0087
After leaving Zhenchuan, twelve disciples from the twelve sects took their positions at twelve different locations. They deliberated within their respective sects. The Foundation Establishment senior disciples followed the directives of the Core Formation disciples. However, unlike previous arena battles, the twelve sects did not subtly oppose one another this time. Everyone shared a unified objective. To achieve the common goal of rescuing the missing demon race and revitalizing the demon clan while maintaining good cooperation with human cultivators—even though the twelve sects might compete for the top spot—they would not undermine each other. Otherwise, they would be deemed criminals.
But who could have imagined that the Qingshui Sect members had completed half their mission even before setting out?
“What did you say? What did you find? Speak louder!”
Bian Bochai and Kong Miaoke were both astonished.
Huangpu Yuan glanced at Lihua, who was still explaining things during the match.
He remained silent.
Lihua: “…” She had been ignored, right?
But as Huangpu Yuan stayed silent, Bai Yu stepped forward, coughed lightly, and said, “Bai Feng is my great-grandmother.”
The other eleven sects: “!”
“My great-grandmother’s lineage controls the current five major branches of the Sea Clan, Canis Lupus Clan, Fox Clan, and Winged Clan.”
The other eleven sects: “!”
As Bai Yu spoke, Yugu, standing behind him, nodded.
As demonic beings, they originally had no means to reach the six-thousandth layer.
But mysteriously, after Elder Yueshi perished, they suddenly could.
It appeared as though the constraints that the Nine-Thousand Trials had placed on the demon race had suddenly vanished.
Based on Lin Shuang’s speculation, in the past, demonic beings like Xiao Bai had infiltrated the sects in an attempt to uncover the truth behind the death of the Nine-Tailed Fox. However, their ulterior motives had long been detected by elders such as Chen Wushui.
Before uncovering the truth about Elder Mu and the Nine-Tailed Fox from the past, Chen Wushui didn’t dare to casually allow the demon race to ascend to the higher levels of the Nine-Thousand Trials.
After all, the problem of human cultivators’ own spies within hadn’t even been resolved.
There was little mutual trust.
How could they trust the demon clan enough to allow them into the upper echelons of the Nine-Thousand Trials?
What if they were controlled by the Celestial Mechanism Society and, like the Nine-Tailed Fox, were manipulated into becoming corrupted?
Elders like Chen Wushui could not afford such consequences.
It was only after Lin Shuang discovered the clone and exposed the Celestial Mechanism Society’s conspiracy, confirming that the Nine-Tailed Fox lineage were innocent victims, that the Qingshui Sect truly placed complete trust in the demon race.
The restrictions imposed on the demon race within the Nine-Thousand Trials were lifted.
At this moment, Bai Yu and Yugu were the high-level disciple representatives from the six-thousandth layer of battle.
“My great-grandmother is at the middle stage of the Tribulation Crossing.”
Bai Yu stole a slightly blushing glance at Lin Shuang.
Lin Shuang: “…”
Both of her roommates were descendants of powerful figures.
No wonder she, with her unique constitution, was targeted by the Celestial Mechanism Elder.
She herself was quite envious of herself.
Bai Yu continued, “My grandmother is slightly weaker than the current Tiger King. Under the Tiger King, there are twenty-one Tribulation-Crossing guardians. Additionally, clans like the Lion and Leopard are also quite formidable, mostly excelling in offensive capabilities.”
“Our Sea Clan, well, we don’t have much advantage in terms of combat strength. Therefore, we have always maintained good relations with the Canis Lupus and Fox Clans. On our side, we have about eight Tribulation-Crossing elders.”
Lin Shuang raised her eyebrows.
Eight Tribulation-Crossing (former followers of the Nine-Tailed Fox) vs. twenty-one Tribulation-Crossing (under the Tiger King)
In the incident where the Nine-Tailed Fox was murdered years ago, several major elders who followed her also perished.
This led to a significant disparity in strength between her lineage and the Tiger Clan.
This was also the reason Huangpu Yuan had to hide his identity.
A dormant dragon must not act rashly; only by waiting for the right moment to make a comeback could he succeed.
The seemingly overwhelming strength of the Tiger King’s twenty-one Tribulation-Crossing followers had, under his tyrannical rule over the years, long ceased to be a united force.
Blow a breeze, and those twenty-one Tribulation-Crossing cultivators might scatter in different directions.
