novelraw Chapter 576 - 575: Prepare the offering, pray to me!
Chapter 576 - 575: Prepare the offering, pray to me!
Great Demon undercover investigation?
Jiang Yuan suddenly realized, no wonder Du Yiyun, the Head Shopkeeper of the Golden Carp Lake Marketplace Money Shop, was so anxious, even performing sacrifices more frequently, mumbling prayers to the Demon God for protection. It turns out he’s afraid of being discovered!
It definitely needs a subtle reminder.
Pavilion Master Cang is a skilled businessman. If there’s anything needed, it’s mentioned through the Communication Stone, and he makes every effort to help. Such a good partner should be supported as much as possible.
After all, Cang Lingdong is just following orders by lurking without having done anything bad. If she can be persuaded to become a double agent, she might be of great use in the future!
After handing over the Spirit Stone and Immortal Jade, Jiang Yuan waits for today’s Immortal Jade exchange business to be completed, to bring Hu Jiu back to the small courtyard for a momentous opportunity for her.
Since idle time is lonely, he strolls over to find Pavilion Master Cang for a chat.
"What? The Demon Realm Alliance is investigating Demon Cultivators?" Cang Lingdong’s momentary surprise quickly faded upon hearing the news. Though beating a drum internally, she maintained a smiling face: "Who knows what they’re up to again...
Heh, Demon Cultivators cultivate using Demonic Energy, much like Ghost Cultivators must absorb the Netherworld’s Yin Fiend energy. Spiritual Energy cannot be absorbed by them, making survival in this world not so pleasant. Occasionally, one or two Demon Cultivators do some business in the market, merely trying to get by. It’s unclear why the Demon Realm Alliance is persecuting them to this extent."
Although she said this, as an undercover agent, she’s all too clear about the situation!
The management rules published by the Demon Realm Alliance clearly stipulate that non-human, non-demon cultivators from Otherworlds, such as Demon Cultivators and Ghost Cultivators, must not hold important positions, especially in businesses like Money Shops and Treasure Pavilion. They even proposed prohibiting non-demon cultivators from being a steward or above.
Cang Lingdong is also unaware of the specific reasons, but judging from the Demon Realm Alliance’s strict guarding and the Demon Realm trying every way to find their place here, it’s clear these positions are crucial for both parties.
So far, she hasn’t received any instructions, and even if she does, she doesn’t want to implement them and thus has no idea what she’s supposed to do undercover.
"I heard they specially dispatched a Great Demon for undercover investigation. Perhaps some Demon Cultivators did something evil and got discovered." Jiang Yuan absently revealed the news, and the progress bar for the replication of the top quality Memory Stone finally completed.
[Side Mission: Gift from Otherworld]
[Mission 2: Use the top quality Memory Stone to completely replicate and archive the Otherworld map—completed. Reward: Small customizable material package +1 issued]
[Mission 3: Repair the Observatory. Reward: Acceleration Card +1]
Looks like once the Teleportation Array is repaired, it’s time to issue a mission for the disciple to venture into Otherworld. Not sure if he needs to escort them personally.
Jiang Yuan thought of this while leisurely drinking tea;
Cang Lingdong’s heart skipped a beat, hurriedly raised her teacup to sip Spirit Tea to hide her panic, feeling doomed! If Mr. Jiang’s information is correct, she might be in grave peril!
Previously, she heard that some shopkeepers in the market would exploit loopholes, secretly hiring Demon Cultivators to engage in shady dealings.
After all, the market’s rules target cultivators using Spiritual Power, and Demon Cultivators have many ways to avoid detection. Could it be that some Demon Cultivators overstepped and got caught?
No matter the reason, the Demon Realm Alliance is taking serious action, might very well expose her real identity!
Cang Lingdong specializes in treasure business, has seen many wondrous aspects of Magical Treasures, the aura concealment treasure she uses is not a Divine Artifact... No, I can’t sit and wait for death!
For a brief moment, she considered fleeing with gold and silver valuables.
But as a Demon Cultivator, where could she escape to?
Whether it’s the Human World or the Wilderness, neither is suitable for her cultivation, without enough financial support for survival, she can only return to the Demon Realm, yet as a traitor, she does not believe life back in the Demon Realm would be any better.
If not fleeing, what other retreat is there?
A Demon Cultivator hiding their identity and serving as the Treasure Pavilion Pavilion Master is a grave taboo, being discovered could lead to execution without reason, or at the least being flayed and banished back to the Demon Realm – how tragic.
What to do? What should be done?
With thoughts of decisiveness and slaughter, the Pavilion Master Cang was thrown into confusion, even after Mr. Jiang took that silly little fox home to see her sister, Cang Lingdong still hadn’t thought of a good idea.
"Oh Demon God, Demon God, what should I do?" She sighed and silently recited a sentence in her heart, thereby, not far off from the Treasure Pavilion, Jiang Yuan’s vision suddenly displayed a prompt.
[Faith demand detected, follower interpersonal relationship can be summoned, would you like to consume five thousand Faith Value to give follower sacrificial hints?]
The implication being someone needs to worship a ’god’ but doesn’t know how to sacrifice. Spending some Faith Value can provide hints, teaching how to ’worship god’?
It was Jiang Yuan’s first time receiving such a prompt, curiously opting to expend Faith Value.
[Sacrificial hint sent, please wait patiently]
However, apart from a formulaic reply, nothing else happened, rendering him very curious about how the system gives hints, is it to demonstrate a miracle? Or directly impart information to the other party?
Just as he pressed the button, a voice suddenly echoed through Cang Lingdong’s mind sea— "The citizens of the Demon Realm praise my name; if you seek something, prepare a sacrifice and pray devoutly, the Demon God will listen to your request..."
