Majestic mountains loomed, dense with demonic miasma.

The Money Toad, the size of a five- or six-story building, made strenuous leaps, each propelling it over a hundred miles. Its speed outstripped the typical demonic escape skill.

It zipped through the mountain ranges at an extremely rapid pace.

As the Money Toad gradually neared the heart of Divine Sorrow Ridge, the mists ahead suddenly turned a blackish red. It was as if the sky pulsed with innumerable streams of thick molten lava.

In reality, this dark red mist was composed of billions of demonic mosquitos, each the size of a palm, with fierce features, sharp mouthparts, and six pairs of thin wings.

These demonic mosquitos were named Traceless.

Wherever they swept through, all living beings were eradicated without a trace left behind.

And these countless Traceless demonic mosquitos were indeed the first line of defense deep within Divine Sorrow Ridge.

With such a number of demonic mosquitos, even a great cultivator of the Blood-Stained Realm would be sucked dry in an instant.

Moreover, the reproduction rate of these Traceless demonic mosquitos was astonishingly high. As long as they could feed on enough vital energy and blood essence, even leaving just one alive could allow them to quickly breed anew—a truly terrifying fact.

As the Money Toad sensed the demonic mosquito mist approaching, it opened its wide mouth and regurgitated the Passage Command Token it had previously swallowed.

Spreading out these Passage Command Tokens, the Money Toad's lengthy tongue gave a lick, and demonic energy surged through them. Sinister red characters on the Passage Command Tokens began to emanate strange auras. This aura seemed to carry certain special information.

The oncoming horde of Traceless demonic mosquitos perceived this information and immediately dispersed, halting their attack on the Money Toad and parting to open a path for its passage.

Traceless demonic mosquitos are recorded in the Shenxiao Sect's ancient tomes. This species of demonic mosquitos was one of the seventy-two demonic breeds nurtured by the Food Demon Sect, one of the Ancient Demon Sects. Among the demonic breeds, it ranked near the bottom, at seventy-first. Apart from their overwhelming numbers and strong reproductive capability, they had no other remarkable traits. They were completely ineffective against anyone below the Dao Body Realm. However, after the Food Demon Sect's downfall, these seventy-two types of demonic breeds had faded into obscurity for many years, only now reemerging. It seems that among the Demonic Evil Cultivators deep within Divine Sorrow Ridge, someone must have acquired the Food Demon Sect's legacy, recreating these Traceless demonic mosquitos.

Within the flesh pouch on the Money Toad's back, Qi Xiu's expression was solemn as he looked upon this vast, miles-wide swarm of demonic mosquitos that stretched across the Sky Dome.

The Shenxiao Sect had existed since the Middle Ancient Era. Although not as powerful as it once was, it possessed an extensive collection of ancient texts unmatched by other great sects and noble houses.

In my nine years at the Shenxiao Sect, besides cultivating, I also perused many ancient fragmented scriptures, gaining insights into many secrets and rumors unknown to others. The Food Demon Sect was one of the Ten Great Ancient Demon Sects. In the Middle Ancient Era, it was said that the Demonic Path overshadowed all, wielding unprecedented power. If it weren't for Li Zhexian, who later emerged from the Sword Opening Sect and dominated all under Heaven, single-handedly sweeping through the Sky Demon Sect, Heart Demon Sect, and Ten Thousand Demons Sect, the world today might be very different. Although the Food Demon Sect was not considered top-tier among the Ten Great Ancient Demon Sects, in terms of the harm and devastation it wrought upon all living creatures, the Food Demon Sect could definitely be ranked at the top. If the Demons of Divine Sorrow Ridge truly have inherited the legacy of the Food Demon Sect, then Dianchuan is in trouble. Holding the Spirit Pill bag and the Wonderful Medicine Pot, I could also be considered to have received a partial legacy of the Food Demon Sect. And just from these two Magic Artifacts, it was clear to see the Food Demon Sect's attitude towards all living beings. They simply regarded everyone as nourishment for their cultivation. Otherwise, the Food Demon Sect wouldn't have been covertly exterminated overnight, disappearing without a trace. Some unofficial histories even speculate that the sudden disappearance of the Food Demon Sect was the doing of the other nine sects among the Ten Great Ancient Demon Sects!

