Deep Into the Devil's Den! Alone, Controlling the Prince

With the arrival of the renowned Fighting Longevity Lord Chen Dengming, the elite team tasked with besieging the Nightmare Country Lord and the Northern Yin Holy Mother was now complete.

Bai Zhi looked at Chen Dengming was exchanging pleasantries with his sect leader and others.

They felt that the former Longevity Dao Child had changed a lot. His speech and behavior were more composed and confident, and he had a powerful aura. Coupled with his famous reputation of having killed several Nascent Soul, they felt ashamed of themselves.

Suddenly, her delicate body tensed slightly, and she became nervous.

Because Chen Dengming was already close by, even though he had already withdrawn his spiritual power, he still made her feel pressured.

"Your Saintess, it's been a long time. Your beauty and charm are even greater than before."

Chen Dengming greeted Bai Zhi with a warm smile and a gentle tone.

Upon hearing Chen Dengming's words, Bai Zhi's pretty face immediately flushed red, feeling her skin burning and her whole body uncomfortable. She hurriedly stammered, "Senior Chen, you flatter me. Please just call Bai Zhi by my given name."

She has countless people who praise and fawn over her, but she always remains calm and composed.

But Chen Dengming's praise made her nervous and awkward.

This may also be because the once equal Longevity Dao Child has now grown into the Fighting Longevity Lord, revered by hundreds of thousands of cultivators, and is no longer the destitute Dao Child who needed her help and was far from home.

"Uh, alright, Fellow Bai Zhi Baizhi. You're also involved in this encirclement and suppression plan?"

Chen Dengming didn't press the matter. Sensing Bai Zhi's nervousness, he smiled and asked another question to show his friendliness.

This woman had indeed helped him a great deal twice, so in a way, he owed her a favor.

"Yes, yes, but Fellow Daoist Qiao and I are both responsible for perimeter reconnaissance, infiltrating enemy camps to gather intelligence, and guarding the retreat route."

Bai Zhi responded, feeling even more uncomfortable, her eyes darting away, unable to meet Chen Dengming's bright gaze.

Being addressed as Fellow Bai Zhi was an insult to the fact that she was being treated as an equal to the sect leader Zhuang Chengxian and the Supreme Elder Mo Jiazheng of the Shu Sword Pavilion. She felt unworthy of such a title.

Chen Dengming noticed that the Saintess was becoming increasingly reserved, so he promptly ended the casual conversation.

He then discussed the next steps with Mo Jiazheng and the other two.

Although he was strict with himself and lenient with others, not everyone in this world could be with him in a way that allowed for easy and comfortable conversations from beginning to end.

He remembered Bai Zhi's help and would repay her kindness if needed in the future.

Soon, in the valley, the group began to communicate and exchange ideas in detail about the encirclement plan.

Bright Light Sect Zhuang Chengxian of Mingguang Sect solemnly said, "The Nightmare Country Lord and the Northern Yin Holy Mother have been working together for three months now, and the Northern Spirit Sect has even moved to the Nightmare Country to set up camp."

Not only are there many demons there, but there is also a powerful protective formation guarding the country.

If we venture deep into their territory to encircle and annihilate them, it will be very dangerous if we get bogged down in a prolonged battle, and we might even alert the Mochao Kingdom Lord!

"With these two forces joining forces, unless Spirit Transmutation Dao Lord personally intervenes, even our encirclement team might not be able to penetrate deep into the Nightmare Country and quickly take them down."

The Seven-eyed True Lord of the Eight-Armed Immortal Sect took out a wartime map and gestured with it, then looked at Chen Dengming solemnly and said, "Sect Leader Chen, I've heard you're well-informed. Are you familiar with the current situation in Nightmare Country? Do you have any well-developed plans?"

Chen Dengming had once wanted to befriend Artifact Refining Grandmaster like the Seven-eyed True Lord, so that he could repair the Giant Deer Mage Robe and forge Law Treasure.

The moment the other party asked, it was precisely an opportunity for him to demonstrate his abilities, so he pondered for a moment and then revealed his thoughts.

