Translator: CinderTL
Song Wen and Meng Lengyu emerged from the courtyard, their gazes piercing through the Cui Clan's Mountain Protection Array to fix on Ye Hua in midair.
Simultaneously, numerous rogue cultivators from Yaotai City and members of the Cui Clan on Biluo Mountain also turned their eyes skyward.
No sooner had Ye Hua's words faded than another figure materialized in the air: Cui Xuanjing, the Cui Clan's Ancestral Patriarch.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Hua," Cui Xuanjing said with a smile, "you are a guest from afar, yet you shout so loudly in my Yaotai City. Doesn't this befit your status as a Demon Sovereign?"
Ye Hua glared at Cui Xuanjing, his expression grim.
"Cui Xuanjing, you and I have known each other for a long time. There's no need for roundabout talk. Meng Lengyu and Gou Jun came to your Cui Clan for a trade but have yet to return. You owe me an explanation."
Cui Xuanjing chuckled. "Since the day Young Friends Meng Lengyu and Gou Jun arrived at my Cui Clan, we have treated them with utmost courtesy, never showing them the slightest disrespect."
Ye Hua didn't believe a word of Cui Xuanjing's claim. "Where are they?" he demanded in a low voice.
Cui Xuanjing turned toward Biluo Mountain and shouted, "Someone, bring Young Friends Meng Lengyu and Gou Jun here!"
The moment he finished speaking, Cui Xinyi appeared on Guest Glow Peak.
"Fellow Daoist Gou Jun, Fellow Daoist Meng, please," Cui Xinyi said.
Meng Lengyu and Song Wen gathered ten Foundation Establishment Stage disciples and, under Cui Xinyi's guidance, exited Biluo Mountain's main gate and approached Ye Hua.
"Greetings, Demon Sovereign," they bowed in unison.
Ye Hua looked at Meng Lengyu and asked coldly, "Why have you been so slow to return?"
Meng Lengyu glanced at Cui Xuanjing nearby, who still wore a smug smile, and replied truthfully, "Reporting to the Demon Sovereign, the trade failed. The Cui Clan couldn't produce the Corpse Fiend Essence."
Ye Hua said, "If the Cui Clan couldn't provide the Corpse Fiend Essence, the deal should have been abandoned. Why did you linger at the Cui Clan's estate?"
Meng Lengyu explained, "The Cui Clan insisted on completing the trade by force. We refused, and they wouldn't let us leave."
As she spoke, she presented two Storage Rings containing the Cui Clan's treasures to Ye Hua with both hands.
Ye Hua channeled his Spiritual Power to draw the jade slips into his grasp. After a brief inspection, he stored the rings away.
"Cui Xuanjing, this trade was personally arranged between us. Yet you went back on your word. Shouldn't you offer me an explanation?"
Cui Xuanjing said, "It wasn't my intention to deceive you. The Cui Clan has already located the place where the Corpse Fiend Essence is hidden, but we encountered a slight mishap during its extraction."
Ye Hua's voice carried a hint of doubt as he asked, "Is this true?"
"Absolutely. I can swear an oath on my soul," Cui Xuanjing replied.
Ye Hua said, "Even if what you say is true, it has nothing to do with me. The Cui Clan stole a treasure from my sect—that's an undeniable fact."
Cui Xuanjing said, "With the Cui Clan's strength alone, we couldn't possibly obtain the Corpse Fiend Essence. However, with your assistance, Demon Sovereign Ye Hua, the task becomes much easier."
"Cui Xuanjing, what are you implying? Do you want me to risk my life to help you retrieve the Corpse Fiend Essence, only to use it as leverage in a trade with me later?" Ye Hua's voice dripped with sarcasm.
Cui Xuanjing said, "Fellow Daoist, please don't be angry. This is the fastest way for you to obtain the Corpse Fiend Essence. Of course, you're free to leave now. Perhaps one day, I'll come up with a brilliant plan to obtain the essence successfully. When that happens, I'll personally deliver it to the Wu Ji Sect."
Ye Hua stared coldly at Cui Xuanjing, pondering for a long time before finally speaking.
"Where is the Corpse Fiend Essence hidden?"
A smile bloomed on Cui Xuanjing's face, tinged with a hint of smugness.
