The perpetrator of the tragic extermination of the Snake Family in Linwu City was none other than Snake Gu Yu. In recent times, within the entire expanse of the Shenxiang Flower Sea, her name has become the most notorious among villains.

The Linwu Snake Family extermination stands as the most impactful and widely discussed murder case in the Shenxiang Flower Sea over the past three decades. A powerful clan, not inferior to the Moyun Ape Family, numbering close to a thousand souls, were first poisoned and then put to the sword by Snake Gu Yu during their annual family sacrifice. She locked the doors and slaughtered them utterly.

From the elderly to the young, not a single soul survived.

It is worth noting that Snake Gu Yu herself was a genius originating from the Linwu City Snake Family. She even received a conferment from the Taigu Imperial City, titled “Red Moon King.” This truly signifies her possession of king-conferring strength and widespread recognition as a formidable expert. And judging from the tragedy of the Snake Family, her strength surpasses her past performances, likely placing her among the new kings of the Heaven List.

Why she concealed her strength for so long and why she turned on her own kin remains, to this day, an unsolved mystery.

Lu Qilang, serving the Shenxiang Security Office, has been specifically investigating this matter. He has drawn his sword and pursued Snake Gu Yu for over four months now. The two demon kings have battled relentlessly, traversing from the Shenxiang Flower Sea to the Ziwu Hills, and now to the Tianxi Wasteland.

Countless eyes, it is unknown how many, are fixed upon this very conflict.

The Heaven List always prioritizes battle records over theoretical strength. In the eyes of many demons, Lu Qilang is clearly intending to use Snake Gu Yu’s severed head as a stepping stone to ascend the Heaven List rankings.

Yu Xin’s eyes flickered with changing emotions before he raised his head again, a face full of geniality greeting all. Among the so-called “Moyun Three Talents,” he possessed the most handsome appearance, with silver hair and ink-black pupils, and profound features. His demon mark was even more striking, naturally forming a pair of silver wings that were folded beneath his long robe. It was said that the legendary expert Yu Zhen also possessed naturally formed silver wings as his demon mark. In the hearts of his many followers, Yu Xin therefore held an extraordinary destiny.

At this moment, amidst the leisurely strains of the musicians’ instruments, he chuckled lightly, “That Snake Gu Yu’s self-slaughter of kin must stem from a shocking secret, one requiring absolute silence and the elimination of all traces. I suspect it’s not some treasure of the realm, but a mythical inheritance. If Young Master Lu can apprehend her, it is certainly an opportunity. It seems this time, she is certain to meet her end in Moyun City!”

Upon these words, Zhu Ying’s intentions were visibly stirred, Quan Xihua’s eyes glinted sharply, and Yuan Mengji swallowed a large gulp of wine to suppress the turbulent waves in his heart.

One could assume that after this banquet, the number of “righteous individuals” willing to assist Lu Qilang in capturing Snake Gu Yu would be anything but few.

Only Zhu Lanruo’s face remained serene.

Lu Qilang himself merely offered a slight smile.

The assistance Zhu Lanruo mentioned in eliminating evil in Moyun City was nothing more than a passing whim that struck him one day while traversing the long street. The title bestowed upon him by the Taigu Imperial City was “Inspiration King,” and his spiritual awareness was naturally among the world’s finest, never failing him.

He hadn’t anticipated, after killing his way into the inn, that he would find only an ordinary snake demon intent on mischief. Its strength was average, and its methods crude.

He still felt a reluctance to leave, so he went through each room one by one. Aside from disturbing several pairs of bedfellows, he found no other discoveries. Even after leaving, he quietly returned and waited like a hunter guarding a tree stump for a rabbit, yet he still found no further movements. It was simply a very ordinary inn that the mischievous snake demon happened to have chosen as its foothold.

He speculated that perhaps Snake Gu Yu had secretly employed some means, relying on the kinship ties of their clan, and left a karmic link on that essence-blood-plundering snake demon, thus arousing his spiritual awareness. And while he was preoccupied with that snake demon, Snake Gu Yu had seized the opportunity to slip away. This thief had been entangled with him for several months, and though she had been at a disadvantage and repeatedly thwarted, she had always managed to escape death. She had clearly reached the pinnacle of skill in the art of concealment.

However, her complete subjugation and elimination were merely a matter of time.

He pursued her relentlessly for ten thousand miles without giving up, precisely to exacerbate Snake Gu Yu’s injuries and wear down her strength as a trapped beast. It was akin to fishing: when catching a large fish, one could not rush to reel it in, lest the line snap, the rod break, and the fish and bait be lost. True masters understood the technique of giving and taking, exhausting the fish’s strength, and finally leading it lightly, going with the flow.

