After entering Wan Yao City, Li Mu and Xiao Jin navigated the bustling streets, eventually settling on an inn located in the city center, operated by a six-rank demon leopard. The inn, named "Secluded Forest Dwelling," was decorated in a simple yet elegant style. Demonic Qi and Spiritual Qi intertwined, providing a comfortable resting place for passing demon Cultivators.
The two chose a room further inside. The room's layout was simple, with a window directly overlooking a meticulously pruned demon wood forest, lush and vibrant. Li Mu casually set up an early warning Spell to ensure the safety of their lodging, then discussed their next steps with Xiao Jin.
As night fell, Wan Yao City did not quiet down; instead, it became even livelier. Restaurants and teahouses on both sides of the street were brightly lit, filled with laughter and chatter. Just as Li Mu was about to rest, a light knock suddenly came from outside the door.
Li Mu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he gestured to Xiao Jin.
Xiao Jin quickly walked to the door and gently pulled it open a crack. Outside stood a high-rank Demon King dressed in a splendid robe and wearing a jade crown. His figure was tall and slender, his face handsome, and he exuded a powerful Demonic Qi, clearly indicating his profound Cultivation.
"I am Jiao Bai, the Eastern Demon King of Wan Yao City, here by the Demon Emperor's command to pay my respects," the newcomer said respectfully to Xiao Jin.
"Looking for me?" Xiao Jin was a little surprised and glanced at Li Mu.
Seeing this, Jiao Bai couldn't help but look at Li Mu. He hadn't expected that a dignified Seven-rank True Spirit would be led by this unfamiliar man.
Li Mu smiled slightly, signaling Xiao Jin to let the other party in.
A hint of surprise flashed in Jiao Bai's eyes, then he politely nodded in thanks and entered the room.
"May I ask, Demon King, what brings you here so late at night?" Li Mu asked, getting straight to the point.
"Upon learning of your arrival in Wan Yao City today, I have been sent by the Sky Void Demon Emperor to invite you both to join us," Jiao Bai said respectfully, his gaze fixed on Xiao Jin.
Demon King Jiao Bai had actually only come for the Seven-rank True Spirit - Green-Eyed Golden Ape. As for the mysterious young man with an unknown Cultivation and profound aura, he hadn't initially paid him much mind. However, seeing that even a Seven-rank True Spirit deferred to him, Jiao Bai had no choice but to re-evaluate Li Mu's identity and strength, and thus included Li Mu in the invitation.
"Oh! We are new to Wan Yao City and unfamiliar with the place. I wonder, could Demon King Jiao Bai introduce us to the situation here?" Li Mu asked with a slight smile, showing concern.
"Of course! What kind of information would you like to know? Whether it's the layout of Wan Yao City, the distribution of major forces, or any upcoming major events in the city, Jiao Bai is willing to explain everything in detail to you," Demon King Jiao Bai's attitude was humble, clearly showing how seriously he took this task.
"I wonder how many Demon Emperors are currently stationed in Wan Yao City, and how are their forces distributed?" Li Mu asked with a slight smile, getting straight to the point.
Li Mu had come to Wan Yao City because his Clone sensed the location of the nine-rank divine object - Cangyuan Azure Wood. However, Wan Yao City was filled with high-rank Demon Emperors, and the Cangyuan Azure Wood's owner was unknown. Acting rashly might alert them, so he needed to understand the situation first.
Upon hearing this, Demon King Jiao Bai's expression subtly changed, clearly a little surprised by Li Mu's question.
"This is no secret!" Demon King Jiao Bai pondered for a moment, then explained in detail to Li Mu: "Wan Yao City, as a Holy Land of the Yao Race, is governed by five Demon Emperors. They each control the eastern, southern, western, northern, and central five domains of the city. I am the Eastern Demon King, subordinate to the Sky Void Demon Emperor. The Sky Void Demon Emperor specializes in the Law of Space, and his sphere of influence covers the entire eastern city. He has seven True Spirit commanders under him, making his forces the strongest."
