Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.
Ever since Qin Sang's arrival, everything had remained tranquil, with no major events transpiring.
Qin Sang occupied Yunyouzi's former cave dwelling: a wooden palace situated within the basin, nestled amidst towering ancient trees. Deep in the Demon Realm, everything he saw gave him a novel sensation.
In the early morning, the vegetation of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea was fresh and crisp.
The layer of mist and clouds that seemed to drift above the basin was actually the manifestation of a spirit formation's power, which did nothing to obstruct the morning sunlight from streaming in.
Along the basin's rim, a patrol made up of demon beasts and vegetation spirits diligently guarded the demon king's cave dwelling, vigilant against any foreign intruders sneaking in.
After Qin Sang arrived, the guard became even tighter than before.
The old macaque even took it upon himself to personally oversee the basin's entrance.
Suddenly, a sharp cry pierced the tranquility.
"Chitter, chitter..."
From within the gorge, screeching cries from the demon monkeys rang out one after another.
They were sounding the alarm—intruders had appeared.
At this moment, the old macaque sat cross-legged upon a massive boulder atop the cliff. Like a human cultivator, his eyes were tightly shut as he faced the rising sun, taking in the purple dawn qi and cycling his breath in cultivation.
Hearing the cries, the old macaque shot to his feet. A sharp glint flashed through his eyes. With a low growl, he leaped from the boulder, transforming into a gust of demonic wind that swept toward the mouth of the gorge.
Standing before the gorge was a man clad in a feathered robe.
Beside him stood a black fox with a white tail, its eyes darting about shrewdly.
The feathered-robed man appeared no different from an ordinary human, yet when the demon guards faced him, every one of them shrank back in fear, wearing expressions of deep dread and not daring to step a fraction closer.
This alone was enough to prove his status.
"Demon King Lihong!"
Upon seeing him, the old macaque felt a jolt in his heart. Waving his hand to dismiss the lesser demons, he stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "This old monkey pays his respects to Demon King Lihong. The young ones were impudent—may Your Greatness forgive them."
"They were merely doing their duty. What fault is there to forgive?"
Demon King Lihong smiled, not taking offense in the slightest. In a genial tone, he said, "This king hasn't visited the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea in many years. Might Senior Zhu be in his cave dwelling right now? This king has important matters to convey."
Without batting an eye, the old macaque replied, "Reporting to Your Greatness, my King is currently in secluded cultivation, and it is uncertain whether he will emerge today. This old monkey will go report to my King at once. Pray, Your Greatness, wait here for a brief moment."
"Insolent!"
The white-tailed black fox snapped angrily, "My King comes on the orders of Demon King Yu to deliver a decree! How dare you slight my King and make us wait out in the wilderness?"
"Do not be rude!"
The feathered-robed man glared at the white-tailed black fox, then surveyed his surroundings. "The Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea is gorgeous beyond compare, living up to its reputation. There is no harm in waiting. You may go."
"Yes."
The old macaque bowed and turned back.
Watching the old macaque's retreating figure, the feathered-robed man's eyes flickered with thought. He turned toward the verdant bamboo sea, seemingly captivated by the scenery.
Before long, the old macaque returned.
"The King requests your presence..."
Demon King Lihong and the white-tailed black fox followed the old macaque into the basin.
The white-tailed black fox craned its neck, snooping and glancing all around.
The old macaque ignored it completely and led them into the guest reception hall.
Inside the grand hall stood a figure, though it was not the person they had come to see, but rather the Willow Tree Spirit.
"Greetings, Demon King Lihong."
The Willow Tree Spirit also did not dare show the slightest disrespect.
"And you are?"
Demon King Lihong's brow furrowed, a trace of displeasure in his voice. "Where is Senior Zhu?"
"The King is currently in secluded meditation at a critical juncture and cannot show himself. He has instructed this junior to..."
