Chapter 425 - 174: Barren Land, Little Demon Patrols the Mountain, Invoking Gods

Ever since Huaisheng Daoist consumed that Celestial Longevity Fruit, he had undergone a complete rebirth. His power had increased significantly, and he now held a clear advantage over the others.

Moreover, he was a man of profound cunning, and Chen Qin’Yin and the others had never been able to get the upper hand on their journey.

White Lotus Daoist, the Confucian Daoist Venerable, and the Iron Sword Daoist had suffered even greater losses, nearly getting killed by the old Daoist’s schemes.

After several such incidents, Chen Qin’Yin no longer dared to underestimate the old Daoist.

"The Eastern Continent is a vast and fertile land, immeasurably vast. Even now, it hasn’t been completely destroyed."

"It’s impossible for a continent this vast to be uninhabited."

Huaisheng Daoist continued, his gaze profound.

"In the ancient era, when the Seven Heroes and Three Li rampaged across the world and the Ten Thousand Spirits were plunged into ruin, members of the Human Race still survived."

"So why would now be any different?"

The moment he finished speaking, Huaisheng Daoist’s figure was carried away by the wind, vanishing into the void as he gave chase.

’This old Daoist...’

Chen Qin’Yin paused for a moment, but followed him nonetheless.

After five years together, she had naturally come to understand the old Daoist to some extent.

’Those words weren’t meant for anyone else.’

’They were meant for himself.’

And from those words, Chen Qin’Yin could clearly sense it.

Killing intent had stirred within him.

WHOOSH!

A gentle breeze, carrying a wave of heat, swept over the endless fields of wild grass.

After more than a thousand years of desolation, the Eastern Continent was utterly uninhabited. There were no longer any decent roads to speak of, leaving only a bleak and desolate landscape.

Demon Ghosts often prowled the wilds.

Before long, Chen Qin’Yin caught up with Huaisheng Daoist.

A quick glance was all it took for her to spot it—a silverback gorilla over a hundred li away. It was half the height of a man, with arms that reached past its knees and a ferocious visage, and it was darting through the mountain forest.

It was a Little Demon.

The Little Demon was very agile and seemed to have developed some intelligence. Upon reaching this spot, it stopped moving forward and began to circle the mountains, running in continuous loops.

Unfortunately, a mere Little Demon could hardly escape the perception of the two of them.

After the Little Demon vanished from sight, the two of them had already locked onto its exact location.

It was an insignificant, barren mountain amidst a desolate range.

"That must be a Little Demon on patrol. Seeing it means there must be a Great Demon lairing nearby!"

Huaisheng Daoist materialized, his gaze fixed on the distant, barren mountain as he spoke slowly.

"You didn’t come out this time just to find Spiritual Materials for the God-Sealing Platform, did you?"

Chen Qin’Yin stopped at a distance, her guard up. The look she gave Huaisheng Daoist was complicated.

"You didn’t bring the Confucian Daoist Venerable, White Lotus Daoist, or the Iron Sword Young Venerable. Instead, you insisted on bringing me."

"Tell me, what’s your real objective?"

Chen Qin’Yin had to be on her guard.

Compared to the other three, she was inferior in both Cultivation and combat strength.

’Out here in these barren mountains...’

’If this old Daoist decided to use force, I’m afraid I would have no choice but to yield...’

"..."

"You’re overthinking things."

Seemingly sensing her thoughts, Huaisheng Daoist looked a little embarrassed. He fell silent for a moment before clearing his throat and saying slowly,

"For the past year, while we’ve been building the God-Sealing Platform, I have also been searching for the root cause of the dramatic changes in the Eastern Continent."

"However, Demon Ghosts are impossible to communicate with, and Little Demons don’t live for a millennium. If we truly want to find anything out, we need to find a Great Demon that has developed sentience and is at least a thousand years old!"

"There’s a Great Demon here that underwent Spirit Awakening a thousand years ago?"

Chen Qin’Yin’s expression darkened.

Spirit Awakening is the process by which demons and monsters, through various fortunate encounters, develop an intelligence comparable to that of powerful Cultivators.

A Great Demon that underwent Spirit Awakening a thousand years ago and a demon that has simply lived for a thousand years are two entirely different things.

The latter has merely existed for a millennium; the former has developed profound intelligence and has been cultivating for a thousand years.

Even the weaker of such Great Demons are comparable to a Returning Void Realm True Master.

The more powerful among them can even rival experts at the Feathered Transformation Level!

"If I’m not mistaken, there should be a Great Demon here. I fear its Cultivation is incredibly high!"

Huaisheng Daoist’s expression also grew grave.

In all the world, across the Four Seas and Five Continents, there was no place safer than the Central Continent.

The Yin Department Divine System, for all its countless flaws, was undeniably effective at suppressing Demon Ghosts.

As a result, in the ten thousand years of the Dayu Immortal Dynasty’s reign, not a single Great Demon King of the Feathered Transformation Level had ever emerged within its territories.

The most powerful Demon Kings were only at the Void Realm.

But outside the Central Continent, things were different.

The number of Demon Ghosts in the Eastern Continent was countless times greater than in the Central Continent. It wouldn’t be impossible for a Great Demon King at the Feathered Transformation Level to have been born here.

"You old bastard!"

"If you’re looking to get killed, don’t drag me down with you!"

Chen Qin’Yin ground her teeth so hard they nearly shattered, her glare so intense it looked like it could shoot fire.

"You don’t want to die, and neither do I."

"Besides, I certainly didn’t come here on a suicide mission."

Huaisheng Daoist gazed into the distance, as if confirming something.

"Don’t tell me you’re planning to..."

Chen Qin’Yin froze, a sudden realization dawning on her.

WHOOSH!

Huaisheng Daoist gave a light flick of his long sleeve.

An ancient Incense Divine Platform immediately appeared before him. On top of it sat an Incense Burner, from which wisps of Incense smoke curled upwards.

His expression turned solemn as he spoke in a grave voice.

"I’m going to..."

"Invoke the Gods!"