Record of a Demon's Cultivation Chapter 1237: Traces of the Beauty Serpent

Translator: CinderTL

"This expedition proves to be far more intricate than initially perceived. The designated mission carries a substantial reward of one hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones. Typically, Manager Yin would entrust such a critical undertaking only to those within his inner circle. My initial assumption was that our party would comprise only myself, Manager Yin, and Feng Youyou. However, the unexpected inclusion of two unfamiliar individuals, yourself and Bu Ren, has altered this composition."

"My fellow Daoist, your formidable command over thunder magic is undeniably a significant asset to our endeavor. Yet, Bu Ren appears to possess no specialized abilities, and his cultivation is merely at the mid-stage of Divine Transformation. His presence on this mission instills a significant degree of apprehension in me."

"Bu Ren was brought here under the auspices of Manager Yin, and I’ve harbored suspicions regarding him from the outset. Upon our ingress into the Primordial Qi Death Zone, I scrutinized his conduct closely. His bearing and actions deviate starkly from those typically exhibited by rogue cultivators; he lacks the requisite vigilance and circumspection. Instead, his behavior is more akin to that of an individual from a sheltered sect or a privileged noble lineage, displaying an almost childlike fascination with every aspect of the Death Zone."

"Consequently, I posit that Manager Yin and Bu Ren harbor hidden agendas. It is plausible that, subsequent to locating the Beauty Serpent, they intend to betray the trust of yourself, myself, and Feng Youyou. Should we unite our strengths, we would possess ample capability to neutralize them both."

It was apparent that Yan Tong expounded upon his reasoning with considerable thoroughness, likely in an effort to assuage Song Wen’s doubts.

Song Wen offered, "In that event, might it not be prudent to withdraw from this expedition immediately?"

Yan Tong responded, "My esteemed Fellow Daoist, your perspective is perhaps overly simplistic. Were Bu Ren and Manager Yin genuinely intent on causing us harm, it is improbable that they would permit our easy departure. Furthermore, the Beauty Serpent represents an exceedingly rare void fiend. Even without Manager Yin’s introduction to his influential patron, the successful capture of this demon alive would undoubtedly secure us alternative buyers. Consider the staggering sum of a hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones—is such a fortune truly unable to sway your resolve?"

Song Wen’s understanding solidified; this was Yan Tong’s underlying motivation for rejecting a strategic withdrawal.

The quartet of individuals present exhibited unremarkable individual strengths, yet each was demonstrably more cunning than the next.

Nevertheless, Song Wen’s prodigious power rendered him largely impervious to any potential threat they might pose.

"Given your profound trust in my judgment, Honored Fellow Daoist, I am loath to betray it. I herewith consent to our cooperation. Moreover, your owl void demon possesses a detection radius far surpassing my own capabilities. Should any unforeseen peril arise, I implore you to provide timely notification."

"Naturally," Yan Tong affirmed.

With their agreement cemented, they exchanged glances of mutual understanding before increasing their pace, aiming to rejoin the three figures forging ahead.

"Manager Yin, how much further must we venture?" Feng Youyou inquired suddenly. "At our current rate of progress, our protective enchantments may soon reach their operational limit."

Manager Yin was guiding their trajectory deeper into the inhospitable expanse of the Primordial Qi Death Zone.

By this juncture, they had penetrated approximately one million li into the zone’s interior.

While the intensification of Primordial Qi concentration had lessened somewhat after the initial ten thousand li, beyond the million-li mark, the Qi’s density remained profoundly intimidating.

Song Wen’s sensory range, his divine sense, had been drastically diminished to a mere ten zhang, whereas Manager Yin and the others found their perception restricted to within five zhang.

For Feng Youyou and her associates, the prevailing level of Primordial Qi represented a threshold perilously close to their maximum endurance.

"We are nearing our destination," Manager Yin declared, his voice tinged with uncertainty as he consulted the suspended scale before him. "The Beauty Serpent should reside within the subsequent few tens of thousands of li."

