74: Is there a traitor among the demon tribe?

He didn't know if she was an Immortal, but judging from this hand, she was likely not far from being a true Immortal.

Calling her an Immortal wouldn't be an exaggeration at all.

Taking the severed hand from the returning Dao Soldier, it felt cold to the touch, but still had the normal elasticity of skin, practically indistinguishable from a living hand.

Yet, holding it in his hand, it showed no reaction whatsoever.

Lu Chen held it in his palm and examined it for a long time, but couldn't discern anything remarkable. Finally, a thought crossed his mind: "What will happen if I put it into the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin?"

With that thought, the severed hand was immediately taken into the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin, and Lu Chen's consciousness also sank into it.

Inside the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin, it was empty and vast, seemingly boundless. After entering, the severed hand of the unknown Female Immortal floated quietly without moving, still showing no reaction.

"Could it be useless?" Lu Chen was somewhat troubled, but in the end, he didn't bother to think too much about it. He simply left it inside the Immortal Coffin and paid it no further attention.

The top priority was still to make his Dao Soldiers stronger as quickly as possible. As for this severed hand of the Female Immortal, there would be plenty of opportunities to study it later.

However, just as Lu Chen's consciousness completely withdrew from the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin, the slender jade fingers of that severed hand seemed to subtly twitch for an instant, then returned to their original state, showing no further movement, as if it were an illusion.

As soon as his mind withdrew from the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin, Lu Chen sensed his Dao Soldiers stirring again. The difference was that this time, the Dao Soldiers had a strong desire to 'feed'.

However, the Golden Armor Dao Soldier didn't seem to react much. The ones with a stronger reaction were his Silver Armor Dao Soldiers.

"Found something good again?!" Lu Chen was delighted and immediately borrowed the vision of his Dao Soldiers. He then discovered that several Silver Armor Dao Soldiers were dragging four huge bones towards him.

"Monster bones? And they seem to be four leg bones?" Lu Chen pondered for a moment and felt he hadn't guessed wrong.

The leg bones were very large, and even after endless years, they were still stark white, showing no signs of decay, though the flesh was gone. If another thousand years passed, these bones would likely completely decay.

Furthermore, judging from the Golden Armor Dao Soldier's reaction, these four leg bones likely didn't have much essence residue left, at least not enough to attract the Golden Armor Dao Soldier's attention.

When the several Silver Armor Dao Soldiers brought the leg bones closer to Lu Chen, he didn't think much and directly put them into the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin. He also left one Silver Armor Dao Soldier inside the Immortal Coffin to begin absorbing these four unknown monster leg bones.

"This should be enough to allow this Silver Armor Dao Soldier to advance to a Golden Armor Dao Soldier. Hmm, maybe it can even allow two Silver Armor Dao Soldiers to advance!"

Not bad, Lu Chen was quite satisfied with this.

"Next, it's time to go to the demon mountains and hunt monsters!"

Lu Chen didn't plan to continue wasting time underground. Although there might indeed be some good things down there, they were too few. In the time it would take to find them, Lu Chen could probably have already conquered a demon mountain, which was much better than randomly scavenging underground.

...........

Above the large mountain, demonic energy permeated the air. Strange monsters gathered one after another, forming ranks and arrays, and the atmosphere was heavy.

A Tiger Demon with a formidable aura stood atop the mountain peak, standing upright. Although it wasn't wearing clothes, it was already approaching a human form.

In fact, once demons reach the Xuan Fa Realm and cultivate magic power, they can begin to transform into human form. However, some demons are unwilling to take human form and will maintain their original appearance.

This Tiger Demon, standing nearly ten feet tall and radiating tiger might that intimidated everything around it, spoke in a low voice: "News from Night Courtyard Mountain says that those damned two-legged sheep of the Human Race have once again entered this territory. We should also let those Human Race two-legged sheep know who the true overlords of this Ancient Demon Realm are. Humans, in the end, can only be blood food and rations for our Demon Clan!"

Hundreds of monsters below immediately echoed: "It is said that Human Race flesh and blood are the most delicious, especially the heart, liver, and brain, which are of great benefit to our Demon Clan's cultivation. This time, we will eat our fill!"

