Starting as a stray dog, I embarked on a journey of cultivation.

"In that case, shall I go with you?" Gou An agreed, feigning reluctance, but immediately added:

"Fellow Daoist, you must protect me. Although I have already taken human form, I mainly cultivate alchemy and my combat strength is mediocre. If I encounter danger, I will have difficulty handling it on my own."

Seeing that Gou An agreed, Black Horn chuckled and patted his chest, guaranteeing, "Fellow Daoist, rest assured, I, Black Horn, am already in the late stage of Demon Transformation. In less than thirty years, I might be able to cultivate my demon core into a golden core, and I will definitely be able to protect you."

Gou An nodded quickly after hearing this, "Then it all depends on you, fellow Daoist." His attitude was respectful.

"Hahaha!" Black Horn was very satisfied with Gou An's reaction: "We'll leave after we've eaten our fill. If we get the treasure, I'll split it 50/50 with you."

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content.

Black Horn spat out a delicate flying boat the size of a palm from his mouth. As he tossed it into the air, the flying boat immediately grew larger in the wind, transforming into a flying boat several meters long.

"Board the ship!"

Blackhorn shouted and was the first to jump up, followed closely by Gou An.

Five other demon generals also came up with them.

Gou An used his Fiery Eyes to examine them and confirmed that they were indeed at the Demon Transformation Realm, with cultivation levels nearly identical to his own.

"Hold on tight!" Blackhorn shouted, piloting the airship into a streak of light as it soared into the sky, heading south.

During the journey, Black Horn summoned Gou An to the bow of the ship and, seemingly casually, asked him about the secret realm of the Snowfield Ancient Tower.

"Fellow Daoist, you said you were trapped in the ancient tower's secret realm for decades. I wonder how you managed to survive?"

"Sigh!" Gou An sighed, "I really don't want to recall this matter. There is no alternation of day and night in that Soul River Secret Realm. In fact, I don't know exactly how much time has passed, I only know that it was a very, very long time ago."

"To make a living, I can only focus on cultivation and alchemy to pass the time, constantly telling myself that I am in seclusion."

Gou An delivered the speech he had prepared long ago, and Hei Jiao, despite careful observation, couldn't discern anything amiss.

"I heard that you were defeated on the ninth floor?" Black Horn asked again.

"Yes!" Gou An nodded, pretending to be very regretful and distressed: "The last trial required me to catch an invisible rabbit, but I really couldn't figure it out and ultimately failed."

"An invisible rabbit?" Blackhorn asked curiously.

"Yes!" Gou An had no choice but to explain the trial rules to Black Horn in detail.

But the more Blackhorn listened, the more confused he became, and he didn't even quite understand the rules. He said frankly, "It sounds complicated, so it's normal that I won't pass."

"Although I failed the trial, I managed to avoid having half of my cultivation drained. Considering the results of my seclusion in the Soul River, it's not a complete loss."

Seeing this, Black Horn chuckled and said, "But don't worry, fellow Daoist, this trip to the valley will definitely not be in vain."

As they spoke, the airship was nearing its destination, so its speed gradually decreased and it began to descend.

Gou An looked out into the distance and indeed saw a valley brimming with spiritual energy.

And indeed, it was bathed in a glowing light, making it look like a place where treasures were hidden.

"It's just ahead!" Black Horn pointed to the valley ahead. "Fellow Daoist, you just need to follow me!"

"Understood!" Gou An nodded, feigning nervousness and timidity.

Soon, the flying boat slowly landed in front of the valley entrance.

All the monsters disembarked from the flying boat, and Black Horn took the opportunity to retrieve it.

"You! You! You!"

Black Horn randomly selected three demon generals: "You're in charge of clearing the way!"

Then he said to the other two demon generals, "You two are responsible for covering the rear."

"yes!"

The five demon generals nodded and clasped their hands in unison.

"Let's go in and see what good stuff we have." Black Horn waved his hand, and the group of seven monsters headed into the deep valley together.

On the way, Gou An followed closely behind Hei Jiao, acting cautiously and timidly, even frightened by the slightest sound.

This made Blackhorn look at Gou An with even more disdain.

The demons traversed the narrow path through the valley and entered a spacious underground cave.

The cave is divided into several deep passages, and you can't see what's at the other end at a glance.

Seeing this, the three monsters at the front stopped.

"Master, which way do we go?" a demon general asked Black Horn.

Black Horn touched the rhinoceros horn on his nose, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's split up. Each of you go through one of the tunnels and find out what's inside."

The five demon generals immediately clasped their fists in greeting, and then each of them chose a passage.

Seeing this, Gou An feigned timidity and said, "Fellow Daoist, isn't it a bit inappropriate to split up?"

"There's nothing wrong with it!" Black Horn simply waved his hand and said, "What our Ten Thousand Demon City has in abundance is demons, losing a few won't matter."

As he spoke, Black Horn pointed to another passage where no demons were going: "Fellow Daoist, please wait here. I'll go check out this one."

Let's go.

Gou An, naturally determined to maintain his timid and cowardly nature, quickly chased after him, crying out, "Fellow Daoist, don't leave me behind!"

Black Horn turned to comfort him, "Fellow Daoist is my honored guest. How could I let you go in and risk your life? Although this place is spacious, it is safer. You just need to wait for me here."

After saying that, he ignored Gou An and went straight inside, disappearing in no time.

In an instant, only Gou An, a monster, remained in this empty underground cave.

Gou An knew that this was probably intentional, but he didn't know what kind of test they would put him through next.

Meanwhile, deep inside the cave, Black Horn had already reunited with the other five demon generals.

"Master, when will we make our move?" a demon general asked.

"Don't rush, wait a little longer!" Blackhorn said bluntly, "He encountered danger right after we left, it's too abrupt."

"Look at that cowardly guy!" another demon general suddenly said, "Do we still need to test him? He can kill the Crimson Flame Mountain Lord? I don't believe it."

"Yes!" another demon general chimed in, "Besides his alchemy skills, he probably doesn't have any other strengths. I even think he's no match for me."

"How could I not know what you're saying?" Black Horn yawned and lit another cigarette. "But we have orders from above; how can we disobey?"

"Besides, if something really happens to this Fellow Daoist Gou, and no one is left to refine this spirit smoke, what will I smoke then?"

"So?" The demon general beside him asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Just stop when you've had enough!" Black Horn said. "Our mission is to test him, not to kill him. After all, he's a highly valuable alchemist from the General Pill Hall. If something goes wrong, we'll be the ones taking the blame."

"yes!"

The demon generals immediately nodded and clasped their fists in greeting.

After Blackhorn puffed on six sticks of spiritual smoke in one go, he yawned and said, "It's about time. Let's get started!"

"Note: Stop here!"