Nine Transformations of the True Spirit.

The border between the two demon king territories stretches for about a million miles. On the side of Thunder Mountain Cave, it belongs to the territory of a mid-level demon general.

The camp of the demon army in Leishan Cave was set up in the cave of this demon general.

Chen Yuan led nearly ten thousand demon beasts under his command, traveling day and night for three months, and finally arrived at this majestic mountain range to pay his respects to Demon Commander Xiangqing.

He had already arrived here, issuing orders and assigning the arriving demon beast armies to their respective posts.

Although the outcome of this battle will ultimately depend on the duel between the Thunder Mountain Demon King and the Wood-Eating Demon King,

However, both demon kings were at the peak of the Void Refinement stage, each with their own methods, making it difficult to determine who was superior.

Although there are many demon generals, they cannot attack low-level demon beasts at will.

The million-strong army of demonic beasts is the main force in this battle.

Among them are many unformed demonic beasts, unable to fly away and unable to ignore the treacherous terrain.

The borders between the two cave dwellings were not arbitrarily drawn. In addition to the treacherous terrain, there were many dangerous places, filled with natural barriers such as miasma, lava, and poisonous clouds, which low-level demonic beasts could not pass through.

Therefore, the demon beast army needs to occupy strategic locations to prevent the demon beast army from the Corroded Wood Cave from advancing unimpeded, and also to make a large-scale advance.

The same applies to the Wood-Eroding Cave. They amassed a large army of demonic beasts on the other side of the border, blocking the passage, and only after making thorough preparations did they launch the war.

However, there are rumors that the Wood-Eating Demon King once stated that war would begin in a year.

Nearly a year has passed since the Thunder Mountain Demon King sent out the challenge, and in another month, the Corrosion Wood Cave will accept the challenge.

When Chen Yuan arrived at the Xuanlin Cave, a tense atmosphere permeated the entire place.

The roars of various monsters echoed among the mountains, and flocks of monster birds flew across the sky. Dark clouds pressed down on the city, obscuring the sun.

Ferocious-looking demon generals could be seen everywhere, rushing through the air, landing on a mountain peak, summoning thousands of demon beasts, and heading out of the mountains, raising dust along the way, making a great show of force.

There were also demon generals who got into a quarrel for some unknown reason and started fighting. However, they dared not use their supernatural powers and relied solely on their strong physical bodies to fight. Their fists and feet collided, sounding like thunder.

Many low-level demonic beasts that had not yet taken human form were locked in a fierce battle, their furious roars soaring into the sky. Wherever they went, rocks rolled, trees broke, and everything was left in ruins.

Demon generals patrolled the area, trying to stop the fighting, but they couldn't calm the massive army of demon beasts down, nor could they make the inherently wild demon race suddenly become docile.

What Chen Yuan saw was a chaotic scene, with even some low-intelligence monsters mating passionately in public.

Chen Yuan shook his head inwardly, but the demon generals behind him seemed to take it all in stride, looking around with great interest. If Chen Yuan hadn't been there, they might have already started laughing and joking.

A demon general led the way for Chen Yuan, his expression very respectful, and he said with a smile, "Please forgive me, Lord Beiming. There are too many demon beasts gathered in the Xuanlin Cave now, so some chaos is inevitable..."

The monsters inside the mountain range are just the tip of the iceberg; there are ten times more level-one monsters on the outer perimeter of the mountain range, making the scene even more chaotic.

Beyond the mountains, there were also demon generals and demon commanders patrolling. Chen Yuan led the demon beast army of Beiming Cave Mansion and had just approached the Xuanlin Cave Mansion by three thousand miles when he encountered a demon general on duty outside.

It just so happens that this demon general had gone to congratulate Chen Yuan when he established his own government. Upon seeing Chen Yuan, he immediately assigned a demon general to lead him to pay his respects to the demon general and to settle his demon army.

Chen Yuan led at least level five demonic beasts on this trip, and they only stopped when they reached the depths of the mountain range.

