Chapter 836: Leopard Demon

A demonic beast siege encircled Yuheng Island, transforming the surrounding area into a demonic beast haven.

Strangely, this situation had persisted for over three months. The demonic beasts maintained their siege, neither attacking nor withdrawing. Yet, the cultivators on the island felt no relief. As time passed, more and more demonic beasts continuously gathered, reaching an astonishing number and occupying a vast expanse of sea around Yuheng Island.

Initially, out of caution, the cultivators on the island did not launch an offensive, adopting a defensive strategy. According to common practice, if demonic beasts couldn't break through the island's protective formation, they would usually leave within a few days. However, by the time they realized something was amiss, it was too late. Being trapped by so many demonic beasts made it impossible for anyone to feel at ease.

At this moment, on the outer perimeter of the beast horde, a group of demonic beasts formed a circle. Within it were several visibly unusual greater demonic beasts. One was a fish demon with four limbs, its skin as white and tender as a baby's. Another was an extraordinary crane, its feathers like snow, its eyes defiant and disdainful.

Among them, a leopard demon was the most striking. Its appearance was peculiar, with no fur, but covered in fine scales, and a sharp horn on its forehead, making it exceptionally majestic. Their eyes were clear and lively, indicating extremely high intelligence, clearly differentiating them from the surrounding demonic beasts.

Astonishingly, these few demonic beasts could speak and communicate smoothly, yet they were clearly not greater demons in their true human forms. There was only one explanation: these demonic beasts had all consumed the precious Emperor's Dew, enabling them to awaken their intelligence prematurely. Since Emperor's Dew only appeared when demonic beasts transformed into human form, did these demonic beasts each have a transformed greater demon behind them?

Some of them were on the water, others floated in the air. The other demonic beasts were extremely fearful of them, and the vicinity was silent. Inside, sounds of argument could be heard; it seemed the leopard demon was confronting the other greater demons alone.

"I give you two months to gather all your subordinates and attack this island. Those who disobey will be killed!" the leopard demon roared, issuing its command, its gaze cold and intimidating towards the other demonic beasts.

The other demonic beasts exchanged glances, some showing displeasure. Their cultivation was no less than the leopard demon's; they merely feared its identity, not being overly intimidated by it.

The crane demon snorted, its voice sharp. "The King commanded me to lead my subordinates to harass the humans, keeping them busy and diverting their attention. He didn't say we should forcefully attack a human stronghold, especially a large island with a Nascent Soul human cultivator! The King isn't here, who knows how much blood of our young we'd have to shed to break through the island's protective formation, and even if we succeed, what then? If a human Nascent Soul wants to escape, he cannot be stopped. If he finds an opportunity, killing one or two of us wouldn't be difficult!"

The other demonic beasts immediately agreed, stating that their respective Kings had given similar orders, and none wished to risk following the leopard demon. They tried to use the transformed greater demons' orders to suppress the leopard demon, but it scoffed, coldly saying, "I am here on the orders of the Flood Dragon King. Even your Kings must obey the commands of our Flood Dragon clan. Anyone who dares to defy my orders is opposing our Flood Dragon clan! I'd like to see how many heads you have!"

The leopard demon, born with a leopard's body, repeatedly claimed to be of the Flood Dragon clan, which seemed comical, yet no demonic beast dared to mock it. Given the unique scales and horn on its body, so different from other leopard demons, it might indeed possess Flood Dragon bloodline.

Upon hearing the leopard demon's words, the other greater demons' breathing hitched. They exchanged glances, their imposing aura instinctively weakening. While they suspected this leopard might be bluffing, the pressure from the Flood Dragon clan was simply too immense. Moreover, part of what the leopard demon said was true: their own Kings would not dare to oppose the Flood Dragon clan.

"This..." the fish demon said weakly, "The King said this matter is of great importance. It is a plan orchestrated by the Flood Dragon King, who has contacted various clans, almost using half the power of the demonic sea. If we act on our own and the cultivators discover the King is absent, it might jeopardize the Flood Dragon King's grand plan..."

Seeing the other greater demons falter, the leopard demon became smug, its tone softening slightly. "How can just our single location affect such a grand plan? Besides, aren't we also restraining and paralyzing the cultivators this way? My goal is not to annihilate them, but to find a specific person. This person is very important to our Flood Dragon clan, having committed a grave crime that angered the Flood Dragon King. He is someone the Flood Dragon King once explicitly ordered to be killed. Remember his aura. Once you sense it, kill him at all costs! Eliminating him will be a great achievement!"

The person the leopard demon spoke of was Qin Sang. That day, Qin Sang was quick-witted, decisively escaping. The Flood Dragon King pursued him all the way but couldn't catch him, yet remembered Qin Sang's aura.

"Also, if you see anyone using a magical artifact of this shape, it must be this person..." The leopard demon extended a front claw into the water, and a water curtain rose, forming the illusion of a snail shell covered in speckles. The snail shell illusion was remarkably similar to Qin Sang's Star Conch, sharing seven or eight parts of its appearance.

The demons silently memorized the shape of the snail shell illusion, seemingly unaware of the unique properties of the Star Conch. Afterward, the demons dispersed, vanishing into the depths of the demonic sea to mobilize their troops.

Having achieved its goal, the leopard demon looked at the retreating figures of the other demonic beasts, a cunning glint in its eyes. When it turned back to Yuheng Island, its gaze became greedy.

A somber atmosphere hung over Yuheng Island. Every time the cultivators on the island saw the sky-obscuring demonic energy and dark clouds, they were filled with intense worry, their eyes showing fear. Qin Sang led a team of Foundation Establishment cultivators, carrying out vigilance and patrol duties. As night fell, their patrol finally concluded, allowing for a short rest.

Qin Sang returned to his temporary cave dwelling, where he was surprised to find Lady Liu and Jin Ying. After eliminating Xiang Yi, Jin Ying's attitude towards Qin Sang had become more respectful. Although Lady Liu had sworn not to reveal the details of the battle, Jin Ying's intelligence allowed her to infer some of the events.

"When did you two arrive, fellow Daoists? Has something important happened?" Qin Sang invited the two women to sit. They also had duties to perform, and had barely managed to find time for cultivation, rarely seeing each other these days.

"Can't we visit you, Daoist priest, unless something important happens?" With her enemy defeated, Lady Liu had finally emerged from her shadow.

After a brief laugh, Lady Liu's smile faded as she revealed a surprising piece of news: "The Island Master is considering abandoning the island and breaking through the siege!"

Qin Sang was startled and looked at Jin Ying. Jin Ying's expression was equally solemn, and she nodded emphatically. The news had come to Jin Ying through the Nine Stars Association, from the Chamber of Commerce.

"Has the situation become this serious?" Qin Sang found it somewhat hard to believe. Abandoning the island not only meant the Island Master would give up a foundation built over centuries, but also sacrifice the lives of most cultivators on the island! How many could survive without the island's protective formation?

Jin Ying said gravely, "The Chamber of Commerce only found out today. The Island Master's contact with the outside world has been cut off; no news can get in or out. It's truly an isolated island now. Two days ago, a large contingent of demonic beasts gathered again, in astonishing numbers, and they seem to be stirring, not just bluffing. It's possible they're about to launch an attack."