"It's hateful that those accursed Human Race two-legged sheep have set up Seals here, preventing our Demon Clan from going out. Otherwise, once we went outside, wouldn't there be as many weak and small Human Race two-legged sheep as we wanted, allowing our Demon Clan to devour them at will!"

"No matter, no matter. The Mountain Lord said that soon, Human Race two-legged sheep will deliver themselves to our doorstep, and they will even be cultivators! Their flesh and blood will definitely be more delicious, and of greater use in cultivation!"

"Haha, I can't wait to taste those Human Race two-legged sheep!" A Pig Demon stuck out its long tongue and licked its tusks, saliva dripping continuously, looking savage and brutal.

However, at this moment, a large hand suddenly reached out from beneath the ground, grabbed this Pig Demon, and violently dragged it underground, instantly silencing it.

"Who is so blind as to dare to sneak attack from underground?"

They were all monsters who had achieved cultivation. How could such a commotion escape their notice!

In an instant, the monsters were shocked and enraged. However, there was no response, only more and more large hands suddenly reaching out from underground. In just a short while, dozens of monsters were dragged underground, instantly losing all sound.

"Seeking death! Do you think you can be safe by hiding underground?" A monster skilled in earth escape and stealth was furious and immediately burrowed underground, but no sound came from it again.

In the blink of an eye, the monsters who were originally excited and looking forward to devouring Human Race flesh and blood were now plunged into an unknown panic, in complete disarray.

How long had it been? More than fifty monsters in the mountain had already been dragged underground, their fates unknown.

Crucially, they hadn't even seen who was attacking, nor did they know if the next one to be dragged underground would be themselves.

"Disperse! Fly up into the sky with the wind! Don't give the things underground another chance to launch a sneak attack!" The Tiger Demon atop the mountain peak was enraged, letting out an ear-splitting tiger roar that suppressed the many panicked and uneasy monsters.

"Boom!" Almost simultaneously, the ground trembled, and streaks of Earth Element swept up rolling rocks and sand, seemingly transforming into thick Giant Pythons that crashed towards the monsters ascending into the sky on the wind.

And one after another, tall stone figures like small giants emerged from the Earth Element, killing any monster they encountered. They were incredibly fierce and incredibly powerful.

Especially the twelve largest stone figures among them, they rampaged without restraint, killing from east to west. No matter which monster stepped forward, they couldn't withstand two punches from these twelve stone figures.

It was clear without asking, these were undoubtedly Lu Chen's Dao Soldiers. The twelve extremely tall stone figures were naturally Lu Chen's Golden Armor Dao Soldiers, and the rest were all Silver Armor Dao Soldiers.

However, Lu Chen himself was not here, but was hidden deep in the ground further away. Only the Dao Soldiers came; he just needed to wait to collect the corpses and didn't need to personally engage in combat.

"Puppets? Human Race, damn it!" The Tiger Demon atop the mountain peak was furious: "All Human Race, kill them without mercy."

With a roar that shook the heavens, the Tiger Demon's figure suddenly disappeared from its original spot. When it reappeared, it had already charged into the midst of the many stone figures.

The smaller Silver Armor Dao Soldiers were sent flying by this Tiger Demon's charge, two or three of them in an instant. But Golden Armor Dao Soldiers quickly arrived, and under their fierce attacks, this Xuan Fa Realm Tiger Demon didn't last long either.

The current Golden Armor Dao Soldiers were too strong. Their bodies were inherently indestructible, and they controlled the Metal Element, allowing them to form a Vajra body. Coupled with the stone armor formed by the Earth Element, the Golden Armor Dao Soldiers' bodies were incredibly powerful. Engaging in combat with Xuan Fa Realm monsters of the same level was simply effortless for them.

After some unknown amount of time, the mountain where the monsters had gathered became completely quiet. On the ground lay the monsters killed by the Dao Soldiers.

"The efficiency is decent, but the monsters on this demon mountain are a bit too weak." Lu Chen, who had been waiting for a long time, emerged from underground and walked casually through the mountain, collecting all the Monster Corpses with the Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin.

His movements were extremely skilled.

Along the way, he had already cleared over a dozen demon mountains.

Unfortunately, the monsters here seemed to have already learned of the Dongming Sect Disciples' arrival, and many had abandoned their original mountain tops, likely going to stronger demon mountains to group together.

It was extremely rare for monsters like those on this demon mountain to foolishly wait for the Dongming Sect Disciples to actively come and kill them.

