Chapter 148: Reunion in the Demon Realm, the Power of the Pagoda
The name of the Chaos Demon Realm is well-deserved.
Upon setting foot on its edge, an intensely uncomfortable atmosphere, unlike any other region of the spiritual world, enveloped them like a thick quagmire. The sky was a perpetual, oppressive crimson, as if stained by the eternally extinguished demonic fires beneath the earth and the sins accumulated within the heavens. No sun or moon was visible, only the occasional meteorite with a long tail of flame or the shadow of some powerful demonic bird streaking across the sky. The earth was parched and cracked, a sickly hue of charred black and purple-red. The sparse vegetation was twisted and grotesque, like struggling ghosts, emitting a sickening demonic aura and resentment. The air was thick with the pungent smell of sulfur, the lingering stench of blood, and the foul, fermenting odor of all sorts of negative emotions. The spiritual energy was not only pitifully thin but also violent and chaotic, carrying a strong corrosive quality. For ordinary cultivators breathing in and out of this place, not only would their efforts be ineffective, but they would also be highly likely to trigger their inner demons and become possessed.
Here, there are no laws, no morals, only the naked prey of the weak, a Shura of unbridled desire and slaughter. Everywhere, bloody battles erupt over a piece of demonic ore, a mutated demonic plant, or simply a nasty glance. Demonic cultivators, monsters, evil spirits, and even some alien races whose minds have been corrupted by demonic energy live together, forming settlements and towns large and small, spread like tumors. Behind each faction lies a complex web of interests and betrayal.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan disguised themselves as a pair of wandering sisters. The elder sister (Ye Li) wore a simple gray outfit, her features lightly modified with drugs, giving her a plain yet stern appearance. Her aura was aloof and aloof, and she carried a seemingly ordinary longsword. The younger sister (Qin Yixuan) wore a pale blue dress, her features concealed. Though she had lost her former stunning beauty, she remained undeniably elegant and refined. She subdued her sacred aura to the utmost, appearing gentle and serene. Following the complex codewords and circuitous routes previously agreed upon with Lin Feng, the two cautiously advanced towards a neutral, chaotic city known as "Skeleton City" within the Demon Realm.
Along the way, they encountered no fewer than ten brazen robbery and assassination attempts. One group of demonic cultivators, drawn to their "unfamiliar faces" and the beauty of their "sister," harbored malicious intent, only to be instantly smothered by the invisible sword energy condensed by Ye Li's spiritual consciousness before they could even approach, their souls falling silently to the ground. Another evil spirit attempted to deceive with strange illusions, creating the illusion of a loved one in danger, but Qin Yixuan's piercing eyes of the mysterious goddess were unable to escape their sight. Instead, they were burned by a stray ray of purifying divine light and fled screaming. Even more sinister individuals planted colorless, odorless, and highly toxic restrictions or demonic insects capable of devouring spiritual energy along their path, but Ye Li's powerful spiritual sense and Qin Yixuan's keen perception of energy flow detected and dispelled them in advance, leaving the perpetrators reaping the consequences.
Several lightning-fast counterattacks, Ye Li's ruthless determination and unfathomable strength, completely subdued those who had been watching from the shadows, ready to make a move. In this lawless land, strength is the only way to pass, and ruthlessness is the best amulet. These seemingly insignificant "sisters" are clearly not to be trifled with.
Several days later, the exhausted duo finally arrived at the first crucial stop on their journey: Skeleton City. True to its name, the city's walls, tens of feet high, were constructed from countless massive, twisted, white skeletons of unknown origin. The gaps between the bones were filled with a solidified dark red substance, emitting a strong stench of resentment and blood. Dozens of withered, shrunken heads, their faces grim and grimacing, hung at the city gates, swaying in the wind like ornaments, silently declaring the rules of this place. Even before entering the city, the nauseating odor of decay, blood, and inferior potions assaulted them.
The scene within the city was even more chaotic. Most of the buildings were crudely constructed from giant natural bones and mined black magic stone, their structures crooked and disorganized. The streets were narrow and filthy, flowing with sewage of unknown origin. Creatures of all shapes and sizes swarmed through them. Some stood three feet tall, covered in bone armor; others resembled shadows, elusive and uncertain. Many more were demonic cultivators with fierce, murderous eyes, openly sizing up every passerby like ferocious beasts seeking prey.
As agreed, they arrived at a shabby tavern in the west of the city called "Forget Worry." The sign was crooked and stained, and two lanterns made of human skin hung at the door, emitting a faint green light. Pushing open the creaking, seemingly crumbling wooden door, an even stronger odor—a mixture of cheap liquor, sweat, blood, and some kind of weed—burst forth like a substance.
The tavern was dimly lit, only a few flickering oil lamps provided a faint glow. A motley assortment of demon cultivators and alien races gathered there. Some chatted loudly, boasting of their "achievements"; others whispered and plotted in corners, their eyes flickering; and many more silently sipped their wine, their eyes either numb or fierce. The clatter of noise, shouting, and clinking of cups and plates intertwined, creating a scene of chaos and depravity.
