Chapter 2377: Three Kong Mountains

"We shall meet again!"

Chilian gave Qin Sang a deep look, taking only the old monkey with her and leaving behind all of its subordinates. This was Qin Sang's request. The old monkey's subordinates were half tiger demons and half monkey demons, and crucially, their backgrounds were as 'clean' as the old monkey's. Qin Sang found these demon cultivators useful.

"Gr-Great King..."

A Horse-Monkey Demon General led the host of demons to kneel before Qin Sang. The Horse-Monkey Demon General's voice trembled slightly. In the Lotus Lake, it was not uncommon for demon kings to wage war against each other; it was normal for the victor to absorb the defeated's forces. However, the fate of their close confidants was often unpredictable. If they encountered a magnanimous demon king, they might be spared; otherwise, they would be immediately executed to eliminate future troubles.

"I am not your Great King," Qin Sang's words made all the demons' hearts tremor. "You will know who your Great King is in the future. For now, open your minds." Seeing hope for survival, the demons eagerly opened their minds. In the Lotus Lake, trust was a luxury. Apart from a few close confidants, demon kings primarily controlled their demon soldiers and generals through such means, so they showed no resistance.

Qin Sang erased the old monkey's mark and left his own restriction, then instructed, "Now, divide yourselves into several teams..." The demons immediately obeyed and dispersed. Previously, without the permission of their demon king, they would not have dared to cross boundaries so easily.

Now, the situation had drastically changed. The demon kings who participated in the Alliance of Four Kings had likely suffered heavy losses; powerful demon-king-level cultivators in the Four Kings' territories were almost entirely wiped out. These monkey and tiger demons were all at the Nascent Soul stage, a carefully selected group by the old monkey, each with considerable strength. They were perfect for gathering intelligence. Qin Sang wanted to know whether the recent battle involved two demon saints directly interfering in the Lotus Lake, or if they were merely passing by and the Four Kings suffered an undeserved calamity.

Furthermore, with the Four Kings' territories now leaderless, it was an excellent opportunity to absorb demon soldiers and expand territory. If Qin Sang intended to stay here, he couldn't rely solely on the Five Immortal Sect as a channel; he had to establish his own influence in the Lotus Lake. Thinking of the Five Immortal Sect, Qin Sang looked in the direction Chilian had departed.

Apart from a few sarcastic remarks from Chilian upon their first meeting, neither he nor Chilian had tacitly mentioned the matter of Stone Dragon Mountain again. Regardless of whether she had truly let go of her resentment, maintaining a semblance of cordiality on the surface was sufficient. As long as Chilian didn't turn hostile, Qin Sang would not proactively sever his ties with the Five Immortal Sect.

With various plans in mind, Qin Sang changed his flight path and went to investigate himself. The Four Kings' territories were vast, each far beyond what Qingyang City could aspire to. Qin Sang personally led the demons, gathering information everywhere, and gained a clear understanding of the Four Kings and their subordinate forces.

Their respective territories were roughly equal in size and closely interconnected, like a large pie cut into four slices. The territory of King Hunhe was located in the north, while King Fu's domain was in the east... The Four Kings' alliance meeting point was at the intersection of their territories.

Each of the Four Kings had subordinate demon kings who had pledged allegiance, forming four formidable forces. While their strengths varied, none were powerful enough to easily wipe out the others. They formed alliances and rivalries, balancing each other, and united against external threats, making their structure exceptionally stable. This arrangement had existed for over ten thousand years.

Who could have imagined that four top-tier powerhouses, who had dominated the Lotus Lake for over ten millennia, would be obliterated overnight? Qin Sang often recalled it with a sigh of lament.

Now, the previous order was completely broken. After extensive inquiries, Qin Sang could largely confirm that all four kings had disappeared, and their subordinate demon kings had also suffered heavy losses.

Logically, the surviving demon kings, facing such a rare power vacuum, should have quickly gathered demon soldiers and expanded their influence. Yet, none did so, perhaps stunned into inaction, or perhaps all were observing the situation.

As news gradually spread, an atmosphere of terror permeated the area. Numerous demon cultivators were in constant dread, and countless numbers fled the Four Kings' territories.

On a desolate island within the great lake.

The Horse-Monkey Demon General arrived on the wind, landed at the edge of the island, and hurried into the jungle. In the center of the dense forest was a clear spring. Upon seeing the figure by the spring, the Horse-Monkey Demon General prostrated himself and reported, "Reporting, my Lord, we have confirmed that Demon King Sankong indeed returned."

Qin Sang opened his eyes. "Is Demon King Sankong in his cave dwelling?"

"Forgive your subordinate, my Lord, for my incompetence. I have not ascertained Demon King Sankong's whereabouts, but I have located his cave dwelling and several other residences," the Horse-Monkey Demon General presented a jade slip.

Qin Sang took the jade slip and waved his hand. "You may go."

"Yes!"

The Horse-Monkey Demon General bowed and exited the jungle.

After reading the jade slip, Qin Sang stood up and smiled, "Venerable Lady, it seems your physical body has a destination." A slightly transparent figure appeared beside him; it was Venerable Lady Meishan, who bowed slightly and said, "I appreciate your efforts, Fellow Daoist."

