Translator: AnubisTL
"How intriguing," he mused. "I never imagined my first encounter in this desolate demon realm would be with a group of human cultivators rather than some great demon."
Li Qing casually extended his divine sense, immediately discerning the cultivators' cultivation levels.
Three core formation realm cultivators led the group, accompanied by four younger foundation establishment realm cultivators.
This formation would be considered quite formidable among ordinary sects, but in the demon realm, where great demons roamed freely, it was woefully inadequate.
"Brother Dong," a young female cultivator in the foundation establishment realm exclaimed excitedly, her face flushed with anticipation. "I've heard the demon realm is fraught with danger, but it's also teeming with rare treasures! If we can make a significant haul here, it'll become a legendary tale back home!"
The man addressed as Brother Dong replied calmly, "While it's true that many demon beasts were wounded and weakened during the recent demonic cataclysm, leaving them vulnerable, we mustn't let our guard down."
The core formation realm elder leading the way immediately praised, "Well said! Among you four, Dong Cheng remains the most composed. This journey to the demon realm is no child's play. If not for that extraordinary Spirit Pool, which can lay a Peerless Dao Foundation and provide a solid foundation for core formation, I would never have brought you here."
Another elder in the mid Core Formation Realm nodded in agreement. "Indeed. This realm is ruled by more than one tyrannical demon king. If we encounter them, we must annihilate them all. We cannot act rashly."
"Remember this well: we came for the Spirit Pool, not to hunt demons for their inner cores. Unless we encounter severely wounded third-tier demonic beasts, we must not engage them lightly."
"..."
Listening to the elders' earnest warnings, the four juniors nodded repeatedly, vowing to keep their words firmly in mind.
Hidden nearby, Li Qing used his powerful divine sense to overhear their entire conversation.
He soon lost interest and shook his head. "So they're here seeking opportunities? How reckless! Daring to venture into the demon realm with only a few core formation realm cultivators leading the way."
As Li Qing spoke, he completely forgot that he himself had once escaped the tiger's mouth of this realm with only a core formation realm cultivation base.
But the situation was vastly different now. His cultivation had advanced significantly, and he possessed numerous protective measures. Even if he encountered a Fifth-Tier Great Demon King, he was confident in preserving his life.
He paid no further attention to the cultivators, nor did he take much interest in the strange Spirit Pool they mentioned. He assumed it was merely a pool with miraculous effects for foundation establishment cultivators.
As for establishing a Peerless Dao Foundation, he had long since surpassed that stage.
The demon realm, ravaged by the demonic cataclysm, was indeed a shadow of its former glory.
After flying for a considerable distance, Li Qing hadn't encountered any noteworthy demon beasts. The strongest among them was a third-tier Unicorn Deer, bearing visible wounds.
He refrained from exploiting his superior strength to hunt demons for their inner cores. By now, neither third-tier demon beast inner cores nor their corpses held much value for him.
His current objective was singular: to locate the demon realm's mass burial grounds for demonic race corpses, where he could refine essence blood to nourish himself.
Thus, Li Qing traversed vast primeval forests, scaled treacherous mountain ranges, and crossed expansive lakes and swamps.
Finally, deep within a great marsh, he spotted a colossal python, its scales as black as night.
The serpent's body was supple and sinuous, its cold, vertical pupils locked intently on Li Qing.
"Oh? A fourth-tier earth nether python?" Li Qing halted, his gaze fixed on the first intelligent being he had encountered in the demon realm after many days.
This earth nether python, its body entirely covered in jet-black scales, possessed formidable strength. As a fourth-tier demon king, it was likely a renowned figure within the demon realm.
The Nether Python King slowly coiled herself, her gaze shifting between Li Qing, the black-robed figure trailing closely behind him, and back to Li Qing again.
She sensed an overwhelming threat emanating from Li Qing, realizing that this tall, upright human could easily take her life.
