The Cangya Mountains stretched endlessly, their peaks shrouded in mist.


    “We’re heading to Misty Lake Canyon,” Yi Xiao commanded. “Uncle Qian, scout ahead to find a route that avoids the monsters.”


    “Understood, I’ll investigate.”


    The lean demon servant, Uncle Qian, transformed his nose into a black canine snout. Sniffing the air, he carefully discerned countless scents.


    Qin Yun observed from the side. Even ordinary dogs had sharp noses, and for a canine demon like Uncle Qian, his olfactory sense was far more acute. Not to mention, this demon servant''s strength surpassed that of the 19 demon leaders under the Water God.


    “These Cangya Mountains truly deserve their reputation as the largest mountain range in Guangling Prefecture. There are indeed many demons lurking here. I’ve already detected several within a ten-mile radius,” Uncle Qian said. “Follow me; I’ll lead the way.”


    “Let’s go.”


    Yi Xiao, Qin Yun, and Jia Huairen quickly followed behind.


    With Uncle Qian leading the way, they didn’t encounter a single demon on their journey.


    After traveling deep into the mountains for half an hour, Uncle Qian periodically sniffed the air. Suddenly, he stopped and said in a low voice, “Miss Yi, Misty Lake Canyon is three miles ahead. The area is heavy with demonic energy, indicating a large congregation of demons. I can’t distinguish all their numbers, but there are at least a hundred demons residing there.”


    “A single Misty Lake Canyon is home to over a hundred demons?” Yi Xiao’s expression shifted slightly.


    Even the weakest of these demons would have the strength equivalent to a cultivator at the tenth level of Qi Refinement.


    Qin Yun recalled when he fought Old Demon Chu Yong in the underground palace. The seven minor demons who attacked him back then were already formidable adversaries. Facing over a hundred such demons would intimidate even seasoned cultivators.


    “The Millennium Ice Jade Fruit is in Misty Lake Canyon. These demons must be stationed here to guard it,” Yi Xiao deduced. “It seems the demons highly value this spiritual fruit.”


    “What should we do next, Miss Yi?” Uncle Qian asked. “There are too many demons in Misty Lake Canyon.”


    “We’ll first infiltrate the canyon and find a vantage point where we can observe the Ice Jade Fruit tree,” Yi Xiao replied solemnly. “We need to confirm when the fruit ripens.”


    “Understood.”


    Without hesitation, Uncle Qian led the way.


    “Are we entering the canyon now?” Jia Huairen whispered nervously. “Shouldn’t we wait until si hour?”


    “If we wait until si hour to enter, the fruit might already be ripe and plucked by the time we arrive. That would be too late. Besides, once inside, we still need to determine the best method for retrieving the fruit. We must go in ahead of time,” Yi Xiao said, casting a glance at Jia Huairen. “What’s the matter? Are you scared?”


    “No, not at all! How could I be scared?” Jia Huairen quickly denied, knowing he had no choice but to proceed.


    Qin Yun remained composed, having spent three years in the northern borderlands. Such situations didn’t faze him.


    Despite the short distance of three miles, the group advanced cautiously, minimizing any noise to avoid detection.


    “There it is.”


    From a mountainside vantage point, the group peered into the canyon below.


    The most striking feature of Misty Lake Canyon was a lake emitting wisps of steam. The lake’s warm waters created a constant mist, earning it the name “Misty Lake.” Not far from the lake stood a tree that seemed carved from ice, its crystalline form refracting sunlight even through the mist.


    The tree bore a single green fruit—just one.


    Around the tree, more than a dozen demons loitered idly. Scanning the canyon, Qin Yun could spot twenty or thirty more demons scattered about. Even the mountain slopes flanking the canyon had demon sentinels stationed on them. These demons, free from the need to disguise themselves as humans, revealed their beastly heads. Many carried weapons in hand or strapped to their waists.


    “There are also seven or eight demons hidden within the cliff walls, likely serving as lookouts,” Uncle Qian said softly. “About forty demons are patrolling the canyon, while the central residence seems to be their resting quarters. Most of the demonic energy emanates from there.”


    From his perch, Qin Yun noted that the large but crudely built residence was likely a temporary structure erected to guard the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit.


    “How do we retrieve the spiritual fruit?” Qin Yun asked.


    “The area around the fruit tree is flat,” Yi Xiao replied, frowning. “A dozen demons are stationed around it, with another thirty or so nearby. Any commotion would alert the numerous demons in the residence. The canyon is too open, leaving no cover. To retrieve the fruit, we’ll need to rely on an invisibility spell.”If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    “Invisibility spell?” Qin Yun’s interest piqued.


    The invisibility spell was an advanced technique, typically mastered only by innate talents. Some demons possessed innate abilities like burrowing, flight, or invisibility, which humans often envied. Similarly, demons envied the superior comprehension abilities of human cultivators.


    A demon might need a thousand years to achieve what a talented human cultivator could accomplish in a decade.


    Yet humans envied demons for their long lifespans. Even a cultivator at the Golden Core stage could only live for five centuries.


    Each had their advantages.


    “This task falls to you, Brother Qin,” Yi Xiao said. “Jia Huairen lacks the courage, and Uncle Qian cannot use talismans.”


    “Brother Qin, it’s all up to you,” Jia Huairen chimed in nervously.


    Approaching the tree was fraught with danger. A single misstep could mean discovery. Even if one successfully retrieved the fruit, the demons would immediately notice its absence and launch an attack.


    “Leave it to me,” Qin Yun agreed, knowing he was the only suitable candidate for the task.


    Yi Xiao retrieved an invisibility talisman from her pouch.


    Qin Yun recognized it immediately. He owned one as well, though it was a precious item he was reluctant to use as a solitary cultivator with limited resources.


