Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Encounter
Peacock Mountain was home to a Demon King, making it a first-tier power within the Red Cloud Mountain Range.
It was second only to Red Cloud Mountain!
Unlike places such as Lion’s Mane Cave and Sleeping Ox Mountain, Peacock Mountain focused on the business of its Marketplace, where the Demon Race could gather to trade and exchange goods.
After many years of development, the original Peacock Mountain Marketplace had long since grown into the Peacock Demon City.
With a Demon King presiding over it, order within the city was guaranteed!
This was also why Xu Chang’an felt at ease heading there!
As for the lands outside the Demon City, one could only rely on their own abilities!
With Xu Chang’an’s current capabilities, he was confident he could escape with his life even if he encountered a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
Peacock Mountain was a full eight thousand *li* away from Red Cloud Mountain.
Xu Chang’an did not use a Magical Artifact to fly.
Instead, he traveled on foot, maintaining a brisk pace.
After twenty days, Xu Chang’an entered the territory controlled by Peacock Mountain.
The closer he got to Peacock Mountain, the more Demons he saw traveling to and fro.
Most of them were Demons in the Middle or Late Stages of Qi Refining.
These Demons usually traveled in groups; very few journeyed alone.
Occasionally, he would also spot a streak of rainbow light flashing by, high up in the sky.
Those were Foundation Establishment Great Demons!
Peacock Mountain focused on trade and had built a Demon City, placing no restrictions on the Demons who came and went.
Naturally, the number of Demons in the surrounding area was countless times greater than that of an ordinary power.
Less than three hundred *li* from Peacock Demon City, he found a secluded spot.
Xu Chang’an then cast a Concealment Spell, changing his appearance to that of a Wild Wolf Demon.
The cultivation aura he revealed was maintained at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.
For a Demon traveling alone, having a cultivation that was too weak would be just as conspicuous.
Qi Refining Seventh Layer was neither too high nor too low. It was just right.
After changing his appearance, Xu Chang’an traveled for several dozen more *li*.
By now, night had fallen.
But the scene was far from desolate.
’Hm!?’
Xu Chang’an suddenly sensed a fluctuation of Demon Power.
Following the fluctuation, he crept closer and heard the intense sounds of Magical Combat.
’An ambush!?’
Xu Chang’an considered it for a moment and decided not to get any closer.
’A fight ahead is bound to be a place of trouble.’
’Getting involved rashly will only bring unnecessary problems.’
’Even if there might be some profit, it would mean facing unknown risks!’
’With his strength, he could afford to be a bit more reckless on Langlang Mountain, but here on Peacock Mountain, he had to be cautious.’
With that in mind, Xu Chang’an quietly skirted around the area.
’This place really is dangerous! We’re only two hundred *li* from Peacock Demon City.’
’And yet there’s such a brazen ambush happening right here!’
’I’d better get into the Demon City sooner rather than later. Staying outside the walls for too long might drag me into some unforeseen trouble.’
And so, under the cover of night, Xu Chang’an traveled several dozen more *li* toward Peacock Demon City.
BOOM!
"Ah, damn it! I was being so careful! Why are you still trying to rob me!?"
"You crossed this old master’s path and think you can run?!"
"Kill them all! Don’t let a single one get away!"
Amidst the intense sounds of Magical Combat, the voices of several Demons rang out.
Xu Chang’an looked up and saw several streaks of rainbow light heading right for him.
Three streaks were giving chase, while two were fleeing.
Without taking a closer look, Xu Chang’an reacted instantly, changing direction to get out of the way.
Since he was traveling on the ground, he could most likely avoid them without any issue.
Who would have thought that one of the fleeing Demons in the sky would see Xu Chang’an as if he were a savior?
He made a sharp turn and headed straight for him.
’He wants me to bog down his pursuers!’
Xu Chang’an narrowed his eyes, his expression turning cold and grim.
If he hadn’t been in a hurry, his ability to conceal his aura would have kept him from being discovered.
"Fellow Daoist, you’ve come at the perfect time. Please, lend a hand."
The speaker was a Wolf Demon at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.
He spoke as if they were old acquaintances.