"De-Demon God?" An overwhelming pressure surged, causing Cang Lingdong’s heart to pause for a few beats. That feeling of powerlessness like an ant gazing at the starry sky made her break into a cold sweat instantly, her face turning pale as if about to faint.
The demonic voice that had shaken her mind sea finally dissipated; her legs gave out, and she collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath.
Even though it was just a single voice, the terrifying power was indisputable, and even the slightest doubt would be blasphemous.
After a long while, Cang Lingdong recovered somewhat.
Wiping the cold sweat off her forehead, she belatedly realized that she had subconsciously muttered the words "Demon God" in her panic. But then, which demon cultivator doesn’t wish for the Demon God’s protection? Nine and a half out of ten demon cultivators often casually say things like "Demon God bless" without much thought.
Today, she hadn’t even realized she had caught attention and actually received a response...
She was both excited and nervous, quickly getting up to rummage through her belongings for something to offer as a sacrifice.
"Zhile, I have brought back Miss Hu Jiu, and there’s something I want to discuss with you two sisters." Jiang Yuan waited for no follow-up and had to set aside his doubts for the moment. What was more important was winning over the sisters!
Anyway, even if he gained something for free, it was an investment in raising the little fox. Even if she couldn’t be of any use later, a small fox spirit adept in charm cultivation by his side was certainly pleasing to the eye.
"Venerable, do you have any instructions?" Hu Zhile invited him into the cave to sit, paying her respects and asked respectfully.
Miss Hu Jiu’s heart was pounding chaotically. Although she helped out with some business, she still hadn’t secured a formal position in the small courtyard, merely lodging temporarily.
Could it be that because she had been staying in the market these past few days, the young lord realized it made no difference whether she was at the courtyard or not, and thus decided not to let her return daily? Otherwise, why specifically summon her sister and speak alone in her cave?
Thinking of this, the little fox, who already lacked confidence, felt a sense of desolation, and tears were about to fall.
"What cultivation technique is Miss Hu Jiu currently practicing?"
"Reporting to Venerable, we Snow Mountain Fox Race started with Ice Element techniques as our foundation. Later, by chance, I discovered Earth Element techniques were more suitable for me, which greatly enhanced my cultivation.
My younger sister always followed in my footsteps. Initially, practicing Ice Element techniques was clearly not suitable for her; later, she switched to Earth Element techniques like me, but the results were not ideal either." Hearing his question, Hu Zhile couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy.
Venerable had noticed her younger sister’s cultivation progress was off; could it be a better technique would be imparted?
At the thought of this, she turned to look at her younger sister.
The little fox breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, realizing she wasn’t being kicked out. Then she started worrying again, feeling irritated with mundane cultivation!
She longed to engage in dual cultivation with the young lord, experiencing myriad postures and flying high...
It turned out she was practicing Earth Element techniques, no wonder her tender pink little sprouts were so pathetic and couldn’t take in any nourishment.
"I happened to come across a low-level Heavenly-grade technique during my journey." Jiang Yuan produced the "Illusionary Charm Technique" specifically for the fox spirit and explained, "This is a charm technique specialized for the Fox Race. Considering you’ve already found a more suitable Earth Element technique, I wanted to ask if Miss Hu Jiu would like to try practicing it."
Charm Technique?! The legendary charm technique exclusive to the Fox Demons!
The little fox’s eyes instantly lit up, her fluffy tail erect and wagging vigorously, "Yes, yes! I am willing! Sir, what do I need to do to obtain the technique? I, I am willing to do anything!"
She almost blurted out "warming the bed," her heart rejoicing as if seeing a beautiful future of dual cultivation and endless joy with the young lord.
That was a Heavenly-level technique! That was a charm technique!
Hahaha! The little fox laughed heartily inside, thinking that you offered it willingly. Once I cultivate the charm technique, won’t you be spellbound and utterly captivated?
Hehehe, by then, I want a big, soft bed, and my dear, you won’t be able to get out of bed for three days and nights!
Jiang Yuan watched the little fox transition from surprise to ecstasy, her beautiful large eyes glowing green as she stared at him, akin to a cat fixating on a roast chicken, thinking to himself that a demon is just a demon, always showing a bit of animalistic nature, quite unsettling.
Even the cute young chick, adorably chubby, would eat with relish like a fledgling, swallowing large bites as if starving, no matter how cute or human-like it seems, still different from humans.
"Huh? A Heavenly-level technique, and a charm technique at that?!" Hu Zhile almost thought she misheard, confirming again with disbelief in her eyes as she looked at her younger sister.
Truly, each person has their own fate. Earlier she had been worried about her younger sister’s cultivation progress, but in a blink of an eye, the little girl turned so lucky to have acquired a Heavenly-level technique! Moreover, it was the charm technique she had just desired. Her younger sister truly had a blessed fate.
Thinking back, she struggled fiercely for survival while this little imp enjoyed her life, eating and sleeping without a care, then followed along to be saved by the Immortal Shuttle; thereafter, she busied herself while her sister ran a Cloth Shop in the market, enjoying a worry-free life.
Now, without putting much effort into cultivation, nor having endured any hardships, the longed-for charm technique, a Heavenly-grade cultivation method, has just landed in her hands!
"Hurry, thank the Venerable!" Once she came to her senses, Hu Zhile tugged at her sister, immediately kneeling down, "Many thanks to the Venerable for your consideration. We Snow Mountain Fox Race have a legend that those born with silver hair excel in Fox Charm Technique. Since my sister’s transformation, she has had silver hair; perhaps it is fitting. We, the sisters, will never forget your great favor in seeking a cultivation technique for my younger sister!"