Chapter 424: Resource Monopoly (1)
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
In the era of the prosperity of the human race, the strength and foundation of the demons were not weak. Relying on their special cultivation system and harsh environment, they could resist the extreme suppression of the human race. Even if many Immortal Dao experts attacked, they could not really eliminate the invasion and infiltration of the demons. After the appearance of the Myriad Spirit Ranking, as the human race gradually weakened and the demons lost the restraint of suppression, the range of infiltration of the various worlds became larger and larger.
Especially in a chaotic place like the Abyss of Supreme Darkness, the Demons had long been active in various areas. However, after the rise of the Devil Race, the Spirit Race, the Flame Race, and other powerful races, they were also vigilant against the Demon Race and secretly suppressed them. This made it difficult for the Demon Race to have a clear gathering place like the other races. Of course, this was mainly because the Demon Race did not like to stay outside. They would mostly stay in the Demon Realm and then infiltrate the cultivation places of the various races through special environments like spatial cracks to hara.s.s and plunder.
The devils and other races basically did not care for these spatial cracks. This was because the s.p.a.ce in the Abyss of Supreme Darkness was unstable. Even if they seal or remove the cracks, other ones would appear every once in a while.
Ever since Shen Ping established the True Treasure Pavilion, the An family’s caravan had been hara.s.sed by the demons a lot. However, the ones who hara.s.sed them were some Golden Core and Nascent Soul demons. Sometimes, there were even demonic cultivators in disguise. These matters could be resolved by the guest elders of the pavilion, so he did not take it to heart.
Hence, after hearing An Zhiyuan’s words, Shen Ping could not help but reveal a trace of surprise. “Why? Could it be that the invasion power of the demons has increased recently?”
An Zhiyuan nodded. “It has indeed increased. Last time, there were even Void Refinement Realm demon cultivators who appeared. Moreover, they also had the help of powerful demonic cultivators. If it weren’t for a Void Refinement Realm senior from Sword Seal City pa.s.sing by, I’m afraid that that caravan would have completely disappeared.
“That senior suspected that the demons might have their eyes on the True Treasure Pavilion. In addition, the demons have indeed become more active recently, so he made this suggestion!”
When he heard that, Shen Ping was enlightened, but he still said in confusion, “The whereabouts of the demons have always been uncertain. Other than accompanying the caravan, I’m afraid it’s very difficult to have any other solutions!”
The demons’ hara.s.sment was like guerrilla warfare. They came a few times every few days. Their main goal was to plunder the flesh, blood, and souls of cultivators. They especially liked Nascent Souls.
An Zhiyuan shook his head and said, “I don’t know.”
Against the demons, there was indeed no good solution. Even if they used special methods to mark their whereabouts, they could only kill one or two. It would not be long before others appeared again. Sometimes, they would even encounter demonic cultivators in disguise and were even more cunning.
In the past, the An family’s caravan had a headache facing demonic cultivators. They had no choice but to rely on array formations and treasures to resist. The only fortunate thing was that there were not many spatial cracks in Gray Stone City, and the demons were not too strong.
However, Sword Seal City was different. This cultivation city was no longer at the edge of the Black Mist Direlands, but leaned towards the hinterland of the Western District. If not for the Devil Race, the Human Race, and the Spirit Race joining forces to suppress them, the Demon Race would have long been overflowing.
He thought for a moment. Shen Ping decided to make a trip to Sword Seal City. No matter what, caravans were the most important development of the True Treasure Pavilion at the moment. For example, the reason why the True Treasure Pavilion in the five continents and four seas could control every area was because of the powerful caravan resources and extremely fast foundation.
It took less than two to three months for the True Treasure Pavilion to develop a branch from Gray Stone City to Black Fiend Valley and other remote markets or gathering places. However, the distance between Sword Seal City and Gray Stone City was relatively far.
Even if he used a high-grade flying ship, it would take more than two months to travel back and forth.
If he really did not care and let the demons plunder and wreak havoc, the True Treasure Pavilion would not be able to gain a foothold in Sword Seal City. There would be no way to develop intelligence and control all kinds of information.
This concerned his life, so Shen Ping was naturally serious about it. Therefore, he set off for Sword Seal City the next time. Moreover, he was following the caravan this time.
On the deck of the large flying ship, astral winds fluttered and fluoresced at the edge of the flying ship. He looked at the scenery that kept pa.s.sing by on both sides. Shen Ping’s gaze was calm, but his divine sense was communicating with his master, Lian Xuejin.
“Disciple, the interests of cultivators are the most important. You must be especially vigilant when you go to Sword Seal City this time. Although the human race is gradually declining, it doesn’t mean that the human cultivators will work together.”
“Master, I understand.”
He knew what his master meant. The purpose of those human seniors in Sword Seal City might not be to deal with the demonic cultivators’ hara.s.sment. They might just be using this as a reason to meet him. After all, the True Treasure Pavilion was quite famous in Sword Seal City now. Moreover, not everyone could kill Shi Hu, who was at the Void Refinement Realm.
A month later, the merchants on the flying ship were clearly much more nervous.
An Zhiyuan explained, “In front of us is the Mountain of a Thousand Caves. The demons often hara.s.s this area. It’s said that there are several spatial cracks in the depths of the Mountain of a Thousand Caves. A sect in Sword Seal City has gone to investigate, but they found nothing. The Void Refinement Realm expert from the demon race I met last time was also here.”
Shen Ping nodded to himself. His expression did not change at all. Other cultivators were afraid of demons, but he was not, as he had the beast-shaped puppet and high-level beast spirit treasure.
Boom! Just as he was thinking, the flying ship suddenly shook violently. An Zhiyuan’s expression changed.. He condensed his magic power and said, “Demon attack! Demon attack!”