Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

Chen Yuan waited for three days in the Leishan Mountains before finally being able to pay his respects to the Leishan Demon King.

Still in the grand hall at the foot of Leishan Mountain, Chen Yuan and the Heavenly Hou Demon General traversed the bumpy wasteland. The sky was covered with dark red clouds, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed, carving deep pits into the ground.

Perhaps due to the numerous lightning strikes, the rocks in this wasteland have become extremely hard, absorbing a trace of lightning power, making them in no way inferior to top-grade lightning-attribute spiritual materials.

As the two entered the main hall, the booming thunder subsided considerably.

The Thunder Mountain Demon King sat high on the main seat, his majestic aura spreading out, filling the entire hall with a chilling atmosphere.

Two demon generals were already waiting below the steps. One of them was dressed in a white robe with wide sleeves, a full head of white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a calm expression.

The other man was burly with purple eyebrows and sharp eyes. He turned to look at Chen Yuan, his eyes revealing a scrutinizing look.

Chen Yuan had already learned the appearances of several of the Thunder Mountain Demon King's trusted demon generals from the Heavenly Hou Demon General, and he immediately recognized the two demon generals as Xiang Qing Demon General and You Ji Demon General.

He and the Heavenly Hou Demon General stopped at the steps. The Heavenly Hou Demon General clasped his hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the Northern Darkness Demon General requests an audience."

Chen Yuan bowed deeply and said, "Beiming greets Your Majesty."

The Thunder Mountain Demon King looked at Chen Yuan with a smile: "I heard from the Heavenly Hou that you are eager to serve me and have volunteered to serve as the vanguard?"

Chen Yuan raised his head and said solemnly, "Bei Ming has received great kindness from the King and has no way to repay it but to die for him."

"That Wood-Eating Demon King is too arrogant. He attacked and killed my Thunder Mountain Cave Demon General without cause and provoked the Great King. Bei Ming was deeply angry when he heard about it."

"This battle is not only to avenge the two demon generals who died, but also to uphold the honor of my Thunder Mountain Cave."

"Bei Ming is willing to join forces with Fellow Daoist Tianhou to serve as the vanguard for the King, penetrate deep into the Corroded Wood Cave, and achieve the greatest merit, so as not to fail the King's high expectations!"

The Thunder Mountain Demon King's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation, and he nodded in praise: "Good! I did not hesitate to disobey my own decree to allow you to establish your own residence. I was right to have chosen you."

"You truly deserve to be called a member of the Kunyu Sacred Clan. You are righteous, grateful, and repay kindness. How could I possibly refuse?"

"I have already discussed with Xiang Qing that once the great battle begins, you will be at Xiang Qing's command to infiltrate enemy territory and ascertain the formation of the monster army in the Corroded Wood Cave."

Chen Yuan bowed again: "Bei Ming obeys the order!"

Xiang Qing, the Demon General, showed a calm expression on his aged face. He turned to Chen Yuan and bowed, saying, "Fellow Daoist Bei Ming is exceptionally brave and willing to take on this important task. I thank you in advance."

After pondering for a moment, the Thunder Mountain Demon King said, "This journey is quite dangerous, but you are skilled in spatial magic, so it shouldn't be difficult for you to survive."

"Youji and two other high-ranking demon generals will accompany you. As long as you complete the mission, I will reward you handsomely."

Chen Yuan understood immediately and replied, "Bei Ming will keep Your Majesty's teachings in mind and will never act on his own. He will always put Fellow Daoist Youji first."

The Demon General Youji bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will protect Fellow Daoist Beiming."

These words were quite arrogant, but those in the hall all thought they were perfectly reasonable.

Chen Yuan had already received instructions from the Heavenly Hou Demon General, and knew that the Netherworld Demon General's innate supernatural power, the Netherworld Yin Thunder, was extremely powerful and had the miraculous effect of suppressing and destroying divine souls. He was rarely matched among high-ranking demon generals, possessed the potential of a demon king, and was known for his arrogant and conceited nature.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to the Demon General Youji, and said with a smile, "Then I thank you for your care, Fellow Daoist Youji."

