Chapter 170: Entering the Demon Emperor's Mansion

"Boss, this Demon Emperor taking a concubine, what does that have to do with us finding the spirit treasure?"

The Pterosaur asked, puzzled.

"Perhaps it has something to do with it, perhaps it doesn't."

Zhang Yi pondered, "But since we're already here, let's go join the fun."

Nudi said with some impatience, "This place is dirty and smelly; I can't stay here for another moment."

Zhang Yi soothed her, "Don't be impatient. Let's observe the situation first, get some food, and then leave immediately."

At this moment, the crowd suddenly became restless.

"It's here, it's here! The notice is here!"

Several demon soldiers were seen carrying a huge notice board, walking over slowly.

The notice board read:

"I, this Emperor, wish to take a concubine to soothe my loneliness. All those interested may come forward to register. Regardless of background, regardless of race, only talent and virtue are valued."

Once the notice was out, it immediately caused an even greater commotion.

"Wow! These conditions are too lenient!"

"Yeah, yeah, regardless of background, regardless of race—doesn't this mean we all have a chance?"

"Hahaha, it seems I also have a chance to become a demon concubine!"

"Stop dreaming! With that bear-like appearance of yours, you still want to become a demon concubine?"

"Let's go, let's go, hurry up and register!"

The Demon Beasts swarmed forward, scrambling to run toward the direction of Yao Di Fu.

Zhang Yi and his group also followed the crowd, walking toward Yao Di Fu.

Zhang Yi and his group arrived in front of the gate of Yao Di Fu, only to see the plaza packed with a sea of Demon Beasts, bustling with noise and excitement.

Especially some of the female demons, each dressed up gaudily, posing and posturing, trying their best to show off their charm.

Some were touching up their makeup in mirrors.

Some were preening their feathers, and some were even trimming their fish scales on the spot.

The air was filled with all sorts of strange odors.

The Pterosaur was dazzled by the sight.

He couldn't help but lean over to Zhang Yi and whisper, "Boss, look at these female demons, they're dressed so seductively. It seems this Demon Emperor has quite the fortune with women!"

Zhang Yi smiled and shook his head: "This Demon Emperor hasn't been close to women for ten thousand years; I wonder what he's planning by suddenly taking a concubine this time."

"Who cares, it has nothing to do with us anyway. It's more important that we find a way to locate the spirit treasure first."

Nudi said impatiently from the side; she had no interest in these coquettish creatures.

The Pterosaur, however, became interested; he caught sight of a graceful fish demon trimming her scales not far away.

He couldn't help but walk over out of curiosity.

"Excuse me, miss."

The Pterosaur tried his best to appear polite.

The fish demon glanced at him sideways, not stopping the movement of trimming her scales, her tone somewhat impatient: "What?"

"Uh... I see you've been trimming your scales, and I'm a bit curious. Don't you fish only have a seven-second memory?

How can you still remember so many things?"

The Pterosaur asked cautiously.

Upon hearing this, the fish demon immediately stopped what she was doing, her almond eyes wide open, glaring at the Pterosaur.

"You outsider, what the hell do you know!

Who said we fish only have a seven-second memory?

That's a rumor! Our fish memory is excellent!"

The Pterosaur was stunned by the scolding and scratched his head awkwardly: "Ah? Is that so? I must have remembered wrong, sorry about that."

The fish demon gave a light snort, ignored him, and continued trimming her scales.

The Pterosaur was rebuffed and returned to Zhang Yi's side, feeling dejected.

Seeing him get snubbed, Zhang Yi couldn't help but mock him: "Serves you right. Who told you to go hit on her? Know how tough they are now?"

The Pterosaur looked aggrieved: "I was just curious, who knew this fish demon would have such a big temper."

"Curiosity killed the cat. Be careful next time and don't talk nonsense," Zhang Yi reminded him.

"The women in this place are really lacking in manners."

The Pterosaur muttered in a low voice, "No wonder the Demon Emperor hasn't looked for a woman in over ten thousand years."

Zhang Yi chuckled upon hearing this, but his expression changed immediately, and he hurriedly warned: "Keep it down! We're at the gate of Yao Di Fu. If someone hears you, just wait to be dragged into Yinhai!"

The Pterosaur was so scared he quickly covered his mouth, not daring to speak again.

At this time, the gate of Yao Di Fu slowly opened, and a team of guards walked out from inside.

Leading them was an old man in magnificent robes, holding a golden scroll in his hand.

The old man cleared his throat and said loudly: "Quiet, everyone! His Majesty the Demon Emperor has an edict: the grand ceremony for taking a concubine officially begins! All those interested, please come forward to register!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

The Demon Beasts in the plaza immediately boiled over, scrambling to surge toward the old man, the scene descending into chaos.

Seeing this, Zhang Yi and his group also followed the crowd forward to see if they could sneak in amidst the chaos.

"Boss, are we really going in?"

The Pterosaur asked with some worry, "What if we get discovered?"

"What are you afraid of? We haven't done anything bad."

Zhang Yi said indifferently, "Besides, with the Yao Di taking a concubine, perhaps if he is happy, he will directly reward us with spirit fruits."

Nudi frowned; although she was somewhat reluctant, she did not object.

Just like that, Zhang Yi and his group followed the crowded human tide, slowly walking toward the interior of the Yao Di Fu.

The Yao Di Fu was indeed very large.

Behind the towering vermilion gates, it was not the magnificent palace one might imagine.

Instead, it was a boundless plaza, paved with white jade, shining with a warm luster under the sunlight.

Lofty walls enclosed the plaza, with ancient totems carved upon them, emitting a mysterious aura.

Zhang Yi followed the surging Demon Beast tide as it poured into the plaza.

Only then did he realize that he had thought he had entered the Yao Di Fu.

In reality, he was still on the outskirts.

The true residence of the Yao Di was hidden deep within the plaza, shrouded in clouds and mist, impossible to peer into.

On the plaza, all sorts of Demon Beasts were bustling, as lively as a market fair.

There were winged birds circling in the air, emitting sharp cries.

There were massive beasts pacing on the ground.

And there were various strange-looking aquatic creatures.

These Demon Beasts all stretched their necks, looking forward with anticipation, wanting to catch a glimpse of the Yao Di's noble countenance.

However, apart from the old man in fine robes on the high platform in the center of the plaza, no other figures appeared.

The old man cleared his throat and said loudly, "Quiet! Quiet!"

The deep, resonant voice echoed across the plaza, intimidating the noisy crowd.

The Demon Beasts gradually quieted down, their gazes focused on the old man.

"Everyone, today is the grand ceremony for the Yao Di's concubine selection; thank you all for coming to show your support."

The old man paused and continued, "However, the Yao Di is busy with official business and is unable to preside over the preliminary selection in person, so today, this old man will screen on his behalf. Only in the final stage will the Yao Di appear."

As soon as the old man's voice fell, a commotion broke out in the plaza.

Some Demon Beasts sighed in disappointment.

Subsequently, guards wearing silver armor emerged from all sides of the plaza to maintain order.

Holding long halberds and with solemn expressions, they drove the Demon Beasts who were just watching the excitement to the outer perimeter of the plaza.

Forming a huge containment circle.

The female Demon Beasts who were interested were guided by the guards to form neat lines.

They walked to the front of the high platform one by one to undergo the screening.