Chapter 1139: Bluffing

Li Hong Demon King's insistence on seeing the Lord of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea was likely a test, driven by suspicion.

Qin Sang dared to take such a risk because they must have been closely monitoring the situation in the Heavenly Demon Mound. They were already aware that Feather Demon King had dispatched Li Hong Demon King to contact various demon kings and request troop reinforcements.

Having been in the Heavenly Demon Mound for such a long time, Qin Sang had discerned a pattern: there were also checks and balances within the demon race. With the Sinister Abyss's army pressing in, Feather Demon King would not choose this moment to create new problems or arbitrarily attack other demon kings.

This was also why Qin Sang dared to remain in the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.

As long as it wasn't at Feather Demon King's behest, Li Hong Demon King, with his reservations, would certainly not dare to act recklessly.

Just before Li Hong Demon King appeared, they received news of unusual activity among the demon beasts in Nine Caves Mountain. Li Hong Demon King was very likely instigated by the Nine Caves Demon King and acted on his own initiative.

Of course, Qin Sang knew very well that if he couldn't achieve Nascent Soul formation soon, this deceptive arrangement wouldn't last. The remaining prestige of the Lord of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea would gradually fade, and the deception would eventually be exposed.

At that point, it would be the day the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea fell.

He, the Willow Tree Spirit, and Old Macaque had been preparing an escape route.

If all else failed, they would have no choice but to abandon the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea with their trusted followers and cross the icy sea.

"And who might this be?"

Qin Sang glanced at the White-tailed Black Fox, his eyes showing disdain and displeasure.

Disguising himself as a transformed Great Demon and blustering before Li Hong Demon King, he felt immense pressure.

However, having previously encountered more than one late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and even once directly confronted a more terrifying ancient demon, he showed no awkwardness whatsoever when facing Li Hong Demon King.

His aura was powerful.

"This humble one greets Demon King!"

The White-tailed Black Fox was terrified and quickly bowed in salute.

Li Hong Demon King looked at Qin Sang with surprise and uncertainty, unable to spot any flaws.

Knowing that the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea was guarded by two demon kings, including the unfathomable Senior Bamboo, he no longer dared to be aggressive. His tone softened as he said, "I didn't expect to meet a new fellow cultivator today. It's truly a joyous occasion that our Heavenly Demon Mound has gained another Demon King! It's a pity that Feather Demon King and I were unaware beforehand and didn't prepare a congratulatory gift. Senior Bamboo truly keeps his talents hidden, to have such an astonishingly gifted disciple and only now reveal him to the world..."

"This humble one was originally a minor demon from Boundless Valley, drifting aimlessly day after day. Fortunately, my master enlightened me, and I finally embarked on the right path, fortuitously achieving transformation. I have no acquaintances in the Heavenly Demon Mound, so I have always stayed in my cave abode to cultivate, rarely leaving the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea..."

Qin Sang said indifferently.

"Boundless Valley?"

Li Hong Demon King's pupils contracted. He chuckled, "No wonder! I had long heard that there are many fellow cultivators in Boundless Valley who are oppressed by humans. For you, fellow cultivator, to gain Senior Bamboo's appreciation shows that your talent is not only extraordinary but your fortune is also profound. Meeting you, fellow cultivator, has truly made this trip worthwhile for me."

Qin Sang smiled. "After my transformation, I originally intended to personally visit Feather Demon King in Myriad Demon City, but unfortunately, I've never had the leisure..."

Both host and guest were pleased.

Qin Sang personally escorted Li Hong Demon King out of the gorge.

Upon returning to the basin, Qin Sang's smile vanished, and he flew directly back to his cave abode.

The Willow Tree Spirit and Old Macaque followed closely.

After sealing the cave abode, the two demons suddenly let out a sigh of relief, both filled with lingering fear.

Seeing Qin Sang's calm demeanor, as if nothing had happened, they could only admire his audacious courage.

"When the children saw Young Master Qin, they thought our Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea now had two great kings overseeing it. They were overjoyed, jumping and frolicking, ha-ha..."