The Demon General Youji nodded slightly, without saying anything more.

After giving them some more instructions, the group left the main hall, but did not disperse. They went together to the cave of the Heavenly Hou Demon General. The Heavenly Hou Demon General had already prepared spirit wine and delicacies and invited the three to take a seat.

He introduced the three of them to each other, and Xiang Qing, the Demon General, stroked his beard and smiled: "I have long heard of Fellow Daoist Bei Ming. My Leishan Cave has never had a Saint Clan Demon General, let alone the famous Kunyu Saint Clan."

"With the help of Fellow Daoist Beiming, we will surely be able to find out the flaws in the Corroded Wood Cave and defeat its demonic beast army in one fell swoop."

"This battle will not be prolonged and will not delay preparations for the great war between the two worlds."

Chen Yuan's heart stirred: "I have heard that in the past, the battles between my Leishan Cave and the Shimu Cave have lasted for quite a while. Could it be that Your Majesty has other plans this time?"

The Heavenly Hou Demon General was also greatly surprised: "Does Your Majesty intend to end this battle quickly?"

The Demon General Youji said calmly, "That's right. The King just informed me and Fellow Daoist Xiangqing that Shimu has many high-ranking demon generals under his command. A prolonged battle would be detrimental and would only weaken the strength of my Thunder Mountain Cave."

"It would be better to find a weakness, concentrate our forces, break their main force, and kill a few high-ranking demon generals."

"If Your Majesty personally takes action to defeat the Corroded Wood, then this battle will be won."

Chen Yuan laughed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. More than six hundred years from now, we will be following Your Majesty to Turtle Island. How can we lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of a small matter?"

"The Wood-Eating Demon King is indeed hateful, but the human race of the Spirit Realm is the greatest enemy of my Burning Demon Realm."

"If we can finish this quickly, we can prepare in advance and kill more Nascent Soul cultivators in the war between the two realms, thus making a contribution."

Xiangqing, the Demon General, raised his wine cup and toasted Chen Yuan: "Fellow Daoist Beiming, you truly deserve to be called the Demon General of the Holy Clan. You have a long-term vision and a great sense of the big picture."

"I am very much looking forward to fighting alongside Fellow Daoist Beiming in the Mountain Moving City and dealing a heavy blow to the six armies of Frost Sword City."

Chen Yuan quickly raised his wine cup in return and drank the spirit wine in it in one gulp.

The Demon General Youji seemed somewhat impatient and said coldly, "The war between the two realms is too far off. The most urgent task is to defeat the Corroded Wood Cave."

"Since His Majesty has permitted Fellow Daoist Beiming to infiltrate enemy territory with us to spy on their military strength, I will naturally protect you. However, you must also obey my orders. Do you have any objections?"

Chen Yuan said solemnly, "I have already assured the King that I will follow Fellow Daoist Youji's lead in everything, how dare I act on my own?"

The Demon General Youji nodded slightly: "Very well. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

With that, he bowed slightly to the three of them, then got up and walked out of the cave.

Upon seeing this, the Heavenly Hou Demon General quickly dispersed the formation and opened the gate.

Chen Yuan wanted to get up to see him off, but was stopped by Xiang Qing, the Demon General.

After Demon General Youji left, Demon General Tianhou closed the cave door and then explained, "Fellow Daoist Youji is not fond of socializing, but he is meticulous in his actions. Even if you have said something yourself, he will confirm it again. Fellow Daoist Beiming, please do not take offense."

Chen Yuan's face lit up with realization: "So that's how it is. I have already made my point clear to the King, but Fellow Daoist Youji brought it up again. I thought he was dissatisfied with me..."

Xiangqing Demon General laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Youji has always been a man of his word. Once he said he would protect you, he would never break his promise."

"However, fellow Daoist, you must not disobey his orders, otherwise, not only will I be unable to plead for you, but even the King will be unable to do so."

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed, and he nodded slightly: "I'll remember that." (End of Chapter)