They were nowhere near as loyal as the former followers of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
Lin Shuang glanced at the tall, standing figure of Huangpu Yuan and indeed saw no anxiety typical of the underdog on his face.
Lin Shuang mused, “I wonder how many Tribulation-Crossing experts the Annihilation Pavilion will deploy.”
This time, involving Spirit-Cultivating disciples, what role did the sects intend for them to play?
If human cultivators’ Tribulation-Crossing experts entered the territory of the demon race, the Tiger Clan would likely become immediately vigilant and defensive.
If the Celestial Mechanism Society had outposts there, they would also become alert.
So this time, the sects actually wanted the Spirit-Cultivating disciples to act covertly, serving as a cover for the Tribulation-Crossing experts from Bai Feng’s lineage, secretly assisting them in their plans.
Furthermore, to thwart the Celestial Mechanism Society’s scheme of kidnapping young demon clan members as offerings?
[Lin Shuang, grasp the core of this mission!]
Instantly, an illusory silk pouch fell from the sky.
It bore four characters—“An Du Chen Cang” (secretly march through the backdoor).
Huangpu Yuan’s expression flickered, and he looked up at the sky.
There, the avatars of elders from the twelve sects had gathered!
At least nearly eighteen Tribulation-Crossing avatars—some weaker ones were around the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, while the stronger ones, like Elder Chen Wushui, were around the early Tribulation-Crossing stage.
This mission was to be carried out by disciples.
But the true executors were not the disciples!
Under the pretense of protecting their disciples, the elders from the twelve sects would venture into the Demon Realm to resolve the issue of missing demonic cultivators, dismantle the Celestial Mechanism Society’s covert outposts, and assist the Sea Clan in overthrowing the tyrannical Tiger Demon!
Huangpu Yuan lowered his head, unable to suppress a deep breath.
Mother, perhaps he had indeed been too obsessive in the past.
He had only seen the despicability of human cultivators and failed to see their righteousness.
“Lin Shuang… come here.”
Chen Wushui gestured.
This wasn’t her true body.
Because her real body was still in the inner sect, distributing jade dew to the disciples who kept arriving to spectate.
However, the disciples around her all treated her avatar with great respect.
Except for Lin Shuang and her group, everyone else stepped aside when she gestured.
Chen Wushui immediately smiled and reached into a celadon porcelain vase, pulling out six water talismans, “For your protection, they can resist one Tribulation-Crossing level attack.”
“My father got up, washed his face, and went back to sleep.”
Lin Shuang heard the voice in her mind and froze.
Chen Wushui nodded at her,
“Besides, he’s old now, and doesn’t stay awake much. But don’t worry, he used a talisman. As long as someone who has touched the jade dew triggers my father’s memory, he will wake up and inform me.”
“The Donghua Region is already quite peaceful. However, the South and West regions where the demon tribes reside definitely still have hidden outposts of the Celestial Mechanism Society.”
“Remember, although we elders will travel together, we will not easily take action.”
Lin Shuang raised her eyebrows.
But she quickly nodded.
She understood.
Humans and the demon race had signed a century-long friendship agreement in the past.
The current Tiger King also enjoyed such friendly protection.
Under the terms at that time, human cultivators were not permitted to indiscriminately invade the territories of the demon race or attack them without justification.
Otherwise, it would signal the start of war.
This aligned with what she had thought.
Just like when the Nine-Tailed Fox ‘turned evil,’ the humans acted.
Unless there was evidence to convict this cruel and tyrannical Tiger King,
Human cultivators who had overcome tribulations could not directly charge into the demon race’s territory and openly kill the Tiger King.
This was the diplomatic relationship between the two races.
It was also the hidden warning given to disciples during the Lijiacun Trial—the two families harbored mutual hatred; whom would you help?
Once you take action, the corresponding karmic consequences will follow.
This will impact the relationships between humans and the demon clans in the Western Sea, the Southern Tiger Clan, and other factions for hundreds or even thousands of years.
After your actions, descendants of one side may view you as an enemy for generations.
Lin Shuang nodded.
The elders’ implication was to let them find evidence of the Tiger King’s misdeeds before taking action.
Chen Wushui said solemnly, “Plan before acting, and communicate more with the deep-sea clans in the West.”
After speaking, she looked at Huangpu Yuan.
Then she waved her hand, “Go prepare, and stock up on necessary pills and supplies.”
The disciples from the twelve sects all received protective talismans and treasures from the elders.
