Chapter 2740 - 52: Outwitted by One’s Own Cleverness

The tattooed-faced demon, Xiong Sansi, is a legendary Demon King, whose life journey mirrors a story from a book, complete with the protagonist’s Life Pattern.

Originally a nameless little monster from the Purple Wu Hills, he was wronged by a noble, had his parents killed, and was thrown into an abyss... but he accidentally inherited the legacy of an Ancient Demon.

Later, he emerged from the abyss wielding a bloody blade, wiping out his enemies’ entire clan.

With no relatives and no enemies left, his temperament changed drastically. His actions became erratic and ruthless, and he often resorted to violence.

After offending several major families and causing a lot of commotion, he appeared on the wanted list throughout the Monster Realm. He became another case of someone achieving rapid success without restraint, inviting disaster, and ultimately perishing at the peak.

However, for some reason, he caught the eye of the number one expert of the Purple Wu Hills, Tiger Taisui, who took him in as a disciple and provided protection.

After that, as a Demon King under Tiger Taisui, he swept across various regions, gaining great fame.

A pitch-black mask, without any decoration, became his trademark. Underneath his long robe, he hid a bloody knife that struck fear into the hearts of monsters.

Yu Xin’s acquaintance with him came from a chance encounter, a common gambling dispute scene that later ended with laughter and reconciliation... Of course, it was known afterwards that it was a deliberate test by Xiong Sansi, as the tattooed-faced demon sought the rightful heir to Yu Zhen’s Shenxiao Secret Cache.

This secret friendship continued for many years, with both parties maintaining a tacit understanding, never revealing it, all in preparation for the opening of the Shenxiao Secret Cache this year.

After many years of waiting, a result was finally about to emerge, as Mo Yun City became a convergence of geniuses, with turbulent winds rising.

In those previous years, regarding the calm about the Shenxiao Secret Cache, could there also be secret plots by other monsters?

With such a renowned ancient figure as Yu Zhen, who knows if the secret cache he left behind only has one clue, instead of more options?

"The five new kings on the Heavenly List might not be the limit of this turmoil, you need to be mentally prepared," Xiong Sansi pondered, "For instance, since Shujia Lan from the Black Lotus Temple is here, might there be a monk coming from Ancient Nan Mountain as well? And at this level of experts, no matter who comes, they won’t miss the opening of the Shenxiao Secret Cache."

The grievances and hatred between the Black Lotus Temple and Ancient Nan Mountain can be traced back a long way.

The Devil Master Tathagata, whom the Black Lotus Temple venerates, was initially the leader of the Ten Great Kings under the former Master Xiong of Ancient Nan Mountain. Displeased by Master Xiong’s disappearance Beyond the Heavens, the entire Ancient Nan Mountain welcomed the tenth Dharma King as the Mountain Lord, leading to a betrayal by the Devil Master Tathagata, who led a large number of followers away to establish the Black Lotus Temple.

Thus, in the Monster Realm, the Black Lotus Temple is also known as the "First Rebel Sect of Buddhism."

Of course, the Black Lotus Temple itself doesn’t acknowledge this title. They consider themselves the orthodox of Buddhism, and have always been in opposition to Ancient Nan Mountain.

Talking about the confrontation between these two sects, it would take three days and nights to finish.

This time, the ghost monk of the Black Lotus Temple preaching in Mo Yun City was slain. If not for the "Peaceful Ghost Messenger" left on the scene, and that this Peaceful Ghost Messenger had repeatedly pursued and killed Evil Gods in Mo Yun City... the Black Lotus Temple would have no issue attributing this debt to Ancient Nan Mountain.

"Truly unlucky!" Yu Xin frowned, "I’ve long heard enough about the messy affairs between Ancient Nan Mountain and the Black Lotus Temple. Fighting back and forth with no result, why don’t they just destroy one another?"

Xiong Sansi quietly said, "Your words truly bear the style of Lord Yu Zhen, indicating you indeed have the rightful connection."

Yu Xin chuckled and kept silent.

Be it Ancient Nan Mountain or the Black Lotus Temple, both have histories far older than his Yu Family in Mo Yun City. Speaking lightly about the rise and fall of major sects here is indeed somewhat presumptuous.

Xiong Sansi added, "Now that things have come to this, there’s nothing else to say, just respond as the situation requires. You don’t need to be overly worried, at least we began our preparations long ago, which is an advantage no one else has."

Yu Xin, rather lacking confidence, said, "If as you say, Shujia Lan’s purpose in coming here isn’t simple... or to put it bluntly, he too is aiming for the Shenxiao Secret Cache, then might he also have started preparing early as well?"

Xiong Sansi replied, "No matter how early he prepared, it wouldn’t be earlier than us. When I obtained the Xiao Yu key, Shujia Lan had not even made a name for himself."

Yu Xin hesitated again, "But after the Shenxiao Secret Cache opens, who knows what it will be like. We don’t even know if our preparations will be useful at all..."

Xiong Sansi gave him a stern look.

He, therefore, replied sheepishly, "At the very least, they’ll be somewhat useful. Even if not meritorious, there is some effort; would Lord Yu Zhen let me, this little Yu Zhen, suffer a loss?"

"Calm your mind and don’t disrupt your own plans." Xiong Sansi earnestly analyzed, "Now they are in the open, and I am hidden. They may covet your treasures but cannot guard against me. We still have the advantage."

Yu Xin blinked, feeling something was off, with a chill running down his spine.

...

...

Yu Xin, who has always been proud, realized after witnessing the genius of Demon Kings that his title as one of Mo Yun’s three elite might not be that impressive anymore.

Meanwhile, Chai Asi, formerly cowardly, believed his title of Gale Killing Sword was plenty awe-inspiring.

He stepped down from the stage with blood on his face, glancing around with pride.

Thinking among the heroes of the world, only he and the Ancient God mattered.

The battle he had just ended was the selection from fifty to twenty-four contenders. The next round would reduce from twenty-four to twelve. The following round would be Mo Yun City’s final round, reducing twelve to six.

The reason the final round must produce six qualifiers is that out of the top ten in the great match of The Sky Sloth Wilderness representing Mo Yun City, four spots have long been reserved.