Chapter 224: The Pride of the Demon Clan

He's here!

Master Pang suddenly said.

Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang both activated their Void-Sight, gazing toward the valley's entrance.

The square-faced youth was leading several brothers, watching the valley with wary caution.

So many people…

One of his companions said.

"All of them are Immortal Sect cultivators… This Emperor Flow should be our demonic clan's greatest treasure!" another growled bitterly: "If one day our demonic clan prospers…"

Flames flickered in the eyes of the others—flames fueled by resentment and hatred.

Clearly, the unspoken words were their shared desire.

"Big Brother… we can't let them take the Emperor Flow!"

The square-faced youth listened, then shook his head and sighed: "Not only are we merely Golden Core cultivators—this Emperor Flow's appearance is strangely suspicious."

"Big Brother, you're too cautious!"

"Our demonic clan has suffered under the Immortal Sects for so long—if we still can't learn caution…" the square-faced youth sneered, "we'd have been dead long ago."

…

His words left the others nodding in silent agreement.

It was clear this man was the group's anchor not merely because of his bloodline.

"Then let's proceed carefully," the square-faced youth said when the others fell silent, adding: "If the Emperor Flow truly exists, we must not let it slip… but if it's a trap, we must preserve ourselves."

The others nodded, as if convinced.

"Look!"

Deep within the valley, a golden-red glow suddenly blazed forth, illuminating the entire valley—the cliffs before them shimmered like sunset.

Even more urgent, a tall-legged woman's silhouette was dashing toward the grove.

"Xiao Yuying!"

"The Emperor Flow has emerged!"

"Hurry!"

The crowd outside the valley shouted and surged forward.

"Big Brother?"

"We follow from behind," the square-faced youth still held back, warning them: "Xiao Yuying is no ordinary cultivator. This crowd is a mix of wolves and dogs—none of them have a Nascent Soul. Who among them can steal from her? We wait and watch!"

Indeed, before the crowd even reached the valley, the golden-red glow within the grove began flickering wildly—as if Xiao Yuying was about to claim it.

The cultivators accelerated their flight; a man beside them urged:

"Big Brother!"

"Not yet!"

The square-faced youth still observed.

At that moment, Xiao Yuying's sharp cry rang out from the grove: "Who's there!"

Everyone froze.

A thunderous crash echoed—the grove erupted as if two cultivators were clashing.

Massive boulders tumbled from the cliff; radiant treasures flashed through the trees.

The cultivators rushing forward immediately retreated.

The square-faced youth and his group, already lagging behind, withdrew even faster.

The two figures in the grove clashed for only a moment, then fell silent.

Only the half-collapsed cliff and the vanished night forest revealed the ferocity of the battle.

Xiao Yuying reappeared, scanning the surroundings as if searching for the hidden attacker.

Several corpses lay on the ground.

Some cultivators had rushed too eagerly and become collateral damage.

These followers of Xiao Yuying had always been a disorganized mob—how could they dare approach now?

They scattered in all directions.

"Big Brother, you were right!" one man beside the square-faced youth exclaimed in relief: "I never expected this to be a trap! It seems someone's targeting Xiao Yuying?"

The square-faced youth nodded faintly, a hint of self-satisfied amusement tugging at his lips.

…

Xiao Yuying watched her own bewildered reflection in the illusion, twitched her lips, and said: "Why go through all this?"

Before Zheng Fa could speak, Sister Yuan chimed in eagerly:

"I know, I know! It's because that Qiongqi-blooded demon is clever and suspicious!"

"Clever and suspicious?"

Sister Yuan shook her head, mimicking Sister Zhang's tone: "He trusts only himself, loves to doubt—tricking him isn't easy."

Xiao Yuying nodded, glancing at Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa, however, looked toward the Golden Crow.

The Golden Crow flapped its wings and flew out of the cave.

…

The square-faced youth watched the cultivators slowly depart, yet his eyes held deep thought.

"Big Brother? Since there's no Emperor Flow here, shall we leave?"

The square-faced youth shook his head: "Xiao Yuying isn't ordinary… have you seen her leave?"

They turned to the valley—sure enough, Xiao Yuying had not departed; she was still searching.

Earlier, she seemed to be hunting for a person; now, she was hunting for something else.

"Big Brother, you mean…"

"I don't know…"

The square-faced youth shook his head, uncertain.

More and more people were leaving.

The others exchanged glances, unsure what the square-faced youth was waiting for.

Then, the square-faced youth suddenly spotted a shadow—a shadow hidden in the night, invisible to the naked eye.

Even if one could see it, most cultivators would assume it was just an ordinary crow and ignore it.

But the square-faced youth recognized that crow!

"Golden Crow!" he whispered: "Look at it—doesn't it seem to sense something?"

They all turned to the Golden Crow.

Indeed, its wings beat rapidly, as if drawn by some supreme treasure—its gaze burned with excitement and fervor.

