Chapter 423: Three Great Demon Kings

Where there is big, there is small.

If there are two colorful poison centipedes and mystic qi grass present, then there must be a small centipede.

This lets Yunhe somewhat understand why that colorful poison centipede is so irritable—perhaps the birth of the small centipede has made it regard all approaching monsters as enemies and danger.

Speaking honestly, Yunhe doesn't really want to provoke the colorful poison centipede.

But that area with at least dozens of stalks of mystic qi grass makes him yearn intensely.

If he can obtain this area's mystic qi grass, once his cultivator body successfully condenses the Five Elements Spiritual Body, he will have enough elixir to ensure he can raise his cultivation base to the peak of early Nascent Soul.

Moreover.

This is mystic qi grass produced near a fourth-level mid-stage demonic beast; its quality surpasses ordinary mystic qi grass, and if refined into pills, its medicinal potency will certainly be remarkable.

But before Yunhe could linger long, it seemed to sense his gaze lingering over its nest, and the colorful poison centipede came chasing after him as if gone mad.

Yunhe immediately felt a terrible headache.

"I merely want to ask for directions; I have no intention of disturbing your cultivation or life, fellow cultivator."

Seeing it speak, Yunhe's heart finally relaxed.

Suddenly.

The ferocious aura on the colorful poison centipede gradually subsided; after a moment's hesitation, its form flashed and it transformed into the appearance of a middle-aged human.

"Go back!"

However, Yunhe soon discovered that this seven-color three-headed centipede has an obvious defect: its two heads droop.

Then a woman in human form came out, pulling the seven-color three-headed centipede behind her; her complexion was pallid, and half of her body was covered by a layer of purple robe, suggesting she was not in good health.

Previously, when there was only one fourth-level mid-stage colorful poison centipede, Yunhe was already reluctant to fight; now that he's certain there is another, or even more, he is even less willing to fight.

Upon hearing that voice, the colorful poison centipede's expression changed slightly; it glared fiercely at Yunhe, then swiftly flew downward.

But before he could speak again, the colorful poison centipede's expression suddenly changed, and it lowly growled toward the direction of its nest:

"If I hadn't seen those mystic qi grasses, it would be fine, but since I have seen them, I naturally cannot let them go."

Upon seeing what Yunhe held in his hand, the colorful poison centipede let out a low howl and stopped its action.

Seven-color three-headed centipede!

The higher the cultivation base and the stronger the bloodline of a demonic beast, the harder it is to produce offspring; among the offspring of demonic beasts, there is a certain probability of mutation or variation, similar to bloodline atavism.

Obviously, as fellow toxic substances, the poison sac of the green male bull frog has a considerable attraction for it.

Yunhe's thought moved; he swept his hand across his waist, and beneath his wide robe, he lifted his hand.

Being able to communicate is good enough.

But I never expected it to actually have a child of the seven-color three-headed centipede.

But if the colorful poison centipede continues to press him like this, he cannot guarantee what he will do.

"Stop!"

Following its gaze, Yunhe saw a little creature poking its head out from the nest entrance.

Of course, in most cases the bloodline is diluted, and the offspring's bloodline is far inferior to that of the parents.

A weak-sounding voice came from below.

This made Yunhe secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

And the colorful poison centipede, noticing Yunhe's gaze, immediately had its expression sink.

The poison sac of the green male bull frog!

If this cannot move the colorful poison centipede's heart, then there's nothing to be done; we can only give it a try.

And a fourth-level mid-stage colorful poison centipede like the one before us is extremely unlikely to produce offspring; the chance of its offspring exhibiting bloodline atavism is nearly negligible.

Even a clay figurine has a bit of fire; he was merely asking for directions, not wanting to provoke the other party, and he has no interest in that seven-color three-headed centipede either.

Indeed, the purer the bloodline of a weak demonic beast, the greater its allure to high-level demonic beasts; but frankly, given Yunhe's current bloodline purity, he truly has no interest in that seven-color three-headed centipede, especially since it is a naturally defective seven-color three-headed centipede.

This colorful poison centipede simply cannot communicate; otherwise he could completely propose a trade to obtain these mystic qi grasses.

"Colorful Poison, hold back—it's not it."

All I saw was him gaunt, with sharp angular features, exuding a gloomy aura, wearing a deep purple wide robe, gazing at Yunhe.

In his palm lay quietly a peculiar object about half a palm in size, overall dark purple with a faint green glimmer, exuding a strong foul odor.

Sensing the surging demonic power emanating from the colorful poison centipede, Yunhe's face darkened and he said in a low voice:

The middle-aged man transformed from the colorful poison centipede still wore a heavy expression; after a long while he spoke rather stiffly: "Colorful Poison."

While supporting the woman, he revealed a look of heartache and guilt.

