Journey to the West: A clone sacrifices to the heavens, possessing boundless magical power.

The gale was like countless invisible blades, slicing fiercely across his demonic body. Even more terrifying was the corrosive power that penetrated straight into his soul!

Huang Mao'er let out a painful groan and quickly circulated his demonic power again, barely managing to withstand the destructive force.

In just a few breaths of contact, his vital energy was slightly depleted and he suffered some minor injuries. Unexpectedly, at the very moment he focused all his senses on sensing the wind, Fan Yuan keenly detected a faint, peculiar fragrance mixed in with the gale.

This fragrance is unlike that of ordinary flowers; it carries a cool and Zen-like quality, and its source is deep within Huangfeng Ridge, in the direction of Huangfeng Cave.

"Is this... the scent of lamp oil?"

Fan Yuan was puzzled, but this aura that came with the wind undoubtedly became the best signpost for him to track the location of the cave.

He memorized the scent, then, carrying the jar of wild fruit wine, headed deep into Huangfeng Ridge.

Following the faint scent, Huang Mao'er carefully made his way through the mountain path.

The winds here are growing stronger, blowing sand and gravel around. Ordinary wild animals have long since disappeared, and only monsters familiar with the safe patrol routes of this area can barely survive.

After traveling for a short while, two fierce demonic auras suddenly appeared at the bend in the mountain path ahead, blocking their way.

"Halt! Who are you?"

With a shout, two wolf demons clad in simple leather armor emerged from behind the rocks, their steel halberds crossed, blocking his path. They exuded a fierce aura, their cultivation surpassing that of Huang Mao'er, and their gazes towards him were filled with scrutiny and hostility.

Huang Mao'er trembled, as if he was quite frightened, and almost dropped the wine jar in his hand.

He quickly hugged the wine jar tighter, forced a frightened smile, and bowed and scraped as he approached.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I am a stranger from out of town, and my name is Huang Mao'er."

"From out of town?" A wolf demon sized him up, a fierce glint in his eyes. "What brings you to my Yellow Wind Ridge? Perhaps a spy sent by another faction!"

"No, no!" The blond-haired boy waved his hands repeatedly in fright. "I was originally a wild demon from Leopard Head Mountain, eight hundred miles away. I have long admired our Yellow Wind King of Yellow Wind Ridge for his unparalleled supernatural powers and awe-inspiring presence. That's why... that's why I've traveled through mountains and rivers to seek refuge under Your Majesty's command and earn a living!"

As he spoke, fearing the other party wouldn't believe him, he quickly added, "I know our local customs, so I've prepared some small gifts to offer to Steward Hu, hoping he'll be kind enough to take me in!"

Before he finished speaking, he carefully lifted a crack in the seal of the wine jar in his arms.

A subtle yet mellow aroma of wild fruit wine wafted through the mountain breeze.

The two wolf demons twitched their noses unconsciously a few times, and the fierceness in their eyes faded slightly, replaced by a hint of greed.

One of the wolf demons reached out to take the wine jar: "What do you mean by 'paying tribute to Steward Tiger'? I think you're quite sensible. Give this wine to the two of us, and we'll put in a good word for you with Steward Tiger, how about it?"

Fan Yuan cursed inwardly, but dared not show it on his face. Huang Mao's expression instantly collapsed, looking like he was about to cry, and he clung tightly to the wine jar.

"Two demon brothers, please have mercy on me!" he pleaded, his voice trembling with tears. "This...this jar of wine is all I have left. I sold everything I owned to get it. I'm counting on it to make a good impression on Steward Tiger and get a job!"

As he spoke, he quickly came up with a plan and changed the subject: "If... if I offer this only hope to you two, and then go to see Steward Hu empty-handed, wouldn't he skin me alive in his anger? At that point, I'd be dead, and what future would I have to talk about..."

"How about this," he said, his eyes darting around, lowering his voice, "I'll go see Steward Tiger first and present this pledge of loyalty. If I'm lucky enough to gain Steward Tiger's favor and settle down in the cave, whatever benefits I receive or what monthly wages I get, I'll never forget the kindness you two showed me today! Then, I'll prepare fine wine and meat to repay your kindness!"

While the two wolf demons were pondering, Huang Mao'er subtly took out a few pieces of ore containing a trace of spiritual energy from his pocket. For these low-level demon soldiers, chewing on them could satisfy their cravings and replenish their demonic power.

He secretly slipped the ore into the claws of the leading wolf demon, his movements stealthy and swift.

The wolf demon weighed the weapon in its hand, glanced at the pitiful look on the blond-haired boy's face, and finally snorted before putting away its steel halberd.

"You've got a way with words, buddy!" He stuffed the ore into his pocket, waved his paw to signal passage, and said, "Go forward, cross that ridge ahead, and you'll reach the outpost on the front mountain. Whether you see Manager Tiger or not depends on your own luck!"

Thank you!

Huang Mao was overjoyed, bowed repeatedly, grabbed the wine jar, and ran away in a flash.

Fan Yuan only breathed a sigh of relief after running several hundred feet and confirming that the two wolf demons were not following.

He manipulated his clone to adjust its state and continued to move forward in the direction indicated by the wolf demon. Sure enough, after crossing a mountain ridge, the view in front of him suddenly opened up.

There, at a strategically important mountain pass, stood a simple outpost built of boulders and wooden stakes. Inside and outside the outpost, a demonic aura filled the air, and a dozen or so demonic creatures of various shapes and sizes gathered there, creating quite a lively scene.

Several demon soldiers with badger heads and spears were arrogantly guarding the checkpoint, checking the demons coming and going.

Huang Mao'er dared not act rashly, and obediently stood at the end of the line, while quietly observing the situation ahead.

The scene in front of this outpost is truly a vivid picture of all kinds of demons.

Ahead of him were seven or eight demons, two or three of whom, judging from their anxious and apprehensive demeanor, were clearly newcomers who had come to join him.

Most of them carried gifts, some of which were bloodied wild animals, and others were strange herbs they had picked.

Finally, it was Huang Mao's turn.

The badger demon leader impatiently poked him with the shaft of his spear and shouted, "Next, you skinny rat, what are you dawdling for! What treasure do you have? Hurry up and hand it over!"

Huang Mao'er trembled and hurriedly stepped forward with the wine jar. He dared not look at the badger demon, but instead went around him and bowed repeatedly to the huge tiger-skin chair behind him.

On the large chair, leaning back was a giant man who was twelve feet tall. He had a huge tiger head on his head and his muscles were bulging. Even though he was just leaning back lazily, the ferocious aura emanating from his bones was enough to make ordinary little demons tremble with fear.

The blond-haired man lowered his head deeply, his voice trembling slightly, but his enunciation was exceptionally clear, ensuring the other party could hear him perfectly:

"Little...little demon Huang Mao'er greets Steward Tiger!"