Shui Qiantan saw Chen Wushui leave and then secretly beckoned to Lin Shuang and her group.
He gave them some spirit stones for travel expenses—not much, just three thousand.
Shui Qiantan coughed lightly, “This is all this old man has on him.”
Lin Shuang’s pupils widened greatly.
These were Old Tan’s private savings!
Although he also participated in the escort mission, during the operation—especially in the demon realm—their Transcendence avatars would not manifest unless absolutely necessary.
They couldn’t give them money midway.
“Ahh, Old Tan, you’re a good person,” Meng Zi said, moved.
Shui Qiantan: “…”
He waved at Meng Zi to leave quickly.
Meng Zi had inherited the spiritual energy of Elder Yueshi and carried his personality traits.
Especially his younger days, before reaching the Nascent Soul stage—his passionate and ambitious nature.
It always made him think, if Yueshi hadn’t taken the wrong path, how much better things could have been.
If he had known earlier that his cultivation method ‘The Sea is All Water’ would allow him to progress rapidly, if he had known that, and if it would have made the other person suffer, he might have rather…
Shui Qiantan sat cross-legged in the air, closing his eyes.
Streams of water flowed over his body.
His white hair and beard fell away one by one.
The deep lines on his forehead and the age spots on his face seemed to fade away as if washed by flowing water.
With each layer of water flowing over him, he grew younger.
Eventually, from a white-haired old man, he transformed into a youthful young man, still retaining his elegance, with rosy lips and white teeth.
His handsome appearance was not much inferior to Bian Bochai’s.
After Chen Wushui finished inspecting and clearing the twelve sect disciples, she turned around and saw his appearance, her eyebrows and eyes instantly vibrating.
“Deadbeat!”
“I told you in the past to take care of your looks, but you insisted on aging yourself! I’ve told you countless times—if you don’t stay handsome, I’ll break up with you! But all these years, you never listened to me. Now you suddenly go mad—”
Chen Wushui was really angry. She raised the celadon porcelain vase and smashed it toward Shui Qiantan’s youthful face.
But she avoided hitting his rejuvenated, youthful face!
Shui Qiantan smiled bitterly and placed a hand on the vase.
In the past, within Qingshui Sect, Master Lü had only just entered the Tribulation-Crossing stage and was still inexperienced in running the sect.
The first-generation ancestor of the Chen family was in a deep slumber and did not awaken.
Chen Wushui had no interest in managing the sect.
Thus, all the tedious affairs could only be borne by him.
At that time, he had neither an outstanding background nor a genius reputation.
In front, there was the threat of the Celestial Mechanism Society pretending to be dead.
Behind, there were obstacles from scattered evil cultivators.
There was also the worry of Qingshui Sect’s long-standing difficulty in recruiting disciples.
He was deeply afraid of failing, of others not obeying him, of disciples leaving Qingshui Sect.
So he could only transform into a venerable, aged, and dignified appearance like the old ancestor of the Chen family to prop up the sect’s image.
As a result, the more affairs piled up, the more rampant the Celestial Mechanism Society became, and the older he became.
But now, looking at the talented young figures of Lin Shuang and others rushing out of the inner sect…
With one hand pressing on Chen Wushui’s porcelain vase, which was heavily striking his right shoulder,
“Wushui.”
“Youth is truly wonderful.”
Chen Wushui’s pupils constricted, then gradually dilated under the sunlight.
Yes.
Youth was truly wonderful.
Like Yueshi, they also wished to return to their youthful days.
To return to the days when they were unburdened and pure.
Yueshi could never return.
But at least, they were still alive and had the chance to return to their own purity.
“Die already!”
“Crazy person!”
Chen Wushui gave a slap and kicked the infantile Shui Qiantan flying.
“You made yourself young, so now I’ll make you young to half a year old! Are you sick in the head!”
Water can transform into all things.
Shui Qiantan’s life did not experience the passage of time.
It was just his form that changed.
He could reshape himself at will.
But slap after slap, his body was struck by Chen Wushui back into a teenage form.
“The two elders are having such a carefree and romantic time.”
Lin Shuang sat on her flying sword, looking back and couldn’t help but sigh.
It was even more dramatic than the fairy tales.
Meng Zi looked back, pressing his twitching eyelid, watching Shui Qiantan constantly transforming between an infant and a teenager.
“…Are you sure?”
Huangpu Yuan also looked back but quickly turned his face away with a blank expression.
Zhao Keran and Bian Bochai, however, were very interested and kept watching.
