This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 222 Sacred Mountain or Demon Realm?

The demonic aura on Little Sacred Mountain grew denser. After a rough assessment, Zhuang Lin and the others realized that there were at least several hundred demon cultivators and spirits with some level of cultivation.

To be honest, Zhuang Lin was still slightly surprised. Although Xi Miao was known as the Great King Xi Miao, he always thought it was just a self-proclaimed title. After all, a king is like his subordinates. Wasn't Hei Ze also known as the Little Great King of Manhe?

But upon closer reflection, it's not actually that many. Apart from the small Sacred Mountain, which seems to lack many demons and monsters due to Xi Miao's influence, there are actually quite a few cultivators hidden in the mountains and wilderness of other regions. Only a very small portion of them can come to the Sacred Mountain.

"I didn't expect Fellow Daoist Ximiao to be such a worthy demon king. Are you going to throw a grand banquet?"

Sensing the changes in Little Sacred Mountain, Zhuang Lin joked with Xi Miao, who simply smiled.

"What, were you not living up to your reputation before?"

Indeed, that's true. Not only Zhuang Lin thought so, but Liu Hongyu and the others thought so too. After all, they only knew that Hei Ze was Xi Miao's subordinate before, and of course, they also knew about Old Turtle later.

However, it seems that the area within hundreds of miles of Little Holy Mountain is quite peaceful, which is probably largely due to Xi Miao. At least some of the more powerful demons haven't openly harmed people.

"Even though I'm a self-proclaimed demon king, no one comes looking for trouble with me, does that mean no one does?"

Xi Miao's smile remained unchanged, but then a hint of impatience appeared on her face.

"But I hate trouble the most, or rather, trouble that I don't like. Why hold a grand banquet? And if I'm going to hold one, it shouldn't be here. Sigh! We could hold it in Hidden Immortal Valley to celebrate my inability to take human form. What do you say, sir?"

Xi Miao's eyes suddenly lit up, and she made a suggestion that stunned Zhuang Lin, while the others mostly looked at each other in bewilderment.

You're complaining that the food here doesn't suit your taste, aren't you?
Faced with Xi Miao's wide-eyed gaze, Zhuang Lin forced a nod.

"also!"

"Ha~ A gentleman's word is as good as his bond! Sir, you are both a true man and a Confucian immortal, you cannot deceive a weak woman like me!"

As she spoke, Xi Miao rushed out of the pavilion, then took a few steps in mid-air and rushed towards the entrance of the cave. In an instant, she was outside.

At this time, the area around Little Sacred Mountain was filled with the aura of demons and monsters, and there was even a faint divine light by the water. As soon as Xi Miao came out of the cave, she released her demonic energy without reservation.

Some of the nearby monsters immediately came towards the center of Little Sacred Mountain, while the old turtle and some aquatic monsters on the water's edge below also came ashore.

Many demon cultivators had already opened their mouths, while many others were still preparing their words of congratulations. Before they could even utter their words, Xi Miao unleashed a sound comparable to thunder.

"I want some peace and quiet after my tribulation. Don't make me say it a second time, all of you get out of here—"

A single roll echoed like thunder across Little Sacred Mountain, bringing with it a terrifying sense of oppression, as if rolling dark clouds were falling from above.

In an instant, all those who came to offer their congratulations froze. Then, some took to the air, some burrowed underground, and some jumped into the water, all fleeing in a flash.

That's just the king's temper. His tone clearly shows he's angry. If you're slow, something bad is bound to happen!
In a short time, the aura around Little Sacred Mountain was completely cleared away, leaving only Xi Miao's own demonic aura.

At this moment, Xi Miao stood at the entrance of the Immortal Fox Cave and looked back inside. Even from a distance, she could tell that most of the people inside were surprised.

"Fellow Daoist Ximiao, you are truly impressive. You came here to offer your congratulations, yet you won't even let them say a word?"

Hearing Zhuang Lin's words, Xi Miao laughed and replied as she walked back.

"Let's just assume they've already said that I'm in charge at Little Sacred Mountain. We should avoid these kinds of things if possible. It'll be troublesome once the news gets to the Fox Clan's secret realm!"

Xi Miao's joking words also made Zhuang Lin and the others realize that she was not entirely fighting alone; it seemed that she also had the fox clan with her.

