Chapter 404: Lion Emperor Returns to the Thousand Demon Cave

Outside the Thousand Demon Cave.

A massive python with patterned skin coiled around a thick giant tree, its tongue flickering as a pair of pitch-black eyes watched the surroundings warily.

In an instant.

A majestic figure descended from the sky, its claw pinching the python's vital spot and smashing it brutally into the ground.

"Who?!"

The giant python was a Demon King with a mighty aura, yet under those sharp lion claws, it lacked even the qualification to move.

Once it saw the intruder's appearance, it quickly stopped struggling and said in fear: "Lion Emperor? You are still alive!"

The news had spread throughout the Thousand Demon Cave: the White Crane Demon Emperor led two other Great Demon Emperors to handle affairs outside, but was blocked by Nie Jun upon reaching Great Qian, and his life or death remains unknown.

Although the other party looked wretched, covered in lightning scars, he had indeed returned alive!

"I want the news about the Giant Horn and the Bai Ma right now."

Shen Yi looked with a cold voice, his eyes full of killing intent: "Where are these two beasts now?"

Hearing those words devoid of any reverence, the giant python dared not show even the slightest change in expression; this was a dispute between Great Demon Emperors, how could it possibly get involved: "The Giant Horn Demon Emperor returned to the Thousand Demon Cave long ago, and as for the White Crane Demon Emperor... this subordinate will immediately urge them to investigate with all their might! I guarantee the Lion Emperor will receive a reply at the fastest speed!"

However, it could understand the lion's anger.

Several Demon Emperors went out together, and when the Giant Horn Demon Emperor returned, he bore not a single scratch on his body... this clearly meant he had sold out the Lion Emperor to Nie Jun; no one could tolerate that.

Judging by the tone, the White Crane Demon Emperor seemed to be involved as well.

Tsk, if the Lion Emperor had died, it would be one thing, but now that he has returned alive, the trouble will be immense.

"Three days, I give you only three days."

Shen Yi released his claw and said coldly: "Order them all to search for them."

"As you command! Lion Emperor!"

The giant python finally kept its life, dared not breathe loudly, and quickly crawled away into the distance.

It did not notice that the moment it left.

A golden pearl, concealed by an array disk, had already tightly followed behind it.

Shen Yi straightened his body and looked toward the direction of the Thousand Demon Cave.

【Remaining Lifespan of Demons and Monsters: Seventeen Thousand Years】

This was the result after the White Crane had squandered his lifespan.

Since he held the identity of a Demon Emperor, he naturally had to squeeze every drop from it; with a shortage of lifespan, the dozens of Demon Kings he had seen last time were also taken in at this opportunity.

He had originally intended to return directly using the Bai Ma's identity.

But he was dissuaded by the Xuanming Spider Emperor.

The Demon Emperors of the first three caves would inevitably have to deal with the old dog; although the Transformation Art was left behind by the General Nanyang Sect, it might not work against Great Demons at the Return to Emptiness Realm, making the risk far too great.

Besides that, Shen Yi also wanted to return to the Eighth Cave to take a look.

The previous clash with the White Crane Demon Emperor, which seemed like an overwhelming crushing force, actually revealed a huge problem to him.

The three-hundred-zhang Dao Palace, though majestic and imposing... was so empty.

Apart from the nine Immortal Demons and the figure on the meditation cushion, the rest was entirely a sea of crimson blood and demonic clouds.

This was completely different from the Purple Thunder Divine Sword Palace Nie Jun had summoned at that time.

It was like a scroll painting that carefully depicted a sparrow, then carelessly filled the blank areas with ink; it was simply too crude.

The reason lay in having taken a wrong path during cultivation.

The original Boundless Dao Emperor Palace was meant to spread the Dao to all Li Min, forging a Boundless Visualization Diagram where ten thousand people would come to pay homage.

Shen Yi's nine Immortal Demons were certainly far superior in quality, but their quantity was far insufficient.

At this moment, the Visualization Diagram had already become the Dao Palace.

Shen Yi had originally planned to fill it in slowly later, but only after actually using it did he realize this path was unworkable.

Nothing can be seen at the Transformation of Spirit Realm yet, but once he truly breaks through to the Return to Emptiness, it will become his fatal weakness.

If a solution can be found within the General Nanyang Sect, that would definitely be the best.

