"If we kill him, the Sect is sure to take notice. If we don’t, they’re even more likely to."

"The strongest among us has only just recovered to the Golden Core realm. Wouldn’t that be like throwing an egg against a rock?"

"What if I bewitch him and make him my captive?" the White Fox asked with a seductive charm.

For a moment, the assembled demons were silent.

If she could succeed, it would of course be a good thing.

It would be like having a spy inside the Sect.

But what if she failed?

"If we make him think there are only one or two Demon Beasts, then failure wouldn’t be too big of a problem," a Demon Beast said.

This time, no one else objected.

Seduction had a proven track record against humans.

Almost no man could escape the bewitchment of a Fox Demon.

If any man ever did, it only meant the Fox Demon’s charm wasn’t strong enough.

And everyone present acknowledged the power of this White Fox’s seductive abilities.

So, it was certainly worth a try.

The Jiao Dragon, coiled atop a massive boulder, looked at the other demons and said, "In that case, let’s split into two groups."

"White Fox, take one other with you and attempt the seduction. The beast pack outside will support you."

"Succeed, and all is well. Fail, and you’re on your own."

"The rest of you will hide in the mist and act as the situation dictates."

"Avoid conflict if at all possible."

"The Immortal Sects have reigned in peace for over three hundred years. We must show them some reverence."

"Hiding ourselves and using this era of peace to recover our Cultivation is our best option."

"A Golden Core isn’t frightening. What’s frightening is that we don’t know the true strength of a Golden Core Cultivator from this era, yet we’re already convinced that our Demon Pills make us the strongest at this level."

"Arrogance has always been the greatest cause of the Demon Race’s downfall."

A demon wreathed in flames was unconvinced.

It was certain that a Demon Pill was superior to a human’s Golden Core.

It was on the verge of recovering to the Golden Core realm.

Combined with its powerful Physical Body and the might of its innate fiery Talent, it was sure it could crush the human.

It would dominate him in every aspect.

So it volunteered to go with the White Fox. The two of them would take down the human who had come up the mountain.

It would make him understand that demons are innately superior to humans.

’This idea of Immortal Cultivation for all is nothing but a foolish way to scatter resources.’

’The law of the jungle, fighting for resources, and rising against the odds—that is the true path of cultivation.’

’Not this game of house the Immortal Sects are playing now.’

The White Fox wasn’t worried either. She had absolute confidence in herself.

’No human male could remain composed when faced with a graceful figure like hers.’

’Let alone resist the bewitchment of her Heart Spirit.’

————

Jiang Man made his way up through the mist, spotting a few Demon Beasts along the path.

They weren’t strong.

And with so many Demon Beasts gathered here, there was bound to be a Demon King.

’Logically, the strongest among them should only be at the Golden Core realm.’

’If a creature stronger than a Golden Core were entrenched here, the Sect would easily detect it.’

’Certain regions have detection Arrays for just that purpose.’

’The moment a Cultivator stronger than Golden Core establishes a presence, they are considered a threat. The Yunqian Bureau would report it, and the Sect would send someone to investigate.’

So far, Jiang Man hadn’t received any such report.

’So I can assume the Demon King’s strength doesn’t exceed the Golden Core realm.’

’But Golden Core Perfection is still Golden Core. I need to be careful.’

ROAR!

While Jiang Man was still surveying his surroundings, he suddenly heard an enraged roar from up ahead, followed by a surging tide of power.

Jiang Man frowned. ’Golden Core?’

’It feels like it, but it lacks a certain depth.’

’But it’s definitely the aftershock of Golden Core-level power.’

Jiang Man immediately grew wary.

’I didn’t expect to run into a Golden Core right off the bat.’

’Does that mean the Demon Beasts further in are even stronger?’

As Jiang Man stood on alert, the sound of rapid footsteps approached.

A figure soon broke through the mist and entered his line of sight.

It was a woman in tattered clothes, clutching the remnants of her top as she fled for her life.

She glanced back in terror, her steps frantic.

From a distance, he could see her long, dark hair in disarray, a pair of snow-white fox ears atop her head, and a fluffy tail behind her.

Her skirt was in tatters, leaving her long, slender, pale thighs exposed.

’They’re testing me with this?’ Jiang Man was inwardly shocked.

’The Demon Race really plays dirty.’

’How is a hot-blooded young man like me supposed to withstand a test like this?’

’Fortunately, having a dangerous Dao companion is like having a knife permanently hanging over my head.’

’It keeps a man exceptionally clear-headed.’

’The downside is the constant threat of retaliation. The upside is complete immunity to all forms of seduction and trickery.’

’Mere physical beauty... not even worth mentioning.’

’The Demon Race has really fallen. They have no new tricks.’

Jiang Man shook his head with a sigh.

"Immortal Master, save me," a sultry voice called out.

It was a voice that could stir one’s very soul.

It made one want to protect this weak, helpless Little Demon.

Jiang Man immediately said, "Quick, come over here."