After some negotiation between the guiding demon general and a low-ranking demon general on duty, the demon army of Beiming Cave temporarily set up camp on a mountain peak over seven hundred feet high.

After Chen Yuan meets with Xiang Qing, the demon general, he will be made settled.

This place is only about forty miles away from the council place set up by Xiangqing Demon General, which is already considered to be deep in the mountains.

The monsters stationed nearby are at least level five or higher, possessing high intelligence, and dare not cause trouble, making the area much quieter than the outer perimeter.

Chen Yuan left all his demon generals behind, and he followed the low-ranking demon generals who were on duty there to a thousand-foot-high peak in the center of the mountain range.

The mountain was filled with palaces and pavilions, with streaks of light constantly rising and falling. Demon generals and commanders moved in and out of these palaces, their steps hurried and their expressions solemn.

Chen Yuan followed the demon general on duty, descended into the light of escape, and a magnificent palace stood on the mountaintop.

The palace doors were wide open, with demon generals on duty on both sides, and several other demon generals and commanders waiting in line outside the palace.

Another demon general came up to question the lower-ranking demon general. Just as the lower-ranking demon general was about to explain, Chen Yuan revealed the demon general's token engraved with the words "Beiming".

The demon general immediately made way and respectfully invited the two to wait outside the hall.

Chen Yuan waited for about half an hour before he was finally able to enter the main hall and meet Xiang Qing, the Demon General.

He stood deep within the main hall, before him a multi-meter-long illusion array that conjured a stone platform.

The million-mile border between Leishan Cave and Shimu Cave appears on it, with steep and precipitous mountains, volcanoes billowing with thick smoke, colorful miasma, poisonous swamps with a dark purple hue, and continuous flat plains, all depicted in exquisite detail.

All the dangerous places were clearly visible in the illusion array, and there were also many small array flags planted in strategic locations, with the names of demon generals such as "Heavenly Blade", "Digger of the Netherworld" and "Rock Soul" appearing on them.

There are several strategic locations where more than one array flag is planted. The most densely packed one is naturally the Xuanlin Mountain Range where Chen Yuan is currently located, where there are more than thirty array flags planted.

Several slaves moved around the illusion array, constantly shifting the array flags according to the instructions of the demon general Xiangqing.

They pointed together, and a formation flag rose up, slowly drifting above the illusion array, as if it were on a journey. The flags moved at varying speeds, centered on the Xuanlin Mountains, towards the surrounding strategic locations.

Through these array flags, one could almost see demon generals leading their armies of demon beasts, galloping across the land in accordance with the orders of Demon General Xiangqing.

Several demon generals stood to the side, their expressions respectful, seemingly awaiting orders from Demon Commander Xiangqing.

At this moment, Demon General Xiangqing's face was ashen as he was rebuking one of the demon generals: "With a great battle imminent, your demon generals dared to forcibly seize the slaves of Quefeng's demon generals, and you even dared to protect him, allowing Quefeng to cause trouble before me. How absurd..."

The one being reprimanded was a low-ranking demon general whom Chen Yuan had never seen before. He was meek and submissive in front of Xiang Qing, almost as humble as a demon general, and dared not refute him at all.

The demon general Xiangqing reprimanded him again. After the low-ranking demon general repeatedly promised to severely punish his demon generals upon returning and not to dare to offend again, the demon general Xiangqing finally allowed him to leave.

This low-ranking demon general was a burly man, a common sight among demons. He looked dejected, glanced at Chen Yuan, nodded in acknowledgment, and then walked out of the main hall with his head down.

Chen Yuan stepped forward, clasped his hands in a bow, and said, "I, Kun, have been summoned by the King's decree and have led my army here to greet Fellow Daoist Xiangqing."

Xiangqing, the demon general, returned the greeting with a fist and a fist salute and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Beiming, you have worked hard. I wonder how many demon generals you have brought, and how many low-level demon beasts that have not yet taken human form?"

