Chapter 1166: Hukou Pass

Tan Yien went to Cangheng Island first.

Qin Sang and the two birds entered Tianyao Hill, then headed north to Wanyao City.

Wanyao City.

It is one of the Seven Heroic Passes, serving as the gateway for the demon race to enter and exit the Ancient Immortal Battlefield.

After the demon race occupied Tianyao Hill, they held this pass firmly. It has not changed hands since, unlike other heroic passes which have been more or less affected by human internal strife.

Demon cultivators entering and exiting the Ancient Immortal Battlefield must pass through Wanyao City.

The current Lord of Wanyao City is the famous Feather Demon King.

Wanyao City was quite different from Xianyue City. Qin Sang wanted to see what a true demon city looked like, so he entered alone. Fat Chicken and White Crane waited a moment before following him.

Upon entering Wanyao City, Qin Sang's first impression was that it had a strong 'human presence'.

The city was still primarily inhabited by mortals.

People came and went on the streets in an orderly fashion, presenting a scene of peace and prosperity.

These individuals had lived under the rule of the Demon King since birth and were long accustomed to seeing monstrous beasts swaggering down the streets.

The monstrous beasts permitted to enter the city were all great demons who had been enlightened and gained spiritual intelligence.

The Feather Demon King had established strict rules; after entering the city, Qin Sang did not witness any instances of monstrous beasts harming mortals.

However, the cultivation world could not be gentle and kind. Just as humans hunted monstrous beasts, extracting bones and flaying hides for spiritual materials in alchemy and artifact refining, the demon race would not simply raise so many humans for no reason. Some matters were too disturbing to dwell upon.

Not long after entering the city.

As Qin Sang was strolling through the city, a sudden commotion erupted ahead, and the crowd parted to the sides.

Ahead, a dense, dark mass of armored demon wolves galloped down the street, rushing forward. The leader of the demon wolves was powerfully built, emanating an intimidating aura of bloodlust.

On its back, however, was an exquisite saddle, carrying a peculiar monstrous beast that resembled a fox, yet was even smaller and had unusually short front legs—it was a Bei demon.

The aura emanating from this demon was even stronger than that of Fat Chicken and White Crane; it was a great demon in the late Demon Core stage. Otherwise, it would be impossible for the demon wolf leader to willingly serve as its mount.

Qin Sang halted, knowing he had been exposed.

Fat Chicken and White Crane flashed, positioning themselves in front of Qin Sang.

"Rumble..."

The demon wolves moved in perfect unison, their target clearly Qin Sang and his companions. When they drew near, they stopped abruptly and uniformly, creating an immense sense of pressure.

Qin Sang stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm.

Fat Chicken and White Crane bristled, issuing a warning.

The Bei demon leaped down from the demon wolf, walked upright before them, and bowed respectfully, saying, "May I ask, Senior, are you the Young Master of the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea, Demon King Mingyue? Our Great King has already prepared a temporary residence, and this junior has been ordered by him to entertain you all, Seniors."

As soon as these words were uttered, gasps of astonishment rose from the street, and glances directed at Qin Sang were filled with both respect and awe.

"Young Master?"

Qin Sang smiled playfully. This title wasn't bad, so he nodded, gesturing for the Bei demon to lead the way.

Led by the Bei demon, they walked towards the Demon King's temporary residence.

That was the demon race's lair. Qin Sang estimated that few other Nascent Soul human cultivators would dare to waltz into such a place alone, as he did.

"Which other demon kings are attending the discussion?"

The Bei demon replied, "Reporting to Senior, Red-tailed Demon King arrived earliest, three days ago, followed by Senior Snake King..."

After listening to the Bei demon enumerate the attendees, Qin Sang realized that nearly half of Tianyao Hill's demon kings had arrived, and the discussion was still three days away. More demon kings were sure to arrive later.

Like him, they were likely drawn by news of the Ziwei Palace.

Three days passed in a flash.

During these days, several demon kings, including Demon King Lihong, came to visit. Qin Sang, intending to form connections, got to know a few of them.

