Chapter 760: Demon Night

The sun set in the west, and night descended.

Lian Yao Mountain shed its sky-filling evening glow; without the day's clarity, it grew deep and oppressive.

The night wind was bleak and cold; insects and snakes slithered across the ground, demonic beasts occasionally let out low cries, and no one knew what dangers lurked in the darkness.

Fortunately, Elder Xun Ziyou was at late-stage Jin Dan.

Mo Hua followed behind him, and the whole way was without danger.

The two used movement techniques, borrowing the cover of night, and arrived once more at the depths of the dense forest—the place where the blood stream babbled and bones littered the ground.

It had just reached the hour of Xu; the moonlight was like ice, spilling over the bone-strewn ground, radiating an inexplicable bone-deep chill.

But still, there was no trace of any demonic cultivators nearby.

The two waited in the vicinity.

They waited until the hour of Hai, when suddenly a demonic wind rose violently, and a thick stench of blood spread upward.

Mo Hua, perched in a tree, looked down and saw, within the dense forest concealed by the divine-path array, one gloomy black shadow after another appear.

These black shadows, wrapped in black robes, were half-human half-demon—some standing on two legs, some crawling on four—emerging from the darkness of the forest, gathering one after another at the edge of the bone-strewn ground.

When the cold moonlight shone on them, one by one they looked like evil ghosts crawling out of purgatory, chilling to behold.

After a moment, another batch of demonic cultivators arrived.

These demonic cultivators were either dragging, carrying on their backs, or shouldering blood-drenched corpses or limbs of demonic beasts.

These demonic beasts seemed to have been freshly hunted.

They tossed these demonic beasts onto the bone-strewn ground.

A group of demonic cultivators, right by the stream, began to gnaw and devour the flesh and blood of these demonic beasts alive.

The scene was extremely bloody for a time.

Elder Xun Ziyou felt somewhat ill at ease and turned his head to look at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua's expression was as usual, as if he had long anticipated this scene, or had long grown accustomed to all of this.

Elder Xun Ziyou was somewhat incredulous.

This child… how could he be so calm?

Could it be that he had seen even bloodier, more cruel scenes, or scenes of even greater "pandemonium"?

What had he been through at such a young age?

Just as Elder Xun Ziyou was marveling, he suddenly sensed movement from the Grand Void Token; sinking his divine sense in to look, he saw Mo Hua sending him a message:

"Elder Xun, change locations—we can eavesdrop."

Elder Xun Ziyou started, looked up, and saw Mo Hua give him a look, then tilt his head toward the other side.

On the other side was a taller tree.

Beneath the tree were three demonic cultivators who seemed to have eaten and drunk their fill; they had already shed their demonic transformations, taken Shi Renxing form, and were gathered together wrapped in black robes, chatting about who knows what.

Elder Xun Ziyou was somewhat dazed.

This child was probably not eavesdropping for the first day.

Judging by the look of it, he was probably an "old hand" at eavesdropping…

Elder Xun Ziyou sighed and nodded.

The two moved lightly, from the treetop on this side gently leaping over to a branch on the other side.

The moment they settled,

"Tastes awful…"

"Demonic beast meat is too astringent, dry as firewood, too much effort to chew."

One demonic cultivator was still chewing on something, his voice low as a fierce beast: "If only there was human flesh to eat—human flesh is tender…"

"Keep dreaming, will you? This is Lian Yao Mountain—everywhere you look it's sect disciples. How would you eat them?"

"It's not like we can't. Just be sneaky about it… I once picked up an opportunity before. There was a disciple from some unknown sect who got lost in the mountain forest. I took the chance to kill him, tore him apart and swallowed him alive. His skin and flesh really were much tastier than demonic beasts, and even the bones were a lot crispier…"

A demonic cultivator rebuked him: "The Young Master said to keep a low profile and act discreetly. Stir up less trouble."

"It's fine, there's no one around. No one will know how he died."

Amid the clamor, another voice said:

"What a pity there are no female disciples—female disciples are even more tender…"

One demonic cultivator couldn't help cursing: "You bastard, you think you're eating?"

A gloomy, ear-piercing laugh rang out: "Play them to death first, then eat them—it's the same…"

Hearing this, killing intent instantly spread through Elder Xun Ziyou's heart.

Mo Hua immediately tugged at his sleeve.

Elder Xun Ziyou's expression paused; only then did he grit his teeth and forcibly suppress the killing intent in his heart.

"Right, I spend every day wandering through the mountains and forests, eating demon flesh, drinking demon blood, living the same daily routine as demonic beasts—I've almost forgotten I'm a damn human…"

"…Trapped here too long, if I don't vent and find a bit of humanity back, I'll really be the same as those demon beasts."

"Useless."

A demonic cultivator sneered, "From the moment you began cultivating demonic arts, your humanity will start to vanish. Nothing you do will be of any use."

