The Deal Nears Completion, Liuyun Comes Calling

Mo Yu, the Demon Officer, was almost scared out of its wits along the way. It had inferior bloodline, low skills, and no prestigious background among Demon Race. Therefore, among the many Demon Officer in this demon land, it could only be considered a worthless piece of trash.

He knew that if the human cultivator who came with Daoist Peng became ruthless, he could easily take its life with a single sword strike.

The thought of risking its life for a few unique turtle beads from outside the barrier made Mo Yu Demon Officer realize that this deal was a huge loss for it.

But it could only curse and grumble inwardly, daring not to reveal a word. Who knew if the handsome cultivator behind it wielding the halberd was the kind of person who would turn on you in an instant?

Mo Yu, the Demon Officer's cultivation level, was not high, but he had been cultivating for quite some time. In his early years, he had indeed witnessed human cultivators enter the demon land and, filled with righteous indignation, kill countless Demon Lieutenant and Demon Officer to vent their anger.

Although the matter ultimately ended with the human cultivator being surrounded and beaten to death by the swarming Demon Race army, it meant nothing to the Demon Beast who had already lost their lives.

However, it's worth mentioning that such pure Daoist practitioners have become increasingly rare in recent years. For both humans and demons, this can be considered a good thing.

The two humans and the demon walked in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, until they reached a palace.

Since the founding of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, although people have been dying at the hands of demons every moment, objectively speaking, it has been relatively peaceful compared to the previous dynasty.

Apart from a few remote prefectures such as Liangxi and Yu King, few outsiders have the opportunity to interact with high-level Demon Beast. As a result, many ignorant people, including many low-level cultivators, believe that Demon Race are all as savage, bloodthirsty, and stupid as they are seen in Cold Crow Mountain.

Little did they know that the Demon Race established its institutions and dynasties in this realm much earlier than the human race. It was only because outstanding figures emerged from the human race generation after generation that the world's order was gradually reversed, and most of the Demon Race were treated as spiritual materials and servants raised by the human race.

However, the situation in the territory of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty was different. Firstly, the demon plague was already severe in this area in the past. Secondly, the royal family of the previous dynasty only cared about themselves and, seeing the power of the Demon Race, always only did appeasement and tolerance, which allowed these cruel beasts to become too powerful to control.

Later, a powerful figure in the Bitter Spirit Mountain, unable to bear the sight, sent Great Wei Taizu Kuang Nianbai to cleanse the area of its filth, which finally brought about a slight improvement in the situation of this region.

It was only because Emperor Taizu was highly respected that he led the founding ministers to accomplish a series of great things, such as establishing Demon-Suppressing Barrier in the southwest border region. This prevented the Great Wei royal family from facing the situation of Demon Race sweeping across the world, even though they were constantly fighting among themselves and gradually declining.

The Cold Crow Mountain Range is a branch of the Li Mountain. This lineage was once quite prestigious, boasting more than one Venerable. However, since making an agreement with the Great Ancestor, it has remained relatively quiet in recent years.

Not to mention those Venerable Ones, even the top Demon Lieutenant rarely appear in the world.

Aside from the occasional harmless incident of his family raising "human sacrifices," outsiders rarely heard of any other misdeeds. They were much more docile than the Wuqi Lineage, who bordered Liangxi Circuit and invaded their territory every year.

For the past four or five hundred years, Star-Picking Pavilion has been considered the best in the southwest. Xiang Tianxing, having gained the trust of the tower's owner Bai Canhong, naturally knew these old stories that were not exactly secrets.

But as he stood before the magnificent palace, his courage suddenly surged as he looked at Mo Yu, the Demon Officer, his expression unchanged but his heart filled with disdain. He even bypassed Daoist Peng beside him and stepped forward alongside Mo Yu, the Demon Officer.

A gloomy atmosphere hung over the dome of the demon palace, its dark purple glazed tiles swallowing up all the sunlight.

The nine pillars with human heads outside the hall have some history. They are inscribed with demonic script describing the lives of these important figures. At the very least, they were all elders of major sects or Nascent Soul True Person, yet they still ended up with their heads separated from their bodies, their martial arts displayed by demons.