If that truly fails, then we will think of other methods.

"Hah."

Thinking of this, Shen Yi took a deep breath; with so much experience playing the role of a demon, he hardly needed much thought, and in an instant transformed into a form of overwhelming ferocity.

In the next moment, he directly darted into that tall archway.

Third Cave, Alchemy Workshop.

Several Demon Emperors were fully alert, guarding steadily in front of the scorching light curtain.

With them watching like this.

It was actually no different from the White Crane Demon Emperor guarding it himself; as long as they could delay for a short while, the other Great Demon Emperors would arrive immediately.

Just as they were fully focused.

The snow-white, muscular leopard demon at the very front was suddenly grabbed by the neck and, without any chance to react, was smashed away!

Boom—

"Enemy attack!"

The remaining Demon Emperors immediately unleashed sharp roars without hesitation.

However, in just an instant, they were as if their throats had been choked, falling silent all at once.

"You say I am the enemy?"

The eight-zhang-tall lion with golden eyes looked down upon them.

A thick aura of blood emanated from its gruesome body.

That massive lion paw slowly clenched.

It bared its sharp fangs and let out a sinister grin.

"We were merely too cautious—"

Several Demon Emperors retreated repeatedly, speaking humbly: "A slip of the tongue at the moment; please, Lion Emperor, calm your anger!"

Even though it was the other party's inexplicable attack that sparked this misunderstanding.

Yet before the Great Demon Emperor, where was there any room for reasoning?

"Get lost."

Shen Yi's smile vanished; he stepped forward with cold indifference.

"Lion Emperor, you cannot do this! You are... breaking the rules..."

Though the demons feared in their hearts, they stubbornly blocked the entrance to the cave dwelling, cautiously extending their claws to push the lion, yet daring not to truly touch its fur.

"Rules?"

Shen Yi lowered his gaze, golden eyes swirling with light as if Jin Guang would burst forth at any moment; his voice was terrifyingly calm: "In the Thousand Demon Cave, this Emperor is the rule."

Even as he spoke, that bird demon was suddenly seized by the neck and hoisted up.

"You do not recognize this Emperor's rules?"

"..."

The bird demon instinctively flapped its wings, yet under the lion's gaze, it could not utter a single word of "no."

It trembled and said: "Please wait a moment... We would never dare interfere with your affairs; please, Lion Emperor, wait a little longer."

Hearing these words, the figure already hovering in the air sighed helplessly.

It descended somewhat nervously toward the ground below.

"Lion Emperor, let us talk this over; do not harm one of your own."

The pair of massive horns atop the woman's head—who else could they belong to but the Great Horned Demon Emperor who had fled earlier?

Only compared to their last meeting.

this time her attire left Shen Yi slightly stunned.

Upon her body, a black magical robe swayed gently, embroidered with golden patterns depicting the Southern Peak Great Sun motif.

"This is the robe of a General Nanyang Sect Elder, bestowed by the Cave Master; the Lion Emperor is also entitled to one."

The Great Horned Demon Emperor forced a nervous smile; facing the mighty lion that had dropped the bird demon and was walking toward her, she instinctively retreated two steps backward.

Fortunately, this robe gave her sufficient confidence.

Once she recovered her composure, the Great Horned Demon Emperor waved her hand: "I know the Lion Emperor is angered; Great Horn was indeed cowardly and weak, but facing such a powerful enemy, preserving a useful body is simply instinct."

"With this robe protecting me, the Lion Emperor cannot harm Great Horn today; it would be better to conserve your strength and heal properly. Great Horn will certainly provide you with a reasonable explanation."

In times past, even if she were in the wrong, she would never have been so polite to the lion.

But today is different from yesterday.

That the other party could survive even under Nie Jun's hand made her somewhat unable to gauge their true strength.

Stabilize it first, then deal with the rest.

"Is that so?"

Shen Yi slowly opened his claws, seized her waist and abdomen, and lifted her before his eyes: "Cannot harm you? This Emperor would very much like to try."

"..."

The Great Horned Demon Emperor's breathing grew rapid; though she spoke boldly, she had never actually tested the robe's effects.

Finally, she could not help but yield: "Lion Emperor need not be so; you have rendered great service to the Thousand Demon Cave; today, in this place, you are the one who decides."

(End of this chapter)