"Playing with women?" He snorted coldly. "Before long, no matter how beautiful a woman is, in your eyes she's nothing more than a lump of raw meat."

"What fills your mind is how to flay her and swallow her alive—there won't be any other **."

A demonic cultivator beside him cursed him: "You bastard, you've fallen too deep into the demonic path."

"What a mood-killer…"

"Ignore him. He's been cultivating the demonic path for a hundred years—long forgotten how to write the word 'human.'"

The demonic cultivator from before sneered coldly and said indifferently:

"Wait until you've cultivated for a hundred years, and you'll know I'm right."

"Humans are just another kind of beast—gender, beauty, ugliness, all just piles of rotting flesh. As long as it tastes good in the mouth, it doesn't matter…"

After that, these few demonic cultivators continued discussing the topic for a while.

Soon, several other demonic cultivators gathered around.

As the number grew, the chatter became chaotic.

Mo Hua found it hard to follow.

After an unknown length of time, finally, one of the demonic cultivators mentioned a word Mo Hua cared deeply about.

"Ten Thousand Demons Valley…"

A voice, still relatively young, heavy with emotion, as if the demonization was shallow and humanity had not yet been fully extinguished, said:

"In two days, we'll enter the Ten Thousand Demons Valley, and we won't be able to come out 'hunting' for a whole year."

"If you perform well inside, they'll let you out early for some fresh air."

"Still, the valley is too dull, reeking and foul—every day feels like a year."

"Enough," one demonic cultivator snapped impatiently. "Stop complaining. Don't speak too much about the valley."

"The Young Master granted us demonic arts and demonic marks—we must strive to serve the Young Master."

Mo Hua, eavesdropping in the tree, raised an eyebrow.

Again, the Young Master?

Which Young Master is this?

And it's strange…

After these words were spoken, the other demonic cultivators fell noticeably silent.

Even several who remained quiet and showed no outward sign seemed, to Mo Hua's perception through their spiritual senses, to radiate faint traces of anger and resentment…

"Something's off…"

Mo Hua's gaze sharpened.

The gathering grew momentarily dull, until several more demonic cultivators arrived and conversation resumed.

But these conversations were vague and fragmented.

After listening for a long time, Mo Hua finally pieced together, through fragments and guesses, some key information:

In the Blood Stream and White Bones land, there was a Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

This Ten Thousand Demons Valley was the den of all demonic cultivators.

The valley entrance was permanently sealed, heavily guarded, opening only once a month.

Inside the valley, there were countless demonic cultivators, sent out in batches to 'hunt'—stealing demonic beasts from the Demon Refining Mountain.

The stolen demonic beasts were processed according to type.

Either they were devoured alive as 'food,' their stripped bones thrown onto the White Bone Beach to fuel the array;

or they were captured alive and sent into the Ten Thousand Demons Valley, for purposes unknown…

And the White Bone Beach indeed bore a demonic array.

The exact nature of the demonic array, Mo Hua did not overhear.

Most of these demonic cultivators were array-blind; even if they once had array expertise, after becoming demonic cultivators and devouring so much demonic flesh, their brains were surely ruined—few could think clearly anymore.

If they themselves couldn't understand the array's details, expecting them to explain it was unrealistic.

But Mo Hua had still gathered some clues.

One demonic cultivator, speaking with solemn tone, said:

"Unless on the sixteenth of every month, when the moon is full and the Ten Thousand Demons Valley opens, revealing the White Bone Path, no one, no beast, may enter the depths of the Blood Stream or approach the valley's entrance…"

"Whoever violates this taboo, rashly stepping into the White Bone Land and entering the Blood Stream's depths, will suffer a curse—losing their sanity, dying in madness…"

The demonic cultivator spoke in eerie, superstitious tones.

Mo Hua listened half-confused, but based on these words and his own cultivation experience, he could roughly deduce that the methods within the White Bone Land were likely demonic arrays tied to malevolent forces.

As for the exact nature of the demonic array…

He was a proper array master, not a heretic—he couldn't be certain right now.

It was now the Hai Hour.

The Blood Stream reeked; white bones stood stark.

Above, cold moonlight spilled down.

Mo Hua looked up, following the gentle flow of the Blood Stream toward the distance, and indeed sensed a sinister, demonic, and deeply bloody aura, lurking like a ferocious beast in the darkness.

"Ten Thousand Demons Valley…"

All secrets must be hidden within.

But the question now was: how to enter the Ten Thousand Demons Valley?

Or perhaps, no need to consider how to enter—just have Elder Xun Ziyou summon others and launch a full-scale extermination from the perimeter?

Mo Hua frowned in thought.

At that moment, two demonic cultivators slipped away from the group, heading into the dense forest.

Mo Hua paused, then glanced at Elder Xun Ziyou.