"Could the Emperor Flow truly exist?"

"It's hard to deceive Xiao Yuying," the square-faced youth analyzed, nodding to them: "The Golden Crow's bloodline is noble—it likely has a special sensitivity to treasures. Come, follow it!"

The others all agreed it made sense.

More importantly, they deeply trusted his judgment.

The square-faced youth led them stealthily past the crowd, following the Golden Crow toward the valley's far side.

At that moment, Xiao Yuying also seemed to sense something—her figure flickered and vanished.

…

"…That's it?"

"I know, I know!" Sister Yuan spoke again: "That was just to make him lower his guard, to think the trap wasn't meant for him…"

"Now, we make him believe he's discovered a clue to a secret treasure—he won't suspect. He'll be certain."

Hearing this, Xiao Yuying shook her head and sighed: "Your schemes… only work on the clever."

…

"Big Brother, your mind is brilliant!" the group murmured behind the Golden Crow: "If there really is Emperor Flow, and Big Brother uses it, you might even reach Nascent Soul! With your unmatched wisdom, you'll one day be a lord of our demonic clan!"

"Absolutely!" another nodded: "Even Xiao Yuying was fooled—only Big Brother saw through the deception! These so-called human geniuses…"

The square-faced youth smiled, waving his hand to them: "Once we get the treasure, we share it with our brothers!"

The men beside him glanced at each other, faces flushed with excitement.

The Golden Crow flew ahead, furtively, as if afraid someone was following.

But as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it couldn't detect the square-faced youth and his group, who were Golden Core.

As they walked, the square-faced youth noticed his companions growing fewer and fewer.

His heart tightened—he realized this was truly a hidden realm; without noticing, he'd become separated from the others.

Fortunately, the Golden Crow hadn't vanished. He gritted his teeth, abandoned searching for the others, and pressed on after the crow.

He didn't know how long he walked.

A glowing cave suddenly appeared before him.

The Golden Crow ahead, visibly excited, let out a sharp cry and dashed inside.

The square-faced youth's heart leapt—he feared the treasure inside would be snatched by the crow. He abandoned stealth, his back erupting into two black fleshy wings, and shot into the cave like lightning…

Then he saw the warm smiles of the people inside.

He wanted to run.

But the Nascent Soul aura on Zhang Shijie, Pang Shu, and Xiao Yuying made him go limp, his rear flesh wings drenched in cold sweat.

At this moment, how could he not know—he had been deceived!

"You… you actually acted that convincingly?"

He stared at the Golden Crow, unable to believe that the fervor in its eyes moments ago had all been faked!

Hearing this, the Golden Crow seemed slightly embarrassed, rubbing its head against its wing, then nuzzling Zheng Fa's palm before speaking: "That was genuine emotion…"

"…"

Outside the cave.

Several demonic beasts who had noticed their elder brother's absence gathered together, growing worried.

"Where's Elder Brother? Why hasn't he come out yet?"

"Gone to search for treasure?"

"Should we report this to the Great King?"

At that moment, Xiao Yuying's voice suddenly rang out again: "I never expected there to be someone like you among the demonic beasts!"

Everyone looked up and saw a figure with outstretched wings soaring from the valley, clutching a jade vial and flying desperately toward the mountains beyond.

Xiao Yuying made no move to pursue; her tone even held a hint of admiration.

"Elder Brother… stole the treasure from Xiao Yuying?"

"He rivals a Nascent Soul with his Golden Core!" another exclaimed excitedly. "Elder Brother will surely become a Great Sage one day!"

"Let's go quickly!"

Afraid Xiao Yuying might cause trouble, they dared not linger, slipping away stealthily.

…

"Look, even though you were fooled, you've become famous now!" Zheng Fa, seeing the square-faced youth's dejected expression, offered a comforting word: "From now on, everyone will know you're the demonic beast who stole treasure from Miss Xiao!"

"You'll become the pride of your demonic kind!"

The square-faced youth opened his mouth.

His expression grew even more peculiar—he clearly wasn't comforted.

Beside him, Xiao Yuying shook her head and said: "So this is why you asked me earlier to lend you my reputation?"

"…" Zheng Fa looked at Xiao Yuying with a touch of guilt.

"This matter…" Xiao Yuying pondered for a moment, then suddenly seemed to have learned something: "It's quite fun!"

"…"

To be honest, Zheng Fa felt no sympathy seeing the square-faced youth on the verge of tears—but seeing Xiao Yuying's excited expression…

He truly felt a pang of guilt for corrupting an innocent soul…

…

Half a month later.

In the new base of the demonic beasts and the Great Freedom Demon Cult.

"Why hasn't Elder Brother returned yet?"

"He got the treasure—he's obviously cultivating!" another said.

"Why not come back to cultivate here?"

"There are so many demon-cultist women here—how can you cultivate properly? Besides, the demon sect isn't on our side!"

"True. Elder Brother is a cautious man!"