The Fiends’ Threat
Qiao Xue sat on the roof of a cottage and admired the gleaming freckles. The round moon watched over her in place of a certain young man.
“What’s on your mind, Lass?” A cool-looking young fiend sat down next to Qiao Xue and gave her an affectionate smile.
Qiao Xue regained awareness of her surroundings and smiled. “Brother Xingyun, shouldn’t you be training?”
Long Xingyun was a high-ranking fiend. The most venerated faction in the fiend race was those under the race leader, the azure dragon fiend king. Long Xingyun was regarded highly for his astuteness and appearance. He joined the white ape fiend king to expand his horizons.
“Haha, what about you? You still thinking about him?”
“Sigh, he did help us escape, after all. I just wonder how he’s doing now.”
“We are indebted to him. Still, he is human. You should prepare yourself mentally because, if our race goes to war with humanity, he will align himself with them and not us.”
Long Xingyun had his qualms about Mu Yu because he developed a crush on Qiao Xue long ago. Sadly, she never reciprocated his feelings and brother zoned him, yet Mu Yu was constantly on her mind.
“What tripe is that? Qiao Xue is also human, yet she supports us, doesn’t she? Are you saying you think ill of her as you do with the rest of humanity?” questioned the white ape fiend king, from behind.
“I did not mean to suggest that, Grandpa Ape. Qiao Xue cannot be lumped in with them for she is far superior.”
“In my opinion, that punk is heads and shoulders above you young ones. Never underestimate humanity’s potential. Else, you won’t even know you died. Why do you think they’ve been on our heads for so long?”
Qiao Xue gazed back at the moon.
Qiao Xue: Grandpa Azure Dragon is brainstorming ways to reactivate the formation. Hang in there.
Although the fiend race and humanity’s teleportation both shared the same time restriction – in that they required years to be reactivated – the fiend race’s version could be reactivated as long as enough spiritual qi was replenished. Bearing in mind the incompatibility of humans and the fiend race’s formation, Qiao Xue left her ribbon with Mu Yu.
“You two young ones better raise your morale. We didn’t conspicuously show up just for the spiritual qi core. If we don’t show humanity what we’re made of, they’ll keep trying to push us around!”
Mu Yu camped outside the village as the other cultivators did for the night. He did contemplate sneaking into the village via plants, but there was a fiend king in the village.
“White Ape Archfiend, how about an audience?”
The cultivators jumped in joy upon hearing the speaker’s voice. The sky above Eight Grass Village rippled. Three individuals gradually emerged. In the centre was an elder in a cloth robe and oozing the aura of a daoist. Though old in age, he certainly looked in good health. To his right was a maiden. Another individual sported Pill Cauldron Sect’s uniform, embellished in daoist patterns and brandishing a walking stick.
The elder’s name was Cang Wanzi, a reclusive elder of Mystic Spirit Sect. The maiden, hailing from Secular World Sect, was revered as Goddess Piaomiao because of her long black hair down to her waist. On her was a loose purple robe. Around her naked ankles was a golden ring. Daoist Yuan Hua was Pill Cauldron Sect’s current patriarch’s martial uncle. In other words, he held the same seniority as Elder Leng. Daoist Yuan Hua was famed for producing rank five pills that were as effective as rank six pills.
Daoist Yuan Hua was beholden to address the white ape fiend king’s provocation as Pill Cauldron Sect did let the fiend king escape, which set off a cascade of grievances. Further, as he was nearby, it would’ve been inappropriate for him to turn a blind eye.
“You three have the authority to speak?” The white ape fiend king casually stepped forward and appeared in the sky by the next instant.
The fact that the white ape fiend king managed escape Pill Cauldron Sect after having just escaped his seal was a testament to his prowess in battle. Yes, Pill Cauldron Sect weren’t the best combatants around. Even so, they weren’t the only ones around. Plus, the fiend king also hand a handicap. Since it had been some time since his escape, he was stronger than before. His mere presence was enough to ruffle the trio’s feathers.
Cang Wanzi, voice deep, questioned, “White Ape Archfiend, why are you occupying a human village?”
“Spiritual qi cores are natural treasures. The winner takes the prize. Why can’t we have it?”
“This is humanity’s lands. Its treasures are humanity’s treasures.”
The fiend king yawned. “And it was our land a thousand years ago, wasn’t it?”
“The agreement our races came to clearly states you were to surrender this land to us. Can I take it that you are breaking the agreement?”
“I wasn’t the one who signed it. Why must I oblige? It’s been a thousand years. We don’t even know where the person who drafted the agreement is. How can you assure me you aren’t making it all up?”
“In other words, you are going back on your word and declaring war on us?”
“We aren’t the ones who aren’t sticking to his words. You promised to share land with us if we allied with you to drive out the elemental demons. You turned your backs on us a thousand years ago after we emerged victorious. Who did you say is going back on his word? The elemental demons are preparing for their return. We want in. I’d like to see if you’d sign an agreement or something with us,” mocked the fiend king.
What the fiend king was saying was, “Either you acknowledge us, or we will link up with the elemental race. You may be able to tackle the elemental demons on your own, but it’s a different story if we’re their allies.” Mankind knew he was right.
“What do you want, then?”
“If you have any common sense in you, you’d realise Third Heavenly Palace has tacitly acknowledged our existence. Haven’t you realised they haven’t taken action against us? If you don’t want us to stick a knife in your back, present us with your sincerity. For instance, we can start with this village.” The fiend king simpered.
“You want the spiritual qi core for yourself?” Cang Wangzi started to get aggressive.
“No. I’m not avaricious as humans are. The world belongs to the young generation. I don’t want to lower myself and get physical. How about we let our young generation bet?”
“What bet might that be?”
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