The demons' reunion was partly driven by self-interest, yet it also held a touch of genuine sentiment.
The Demon Path was a difficult one, unless a demon was exceptionally talented.
Otherwise, to travel far upon it, the help of others was essential.
Between their shared origins and the serendipitous bond they'd formed while seeking the Path, the demons were more than willing to foster good relations.
For several days straight, the demons feasted and drank on Yellow Wasp Mountain, reminiscing and strengthening their bonds.
Vast quantities of beast meat and wine were served.
But the Yellow Wasp Spirit didn't feel the slightest pang of regret over the expense.
The longer these demons stayed on Yellow Wasp Mountain, the more it would demonstrate the Yellow Wasp Spirit's wide-reaching Demon Vein.
That way, the powers on the surrounding mountains wouldn't dare to act recklessly.
He, in turn, could secure his position on Yellow Wasp Mountain and focus on managing and developing his domain in peace.
「Five days later.」
With the arrival of Bai Yuhu and the Striped Tiger Demon from Red Cloud Mountain, the grand event on Yellow Wasp Mountain reached its zenith.
Xiong Da, the Yellow Wasp Spirit, the Wild Wolf Demon, the Wild Boar Spirit, the Monkey Spirit, Bai Yuhu, the Striped Tiger, and finally, the Mouse Demon, Xu Chang'an.
Eight demons in total.
Of the dozen or so demons from Cyan Mountain back in the day, almost everyone who could make it had come.
As for the rest, they were either contacted but couldn't get away, or...
They were dead!
Xu Chang'an learned from the Yellow Wasp Spirit that...
...the Toad Spirit from Cyan Mountain had become a corpse five years ago.
He had died during a battle between the forces of two mountains.
Recalling the past, Xu Chang'an could still vaguely picture the Toad Spirit in his mind.
The Demon Path was harsh, and the hardships went far beyond just cultivation!
A demon with no strength, no backing, and no foundation could easily meet a violent end with a single misstep.
Without even another demon to remember them.
The Toad Spirit was fortunate. At least other demons still remembered him.
The eight demons gathered on Yellow Wasp Mountain could still speak his name.
Among the eight demons present, Bai Yuhu had the highest cultivation, having already stepped into the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
Rumor had it she was now vying for a position as an Inner Sect demon of Red Cloud Mountain.
Next was the Striped Tiger, at the Peak of the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
After him came Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit, both at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
The Wild Wolf Demon was at the Qi Refining Third Layer.
The Wild Boar Spirit, the Monkey Spirit, and Xu Chang'an shared the same cultivation, all at the Qi Refining Second Layer.
Having not seen him for so many years, Xu Chang'an noted the Striped Tiger's personality had changed considerably.
He no longer had that same arrogance, that air of looking down on everyone.
'Perhaps he suffered some kind of setback in Red Cloud Mountain.'
'That made sense. As the hegemonic power of the Red Cloud Mountain Range, Red Cloud Mountain had no shortage of demons with outstanding Bloodline talents.'
They were all demons from Cyan Mountain, yet in just seven years, the gap between them had already begun to show.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit and Xiong Da could still barely keep pace with the Cultivation Realms of Bai Yuhu and the Striped Tiger Demon, but the gap between them and the rest of the demons was steadily widening.
'In a few more years, the disparity would likely be even greater.'
Throughout the gathering, the Yellow Wasp Spirit and the other demons mostly tried to cozy up to Bai Yuhu and the Striped Tiger Demon.
They weren't cold to the other demons, but their interactions were perfunctory at best.
Xu Chang'an was in their midst, but he saw everything clearly.
"Grey Rat, you're only at the Second Level of Qi Refining. That's a pretty big gap between you and Xiong Da. You're both demons from Langlang Mountain, so how can the difference be so huge?
You really need to work harder,"
the Monkey Spirit said with a laugh.
'Whether he meant it maliciously or not, who could say?'
Xu Chang'an, for his part, remained expressionless.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit, however, looked displeased and furrowed his brow.
"Monkey, that's enough out of you."
The Monkey Spirit gave an awkward laugh.
He quickly apologized and downed a bowl of wine.
He was now subordinate to the Yellow Wasp Spirit on Yellow Wasp Mountain, so it wasn't his place to say more.
Aside from that little incident, the atmosphere at the gathering was quite harmonious.
