The western extreme was already discarded.
The Xuanjia Liuli Beast was indeed enticing, but what use was it without a life to claim it?
Step into a Forbidden Zone of Life, and the roles of hunter and prey would reverse in an instant.
And besides, their current strength was not sufficient to even set foot there.
Going would simply mean offering themselves up as fodder.
"The eastern seas, however," Jiang Yan continued,
"are exceedingly rich in resources—more abundant, one could say, than even the Myriad Demon Mountains.
"You should already know this well: the ocean's bounty has always surpassed that of the land.
Yet if you intend to venture into the eastern seas, you must be prepared in heart and mind.
"Harvesting resources beneath the waves is fraught with difficulty.
And more importantly—within those waters dwells a formidable flood dragon."
At this, Zhongli's eyes lit with interest.
"A flood dragon?"
Jiang Yan inclined his head slightly, his voice solemn.
"A serpent that cultivates a thousand years becomes a boa.
A boa that cultivates a thousand years becomes a python.
A python that cultivates a thousand years becomes a jiao.
And a jiao that endures another thousand years… becomes a true dragon.
"In the eastern seas, there exists one such black jiao.
"Its name is Ao Dong.
It holds the might to overturn mountains and seas, to summon clouds and rain.
Its cultivation has reached the pinnacle of Spirit-Condensation—
placing it among the strongest demon kings of the entire Nine Nether Secret Realm .
"Simply put—if the Howlmoon Skywolf chieftain were to face him…
Within ten exchanges, his blood would stain the waves.
"For even within the same realm, there are differences in strength.
And Ao Dong… is without doubt among the most terrifying of his tier.
"The flood dragon race has been blessed with peerless talent.
Their bodies are incomparably powerful.
They are born with divine abilities.
And their true essence is countless times greater than that of ordinary cultivators.
"Flood dragons are both the most feared and the most coveted of beasts.
"Their sinews, blood, heart, core, horns, and scales—every part is the finest of materials.
"Compared to the Xuanjia Liuli Beast, a flood dragon is immeasurably superior—
a true treasure from head to tail.
"The Hall of Merits offers one hundred and fifty thousand contribution points for Ao Dong's corpse.
And alive… five hundred thousand.
"But in truth, no one dares dream of such a thing."
At this, the disciples all winced, brows tightening.
To the north, wolf packs are beyond number.
To the west, a death zone.
To the east—one of the strongest demon kings of all Nine Nether Secret Realm standing guard.
Even bound together, they could not endure a single blow.
"So," Ningguang pressed her brow, her voice heavy,
"if we venture east, we must face a flood dragon that has cultivated at least three thousand years?"
Jiang Yan slowly shook his head.
"No. Ao Dong has likely been cultivated for ten thousand years.
"My mention of mere millennia was the most optimistic estimate.
Yet clearly, Ao Dong lacks that pinnacle talent, else he would not be stalled at the peak of Spirit-Condensation.
"But you must also understand: in the cultivation world, the wealthiest race of all… is the dragon clan.
"Ao Dong bears the blood of dragons. Naturally, he hoards rare treasures and artifacts.
If you could slay him, his collection alone…
"I do not exaggerate—it would yield at least a million contribution points."
A million.
Ningguang's heart clenched painfully.
A single supreme-grade spirit artifact cost only two hundred thousand.
Yet there, within reach yet untouchable, was the lure of a million.
She stared eastward, eyes filled with longing and frustration.
"It is said," Jiang Yan continued,
"that Ao Dong is the illegitimate son of a horned dragon who once stood at the peak of Void-Returning in the Nine Nether Secret Realm world.
"That horned dragon ruled the eastern seas, commanding a Dragon Palace with shrimp soldiers and crab generals numbering in the billions.
He was one of the scourges that once ravaged the realm.
"Now, Ao Dong seeks to imitate his sire.
He has already raised a Dragon Palace of his own in the eastern seas.
As for how many shrimp soldiers and crab generals serve beneath him—none yet know."
The disciples cast lingering gazes eastward.
The lure of over a million contribution points was irresistible…
Yet with Ao Dong, one of the Seven Kings, presiding over the depths—
it was but certain death.
East, west, north—all sealed off.
For now, they had no qualifications to step foot in those directions.
That left only…
Their eyes turned southward—toward the Myriad Demon Mountains.
Ganyu was silent for a long time before speaking softly:
"Master… the Myriad Demon Mountains must be the most dangerous, yes?"
Jiang Yan inclined his head.
"Indeed. To speak plainly: within those mountains, there are six demon kings at the peak of Spirit-Condensation.
"Together with Ao Dong, they are called the Seven Kings of the Nine Nether Secret Realm.
They are the strongest of their realm across the entire world.
"Beyond them—demon lords at late-stage Spirit-Condensation number in the dozens.
Mid-stage and early-stage, in the hundreds.
And Essence-Refining beasts—beyond count.
"Yet in those same mountains, the treasures are unmatched.
No other region can compare in richness and variety.
"There are even rumors of the Three-Turn Profound Origin Fruit—
a fruit capable of reshaping the very body, granting even those without innate constitutions a special physique.
