The black-clothed leader’s smile was gloomy. His face was clearly human, yet it looked like a demon’s.

It seemed as if evil spirits generally harbored within his body.

Jin Gui’s heart turned cold. He no longer had any thought of resistance. He gritted his teeth and resignedly said:

“As long as I can serve young master, work for leader, I will not hesitate, even through mountains of knives and seas of fire!”

The black-clothed leader nodded with satisfaction. His gaze was profound as he looked at Jin Gui once and said deeply:

“You haven’t had a demon pattern painted on your body yet. To reward your loyalty…”

“I will paint it for you personally!”

Jin Gui’s pupils slightly shrank.

He had secretly worked for young master before. Although he had committed acts that violated Dao laws, he had not been involved in demonic methods.

Demon evil and the demonic path were not tolerated by the Dao Court.

Violating Dao laws could still be argued about a bit.

But once one cultivated demonic methods, then the death penalty was truly confirmed.

And he had already stayed in the Wan Yao Gu for quite some time. How could he not know what this “demon pattern” meant?

Once the “demon pattern” was painted, demon power would assimilate into the flesh, and then one would truly step onto the path of demon evil.

However, this was originally something he had expected.

This was a ceremony, and also a kind of “approval”.

Things had reached this point, and there was no way for him to turn back.

His origin was not good, so he naturally had to disregard everything to strive for something. Otherwise, where would his future come from?

Jin Gui cupped his hands and said: “Many thanks, senior brother!”

This time, the black-clothed leader did not correct his “address,” but defaulted to the identity of “senior brother.”

Afterwards, the black-clothed leader led Jin Gui to a secret room.

The surroundings of the secret room were filled with formations.

The formation patterns were evil and strange, mysterious and unpredictable.

Moreover, the surroundings were filled with evil path items such as human blood, human skin, skulls, man-eating grass, Yin Ling Shi, rotten flesh, and so on.

In the center of the secret room, there were many formation books and classics placed, recorded on paper made from unknown human or beast skin.

The black-clothed leader took out a book. After opening it, he said to Jin Gui:

“Choose one of these dozens of demon patterns.”

On the skin paper, there were dozens of different demon patterns painted: bear patterns, eagle patterns, wolf patterns, dog patterns, snake patterns, and so on…

Different demon patterns corresponded to a class of Si Xiang demon formations.

Similarly, they also corresponded to a kind of powerful demon power.

The bear pattern had boundless strength, the wolf pattern could transform sharp claws, the snake pattern naturally possessed strong poison…

Jin Gui looked at all kinds of demon patterns. After looking them over, he pointed at one of them and said: “Senior brother, I choose this one.”

The black-clothed leader followed his gaze. His eyes narrowed, and he looked up at Jin Gui, revealing an interesting expression.

“Tiger pattern?”

Jin Gui slowly nodded.

He did not want to be a dog for a lifetime.

Even though he was humble now and could only serve others like a horse or a dog, one day, he also wanted to become a tiger-like “king of all beasts”!

The black-clothed leader’s expression was somewhat subtle.

He didn’t know if it was mockery or appreciation.

He nodded, “You can.”

In this life, if one is a dog, then one is a dog; if one is a tiger, then one is a tiger.

One cannot become a tiger by tattooing a tiger pattern.

“Si Xiang formations are derived from the patterns of the Da Huang Si Sheng. However, the bloodlines of the Si Sheng are extinct, so we can only convert the saint patterns into beast patterns and further transform them into demon patterns.”

“And the tiger is the king of all beasts.”

“Among the Si Sheng, one is the Bai Hu.”

“Among the powerful and ferocious demon beasts, one tiger can suppress a mountain and dominate one side.”

“Therefore, this Si Xiang tiger pattern is among the Si Xiang demon patterns, the most top-tier class of inheritance.”

“This class of tiger patterns can both amplify the demon power of a fierce tiger and also fuse the power of a fierce tiger into oneself, borrowing formations, possessing the might of a hundred beasts, and controlling the power to suppress mountains.”

“And now, I will paint this ‘Si Xiang Xuan Hu Yao Zhen’ on your back, fusing it into your flesh…”

The black-clothed leader, using a white bone pen dipped in blood, painted formation patterns on Jin Gui’s back.

With each stroke, Jin Gui’s whole body trembled in pain.

This white bone pen was like a scraper, its tip like a sharp needle.

The blood ink was like magma.

