Chapter 1422: Mangshan Snake King Shan Mang and the Demon Emperor

"Take a look at this pill; its grade is high, and it almost formed a pill pattern, showing that this person's Pill Refining has reached an absurd level—an Eighth‑grade Pill in his hands should pose no difficulty."

"You should know, this person was previously refining sixth‑ and seventh‑grade pills; now even an Eighth‑grade Pill can be refined into this form, his Pill Refining has improved extremely quickly and is quite terrifying."

"In just a few years, his Pill Refining rose from sixth to eighth grade; you should know that improving Pill Refining is the slowest and most difficult, not comparable to cultivation level."

"At this person's rate of Advancement, he may soon become a ninth‑grade Pill Refiner; by then his Pill Refining may not be invincible worldwide, but at least the world's Pill Refiners will bow when they see him."

"Pill Refining is pure; if it doesn't work, it doesn't work, and if one can't match it, one simply can't."

"The crushing of innate talent is more direct; compared to cultivation level, talent and comprehension are valued even more."

"The gap is also the easiest to widen; if one's talent falls short, it's basically a lifelong matter, never able to catch up."

"Unlike cultivation, which can mature late and be caught up step by step, if Pill Refining falls behind, it's behind forever—you can only see the back, and perhaps even that disappears."

"Luotian White Snake Clan Elder was greatly shocked; every time she saw a pill, she would be frightened, and naturally she understood the changes in Chen Chuyang's Pill Refining. This change is invisible to others, but she is very clear about it; she is more sensitive and aware in this regard."

"Her own Pill Refining is not inferior; though it doesn't match Chen Chuyang's, she clearly knows the difficulty of improving Pill Refining."

"'Elder, is he truly that formidable?' Bai Xinlan knew the Luotian White Snake Clan Elder was powerful, but she hadn't imagined him to be this formidable."

"This level of greatness already exceeds what she imagined; note that in the Elder's eyes, even the Mangshan Demon Emperor might not receive any praise, yet regarding Chen Chuyang, the Elder has praised him countless times, each time offering one or two commendations."

"Bai Xinlan had never seen the Elder hold such esteem and praise for a person; of course, they didn't know these pills were refined by Chen Chuyang, assuming everything was refined by Qinglong Daoren."

"'He's even more formidable than you think; you must get along well with him thereafter and must not offend him.'"

"'Better to offend Zhang Mang than to offend this person.'"

"'As long as our Luotian White Snake Clan stays on good terms with him, our Luotian White Snake Clan's rise is just around the corner.'"

"Luotian White Snake Clan Elder could state this with great resolve, and could also be very proud to have Bai Xinlan befriend Qinglong Daoren; later, perhaps their Luotian White Snake Clan could break out of Cangzhou and head to other provinces."

"Even becoming the ruler of the Monster Race is not impossible."

"Cangzhou is in Tianwai, nothing at all; compared to the true central lands, it's far inferior."

"Their goal has never been the Mangshan Mountain Range; of course, the Mangshan Mountain Range is rich in resources, and having control over it is naturally the best."

"'I know what to do now, Elder; rest assured, I won't offend him,' Bai Xinlan naturally understood Qinglong Daoren's importance and his indispensable role for the Luotian White Snake Clan."

"He is three parts more important than she is; others can encounter trouble, but Qinglong Daoren must not encounter any."

"'Elder, this time the Heavenly Capital Dragon King and the Mangshan Demon Emperor are taking action, likely because of Qinglong Daoren; should we?'"

"Luotian White Snake Clan Elder waved a hand: 'Don't rush; Zhang Mang has taken a loss this time, he showed a flaw and is certainly injured. Those Demon Kings of the Mangshan Demon Palace won't let him off easily. He currently has no time to act against Longshe Shan, so you can rest assured.'"

"'The most urgent matter is that I, the Elder, must quickly restore my strength, so I can have the ability to face the upcoming danger.'"

"'Xinlan, from now on, I, the Elder, will go into seclusion; you must keep an eye on the clan.'"

"'Yes, Elder.' Bai Xinlan clasped her hands."

"The Elder went into seclusion; this seclusion will surely bring gains."

"She waited for this day to arrive."

"Luotian White Snake Clan Elder went into seclusion, and Bai Xinlan left the cave realm without disturbing the Elder's cultivation."

"Having returned to the clan, she ordered that Holy Maiden Bai Meng immediately keep watch over Longshe Shan, dispatching more people to protect Longshe Shan and prevent anyone from approaching."

"If any situation arises, they must inform her at once."

"After arranging all this, Bai Xinlan also began cultivating."

"Three months passed silently."

"Inside the Mangshan Demon Palace, the atmosphere was relatively calm, and the calmer it was, the more frightening it felt."

"The calm before the storm is often the most terrifying."

"Mangshan Demon Emperor Zhang Mang stared at the inside and outside of the Mangshan Demon Palace, observing all situations. He took no action, remained waiting above, neither entered seclusion for cultivation nor went to Longshe Shan."

"At this moment, he had no thoughts, or rather, he temporarily could not go to Longshe Shan."

"'Longshe Shan, Qinglong Daoren, and that human—hard to provoke.'"

"'The Heavenly Capital Dragon King shields Longshe Shan, and that stinky woman Bai Xinlan also protects Longshe Shan; acting rashly would provoke them to act, and then I might become deeply entangled, giving those Demon Kings an opportunity.'"

"'Xukong Wang is still in seclusion; he cannot emerge in the short term, so trying to involve him with those Demon Kings is unlikely.'"

"'He knows very well that even if Xukong Wang recovers, he would not stand on his side; instead, he might be the first to strike him.'"

"Thinking of this, the Mangshan Demon Emperor's head ached."

"'Shan Mang, keep your eyes on Black Tiger; if he shows any movement, kill him immediately.'"

"The Mangshan Demon Emperor spoke to the man before him; this man was one of the four great Demon Kings of the Mangshan Demon Palace, the Mangshan Snake King."

"His stature was rather gloomy, his face deathly pale, like a delicate pretty boy."

"Yet those eyes harbored a venomous, snake‑like malice, not much different from the Mangshan Demon Emperor's."

"'I know what to do, Your Majesty the Demon Emperor,' the Mangshan Demon King said, his voice gentle yet unmistakably authoritative."

"'Black Tiger has always been disloyal, and the Bee King and Butterfly King must also be kept under watch.'"

"'That woman Bai Xinlan also harbors a betraying heart; she will act sooner or later. If you can, kill them.'"

"'I, the Emperor, permit you to unleash a slaughter; kill as many as you can, let loose without restraint.'"

"The Mangshan Demon Emperor became angry; he did not act himself, but let the Snake King act."

"The Snake King's pupils contracted, his venomous eyes swirled, he said nothing, merely staring at the Mangshan Demon Emperor."

"The Mangshan Demon Emperor noted his gaze and said, 'I, the Emperor, am already wounded and have little time left. This position is yours; if you kill them, you can seize control of the Mangshan Demon Palace and become the sole Demon Emperor.'"

"'I, the Emperor, will help you control the Mangshan Demon Palace, Shan Mang; this is the path you must walk to become Demon Emperor, as I once did.'"

"'If you let anyone else sit in that position, you will have no foothold.'"