Take Xu Chang'an, for example. He was just an ordinary Grey Rat, not even qualifying for the most common Inferior Bloodline.
By all rights, someone with his Bloodline aptitude should never have been able to become a Demon.
However, with the aid of his panel, the impossible naturally became possible.
But even so, his innate talent was far weaker than other members of the Demon Race who possessed powerful Bloodlines.
At the same Qi Refining First Layer, his combat power and lifespan were vastly inferior to others.
Forget Bai Yuhu—he was far weaker than even that Bear Demon with an Inferior Bloodline.
His lifespan was a mere 12 years, while the Bear Demon had a full 60 years.
And that was to say nothing of Bai Yuhu, with her 150-year lifespan.
'Weak talent, short lifespan, slow cultivation speed... how could I possibly compete with them!?'
For this very reason, members of the Demon Race with superior Bloodlines were highly coveted by all the major powers.
Take Bai Yuhu's position in this very group, for instance.
Even the Black Chicken Spirit—the self-proclaimed Mountain Patrol Envoy of Red Cloud Mountain and a mighty expert at the Qi Refining Sixth Layer—was exceptionally protective of her.
If Bai Yuhu successfully joined Red Cloud Mountain, it would undoubtedly be a great merit for the Black Chicken Spirit!
Within the group, Bai Yuhu's aptitude was the highest, followed by a Striped Tiger Demon with a Middle-class Bloodline.
The rest all had Low Class or Inferior Bloodlines.
As for Xu Chang'an, his Bloodline aptitude ranked at the very bottom of the group.
However, for some unknown reason, Bai Yuhu had actually taken the initiative to speak with him.
'By all rights, shouldn't a Demon of her stature be incredibly arrogant?'
"I was just lucky enough to become a Demon on the outskirts of Cyan Mountain. I don't come to its core often."
Xu Chang'an replied evasively.
He had just begun cultivating anew; he had no strength, foundation, or deep reserves to speak of. He wanted nothing to do with Bai Yuhu.
He was well aware that many of the male Demons in the group coveted Bai Yuhu.
Forget the Demon Race—even members of the Human Race coveted the likes of Bai Yuhu.
Rumor had it that if a member of the Bai Yuhu clan could take human form, they would possess otherworldly beauty!
For a member of the Demon Race to truly take human form, they had to reach the Demon King Realm at minimum!
However, quite a few members of the Demon Race possessed Techniques that allowed them to achieve an Illusory Transformation into human form ahead of schedule.
Like the Bai Yuhu, for instance!
Whether they transformed into humans or not was actually irrelevant.
'After all, we're all from the Demon Race. Who cares about some human form!'
"Little mouse, from the look of your Bloodline, it can't be very strong. You must have endured many hardships to succeed in Becoming a Demon."
Bai Yuhu asked, feigning nonchalance.
Xu Chang'an grew wary, but he kept his expression neutral as he replied.
"That's right. I went through a great deal."
Bai Yuhu seemed to have more to say, but fortunately, a "savior" arrived.
It was the large Striped Tiger with the Middle-class Bloodline.
Xu Chang'an breathed a small sigh of relief.
"Little mouse, judging by your physique and fur, you must have an Inferior aptitude at best. It's already a great blessing that you managed to become a Demon. You'd best not get any ideas about things beyond your station."
The Tiger Demon strode over to Xu Chang'an and Bai Yuhu, his voice low and threatening.
Xu Chang'an glanced at the Tiger Demon, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"With my aptitude, managing to become a Demon is indeed a great blessing."
The Tiger Demon's sudden intrusion made the atmosphere between the three of them tense and unnatural.
Many of the other Demons in the group were secretly watching them.
It was common knowledge among the Demons that the Tiger Demon was pursuing Bai Yuhu.
In the eyes of the other Demons, Bai Yuhu's sudden approach to Xu Chang'an was likely an attempt to use him as a shield against the Tiger Demon.
Both Bai Yuhu and the Tiger Demon had Middle-class Bloodlines.
With the little mouse's aptitude, he was sure to become a casualty in their conflict.
