Demon King Lihong's insistence on seeing the master of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea was very likely a probing move, born of suspicion.
The reason Qin Sang dared to take this risk was that they had closely monitored the situation in the Heavenly Demon Mound and already knew that Demon King Yu had dispatched Demon King Lihong to contact the various demon kings about providing reinforcements.
Having spent so much time in the Heavenly Demon Mound, Qin Sang had also figured out the patterns: checks and balances existed within the demon race as well. With the armies of Sin Abyss bearing down, Demon King Yu would not pick this moment to stir up complications or strike at other demon kings without cause.
This was precisely why Qin Sang dared to remain in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.
So long as it was not at Demon King Yu's bidding, Demon King Lihong, constrained by misgivings, would certainly not dare to act recklessly.
Just before Demon King Lihong showed himself, they had received further news of unusual movement among the demon beasts of Mount Jiuku. Demon King Lihong had most likely been egged on by Demon King Jiuku and acted on his own initiative.
Of course, Qin Sang knew very well that if he failed to achieve Nascent Soul formation for a long time, such mystifying arrangements could not last; the lingering prestige of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea's master would gradually fade, and the truth would be exposed sooner or later.
When that day came, it would spell the doom of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.
He, the Willow Tree Spirit, and the old macaque had continuously been preparing an escape route.
If pushed to the absolute brink, their only choice would be to take their trusted confidants, abandon the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, and cross far into the Ice Sea.
"And this is...?"
Qin Sang cast a glance at the white-tailed black fox, contempt and displeasure surfacing in his eyes.
Disguising himself as a Transformation stage great demon and putting on a bluff before Demon King Lihong weighed heavily on him with pressure.
However, he had dealt with more than one late Nascent Soul great cultivator before, and had even directly faced a far more terrifying ancient demon. Facing Demon King Lihong, there was not the slightest unnaturalness in his bearing.
His presence was imposing and solid.
"This humble one pays respects to the Demon King!"
The white-tailed black fox trembled in fear and bowed in haste.
Demon King Lihong's mind churned with doubt and shock as he stared intently at Qin Sang, unable to detect the slightest flaw.
With two demon kings presiding over the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, one of whom was the unfathomable Senior Zhu, he no longer dared to be overbearing. Softening his tone, he said, "I never expected to make the acquaintance of a new fellow Daoist today. Our Heavenly Demon Mound has gained another demon king—truly worthy of celebration! Alas, Demon King Yu and I were unaware beforehand and have prepared no congratulatory gift. Senior Zhu truly hides his depths well; to hold back a disciple of such astonishing talent until now before revealing him to the world..."
"I was originally merely a petty demon in the Boundless Valley, muddled through my days," Qin Sang said nonchalantly. "Fortuitously enlightened by Master, I finally set foot upon the right path and was fortunate enough to achieve transformation. Having no familiar Daoists in the Heavenly Demon Mound, I have kept to my cave dwelling to cultivate and rarely step outside the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea..."
"Boundless Valley?"
Demon King Lihong's pupils constricted, and he chuckled. "No wonder! I have long heard that within the Boundless Valley, many fellow demons are oppressed by the human race. For you to gain Senior Zhu's appreciation shows that not only is your talent extraordinary, but your fortune and providence are equally profound. To meet you today makes my journey well worth it."
Qin Sang smiled. "After my transformation, I originally intended to visit Wanyao City in person to pay respects to Demon King Yu, but unfortunately I have never had the leisure..."
***
Host and guests enjoyed each other's company thoroughly.
Qin Sang personally escorted Demon King Lihong out of the canyon.
Returning to the basin, Qin Sang wiped the smile from his face and flew straight back to the cave dwelling.
The Willow Tree Spirit and the old macaque followed closely behind.
Once the cave dwelling was shut, the two demons exhaled heavily, lingering dread gnawing at them both.
Seeing Qin Sang looking as calm as ever, completely unruffled, they could only marvel at his audacious nerve.
"When the little ones saw Young Master Qin, they thought our Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea now had two great kings watching over us. Every single one was thrilled beyond measure, leaping and bounding all over the place, heh..."
