Chapter 108: Great Demon Cyan Eagle
"Fellow Daoist Grey Rat, I trust you. But when it comes to Alchemy Skills, we still need to verify things a bit, lest a misunderstanding or mistake occurs."
The Water Buffalo Demon’s gaze on Xu Chang’an was somewhat fervent.
If this Gray Rat Demon really possessed Quasi-Second Tier Alchemy Skills, then as the one who recruited him, he would earn a significant amount of Contribution Points.
This way, he would be one step closer to having enough Contribution Points to exchange for a Foundation Establishment Pill!
"That’s right, Grey Rat. Do you have any proof?"
The Spider Spirit’s beautiful eyes gleamed, her tone exceedingly familiar.
"This is a Quasi-Tier Two Elixir I refined myself, a Healing Spirit Pill!"
As he spoke, Xu Chang’an took out a Healing Spirit Pill from his Storage Bag.
The Water Buffalo Demon and the Spider Spirit inspected it and confirmed that it was, without a doubt, a Healing Spirit Pill.
They figured that under these circumstances, the Gray Rat Demon wouldn’t be so bold as to try and fool them with an elixir he had bought.
They immediately extended an invitation to Xu Chang’an, saying that since he was now one of the family, he naturally had to meet the elders.
Furthermore, they had to hold a ceremony for everyone to witness.
The "ceremony" the Water Buffalo Demon spoke of was nothing more than a countermeasure, like a Restriction, to prevent Xu Chang’an from betraying them and leaking their secrets.
The circumstances were beyond his control, so Xu Chang’an could only reluctantly agree to the Water Buffalo Demon’s invitation on the surface.
There was no time to lose. The Water Buffalo Demon, the Spider Spirit, and the other demons led Xu Chang’an out of the valley toward their leader’s location.
Their leader wasn’t here but at a secret stronghold a hundred li away.
Along the way, the Spider Spirit seemed quite pleased with Xu Chang’an.
’Although his cultivation is a bit low, his Quasi-Second Tier Alchemy Skills are more than enough to make up for it.’
’Besides, a low cultivation has its advantages.’
’If I were to become his partner, with his Alchemy Skills, he’d certainly earn Contribution Points at a rapid pace.’
’His own cultivation hasn’t even reached the Qi Refining Sixth Layer, so the resources he can use are limited. The rest will naturally fall to me!’
Since they were about to meet the leader, they naturally needed to make Xu Chang’an aware of their basic situation.
This was to prevent him from being clueless when questioned by the leader, which would reflect poorly on them and make it seem like they had failed in their duties.
With the leader’s methods, once a Restriction was placed on this Gray Rat Demon, they wouldn’t have to worry about him causing any trouble.
And so, the Spider Spirit began to introduce everything to Xu Chang’an without reservation.
Their leader was a Cyan Eagle Demon, a true Foundation Establishment Great Demon. Their Robbery Cultivation Gang was also named after their leader.
They had operated outside Peacock Demon City for many years and had a complete network for intelligence gathering, tracking, ambushing, looting, and cleanup.
Their organization was tight-knit with extensive intelligence channels, making them a major headache even for Peacock Demon City.
When she mentioned how they were a headache for Peacock Demon City, the Spider Spirit’s face filled with pride, as if sharing in the glory.
’This Cyan Eagle is quite the talent among demons. His organizational skills are impressive!’
Xu Chang’an thought to himself as he looked at the Spider Spirit’s proud expression.
’Operating for many years... that’s great! Their wealth and resources must be substantial!’
Inside the Cyan Eagle gang, members used "Qing" as their name, followed by a number for ranking.
For example, the Water Buffalo Demon, with his Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivation, was Qing Si.
The Spider Spirit, despite only having a Qi Refining Seventh Layer Cultivation, was involved in the crucial channels for selling their stolen goods, so she was Qing Shijiu.
That Wild Boar Spirit from before had a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Cultivation and was Qing Ershiyi.
The other demons also had rankings.
"Fellow Daoist Shui Niu, with a Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivation, is only ranked fourth? Does that mean everyone ahead of him is a Foundation Establishment Great Demon?"
