Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

The valley is deep and dark, but it is not gloomy at all. It is cool and dry, and a breeze, blowing from an unknown source, quietly sweeps through the cracks in the rocks, making a soft whistling sound.

On the mountain wall on one side of the valley floor, a dark cave entrance extends inward, and faint light can be seen shining through from inside.

It was an irregular crystal embedded in the stone walls on both sides, emitting a strange blood-red color that was both dim and bright, barely illuminating the rough cave.

The young scholar followed behind the beautiful woman, disappearing into the distance. Although he was merely following a lowly slave, his expression was one of utmost respect.

It's hard to imagine that the patriarch of the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan, one of the five great demon generals of the Myriad Demon Continent, would be cultivating in this secluded valley instead of in the luxurious palaces and pavilions of the Crimson Ridge Mountains.

Among the eight royal clans, the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan is known for its shrewdness and cunning, and also the most devoted to human culture.

Each demon general was well-versed in human classics, had a refined taste, and possessed the demeanor of a scholar.

But this seemingly rough and desolate valley is actually the location of the cave dwellings of the successive patriarchs of the Blood-Eyed Spirit Serpent Clan.

The beautiful woman stopped before reaching the cave, bowed gracefully to the young scholar, and then flew back out of the deep valley.

The young scholar stepped into the cave, but he paused after taking only one step before continuing as usual.

A tingling, pleasurable sensation emanating from the depths of his blood swept through his entire body, almost causing the young scholar to groan involuntarily, and the impatience in his eyes vanished completely.

Fortunately, he was prepared and forcibly suppressed it, but a slight fluctuation still appeared in his eyes.

As they ventured deeper into the cave, this feeling of comfort intensified, eventually transforming into a kind of hunger and greed.

Deep within the cave, something seemed to beckon the young scholar, compelling him to quicken his pace, to possess it, or even to devour it entirely.

But the young scholar could only painfully suppress this thought; this was the clan chief's place of seclusion, and he dared not show the slightest abnormality.

Under the dim red light, the young scholar walked for several dozen feet. The blood-red crystals on both sides of the stone wall gradually became denser, and the red light they emitted became brighter, casting a clear shadow behind the young scholar.

Finally, the young scholar reached the end of the passage, where a bright and open space suddenly appeared before him.

The darkness did nothing to obstruct the young scholar's bloodshot eyes, allowing him to take in the entire scene before him.

This is a huge cave, several miles in circumference, with an extremely high top, hundreds of feet high, enough to contain a low mountain.

The cave was pitch black all around, except for a few hundred feet away from the passage, where a blood-red crystal, very similar to those on either side of the passage, was laid on the ground, emitting a rich, blood-like light that illuminated a small part of the cave.

Upon closer inspection, these blood-red crystals have extremely peculiar shapes, resembling a giant blood-red python coiled on the ground, rising three feet above the ground with uneven surfaces.

Even the shape of its open mouth, protruding tongue, and revealing four long fangs is incredibly lifelike.

Upon seeing the giant, blood-red crystal python, a sense of hunger and greed welled up from the depths of the young scholar's blood.

He couldn't help but take a deep breath, as if trying to inhale that blood-like, intense light.

But he quickly realized what was happening, cold sweat beading on his back. He forced himself to calm down, and his eyes, fixed on the blood-red crystal, held a mixture of longing and fear.

Like other demon generals of the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan, the young scholar was well-versed in the clan's classic texts and had a love-hate relationship with this blood-red crystal.

No one knows the origin of this blood-red crystal, but it already existed in this cave when the Blood-Eyed Spirit Serpent clan was established.

This blood-red crystal is of great benefit to the Blood-Eyed Serpent clan, and can even make their bloodline more refined, although the process is extremely slow.

However, these blood-red crystals also constantly emit an invisible force, quietly eroding the physical bodies of all demon generals who dare to approach them.

Only a demon general can withstand this invisible power and use this blood-red crystal to subtly strengthen their physical body and purify their bloodline.

On the head of this giant blood crystal python, a middle-aged scholar sat cross-legged with his eyes slightly closed, seemingly meditating.

After the young scholar walked out of the passage, he slowly opened his eyes, revealing a pair of blood-red pupils that were much deeper than those of the young scholar.

He was She Zhelin, the patriarch of the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan.

He noticed the strange behavior of the young scholar but paid it no mind. No demon general of the Blood-Eyed Serpent Clan could resist the temptation of this strange, blood-red crystal.

He spoke calmly: "Yin Hui has been imprisoned in Moon Sleep Valley by Yin Qianjie for four thousand years, never stepping out of the Silver Moon Mountains. Why has he suddenly come to visit today, and what urgent matter brings him here?"

The young scholar immediately composed himself and looked away from the blood-red crystal python.

He clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his expression grave: "Reporting to the clan leader, Yin Hui refuses to speak."

