Chapter 2366: Cry God Guard

The treasure mirror's bright light illuminated the interior, which was empty.

The three demons looked incredulous. They quickly commanded the treasure mirror to continue its search, descending all the way to the first level. This golden pagoda had only one hidden chamber, and the treasure their Master had specifically requested must have been kept there! But now the treasure was missing, likely taken by someone who came later.

The thought of the consequences sent a chill down the three demons' spines. Regret, fear—a torrent of emotions welled up, and their expressions became increasingly grim. Their regret was that after their initial scavenging, they had all believed the tomb was empty and, being in the Arctic ice plain, held no further value. Consequently, they hadn't sealed it, leaving it abandoned. This oversight allowed latercomers the chance to enter and retrieve the treasure.

Their fear was, who could withstand their Master's thunderous wrath if the treasure wasn't recovered? Adding to their dread, the treasure was lost due to their own negligence; even the Great Commander would likely face severe punishment, and their own lives would certainly be at risk. Originally, the Great Commander, acting on their Master's orders, had led them to this tomb. He had personally opened the golden pagoda and retrieved the legacy from the ninth level, but even he hadn't discovered this hidden treasure. Later, their Master revealed that a treasure was missing and provided them with this mirror, instructing them to return and retrieve it. Only then did they realize there was another secret within.

Yet, if even the Great Commander hadn't noticed the treasure's existence, how had those who came later discovered it? The seal outside wasn't particularly sophisticated, suggesting that the latercomers' cultivation levels weren't very high.

"Big Brother..."

The third demon swallowed. Though usually audacious, his voice trembled slightly now. "What do we do now?"

"What to do? We'll dig three feet deep to find that treasure!" The second demon's face was grim as he sneered. "Otherwise, the three of us might as well take our own lives now, rather than suffer a fate worse than death!"

The thought of the brutal tortures their Master had inflicted on enemies made the three demons shiver involuntarily.

"The second demon is right; we *must* get it back! This tomb is incredibly famous. Before our Master deciphered its secrets, any rumor about it would cause a huge commotion. Whoever got the clues, word must have gotten out, and they even left clues themselves..."

The leading burly man looked towards the tomb entrance. That unnecessarily elaborate seal was the best clue; certain characteristics it contained might help them pinpoint their target. Of course, this single clue wasn't enough to act quickly. They had to return to the mountain with the treasure before the deadline, ideally splitting into two groups: one to spread out and search for any trace, and the other to investigate the clues from the seal.

"Those fellows likely came from here!" The leading burly man flicked his sleeve, sending out a cloud of grey mist that formed a massive geomantic map. He pointed towards the area directly south of the tomb, near the Arctic ice plain. As he spoke, he looked at his two brothers, "Third Brother, guard here. If they dare to return, capture them immediately. Second Brother and I will split up to investigate. Be extremely careful not to leak any information!"

The situation was critical, and both demons understood the urgency, immediately accepting the order. The third demon remained in the tomb to wait for their return, while the leading burly man took the second, erased their tracks, and left the tomb.

Upon leaving the tomb, the two demons headed directly south to an open snowy field. The leading burly man suddenly transformed into his true form, spreading his wings wide and soaring straight up, letting out a wolf-like howl. "Awooo!" The roar drowned out the wind, echoing far across the ice plain, as if a wolf leader were summoning its pack. Simultaneously, several streaks of blood-red light shot out from beneath his cloak, streaking in different directions and instantly vanishing into the horizon.

Wutu Mountain.

The topography here was unique; centered around the main peak, the other mountains were arranged in neat, concentric rings, safeguarding the principal summit. The outermost mountain ring served as a clear boundary, a towering wall of mist that blocked external prying eyes. Inside the mist wall, some demon cultivators, in human form, flew about, exchanging greetings. Young demons played carefree, and buildings dotted the mountainside in neat rows. Everything was orderly. Outside the mist wall, however, was a rugged wilderness. Below the mist wall, two snake demons engaged in primal, bloody combat. The victor swallowed its defeated opponent whole, then smacked its lips, still unsatisfied, and slithered away, never once attempting to cross the mist wall. The mist wall starkly divided civilization from savagery.

Just then, a rainbow light descended from the sky, landing before the mist wall. The mist automatically parted, and a squad of demon soldiers flew out, lining up on both sides to welcome a grand carriage. The grand carriage proceeded unimpeded directly to the main peak, stopping halfway up the mountain. Grand Mistress Meishan stepped out, ascended a few stone steps, and saw a black wooden hall where Immortal Wutu was already waiting respectfully at the entrance. They had become acquainted through a confrontation, and their relationship had grown even closer since their return.

"Has Fellow Daoist Mingyue not arrived yet?" Grand Mistress Meishan stepped forward and asked.

"Perhaps he's hesitant to leave his homeland," Immortal Wutu replied with a benevolent smile, inviting Grand Mistress Meishan into the hall.

