https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-759-Opening-of-the-Demon-Valley-End-of-Chapter-/12543523/
Chapter 758: Night of the Demons
Chapter 758: Night of the Demons
As the sun set, night fell upon the land.
Mount Refine Demon shed the day's lingering hues, transitioning from the clarity of daylight to a somber and oppressive ambiance.
The evening breeze was chilling, and creatures slithered on the ground while occasional growls of demon beasts echoed in the darkness, hinting at unseen dangers lurking in the night.
Fortunately, Xun Ziyou had reached the later stages of the Golden Core realm.
Mo Hua followed closely behind him, and their journey thus far had been uneventful.
Using their agile movement techniques, they navigated through the darkness, arriving once more at the heart of the dense forest, where the blood-stained stream flowed and a beach of bones lay.
It was just past sunset, and the moonlight, cold as ice, bathed the beach of bones in an eerie glow, accentuating the bone-chilling atmosphere.
Yet, there was still no sign of any Demon Cultivators nearby.
The two decided to wait.
Time ticked by slowly, and it was only at midnight that a sudden gust of demonic wind brought with it a strong scent of blood.
Perched atop a tree, Mo Hua looked down and saw, through the veil of the divine formation, several gloomy silhouettes emerging from the depths of the forest.
These figures, shrouded in black robes, seemed part human and part demon. Some stood upright on two legs, while others crawled on all fours. They had gathered on the periphery of the bone-strewn beach, their forms reminiscent of evil spirits crawling out of hell, striking fear into the hearts of onlookers.
After a while, another group of Demon Cultivators arrived.
Some dragged, others carried, and some even shouldered bloodied corpses or limbs of demon beasts, freshly hunted.
They casually tossed these remains onto the beach of bones.
A group of Demon Cultivators then settled by the stream, tearing into the flesh of the demon beasts with their teeth, creating a gruesome and bloody scene.
Xun Ziyou felt a wave of discomfort wash over him, and he turned to glance at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua's expression remained unchanged, as if he had expected this scene or perhaps had grown accustomed to such sights.
Xun Ziyou was astonished.
This child… how could he be so calm?
Could it be that he had witnessed even more bloody and cruel scenes, or perhaps ones even more akin to a "demon's revelry"?
Just as Xun Ziyou was pondering this, he suddenly sensed movement from the Taikoo Token and immersed his spiritual sense within it to find Mo Hua sending him a message:
"Elder Xun, let's change locations. We can eavesdrop from there."
Xun Ziyou was taken aback but quickly recovered, nodding at Mo Hua, who had subtly gestured towards another spot.
There was a taller tree nearby, and beneath it stood three Demon Cultivators. They seemed to have eaten their fill and had reverted to their human forms, clad in black robes, deep in conversation.
Xun Ziyou hesitated.
This child… it seemed that this wasn't his first time eavesdropping.
From the looks of it, he might even be a "veteran" at it…
Xun Ziyou sighed and nodded again.
The two carefully and quietly made their way from their current perch to a branch on the other tree.
As soon as they settled, husky voices drifted up from below.
"Disgusting…"
"Demon beast meat is too tough and dry. Chewing it is exhausting."
A Demon Cultivator was still chewing something, his voice as deep as a ferocious beast's. "If only we had human meat. Human meat is tender…"
"Dream on," another scoffed. "There are only sect disciples in Mount Refine Demon. How are we supposed to eat them?"
"It's not impossible. We just have to be discreet… I took advantage of an opportunity before. There was a disciple from an unknown sect who got lost in the forest. I killed him, tore him to pieces, and devoured him alive. His flesh was indeed much more delicious than demon beast meat, and his bones were much crispier…"
"The young master told us to keep a low profile," a Demon Cultivator admonished. "Don't cause any more trouble."
"It's fine. There's no one around, and no one will know how he died."
Amidst the commotion, another voice piped up, "What a waste. It would be nice to have female disciples. Their flesh is even more tender…"
One of the Demon Cultivators cursed, "You motherfcker, do you want to eat them or fck them?"
A sinister, grating laugh echoed, "It's the same if we play with them to death before eating them…"
Xun Ziyou's heart was filled with murderous intent upon hearing this.
Mo Hua quickly tugged at his sleeve.
Xun Ziyou paused, gritting his teeth as he forcibly suppressed the killing intent that had surged within him.
The Demon Cultivators below continued their conversation in low, grim tones.
"True. I've been hiding in the mountains, eating demon meat and drinking demon blood, living like a demon beast. I'm starting to forget that I'm human…"
"… We've been trapped here for too long. If we don't find a way to release some of this tension and reconnect with our humanity, we'll become no different from those demon beasts."
"It's useless."
