Chapter 149: Moyun Cave

In Yuan Wuji’s perception, two groups of cultivators with similar auras had gathered together. Judging by their current demeanor, they appeared to be old friends.

"Brother Fire Tiger, it has been many years. You are as formidable as ever."

"Brother Python, you are much the same."

"By the look of it, Brother Python, you are taking the younger generation out to see the world."

"The martial arts tournament for a husband hosted at Thunder Accumulation Mountain has spread far and wide across the demon realm. Has not Brother Python also brought a flock of youngsters? Hahaha!"

Most of the groups shared a similar situation, with their juniors trailing closely behind. Knowing full well that they stood no chance of becoming the dark horse of the tournament, they figured it was better to bring the younger generation out to broaden their horizons and let them witness the vastness of the outside world. At the very least, it would ensure the journey was not made in vain.

Of course, groups with deep-seated feuds also crossed paths, inevitably triggering chaotic brawls. Nearby factions would hastily steer clear, terrified of being sucked into the fray and suffering unprovoked disaster.

After casually sensing the surrounding activity, Yuan Wuji withdrew his attention from them. Such minor parties failed to arouse the slightest bit of interest in him; the highest cultivation level among those groups barely reached the Celestial Immortal realm. So far, Yuan Wuji had not laid eyes on a single Demon King, encountering merely a bunch of small fries instead.

"When the time comes, will your Thunder Accumulation Mountain even have enough space to hold all these demons?" Yuan Wuji mused aloud, eyeing the surroundings.

"Great King, rest assured. For such groups, Thunder Accumulation Mountain has made designated arrangements. It will definitely not interfere with the Great King's participation in the tournament," Fox Three replied with absolute certainty. One could tell that Fox Three held total confidence in the preparations made by Thunder Accumulation Mountain.

Seeing Fox Three so confident, Yuan Wuji said nothing more and continued flying toward Thunder Accumulation Mountain, with Fox Three trailing closely behind him.

However, the closer they drew to Thunder Accumulation Mountain, the more frequent the skirmishes became, and the cultivation levels of the leaders of many groups far surpassed those they had encountered earlier.

Those arriving alone were mostly at the Demon King level, though a few formidable demons at the Celestial Immortal realm could not be ruled out.

Upon finally catching sight of Thunder Accumulation Mountain in all its glory, Yuan Wuji realized he had underestimated it. Thunder Accumulation Mountain was a full two to three times larger than the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, and its spiritual energy was noticeably more abundant. The demon soldiers patrolling the perimeter of Thunder Accumulation Mountain possessed considerable cultivation bases, and the weapons wielded by the patrol leaders were actually of magical treasure grade.

Perhaps owing to the upcoming martial arts tournament hosted by Thunder Accumulation Mountain, King Thousand-Ages Fox had specifically deployed formidable demon soldiers for patrol duty. Yet, the sheer number of powerful demon soldiers stationed at Thunder Accumulation Mountain alone was enough to reveal the profound heritage of the place.

"Great King, let us head over as well! There will be designated demon soldiers there to escort us up the mountain," Fox Three said, pointing toward a specific location on Thunder Accumulation Mountain.

It was extremely concealed; without deliberate observation, one would never notice that a troop of demon soldiers was stationed there, with even the lowest-ranking among them having already cultivated the earthly flower.

"Third Chieftain."

As Yuan Wuji and Fox Three arrived, a group of demon soldiers immediately bowed and greeted Fox Three upon seeing him.

However, Fox Three was well aware that he was currently appearing under the identity of Fire Cloud Cave. Hearing them address him as Third Chieftain, Fox Three hurriedly motioned for them to silence themselves while instructing them to lead Yuan Wuji and himself to Cloud-Moiling Cave.

"It is right ahead."

Yuan Wuji could sense no less than ten dangerous auras emanating from Cloud-Moiling Cave up the mountain. In terms of realm, they had at least reached the Great Circle of their stage.

"Please present your invitation."