"I wouldn't call it a well-developed plan, but getting familiar with the situation in Nightmare Country isn't difficult."

I have some methods; controlling some high-ranking demons in the Nightmare Country isn't difficult for me.

"If there's someone inside acting as a mole, we can launch a surprise attack with the help of both inside and outside!"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately turned to look at him.

Sect Master Zhuang Chengxian of the Bright Light Sect said with surprise and joy, "If Sect Leader Chen really has this ability, then our success rate in completing the encirclement and suppression plan will be much higher."

After all, penetrating deep into enemy territory to carry out a decapitation strike is indeed dangerous when one is unfamiliar with the enemy's situation, but it becomes much easier if there is support from high-ranking enemy officials.

At this point, a hint of admiration appeared on Zhuang Chengxian's face.

As the sect leader of the Bright Light Sect, he inherited the lineage of the Immortal Incense Dao and cultivated hundreds of thousands of Incense Believer, yet he could not be said to be able to easily control the high-ranking members of the enemy demons.

It was under these circumstances that the naturally alluring Saintess Bai Zhi was brought along.

It is hoped that Bai Zhi will venture deep into the enemy camp, bewitch some Devil Cultivator or demons, and gather intelligence.

"Well done, my Sect Leader Chen! You're truly capable." Qiao Zhaoxian laughed heartily and gave two thumbs up.

"Senior Chen is truly Divine Ability resourceful," Bai Zhi said, covering her mouth and smiling.

Seven-eyed True Lord Wu Xiangui looked at Chen Dengming, his smile becoming even more sincere, and said, "I only asked casually, but I didn't expect that Sect Leader Chen would actually have such superb skills. It is truly my honor to join forces with Sect Leader Chen."

Chen Dengming laughed heartily, "Fellow Daoist Wu, you flatter me. This little trick of yours is nothing special. However, I have long heard of your Artifact Refining Technique. In the future, I may have to rely on your expertise."

Wu Xiangui laughed heartily and said, "Of course."

This initial rapport was established through mutual flattery.

Chen Dengming wasn't in a hurry.

With that "easy to say," all he needed to do was demonstrate his strength and build a bond of camaraderie, making it easy to ask the other party to forge weapons.

Mo Jiazheng, the Supreme Elder of the Shu Sword Pavilion, nodded and said, "Since Sect Leader Chen has such ability, then we should not delay and set off immediately to scout out the situation in advance."

"Good!"

The group flew the spirit boat for the first half of the journey, covering nearly 10,000 miles in just half a day.

In the latter half of the journey, they broke up into smaller groups, collected their spirit boats, and dispersed into the Western Regions.

Fortunately, the Demon Lord from another realm has long since fled the four domains, and there is no longer any Incense and Faith power from the Demon Lord to cover all directions, forming surveillance and deterrence.

After Chen Dengming and his group entered the Western Regions, they did not attract the attention of any cultivators. They traveled through the Spiritual Qi Wind Layer and quickly approached the Nightmare Demon Kingdom.

Once they reached the territory of the Nightmare Demon Kingdom, they gradually began to encounter some obstacles.

Many Foundation Establishment Realm demonic birds patrolled the Spiritual Qi Wind Layer, while below, floating islands formed a continuous border defense and warning array, with Golden Core Cultivator and Demon General stationed on the floating islands.

However, this level of border security is unlikely to pose a threat to cultivators like Chen Dengming who are at the Nascent Soul or Transformation Soul levels.

Chen Dengming used his Qi Escape Technique to swiftly cross the border of the Nightmare Demon Kingdom and continue deeper into the territory.

As night approached, the group gradually arrived at a major border city in the Nightmare Country, where they agreed to meet.

This area is clearly of great importance to the Devil Cultivator of the Nightmare Country.

Judging from the cultivators and demons who flew in from all directions at night, they clearly regarded this border city as a temporary residence and transit station.

Both Devil Cultivator and demons can trade for various resources in this Marketplace, each getting what they need.

