Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

A Demon Monkey, which in the eyes of King Kong Que had a fairly pleasing appearance, flew down from the sky, draped in a tiger skin, and landed at the city entrance.

With the aura of a Demon General in its mid-stage emanating from it, it sauntered nonchalantly inside.

Along the way, groups of monsters leading their human slaves all made way.

In the eyes of both Demon Race and Human Race, a Demon General held a significant position, even though they were not particularly noteworthy in the battles among those of Golden Pill Level.

”General, might I inquire your esteemed name and origin?”

A plump woman exuding the aura of someone at the Peak of Qi Practicing glanced over the Demon Monkey’s bulging muscles a few times and politely asked, her twin fiery-red tails swishing behind her.

”Heishi, cultivated at Yuejiaoshan Mountain.”

The Demon Monkey grunted, clearly not much of a talker: ”What, has Tushan City changed its rules, requiring a check on one’s history before entry?”

”Not at all, not at all, it is just a customary inquiry.”

After a moment’s contemplation, the plump woman handed over a Gray Stone, having confirmed that she had never heard of Yuejiaoshan Mountain and deeming the name likely fictitious, it did not bother her.

”General Heishi, the entrance fee is ten Spirit Stones, which allows you to stay here for ten days.”

”Recently, our great king has been recruiting Demon Generals from all places, offering Spirit Stones, Elixirs, human slaves, and more. Should you be interested in these, feel free to visit in front of the palace gates.”

”Should you accomplish a great deed, a lordship, granting fiefs, Spiritual Veins, and hundreds of thousands of human slaves is trivial.”

”Understood.”

The Demon Monkey pocketed the Gray Stone and looked around.

Monsters at the Qi Practicing Phase, some with bear heads and human bodies, others with snake or eagle heads and human bodies, each carrying different items; prey, Beast Skins, Spirit Wood, ores the size of a table.

They entered the city to trade, their entrance fee being one Spirit Stone.

Among the many items, there was one common sight.

Many members of the Demon Race held a rope in their hands, which was tied around a human slave’s neck, the slaves’ wrists bound together behind them, mostly males aged seventeen or eighteen, with females and older men being rare sights.

Naked, covered in filth and stinking, their gaze dull, their hair a tangled mess.

They followed behind the monsters that led them, stopping with each step, compliantly, even though some of the ropes were tied haphazardly and not tightly, as sharp claws and hooved feet were unsuited for such tasks.

Compared to pigs, cattle, and rabbits, which had stronger reproductive abilities,

The Demon Race preferred to eat humans, despite higher breeding costs.

And maybe it made sense.

Pigs, cattle, and rabbits required more meticulous breeding; crammed conditions could easily lead to epidemics and mass deaths, while human slaves were much easier to manage, and might not even need managing at all. One only needed to assign them an area and fend off predators.

Among these slaves, who were treated no different than livestock, were some who were well-groomed, dressed in silk and satin, looking bright and beautiful, mostly with handsome or pretty features.

Their expressions were much livelier, and they would occasionally come up to their masters, fawning and flattering as they rubbed backs and massaged shoulders, served tea and poured water.

’Recalling the past, the revered ancestors of the Human Race strived for survival amongst the countless tribes with great hardship.’

Jiang Ding sighed inwardly and asked, ”Has the Hundred Flowers Festival arrived again this year?”

”Yes, General Heishi,” the plump woman replied, her eyes lighting up with intense interest. ”It’s the grand Hundred Flowers Festival that happens once every decade. Demon Generals and lesser monsters all send their prettiest and handsomest human slaves to compete for the title of Bella or Beau. I heard that this year’s two hottest contenders include Yulingzi, whose looks are said to rival a heavenly fairy’s, and who is well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, with a voice robust and powerful. It’s a wonder what it would be like in bed...”

”If only they could survive the lashings of Patriarch Bai Hua. Once grown tired of them, they’ll be thrown into the Feihe Tower. We could then enjoy them ourselves for a few months’ worth of Spirit Stones,” she licked her lips.

”That’s unlikely.”

Jiang Ding shook his head; the craze of a Gold Pill Level Fox Monster was not something a mere mortal, at most on the first or second level of Qi Practicing, could withstand.

”You speak true, General Heishi.”

The plump woman agreed, ”Another popular courtesan, named Qing Yunzi, has a unique charm and is even more rare; she is a human of Foundation-building background captured by Patriarch Bai Hua, who has placed restrictions on her. One can only imagine how delightful the taste must be.”