In the sky heading towards Xiangyang, several streaks of light looked back in surprise and doubt. In the direction of the Little Sacred Mountain they had left, an astonishing aura soared into the sky.

"Such pure and intense demonic energy! No wonder so many demons and monsters gathered here before. I wonder what the situation was!"

"Don't add unnecessary complications!"

As they spoke, several streaks of light flew toward the emerging outline of Xiangyang City in the distance.

At midday, several streaks of light appeared on the streets of Xiangyang City. It looked like an old man with a long beard and white hair leading three young men. Although his clothes were simple, he had an elegant and otherworldly air about him. In the eyes of ordinary people, he was obviously rich and noble.

The four of them headed straight for Yanxiang Restaurant in Xiangyang City. As they approached the restaurant, they sensed the atmosphere inside and were immediately delighted.

"Such pure celestial energy! It seems we've found the right place!"

"Nonsense, how could I possibly be wrong?"

At this moment, there were naturally people from Yinxian Valley left behind in Yanxiang Tower. When the four appeared on the street and did not try to conceal their aura, the people in the tower naturally sensed them.
-
In the Lesser Sacred Mountain, she had just purged the rabble of her followers who had come to offer their congratulations, since she was in charge here.

In high spirits, Xi Miao began urging Zhuang Lin and the others to return to Hidden Immortal Valley immediately for a grand banquet.

Before everyone could return to Hidden Immortal Valley, a beam of immortal light had already flown from Xiangyang City to the sky above Little Sacred Mountain, and before it even landed, it was already shouting into the mountain.

"Master—Senior Ximiao—"

The person who came was dressed in men's clothing and appeared to be a man to the average person, but at this moment the voice was clear and melodious, clearly a woman's voice.

The sound reached the Fairy Fox Cave, and everyone's heart stirred.

"Hui'er?"

"problem occurs?"

Now everyone forgot about joking and almost immediately came out of the Immortal Fox Cave. After they came out, they looked up at the sky and saw Li Hui descending on the wind.

Because of the previous trouble, and since it was in a restaurant in Xiangyang where they inevitably had to show their faces, the girls would usually put on makeup and use some kind of disguise when they went to take turns. Li Hui, who came at this moment, was in this situation.

Seeing that Li Hui was alive and well and breathing steadily, everyone felt a little relieved. The former immediately rushed to Zhuang Lin and the others, and seeing that there were no outsiders, answered directly.

"Master, you are all still here. The seniors of Yanzhen Sect just arrived in Xiangyang to deliver a message, saying that they have suspected they have found the location of the secret realm of the Five-Colored Divine Mountain!"

Five-color sacred mountain!

So fast?
Zhuang Lin and Xi Miao reacted in different ways, while the others were either surprised or delighted, and their hearts were filled with excitement.

"Where is he?" "Still at Yanxiang Tower!"

Zhuang Lin looked around.

“Fellow Daoist Ximiao, please take everyone back to the valley first. We can prepare a celebratory banquet for you. We’ll go to Xiangyang to see the fellow Daoists of the True Dao Sect first!”

There's no need to explain it too clearly; those who should go back will naturally understand in this situation.

Although Xi Miao really wanted to go, she was, after all, a demon cultivator. Although she was very confident in concealing her aura, it was not appropriate for her to go at this time, so she had no objections.

"Then we'll wait for you in Hidden Immortal Valley!"

"Okay, it won't be long!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhuang Lin nodded to Liu Hongyu. Then, he took Li Hui with him, and the three of them used two spirit swords to transform into sword rainbows and disappear into the sky above Little Sacred Mountain.
-
In a private room at the Yanxianglou Restaurant in Xiangyang City, four cultivators from the Yanzhen Sect sat at a table drinking tea.

Listening to the lively sounds inside the building, it was easy to tell how good the business of Yanxiang Restaurant was. Mu Hongwen, a boy of about half a year, was greeting the four people in the room and was acting like a waiter in a restaurant.

"Young friend, this restaurant is doing quite well. I thought you would deliberately keep it quiet here!"

Xiao Wen scratched his head and smiled.

"That's what we thought too, so we set up a lot of rules for Yanxianglou and cracked down hard on those who came to cause trouble. Shouldn't that make things a bit quieter?"