After a pause, he continued: "May I ask your name, fellow cultivator?"

Aberrant species!

"Hiss!!"

Staring at that poison sac, his eyes flickered with a faint light.

Immediately he bowed toward the colorful poison centipede and said: "Fellow cultivator, I harbor no ill intent."

It actually has three heads!

Clad in seven-colored armor similar to that of the colorful poison centipede—no, it should be said even more vivid.

Yunhe's expression upon seeing this was somewhat strange.

Could it be that, like when he encountered the poison flood dragon in Thousand Poison Mountain, he is being mistaken for another entity?

After a slight hesitation, he also descended downward.

Seeing him descend, Colorful Poison remained vigilant.

Yunhe secretly sighed and said directly: "Colorful Poison fellow cultivator, I no longer ask for directions; I wish to exchange this poison sac for these spiritual grasses—how about it?"

Speaking, he pointed to the mystic qi grass at the cave entrance.

Sure.

Before the variegated poison centipede could speak, the woman answered for it.

Hearing that, Yunhe did not hesitate and threw the poison pouch in his hand.

The woman drew in her fair arm, and at the same time she took back the poison pouch, she rolled up the mystic qi grass at the cave entrance along with some soil and sent it to Yunhe.

The variegated poison centipede is so fierce, yet this woman is so easy to talk to; it truly surprised Yunhe a bit.

But he rolled up his robe, gathered all the mystic qi grass, clasped his fists, and prepared to leave.

"Wait a moment." The woman suddenly called out to stop Yunhe.

"Huh?" Yunhe stopped his steps, turned his head, and asked, "Fellow cultivator, is there anything else?"

"Fellow, fellow cultivator." The woman seemed to be using the term "fellow cultivator" for the first time, gave a weak smile, and said, "If you have any questions, fellow cultivator, and if we as a couple know, we will tell you everything."

Seeing this, Yunhe thought for a moment and then asked:

"I wish to inquire about a mountain. This mountain reaches ten thousand zhang in height, and there may even be a heavenly pool on its summit."

Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that the expressions of the two people opposite had changed.

Especially the variegated poison centipede, its expression turned hostile once again.

It was only when the woman reached out and grabbed its wrist that she prevented the variegated poison centipede from striking again.

Yunhe, feeling increasingly that something was amiss, furrowed his brows.

From their expressions, it seemed they knew where Cloud Sorrow Mountain was, but from their posture, it appeared that Cloud Sorrow Mountain was not a good place for them.

The woman pulled the variegated poison centipede to her side, took a slight breath, forced a smile, and asked, "Fellow cultivator, where do you come from?"

"Hundreds of thousands of li away, Huanhu Dao."

Yunhe said without hesitation.

"I see." The woman looked enlightened, patted the variegated poison centipede's paw in a soothing manner, and said softly, "I apologize on behalf of my husband for his rash action."

Saying this, she bowed toward Yunhe.

Yunhe also simply waved his hand; he is now even more curious about what Cloud Sorrow Mountain is like.

It seems that the variegated poison centipede's unreasonable attack on him is somehow related.

"What you seek is probably Eagle Sorrow Mountain, right?" the woman said.

Eagle Sorrow Mountain?

He didn't really care what the mountain was actually called; as long as it met the conditions of being ten thousand zhang high and having a heavenly pool, it was the place he was seeking.

Afterward, the woman briefly gave Yunhe an account of the Eagle Sorrow Mountain as she described it.

As it turns out.

On this mountain, there actually reside three demon kings!

That is, Fourth Level demon beasts in Yunhe's understanding.

Furthermore, the leader among them is a late-stage Fourth Level great demon, a five-colored peacock!

Next, there is also a mid-stage Fourth Level Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python.

More importantly, there is an early-stage Fourth Level mystic tortoise!

Yunhe, in fact, was taken by the variegated poison centipede to be that mystic tortoise on Eagle Sorrow Mountain.

And this woman named Cuiling, as well as her and the variegated poison centipede's child, were injured by that Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python.

As a variant seven-colored three-headed centipede, its allure to the Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python is obvious.

"That is why my husband is so hostile toward you, fellow cultivator; please do not take it to heart."

Cuiling said this, pulling off one side of the purple outer robe that concealed her figure.

Thus one could see that half of her body was nearly destroyed, with one arm and one leg completely gone.

One can imagine that, as an early-stage Fourth Level demon beast, escaping from the grasp of a mid-stage Fourth Level Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python came at a great cost.

At the same time, Yunhe learned from her that this Eagle Sorrow Mountain counts as the strongest force within a radius of one hundred thousand li.

Especially that five-colored peacock, whose strength is such that even the variegated poison centipede has little chance of escaping from its grasp.

"Huh—"

After listening, Yunhe let out a long breath.

He secretly felt relieved in his heart.

