“Demon Beast Hunter? So, Fellow Daoist frequently enters the Demon Gold Mountain Range?” Han Li’s expression shifted slightly as he asked slowly.
“This junior has entered the Demon Gold Mountain Range a total of thirty-seven times, seven of which involved venturing deep into its core!” Yue Zong’s scarred face twisted slightly, yet he replied respectfully.
“Thirty-seven times?” Han Li’s expression changed upon hearing this.
When he had agreed to accompany Xianxian into the Demon Gold Mountain Range, he had naturally investigated the dangers associated with it. The perils within the range far exceeded what this Crystal Clan woman had described. Those who dared enter now were undoubtedly bold and highly skilled. Even such individuals would rarely venture deep, preferring to hunt weaker demon beasts on the outskirts. Yet this man before him, only at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, had ventured deep multiple times. Though the exact extent of his forays was unknown, it was undoubtedly a shocking feat.
Xianxian continued to explain, “Although we won’t need to venture deep into the range this time, the destination is still some distance from the entrance. If we encounter a powerful demon beast that has strayed to the outskirts, it could be troublesome. So, to be safe, I specifically hired Brother Yue at a high price to act as our guide. With him, we can proceed without worry. Brother Yue is one of the few who can detect the presence of powerful demon beasts despite the interference of demonic energy.”
“You flatter me, Fairy Xian. ‘Without worry’ is too generous. Besides, it’s been a long time since I last entered the Demon Gold Mountain Range. I’m not sure if there have been any major changes inside. After all, my last visit was a century ago,” Yue Zong replied with unusual humility.
“A mere hundred years—what could have changed? With Brother Yue’s reputation and us only staying on the outskirts, it should be perfectly safe,” Xianxian said with a smile.
“Fairy Xian may not know this, but the true terror of the Demon Gold Mountain Range isn’t just the demon beasts. Much of it comes from the ever-shifting terrain and the accumulated demonic energy. Under its influence, a place that was empty and safe one day might sprout a mountain the next, becoming the nest of some demon beast. For certain beasts, raising a mountain, growing trees, or releasing demonic energy is effortless. If not for the promise of staying on the outskirts and my recent need for that vial of Ten-Thousand-Year Emerald Spirit Liquid, even if Fairy Xian offered a higher price, I wouldn’t take such a risk,” Yue Zong said solemnly.
“Rest assured, Brother Yue. This trip is indeed only to a location on the outskirts, with no intention of going deeper. My cultivation is far inferior to yours—I wouldn’t dare,” Xianxian replied, her expression flickering briefly before she smiled gently.
“Good. And as agreed earlier, aside from dealing with any demon beasts we encounter along the way, I won’t participate in any actions taken by you or Senior Han. My role is solely to guide. Does Fairy Xian have any objections?” Yue Zong relaxed slightly and added after a moment’s thought.
“None at all. If there’s any additional assistance required from Brother Yue, I’ll compensate you separately. There will be no coercion,” the Crystal Clan woman agreed, though she left her words open-ended.
After another moment of consideration, Yue Zong nodded in tacit agreement.
Han Li had remained silent, quietly observing Yue Zong. Now that the two had finished speaking, he finally said slowly, “To be honest, my knowledge of the Demon Gold Mountain Range and its demon beasts is vague, pieced together from hearsay and records. It’s fortunate that Fairy Xian has invited someone as familiar with the range as Fellow Daoist Yue. However, I have a few questions about the mountain range that I’d like Fellow Daoist Yue to clarify.”
“Senior Han, feel free to ask. This junior will answer to the best of my knowledge,” Yue Zong replied without hesitation.
“Setting aside the high-tier demon beasts, have the mid- and low-tier ones developed spiritual intelligence? How does it compare to ordinary spirit beasts? And also…” Han Li didn’t hold back and began his inquiries.
Yue Zong, evidently well-versed in the Demon Gold Mountain Range, provided detailed answers to each question.
The Crystal Clan woman, intrigued by their conversation, occasionally interjected with a comment or two.
The three conversed in this harmonious atmosphere for nearly half an hour before Han Li finally obtained the information he sought. Satisfied with the answers to his last question, he smiled slightly and said, “Now that I understand these matters, this trip should proceed smoothly. But Fellow Daoist Xian, when do you plan to depart?”
