After Black Wind Demon King’s words, the demons were raring to go, eager to prove themselves.
Of course, many demons also wore worried expressions, their eyes filled with fear.
Once the demons were settled, Black Wind Demon King and General Golden Armour soared into the air, heading straight for the valley’s centre.
Only Second General White Demon remained, watching over the demons but keeping his distance, lazily perching on a large tree.
Without the great demons’ intimidation, the group began whispering among themselves again.
The ox demon Dali and other lesser demons gathered around Mo Fan once more.
“Master, this might be our chance. Who’d have thought there’d be such a treasure tree in this valley? If we could get one fruit, we could become a Ding-rank Master!”
Rabbit Demon Red Eyes was thrilled, winking at Mo Fan as he said, “Of course, if Master could get that legendary Mysterious Spirit Fruit, our Black Wind Mountain might gain a new Demon King!
Then our days would be much easier. Even Demon Lady would be ours for the taking!”
“Smart Rabbit, shut up! Watch your words!”
Dali glared, quickly covering Red Eyes’ mouth with his hand.
“You really dare to say anything!”
Mo Fan also widened his eyes, then glanced at White Demon lounging on the distant tree. Seeing no reaction, he breathed a sigh of relief.
That was a Demon General, after all. Even from dozens of yards away, he could easily overhear them if he chose to listen.
“What do you all think?”
Mo Fan turned back to the demons.
“Master, I’ve been through a few Three Mountains Trials. I know the dangers. It’s not as easy as Demon King makes it sound!”
“And that Six-Coloured Vermilion Fruit? What a treasure!
Forget us, even Demon King and the generals are probably drooling over it. How could we lesser demons dare to dream of it?
So this time, I’m not thinking of anything. I just want to keep my ox life intact!”
Dali spoke first, his voice deep and glum.
“Pah! Stupid ox, why so spineless? It’s just fighting demons from the other two mountains! Our cultivation isn’t low now, and with Master’s magic tools, it’s time to go all out!
Forget ordinary demons, even those new Ding-rank demons, Rabbit Lord here is confident I can take them on!”
Red Eyes broke free from Dali’s grip, huffing and puffing.
“Smart Rabbit, this isn’t some petty Black Wind Mountain demon spar. This is life-or-death!
Stop showing off, or you’ll really get yourself killed!” Dali frowned.
“I don’t care. I’m counting on racking up battle merits to ask Demon King for Snow Demon Lady later!
My future happiness depends on this!”
“You thick-headed fool!”
Mo Fan shook his head at their bickering, then turned to the other demons and asked, “What about you?”
“Master, I’ll stick to my usual line: I follow your lead!” Pig Master said carelessly.
“Same here!”
Sparrow Chirp landed on Pig Master’s head from Dali’s horn, only to get swatted away. It flew off sheepishly, circled in the air, and settled back on Dali’s horn.
“Master, after this, we brothers plan to leave your Ding camp.”
Spider Demon Old Six spoke up suddenly, pausing before saying gravely, “If we survive, we’ll definitely break through to Ding-rank. Back at Black Wind Mountain, we’ll be new Ding-rank Masters.
But if we die, we obviously won’t be able to follow Master anymore.”
Spider Demon’s words silenced the group.
His words were the most realistic. Their cultivation was nearly at the final step of demon transformation. One more step, and they’d reach Ding-rank, forming their own Ding camps, no longer under Mo Fan’s command.
Seeing the heavy atmosphere, Mo Fan smiled and said, “That’s great! I’ve been hoping you lot would grow up fast. In the future, when we’re drinking together, I can brag loudly that all these Ding-rank demons were trained by me!”
The demons couldn’t help but laugh.
Though it was a joke, they loved hearing it.
“But don’t worry. Even if you reach Ding-rank, you’ll likely still be under me!”
Mo Fan grinned, showing two rows of white teeth, his lips curling slightly.
As these demons neared Ding-rank, wasn’t he himself close to becoming a Demon General?
After this battle, he would be Black Wind Mountain’s fifth Demon General!
“No, fourth Demon General. If I break through, I’ll take out Poison Fang first!”
Mo Fan muttered to himself, demonic aura swirling around him, exuding a powerful presence. He then said to the demons, “When the trial starts, stick close to me. Don’t wander off!”
The demons’ eyes lit up, nodding eagerly, though Dali smiled wryly, “Master, I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
“What do you mean?”
Mo Fan turned to him.
“Once the trial begins, the entire Demon Spirit Mountain Range will be enveloped by a barrier. It’s a strange one. As soon as we enter, we’ll be randomly teleported to different locations, scattered.
So once the trial starts, we’re on our own!” Dali said with a bitter smile.
That’s how it works?
The demons’ faces grew serious, each lost in their thoughts.
Mo Fan frowned, glanced at them, and sighed, “No matter. Once we enter the barrier, head straight for the treasure tree in the centre. We’ll regroup there.
But before that, stay safe and avoid encounters with demons from other mountains!”
Seeing the demons nod, Mo Fan felt a slight relief, thinking his plan was reasonable. But then he thought of something and said solemnly, “Oh, and if you spot Black Wind Mountain demons during the trial, steer clear of them too!”
“Master, you mean?!”
Red Eyes’ eyes widened, seeming to catch on.
“Even you, a stingy rabbit, are so desperate for battle merits. What do you think other demons are like?
Demon King never said we can’t take the ears of our own demons, and it’s hard to tell them apart.
So you get what I’m saying, right?”
Mo Fan sneered, chilling the demons to the core.
Soon, beams of light shot up around Demon Spirit Valley, and ripples like mirror surfaces spread between them. Black Wind Demon King’s voice boomed in their ears.
“Children, the barrier is set. The Three Mountains Trial begins!”
“The trial lasts one day. Now, all of you, enter the barrier and make Black Wind Mountain proud!”
Black Wind Demon King’s words thundered overhead.
It’s finally starting?
Mo Fan looked up but couldn’t see Black Wind Demon King. Then he saw a familiar figure lead the charge into the barrier.
He recognised that demon: Rhino Demon Big Horn, under Second General White Demon!
But several figures also shot out in all directions, trying to flee the Demon Spirit Mountain Range!
“Hmph!”
“His Majesty has decreed: deserters die!”
A cold voice rang out, and a white shadow flashed. A fleeing Ding-rank demon’s chest was pierced by a hand.
The sight terrified the demons, spurring the escapees to run faster. Two even spat out talismans, sticking them to their legs for speed.
“Come back!”
White Demon grinned wickedly, spewing endless demonic aura. Black tendrils, like ribbons, shot out, swiftly catching the fleeing demons and dragging them back.
Soon, all escapees were caught, their heads bitten off by White Demon in front of everyone, blood dripping. The demons didn’t dare breathe.
“Stop gawking. Let’s go!”
Mo Fan spoke, leading his six demons toward the barrier!
