Chapter 1136: Willow Spirit

Upon entering the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, the white cat visibly relaxed, leaping and weaving through the bamboo forest. The white cat was intimately familiar with the area, guiding Qin Sang to avoid other demonic beasts.

As they approached the center of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, the white cat led Qin Sang to a cave and said, "Young Master Qin, we left the city in a hurry, and Grandpa Liu doesn't know we're back yet. Please wait here for a moment; I'll go back first and ask Grandpa Liu how to arrange things."

Qin Sang readily agreed.

Given the gravity of the situation, he understood the white cat's caution.

The white cat nodded to Qin Sang, then turned, leaped out of the cave, and disappeared into the vast bamboo sea.

Qin Sang concealed himself, standing at the cave entrance with a pensive expression.

Infiltrating the demon realm and making contact with the demonic beasts of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea was only the first step. To enlist their help in investigating Demon King Qianji and the mysterious stone slab, he still needed to earn their trust and approval.

He gazed into the distance.

After entering the bamboo sea, he had sensed traces of demonic beasts, including many plant spirits. The demonic beasts of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea were gentle by nature; despite being there for so long, he hadn't encountered a single conflict.

The sun began to set.

The horizon was bathed in a fiery red glow.

As night fell, there was still no sign of the white cat.

Qin Sang knew that the white cat's news of Master Yunyouzi's demise would undoubtedly catch the old willow tree off guard, and they would also need time to decide how to treat him. Therefore, he was not anxious.

He entered the cave dwelling, sat cross-legged, fed the Celestial Eye Butterfly, and then quietly worked on perfecting his sword formation.

Unconsciously, it was already the middle of the night.

The night was dark and gloomy, without stars or moon, so black that he couldn't see his own hand.

Qin Sang, who had been sitting idly for half the night, suddenly felt his eyelids twitch and slowly opened his eyes.

Then, a faint whooshing sound came from outside the cave dwelling, and a white shadow darted into the cave.

The white cat had returned. Seeing Qin Sang still patiently waiting in the cave, it breathed a sigh of relief and said apologetically, "Young Master Qin, you've waited a long time."

Qin Sang nodded indifferently, glancing outside the cave; there were no other demonic beasts in sight.

"Grandpa Liu instructed me to invite Young Master Qin," the white cat explained. "He's staying in his cave dwelling to manage the spirit array and secretly divert the guards, allowing us to avoid detection and prevent your identity from being revealed..."

They set off under the cover of night, crossing several mountain ranges without disturbing any demonic beasts, until they arrived at the old willow tree's cave dwelling.

In the dead of night, it was difficult to fully appreciate the beauty of the scenery.

Qin Sang remained somewhat vigilant, silently observing his surroundings. He noticed the white cat leading him through a mountain canyon, after which the path suddenly opened up into a basin.

A misty white fog hovered above the basin, within which stood orderly wooden palaces.

Upon entering the basin, the white cat led Qin Sang, about to enter one of the palaces.

Qin Sang, however, suddenly stopped and turned his head to look at a row of willow trees beside the palace. His gaze quickly swept over them, finally settling on one ancient willow.

"Young Master Qin is indeed extraordinary; you saw through my true form with just a glance."

The next moment, a green light suddenly appeared on the willow tree, then coalesced into a slightly ethereal figure that slowly descended.

The willow spirit had transformed into an elderly man, holding a walking stick.

His eyes gleamed with an unusual light as he assessed Qin Sang, offering a word of praise, then bowed with clasped hands. "This old man apologizes for not being able to welcome you from afar, Young Master Qin."

"Grandpa Liu!"

The white cat obediently bowed.

"Fellow Daoist Liu's concealment ability is extraordinary. I only managed to perceive a slight hint by chance," Qin Sang said modestly.

Little did he know, with the Celestial Eye Butterfly having advanced to the late third transformation, even Nascent Soul ancestors would find it difficult to hide from its Celestial Eye Divine Ability, unless they were proficient in profound concealment techniques. How much less a mere tree demon?

