Name: Xu Chang'an
Bloodline: Ordinary Grey Rat (Ungraded)
Lifespan: 18 years
Realm: Qi Refining Fourth Layer
Skills: Alchemy (Tier One Low Grade)
Energy: (42/50)
...
After a whole year of eating leftover medicinal scraps, supplemented by low-efficiency Qi Nourishing Pills, Xu Chang'an's Energy accumulation had yet to reach the threshold for a breakthrough.
He had been stuck at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer for three years now.
He had high hopes for this trip out of the mountains.
'I have the Steel Fork as an Attacking Magical Artifact, the Money Shield as a Defensive Magical Artifact, one Tier One Low Grade Escape Talisman, two Tier One Introduction Defense Talismans, and...'
Xu Chang'an secretly took stock of his resources.
Since he was leaving the mountain, he had naturally made ample preparations.
Now that he was a certified entry-level Alchemist, his benefits had increased, and he was gradually becoming more well-off.
It was just a shame that he hadn't had enough time; his foundation wasn't deep enough yet.
He had also properly refined his Steel Fork. Once activated, it would shoot out like a howling gale.
Most importantly, the three prongs at the front of the Steel Fork could burst apart, transforming into three separate spikes.
If an enemy was caught off guard, it could achieve a miraculous result.
With his various techniques and the Magical Combat experience from his past life, even an average Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivator would be no match for Xu Chang'an.
This was one of the reasons he dared to venture out of the mountain.
As he was now, he was no weaker than the Black Chicken Spirit who had once claimed to be the Mountain Patrol Envoy of Red Cloud Mountain.
...
"Grey Rat."
At the foot of Langlang Mountain, Xiong Da greeted Xu Chang'an as he came down.
In his seven years at Langlang Mountain, Xiong Da had changed quite a bit.
He now stood a full two zhang tall, his Demon Body was powerful and radiated a sense of immense strength.
He carried a giant war axe on his back, which looked extremely intimidating.
This war axe was Xiong Da's Magical Artifact.
"Xiong Da."
Xu Chang'an greeted him in return.
"Listen up, little piglets! Even when Grandpa Xiong is away, you must train hard. No slacking off."
Xiong Da spoke majestically to the two Wild Boar Demon guards.
"Yes, Instructor Xiong."
The two Wild Boar Demons stood ramrod straight, not daring to move an inch.
Seeing this, Xu Chang'an couldn't help but smile.
Xiong Da was in charge of guarding the pass. Later on, he was even put in charge of the pass's armaments and training methods.
Countless Little Demons had passed through his hands, and he held extremely high prestige among the Little Demons guarding the pass.
'I never thought Xiong Da had it in him!'
'You really can't judge a demon by its appearance!'
The letter from the Yellow Wasp Spirit had described the location of Yellow Wasp Mountain.
It was about seven or eight thousand li from Langlang Mountain.
Speaking of which, he had no idea how the Yellow Wasp Spirit knew Xiong Da was here and had managed to contact him.
To know which mountain factions the former Cyan Mountain Demons had ended up in and to be able to contact them successfully...
One had to admit, this Yellow Wasp Spirit was quite capable.
No wonder he could rally a Demon Army and declare himself king of a mountain.
The Cultivation Xu Chang'an displayed was only at the Qi Refining Second Layer, so his travel speed was naturally far slower than Xiong Da's.
After leaving the vicinity of Langlang Mountain, Xiong Da, eager to get to the gathering, actually invited Xu Chang'an to sit directly on his shoulder.
Xu Chang'an was happy to take it easy.
After all, keeping up the act was tiring.
On Xiong Da's broad, powerful shoulders sat a squirrel-sized Grey Rat.
One large and one small—it was quite an interesting sight from afar.
The Red Cloud Mountain Range was vast, with countless peaks.
However, Yellow Wasp Mountain, where Xu Chang'an and Xiong Da were headed, was not within the Red Cloud Mountain Range itself, but in a desolate area surrounding it.
Back when the Yellow Wasp Spirit gathered his Demon Army with a mere Qi Refining Second Layer Cultivation, he couldn't have possibly chosen a prime location to establish his own territory.
The mountain roads were difficult, and Xiong Da also needed to conserve his energy to deal with any unknown risks.
Therefore, even at the speed of a Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivator, the journey of seven to eight thousand li took Xiong Da more than ten days to reach Yellow Wasp Mountain.
"The Demon Path is a hard one! Even traveling is such a hassle."
Nearing Yellow Wasp Mountain, Xiong Da couldn't help but sigh.
