"There are two routes we can take to Guangming City in the Divine Holy Empire. The first is the path favored by merchants; at our current speed, it would take us about twenty days. The other is shorter, taking around fifteen days! But that second route is extremely difficult, as it passes right through the Zi Qiong Mountain Range!"

Several brilliant streaks of light flashed across the sky as Nie Yun and the others flew above the clouds. Baihua Xiu, leading the way, explained.

Baihua Xiu seemed to be very familiar with Guangming City in the Divine Holy Empire, so after a few days of flying, Nie Yun had appointed her as their guide.

"Pass through the Zi Qiong Mountain Range?" Nie Yun paused.

He had heard about the routes to Guangming City before. The Zi Qiong Mountain Range path could save time, but it cut through Demon territory. One wrong move and you could be killed on the spot.

The Zi Qiong Mountain Range, Two Realms Mountain, and Profound Yin Mountain were the three great gathering places for the Demon Race on the Qi Sea Continent. The Zi Qiong Mountain Range ranked first among them, home to countless Ultimate Venerable Level Demons. Even more terrifying, it had a Secret Realm Powerhouse!

"The Zi Qiong Mountain Range is Demon territory; even the Divine Holy Empire can’t do anything about it. I think we should take the long way around. It may take more time, but at least it will be safe!"

Mu Qing said after a moment of thought.

"No need. We’ll take the Zi Qiong Mountain Range route!"

Nie Yun made his decision.

’My brother is in grave danger in Guangming City. Besides, I already have a grudge with the Zi Qiong Mountain Range. Since I’m passing by, I might as well check things out and see if there’s any news of my parents and the others.’

"The Zi Qiong Mountain Range? Nie Yun, even though we all rank on the Celestial List, the gap between us and a Secret Realm Powerhouse is still immense. If we recklessly enter their territory and provoke them, I’m afraid we’ll be ambushed and killed..."

Baihua Xiu turned her head, her face filled with worry.

"It’s fine. We can start by paying a visit to the Demons of the Zi Qiong Mountain Range. If they have any sense and let us pass, great. If not, we can just force our way through!"

Nie Yun said calmly, his tone brimming with unshakeable confidence.

This wasn’t mere arrogance on Nie Yun’s part. His strength had increased once more, his True Qi Power reaching as high as 5,000 Elephant Power. By combining it with his Great Strength Dantian, he could unleash a full 10,000 Elephant Power, making him comparable to the weakest Secret Realm Powerhouses!

And that wasn’t even counting his own formidable strength. Xiaofong was a Secret Realm Demon Pet, and he also possessed a Secret Realm Clone. Even if he truly came face-to-face with a Secret Realm Powerhouse, he wouldn’t necessarily be outmatched. There was no need to waste time on a detour.

"If you’ve made your decision, we’ll follow you. Just promise you won’t try to be a hero if things go south!"

Seeing the young man’s resolute attitude, Mu Qing nodded.

With the route decided, the group pressed on. After nearly ten days of travel, a mountain range towering into the clouds barred their path.

"That’s the Zi Qiong Mountain Range up ahead. Normally, humans have to take a detour here. Anyone who presses forward is considered to have violated the pact between Demons and humans and will be surrounded and killed by them!"

After flying for a while longer, Baihua Xiu came to a halt before a section of the mountains.

"You all wait here. Xiaofong and I will go scout ahead!"

Knowing the Demon-infested Zi Qiong Mountain Range lay ahead, Nie Yun turned and gave the order.

"The two of you alone? That’s too dangerous! I think we should all go together so we can watch each other’s backs..."

Baihua Xiu said hurriedly, taken aback.

"That’s right! My sister and I may not be as strong as you, but when we fight together, we’re confident we can even face the top three on the Celestial List. We can definitely help if you run into trouble!" Mu Qing chimed in.

"No need. If we all go, we’ll be too big of a target, which would be a disadvantage. It’s better if just the two of us go. If we run into danger, I’ll signal you, and it won’t be too late for you to rush over then!"