Old Macaque let out a dry, bitter laugh.

The Willow Tree Spirit held up the jade slip in his hand and said, "Young Master Qin, the numbers listed here are comparable to those of other demon kings."

Qin Sang nodded. "At that time, we will dispatch troops according to these numbers, not one less, to avoid gossip and prevent them from seizing an opportunity to cause trouble. Also, continue to monitor the movements in Nine Caves Mountain. If their malicious intent persists, although we can rely on the grand formation to resist for a while, it will expose our true strength, attracting other ill-intentioned individuals to attack us collectively. In that case, we can only make the worst-case preparations: first send your trusted subordinates to the icy sea, find an iceberg, and endure hardship in that desolate place until I achieve Nascent Soul formation..."

Once their protection was lost, those vulnerable lesser demons would be at the mercy of others, and the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea would suffer great devastation.

But Qin Sang's abilities were limited; this was all he could do.

"Understood!"

The two demons replied in unison. Old Macaque departed with the order, clearly already treating Qin Sang as the true Lord of Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea.

"What important matter does Feather Demon King have, I wonder?"

The Willow Tree Spirit asked with concern.

Qin Sang scoffed, "Old Li Hong Demon King is just putting on an act! If the battle were fierce, Feather Demon King would personally lead demon kings as reinforcements. From the look of the situation, it shouldn't reach that point within a few years. However, this matter is not to be underestimated for us. The Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea currently has two demon kings on the surface; at that time, one will inevitably have to be dispatched. If I don't appear for a long time, they will certainly become suspicious. You must be prepared for my Nascent Soul formation to fail..."

The Willow Tree Spirit's face was filled with worry. Suddenly remembering something, he quickly said, "Young Master Qin, I didn't have time to mention it just now, but we've found some clues regarding Chain Demon King."

"Oh?"

Qin Sang was overjoyed to hear this. "News of the stone tablet?"

"Not exactly."

The Willow Tree Spirit looked ashamed. "However, we've located Chain Demon King's cave abode, and there are two other places that might be his treasure vaults."

"Chain Demon King doesn't keep his treasures in his cave abode, then? Please elaborate, fellow cultivator."

Qin Sang asked, surprised.

The mysterious stone tablet couldn't be stored in a mustard seed bag. If he could locate the demon king's treasure vault, he would have a chance.

The Willow Tree Spirit nodded and said, "Chain Demon King's cave abode is at the bottom of Myriad Snake Abyss. Although it's not entirely populated by snake demons, infiltrating Myriad Snake Abyss still took considerable effort. Around Chain Demon King's cave abode, we also discovered two hidden caves. Their defenses are exceptionally tight, and we only dared to observe from afar. Chain Demon King, having achieved enlightenment as a Black-spotted King Snake, is inherently cunning and suspicious. We suspect that the treasures he has collected might not be hidden in his cave abode, and those two locations could also be his treasure vaults..."

"Three treasure vaults, some real, some fake. Not only are there restrictions set by Chain Demon King, but also constant guards..."

Qin Sang frowned deeply, finding the situation very troublesome.

His intention was actually quite simple: to activate the phantom image within the stone tablet and visualize the true Azure Luan. That would achieve his goal; he didn't need to actually seize the stone tablet.

According to Qin Sang's previous plan, he would find an opportunity to infiltrate Chain Demon King's cave abode, use his Heavenly Eye Divine Ability to forcibly break through the treasure vault's restrictions, take a quick look, and then leave.

Even if Chain Demon King noticed him, he wouldn't suffer any significant loss, and Chain Demon King might not relentlessly pursue Qin Sang.

Given Chain Demon King's suspicious nature, his subordinate lesser demons probably wouldn't even know which treasure vault was real, making it impossible for them to investigate.

With three treasure vaults, he could only infiltrate them one by one.

If he gambled incorrectly and was discovered by Chain Demon King mid-way, the guards would certainly become even stricter.

He had only one chance.