Chapter 426: 241_1
Chapter 426: 241_1
Everyone was worried. Although the opportunity lay within the mountain range, none of them were confident in seizing it. Their power was only at the Transcending Realm; every inch and step within this mountain range was a challenge. Not to mention searching for the opportunity, if they encountered slightly stronger demon beasts, they would likely be devoured.
One man, refusing to accept this situation, encouraged the others: “What are we afraid of?! Opportunities are meant to be found, not sought. What’s the matter with risking life and death? Consider the brilliant path of cultivation that lies ahead if we seize the opportunity. What if we miss it? Wouldn’t we still have to grow amidst a blood sea of hardships, constantly lingering on the brink of downfall?”
“The Sovereign Demonic Beasts are formidable, but within this mountain range, at most there are no more than four or five of them. Hence, they are all likely in seclusion for cultivation and wouldn’t notice us. As long as we are careful and don’t provoke thousands of beasts at the same time, we can easily navigate through these mountains.”
One person, with a gaze as bright as a torch, looked at the three thousand people. “Don’t forget, we have ten kings among us. We do not fear ordinary king beasts. Coupled with our three thousand Transcendent Tier experts, the beasts have to make way. Meeting millions of beasts all at once is a rare occurrence. After yesterday, I believe it won’t happen again.”
“We must stick together. We cannot let Logan and his men take the opportunity away. If we must, let’s fight even at the cost of our lives. Even if the opportunity is destroyed, leading to failure for all, we would rather see that than Logan smugly seize it. Why should he have all the good luck? Isn’t he already satisfied with his formidable array?”
All three thousand people shouted in unison, then courageously set out as one. Fear was still in their hearts, but blinded by jealousy and rage, they no longer cared about the risks and were ready to fight tooth and nail. Of course, only the dozen or so kings smiled knowingly, because their own purpose had been fulfilled.
As kings, they naturally had a chance to obtain the opportunity, while these three thousand people were merely their shield. Without these three thousand people’s support, their ten would not dare to grab the opportunity. They hadn’t expected it would be this easy to manipulate the three thousand, who had forgotten they were only at the Transcendence Realm.
On the other hand, led by the Sovereign Demonic Beasts, Logan and his men had also successfully arrived at an Illusionary Realm. This was the residence of a Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast. A beam of light carried them in, transporting them inside.
The Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast was at rest, but now it opened its eyes. An amazing but terrifying pressure filled the room, causing discomfort for Logan and his men, but not one of them showed the slightest fear. After all, if they were to falter now, it would be disadvantageous for their upcoming negotiation.
“What brings you to me?” the beast questioned. “You dare claim this has something to do with the mountain range? This trick is too naive. What exactly is your purpose? Don’t tell me you thought after my restraint yesterday you can roam freely?”
As it spoke, its formidable beast power burst forth, intensifying its intimidating presence and causing Logan’s team to look ill at ease. Even Ba Ke Yun, the strongest among them, broke out in a cold sweat at its intimidation.
Logan, however, remained as solid as a mountain, replying, “You have no intention of discussing things properly. We’ll just leave. But remember one thing. Saint-level cultivators have their sights set on this mountain range. You’re bound for destruction. But with our cooperation, the mountain range would only stand to benefit. Take some time to think it over.”
The Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast paid him little mind, but upon hearing about the Saint-level cultivators, it instantly took him seriously. A gesture summoned some tea. “This is a tea tree from our mountain range, over a thousand years old. Your human cultivators have always wanted it, but we beasts do not appreciate it. You’re our guests, so taste this tea. If you can show us how it’s made, I might consider giving you the tea tree.”
Logan’s team was rather taken aback, never expecting they would get to taste tea while negotiating with the beast. But this tea appeared to be a hot potato. Everything came down to it. Everyone looked towards Logan.
“The mountain range you reside in has attracted a Saint-level cultivator. I don’t know the reason, but it probably has something to do with a secret treasure within these peaks, something substantial enough to push a Saint-level cultivator to risk everything. That’s why he has set us up as pawns, aiming to turn us against you beasts while he interferes from behind the scenes,” Logan began.
“You’re only Half-step towards the Sacred Throne, not his match. If he snags the item he wants, he’ll surely destroy the entire mountain range the next moment, eliminating any potential leaks of information. As for us human cultivators, we’ll likely face the same fate. That’s why we’re all in the same boat right now.”
Logan smiled teasingly at the Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast and continued, “After some thought, it seemed to me that you departed that day quite hastily. Outwardly, you appeared to be disappointed in the millions of beasts. But in reality, you must have had more important matters to attend to, which is why you spared us. Otherwise, my array wouldn’t have held.”
While his array offered high defense capabilities and the Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast couldn’t break it, an attack from millions of beasts would only require about half an hour for the array to shatter, leading to their inevitable doom.
The Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast looked at Logan appraisingly. “You’re right. You are worthy of negotiating with me. As a matter of fact, there is a Saint-level cultivator casting greedy eyes on us. Initially, I thought you were with him, but after some consideration, I realized you aren’t. After all, a Saint-level cultivator’s companions would at least be a bunch of Dominators.”
Out of the ten thousand people who had entered, most of them were only at the Transcending Realm, and the strongest among them were merely Perfect Kings. Such power was far too inferior, incapable of asserting dominance in this mountain range. Hence, the Sovereign Demonic Beast had held back today, allowing Logan and his team to move freely within the mountains.
“For a Saint-level cultivator to engineer this plot over the years, turning everyone into pawns, there must be someone as powerful in your mountain range. His power should match the Saint-level cultivator’s and is likely in the Saint Realm. He hasn’t interfered in mundane affairs for a long time, perhaps due to seclusion or an injury,” Logan continued his analysis. If there were no significant power within the mountain range, the Heavenly Saint Taoist wouldn’t bother with such complicated planning. He could have decimated the entire mountain range and taken whatever he wanted since nobody could stop him.
“It’s the Beast King, my master,” the Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast said quietly, his gaze seemingly lost in the past. For the past hundred years, the mountain range had been leaderless with him holding it together. But without the reign of a king, the fortunes of the mountain range, and the strength of the beasts, had been deteriorating year after year.
“In that case, I will take you to a place. Everything will become clear there. But you must obey my commands, without any ill-intentions. If anything happens, don’t blame me for switching sides,” the Half-step Sacred Throne Demonic Beast cast Divine Skill onto the ground, causing it to split open. Before Logan’s party could respond, they all disappeared, and the Sovereign Demonic Beast that had brought them acted as their guard.