Xiang Tianxing frowned, but felt no fear, much to the disappointment of Mo Yu, Demon Officer was just about to watch the show. At least in his memory, the Daoist Peng, who had been brought here by chance, was trembling with fear.

If these pillars only show that the Demon Race reveres martial arts, the double-eaved hip roof above, weighed down by churning gray mist, and the countless human skeletons hanging from the hundred-foot-high dome, are enough to reveal the cruelty.

Xiang Tianxing was quite knowledgeable and recognized some demonic script. He felt the three characters "Moon-Eroding Hall" above him flash with light, which then pressed down on his chest as if he had been hit by a heavy hammer, almost disrupting his breathing.

"These beasts, they keep trying to intimidate us, one after another! So inefficient!"

After cursing under his breath, Xiang Tianxing, instead of being afraid, became enraged and coldly shouted at the giant fish-headed man in front of him, who showed little surprise, "What are you standing there for? Quickly lead your master the way!!"

Even though everyone knew they were now in the core area of the Demon Officer, Mo Yu was still startled by Xiang Tianxing's sudden shout, causing the scales on his body to flare slightly.

It instinctively opened its mouth as if to argue, but after catching a glimpse of Xiang Tianxing's icy gaze, it became too nervous to utter a sound. In the end, it could only slam its steel fork down hard, shrink its head, and lead the way without saying a word.

But then it took out a crudely made token and opened the spiritual barrier outside the hall. After Xiang Tianxing and the other person followed it inside, they could see that countless human faces hanging in the corridors seemed to be trembling.

The pond in the courtyard was filled with a pool of dark red blood, the contents of which could not be discerned as human or demon. At this moment, it was flowing down the grooves of the runes on the ebony beams and pillars, staining the jade brick floor with a bloody network.

The heavy, blood-red silk curtains hanging on both sides suddenly moved without any wind, and sparks flew from the soul lamps. Although they were only emitting a faint light, they made Xiang Tianxing, who Xiang Tianxing to the side, feel as if he was being pricked by thorns.

"Mo Yu, you good-for-nothing, you actually brought guests with you?"

A powerful being's booming voice echoed through the palace, followed by a piercing, ear-piercing laugh emanating from all four corners of the palace.

Xiang Tianxing's brows furrowed, he gripped his halberd for protection, his spine as straight as a pine tree, and his tone was neither humble nor arrogant. "Xiang Tianxing, the General Affairs Manager of the Star-Picking Pavilion, has come with gifts to greet you fellow Daoists."

"Star-Picking Pavilion, Xiang Tianxing?"

"Is it Bai Canhong's Star-Picking Pavilion?"

"Gentlemen, shall we go and invite the True Person here?"

The snickering laughter in the arena was gradually replaced by a cacophony of discussion; clearly, even among these unruly and cruel beasts, the name of the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion was quite resounding.

Hearing the changes in the scene, Xiang Tianxing did not stop. He even dared to rush ahead of Mo Yu, the Demon Officer, and led Daoist Peng into the dimly lit core hall, with pieces of human bones on his head, to greet the Demon Officer.

As this handsome cultivator entered, wielding a halberd, a glance at the demons revealed that most of the Demon Officer present, like Mo Yu, had beast Demon Officer and human bodies, while only a few, like the old Demon Officer of the Fei Household, remained in beast form.

This has little to do with their individual cultivation levels. Rather, for most Demon Beast, the lower their bloodline, the easier it is for them to transform into human form.

Besides these vicious and ignorant beasts, there were also some tattooed men and women wearing animal skins. Regardless of their cultivation level, the fawning look between their brows was impossible to shake off, which made Xiang Tianxing frown slightly.

Humans raise spirit beasts, Demon Race is not to be outdone. Since the previous dynasty, there have been far-sighted venerable ones who select immortal seedlings from the domesticated human animals for cultivation.

They not only taught them the methods of seeking immortality, but also taught them a wide range of cultivation arts such as alchemy, artifact crafting, talisman formations, etc. Although these people had low status, they made great contributions to the prosperity of the demon land.

Over thousands of years, much like the spirit beasts that serve the human race, these treacherous individuals who willingly act Chang Ghost Demon Race have accumulated to a considerable number.