Before long, they flew out of Qingshui Sect’s territory. Lin Shuang sat on her wide sword and poked Huangpu Yuan beside her.
Huangpu Yuan remained silent and pulled out a sand tray map of the demon realm in the southwest regions, handing it to her.
He had already marked it on the sand tray.
Most of the territories in the demon realm of the southwest were seas and islands; combined, their urban areas weren’t even as extensive as those of the twelve sects in the Donghua Region.
Lin Shuang lowered her head to examine it carefully, and the others gathered around.
…North (Royal Tao Clan)…
West (Sea. Canis Lupus and Fox Clan)… East (Twelve Sects)
…South (Tiger Clan, etc.)… (Eastern Zhao Clan)
Lin Shuang looked at it silently and nodded.
The deep-sea fish clan in the western region, the land-based Canis Clan—wolf, fox, and dog clans were all their own people.
They maintained mutual support with the twelve sects in the Donghua Region.
The Southern Tiger Clan—comprising the Lynx, Leopard, Tiger, and Lion divisions—had long coveted the demonic forces of the Western Sea.
In fact, after the Tiger King ascended the throne, he became the supreme ruler of all the demon clans and officially gained control over the deep-sea fish tribes as well as the Wolf and Fox Clans in the western sea.
If a conflict occurred, the Tao Clan in the northern region, the twelve sects in the eastern region, and the Zhao Clan could still timely come to the aid of the western sea.
However, conversely, if the western sea wanted to attack the southern Tiger Clan, which excelled in offensive capabilities, there were many disadvantages.
First, human cultivators lacked a valid reason unless the enemy was convicted.
Second, even if there was a reason, the royal Tao Clan in the northern region traveling to the southern Tiger Clan’s territory would face a significant distance.
Except for Tribulation-Crossing cultivators, other cultivators found it difficult to move quickly and arrive in the south in time.
The geographical location of the Tiger Clan’s territory provided a natural barrier advantage.
“As for transportation, all teleportation arrays within the southern Tiger Clan’s territory are guarded by soldiers around the clock,”
Huangpu Yuan pointed on the sand tray.
“The four major cities of the southern Tiger Clan—Lynx, Leopard, Tiger, and Lion—each occupy one.”
“There are interconnected teleportation within each city; once one city is attacked, the other three can quickly come to the rescue.”
“But from the northern and eastern regions where human cultivators reside to the four Tiger cities, each city has three teleportation arrays outside.”
“Not only does the teleportation cost reach up to 100,000 per person, but every human or demon cultivator entering must undergo rigorous identity verification.”
Even if the cultivators have a righteous cause, attempting to aid the Western Sea and attack Hucheng is an immensely challenging task. Almost the moment they arrive via teleportation, the soldiers guarding Hucheng will immediately detect them. The four major cities of the Tiger Clan coordinate their calamities and support one another, with formidable offensive and defensive formations established within the city.
“Tigers excel in night combat, swift movement, strong assaults, and their roars can affect spiritual senses. A single tiger can suppress two deep-sea demon clan members of the same realm,” said Huangpu Yuan.
As he spoke, Bai Yu awkwardly lowered his head. This was racial suppression, much like how human cultivators’ techniques can overpower others.
“Canines, wolves, and foxes entering the four major tiger cities will be under surveillance throughout their stay,” Huangpu Yuan pointed at the four southern tiger cities marked in red on the sand table. Within the cities were several red dots.
“Upon entering the city, human cultivators and other races such as canines, wolves, and foxes must reside in designated inns and undergo daily questioning and verification of their itinerary,” he continued. “After passing the daily verification, they will be issued an identity pass for the following day’s movement within the city.”
As he spoke, the Hundred Flowers Sect and Mountain Sea Sect moved closer to Lin Shuang’s wide sword seat, straining to eavesdrop.
Huangpu Yuan: “…”
In an instant, the fifth-level sand table transformed into a miniature model of a tiger city capable of accommodating a hundred people. Everyone felt as though they were flying above the city on their swords. Below them were real-time views of the city’s various districts and roads.
“A fifth-level miniature sand table?” Bian Bochai unfolded his folding fan and smiled, “This was jointly crafted by our Hundred Flowers Sect elders and the Artifact Sect elders. Wherever there are flowers within the city, the sand table will transmit real-time dynamics.”
However, as he spoke, he frowned.