"Who knew that Yanxianglou, which was originally not doing very well, would suddenly become very popular in our hands? We even raised our prices several times, but business just kept getting better and better."

The four cultivators from the Yanzhen Sect looked at each other in bewilderment.

Do mortals really enjoy humiliating themselves like this?

Xiaowen thought about it carefully before answering.

"That's definitely not the case; it's probably just a feeling of superiority."

"How can one maintain a sense of superiority here?"

"Uh, maybe the food inside is just better?"

Just then, the old man at the head of the group suddenly caught a glimpse of a flash of light on the horizon outside the open window.

Sure enough, not long after, there was a knock on the door of the private room. After Xiaowen immediately went to open the door, Zhuang Lin and Liu Hongyu walked in from outside.

"Master! Senior Brother!"

"Ok!"

Zhuang Lin nodded slightly and looked at the four people who subconsciously stood up in the private room. He recognized them all; they had all received his answers at the Ancestral Hall of the Yanzhen Sect and had attended his lectures.

However, the person in the lead was not Dao Yanzi, but rather one of the elders of the Yanzhen Sect.

"Greetings, Senior Zhuang!"

The four of them bowed together, and Zhuang Lin went inside to return the bow.

"No need for such formalities, gentlemen!"

However, the four of them bowed to Liu Hongyu, who quickly returned the bow.

"Gentlemen, please tell us about the Five-Colored Divine Mountain. Is it really there? And what discoveries have you made?"

Zhuang Lin had already sat down before he spoke, and the others, seeing this, did not dare to be negligent and answered directly as they sat down.

"Reporting to Senior, we don't know if that's the entrance to the Five-Colored Divine Mountain, but so far, that's the strangest place among the places in the Taihang Mountains. Moreover, it's the entrance through a mural in a small, dilapidated temple. Other places might involve dealing with demons and monsters!"

"Then let's talk about this!"

"Yes, please take a look, senior!"

The leading elder of the Yanzhen Sect took out a picture from his sleeve; it was a rather strange painting.

"These are the drawings made from memory by the disciples who entered the secret realm. Part of them are from the murals, and part of them show only two people coming out of the interior. This led to a great trouble, and my uncle and the sect leader were also trapped. They specifically ordered me to come and inform you, senior!"

Dao Yanzi and the leader of Yanzhen Sect are also in trouble.
Just as Zhuang Lin and the others looked on in surprise, the elder quickly continued speaking.

"Senior, you may not know this, but if that place is truly what you are looking for, it is not some divine peak, but rather a demonic abyss. The aura of demons and ghosts is so intense that it is at least seventy-two. That dilapidated temple seems to have been created to seal off that area, but the strange thing is that how could a dilapidated temple suppress such an aura? It is more like it was built there as a stronghold, which is why we believe it to be a demonic abyss."

"Did you encounter a deity? Are Dao Yanzi and your sect leader in danger?"

"We did not encounter any deities at the time, so please rest assured, senior. The sect leader and my uncle are highly skilled and can leave at any time. They only went there because it was in accordance with the style of our True Dao Sect. Otherwise, it would be illogical!"

Zhuang Lin nodded.

"Are there any other clues? It's full of ghosts and demons inside. Have you encountered any of them, not even the Five Directions Protectors?"

Five Directions Revealing Truth?

The elder of Yanzhen Sect frowned slightly, but a disciple standing nearby thought for a moment and then spoke up.

"Senior, I know one of these demons. It has a single horn on its head, fangs in its mouth, and a huge, imposing body with a bluish-red hue. It is neither a normal demon nor a normal ghost. My junior brother was probably devoured by it. He was also the only demon we saw show itself. It almost chased after us."

Then an elder on the side gave an introduction.

"Senior Zhuang, these two are the disciples who escaped from the secret realm of the murals in that dilapidated temple. If it weren't for the timely appearance of their martial uncle and the sect leader, they wouldn't have been able to return!"

Zhuang Lin looked at the two of them, but what he was thinking about was what one of them had just said.

It has a single horn on its head, fangs in its mouth, and a huge, imposing blue-red body.
Could it be the One-Horned Demon King? The leader of the seventy-two demon kings of Flower Fruit Mountain in Journey to the West?
(End of this chapter)