Previously on Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil in the Cultivation World...
Demon cultivators from the Ten Thousand Demon Hall, including those from the Celestial Roc Race, discovered a large Life Source Stone Ore Vein. They debated whether to report it or mine it secretly to gain immense rewards and extend their lifespans. However, as they began mining, a powerful demon emerged from underground, unleashing a deadly ambush.
Dong dong dong!!!
Instantly, these dark tendrils appeared, completely ignoring the actions or defenses of the Celestial Roc Race cultivators, effortlessly piercing their demonic bodies.
Their previously formidable demonic bodies appeared as delicate as tofu when faced with these black tendrils.
In a mere moment, the various cultivators from the Celestial Roc Race who had arrived at the Piaomiao Mountain Range, even those at the Void Refining level, were easily impaled by the black tendrils and killed mid-air.
Subsequently, the black tendrils relentlessly absorbed the essence blood and souls from within the Celestial Roc Race cultivators. Like writhing tubes, they swiftly transformed these cultivators into desiccated husks that crumbled into dust.
"A rather delightful taste."
"After slumbering for so many years, I can finally feast heartily."
Deep within the ore vein, a colossal black demonic egg pulsed like a heart. The preceding black tendrils originated from this egg, their power bolstered by the vast quantity of essence blood and souls consumed from the demon cultivators.
It was akin to a prolonged drought finally encountering nourishing rain.
The demon egg experienced profound excitement and joy, a sensation of renewed vitality surging within.
After all, its timing had been unfortunate during the Ancient Era, with too many exceedingly powerful beings inhabiting the Void Realm.
Once detected, it would have been instantly annihilated by those supreme entities, leaving no trace behind.
To preserve itself, it was compelled to enter a dormant state, awaiting another opportunity for revival.
However, who could have foreseen that this period of slumber would endure for several billion years?
That span of time was truly staggering.
This was because even a demonic nest could not remain dormant indefinitely.
If it failed to awaken after a certain duration, its internal essence would be completely depleted.
In such an event, true annihilation would be its fate.
Fortunately, its fortune had not entirely abandoned it; just as its internal essence neared exhaustion, it finally began its revival.
And precisely as it stirred, it unexpectedly encountered a group of potent demon cultivators who had arrived to meet their demise.
This encounter resolved its immediate existential crisis, enabling it to regain a fraction of its former strength.
"Since I have awakened in this era, I shall assert complete dominance over the Void Realm."
"However, I still require the consumption of more beings to establish connections with the demonic nests of other worlds."
The black demonic egg contemplated its subsequent course of action.
Despite being a demonic nest, it had not yet recuperated substantial power; to activate its interdimensional transmission functions, it needed to grow stronger.
Achieving this was straightforward: simply devour immense quantities of blood and souls.
Consuming one-third of the creatures inhabiting the Western Continent would be entirely adequate for its needs.
Given its current power, accomplishing this task would be incredibly simple.
"In this era’s Void Realm, numerous supreme powers have long since vanished without a trace."
"The most powerful beings are merely at the Void Refining level."
"This signifies that no one in this era’s Void Realm can possibly impede me any longer."
The black demonic egg felt a surge of considerable pride.
Its decision to conceal itself in slumber the moment it arrived in the Void Realm had been remarkably prescient.
It was this prudent choice that enabled its survival until the present day, billions of years later.
Other demonic nests had not exhibited such intelligence; they were eradicated by the supreme entities of the Ancient Era’s Void Realm.
Very few demonic nests had managed to endure.
It could sense that most of its kin remained in dormancy, dispersed across various hidden corners of the Void Realm, their revival uncertain.
"Wait, are more fools arriving to perish?"
"And it's a human cultivator at the Void Refining level?!"
"It appears this human cultivator's blood qi is exceptionally potent."
"Devouring this one is equivalent to devouring dozens of beings at the same Void Refining level."
"My fortune is truly exceptional."
At that precise moment, the black demonic egg detected the sudden appearance of a human Void Refining cultivator within the Piaomiao Mountain Range, seemingly arriving via instantaneous teleportation.
Yet, the method of the opponent's arrival was of no concern to it.