    “Brother Qin, this mission is dangerous. If things go awry, abandon the fruit and prioritize your safety,” Yi Xiao said as she handed over the talisman.


    “Don’t worry, I’ll prioritize survival,” Qin Yun assured her, accepting the talisman.


    “We’re counting on you,” Jia Huairen said with a fawning smile. Since witnessing Qin Yun’s ability to slay a formidable rhino demon with a single strike, Jia Huairen had treated him with a mix of fear and respect.


    Qin Yun gazed down at the canyon, mapping out a potential route.


    “Let’s move closer,” Yi Xiao said. “We need to be ready to assist Brother Qin.”


    “Move closer?” Jia Huairen’s face paled.


    “If we’re hundreds of feet away, we won’t be able to provide support when he retrieves the fruit,” Yi Xiao explained. “Let’s go.”


    Qin Yun admired Yi Xiao’s decisiveness.


    The group advanced even more cautiously this time, with Qin Yun and Yi Xiao relying on their spiritual vision while Uncle Qian used his acute senses to detect any threats.


    Finally, Uncle Qian halted and whispered, “We can’t go any closer. We’re about sixty feet from the tree now. Fortunately, the demons are lax in their patrols, making this approach possible. If this were a human military encampment, we wouldn’t have gotten this far.”


    “Sixty feet is close enough,” Yi Xiao said. At this range, her lightning techniques could reach effectively.


    “Now, we wait for the fruit to ripen,” she instructed.


    The group settled in, suppressing all movement as they awaited the moment of the fruit’s maturity.


    Meanwhile, on the official road, the prefectural governor’s entourage, which had secretly left Guangling Prefecture City in the dead of night, was nearing Yu’an County. However, as per their plan, they would bypass the county and proceed directly to the foot of Cangya Mountain.


    Inside the governor’s carriage, the old official sat surrounded by his elite guards.


    “Whoosh.”


    A hawk descended from the sky.


    One of the guards extended his arm, allowing the bird to land. He retrieved a message tied to its leg and handed it to the governor’s son, Wen Chong.


    “A letter?” Wen Chong’s expression darkened as he unfolded the message and read it.


    “Stop! Father, father!” Wen Chong called urgently.


    The entire procession halted.


    “What is it?” the governor asked, pulling back the carriage curtain.


    Wordlessly, Wen Chong handed over the letter.


    The governor unfolded the missive and read its simple contents:


    “I’ve heard the Water God has summoned his junior disciple, the White Tiger Great Demon, to Guangling Prefecture to guard the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit.”


    Just one sentence, but it chilled the governor to the core.


    "White Tiger Great Demon?"


    "The Water God invited his junior disciple, the White Tiger Great Demon, to assist him?"


    The elderly prefectural governor trembled uncontrollably, his hands shaking as he spoke.


    "How could this happen? How could this happen? Heaven wants me dead, Heaven wants me dead..." he murmured softly.


    "Isn''t the White Tiger Great Demon said to reside long-term in the Black Wind Ridge area of Zhenshan County? With three thousand minor demons under his command, he''s known for his mastery over wind, capable of soaring through the heavens and earth. Such a powerful demon being the Water God''s junior disciple... And now he’s been invited to guard the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit?" Wen Chong''s voice wavered. After all, if the fruit couldn’t be obtained, his father might not have many years left to live.


    "Such great demons possess cultivation techniques," the elderly governor said grimly. "And cultivation techniques naturally have lineages, with masters, senior brothers, and junior brothers. It''s not surprising at all. I originally thought... the Water God, causing so much havoc, wouldn’t dare stray far from rivers, lakes, and waterways. I expected the Cangya Mountains to simply have an abundance of demons, nothing more. But I never anticipated he would invite the White Tiger Great Demon!"


    "Could the information be false?" Wen Chong couldn''t help but ask.


    Some humans sought refuge with demons, and conversely, some minor demons allied themselves with humans, gaining various benefits in return. The confidential report this time had come from a demon that had pledged loyalty to the prefectural governor.


    "If it specifically names the White Tiger Great Demon, then there''s an 80% chance it''s true," the elderly governor replied, unwilling to believe it but recognizing the high probability of accuracy. "The Water God might not know the exact moment the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit will ripen, but he could estimate a rough timeframe within ten days or so. He must have summoned his junior disciple, the White Tiger Great Demon, to guard the fruit during this critical period."


    "But the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit is for extending life. Why would a demon need it? Their lifespans are already so long!" The governor’s expression contorted with frustration.


    "What do we do now?" Wen Chong asked in panic.


    "If the White Tiger Great Demon is there, Yi Xiao and Qin Yun have no chance," the governor said gravely. "What troubles me more is whether they''ll even make it back alive. Especially Yi Xiao—if she dies in the Cangya Mountains, the Yi family and the Divine Firmament Sect will not let this go easily."


    "I’ll send someone to deliver the message immediately," Wen Chong offered hastily.


    The elderly governor glanced out the carriage window, sighed, and said, "It’s too late. It’s almost si hour (9–11 a.m.). From here to the Cangya Mountains, then into the mountains, and finally to Misty Lake Canyon—it’ll be too late, far too late!"


    With that, the governor closed the window curtain.


    "Shall we continue onward?" Wen Chong asked.


    "Yes, continue. Head to the base of the Cangya Mountains and wait there. Perhaps we’ll see them come out," the governor replied, his voice suddenly sounding much older. If the White Tiger Great Demon was truly there, the governor himself saw no hope of obtaining the Millennium Ice Jade Fruit. The hope of extending his life by twenty years—was it truly gone?


    "White Tiger Great Demon, White Tiger Great Demon..." the murmur echoed inside the carriage.


    Wen Chong''s face turned grim as well. He immediately shouted, "Continue forward!"