The old macaque let out a dry, bitter laugh.
The Willow Tree Spirit held up the jade slip in his hand and said, "Young Master Qin, the quota on here is roughly on par with what the other demon kings must supply."
Qin Sang nodded. "When the time comes, dispatch troops according to these numbers—not a single one short—lest someone seize upon an excuse to stir up trouble. Furthermore, continue monitoring Mount Jiuku's movements. If their wicked designs persist, while we can rely on the grand formation to resist for a time, our true strength will be exposed, attracting other ill-intentioned predators to attack in a pack. If that happens, we can only prepare for the worst: send your trusted confidants to the Ice Sea first, find an iceberg, and endure hardship in that bitterly cold wasteland until I achieve Nascent Soul formation..."
Once they lost protection, those frail minor demons would be slaughtered at will, and the living beings of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea would suffer devastation.
Yet Qin Sang's power was limited; this was all he could do.
"Yes!"
The two demons answered in unison. The old macaque accepted his orders and departed, clearly already treating Qin Sang as the true master of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.
"I wonder what major matter Demon King Yu is dealing with?" the Willow Tree Spirit asked with concern.
Qin Sang gave a cold sneer. "The old demon Lihong was merely putting on airs to mystify things! If the war grows intense, Demon King Yu will personally lead demon kings to reinforce the front. Looking at the situation, it shouldn't reach that point within the next few years. However, this matter cannot be taken lightly by us. The Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea now ostensibly has two demon kings, and one will inevitably have to mobilize when the call comes. If I fail to show myself indefinitely, they are bound to grow suspicious. You two must prepare for the possibility that my Nascent Soul formation fails..."
Worry clouded the Willow Tree Spirit's face. Suddenly recalling something, he hurriedly said, "Young Master Qin, I didn't have the chance to mention it earlier, but regarding Demon King Qianji, we have finally uncovered some clues."
"Oh?"
Qin Sang was overjoyed. "News of the stone slab?"
"Not of the slab itself," the Willow Tree Spirit said with shame. "However, we found the location of Demon King Qianji's cave dwelling, along with two other sites that may be treasuries where he hoards his treasures."
"Could Demon King Qianji have kept his treasures somewhere other than his cave dwelling? Tell me the details, Fellow Daoist," Qin Sang asked in surprise.
The mysterious stone slab could not be placed inside a mustard seed bag; if he could locate the demon king's treasuries, he would have an opportunity.
The Willow Tree Spirit nodded. "Demon King Qianji's cave dwelling lies at the bottom of Ten Thousand Snakes Abyss. Though not every creature within is a snake demon, sneaking into the abyss still cost considerable effort. Around his cave dwelling, we also discovered two secret grottos that are exceptionally heavily guarded; we dared only observe from afar. Demon King Qianji attained the Dao as a black-spotted king snake, and by nature he is cunning and suspicious. We suspect the treasures he has amassed might not be hidden inside his cave dwelling, and those two grottos could also be his treasuries..."
"Three treasuries, real and feigned mixed together, protected not only by restrictions laid down by Demon King Qianji, but also watched round the clock by guards..."
Qin Sang knitted his brows, finding the situation extremely thorny.
His intention was actually very simple: stimulate the phantom image within the stone slab and visualize the true Qingluan. Once that was accomplished, his goal would be met—there was no need to actually seize the slab.
According to Qin Sang's previous plan, he would find an opportunity to sneak into Demon King Qianji's cave dwelling, use his Heavenly Eye divine ability to forcibly breach the treasury's restrictions, take a look inside, and leave.
Even if Demon King Qianji noticed, since he suffered no actual loss, he might not relentlessly pursue Qin Sang.
With Demon King Qianji's suspicious temperament, the minor demons beneath him likely had no idea which treasury was real, making further inquiry impossible.
With three treasuries, he would have no choice but to break into them one by one.
If he gambled wrong and was discovered by Demon King Qianji midway through, the guard would surely become even tighter.
He would only have one chance.
Chapter 1139