Feng Youyou offered no further comment. Having already committed to such a perilous undertaking, the prospect of retreat held little appeal.

Following an additional thirty thousand li of travel, their party arrived suspended above a terrain characterized by undulating hills.

The landscape was punctuated by a multitude of earthen mounds.

Integrated within the majority of these mounds were one or two apertures leading into cavernous passages that descended far into the subterranean depths.

These interlinking passages coalesced, fashioning an expansive and complex subterranean maze.

It must be noted that none within the group, including Song Wen, could perceive these features directly; this comprehensive understanding was derived solely from the two void fiends.

Manager Yin alighted upon a prominent hilltop, his gaze fixed upon the darkened openings below. "The Beauty Serpent is likely concealed within these subterranean networks," he stated.

Yan Tong responded, "This presents a potential complication. The interconnected nature of these caves means that if the Beauty Serpent senses our approach, it will undoubtedly exploit them for an escape."

Manager Yin nodded in agreement. "Were we situated in the open, we could effect a coordinated encirclement. However, within this confined environment, our divine sense is severely hampered. Should we fragment our forces, regrouping could prove impossible. At this juncture, a direct assault appears to be our only viable recourse."

Bu Ren interjected, "Given the lack of alternative strategies, let us not prolong this further. We should proceed into the caves without delay!"

"Agreed!" Manager Yin assented and plunged into the cavernous opening directly beneath them, spearheading the descent. Bu Ren followed in close succession, with Yan Tong and Feng Youyou proceeding next. Song Wen assumed the rearmost position.

The five individuals maintained their formation, never letting the distance between them exceed ten feet.

"Shadow Void, is the Beauty Serpent located within this cave?" Song Wen projected into his Sea of Consciousness.

"Indeed. Its position is approximately five thousand miles from here," Shadow Void responded. "It is currently concealed within a vast, natural cavern, where it presides over a dozen lesser void beasts."

"Are there any sixth-tier void fiends present?" Song Wen further inquired.

"No, all are of the fifth and fourth-tier," Shadow Void confirmed.

A sense of relief washed over Song Wen. Manager Yin and the others simply could not afford to perish here.

Concurrently, another puzzle occupied his thoughts: how could he ensure the four of them would reach the Six Fiends Hall?

To preclude any possibility of the Beauty Serpent's escape, Manager Yin and his companions had become daring, fleeing at their absolute maximum speed without reserve.

Before long, Yan Tong issued a caution, "The owl void demon has detected a fifth-tier void beast about a thousand miles ahead. Everyone, exercise extreme vigilance."

As he uttered these words, Yan Tong's voice suddenly resonated with unbridled elation.

"The Beauty Serpent is lodged in a cave merely a hundred miles past that fifth-tier void beast, engaged in mating with a clutch of void fiends! What's more, they are all of the fifth and fourth-tier!"

The group's morale soared, their pace intensified, and they either summoned their mystic treasures or began preparing formidable spells.

"Ugh..."

Abruptly, a piercing, bestial roar reverberated from ahead.

"Be cautious! That's a divine sense attack!" Manager Yin, positioned at the forefront of the group, cried out a warning and swiftly activated a jade token he had already prepared.

The token ascended above his head, emitting a faint, silvery-white luminescence.

This ethereal light enveloped Manager Yin, along with Bu Ren, Yan Tong, and Feng Youyou positioned behind him, leaving Song Wen exposed.

Song Wen conjured a disc, roughly the size of a human head, which radiated a soft azure glow, constructing a protective barrier around himself.

This disc was a low-grade divine soul defensive spirit treasure, its origins a mystery even to Song Wen. He typically paid little heed to such mystic treasures, deeming them of little use to his cultivation.

By now, Manager Yin had already entered combat with the fifth-tier void beast.

The void beast presented as a three-zhang-tall mass of flesh, from which sprouted nine undulating tentacles that almost entirely obstructed the narrow cave passage.

These tentacles thrashed ferociously, each one striking at Manager Yin with savage intent.

Manager Yin unleashed a flying sword, engaging the void beast in a fierce exchange of blows.