121: Chapter 121 Exploring the Valley, an Encounter with a Demon General; Obtaining Intelligence to thwart the Enemy's Plans

Ye Qing, like a wisp of phantom, stealthily approached the valley from which abnormal energy fluctuations emanated.

His figure weaved through the shadows of the dense forest without stirring a single breeze, not even disturbing the chirping insects or birds around him.

The closer he got to the valley, the more concentrated the Demonic Qi in the air became, carrying an unusual atmosphere of solemn Killing Intent and vigilance.

The valley entrance was narrow, with steep black rock walls on both sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Ye Qing did not enter directly from the valley mouth. Instead, like a gecko, he climbed the left rock wall, found a protruding rock as cover, and looked down into the valley.

Inside the valley, there was a hidden wonder.

In the center of the valley floor, a hundred-zhang-wide clearing had been artificially created, its ground compacted and paved with rough stone slabs.

In the center of the clearing stood a crude altar built from giant beast bones and black rocks.

On the altar were some sacrificial items emitting an eerie glow, and several banners embroidered with different Yao Race totems.

At this moment, dozens of transformed Demon Generals were gathered around the altar.

These Demon Generals had varying levels of Cultivation, ranging from Early Golden Core Stage to Late Golden Core Stage. They wore different styles of armor or leather armor and wielded various weapons, clearly elite Yao Race members from different tribes or forces.

They were currently whispering to each other, discussing something, and the atmosphere seemed somewhat solemn.

And on the altar stood three Demon Generals with the most formidable auras.

The one in the middle was a burly man wearing dark red scale armor, with a pair of curved ox horns on his head, a rugged face, and fierce eyes. His Cultivation had reached Golden Core Perfection, just a step away from the Nascent Soul Stage.

To his left stood a tall, thin middle-aged man in a black feather robe with eyes as sharp as an eagle's, whose Cultivation was at the peak of the Late Golden Core Stage.

To his right was a seductive snake demoness with a graceful figure, wearing revealing leather armor, with several poison sacs hanging from her waist, and eyes that were alluring yet held a cold Killing Intent. Her Cultivation was also at the Late Golden Core Stage.

"Three Commanders, according to reports from front-line scouts, Zhenbei City has begun full preparations for war. Not only have they strengthened city defenses and patrols, but they are also recruiting a large number of Loose Cultivators and purchasing military supplies. It seems they have already detected our army's movements."

A Demon General responsible for communication knelt on one knee, respectfully reporting the latest intelligence to the three commanders on the altar.

"Hmph! What if they've detected us? Do they think Zhenbei City's meager forces can block the grand army of our Heavenly Demon Imperial Court?" The ox-horned strongman snorted disdainfully, his voice echoing through the valley like muffled thunder. "Lord Eagle King has already given orders for us to complete the blockade of all transportation routes west of Zhenbei City within three days. Once the main army arrives, we will immediately launch a general offensive and capture Zhenbei City in one fell swoop!"

"Commander Niu is absolutely right." The man in the black feather robe interjected, his voice somewhat high-pitched. "However, Zhenbei City's Nascent Soul Old Ancestor is not to be trifled with. Moreover, as far as I know, there seems to be a mysterious expert of considerable strength hidden within Zhenbei City. A few days ago, a vanguard squad under Lord Eagle King was completely annihilated on the outskirts of the Canglang Mountain Range. It is said that the perpetrator was very likely a Nascent Soul Cultivator."

"Oh? Such a thing happened?" The snake demoness frowned slightly, her voice carrying a hint of charm mixed with cold Killing Intent. "Have you found out who did it?"

"Not yet. That vanguard squad was completely wiped out, without even having time to send out a distress signal. The perpetrator's methods were extremely clean and swift, leaving no useful clues," the man in the black feather robe shook his head.

"Hmph! No matter who it is, daring to kill someone from our Heavenly Demon Imperial Court is courting death! Once Zhenbei City is captured, this Commander will surely drag out that cowardly rat, extract their soul, and refine their spirit, making them wish for death but unable to find it!" The ox-horned strongman's eyes flashed with fierce light as he spoke, brimming with Killing Intent.

Ye Qing, hidden on the rock wall, heard the conversation of the Demon Generals below clearly.

"Oh? So that vanguard squad belonged to this 'Commander Niu'? No wonder that black-robed eagle demon was so arrogant, he had a Golden Core Perfection superior."

He muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping over the ox-horned strongman.

"Golden Core Perfection, just one step away from Nascent Soul. His aura is stable, he must have Cultivated some Body Refining Cultivation Technique, making his Physical Body formidable. The other two, one is an eagle demon at the peak of Late Golden Core Stage, and the other is a snake demon at Late Golden Core Stage, both are not to be trifled with."

"They plan to blockade the transportation routes west of Zhenbei City within three days? This is important intelligence. If they succeed, Zhenbei City will be isolated and helpless, and facing the main force of the Yao Race army then would truly be dangerous."

He quickly calculated in his mind, and a plan gradually formed.

"Since I've stumbled upon this, I can't just watch them blockade these roads. However, it's unrealistic for me alone to stop them from blocking all routes. The best way is to... eliminate their three leaders!"

"As long as these three commanders are taken out, the remaining Demon Generals will be leaderless and thrown into chaos. The plan to blockade the routes will naturally fall through."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he had already made up his mind.

He did not act immediately but continued to lurk on the rock wall, patiently waiting for the best moment to strike.

The three Demon General commanders discussed for a while longer on the altar, then dispersed to deploy their troops and prepare to execute the blockade mission.

Ye Qing's gaze locked onto the ox-horned strongman.

This ox-horned strongman was the highest-Cultivation among the three commanders and the de facto commander of this Yao Race unit. As long as he was eliminated, the remaining Demon Generals would not be a concern.

He was like a patient leopard, lurking in the shadows, waiting for his prey to reveal a weakness.

Finally, after assigning tasks, the ox-horned strongman walked alone to a more secluded corner deep in the valley, seemingly to relieve himself.

"The opportunity has arrived!"

A sharp light flashed in Ye Qing's eyes, and his figure, like a ghost, silently slid down from the rock wall, stealthily approaching the ox-horned strongman's location.