This ancient tree, clearly the core of the Ten Thousand Demons Cave, can basically be concluded as the key to releasing these demons. The purpose of tricking me into it is almost self-explanatory.

Is he, Hou Yuxiao, actually the key to releasing these demons?

Despite countless thoughts flashing through Hou Yuxiao's mind, it was actually just a moment's work. The struggle on his face didn't last long; he just glanced at Sikong Xingzhou in mid-air and, without a trace of hesitation, rushed directly into the ancient tree.

Even knowing he was being schemed against by Sikong Yue, Hou Yuxiao still chose to enter.

There was no way around it; his debt to this son was simply too great.

In mid-air, Sikong Xingzhou, dealing with the approaching saints, looked down at the ancient tree. A glimmer of eerie color flashed in his pupils.

"Emperor of Jin, you also claim to be a person who cares for the world, yet you would aid and abet the wicked?"

"I care for the world, but unfortunately, you people are just too stubborn!"

Xun Mu's angry curses did not stop the Emperor of Jin and Zhuge Yuan; he was determined to ally with Sikong Xingzhou. Counting the numbers, there were only four saints on their side: the Emperor of Jin, Zhuge Yuan, Sikong Xingzhou, and Fahai. On the other side, there were Xun Mu, Meng Qu, Jing Yuanxiu, Demon Void, Zhang Ruoxu, Wei Xuheng, Zhao Yulong, Li Tingzong, True Man Yu Tian—a total of ten saints.

In theory, the disparity in strength between the two sides was immense, leaving no suspense in their confrontation.

But in reality, Sikong Xingzhou fought against four without the slightest disadvantage, and the Emperor of Jin and Zhuge Yuan each fought against two. Plus Fahai, the four blocked ten and actually succeeded.

Of course, the key was that neither side had the determination for a fight to the death. Sikong Xingzhou's side merely blocked the ten from approaching that ancient tree, while the ten saw Hou Yuxiao and Zhantai Wuyuan enter the ancient tree. Despite their anxiety, they didn't know what was happening. They had no choice but to deal with the four of Sikong Xingzhou while angrily scolding, hoping to change the Emperor of Jin's mind and join forces with them against Sikong Xingzhou.

However, this was ultimately just wishful thinking.

The Emperor of Jin couldn't hear their words, or rather, he and Zhuge Yuan seemed determined to stand on Sikong Xingzhou's side. At least, at this moment, both were thinking this way.

......

"Hide behind me!"

Hou Yuxiao, rushing into the ancient tree for the first time, was too late to say anything to Zhantai Wuyuan. With a furious shout, he drew out his long stick and charged ahead, blocking a black steel claw blade coming straight for him.

Clanging...

Black blade and long stick fiercely intersected; the nine-thousand-zhang Demon Ape Martial Spirit condensed behind Hou Yuxiao immediately seemed weakened and thinned significantly. His body was swept like autumn leaves by the strong Qi Force of the blade, flying back over ten miles.

This blade, why is it so familiar?

Hou Yuxiao's mind flashed with this thought, but he didn't raise his head to see what the blade actually was. Instead, he first turned his head to look at Zhantai Wuyuan behind him, asking: "How are you, okay?"

Zhantai Wuyuan's expression was somewhat dazed, clearly frightened by the pitch-black blade just now. It took him more than ten breaths before he raised his head to look at Hou Yuxiao, initially revealing a trace of vigilance instinctively, but soon he was stunned.

"You, why did you save me?"

Hou Yuxiao's expression paused for a moment; he opened his mouth as if to say something, but the words stopped, unsure where to begin. He now realized how deep the pit Sikong Yue had dug for him over the years.

Previous encounters with Zhantai Wuyuan were too unpleasant.

To call them unpleasant seems somewhat mild.

To put it seriously, Zhantai Wuyuan probably loathed him to the bone.

Forget trusting him; Hou Yuxiao could be sure that even now, having just saved Zhantai Wuyuan's life, the hatred this boy felt for him was still there. His mind was probably wondering if he had some conspiracy.

I am your father.

You are the child of me and Zhan Taiqing.