In the mountains and forests near the city, however, many things that aroused the wrath of both gods and men were happening.

There, vines hung high and thorns covered the ground. From the shadows came the occasional roars of ferocious beasts and screams of people. It was a scene of chaos, where humans and beasts lived together, and the status of humans was even lower than that of beasts.

Numerous strangely shaped demons enslave human cultivators in the mountains and forests, helping them build beast nests with different appearances, refine Law Artifact, and draw talismans.

Some cultivators who were not good at refining talismans were in a terrible state; they were all kept like pigs and dogs in buildings built by other cultivators.

Male cultivators are reduced to being used as breeding tools for female demons.

Female cultivators are reduced to reproductive tools for male demons.

Living is worse than death.

These mountains and forests are like twisted, demonic worlds.

Witnessing such a tragic scene, everyone who had gathered together wore somber expressions.

Chen Dengming frowned deeply.

The situation in this Nightmare Country is completely reversed; people are being caged by demons and enslaved.

Qiao Zhaoxian coldly said, "Heavenly Dao comes around, these beasts deserve to die!"

The Seven-eyed True Lord shook his head and smiled bitterly.

If there is such a thing as the cycle of Heavenly Dao, then the wild animals that humans once domesticated became the chickens, ducks, cattle, and sheep raised at home for slaughter. Now, those wild animals have become even stronger demons, and humans are domesticating and slaughtering them. It seems to be a cycle in itself.

Bai Zhi frowned, observing the numerous Devil Cultivators who seemed oblivious to the direction of the mountains and forests from afar, and transmitted her voice, "Don't these cultivators have any humanity or morality whatsoever?"

"Watching so many of their compatriots become slaves or even food for demons, they can still laugh and joke. Aren't they afraid that if they fall on hard times, they too will become food and slaves for demons?"

Mo Jiazheng understood that Bai Zhi, a cultivator from all over the world, was unaware of the situation, and sighed inwardly, "This is precisely the cruel survival Principle of Devil Cultivator: the strong prey on the weak."

Because in these demon kingdoms, powerful demons possess noble bloodlines, even more so than cultivators, these Devil Cultivators have become accustomed to it.

The lower-level non-humanoid demons born from demons have a status similar to that of ordinary cultivators.

No Devil Cultivator would object to their enslavement and mistreatment of captured Battlefield prisoners.

Even if some Devil Cultivator were enslaved in the same way in the future, other Devil Cultivator would gloat and mock their weakness, but they wouldn't feel much sympathy.

Qiao Zhaoxian coldly said, "The reason why Devil Cultivator are Devil Cultivator is that their cognition and habits challenge the bottom line of humanity, and they will stop at nothing to achieve immortality."

They would even go so far as to make peace with demons in order to obtain a good demonic physique and bloodline.

In fact, this has been the case for all these years.

Kingdoms like Nightmare Country and Mochao Kingdom possess extremely pure demon bloodlines, which grant them formidable combat power and longer lifespans.

Greater combat power and lifespan can serve as a guarantee for maintaining their power, resources, and status. Therefore, Devil Cultivator are happy to do this. Some Devil Cultivator Lineage are even willing to send women from their clans to have illicit relations with ugly but powerful demons in order to produce offspring with high-level demon blood to serve the Lineage!

Let's go.

Mo Jiazheng frowned and transmitted his voice, "This kind of situation is too common in the Demon Kingdom. Don't forget our plan."

Even if you can't stand it now, you must be patient. After you've dealt with the Nightmare Country and the Northern Yin Holy Mother, the cultivators from the Counterattack Cultivator Alliance will naturally come here, take over this place, and change it."

"Good!"

Chen Dengming quickly regained his composure and calmed down. "The Nightmare Country Lord and the Northern Yin Holy Mother are both top experts in manipulating minds. We must maintain our composure and not give the enemy any opportunity to take advantage."

"Walk!"

The group once again used their own methods to set off.

After most of the day had passed, it was already afternoon of the second day.

The group finally managed to quietly bypass the numerous hidden guard posts and Formation, arriving at the outer city of the capital, the innermost part of the Nightmare Country.