"Such a fruit requires a thousand years to ripen.
One fruit every thousand years.
Each is worth thirty thousand contribution points.
"But the beasts are endless there—else it would not be called the Myriad Demon Mountains.
"It is the most dangerous place of all in Nine Nether Secret Realm.
And also, the place of greatest wealth."
Having said this much, Jiang Yan fell silent.
The choice would be theirs.
Whether they ventured west into a death zone,
or east against a flood dragon,
or north to the wolves,
or south into the sea of demon kings—
It mattered little.
This expedition was but an opening move.
The true aim was to teach them the cruelty of the cultivation world.
With their current strength, they could not touch the core of any region.
Yet the disciples, now knowing the four directions, felt only a growing headache.
For in truth—there was no such thing as safety here.
This was the Nine Nether Secret Realm , where demons roamed unchecked.
The question was no longer where to harvest resources…
but where could they survive?
Just then, Ningguang's eyes lit with sudden insight.
She looked toward Jiang Yan, hopeful.
"Master, this disciple has a question."
"Speak."
She bit her lip, then asked softly:
"Among the six demon kings of the Myriad Demon Mountains—what relations do they bear with one another?"
The others were puzzled.
But Jiang Yan's eyes glowed with quiet approval as he regarded her,
until Ningguang flushed slightly under his gaze.
At last he spoke slowly:
"The six demon kings are the Violet Cloud Eagle, the Fire Qilin King, the Azure Toad, the Greenwind Ox, the Snow Howler, and the Sky-Roaming Roc.
"The Fire Qilin King Beast and the Snow Howler King are sworn enemies.
The Violet Cloud Eagle and the Azure Toad hold grudges.
The Greenwind Ox wanders alone.
And the Sky-Roaming Roc has crossed blades with Ao Dong himself—each wounding the other grievously."
At this, Ningguang's eyes gleamed.
Keqing and Ganyu too seemed to understand, their excitement growing.
"You have one last question," Jiang Yan reminded gently.
Ningguang pondered, then asked:
"Do these six demon kings command factions of their own?"
Jiang Yan nodded.
"Indeed. All except the Greenwind Ox lead vast forces spread across the mountains."
"I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Master."
A confident smile spread across Ningguang's lips.
"Have you reached your decision?" Jiang Yan asked.
Ningguang pointed south without hesitation.
"The Myriad Demon Mountains."
"Very well."
Jiang Yan inclined his head.
His figure dissolved into a stream of light, vanishing into Ganyu's body.
"Do not be alarmed," his voice echoed in their minds.
"In the Nine Nether Secret Realm, my true essence cannot reach.
My divine sense must be restrained, else it will collapse swiftly.
"If matters turn dire, I will guide you.
"And should my sense be depleted—seek out Klee.
Within her ring, I have placed three supreme-grade spirit stones.
Enough to restore me."
All eyes turned with envy toward little Klee.
Supreme-grade spirit stones…
They had not even glimpsed high-grade ones.
"Enough. Since you have chosen, depart swiftly.
The Nine Nether Secret Realm changes with every breath.
Delay too long, and calamity will descend.
"Never linger in one place until you have found true safety.
For know this: demon beasts are exceedingly sensitive to the scent of humankind."
With those final words, Jiang Yan's presence vanished.
The disciples refrained from calling him again.
Best to treat their master's remnant as a hidden blade.
When all had settled, Liuyun turned to Ningguang, puzzled.
"Ningguang… why choose the Myriad Demon Mountains?
There lie six of the Seven Kings, with forces vast and terrible.
Would you cast us all into peril, for the sake of a little gain?"
Her tone was calmer now, not scolding as before.
But her doubts echoed in many hearts.
Even one king they could not withstand.
Against six?
Ningguang only smiled faintly.
"Sister Liuyun speaks the truth. Yet the Master also told us: the Seven Kings are not united.
"The Violet Cloud Eagle and the Azure Toad hold grudges.
The Fire Qilin King and the Snow Howler King are sworn enemies.
The Greenwind Ox walks alone.
And the Sky-Roaming Roc and Ao Dong are mortal foes.
"Sister, you of all people know the principle of upper and lower imitation.
If the kings are divided, what of their underlings?
"If Mount Shu bore enmity with another sect, how would Brother Xiao respond?"
Without hesitation, Xiao replied:
"Of course I would cleanse the enemy in Mount Shu's name!"
In that instant, all understood.
Their eyes widened in surprise, turning to Ningguang.
"Muddy the waters?"
"Indeed. Is that not our best path?" Ningguang's smile deepened.
"Where one power alone reigns, we are doomed.
But amid the chaos of the Myriad Demon Mountains
There lies space for us to slip between the cracks.
"The Seven Kings have warred for ages. Their beasts must clash unceasingly.
We need only slip in quietly, stir no great storm…
and we may endure.
"Perhaps even follow behind mighty beasts…
and reap what they leave behind."
She looked around, her eyes gleaming with confidence.
"So tell me—
is not the most dangerous place… also the safest?"
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