"Human," the Nether Python King hissed in a cold, mature female voice, "you have trespassed into the territory of the Nether Python Clan. What is your purpose?"
Li Qing clasped his hands behind his back and chuckled, "Fellow Daoist Earth Nether Python, there's no need to be nervous. This Li comes with no ill intentions. I merely seek someone to converse with and learn about the current state of affairs in the demon realm."
Sensing Li Qing's genuine lack of malice, the fourth-tier Earth Nether Python transformed. Its massive body twisted and contorted before shifting into human form.
The python's human form was that of a mature, beautiful woman clad in a black dress. Her figure was graceful and alluring, her demeanor somewhat aloof yet radiating a unique charm.
She glided through the air, her shapely legs moving beneath the black dress, her cold, dark eyes meeting Li Qing's gaze.
Inscrutable!
This was the Nether Python King's sole thought. The human before her possessed a terrifyingly profound level of power. Even if he hadn't reached the Divine Transformation stage, he was likely not far from it.
Seeing this, Li Qing smiled and cupped his fist in greeting. "My daoist name is Limitless!"
The Nether Python King pondered for a moment before offering a name with a distinctly human flair: "Leng You."
"Ah, so you're Fellow Daoist Leng You! It's an honor to finally meet you!"
"I came to the demon realm to learn which demon kings currently rule here," Li Qing said.
His words immediately put Leng You on guard. Although the various demon clans had always been at odds, they remained united against outsiders like the human race and the sea clan, never betraying their own kind. Li Qing's obvious attempt to probe the demon realm's strength only deepened her unease.
"Fellow Daoist Limitless, why do you ask such questions?" Leng You said, her black lips parting slightly. "Could it be that the humans from the outer domain are planning a major offensive against our demon realm?"
Seeing her wary expression, Li Qing chuckled wryly. "My apologies for being so abrupt! I simply wanted to know how my old friends from the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm are faringβwhether any have achieved transformation into kings."
"For example, Bai Xing, who inherited the Nine-Headed Lion King's inheritance. After all these years, his strength must have grown considerably, wouldn't you agree?"
Leng You's pitch-black pupils flickered with visible shock.
Due to the demonic cataclysm and various other reasons, the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm hadn't been opened in a long time. The last time it had been accessed was when Li Qing entered it.
Leng You exclaimed in shock, "You're the human who invaded the ancestral land last time? How is that possible? When you escaped the secret realm, you were only at the late-stage core formation realm!"
So, the commotion I caused back then really did spread throughout the demon realm, Li Qing thought, rubbing his nose. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow and said, "If no other human has entered the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm in recent years, then the human you speak of must be me!"
Leng You's mind raced with possibilities. As a demon king of the demon realm, she possessed extensive intelligence networks.
For instance, the Black Crocodile King and Golden Bear King, who had been missing for a long time and were presumed dead, had reportedly left the demon realm to avenge their son's death.
Leng You had assumed these two arrogant demon kings had fallen prey to powerful ancient demons in the outer domain. Now, it seemed more likely they had perished at the hands of this human before her.
"I see," Leng You said. "Fellow Daoist Limitless mentioned Bai Xing. He has indeed undergone transformation and claimed the title of White King in the Hundred Beasts Wasteland. However, he suffered severe injuries during the demonic cataclysm."
A majestic white lion instantly flashed through Li Qing's mind, and a knowing smile crept across his lips.
During his exploration of the Myriad Beasts Secret Realm, Li Qing had befriended several other demon races, including the Terrorclaw Lizard, the Bone Demon Wolf, and the Mountain Ridge Giant Elephant.
Li Qing planned to get a clear explanation from Leng You before searching for the demon realm's central disposal site for demonic corpses.
The flesh and blood of ancient demons were saturated with primordial demonic qi, a deadly poison to all living beings in the Human Realm.
He refused to believe the demon realm's demon races would simply ignore these corpses.
(End of the Chapter)
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