Chapter 157: Flood Dragon King?

Mount Thunderous Accumulation has always been a gathering place for fox demons, making survival impossible for humans. The Aged Thousand-Year Fox King only took the three fox maidens in because of the fox bloodline flowing through them; had they been mere mortals, the Fox King would not even have deigned to lift a finger for them.

However, life for the eldest sister and the others upon arriving at Mount Thunderous Accumulation was not entirely carefree. The fox maidens residing on the mountain possessed pure, untainted bloodlines, whereas the newly arrived sisters were still half-human and carried the lingering aura of mortals.

This made it exceedingly difficult for them to integrate into the mountain's society. On numerous occasions, the ferocious spirits and demons inhabiting Mount Thunderous Accumulation sought to devour them.

While the pure-blooded fox maidens of Mount Thunderous Accumulation were granted opportunities to roam the outside world every few months, the eldest sister and her siblings were denied such privileges. Confined strictly to the mountain, they remained untempted by the outside world, preserving their absolute purity down to the present day.

Initially, Yuan Wuji had assumed their bodies had already been defiled, intending merely to let them vent their frustrations by biting him. Upon discovering the truth, however, Yuan Wuji was slightly surprised, yet he refrained from claiming them.

"This is truly comfortable."

The second sister was already tending to Yuan Wuji, while the eldest and third sisters attended to him elsewhere. Yuan Wuji turned none of them away, indulging freely in the intimate ministrations of the fox maidens.

Perhaps the commotion from Yuan Wuji's side was too loud, as Hu Baisheng’s tightly shut eyes flickered slightly, though he quickly forced himself to calm down.

Guessing what was transpiring, he prudently kept his eyes clamped shut. As for the Macaque King, he was entirely absorbed in refining the Blood Spirit Pill and remained completely oblivious to the improper scene unfolding nearby.

By now, the garments of the fox maidens had slipped away, leaving only scraps of fabric to preserve their modesty. If any demon within the cavern were to open their eyes, they would undoubtedly be greeted by a vivid, living tableau of earthly desires.

Though Yuan Wuji had not taken them completely, his hands kept moving restlessly, leaving the fox maidens shivering in exquisite agitation. The occasional soft gasp escaping their lips drove Hu Baisheng to the brink of madness. Having no other choice, Hu Baisheng sealed his own sense of hearing to escape the "torture" he was never meant to endure.

"Who are you?"

A voice rang out from outside the cavern. It belonged to Fox San, who had departed earlier. Upon returning to the palace and encountering the Macaque King standing guard outside the entrance, he could not help shouting out.

Noticing Fox San's return and sensing that the Macaque King was about to awaken, the fox maidens hastily adjusted their attire, restoring their modest appearance before respectfully stepping behind Yuan Wuji.

Yuan Wuji re-robed as well, casually prodding Hu Baisheng awake with his foot.

The Macaque King, deep in the process of refining his Blood Spirit Pill, was jolted awake by Fox San's thunderous shout, causing a portion of the pill's unrefined spiritual energy to dissipate within his body.

When the Macaque King opened his eyes and realized that the disturbance had been caused by nothing more than an aging, low-cultivation fox, an overwhelming surge of rage consumed him.

Had he been disturbed by a peerless demon king of profound cultivation, the Macaque King would not have felt such indignation. But to be interrupted by a weak, insignificant old fox was enough to make his blood boil.

"You old fox, how dare you act so insolent here!"

An oppressive aura began to emanate from the Macaque King, who intended to annihilate the eyesore standing before him. Sensing the dangerous shift in the Macaque King's demeanor, Fox San raised his voice in protest:

"What manner of demon king are you, daring to throw your weight around on the Divine Ape King's mountain!"

Invoking Yuan Wuji’s name served a dual purpose for Fox San: it established his own identity and attempted to lure Yuan Wuji out of the palace, for he knew all too well that he was no match for the Macaque King.

"Who on earth are you?"

