Chapter 1137: Plotting

After this, Qin Sang remained in Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, cultivating in Yun Youzi's former cave. The affairs of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea were always managed by the Willow Spirit. Qin Sang did not wish to interfere and almost never showed himself.

Later, the Willow Spirit brought Old Macaque to meet Qin Sang and informed him of the true situation. Witnessing the elderly Old Macaque weep bitterly, Qin Sang felt a pang of sadness.

For now, only the Willow Spirit, Old Macaque, and the white cat knew of his presence in the entire Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. Unbeknownst to him, more than a year had passed since he arrived at Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. The Willow Spirit personally arranged for the investigation into the whereabouts of King Qianji and the stone slab. However, this was clearly not something that could be accomplished overnight. Qin Sang was patient and quietly awaited good news.

Nine Caves Mountain.

The cave dwelling of Nine Caves Demon King was located within this mountain. Nine Caves Demon King was a transformed Yin Bat, and many of his subordinate lesser demons were also bat demons. Among all the demon kings, his cave was the closest to Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. The mountain was enveloped in Yin energy, and not a single blade of grass grew, presenting a stark contrast to the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.

At this moment, within the Nine Caves Mountain dwelling, Nine Caves Demon King was personally hosting a man in feathered robes. The man in feathered robes was of significant origin; he was also a demon king, Li Hong Demon King. He was a subordinate of King Feathered Demon and enjoyed considerable trust.

“Fellow Daoist Nine Caves, I believe you are aware of my purpose here. King Feathered Demon has issued an order: once the front line sends word, you must dispatch your subordinates in the specified numbers to join the battlefield.”

Li Hong Demon King took out a jade slip and handed it to Nine Caves Demon King. Nine Caves Demon King was unsightly, with a pointy nose and monkey-like cheeks, and a pair of strange fleshy wings on his back. He extended his slender fingers, grasped the jade slip, and after reading it, loudly complained, “Why so many? Last time, I sent out my most trusted warriors, and only a handful returned alive. If I send out this many again, I fear my Nine Caves Mountain will be hollowed out!”

Li Hong Demon King's expression remained unchanged as he said, “You must have received the news, Fellow Daoist. The situation this time is different from before; Sin Abyss is making frequent moves, showing signs of a large-scale offensive and a decisive battle. On this trip, I am visiting all fellow Daoists along the way, and all of you are required to dispatch this many forces for support, not just you, Fellow Daoist Nine Caves. Furthermore, should the situation become urgent, King Feathered Demon will personally go to the front lines, and he will select some of you, fellow Daoists, to accompany him…”

“A Demon King participating personally?” Nine Caves Demon King interrupted Li Hong, his dissatisfaction growing. “It’s clearly an internal conflict among those two-legged sheep. Like last time, sending some warriors out was already a benevolent act. Why rush to risk our lives for them? Let them fight to the death; then we can benefit… At worst, we can abandon Heavenly Demon Mound and live freely in the Ice Sea!”

“The Ice Sea is desolate and barren, with only seawater and icebergs; it’s not easy to find a place to settle. If the Ice Sea were suitable for cultivation, why would our ancestors have fought to the death with humans to occupy Heavenly Demon Mound?” Li Hong Demon King dismissed Nine Caves Demon King’s words. “Our ancestors formed an alliance with the Minor Cold Domain, creating a defensive and offensive pact to a certain extent, which brought a halt to hostilities. The human race’s foundations are not easily depleted. Forcibly tearing up the alliance would not be good for us, and it would be difficult to return to Heavenly Demon Mound once we leave.”

Nine Caves Demon King was unable to refute, sighing as he put away the jade slip. “I hope you prepare soon, Fellow Daoist, and do not jeopardize the overall situation. I shall take my leave.” Li Hong Demon King stood up to leave.

“Wait!” Nine Caves Demon King suddenly called out to him, “Are you heading to Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea next, Fellow Daoist?”

“That’s right.” Li Hong Demon King nodded.