The woman’s expression mixed panic with a hint of joy and gratitude. As her emotions swelled, her clothes slipped a little further.

The sight of her delicate skin was captivating.

The woman sneered inwardly. ’Men really are all the same.’

’Especially hot-blooded ones, full of Qi and Blood.’

’Too easy.’

’One look at him and you can tell he’s never known a woman’s touch.’

’No need to be coy with a man like this.’

’Once I get to him, this will be a total victory. From now on, this Golden Core Cultivator will be our spy in the Sect.’

But just as she drew near, she suddenly saw the man before her lift his foot into an attack stance.

Before she could react, his foot instantly filled her vision.

Then, with a BANG...

...it landed squarely on her face.

Magic Skill: Bengliu Technique.

CRACK!

PTHOO!

The heavy kick shattered her nose, and a cracking sound came from her skull.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

She let out a pained shriek and was sent flying backward.

She slammed heavily onto the ground, rolling three times before coming to a stop.

The Flame Demon Beast, who was rushing over, froze in place.

This situation was not quite what they had imagined.

The woman was now both shocked and furious.

She struggled to sit up, glaring at Jiang Man and grinding out through her teeth, "Immortal Master, why?"

"Dressed like that, it’s obvious you’re here to seduce me," Jiang Man reminded her kindly. "The times have changed. You’re old."

The word "old" struck a nerve, but she quickly stabilized her Heart Spirit.

Then, she fixed her gaze on Jiang Man and asked in a soft, gentle voice:

"Then aren’t you curious, Immortal Master, about what’s underneath these clothes?"

Her hand was already clutching the tattered fabric.

It looked as if she might rip it off at any moment.

And give him a tantalizing glimpse.

As her words fell, Jiang Man’s Heart Spirit trembled.

He felt an urgent desire to know what sights lay hidden beneath her clothes.

’A Charm Technique?’ Jiang Man clearly felt the shift in his Heart Spirit.

’If I weren’t an Unparalleled Celestial Pride with an exceptionally fortified Heart Spirit, I might have actually fallen for that.’

Confidence perpetually enveloped his Heart Spirit, keeping his Spirit Platform clear and sober.

’External influences can hardly shake it in the slightest.’

’Not unless they have enough power to shatter my Spirit Platform.’

It wasn’t that the Charm Technique was ineffective against Jiang Man; rather, his opponent’s level was simply too low.

"Not worth mentioning."

Jiang Man took a step.

Cyan Smoke Melody.

He instantly appeared in the air before her and lashed out with a kick.

BANG!

The mid-air kick landed squarely on her face.

BOOM!

Before she could even react, she was slammed into a large tree, her head embedding itself in the trunk.

Jiang Man still hadn’t landed.

Suddenly, he felt a scorching presence.

It was followed by an enraged roar.

A massive palm came whistling toward him.

Looking at such a feeble Attack, Jiang Man couldn’t even be bothered to dodge.

The moment he landed, he casually reached out and caught it.

BAM!

A dull thud echoed.

The massive palm was frozen in mid-air, unable to move an inch.

The Flame Demon Beast was stunned.

Then, Jiang Man squeezed hard.

CRACK!

The hand was instantly snapped.

A howl of pain erupted as the beast unleashed a torrent of terrifying flames at Jiang Man.

Facing such flames, Jiang Man did nothing, simply giving a casual tug.

He pulled the massive Demon Beast toward him.

Then, while still in the air, he slammed his hand down on its head, forcing it to the ground.

BOOM!

CRACK!

The Demon Beast was driven straight into the ground.

Its skull fractured.

The flames still licked at Jiang Man, but they were completely blocked by his Spiritual Qi.

Flames of this level couldn’t even penetrate the sheer density of Jiang Man’s Spiritual Qi.

Looking at the Demon Beast with its fractured skull, Jiang Man frowned. "You’re from the Demon Race, aren’t you? How else could you be this weak?"

"I’ve never seen a Golden Core this weak."

"The Demon Race must have the weakest Golden Cores, right?"

The member of the Flame Demon Race stared death at Jiang Man, feeling a profound sense of humiliation.

Jiang Man, however, paid it no mind.

He was merely stating a fact and couldn’t care less what the Demon Race thought.

Right now, he needed to complete his mission.

"Where are the other demons? And how did you appear here?" Jiang Man asked.

"It was just the two of us," the Flame Demon Beast said in a low voice.

Jiang Man fell silent.

"You don’t believe me?" the Flame Demon Beast sneered. "You can try searching in a mist like this. You don’t even know what this mist is, do you? Your ignorance will be your undoing."

Jiang Man looked down at the Flame Demon Beast. ’Something’s strange about him,’ he thought. ’These ancient demons are really something else.’

’They just can’t keep up with the times.’

————

Thank you to the reader [An Unquestionable Salted Fish] for becoming an Alliance Leader.

I originally wanted to add a few hundred more words, but it didn’t seem to fit.

Next time for sure.

I’m ashamed!