Chapter 136: Demon King of the Mortal Realm
Right at the moment when a towering demonic aura burst from Song Yue's body, countless great demons across various regions of the Earth opened their eyes.
Blinding, terrifying rays of light radiated from them!
The North Sea.
Deep in an abyss ten thousand meters below the ocean surface lay a colossal trench.
This trench was larger, deeper, and far more terrifying than the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean!
Since ancient times, human figures had occasionally visited the Pacific trench. Of course, they had merely "been there and done that" while riding the most advanced diving equipment.
Yet ever since its discovery, no one had ever dared approach this trench in the depths of the North Sea!
Any unmanned monitoring equipment that entered here would quickly lose contact with the humans on the surface, with not a single exception.
Rumor had it that this ocean area was the lair of the North Sea demonic clan, and residing deep within that dark, terrifying trench was a peerless demon king of the North Sea!
In the eyes of many, this was merely an urban legend, for no one had ever laid eyes on the North Sea demon king.
The truth of the matter, however, was that a terrifying demon king indeed resided here!
It was a giant octopus.
A single tentacle alone was several thousand meters long.
It didn't even need to surface to stretch out its massive tentacles and overturn passing large vessels.
Originally, it was fast asleep.
Until just moments ago, when it was jolted awake by that soul-stirring palpitation.
The massive octopus, resting in the depths of the trench, merely shifted slightly, causing a series of tremors across the region.
Yet deep in the ocean, no one noticed.
"What was that aura just now? Has a true, peerless demon king been born?"
It adhered its eight massive tentacles to the rock walls of the trench, opened a pair of chilling eyes, gazed into the distant direction of Huaxia, and began to sense intently.
Regrettably, it failed to capture any further useful information.
"That feeling was terrible!"
"It felt like being suppressed, coupled with a sense of impending doom."
Aside from it, there were virtually no other large life forms in this deep sea, save for a few microorganisms.
Shortly after, the giant octopus began sending out signals.
It was contacting some of the great demons within the North Sea demonic clan, wishing to inquire whether there had been any recent movements in the mortal realm.
Soon, it received a flood of feedback.
"The little princess of the fox clan... has finally surfaced?"
"So that aura just now... came from the Beast King Scripture?"
The giant octopus, which had intended to resume its slumber, could no longer sleep.
The Beast King Scripture!
Many years ago, it too had pursued it with fanatical fervor.
Pity that there were too many great demons on land, and being skilled in naval combat, it had failed to gain any advantage.
Fortunately, those land-bound great demons hadn't obtained it either.
The little princess of the fox clan had vanished without a trace, taking the Beast King Scripture with her.
This affair had caused many great demons of the mortal realm to sigh with bitter regret, lamenting that they had been merely a step away from becoming demon saints!
As if acquiring the Beast King Scripture would truly allow them to cultivate into demon saints.
The giant octopus had never desired the Beast King Scripture for its own cultivation.
It wanted to obtain it so it could present it to the great demon it revered!
Why had it lingered in the mortal realm for so long?
Why, despite having long since entered the realm of bodily transformation, did it still use various means to suppress its cultivation realm and conceal the heavenly secrets, refusing to leave?
When all was said and done, it stemmed from a deep-seated terror within its heart!
In the mortal realm, it was a supreme demon king. As long as it exercised caution and used methods to conceal its aura, it could evade the suppression of the heavenly Dao.
When the suppression became too much to bear, it would forcefully sever a portion of its cultivation to weaken its own power.
Its sole purpose was to overstay its welcome and reign as king of the mortal realm!
Once it entered the cultivation world, a demon of its transformation tier would be in grave danger!
To powerful cultivators, it would be considered a delicacy, a cultivation material with treasures all over its body, a pathetic sparring tool for training younger generations... In short, once one entered the cultivation world, every step would be fraught with peril, and a good ending would be hard to come by.
In truth, not only it, but virtually all the transformation-tier great demons lingering in the mortal realm shared this exact mindset.
Demons were different from humans.
Although the cultivation world possessed terrifying demonic sects, the forces established by orthodox cultivators were far more numerous.
Ancient sects and major traditions were scattered across the entire cultivation world like stars in the sky.
Cultivators who had ascended from Earth were often willing to promote younger generations from their hometown, making it not too difficult for human cultivators to find a patron.
Demons, however, were not so fortunate.
Though demons had factions and forces in the cultivation world, most kept to themselves in remote corners, and various races were extremely xenophobic!
Upon entering the cultivation world, if one failed to quickly find a faction to join and successfully cling to a powerful patron, a rootless demon like it would practically be serving itself up as a meal on a platter.
Therefore, whether it was pondering its own fate or that of other transformation-tier great demons lingering in the mortal realm, none of them wished to go to the cultivation world unless forced by absolute necessity.
Yet this day would arrive sooner or later.
No matter how reluctant, departure was ultimately inevitable.
