Chapter 262: The Thirty-Six Caves Mountain Range
Chapter 262: The Thirty-Six Caves Mountain Range
Bai Ziqiu suddenly asked, “How long has that Azure Eagle journeyed with you?”
Chen Changsheng paused, then replied, “A bit over half a month.”
Bai Ziqiu inquired, “Did you encounter any other monsters during that time?”
“There was one…”
Chen Changsheng said, “A Silkworm Demon in an ancient mulberry forest.”
Bai Ziqiu paused upon hearing this. “Humans aren’t allowed into the Demon Realm. The Thirty-Six Demon Kings have decreed no contact with mankind. If those lords learn of this, things wouldn’t bode well for that Azure Eagle.”
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. “I believe it won’t happen. When we met that Silkworm Demon, though it had some objections toward me, it even chased me down later to apologize. Besides, we didn’t encounter any other monsters.”
Bai Ziqiu nodded. “If that’s the case, then it’s for the best.”
Chen Changsheng nodded in agreement and continued walking onward.
But as he walked, his right eyelid started twitching frequently.
A bad feeling arose.
Chen Changsheng frowned, suddenly asking, “If he really got captured, where would they take him?”
Bai Ziqiu shook his head. “Probably to where the Thirty-Six Caves are. As for specifics… I don’t know. The situation there is far too chaotic. I wouldn’t dare take the risk.”
Chen Changsheng felt a pang of worry. “I want to go.”
Bai Ziqiu blinked in surprise. “You’re worried about the Azure Eagle?”
“Mm.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “The left eye twitches for fortune, the right for disaster. It just unsettles me.”
Bai Ziqi blinked. “You’re a Cultivator. Why not divine an answer?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “If I could divine it clearly, I wouldn’t need to make this trip.”
This External Incarnation simply couldn’t compare to his true body. Moreover, the rules of this Miniature World were too chaotic; the Art of Divination was almost unusable here.
Bai Ziqiu opened his mouth, hesitated.
Chen Changsheng said, “Don’t worry. I won’t drag you into it. When we reach the place, I’ll go in alone.”
Bai Ziqiu clicked his tongue softly. After some wavering, he agreed.
…
The Demon Realm didn’t have many rules. The Thirty-Six Caves corresponded to thirty-six massive mountains in the northernmost part of the realm, each ruling its own territory.
These caves were interconnected, forming the heart of the Demon Realm. A single glance walking among these mountains revealed the presence of several Great Demons.
Even the weakest were at least Fifth Realm.
After a journey of three or four days, dozens of towering mountains gradually appeared before them. Nothing near this height had been seen along the way.
Chen Changsheng asked, “Were these Thirty-Six Caves formed later?”
Bai Ziqiu thought for a moment. “Perhaps changed when the Great Demons established the Demon Realm, altering the earth’s energy flow.”
Chen Changsheng acknowledged with a nod, then said to Bai Ziqiu, “You find somewhere to hide for now. I’ll go take a look.”
Bai Ziqiu agreed. “Alright. Be careful on your way.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “Don’t worry.”
Chen Changsheng entered the massif of the Thirty-Six Mountains.
The moment he stepped in, he felt dozens of eyes scrutinizing him from the shadows. But that feeling of being watched quickly faded.
Except for one pair of eyes that continued to linger on him.
Chen Changsheng pretended not to notice and kept walking forward.
The gaze followed Chen Changsheng, seemingly sensing something amiss.
The forests on either side grew denser.
Chen Changsheng abruptly stopped and looked back.
The figure approaching wore a cloak, its face hidden. It held a green vine in its hand, radiating the aura of a Sixth Realm Great Demon, fixedly staring at Chen Changsheng.
Chen Changsheng observed the figure. “A deer demon?”
Crack!
The deer demon flicked its green vine, producing a sharp crack. It lunged forward instantly, the vine sweeping directly towards Chen Changsheng’s neck.
Chen Changsheng called softly, “Taiqing.”
A streak of Sword Qi shot forth.
The green vine exploded into fragments, the impact jolting the deer demon and forcing its weapon free.
In the blink of an eye, Chen Changsheng grasped his sword and stood before the deer demon.
Zing!
The Taiqing Sword rested horizontally against the deer demon’s neck. All of this happened in mere moments.
The hood fell back, revealing a delicate face with a bright red beauty mark beneath its right eyebrow.
Chen Changsheng chuckled lightly. “And a female one?”
The deer demon pressed its lips together, glancing down at the sword, spat, “You ARE human!”
“I just have one question.”
Chen Changsheng ignored her accusation. “Have you seen a Seventh Realm Azure Eagle?”
The deer demon gritted its teeth, glaring at Chen Changsheng with hatred. “A mere Mortal, daring to enter the Thirty-Six Caves alone? Listen, nothing awaits you here but death.”
It scoffed mockingly. “If you have the guts, kill me right now.”
“Kill you?”
Chen Changsheng considered it. “I’m not one who kills so readily.”
The deer demon sneered. “Is it that you don’t dare?”
As one of the Patrolling Wanderers of the Thirty-Six Caves, her absence for too long would be immediately noticed by others. Chen Changsheng would not escape then.
“Not killing you now. I’ll kill you after I’m done here.”
Chen Changsheng raised his sword. A wisp of Sword Qi shot into the deer demon’s forehead.
In that instant, the deer demon’s eyes widened in shock.
“What are you doing!?”
It stared at Chen Changsheng in disbelief, feeling the alien Sword Qi invade its Sea of Consciousness, a palpable threat to its life.
Chen Changsheng sheathed his sword. “You may go report me immediately. Try speaking the words.”
The deer demon clenched its jaw. “Human! Despicable!!”
Chen Changsheng raised two fingers. The Sword Qi coiled within the deer demon’s consciousness suddenly pressed closer toward its Divine Sense.
Beads of cold sweat instantly broke out on the deer demon’s forehead, its eyes flashing with fear.
Chen Changsheng spoke calmly. “Should the Sword Qi advance just a little further… You wouldn’t die. But you’d lose your mind. Become an invalid.”
The deer demon gasped for breath, its gaze shifting into one of deep resentment directed at Chen Changsheng.
“What do you want?”
Chen Changsheng frowned. “Do you talk too much?”
As he spoke, the Sword Qi edged infinitesimally closer.
The deer demon shut its mouth abruptly, not daring another word.
Seeing the burning resentment in its eyes, Chen Changsheng added, “If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll find another demon to ask. You might not want to live, but others certainly do.”
The deer demon gritted its teeth until they creaked. It sensed genuine killing intent radiating from this man.
After a moment’s internal struggle, the deer demon choked out, “…Ask.”
Chen Changsheng laughed mirthlessly. “I thought you were made of tougher stuff. Turns out it was just an act.”
The deer demon hung its head, jaw clenched so tightly its arms trembled.
“Seventh Realm Azure Eagle,” Chen Changsheng repeated.
The deer demon spat, “Haven’t seen it.”
The Sword Qi pressed harder.
Terror surged through the deer demon. “I really haven’t seen it!” It cried out desperately.