"Indeed. Fellow Daoist Mingyue is free and unfettered in the ice plain, but outside it, he would face various restrictions," Grand Mistress Meishan sighed with deep understanding.

"If he dares not leave the ice plain, he is merely a beast, unworthy of our attention," Immortal Wutu said flatly. Although demon cultivators evolved from beasts, they held profound disdain for mindless wild animals. In their view, if Qin Sang chose to remain in the ice plain, his mind would eventually be corrupted by the Six Heavens Qi, and he would be dominated by his bestial nature.

"This Fellow Daoist Mingyue is no mere beast," Grand Mistress Meishan shook her head slightly, for she already knew Qin Sang's origins. They were trying to win over Qin Sang not just because they needed an ally, but also due to a certain rumor. It was rumored that fierce demons emerging from the Arctic ice plain, though violent and bloodthirsty by nature, often possessed exceptionally strong combat power due to their constant life-and-death struggles. Even Demon Sages would hold them in high regard, and some might even be recruited as their subordinates. A clear-headed one like Qin Sang would only be stronger. That's why Immortal Wutu hadn't immediately attacked when he first met Qin Sang. It was possible that one day, Qin Sang would be favored by a Demon Sage, and cultivating a good relationship with him in advance would only be beneficial.

Immortal Wutu invited Grand Mistress Meishan to take a seat of honor, then clapped his hands. Over a dozen enchanting fox demons gracefully emerged and began dancing elegantly in the hall. Their dance was a spirit dance, not only breathtakingly beautiful but also infused with a wondrous rhythm. Although Grand Mistress Meishan was a female demon, she was captivated by their movements, savoring the Wutu Mountain wine as she watched.

Immortal Wutu looked pleased, took a sip of the fine wine, and asked, "Is that yellow goat finally willing to trade?"

This question touched upon Grand Mistress Meishan's vexation. She slammed her jade cup heavily onto the table and said bitterly, "That old geezer must have heard some rumor. He's stubbornly refusing to budge, and we parted ways unhappily again."

Immortal Wutu's expression darkened at the news. After leaving the Arctic ice plain and returning to their cave dwelling, they had been contemplating how to utilize the tomb. Aside from the Six Heavens Qi, the tomb was a blessed land. Even more valuable, it was protected by a powerful formation, ensuring its safety. To abandon it would be a true waste. While unsuitable for cultivation, it could serve as a medicinal garden for spirit herbs resistant to the Six Heavens Qi's corrosion. However, such herbs were extremely rare, so they had to settle for a compromise: finding a few spirit herbs with some resistance to the Six Heavens Qi, like those native to the ice plain, for initial trials. The yellow goat he referred to was skilled in cultivating spirit plants and possessed many rare species. Unexpectedly, it had demanded an exorbitant price, one they could not afford.

"Hmph! I'll contact a few more fellow daoists. Does he truly believe he's indispensable? Let him take those seeds to his grave!"

Immortal Wutu was also angered, and Grand Mistress Meishan no longer wished to tolerate such disrespect. The two demons readily agreed to let the yellow goat wait.

As they drank, the demonesses' dance grew increasingly mystical, conjuring scenes of magnificent wonder within the hall.

"Haha, how are these dancers I've trained?"

Immortal Wutu was brimming with satisfaction. The spirit dance they performed was not just for show; it could also wreak havoc on a battlefield.

Grand Mistress Meishan nodded, impressed by Immortal Wutu's skill. She was about to speak when the hall door suddenly pushed open, and a gaunt old man quickly entered. This old man was a fox demon, Immortal Wutu's head steward. Immortal Wutu trusted him implicitly; whenever he left the mountain, the old fox would remain to guard it.

"Reporting, Mountain Lord and Grand Mistress, there's someone outside the mountain claiming to be an old friend of the Grand Mistress, who has an urgent matter to discuss with her." The old fox stepped forward, bowed, and said respectfully.

"Looking for me?" Grand Mistress Meishan was surprised. "Who is it?"

"That person refused to reveal their identity to us, insisting on seeing the Grand Mistress in person," the old fox replied.

"Hmph! How mysterious! I'll go see who this extraordinary person is!" Grand Mistress Meishan stood up and told Immortal Wutu that since this wasn't her Meishan Mountain, it wouldn't be appropriate to invite the person directly inside.

Grand Mistress Meishan followed the old fox out of Wutu Mountain. Seeing no one outside, she frowned and asked, "Where is he?" The old fox pointed towards a distant valley, leading Grand Mistress Meishan forward, while softly calling out, "Senior, the Grand Mistress has arrived..." At this moment, Grand Mistress Meishan also sensed an aura in the valley that felt somewhat familiar, suggesting it might truly be her old friend.

The two demons arrived above the valley in a flash, and saw tree shadows swaying below, where a cloaked figure suddenly emerged.

"You are..."