There are more demons here, and the air is filled with a foul, fishy smell.

In some corners of the Marketplace, there were even strong, hairy demons dragging human female cultivators along, brazenly committing the most beastly acts in public.

Some passing monks stopped to admire the scene, while others took it all in stride, considering it a place utterly devoid of public order and morality, like a place inhabited by beasts.

Pure human Devil Cultivator actually have a relatively low status here, and few dare to walk or fly in the center.

A few Devil Cultivator who appear to be human make a grand entrance, riding spirit boats or flying by on demonic birds. In reality, they are half-human demons with extremely pure bloodlines of high-level demons. Their eyes have developed into noble nightmare double pupils. Some have red scales on their chests, while others have grown strong tails.

Having infiltrated this place, Chen Dengming and his group found it difficult to go any further.

Even if they use illusions to change their appearance to that of a demon, given their normal cultivator features, they lack the Devil Qi and are unfamiliar with the many rules and regulations here. It would be easy for them to be discovered.

"That's about it for now. I'll infiltrate alone from here. You guys stay here and provide support."

In a dark corner of a building, Chen Dengming quietly transmitted his voice to his companions who were hiding in different corners.

With their strength, they could easily charge out and start a massacre.

No Devil Cultivator could stop them; even the Nightmare Country Lord and the Northern Yin Holy Mother, working together, could not stop them.

But that would prevent them from taking the Nightmare Country Lord and the Northern Yin Holy Mother from a surprise attack.

Furthermore, if the two escape, not only will they be unable to catch up, but they will also risk disturbing and attracting enemy cultivators at the Spirit Transformation.

The best plan would be for Chen Dengming to first control one or two high-ranking demons, and then, under their cover, secretly transport everyone inside to carry out the assassination.

"Sect Leader Chen, please be careful!"

"Old Chen, if anything goes wrong, retreat immediately. But never mind, you're the leader of the Longevity Sect, I don't need to remind you of this."

Everyone sent whispered reminders.

Chen Dengming made a hand seal and used the Qi Escape Technique, quickly transforming into a beam of spiritual light and penetrating inside.

The closer one gets to the capital of the Nightmare Country, the stronger the Formation formations and their power become.

The Nightmare Country was surrounded by towering city walls and floating islands equipped with powerful arrays, resembling a fortress.

A dense array of energy surged forth from the capital, sweeping across the surrounding area like waves.

Once inside the capital, there are only two gates, one at the front and one at the back, serving as checkpoints.

Outside the two gates, there is a vast, unobstructed plaza and passageway.

Anyone who enters the capital of Nightmare Country from here will have nowhere to hide.

Chen Dengming was not surprised by this.

Even the Longevity Sect is usually shrouded in Mountain Protecting Formation. Only disciples with a token matching their own aura can freely enter and exit. Any unauthorized persons who intrude into the sect will immediately trigger the Formation and be exposed.

However, he already had a detailed plan. Once he reached the outside of this magnificent and opulent Nightmare Country, he would not continue to infiltrate, but instead blend into the nearby buildings and wait for an opportunity.

From his observation, it seemed that only Devil Cultivator possessing high-level Devil Qi or special tokens were allowed to enter the capital.

Hiding here, he could easily encounter demons and Devil Cultivator who could enter the capital, including possibly high-ranking Devil Cultivator from the Nightmare Country.

If he wanted to control a powerful Devil Cultivator with his mind, he would need to have close, direct contact with the other party for more than a dozen breaths.

Only in this way can the lamp of the other person's soul appear within the Human Heart Hall.

Only by using the power of the Human Heart Hall, this Dao artifact, could he control the powerful Devil Cultivator silently and without risk.

Soon, Chen Dengming found a suitable target.

A group of Devil Cultivator dressed in magnificent feathered robes escorted a flying chariot out of the capital. The chariot was being pulled by powerful Foundation Establishment demons with glossy black fur.

Using Foundation Establishment demon as a mount to travel in and out of the capital, this must be a high-ranking Devil Cultivator from the Nightmare Country with a very prestigious status.

