The Leopard Demon

Demon beasts encircled the island. The waters surrounding Yuheng Island had turned into a playground for demon beasts. Curiously, this state of affairs had persisted for over three months. The beasts maintained their siege without launching an attack, nor did they withdraw. Yet the cultivators on the island felt not the slightest ease. As time went on, more and more demon beasts converged in a steady stream, swelling to staggering numbers and occupying vast swathes of the sea around Yuheng Island. At first, proceeding out of caution, the cultivators had not taken the initiative to strike, opting instead for a defensive strategy. By convention, if demon beasts failed to breach the island-protecting grand formation, they would depart on their own after a few days. By the time the cultivators realized something was amiss, it was already too late. Encircled by such an immense horde of beasts, no one could remain at ease. At this moment, on the outer periphery of the horde. A circle of beasts stood guard, and within it lingered several truly extraordinary greater demons. There was a fish demon with four limbs, pale and tender as an infant's. There was a crane demon of striking elegance, its feathers like snow, its unruly, haughty gaze looking down upon all directions. ... Among them, the most eye-catching was a leopard demon. Its appearance was bizarre: it possessed no fur, its body covered instead in fine scales, and a sharp horn protruded from its forehead, lending it an exceptionally handsome and imposing air. Their eyes were clear, bright with intellect, setting them starkly apart from the ordinary beasts around them. Astonishingly, these beasts could all speak fluently, yet none had attained the Transformation stage. There was only one explanation: each had consumed precious Emperor Flowing Dew, unlocking sapience ahead of their time. Emperor Flowing Dew only manifested when a beast underwent transformation. Did each of them have a Transformation stage great demon backing them? Some floated upon the water, others drifted in midair. The surrounding beasts held them in immense dread, and the area was deathly quiet. A dispute broke out from within the circle, seemingly between the leopard demon and the others. "I give you two months to assemble all your subordinates and attack this island! Disobey, and you die!" The leopard demon barked harshly, issuing commands with an icy glare fixed upon the other beasts. The others exchanged glances, some wearing dissatisfied expressions. Their cultivation was not inferior to the leopard demon's; they merely had misgivings about its status and did not truly fear it. The crane demon let out a sharp, cold sneer. "The King commanded me to lead my subordinates in harassing the humans, wearing them down and keeping their attention pinned. He never told us to mount a frontal assault on a human stronghold—least of all a major island guarded by a human Nascent Soul! With our kings absent, who knows how much of our boys' blood we would have to shed just for a chance to break their ward? And so what if we break it? If a human Nascent Soul wishes to flee, it's impossible to keep him here. Once he finds an opening, slaying one or two of us would be child's play!" The other demons promptly chimed in, echoing that their respective kings had issued similar orders, none of them willing to take such risks with the leopard demon. They brought up the commands of Transformation stage great demons to push back against the leopard demon, but it dismissed them with disdain. "This general comes bearing the Flood Dragon King's orders!" it said coldly. "Even your kings must obey our Flood Dragon Clan! Whosoever defies my command defies the Flood Dragon Clan! I'd like to see how many heads you have to lose!" Though born in the body of a leopard, it spoke repeatedly as one of the Flood Dragon Clan, appearing comical; yet not a single beast dared laugh. Looking at the scales and horn so distinct from ordinary leopards, it might truly possess flood dragon bloodline. Hearing its words, the other greater demons choked on their breath. They glanced at one another, their momentum involuntarily slackening. Though they suspected the leopard might be bluffing, the pressure exerted by the Flood Dragon Clan was simply too immense. Moreover, part of what it said was the truth: their kings dared not cross the Flood Dragon Clan either. "This..." The fish demon said timidly, "Our king said this matter is of vital importance. The Flood Dragon King liaised with the major clans, mobilizing nearly half the Demon Sea's might to plan this operation. If our unauthorized actions reveal to the cultivators that our kings are absent, ruining the Flood Dragon King's grand plan..." Seeing the other demons lose their nerve, the leopard demon grew smug, its tone softening slightly. "Just this single place—what grand plan could it possibly affect? Besides, wouldn't doing this also pin down and lull the cultivators? This general's goal isn't wholesale slaughter, but finding a person. This person is vital to our Flood Dragon Clan. He committed a grave offense, infuriating the Flood Dragon King, and was personally marked for death by the King. Remember his aura. Once you sense it, eliminate him at all costs! To remove him is to render a great service!" The person the leopard demon spoke of was none other than Qin Sang. That day, Qin Sang had been quick on his feet and fled decisively. The Flood Dragon King had pursued him over great distances without catching him, but had remembered Qin Sang's aura. "Furthermore, if you see anyone using a magic treasure of this shape, it is certainly him..." The leopard demon dipped its forepaw into the water. A curtain of water rose, coalescing into the phantom of a conch speckled with starlight across its surface. The conch phantom bore a seventy- to eighty-percent resemblance to Qin Sang's star conch. The demons silently memorized its shape, though they clearly had no idea what was so extraordinary about the star conch. Afterward, the demons dispersed, vanishing into the depths of the Demon Sea to muster their troops. Having achieved its aim, the leopard demon watched their retreating figures, a cunning look surfacing in its eyes. When it turned back toward Yuheng Island, a greedy light gleamed once more. ... A grim atmosphere hung over Yuheng Island. Whenever the cultivators looked at the dark clouds and demon qi blotting out the sky, worry and dread inevitably surfaced in their eyes. Qin Sang led a squad of Foundation Establishment cultivators on watch and patrol duty. At nightfall, their patrol finally concluded, granting him a brief respite. Upon returning to his temporary cave dwelling, Qin Sang was surprised to find Madam Liu and Jin Ying waiting for him. After Xiang Yi was eliminated, Jin Ying's attitude toward Qin Sang had taken on a touch more respect. Though Madam Liu had sworn an oath never to disclose the details of the battle, with Jin Ying's cleverness, she had easily deduced a good deal of it. "When did you two arrive, Fellow Daoists? Has something important happened?" Qin Sang invited them to take their seats. Both women had duties of their own; lately, they couldn't even guarantee time for cultivation, and they rarely saw each other. "Can't we visit you without something important, Daoist Priest?" With her enemy dead, Madam Liu had finally stepped out from the shadow of the past. After joking, Madam Liu's smile vanished as she delivered an astonishing piece of news: "The Island Master is already considering abandoning the island and fighting his way out!" Qin Sang was taken aback, turning to look at Jin Ying. Jin Ying's expression was equally solemn as she nodded heavily. The news had come from the merchant alliance via the Nine Stars Guild. "Has the situation deteriorated to such an extent?" Qin Sang found it hard to believe. Abandoning the island meant not only that the Island Master would give up a foundation built over centuries, but also that most of the cultivators on the island would be left to their deaths! Without the protection of the grand formation, how many could possibly survive? Jin Ying said in a low voice, "The merchant alliance only learned of this today. The Island Master's contact with the outside world has been cut off as well; no messages can leave or enter. It has truly become an isolated island. Two days ago, another large contingent of demon beasts gathered—their numbers are staggering, and they are growing restless. It doesn't look like a bluff. They may be about to make their move."