“But this artifact has a drawback. If there are high-level anti-spying formations within the enemy territory, they will appear as dark shadows on the sand table, revealing nothing,” he explained. As he spoke, indeed, everyone saw patches of pitch-black vortices scattered across the ‘sand table’ as they flew above it. Within Hucheng, there were many such vortices of varying sizes.
Huangpu Yuan smirked mockingly.
Lin Shuang couldn’t help but scratch her brow, “That’s actually good. It’s like they’re directly telling us where their important locations are.”
Bian Bochai: “…”
Lihua: “…”
It really is good.
Seriously.
How could the tiger demon be so foolish! Why did you have to indulge in luxury and commit atrocities, provoking Lin Shuang to destroy you! Why, why did you do it!
[Why did the tiger demon have to indulge in extravagance and commit atrocities, provoking Lin Shuang to destroy you! Why, why did you do it!]
[This is hilarious. I’m telling you my military secrets directly.]
[You even told me where your hiding places are. How about that?]
Lin Shuang quickly located several dark clusters on the Hucheng sand table.
“The demon king’s palace, the city lord’s residence, the elders’ mansions, the closest must be the council chamber… the merchant guild… the military camp in the suburbs…” Kong Miaoke of the Hundred Flowers Sect even reached out to press her forehead.
She could continue supplementing.
“Important storage areas for elixirs, military supplies, iron armor… granaries for ordinary tigers…”
They hadn’t even entered Hucheng for on-site inspections, but by looking at these clusters of darkness, they could directly pinpoint the city’s internal hubs.
Looking at several residences on the sand table, some rooms’ concealing vortices were extremely dark, while others were lighter shades of black.
Presumably, the pitch-black ones were where important family members, heirs, etc., resided. The lighter black rooms were likely for less important relatives, non-essential descendants, or servants.
Wow, they’re telling us who lives in each room…
Meng Zi and Xiao Qi, the two innocent souls, shook their heads in disbelief as they watched.
As they stepped into Huangpu Yuan’s sand table model, they soon found themselves immersed in the scene, where demons and humans could be seen sparsely wandering through the city.
Indeed, as Huangpu Yuan had mentioned, some non-tiger demons or human cultivators had various wooden identity plaques dangling from their waists.
The passes for going to the market, herbalists, or visiting someone’s home were all different in design.
Moreover, these wooden identity plaques seemed to emit different levels of spiritual energy.
“This indicates the approved duration of stay,” Huangpu Yuan briefly explained. “Based on questioning and applications at the inns where guests reside, approvals are granted daily.”
“If anyone strays from the pass, forcibly enters restricted areas, or lingers too long, they will be imprisoned and punished by the tiger soldiers.”
Lin Shuang raised her eyebrows.
Isn’t this basically a visa?
Illegal overstaying… you’ll be deported!
“It’s not a big deal,” Meng Zi slapped his broadsword. “Who cares about going to those places! We’re here to take down the demon king and the city lord!”
…
Lin Shuang nodded, “Indeed, it’s not a big issue. As long as we obtain a few of these wooden plaques, our disciples from the Artifact and Alchemy Sect can replicate them.”
??
…
Lin Shuang’s mind must be full of… evil thoughts.
Lin Shuang: I live an honest life! Forgery is the business of the Artifact and Elixir Sect!
Lin Shuang: I’m upright and righteous, searching for lost little spirits and doing good deeds for the people. What’s wrong with that?
Her Dao heart is truly beyond words… amazing!
Wait, when did our Artifact and Elixir Sect ever agree to follow her orders?
“Senior Brother Huangpu, Xiao Bai, Senior Brother Yu Gui, and all members of the Hundred Flowers Sect…”
“You are all well-read, experienced, or very familiar with the tiger clan.”
As Lin Shuang spoke, she distributed blank paper and ink.
“Now let’s brainstorm?”
“What do you think is the solution to this problem?”
Their first goal is to find the lost little demon, and second, to overthrow the Tiger King.
They might also need to destroy several Tianji Hui strongholds.
None of these tasks are simple, especially the second one targeting the tiger king.
But all of this must be accomplished under the conditions that their actions will be restricted and they will inevitably be monitored upon entering Hucheng.
What should they do?
Everyone immediately fell into deep thought.
The senior brother from the Mountain Sea Sect and Xiao Qi were at the rear, staring at their empty hands.
So much pressure, if they don’t get any paper and ink… does that mean they aren’t well-read or experienced!?