Hearing Fox San's declaration, the Macaque King halted his advance and glared at him with suspicious scrutiny.

"There is no need to ask. He is Fox San, the Third Master of Mount Thunderous Accumulation."

Yuan Wuji emerged from the depths of the palace, answering the Macaque King's inquiry. He intentionally omitted any mention of his personal relationship with Fox San, defining him strictly by his official status as the Third Master of the mountain.

Fox San's behavior had grown increasingly erratic ever since his arrival at Mount Thunderous Accumulation, a development that came as no surprise to Yuan Wuji. He saw no reason to probe further; after all, Mount Thunderous Accumulation was Fox San's true home, and Yuan Wuji had never truly regarded him as a subordinate.

"So you are the Third Master of Mount Thunderous Accumulation. I have heard of you for the longest time."

Hu Baisheng had been trailing closely behind Yuan Wuji. Upon hearing Yuan Wuji address Fox San thus, Hu Baisheng cupped his fists in a gesture of superficial respect—not out of genuine deference to Fox San's strength, but merely for the sake of appearances, a polite fiction understood by every demon present.

"Long, long heard of."

Upon learning Fox San's true identity, the Macaque King reined in his hostility and withdrew his aura. However, because Fox San had ruined a portion of his Blood Spirit Pill's essence, the Macaque King remained distinctly cold toward him.

This attitude was also tied to Fox San's meager cultivation. Had Fox San possessed the cultivation of a Taiyi Loose Immortal, coupled with his status as the Third Master of Mount Thunderous Accumulation, the Macaque King's reception would have been vastly different.

"Great King, these individuals are..."

Fox San naturally caught the underlying nuance in Yuan Wuji's words, yet he maintained his composure, slipping effortlessly back into the subservient guise of a retainer as he sought clarification from Yuan Wuji.

"You may ask them yourself."

Offering no further explanation, Yuan Wuji displayed a total lack of interest, turned on his heel, and retreated back into the palace, leaving the trio of Hu Baisheng, the Macaque King, and Fox San to sort matters out among themselves.

"I perceive that both of you possess extraordinary bearing. Might I ask your esteemed names?"

"To be frank, I hold no special status. I am merely a humble servant to my Great King," Hu Baisheng replied with absolute candor.

"And might I ask which Great King you serve?"

"Hm?" Hu Baisheng furrowed his brow in irritation. He suspected Fox San was playing games with him; after all, Yuan Wuji had been standing right before him mere moments ago—how could he possibly ask whose subordinate he was?

*Is this old fox deliberately trying to make a fool of me?*

"Brother Hu, I suspect this old fox is nothing more than a troublemaker looking for a fight. The Divine Ape King was standing right in front of him, yet he asks such a ridiculous question?"

It was the Macaque King who chimed in. Already displeased with Fox San, he seized the opportunity to fan the flames. Even without the Macaque King's interjection, Hu Baisheng's expression had already darkened ominously.

"So the two of you are also subordinates of the Divine Ape King? What a wonderful coincidence! I am as well."

Hearing the Macaque King's remark, Fox San finally pieced the situation together and hurriedly tried to intercept Hu Baisheng before a severe misunderstanding took root.

"You are the Third Master of Mount Thunderous Accumulation, yet you claim to be a subordinate of our Great King? Surely you take us for fools!"

From Hu Baisheng's perspective, Fox San was blatantly insulting his intelligence. His patience wearing thin, he glared at the fox with growing hostility. Flanked by the menacing presence of the Macaque King, Fox San broke out in a cold sweat.

"Gentlemen, please, there is no need for this. I truly am—"

"Even if you are the Third Master of Mount Thunderous Accumulation, you should know when to quit! If you have no pressing business here, I suggest you take your leave. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind showing you the door myself."

Hu Baisheng cut Fox San off mid-sentence, steadily increasing the pressure of his spiritual aura upon him. Unable to withstand the oppressive might of a true demon king, Fox San was forced backward, step by agonizing step.

