The Grey Rat's Demon Path

He leaned against a mountain rock, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes to rest.

After the Secret Realm opened, the Demon Kings in the valley disappeared.

Evidently, they had their own circles. They were likely using the opportunity of this Secret Realm trial to discuss matters among themselves.

Furthermore, Cultivation Resources suitable for Demon Kings were even rarer.

They were not commonly found circulating on the market.

Most were traded directly between Demon Kings.

Or they would gather information on where to find specific resources and then go to obtain them.

Once the Demon Kings left, the atmosphere in the valley became much more lively.

Although many Foundation Establishment Great Demons had entered the Secret Realm for the trial, there were still quite a few Great Demons outside.

Some of these Great Demons knew each other and took the opportunity to sit and discuss the Dao, exchanging insights on their cultivation.

Other Great Demons were busy networking, getting to know others in the Demon Vein to secure future assistance!

The valley was incredibly bustling, as if it had turned into a marketplace for fame and fortune!

Three months was nothing to the long lifespans of Foundation Establishment Great Demons!

Most of the Qi Refining Demons present had come with Great Demons, so they had their own cliques.

The few individual Loose Cultivator Qi Refining Old Demons, however, had other plans. They were trying to get acquainted with the Foundation Establishment Great Demons, hoping to find a powerful backer.

To a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, a Qi Refining Old Demon wasn't very strong. But for a larger faction, recruiting them as subordinates was still a decent option.

Xu Chang'an sat silently with his eyes closed.

At a mere Qi Refining Ninth Layer, simply sitting still, he naturally wouldn't attract the attention of any Great Demons.

However, during this time, a few Great Demons did recognize Xu Chang'an.

"That seems to be the Gray Rat Alchemist!"

"Oh right, why is the Gray Rat Alchemist here!?"

"He probably plans to buy some Alchemy Materials at the small gathering after the Secret Realm ends!"

"That's possible!"

However, even though they recognized Xu Chang'an, the few Great Demons didn't approach to disturb him.

And just like that, three months passed in a flash.

The many Demon Kings from the major powers appeared all at once, and the lively atmosphere in the valley instantly quieted.

BOOM!

Pillars of light, each hundreds of zhang long, appeared once again.

BUZZ~ BUZZ~ BUZZ~

The light trembled.

The passage to the Peacock Secret Realm opened once more.

Not long after the passage opened, streaks of light flashed and flew out from within.

These Great Demons who emerged included some Veteran Great Demons, but most were Top-tier Great Demons!

Some of the Great Demons had weakened auras, clearly having suffered considerable injuries.

Others looked battered and bruised, their bodies covered in wounds large and small.

After the passage opened, Demons came out one after another.

But the later it got, the more slowly they appeared.

After three hours, no more Great Demons emerged.

However, the few Demon Kings in charge did not close the Secret Realm's passage.

And so, they waited for several more hours. Only after confirming that no more Great Demons were emerging did they finally close the passage to the Secret Realm.

The Great Demons who came out submitted their gains from the Secret Realm one by one. Under the watchful eyes of the major powers and the numerous Demon Kings, they were ranked according to the size of their harvest.

According to the requirements of this trial, half of the harvest from the Secret Realm belonged to the major powers, and the other half belonged to the Great Demons themselves.

The major powers were extremely efficient. Within a few hours, they had inventoried all the resources and completed the rankings.

"Did you hear? The one who ranked first in the Secret Realm this time is the Top-tier Great Demon from Red Cloud Mountain, Shang Yan!"

"Shang Yan!? You mean the Top-tier Great Demon who's rumored to have Demon King Bloodline!?"

"That's right, that's him!"

"Hiss~ That's truly terrifying! He already possesses a Demon King Bloodline, and now he's even taken first place. I bet it won't be long before he forms his Inner Core and becomes a Demon King!"

"Indeed!"

"..."

The demons in the valley were all discussing fervently.

'Shang Yan!?'

Xu Chang'an thought for a moment and recalled the stern-faced man from Jade Ruyi's Foundation Establishment Celebration.

Slightly yellowish hair, a sharp-featured face, and a gaze as sharp as a blade.

'First place in the Secret Realm rankings... He's got some skill!'

Xu Chang'an thought to himself, but he dismissed it in the next moment.

He had already become a Demon King; his sights were set on the level of Demon Kings.

With the Golden Core he had formed, he wouldn't pay much attention even to ordinary Demon Kings.

The only ones who could catch his eye were, at the very least, Veteran Demon Kings with profound foundations!

A mere Top-tier Great Demon, even one with the potential to become a Demon King, was nothing special to him!

Once the major powers finished inventorying their respective gains from the Secret Realm, the small trade fair in the valley officially began.

Representatives from various merchant guilds and shop factions quickly found spots and set up small stalls.

They were mainly looking to buy, with some occasional bartering!

Xu Chang'an also set up a small stall, taking out a stone slab on which he wrote down the resources he needed to buy.

Spiritual Items to improve Bloodline aptitude, Tier Two Middle-Upper Grade Spiritual Herbs and Plants...

"Grey Rat!"

A young woman in a short purple skirt walked up to Xu Chang'an, her fair, jade-like legs swaying.

"Congratulations, Miss Cheng!"

Seeing who it was, Xu Chang'an said with a smile.

"Congratulate me for what!?"

Cheng Mengying looked confused.

"Just being able to see you out here is worthy of congratulations."

"Haha, my combat power far exceeds others of my rank. What's there to congratulate!"

Cheng Mengying said proudly.

But there was a faint, lingering fear in her expression.

This Secret Realm expedition was meant as a trial and selection, so the dangers within were naturally beyond imagination.

Quite a few Great Demons, after all, would never walk out of the Secret Realm again.

Xu Chang'an looked up and sized up Cheng Mengying for a moment.

Speaking of which, they hadn't seen each other in years. Now that they met again, Cheng Mengying's Cultivation had already reached Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

"Grey Rat, you're looking to buy Spiritual Items that improve Bloodline!?"

Seeing the words Xu Chang'an had written on the stone slab, Cheng Mengying asked, crouching down.