The day would come when no amount of means could conceal its terrifying demonic aura, and after weathering a wave of astonishingly powerful heavenly tribulations, the gates of the cultivation world would open to them.
Crossing the heavenly threshold was not too great a difficulty for transformation-tier mortal demon kings.
The true crisis lay *after* entry.
If it could obtain the Beast King Scripture, its survival probability upon entering the cultivation world would increase exponentially!
At that time, transformed into human form, as long as it was cautious enough and avoided those terrifying mighty figures capable of seeing through them with a single glance, it would still have a chance to approach the territories occupied by the demonic clan.
Carrying the Beast King Scripture, it could walk with confidence and approach a true great demon, requiring no terms or conditions other than guaranteeing its safety!
This demand might seem somewhat humble, but to a mortal demon king like the giant octopus, as long as its safety could be guaranteed, it would be thoroughly satisfied.
In the mortal realm, after its transformation, even the most advanced alien technological instruments could not distinguish it from a human. Yet in the cultivation world, any casual cultivator at the divine separation tier could easily see right through it with a single glance!
Thus, after ascension, survival... was paramount.
The giant octopus could no longer sleep at all; it resolved to take a trip to the mortal realm!
If the aura that had startled it awake truly originated from the Beast King Scripture, then once acquired, it would trigger the heavenly tribulation without a moment's hesitation and depart leisurely amidst the furious roars of other mortal demon kings!
With a shake of its body, the giant octopus transformed into a seductive, alluring woman and sped swiftly through the deep sea toward Huaxia.
Pretty women got along relatively well in the mortal realm, a lesson the giant octopus had learned well from its previous travels among humans.
The Western Regions of Huaxia.
At the summit of a colossal snow-capped mountain stood a white-browed ancient ape over two meters tall.
A pair of profound eyes gazed toward the east.
Judging solely by these eyes, filled with complex human emotions, it was hard to believe this was an ape.
"The little princess of the fox clan has surfaced, hunted down, and rescued by a mysterious human piloting a flying saucer."
"Now, a towering demonic aura emanates from the east..."
The white-browed ancient ape muttered to itself, letting out a soft sigh: "The mortal realm is about to descend into chaos once more. At a time like this, how could I possibly be left out?"
Clearly, the information it possessed far exceeded that of the giant octopus in the North Sea.
The next moment, the white-browed ancient ape shook its body, transforming into a senile yet spirited white-browed Daoist priest, benevolent and cheerful as it leaped down from the snow mountain.
Deep within the African desert, thousands of miles stretched without a single trace of human habitation.
A scorpion several thousand meters long suddenly burst forth from the depths of the desert, kicking up billowing dust that blotted out the sky and sun.
The giant scorpion was pitch-black as ink, and upon its massive tail, a giant stinger resembling a spire-topped black pagoda gleamed with a cold metallic luster.
The moment it emerged, a terrifying demonic aura radiated from its entire body.
As the scorching sun overhead was instantly replaced by gathering dark clouds, strands of the Dao's laws intertwined within them.
The giant scorpion reined in its demonic aura, let out a hiss, and cursed aloud.
Then, shaking its body, it transformed into a robust man clad in black armor, frowning and grumbling curses.
"Damn it, suffocated for so many years, and not even allowed to let loose for a bit? Damn you, heavens!"
The robust man looked toward the distant east, chuckling insidiously: "That little fox has been missing for so many years, and now she's finally been dug up?"
"I really have to thank those tireless eastern demonic clans. You toss and turn and scheme all you want without getting a single hair out of it, yet you work so hard... In the end, isn't it all going to serve as wedding garments for yours truly?"
The transformation-tier scorpion essence, well-versed in Eastern culture, wore a triumphant expression and strode toward the east.
The Americas.
From a vast lake on the border between the Beautiful Country and the Maple Leaf Country, a silver serpent several hundred meters long slowly swam out.
The serpent bore a single horn upon its head and two legs upon its belly, resembling a horned dragon.
Its massive silver scales were fine and neat, and as it swam forth, the lake water parted on its own.
By the time it reached the surface of the lake, it had already transformed into a youth in white robes, stepping upon the waves with effortless ease.
The youth was fair-faced with delicate features, ruby lips and white teeth.
He glanced up at the pristine, azure sky, smiled slightly, casually flicked out a flying saucer, and swiftly burrowed inside. With a flash of light, the flying saucer vanished from the spot.
Only ripples continued to linger across the lake surface.
Almost simultaneously, disturbances erupted from numerous forbidden zones of life across the Earth—
From deep abysses, boundless swamps, primeval jungles... various mortal demon kings who had slumbered for many years dispatched themselves in succession, heading toward Huaxia.
The next morning.
Song Yue rose early and began his cultivation.
This time, what he cultivated was the Beast King Scripture!
Inside the living room, he continuously shifted and transformed.