Each stroke felt like a thousand knives and ten thousand scrapes on his back, and also like burning magma, causing extreme pain.

But Jin Gui bit his teeth tightly, enduring desperately.

This was his opportunity!

He wanted to paint this Xuan Hu Yao Zhen, abandon his “human” dignity and baseness, and from now on, climb up step by step and stand out!

The formation patterns were painted stroke by stroke.

Jin Gui’s face gradually turned pale, the pain he endured also deepened bit by bit, but the fierce tiger formation on his back was also completed stroke by stroke.

Finally, after an unknown amount of time, a tiger’s roar suddenly erupted indoors. The Si Xiang Xuan Hu Yao Zhen was completed.

The black-clothed leader also put away the formation pen and formation diagram.

He said indifferently: “Remember, this is young master’s bestowal.”

“You cannot have a different heart, you cannot be disobedient.”

“Everything you have is bestowed by young master.”

Jin Gui trembled unsteadily, kneeling on the ground, and kowtowed with his head, “Thank you for your bestowal, young master! I must spill my liver and brains for young master!”

Then he slowly stood up.

As he stood up, his body grew taller inch by inch.

The demon qi on his body gradually thickened.

A fierce tiger’s momentum gradually emitted.

Finally, when he stood up completely straight, his figure was already several feet taller than before, and his body was also somewhat heavier.

But his eyes had become much colder.

There was less humanity and more bestiality.

The black-clothed leader nodded and said indifferently: “Go, risk your life for young master.”

“Yes!”

Jin Gui’s voice became hoarse, and there was also a sound like a wild beast’s breathing.

After speaking, he turned and left, passing through the deep layers of secret rooms in Wan Yao Gu, heading towards the Wan Yao Prison which was about to accept his command…

At this time, in Wan Yao Prison.

The previous manager had already been killed.

Mo Hua was waiting for the new manager.

He wanted to see what kind of demon cultivator the new manager would be.

And, he wanted to see if he could get some new clues from this manager to help him rescue Xiao Mu and the other three.

At the same time, he could also fish for some benefits himself.

After waiting for an unknown amount of time, Mo Hua became somewhat impatient. Just when he thought that Wan Yao Gu’s manpower was insufficient and they couldn’t send a manager,

A new figure was finally discovered on the Ling Shi Zhen.

A “new person” had arrived in Wan Yao Prison.

This was also a tall figure – demon cultivators’ figures were mostly very tall, except for dog and snake type demon cultivators.

Moreover, this figure’s aura was very thick and also very special.

At a glance, he was different from other demon cultivators.

Even stranger, Mo Hua always felt that this figure was very familiar.

But how could he be familiar?

Mo Hua was doubtful in his heart and decided to get a closer look.

This newly arrived “manager” went directly to the previous “Xiong Guan Shi”‘s stone room and openly usurped the nest, settling down.

And Xiong Guan Shi had been stepped on by Mo Hua.

All of his actions were under Mo Hua’s control.

This new manager, who now occupied Xiong Guan Shi’s position, naturally also fell into Mo Hua’s “surveillance net.”

Mo Hua, following the formation hub passage, familiarly went to this manager’s stone room. From the corner of the stone wall, he poked his head down through a hole he had secretly dug before.

After looking for a moment, Mo Hua was suddenly startled.

Looking at this person’s face, it seemed to be…

Jin Gui?

The one who, quite some time ago, in Lian Yao Shan, brought Jing Jin Zong disciples to bully people with power, robbed his pig head demon, and was then robbed back by him.

Not only that…

He also seemed to have been stripped naked by him, had a turtle painted on him, and was hung on a tree.

Mo Hua would not forget the turtle he had painted on him.

“Good ah, a proper sect disciple you didn’t do, you ran to this Wan Yao Gu to be a demon cultivator, not even bothering to pretend, your head must have been squeezed by a door frame…”

Only…

Mo Hua was a little doubtful.

How did this Jin Gui become so tall?

His figure was also quite a bit stronger, and his whole person’s temperament had changed.

Becoming a demon cultivator… could one still grow taller?

For a time, Mo Hua was actually somewhat envious, and his Dao heart was almost shaken.

Subsequently, he quickly shook his head and firmed his belief:

“Even if I can grow taller, I cannot act without principle and become a demon cultivator who is neither human nor demon!”

What’s more, Jin Gui’s kind of growth must have been forced, and he definitely wouldn’t be able to grow taller again afterwards, unlike himself, whose potential was still very great!

