerate the erosion of Bu Linhai's mind.

Meanwhile, Li Ping'an, carrying two bags of faintly glowing blue jellyfish, watched his three teammates battling a fish-headed, human-bodied demon ahead. His spiritual sense was closely tracking Bu Linhai's movements.

Li Ping'an couldn't help but sigh.

'This Water Control technique is quite impressive.'

"Just as the Myriad Cloud Sect excels at the Cloud Taming Technique, the Sea Gazing Sect's unique skill is this Water Control Art."

'The direction that guy is heading has some hidden demonic energy. Could he be trying to lure demons over to drive us away?'

'No way, he thought about it for so long and only came up with this idea?'

Li Ping'an's expression was rather hard to describe.

He turned to look at his three teammates who were diligently slaying demons and went up to help, while also sending a telepathic message to inform them to get ready.

As soon as Gu Qingcheng heard that Bu Linhai was coming to cause trouble again, he immediately wanted to turn around and fight Bu Linhai for three hundred rounds, but Li Ping'an stopped him with a telepathic message.

"Brother Gu, what's the rush?"

Li Ping'an chuckled:

"If he wants to bring over demonic beasts, we can also take this opportunity to improve our ranking. Being last place isn't very good either."

"Senior brother," Mu Ningning asked, "should we make some preparations?"

"Mm," Li Ping'an said directly, "listen to my arrangements."

So and so, like this and like that.

Li Ping'an made some arrangements, and the four of them continued to leisurely eliminate demons, while also collecting some seafood from the sea not contaminated by the miasma, storing it in Li Ping'an's possession.

A moment later.

A shout came through the seawater, suddenly reaching the ears of the four:

"Everyone, quickly dodge! There are too many demonic creatures!"