But if they do get paper and ink, how to solve this puzzle? They couldn’t think of anything!
Help!
Meng Zi smiled and directly waved his hand at Lin Shuang who was about to come over, “No need to give me paper and brush, I’ll rest.”
He voluntarily gave up.
He rejected Lin Shuang himself, no need for her to deny his wisdom. Look how clever he is!
The eyes of the senior brother from the Mountain Sea Sect flickered with madness.
Xiao Qi quickly raised his hand, shaking his head frantically before Lin Shuang arrived, “I don’t need it either, Senior Lin!”
He gratefully looked at Meng Zi, thanks for the advice!
Zhao Keran was delighted to receive a blank scroll from Lin Shuang, so happy~
So the three sects began writing or openly slacking off.
On their way to the southwest region, the nearest teleportation array to the Clearwater Sect was located at the cultivation market in Liuxian Town.
As they hurried there, they began to form a rough plan.
Lihua, Bian Bochai, and Kong Miaoke from the Hundred Flowers Sect.
After thinking it through, they wrote down their answers and showed them.
– We won’t act first, secretly weaken the relationships between the four tiger cities, attack them one by one, and isolate the tiger king.
Huangpu Yuan also turned over his paper, Bai and Yu Gui scratched their heads.
– Disband the Tiger Clan.
– Locate the missing yao.
– Secure the allegiance of neutral yao factions.
(Note: “妖” is translated as “yao” here, as it refers to a supernatural creature in Chinese mythology. If a different term is preferred in the context, please specify.)
– Finally, the Sea Tribe attacks.
Lin Shuang looked at them and then at her junior apprentice.
She turned over her own answer.
“So we all thought similarly.”
Zhao Keran proudly smiled, “Right, right?”
She looked at Lin Shuang’s paper.
She was startled.
Lin Shuang: [Ming Chong Gate, Artifact and Elixir Sect, Hundred Flowers Sect, Ten Thousand Monks Gate, Annihilation Pavilion, Sea Clan, dogs, wolves, foxes, Mountain and Sea Sect…]
Zhao Keran: “!”
???
Zhao Keran suddenly realized, “Senior, your writing must be referring to the need for more allies to carry out our plan of ‘dividing the enemy, locating the missing demon, and overthrowing the Tiger King’?”
Lin Shuang had already thought ahead of them!
While they were thinking of the plan, she had already considered ‘they thought of the plan, I’ll write the plan completion personnel’ and listed the next step – personnel mobilization for plan implementation.
Huangpu Yuan’s expression remained calm as he glanced at her list, “You mean have Ming Chongmen study the teleportation arrays?”
“We will be immediately detected by the tiger clan upon arrival via the teleportation array, including our numbers, abilities, and factions.”
“So the first step is to conceal our numbers and arrival time. Have Ming Chongmen establish a blind spot teleportation area outside Hucheng without soldier surveillance?”
Lin Shuang nodded, giving him a ‘you understand me’ look.
She continued, “Yes. In historical battles, the side that controls information usually wins in the end.”
Scouts are very important in battles.
So, first, cut off the tiger clan’s intelligence!
“You should also…”
Lin Shuang winked her left eye at Huangpu Yuan.
“Give the Ming Chongmen disciples a chance to gain your favor and high evaluation.”
Saying this, she gave a half-smile, deliberately shifting her gaze from him to Xiao Bai.
!
White Feng becomes the new Demon King, and this young member of the White clan may inherit the position next.
Wow!
The evaluation criterion for this level is which sect the new Demon King believes contributed the most!
What about Ming Chongmen?
Uh… other sects, you’d better hurry and work hard with Lin Shuang!
On the way to Liuxian Town, when the Ming Chongmen disciples were approached by the Mountain Sea Sect, they were confused.
They were originally discussing whether to go to the Annihilation Pavilion first to hear mission information and see if there was any help from the Annihilation Pavilion that Lin Shuang could get in the queen layer.
But they didn’t expect Lin Shuang’s faction to approach them first!
“Either join or be last, you decide.”
The Mountain Sea Sect’s spirit formation senior brother responsible for negotiations was a social butterfly with clear thinking.
The Mountain Sea Sect was at the bottom of Lin Shuang’s list, indicating that in this demon clan mission, Lin Shuang likely considered the Mountain Sea Sect’s role to be negligible.
This was very dangerous.