One of the Demon Cultivators let out a cold laugh. "From the moment you started cultivating demon techniques, your humanity began to erode. Nothing can change that."
"What about women?" He snorted derisively. "It won't be long before even the most beautiful woman appears as nothing more than a piece of raw meat in your eyes."
"All you'll think about is how to flay and devour her. You won't have any other desires."
Another Demon Cultivator cursed, "You motherfcker, you've fallen too deep into the demon path."
"Fcking mood killer…"
"Ignore him. He's been cultivating demon techniques for a hundred years. He probably doesn't even remember how to write the character for 'human' anymore."
The original speaker coldly laughed and said indifferently, "Wait until you've cultivated for a hundred years, and you'll know I'm right."
"Humans are just another type of demon beast. Male or female, beautiful or ugly, they're all just rotten meat. As long as it can be eaten, who cares…"
The Demon Cultivators continued discussing this topic for a while longer.
Soon, several other Demon Cultivators joined the group, and the conversation became more chaotic and varied.
Mo Hua struggled to follow the chaotic exchange.
After an unknown amount of time, one of the Demon Cultivators finally mentioned a term that piqued Mo Hua's interest.
"Ten Thousand Demon Valley…"
A relatively young voice, still retaining some emotion, spoke with a heavy tone, indicating that the speaker had not fully transformed into a demon and still retained some of his humanity: "In two days, we will enter the Ten Thousand Demon Valley. For a year, we won't be able to come out and 'hunt' freely."
"If you perform well in the valley, you might be released early to get some fresh air."
"That's true, but the valley is too suffocating. It's bloody and stinks to high heaven. Every day feels like a year."
"Alright," an impatient Demon Cultivator interrupted. "Stop complaining. Let's not talk about the valley anymore."
"'Young Master' bestowed upon us the demon techniques and demon marks. We should do our best to serve him."
Mo Hua, eavesdropping from the tree, raised an eyebrow at this.
Young Master?
Which young master were they referring to?
And there was something odd about it…
After this statement, the other Demon Cultivators fell silent.
Even those who remained silent seemed to emanate a sense of anger and resentment, which Mo Hua could sense through their spiritual sense…
"Something's not right…"
Mo Hua's eyes narrowed slightly.
Mo Hua listened intently for a long time, piecing together crucial information from the fragmented sentences and making educated guesses.
From what he gathered, within the land of Blood Creek and the White Bone Beach, there existed a place called the Ten Thousand Demon Valley.
This valley served as the lair for all the Demon Cultivators.
The entrance to the valley was usually sealed shut, heavily guarded, and only opened once a month.
Countless Demon Cultivators resided within, taking turns venturing outside in batches to "hunt" in Mount Refine Demon, which meant poaching demon beasts.
The poached demon beasts were then categorized and disposed of accordingly.
Some were devoured as food for the Demon Cultivators, their bones discarded on the White Bone Beach to fuel the array.
Others were captured alive and sent into the Ten Thousand Demon Valley, their purpose unknown...
As for the White Bone Beach, it was indeed inscribed with a sinister array.
However, Mo Hua could not discern the specifics of the array from the conversation.
Most of these Demon Cultivators were array blind, and even if they had some prior knowledge, consuming large quantities of demon meat had likely impaired their cognitive abilities. Thus, it was unlikely that any of them could provide meaningful insights into the array.
Nevertheless, Mo Hua managed to gather some clues.
According to one Demon Cultivator, who spoke with a grave tone, "Unless it is the sixteenth day of the month when the moon is full, the Ten Thousand Demon Valley remains closed, and the White Bone Path is revealed. No one, not any demon, is allowed to enter the depths of Blood Creek and approach the valley's entrance...
"Should anyone dare violate this taboo and trespass into the land of white bones, venturing too deep into Blood Creek, they will incur a curse that will drive them insane and lead to their death..."
The Demon Cultivator's words were somewhat incoherent.
Mo Hua, too, was only half-listening, but based on what he heard and his own cultivation experience, he could surmise that the measures employed in the land of white bones were likely related to some sort of sinister array involving evil spirits.
As for the specifics of the array...
As a proper array master, Mo Hua did not delve into such unorthodox methods, so he couldn't be sure.
By now, it was midnight.
The air was thick with the stench of blood and putrid creek, surrounded by the eerie presence of bones.
Above, the cold moonlight shone down, casting an even more chilling ambiance on the scene.
Mo Hua looked up, following the meandering creek with his eyes into the distance, where he sensed a sinister, blood-soaked, and profound aura lurking in the darkness like a ferocious beast.
"Ten Thousand Demon Valley..."
All the secrets were likely hidden within.
The question now was how to get into this valley?
