Chapter 409: Planning

As Jin Buhuan’s call just rang out, he suddenly felt a chill.

Instead of being alarmed, he was pleased.

This chill was the effect of his father’s gaze.

Sure enough, he suddenly felt a pulling sensation, his vision blurred, and before his eyes immediately appeared a man with a blurry and constantly changing face, as well as Lu Mountain God’s several-hundred-mile-tall tiger Dharma Idol.

“Greetings, Father, and greetings, Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord!” Jin Buhuan quickly bowed, his massive tiger body humanly beginning to make a gesture of respect and bow.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord stepped out, then reached out to support Jin Buhuan, saying, “Nephew, there’s no need for such formality. Let’s get to the main point. You just came out of Holy Flame World. What’s the situation like inside?”

Upon hearing this, Jin Buhuan glanced at his father beside him.

He saw the Dharma Idol begin to collapse, and soon it transformed into a burly man with a tiger head and human body, his physique robust, muscles bulging, tiger whiskers and round eyes, extremely powerful, yet dressed in an elegant robe that concealed his fierce aura, making him appear somewhat refined.

“The Demon Lord has asked a question; you may speak directly,” Lu Mountain God said.

Upon hearing this, Jin Buhuan then cupped his hands and said, “Demon Lord, Father, that Li Qi is currently staying in Holy Flame World. That fifth-rank is still by his side, but they haven’t made any preparations or arrangements.”

“No preparations or arrangements? Are they so confident? Or is it just that you couldn’t see the arrangements they made?” Lu Mountain God frowned, clearly somewhat disbelieving.

“Father, it’s absolutely true. While I was imprisoned, although I couldn't move, that fifth-rank never moved much either. I saw her barely shift from her spot. Every day, besides cultivating, she would cast spells to monitor the distant areas. Occasionally, she would communicate with Li Qi using a terminal, but I couldn’t hear the specifics of their conversation, so I don’t know what they discussed,” Jin Buhuan quickly said.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord interjected at this moment, saying, “Nephew, you might not yet know the power of a fifth-rank. If she has cultivated illusion techniques, then what you saw was probably everything they wanted you to see. Your perception is no longer yours to command.”

“This junior naturally knows that, but I observed that fifth-rank cultivates the Dao Orthodoxy method, which emphasizes seeking truth and tracing origins. Although she doesn’t speak much, sometimes only saying a single sentence in tens of days, her words are never false. She doesn’t speak a single lie, so I think she can be trusted,” Jin Buhuan immediately said.

“Cultivates the Dao Orthodoxy method? What else did you see? What are the specific details? What kind of phenomena occurred when she cultivated?” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord pressed on.

This might allow them to deduce a part of the opponent's origins.

For example, a Dao Orthodoxy Daoist Master never speaks falsely.

When two generals face off, the side that knows the opponent's origins has at least a thirty percent higher chance of winning.

“It is the Dao Orthodoxy method, and it is orthodox Dao Orthodoxy, unlike the wild Daoists I have seen before. Her method is extremely profound, at least I cannot see its foundation, but I can vaguely sense the Immortal Qi within it. It definitely originates from a great Grotto-Heaven’s method, Demon Lord, please observe.” Jin Buhuan said so.

As he spoke, he stretched out his hand, and myriad miscellaneous Qi appeared in his palm. These Qi began to circulate, crudely imitating the aura around Shen Shuibi when she circulated her Qi, and the phenomena it produced.

Indeed, in Jin Buhuan’s hand, countless Yin Qi were generated, then revolved around a certain lunar sequence.

That was the path of the Yin, a branch of the great Dao of Sun-Moon Orbit.

“Wait, this Qi… why does it feel a little familiar?” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord frowned.

Then, he personally took action, imitating Jin Buhuan, and began to familiarize himself with the circulation of those Qi, attempting to reverse-engineer the cultivation method and Dao Orthodoxy within.

Lu Mountain God Jin Chi was not skilled in such matters, so he merely watched from the side.

He saw Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord begin to reverse-engineer an extremely blurry string of Qi from Jin Buhuan’s hand.

This was not merely imitation, but rather deduction, constantly tracing back from this Qi, attempting to imitate the ‘original object’.

This was an ability similar to divination.

Through extremely incomplete clues, descriptions, even hearsay and a tiny bit of information, then using these to infer the original state of those clues.

Mortals could also do this; for instance, many constables possessed this ability, needing only a few vague descriptive adjectives from an eyewitness to directly draw the fugitive’s appearance, and achieve eighty to ninety percent similarity.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord began to deduce.

He saw the Qi in his hand gradually transform towards the Dao Orthodoxy direction, even beginning to possess an immortal demeanor, gradually becoming profound and unfathomable, with the Concept of “stillness and inaction, forgetting one’s form and body.”

