After leaving enough contingencies, taking all the spirit stones, and ten thousand-plus spirit plants, Yang Hong set off.
En route, Yang Hong exclusively used the Water Evasion technique for travel.
In truth, it was mostly for practice, to hone the Water Evasion technique and thus quickly grasp the essence of water spiritual energy.
And Yang Hong’s intuition was correct.
After continuously practicing the Water Evasion technique for a month and a half, on an afternoon of fierce wind and heavy rain, Yang Hong successfully comprehended a trace of water spiritual essence.
This not only significantly boosted his Water Evasion speed and distance but also made him more adept at casting water-element spells.
This also allowed Yang Hong to arrive at Falling Star Island well ahead of schedule, by the end of July.
“As expected, the number of demons on Falling Star Island is as numerous as hair on a bull.”
Upon reaching Falling Star Island, Yang Hong couldn't help but sigh.
For an island spanning a thousand li, it was normal to have millions of mortals or demonic beasts.
However, having millions of demons simultaneously present truly made it incredibly crowded.
Furthermore, due to a great battle ten thousand years ago, the spiritual energy concentration on Falling Star Island was extremely low, barely reaching the level of a second-grade spiritual land.
With so many demons crammed in, no one could possibly cultivate.
“I think I’ve been to this island before. It’s just that there was no spiritual energy, so I took a glance and left.”
As he stepped onto Falling Star Island, Yang Hong recalled that he had come here once while fleeing Jade Stream Island. At the time, he had only sensed the poor spiritual energy and left after a cursory look.
He never imagined that such a seemingly desolate island would be the entrance to a super secret realm.
It seemed there were no demons in charge on Falling Star Island; all demons could come and go freely.
There were even demons engaging in combat in the sky, on the ground, and in the sea.
The only word to describe it was “chaos.”
Demons who landed on the island could only form small groups, huddling together for warmth.
However, even these small groups were simultaneously protecting each other and being wary of one another.
Yang Hong had originally intended to find a place to rest on the island, but he hadn't expected this godforsaken place to lack even buildings like inns or hotels.
There were only scattered tents, but each tent was guarded by imposing, imposing figures radiating fierce auras.
Clearly, they were not to be trifled with, individuals not to be provoked.
Most demons simply found a spot to lie down and rest, with some even sleeping outdoors in the open.
The resting demons were considered fortunate. At this moment on Falling Star Island, not only were demons killing each other, but there were also those mating and procreating in broad daylight, right before the eyes of the other demons.
All sorts of bizarre scenes could be witnessed on Falling Star Island.
This situation made Yang Hong, who had experienced the Hongdong Secret Realm and rested at the caravan camp, deeply understand the difference between humans and demons.
The sheer level of civilization was something demons could never match.
However, Yang Hong certainly wouldn’t concern himself with these matters. He was human; what business did the civilization of demons have with him?
After circling around, Yang Hong quickly understood why the island was called Falling Star Island.
In the center of the island were more than ten small lakes, each spanning several li. The shape of these lakes would likely lead most people to react:
“Did these form from falling stars?”
The shapes of those small lakes were too distinctive.
Furthermore, upon approaching these small lakes, one could feel a profound malevolent energy and an ominous aura.
“Is this demonic energy?
It is indeed detestable.”
Others would merely find the aura unpleasant, but Yang Hong felt a deep sense of disgust.
Without daring to linger, Yang Hong left the central area.
He began searching for places with a high concentration of demons.
As night descended, Falling Star Island quieted down.
Yang Hong found a patch of woods where several hundred demons were gathered, all of them being seventh-tier and eighth-tier Demon Lords.
“This is quite suitable.”
Observing the group of Demon Lords who were still engaged in discussions, Yang Hong used his [Supreme Breathing Technique] to alter his aura and blend into the crowd.
“Our demonic race possesses powerful physiques. We can absorb not only spiritual energy but also immortal and demonic energy. This way, our demonic race can undoubtedly become the strongest.”