Chen Yuan answered truthfully, and a human slave beside him recorded everything on a jade slip. When Xiang Qing, the Demon General, heard that the demon beasts led by Chen Yuan were all above level five and numbered less than ten thousand, his expression remained unchanged.

This was originally an edict issued on behalf of the Thunder Mountain Demon King. The farther a demon general was from the Xuanlin Cave, the longer the journey would take, and the smaller the number of demon beasts he needed to lead.

The Northern Underworld Cave is tens of millions of miles away, so Chen Yuan only needs to lead level five or higher demon beasts to it.

The demon generals who were furthest away set off immediately after receiving the order from the Thunder Mountain Demon King, and it took them more than half a year to arrive at this place.

As Chen Yuan finished speaking, Demon General Xiangqing said, "Fellow Daoist Beiming has other important duties and does not need to go out to guard key locations. Your demon beasts can remain in the mountains."

"After the war begins, I will temporarily command them directly, and they will move with the army. Once you return, I will hand them over to you. How does that sound?"

Chen Yuan clasped his hands in a bow and said, "Thank you for your care, fellow Daoist. I will have to trouble you in the future."

Before ascertaining the strength of the demonic beast army in the Erosion Wood Cave, Demon General Xiangqing would certainly not deploy the main force of the demonic beast army in the Thunder Mountain Cave.

The demon beasts under Chen Yuan's command obeyed the orders of Demon General Xiang Qing, so they did not need to participate in the battle in the early stages of the war, thus preserving their strength to the greatest extent.

Xiangqing, the Demon General, stroked his beard and smiled: "Fellow Daoist Beiming bears a heavy responsibility, so I will naturally take care of him."

As he spoke, he ordered a servant to take out a small array flag, raised his hand to form a hand seal, and the words "Beiming" appeared on the flag. The flag was then planted in the Xuanlin Mountains, standing alongside more than thirty other array flags.

Chen Yuan smiled and said, "I'm glad you're busy, Fellow Daoist. I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell."

The demon general Xiangqing did not try to stop him, and ordered a mid-level demon general to escort Chen Yuan out of the main hall and to properly settle the demon army of the Northern Underworld Cave.

The demon general accepted the order and followed Chen Yuan outside the palace. He then rode his escape light to the place where the demon generals of the Northern Underworld Cave were temporarily stationed. He then led them to a mountain peak deeper in the mountains and settled them down.

The spiritual energy here is even stronger, and the place is even more tranquil.

There is a cave dwelling on the mountaintop. It is obviously newly opened and still a bit rough, but the furnishings are extremely luxurious, befitting the identity of the Demon General.

Two beautiful maids were waiting in the cave, who were either slaves of some demon general or demon commander, but Chen Yuan waved them away.

Over the next few days, many demon generals came to visit, and Chen Yuan welcomed them all.

From them, Chen Yuan learned that the Demon General Youji and the Demon General Tianhou had already arrived at the Xuanlin Mountains, and then he paid them a visit.

However, he only met the Heavenly Hou Demon Commander. The Netherworld Demon Commander refused to see any guests, not only Chen Yuan, but also all the other demon commanders.

Chen Yuan inquired about the battle's progress from the Heavenly Hou Demon Commander, but the Heavenly Hou Demon Commander didn't know much either, only saying that the battle would begin soon and that Chen Yuan should prepare.

When Chen Yuan returned to his residence, another demon general invited him to participate in a trade fair to exchange goods and services. Chen Yuan gladly accepted and never declined.

Each trade fair is attended by at least five or six demon generals, with the largest one having as many as eleven demon generals.

However, very few high-ranking demon generals participated in the trade fair, and Chen Yuan didn't care for the treasures offered by the other mid- and low-ranking demon generals, so he made very few purchases.

However, news that he possessed the Heavenly Demon Blood Purification Pill had spread at some point, and many demon generals sought to purchase it.