Soon, the Yin Qi in his hand gradually transformed into a Yin moon, which slowly moved, constantly rotating according to some mysterious arc.

Beneath the Yin moon, there was tranquility and serenity, cleansing desires.

However, when the simulation reached this point, the Yin moon in his hand suddenly began to destabilize, as if it was about to explode, darting left and right, even bending and folding, turning into strange shapes.

This was a phenomenon where the simulated Dao had gone out of control, unable to circulate to Perfection, causing the Qi to also go out of control. However, since this was only a simulation, it would not cause any damage or trouble to Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord.

When the simulation reached this point, that Yin moon shattered.

“...This really is, a bit familiar,” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord rubbed his chin, saying so.

Lu Mountain God then asked, “How much was simulated?”

“At most half, maybe even less. This cultivation method is so exquisite. With my level, I should be able to deduce at least thirty to forty percent similarity from a fifth-rank’s aura. Thirty to forty percent is enough to barely discern some Divine Abilities, but this one… I can’t see through it,” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord said.

“Not being able to see through it is also an answer. This is probably a cultivation method of the third-rank or above, indicating that the other party indeed has a great background,” Lu Mountain God said.

“If they truly have a great background, why would they come to contend for such a sixth-rank world that has already been claimed? A fifth-rank with a background wouldn’t look down on such a matter. What they should be doing is the same as me,” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord shook his head and said.

This was indeed a point of doubt.

Look at how Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord did it this time?

He used a set of Formations, gathered several fifth-rank national lords, and the Lu Mountain God, who was already comparable to a fifth-rank, then spent a hundred years arranging the Formations, encompassing an entire world cluster within it, and then divided it among themselves.

One must know that Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord's own gains from this included a fifth-rank world.

Normally, a fifth-rank from a major power should do it this way.

Going into someone else’s sphere of influence to seize a sixth-rank world, no matter how you look at it, is abnormal and doesn't align with a fifth-rank’s status and strength. Moreover, doing so would create enmity with other fifth-ranks, which would be a huge loss.

What was the necessity? Why do this?

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord couldn't figure it out.

“There’s one possibility. You said… that fifth-rank, is she incapable of developing a world cluster on her own?” Lu Mountain God offered a conjecture.

“If she can’t develop it alone, she must have friends. She has a force behind her, and possibly even a third-rank Great Power backing her. It’s impossible for her not to find anyone,” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord shook his head.

“I mean, what if she really doesn't have the ability to develop it alone, and she also can't find friends, or even… no one is willing to back her?” Lu Mountain God said so.

“Hmm, if that’s the case? Where would you find such a person?” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord wondered.

“I observe your deduction, Demon Lord, although it can only deduce less than half of the characteristics, it does somewhat align with the information I received in the past,” Lu Mountain God said thoughtfully.

“Information received in the past? What information, and why don’t I have it?” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord frowned slightly.

“Naturally, the Demon Lord wouldn’t have it. The information I’m referring to was transmitted by Shaman God Mountain to the various Baiyue national lords and many faction leaders in the past, and it happened to concern the Sun-Moon Orbit. Since the Demon Lord was excluded by Baiyue, Shaman God Mountain naturally wouldn’t send you a message, and others wouldn’t dare to defy convention and notify the Demon Lord, which is why you are unaware,” Lu Mountain God explained.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord, however, grew more puzzled: “Too many people are involved in the Sun-Moon Orbit, what effect can investigating this have?”

“You see, among the Human Race, there are Yin and Yang masters; among Shaman Dao, there are great historians; the demon race also has the Golden Crow and Jade Toad clans skilled in this Dao. Even the True Dragons have individuals skilled in chasing the sun and moon to influence tides. Not to mention the Buddhist sect, which also has the Sun-Moon Lamp Bright Buddha lineage, and the Dirgha Agama even incorporates the sun and moon into the scope of Mount Sumeru. The Divine Path even specifically has Sun God and Yin Spirit, each in charge, and they all regard this as very important. If one wants to investigate from this aspect, the scope would be far too vast.”

Yes, the Sun-Moon Orbit itself is an extremely important Dao, and many Dao Orthodoxy have a need for it.

Among the Human Race, the Yin and Yang school, the School of Names, and even the School of Agriculture all need the Sun-Moon Orbit to establish ‘rules’ and use them as markers.

Among the Shaman Dao宗人, the Grand Historian, who manages the six codes of state-building, has the need to ‘rectify the year and sequence affairs,’ and greatly needs to use the movement of the sun and moon to regulate the year and arrange the order of things.

The Buddhist sect also has the Sun-Moon Lamp Bright Buddha, whose light illuminates myriad worlds, expounding the supreme profound Dharma. Wherever his light reaches, obstacles are removed, sins are extinguished, and demonic thoughtss are eliminated, serving as a model for spreading the Dao by utilizing the vast power of the sun and moon.

