Some say that Southern Xinjiang is a very large area, encompassing the lands of three continents and even the Hundred Thousand Mountains. It was once the domain of many demon gods and the kingdom of the Nine Yue people.
Some say that Southern Xinjiang is a very small area, just mountains connected to mountains and rivers separated by rivers. It is a place where one person or even a group of people gather, and it is the homeland of the Jiuyue people.
What exactly is Southern Xinjiang? No one can say for sure, because the records in books are empty, and a person's understanding is based on what they see.
A mountain is a mountain that a group of people have lived for over ten years, several decades, or even a lifetime; a river, with its turbulent waters, is the cry of the soul of the Jiuyue people.
Because in this mountain overrun by monsters, the only way for their souls to return home is through the flowing water, where all the rivers of the world converge, a place that can be heard in a hundred places in the southern borderlands.
Wu Guizhi, the chieftain of Nine Serpents Stronghold, stood on the mountaintop that had been leveled into a huge platform, surrounded by nine serpent statues, looking out at the distant mountains and the great river below.
The river, frozen by the heavy snow, slowly came to a standstill, its once-shouting waters now still and silent. The mountains stood solemnly, their vibrant life frozen away.
"Chief, a letter has arrived from the caravan. They say the heavy snow has blocked the mountain roads, making them difficult to travel, and there is a risk of monsters causing trouble. They hope we can send someone over."
The messenger emerged from the steps, respectfully reporting the news. As the closest stronghold to Qingmang City, Nine Serpent Stronghold's survival to this day was thanks to the efforts of three generations of the stronghold's leader's family.
"Apart from the martial arts masters who stay behind, all the others who can move, come with me."
"Lord Red Serpent said that a ferocious roc demon has appeared in that direction. I told him to come back soon. I hope he wasn't attracted by the prosperity of Heart City."
His subordinates behind him remained silent. Such things were not uncommon, or rather, very common. After all, the Jiuyue Clan was in a state of decline. Not to mention the limitations on their martial arts, their living environment and material enjoyment had also deteriorated considerably.
“Let’s go. No matter what he thinks, those supplies are essential for the village in winter.”
Wu Guizhi shook his head and headed toward the edge of the platform. Accompanied by a clear bone flute sound, a giant python, entirely red, 23 meters long and 4 meters wide, with bulging horns on its head, appeared from below and carried Wu Guizhi away into the distance.
Its body meanders down the mountain, standing out so conspicuously and intensely against the backdrop of the pale white landscape.
Then the village bell rang, and one figure after another emerged from the village, following the trail of the giant snake toward the mountain path.
At this moment, Ma E, who had returned from Qing Mang, looked at the roc that blocked his way, cut off his rear, and covered him with its wings, and felt despair.
Only I, amidst this overwhelming flock of birds, spotted three or four demon generals whose bodies were shrouded in various colored auras, clearly corresponding to martial arts masters. The roc in the center, with its enormous wingspan of nearly twenty-five meters and a body length of eight or nine meters, was clearly a great demon corresponding to the second or even third level of martial arts, even without the slightest hint of demonic energy. Judging from the strength of its subordinate demons, it was not difficult to tell that it was a great demon corresponding to the second or even third level of martial arts!
Oh no! Oh no! Why would such a powerful demon appear so close to the stronghold?! Shouldn't the stronghold chief and the snake ancestors have already cleared them out? Even if there is such a demon, it shouldn't be coming over so aggressively.
At this moment, Ma E felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar, but he was also sweating profusely. He walked to the front of the caravan, which had stopped. The oxen and horses were trembling and lying on the spot, and the crowd was huddled together in fear.
At this moment, it was already commendable for a martial artist to be able to hold a sword. Ma E stood at the front and bowed to the roc that did not immediately launch an attack.
"I wonder what business this demon king has with blocking our way?"
Becoming a demon awakens wisdom, and demon generals, corresponding to martial arts masters, possess wisdom as normal as that of a normal person. Although it was not certain whether the other party could understand what was being said, Ma E still repeated the words along with those of Xin Su and Jiu Yue.
"Are you a Xinxiu person or a Jiuyue person? You'd better not lie."
As the roc looked at the convoy, it reviewed its knowledge of humans. Although it really wanted to eat them, its mind told it to be careful, as it felt that eating them would cause some trouble.
"The Nine Yue people! The Nine Yue people!!"
Upon hearing that the other party could speak human language, and in authentic Xin Su dialect, Ma E quickly revealed that he was a Jiu Yue person, since their village was right next door.
"So you're a naturalized citizen?"
Although the bird demons and others around you are drooling over your flesh and blood, they remain quietly surrounding you without the Roc's command.
"Ah, this..."
"Yes or no!"
Seeing the somewhat shocked naturalized merchants, the Roc simply roared. With this angry roar, a shockwave pierced people's minds, causing many to immediately faint.
"Yes! I am a naturalized merchant! I am in charge of business in Nine Serpents Stronghold and Green Mang City!"
Ma'e blurted out everything he was responsible for, it was terrifying, absolutely terrifying! Was this a demon? Was it really not human?
"Well, you are somewhat useful. So I'll give you a chance to live: a hundred beautiful human women, twenty martial arts manuals about birds (at the very least, they must be at the Illumination level), and you must equip all my bird soldiers with the finest soft gold armor! ...And by the way, leave half of your troops and any edible goods behind."
Humans are useful, especially smugglers. The roc is an ambitious bird. It doesn't want to be just a minor demon. Its dream is to become the overlord of the demon race, to become a demon king, or even a demon emperor!
Ma'e was initially overjoyed to hear that there was a way out or at least time, but given the Roc's demands, Ma'e decided it would be better to just kill him directly.
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