Or perhaps, instead of worrying about entering, they should just have Elder Xun call for reinforcements and launch an attack from the outskirts?
Mo Hua frowned in thought.
Just then, two Demon Cultivators sneaked away from the group and headed towards the dense forest.
Mo Hua paused, then glanced at Xun Ziyou.
Xun Ziyou had also noticed, and the two shared a nod, each understanding the other's intention. They set off together, moving stealthily through the trees to follow the two departing Demon Cultivators.
Xun Ziyou, being a Golden Core cultivator, easily kept up with the two fleeing Demon Cultivators.
However, when he turned to check on Mo Hua, he was surprised to find that the boy, despite only being at the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment, moved with equal agility and silence, his slender figure blending seamlessly into the darkness.
If he hadn't been paying attention, he might have missed the boy altogether.
Xun Ziyou was impressed but also certain of one thing.
This well-behaved-looking child had definitely engaged in "misdeeds" before...
Nevertheless, Mo Hua's skillfulness put Xun Ziyou at ease, and they continued their pursuit.
The two Demon Cultivators strayed further and further from the group, eventually reaching a spot where they believed they were alone. Only then did they begin to speak in hushed tones.
"...Is this really a good idea?"
"What's wrong with it? Do you want to stay in that disgusting valley forever?"
"But..."
"Relax, I've made arrangements..."
The taller Demon Cultivator lowered his voice, his throat sounding hoarse. "I'm from Yanshui City, and the Jin family disciple who's been watching us has connections to my family. He'll turn a blind eye for us."
"We just need to fake our deaths, and we'll be free from this misery."
"Someone in the valley will help cover for us."
The younger Demon Cultivator still hesitated.
The taller one continued, "Think about it. With our abilities, we can easily find a Demon or Devil sect to join. We'll have food to eat, women to keep us company... Why live like caged animals in these mountains? We can be free and do as we please!"
The younger Demon Cultivator's heart was swayed by the prospect.
He had only recently started cultivating demon techniques.
Not long ago, he had been a talented disciple in his family, striving to prove himself among the sect disciples and show that he was no less capable than those from prestigious families.
But somehow, he had ended up in this predicament.
In the eyes of his parents and clan, he was already "dead."
Yet here in Mount Refine Demon, he still lived, neither human nor ghost, like some shameful monster.
Even now, he struggled to make sense of how he had fallen so far.
It felt like a sudden, never-ending nightmare from which he could not wake up.
He had transformed from a human into a beast that fed on blood and fur.
And with one misstep, there was no going back.
"Since there's no turning back, we must first find a way to escape this misery..."
The young Demon Cultivator's thoughts raced, and his tone became more earnest. "Brother Zhao, please help me. From now on, I will follow your every word and command."
The taller Demon Cultivator was pleased with the younger one's attitude.
"But..." the younger one asked quietly, "how exactly are we going to get out?"
Mo Hua shared the same question.
Mount Refine Demon was sealed off, and with their demonic auras, how could these Demon Cultivators possibly leave through the mountain gates?
The taller Demon Cultivator lowered his voice even further.
"This is a secret. You must never tell anyone..."
The younger Demon Cultivator's expression turned solemn, and he leaned in closer to listen. Their voices became almost inaudible.
Mo Hua, perched on the tree, instinctively leaned forward, trying to get closer to hear what they were saying.
Mo Hua was startled.
"We've been discovered?"
No way...
Ever since his spiritual sense underwent a qualitative change, his spiritual power had become even stronger. After learning the Little Five Elements Concealment Technique, his stealth abilities had become exquisite, and his tracking experience had grown more and more abundant.
He had become an expert at shadowing others.
And he had never been discovered before.
How could this demon cultivator's perception be so sharp?
Mo Hua immediately became vigilant and prepared to take action to restrain the demon cultivator, then hide behind Elder Xun and let him deal with this troublesome opponent.
But before he could get up, the tall demon cultivator pointed, not at Mo Hua, but at the direction behind the young demon cultivator, an empty space, and said solemnly:
"Someone's there!"
The young demon cultivator, being truly young, was completely unprepared and turned to look in the direction the tall demon cultivator was pointing.
In that instant of turning, he realized something.
But it was too late.
Mo Hua could clearly see that in the darkness of the night, a flash of scarlet bloodlight appeared.
The tall demon cultivator's palm had transformed into sharp claws, his demonic power condensed to the extreme, and with a gust of bloody wind, he pierced through the young demon cultivator's back in an instant.
With his chest pierced and his heart shredded, the young demon cultivator's face was filled with shock and terror, followed by surging anger.
He wanted to take revenge on the tall demon cultivator.
Even if he died, he would tear off a piece of his flesh.
But severely injured and on the brink of death, he was no match for his opponent.
