CHAPTER 447: CHAPTER 417: RED-EYED DEMON KING

"To be honest, Senior Sister Zhao was expelled from the sect by the master early on. As for the exact mistake she made that angered the master, I am unaware of the reasons."

"For the answer to that, perhaps you’d have to ask the master."

"All these years, the master never allowed us to mention Senior Sister Zhao in her presence. It seems there is still a rift between them that cannot be resolved."

Saying this, Xuu Qingci’s expression darkened slightly, and he said with some regret, "Now, Senior Sister Zhao is no longer with us. The exact grievance between her and the master can only be known by asking the master."

"For this mission against the Southern Wilderness Demon Beasts, the master will be present. At that time, I will hand over the jade scroll left by Senior Sister Zhao to the master and ask the master again."

Regarding Zhao Hanyun’s demise, Xuu Qingci was undoubtedly saddened and thereafter said no more.

After a few words of comfort from Lu Zhiwei, the conversation ended.

Removing the soundproof restriction, Xuu Qingci bowed to both Lu Zhiwei and Lu Yuanshan before returning alone to the Cold Moon Palace team.

Meanwhile, as Lu Yuanshan and the others rested, the square of Purple Fire Castle was bustling with flying ships, transporting one group of cultivators after another to the frontline battlefield.

The combined forces of the Eight Great Sects, along with cultivators from Dubhe Institute and Nine Cold Mountain, totaled over ten thousand.

Under the arrangement of Wind Yuzi, these cultivators would temporarily form Yellow-Level or Profound-Level teams, dispatched to various locations based on the number of beast tides appearing in different areas.

Notably, a single Earth-Level team emerged.

The Earth-Level team, led by Crystallization Cultivators, included members who were at least Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, with the team reaching a hundred members.

Among them were ten Crystallization Cultivators and ninety Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

The emergence of this team drew considerable attention.

The Cyan Mountain Sect, among others, also paid attention to this team, later learning that at a place called Bone Demon Cliff, a powerful Tier Three demon beast group had appeared.

The opposition to that beast group was also an Earth-Level team, led by their captain, Liiu Qiumei from Nine Cold Mountain.

This newly-formed Earth-Level team was sent to support Liiu Qiumei and her group.

Evidently, the beast group at Bone Demon Cliff posed quite a challenge.

Simultaneously, Dubhe Institute’s Golden Core Ancestor, Zhang Daoxing, returned to Purple Fire Castle at this time.

His return also garnered great attention.

Previously, to contend with a Tier Four Golden Core demon beast, Zhang Daoxing personally intervened, going to the frontline specifically to deal with that Golden Core Demon King.

This time upon returning, Zhang Daoxing did not use a magical artifact but flew directly through the sky, transforming into a rainbow, entering the airspace of Purple Fire Castle.

In the Immortal Pavilion, Zhang Daoqi, who had been meditating with eyes closed, sensed Zhang Daoxing’s aura and immediately opened his eyes.

"How’s the situation?"

When Zhang Daoxing landed in the Immortal Pavilion, Zhang Daoqi asked, glancing at Zhang Daoxing.

Zhang Daoxing appeared to be full of spirit, radiant, with not a hint of weariness, his robe spotless and neat, not resembling someone who had just experienced a great battle.

"The demon beast was cunning, merely stationed there without acting, and we did not engage."

Zhang Daoxing said, noting that the demon king not taking action was within expectations.

Demon beasts reaching the Crystallization Stage was extremely difficult, often taking over a hundred years. Even demon beasts with formidable talent and bloodline require forty to fifty years to reach this stage.

As for the Golden Core Stage, it’s even rarer. Although the Southern Wilderness Forest is home to millions of demon beasts, the number at the Golden Core Stage can be counted on one hand.

Demon beasts at this level can already take on a human form, possessing intelligence comparable to humans. Generally, they appear in beast groups only to oversee, not acting unless absolutely necessary.

"Well, it saves us from having a great battle."

"These demon beasts are getting more cunning."

Zhang Daoqi frowned and asked further.

"Which demon king was it?"

The Dubhe Institute is thoroughly knowledgeable about the high-tier demon beasts in the Southern Wilderness Forest, aware of their specific numbers and which tribe they belong to.

"It was the Red-eyed Demon King."

Zhang Daoxing said, "A hundred years ago during the beast tide, this beast was only at the Tier Three level. After a century of breeding and cultivation, it managed to promote to Tier Four. This achievement is quite commendable."

The Red-eyed Demon King belongs to the tribe of Red-eyed Spirit Wolves, a race with high-grade bloodline power; adult Red-eyed Spirit Wolves can easily reach the Crystallization Stage. They are well-known Tier Three demon beasts in the Southern Wilderness Forest.

After discussing this beast for a while, Zhang Daoqi brought up the situation at Bone Demon Cliff.

"Young Liiu’s abilities still have much room for growth. Encountering slightly stronger demon beasts this time is also a form of experience for her."

Zhang Daoxing chuckled appreciatively, "Among the talents, aside from your disciple, I place the most optimism in her."

Liiu Qiumei’s current strength is at the Fourth-Layer Crystallization, reaching mid-stage Crystallization.

Relying on the Divine Techniques cultivated and the Tier Four Spiritual Artifacts equipped, she can contend with foes two small realms higher.

This time, Liiu Qiumei finds it tricky and requires help, indicating demon beasts of at least Sixth-Layer Crystallization or higher have appeared in the beast group at Bone Demon Cliff.

Late-stage Crystallization demon beasts pose significant difficulties for Liiu Qiumei.

"I’m not worried about her safety. She has been highly valued by Jiang Daoist over the years and must possess some life-saving Divine Techniques. She won’t easily fall on the frontline."

Zhang Daoqi smiled lightly, referring to Jiang Daoist, which naturally meant Elder Jiang.

...

Three days after Lu Yuanshan and his group rested, on this day, the Cyan Mountain Sect, under Wind Yuzi’s assignment, formed a Profound-level team with the Spirit Sword Sect, Golden Saber Sect, and Dubhe Institute to go to Bone Demon Cliff to clear out a beast group composed of Tier One and Tier Two demon beasts.

The beast group’s numbers totaled over one thousand six hundred.

The team leader this time was Lu Yuanshan.

Lu Yuanshan’s impressive exploits in Pingyao Town were already known to Wind Yuzi and have spread among the Eight Great Sects.

After all, a cultivator at the Eighth-Layer Foundation Establishment handling a Tier Nine Foundation Establishment demon beast with ease is exceedingly rare.

All factions are closely monitoring the strength of cultivators, with some even taking the opportunity to forge connections and expand networks, naturally paying attention to those with formidable strength.