The moment they reached the entrance of Cloud-Moiling Cave, an independent detachment of demon soldiers stepped forward to greet them, while the soldiers who had guided them up the mountain turned back toward the lower slopes.

The demon soldier welcoming Yuan Wuji possessed the cultivation of a Celestial Immortal—enough to serve as an ancestral patriarch in some minor factions.

Hearing the demon soldier's demand, Yuan Wuji did not immediately produce the invitation. In his view, since Fox Three was the Third Chieftain of Thunder Accumulation Mountain, what need was there to present an invitation?

"Third Chieftain, under normal circumstances, this subordinate would naturally let you pass. But today is different. The martial arts tournament here has been personally arranged by the Great King himself, and no mistakes are permitted. Without an invitation, please descend the mountain—even if you are a guest invited by the Third Chieftain, the rule still stands," the demon soldier said, neither servile nor overbearing, showing not a trace of deference toward a master.

"We naturally have one." Seeing Fox Three's expression turn somewhat anxious, Yuan Wuji retrieved the invitation from his Mysterious Spirit Ring. However, Yuan Wuji's expression had turned visibly ominous, though the demon soldier failed to notice it in time.

"God Ape King? So it is Go—"

Before the demon soldier could finish his sentence, he was met with Yuan Wuji's fierce palm strike, which shattered his right arm in a single blow.

"One more thing: I despise mere demon soldiers presuming to act audaciously in my presence. Normally, I would choose to squash one to death, but today I am a guest, so I shall spare your life," Yuan Wuji said unhurriedly.

By now, the commotion had drawn all the demon soldiers of Cloud-Moiling Cave to the scene. With a somewhat grim expression, Fox Three stepped forward and shouted:

"Let me see who dares to act presumptuously!"

At the same time, he produced a token. The presence of this token indeed deterred the demon soldiers from advancing another step, though they did not retreat either.

"Quickly capture them! Do not forget the Great King's orders!"

The fallen demon soldier shrieked at the top of his lungs, a move that only intensified Yuan Wuji's irritation, prompting him to prepare to stamp the fellow to death once and for all.

Seeing Yuan Wuji's action, Fox Three panicked slightly, and the crowd of demon soldiers poised themselves to strike at any moment, waiting only to see whether Yuan Wuji would truly crush the man.

"Great King, wait!"

"There is nothing to wait for."

Yuan Wuji had not the slightest intention of holding back. Without a strong display of dominance right off the bat, others would never learn that he was not someone to be trifled with.

The oppressive momentum gathering on Yuan Wuji's foot filled the demon soldier with utter despair. At this point, no amount of shouting could salvage his fate.

"Stop!"

A figure flashed forward, intercepting Yuan Wuji's blow on behalf of the fallen demon soldier, though the impact sent him flying dozens of miles away.

"Eagle King, save me!"

Seeing someone step in to block Yuan Wuji's kick, the demon soldier instantly recognized the figure. It was none ofed other than his close friend, the Eagle King. The sudden appearance of the Eagle King rekindled a glimmer of hope within the demon soldier's despairing eyes.

The Eagle King was also at the Loose Immortal realm of the Taiyi tier. The demon soldier believed that while the Eagle King might not match Yuan Wuji in raw power, he could certainly stall Yuan Wuji for a while. Once a little time had passed, someone inside Cloud-Moiling Cave would surely notice the disturbance outside. By the time King Thousand-Ages Fox emerged, he was convinced Yuan Wuji would reap a bitter harvest.

"You think you can survive?"

Yuan Wuji shattered the demon soldier's delusional hopes instantly. Instead of engaging the Eagle King in a protracted battle, Yuan Wuji opted to snuff out the soldier's life directly.

"Eagle King!" the demon soldier wailed, crying out for rescue.

*Whoosh.*

"Wind attribute?"

The Eagle King practiced the wind attribute, a mutated variation of the wood element within the Five Elements. Yuan Wuji had encountered quite a few Taiyi Loose Immortals who practiced the wind attribute, and their startling speed was indeed difficult to guard against.