And since the Mountain Sea Sect’s sect leader and grand elder had successive incidents, now Qing Shui Sect’s sect leader Lu was temporarily in charge. It was almost certain that the Mountain Sea Sect would merge with Qing Shui Sect again in the future.
Senior Lin was family!
The social butterfly senior brother of the Mountain Sea Sect quickly found his position.
He strongly persuaded Ming Chongmen to join Lin Shuang’s faction.
The three spirit formation senior sisters of Ming Chongmen, who had studied arrays since childhood and were all intelligent, had no idea what was going on.
Bai Yu, grandson of the Sea Clan’s Grand Elder Bai Feng.
Royal family!
The key to this mission.
(Note: The original text contains a typo or non-standard character “妖” which doesn’t seem to fit the context. Assuming it’s a typo for “要” (key/essential), the translation has been adjusted accordingly. If “妖” was intended to convey a different meaning, please provide clarification.)
“Thank you, senior brother of the Mountain Sea Sect for informing us, but we spirit formation disciples cannot create a large teleportation array to avoid tiger clan surveillance.”
The three senior sisters of Ming Chongmen all frowned.
“To teleport a large group of over a hundred people requires at least a Tribulation-level cultivator.”
“The three of us, along with a high-level Ningyuan junior brother, can only form a ten-person array.”
Ten people were too few.
This time, each sect sent at least six disciples, not to mention the elders for escort.
Later, if there was a battle, transporting the Sea Clan from the Western Sea into Hucheng would require thousands.
A ten-person array was definitely insufficient.
Ming Chongmen was stuck.
But the Mountain Sea Sect senior brother leaned close to their ears and transmitted his thoughts.
“Oh, I see. We understand. This is indeed feasible.”
!
Let me hear.
What is it that I, a paying observation disciple, cannot know?
Then, they saw the three spirit formation senior sisters of Ming Chongmen quickly fly to the area where the elders’ avatars were meditating.
“Senior, please help us create a large teleportation array.”
?
“We have already communicated with the next demon king. When evaluating performance, your assistance will not be included.”
Ming Chongmen’s calamity-level elder: ?
Ming Chongmen’s calamity-level elder: !
He was being conscripted without even getting credit?
Ming Chongmen’s grand elder’s mouth twitched, “Even I cannot avoid the tiger clan’s array masters detecting a large teleportation array within their territory.”
“No need, senior. Just near the sea closest to Hucheng.”
“Create a teleportation from the Western Sea to the southern sea area.”
!
On the other side, Lin Shuang and the others had already hurried to the paid teleportation array at Liuxian Town.
Actually, Lin Shuang didn’t want to sneak in through the array.
The grand formation that Ming Chongmen was about to set up was specifically designed for the sea demon.
She took one step, calculated three steps ahead.
The construction of a large array couldn’t be completed in a few days.
Ming Chongmen was preparing for the final stage, the ‘unavoidable battle,’ of the demon clan war.
Now, Lin Shuang herself and Huangpu Yuan’s group were going to complete the preliminary tasks.
1. Dismantle the four Tiger cities.
2. Rescue the missing demons.
3. Win over the neutral and powerful demon clans: Bear, Snake, and Pig.
Before entering the teleportation array, Zhao Keran held a mobilization meeting.
Announcing their group’s plan and goals!
Lin Shuang nodded, lifting her foot to step into the largest and most expensive teleportation area at the end of the cultivation market in Liuxian Town.
She had been to Liuxian Town many times, but this was her first time using a large teleportation array.
The Qixing Building stood tall with arrays reaching into the clouds, each floor meticulously arranged with arrays of varying sizes.
There were options for ten, fifty, and a hundred people, all looking identical from the outside.
Ordinary people found it difficult to distinguish the final destinations of these arrays with the naked eye.
But each array had a jade tablet indicating its destination.
[To the Western Sea Fish Clan. Entrance 1, expected one day]
-Ten-person teleportation (previous session full)
-Fifty-person teleportation (3 remaining seats, about to start)
-Hundred-person teleportation (51 people needed to start)
Lin Shuang glanced at it and absentmindedly followed Huangpu Yuan and the other demons to the fifth floor of the Qixing Building.
They, especially Xiao Bai and the other demons, were very familiar with the locations of the demon clan’s formations.
She didn’t need to think, just follow along idly.
Saving effort.
She could even take a break.
Lin Shuang clasped her hands behind her back.
[Xiao Ai No. 2 (Huangpu): I’ve already arranged for Tiger City Demon to meet us and obtained different types of passes.]
