Translator: CinderTL
"To uncover the truth, we must infiltrate the Demon Race," Ye Hua declared. "Aside from the few Fourth-Tier demons, the most likely to know the truth are the human traitors, Xing Wenyao and Zhu Yin. We have no choice but to find a way to extract information from them."
"Fellow Daoist Ye Hua speaks wisely," Yin Shuo acknowledged. "However, to pry information from Fourth-Tier demons or those two traitors, we'd need to capture them alive. This means one of us eight must secretly land on the island, a mission fraught with peril. I needn't elaborate on the dangers. Which Fellow Daoist is willing to risk their life?"
A tense silence fell over the group as no one volunteered.
For one or two Nascent Soul cultivators to secretly infiltrate Fangzhudao, capture Fourth-Tier demons or Nascent Soul cultivators without being detected, and then escape—such a feat was as difficult as scaling the heavens. Discovery would mean certain death.
Suddenly, Cui Xuanjing spoke up. "I have a plan, though it will come at a considerable cost."
"Fellow Daoist Cui, please share your idea," Xuan Chengzi urged.
Cui Xuanjing proposed, "We can dispatch a group of Golden Core cultivators to lure out the Fourth-Tier powerhouses of the Demon Race. Then, we'll execute a 'mantis stalks cicada' strategy, seizing the opportunity to capture them alive."
Xuan Chengzi asked, "Fellow Daoist Cui, could you elaborate on your plan?"
Cui Xuanjing explained, "Each of our three major sects will send three Golden Core cultivators to infiltrate Fangzhudao. Their mission is to hunt down and eliminate Third-Tier demons. Once the Demon Race suffers repeated losses of Third-Tier demon beasts, they'll inevitably dispatch Fourth-Tier demons to hunt down our forces. At that point, we can seize the opportunity to capture them alive."
Xuan Chengzi pondered for a moment before slowly remarking, "This plan does have a chance of success. However, the Golden Core cultivators infiltrating Fangzhudao will likely face overwhelming odds."
A cold glint flashed in Cui Xuanjing's eyes as he retorted coldly, " Without entering the tiger's den, how can one catch the tiger's cub? As members of the Human Race, sacrificing themselves for the greater good is their duty."
Xuan Chengzi nodded. "Very well! The Liangyi Sect approves of Fellow Daoist Ye Hua's plan. Daoist Yin Shuo, what is your opinion?"
Yin Shuo smiled faintly. "The Wu Ji Sect naturally concurs."
Southern Yangning Island.
A relatively flat expanse of dense forest once stood here. Now, the trees had been completely uprooted by disciples of the Wu Ji Sect, leaving a vast clearing.
Following Ye Hua's order to rest on Yangning Island for several days, some disciples had gathered local materials to construct crude wooden shelters for temporary housing, while others meditated in the open air.
At the center of the clearing stood a newly erected stone structure. Though hastily built, it was fortified with defensive, spirit-gathering, and Spirit Sense-blocking formations.
Inside the stone house, the thirty-six Golden Core cultivators who had joined the Wu Ji Sect's expedition, along with Yin Shuo and Ye Hua, had gathered.
Ye Hua addressed the assembled cultivators, his voice steady and resolute.
"Fellow Daoists, the Demon Race's advance is relentless, threatening the very survival of the Human Race. After consulting with the Cui Clan and Liangyi Sect, our three major forces have jointly decided to each dispatch three Golden Core cultivators to infiltrate Fangzhudao and assassinate Third-Tier demons, thereby weakening their overall strength. I ask now, are there any among you willing to volunteer for this perilous mission?"
His words hung in the air, followed by a profound silence. Not a pin could be heard dropping in the stone chamber.
None of the Golden Core cultivators were fools; they fully understood the grave danger involved.
Ye Hua's gaze, sharp as a blade, swept across everyone present.
"Anyone who can slay three Third-Tier Demon Race beasts will have one request granted," he declared.
