Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Great Demon Ox Demon

The Southern Mang Mountains.

A resplendent golden palace sat nestled among the peaks, surrounded by picturesque mountain scenery of exceptional beauty.

Inside the grand hall, the host was feasting his guests. The tables were laden with wine and meat, and the atmosphere was lively.

The master of the hall was a Cow Demon. Although he had cultivated a human form, he had kept the two large horns on his head.

He was burly and immense, with a powerful and imposing aura. He was, in fact, a member of the Demon Race at the Life Talisman Realm!

The other guests in the hall were also all Demon Cultivators, their bodies surging with demonic energy.

Everyone was toasting one another, feasting heartily, and talking loudly, creating a boisterous scene.

Suddenly!

A vast and surging demonic intent abruptly appeared within the Divine Sense of all the Demon Cultivators, and the entire hall fell silent in an instant.

Every demon’s gaze turned to the entrance of the hall.

There, a young scholar stood outside the door with a smile, calling out, "Brother Niu, it’s been several years. Do you still remember your younger brother?"

The Ox Demon frowned and asked, "Younger Brother Ren? What are you doing in the Southern Mang Mountains instead of staying in Netherworld Valley?"

The scholar smiled. "I was just passing through on business and saw you were holding a banquet, Brother. I came especially to beg a cup of wine."

The Ox Demon pointed at the scholar and cursed with a laugh, "You rascal, you must have caused trouble again and gotten kicked out by your master. Come, find a seat for Younger Brother Ren!"

Immediately, a few demons came forward, set up another wine table, and placed wine and meat upon it.

The scholar strolled leisurely into the hall. After taking his seat, he looked around and began greeting the various demons as if they were old friends.

He then said with a laugh, "Everyone, we’re just drinking and eating. Why are there no beauties to liven things up?"

One of the demons at the feast sneered, "Our Demon Race banquets don’t go in for those customs of your Human Race!"

The scholar paid him no mind. He cheerfully picked up a wine jug, took a swig, and nodded in satisfaction. After setting it down, he lightly slapped the table.

A stream of wine flew out of the jug, split into seven streams in mid-air, and then burst into radiant light as it touched the floor. Instantly, it transformed into seven palace maidens in snow-white silk dresses, who began to dance gracefully in the hall.

These seven maidens were all incomparably beautiful, with enchanting and graceful figures. As they danced, their long, snow-white legs would occasionally peek into view, a breathtaking sight.

Furthermore, the music of strings and pipes sounded from the void, accompanying the maidens’ dance.

The assembled demons had never seen such an Illusion Technique before and were all stunned into a daze.

The Ox Demon roared with laughter and raised his cup. "Younger Brother, you still know how to put on a show!"

"You flatter me, Brother!" The scholar raised his cup in return. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The other demons also shed their disdain and began toasting the scholar one after another. The atmosphere grew even more lively than before.

Before long, the scholar was calling the demons his brothers, drinking until his face was flushed.

After three rounds of drinks, the Ox Demon suddenly asked, "Younger Brother Ren, what business brings you to the Southern Mang this time? If you need your old brother’s help, just say the word!"

The scholar’s eyes shifted. He put down his cup and said happily, "Brother, you are known as one of the thirteen Great Demons of the Southern Mang. If I could have your help, I would be overjoyed!"

The Ox Demon smiled faintly and shook his head. "The thirteen Great Demons is the old way of putting it. Now, there are only twelve."

"Oh? Which Great Demon has fallen?" the scholar asked in surprise.

The Ox Demon gave a dry laugh. "He hasn’t fallen. Rather, my master’s Cultivation has reached a new height. He broke through to the Life Soul Realm and is now honored by us all as the Demon King!"

A glint appeared in the scholar’s eyes as he said joyfully, "Such a joyous occasion! Then I must properly congratulate you, Brother!"

The other demons all clamored, "That’s right! Boss Niu’s master has become a Demon King! He’s bound for greatness! Boss, don’t forget about us poor brothers!"

