The Grey Rat's Demon Path

The demons who could open a shop in Pear Blossom Lane usually had some connections.

In terms of status, they were far better off than the average Independent Cultivator Demons just getting by in the Demon City.

So, the place chosen for the small gathering of the Pear Blossom Lane shopkeepers’ alliance was quite decent.

It was an elegant lodge in the Outer City of the Peacock Demon City.

Inside were pavilions and waterside gazebos, rockeries and stone carvings, and winding paths. Spirit Plants emanated and absorbed Spiritual Qi, creating a rather charming atmosphere.

Xu Chang’an arrived with the Cyan Bull Demon and the Wart Hog Spirit.

"Grey Rat, I’ve been here once before. The Spiritual Food is delicious, and the Spirit Fruits are fresh. And the Hundred Flowers Spirit Wine is especially good."

The Wart Hog Spirit remarked, admiring the beautiful scenery on both sides.

"It’s a shame the Hundred Flowers Spirit Wine is so expensive. A single pot costs thirty Demon Stones! I only got to try a few cups. I wonder if they’ll serve it at this gathering!"

"Thirty Demon Stones... that really is expensive!"

The Cyan Bull Demon also remarked with a sigh.

A price of thirty Demon Stones was more expensive than an ordinary Low-grade Magical Artifact.

Although he ran a Magical Artifact Repair Shop and was quite well-off, he couldn’t afford to spend so extravagantly.

The Demon Path was difficult. Whether it was for cultivation, Magical Combat, or social obligations among demons, everything required Demon Stones.

There really wasn’t much left over for everyday pleasures.

While this Hundred Flowers Spirit Wine did help with cultivation, its effects were far inferior to an Elixir of equivalent value.

"It wouldn’t matter if they did. The cost of this gathering is being split evenly among all the shop owners. We’d still have to pay for it with our own Demon Stones."

The Cyan Bull Demon added.

"Haha, that’s true, that’s true."

The Wart Hog Spirit said with a chuckle.

The demons chatted as they walked, eventually reaching an elegant private room.

The room was quite large, big enough to hold several tables.

By the time Xu Chang’an and his companions arrived, quite a few demons were already inside.

Tiger Demons, Bear Demons, Deer Demons, Monkey Spirits...

There was a wide variety of them, each with a different appearance and style of dress.

These were all shop owners from Pear Blossom Lane. Xu Chang’an had interacted with some of them on a daily basis, but he didn’t know them well.

"Fellow Daoist Qing Niu, you’re here!"

A demon greeted them.

The Cyan Bull Demon nodded and found an empty seat.

The Wart Hog Spirit and Xu Chang’an did the same.

"By the way, where’s Fellow Daoist!? Didn’t she come with you?"

A Dog Demon asked.

The Butterfly Spirit, the Cyan Bull Demon, and the Wart Hog Spirit all had shops in the same area, so it stood to reason they would have come together.

Before the Cyan Bull Demon or the Wart Hog Spirit could answer, another demon in the room spoke up.

"Fellow Daoist went to invite Fellow Daoist Black Sheep, of course!"

"Right, right. Hahaha..."

The atmosphere in the private room was harmonious, with all the demons laughing and chatting together.

Xu Chang’an stood to the side, making small talk.

For him, interacting with these demons was a rare experience on the Demon Path.

Since he would be leaving Pear Blossom Lane soon, this was a fitting way to bring his life over the past few years to a satisfying conclusion.

During the conversation, some demons kept glancing toward the door of the private room, as if waiting for a particular demon to arrive.

Clearly, some demons had come to this gathering with an agenda.

More and more demons arrived, essentially filling all the tables in the private room.

Accompanied by the sound of a pleasant voice, two figures appeared at the entrance.

"Fellow Daoists, my apologies. We’re late."

The Butterfly Spirit had a charming smile. Dressed in a pale blue long skirt, she looked even more beautiful and playful.

Beside her stood a well-built man.

The man was tall and straight; the Butterfly Spirit only reached his shoulder. She currently had the posture of a delicate woman leaning on her man.

The man’s face looked no different from someone of the Human Race, but the two black sheep horns on his head revealed his identity.

He had clearly used an Illusion Technique, but had retained some of his Demon Race features.

"This is my Dao Companion, Fellow Daoist Black Sheep!"

The Butterfly Spirit introduced him with a beaming smile.

She looked quite pleased with herself.

In her social circle, getting involved with an outstanding demon like the Black Sheep Spirit was the absolute pinnacle of what she could achieve.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Black Sheep!"

"Fellow Daoist Black Sheep, come, sit here!"

"Fellow Daoist Black Sheep, do you remember me? We met once before."

"Hahaha, Fellow Daoist Black Sheep is truly as imposing as they say."

"..."

The demons all greeted him enthusiastically.

One demon even moved aside to offer their seat to the Black Sheep Spirit and the Butterfly Spirit.

The scene was in stark contrast to the reception Xu Chang’an, the Cyan Bull Demon, and the Wart Hog Spirit had received upon their arrival.

Even though someone like the Cyan Bull Demon was also at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, his status was far below that of the Black Sheep Spirit.

According to the Wart Hog Spirit, the faction backing the Black Sheep Spirit was presided over by a veteran Great Demon at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Although it was a notch below factions backed by a Top-tier Great Demon, it was still an extremely powerful force.

As a representative of this faction overseeing a shop in the Demon City, the Black Sheep Spirit naturally possessed considerable Energy.

Facing the demons’ enthusiastic greetings, the Black Sheep Spirit appeared extremely practiced and composed.

It was true; he had experienced scenes like this so often that he thought nothing of it.

The Butterfly Spirit beside him, however, had flushed cheeks and looked as if she were sharing in his glory.

The Black Sheep Spirit led the Butterfly Spirit to their seats.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoists. I’m very happy to have been invited to this small gathering for the Pear Blossom Lane shops.

You can all call me by my name, Sheep Horn.

We’re all doing business out here, so it’s understandable to go by a name, right?"

The Black Sheep Spirit, Sheep Horn, certainly carried himself with style. It fit his status as the Manager Shopkeeper in Peacock Demon City for a major faction.

’But that name he chose...!’