Passing through the vast cloud of billions of demonic mosquitos, the Money Toad spoke, "Those of you who are visiting Divine Sorrow Ridge for the first time, listen well. Deep within Divine Sorrow Ridge lie eight nations, each subordinate to one of the eight Dao Body Realm Demons. In a moment, I will set you all down on Disc Street. There, you'll find pathways leading to the eight nations."

After explaining, the Money Toad paused and then said, "However, I, old toad, would still recommend that the fledglings visiting Divine Sorrow Ridge for the first time go to Green Mulberry Country first. There, female enchantresses and temptresses abound, making it one of the top pleasure grounds within Divine Sorrow Ridge. Plus, the Lord of Green Mulberry, Lady Xu, is generous and kind, often coming out to preach and pass on the teachings. She is indeed an esteemed Dao Expert. Listening to her preach even once is equivalent to many years of arduous cultivation."

The Money Toad cajoled gently, extolling the numerous benefits of Green Mulberry Country.

However, the crowd of listening Demons were not fools. This old toad's fervent recommendation of Green Mulberry Country could not simply be chalked up to goodwill in guiding these newcomers. There must be someone directing it, or it had received some form of benefit. As for the Money Toad's recommendations, they all went in one ear and out the other. Few who had made it this deep into Divine Sorrow Ridge were foolish. Once on Disc Street, they would make their own judgments about which of the eight nations to visit.

Watching everyone remain silent and not take a stand, the Money Toad curled the corners of its mouth slightly.

Ignore good demon advice, and you'll suffer for it. Though I, this old toad, may have been bought by Green Mulberry's favors, not all my words are false. Green Mulberry Country is safe and stable, though there's a risk of being completely drained. But dying amidst warm jade and fragrant beauties surely beats being skinned and disassembled, right?

Crashing heavily into a basin of mud and splattering black and yellow muck into the air, the Money Toad was just about to kick its legs and leap again.

A deafening sonic boom exploded like thunder!

Four dark spears, each about a zhang long, suddenly fell from the sky.

PFFT! PFFT! PFFT! PFFT!

Swift as lightning, the four spears instantly penetrated the limbs of the Money Toad, nailing it firmly to the ground. Pus and blood splattered, and white bones were starkly exposed.

The Money Toad let out a piercing, agonized scream, its eyes frantically rolling in search of the attacker. "Who?! Attacking a carrier is a serious crime! Do you want to die?!"

Struggling desperately, the Money Toad bellowed with all its might, using its demonic energy to push out the dark spears from its limbs before turning to flee.

Who would dare to attack and plan an ambush on carriers at Divine Sorrow Ridge? What ordinary person would dare to do such a thing? That is why, upon freeing itself, the Money Toad did not even think of striking back but instead turned tail and ran.

"Carriers? We're here to kill carriers!"

Around the basin, on the summits of the surrounding mountains, a dozen figures wearing Black Armor and straddling fierce tigers, their eyes glowing with a bloody red light, looked down from their high vantage.

Seeing these Black Armor figures astride the fierce tigers, the Money Toad's eyes instantly widened, its body covered in trembling pustules oozing pus. "Tiger Brigands?!"

Its skin suddenly crinkled up. The Money Toad's body contracted, then with a fierce effort, it pushed.

PLOP! PLOP!

Dozens of fresh red lumps of flesh were squeezed out.

Faced with a formidable enemy, this old toad actually spewed all the flesh sacs from its back, intending to use Qi Xiu and the others to delay these so-called Tiger Brigands.

"Hmph!"

A sudden cold snort, like a thunderclap on a clear day, struck the old toad as it attempted to escape. Large patches of rust spread over its entire body. The agony of its flesh mutating caused it to collapse heavily to the ground, twitching and convulsing.

Crushing the flesh sacs, the Blood-Stained Realm Corpse Demon landed woodenly, expressionlessly watching the Money Toad gradually turning into a cast-iron body.

"Lord… please spare my life…" Gazing in terror at its body corroding and mutating, the Money Toad frantically begged for mercy.

