Chapter 436 Infiltration

In the desolate lands of the Northern Wastes, Tian Zheng’s face was dark with fury. The Ghost King Hall mission had not only reopened the deep wounds he had painstakingly healed, but also cost him Jiuyao—one of his most powerful subordinates. It was a loss he could hardly accept.

“Bastard!” Tian Zheng roared, smashing the table in front of him into pieces with a single slap.

Outside the cave, the beasts that guarded his lair trembled, not daring to approach, fearful of provoking his wrath.

Though Tian Zheng lived in the Northern Wastes, he didn’t favor the bitter cold. Yet the presence of Zhenbei City was like a giant mountain pressing down on the beast clans, blocking their path to expansion.

After venting his rage, Tian Zheng’s face remained grim as he stepped deeper into the cave.

Surprisingly, as he moved further in, the temperature began to rise rather than drop. The cold of the surface gave way to warmth. His expression softened slightly.

Eventually, he reached the deepest part of the cave and stood before a massive stone door.

A charming voice rang out from behind it:

“Your servant greets the Demon Emperor.”

Tian Zheng stared at the door. “Jiuyao is dead.”

“I know.” The voice sighed after a pause, almost as if mourning Jiuyao’s fall.

Her calm demeanor left Tian Zheng at a loss for words. He lowered his head and said nothing.

“There’s no need for the Demon Emperor to grieve. Jiuyao’s fate was his own,” the voice said as the stone door began to vibrate.

Tian Zheng raised an eyebrow. “Jiuyao… you succeeded?”

“I told you long ago,” the voice said gently, “the day the Demon Emperor returns to glory will be the day the beast clans of the North reclaim their place on the Xuanhuang Continent! That time is nearly upon us. The fate of Zhenbei City is rapidly declining!”

From within the door, furry tails slowly reached outward—followed by a massive phantom fox head, looming before Tian Zheng.

“Demon Emperor, the one who stopped you before… he’s in Zhenbei City right now.”

“Chen Fei? Impossible!” Tian Zheng’s first reaction was disbelief.

The chaos at the Ghost King Hall had been so intense that even Heaven Stage cultivators like himself hadn’t dared to approach. How could a mere Human Stage cultivator like Chen Fei possibly survive?

No way.

But the fox—Jiuyao—chuckled softly behind a paw.

“Whether it’s true or not, why not investigate for yourself? This is a rare opportunity for the beast clans of the north.”

Tian Zheng’s expression shifted rapidly, but he remained silent.

“I’ve been outside too long already. Demon Emperor, it’s time to act,” Jiuyao said with a giggle. Her phantom fox head shattered with a bang as the stone door closed again, revealing layers of intricate sealing patterns.

Tian Zheng exhaled deeply. His gaze turned solemn as he looked up at the sky—not with rage or madness, but with rare clarity.

What path should the beast clans take now?

He may be impulsive at times, but as the emperor of the Northern Wastes, he bore the responsibility of his people’s survival. One misstep could mean annihilation.

Still, if what Jiuyao said was true, and if they succeeded… the beast clans could finally escape their bitter exile and return to the Xuanhuang Continent in glory.

Tian Zheng made his decision swiftly and left the cave depths.

“Send out the command—prepare for war!” he roared.

Outside, a wave of excited beastly howls erupted.

Ignoring the noise, Tian Zheng transmitted a message:

“Tell Kui Mulang to see me.”

Kui Mulang—his personal disciple, second only to the fallen Jiuyao—was a mighty warrior in his own right.

“You’ve perfected the Illusionary Form Technique,” Tian Zheng said when Kui Mulang arrived. “I’ll use Heaven Stage qi to cloak you. You’ll enter Zhenbei City undetected. There will be someone there to receive you.”

Kui Mulang was a towering figure, with sharp, twin-pupiled eyes—not quite true heavy pupils, but close.

“Understood,” he replied.

Tian Zheng raised a hand and released a surge of Heaven Stage energy, pressing his palm against Kui Mulang’s forehead and branding him with a golden seal.

The seal shimmered briefly before vanishing into his body.

“Go. If you succeed, I’ll help you awaken your bloodline,” Tian Zheng said, smiling.

Kui Mulang’s eyes lit up.

Awakening one’s bloodline was a rare and precious opportunity for any beast. Even Tian Zheng couldn’t do it lightly—it required massive resources.

“Thank you, Master!” Kui Mulang said excitedly.

“Don’t celebrate too soon,” Tian Zheng said, his face turning stern. “Your opponent is no pushover.”

“Your Senior Brother Jiuyao died by his hands. Chen Fei is cunning—don’t underestimate him!”

Tian Zheng flicked his fingers, and a beam of blue light entered Kui Mulang’s body.

“That’s Chen Fei’s aura. Once you get close, you’ll sense him.”

“After you eliminate him, leave Zhenbei City immediately!”

Kui Mulang frowned. “Zhenbei City is heavily guarded. We barely have any agents inside. Even if I succeed, escaping could be…”

Tian Zheng smiled and shook his head.

“It’s fine. Zhenbei’s army won’t be an obstacle for much longer. Just do your part.”

“Understood. I’ll depart now!”

“Be careful,” Tian Zheng added, his voice softer than usual. His disciples were few, and though he favored Jiuyao, Kui Mulang was now his only hope.

Kui Mulang left the cave, his body transforming into a massive azure wolf that dashed across the snowy plains with ease.

But just as he crossed the Northern Plateau, he suddenly stopped, instincts alert.

A ripple in the air—and a massive phantom fox emerged ahead of him.

“Ninth Uncle?” Kui Mulang asked cautiously.

“Oh? The little one still remembers me. That’s rare,” Jiuyao stretched lazily, blinking as she basked in the fresh air.

“Does Master Jiuyao have instructions?” Kui Mulang asked respectfully.

“Tian Zheng is too impatient. If you rush in like this, you’ll end up in Zhenbei King’s hands, guarding the Fate Platform,” Jiuyao chuckled.

With a flick of her tail, a glowing pearl appeared.

“This is the Mystic Fox Spirit Orb. It can save your life in a critical moment.” She nudged it toward him.

“And take this token. If trouble arises in the city, go to the Guiyuan Pawnshop in the marketplace—they’ll help you. But remember, don’t approach them casually.”

“Thank you, Master Jiuyao,” Kui Mulang said, eyes gleaming.

Jiuyao smiled slyly. “This isn’t a free gift. If you encounter Chen Fei, make sure to use the Spirit Orb to bring his soul to me. I won’t shortchange you.”

With a giggle, she vanished without a trace.

Kui Mulang pocketed the orb, a glimmer of intrigue flickering in his gaze.

Chen Fei… to think even Jiuyao was taking him seriously.

This was no ordinary prey.

Kui Mulang’s anticipation only grew stronger.