Chapter 171: Scavenging for Treasure

Zhang Yi and his party stood on the periphery.

Looking at the bustling scene before them, they could not help but marvel at the allure of the Demon Emperor.

A single concubine selection had actually drawn such a large number of Demon Beasts to yearn for it.

The Pterosaur asked curiously, "Boss, what do you think this Demon Emperor actually looks like? He wouldn't be some ugly monster, would he?"

Zhang Yi rolled his eyes at him and said, "What do you know? The Demon Emperor is the supreme ruler of ten thousand demons; how could he be an ugly monster? Even if he were ugly, it would be an imposing, domineering kind of ugly!"

Nudi heard this and struggled to suppress her laughter.

The preliminary selection ceremony was being held on a high platform in the center of the square.

Several gorgeously dressed, elderly Yao Niang Mama held rosters embroidered with gold thread.

They began to read out names one by one in shrill, thin voices.

Some of the female demons whose names were called were so excited that their faces turned red.

Others were trembling with nervousness.

They tidied their clothes one after another and, with lotus-like steps, walked gracefully toward the high platform.

On the high platform, the Yao Niang Mama wore solemn expressions.

Their sharp gazes scrutinized every female demon who stepped forward.

They paced slowly around the female demons.

They examined their appearances and postures carefully, not even letting a single strand of hair or a fingernail escape their notice.

Afterward, they would throw out a series of questions.

For example: What songs or dances are you skilled in?

What kind of needlework are you proficient in?

Do you understand the way of serving?

The questions were varied, tricky, and strange.

They were aimed at examining the talents and character of these female demons in every aspect.

Some self-confident female demons gradually became flustered under the gaze of the Mama.

The talent displays they had prepared became clumsy and awkward.

Their answers were stumbling and incoherent.

Some female demons were even so nervous that they fainted on the spot.

As for those who failed the selection, they covered their faces and wept, sighing as they left the venue.

Some female demons won the praise of the Mama by virtue of their outstanding talents and steady responses.

However, even if they were chosen, they had only temporarily passed the preliminary selection.

There were even more cruel layers of screening to follow.

In the square, undercurrents surged, and the atmosphere of competition was exceptionally intense.

In order to stand out, some female demons did not even hesitate to use despicable means.

A female demon wearing a bright green dress deliberately stepped on and crushed a jade hairpin that another female demon had carefully prepared.

That jade hairpin was an heirloom treasure of the female demon's family and held extraordinary significance.

Watching the jade hairpin shatter, the female demon felt as if her heart were being pierced by a knife.

Yet the culprit acted as if nothing had happened, a smug smile hanging on the corner of her mouth.

This scene was discovered by a sharp-eyed Mama, who sternly rebuked, "So vicious, how are you fit to serve the Demon Emperor!"

Having said that, she ordered the guards to drag the green-clad female demon away and disqualified her from the competition.

Zhang Yi and his party stood on the periphery of the square, taking all of this in.

The Pterosaur sighed, "I didn't expect this concubine selection to be even more cruel than I imagined!"

Zhang Yi nodded and said, "Indeed, this is the Demon Emperor's concubine; is it really so easy to become one?"

Nudi looked at those female demons who were scheming against each other to fight for a position, her face full of disdain.

In her view, a true powerhouse should rely on their own strength rather than attaching themselves to others.

This preliminary selection lasted for an entire day.

In the end, fewer than one hundred female demons successfully advanced.

They would enter the next round of screening.

As for those who failed, they could only leave the Yao Di Fu with regret and unwillingness.

In the square, the preliminary selection had just ended.

Zhang Yi's gaze, however, did not linger on those beauties.

He scanned every corner of the Yao Di Fu.

He keenly captured the Qi flowing in the air.

This Yao Di Fu was truly a treasure land!

The Qi was so dense it was almost about to condense into substance; it must have nurtured many rare treasures.

Zhang Yi was secretly delighted, calculating whether he could "borrow" some treasures to use as provisions amidst the chaos.

In this way, they would not have to worry about food and drink on their way to the Taiyang Shendian.

Nudi, who was beside him, saw through his thoughts at a glance.

A faint, imperceptible smile curled at the corner of her mouth.

"What are you thinking about? Your eyeballs are about to fall out."

Zhang Yi chuckled and did not hide it, "This Yao Di Fu is rich in Qi; there must be many good things here.

Our journey to the Taiyang Shendian is long; if we could replenish some provisions here..."

"You fellow, you really do eat wherever you go."

Nudi shook her head with a smile, then suggested, "How about this: while the Yao Di Fu hasn't started clearing the area yet, let's split up and search on our own. Remember, be very careful not to be discovered by the guards."

Zhang Yi readily agreed, and Mother Jubiao also nodded in approval.

As for the Quetzalcoatlus, it had long been unable to suppress its curiosity.

It couldn't wait to sprout wings immediately and turn this Yao Di Fu upside down.

Thus, the group split into several paths, silently blending into the night of the Yao Di Fu.

Xiaopugongying and the little earth dragon were petite in stature.

They moved with agility, weaving through the shadows of flowers and trees.

Zhang Yi chose a relatively secluded path; he held his breath and focused, sensing the fluctuations of Qi in the air.

Step by step, he walked toward the place where the Qi was most dense.

He walked through a long corridor and finally arrived at a hidden courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard grew a towering ancient tree.

Its branches were lush and leafy, blocking out the sky and sun.

Below the ancient tree was a pool of crystal-clear spring water, bubbling and flowing, emitting a refreshing fragrance.

Zhang Yi noticed that this was no ordinary water, but a spirit spring containing dense Qi!

His heart filled with joy; he hurriedly stepped forward, cupped a handful of the spirit spring water, and tasted it carefully.

The spirit spring water was crisp and sweet upon entering his mouth, and a stream of pure Qi instantly flowed through his entire body.

It made him feel refreshed and full of energy.

"Truly a good thing!"

Zhang Yi exclaimed, then took out a waterskin and filled it with the spirit spring water.

Just then, the sound of footsteps arrived, breaking the tranquility of the courtyard.

Zhang Yi was startled; he hurriedly hid behind a large tree, held his breath, and observed the newcomers.

He saw two guards wearing armor, holding spears, slowly walking into the courtyard.

They looked around, as if searching for something.

"Strange, I clearly felt a fluctuation of Qi here, so why is there nothing?"

One of the guards said in confusion.

"Perhaps it was just an illusion."

The other guard said, "Let's go, we still need to continue our patrol."

The two guards turned and left, and only then did Zhang Yi heave a sigh of relief and step out from behind the tree.

"That was close."

He breathed out softly.

At this moment, a force pressed down on his shoulder; Zhang Yi was so startled that cold sweat broke out.

He turned his head abruptly.

Only to see Nudi had appeared behind him at some point, looking at him with a half-smile.

"My goodness, you scared the life out of me!"

Zhang Yi patted his chest and glared at Nudi in annoyance.

Nudi covered her mouth and chuckled, "Coward."

Zhang Yi rolled his eyes helplessly, too lazy to argue with her.

"Did you find any good treasures?"

He pointed to the waterskin and asked, "I found a treasure here, spirit spring water; do you want to taste it?"