Chapter 43: Mountain Spirit's Plan Becomes Clear, Waiting Quietly for the Moment to Act

Around the Hulu Mountain range.

A towering peak stands tall.

Clouds rise on all sides, white and clean like cotton, clustered in groups, drifting to and fro.

Only the sharp tip of the peak remains, like a green hair bun; the rest is entirely obscured.

Atop this peak, there is an ancient cypress growing obliquely in front of a cave, and a giant mountain eagle is perched upon the cypress.

Suddenly, the mountain eagle opens its eyes, revealing a gaze of wisdom, and a seven-colored spirit lotus appears out of thin air before it.

The lotus pedestal conceals its spiritual charm, with not a shred of aura revealed.

The mountain eagle grabs the lotus pedestal, lets out an eagle cry, spreads its wings, and heads toward the direction of the Jinshe Cave.

Amidst the clouds, Fang Longye conceals his form, watches the figure of the mountain eagle flying away, and laughs: "I found it, just as expected!"

This is the very mountain eagle from the original story that delivers the seven-colored lotus pedestal.

However, the original story had the assistance of a pangolin, but now the pangolin has long since perished, so it is unclear how this lotus pedestal is to be delivered to the hands of the mountain spirit incarnation.

This is not important; that is a matter for the mountain spirit to worry about itself. What is important is the moment he saw that seven-colored lotus pedestal.

Through the Hidden Spirit Divine Ability, Fang Longye sensed the thick spiritual power within that lotus pedestal. Fortunately, with the Golden Finger masking it, he did not disturb the mountain spirit's divine sense within the lotus pedestal.

"Sure enough, my guess was correct~" Fang Longye smiles repeatedly, feeling even more confident about his subsequent actions~

……

Jinshe Demon Mansion, lamp shadows flickering.

The cave is filled with sweltering heat~

This is the Snake and Scorpion Demons using the Qingyang Cauldron to refine the Huluwa.

Although only a few demons remain in the demon cave, it is noisy and bustling.

Everyone is discussing the matter of the immortal pill.

At this moment, the Golden Centipede incarnation hears the voice of the Jinshe beside his ear, ordering him to go to the prison to retrieve the old man of the Huluwa and bring him before her for questioning.

The Golden Centipede incarnation's mind tightens, understanding that the critical moment has arrived.

Then, he nods calmly to signify compliance.

Passing through the winding and long corridor, stepping downward step by step, treading upon the path full of jagged white bones, he walks toward the cave where the old man, the mountain spirit incarnation, is imprisoned.

The prison cave is located at the very bottom level of the demon cave, full of dampness, with water droplets dripping onto the ground from time to time, forming shallow pits here and there.

Not far from the prison cave, there is a toad demon and a fish demon, each holding a long spear and a big blade, acting as prison guards.

"Old Toad, do you think those seven Huluwa can really be refined into a Seven-Heart Pill? I heard that if you take the Seven-Heart Pill, you can become immortal!"

The fish demon says, looking upward from time to time. In the plaza of the cave above, Jinshe Lady and Scorpion King are working together to refine the seven little demon kings; it seems it won't be long before results are seen.

With all seven Huluwa captured, the news that the two demon immortals, Snake and Scorpion, are preparing to refine the Seven-Heart Pill has spread throughout the cave abode.

All the demons have their enthusiasm soaring, even though many of their peers have perished in the process.

These minor demons are all very clear about the might of Qingshe in these Ten Thousand Mountains. And now that the Snake and Scorpion Demons have removed their opponents, they naturally will not tolerate the existence of another demon king by their side and will inevitably move to deal with Qingshe Niangniang.

Although they dare not covet the Seven-Heart Pill, they still understand the principle that when one attains the Dao, their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

Now that the Snake and Scorpion Demons have no opponents, they are set to remove Qingshe Niangniang next, which will surely unify the entire Demon Mountain Dense Forest.

These minor demons who have survived until now are naturally all loyal ministers of the King and Lady, and they will also be able to obtain huge benefits. "That's right, not to mention anything else, a divine pill that makes the King and Lady care so much—let alone consuming it, I reckon just smelling it would be of great benefit!" the toad demon nods and shakes his head in agreement.