The Corpse Demon ignored the old toad's pleas, slowly turning to face the group of Tiger Brigands clad in Black Armor and straddling fierce tigers.

"I. Have long heard. Divine Sorrow Ridge. Harbors a group. Of wicked brigands. Ambushing. Carriers. Is it. You?" The Corpse Demon spoke in a strange and unusual manner, spitting out words in threes. It made those listening feel irritated, itching to grab its chin and give it a good shake.

"Gui Tai, this has nothing to do with you. If you are wise, leave, and we will not make things difficult for you. However, these youngsters must come with us. Red Stream Country has paid good money." With the fierce tigers under them snarling and baring their teeth, one of the Tiger Brigands spoke aloud, revealing the reason for their attack on the carriers: Kidnapping!

Demonic Evil Cultivators and the Human Race are mortal enemies. Yet their own ranks are not monolithic. This is even truer when compared to the Human Race, which upholds ethical standards, principles, and laws. Following their nature and venerating power, the internal affairs of the Demonic Evil Cultivators are even more chaotic and dark.

Divine Sorrow Ridge is the current largest stronghold of Demonic Evil Cultivators in Dianchuan Province. Within it are eight nations, each governing itself. The eight Dao Body Realm Great Demons presiding over them wish to bolster the strength of their own domains, naturally hoping to absorb more Demonic Evil Cultivators into their command. To achieve this end, their methods vary widely. For example, Green Mulberry Country bribes carriers to give newly arrived Demonic Evil Cultivators a favorable first impression. Even if not all of them are guided towards Green Mulberry Country, it at least plants a seed in their hearts.

Compared to the softer tactics of Green Mulberry Country, Red Stream Country is much more direct. They don't care where you come from; they first kidnap everyone en masse. If you can be used, great. If not, then it's all the better to slaughter you at once. This prevents you from falling into the hands of their opponents and becoming a future nuisance.

The group of Tiger Brigands before them had been dispatched by Red Stream Country specifically to ambush carriers and abduct newcomers. Humans have human traffickers. And these were the demon traffickers among Demonic Evil Cultivators.

However, the Tiger Brigands encountered an unexpected situation today: this old toad actually had a Blood-Stained Realm Great Demon with it. Typically, a Blood-Stained Realm Great Demon is registered with one of the eight great demon nations of Divine Sorrow Ridge. They can come and go freely, controlling Magic Artifacts or using demonic miasmas. Why would one ride with carriers that only Initiate Realm Demons would travel with? And these Tiger Brigands even recognized this Blood-Stained Great Demon.

"I. Think. Whatever I want. To ride. I can. What business. Is it. Of you guys?"

The earth beneath his feet churned as a bronze demonic horse burst forth from the ground. Its hooves trampled the earth as it snorted and stood beside Corpse Demon Gui Tai.

"Tsk! Gui Tai, don't think you're anything special just because you've become a Blood-Stained Great Demon. Boys, we haven't sold a Blood-Stained Realm Great Demon yet. How about today, we take him too?" The lead Tiger Brigand's eyes shone with a bloody gleam.

"Take him!"

With a unified shout from the Tiger Brigands, the very mountains seemed to tremble.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

In an instant, the dozen Tiger Brigands leapt down from the mountain peaks. Their terrible aura caused the heavens and earth to shift colors, and their domineering presence made the very air seem heavy and oppressive.

Truly, like tigers descending the mountain!

Standing behind everyone, Qi Xiu folded his arms within his sleeves, squinting at the Tiger Brigands swooping in for the attack.

A complication?

As Qi Xiu pondered with a slight frown, one of the Tiger Brigands had already charged in front of him. His Black Armor clanged as his hand shot out, pressing towards Qi Xiu's abdomen. He was clearly intent on taking him down in one move.

But, just as Qi Xiu's expression cooled and he raised his hand to retrieve the Myriad Soul White Bone Banner, intending to feed this Tiger Brigand to the Magic Artifact, his opponent suddenly gave him a covert wink.

A voice transmission followed, entering his ears.

His expression astonished, Qi Xiu looked on in disbelief. "Is it you?"

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