Flying in the Sky using a Magical Artifact not only consumed a huge amount of Demon Power but also had certain requirements for the artifact itself.
A War Axe Magical Artifact like Xiong Da's was not suitable for Flying in the Sky.
"Late-stage Qi Refining!
I need to break through to the Late-stage Qi Refining!"
Xu Chang'an could see what looked like flames burning in Xiong Da's eyes.
Only those in the Late-stage Qi Refining who possessed a Middle-grade Magical Artifact were qualified to fly for extended periods.
'This lunkhead has a pretty strong heart for the Dao.'
Xu Chang'an sighed softly.
...
Yellow Wasp Mountain's territory naturally couldn't compare to Langlang Mountain, which was overseen by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
But compared to an average mountain faction, it was quite good.
The name Yellow Wasp Mountain was one the Yellow Wasp Spirit had given it after taking over.
With twenty to thirty Qi Refining Little Demons on the mountain, plus over a hundred beasts that had gained Spiritual Wisdom, Yellow Wasp Mountain's forces were not to be underestimated.
Those at the Qi Refining Third Layer served as Elders of Yellow Wasp Mountain and could participate in discussions in the Assembly Hall.
As they made their way up the mountain, Xu Chang'an was truly astonished.
Yellow Wasp Mountain was well-organized, with an Assembly Hall, a Demon Gathering Cave, and a Cyan Heaven Garden.
The various layouts were all quite methodical.
He had to admit, the Yellow Wasp Spirit had managed the place well.
No wonder he could build such an impressive establishment in just seven short years.
"Xiong Da, Grey Rat, you're here! Come, come, please, come inside."
The Yellow Wasp Spirit personally welcomed Xu Chang'an and Xiong Da into the Assembly Hall.
Xu Chang'an couldn't help but size up the Yellow Wasp Spirit.
In the seven years since they had last met, the Yellow Wasp Spirit's Cultivation had also broken through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
However, judging by his unstable aura, he probably hadn't broken through long ago.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit's Cultivation was already at the Qi Refining Second Layer back then. With so many years of accumulation, breaking through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer was understandable.
'But he must have had some sort of fortuitous encounter!'
'With the Yellow Wasp Spirit's Inferior aptitude, he must have had the help of a Tier-Breaking Elixir to break through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.'
While Xu Chang'an was sizing up the Yellow Wasp Spirit, the Yellow Wasp Spirit was also looking them over.
It was normal for this Mouse Demon, Xu Chang'an, to have a Cultivation at the Qi Refining Second Layer.
'But I never thought this oaf of a bear would also break through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.'
According to their correspondence, this oaf had even become a Little Flag on his mountain.
He thought about his own years of painstaking effort, working diligently and enduring hardships to build his current foundation.
Then he looked at the oaf before him, who had reached the Qi Refining Fourth Layer so effortlessly, and the Yellow Wasp Spirit couldn't help but feel a little bitter.
"Wasp, we're not late, are we?"
Xiong Da said with a simple-minded laugh.
"Not at all, not at all. Miss Yu from Red Cloud Mountain and Brother Hu haven't arrived yet."
The Yellow Wasp Spirit was excellent at composing himself; he quickly smoothed over his feelings and replied with a smile.
His stated reason for this gathering was a reunion of old friends from Cyan Mountain, but of course, it wasn't that simple.
If his Yellow Wasp Mountain was to develop further, managing its Demon Vein was essential.
After all, there were quite a few other small mountain factions around Yellow Wasp Mountain, watching like hungry tigers!
"Come, Xiong Da, Grey Rat, take a look. They're all old friends. You still recognize them, right?"
The Yellow Wasp Spirit said, gesturing to the three Demons already inside the Assembly Hall.
A Wild Wolf Demon, a Wild Boar Spirit, and a Monkey Spirit.
Among them, the Wild Wolf Demon had rushed over from another mountain.
The Wild Boar Spirit and the Monkey Spirit were the old comrades from Cyan Mountain who had originally joined the Yellow Wasp Spirit to build this place together.
"Hahaha, Xiong Da, Grey Rat, you're finally here! We've been waiting for you for ages."
The Wild Wolf Demon laughed heartily.
Struggling among the mountain factions and experiencing the fickle nature of Demon Emotions, they came to appreciate the simplicity and sincerity of their past friendship.
"Indeed, indeed! Come, take a seat. Let's drink and reminisce."
The Wild Boar Spirit and the Monkey Spirit chimed in.
Inside the Assembly Hall, the few Demons were exceptionally warm as they met, reminiscing about old times.