"The southern part is led by the Blazing Demon Emperor, whose demonic flames are overwhelming and unmatched. All his demon followers are skilled in fire-elemental Spells. The western part is the territory of the Gale Wolf Emperor; his Yao Race members are known for their speed and agility, excelling in surprise attacks and guerrilla warfare."
"The northern part is the domain of the Ice Demon Emperor, whose Demonic Qi is chilling and can freeze everything. His Yao Race members are unparalleled in defense and endurance. As for the central area, it is the core of Wan Yao City, overseen by the most mysterious Underworld Moon Demon Emperor. Her strength is unfathomable, and it is rumored that she possesses ancient Yao Race secret Spells, making her the most mysterious existence among all the Demon Emperors."
Jiao Bai paused, then continued with a grave tone: "Although there is competition among the five great Demon Emperors, they mostly maintain a delicate balance, jointly safeguarding the peace of Wan Yao City. However, in recent Years, with the invasion of the Demon Abyss and the enticement from the Immortal Spirit Realm, the five Demon Emperors each have their own agendas, and the situation within Wan Yao City has become increasingly complex."
"Is that so! Only five Demon Emperors! There should be more, right?" Li Mu chuckled, asking meaningfully. In his Divine Thought perception, Wan Yao City contained the auras of seven Demon Emperors, which didn't match the description given by the person in front of him.
Jiao Bai was surprised and frowned slightly, seemingly trying hard to recall something. A moment later, he suddenly realized and quickly added: "You are absolutely right, sir. I was negligent. Besides the five Demon Emperors I mentioned earlier, there are indeed two more: the Wood Demon Emperor and the Thunder Demon Emperor."
"The Wood Demon Emperor controls the Forest of Life within Wan Yao City, which is a Holy Land for all Yao Race members who Cultivate wood-elemental Spells. The Wood Demon Emperor's true form is a ten-thousand-year-old ancient tree, possessing an endless source of life. His Yao Race members are mostly skilled in healing and recovery, making them an indispensable force in Wan Yao City."
"As for the Thunder Demon Emperor, he is the most unique existence in Wan Yao City. He has always been a solitary figure, residing in seclusion in Thunder Roar Valley outside Wan Yao City, where lightning constantly strikes, making it the ultimate place for thunder-elemental Spells. The Thunder Demon Emperor's true form is the Purple Azure Thunder Beast, embodying the Dao of Thunder, excelling at controlling lightning, and possessing extremely formidable combat power," Demon King Jiao Bai concluded his introduction.
"These two Demon Emperors have always been an unannounced secret of this city, known to few. I never expected you to know of their existence!" At this point, Demon King Jiao Bai looked at Li Mu with reverence.
"The Thunder Demon Emperor's true form is the Purple Azure Thunder Beast, isn't it? If there's no mistake, he and I should be old acquaintances!" Li Mu smiled slightly, looking at Demon King Jiao Bai and politely declining: "Joining the Sky Void Demon Emperor can be put on hold for now! I will visit the Thunder Demon Emperor first."
Demon King Jiao Bai's expression changed slightly, and he asked in surprise: "You are old acquaintances with the Thunder Demon Emperor? Could you please tell me your name? So I can report to the Sky Void Demon Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Li Mu frowned. Just then, Green-Eyed Golden Ape - Xiao Jin interjected: "Why are you asking so many detailed questions? Just report my name, your Monkey Grandfather, True Spirit - Golden Ape King!"
As Green-Eyed Golden Ape - Xiao Jin spoke, golden Demonic Qi surged like a tide, and the power of a Seven-rank True Spirit Peak was fully displayed. The air in the entire room seemed to solidify under this force, and Demon King Jiao Bai involuntarily retreated a few steps, his face showing fear and reverence.
"Hmph, my master's affairs are not something a minor Demon King like you can casually inquire about!" Xiao Jin snorted, his tone carrying an undeniable authority.