Elder Xun Ziyou had clearly noticed too.

Their eyes met; they nodded silently in mutual understanding, then moved together, weaving through the trees, silently following the two demonic cultivators.

Elder Xun Ziyou was a Jin Dan cultivator; tracking two Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators was effortless.

But when he turned back, he saw that Mo Hua, merely at Foundation Establishment Mid-stage, moved with equal ease—unseen, silent, his light form blending seamlessly into the night.

So subtly did he move that even Elder Xun Ziyou nearly missed him.

Elder Xun Ziyou was slightly startled, but now he was certain.

This child with such a sweet face must have done plenty of "bad things"…

But since Mo Hua was so skilled and could keep up with him, Elder Xun Ziyou relaxed.

The two demonic cultivators broke away from the group, walking farther and farther, silent all the way until "no one was around," then whispering to each other.

"... Is this really a good idea?"

"What's wrong with it? Do you want to spend your whole life stuck in that disgusting valley?"

"But…"

"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements…"

One of the tall demonic cultivators lowered his voice and rasped:

"I'm from Yan Shui City. The Jin family disciple assigned to watch over us has some past connection with my elders—they'll turn a blind eye…"

"All we need to do is fake our deaths, and we'll escape this hell."

"Someone in the valley will cover for us."

The younger demonic cultivator still hesitated.

The tall demonic cultivator said: "Think about it—once we're out, with our abilities, we can join any demonic sect or beast sect, eat when we want, take women when we want, instead of living like beasts in these mountains. Isn't that free and easy?"

The younger demonic cultivator was indeed tempted.

He had only just begun cultivating demonic arts.

Not long ago, he was the prodigy his family had high hopes for, planning to earn his place among the sect's disciples through his own efforts.

He wanted to prove he wasn't any worse than those true prodigies from great clans.

But somehow, he ended up here.

To his parents and family, he was already "dead."

But in the Demon Refining Mountain, he was still alive—alive like a half-dead monster, hidden from the light.

Even now, when he recalled it, he felt bewildered.

He didn't even know how he had gradually slipped into this state…

Like a sudden nightmare that never ended.

He had gone from a man to a beast that drank blood and ate raw flesh.

And one wrong step, forever irreversible.

"Since it can't be undone, we must first find a way to escape this hell…"

The younger demonic cultivator thought, then his tone turned earnest: "Big Brother Zhao, please help me. From now on, I'll follow you blindly—whatever you say, I'll do."

The tall demonic cultivator was very satisfied.

"But…" the younger demonic cultivator asked softly, "how exactly do we get out?"

Mo Hua was also deeply puzzled.

The Demon Refining Mountain was sealed.

These demonic cultivators were saturated with demonic energy, trapped inside—how could they possibly leave through the mountain gate?

The tall demonic cultivator's voice dropped to an extreme whisper.

"I'll tell you this in secret—don't you dare leak it…"

The younger demonic cultivator's expression turned solemn; he leaned close, their voices nearly inaudible.

Mo Hua crouched on the big tree, instinctively leaning forward to get closer and hear what they were saying.

But as he leaned halfway, the tall demonic cultivator suddenly shouted:

"Who's there?!"

Mo Hua was startled.

"Found out?"

No way…

Since his spiritual sense had transformed and his spiritual perception strengthened, and after learning the Lesser Five Elements Concealment Technique, his stealth had become exquisite, and his tracking experience had grown richer.

He always followed targets perfectly.

He had never once been discovered.

Could this demonic cultivator be this perceptive?

Mo Hua immediately went on full alert, preparing to act—restrain the demonic cultivator, then dodge behind Elder Xun's back and let Elder Xun deal with this nuisance.

But before he could rise, the tall demonic cultivator raised a finger.

Yet he wasn't pointing at Mo Hua—he pointed instead at a vacant space behind the younger demonic cultivator, with a solemn expression:

"Someone's here!"

The younger demonic cultivator, being young, truly had no suspicion—he turned instantly in the direction the tall demonic cultivator pointed.

The instant he turned, he realized what was happening.

But it was too late.

Mo Hua clearly saw a streak of crimson bloodlight flash through the night.

The tall demonic cultivator's palm transformed into a demonic claw, his demonic energy condensed to its peak, then, with a stench of blood, pierced straight through the younger demonic cultivator's back.

His chest was pierced, his heart torn apart—the younger demonic cultivator's face twisted in terror, then surged with boundless rage.

He wanted to retaliate against the tall demonic cultivator.

Even if he died, he'd tear off a piece of flesh.

But he was mortally wounded, no match at all.

After only a few struggles, his arms were broken, his lower abdomen pierced, and he collapsed, bleeding out, dead.

The tall demon cultivator licked the fresh blood on his arm, glanced coldly at the corpse on the ground, and mocked:

"Take a look at yourself—what kind of trash are you?"

