Chapter 39: Concealment Is Futile!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Above the Yellow Wind Ridge, a series of muffled explosions thundered across the sky like lightning striking flat ground, drawing the gathered demons of the Ridge to watch.

"What kind of sacred being is that human youth? To think he can fight Second Master Jin to a draw with just a spear!"

"A draw? Since a moment ago, that human has been suppressing Second Master Jin. If this continues, Second Master Jin won't be able to hold on much longer!"

"Since when did humanity produce such a young genius?"

"I heard that at the Blue Sky Assembly of the League of Taoist Practitioners ten years ago, a dozen geniuses capable of deciphering the League's secret scrolls emerged all at once. It seems we really cannot underestimate these humans anymore..."

"No wonder Tushan Honghong, the Queen of Fox Demons, is advocating for the formation of a Demon League. If the humans are allowed to develop like this, their influence will eventually surpass any of the four great demon kingdoms!"

...

The discussions among the demons below were of no concern to Yang Qingyuan above, nor did he have the inclination to listen. At this moment, his entire focus was poured into the battle with Jin Linglin.

Yang Qingyuan was cloaked in lightning, wielding his three-pointed, double-edged spear. Surrounded by a sea of cascading thunder and lightning, he moved with increasing ferocity, appearing like a deity commanding the storm.

Below him, Jin Linglin looked noticeably disheveled. His golden scales were charred black, and his body was covered in various wounds inflicted by the strikes of Yang Qingyuan’s spear.

"Thrilling! Truly thrilling! Ever since I achieved some minor success in my cultivation, you are the first demon to make me fight this enjoyably! You must still have some trump cards up your sleeve, right? There is no point in holding back—you might as well use them now!"

Seeing the spirited Yang Qingyuan before him, Jin Linglin could no longer suppress his burning rage.

Hiss!

His serpent head, massive as a mountain, let out a deafening roar. In the next instant, a gargantuan tornado engulfed both human and demon.

"This is..."

Yang Qingyuan frowned. He realized that within the tornado, his connection to the spiritual energy of the surrounding world had been severed.

"So that is your unique technique, is it?"

Jin Linglin did not speak. His only response was a gaping, bloodthirsty maw that lunged from the demonic winds.

"This ability is indeed unique, but unfortunately, my combat prowess does not depend on the outside world."

As he spoke, Yang Qingyuan swung his spear once more. Instead of dodging, he charged headlong toward the hideous snake head.

Clang!

Following a sound of metal striking metal that echoed across the entire Yellow Wind Ridge, Jin Linglin’s massive body was sent flying out of the demonic wind.

Bang!

At the same time, a giant serpent tooth dropped not far from Tushan Yaya.

"That's the Golden Serpent's tooth? This human kid actually defeated him just like that?"

Tushan Yaya felt a flicker of surprise and couldn't help but mutter to herself.

"Don't think you demons can do whatever you want just because you have the four great Demon Emperors. Let me tell you, times have changed. Humanity is gradually standing tall!"

Wang Quanzui’s eyes sparkled with excitement. While applauding Yang Qingyuan, she did not forget to give Tushan Yaya a triumphant, challenging look.

"Hmph! He only defeated that dim-witted snake; what’s there to be proud of? My sister could beat him with one hand!"

Tushan Yaya retorted unyieldingly. She ignored Wang Quanzui thereafter and flew over to stand before Yang Qingyuan.

"Hey! You stinky human Taoist, you have some skill. What exactly is your business at Yellow Wind Ridge?"

No sooner had Tushan Yaya finished speaking than another demonic wind arrived in an instant.

"Second Brother! Second Brother, are you alright?"

Beside Jin Linglin, a demon appeared from the wind, bearing a resemblance to him but looking significantly more mature.

"Greetings, Great King!"

As soon as the demon appeared, all the gathered demons of Yellow Wind Ridge bowed in unison. He was the local Demon King—Jin Wuwei.

"Mm."

Jin Wuwei nodded. Upon discovering that Jin Linglin was merely knocked unconscious and his life was not in danger, he slowly turned his gaze toward Yang Qingyuan and Tushan Yaya in the sky.

"Greetings, Envoy."

Jin Wuwei first bowed respectfully to Tushan Yaya.

"Mm," Tushan Yaya acknowledged.

Then, Jin Wuwei looked Yang Qingyuan up and down. His second brother’s combat strength was among the best even among the great demon kings of the demon realm. To be blunt, there were very few under the Demon Emperors who could match his brother.

Yet, such a powerful demon had been defeated head-on by a human youth today, even losing a fang. Such terrifying combat power forced Jin Wuwei to take Yang Qingyuan seriously.

"The Yang family's Heavenly Eyes? Are you a disciple of the Heavenly Eye Yang family from the League of Taoist Practitioners?"

"Yes." Yang Qingyuan nodded. While Jin Wuwei assessed him, he was silently assessing the Demon King. "You must be the lord of this place, Jin Wuwei?"

"Indeed."

"I did not come here to fight. I only wish to clarify the truth behind the sandstorms in Yellow Wind City."

"One of my subordinates reported that a human Taoist used lightning to break his wind-control technique but spared his life. That must have been you, right?"

"Correct."

"You are benevolent, so I trust your sincerity. Since the envoy from Tushan is also present, why don't you join me in my cave to discuss this in detail?"

Tushan Yaya frowned. She had only intended to deliver a message and return to Tushan. Now that Yang Qingyuan had suddenly appeared as an unexpected complication, she had no choice but to nod in agreement.

"Very well, lead the way."

"Please!"

Yang Qingyuan nodded and was about to follow Jin Wuwei into the Ridge when Wang Quanzui tugged at his sleeve.

"Qingyuan, are you sure it's safe to just go in like this? What if these demons are secretly plotting a trap?"

It was natural for Wang Quanzui to be wary of the demons. However, Yang Qingyuan understood Tushan Yaya’s character and knew she would never stoop to such tactics. He wasn't particularly worried. Even if the demons of Yellow Wind Ridge attacked all at once, he was confident he could lead Wang Quanzui to safety.

To put her at ease, Yang Qingyuan smiled and patted her shoulder, comforting her softly: "It’s fine. I still have the Thousand-Mile Tracking Talisman that Quzhu gave me. Even if something goes wrong, we can just use it to slip away, can't we?"

"Oh, right! I almost forgot about that. In that case, we're fine. Let's go in."