After struggling for a few rounds, his arms were broken, and his lower abdomen was also pierced by the tall demon cultivator, leaving him bloody and dying on the ground.
The tall demon cultivator licked the fresh blood on his arm, coldly glanced at the corpse on the ground, and sneered:
"Look at yourself, what are you worth?"
"Although you're also from a family, compared to those true genius young masters, do you really think you're worthy?"
"You look down on anyone."
"Yes, you have talent, but so what?"
"You're full of arrogance but lack a brain. When you see someone far beyond your reach, you don't even know how to bow your head."
"If you don't die, who will?"
The young demon cultivator lay coldly on the ground, his eyes wide open, refusing to close even in death.
The tall demon cultivator began to strip the black robe from the young cultivator's body, saying, "I'll use you as a cushion so I can get out of here."
Then he smiled sinisterly and said, "Don't blame me for being heartless. Although you're dead, I'm still alive."
"Life is only about three hundred years. After I get out, I'll enjoy the blessings of these three hundred years for you, and when I'm done, I'll go down and apologize to you."
"As for you, don't die with your eyes open..."
He reached out to close the young demon cultivator's eyes, but after a few attempts, he couldn't close them.
"Damn it, you don't drink the toast but you drink the penalty."
The tall demon cultivator became angry and forcefully tore at the young demon cultivator's eyes, rendering them bloody and unrecognizable.
Blood flowed from the eye sockets, as if he had shed bloody tears.
"This is really bad luck!"
The tall demon cultivator coldly snorted and spat, and as he turned, he saw an irresistible white sword light flashing through the night.
His entire arm was like soft mud, sliced off instantly.
Demon blood gushed out.
A dazed expression appeared on his face.
Before he could react, another sword light flashed, severing one of his legs.
The tall demon cultivator immediately knelt on the ground, his eyes filled with horror, and just as he tried to crawl away, a tall and slender cultivator appeared before him.
With a somber face and angry eyes, Xun Ziyou pointed his finger, and a mighty golden core sword energy, surging like a tidal wave, tore the tall demon cultivator to shreds.
The oppressive might of the sword energy pinned the demon cultivator to the ground.
The demon cultivator lay prostrate, his face ashen, having lost all will to resist.
Xun Ziyou did not use his full strength, but in less than three exchanges, he had completely subdued the tall demon cultivator.
Mo Hua nodded in satisfaction.
His "bodyguard" was indeed powerful.
"Speak!" Xun Ziyou's face was cold, and he asked in a low voice, "What is your identity?"
"Who is the young master you mentioned?"
"How do you plan to leave Mount Refine Demon?"
But the demon cultivator grinned, revealing a mouthful of blood, and did not answer.
Mo Hua frowned, then his expression turned stern as he said:
"He's sending a message!"
Before Mo Hua could finish his sentence, Xun Ziyou also realized what was happening. He swiped his finger, and a pure white sword light appeared.
The tall demon cultivator's other arm was also severed.
The intense pain caused the demon cultivator to let out a shout, but before he could even finish his cry, Xun Ziyou used his Golden Core spiritual power to forcefully seal his throat.
Mo Hua, holding his white fingers, picked up a blood-stained token from the pool of blood.
It was a message token.
Mo Hua's eyes lit up.
What a great find!
On the other side, Xun Ziyou's eyes were sharp as swords as he continued to question the demon cultivator, "Whose orders are you following?"
"Who taught you demon cultivators your techniques?"
The tall demon cultivator sneered, his mouth full of blood, but he remained silent.
Mo Hua said:
"Kill him, he won't talk."
Xun Ziyou was taken aback, his expression complicated as he looked at Mo Hua.
This child... how could he be more decisive than me?
It was their first encounter, and after asking only two questions, without even waiting for an answer, he immediately said, "Kill him"...
Mo Hua said, "Demon cultivators have tough mouths, and since he's already like this, there's no difference between being alive and dead. He definitely won't speak."
Xun Ziyou also felt that it made sense but hesitated nonetheless.
Mo Hua waved the "message token" in his hand and said, "Just ask about this."
Xun Ziyou was surprised, then understood and nodded.
On the other side, when the tall demon cultivator heard a crisp voice saying that he would be killed, he struggled to lift his head and glared at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua calmly met his gaze and smiled, saying:
"You just said that after you, the 'older brother', enjoy three hundred years of blessings, you will go down and apologize to the 'younger brother' you just killed."
"Three hundred years is too long..."
"Why don't you just go down and apologize now and get it over with!"
The demon cultivator's pupils dilated as he looked at Mo Hua with deep resentment.
But before he could say anything, a sword light flashed, and the tall demon cultivator's head was severed from his body, ending his life instantly.
(End of Chapter)
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