Coincidentally, the Demon form Xu Chang’an had taken was that of a Wild Wolf Demon.
Although they were different types of the Wolf Race, it created a connection that would surely make the pursuing Demons suspicious.
This was not a good sign.
"Everyone, I am merely passing by. I have no connection to this Demon."
Xu Chang’an shouted, revealing his Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivation.
"Fellow Daoist Lang, it’s best you have no connection."
"Stay out of this matter and leave quickly. This old master won’t involve you."
The one who spoke was one of the pursuing Demons.
An Antelope Demon.
At his side were two others: a Pig Demon and an Ox Demon.
"Alright."
Xu Chang’an agreed and unleashed his Demon Power to leave quickly.
"Damn it!"
Seeing his hopes dashed, the Wolf Demon’s expression soured.
And just then, his companion beside him cried out in pain.
She had been struck by the ones behind them.
"Little Sister!"
The Wolf Demon cried out in anguish.
That brief delay was all it took for the three ambushing Demons to catch up.
The three Demons behind them all had a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Cultivation.
The Wolf Demon and his sister were no match for them at all.
After a round of Magical Combat, the Wolf Demon’s little sister was ultimately pierced through the Demon Body by the Ox Demon’s horn-shaped Magical Artifact.
"Ambushing people near Peacock Mountain... one day, you’ll all get what you deserve! Ah..."
Under the siege of the three Demons, the Wolf Demon didn’t last long before he, too, was killed on the spot.
The Antelope Demon, Pig Demon, and Ox Demon quickly collected the two Wolf Demons’ Storage Bags.
"That Wild Wolf Demon left in this direction! Let’s go, after him!"
"Alright! Didn’t expect a buy-two-get-one-free deal!"
"Hahaha! Who cares if you’re involved or not? Since you had the bad luck of running into us three brothers, we’ll rob you all the same!"
SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
The three Demons activated their Magical Artifacts, transforming into streaks of light as they chased after Xu Chang’an.
They were dead set on ambushing and killing him.
A breeze blew past, carrying away the faint scent of blood.
A long while later, Xu Chang’an’s figure appeared from behind an ancient tree.
’Weakness is the original sin. One moment of carelessness, and your body and soul are extinguished!’
He sought no conflict with the world, merely passing through, yet he’d been drawn into this disaster.
It was for no other reason than his lack of deterrence.
If he were a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, he reckoned the three Demons wouldn’t dare to even think of targeting him, not even if they grew a few more pairs of guts.
Fortunately, he hadn’t believed a single word the Antelope Demon said.
While he had appeared to flee the scene, he had actually just concealed his aura and hidden himself nearby.
’Those three Qi Refining Eighth Layer Demons... if I really wanted to deal with them...’
’It would cost me a little, but I’m more than capable of killing them one by one.’
’It’s just that...’
’This place is near Peacock Mountain, where powerful Demons gather like clouds.’
’Who knows if some other Demon might suddenly appear while I’m engaged in Magical Combat.’
’If a Great Demon I can’t handle shows up then...’
’Wouldn’t that put me in a vulnerable position?’
’Rather than risk that, it’s better to hide and avoid them!’
’Profit stirs a Demon’s heart!’
’The outside world is full of strife and endless entanglements!’
’Langlang Mountain is still the most peaceful and serene place!’
With a sigh, Xu Chang’an quietly left the area.
Traveling swiftly, Xu Chang’an soon approached Peacock Demon City.
In the moonlight, he could faintly make out a Demon City nestled among the mountains.
The Demon City was like a colossal beast left over from a primeval era, coiled within the mountain range.
As he drew near Peacock Demon City, the atmosphere around him became more relaxed.
Demons passed by from time to time, their expressions peaceful.
Those traveling in pairs or small groups spoke loudly and freely, without any guard up.
He encountered no more ambushes.
Xu Chang’an arrived before Peacock Demon City without any further trouble.
...
Author’s Note: The PK stats aren’t looking too great. I implore all you handsome, dashing, heroic, and supremely cultivated Fellow Daoists to lend this Little Demon a hand. Votes, likes, follows—I’m begging for them all~
Let’s reach the peak together!