"In a Deep Sea Valley ten thousand miles from here. The valley is saturated with extremely dense Corpse Qi. Over countless years, this Corpse Qi has evolved into the Corpse Fiend Essence."
"However, the valley is also infested with demon beasts corrupted by the Corpse Qi, transformed into Demon Corpses."
"Among these Demon Corpses, there's an incredibly powerful Octopus Demon. Its body is enormous, its tentacles stretching almost to every corner of the valley. Moreover, it holds the advantage of terrain. In a valley filled with Corpse Qi, I stand no chance against it."
After listening to Cui Xuanjing's explanation, Ye Hua asked, "Since you brought me to the Cui Clan, you must already have a plan to deal with the Demon Corpses. Why not just tell me?"
Cui Xuanjing smiled faintly. "My humble scheme couldn't escape Fellow Daoist's discerning eye."
After this flattery, he continued,
"The Demon Corpses are strong, but they lack intelligence. My original plan was to feign an attack in the east to draw them away, then sneak into the Deep Sea Valley to search for the Corpse Fiend Essence. However, the Octopus Demon's body is too massive to be truly lured away. I even sustained some injuries in the process."
"If Fellow Daoist is willing to lend me a hand, we can work together to lure out the Octopus Demon's true form. Then, using the Corpse Qi within the valley, Fellow Daoist can set up a Corpse Dao Formation. This should be enough to trap the Octopus Demon. With it contained, I'll have ample time to search the valley for the Corpse Fiend Essence at my leisure."
Ye Hua frowned slightly upon hearing this, remaining silent for a moment.
Seeing his hesitation, Cui Xuanjing added, "Fellow Daoist Ye Hua, for this mission, you only need to control the Formation from outside the valley. Moreover, if you encounter any danger, you can retreat at any time without my resentment. Therefore, the risk to you is extremely low."
Ye Hua replied, "Very well. I'll accompany you."
Cui Xuanjing's face lit up with joy. "Thank you for your assistance, Fellow Daoist Ye Hua."
Ye Hua asked, "When do we depart?"
"Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. Once the Cui Clan has gathered everyone, we can set off."
After saying this, Cui Xuanjing returned to Biluo Mountain.
At that moment, Song Wen flew before Ye Hua and bowed deeply.
"Demon Sovereign, I, Gou Jun, will forever be grateful for your life-saving grace. I will never forget it."
Ye Hua was quite satisfied with Song Wen's declaration and nodded slightly.
"This matter arose from a sect mission. It is only natural that I came to rescue you. The journey to the Deep Sea Valley to retrieve the Corpse Fiend Essence is fraught with danger. Fellow Daoist Gou Jun and Hall Master Meng should accompany me. The rest of you should stay in Yaotai City for now. We will return together to the sect when we return."
"Yes!" The ten Foundation Establishment cultivators accepted the order and flew towards Yaotai City on their swords.
Fifteen minutes later, a Giant Flying Ship emerged from Biluo Mountain. Besides Cui Xuanjing, it carried ten Golden Core cultivators.
Meng Lengyu summoned the Star Chariot Divine Ship, carrying Song Wen and Ye Hua, and followed the Cui Clan's ship.
Half an hour later, the two ships hovered over a vast, endless sea.
"Fellow Daoist Ye Hua, the Deep Sea Valley lies at the bottom of the ocean right here," Cui Xuanjing said.
Ye Hua scanned the surroundings, where endless azure waves stretched as far as the eye could see.
"I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Cui to lead the way."
Cui Xuanjing stowed the Giant Flying Ship and plunged into the water first. The other members of the Cui Clan followed closely behind, with Song Wen and his companions bringing up the rear.
As they descended, sunlight gradually faded, swallowed by the depths, leaving the deep sea pitch-black.
After diving two or three hundred miles, a rugged, mountainous seabed emerged before them.
Amidst this dark underwater mountain range, a particular valley stood out for its utter darkness.
Though no light penetrated the deep sea, their Spirit Senses could still perceive everything around them. Yet, they couldn't penetrate the valley's depths.
The valley spanned several hundred miles, filled with an incredibly dense Corpse Qi. This qi had stained the seawater within the valley a pitch-black, inky hue, creating an instinctive aversion that made them want to steer clear.
(End of the Chapter)
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