They soared into the air and left the desolate island. After flying east for a while, they saw a mountain range, like a reclining dragon, stretching before them. The mountains were filled with spectacular peaks and sheer cliffs, offering boundless scenic beauty—truly a place of spiritual essence.

Demon King Sankong, whom they had targeted, was a subordinate of King Fu. Qin Sang had personally witnessed King Fu's demise, so he had no qualms. There were two objectives in dealing with Demon King Sankong.

Firstly, Demon King Sankong was a spirit deer who had attained enlightenment, and its bloodline was similar to Venerable Lady Meishan's, making it a suitable target for her to possess. Secondly, by having Venerable Lady Meishan replace it, they could establish a foothold and take root in the Lotus Lake.

After the fall of the Four Kings, countless eyes were watching this region. A sudden appearance by an outsider would draw too much attention. Having Venerable Lady Meishan assume the identity of Demon King Sankong would allow them to act discreetly.

Venerable Lady Meishan gazed at the mountain range, a look of eagerness flashing in her eyes. "Is Demon King Sankong's cave dwelling in this mountain?"

Qin Sang nodded. "Indeed. Although this fellow sent many forces to guard other residences, in my opinion, these are all feints to mislead. Unless he has already fled, he must be in his cave dwelling!"

"The situation is chaotic; this demon must have made various preparations. A frontal assault might not be advisable," Venerable Lady Meishan said with concern.

"Just watch my methods, Fellow Daoist."

Qin Sang wore a confident expression, concealed his figure, and flew towards the main peak of the mountain.

The main peak and its surrounding peaks were shrouded in soaring demonic energy and dense white mist. The ley lines here interconnected, forming a formidable array that prevented outsiders from peering within. Both inside and outside the grand array, demon soldiers were as numerous as trees in a forest, patrolling diligently day and night, making the defenses exceptionally strict.

Qin Sang arrived before the grand array and passed by several teams of demon soldiers, none of whom could detect his presence. Activating the Heavenly Eye Butterfly for a divine gaze, he observed that most of the demon soldiers in the mist were deer demons, with overt and hidden sentinels, making the defenses impenetrable.

However, the demon soldiers were not a problem. Qin Sang pinpointed a direction, recalling the sensation of forcefully taking the Black Lotus in the Abyssal Realm. His mind merged with the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, transforming his body into ethereal divine light, silently blending into the white mist. On the ridge, a fully armored demon soldier's gaze swept over the area. He rubbed his eyes, finally shook his head, and continued his patrol elsewhere.

Before long, Qin Sang's consciousness returned; he was already inside the mountain. As before, with the help of the Heavenly Eye Butterfly, he easily passed through the grand array, creating only imperceptible ripples during the transit, without alerting any demon soldiers.

Qin Sang identified the direction of the cave dwelling and moved swiftly through the mountain, repeatedly employing the Ethereal Divine Light. No array or restriction could impede his steps. As he neared Demon King Sankong's cave dwelling, Qin Sang released Venerable Lady Meishan.

Seeing the surroundings so peaceful, Venerable Lady Meishan was greatly astonished, believing Qin Sang's mastery of array restrictions had reached its pinnacle.

"The cave dwelling is just above."

Qin Sang looked up at the mountain peak. There were no halls or pavilions, but a stone cave on the mountain wall. Both sides of the cave entrance were adorned with strange carvings. They leaped up and reached the base of the mountain wall, then suddenly exchanged a glance, as if they had noticed something unusual, and charged directly towards the cave dwelling.

The stone door slowly opened. Qin Sang and Venerable Lady Meishan entered, only to find that the dwelling was already deserted by demons.

"This fellow is quite vigilant; everything has been cleared out..." Qin Sang searched all the chambers but found nothing left for them.

Returning to the main hall, Qin Sang noticed a painting on the wall. It depicted a spirit deer leisurely walking through a snowy mountain.

*Snap!*

Qin Sang waved his sleeve, unleashing a burst of energy.

Light flickered on the painting, and the spirit deer's eyes gained a subtle radiance. A deep voice emerged: "Though I do not know which fellow Daoist has arrived, I willingly offer this Mount Sankong to you, hoping you will treat the creatures within well." With these words, the intent within the painting completely dissipated.

"It seems it has already left," Qin Sang said helplessly, not expecting Demon King Sankong to abandon such a vast domain.

According to multiple sources, all signs indicated that during the Four Kings' alliance meeting, none of the demon kings, including the Four Kings themselves, made any unusual moves. The sudden appearance and battle of powerful beings, with no prior warning, suggested it might have been a mere coincidence. However, Demon King Sankong's decision to leave this troubled place was undeniably a shrewd move.

"It's fine," Venerable Lady Meishan was not disappointed. "Just now, I sensed a demon general outside who seems to possess the bloodline of an Agate-horned Deer. In the long run, it might be more suitable for me than Demon King Sankong."