Fortunately, he had encountered the variegated poison centipede couple beforehand; otherwise, if he had gone over without knowing the situation of Cloud Sorrow Mountain, he might have been fine with good luck, but in the worst case he could have faced a late-stage Fourth Level great demon!

Moreover, it would not be just one, but three Fourth Level demon beasts.

And countless lesser demons.

Although Yunhe had already thought that Guiyuan had told him about Cloud Sorrow Mountain, and the Cloud Sorrow Mountain now must differ from what Guiyuan once knew, he did not expect the difference to be so great.

It already had the appearance of a great nest of demon beasts.

"Many thanks for the information, you two."

Yunhe clasped his fists toward the couple before him and sincerely thanked them.

Having learned what he wanted to know and also obtained dozens of stalks of mystic qi grass, Yunhe did not linger any longer, taking flight on his escape light.

"I also don't know what that demon is doing going to Eagle Sorrow Mountain."

Watching the receding escape light, Cuiling sighed and shook her head.

"He is very strong."

The variegated poison centipede also watched the retreating Yunhe and said in a deep voice:

"Huh?"

Cuiling looked somewhat surprised at her husband.

It knows very well how formidable and proud her husband is; if it weren't truly unable to defeat that five-colored peacock, he would certainly have gone to challenge the Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python.

As a Fourth Level mid-stage demon beast, he actually said that Yunhe, this Fourth Level early-stage demon beast, is very strong, making Cui Ling somewhat surprised.

I have a feeling that if we fought with all our strength, the outcome would still be uncertain.

The Variegated Poison Centipede's expression turned solemn.

"In that case, we should have invited him earlier." Cui Ling seemed to regret a bit.

But the Variegated Poison Centipede said:

"We still don't know his purpose for going to Eagle Sorrow Mountain; if it's to join Eagle Sorrow Mountain."

Upon hearing that, Cui Ling laughed and said:

"That's unlikely; that Black Tortoise on the mountain is famously stingy."

Actually, Eagle Sorrow Mountain originally belonged to that Black Tortoise.

Later, the Five-Colored Peacock landed on the mountain peak; the two demons didn't know what they said, and the Five-Colored Peacock settled there.

The Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python was the last to join.

If it weren't that the Black Tortoise couldn't defeat the Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python, Eagle Sorrow Mountain would not now have three Fourth Level demon beasts.

"Even if he really wants to join, he will surely come into conflict with that Black Tortoise; this could be our opportunity."

Cui Ling slowly continued: "If he doesn't join, inviting him later won't be too late."

The Variegated Poison Centipede nodded.

In the vicinity of Eagle Sorrow Mountain, there are not a few demon beasts dissatisfied with Eagle Sorrow Mountain, and they more or less have some connections with each other.

In fact.

The one who actually often causes trouble for Eagle Sorrow Mountain is the fickle and perverse Fierce Wind Three-Headed Python.

On the contrary, the strongest Five-Colored Peacock rarely appears.

After leaving the Vast Plain, Yunhe fell onto a mountain peak that looked rather ordinary.

Originally he wanted to rush to Cloud Sorrow Mountain as soon as possible to learn what Guiyuan had said and answer his doubts, but after hearing what the Variegated Poison Centipede couple said, he could no longer go straight to Cloud Sorrow Mountain.

"A Fourth Level late-stage demon beast, what a hassle."

If Cloud Sorrow Mountain only had a Fourth Level mid-stage demon beast, he wouldn't be afraid; at worst they'd fight, and facing a Fourth Level mid-stage demon beast he really isn't weak; even if he can't win, running away is absolutely no problem.

But the existence of a Fourth Level late-stage demon beast makes him feel quite constrained.

"If he could break through to Fourth Level mid-stage, things would be easy."

If he could break through to Fourth Level mid-stage, then even facing a Fourth Level late-stage Five-Colored Peacock, he wouldn't be that afraid.

Unfortunately.

Even if the Cultivator Body could break through to Nascent Soul mid-stage, by the time it transmits to the Demon Beast Body, who knows how much time has passed.

"If it really doesn't work, we can only change our approach."

To be honest.

He actually still isn't clear about what Guiyuan said—that going to Cloud Sorrow Mountain would answer all his doubts—whether he is supposed to go up the mountain to find something.

Or whether he is supposed to go find a demon beast, or look at something like a stone tablet or mural, those kinds of relics.

"So, what we need to do first is actually to figure out what I should look for."

Thus, Yunhe decided to first conceal his Cultivation Base and sneak into Cloud Sorrow Mountain.

Most demon beasts wouldn't do this, proud as Fourth Level demon beasts are, but he is quite practiced at it.

After figuring out exactly what he is looking for, he will then decide whether to confront it head-on, to wait bitterly, or to seek some other method.

(End of chapter)