Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

After the demons dispersed, Chen Yuan returned to his cave and summoned Zhang Yanwei and the other three.

Three months ago, Guan He and Huan Yu found a mountain range about 300,000 li away from Beiming Island.

This mountain range has no spiritual veins, no cultivation resources, and very few demonic beasts. It is desolate and secluded, making it perfect for human cultivators to hide their tracks.

After Chen Yuan returned to Beiming Island, Guan He led the human cultivators to settle there.

Their continued presence on Beiming Island made them vulnerable to being exposed, and Chen Yuan couldn't explain where they had captured so many slaves.

Zhang Yanwei continued to cultivate on the island, and Chen Yuan only said that he bought it from another demon general, so the demon generals on the island did not suspect anything.

Chen Yuan told the four that the Thunder Mountain Demon King had challenged the Wood-Eating Demon King, and instructed them to stay on Beiming Island and act cautiously.

All four of them showed strange expressions. Chen Yuan knew what they were thinking and said, "If something happens to me, I will remove the Fire Lotus Mark from your bodies first."

"At that time, you can inform the other human cultivators on the island of my identity and leave North Sea Island."

Zhang Yanwei's expression changed slightly: "Master's abilities are extraordinary, how could he be injured by the demon general of the Corrosion Cave..."

Yun Jinyue and the other two chimed in, while Chen Yuan said calmly, "Ordinary demon generals naturally cannot harm me, but nothing in this world is perfect."

"Even if my life is not in danger, my identity may still be exposed. You must prepare early and not be careless."

The four agreed, but Zhang Yanwei looked worried. He didn't know that the war between the two demon kings was instigated by Chen Yuan. He was only worried about his master's safety.

Chen Yuan waved away Yun Jinyue and the other two, leaving only Zhang Yanwei. He raised his right palm and a wisp of Zhu Yan True Fire rose up, slowly drifting into his body.

Zhang Yanwei instinctively dodged backward, but then stopped and watched as the wisp of slightly illusory white spiritual fire entered his body, transforming into a fire lotus mark that slowly rotated within his soul space.

A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes as he asked, "Master, what is this...?"

Chen Yuan said, "If this fire lotus mark dissipates, you should immediately leave Beiming Island and escape on your own."

"In critical moments, you can also use your mind to drive this fire lotus mark to attack the enemy. Those below the late Nascent Soul stage should be no match for it."

"However, activating this fire lotus mark requires the consumption of divine soul power."

"With your current spiritual power, one strike will consume ninety percent of it, after which you will lose the ability to fight again. You must use it with caution."

Zhang Yanwei showed no joy, but rather a deeper worry. He bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing this treasure. I will remember it. Master, please be careful and return safely."

……

The next day, Chen Yuan left Beiming Island and flew towards Leishan Cave.

A month later, he arrived at the Leishan Mountains and first visited the Heavenly Hou Demon General.

The Heavenly Hou Demon General was quite surprised to see Chen Yuan visit: "Fellow Daoist Beiming, why are you here instead of gathering your demon generals in your residence to prepare for battle?"

Chen Yuan said solemnly, "For the past two years, I have been in seclusion in my cave, cultivating my skills."

"I was greatly surprised to learn from the King's decree that two demon generals had died from the poison of the wood-corroding demon. The King has already sent a challenge to the wood-corroding demon king."

"I was able to establish my own government and govern a region because of the King's favor. Now that this important matter has come to pass, how could I not be willing to die for the King?"

"I, Kun, wish to volunteer to be Your Majesty's vanguard, leading my demon beasts to storm the Corroded Wood Cave, slay demons, and seize territory to repay Your Majesty's kindness." "However, I, Kun, do not know Your Majesty's specific plans for this battle, and dare not speak rashly."

"Fellow Daoist Tianhou enjoys the King's deep trust and should have some understanding of this matter, which is why I have come to ask for your guidance."

"If it is convenient, I would also like to ask you, fellow Daoist, to try to secure this vanguard position for me before the King."

A hint of surprise flashed in Tianhou Demon General's eyes. He shook his head and chuckled, "Your Majesty was right after all. Fellow Daoist is loyal to Your Majesty. Your Majesty will surely be very pleased to know this."