[Little Ai No.2 (Huangfu): We’re entering a large-scale teleportation for a hundred people, expected to arrive in half a day.]
Lin Shuang gave a thumbs-up appreciatively.
She turned back to another sociable senior brother from the Shanhai Sect. “Have the seniors from the Artifact Sect get ready. Restore your spiritual consciousness and prepare at any moment for the journey to replicate the magical treasures.”
The senior brother from the Shanhai Sect immediately turned his head and began operating.
[Little Ai No.4 (Xiaobai): The elder of the neutral Bear Clan is still hesitating. My great-grandmother believes she can convince them. The remaining Snake Clan is fickle in temperament; the Pig Demons are straightforward and always unconditionally obey the current Demon King.]
[Little Ai No.2 (Huangfu): The dispatched Sparrow Clan has already located possible hiding spots of several missing cubs within the Tiger Realm. I need to enter the four tiger cities to sense their exact locations.]
Lin Shuang repeatedly gave a thumbs-up.
Impressive.
But she raised her eyebrows, seemingly realizing an issue.
Sure enough, the next moment, Huangpu Yuan lowered his head, and his silky black hair slid onto her cheek.
It carried his unique soft, furry fragrance.
His whisper, a deep male voice, warmed and tickled behind her ear. Instantly, it made her pores tingle with pleasure.
“There are sixth-grade demon-revealing mirrors placed in front of the teleportation arrays of all four tiger cities.”
Lin Shuang’s eyes widened instantly.
“It will expose the true forms of all demons…”
Huangpu Yuan’s husky whisper, along with the information it carried, made her soul tremble, just like the contraction of the pores on her neck caused by him.
“Including mine.”
[!]
[Wait, what are they planning by getting this close?]
[And what is it that I, a paying viewer-disciple, am not supposed to hear?]
[Well, although it’s quite pleasing to the eye… Lin junior sister belongs to all of us.]
[Get lost! Our sect’s junior sister from Qingshui Sect has nothing to do with you from Shanhai Sect!]
The expression on Junior Sister Lin’s face—so at ease, nostalgic, with a faint trace of pain and a gentle furrow of her brow… Tsk tsk…
[Xing Ru from the Artifact and Alchemy Sect has been muted for the duration of one incense stick for sharing information irrelevant to the trial.]
[All disciples are requested to watch the match in a civilized manner and to advocate healthy and positive relationships among fellow disciples and cultivation partners.]
[!]
[What did he say! It’s obviously you, the room moderator, spreading filth!]
[Xing Wo from the Artifact and Alchemy Sect has been muted for the duration of one incense stick for defending the relationship between cultivation partners and insulting the room moderator.]
[…]
The projected text was indeed very entertaining.
This is one of the reasons why disciples are willing to pay to watch the matches every time there is a grand competition!
[Since Lin Shuang participated in the competition, the viewing projections have become spectacular from every angle.]
[Exactly, thank you, junior sister Lin. Worth every penny spent watching today!]
The viewing disciples burst into laughter and turned their attention back to Lin Shuang’s group in the competition.
But they were immediately stunned.
Because in the blink of an eye, if one wasn’t paying attention, earth-shattering changes occurred!
Suddenly, a huge dog with entirely golden fur appeared from nowhere!
No, it should be a dog with multicolored fur!
Lin Shuang was dyeing its fur, the left ear dyed pink, the right ear dyed sapphire blue.
From the fluffy, handsome dog face, she started braiding from the forehead, strand by strand, pulling them skillfully through her dexterous fingers, then from behind its forehead and ears, separating new strands of multicolored fur freshly curled by Little Ai’s Yunyang Sect talismans, continuing to braid…
Braiding from its body fur all the way to the dragging tail fur!
Some loose strands she even divided into several little buns.
“!”
[!]
Bai Yu, Yu Gui: “!”
Meng Zi, Zhao Keran: “…”
Bian Bo Cai, Kong Miaoke: “…”
“Lin junior sister, what are you doing?”
“I’ll introduce it to you all.”
Lin Shuang sat behind the body of ‘Huangpu Yuan,’ which had been washed by the stream.
While braiding the ‘dog’s’ fur, she said,
“This is my new spiritual hound.”
“Named Er Bao.”
The spiritual hound stiffened: “!”
Everyone, Xiaobai, Yu Gui: “!!”
[!?]
[Where is Da Bao then?]
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage