Demon Spirit Valley, located west of Black Wind Mountain, separated by the Black Water River.
This was the record in Mo Fan’s mental map.
Now, gazing into the distance, he saw that Demon Spirit Valley was vast. Though surrounded by mountains, they were spaced far apart, each peak seeming to touch the sky, spanning at least a hundred miles!
“What a massive valley!”
Even though the demons had seen the grandeur of Demon Spirit Valley from the mountain, standing in the valley now still left them deeply awestruck.
If not for the surrounding mountains, Mo Fan wouldn’t have believed this was a valley.
At the valley’s center stood a towering treasure tree, as tall as the mountains, radiating countless star-like glimmers. Its vibrant, multicolored lights were striking, instantly drawing the demons’ attention.
“What is that?!”
The demons showed varied expressions, but none were truly naive. They understood the fruits on the treasure tree were likely spirit fruits, and their excitement surged secretly.
Only some older demons paled slightly, having participated in the previous trial. They knew what the treasure tree was and understood the terrifying ordeal they would soon face.
Mo Fan, too, was examining the treasure tree. Since acquiring the centipede demon’s supernatural ability, his vision had improved significantly, making him one of the sharpest-eyed among the demons. He could clearly see what was glowing on the tree.
Fruits of various colors, likely the so-called Six-Color Vermilion Fruits.
At this thought, Mo Fan licked his lips, a glint of greed in his eyes.
He had already learned from Crane Feifei how valuable the treasure tree was. A Mysterious-grade treasure tree, it bore fruit only once every decade, producing one top-grade Mysterious spirit fruit, three mid-grade, six low-grade, and over a hundred Yellow-grade spirit fruits!
This three-mountain trial was, in fact, set up to compete for these spirit fruits.
“Mysterious-grade spirit fruits… I can’t even dream of it!”
“Could I fish in troubled waters and snag one in this trial?”
Mo Fan’s eyes flickered, a cunning plan forming, but his gaze soon shifted to the Black Wind Demon King and the two stern-faced demon generals nearby. His heart jolted, and he quickly suppressed his greed.
Mo Fan knew well that trying to fish in troubled waters before these powerful demons was like snatching chestnuts from a fire. One misstep could lead to death and destruction.
He might not even get the chance to be served as a dish.
“What a pity. All the good resources end up divided among the great demons. Small demons like me have to risk our lives for them, only to gain nothing… No wonder the demon race has declined to this state!”
Mo Fan sneered inwardly.
It was a case of seeing the big picture through the small details.
From this trial alone, he could discern many issues within the demon race.
While human cultivators also valued strength above all, they at least prioritized humanity, understanding that ordinary humans were the future and hope of the cultivation world.
This was evident in the South Border, where every village had a guardian protecting it.
Though ordinary humans couldn’t compare to cultivators, they were a renewable force and a reserve resource. As long as humanity endured, among countless newborns, some would possess spiritual roots, suitable for cultivation, and a portion would eventually ascend to the immortal path.
This was the foundation of humanity’s prosperity.
In contrast, the demon race lacked a systematic method for transformation. After beasts became demons, they hunted other beasts to sate their hunger. Great demons, for their own gain, sent lesser demons to fight to the death.
In such an environment, lesser demons had little chance to rise, while great demons grew accustomed to a comfortable life of exploiting resources. The outcome was easy to imagine.
Reflecting on this, Mo Fan sighed inwardly, feeling he might have been born into the wrong faction this lifetime, forced to join a less-than-ideal camp.
While the demons were mesmerized by the treasure tree, the Black Wind Demon King and the two generals observed their greedy expressions.
“My children, do you see the great tree at the valley’s center?”
“That is a treasure tree, called the Six-Color Vermilion Fruit Tree. The glowing fruits on it are at least Yellow-grade spirit fruits!
“These Six-Color Vermilion Fruits are also known as Six-Color Demon Fruits!
“They’re called demon fruits because they contain not only vast spiritual energy but also terrifying demonic aura!
“If a lesser demon eats one, they can instantly form a complete spiritual body, breaking through to the demon soldier realm!
“If fortunate enough to consume a top-grade Yellow spirit fruit, even a demon soldier could break through to the demon general realm!
“Of course, the most precious are the Mysterious-grade spirit fruits. If you can consume one, you might even break through to the Demon King realm, and then even this King would treat you with respect!”
The Black Wind Demon King’s words carried immense temptation, sparking greed in the eyes of the hundreds of lesser demons and even some newly promoted demon soldiers.
This was Mo Fan’s first time hearing that spirit fruits could contain demonic aura.
But the more the Black Wind Demon King spoke, the warier Mo Fan became, his greed quickly fading.
“Good grief, this Black Wind Demon King is setting these demons up for a deadly trap!”
“With such enormous temptation, even the old demons who survived past three-mountain trials must be stirred now, right?”
Mo Fan was secretly shocked. He had heard from Dali about the trials before, where the Demon King never revealed the full truth, known only to some demon soldiers.
But now, the Demon King was openly laying it all bare, pushing the demons to abandon their last shred of reason and fight to the death!
“Great King, is that true?!”
A newly promoted demon soldier turned, eyes burning with fervor, toward the Black Wind Demon King.
“Bold! A mere demon soldier dares question the Great King?!”
Before the Demon King could respond, the second general, White Demon, rebuked sharply.
Seeing the second general’s anger, the demon soldier shrank back. But then the Black Wind Demon King raised a hand, smiling, “No matter, they’re all our own demons. There’s nothing that can’t be said.”
He looked at the demon soldier and smiled, “This King remembers you. You’re the wild horse demon, right? In the last Sun-Spice Contest, you took first place, and it was this King who granted you the spirit medicine to break through to the demon soldier realm. What, doubting this King now?”
The horse demon, initially fearful of White Demon, grew excited at the Demon King’s words, trembling as he said, “Little demon Ma Qianli pays respects to the Great King!
“I never imagined the Great King would remember me. I’m deeply honored!
“Great King, I wouldn’t dare doubt you. I’m just asking on behalf of everyone.”
At this, the surrounding demons silently cursed, realizing this horse demon had slyly dragged them all into it!
“So that’s it.”
The Black Wind Demon King grinned, his gaze sweeping over the demons as he smiled, “This King knows your concerns, but rest assured, my words are true!
“You are all my children, the demons of Black Wind Mountain. Would this King deceive you?
“So, bring forth all your courage and strength. As long as you reach that treasure tree, victory is within grasp, and you can freely pick those spirit fruits!”
“Oh, and don’t forget what this King said earlier.
“Each enemy demon’s ear can be exchanged for one battle merit point. A demon soldier’s ear is worth ten points. You can use these points to trade for corresponding treasures!”
“The Great King is wise!!”
The demons, inspired, roared with excitement, as if injected with adrenaline.
Seeing this, the Black Wind Demon King’s smile widened. He said, “Now, my children, rest for a bit. When the time comes, you can enter the trial grounds!”