He even morphed into the likeness of Su Yuxian, deliberately adjusting himself before the mirror until he was satisfied.
Brother Qian had worried that he might transform into a demon, and Song Yue himself harbored some concerns.
Yet the Beast King Scripture was simply too enticing!
The scripture was not long, yet it covered an extremely wide range of domains, all of them housing the most supreme techniques.
The technique Song Yue comprehended first was named Demon Transformation!
Prior to this, he had already mastered the transformation techniques of physical cultivation.
Now, having comprehended the Beast King Scripture, transforming into a demon became an inside-out, near-perfect process.
Where this cultivation would lead him in the future, he did not know, but for the moment, his "acting repertoire" had successfully expanded!
If it were merely this, the Beast King Scripture would hardly be worthy of being coveted by the entire demonic clan.
Not only could it allow Song Yue to transform into a flawless demon, but it also enabled him... to wield the innate skills of that very demon upon transformation!
Transforming into an eagle granted formidable flight capabilities, super-enhanced vision, and... peerless talons!
An eagle king of the transformation tier could easily tear apart beings of the same realm with a single scratch.
Transforming into a fox directly bestowed various illusionary arts, acting almost as an innate instinct!
In short, comprehending this technique allowed Song Yue to transform into a demon at will.
And this was merely a fraction of the Beast King Scripture, the introductory technique.
According to the information Song Yue gleaned from studying the Beast King Scripture, during the initial stage of the Demon Transformation technique, transforming into any kind of demon allowed him to master its innate abilities, but upon transforming into a different demon or reverting to human form, those abilities would be lost.
Once cultivated to the middle and later stages, no transformation at all would be required to wield the innate talents of ten thousand demons!
Song Yue finally understood why this sacred code of the demonic clan was called the "Beast King Scripture"—upon mastering the introductory level, one could command the abilities of all demons. Wasn't that the King of all Beasts?
The former Fox King likely had already comprehended this level, but facing too many enemies and outnumbered, it ultimately met its demise.
He was different; his primary profession was a formidable... martial artist specializing in beating up cultivators!
As for whether he would end up cultivating himself into a peerless great demon as Brother Qian and he himself feared, Song Yue reflected upon the conjectures regarding the Five Elements Equilibrium Master in the Encyclopedia of the Cultivation World and remained relatively optimistic.
As long as he eventually found the supreme scriptures of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism, cultivated them all, and brought himself to a state of equilibrium, there should be no problem.
"I've already acquired the supreme scriptures of both the demonic and devilish clans. Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism... shouldn't be too difficult, right?"
Song Yue pondered.
Eight o'clock.
The interstellar warship bound for the God's Star departed right on schedule.
By this time, quite a few mortal demon kings had already entered Huaxia.
Some even better-informed ones had already arrived in Hangzhou!
Yet at that very moment, many demon kings received a piece of news almost simultaneously—
Su Yuxian, the fox princess carrying the Beast King Scripture, had already boarded an interstellar flight and gone to an alien planet!
At this, all the mortal demon kings who received the message were collectively dumbfounded.
That cunning fox actually... fled?
Xiao Hua was furious!
She desperately wanted to manifest her true form and subject the living beings of an entire city to a blood sacrifice just to vent her anger!
Pity that she dared not.
Doing so would not only alert the laws of the mortal realm and trigger a terrifying heavenly tribulation, but it would also rouse those ancient immortals of Huaxia to come forth and subdue demons...
Yet she truly was unwilling!
How could she have run away?
Did she really think she could escape pursuit just by fleeing to an alien planet?
How utterly naive!
Standing in the capital of Huaxia, she looked up at the firmament.
Her spiritual power rapidly spread outward, searching for the information she desired.
A moment later.
She muttered in frustration and defeat: "The next interstellar flight actually requires waiting for half a month..."
"And I don't even have any money!"
"I can't even afford a ticket!"
"I'll just have to resort to smuggling..."
"But that little fox, did she head to Tianyue, or to the God's Star?"
"An Eastern fox would probably prefer Tianyue, right?"
"Damn it, why did you have to run awayyyyy!"
She was driving herself slightly mad.
At that moment, a handsome young man walked over, gazing with a look of concern at Xiao Hua's unsightly expression, and asked in a magnetic voice, "Are you alright?"
Xiao Hua cast a cold glance at the youth: "Are you trying to hit on me?"
The youth was momentarily stunned, then laughed dryly: "I just wanted to show some concern."
"Get lost!" Xiao Hua rebuked with a livid expression: "This lady only likes tentacle monsters!"
The youth walked away with a twitching mouth, feeling as though he had run into a lunatic.
Little did he know he had just brushed shoulders with the gates of hell.
Had this not been a human city, Xiao Hua would have swallowed him alive long ago.
That old ape who had descended from the snow mountain, transformed into a white-browed Daoist priest resembling the God of Longevity, walked all the way with cheerful smiles, sauntering directly into Hangzhou.
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