Demon King Jiao Bai's face was pale, and a faint sweat beaded on his forehead. This Green-Eyed Golden Ape at the Peak of Seven-rank True Spirit was definitely not someone he could provoke. Moreover, the mysterious young man in front of him had an unfathomable Cultivation.
"Yes, yes, I was being presumptuous." Demon King Jiao Bai quickly cupped his hands in apology, nodding repeatedly in fear.
After speaking, Demon King Jiao Bai quickly bowed to Li Mu and Xiao Jin in farewell, not daring to linger. He turned and transformed into a streak of light, hastily leaving the room.
"Master, that little demon ran off after I scared him!" Xiao Jin watched Demon King Jiao Bai leave, then quickly closed the door, looking at Li Mu and chuckling softly as if seeking praise.
"You!" Li Mu smiled helplessly, unable to do anything about this fellow. He had warned Xiao Jin not to call him 'master,' but Xiao Jin hadn't taken it to heart. Once he got used to calling him that, he completely forgot and kept calling him "master" repeatedly.
"Master, sigh, I'm just used to calling you that!" Xiao Jin realized his mistake at this moment, immediately scratched his head, his face full of embarrassment.
"Forget it, just don't do it again next time!" Li Mu couldn't do anything about him and could only remind him again.
"Understood!" Xiao Jin quickly agreed, then asked with concern: "Master, are we going to find your old acquaintance, the Thunder Demon Emperor?"
"Hmm, if there's an opportunity, I'll go meet him. If I can persuade him to help, this objective will be easier to achieve." A hint of reminiscence flickered in Li Mu's eyes, along with some hesitation.
If the aura he sensed with his Divine Thought was correct, the Purple Azure Thunder Beast was indeed the Yu Ling Sect's guardian Divine Beast, and an old acquaintance of Li Mu. Hundreds of Years ago, when he was still a Nascent Soul cultivator, he had rescued the Yu Ling Sect and established a good relationship with him.
Centuries had passed in a hurry. Now, the Southern Wilderness Spirit Domain had long been changed beyond recognition due to several invasions by the Demonic Flame forces. The Yu Ling Sect probably no longer existed, and Li Mu dared not risk whether their past friendship could continue.
In these few hundred Years, Li Mu himself had undergone earth-shshattering changes, growing from an unknown Nascent Soul cultivator to a Body Integration Cultivator who Cultivated the Chaotic Great Dao. But behind this growth lay immense risks and an irreconcilable enmity with several top-tier forces. They either envied or feared the Chaotic Great Dao he Cultivated, or coveted its Cultivation Technique, and had all sworn to hunt him down, vowing to eliminate him and capture him quickly.
This work is organized and uploaded by Liujiu Book Bar~~
Facing such a situation, even old acquaintances might change their stance driven by self-interest. Li Mu dared not take this risk lightly.
Wan Yao City had several Demon Emperors, all of whom were quite powerful. Stealing the nine-rank divine object - Cangyuan Azure Wood from them was incredibly difficult. Moreover, this eight-rank Wood Demon Emperor was very likely a Clone of the Cangyuan Azure Wood. Trying to set up a formation in the core area of Wan Yao City without him knowing... Thinking of these many difficulties, Li Mu couldn't help but feel a headache.
If the Purple Azure Thunder Beast could cooperate with him, the plan would have a much higher chance of success. But this matter still required careful consideration and could not be rushed. Therefore, Li Mu decided to temporarily stay in Wan Yao City, continue to gather more information, and then make a decision.
The next day, Li Mu and Xiao Jin strolled through the streets and alleys of Wan Yao City. On the surface, they seemed to be leisurely enjoying the unique scenery of the Yao Race Holy Land, but in reality, their Divine Thought had already silently spread out, capturing every subtle movement around them. They walked through the bustling market, seeing many rare treasures. Yao Race Cultivators were either trading or chatting, making it very lively.