“The Demon Gold Mountain Range isn’t too far from Cloud City, but it’s still about a month’s journey. Though we have time, we shouldn’t delay too long. How about setting off in three days?” Xianxian suggested after a brief consideration.
Yue Zong nodded without objection.
“Very well. Let’s meet ten miles east of the city’s outer gate in three days,” Han Li agreed, stroking his chin.
Yue Zong also nodded, raising no objections.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to prepare,” Han Li said, showing no intention to linger as he bid farewell.
“This junior has said all that needs to be said. I’ll respectfully see Senior off,” Xianxian replied courteously, retrieving the teleportation disk once more.
Under the gaze of the two, Han Li stepped onto the formation and vanished calmly in a flash of light.
“Fellow Daoist Xian, is this Senior Han reliable? You said he’s a high-tier demonic cultivator, but I didn’t sense any demonic energy from him. After so many ventures into the Demon Gold Mountain Range, I’m confident in my ability to detect demonic energy,” Yue Zong asked, exhaling slightly once Han Li was gone, his brow furrowing.
“Rest assured, Brother Yue. To be honest, if not for Senior Han being a high-tier demonic cultivator, I might not have been able to persuade him. But then again, if this trip didn’t require a demonic cultivator, I wouldn’t have waited so many years among Cloud City’s many high-tier Upper Clan members,” Xianxian sighed but answered firmly.
“So, Senior Han must possess a technique to conceal demonic energy. Otherwise, it’d be impossible to suppress it to such an extent. Also, though I don’t know the exact purpose of your trip, since it requires a high-tier demonic cultivator, it can’t be simple. Moreover, choosing this year to enter the Demon Gold Mountain Range isn’t ideal. It coincides with the three-hundred-year cycle of demonic energy eruptions. Over the next decade, powerful demon beasts are far more likely to roam the outskirts. Why not wait four or five years?” Yue Zong pondered before posing the question.
“Apologies! I have my reasons, though I can’t disclose them. I must enter the range within these two years, or else I’d have to wait centuries again. I simply can’t afford such a delay and must take this risk. That’s also why I offered the Ten-Thousand-Year Emerald Spirit Liquid to hire you, Brother Yue. To be frank, I approached others first, but none were confident in guiding us safely during the eruption. That’s why I turned to you,” Xianxian hesitated before replying with a bitter smile.
“If Fairy Xian insists, then I’ll risk my life for this trip. But let me be clear—entering the range during an eruption, I only have a seventy to eighty percent chance of guiding you safely to your destination. If we encounter a powerful demon beast blocking our path or some other unforeseen danger that threatens our lives, I’ll retreat immediately. And the remaining half of the Emerald Spirit Liquid must still be paid,” Yue Zong warned.
“Naturally. These were the terms we agreed upon beforehand. They won’t change,” Xianxian replied with a graceful smile.
“Still, it seems you haven’t informed Senior Han about the eruption. Could that cause problems later?” Yue Zong narrowed his eyes slightly.
“I brought Senior Han for his demonic techniques, which have nothing to do with the eruption. If even you can’t guide us safely, telling Senior Han wouldn’t change the outcome. Besides, once we enter the range, he’ll learn of it sooner or later,” the Crystal Clan woman said, her beautiful eyes flashing with a hint of cunning.
“Fair point. But if told earlier, Fairy Xian might not have secured Senior Han’s cooperation at the current price,” Yue Zong laughed knowingly.
Xianxian curled her lips, smiling without another word.
After discussing a few more details, Yue Zong also stepped onto the teleportation formation and vanished.
In the blink of an eye, only Xianxian remained in the space.
The smile on the Crystal Clan woman’s face slowly faded, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Suddenly, she flicked her sleeve, releasing a ball of azure light that transformed midair into a faint, translucent beast the size of a fist.
Covered in scales with sharp claws, twin horns, and fanged jaws, the creature bore an uncanny resemblance to a Qilin spirit beast.
Yet this small beast was indistinct, its form unstable, as though a gust of wind might scatter it into nothingness.
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