"But he held a pale, sharp tooth in his hand, which seemed to be the patriarch's token of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan."

"He only said that it concerned the life and death of the eight royal families and that he would tell them everything in a meeting with the clan leader."

A hint of surprise flashed in She Zhelin's eyes: "A relic of the Wolf Ancestor? Why would Yin Qianjie give this to Yin Hui? Tell me in detail about your meeting with Yin Hui."

The young scholar immediately said, "An hour ago, one of my servants reported that a demon general had come to visit and identified himself as Yin Hui, the Great Elder of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf Clan, who wanted to see the clan leader."

"I had also heard that he seemed to be at odds with Yin Qianjie and had always kept to himself, not showing his face in the Myriad Demon Continent for thousands of years. I had my doubts, so I went to greet him in person, and it was indeed Yin Hui."

"I inquired about Yin Hui's purpose, but he seemed extremely grief-stricken. Upon meeting me, he immediately revealed the Wolf Ancestor's relic and claimed that there was an extremely urgent matter concerning the life and death of the eight royal clans. He wanted to see the clan leader in person to tell him the truth."

"Upon careful sensing, I found that the Wolf Ancestor's relic possessed a powerful aura, and it seemed to be genuine."

“I dare not delay. I have asked Yin Hui to wait at Yingke Peak and have come here in person to report to the clan leader on how to handle this matter. Please give your instructions, clan leader.”

She Zhelin pondered for a moment and then asked, "What are your thoughts?"

The young scholar hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "This matter is of great importance, and my cultivation is too shallow to offer any opinion."

She Zhelin smiled slightly: "Although your cultivation is a bit low, only a mid-level demon general, among the elders of the clan, you are the most quick-witted and your progress is extremely fast. Sooner or later, you will advance to a high-level demon general."

“I have been in seclusion all day, while the other elders are eager to become demon generals. The important matters of the clan will one day require your attention.”

The young scholar let out a soft breath: "Then I will speak presumptuously. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me, clan chief."

He lowered his head and pondered for a while before slowly saying, "In my opinion, since Yin Hui has taken out the Wolf Ancestor's relics, they should be genuine."

“He wouldn’t dare to fake it, otherwise he would be violating the rules of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf Clan, and Yin Qianjie would definitely take action to kill him personally.”

"But he once competed with Yin Qianjie for the position of clan leader and was imprisoned in Moon Sleep Valley. He should be unable to leave the Silver Moon Mountains."

"Today, however, I have come to the Crimson Ridge Mountains, and I even have the relics of the Wolf Ancestor in my hands. This is rather illogical." The young scholar paused for a moment, then added, "Moreover, not only does my clan have no relationship with the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan, but we have also had many disagreements in the past."

"Two hundred and seventy-eight years ago, Shejiang fought with Yinfeng, a low-ranking demon general in his clan, over a thousand-year-old Shengyun Grass, and they both perished."

"Although the matter was left unresolved, the relationship between our clan and the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan has cooled considerably as a result."

“Yin Hui knew that there was a rift between the two clans, but he still came to see the clan leader. He looked grief-stricken and flustered, which likely means that the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan has suffered a great change.”

"Among the five royal clans, the Crimson Ridge Mountains are the closest to the Silver Moon Mountains, which is why he came to see the clan leader."

She Zhelin then asked, "What is your opinion on the matter concerning the eight royal families that he mentioned?"

The young scholar pondered for a moment and said, "This matter may not be a fabrication, but it is certainly an exaggeration."

"With Yin Qianjie in charge of the Howling Moon Silver Wolf Clan, if we want to cause a major change to them, at least Senior Ao Cang and the clan leader would need to join forces, or Kun Chenglie and Xiong Tunhai would need to take action together."

"But this matter has nothing to do with our clan. If the Kunyu and Frostfire Bear make any unusual moves, it will not escape our clan's notice."

"It's most likely that there's been internal strife within the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan. Yin Hui, using some unknown means, took the opportunity to steal the Wolf Ancestor's relics and escaped from the Silver Moon Mountains to seek help from the clan leader."

She Zhelin nodded slightly: "What you say makes sense. In your opinion, should our clan intervene in this matter?"

The young scholar replied without hesitation, "Of course we should intervene! The Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan has always been indecisive and opportunistic."

"Our clan is on good terms with the Jiaolong clan, while the Kunyu and Shuangliexiong clans are united against each other."

"They had no time to care about the Howling Moon Silver Wolf clan, and dared not offend them easily, so as not to turn them to the other side and let them gain a lot of benefits."

"Now that we finally have a chance to extend our reach into the Silvermoon Mountains, how can we miss it?"

She Zhelin smiled and said, "Then I'll go see Yin Hui."

He stood up, stepped off the Blood Crystal Python, and walked out of the cave.

