Zong Biao Yao Jiang wrapped Lin Xue and the others in Heiyun and sped forward.
A few hours later, everyone had flown to the front of a vast, endless, majestic mountain range.
Lin Xue looked down and saw the mountains rolling beneath her feet, with clouds and mist curling between the peaks, just like two giant dragons coiling and lying dormant, their heads raised as if ready to soar.
This should be Erlong Mountain.
Looking from afar, its outline was indeed just as the legends described, shaped like two enormous azure dragons playing and fighting over a bright pearl.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang rode the Heiyun straight towards the highest peak, which looked most like the legendary pearl.
When they were still two li away from the mountaintop, Heiyun’s speed suddenly halted, as if an invisible wall blocked their way forward.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang stretched out his fat pig hand and formed a spell.
The air around them rippled.
Heiyun trembled, then continued forward.
Lin Xue felt herself pass through an invisible barrier.
She remembered when she had just arrived and saw that Red Lotus had set up an Illusion Formation in Li Jia’ao.
Erlong Mountain seemed to have a similar Array, but much larger than that little Illusion Formation.
So, this Erlong Mountain could not be entered or exited freely.
To get out, one would first have to break through this grand Array.
Lin Xue was suddenly anxious: she wondered whether this Array would interfere with the Chuanyin Fashu on her ring?
If she used the teleportation only to end up spinning helplessly around the mountain, that would be a disaster.
Her heart fluttered with uncertainty.
It seemed she couldn’t rely solely on the teleportation technique in her ring—she needed backup plans as well.
Now that she was already in this demon den, she could only take things one step at a time.
Upon Erlong Mountain, from top to bottom, buildings of all sizes were built along the slopes.
From afar, squads of Demon Troops could be seen patrolling back and forth in the mountains, keeping watch in strict formation and vigilance.
At the summit, there was a grand structure shaped much like a human Palace.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang rode Heiyun towards the Palace at the mountaintop.
Moments later, Heiyun landed at the Palace entrance and dispersed into a swirl of black smoke.
Lin Xue’s feet touched solid ground.
A dozen or so Demon Troops stood guard at the Palace doors, holding long spears, standing in solemn silence, exuding disciplined training.
A Pig Demon at the Body Tempering Stage was waiting at the door, glancing around anxiously, craning his neck in anticipation.
Seeing Zong Biao Yao Jiang return, the Pig Demon let out a breath of relief and came up to greet him, bowing as he said, “Biao Ye, you’re finally back!”
Zong Biao Yao Jiang’s expression was tinged with caution and urgency as he asked the Pig Demon, “How is the Mountain Lord?”
The Pig Demon replied, “The Mountain Lord nearly fainted just now. He’s just finished with one and barely regained a little spirit, now he’s working on the second. There aren’t many spares left in the Palace. Head Chief Grandpa is by his side, constantly urging me to check. I’ve run back and forth several times, and finally, Biao Ye, you’ve returned.”
Zong Biao Yao Jiang let out a sigh of relief and said, “It’s good that the Mountain Lord is all right. I’ll bring these female demons to see the Mountain Lord at once.”
Several young female demons who had never left Xixia Mountain looked around with wide-eyed curiosity.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang turned his head, his pig eyes glaring, and scolded, “What are you staring at? Hurry up and follow me to greet the Mountain Lord! If you delay his business, this Yao Jiang will throw you all into Poison Fang Cave to feed the snakes!”
He flung his sleeve and led his followers towards the Palace gate.
The six female demons from Xixia Mountain paled at his scolding.
They all looked towards Hong Yanzhi.
After all, back in Xixia Mountain, Hong Yanzhi was the Master of the Cave’s daughter, and most affairs in the cave were handled by her.
They were used to obeying Hong Yanzhi’s orders.
Hong Yanzhi, helpless, pointed to the back of Zong Biao Yao Jiang and said, “Hurry and follow.”
Only then did the six female demons hastily catch up.
Lin Xue held Hong Yanzhi’s hand, trailing at the end of the group.
Her heart was like fifteen buckets drawing water, up and down, restless and uneasy.