One of them was the Red-tailed Demon King, mentioned by the Bei demon. He was a red fox who had achieved enlightenment, transforming into a handsome young man, yet with a strikingly noticeable red tail behind him.

His name, Red-tailed Demon King, was derived from this feature.

He claimed to have long admired Senior Bamboo Demon and was quite enthusiastic towards Qin Sang. Qin Sang, unsure of his sincerity, merely humored him, yet he did learn many secrets about the demon race from their conversations.

Qin Sang instructed the two birds to remain at the temporary residence and walked alongside the Red-tailed Demon King towards Feather King Palace.

Feather King Palace had always been the dwelling of successive Feather Demon Kings, and this discussion was also to be held within it.

The Red-tailed Demon King dismissed the guiding lesser demons and, with familiar ease, led Qin Sang towards Feather King Palace.

"The Feather King is being secretive, but according to custom, since the Ziwei Palace has been mentioned, there must be some news. Senior Bamboo did not appear during previous emergences of the Ziwei Palace. Is he sending Fellow Daoist Mingyue this time with the intention of contending for qualification to enter the Ziwei Palace next?" the Red-tailed Demon King asked with some curiosity, while gesturing and introducing the surrounding buildings to Qin Sang.

Qin Sang slowly shook his head. "My master did not mention entering the Ziwei Palace. He sent me here primarily to inquire about the battle situation on the front lines."

The Red-tailed Demon King understood, sighing, "If the True Minor Cold Domain and the Tianxing Alliance cannot withstand Sin Abyss, given Sin Abyss's overbearing ways, the agreement between us and the human race will likely be difficult to maintain, and future peace may not be assured. However, if we fully assist them in resisting Sin Abyss, resulting in our own vitality being severely depleted, it would be the most foolish choice. It's indeed difficult to gauge the right balance. But, these are the Feather King's headaches..."

"Even so, we cannot be indifferent," Qin Sang shook his head. "I certainly don't want to hide in the demon sea forever, spending my days surrounded by ice."

These past few days, he had subtly and openly probed the attitudes of the demon kings.

As expected, the demon race had little interest in interfering with human internal strife. Their best option was undoubtedly to sit back and watch the tigers fight, betting on both sides without offending either.

However, the True Minor Cold Domain and the Tianxing Alliance were not foolish either; they wouldn't allow the demon race to simply get away with it.

Currently, although Tianyao Hill had dispatched demon soldiers as reinforcements, few demon kings had truly joined the battlefield.

Those few demon kings were presently leading troops stationed at a pass called Hukou Pass, which was said to be an important strategic choke point. However, its location was relatively remote, making a large-scale attack by Sin Abyss there highly unlikely.

Outside Hukou Pass, a division of Sin Abyss confronted them. Both sides seemed to have a tacit understanding, engaging only in minor skirmishes.

As they spoke, a towering jungle appeared ahead, its outline shadowy and indistinct.

"We're here! Feather King Palace is inside!" the Red-tailed Demon King low-voiced.

Qin Sang gazed intently, discovering an ancient wooden hall at the center of the jungle, inexplicably suspended in mid-air. Around it, flickering azure spiritual light shimmered, permeated by a dense array of powerful restrictions.

"Fellow Daoists, you have finally arrived!"

A figure swept out from the forest; it was Demon King Lihong, who had personally come to greet them.

At this moment, he no longer harbored any covetous thoughts towards the Thousand Mountains Bamboo Sea. He was quite enthusiastic towards Qin Sang, saying, "Fellow Daoist Mingyue, the Feather King heard that you are Senior Bamboo's successor and has long wished to see what kind of distinguished individual could receive Senior Bamboo's true inheritance."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three of them journeyed together into the jungle and arrived before the gates of Feather King Palace.

Demon King Lihong pushed the door open and entered.

Qin Sang immediately saw a man in feather robes seated calmly in the center—it was none other than the Feather Demon King, who had once activated a rare treasure to open the grand formation of the Ziwei Palace!