As for this Feather Clan demon commander suddenly speaking of a shocking secret residing within Snake Gu Yu… A secret perhaps existed, but what did it have to do with this group of provincial bumpkins from Moyun City?

Lu Qilang raised his wine cup, offering a distant toast to Yu Xin. “May I inquire your esteemed name?”

Yu Xin rose, holding his wine cup, adopting a flattered posture. “This humble one is Yu Xin, a mere member among the twenty-four generals of the Moyun City Guard Army. That my humble name should soil your esteemed ears is truly shameful.”

Zhu Lanruo interjected at the side in a timely manner, “Among the multitude of generals in the city guard army, he is indeed the highest-ranked among the younger generation of demons in this city.”

Among the younger generation, the highest-ranked was actually Quan Xizai, due to his family’s immense power. Otherwise, he would not have exclusively monopolized the task of the Sealing God Platform, venturing alone into the hundred thousand great mountains to seek the favor of a beautiful demon, leaving the other two unable to compete.

Alas, he was already dead.

That Yu Xin subsequently filled the void, becoming the highest-ranked. That Zhu Lanruo would actively speak up to introduce him was truly an honor. Even Yu Xin, who prided himself on his composure, couldn’t help but beam.

Lu Qilang remained seated, unmoving, lifting his wine cup and offering a grin, revealing his white teeth. “Today, to have the pleasure of knowing a talent such as Brother Yu, I am truly delighted.”

He merely touched his lips to the wine, like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Yu Xin raised his cup and drained it in one gulp.

Outside the Flying Cloud Tower, clouds layered upon clouds.

Yu Xin, seated, wore a radiant smile, but his heart was cold with laughter. The Shenxiang Deer Family was nothing more than this, their methods so crude. Who were they trying to win over, whose intentions were they trying to deter? The fame of the Inspiration King’s spiritual awareness was justly earned; it should be more appropriately directed towards Snake Gu Yu. And let these self-important wastes compete.

It would be best if Snake Gu Yu could wisely run far away, or perhaps he himself could offer a little assistance?

And Lu Qilang, with his indifferent expression, felt quite amused. While Snake Gu Yu held many benefits, in this Moyun City, he certainly had other opportunities. This was what his spiritual awareness had sensed. How could he be misled by a few words?

He never made choices. He desired everything he wanted. He would take his pick, and then the leftovers would be for the other demons to choose from. The benefits from Snake Gu Yu, the benefits in Moyun City, he wanted them all.

Yu Xin, in his cleverness, had revealed his own problems! All the other families remained silent, only he came out to feign composure, busily diverting attention. If he had no problems, who did?

Now, Lu Qilang was quite certain that the opportunity this time in Moyun City would fall upon this Yu Xin. He couldn’t help but wonder what great luck this fellow had stumbled upon, what clue he had obtained, that he wished to swallow it whole…

“All those present are talents. To meet here today is a fortunate encounter, allowing us to fully envision a hundred years hence!” Zhu Ying cleared his throat, resuming control of the situation. He actively drank a cup, uttering what he considered eloquent words, leading the responses of the other young masters in their floral cluster.

This Flying Cloud Tower was too high, too magnificent. Zhu Lanruo, Zhu Ying, Yu Xin, Yuan Mengji, Quan Xihua. The most important young demons of Moyun City, all present. Truly a hall full of distinguished guests!

A room full of brothers and sisters, a pavilion filled with divergent intentions!

Lu Qilang patiently listened until he finished, then said, “Today’s gathering ends here. I must go and pursue Snake Gu Yu… To let her regain her breath would be truly unfortunate.”

“Indeed, indeed, proper business is paramount!” Zhu Ying rose to see him off, then eagerly added, “May I be of any service, little brother?”

Lu Qilang smiled and said, “Should I have need, I will notify you.” He then lightly nodded to the others, drew his suspended sword, and departed. His demeanor was truly elegant, a rare sight in a lifetime.

With the main guest gone, the remaining had no reason to linger. They successively bade farewell and left their seats. In a moment, the silk and bamboo music ceased, and the banquet dispersed.

Only the Zhu family siblings remained as the hosts of the banquet, wrapping things up.

To say “siblings” was perhaps not entirely accurate. The thinly blooded Zhu Ying did not have the qualification to be called Zhu Lanruo’s elder brother. His so-called status as a young master of the Zhu family was merely a gilded facade. Unless he could attain a king title before a hundred years and have his name recorded in the Heaven Mandate Jade Records of the Taigu Imperial City, he would only then have a chance to be granted pure blood of the heavenly demon. Otherwise, he would forever be unable to stand as Zhu Lanruo’s equal.

“Tell me, among them, who do you think will contend for the benefits on Snake Gu Yu’s person?”