The Golden Centipede incarnation hasn't even come down yet when he hears the conversation between the two demons, laughing to himself; they are truly ignorant minor demons—immortality is not that easy to come by.

Immediately, he flashes to the prison area, coughs, and speaks in a loud voice: "Is this how you two guard the prison?"

"Centipede Commander, this small one knows his mistake~"

"This small one will never dare to be lax again."

"Alright, get up! You two bring this old man out; the Lady wants to see him," he orders the two minor demons who are kneeling and begging for mercy after being frightened by him.

Then, after waiting for a moment, he takes the minor demons escorting the mountain spirit incarnation and heads toward the cave hall plaza above where the Jinshe is located.

Along the way, the toad demon keeps pushing the old man, cursing: "Old man, walk faster for me. This time, the Lady probably wants you to see with your own eyes the immortal pill being refined. This is your great fortune; when the time comes, kneel and beg for mercy, and the Lady might just spare your life!"

"Exactly, the Lady is truly merciful, actually not killing you old man directly, and even letting you observe the process of refining the immortal pill. If you, this fellow, are lucky enough to absorb a wisp of the immortal pill's aura, wouldn't that be a great benefit?" the fish demon on the side keeps echoing.

The old man with white hair and beard has anger on his face, looking as if his hair is standing on end with rage, but in reality, his eyes hide a cold and ruthless gaze deep within.

Although the Golden Centipede incarnation does not notice his abnormality, he knows the old man's background well and still stops the words and actions of the two minor demons.

Although he understands that given this mountain spirit's forbearance, he would definitely not rise up to kill at this time, he still feels a lingering fear.

……

The huge cave hall plaza inside the demon mansion has been renovated and cleaned up.

Exotic flowers and rare herbs, the room is filled with mist and clouds.

Lotus lamps are dotted about, and bright halos of light shine down; were it not for the flickering demon shadows, it would truly have the atmosphere of an immortal's dwelling.

Banquets are set on both sides of the cave hall plaza, with melons, fruits, meat, and wine placed upon them. An alchemy furnace stands in the very center of the plaza, with the furnace fire raging inside, concealing endless flames.

When this Spirit Treasure rioted last time, that portion of the unrefined Sun True Fire leaked out and was absorbed by Huawa.

The remaining fire is all controlled by the precious cauldron, so there is no fear of another disaster like the Cold Pool.

Even so, the various spirits and monsters who have already taken their seats have eyes full of unconcealable fear.

After all, although they themselves did not experience it, the spirits and monsters who previously followed the King and Lady to the Cold Pool almost none survived.

Furthermore, they could see that sea of fire stretching for a thousand miles that day from the demon mansion, so they are naturally terrified of this precious cauldron.

The Jinshe and the Scorpion Demon sit at the head of the banquet in the plaza, their faces carrying an irrepressible excitement.

According to the mountain spirit's words relayed back by the pangolin, this Seven-Heart Pill, besides allowing one to enter the Golden Immortal realm directly, also possesses all the divine abilities of these seven Huluwa.

Law of Heaven and Earth, Diamond Indestructible, Clairvoyance and Clairaudience, Control Water and Fire, Standing Up Without Shadow—these divine abilities are all extraordinary.

Manipulating the Spirit Treasure Jade Ruyi to continuously conjure fine wine, the Scorpion Demon drinks heartily, and in a short while, he has drunk three whole jars of wine.

Even the Jinshe is sipping cup after cup of fine wine with her small mouth, clearly feeling excited.

"Oh, Centipede Commander has finally arrived. Quickly, take your seat; we have been waiting for you!" The Snake and Scorpion Demons smiled and beckoned as they saw the figure of the Golden Centipede incarnation.

"My Lady, Great King, that old man has been brought here according to the Lady's instructions."

After bowing to report, the Golden Centipede incarnation signaled for two minor demons to escort the old man up, only then coming to his own seat and sitting down.

"Then let us have a look at this old gentleman who grew the Huluwa!"