Chapter 664: Great Demon 27
Bai Ze didn’t press the matter further. It had a strong sense of personal boundaries. Now, living next to Tan You, Bai Ze was also drawing nourishment from her. What was it? Bai Ze would later realize it was the fragrance of civilization.
Tan You had long wanted to start researching the problem of half-demon bloodline rampages, but after reaching the Eighth Rank, she could never find the time. First, Bai Ze and numerous other demonic beasts went missing in the Ten-Direction Mountain, forcing her to rush all over the place.
Then, at the Tianyuan Sect, she suffered a great setback and spent many years recuperating. Just when her injuries finally healed and she had time, she found that her cultivation, still below the Ninth Rank, was insufficient to solve the problem.
It wasn’t until she passed the Ninth Rank Heavenly Tribulation and fully unlocked the inherited memories of the Golden Ring Snake lineage that she gradually began to form a plan.
Purifying a half-demon’s bloodline was completely different from purifying a demonic beast’s. Losing half of one’s essence blood would be a devastating blow to anyone’s vitality. This was especially true for half-demons, who were often displaced from a young age and were already weak and sickly. Nine times out of ten, they wouldn’t survive the process.
She truly had to think carefully about how to proceed. An idea suddenly struck her. ’The plant and tree demons have a hard time advancing. What if I involve them? If they can accumulate some merit, it might make their own future tribulations a bit easier.’
Seeing Tan You fall into silence, Bai Ze didn’t disturb her. It just gave a few instructions to the Great Demons who had already taken human form, and they each set off to find half-demons.
The first one Tan You sought out was the Enlightenment Tea Tree. Although he didn’t have healing properties like the Snow Ginseng or the Fire Ganoderma, he was the leader of the plant and tree demons, after all.
For such a major undertaking, persuading the leader would make it much easier to move forward.
Regarding Tan You’s purpose in coming, the Enlightenment Tea Tree didn’t agree rashly. "I must first discuss this with the Great Demons of our clan. This is a major issue, after all. We of the plant and tree clan have always been at the bottom of the Demon Clan, the most overlooked."
"That’s understandable," Tan You said. "I’m not trying to undermine your foundations. I believe this matter holds great potential. The Heavenly Dao is harsh toward the Demon Clan, and it is even more difficult for the plant and tree demons to achieve greatness."
"But if you have merit on your side, passing your tribulations will be somewhat easier."
"Besides, if you encounter a half-demon with good aptitude, you all could consider a symbiotic contract. If a half-demon has their Human Clan bloodline removed and their body is properly nourished back to health, their future will be limitless."
The Enlightenment Tea Tree was silent for a long time. "I will convey your intentions. As for the symbiotic contracts, there’s no rush. In truth, if you were just asking for some Spiritual Medicines to restore their bodies, I doubt anyone would refuse."
Tan You smiled and waved her hand. "What would I do with those? Everyone’s cultivation journey is difficult. To ask so abruptly now, I’d feel a little embarrassed."
The Enlightenment Tea Tree laughed. "There are times when even you feel embarrassed?"
Tan You had gotten her message across, and that was enough. "In any case, give me an answer as soon as possible. If I don’t hear back, I’ll have to think of another way."
The Enlightenment Tea Tree knew Tan You was decisive and acted swiftly, so he didn’t delay. "Alright. I’ll have an answer for you the day after tomorrow."
Tan You was satisfied. After cutting off the voice transmission with the Enlightenment Tea Tree, Bai Ze came knocking on her door. "Peacock brought back ten half-demons. They don’t look like they’re in good shape."
Tan You frowned. "How so?"
Peacock walked in, fanning himself with a feather fan. "Old Niu and the others went a separate way. As soon as I descended the mountain, I just so happened to hear that the Treasure Pavilion was auctioning half-demons."
"Though I don’t really have any feelings for half-demons, they are half demonic beast, after all. Just watching them get auctioned off... it felt like an affront to our own kind."
Tan You glanced at the iridescent feather fan in Peacock’s hand. "And then you bought them at the auction? You have Spirit Stones?"
"It’s not easy for me to save up Spirit Stones. You think I’d spend them on those things?" Peacock said, completely self-righteous. "So, I decided to rob the robbers. The people who buy half-demons, some do it for pleasure, some for torture. In short, none of them have good intentions."
"So after they bought the half-demons at the auction, you robbed them," Tan You finished his sentence. She pinched the bridge of her nose, a headache coming on. "Please tell me you weren’t the only one with this idea."
Peacock raised an eyebrow. "Any guesses who came up with this plan?"
The image of a simple, honest-looking young man suddenly appeared in Tan You’s mind. "Old Niu suggested it?"
"Leave it to you to be so sharp, Jin Huan!" Peacock clapped his hands. "If anyone ever tells me again that the Bull Clan is simple-minded and only knows brute force, I’ll tear them a new one. Old Niu is a wolf in sheep’s clothing."
Tan You sighed. "Alright, what’s done is done. The Human Clan auctioning half-demons is hardly a noble act, so if their faces got slapped, so be it."
Peacock casually slung an arm around Tan You’s shoulder. "See, Jin Huan? You’re so magnanimous. What are you going to do with these ten half-demons? They look pretty miserable. Even though we were bound in the past, at least we were still alive."
"But these ones, without intervention, they won’t live past twenty-five."
"One of them is already getting close to that age."
Tan You followed Peacock’s gaze to a half-human, half-snake youth in the cage. The boy wore a long robe on his upper body, but a thick snake tail extended from beneath it. Fine scales dotted his arms and cheeks.
At twenty-five, a member of the Human Clan would be a full-grown man. But for the Half-demon Clan, due to their bloodline rampages, it was difficult to reach adulthood. Most of the half-demons before her looked like they were only fifteen or sixteen years old.
Peacock reached out and hauled the half-human, half-snake youth out. Although the youth was restrained, his feral nature remained. His thick snake tail whipped toward Peacock.
Peacock grabbed the tip of his tail with one hand and held the back of the youth’s collar with the other. "Settle down. We brought you back for your own good. Look," he gestured, "this is a great elder of your own kind. Aren’t you going to pay your respects?"
The youth stared at Tan You for a long moment. Tan You smiled. "Peacock, don’t be so rough."
"I’ve recently had some insights into bloodline purification. Although half-demons possess half Human Clan blood, in the end, the Human Clan bloodline is an impure one. If you are willing to endure the hardship, it can be removed."
"I personally recommend you remove the Human Clan bloodline. Compared to humans, a demon’s body is much more robust and better able to withstand the pain of the process."
"Or, perhaps you wish to keep this Human Clan bloodline? That’s not out of the question. But as long as that Alien Race bloodline remains, you still have no future."
A young girl with a black fox tail suddenly threw herself against the front of the cage. She gripped the bars, her face full of anxiety. "I want to remove the Human Clan bloodline! The very thought of Human Clan blood flowing through my veins makes me feel utterly disgusted!"
"Senior, no matter how much it hurts, I’ll endure it! I’m begging you, please help me!"
The girl was the first to make a decision. Tan You’s gaze swept over the girl’s black fox tail, and she suddenly smiled. "Since you’ve spoken up, of course I’ll grant your request."