"He doesn't even have an Inferior aptitude. He's just an ordinary Grey Rat."
For some reason, the Black Chicken Spirit, Red Cloud Mountain's Mountain Patrol Envoy, called out from the head of the line, joining the conversation.
"An ordinary Grey Rat, an unranked aptitude!"
Bai Yuhu was slightly surprised. That was even lower than she had imagined.
'To force one's way into Becoming a Demon with an unranked Bloodline aptitude... the difficulty is hard to imagine. This little mouse's willpower must be incredibly resilient!'
The Striped Tiger Demon was also surprised for a moment, but he quickly dismissed it.
'He already looked down on an Inferior Bloodline, let alone an unranked one!'
Thanks to the Black Chicken Spirit's comment, the tense atmosphere between the three demons dissipated.
After a few more perfunctory exchanges, Bai Yuhu moved away.
The Striped Tiger Demon shot Xu Chang'an a deep, meaningful look before also returning to his original spot.
Xu Chang'an paid it no mind.
'We're all Demons at the Qi Refining First Layer. Even though my Bloodline talent is far worse, with the memories and experience from my past life, I wouldn't be the least bit afraid in a real life-or-death fight.'
The only one in the group he was wary of was the Black Chicken Spirit leading the way.
'With his Qi Refining Sixth Layer Cultivation, on top of his unfathomable Guarding Methods, I'm probably not his match.'
The Demon Race, just like the Human Race, cultivates the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
The Qi Refining Dao is the path of converting Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi for one's own use.
There is no fundamental difference between the first and third layers of Qi Refining.
But upon breaking through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, one enters a completely different state of being.
The Realms from the Qi Refining Fourth Layer to the Sixth Layer are collectively known as Mid-stage Qi Refining. Upon entering this stage, one's lifespan undergoes a transformation.
Cyan Mountain was a great distance from Red Cloud Mountain. According to the Black Chicken Spirit, at their current pace, it would take several months to reach their destination.
'Xu Chang'an made a rough calculation. Because the Black Chicken Spirit was busy recruiting Little Demons along the way, their traveling speed wasn't fast.'
Still, with their demon physiques, they could cover well over a hundred miles a day.
'A journey of several months... just how far away from Red Cloud Mountain are we...'
Along the way, they would occasionally discover some medicinal herbs.
Some were common, others relatively rare.
No Spiritual Items were discovered, however.
Whenever he spotted a suitable herb, Xu Chang'an would devour it without the slightest hesitation.
This behavior made him an object of ridicule among the other Demons.
Aside from Spiritual Items, ordinary medicinal herbs were useless to members of the Demon Race unless they were incredibly ancient and rare.
They didn't have a panel like Xu Chang'an did.
Because of his actions, Xu Chang'an earned the nickname "Gluttonous Rat."
Other than the day Bai Yuhu had approached him, the journey was smooth and uneventful.
Between the Black Chicken Spirit's Qi Refining Sixth Layer Cultivation and the sterling reputation of Red Cloud Mountain, no reckless Little Demon dared to cause trouble.
The journey proceeded smoothly, and the number of Demons in the Black Chicken Spirit's contingent gradually grew.
From the dozen or so members of the Demon Race present when Xu Chang'an joined, the group had swelled to over fifty Demons by the time they neared Red Cloud Mountain.
"Everyone, we have arrived at the foot of Red Cloud Mountain!"
The Black Chicken Spirit looked exhilarated to have finally reached their destination.
He turned and walked toward the base of a massive boulder where several other Demons were standing.
The Black Chicken Spirit walked up to a Boar Demon, pointed toward the assembled group, and began speaking.
There seemed to be a dispute, but in the end, it appeared the Black Chicken Spirit was the one to back down.
Then, Xu Chang'an clearly saw the Boar Demon toss a bulging black bag to him.
Once the Black Chicken Spirit put the bag away, Xu Chang'an thought that was the end of it.
He hadn't expected the Black Chicken Spirit to return and call several more Demons over.
Bai Yuhu, the Striped Tiger, the Cyan Wolf Demon...
He called six Demons over in total.
These were all the Demons in the group who possessed a Middle-class Bloodline.