“I believe we cannot absorb both types of energy simultaneously, or we will certainly suffer qi deviation.”
“I’ve got it! We can use demonic energy for body refinement and immortal energy for cultivating magical power, cultivating both internally and externally.”
“Why can’t we use immortal energy for body refinement and demonic energy for cultivating magical power? Would that be safer?”
“I think…”
The group of Demon Lords was discussing the age-old conundrum of cultivating both immortal and demonic arts.
Yang Hong sneered dismissively, internally disagreeing with the idea of dual cultivation. It was a path fraught with profound historical lessons.
But he certainly wouldn't offer any advice to these demons.
After listening for a while, he left the small shield he had obtained from King Lei Peng in its original spot and quietly turned to leave.
He had no desire to be the one who opened the secret realm, to become the focal point of all the demons.
Moreover, he was concerned that the shield from King Lei Peng might contain a hidden trap left by Ancestor Jin Peng.
Therefore, it was best to discard it.
As for the shield he had traded for with She Maohai, Yang Hong had carefully inspected it. There were no issues, nor any traces of magical power markings.
He had also firmly resolved not to bring out that shield until he had entered the Demon Sealing Secret Realm and avoided the vast majority of demons.
“Fellow Daoist, please wait.”
Just as Yang Hong was leaving the small forest after leaving the shield, a sinister voice called out from behind him.
This startled Yang Hong, and he mentally calculated how to launch a surprise attack to eliminate the newcomer.
“Fellow Daoist, you also believe those old guys are spouting nonsense, don’t you?”
The approaching figure,
Oh, no, the approaching demon, continued to speak as it drew closer to Yang Hong,
This eased Yang Hong’s tension slightly.
“Heh heh~ Fellow Daoist, you mustn’t be so disrespectful to our elders.”
Yang Hong retracted his magical power but covertly mobilized the strength of his physical body.
He did not want the demon to know that he had left behind a shield for opening the Demon Sealing Secret Realm.
“Fellow Daoist, you are too cautious.
Let me tell you, I would say this even in front of those old guys.”
The demon behind him came up beside Yang Hong. It was a young man clad in a golden python robe embroidered with dragons.
However, the python robe, worn by this relatively handsome youth, gave off the air of a beggar’s garment.
There was a word that perfectly described him: “a monkey wearing a crown.”
Seeing this appearance, Yang Hong was momentarily unable to guess the other party’s identity, so he probed indirectly:
“It seems your status is unusual, Fellow Daoist, and your elders must have cultivation that reaches the heavens.”
“Heh heh~ I am but a humble eight prince of the West Sea Dragon Clan, Ao Deju, at your service.”
The young man in the python robe flicked his sleeve and introduced himself with his nostrils pointed to the sky.
“So it’s the renowned Eighth Prince. I’ve long heard of your great name. Long have I heard of it.”
Yang Hong cooperatively cupped his fists in a gesture of admiration.
Ao Deju modestly chuckled, a look of smugness on his face: “Heh heh~ Just a mere reputation, nothing more.”
“Your Highness Eighth Prince, it’s getting late. I need to sleep now, so I will take my leave.”
Yang Hong cupped his fists again and quickly walked around Ao Deju.
Now was not the time to interact with demon royalty.
Besides, this Eighth Prince Ao Deju of the West Sea Dragon Clan was only at the sixth-tier Demon King realm. He was surely not some high-level dragon, so there was no need to engage him.
“Fellow Daoist, please wait~”
The voice from behind made Yang Hong’s body tremble. He turned with a helpless expression to look at Ao Deju.
The words he uttered were too potent.
Anyone familiar with the Investiture of the Gods would know that Zhun Ti used this phrase to snatch many resources and people from the Eastern Continent;
Shen Gongbao used this phrase to doom more than half of the Jie Sect.
Having just done something illicit, Yang Hong felt a pang of guilt upon hearing these words.