"Young Master Qin, there's no need to be modest. Our King entrusted the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea to you for a reason; this old man trusts the King's judgment."

The willow spirit showed goodwill, and seeing that he didn't seem to be faking it, Qin Sang felt a slight easing of his mind.

They entered the grand hall.

The willow spirit invited Qin Sang to sit and instructed the white cat to serve tea. Their etiquette was in no way inferior to that of humans. Qin Sang had previously worried about demonic beasts being capricious, but it now seemed his concerns were unfounded.

"Little Bai must have already informed Young Master Qin about the situation in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. Ever since our King disappeared, the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea has been precarious, attracting outside covetousness. We finally hoped for the King's return to stabilize the situation, but unexpectedly, a great change occurred in the cultivation world, and then the King's unfortunate news arrived..."

The willow spirit's voice was low, and deep sorrow and confusion flickered in his eyes.

Infected by his emotions, Qin Sang couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness himself.

The willow spirit composed himself and said, "With the King's passing, this old man's cultivation is too weak to protect the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. However, I cannot allow the demon spirits within the bamboo sea to be at the mercy of others and ruin the foundation left by the King. Little Bai mentioned that Young Master Qin possesses a disguise technique..."

Qin Sang nodded, not beating around the bush, and simultaneously performed the Heavenly Demon Transformation and his disguise secret art.

"Indeed, it's an aura comparable to that of a transformed great demon! Young Master Qin can pose as the King's successor..."

The willow spirit was overjoyed.

But then, as if remembering something, his joy faded, and a hidden worry appeared in his eyes as he cautiously asked, "Might I inquire, Young Master Qin, how long do you intend to stay in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea?"

Qin Sang knew exactly what he was worried about. After a moment of thought, he replied, "Currently, my most important task is to hone my cultivation and prepare for the Nascent Soul stage. I have no sect or family, and I am alone, so cultivating anywhere before my breakthrough is fine. However..."

Qin Sang's tone suddenly shifted, causing the willow spirit's nascent smile to freeze on his face.

"On this trip, I also have a request. This matter will aid me in forming my Nascent Soul. If I can break through to the Nascent Soul realm, protecting the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea would be effortless."

After speaking, Qin Sang noticed the willow spirit's expression, guessing he might think he was leveraging the situation, and quickly added, "Fellow Daoist Liu, please don't misunderstand. Senior Yunyouzi was both a teacher and a friend to me. Regardless of the outcome, I will dedicate my full efforts to the task he entrusted to me."

The willow spirit's expression softened slightly, and he hesitantly asked, "If it concerns forming a Nascent Soul, it must be no small matter. What can we do for Young Master Qin?"

"I wish to ask Fellow Daoist Liu to help me inquire about some information..."

Qin Sang slightly bowed, explaining his purpose.

"Demon King Qianji! The mysterious stone slab!"

The willow spirit stood up, pacing back and forth, frowning in thought.

Qin Sang saw that he didn't refuse outright, and a hint of joy flickered in his eyes.

A moment later, the willow spirit said gravely, "While we plant spirits may not be as skilled in combat as other demon types, most of us possess life-preserving divine abilities. However, our cultivation is low, making it impossible to casually approach a demon king's dwelling to steal a stone slab. Given how highly Demon King Qianji values that stone slab, I fear it will be difficult to find useful information."

Hearing this, Qin Sang was delighted. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Liu! It will be enough if we can just ascertain Demon King Qianji's true identity and the location of his dwelling. If it truly comes to directly confronting the Demon King, I am confident I still have some means of my own, so there's no need to rely on others."

The willow spirit looked astonished, and finally made a commitment: "If the stone slab can indeed help Young Master Qin form his Nascent Soul, it would be a tremendous blessing for all the demons of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. This old man will certainly do everything in his power."