"But once the great war begins, the Wood-Eating Demon King will definitely mobilize troops and stockpile heavy forces at the border. At that time, demon generals will gather, but no vanguard position will be set up separately."

Chen Yuan paused for a moment, then gave a self-deprecating laugh: "I am ignorant and have made you laugh, fellow Daoist."

Tianhou Demon General laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist comes from the Holy Clan. The entire Kunyu Holy Domain is a noble territory. Fellow Daoist has not experienced the Demon King War, so naturally you do not know the inside story."

Chen Yuan clasped his hands and bowed: "Although I once joined Iron Wing Demon General in declaring war on Underworld Demon General, he surrendered without a fight. I have never experienced such a great battle before. Please enlighten me, fellow Daoist."

Tianhou Demon General said, "Fellow Daoist must know that, according to the rules, Demon Kings cannot arbitrarily slaughter Demon Generals and Demon Commanders, and Demon Generals cannot arbitrarily slaughter Demon Commanders and low-level demon beasts."

"Since we have to issue a challenge in advance, we can't launch a sneak attack. We can only fight head-on. Many schemes are useless. In the end, we still have to compete in strength."

Chen Yuan nodded in agreement. The demon race's greatest enemy is the human race in the spirit realm, so naturally they will not allow their strength to be needlessly wasted in internal strife. They strictly prohibit bullying the weak and will not allow war without a declaration of war.

However, the demon race is, after all, a race that values ​​strength and believes in the survival of the fittest, and they will not blindly protect the weak.

When two demon generals fight, if one of them dies and his or her demon beasts refuse to surrender and put up a stubborn resistance, they can be slaughtered at will.

The Heavenly Hou Demon General said, "Therefore, after the war begins, both sides will definitely amassed heavy troops on the border to defend against the enemy outside their territories."

"The Great King and the Wood-Eating Demon King are of equal cultivation. Although the Great King's Thunder Dao Divine Power restrains the Wood-Eating Demon King, the Wood-Eating Demon King's demonic power is extremely profound, and it is not easy to distinguish who is stronger."

"Therefore, the outcome of this battle will largely depend on which of the two demon generals has the upper hand..."

Although the Thunder Mountain Demon King had said not long ago that defeating the Wood Erosion Demon King would not be difficult for him, the Heavenly Hou Demon Commander knew very well that this was a derogatory remark he made to the Wood Erosion Demon King in a fit of rage.

If the Wood-Eating Demon King had truly been easily defeated by the Thunder Mountain Demon King, the two wouldn't have formed such a deep enmity.

The two had fought several times in the past. Thunder Mountain Demon King had a slight advantage due to the powerful Thunder Dao Divine Power and his restraint on Wood Erosion Demon King, but in general, the two were evenly matched.

The Heavenly Hou Demon General's mind raced, but he continued, "In this battle, my Thunder Mountain Cave will be led by Fellow Daoist Xiang Qing. He is meticulous and reliable in his actions, has followed the King the longest, enjoys the King's deep trust, and is renowned for his prestige."

"When I have time in the future, I may introduce you to me."

"The Corroded Wood Cave should be under the command of the Heavenly Net Demon General. This person's true form is a Heavenly Net Spider, who is cunning and extremely difficult to deal with."

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed, and he said, "In that case, this battle will be difficult to determine a winner in the short term and will continue for some time?"

The Heavenly Hou Demon General nodded: "That's right. Based on past experience, the two armies will converge on the million-mile border between the two cave dwellings and confront each other head-on."

"The King will not appoint a vanguard position alone, but Fellow Daoist Xiangqing is meticulous in his actions. After the battle begins, he will have several demon generals join forces and lead elite demon generals into the Corroded Wood Cave to spy on the deployment of its demon beast army."

"I have already volunteered for this task. If you are interested, I can speak to the King on my behalf. What do you say?"

Chen Yuan's face lit up with joy, and he clasped his hands in a bow: "I have come here only to serve Your Majesty. I am grateful for your service, fellow Daoist." (End of this chapter)