I've heard that in the core area of Li Mountain Lineage, there are even human True Person serving Demon Race lords, but I don't know if it's true or not.

Strictly speaking, figures like Daoist Peng could also be included.

Therefore, Xiang Tianxing saw such people in this place, but he didn't find it strange. He just felt disgusted and didn't bother to hide it. The highest cultivation level among these traitors was only at the Golden Core Early Stage, and their Cultivation Method were also inferior. They were not worth his time.

No Demon Lieutenant have entered this area yet. The one sitting at the head of the table is the Two-Faced Punishment Viper, whose head is almost extinct outside the barrier. The fierce and venomous look in its eyes is extremely ruthless, almost piercing.

The Demon Officer in the arena clearly regarded it as their leader. After it surveyed the arena for a while, there was no more sound, which was enough to show its prestige.

With a glance, Xiang Tianxing got a general idea of the strength of this Two-Faced Punishment Viper. Its spiritual energy was slightly stronger than his own, but in terms of methods, it was still unknown who was stronger.

At least, but it's far from reaching the terrifying level of that old bird from the Fei Household.

Xiang Tianxing knew he wasn't there to fight these beasts, but he also knew that if they turned on him, he would have no chance of breaking through their encirclement alone. However, after seeing the situation clearly, he felt much more at ease.

"Daoist Peng? You've come to our door without offering any human sacrifices, yet you've brought other guests. What is your purpose?" The Two-Faced Punishment Viper ignored Xiang Tianxing and asked Daoist Peng, who was now habitually hunched over, in a deep voice.

Before the latter could answer, Xiang Tianxing interrupted, saying, "My master has entrusted Fellow Daoist Peng to bring me on a visit; he has important business to discuss."

"Important matter? What important matter is it? My Li Mountain Lineage has no prior relationship with your Star-Picking Pavilion, and we even have a grudge against each other. Don't you know that, Daoist?"

The Two-Faced Punishment Viper snorted coldly, its suspicion practically written all over its face.

Xiang Tianxing showed no anger, smiled faintly, and asked softly, "May I ask how you are called Demon Officer?"

Although the Two-Faced Punishment Viper was confused, he still answered, "My name is Zeng Zhang, the chief Demon Officer under the Feng Yun Demon Lieutenant, in charge of all matters, large and small, within the territories of forty-six Demon Officer."

"This amount is barely enough, but it's worlds apart from those Demon Officer like Mo Yu who don't even have a seat in the hall!" Xiang Tianxing nodded inwardly, then took out a satin silk book from his sleeve and presented it to Zeng Zhang Demon Officer Zeng Zhang with a gentle breeze.

The silk scroll personally inscribed by the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion was naturally very exquisite, employing several styles of cloud-shaped seal script and using extremely ornate language.

This greatly embarrassed Zeng Zhang Demon Officer, because he did not recognize many seal script characters and had to grab the middle-aged man with the written face next to him in a fit of rage to translate for him.

After the tattooed middle-aged man whispered something, Zeng Zhang Demon Officer's remarkably human-like eyes suddenly gleamed with a strange light. It flicked its tail, pulling the tattooed man aside, then separated two streams of Yao Qi, which formed hand gestures. Grabbing the silk scroll, it asked urgently:

"Your True Person says you can find a day to break the barrier array and let us go out freely?!"

No wonder Zeng Zhang Demon Officer was so excited, because while there were certainly powerful beings in the Demon Land, it was far poorer than the mainland of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty.

Whether it's Cultivation Method Law Treasure, magical treasures, or spiritual objects and human sacrifices, many ordinary items within human territory become much more valuable in the demon realm.

Over the years, there have been some daring Demon Officer that dared to stay in the weakest parts of the barrier, like Daoist Peng, and go out to "seek" some resources. While some of them were indeed lucky, most of the Demon Officer became high-quality spiritual materials hoarded by human cultivators.

But if the array points opened by Bai Canhong are genuine, then they can gather hundreds of Demon Officer and countless Demon Beasts to go out together, and who can stop them?

Such unbridled plundering could easily turn several states into ruins. Zeng Zhang Demon Officer not even imagine the extent of the benefits he might gain.

