CHAPTER 717: CHAPTER 100: ASCENDING THE DEMON MOUNTAIN ALONE AGAINST SIX ENEMIES

In Jueji Cave, plumes of blue smoke curled from the incense burner within the chamber. Two Daoists sat facing one another.

One of them, the Bearded Daoist, was none other than the Cave Master, Gu She. Sitting across from him was his fellow sect brother, Guo Nanxing.

Though merely three feet tall, Guo Nanxing resembled a child, with a face furrowed like the gnarled bark of an old tree. His eyes glinted with a sinister gleam as he stared at Gu She, his voice hoarse and rasping: "Junior Brother, it is rare to see a pair of devils like this even once in a century. If we can capture them, you and I could each claim one. We might even refine them into superior Blood Essence to enhance our cultivation. This opportunity is exceptionally rare. Why not come with me? If those old fellows seize them instead, won’t we have to suffer under their whims in the future?"

Gu She avoided his gaze and replied, "Senior Brother, this matter... allow me some time to think it over carefully."

Guo Nanxing did not grow angry. Instead, he let out a harsh laugh, stood up, and said, "No rush, no rush. Junior Brother may think it over a few more days. Your Senior Brother will wait here for your good news."

Gu She stood up and courteously saw him out.

Standing nearby, Senior Disciple Qian Yi checked the area outside. Only when Guo Nanxing’s figure completely vanished did he step closer and whisper, "Master, why not agree to him?"

Gu She gave him an irritable glance and said coldly, "What do you know? With a small demon cave in our possession, what kind of devils can we not obtain? Why bother exhausting ourselves in pursuit? If those devils truly were as valuable as Old Guo claims, would only two sects covet them? No doubt they’ve drawn countless prying eyes. Rather than risk life and limb, it is better to focus on cultivation here. Stabilize your mind and stop dwelling on useless things."

Qian Yi, though reprimanded, hardly seemed affected. Instead, he ventured further: "Master, forgive my presumptuous words, but that small demon cave lies within the Mingcang Sect’s territory. At any time, we could come into conflict with them. This is not a long-term solution."

Gu She sneered and said, "Last time, we killed several Mingcang disciples, though a few managed to escape. Later, even a Nascent Soul cultivator came to investigate, but merely performed perfunctory inquiries, wandered around, and left without issue. It all amounted to nothing. If the Mingcang Sect truly intended to intervene, would they have remained silent for more than twenty years? Your worry is completely unnecessary."

Qian Yi wished to say more, but Gu She, growing impatient, flicked his sleeve and said, "Enough. Withdraw now. By the way, go summon your Junior Han."

Qian Yi lowered his head and said, "Yes, this disciple will take his leave."

Gu She’s gaze lingered on the desk as he picked up a letter that had already been opened and reread it once more. Then, clasping his hands behind his back, he paced within the cave mansion, seemingly lost in thought. Not long after, footsteps echoed behind him. A slender, bright-eyed young cultivator entered the chamber, bowing respectfully and greeting him, "Disciple Han Ji greets Master."

Gu She turned around, his face softening into a kindly smile. He said, "You’ve come, disciple. Sit down, no need for formalities."

Han Ji bowed slightly once more, and only after Gu She had taken a seat did he sit down at his side.

Gu She spoke slowly, "I summoned you here to ask you something."

Han Ji straightened his posture and replied earnestly, "Master, please ask."

Gu She’s gaze drifted toward the cave mansion’s entrance as he said, "I’ve heard that since their recent competition, the Mingcang Sect has been hunting down my Demon Dao disciples far and wide. Just a few days ago, they even sent one of their Top Ten Disciples, Ning Chongxuan, out to kill that Old Demon Xi Wuzi. You hail from the Han Clan. In your view, would they make a move on the small demon cave as well?"

Han Ji lowered his head in contemplation, then replied, "Master, this matter is difficult to judge. The small demon cave originally belonged to Shouming Palace. Previously, it was True Master Peng who guarded this location. She was always low-profile and avoided stirring trouble, allowing us to come and go without issue. However, since their competition ended, I’ve heard that her current status differs greatly from her past. And that small demon cave is essentially her cave mansion’s backyard. In this disciple’s opinion, as our Demon Sect rises to Great Prosperity, the Mingcang Sect will not turn a blind eye. It’s only a matter of timing, whether sooner or later."

Gu She’s expression grew heavy, and he sighed, "What you say makes sense. If the day ever arrives that we are forced to abandon this place, it would indeed be a shame. It seems this location cannot remain for long; we must prepare an alternate path."

After furrowing his brows in thought for a while, his tone shifted as he said, "Han Ji, you’ve always been resourceful. In your view, should we agree to your Senior Uncle’s matter, or not?"

Han Ji pondered briefly before replying in a low voice, "Master, in this disciple’s opinion, if your Senior Brother is so fixated on those devils, the matter is likely more complicated than it appears."