The demons took turns recounting their experiences, sharing amusing anecdotes and insights they had gained.
Having spent their time at Red Cloud Mountain, Bai Yuhu and the Striped Tiger Demon were worldly and knowledgeable.
They also shared interesting tales about the powers on the surrounding mountains.
For the most part, it was the Striped Tiger Demon who did the talking, with Bai Yuhu only adding a few words here and there.
All good things must come to an end. After several days of feasting and conversation, the gathering finally drew to a close.
The demons were free to reminisce among themselves, discuss potential trades, or simply wander around Yellow Wasp Mountain.
"Little mouse, have you been well all these years?"
To Xu Chang'an's surprise, Bai Yuhu was the one who approached him to catch up.
"I've been alright. The other demons on the mountain look out for me."
Xu Chang'an feigned a look of being flattered and overwhelmed.
'On the surface, Bai Yuhu's aptitude, cultivation, and status were all far superior to his.'
'For her to take the initiative to speak with him was, of course, an honor.'
"I see your Cultivation Realm has already reached the Peak of Qi Refining Second Layer. With a little more cultivation, you should be able to break through to the Qi Refining Third Layer.
Then you can ride that momentum and charge straight into the Qi Refining Fourth Layer."
"Who knows how long I'll have to cultivate to break through to the third layer, let alone the Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
With my aptitude, it's simply impossible without a Tier-Breaking Elixir,"
Xu Chang'an said, feigning dejection.
"Don't worry too much. With enough time spent in cultivation, a breakthrough will happen naturally.
I have a Qi Condensing Pill here. If you need it, I can lend it to you."
'A Qi Condensing Pill!'
Xu Chang'an was slightly taken aback.
The Qi Condensing Pill was a Tier-Breaking Elixir used to advance from the Early Stage to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining.
It was incredibly precious.
'Why is Bai Yuhu being so generous!?
Lending it to me, no less!
Isn't she afraid I'll just take the elixir and run off, never to be seen again!?'
As if sensing Xu Chang'an's thoughts, Bai Yuhu suddenly broke into a radiant smile.
"When I first joined Red Cloud Mountain, I performed a great service and was rewarded with a Qi Condensing Pill.
I didn't use an elixir when I broke through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, so I still have it.
Now, after seven years, you just so happen to need it. Giving it to you can be considered a gesture of our shared bond.
Little mouse, you don't need to worry so much. We're both demons from Cyan Mountain, after all.
It's only natural to help one of our own when I can."
'That may be true, but why give it to me instead of one of the other demons?
The Wild Wolf Demon is at the Qi Refining Third Layer; surely he needs it more than I do!'
Xu Chang'an grumbled inwardly.
Still, Bai Yuhu had put it that way.
And a Tier-Breaking Elixir was a rare treasure, crucial for one's Demon Path. Refusing again would only make him look suspicious.
And so, Xu Chang'an stopped refusing and gladly accepted the Qi Condensing Pill.
"By the way, Miss Yu, do you have any Qi Replenishing Pills?"
Bai Yuhu shot Xu Chang'an a surprised glance.
"I was just thinking that if I do manage to break through, I'll need Qi Replenishing Pills for my cultivation afterward.
If you have any, well, you'd be helping a fellow demon out completely,"
Xu Chang'an said shamelessly.
Bai Yuhu fell silent for a moment. She hadn't expected the little mouse before her to be thinking so far ahead, or to make such a request.
"I need to take Qi Replenishing Pills myself. I only have a little more than two bottles left."
With that, Bai Yuhu took two bottles of elixirs from her Storage Bag and handed them to Xu Chang'an.
"Hehe, thank you, thank you, Miss Yu,"
Xu Chang'an chuckled.
'To search high and low for something only to have it fall right into my lap.
I hadn't even started looking for a way to purchase Qi Replenishing Pills, and here they were, delivered right to me.'
"Miss Yu, don't you worry. I'll be sure to remember this kindness. As for the elixirs, I'll definitely pay you back in the future."
Xu Chang'an promised, patting his chest.
'This little mouse... I thought he was an honest demon, but I never realized he was so thick-skinned.'
"Just make sure you don't go back on your word later."
Bai Yuhu rolled her eyes at Xu Chang'an.
"Don't worry, Miss Yu. This little mouse isn't that kind of demon,"
Xu Chang'an said, full of confidence.