After all, regardless of this human's strength, being merely at the Void Refining level, they surely could not contend with it.
Furthermore, it was concealed while the opponent remained exposed.
In a scenario where the hidden entity precedes the visible one, this human Void Refining cultivator stood no chance against it.
This human was essentially presenting itself as sustenance; even the heavens seemed to be aiding it, which was truly fortunate.
Instantly, it suppressed all its aura, concealing itself deeply within the ore vein, fearing its presence might frighten the human cultivator away.
Otherwise, acquiring such high-quality prey would be an unknown prospect.
......
The arrival was, of course, Jiang Fan.
Upon receiving guidance from destiny, he immediately activated the Gate of the Void, returning once more to the Western Continent.
Following that, he flew without pause, reaching the Celestial Roc Race's territory in the Piaomiao Mountain Range.
"Indeed, this is a substantial Life Source Stone ore vein."
Hovering in the air, Jiang Fan's consciousness expanded, immediately pinpointing an immense, hidden ore vein deep within the Piaomiao Mountain Range, which was also rich in life essence.
Multicolored clouds blanketed the sky above the Piaomiao Mountain Range, stretching over tens of thousands of kilometers.
These celestial phenomena did not go unnoticed by cultivators in the vicinity.
"Master, I detect demonic qi permeating this area."
"Though subtle, ordinary cultivators would fail to perceive it."
"To me, it is overwhelmingly apparent and utterly repulsive."
The Demon-Vibrating Bell declared, its tone grave, sensing a disturbance within the Piaomiao Mountain Range.
"This place does indeed feel strange, unnervingly quiet."
"It's as if all life here has been wiped out – what transpired?"
The Primordial Talisman Pen concurred.
It perceived the Piaomiao Mountain Range as having become a desolate area, with scarce signs of surviving creatures.
For such a vibrant mountain range, this was highly unusual.
"Precisely, this should be the territory of the Celestial Roc Race."
"If a vast Life Source Stone ore vein has appeared, why haven't they made an appearance?"
"Are they not planning to investigate?"
The Ten Thousand Transformations Immortal Cauldron expressed its great curiosity.
It had not encountered any cultivators from the Celestial Roc Race.
It had initially anticipated clashing with Celestial Roc Race cultivators.
Yet, surprisingly, not a single demon race cultivator had been detected, leaving it quite perplexed.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Fan remained silent, aware that the situation stemmed from a demon nest concealed within the ore vein.
Without the guidance of destiny, he could easily have fallen prey to the demon nest's trap.
It was probable that the Celestial Roc Race cultivators had not been absent, but rather were annihilated upon arrival by the demon nest.
Having recently awakened, the demon nest required abundant blood and souls to sustain itself.
Should these Celestial Roc Race cultivators have arrived, they would have served merely as sustenance for the demon nest.
Ignorance of this danger meant that approaching the ore vein carelessly could have triggered the enemy's ambush.
Nevertheless, with prior knowledge, this predicament was no longer a significant issue.
*Crash~~*
Comprehending the situation, Jiang Fan felt an inner surge and immediately activated his Lifebound Talisman—the Void Heaven Hook Talisman.
His intention was to deploy this Immortal Realm Spirit Talisman to lure out the demon nest.
Since it was hidden deep within the ore vein, he wisely chose not to approach directly.
By drawing the Ancient Demon out, he could dismantle its trap effectively.
In the ensuing moment, the talisman transformed into a golden hookfish.
Guided by the powers of destiny, he sensed a thread of causality extending from the depths of the ore vein.
It led to a black demon egg, pulsing like a heart and enveloped in dense demonic runes, emanating a chilling, dreadful demonic aura.
*Swish!*
Instantly, Jiang Fan made a gentle cast, merging the golden fishhook with the line of causality into the void. With a swift motion, he snagged the black demon egg.
Before the black demon egg could react, he gave a light tug, extracting it from the ore vein and bringing it directly before him.
"How is this possible?"
"Human, what have you done to me?"
The black demon egg was utterly bewildered.
It had concealed itself deep within the ore vein, anticipating the approach of human cultivators before striking.
Yet, in the very next moment, it was ensnared like a fish by a mysterious hook.
All its prior preparations had become completely futile.
