As they ventured deeper into the cave, the sounds grew increasingly clamorous. Deep within the vast cavern, over a hundred Demonic Cult disciples were each busy with their own tasks, seemingly constructing some kind of array.
Su Changqing was quite curious about why they were setting up an array here on Nine Yin Mountain.
But before Su Changqing could think of a way to uncover the truth, a fellow cultivator beside him called out, "Old Chong, what are you standing around like an idiot for? Get over here and work!"
"Oh, right!"
After responding, Su Changqing walked over and imitated the others as he began working.
"Old Chong, you're usually the sharpest one around. Do you think the Kui Ox will emerge on Nine Yin Mountain?"
As they worked, this fellow cultivator asked Su Changqing.
"How could I possibly figure that out?"
Su Changqing smiled silently and tactfully declined to answer.
Still, although Su Changqing did not know how the story would unfold from here, his familiarity with it told him that the Kui Ox would definitely not emerge at Nine Yin Mountain, but at Flowing Waves Mountain in the East Sea.
"That's true enough. Even the sect masters can't figure it out. You think a brat like you could?"
The Demonic Cult disciple laughed heartily and gave it no further thought.
Just then, a man in black entered from outside the cave. His clothing was clearly different from that of the ordinary Demonic Cult disciples, and several attendants followed at his side.
"Sect Leader Qiu of the Ghost King Sect is here. Get back to work!"
When the Demonic Cult disciples saw Sect Leader Qiu appear, they immediately worked even harder at building the array.
"Core Formation Realm?!"
Su Changqing secretly observed the black-clad man who had suddenly appeared and quickly judged his Cultivation Level. He was actually a Core Formation Realm member of the Demonic Cult.
A faint sense of foreboding rose in his heart. It seemed the thing he had least wanted to happen had occurred.
No matter how heaven-defying his Heaven Concealing Art was, it could hardly overcome the suppression caused by the difference in Cultivation Level. If a Core Formation Realm cultivator seriously investigated him, he would certainly discover that Su Changqing was concealing his cultivation—and then his identity would be exposed.
However, Su Changqing was worrying too much. Though Sect Leader Qiu had suddenly appeared, he was merely there to supervise the work. He had never imagined someone would infiltrate their Demonic Cult ranks, so naturally he would not carefully inspect their identities with spiritual energy.
Sect Leader Qiu strode forward, supervising the Demonic Cult disciples as he made his way toward a platform within the cave.
"Come on! Put down what you're doing for a moment!"
At Sect Leader Qiu's words, everyone stopped working and turned their eyes toward him in unison.
"The Ghost King Sect Master has ordered all fellow disciples to construct an array here on Nine Yin Mountain. At the same time, fellow cultivators are doing the same work in several other mountain ranges."
"If you can be the first to complete the array on Nine Yin Mountain, then aside from the rewards from your respective sects, our Ghost King Sect will also reward you handsomely."
Sect Leader Qiu smiled as he spoke to the crowd.
"The sect master is wise! The sect master is wise!"
The moment these Demonic Cult disciples heard there would be rewards, their blood boiled with excitement, and they shouted in unison.
Sect Leader Qiu waved a hand to signal for them to stop cheering. The smile on his face turned somewhat grim as he continued, "Of course, don't celebrate too soon."
"Where there are rewards, there are punishments. If you are the last to complete the array, what awaits you will not be a reward, but punishment from your sects."
"Heh heh! Don't say I didn't warn you in advance."
The crowd, which had just been cheering with fervor, instantly fell silent again.
It turned out Sect Leader Qiu had only come to inform them of this system of rewards and punishments. He came quickly and left just as quickly, departing after only a few words.
Only after he left did the boulder hanging over Su Changqing's heart finally fall away.
"Whew! He's finally gone. That bastard was terrifying!"
As Su Changqing vented the tension in his heart, he heard several Demonic Cult disciples beside him let out long breaths and pat their chests to calm themselves.
What was this?
Why were all of you so nervous too? Could it be that, like me, you're all righteous cultivators infiltrating this place?
"Why are all of you so nervous?"
Su Changqing found it amusing. These Demonic Cult disciples seemed even more frightened by Sect Leader Qiu's appearance than he was. Could there be some hidden reason behind it? Curious, he asked them.
"Old Chong, you only arrived today, so you don't know what kind of person Qiu Buping is."
Old Li, the Demonic Cult disciple, gave a bitter smile and explained to Su Changqing, "Qiu Buping also came to Nine Yin Mountain yesterday to supervise the work. Relying on his position as Sect Leader of the Ghost King Sect, he saw a Longevity Sect disciple slacking off and directly killed him on the spot. We're all terrified of him now."
Only then did Su Changqing understand. So they were afraid because that bastard was temperamental and unpredictable.
"By the way, Sect Leader Qiu just mentioned that arrays are also being built in several other mountains. Why haven't I heard about that? Tell me about it in detail."
Su Changqing suddenly recalled what Qiu Buping had said. Aside from Nine Yin Mountain, arrays were being built in several other mountain ranges. He intended to take this opportunity to pry some information from them.
When Old Li heard Su Changqing's question, he immediately frowned.
"Don't mention it. The Ghost King Sect Master got news from somewhere that the Ancient Fierce Beast Kui Ox is about to emerge, but the information isn't reliable, and no one knows where it will appear. That's why they chose several possible locations and started building these damned Spirit Trapping Arrays in advance."
Old Li waved his hand and explained helplessly to Su Changqing, "Aside from Nine Yin Mountain, where we are, disciples are also building arrays in White Jade Mountain, Prajna Mountain, Congqing Mountain, and another six mountain ranges. They even sent many sect disciples to Flowing Waves Mountain in the East Sea to construct arrays."
"Flowing Waves Mountain?"
Su Changqing's expression changed as he emphasized the name and questioned Old Li.
"Yeah. They sent so many disciples across the sea by ship to build arrays just for some Ancient Fierce Beast. We're lucky we weren't assigned to that Wave Mountain."
Old Li curled his lips as he continued speaking to Su Changqing.
Su Changqing nodded noncommittally. He had more or less figured out what the Demonic Cult was up to, so he did not ask any more questions.
It turned out that these Demonic Cult members had received advance news that the Ancient Fierce Beast Kui Ox was about to emerge. However, they did not know where exactly it would appear, so they had set up arrays beforehand in several suspected locations in order to subdue this formidable fierce beast at the first opportunity.
Nine Yin Mountain was one of those suspected emergence sites, while they had also sent people to Flowing Waves Mountain, the Kui Ox's true place of emergence.
It seemed they were plotting something big!
Now that things had come to this, Su Changqing had obtained the information he wanted. His most pressing concern was how to get away.
Fortunately, after Qiu Buping left, the Demonic Cult disciples became much more lax. Using the excuse of relieving himself, he easily slipped out of the cave and cautiously found an unoccupied place to change clothes and leave.
"Heh heh! I noticed something was off about you a long time ago!"
Just as Su Changqing was about to leave, a cold snort sounded behind him.
Before you continue