[After careful observation.]
Ye Yu locked onto a group of over a hundred demons.
From the fluctuation of demonic energy radiating from the leader, he estimated that this person was at least in the late Nascent Soul stage.
Fenghun Pass was remote and impoverished. On a normal day, spotting even a Golden Core stage demon would be considered remarkable.
A late Nascent Soul stage cultivator? In this area, that was a big deal.
But what was such a prominent figure planning?
Gathering over a hundred demons—could it be for some grand endeavor?
Ye Yu’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
If he could join this group and all the members were wiped out, his new dream talent would surely catapult him to incredible heights.
Without hesitation, Ye Yu approached the group and expressed his desire to join.
He was rejected on the spot.
The reason was simple: his cultivation was too low.
At the Qi Refinement stage, he was of no use to them. The minimum requirement was the late Foundation Establishment stage.
However, Ye Yu was undeterred.
He offered to join without any compensation, simply wishing to follow the group and broaden his horizons.
The demon in charge of recruitment, Zhou Yin, quickly became intrigued.
A free laborer? How could he say no to that?
Zhou Yin agreed immediately and sought approval from the Nascent Soul stage leader, Song Xuanhan, informing him that 130 demons had been gathered and asking if they could depart.
Song Xuanhan nodded and tossed Zhou Yin a storage ring.
Infusing it with spiritual energy, Zhou Yin found hundreds of demonic crystals inside.
Demonic crystals were entirely black, functioning similarly to spirit stones in the human realm. They were vital cultivation resources and served as hard currency.
After inspecting the crystals, Zhou Yin smiled greedily.
Even after distributing three crystals to each person as promised, he would have a good number left over for himself.
A good haul indeed.
Without delay, Zhou Yin instructed everyone to head north.
During the journey, Ye Yu made efforts to bond with his new teammates and inquire about their mission’s objective.
Previously, Zhou Yin had dismissed him as too weak to deserve an explanation.
Fortunately, some of the demons were more talkative.
They revealed that the sponsor of this operation, Song Xuanhan, had only one goal: to capture a golden-haired Demon Spirit Ape.
This beast wasn’t particularly strong, being at the peak of the Golden Core stage, but its incredible speed made it almost impossible to catch.
This was why Song Xuanhan, a Nascent Soul cultivator, had personally taken action.
The purpose of hiring so many people was to encircle the Demon Spirit Ape and block its path. Even a momentary delay would be enough for Song Xuanhan to capture it.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yu was utterly dumbfounded.
"Seriously? That’s your plan?"
A Golden Core stage beast? Most of the people here were only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
Even trying to block the Demon Spirit Ape for a single breath could cost their lives.
And all for just three demonic crystals?
That was practically blood money.
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While Ye Yu was stunned, the demons around him remained calm.
To them, this was entirely normal.
Risking their lives for cultivation resources was just the way of things—a gamble for a chance at breaking free from their limitations.
As long as the dead weren’t themselves, it was worth the risk.
Ye Yu fell silent.
He had to admit, demons truly lived as though they had nothing to lose.
To them, growing stronger was the only priority; everything else was secondary.
Zhou Yin soon urged the group to set off.
Ye Yu joined the large team, carefully observing his surroundings as they moved.
With such an interesting purple talent, he had no intention of dying prematurely in this simulation.
At his current Qi Refinement stage, recklessness was not an option.
Two hours later.
The group arrived at the foot of a low mountain range.
According to Zhou Yin, Song Xuanhan had pinpointed the general location of the Demon Spirit Ape to this area.
Their task was to form a surrounding net, search the mountain, and locate the beast. Once found, everything would be left to Song Xuanhan.
On the surface, the task sounded straightforward.
But Ye Yu was certain it wouldn’t be that simple.
Under Zhou Yin’s orders, the group began to climb the mountain.
Ye Yu remained cautious, constantly scanning the crimson earth around him.
Suddenly, a massive crack split open the ground not far away.
A towering Demon Spirit Ape with golden hair burst forth.
Its massive frame and long arms made it an imposing sight.
The moment it appeared, it grabbed two nearby demons and crushed their skulls in its jaws.
Chewing twice, it unleashed a ferocious roar, a wild and untamed energy radiating from its form.
Seeing the Demon Spirit Ape, Zhou Yin shouted at the top of his lungs, "Senior Song, the beast you’re after has appeared! Please, take action quickly!"
Song Xuanhan, standing with his hands behind his back, remained calm and composed.
With a cold voice, he replied, "Beast? Is that what you call it?"
"This is my favorite spirit pet."
The Demon Spirit Ape leapt to Song Xuanhan’s side, lowering its head obediently.
Song Xuanhan patted its head affectionately, his expression softening.
"Today, eat your fill. These people are your food."
The demons present were struck with outrage.
This was a complete setup!
Hunting the beast? What nonsense!
It was all a ploy to lure them here as bait.
But before anyone could voice their grievances, the Demon Spirit Ape pounced on the nearest demon, tearing them apart effortlessly.
The disparity in power was overwhelming. No matter how many demons there were, it made no difference.
With a Golden Core stage Demon Spirit Ape and a Nascent Soul stage Song Xuanhan presiding, they stood no chance.
Their only hope was to flee.
But with the ape’s unparalleled speed, escape was impossible.
Within the span of a single incense stick, over a hundred demons were nearly wiped out.
Standing atop a large rock, Song Xuanhan’s gaze turned playful as he looked toward a hidden crevice.
"You’re clever, hiding behind that boulder, thinking you could escape notice.
But you fail to understand—before a cultivator of my level, nothing is truly hidden."