Chen Dengming carefully sensed the surroundings and judged that the Devil Cultivator sitting in the chariot should be at the Golden Core stage. He believed that controlling him would not be difficult once he made contact with him.

He immediately made a hand seal, transforming into a wisp of Spiritual Qi and quietly following behind.

"Your Highness, the Thirty-second Prince, Daoist Fang has prepared a full eight captured female cultivators from the enemy camp, three of whom are at the Foundation Establishment. This will surely satisfy Your Highness."

In the air, outside the flying chariot dragged by the Foundation Establishment demon, an old man dressed in a dark blue robe smiled obsequiously.

From inside the flying chariot, a nonchalant voice rang out, "Three? That's too few! With Prince physique, even eight Foundation Establishment female cultivators would be no problem for me, after all, their bodies are too weak."

Even a Foundation Establishment physique won't last long before this Prince tears it apart!

"Hehe, Prince Highness is, after all, a noble Nightmare Demon in body, so of course you are powerful. Those ordinary Foundation Establishment female cultivators are already lucky to be favored by you, so their deaths are not a pity!"

A Demon General clad in armor sneered.

Chen Dengming silently passed through the air, a chill ran through him.

After a moment's thought, he quickly regained his form from below, then made a hand seal to change his appearance, conceal his aura, and flew into the sky, heading straight for the flying chariot.

Actually, another safer approach would be to wait until the Prince goes to see the Daoist Fang before encountering him. With more people around, there might be more opportunities.

However, there are many uncertainties. Who is that Daoist Fang, and what is his strength? These are unknown.

Secondly, it is unknown whether the meeting place is protected by Formation that prevents infiltration.

Only now, when they are some distance away from the capital and there are not many demons or Devil Cultivator approaching from the surrounding airspace, is the best opportunity.

"Who!"

"How dare you! Seeing His Highness the Prince traveling, get out of the way at once!"

Upon seeing Chen Dengming suddenly leap out from below, the Devil Cultivator guarding the Prince immediately shouted in unison.

Chen Dengming sneered, his speed increasing instead of decreasing, while bowing.

"Prince Highness, I am a trusted confidant of Daoist Fang. Daoist Fang specifically ordered me to welcome you here, as he has important matters to remind you!"

Upon hearing this, many of the rebuking Devil Cultivator, including a young man reclining inside the flying chariot, were taken aback.

But the next moment, the group of Devil Cultivator realized something was wrong and were about to launch an attack.

But he only felt a surge of pressure rising from his heart. The cultivator opposite him had an awe-inspiring silver light in his eyes, radiating power and releasing a strong Divine Sense that made people's hearts tremble.

Instantly, all the Devil Cultivator, including the demons, were terrified, feeling a powerful mental force invade their minds, as if a giant iron hand was tightly gripping their throats, rendering them unable to utter a sound.

The Thirty-second Prince inside the flying chariot also instantly turned bright red, sensing a strong mental threat, and his noble double pupils began to contract.

Just then, a red jade on his forehead and the red scale between his eyebrows, symbolizing nobility, suddenly flashed with spiritual light, releasing a peculiar spiritual power that prevented Chen Dengming's mind from invading.

With this buffer, a vast spiritual force seemed to be released from the youth's reddened double pupils.

"A guardian spirit within one's bloodline!?"

Chen Dengming was suddenly startled, realizing something was wrong. In the instant he frowned slightly, he quickly withdrew his attention from the pressure he was exerting on the Prince.

As he regained his composure, the red light within the young man's double pupils seemed to sense the diminishing threat and began to fade.

Chen Dengming breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, the spiritual protective power within the opponent's bloodline was merely a passive defense.

Just as he expected, the power wouldn't erupt unless the threat reached a certain level.

However, as he relaxed and became more attentive, the Thirty-second Prince was able to act quickly.

(5.6K words, please vote for me, my friends! If I get 120 votes tomorrow, I'll try to update 6K words. If I don't, I'll eat shit!)