The young scholar glanced reluctantly at the giant blood crystal python, forcibly suppressing the hunger and greed in his heart, resolutely turned around, and followed She Zhelin out of the cave.

Only demon generals of the Blood-Eyed Serpent clan are allowed to enter this place, so She Zhelin naturally wouldn't meet Yin Hui here.

The two rode on their escape light, flying out of the deep valley and heading towards the outside of the Red Ridge Mountains.

The two were not moving fast. She Zhelin asked casually, "The person who killed She Mo is still nowhere to be found?"

The young scholar felt a chill run down his spine. Although the clan leader spent his days cultivating in the deep valley, he was in complete control over the affairs of the clan, and even the death of a low-level demon general was still on his mind.

He replied respectfully, "I went to Ping Le City myself, but it was deserted. All the mortal cultivators in the city have moved to Xing Zhu City."

“I ordered people to investigate secretly, and this matter should be the work of a Nascent Soul cultivator with no reputation.”

"This person is named Master Xinghuo. He seems to be an old friend of Zhang Xuancang, the city lord of Pingle City. He personally took action and successively killed She Mo, Ao Lin, Lang Mou, and Xing Qianyue. He is quite powerful and seems to have even used the technique of teleportation."

"I did not alert him. I inquired about his whereabouts everywhere and ordered people to infiltrate Xingzhu City to keep an eye on Xinghuo Zhenren's whereabouts, but I have not found anything."

She Zhelin raised an eyebrow: "Master Xinghuo... if this person is a great cultivator, he shouldn't be unknown. Could he be a reclusive cultivator?"

The young scholar said, "This person appeared out of nowhere, and no one has ever heard of this name before. After the battle of Ping Le City, he has not been seen again."

“But I have already sent people to keep a close eye on Xingzhu City. As long as he shows his face, news will definitely come back.”

She Zhelin nodded: "Well done. The human race is stubborn and poor, so there's no need to confront them head-on."

"If this person is indeed a great cultivator, then let's put aside the matter of She Mo and not kill Zhang Xuancang."

The young cultivator immediately replied, "We will obey the clan leader's order. These great human cultivators have no burdens, yet they are exceptionally stubborn. It is indeed not advisable to provoke them easily."

As the two talked, they arrived at a mountain peak on the edge of the Red Ridge Mountains and descended into the distance.

Several courtyards have been built here, nestled among green pines and cypresses, creating an elegant landscape.

At the top of the mountain was a four-story wooden building, with two slaves standing on either side of the gate. The plaque above the gate bore the three large, flamboyant characters "Welcoming Peak".

If someone who doesn't know the details comes here, they will definitely think it is a human city.

The two arrived at the fourth floor of the wooden building. The room was open on all sides, with wide-open windows, flowing gauze curtains, and a gentle breeze, making it a pleasant place to relax.

But a young man in white sitting before the table had a blank expression, a hint of sorrow in his eyes, and remained motionless, like a withered tree.

Upon seeing She Zhelin and the young scholar approach, the white-robed youth's eyes flickered, and he came back to life from his deathly silence. He abruptly stood up and quickly walked to the two of them.

Before the two could speak, he bowed deeply and said urgently, "Senior She, the eight royal clans are in danger, and the demon race is in danger!"

She Zhelin frowned: "Young friend Yin, please calm down. What has happened that makes you so eager to see me?"

The white-robed youth said urgently, "Three days ago, two human Nascent Soul cultivators suddenly appeared outside the Silver Moon Mountains, leading human cultivators to launch a surprise attack on our clan's great formation."

"Our clan was defeated, our clan leader died, and most of the demon generals perished. Because I was imprisoned by the clan leader, I was unable to go out to fight and thus escaped this calamity."

"Seeing that the situation was beyond saving, the clan chief bestowed upon the Wolf Ancestor's relics and ordered the younger generation to escape through the clan's secret passage and rush to the Red Ridge Mountains to warn their elders."

"This is a relic of the Wolf Ancestor. Please take a look, senior."

As he spoke, he flipped his hand and took out a pale, sharp tooth, presenting it with both hands, his expression growing increasingly sorrowful.

The hall was quiet and even somewhat eerie, with only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the gauze curtains.

She Zhelin and the young cultivator stared blankly at the white-robed youth, remaining silent for a long time.

Suddenly, She Zhelin blinked, and the aura of a demon general slowly dissipated, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "There is absolutely no possibility of a Nascent Soul cultivator appearing among the human race. What exactly do you intend to do by coming here today?"

The young man in white suddenly looked up: "This junior has uttered not a single falsehood..."

Before he could finish speaking, a cold and resounding voice echoed from afar: "Where is She Zhelin? Come out and face your death!"

The three people in the stone hall were stunned. A hint of fear flashed in the white-robed youth's eyes as he muttered, "They're here! Human Nascent Soul cultivators, they're here!" (End of Chapter)