Nie Yun said, declining their well-intentioned offer.

’For me, the only real threat in the Zi Qiong Mountain Range is the Zi Qiong Emperor, that Secret Realm Level Demon. The rest are nothing to worry about. Xiaofong and I are both powerful enough that even if we can’t win a fight, we can easily escape. Bringing more people would just complicate things.’

"Since you’ve made up your mind, be careful!"

Knowing the young man had his own plans and rarely took a risk he wasn’t sure of, Baihua Xiu nodded.

"Mm!"

With a sound of affirmation, Nie Yun and Xiaofong exchanged a glance and a nod before flying off together into the depths of the Zi Qiong Mountain Range.

After flying for a while, a foul, reeking aura tore through the air toward them.

The aura was intensely corrosive. If an ordinary Cultivator were to inhale it, their True Qi would become tainted with the aura of the Demon Race, a contamination that was difficult to purge. As a result, their strength would be severely diminished.

Nie Yun nodded to himself as he felt the unique properties of the aura. ’No wonder the Divine Holy Empire would rather divide the land and rule separately than attack this place. So that’s the reason!’

Humans would be weakened by inhaling this aura, while Demons would be strengthened. With one side’s power falling and the other’s rising, the scales of battle would inevitably tip. No wonder the Divine Holy Empire would rather let the Demons thrive here than launch an assault!

’Focus Spirit, release True Qi, block!’

The deeper they went, the stronger the Corrosive Qi became. Nie Yun’s brow furrowed, and he used his Peak of Qi Sea Spiritual Power to project his True Qi, forming a protective membrane around his body.

Any Cultivator at the Qi Sea Seventh Layer Armor Realm could create such a True Qi membrane. However, the membrane formed by an ordinary Armor Realm expert, or even an Ultimate Venerable Powerhouse, would be unable to resist the Corrosive Qi. Yet, Nie Yun blocked it with ease.

This wasn’t because his True Qi was inherently special, but because his True Qi, when combined with his Peak of Qi Sea Soul Power, was already showing the potential to transform into Mana. It was immune to all poisons and could not be tainted by toxic qi.

As a Secret Realm Powerhouse, Xiaofong had already mastered the Mana within his body during their days of flight, so naturally, he was even less troubled by this Corrosive Qi.

"Master, that mountain peak ahead should be the main nest where the Demons of the Zi Qiong Mountain Range are concentrated. But... it seems that the Secret Realm-level Zi Qiong Emperor isn’t here!"

Xiaofong gazed into the distance for a moment before quietly sending a Sound Transmission to Nie Yun.

The Corrosive Qi throughout the mountains had a powerful light-absorbing effect, swallowing the light from the sky and keeping the entire Zi Qiong Mountain Range perpetually shrouded in a hazy mist. The vision of an ordinary person, and even a powerhouse like Nie Yun, would be limited, making it impossible to see over long distances. However, Xiaofong, as a Secret Realm Powerhouse, was an exception.

"The Zi Qiong Emperor isn’t here? You can sense that?" Nie Yun asked, stunned.

"Yes. There’s a certain connection between Demon Beasts and Demons. Once we both reach the Secret Realm, we can definitely sense one another as long as we’re close enough. Right now, I can’t sense his aura, which means that Demon isn’t here!"

Xiaofong nodded.

"Good. It’s better that he’s not here. The Demons have been building their foundation here for so many years; they must have countless treasures. Since we’ve come all this way, it would be a real shame not to help ourselves!"

Nie Yun chuckled slyly.

He had always loathed Demons down to his very bones; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been called the Blood Prison Demon Venerable. Since he had come all the way to the Demons’ lair, it would be a crime not to plunder it thoroughly!

"Yes, Master!"

Xiaofong’s eyes lit up as he nodded eagerly.

PS: Apologies, this Chapter was missed. I’m posting it now... (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)