The attendants and musicians had also dispersed.

Zhu Lanruo, who always displayed an innocent demeanor to the outside world, now sat in the main seat, her face completely devoid of expression. A natural air of superior dignity emanated from her. Her voice, too, was lofty, no longer gentle.

Zhu Ying, seated in the second seat, at this moment slowly poured himself wine, his demeanor likewise no longer frivolous. He said, “Those who are truly foolish enough to be incited by a few words from Yu Xin are no more than Yuan Mengji and Quan Xihua. Yuan Mengji is outwardly fierce but inwardly timid; he desires to compete but dares not do so openly. He will likely just skim the surface, try a little, and then be done. Quan Xihua, on the other hand, is sufficiently cunning and wicked enough to be audacious. It’s hard to say what things he might do.”

“What do you think he might do?” Zhu Lanruo asked.

“That, I cannot guess,” Zhu Ying laughed. “Your Highness should be clearer on this. After all, his family just had a Quan Xizai who went to chase a red-faced smile and never returned!”

The Quan Xizai whose bones were burned to smoke would surely not have imagined that he, who in his lifetime could summon a hundred responses with a single call and was watched by ten thousand, would after death be nothing more than a cold, leftover joke. A hall full of distinguished guests from the Zhu family’s stench, and a lonely grave where cold weeds grow thick!

Zhu Lanruo asked again, “Do you think Quan Xizai’s matter is related to him?”

Zhu Ying sniffed the scent of the slightly tipsy wine. “I can only say that he is capable of doing such things. But whether he did them, I cannot judge. After all, the true demon Quan Yingyang himself came personally and still did not investigate any results. How could I possess such ability?”

“You are already very capable. Among those wine sacks and rice bags, who can compare to you?” Zhu Lanruo said earnestly, “If you were not born into the Zhu family, if your bloodline were not insufficient, you should not lose to me. But even so, it is possible for you to be sealed as a king. Some prior setbacks are all for later smooth sailing. I look forward to calling you… elder brother soon.”

Zhu Ying’s expression was solemn. “I will certainly endeavor not to disappoint Your Highness’s words.”

Zhu Lanruo offered an encouraging nod, then asked again, “How have you investigated the matter of the Yu family?”

Zhu Ying put down his wine cup and replied seriously, “To avoid alarming them, I have proceeded very cautiously. So, currently, the final location of the treasure is still not very clear. But I can guarantee that once the God-Heaven secret is revealed, we will be at most ten breaths later than the Yu family.”

If Yuan Mengji and the others had not yet left, hearing these words would surely make them leap up in surprise. The seal title of the Feather Clan’s legendary expert, Yu Zhen, in his youth, was precisely “God-Heaven King”! When linked to Yu Xin’s naturally formed silver wings and his constant self-proclamation as “little Yu Zhen,” the level of opportunity presented by this God-Heaven secret could only be imagined.

Zhu Lanruo expressed her agreement with Zhu Ying’s caution. “Better to be a little late and take some risks than to cause chaos and ruin everything.”

“Cause chaos and ruin everything?” Zhu Ying sneered. “Do they deserve to? As I see it, humans have a custom of killing the New Year pig. We are almost at that time now.”

“That is so, but sometimes Heaven’s will is difficult to fathom,” Zhu Lanruo’s dark eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Just like this banquet today, it truly should not have been held. Originally, it was a matter of taking something from a bag, but now with the addition of Lu Qilang, this stirrer, it has added several points of risk.”

Zhu Ying also frowned. “Your Highness believes that Lu Qilang also has some awareness?”

“His natural spiritual awareness is too terrifying. As soon as he entered the Tianxi Wasteland, he sensed an opportunity,” Zhu Lanruo sighed. “Furthermore, his title of Inspiration King caused this foolish Yu Xin to become flustered. Just now, he actually exposed his roots. How could someone as shrewd as Lu Qilang not notice?”

Why did Yu Xin need to point out that there was a secret on Snake Gu Yu’s person? If he were a clever person, he would not have said something that would offend Lu Qilang. If he were a foolish person, he would simply suppress it in his heart and act quietly.

Yet, he was caught between the two, not clever enough, and not foolish enough! He himself also harbored a secret, and being frightened by the “opportunity” that the Inspiration King deliberately probed for his spiritual awareness, he actively responded, attempting to divert attention.

Yet, he didn’t know that Lu Qilang’s acceptance of Zhu Ying’s banquet invitation and his active mention of “opportunity” during the banquet were precisely to cast a stone and ask the way for his spiritual awareness, waiting for a response!