The Ox Demon said magnanimously, "Don’t you worry, everyone! I, Ox Demon, have always valued loyalty. With my master looking out for us, just follow me, and you’ll all live well!"

The demons clamored again, "We’ve long heard that the Abyssal Marsh is incredibly rich, but it’s been occupied by the Yinluo Sect for over five thousand years! Now that our Demon Race has a Demon King, we certainly won’t be afraid of the Yinluo Sect anymore!"

"When the time comes, we’ll go to the Abyssal Marsh, seize their Spirit Veins, and then find some fresh, tasty Female Cultivators to have some fun with."

The Ox Demon raised his hand, and the hall instantly quieted. The Great Demon continued, "My master has the same intention. However, the Yinluo Sect has dominated the Daze for five thousand years and has a deep foundation. In contrast, we Southern Mang Demons are like a tray of loose sand. If we fight them like this, we will surely be defeated!"

"Therefore, my master intends to establish an earthly Demon Country, become the Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Mang Demons, and gather the strength of all demons to have a final showdown with the Yinluo Sect."

"In the future, all who render meritorious service to the Demon Country will be able to enjoy themselves freely in the Abyssal Marsh!"

The demons immediately slammed their hands on the tables and cheered.

The scholar stood up and said with a smile, "Brother Niu, I have an opportunity for a great service right here. If you seize it, the Demon King will surely be delighted and will rely on you even more in the future. In the Demon Country to come, you, Brother, could very well become a figure second only to one and above all others."

The demons asked curiously, "Brother Ren, what is this great service? Tell us quickly!"

The scholar scanned the crowd of demons and smiled. "Everyone, a few days ago, I fought with several Cultivators from the Yinluo Sect. Unfortunately, they managed to escape. If we could capture the Inner Sect Elder and the True Disciple among them and present them to the Demon King, wouldn’t that outshine the other eleven Great Demons?"

The Ox Demon and his master had both originally been among the thirteen Great Demons of the Southern Mang Mountains.

His master had been cultivating for a long time and had long since reached the peak of the Life Talisman Realm. Not long ago, through a stroke of luck, he had boldly broken through and become a Life Soul Realm Demon King—an extremely rare occurrence in the entire history of the Southern Mang Mountains.

The Ox Demon himself was also exceptionally talented. He had reached the Mid-Life Talisman Stage more than thirty years ago. Among the Southern Mang Demons, his reputation was formidable, and he controlled a major Demon Race faction.

After hearing the scholar’s words, the Ox Demon mused, "It would indeed be a great service, but... an Inner Sect Elder and a True Disciple of the Yinluo Sect are not to be trifled with!"

The scholar said lightly, "Rest assured, Brother. I’ve already schemed to have them seriously injured. Right now, they’re fleeing toward the Abyssal Marsh. They can’t even beat me in their current state, let alone you, Brother."

The Ox Demon’s eyes darted about as he thought to himself:

’From what I know of Ren Yan, I can only trust half of what he says at most. But I have the Ice Thunder my master bestowed upon me. With it, I could probably even fight a Peak Master from the Yinluo Sect...’

’My master has long had the idea of making a move against the Yinluo Sect; it’s just that the time hasn’t been right. If I capture these two beforehand, I’ll definitely be able to provide my master with a great deal of useful intelligence.’

’If I achieve this service, I’ll be able to stand out in the competition among the twelve Great Demons. In the future, my master might even teach me the method to break through to the Life Soul Realm...’

Seeing that the Ox Demon was tempted, Ren Yan added, "Brother, you know my strength. If we work together, it’ll be a sure thing. Afterward, you just need to give me one of the Yinluo Sect’s Female Cultivators."

The Ox Demon’s eyes flickered, and he nodded. "Younger Brother Ren, your Demon Skill is formidable. I’m well aware of that."

"Then what are you hesitating for, Brother?" Ren Yan smiled, his voice laced with temptation.

The Ox Demon let out a great laugh, rose to his feet, and declared, "Let’s do it!"

"Who’s willing to come with me to capture those Yinluo Sect Cultivators?!"

The demons in the hall all smashed their cups and roared their agreement.

...