By virtue of his Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, Li Mu managed to pick up quite a few overlooked treasures.
In front of a stall filled with High Grade Spirit Medicine, Li Mu's footsteps involuntarily stopped.
On this stall, Spirit Medicine were dazzlingly arrayed, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance, attracting many Yao Race Cultivators to stop and observe. However, among these many Spirit Medicine, Li Mu's gaze was deeply drawn to one item—a batch of High Grade Spirit Seeds.
Looking at the dozen or so High Grade lotus seeds contained in worn bone jars, which were lotus seeds containing Time-Space elemental power, they were clearly the seeds of the Seven-rank Time-Space Spirit Lotus. Li Mu immediately wanted to acquire them.
Seven-rank Spirit Plant - Time-Space Spirit Lotus, they were already planted in the Treasure Mansion Space. Once mature, they could provide him with the plant spirit attribute for Cultivating the Time-Space Wheel Sutra. However, the number of Time-Space Spirit Lotus planted was too small, and it would take a long time to Cultivate them until they matured and produced seeds, and the quantity would not be large.
Therefore, Li Mu hadn't paid much attention to them. Now, with so many Spirit Lotus seeds appearing before him, he immediately became interested and naturally didn't want to miss them.
"Boss, how much are these lotus seeds? Make them cheaper, I'll take them all." Li Mu looked at the stall owner and asked with a smile.
The stall owner was an elderly Yao Race elder, with a six-rank transformation Cultivation, but his eyes were unusually sharp, clearly a well-traveled and knowledgeable person.
Seeing Li Mu's extraordinary demeanor and his companion, a Seven-rank True Spirit Peak Golden Ape, the elder had already guessed that Li Mu's background was not ordinary.
"This sir truly has good taste. These Spirit Lotus seeds were acquired by me after expending great effort in exploration. They are exceptionally precious, and even within the entire Wan Yao City, they are rare and excellent items," the elder's spirits lifted, and he spoke voluminously.
"Just be direct. If the price is right, I'll buy them. If not, you can keep them. Such Spirit Seeds have strict growth requirements; who do you think has the time to plant them?" Li Mu chuckled, directly interrupting the other party's words and reminding him.
Upon hearing this, the elder's expression subtly changed, clearly hit by Li Mu's words, but he quickly regained his composure and said with a smile: "Sir is right. Since sir is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush. I originally intended to sell these Spirit Lotus seeds for fifty High-Grade Spirit Stone each, but considering sir and I are fated, how about thirty High-Grade Spirit Stone each? If you take them all, I can offer a further discount."
Li Mu chuckled and said directly: "Twenty High-Grade Spirit Stone each, I'll take them all, and also include these bone jars containing the lotus seeds. If not, then forget it."
After speaking, Li Mu looked at the elder with a look that was both suggestive and challenging, as if implying that if he didn't agree, the deal would fall through.
Upon hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed in the stall owner's eyes. He was clearly unwilling to accept the price Li Mu offered, but then he reconsidered. These Spirit Lotus seeds had been in his possession for a long time, and he had never found a suitable buyer. Now, it was rare for someone to make an offer; although the price was not ideal, it was still an opportunity to sell.
"Ah, well, well, seeing your sincerity, I'll do you a favor. Twenty High-Grade Spirit Stone each, and these bone jars for the lotus seeds will also be given to you. I only hope that you can Cultivate peerless Spirit Lotus in the future, and let me share in the glory." The stall owner pondered for a moment, then said with feigned helplessness.
Upon hearing this, a faint smile played on Li Mu's lips. With a slight movement of his Divine Thought, he took out a Spirit Stone bag full of Spirit Stone from his storage ring, threw it onto the stall, and motioned for the elder to count them.
The stall owner was not polite either; he quickly counted the number of Spirit Stone, and after confirming it was correct, he handed the dozen or so bone jars containing the Spirit Lotus seeds to Li Mu. (End of this chapter)