"Sure, you were born into a clan too, but compared to those real prodigies and young masters, are you worthy?"

"Just anyone dares to look down on others."

"Fine, your talent isn't bad, but so what?"

"Full of pride, but no brains. When you meet someone you can't afford to provoke, you still don't know to bow your head."

"If you don't die, who will?"

The young demon cultivator lay dead and cold on the ground, eyes wide open, dying with a grievance.

The tall demon cultivator began stripping the black robe from his body. "Kill you, use you as a cushion, then I can get out."

As he spoke, he let out a sinister chuckle. "Don't blame big brother for being heartless. You're dead, but I'm still alive, aren't I."

"A life is only three hundred years or so. Once I get out, I'll enjoy these three hundred years of good fortune on your behalf. When I'm done, big brother will go down and apologize to you."

"As for you, stop dying with a grievance…"

He reached out to close the young demon cultivator's eyes, but tried several times without success.

"Damn it, you won't take the easy way, only the hard way."

The tall demon cultivator flew into a rage, gave a hard yank, and tore the young demon cultivator's two eyeballs into a bloody mess.

Fresh blood streamed down from the eye sockets, like tears of blood.

"What fucking bad luck!"

The tall demon cultivator snorted coldly, spat, and the moment he turned around, he saw an irresistible white sword-light slice through the dark night.

His entire arm was severed, like rotten mud.

Demon blood gushed out.

A look of blank confusion appeared on his face.

Before he could react, another flash of sword-light severed one of his legs.

The tall demon cultivator immediately dropped to his knees, eyes filled with horror. Just as he tried to struggle to his feet, a slender cultivator appeared before him.

Elder Xun Ziyou, face dark as water and eyes brimming with fury, pointed with two fingers.

A massive surge of Jin Dan sword Qi, imbued with sword intent, surged forth violently, tearing the tall demon cultivator into a body covered in wounds.

The oppressive might of the sword Qi pinned the demon cultivator to the ground.

The demon cultivator lay prostrate, unable to rise, face ashen, having already lost the will to resist.

Elder Xun Ziyou hadn't given his all, yet in less than three exchanges, he had completely subdued the tall demon cultivator.

Mo Hua nodded with great satisfaction.

His own "bodyguard" was really impressive.

"Speak!" Elder Xun Ziyou's face was frosty as he asked in a low voice, "What is your identity?"

"Who is the young master you mentioned?"

"And how do you plan to leave Monster Refining Mountain?"

But the demon cultivator merely grinned, revealing a mouthful of fresh blood, and did not answer.

Mo Hua frowned, then his expression suddenly sharpened, and he said:

"He's transmitting a message!"

Before Mo Hua's words had even faded, Elder Xun Ziyou also realized it at once. He sliced his finger through the air, and a gleaming white sword-light appeared.

The tall demon cultivator's other arm was severed along with it.

The searing pain made the demon cultivator unable to hold back a scream, but before the sound could leave his throat, Elder Xun Ziyou used Jin Dan spiritual power to forcibly lock his throat.

Mo Hua, meanwhile, pinched the token between his slender white fingers, picking it out of a pool of blood.

It was a transmission talisman.

Mo Hua's eyes lit up.

A good find!

On the other side, Elder Xun Ziyou's gaze was sharp as a sword as he continued questioning the demon cultivator. "Exactly whose orders are you following?"

"And who passed the demon cultivator's cultivation method down to you?"

The tall demon cultivator merely sneered to himself, a mouthful of fresh blood, and said nothing.

Seeing this, Mo Hua said:

"Kill him. He won't talk."

Elder Xun Ziyou was stunned, looking at Mo Hua with a complicated expression.

This child—how could he be more decisive about killing than I am…

They'd only just met face to face, asked two questions, hadn't even waited for an answer, and he just says "kill him" outright…

Mo Hua said, "Demon cultivators are stubborn. Besides, he's already in this state—alive or dead makes no difference. He definitely won't talk."

Elder Xun Ziyou thought it made sense, though he still hesitated somewhat.

Mo Hua then shook the "transmission talisman" in his hand. "Just interrogate this."

Elder Xun Ziyou was stunned for a moment, then understood, and nodded.

On the other side, the tall demon cultivator, hearing a clear, crisp voice say he should be killed, couldn't help struggling to raise his head and glare furiously at Mo Hua.

Mo Hua met his gaze fearlessly and unafraid, and said with a smile:

"You said earlier that once this 'big brother' of yours enjoyed three hundred years of good fortune, he'd go down and apologize to the 'little brother' you just killed."

"Three hundred years is way too long…"

"Why don't you cut to the chase and go down to apologize right now!"

The demon cultivator's pupils widened, staring at Mo Hua, seething with hatred.

But before he could say anything, a streak of sword-light swept past, and the tall demon cultivator was beheaded on the spot, dying instantly.

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