Xu Chang’an said, feigning shock.
In reality, he was probing for information about Cyan Eagle’s true strength.
"Haha, our Cyan Eagle gang does indeed have two Foundation Establishment Great Demons. Qing Yi is the leader’s designation. Qing Er is also a Foundation Establishment Great Demon. Qing San is still at the Peak of Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivation, but due to his Bloodline talent, his combat power is a notch higher than Brother Qing Si’s!"
"Grey Rat, if you successfully pass the leader’s certification, with your Alchemy Skills, I imagine you’ll rank in the top ten at least!"
The Spider Spirit pursed her lips, her hair drifting in the air, her face full of flirtatious charm.
"That would be wonderful."
Xu Chang’an forced an ugly smile.
It was clear he was still reluctant and couldn’t quite accept boarding the pirate ship that was the Cyan Eagle gang.
Xu Chang’an’s reaction was within the Spider Spirit’s expectations.
’Doing business safely and steadily in the city is better than our line of work in every way!’
’The profits might be greater, but the risks are more than double!’
Xu Chang’an followed the demons to a small, nameless hill.
The surrounding Spiritual Qi was faint, making the place look extremely ordinary.
Halfway up the mountain, after winding past some large rocks and trees, a cave entrance came into view.
"This is it! You all wait here for a moment while I go announce our arrival."
The Water Buffalo Demon said this, then walked into the cave first.
Xu Chang’an and the Spider Spirit stood waiting.
The other demons scattered like birds and beasts, seeming to head for other posts in the vicinity.
The Great Demon Cyan Eagle’s strength was unknown, so to avoid being discovered, Xu Chang’an did not use his Demon Sense to investigate.
Xu Chang’an surveyed the surroundings with his naked eye and inwardly praised Cyan Eagle.
’The Spiritual Qi here is faint, and he didn’t deliberately use an Array to conceal it, but rather a natural method of concealment.’
’This way, even if a demon were to investigate, they probably wouldn’t discover anything unusual here right away.’
’This Great Demon has some tricks up his sleeve!’
’No wonder he’s been able to operate outside Peacock Demon City for so long!’
Xu Chang’an waited outside the cave with the Spider Spirit for a while before the Water Buffalo Demon reappeared, a joyful expression on his face, and told them to enter.
Xu Chang’an walked into the cave. After a short time navigating its many twists and turns, the space before him suddenly opened up.
To his surprise, the cave contained a hidden world of its own.
The cavern was several dozen zhang high.
There was a clear spring pool, and in its center sat a massive boulder.
A demon with an eagle’s head, a human body, and cyan-feathered wings stood atop the boulder.
Cyan Eagle!
"Boss, this is the Quasi-second-rank Alchemist I told you about, Grey Rat."
The Water Buffalo Demon’s voice rang out.
A pair of icy, emotionless eyes turned to look at Xu Chang’an.
Xu Chang’an’s expression tightened, and his legs couldn’t help but go weak.
Inwardly, however, he was secretly contemplating when and how to make his move.
’Now that I’ve seen the main target, my objective is basically complete.’
’Next up, it’s time for some dog-eat-dog action!’
’However, I’d like to keep my identity as Grey Rat safe and sound.’
’So I’ll have to play along for a bit, then switch identities and come back to strike!’
’If it’s not absolutely necessary, acting in my identity as the Gray Rat Demon carries the risk of exposure!’
’Even if the risk is small, it’s still a risk!’
’A little mouse out in the world has to protect himself!’
’Let the alias do the dirty work. I can’t do it myself!’
"Are you willing to join my Cyan Eagle gang!"
The Great Demon Cyan Eagle’s voice, like the clash of boulders, echoed in Xu Chang’an’s ears.
Leaning on the Spider Spirit for support, Xu Chang’an barely kept himself from collapsing.
His face was a mask of terror, and his body trembled as he struggled to respond.
"I... am willi—"
BOOM!
Before Xu Chang’an could finish his sentence, a massive explosion rocked the area from outside the cave.