Langlang Mountain's latest recruitment drive gathered nearly fifty demons, including Xu Chang'an and the Black Bear Demon.
All of them were Little Demons at the Qi Refining First Layer.
Most Demons who had cultivated to the second layer of Qi Refining would choose a more powerful mountain territory.
Or, they would establish their own territory and become an Independent Cultivator Demon.
"Alright! From now on, you all belong to Langlang Mountain's ranks. Now, follow us and return to Langlang Mountain!"
Jin Dashan bellowed to the assembled demons, then led them away.
Jin Dashan was the demon in charge of this recruitment drive. Accompanying him from Langlang Mountain were four Mid-stage Qi Refining Demons and two Early-stage Qi Refining Demons.
It was clear that Langlang Mountain placed great importance on these new recruits.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have sent four Mid-stage Qi Refining Demons in addition to a Late-stage one.
'As for the two Early-stage Qi Refining Demons, they must be here to broaden their horizons and gain some experience.'
Langlang Mountain was over four thousand li from Red Cloud Mountain.
However, the demons traveled at full speed, and despite the complex mountain paths, they arrived at Langlang Mountain in a little over ten days.
If they hadn't needed to slow down for the new Little Demons, who had to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to restore their stamina, the journey could have been even faster.
"We're here! That's Langlang Mountain up ahead."
Hearing this, the demons looked up.
The mountain before them rose majestically, a landscape of verdant hills and clear waters. Its lush forests shimmered in the sunlight.
It possessed a unique charm.
Xu Chang'an's first impression of Langlang Mountain was very good.
"Langlang Mountain has Spirit Fields, Spirit Gardens, and Spiritual Springs, as well as various cave abodes and halls, each with its own purpose. You'll see for yourselves once we get up the mountain."
Perhaps because they were nearing Langlang Mountain, Jin Dashan's face was also wreathed in smiles.
After more than ten days of arduous travel, the demons were quite exhausted.
Although the Demon Race was physically robust, most of those present had only recently become demons. With their ordinary aptitude, they naturally couldn't withstand such a long journey.
Now, however, their faces were filled with excitement.
Langlang Mountain was far beyond their expectations.
It made sense. After all, Langlang Mountain was presided over by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon!
It was naturally beyond comparison to any ordinary mountain.
A gentle, refreshing breeze brushed against their faces.
Xu Chang'an felt the coolness in the air, a sense of ease washing over him.
The concentration of Spiritual Qi here was quite high, far surpassing that of his former home, Cyan Mountain.
'In such a beautiful place, there should be plenty of Spiritual Items and medicinal herbs.'
'In that case...'
'We were in such a rush for the past ten-odd days that I found very few medicinal herbs along the way. My panel's Energy Points are still at 3.'
'But by my calculations, I should be close to 4.'
"Halt."
Two demons suddenly emerged from a nearby thicket.
They were two Wild Boar Demons, each holding a Steel Fork.
They were quite burly, with porcine faces and sharp tusks—a rather intimidating sight.
'It's just their Cultivation...'
'Qi Refining First Layer.'
'The Demon Path is an arduous one. How could there be so many high-Cultivation Demons guarding a single mountain pass? It's the same for both the Human Race and the Demon Race!'
'This is just one of Langlang Mountain's many passes; of course there wouldn't be too many Demons posted here.'
'Their main purpose is to stand guard and scout.'
"It's me,"
Jin Dashan said in a deep voice.
"Greetings, Elder."
the two Wild Boar Demons said, bowing repeatedly.
The group of demons proceeded up the mountain without further obstruction.
From time to time, they would pass patrolling Little Demons, who would all bow upon seeing Jin Dashan.
Many of the accompanying demons looked all around, their curiosity piqued by everything they saw.
This was the mountain where they would be cultivating from now on.
Halfway up the mountain, there was an expansive clearing.
At this moment, both sides of the clearing were lined with Little Demons holding Steel Fork Wolf Fang Clubs. They certainly looked the part.
SWOOSH! SWOOSH! SWOOSH!
The sound of several figures cutting through the air rang out in succession.
Five or six demons appeared in the clearing.
The cultivation auras they exuded were all at the Late-stage of Qi Refining.
"Dashan, a fine haul!"
The one in the lead was a demon who had once been a white pigeon.
However, he was a good two sizes larger than Jin Dashan.
"Third Elder!"
The Mid-stage and Early-stage Qi Refining Demons beside Jin Dashan bowed respectfully.
"Third Elder, we have recruited a total of forty-eight Little Demons this time, all at the Qi Refining First Layer."
"Good. Very good."
The Third Elder laughed heartily, clearly in high spirits.
"So these are them!"
A sharp glint in his pigeon-like eyes, the Third Elder's gaze swept across the crowd.
The Little Demons present felt their breath catch in their throats, crushed by the immense pressure of his aura.
Many of the Little Demons immediately broke out in a cold sweat.
Xu Chang'an was inwardly calm as still water, but the inherent timidity of a Mouse Demon still caused his back to be drenched in a cold sweat.
'My will is strong enough to keep my body calm, but that would make me stand out for no good reason. Better to just go along with my instincts.'
The Third Elder didn't look for long before shifting his gaze. The pressure on the demons immediately vanished.
"Dashan, you've worked hard. Go and rest well. I already had the Sixth Elder take care of your Merit Points for you before I came over."
"Thank you, Third Elder. The journey was smooth; it was no trouble at all."
Jin Dashan said, bowing his head slightly in thanks.
Just then, a clear, melodious voice rang out.
"Uncle Dashan, you're back!"
The demons looked up to see a Canary descending from the sky.
As soon as it landed, the Canary underwent an Illusory Transformation, taking the form of a human woman.
She had a gentle, graceful air and a stunningly beautiful face.
Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing a face with bright eyes and pearly teeth. Her long dress gave her an ethereal, fairy-like appearance.
"Young Miss, what brings you here?"
Jin Dashan said with a fond smile.
The Third Elder and the several demons beside him also greeted her in turn.
"Young Miss."
"Greetings, Young Miss."
"..."
"I heard Uncle Dashan was back, so I came to have a look.
So these are the new Little Demons."
Jin Ling'er's beautiful eyes curiously sized up the crowd of demons before her.
Many of the Little Demons looked slightly dazed; they had never seen a member of the Demon Race with such a refined aura.
Most demons couldn't appreciate the subtleties of human beauty, but her aura was something universally understood.
Xu Chang'an glanced at Jin Ling'er, feeling a sense of delight.
'Come to think of it, this is the first time I've seen a human form in months.'
'Even if it's just from an Illusory Transformation.'
Involuntarily, Xu Chang'an found himself looking at Jin Ling'er a few more times.
'She's mastered the Magic of Illusory Transformation while still in the Qi Refining Stage. This Canary's Bloodline aptitude must be incredible!'
The Third Elder had intended to offer a few words of encouragement to the new recruits, but Jin Ling'er's arrival made him abandon the idea.
"Steel Fang, get them settled."
After giving this order to a Wolf Demon beside him, the Third Elder departed with Jin Ling'er.
"Now that you're at Langlang Mountain, you are part of its ranks.
Cultivate here in peace."
With these parting words, Jin Dashan also left.
"Follow me."
Steel Fang said to the demons, then turned and led the way.
'Although Steel Fang is a Wolf Demon, he seems different from an ordinary Wild Wolf Demon.'
The giant fang that took up half his head was overwhelmingly oppressive.
'No wonder they call him Steel Fang.'
Xu Chang'an thought to himself.
As Steel Fang led the Little Demons, he began to explain the general situation on Langlang Mountain.