Chapter 107: Joined in Matrimony
Peacock Demon City, Inner City, the core area.
Within a grand, resplendent hall stood a high platform with dozens of steps, flanked on both sides by attendant Little Demons.
Upon the platform was a dazzling, brilliant throne, and on that throne sat a woman.
Over a dozen Great Demons stood respectfully in the hall.
"Your Highness, the Cyan Eagle we were monitoring has revealed its location. Should I organize a party to hunt it down?"
A Great Demon spoke, his body bowed slightly and his tone filled with reverence.
He was a veteran Great Demon at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm.
"There’s no need. The Cyan Eagle has been a menace around the Demon City for a long time, and it is exceedingly cunning.
If we try to surround it, I fear it will escape, which would only cause more trouble down the line.
I’ll make the trip myself."
The woman seated on the throne slowly rose to her feet.
She wore a Feathered Robe, her face was one of peerless beauty, and her long black hair cascaded down to her waist. Her words were filled with confidence, like a proud peacock.
"With Your Highness taking action, that Cyan Eagle won’t be able to escape even if it grows wings."
Seeing the woman rise, the Great Demons below all responded, their gazes filled with fanaticism.
To have become a Great Demon, one must possess exceptional strengths. Many Great Demons were proud individuals.
But before this woman, they showed not a shred of arrogance.
Because the woman before them was the most... in this generation of Peacock Mountain.
No, even looking back several generations, she was the most prodigiously talented demon.
The Peacock Princess, who possessed the bloodline of a Demon King!
And they, these Great Demons, were all followers of the Peacock Princess.
They firmly believed that one day, the Peacock Princess would break through her realm and ascend to the throne of a Demon King!
And they would be the demons who supported her reign!
...
"This is the place!?"
Xu Chang’an looked at the Spider Spirit with a doubtful expression.
"Fellow Daoist Grey Rat, this is indeed the place."
The Spider Spirit nodded.
Before them was a small valley. The surrounding trees were lush with thick branches and leaves, and wild grass grew rampant on the ground, making the area seem rather secluded.
"But no matter how you look at it, this doesn’t seem like a place where treasure would be hidden!"
Xu Chang’an followed the Spider Spirit into the valley, asking with confusion.
"Just follow me, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat."
The Spider Spirit glanced back, gave Xu Chang’an a seductive look, and giggled.
Xu Chang’an understood immediately.
He had already sensed several auras in the surroundings; they must be the Spider Spirit’s accomplices.
However, he didn’t detect the presence of any Foundation Establishment Great Demon’s aura.
’It makes sense. Why would a Foundation Establishment Great Demon personally show up to recruit a mere Qi Refining Sixth Layer Alchemist like me?’
’Looks like I’ll have to play along for a while,’ Xu Chang’an thought to himself.
If he couldn’t even meet the Foundation Establishment Great Demon, he wouldn’t have a chance to make his move.
Fortunately, he was already prepared for this situation.
He already had a plan in mind for how to get them to take him to see the Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
"Fellow Daoist Grey Rat, we’re here. This is it."
The Spider Spirit led Xu Chang’an to the center of the valley and suddenly stopped.
"Where’s the treasure?"
Xu Chang’an looked around in confusion, not seeing any place where treasure might be hidden.
"Hahaha, the treasure is right here with me, of course!"
A deep voice rang out. It was a Wild Boar Spirit over thirty feet tall.
Observing its cultivation, it was actually at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer!
Not only that, but there were several other demons beside the Wild Boar Spirit.
At a glance, the weakest among them had a cultivation at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.
Their leader was none other than the Water Buffalo Demon who had sought out the Spider Spirit earlier, with a cultivation at the Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer!
"Fellow Daoist Spider, what is the meaning of this!?"
Xu Chang’an looked at the Spider Spirit, his face a mask of terror.
"Haha, don’t be alarmed, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat. I just wanted to introduce you to a few friends."
The Spider Spirit, as beautiful as a peach blossom, swayed her hips as she slowly approached Xu Chang’an.
"This..."
Xu Chang’an instinctively took a step back.
"Don’t be afraid, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat. These are all my sworn brothers.
My sworn brothers here do a bit of ’business’ outside the Demon City.
Business outside the Demon City is tough right now, and they need a talented individual like you, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat, to lend a hand. I wonder if you might be interested!?"
The Spider Spirit’s eyes swam with emotion as she gazed at Xu Chang’an, her look full of tender affection.
"If you help my sworn brothers with their business, then you’ll be one of us, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat. And then, you and I could be joined in matrimony in Pear Blossom Lane, living together blissfully, lovingly. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!"
As she spoke, the Spider Spirit moved to take Xu Chang’an’s hand.
"Sister Nineteen is right! That’s exactly it! Hahaha..."
One of the surrounding demons let out a laugh like a clap of thunder, which set off the rest of the demons into roaring laughter.
It felt like a chaotic dance of devils.
As a mere Little Gray Rat Demon, Xu Chang’an was surrounded by the other demons, his face filled with terror.
Seeing the Spider Spirit’s delicate hand reach for him, he suddenly grabbed it, as if clutching a life-saving straw.
"Fellow Daoist Spider, I..."
Looking at the surrounding demons staring at him like tigers eyeing their prey, the terror on his face intensified.
"Don’t be afraid, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat. As long as I’m here, my sworn brothers won’t harm you! So, about helping with the business..."
The Spider Spirit held Xu Chang’an’s hand and comforted him gently.
Xu Chang’an’s expression shifted.
"Fellow Daoist Spider, what you said about being joined in matrimony, living together blissfully...
Is that true!"
Hearing Xu Chang’an’s words, the Spider Spirit’s eyes grew even more tender.
"Of course, it’s true. I’ve had my eye on you for a long time, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat!"
"Alright, I agree."
After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Chang’an gritted his teeth and agreed.
"Fellow Daoist Grey Rat is straightforward! You’re one of us now!"
The Water Buffalo Demon at the side said with a laugh.
"And since you’re one of us, we should be honest with each other. Don’t you agree, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat?"
"Yes, yes, of course."
Xu Chang’an averted his gaze slightly and nodded in agreement, looking timid and weak.
"Good, then I’ll be direct. What is the true level of your Alchemy Skill, Fellow Daoist Grey Rat!?"
"Grey Rat, just tell us. Since you’ve agreed to help my sworn brothers’ business, the higher your alchemy level, the more help you’ll be!"
The Spider Spirit’s voice was soft and beautiful, with a subtle hint of enchantment.
"Tier One High Grade... No, Quasi-second-rank Alchemy Skill!"
Xu Chang’an looked hesitant. He was about to say Tier One High Grade, but as if remembering something, he instantly changed his answer.
"Quasi-second-rank!"
The eyes of both the Water Buffalo Demon and the Spider Spirit lit up.
’We’ve really hit the jackpot!’
A Quasi-second-rank Alchemist was someone that even the factions of most Foundation Establishment Great Demons would treat with respect and courtesy.
A Tribulation Cultivator gang like theirs would normally have no way of recruiting an Alchemist of this skill level through proper channels.
’With this, the boss will surely give us a huge reward!’
The Water Buffalo Demon and the Spider Spirit exchanged a smile.
With a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist, they could maximize the conversion of stolen Spirit Medicine and Spiritual Materials into useful resources.
’I have to let the boss meet this Gray Rat Demon!’
The Water Buffalo Demon had already made up his mind.
The status of a Quasi-second-rank Alchemist was extraordinary, even higher than that of a typical Qi Refining Ninth Layer demon, second only to a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
If what this Gray Rat Demon said was true...
With such skills, this Gray Rat Demon was qualified to become one of their core members.