“Don’t rush, Fellow Daoist. This is spiritual wine I’ve cherished for many years; let’s have another cup.” Nine Caves Demon King pulled Li Hong Demon King back down, a smile plastered on his face. His sudden enthusiasm puzzled Li Hong Demon King. “If you have something to say, Fellow Daoist, please speak frankly.”

Nine Caves Demon King filled the wine cup, chuckling strangely. “I wonder, how do King Feathered Demon and you, Fellow Daoist, view the Master of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea?”

“What do you mean?” Li Hong Demon King’s eyes flickered, and he calmly retorted.

Nine Caves Demon King gestured towards the direction of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, his voice mysterious. “Have you ever considered, Fellow Daoist, how many years that bamboo demon hasn’t shown himself?”

Li Hong Demon King drank the spiritual wine and leaned back in his stone chair, taunting, “I recall that you used to be very obedient to Senior Bamboo, Fellow Daoist Nine Caves. Now he’s ‘that bamboo demon’?” Pausing, Li Hong Demon King mused, “Now that you mention it, it has probably been nearly three hundred years since I last saw Senior Bamboo. However, plant spirits naturally have long lifespans, and their heavenly tribulations arrive much slower than ours. Moreover, 'Senior Bamboo' is merely a title; no one knows his true origins. He might not even be a bamboo demon who attained enlightenment in Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, so it's normal for him to be in seclusion for several hundred years. The last time I went to Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, I spoke with Senior Bamboo.”

“Not showing himself for three hundred years is normal? Think carefully. Did you see his true form last time in Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea?” Nine Caves Demon King gave a strange chuckle, disdainfully saying, “No matter how long-lived plant spirits are, they are not immune. The power of heavenly tribulations surely grows stronger each time! How many years has that fellow lived?”

Li Hong Demon King shook his head. “All I know is that Senior Bamboo was the Master of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea even when the previous King Feathered Demon was alive. You’re not suggesting… ”

“I do have that suspicion!” Nine Caves Demon King no longer concealed his thoughts. “Although Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea is somewhat remote, it is a rare fertile land in Heavenly Demon Mound, occupied by that bamboo demon for so many years. Most of the plant spirits in the demon territory are in Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, protected by that old fellow. If we send these plant spirits out, regardless of their strength, as long as the numbers satisfy the alliance, the human race cannot fault Heavenly Demon Mound, and we can also preserve some of our own forces.”

Hearing this, Li Hong Demon King was startled by Nine Caves Demon King’s ambition. “You are incredibly bold, daring to scheme for Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea! Do you know how many souls have died by Senior Bamboo’s hand? Senior Bamboo’s strength is unfathomable; the previous King Feathered Demon treated him with great respect. If only he hadn’t lacked the ambition to dominate…”

“Of course, I know how powerful he is, otherwise why would I have endured humiliation for so many years?” Nine Caves Demon King gave a dry laugh. “I haven’t lived long enough yet, so I’m not instigating you to go against him. I just want to probe a bit. If he’s still alive, then naturally, we’ll drop the matter. But if he really was struck down by heavenly tribulation, what do we have to fear?” The more Nine Caves Demon King spoke, the more feasible it seemed to him, and his tone became increasingly excited and persuasive.

“Think about it carefully, Fellow Daoist. That bamboo demon's lifespan rivals a Xuanwu. Who knows how many treasures he has collected over the years? Plant spirits cultivate even slower than we do, and there aren't many significant ones in Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. Should all those treasures just go to them?”

Li Hong Demon King was taken aback and remained silent. Seeing this, Nine Caves Demon King understood his stance. He struck while the iron was hot, “I’m not the only one with this idea. Everyone else is just observing, deterred by that old fellow’s lingering prestige, and dare not act rashly for now. With King Feathered Demon backing you, Fellow Daoist, you might not truly fear him. A slight probe will reveal the truth. At that time, the two of us can seize the initiative, and I am willing to let you have the larger share…”