She had heard every word of the earlier conversation between Zong Biao Yao Jiang and the pig demon attendant.
It seemed Hei Pi Yao Wang’s condition was extremely dire, already at the brink of collapse.
He was now barely holding on thanks to the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Life-Extension Grand Method.
Were they, the group of female demons, about to be drained one by one by that dying wild boar?
Wouldn’t that be the end?
She had only just escaped from the clutches of Hong Huzhi and Shu Er, and now was about to fall into the hands of a pig nearly in the grave?
Had she known, she should have made a break for it with Hong Yanzhi back at Xixia Mountain.
Once she’d gained the Demon King Legacy in Meishan Secret Realm and become the Yao Wang, she could naturally help Hong Yanzhi reclaim her mountain!
Lin Xue regretted her choices deeply.
But now, regret was useless.
As she walked, she observed everything—the palace layout, the guards’ positions, the patrol routes—memorizing every detail, secretly looking for an escape opportunity.
Just as the group entered the Palace, a figure appeared ahead, unhurried.
The newcomer was dressed in deep black fitted clothes, hands clasped behind his back, his waist straight and slim but not frail, like a javelin planted upright in the ground.
His eyes were a deep green, cold and emotionless.
Lin Xue was startled at the sight.
This person’s demonic aura was condensed to an extreme degree, his cultivation frighteningly high—far stronger than even the late Condensation Core Stage Guo Shanfeng.
Lin Xue couldn’t discern his cultivation level.
She guessed this man was likely at the peak of the Condensation Core Stage.
Bao Biao’s expression tensed upon seeing him, but then he forced a smile, quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands and bowed, “Bao Biao greets Hei Feng Head Chief. Are you heading out, Head Chief?”
Hei Feng Head Chief said nothing, his green gaze sweeping past Bao Biao and slowly across the six nervous, trembling female demons, then to Hong Yanzhi and Lin Xue.
When his eyes landed on Lin Xue, he paused briefly, a faint trace of surprise flickering there.
He soon looked away, his eyes falling back on Bao Biao.
The corners of his mouth seemed to twitch upwards slightly, his tone half-mocking, “So it’s Virtuous Nephew Bao Biao.”
His voice was not loud, a bit hoarse, like mountain wind scraping rough rock.
“I was idly strolling about the Palace. As for you, Virtuous Nephew Bao Biao, you’ve been running about all these days, your work must be tiring.”
Bao Biao bent lower, respectfully saying, “I wouldn’t call it tiring. To serve the Mountain Lord with all my heart is my duty. At last, I have fulfilled the Mountain Lord’s and my father’s trust by finding these Yao-Fei. I only hope to ease the Mountain Lord’s loneliness, and bring some benefit to the King’s Body.”
“Loneliness?” Hei Feng Head Chief repeated softly, a trace of undetectable mockery flickering in his green eyes.
“The Mountain Lord sits atop Erlong Mountain, commanding all directions. How could he be lonely? As for the King’s Body…”
He paused, his gaze flitting over the youthful yet terrified faces of the female demons, “With such filial nephews and sons scouring for life-extending remedies, the King’s Body will of course enjoy health and longevity for many years to come.”
Bao Biao kept his smiling face, “Head Chief is right! The Mountain Lord enjoys heaven’s blessings, and with loyal ministers such as yourself at his side, his fortune is boundless. My father and I have limited abilities, just doing what little we can. As long as the Mountain Lord is well and our Erlong Mountain’s foundation is stable, we are content.”
Hei Feng Head Chief listened silently, his expression unchanging.
His tone returned to blandness, “Since these Yao-Fei are for the Mountain Lord, send them up at once. Don’t keep the Mountain Lord waiting. Things have been unsettled in the mountains lately—Virtuous Nephew, do be careful while escorting the Yao-Fei.”
The last four words, “unsettled in the mountains,” were said lightly, yet Zong Biao’s neck bristled with chills.
“Thank you for the reminder, Head Chief!” Zong Biao bowed again, stepping aside, “Head Chief, please.”
Hei Feng Head Chief said no more, nodding slightly as he walked past Zong Biao Yao Jiang, his black robes barely stirring the air.