Ye Li's gaze swept calmly across the room, her consciousness like an invisible spiderweb, instantly capturing the figure in black, who was drinking alone in the corner, wearing a large bamboo hat that completely obscured his face. She calmly walked over with Qin Yixuan, and sat down across from him. Her fingers, seemingly unintentionally, tapped rhythmically on the greasy wooden table.
The black-clad figure trembled imperceptibly and slowly raised his head. Beneath his bamboo hat, he revealed a pair of eyes as sharp as a hawk's, yet concealing a mixture of excitement and fatigue. He lowered his voice, a tremor of disbelief in his voice, "Pavilion Master!" Then, he turned his gaze to Qin Yixuan. Though her appearance had changed, her unique aura instantly recognized her. He hurriedly whispered, even more respectfully, "Greetings, Your Excellency Xuannv." It was Lin Feng! After not seeing her for several years, the childishness on his face had long since faded, replaced by a composure and fortitude honed in blood and fire. His cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the Spiritual Mansion Realm, a mere step away from the Yuandan Realm. Clearly, in this perilous environment, he hadn't slacked off in the slightest.
"No need to be so polite. What's the situation?" Ye Li went straight to the point, and her voice was also very low.
Lin Feng glanced around cautiously once more, confirming that no one was paying attention to this secluded corner. Then, using telepathic communication, he sent a message directly into their minds: "Pavilion Master, Lady Xuannv, in compliance with your previous supreme directive, the Phantom Pavilion has completed its initial infiltration of the Demon Realm. Using the 'Shadow Chamber of Commerce' as a public cover, we have essentially gained control of the underground intelligence network of Skeleton City and the three surrounding Demon Cities, some of the scarce resource trading channels, and several key smuggling routes. Through coercion, inducement, infiltration, and supporting agents, we have obtained numerous clues regarding the Shadow Demon's activities in the Demon Realm."
He paused, his tone becoming more serious. "The Shadow Demon's headquarters in the Demon Realm is almost certainly located in the 'Shadow Demon Palace', deep within the Demon Realm. It's heavily guarded, and rumor has it that more than one supreme-level ancient demon slumbers there, making it one of the Demon Realm's most recognized forbidden areas. We haven't learned much about the 'Heaven Stealing Project' yet, as the team maintains a high level of confidentiality. We do know that in recent years, the Shadow Demon has been frantically collecting ancient texts, forbidden knowledge, and special treasures related to 'reincarnation,' 'time and space,' and 'cause and effect,' at all costs. Furthermore, a large amount of resources, particularly high-quality souls and blood essences, plundered through various channels, have been secretly transported to the far north, roughly coinciding with the location of the 'Nirvana Soul Abyss' you mentioned earlier."
"Furthermore," Lin Feng's voice was filled with suppressed anger and worry, "we've also discovered that the Shadow Demons have unusually close ties with several of the oldest and most exclusive native demon tribes in the Demon Realm, seemingly planning a major operation far beyond ordinary friction. Furthermore... according to information our spies planted within the 'Blood Feast' risked their lives to pass on, the auction's finale of 'special goods' may include key individuals or items directly related to the 'Heaven Stealing Project'!"
"Blood feast? Specific time and place?" Ye Li's eyes narrowed.
"Just three days later, it will be located in the 'Rotten Claw Demon City'. It is one of the ten major demon cities in the Demon Realm, ruled by the notorious 'Rotten Claw Demon Lord', who is a powerful demon cultivator in the late Nirvana Realm. He has many powerful men under his command and countless demon armies. Pavilion Master, do you want to intervene? The risk... is extremely great!" Lin Feng's voice was full of caution.
Ye Li and Qin Yixuan exchanged a glance, each seeing the same determination in the other's eyes. This was a juncture where both risk and opportunity coexisted, a chance to bypass numerous obstacles and gain direct access to the core clues of the "Heaven Stealing Plan"!
"Get ready! We're heading to the Rotten Claw Demon City." Ye Li gave the order without hesitation. "Mobilize all the reliable forces of the Phantom Pavilion in the Demon Realm. Spare no effort to gather detailed information about this auction, especially the 'special cargo'. This includes guards, auction procedures, cargo storage locations, possible escort routes, and more. At the same time, prepare emergency plans and evacuation preparations for various situations."
"Yes! Pavilion Master!" Lin Feng's eyes flashed with a mixture of excitement and murderous awe. The Youge, this sharp blade, hidden in the shadows, silently sharpened, was finally about to reveal its true brilliance in the cruel land of the Demon Realm, for its master! He immediately transmitted a series of encrypted commands silently through a special micro-communication array hidden in his sleeve. The entire Youge network in the Demon Realm, like a sophisticated machine infused with a soul, began to operate at an unprecedented speed. Countless undercurrents quietly surged under the shadow of the Demon Realm.
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