The pity was that Zhu Lanruo also only now understood. Had she known beforehand that Lu Qilang’s spiritual awareness had already sensed something about the God-Heaven secret, she would absolutely not have allowed Yu Xin to attend the banquet, nor would she have fundamentally allowed Zhu Ying to undertake this task of observing Lu Qilang.

Observing the target while also being observed by the target, as hosts, they should have originally held the upper hand and gained more useful information. But because of Yu Xin’s stupidity, this banquet in the Flying Cloud Tower was clearly a loss.

Zhu Ying thought for a moment, still maintaining confidence. “Even if Lu Qilang’s spiritual awareness has some sensing, it is only because of Yu Xin that he has confirmed something. But he will necessarily not know the specific information. He is certainly not sufficiently prepared for the God-Heaven secret… He cannot compete with us.”

Zhu Lanruo smiled. “That is precisely what I think. To let him stir things up, attracting more attention, is not necessarily undesirable. We just need to control our strength and not attract the main forces of the Shenxiang Deer Family.”

Zhu Ying lowered his head. “I understand.”

When he raised his head again, Zhu Lanruo had vanished without a trace.

“Elder brother… elder brother.”

He looked at the ripples in the wine within his cup, repeating the words in a murmur. He couldn’t help but sigh. “Although I know this is just a means of your governance, hearing it in my heart is still very effective.”

Teaching Ape Old West, instructing Pig Dali, reprimanding Chai A Si.

It was another day of calm and tranquility.

The Dragon Tiger Ginseng was indeed remarkable. After consuming one root, the blood energy of the great ancient god recovered significantly. Chai A Si used some of the Dragon Tiger Ginseng’s whiskers, and the effect was also very good. Truly killing two birds with one stone.

It was only a pity that Ape Xiaoqing’s family was not wealthy. Even emptying out her old father’s private money couldn’t provide a second root. As for asking her to empty Ape Old West’s entire family, that was truly unnecessary. After all, Ape Old West’s possessions were also those of the great ancient god.

This was merely a matter of emptying the private treasury, not the public treasury.

Hiding within the vast, empty mirror world, hiding for several months, unable to wholeheartedly devote himself to cultivation, constantly needing to maintain vigilance… That kind of loneliness and solitude could drive people mad. Just like one of the most deterrent punishments in prison, solitary confinement.

But Jiang Wang’s resolve was firm, and he would fundamentally not be disturbed by this.

At this moment, he held a pen, drawing and writing on a piece of paper. His investigations during this period had yielded some results. Some messages were originally just on the surface; it was just that ordinary demons wouldn’t pay attention to them.

He first wrote down three forces: Black Lotus Temple, Shenxiang Deer Family, Tianxi Spider Family. Then he wrote down the key figures: the mysterious demon king of the Black Lotus Temple, the Heaven List new king Lu Qilang, the heavenly demon Zhu Yi, and the true demon Zhu String. He wrote down the events again: the destruction of the Black Lotus Temple’s preaching hall, the Inspiration King Lu Qilang’s ten-thousand-mile pursuit of the Red Moon King Snake Gu Yu, and the Golden Sun Terrace’s unlimited martial arts tournament spanning three domains.

After some thought, he added “Ape Family,” “Dog Family,” “Feather Family,” as well as “Yu Xin and Yuan Mengji pursuing Zhu Lanruo,” “Quan Xihua replacing Quan Xizai,” and “True demon Quan Yingyang having friction with the Ape Family, Feather Family, and even the Spider Family due to the disappearance of Quan Xizai.”

He knew he was not Chong Xuan Sheng; he didn’t possess that kind of wisdom to see through the crux of matters at a glance. So, he used this method, writing down clues, slowly outlining his inspirations. Looking at it this way, the waves he had stirred in the recently turbulent Moyun City were clearly visible. If not for him, how would Quan Xihua have ascended to his position? How would Quan Yingyang have rushed to Moyun City from Zhao Yun Peak, tens of thousands of miles away? The Black Lotus Temple’s preaching career should also have been flourishing, right?

As they say, Heaven’s will is like water, and the ripples leave traces to follow. The returning waves, from what path they would come, were not entirely unpredictable…

Jiang Wang clearly felt his understanding of Heaven’s will becoming more and more profound. Although sometimes knowing more led to more confusion and more unknowns, it was, after all, a step forward in his cultivation.

Just as he was thinking, he suddenly felt a sensation in his heart. Jiang Wang instantly stopped writing, his sword now in hand. He cautiously observed outside the mirror, and then discovered—

A slender female demon with a smiling face floated across the ground, seemingly appearing from nowhere. She drilled into the room, suddenly rolled under the bed, and curled herself into an incredibly small ball. Her breath disappeared, her blood flow static, her aura sinking into silence. The entire process was dust-free, leaving no traces, silent.

Jiang Wang: ?