"Only this Tiger Demon is in the Xuan Fa Realm. The rest are some Tong Qiao Realm, Spirit Transformation Realm, and even Qi Condensation Realm little demons. What bad luck." After collecting the corpses, Lu Chen was quite dissatisfied.

Although his Nurturing Soldier Immortal Coffin was now piled high with Monster Corpses, there were only twenty-two Xuan Fa Realm monsters in total. There weren't many Tong Qiao Realm monsters either, only over two hundred. The majority were Spirit Transformation Realm and Qi Condensation Realm, which weren't of much use.

However, Lu Chen didn't waste them. He directly left two Silver Armor Dao Soldiers inside the Immortal Coffin and threw all the Monster Corpses below the Xuan Fa Realm to them to 'absorb nutrients', helping these Dao Soldiers fully strive towards advancing to Golden Armor Dao Soldiers.

As for the twenty-two Xuan Fa Realm monsters, Lu Chen temporarily kept them.

This was because he wanted to wait until he accumulated enough Xuan Fa Realm Monster Corpses, then pile them all onto one Golden Armor Dao Soldier, and first create a Five Elements Dao Soldier.

A Five Elements Dao Soldier corresponds to the Dao Infant Realm. If he could have such a Dao Soldier accompanying him, then in this Ancient Demon Remnant Tomb, a place full of monsters, the benefits he would gain would undoubtedly be greater.

The main reason was that he could stay in this Ancient Demon Remnant Tomb for ten days.

Ten days was completely enough time for him to go all out and nurture one, or even two or three, Five Elements Dao Soldiers.

"It's a shame that Third Elder didn't fulfill his promise on the spot, otherwise the current gains would only be greater!" Lu Chen secretly lamented.

"Hmm, let's first see if the monsters on this demon mountain left behind anything good."

Having swept through more than ten demon mountains before, Lu Chen had indeed found some rare spiritual herbs from the outside world. Although he wasn't skilled in Alchemy, he could exchange them for Merit Points after returning to the Sect, which was also a considerable income.

However, most of the good things left behind by these monsters were useless to Human Race cultivators, but Lu Chen didn't let them go, collecting them all. If there was an opportunity in the future, he might be able to find a 'sucker' monster to exchange for useful items.

Next, with a wave of Lu Chen's hand, the numerous Dao Soldiers scattered and dug three feet into the ground, beginning to search for the good things left behind by these monsters.

Before long, a rough, dirty, and even somewhat foul-smelling cave dwelling was discovered by the Dao Soldiers. As Lu Chen approached, one of the Golden Armor Dao Soldiers seemed to sense something and suddenly swung its fist horizontally, smashing a stone wall with a bang.

No, that wasn't a stone wall, but a rough stone door, very inconspicuous.

Lu Chen was instantly alert: "There are still living monsters!"

At the same moment, panicked pleas for mercy came from behind the smashed stone door: "Human Race Fellow Daoist, spare my life, spare my life!"

A Demon Clan member begging for mercy?

This was the first time he had seen such a thing!

Lu Chen didn't step forward; instead, he moved further away from behind the stone door, only having all his Dao Soldiers surround the rough stone chamber behind the stone door.

Borrowing the vision of the Dao Soldiers, he instantly saw the monster begging him for mercy. It was indeed a Tiger Demon, but its abdomen seemed to have been torn open by sharp claws, revealing a gruesome wound. At this moment, this Tiger Demon showed no trace of a monster's ferocity or aggression, its eyes filled with panic and fear, trembling as it was surrounded by a group of tall Dao Soldiers.

So it was hiding to recover from its injuries!

Lu Chen said indifferently: "What use is it to keep you?"

The injured Tiger Demon hurriedly said: "I am very familiar with this place, I can guide you, Fellow Daoist."

Lu Chen: "..."

Good heavens, a demon traitor has appeared among the Demon Clan?!

But that's right, whether it's the Human Race or the Demon Clan, as long as they develop intelligence, they will inevitably have a side that fears death. To find a way to survive, what wouldn't they do?

But, who knew if what this injured Tiger Demon said was true or false?

"Hmm? Wait, why should I care if what this Tiger Demon says is true or false? Isn't it better if it's false?" Lu Chen's eyes lit up.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to use this Tiger Demon as bait?!

