A faint sound of wind rose. Several figures, using no aura, were still swift as lightning. Led by Tang Yuan, the several Great Qian Grandmasters headed for a certain place with clear purpose. All cultivators whose cultivation crushed the world sideways — yet their faces now were exceedingly grave, eyes watching six roads, ears hearing eight directions.

Tang Yuan strained to catch the movements around him, then suddenly knit his brow and glanced slightly back. "Isn't this a bit much?"

He too was of poor origin, and knew ordinary cultivators' hardships. He was absolutely among the batch of Spirit-Transformation powerhouses with the best temper. But that didn't mean he could tolerate someone following at such a close distance, using all manner of presence-concealing means besides, their sordid intent plain — this was hardly wanting a sip of soup; they were a hair's breadth from charging up to snatch the pot and smash the bowls.

Where was there any doing things this way!

"Could it be, seeing this trip has no Xuanguang Cave or Wutong Mountain Perfected Master, that they slight this old Tang?"

"Calm your anger, Senior — the age-fruits are what matter."

The several others could only advise in low voices. "We've now entered a demon emperor's territory; the utmost care is proper."

"..."

Tang Yuan drew a deep breath. He was only somewhat displeased, and hadn't thought of striking or anything. In the Thousand Demon Den, there simply existed no safe place. Even were his teacher Perfected Master Qingfeng to come in person, he'd still have to conceal his presence, steady his mind, and act with care — after all, beyond the mountain there was ever a higher mountain.

"How far still from that cave-estate fissure?"

"Nine hundred li."

Hou Wanhai was the highest in cultivation among the Great Qian Grandmasters. He took out a jade slip and felt it carefully. "This news was traded for with the lives of two of my Great Qian Grandmasters — it can't be false. That cave estate is still several hundred years from its next opening; the Thousand Demon Den shouldn't…