Before he could finish, the white-tailed fox leaped forward with a whoosh, pointing at the Willow Tree Spirit and shouting abuses: "Presumptuous! Even if Senior Zhu is in seclusion, could he not spare this tiny bit of time? I suspect you are fabricating his orders! A mere willow demon dares bar my King from seeing Senior Zhu? If you botch important affairs, can you bear the responsibility?!"
Being pointed at so rudely, the Willow Tree Spirit stiffened.
Yet Demon King Lihong stood there without uttering a word, clearly tacitly approving of the fox's behavior.
He sighed softly. "If Your Greatness does not believe me, this junior can only go report once more..."
"No need..."
Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice echoed from behind the hall, carrying an ethereal pressure. "Pardon Zhu for failing to welcome you properly. I hope Fellow Daoist Lihong will take no offense."
Feeling this formidable pressure, terror surfaced in the white-tailed fox's eyes. It shrank its head back immediately, its former arrogance vanishing without a trace.
Demon King Lihong's gaze narrowed slightly. He swept his eyes across the hall, seeing no one, yet he dared not be discourteous in the least. Cupping his hands toward the empty air, he said, "Lihong pays respects to Senior Zhu. Having not met for many years, I trust Senior has been well?"
"Not particularly."
The voice sighed softly. "When you last visited, a mishap had occurred in my cultivation, forcing me into seclusion. Even now, I have yet to find a way to thoroughly resolve the hidden peril, so I cannot leave my cave dwelling lightly. Coming here on Fellow Daoist Yu's orders, is it once again about conscripting troops? I have already ordered the youngsters to train diligently. Just how many must be mobilized this time?"
Demon King Lihong replied, "Reporting to Senior, Lihong's visit is indeed partly for troop mobilization. Sin Abyss has stirred up war once again, and this battle may prove exceptionally brutal; the humans have urged us repeatedly. Second, there is another matter of utmost importance..."
"Oh? What could be more important than troop mobilization?"
"Well..."
Demon King Lihong hesitated. "Before setting out, Demon King Yu specifically instructed me that this matter is of the utmost gravity and must be delivered directly into Senior's hands. It cannot be relayed by lesser demons, lest things go awry. Here, I'm afraid..."
He glanced at the Willow Tree Spirit standing by, his meaning unmistakable.
"I just said that a mishap occurred in my cultivation, making it inconvenient for me to emerge. Did Fellow Daoist Yu truly insist that I must be seen in person and that it cannot be handed to the willow demon?"
The voice was low, laced with clear displeasure.
Even Demon King Lihong felt the mounting pressure.
He braced himself and nodded. "Indeed. This matter concerns the fates of all the demon kings in Heavenly Demon Mound. Those juniors have no right to be involved, and doing so would only incite panic."
"Concerns the fates of the demon kings? That grave?"
A chuckle echoed from the void. "Since a demon king must be the one to step forward... Mingyue, there is no need for you to hide anymore. Come out and meet Fellow Daoist Lihong."
At these words, Demon King Lihong looked up in astonishment.
"Yes!"
A reply echoed from the rear hall. A moment later, a figure pushed open the door and stepped inside. Walking up to Demon King Lihong, he smiled slightly, cupped his hands in greeting, and said placidly, "This must be the first time Fellow Daoist Lihong has met me. My moniker is Mingyue."
Demon King Lihong froze.
He had intended to use Demon King Yu's authority to probe the situation and force the bamboo demon to show himself.
Yet he never expected that what he forced out was not the bamboo demon, but a complete stranger.
A pair of azure wings sprouted from this man's back, and the demon qi radiating from him was extraordinarily pure, accompanied by the distinct fluctuation and pressure unique to demon kings. Clearly, he was a Transformation stage great demon.
What was more, he was a great demon Lihong had never seen before!
Then, the voice in the void spoke once more: "Lihong, Mingyue is my disciple. He is also a Transformation stage demon king and should be qualified to speak with you directly. Whatever follows can be left to Mingyue's discretion..."
Chapter 1138