Mo Hua nodded.

Subsequently, his eyes slightly brightened again.

Jin Gui… Jing Jin Zong…

This time, the evidence was conclusive, almost a certainty, and they couldn’t deny it even if they wanted to.

One of the Twelve Branches of Tang Tang Jing Jin Zong had committed such a big mistake.

They were in for big trouble…

It was just unknown how many Jing Jin Zong disciples were in this Wan Yao Gu, and how deeply they were involved.

Also, building this Wan Yao Gu, which had been planned for a long time, on such a large scale, and consuming so much manpower and resources, wasn’t there some kind of plot hidden within that he didn’t know about…

Mo Hua’s gaze was doubtful.

He thought for a bit, then shrank his body and hid himself a bit deeper, planning to stare at Jin Gui and see if there were any clues.

Jin Gui sat in the manager’s position, not knowing what he was pondering. His expression changed: sometimes gloomy, sometimes angry, sometimes jealous.

Then, not knowing what he thought of, he coldly laughed a bit again, with a smug look on his face.

After sitting for a while longer, Jin Gui called a demon cultivator and instructed:

“Take me to the prison.”

That demon cultivator glanced at Jin Gui and said in a low voice: “Yes…”

However, this response was clearly not very respectful.

Demon cultivators’ demonic nature was difficult to tame, and they were originally disobedient. What’s more, Jin Gui, this manager, was “newly arrived” and looked like he hadn’t been a demon for long.

This trace of contempt naturally did not escape Jin Gui.

Jin Gui was slightly angry. Immediately, his eyes turned red, and the demon power on his body surged.

A wave of demon power pressure came.

That demon cultivator’s body immediately shook. He felt as if his “bloodline” was suppressed, and his eyes revealed a trace of disbelief.

He was unconvinced in his heart, but he didn’t dare to cause trouble again. He quickly lowered his head, cupped his hands, and said:

“Manager, please quell your anger. I will take you now.”

This sentence was much more respectful.

Jin Gui coldly snorted in his heart.

Whether humans or demons, at the root, they were all despicable bones that fawned over the powerful and stepped on the weak.

Mo Hua, however, was startled.

The demon power on this Jin Gui seemed somewhat special?

Had he painted some particular Si Xiang demon pattern?

He himself in Wan Yao Prison seemed to have never perceived this kind of Si Xiang demon formation aura before.

“Good stuff…”

Mo Hua’s eyes brightened, and he said silently in his heart.

In the stone room, under Jin Gui’s aura shock, that demon cultivator was much more obedient. He bowed his waist and led the way, taking Jin Gui into the prison where Xiao Mu and the other three were located.

Mo Hua thought for a bit and decided to follow and see.

He crawled along the formation hub passage towards the prison. At the same time, he also felt a sense of fortune in his heart.

Fortunately, his body was weak and his stature was not tall.

If he were as big as Cheng Mo, he might not be able to crawl through this narrow passage.

The formation hub passage went in all directions.

The outside corridors, on the contrary, were circuitous.

Therefore, Mo Hua arrived at the prison where Xiao Mu and the other three were in the first step.

After a moment, Jin Gui also arrived.

The leading demon cultivator took out the key and opened the iron door of the prison. The tall figure, full of demon qi, Jin Gui, walked in with an arrogant face.

In the prison, Ouyang Mu and the other three were all startled.

Subsequently, Song Jian suddenly exclaimed: “Jin Gui?! It’s you!”

Jin Gui coldly laughed.

Song Jian looked at Jin Gui, his expression shocked, and somewhat disbelieving. He said tremblingly: “You… how did you become like this? You… what exactly did you do?”

Jin Gui grinned, “Young Master Song, you looked down on me before, but now things have changed. You have fallen into my hands. Afterwards, your life and death are all at my disposal…”

Song Jian, somewhat fierce on the outside but weak inside, rebuked:

“Jin Gui, you’d better think carefully. If anything happens to me, my dad and mom, and my old ancestor, will absolutely not let you go!”

Jin Gui coldly laughed, “You keep talking about your dad and mom, or your old ancestor. You have only this little bit of ambition.”

Song Jian’s face turned red with anger.

Jin Gui silently glanced at Song Jian, his gaze dangerous, but he didn’t do anything. He said indifferently:

“I’ll deal with you later…”

He turned his head and looked at Linghu Xiao. His expression was very unkind, and his eyes even had undisguised jealousy.