The determination of the Star-Picking Pavilion was so great that even Daoist Peng, who had remained silent all along, was speechless:

"These so-called righteous cultivators are a laughing stock. How many lives have I sacrificed in my two or three hundred years of hard work? Now that Bai Canhong has opened this door, who knows how many more lives will be lost from the list of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty?! Is this a scheme to nurture an enemy to enhance one's own power?"

Although Xiang Tianxing disagreed with Bai Canhong's plan of "murdering, arson, and accepting amnesty," as a disciple of the Star-Picking Pavilion, he dared not have the slightest disobedience.

He glanced briefly at Zeng Zhang Demon Officer, who was barely concealing his excitement, then turned serious and retorted with a question:

"You Demon Officer are being utterly unreasonable! How can a True Person speak so lightly?! However, it has been clearly stated from above that your invasion will only cover the entirety of Mountain North and Huangpi, and the five prefectures of Pu, Ding, Yun, Jing, and Ye in Shannan Circuit. You must avoid all other areas when leading your Demon Officer. Otherwise, don't blame my master for being ruthless!"

The latter suddenly realized that he hadn't considered things carefully when he asked the question. However, he couldn't apologize to Xiang Tianxing this moment, so he could only cough lightly and reply, "This is a serious matter. I request that Sect Leader Xiang remain here while I report this to the Demon Lieutenant for further consideration."

When will we hear anything?

"The whereabouts of the Demon Lieutenant are uncertain; how can I possibly answer that?"

"Five days. If there is still no news from the Demon Officer within five days, I will find another Demon Lieutenant with Fellow Daoist Peng to discuss the matter further."

"Five days it is. Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will give you a reply within five days."

"In that case, Fellow Daoist Peng and I will linger here for another five days and await good news."

"If this fails, Zeng Zhang, I will bring you my head!"

Little Ring Mountain, Chongming Sect

Yuan Jin and Ye Zhengwen read the letter sent back by Sect Leader Kang Da. It said that Kang Rongquan and his party had turned back from Chenjiang County Si Prefecture. After discussing for a while, they went their separate ways.

Perhaps due to the noble aura that Sect Leader Kang Da possessed after forming his Core Formation, Yuan Jin's cultivation has improved considerably recently. In addition, the two guards Azure Jue and Crimson Zhang, on Wild Fox Mountain have already taken shape, which allows him to occasionally act as a hands-off manager and return to the sect for a proper period of cultivation.

Yuan Jin slowly walked into the courtyard, but the atmosphere was even more desolate than where Zhou Yixiu lived. Despite Yuan Jin's high position, even the fake alchemists in the Chongming Alliance treated him as an equal.

However, his two sons are now dead, and his wife is also deceased. Although Changsheng does have descendants, none of them have yet been born with Spirit Root.

After all these events, the word "loneliness" was deeply ingrained in his bones, and only during his spiritual practice could he forget much of it.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Yuan Jin felt that the deeper his sorrow, the faster the demon in his heart grew.

He was initially quite concerned about this unusual occurrence, and even wanted to discuss it with Sect Leader Kang Da and Jiang Qing. However, such moments of grief were rare, and once Yuan Jin himself overcame his sorrow, he was fine, which gradually made him stop thinking about it.

He even hoped that this situation would occur more often, so that he could advance to the next level sooner and see if he could really do as he expected, risking his life to refine the ape demon in his heart as soon as possible and compete for that fortuitous opportunity to Core Formation.

Yuan Jin was focused on cultivating himself, but unfortunately, he was struck by an unfortunate event today. Just as he landed on the meditation cushion and was about to enter a meditative state, Yuan Jin Ye Zhengwen him a message via a talisman.

He glanced at the dozen or so characters at the top and frowned deeply. "How could a mere foreman and a dozen or so soldiers have commanded Tie Liuyun to personally come to my house to interrogate me?"

"Wait, could it be that someone leaked our family's information to this bastard?! He dared to come here knowing that our senior brother wasn't in the sect!!!"

Yuan Jin immediately feigned sudden realization, but did not dwell on it further.

He didn't know if Tie Liuyun had simply come to the Chongming Sect to show off his power. After touching the brand-new brocade pouch at his waist, he rushed out of his secluded Swift Movement place and headed towards the archway.