Grand Mistress Meishan felt a sense of déjà vu but couldn't recall the person's identity. The cloaked figure raised its head and slowly lifted the cloak. Seeing a strange smirk beneath the cloak, Grand Mistress Meishan felt an inexplicable sense of alarm. Her expression changed drastically. "Who are you!"

'Whoosh!' The cloaked figure suddenly flung out the cloak, which instantly transformed into a vast grey sky curtain, enveloping the entire valley. Grand Mistress Meishan quickly retreated, but it was too late; she collided with a soft, yielding wall. Simultaneously, a stream of light shot out from beside her. Within the light was a deer antler, displaying nine colors and as smooth as jade, yet its aura was incredibly sharp. It fiercely stabbed towards the old fox beside her.

'Puff!' The deer antler seemed to pierce a bubble. The old fox's figure shattered upon impact, then reappeared ten zhang away. But it was no longer the old fox; it was clearly a burly man, wearing a blood-red cloak. Seeing the blood-red cloak, Grand Mistress Meishan's pupils abruptly constricted, and she exclaimed, "You are the God-Slaying Guards!"

"Hehe..." The burly man let out a sinister laugh. "Since you know the God-Slaying Guards, why not surrender?"

Before he finished speaking, the burly man pounced like a hawk. The cloaked figure didn't rush to attack, continuously muttering incantations. The sky curtain grew thicker and heavier, finally sealing off this area completely, ensuring that even if a fierce battle ensued, the demon cultivators in Wutu Mountain wouldn't notice. The battle, however, couldn't possibly escalate to such intensity, as Grand Mistress Meishan's power was inferior to the burly man's. As the burly man attacked, vines in the valley suddenly grew wildly, and a figure flickered indistinctly among them. After deploying the sky curtain, the cloaked figure also attacked Grand Mistress Meishan. Faced with the siege of three God-Slaying Guards, even with all her powerful abilities, Grand Mistress Meishan had no chance of victory.

Before long, a gap opened in the sky curtain, and the old fox walked out, tidied his appearance, adopted a respectful demeanor, and flew back to Wutu Mountain. A moment later, Immortal Wutu was also led out by the old fox. When he entered the sky curtain and saw a spotted deer trapped in a cage, he was greatly alarmed.

'Puff!' In his panic, Immortal Wutu repelled a green vine coiling towards him, retreating clumsily, and urgently cried out, "You dare to cross boundaries and stir up trouble? Are you not afraid of Saint Yuanshuang..." His words were cut off by the leading burly man before he could finish.

"If not for this apprehension, we would have long since invaded the mountain and captured you directly! Now, no great sage you invoke can save you. Hand over the treasure you stole from the tomb, and our Master might just spare your lives!"

As he spoke, the three God-Slaying Guards closed in. Immortal Wutu struggled to fend them off, startled by the words.

"How do you know...? Gentlemen, you've got the wrong people! It wasn't us; the Demon Saint's tomb was already empty when we entered! The Grand Mistress can testify!" Immortal Wutu looked towards the cage, but saw the spotted deer with tearful eyes and a face full of despair.

The God-Slaying Guards, without a word, jointly forced Immortal Wutu into a desperate situation. Immortal Wutu couldn't bring himself to self-destruct and was ultimately captured.

"Where did the treasure from inside here go?" The leading burly man conjured an image of light and shadow, revealing the interior of the golden pagoda's eighth level. Both demons looked bewildered at the spot the leading burly man indicated.

"Stubborn fools! I'd like to see what's more important: the treasure or your lives!" The three God-Slaying Guards were furious. Time was running out for them, and their investigation indicated that all clues pointed to Immortal Wutu and Grand Mistress Meishan. If these two truly hadn't taken it, then the God-Slaying Guards themselves would face severe repercussions. The leading burly man advanced with a sneer, ready to inflict torture.

By this time, Immortal Wutu and Grand Mistress Meishan had realized that the one who discovered the Demon Saint's tomb was none other than the Master of the God-Slaying Guards, and their hearts filled with even greater dread. Even if the treasure wasn't in their possession, merely being accused of stealing a Demon Saint's treasure would lead to a fate worse than death. Unable to extract the truth, the God-Slaying Guards decided to make an example of them.

"No... it wasn't us... I know... I know..." Seeing Grand Mistress Meishan's miserable state, Immortal Wutu panicked. Remembering something, he frantically shouted, "I know who stole it! It's him! It must be him!"

The leading burly man's eyes lit up. "Tell me! Who is it?"

"When we entered the Demon Saint's tomb, there was one more with us. He claimed to be from the Arctic ice plain, and his dharma name is Mingyue..." Immortal Wutu knew perfectly well that someone else must have taken the treasure. Qin Sang's cultivation was inferior to his; it was impossible for Qin Sang to have discovered this hidden chamber and taken the treasure right under their noses. But to save his life, he could only implicate Qin Sang, hoping to atone for his alleged crime.

"Moreover..."

"Moreover, he might possess the bloodline of a phoenix!"