Linghu Xiao’s expression was cold, and his gaze was sharp like a sword.

“Jian Xin Tong Ming…”

Jin Gui deeply looked at Linghu Xiao, snorted coldly in his heart, and did not do anything to Linghu Xiao either. Instead, he pointed at Ouyang Mu beside him and coldly said:

“Take him away.”

Ouyang Mu was startled.

Linghu Xiao’s expression darkened, and he coldly said:

“What do you want to do?”

Jin Gui’s gaze was gloomy, “It won’t be long before you know…”

A demon cultivator stepped forward. Regardless of Ouyang Mu’s resistance, he put shackles on him and then dragged him out of the prison cell.

“Jin Gui,” Linghu Xiao coldly shouted, his eyes revealing killing intent, “If anything happens to Junior Brother Mu, I will kill you!”

Touched by Linghu Xiao’s gaze, the already demonized Jin Gui suddenly felt a chill in his heart.

After a moment, he was angry in his heart, his face twitched, but he only sneered, “A clay Buddha crossing a river, take care of yourself.”

After speaking, Jin Gui’s gaze was dangerous, and he turned and left.

The demon cultivator, pushing the shackled Ouyang Mu, also followed Jin Gui and left.

Linghu Xiao was anxious in his heart, but for a moment, he was helpless. In the end, he could only raise his head and look up, sighing in his heart.

Usually, he wouldn’t ask others for help in anything.

But now, he really hoped that Mo Hua could follow and take a look…

Mo Hua was indeed following Jin Gui and Ouyang Mu.

He was a little worried about Xiao Mu.

But at the same time, he also wanted to know what idea this Jin Gui was up to, and what methods he was going to use to deal with Xiao Mu.

Probably not only Xiao Mu, but Linghu Xiao and Song Jian should also not escape.

Jin Gui walked in the lead, with the demon cultivator pushing Ouyang Mu behind him.

Mo Hua tiptoed and followed at the end.

Although Jin Gui was in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, his divine sense was not strong to begin with.

Now that he had entered demonhood, his flesh was strong, but his divine sense had decreased instead of increased, making it even more impossible for him to detect Mo Hua’s trace.

Mo Hua followed and followed. He didn’t know how long he had walked unconsciously. He raised his head and looked around, discovering that Jin Gui was bringing Ouyang Mu to a very strange place within Wan Yao Prison.

Mo Hua had never been to this place before.

Although there were also prisons and stone rooms around, the atmosphere was very secluded, and the Ling Shi Zhen nearby were also all unlit.

Not long after, Jin Gui brought Ouyang Mu directly into a stone hall.

This stone hall was not big, but it looked more majestic and grand. Inside, there were still occasional sounds of metal and iron colliding.

After Ouyang Mu was brought into the stone hall, the large door of the stone hall closed.

Mo Hua slightly frowned.

He did not dare to walk too close rashly. He only looked around from a distance once, then released his divine sense and looked for a while, discovering that various formations were indeed arranged around the stone hall.

There were defensive formations, alert formations, and some unknown evil formations.

Mo Hua let out a breath.

“It’s good that there are formations…”

The problem of formations was just not a problem.

Mo Hua circled the stone hall once, then through divine sense perception, derivation, and spying, he found a weak gap in the formation. Afterwards, through Jie Zhen, Bu Zhen, and other means, he gradually “infiltrated” into the stone hall along the four walls or roof beams…

Fortunately, this stone hall was also relatively shoddy, and the formations were not very tight.

Breaking the formation was difficult, but not very difficult.

Mo Hua spent some effort. In a narrow corner of the roof, he used formations to erase the stone wall, opened a mouth, and quietly drilled in.

As soon as he entered the stone hall, the aura of blood and fire suddenly became fierce.

A wave of hot air carrying a stench hit him, even making him feel a trace of suffocation.

Mo Hua covered his mouth and nose, slowed down for a moment, and then raised his head to look.

The scene inside the stone hall reflected into his eyes, and Mo Hua was suddenly startled.

Furnaces made of white bones, Yin green furnace fire, the eerie white bones of various demon beasts, human skulls, large amounts of blood pools, evil tool embryos, and so on…

Even, Mo Hua still saw rows of evil swords.

This was an evil path refining room, or more accurately, a gloomy, evil, and strange evil path sword casting room.

Mo Hua involuntarily cast his gaze towards that long row of “evil swords” engraved with blood patterns…

(End of this chapter)