"Oh?" Qin Sang didn't know much about the spirit deer lineage, but Venerable Lady Meishan certainly knew which bloodline was more suitable for her. "In that case, issue an order for it to come."

The status of demon soldiers on Mount Sankong was easily distinguishable by the number of antler patterns on their armor. At this moment, four demon generals, each bearing eight antler patterns on their bodies, were deliberating in a grand hall. Their rank was below one demon and above ten thousand, second only to Demon King Sankong.

"It's a complete mess outside, and I don't know what the Great King plans. We've been strictly forbidden from going out, just watching those treasured lands fall into other hands..."

Before he finished speaking, one of the female demon generals suddenly stood up and declared solemnly, "The Great King has summoned me!"

With that, she hastily left the grand hall and prostrated herself before the cave dwelling. "Your subordinate greets the Great King!" The stone door opened.

The demon general stood up and had just stepped inside when a wisp of gray mist suddenly flashed before her eyes. A cry of alarm rose in her heart. However, she never expected the Great King to ambush her. Utterly unprepared, she was pierced by the gray mist between her brows, and her body immediately stiffened, unable to move.

Immediately after, the demon general reverted to her true form, collapsing to the ground and transforming into a spirit deer. Unlike other spirit deer, it had a lock of red tassels on its head, giving it a remarkably spirited appearance. The spirit deer's body trembled slightly, and its expression struggled, but it soon calmed. When its eyes reopened, its gaze was completely different from before.

With a slightly weary nod to Qin Sang, Venerable Lady Meishan entered a chamber and began her secluded cultivation. Qin Sang knew that Venerable Lady Meishan's current seclusion would not be short.

His own cultivation was based on ancient methods, which prioritized the Dharma Idol. Even if his body was damaged, he could regenerate from a single drop of blood, and the impact on his strength was not significant. Venerable Lady Meishan, however, was different. Contemporary demon cultivators used their Dharma Idols to refine their physical bodies, so their foundation lay in the body itself. Not to mention the destruction of the physical body, even minor injuries like a severed arm would prevent them from reaching their previous power after regeneration; they would need a period of refinement to fully recover.

For Venerable Lady Meishan to possess a Nascent Soul stage deer demon, the time required would only be longer. However, once Venerable Lady Meishan recovered some of her strength, she would be able to operate under the identity of this deer demon.

Before Venerable Lady Meishan fully awakened, Qin Sang remained in charge of Mount Sankong, though no other demon cultivators attacked them. One day, Qin Sang detected someone activating the restrictions and saw Venerable Lady Meishan, who had emerged from seclusion.

Venerable Lady Meishan had not reverted to her previous appearance, maintaining the identity of this demon general, but her strength had partially recovered.

"Find a reason to go out and undergo your tribulation, then return and absorb Mount Sankong. Do not act rashly for now; wait for my instructions."

After giving her instructions, Qin Sang entrusted Mount Sankong to Venerable Lady Meishan and departed alone, returning to the northern shore of the Lotus Lake. He was not afraid of Venerable Lady Meishan's betrayal. Firstly, she had become his demon soldier. Secondly, they had both offended the Great Saint Guizang, making them allies bound by shared danger. Venerable Lady Meishan had nearly died at the hands of the Spirit-Weeping Guards, giving her a deep-seated hatred.

Upon returning to the northern shore, Qin Sang immediately sought out the Five Immortal Sect's outpost. Coincidentally, Chilian was not out and about; she was inside the sub-altar. Seeing Qin Sang, she asked curiously, "Where have you been? Why have there been no updates for so long?"

Qin Sang vaguely brushed off the question. Chilian didn't press further. She took out a mustard seed bag and tossed it to Qin Sang. "Here! This is the remuneration from the Three Flying Immortals."

"Has Moyan returned?" Qin Sang opened the mustard seed bag and glanced inside. The treasures were valuable, but they hardly surprised him anymore.

"I don't know," Chilian replied.

Chilian shook her head. "After the turmoil, I specifically went to visit Flying Immortal Islet but was turned away. They claimed to be in seclusion."

"That Moyan is no simple individual; he probably did make it back alive," Qin Sang said, taking out his jade token. "My contributions should be enough to exchange for some information now, shouldn't they?"

As he wished, Qin Sang obtained intelligence from the Five Immortal Sect. After reading it, a look of shock flashed in his eyes. Chilian seemed to have been waiting to see his reaction, and upon seeing it, she chuckled. "What, are you scared?"

"Are these reports true?" Qin Sang asked in a deep, serious voice. According to intelligence gathered by the Five Immortal Sect, counting the Four Kings' alliance meeting, there had been three rumored clashes involving demon saints in the Lotus Lake within a short period.

The Four Kings' alliance meeting was actually the second incident, and the most devastating.

"Could it have been the same two individuals all along?" Qin Sang still held a glimmer of hope.

If so many demon saints were appearing in the Lotus Lake, he absolutely could not venture south at this time.

"Thanks to you, my current status isn't even as high as yours, so I can't see that kind of intelligence. But I trust that those above aren't fools; they can certainly distinguish whether the perpetrators were the same or not," Chilian said, spreading her hands.