If he were to say this directly now, Zhantai Wuyuan wouldn't just disbelieve; he'd likely become even more defensive inwardly.

"Boy, you don't trust me, do you?"

Zhantai Wuyuan frowned, answering the question with his expression.

"I just said your mother was killed by Sikong Yue. You don't believe it either?"

"Of course not. Aunt treats me like her own child, and Mother is her sister-in-law. In my New Moon Cult, who doesn't know, who isn't aware? You stop trying to deceive me!"

"So, has your aunt ever told you who killed your mother?"

Hearing this question, Zhantai Wuyuan's expression suddenly became grim. He looked up at Hou Yuxiao and said in a deep voice: "Why should I tell you?"

This Sikong Yue, what a pack of lies he's made up to deceive people!

Hou Yuxiao took a deep breath, his animosity toward Sikong Yue reaching its peak. He didn't blame Zhantai Wuyuan; the son was still young, and raised by Sikong Yue since childhood. The whole New Moon Cult was led by the Sikong father and daughter, so deceiving a child was extraordinarily easy.

"You should know about the contest for succession of the Rakshasa Holy Sect's hierarch at the time, right?"

"Hmph, I knew you'd use this to make me question Aunt. You're trying to say Aunt killed my mother for the hierarch position. If that were true, why would Aunt designate me as the Saint Heir early on and prepare to hand the leader position of the New Moon Cult to me later? Grandpa Duanmu and Elder Huangfu, along with many people in the cult, were loyal to my mother. If what you say were true, if Aunt harmed my mother, would those people follow Sikong Yue in keeping it from me?

Hou Yuxiao, stop it. I don't know what your motive is for saving me, but if you're trying to create a rift between Aunt and me, then you're too naive!"

Hou Yuxiao remained silent for a long time. He understood that Zhantai Wuyuan's thoughts were entirely shaped by Sikong Yue over the years. It wouldn't be possible to change them quickly; he could only retreat and softly say: "It's perfectly normal for you not to trust me about these things. But let me ask you, where did your aunt say the Soul Returning Spirit Wood is? If I hadn't followed you in, that black blade would have taken your life. If your aunt truly cared about you, would she let you fall into such danger?"

This time, Zhantai Wuyuan's expression finally changed slightly.

He lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, and seemed to be considering.

Hou Yuxiao's expression moved; he wanted to continue striking while the iron was hot, accelerating Zhantai Wuyuan's change in thoughts. But before he could speak, eight pitch-black blades raced towards him from behind. He dared not continue talking and immediately slapped Zhantai Wuyuan away, turning himself around to face the enemy.

"Spider demons, yet another second-rank demon!"

Seeing the eight pitch-black blades at that moment, Hou Yuxiao suddenly looked up past the blades, and his expression immediately froze, full of surprise and confusion.

Those eight pitch-black blades were not weapons but the eight legs of a huge spider demon spanning the ancient tree's space. Hou Yuxiao was shocked because this spider demon, before his eyes, was identical to the one he encountered when entering the Ten Thousand Demons Cave, after breaking the Golden Light Passage with other Sub-Saints of Martial Dao.

Identical green color, stature spanning several dozen miles, red pupils; although it looked less conscious than an ordinary demon, the overwhelming demon qi surrounding it still reminded Hou Yuxiao that this spider demon's strength might far exceed the one he faced before.

How could this be, identical...

Hou Yuxiao frowned tightly; among demons, there are some of the same type, but even of the same type, they would differ due to lineage, cultivation, or regions. Yet this spider demon before him was so similar to the one he met before, almost identical.

The probability of demons being identical was much lower than humans.

How could it be such a coincidence to encounter a pair?

"This spider demon is peculiar, definitely peculiar!"

Hou Yuxiao made the judgment in his mind but couldn't do much else because the spider demon was already charging at his body.

Seeing those eight blade-like lower limbs, Hou Yuxiao's expression immediately became incredibly serious.

Previously in the Golden Light Passage, there were over a hundred Sub-Saints of Martial Dao assisting him in successfully slaying that spider demon. Right now, it's just him alone...