Deep in the Phoenix Cry Mountain demon domain.
A stretch of barren wilderness. Here not a single blade of grass grew, yet exposed bones littered the ground everywhere. Some were human, others from birds and beasts.
But most were beast bones.
The reason nothing grew here was largely because the soil was unsuitable for plants. The earth had almost completely turned to sand.
Only a few withered old trees stubbornly clung to life in the ground.
Several crows perched on the dead branches, cawing while glancing around, as if searching for prey.
Whoosh.
Suddenly an arrow flew over, startling the crows into flight.
Little Grey, your aim is terrible! You did not even hit a single crow!
A dissatisfied voice rang out from the distance.
Immediately after, the sandy ground bulged upward. Two sneaky-looking little demons crawled out from beneath.
Both little demons had already transformed their upper bodies into spirit forms, but their lower halves remained beast-like, dragging long tails behind them.
Little Black, you cannot blame me. Those crows were just too small. If it were you shooting, you definitely would not have hit them either! The one with the grey tail pouted, then slung the large bow over his back.
So what do we do now?
Lord Ding Mu sent us out to hunt. If we cannot bring back any meat, I am afraid both of us will end up on the banquet table!
The one with the black tail wore a bitter face and sighed beside him.
That cannot be possible, right? I remember every full moon night, Great King Grandfather calls us his children and says we are all his kids. With that relationship, would Lord Ding Mu dare slaughter us? Little Grey asked hesitantly.
What are you thinking?
Little Black rolled his eyes and whispered: That is just Great King Grandfather saying it for fun. Last time I heard a Lord Ding Mu offended Great King Grandfather and got his head bitten off on the spot. He did not even get the chance to become part of a banquet!
What? Is that real?
Little Grey was immediately shocked.
Of course it is real! Little Black sneered coldly: Even a Lord Ding Mu can be eaten. How much more so for little demons like us who only recently transformed?
We are finished, finished… So if we really cannot hunt any meat this time, does that mean we will become the ready-made meat? Little Grey immediately showed fear on his face.
That is why we have to keep looking. But within ten li around here, I am afraid there is no prey left. Those bastards have hunted everything clean!
Little Black sighed as he spoke.
At that moment, Little Grey beside him suddenly pointed at the sky and exclaimed in shock: Little Black, look at that! What is that?
What? Did you spot prey?
Little Black quickly looked up. What he saw was an enormous fireball.
The fireball descended from the sky, accompanied by the sound of phoenix cries. It was heading straight toward where the two little demons stood. The terrifying pressure immediately caused both little demons to collapse to the ground in fright.
Boom!
With a deafening crash, the fireball made intimate contact with the ground. Flames splashed in all directions. Dust filled the sky, blinding the two little demons so they could hardly open their eyes.
When most of the dust settled, they realised a huge crater had appeared in the ground ahead.
The two demons exchanged a glance, then cautiously approached. Before they could get close to the crater, a figure suddenly leaped out from within.
It was a bald man whose entire body was wreathed in flames. His figure was massive, like an iron tower. The sight immediately made the two little demons tremble in fear.
They had never seen such pressure even on their own Great King Grandfather. They quickly knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly: Great Demon King, spare us! Great Demon King, spare our lives!!
This bald man was none other than Black Cloud King Fire Spirit from Black Wind Mountain!
He had come on Mo Fan’s orders to deliver an invitation, asking the demon king of this place to come to Black Wind Mountain for the preaching and transmission of the law.
Stop kowtowing. Does this king look that scary to demons?
Fire Spirit frowned slightly at the sight of the two little demons kowtowing nonstop.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this the two demons nodded frantically. This angered Fire Spirit so much that he stepped forward and kicked both little demons over.
This king asks, and you answer honestly. Otherwise this king will eat you. Understood?
Fire Spirit spoke. The two little demons nodded repeatedly, not daring to breathe loudly. They kept shivering.
What kind of little demons are you? And which demon mountain do you come from? Fire Spirit asked.
Reporting to Great Demon King Grandfather, we are demons transformed from ground squirrels. We come from Earth Temple!
The quicker-witted Little Black hurriedly answered.
Earth Temple? Fire Spirit frowned and cursed: Damn it, are you daring to deceive this king? Where in our Hundred Thousand Great Mountains is there an Earth Temple? That is something only humans have!
Great Demon King Grandfather, please calm your anger! It is Earth Temple, not Earth God Temple.
Moreover, our Great King Grandfather calls himself Earth King!
Little Black was so frightened he jolted. He quickly explained, then pushed Little Grey beside him: If you do not believe us, you can ask Little Grey!
Fire Spirit’s face twitched slightly upon hearing this. After a long moment he calmed down. Thinking for a bit, he asked: Is the Earth King you speak of a demon king?
Our Great King Grandfather is indeed a demon king! And like us, he is a demon transformed from a ground squirrel!
Very good. Lead the way ahead. Bring this king to meet your Great King!
Fire Spirit spoke. The two little demons did not dare disobey. They immediately began digging tunnels.
Seeing this, Fire Spirit’s face darkened. He felt these two little demons had not fully developed their intelligence. He frowned and said: This king told you to lead the way, not to dig tunnels!
Reporting to Great Demon King Grandfather, Earth Temple is underground. If we do not dig tunnels, how can we lead you there? Little Black said with a bitter face.
…
Fire Spirit was instantly speechless. So it really was an Earth Temple!
But for him, the dignified Black Cloud King, to crawl through a rat hole… that was something he could not bring himself to do. He said impatiently: This king gives you the time it takes to burn half an incense stick. Go call your demon king out here. Otherwise this king will destroy your so-called Earth Temple!
Ah?!
Hurry up and scram!
Yes… yes sir!!
The two little demons were so frightened by Fire Spirit that they frantically dug tunnels.
Not long after, several mounds of varying sizes rose from the ground. Soon several demon cultivators crawled out from them. Leading them was a rat-headed humanoid demon official, dragging a rat tail behind him.
As soon as this demon official emerged, he looked toward Fire Spirit and shouted loudly: Hey! Where did this wild demon come from? How dare you cause trouble in our Earth Temple…
The word trouble had barely left his mouth before the terrifying aura emanating from Fire Spirit stunned him.
Where is your Great King?
Fire Spirit’s gaze passed over the demon official and landed on the two little demons behind him.
Our Lord Ding Mu said you were a swindler, so he…
Little Black tremblingly pointed toward the demon official ahead. The latter immediately stiffened. He quickly gave an awkward smile: Misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding… Great Demon King Grandfather, please do not be angry. This little demon will go fetch our Great King Grandfather right now!
With that, the demon official stuck his buttocks up, preparing to dive into a tunnel and escape.
No need. This king will personally invite him out!
Fire Spirit snorted coldly. He stomped heavily on the ground. In an instant the entire area shook. Waves of force spread outward from Fire Spirit in all directions.
Black Wind Mountain’s Black Cloud King has come on the Mountain Lord’s orders to invite Earth Temple’s Demon King!
I request Brother Earth to come out and meet me at once!
Fire Spirit’s voice immediately echoed across the entire land.
Rumble.
Soon the ground trembled violently. A cavern exploded open. Surging demon qi soared into the sky. Several demon generals carried out a dazzling golden throne from the cavern.
On that throne sat an extremely fat fellow, round like a giant ball. In each hand he held a beast leg, gnawing away as if no one else were present.
I am Earth King. You wish to see this king?
Earth King looked toward Fire Spirit. A trace of curiosity flashed in his eyes.