No matter what conditions these demon generals offered, Chen Yuan always claimed that he had already sold everything and had nothing left, so they had no choice but to give up.

The fact that Chen Yuan was born into the Kunyu clan was already widely known, and no one dared to underestimate him.

Moreover, the Heavenly Demon Blood Purification Pill has little effect on demon generals with strong bloodlines. Those demon generals with mediocre and mixed bloodlines who need the pill to purify their bloodlines dare not offend Chen Yuan and have no choice but to give up.

However, Chen Yuan did not come away empty-handed from these trade fairs.

He bought more than a dozen thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, which are commonly used auxiliary ingredients in refining demon essence pills, in preparation for future pill refining.

The recipe for the Demon Essence Pill left by the Old Man Danjue only goes up to the tenth level Demon Essence Pill.

The pill formulas for the Nascent Soul stage and above that Chen Yuan possessed were all obtained from Qin Wuyai.

The Demon Essence Pill is quite peculiar. As the quality of the Demon Essence Pill increases, the required age of the auxiliary ingredients does not change much, and the requirements even become lower.

The Demon Essence Pill can be refined from the demon core of a demon general. Whether it is a low-level demon general or a high-level demon general, only thousand-year-old spiritual herbs are needed.

To refine the Demon Essence Pill using the Demon King's Demon Core, only three-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs are needed, which is much lower than the eight-thousand-year-old or even ten-thousand-year-old spiritual herbs required for pills of the same level in the Void Refinement stage.

Among the pill formulas Qin Wuyai gave to Chen Yuan, there were no formulas for Demon Essence Pills for those above the Integration Stage, but they should still be much simpler than those for pills of the same level.

The higher the grade of the demon core, the more immense and pure the demonic power it contains.

Simply convert it into spiritual energy, then blend it with spiritual herbs, and you can refine it into a superior cultivation pill. It is much easier than refining pills of the same level.

This is also the reason why cultivators from the Spirit Realm have been invading the Demon Realm on a large scale. As long as demon cores can still be refined into cultivation pills, the human race and the demon race will be locked in a life-or-death struggle with no room for compromise.

After Chen Yuan participated in two trade fairs, Iron Wing Demon General also led his level 5 and above demon beasts to the Xuanlin Cave.

He was sent by the Demon General Xiangqing to guard a strategic location. He only stayed in the Xuanlin Mountains for three days before setting off again.

But before setting off, the Iron-Winged Demon General came to Chen Yuan's cave and said sincerely, "The Qingye Plain where I am stationed is located between the Bone-Rotting Swamp and the Spirit Cattail Forest. Once the battle begins, it will definitely be attacked by the army of the Corrosion Wood Cave."

"Fellow Daoist Beiming, you do not need to guard strategic locations. Could you lend me your demonic beasts to lend me your assistance?"

Seeing Chen Yuan's hesitant expression, he immediately said, "I have heard Fellow Daoist Qi Yan mention that you seem quite interested in the peculiar death energy in that black crystal feather."

"As long as you agree to this, I will help you collect that death energy when you enter that interface fragment in the future, until your needs are met."

"If the death energy in that fragment of the interface is insufficient, I will give you a bottle of mid-stage Nascent Soul pills as a token of my gratitude before the war between the two realms begins. What do you say?"

"Rest assured, fellow Daoist, I will make proper arrangements for the demon beast army in the Northern Underworld Cave and will never put them in danger."

After pondering for a moment, Chen Yuan finally agreed to go with him to see Xiang Qing, the Demon General, and explain the matter.

Xiang Qing, the Demon General, readily agreed, and Chen Yuan handed over all his demon generals and nearly ten thousand demon beasts to the Iron Wing Demon General.

Only half a month after Ironwing Demon General left, Thunder Mountain Demon King arrived at Xuanlin Cave and brought a challenge from Wood Erosion Demon King.

The chaotic army of demonic beasts suddenly became grim and murderous.
The epic battle between the demon kings, which had been brewing for a year, had finally begun. (End of Chapter)