She yearned deeply, but lamented her own low cultivation base and the embarrassing modesty of her purse.

”General Heishi, I suppose these male slaves do not interest you,” the plump fox monster said with a twinkle in her eye and a soft voice, ”Why don’t I take you for a casual stroll around the city to find a place...”

”No need.”

Jiang Ding waved his hand dismissively, turned, and left, walking into the city, leaving behind the fox monster with a face full of regret.

”Foundation Building Qing Yunzi?”

”Never heard of him. The Qiyu Sect hasn’t sent any foundation-building cultivators here either. He must be a foundation builder from outside who fell into the hands of Patriarch Bai Hua. In the memories of Peacock Demon Kong Que, her energy is always so vibrant, with plenty of spare attention.”

As he entered Monster City, Jiang Ding’s Divine Sense and Sword Intent swept across the towering city walls in a covert ripple.

”The barriers are at most Third Stage Lower Quality. The Demon Race’s formation methods are extremely poor. This is something created by a foreign Array Master and it’s long been in disrepair, full of flaws.”

Jiang Ding muttered to himself, reconciling with the memories of Peacock Demon Kong Que and thus reassured.

In the city, monsters went to and fro. The lesser demons led numb human slaves to the slaughter area in the western part of the city, while others took extravagantly dressed human slaves to the eastern part to participate in the courtesan selection. A good ranking could instantly multiply their value.

Other monsters were looking for spiritual lands, purchasing the elixirs, weapons, and other necessities they needed. Surprisingly, their civilizational behavior was not too shabby.

It was quite a while before one or two normal humans appeared. These were members of the Beiyuan Immortal Cultivation World’s major trading companies, walking briskly, not daring to linger outside for too long.

”There are two trading companies from the Northern Plains that hold their ground in Monster City: Chuyun Commerce Association and Lingbao Commerce Association.”

”According to Peacock Demon Kong Que’s memory, the Lingbao Commerce Association has a slightly better reputation.”

Jiang Ding moved towards the eastern district.

This area was the bustling district of Monster City. Many demons chose to live and cultivate here, where the concentration of Spiritual Energy generally reached the level of First Order. Entry required an additional fee of two spirit stones, and one could only stay for one day.

The surrounding buildings were clearly more elaborate, with shops and homes carved directly out of Spirit Wood, gold and silver, and even First Order spirit ore, naturally possessing a slight Gathering Spirits effect.

Elegant pavilions and towering mansions could occasionally be seen, though they were not the mainstream.

Such a style of conducting the rites of the Dao in a snail’s shell was not widely accepted by the Demon Race.

They preferred things that were simple and brutal.

Here, the presence of the surrounding demon races was generally stronger, with demon generals appearing from time to time.

After a short while, a shop as splendid as a white jade palace appeared in front of him, with blinding Spiritual Light. The plaque read ”Chuyun Commerce Association.”

The characters on the plaque carried a special Divine Sense Brand, understandable even to the illiterate members of the Demon Race, and conveyed additional information, such as the commerce association buying Spirit Beast Skin, Spirit Ore, Elixirs, and selling Talismans, weapons, Magic Tools at fair prices without cheating the old or the young.

Directly across, there was a shop poured from gold, resembling a cavernous dwelling and exuding a thick Demon Race style. The shop bore the engraved words ”Lingbao Commerce Association” with the Divine Sense Brand, and it had a broadly similar scope of business.

”Localized quite well,”

Jiang Ding nodded, ready to enter the Lingbao Commerce Association to buy information when he paused momentarily.

Looking down the distant street.

”The courtesan’s float is coming!”

A burly bear demon bellowed excitedly, his eyes shining. Other demons, especially the female ones, all paused, gazing into the distance.

Amidst a beautiful melody, countless flower petals paved the way.

Two sturdy demon bulls were pulling along a float several meters wide, resembling a house, upon which sat a handsome and rugged scholar. He parted his long robe to reveal his chest, which displayed prominently defined muscles.

Yet he didn’t seem crude, for his refined and elegant demeanor made him all the more dashing and debonair.

He occasionally waved down at the crowd with a relaxed and confident air, entirely lacking the restraint of other human slaves. This sparked a frenzy of screams from many female demons, their faces lighting up with enthusiasm as they pondered how many spirit stones they could afford to spend.

In contrast,

The second float contained a young man with an expressionless face and exceedingly ordinary looks. However, relying on his status in the Latter Stage of Foundation Building, he still managed to attract the favor of many female demons, who showered him with flowers made of Spiritual Gold.

”So tragic...”