Jiang Lu stepped forward, cupping his fists in salute. "Reporting to the Demon Sovereign, this subordinate is willing to undertake the mission. However, I humbly request a promise from you."
Ye Hua nodded, pleased that Jiang Lu had been the first to volunteer. "What is your request? Speak freely."
Jiang Lu replied, "I have a beloved granddaughter named Jiang Yan. If I successfully complete this mission and return safely, I implore the Demon Sovereign to accept her into your sect as a direct disciple. Should I perish, I humbly beseech you to extend your protection to her and ensure her safety."
"I grant your request," Ye Hua declared. "I, Ye Hua, vow that as long as I draw breath in this world, your granddaughter shall suffer no injustice."
"Thank you for your benevolence, Demon Sovereign," Jiang Lu said gratefully.
Ye Hua waved dismissively. "You willingly risk your life to infiltrate Fangzhudao and slaughter demons—a noble act for both the sect and the Human Race. Protecting your granddaughter is only proper. There is no need for gratitude."
At that moment, Meng Lengyu stepped forward. "This subordinate also wishes to volunteer."
"Excellent," Ye Hua replied. "Hall Master Meng, what is your request?"
Meng Lengyu stepped forward. "This subordinate humbly requests that if I slay three Third-Tier demons of the Demon Race, the sect will grant me a Primordial Nascent Soul Pill."
Ye Hua nodded. "Granted. Though the sect currently lacks such pills, I will personally petition the Liangyi Sect or the Cui Clan to secure one for you, even if I have to beg."
"Many thanks, Demon Sovereign," Meng Lengyu said, bowing before retreating.
"Anyone else willing to volunteer?" Ye Hua's cold gaze swept over the crowd.
At that moment, Song Wen spoke up. "Reporting to the Demon Sovereign, this subordinate wishes to volunteer."
Ye Hua fixed his gaze on Song Wen. "Gou Jun, what are your terms?"
"This subordinate also desires a Primordial Nascent Soul Pill," Song Wen replied.
"Your cultivation is only at the late Golden Core stage," Ye Hua remarked. "Seeking such a pill at this juncture might be premature."
"This subordinate's cultivation has reached the bottleneck of the late Golden Core stage," Song Wen countered. "I anticipate advancing to the peak Golden Core realm within a few years. It's only prudent to prepare in advance."
"Very well, you may join the mission," Ye Hua conceded. After a brief pause, he continued, "Jiang Lu, Meng Lengyu, and Gou Jun, take some time to rest. You may depart at nightfall. As for whether you cooperate to slay the demons or act independently, that decision rests entirely with you."
"Understood," the three responded in unison.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang, Hall Master Meng," Song Wen said to the two beside him in the deep sea, a mere thousand li from Fangzhudao, "if the three of us move together, we'll be too conspicuous and easily discovered by the Demon Race. Wouldn't it be better to split up?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Meng Lengyu replied.
Jiang Lu nodded in agreement. "Sounds good."
"In that case, let's part ways here," Song Wen said. "I wish you both success on your mission."
Jiang Lu cautioned, "Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, be careful out there. Don't force opportunities if they don't arise, or you might lose your life for nothing. When we return, I still intend to learn your Pill Refinement Technique."
"Then it's settled," Song Wen said. With the grace of a silverfish, he darted silently into the dark depths and vanished within moments.
Jiang Lu and Meng Lengyu exchanged a glance before diving off in separate directions.
Meanwhile, high above in the swirling clouds, Ye Hua, Yin Shuo, Cui Xuanjing, Xuan Chengzi, and Daoist Yun Xu floated motionless in the night sky, their forms concealed by the darkness and the thick mist.
Before them hovered nine soul lamps, each representing one of the disciples dispatched to Fangzhudao.
The remaining three Nascent Soul cultivators had stayed behind on Yangning Island to protect the Three Sects' disciples stationed there. With a newly activated defensive formation on the island and the group's close proximity, there was little concern that the Demon Race would attempt a surprise attack.
(End of the Chapter)
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