Not until that dark silhouette had disappeared beyond the Palace gate did Zong Biao Yao Jiang slowly straighten up, his eager, respectful smile instantly vanishing, replaced by a gloomy look.
He turned and glared fiercely in the direction Hei Feng Head Chief had disappeared, spat, and cursed in a low voice, “Pretending wolf! Who knows how eagerly you’re waiting for the Mountain Lord to croak! Hmph, threatening me? As if you’d dare make a move against me right under the Mountain Lord and my father’s noses! Bah! We’ll see who wins in the end!”
He turned to the anxious female demons and scolded them again, “What are you standing there for? Move! Quick! The Mountain Lord is waiting!”
With a swing of his sleeve, he strode deep into the Palace.
The female demons shrank in fear and hurried to catch up.
Lin Xue felt even more uneasy.
That Hei Feng Head Chief, it seemed, was rather displeased with Zong Biao Yao Jiang and his father searching for Yao-Fei to extend Hei Pi Yao Wang’s life.
His words were faintly threatening.
Could it be that Hei Feng Head Chief would target them, these female demons?
The more Lin Xue thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
If they were killed, Hei Pi Yao Wang would have no more to drain, and his life would soon end.
She felt more and more that coming to Erlong Mountain was a mistake.
With this worry, Lin Xue followed Zong Biao Yao Jiang to the front of a great hall.
Just at the door, with her keen hearing, she caught the sound of harsh, bellows-like panting, and the weak, painful moans of a woman.
Lin Xue’s face instantly changed, her grip on Hong Yanzhi’s hand tightening.
Hong Yanzhi gave her a strange look.
The gate guards, seeing Zong Biao approach, called out loudly, “Reporting to the Mountain Lord, Zong Biao Yao Jiang requests audience.”
After a moment, an aged, gasping voice inside said, “Let him in.”
The guards opened the doors.
Zong Biao Yao Jiang led the female demons from Xixia Mountain into the hall.
As Lin Xue entered, she saw, facing the main doors, a spacious couch.
On the couch, a tall, burly, fat old man was forcefully pressing down a female demon, doing unspeakable things.
A plump, wealthy-looking middle-aged man stood to one side, hands folded respectfully.
On the floor, a white cloth covered a body. From the exposed pale, delicate, long legs and dainty white feet, it was also a female demon, who seemed already lifeless.
The fat old man’s complexion was grayish white, his whole person unnaturally pale, like a corpse crawling out of a coffin.
But he was still alive, sweating all over the female demon’s body.
The female demon’s face was twisted in pain, crying miserably, “Mountain Lord, spare me. Please spare me…”
The fat old man clamped a hand over her mouth, his face suddenly becoming ferocious, and with a loud shout of delight, the ghastly pallor on his skin visibly faded a little.
The female demon struggled desperately, shrieking. Her hair started to turn white, her features aging rapidly; in the blink of an eye, she looked twenty years older.
The fat old man exhaled in satisfaction.
He released the female demon, didn’t bother to dress, and sat on the couch, panting heavily, his eyes crossing.
The female demon lay limp on the couch, silent; it was unclear if she had fainted or died.
The six female demons from Xixia Mountain were stricken with terror at the sight, their bodies shaking uncontrollably.
Only now did they understand what purpose a Yao-Fei served.
Hong Yanzhi was pale, her lips trembling.
Lin Xue, mentally prepared, remained relatively calm.
She could tell that the wealthy-looking man beside the couch had cultivation similar to Hei Feng Head Chief, and must be Zong Biao Yao Jiang’s father, Head Chief Zong Lie.
And that fat old man was, of course, Hei Pi Yao Wang.
Hei Pi Yao Wang’s demonic energy was wildly chaotic; it was clear he was at the end of his rope.
However, the Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Life-Extension Grand Method was truly effective, allowing him to drain life from women through this act, letting him linger for a few more days.
But as his life increased, those female demons suffered horribly.
The one on the floor, covered by the white cloth, was obviously gone. The one on the couch—it was unknown if she still lived.
Looking at the two miserable female demons, and the panting Hei Pi Yao Wang, Lin Xue’s heart was filled with just two words: “What a sin!”