A bold idea instantly formed in Lu Chen's mind, but he remained outwardly calm: "Guide me? I am Human Race, you are Demon Clan. Our two races are mortal enemies, how can I trust you?"

He paused: "Or rather, what can you offer that would give me a reason to trust you?"

His tone turned indifferent: "Kill it."

The Dao Soldiers moved in an instant, and in a flash, they were about to surround and kill this Tiger Demon on the spot.

"Wait, Fellow Daoist, please don't attack! I can hand over my Soul Imprint. At that time, my life and death will be entirely in your hands. In this way, can Fellow Daoist still not trust me?" The Tiger Demon became increasingly panicked and fearful, and hurriedly spoke.

The so-called Soul Imprint is a method that can only be condensed by cultivators who have reached the Tong Qiao Realm, opened their Ancestral Aperture, and touched the level of the Divine Soul. Both humans and demons can do this.

And as long as the Soul Imprint is handed over, the one who holds the Soul Imprint can easily control that person's life and death with it.

Although Lu Chen had not yet entered the Tong Qiao Realm and opened his Ancestral Aperture, as long as this Demon Tiger voluntarily handed over its Soul Imprint, he could still control this Tiger Demon's life and death.

"Oh? You are willing to hand over your Soul Imprint?!" Lu Chen seemed interested.

The Tiger Demon hurriedly said: "Yes, yes, as long as Fellow Daoist spares my life!"

Lu Chen seemed to believe him somewhat, his tone relaxing slightly, and he said: "Since that's the case, tell me, how will you guide me?"

The Tiger Demon said: "The Demon King of Night Courtyard Mountain had long sent out a message that the hundred-year period has arrived, and the Human Race from the outside world will surely re-enter the Ancient Demon Realm. Therefore, many Demon Clan members in the demon mountains have already hidden themselves, but I know many of their hiding places. At that time, I will pretend to defect and visit them. Fellow Daoist, oh no, my master, you only need to hide your figure and follow, and you will surely be able to ferret out those Demon Clan members one by one, leaving them nowhere to hide!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Chen clapped his hands and laughed: "Not bad, you are very good."

Changing the subject, he shook his head and said: "But, that's too slow. Go, gather all the hidden Demon Clan members you know of..."

He abruptly clenched his single hand: "I want to invite many Senior apprentice-brothers and fellow Disciples from my Sect to join forces and capture them all in one go. Can you do this?"

The Tiger Demon hurriedly nodded: "I can do it, I can do it, I guarantee I can do it."

As it spoke, it held out the invisible Soul Imprint it had already condensed with both hands: "This is my Soul Imprint, please accept it, Master."

A Golden Armor Dao Soldier stepped forward, took the invisible Soul Imprint, and presented it to Lu Chen's hand. After Lu Chen put it away, he waved his hand and said: "Go! If you handle this matter well, I will return your Soul Imprint and guarantee you won't die."

"Thank you for your appreciation, Master, thank you for your appreciation." The Tiger Demon prostrated itself and kowtowed, overjoyed: "I will not disappoint my master."

With that, it dragged its injured body and quickly left the cave dwelling. However, in the depths of its amber eyes, there was no longer any trace of panic or fawning, only unconcealed killing intent and wild joy: "Foolish Human Race, you are seeking your own death!"

Originally, it was thinking about how to lure Lu Chen into those powerful demon mountains so that the Demon Clan could surround and kill him. But who would have thought that this Human Race would be so eager for success, not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth, even wanting to capture all the Demon Clan here in one go, and even more foolishly letting it leave.

Ridiculous, foolish, utterly foolish!

It was true that its Soul Imprint was in Lu Chen's hands, but what could taking its life do?

As long as it left this place and gave Lu Chen time to invite his fellow Disciples, it could then do the opposite, invite more of its kind from the demon mountains, and launch a sudden attack, guaranteeing that Lu Chen and the other Human Race cultivators would die without a burial place.

"It seems I'm about to catch a big fish!" Lu Chen looked at the departing Tiger Demon and suddenly laughed, a particularly bright smile.

Now this was interesting!

Going to search for demon mountains one by one was too troublesome; this way was much faster.

He clearly saw the changes in the Tiger Demon's expression, because his Dao Soldiers had been watching the Tiger Demon's every move from underground!