Seeing that Yuan Wuji had no intention of emerging from the palace to intervene, and finding Hu Baisheng's overwhelming coercion unbearable, Fox San had no choice but to turn and retreat.

With Fox San gone, Hu Baisheng turned and strode back into the palace. The Macaque King, however, was left outside; attempting to follow them inside, he was instantly repelled by an invisible barrier and thrown back out onto the terrace, forced to nurse his grievances in the open air.

"Did Fox San not come inside?" Yuan Wuji asked, raising an eyebrow as Hu Baisheng re-entered the hall.

"He left."

"Oh? Did he leave no message?"

"Your subordinate asked him, but he said nothing of consequence."

Hu Baisheng recounted the entire sequence of events to Yuan Wuji in meticulous detail, a flicker of residual anger crossing his features whenever he recalled Fox San's insolent behavior.

"For Fox San to appear at a time like this... the martial arts tournament for a bride must be about to begin."

Yuan Wuji gave the departed fox little thought. Ever since Fox San had returned to Mount Thunderous Accumulation, he had rarely kept company with Yuan Wuji. For him to suddenly seek him out now, Yuan Wuji could deduce only one possible reason: the impending bride-selection tournament.

"Great King, I've heard that the beauty of Princess Jade-Face rivals that of Chang'e in the heavenly court. I wonder if it's true? When the time comes, I must catch a proper glimpse of her face."

The moment Yuan Wuji mentioned the tournament, Hu Baisheng banished Fox San from his mind entirely, wearing an expression of such lovelorn infatuation that even Yuan Wuji felt a sudden urge to mock him.

"You will have ample opportunity when the time comes."

"No, no, no, Great King! I hear there is a series of trials one must pass; without clearing them, there is no chance even to lay eyes on Princess Jade-Face. Besides, the Second Great King's purpose for this journey is also Princess Jade-Face, not just myself."

"Trials? What trials?"

"Unclear."

Hu Baisheng shook his head. They had picked up numerous rumors along the road, and since their primary objective on this journey was Princess Jade-Face anyway, they had naturally paid close attention to any news concerning Mount Thunderous Accumulation, acquiring quite a bit of intelligence in the process.

"However, rumor has it that any demon king who successfully clears the trials will receive a generous bestowal from Mount Thunderous Accumulation."

"And just where did you hear this piece of news?"

Hu Baisheng flashed an ingratiating smile and explained the lengths to which they had gone during their journey to the mountain, admitting that these juicy tidbits of insider information had not come cheap—the two of them had actually paid a considerable price to acquire gossip about the bride-selection tournament.

"Weren't you afraid it might be false?"

"It wasn't just us; many other demon kings are saying the same. Whoever is behind this wouldn't dare make an enemy of so many powerful demons at once."

That reasoning held water. A great multitude of demon kings were converging for the tournament; to deceive such a vast assembly would mean losing all standing in the demon realm forever.

"Furthermore, Great King, on our way to Mount Thunderous Accumulation, we spotted the Flood Demon King."

"The Flood Demon King has come as well?"

"Indeed. When the Second Great King and I were traveling together, we ran right into a massive battle, and the Flood Demon King was at the center of it. His strength is truly terrifying—not a single soul was left alive in his wake."

"Did he not notice the two of you?"

"The moment we drew near, we were locked onto by his divine sense, so we didn't dare attempt to flee. Fortunately, thanks to the Second Great King's standing, we didn't have to worry about our lives, and we even stepped forward to lend him assistance."

"Yet by the time we reached the battlefield, the Flood Demon King had already slaughtered everyone. The Second Great King exchanged a few polite pleasantries with him before we parted ways with the Flood Demon King, and it was then that we learned he, too, had come to participate in the tournament here on Mount Thunderous Accumulation."

"What's more, among the demons who crossed paths with the Flood Demon King, there were no fewer than three established demon kings—and every single one of them perished at his hands." By the end of his account, Hu Baisheng's expression had turned grave and solemn.