The Sun Spice Contest truly opened Mo Fan’s eyes.
The first round of impromptu performances ended quickly, with a horse demon lasting until the end.
Though the horse demon’s upper body had transformed into a spiritual form with a human face, the key parts remained equine, red as if dripping blood.
As for the horse demon’s features, they were already contorted, with snot and tears streaming, making Mo Fan wince, though he had no… well, you know.
But the horse demon’s endurance earned him a reward: a low-grade spiritual herb bestowed by General Gold Armour.
Though the herb was coveted by the demons, this reward didn’t spark much envy.
“Gold Armour’s horse demon sure knows how to spice things up, taking first place. This king is pleased, so today I’ll grant another low-grade spiritual herb to help this little horse demon break through to the Demon Servant realm!”
The Demon King, in high spirits, bestowed another low-grade spiritual herb on the spot, leaving the horse demon overjoyed. Right there, in front of everyone, he swallowed both herbs, and a surge of black mist erupted from his body.
In a few breaths, with a long howl from within the mist, it cleared, revealing the horse demon’s equine legs now transformed into human ones. Save for that thing still dragging on the ground, the rest of his body was indistinguishable from a human’s.
“Hahaha… worthy of spicing things up, even the remaining demon parts are so spicy!!”
The Demon King, amused by the horse demon’s awkward transformation, burst into laughter.
“Hahaha…”
In an instant, the entire Flat Peak echoed with the demons’ laughter.
Even Mo Fan couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking this horse demon was indeed spicy!
Demons in the Demon Servant realm could manifest a full spiritual form, but it wasn’t truly complete, retaining some demon traits.
Like Hei Zi’s extra pair of hands, but for this horse demon, it was that thing below, looking utterly out of place.
It was just too conspicuous, taking up nearly half his spiritual form.
After thanking the Demon King and his general, the horse demon, mortified, reverted to his demon form and left, practically dragging his “steel spear” on the ground, leaving the demons gasping in awe.
“That’s gotta hurt like hell!”
Even Mo Fan’s scalp tingled at the sight, grateful he didn’t have to compete, or he’d have died of embarrassment.
The impromptu performances ended, and Red Eyes was dragged back by Lai Fu, half-conscious when Mo Fan saw him.
According to Lai Fu, Red Eyes was already weak in the kidneys, and after two rounds, he was utterly exhausted.
This explanation made Mo Fan’s face twitch, though he suspected Red Eyes was faking unconsciousness to avoid humiliation.
Either way, Red Eyes became the laughingstock of Flat Peak, and even Hei Zi was mocked as a result.
“They say my demons are the weakest, but it seems the Third General’s lot takes the crown.
From now on, the kitchen demons should pay extra attention to the Third General’s crew, feed them some beast whip to boost their stamina, lest they make a fool of themselves in Demon Spirit Valley!”
The Fourth General, Venom Fang, sneered, making Hei Zi and the other demons under Mountain Phoenix grind their teeth.
“Enough, let’s move to the main event. Any generals adding to the prize pool?” The Demon King smiled, looking at the three generals.
“Of course, I’m set on winning this Sun Spice champion!”
General Gold Armour grinned, spitting out an object that grew several times larger before him, becoming a gilded hammer.
“This is a magical weapon I got from slaying a human cultivator, called the Mighty Gilded Hammer. It’s only a mid-grade weapon, but its power is impressive. Infused with demon energy, this hammer’s strength triples!
If any spicy demon wins the crown, I’ll grant this hammer!”
Gold Armour’s words sparked cheers from the demons, with many demon servants’ eyes gleaming.
“Since Brother Gold Armour’s going all out, I, Old Bear, won’t hold back.” The Second General, White Demon, spoke up, spitting out an object, a robe.
As the demons exchanged puzzled looks, White Demon said, “Don’t underestimate this robe. It’s no ordinary garment but a magical robe crafted by human cultivators. Though thin, when powered by demon energy, it can withstand attacks from regular demon servants, a true treasure!”
“You two brothers are generous, offering such treasures as prizes. I don’t have your wealth, so I’ll offer this instead!”
The Fourth General, Venom Fang, smiled, producing a small porcelain vial.
“Venom Fang, is that vial filled with a human cultivator’s elixir?” the Demon King asked curiously.
“My King, it’s not an elixir but a single drop of my snake venom. Below the Demon General level, anyone hit by this has no antidote!” Venom Fang said confidently.
His words made the demons gasp, though the demon servants’ eyes shone brighter.
Mo Fan was stunned by these so-called “prizes,” and couldn’t help asking the sparrow demon Zha Zha on his shoulder, “What kind of demons are these three generals?”
“The First General is a yellow ox demon, named Gold Armour.
The Second General is a black bear demon, but they say he hates being called black, so he’s named White Demon.
As for the Fourth General, he’s a venomous snake demon, though what kind isn’t clear, named Venom Fang.
Of the three, only the Fourth General doesn’t get along with our general,” Zha Zha explained.
“Is our general the Third General? What demon is he?” Mo Fan asked curiously.
“The Third General is a pheasant demon, hence named Mountain Phoenix,” Zha Zha nodded.
Hearing this, Mo Fan understood why the Third and Fourth Generals didn’t get along. Snakes and pheasants, often called dragon and phoenix, were natural enemies, so it was no surprise they clashed.
“And what demon is the Great King?” Mo Fan pressed.
“Shh! Are you trying to get killed, daring to speculate about the Great King’s true form?!”
Zha Zha’s face paled, and Hei Zi, sitting ahead, turned back, glaring at the two demons, growling, “Shut your mouths, or if you don’t want to watch the contest, get lost!”
“Apologies, Master!”
Mo Fan and Zha Zha fell silent, realising the Demon King’s true form was likely a taboo topic.
While they chatted, the Demon King produced his prize: half a yellow-grade spiritual herb!
Meanwhile, each servant’s camp began sending out contestants. Hei Zi pulled out a set of lots, saying calmly, “Lai Bao and Red Eyes are exempt from drawing. The rest of you, draw. Shortest lot goes to spice it up!”
The demons grimaced, casting envious glances at Mo Fan, then began drawing lots.
The one who drew the Sun Spice lot was Old Six, a close aide. Mo Fan learned from Zha Zha that Old Six was a beetle demon, supposedly very spicy.
Seeing Old Six draw the lot, Hei Zi’s face lit up with a smile, and he said earnestly, “Go compete with confidence, hold it together. If you take the crown, I’ll award you that half yellow-grade spiritual herb!”
Old Six’s low spirits soared, nodding eagerly, “Rest assured, Master, I’ll hold out to the end!”
With that, a horn blared across Flat Peak, and the Sun Spice Contest officially began!
This time, there were even more contestants than in the impromptu round, and Mo Fan even spotted a few demon servants among them.
Clearly, the prizes were so valuable that some demon servants, desperate to win, joined the fray, throwing dignity aside.
As demon servants, their demon energy was robust, and their endurance far surpassed ordinary lesser demons, giving them a strong chance of winning.
