The Four Great Holy Lands had been dealing with the demon clan for many years and had some understanding of their methods.
Yet this seed… Liu Li Zhēnzūn could not fathom what kind of technique it represented.
Yun Jin spoke calmly, "It is the innate skill of the parasitic demons of the higher-ranked demon clan."
Higher-ranked demons: parasitic demons!
Liu Li shuddered all over.
The strongest among the demon clan were indeed the higher-ranked demons. Higher-ranked demons rarely ventured into the human realm. Even human cultivators investigating the Demon Realm faced numerous obstacles.
Until now, humans had done everything they could, yet they had only grasped basic information about eight types of higher-ranked demons. Whether these eight were all that existed was unknown. If not, how many more higher-ranked demons remained?
Now…
The parasitic demons Yun Jin mentioned were completely new to Liu Li.
Yun Jin explained, "The innate skill of parasitic demons allows them to condense demonic seeds. Before these seeds embed into flesh, they are formless and intangible. They float in the air, searching for targets. Once they find someone with a weak mind, they penetrate and firmly root themselves in the person's primordial soul.
Afterward, the parasitic seed subtly influences the cultivator's mind. The longer it resides within, the deeper its effect. You saw what happened to those cultivators just now: the seed's tendrils had already spread into every meridian. At this point, it is incurable. Though they retain human bodies, there is little difference from demons.
These seeds also act as containers for demonic energy. Without my special cultivation method, these people might have remained hidden until the end.
Additionally, once a primordial soul is destroyed, the seed reverts to its original formless state, ready to find the next target. The person who self-destructed just now likely released the seed back into the air."
As Yun Jin spoke, she produced another bottle of liquid.
Waving it through the surrounding air, she quickly captured a seed hidden in the atmosphere, drawing it into her palm.
"There may still be residual memories in these parasitic seeds. Senior Di, you may verify them yourself," Yun Jin said, handing the seeds to Di Xiao. "Of course, if your abilities fall short, I can also assist you…"
Before she finished, the seeds floated into the air.
Di Xiao's face darkened.
Fall short of his abilities?
In his life, he had never heard anyone dare question him like this.
Yet Yun Jin had discovered these parasitic seeds, and he had no idea. She had clearly surpassed him this time.
Di Xiao's anger flared, and he poured his resentment into the seeds. Under the pressure of his immense power, residual memories within the seeds manifested in the air.
In the projections, they saw the true forms of the parasitic demons. These demons were withered, their skin greenish, resembling walking trees. Like trees, they absorbed light and energy to produce seed after seed. These seeds floated to the human realm, seeking targets.
Though the images were not entirely complete, they revealed how humans, influenced by the seeds, gradually lost their humanity and descended into demonic ways. Among the footage was ironclad evidence of the demons infiltrating the Spiritual Beast Forest and slaughtering beasts.
Di Xiao's gaze hardened at the sight of innocent spiritual beasts dying, their auras radiating unparalleled terror.
Good. Very good.
Indeed, it was the demon clan.
They slaughtered the spiritual beasts and then framed the humans, inciting war between the two races while reaping the benefits themselves.
Truly, a masterful scheme.
Originally, except for the spiritual beasts who voluntarily contracted with humans, the rest of the beasts remained uninvolved in conflicts.
But now…
Di Xiao's expression turned grim. "When humans and demons go to war, I will lead the spirit beasts into battle. This blood feud… I will not rest until the demon clan is exterminated!"
His voice carried a chilling determination.
Liu Li listened and finally exhaled in relief. It was fortunate Yun Jin was present. Otherwise, humans would have had no way to prove themselves. If the mastermind behind this plot knew that his scheme, intended to pit humans against spiritual beasts, had instead driven Di Xiao to personally intervene, he would probably choke on his rage.
"However…" Di Xiao looked at Yun Jin. "How do you know so much? And this Yimu Xieshui, how did you prepare it?"
Such a potion, specifically designed to counter parasitic seeds, would be highly classified even among demons.
Yun Jin smiled slyly. "I was fortunate to have some opportunities to observe them. I have some understanding of the demon clan. Once this matter is resolved, I will compile a record of the demons, which should help in the upcoming war."
Of course, Yun Jin obtained information about these demons from the Trial Tower.
In the Tower, both local and outer-realm demons appeared. Yun Jin spent considerable time studying them and now had their information memorized. Through the system, she had also learned methods to counter their various schemes.
When she learned about the parasitic demons, she anticipated they would use this method to infiltrate humans and prepared accordingly.
Today, that preparation proved timely.
With a slight fortune, Yun Jin had brought up the topic.
Di Xiao regarded her with a meaningful glance but did not press further.
He said calmly, "I will again issue the Call of All Beasts, alerting every spiritual beast to the demons' crimes. You may also come to witness this."
Liu Li and Yun Jin both nodded in agreement.
In the Spiritual Beast Forest, all spiritual beasts received the command in their minds.
"The Call of All Beasts! Another Call of All Beasts!" Phantom Shadow Leopard exclaimed in surprise.
For thousands of years, such a call had rarely occurred.
Yet in just a few days, it had come twice.
"The Fairy sister's investigation must have borne fruit," Spike Deer realized.
"Let's go, to the temple!"
All spiritual beasts rushed toward the temple.
In front of every beast, Di Xiao replayed the memories of the parasitic seeds.
"Demons! It was the demon clan's plot!"
"Truly insidious and deceitful."
"Almost fell for it."
The plaza erupted.
Countless beasts wore expressions of fury.
Di Xiao let them vent before speaking again, "From today, we will form the spirit beast army. When the human-demon war begins, spiritual beasts will also participate. Participation is voluntary. Those willing to join, report to Rong Zhou."
Rong Zhou's mind trembled.
The King entrusted him with a great responsibility.
He quickly responded. He would now store spiritual energy, to be unleashed fully against the demon clan.
"Join the battle!"
"Join the battle!"
The spiritual beasts roared in unison.
Humans now had a powerful ally in the human-demon war.
-
At Qingxiao Pavilion, Lin Xiao was still waiting for news from the Spiritual Beast Forest. His plan was nearly flawless. Neither the Beastmaster Sect nor Yun Jin could escape.
Yet somehow…
The Beastmaster Sect and the Spirit Beast Forest had been silent for two days. Lin Xiao had been trying to investigate, but it would take more time.
"Pavilion Master!" suddenly, someone rushed in, face pale. "Latest news."
Lin Xiao frowned. "What is the rush? Speak slowly."
Next to him, tea simmered, and he sipped leisurely, calm and composed.