The True Dragons also have a saying, “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” which refers to two moon-chasing Dragons, and that ‘pearl’ is actually the Yin.

The Yin Spirit and Sun God need no further mention; they are simply too famous.

The demon race even fought a battle with the Human Race over this matter. In ancient times, there were ten Golden Crows in the sky, traversing all the great sun paths, showing off their might. The Human Emperor at the time ordered a divine archer, Yi, to shoot down those Golden Crows, thus ending the demon race’s ambition to monopolize the great sun path.

This matter is incredibly deep; everyone wants it, but no one dares to make a move. Whoever dares to act first will surely be besieged, so it has been suspended until now.

If one truly wanted to investigate starting from the Sun-Moon Orbit, one would have to investigate all the Dao Orthodoxy in the world, which is clearly unrealistic.

Only reclusive Dao Orthodoxy like the Spirit Dao might not have made a move.

“No, no, Demon Lord, please consider the direction I mentioned earlier. It is the Dao of Sun-Moon Orbit, yet she has no background, as a fifth-rank she cannot develop a world cluster on her own, and there is no Great Power backing her. When these clues are put together, they seem to form an answer, don’t they?” Lu Mountain God reminded him.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord took this clue and pondered it carefully.

It is the origin of the Sun-Moon Orbit.

She has a great background, with cultivation methods of the third-rank or above.

She has no backing, or rather, her backing is unreliable now.

She cannot gather a world cluster by herself, and she dares not tell others, nor can she call upon friends.

“Mount Luofu?”

“Mount Luofu.”

The two demons exchanged glances and simultaneously spoke the answer.

However, Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord spoke with a questioning tone, while Lu Mountain God Jin Chi spoke with a definitive tone.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then said, “It’s very possible. If it truly is a remnant of Mount Luofu, then everything makes sense.”

At this moment, they heard Jin Buhuan, the little tiger, add from the side: “Father, Demon Lord, I had a previous encounter with that fifth-rank, back in Qingwu City. At that time, she was only a ninth-rank, but she managed to stop several eighth-ranks with her ninth-rank cultivation, and even created a powerful Formation that protected Li Qi’s rear, which is why I was intercepted by him…”

“You told me about this matter. So, it’s basically confirmed, isn’t it?” Lu Mountain God looked at Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord nodded: “Then it’s almost certain. A remnant of Mount Luofu, she was a ninth-rank before because she was severely injured and fell to ninth-rank. Now she might have had an Opportunity, or spent all her remaining foundation, forcibly restoring her cultivation to fifth-rank.”

“There was no Opportunity in the world, so she chose to come to the outer regions, and came so far, directly leaving the starry map territory of the world, extending her reach into this primitive world cluster, only to coincidentally run into us.”

“That’s why she’s so isolated. She simply had no choice. Perhaps her injuries haven’t even healed; dropping from fifth-rank directly to ninth-rank, that kind of injury is no different from death. Even if she could recover, it would take at least several hundred years of recuperation, unless she used massive Heaven And Earth Treasure to forcefully heal her injuries. But if she had that kind of money, there would be no need for her to risk coming to the outer regions.”

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord analyzed each point, becoming increasingly certain of his statement.

To forcefully heal an injury that caused one to drop to ninth-rank, what level of sacrifice would that require?

It would require several fifth-rank Great Powers to act, plus how much Heaven And Earth Treasure?

If it were a Spirit Beast or demon race… how much emperor fluid paste alone would be needed?

Not to mention other auxiliary materials and ingredients, just the raw materials would require at least five or six Yin of the same rank to be shattered, right?

If she had that kind of money, would she still covet this sixth-rank world?

Therefore, the other party must be utterly destitute. Even if she once had something, she must have spent it all on healing her injuries.

“A remnant of Mount Luofu… there’s a story behind this,” Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord smiled, his gaze deepening.

“What are your plans, Demon Lord?” Lu Mountain God pressed.

Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord leisurely said, “Mountain God, first send your nephew to a safe place. Then, the two of us will go to Holy Flame World, and we can discuss the details on the way. However, Mountain God, you might as well consider in advance: which side do you think would prefer a remnant of Mount Luofu… Shaman God Mountain or Tang Nation?”

Lu Mountain God took Jin Buhuan into his palm, then sealed him with a spell and threw him towards the outer regions.

This spell could send him to a safe place, so there was no need to worry.

Hearing Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord’s words, he also understood what the other party was thinking.

The fall of Mount Luofu might be related to the Sun-Moon Orbit. Although the underlying reason was unknown, Heaven-Devouring Demon Lord was able to get involved in some high-level matters.

He might know something else.