Outside Cizi Tie Cheng, three hundred *li* away, in a dense forest.
The trees began to shake violently, and the grassy ground bulged with mounds that soon collapsed into hundreds of deep pits.
Figures then soared out from these pits...
Stern-faced warriors in heavy armor and graceful female archers quickly formed ranks in the woods, organizing into units of five thousand that took to the air.
A thick fog rose, filling the area with a palpable aura of killing intent.
After a moment, the ten formations were fully assembled, fifty thousand *Xian Dou Bing* gathered and ready for deployment.
Their massive numbers blanketed a section of the sky, their combined energy surging like a tidal wave, an impressive sight indeed.
"*Xian Dou Bing*, advance with the full army."
Li Changshou issued a simple command, and the fifty thousand *Xian Dou Bing* slowly moved toward Cizi Tie Cheng, casting a shadow that darkened the horizon.
This number was the result of Li Changshou's careful calculations.
If there were too many *Xian Dou Bing*, it might drive the enemy to fight desperately with their backs to the wall, exposing his side's weaknesses.
If too few, it wouldn't provide sufficient intimidation.
At the same time, over twenty *Tian Xian Jing Zhi Dao Ren* flew up from below, blending into the gaps of the *Xian Dou Bing* formations.
To facilitate command, Li Changshou had grouped these *Tian Xian Jing Zhi Dao Ren* together, their main role being to use the Scattering Beans into Soldiers divine ability to unleash the most ferocious firepower...
*Wan Dou Jing Bing*!
In a grand and menacing procession, the fifty thousand *Xian Dou Bing* launched a surprise attack on the demon clan's Cizi Tie Cheng.
Of course, this was all a feint, just for show.
The real surprise attack should be stealthy, approaching undetected, swiftly breaking through the enemy's protective array, and storming in with lightning speed to coordinate a beheading operation, using drugs and poisons to neutralize the lesser foes and catch them completely off guard.
This false assault, while appearing sudden and formidable, was actually hollow inside, capable of only three or four waves of attacks, with the set objective merely to breach the enemy's protective array...
Often, the more ostentatious the action, the more it's meant to serve purposes beyond combat.
True battles, on the other hand, involve concealing one's movements as much as possible...
At that moment, fluctuations from three *Jin Xian Jing* auras appeared out of nowhere outside the city, where two men and one woman hovered in the air, their faces stern as they stared at the demon clan's city.
The woman shouted, "Demon remnants, come out and face your doom!"
As her words fell, the elder on the left struck with a palm, unleashing a storm of azure lightning from his hand that slammed into Cizi Tie Cheng's protective array, shaking it violently and nearly tearing it apart...
The numerous demons in the city were all stunned.
A beautiful female demon of some species screamed, "It's the human clan! The human clan is attacking!"
Chaos erupted throughout the city, with most demons panicking and fleeing in the opposite direction;
A few flew into a rage, roaring as they charged toward the sky, only to be blocked by the protective array, adding to the turmoil.
The sound of gongs and drums filled the air, bells rang incessantly, and cries of anger and wailing echoed everywhere.
Observing this from various angles, Li Changshou couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
They say demons are savage, and in ancient times, humans lived in constant fear of them;
But now, the human clan has steadily advanced to stand before the demons, returning the terror they once endured in full.
In the Honghuang world, strength is the only standard for survival.
Amid the thunderous booms, the three *Jin Xian Jing Zhi Dao Ren* began relentlessly bombarding the array.
The *Jin Xian Jing* old ox demon in the city rushed to the sky above the city lord's mansion but dared not emerge, only glaring furiously at the outsiders and roaring orders for the troops to mobilize and for the city's demons to lend their strength.
Soon, Li Changshou's eyes lit up.
The old ox demon pulled out a horn and bellowed into it.
He was calling for reinforcements!
The feint strategy was unfolding even more smoothly than Li Changshou had anticipated, several times easier.
But he couldn't afford to be careless—the treasure hunt was just beginning.
Li Changshou's focus was primarily divided among the six *Jin Xian Jing Zhi Dao Ren*, leaving enough mental energy to handle unexpected situations, while the other *Zhi Dao Ren* were only occasionally attended to.
It was as if dozens of small "screens" had opened in his mind, through which Li Changshou observed various scenes and advanced the drama according to his scripted plan.
The demons of Cizi Tie Cheng reacted with far more chaos than he had predicted, greatly reducing the pressure on his front.
Meanwhile, in that valley.
A gap opened in the protective array there, and dozens of sturdy figures rushed out.
They resembled the human clan in appearance and build, mostly purebred ox demons in their transformed forms.
The male ox demons were powerfully built, their rugged horns being their most prized feature, with their head hair dyed in vibrant colors and styled in wild, explosive shapes.
Nose rings were a favorite accessory among the male ox demons, nearly every one of them wearing one;
Paired with their furious roars as they turned their heads:
"Village entrance, assemble! Bring your own weapons! The human clan is attacking!"
Clearly, this group of male ox demons was at the forefront of Honghuang fashion...
The female ox demons, in contrast, were relatively plain, with no particularly striking traits.
Among female ox demons, robustness was considered beautiful; those with slender figures, even if their cultivation was slightly higher, couldn't hold their heads up among their kind;
While the more plump female ox demons, even if their cultivation wasn't top-tier, walked with their chests out, right in the middle of the group...
As soon as this group of ox demons charged out of the valley array, a fierce wind blew against them!
This batch consisted of forty-six *Tian Xian Jing* experts, mostly in the mid to late stages, yet not a single one noticed the oddity in the wind carrying sand and leaves, as they pushed forward against it to reinforce Cizi Tie Cheng.
No sooner had the forty-six *Tian Xian Jing* ox demons departed than two more imposing figures burst from the depths of the valley, letting out thunderous "moo" calls and radiating fierce *Jin Xian Jing* pressure as they rushed to aid the city!
Li Changshou remained cautious, patiently waiting.
Once this group of experts had traveled a distance, several stones and leaves on the inner side of the array slowly merged into the ground...
These were naturally *Zhi Dao Ren* disguised with transformation techniques.
The most critical step of the plan was to slip the *Zhi Dao Ren* inside the array the instant it opened.
Breaking the array outright wasn't difficult for Li Changshou at this point, but entering undetected was truly challenging.
The opportunity was fleeting, but he had seized it successfully.
The eight *Zhi Dao Ren* quickly dispersed to scout the various areas within the valley, gathering intelligence on the terrain, expert distributions, and array vulnerabilities...
Li Changshou's mind was soon flooded with all sorts of information, and after careful analysis, he was slightly taken aback.
The inside was vastly different from what he had imagined.
He had expected to enter some kind of "ironclad military camp," but instead, it felt like a secluded paradise...
Wooden houses dotted the landscape, filled with laughter and chatter.
There were no vigilant patrols, only a group of newly transformed young demons playing in the fields, being called home by their ox demon parents rushing from afar to take cover.
To Li Changshou's slight regret, there was no trace of karmic sin here; instead, it exuded a peaceful aura with hints of auspicious energy.
Well, after confirming with his eyes, this was indeed a place hiding treasures!
Since he had chosen the tactic of luring the tiger from the mountain, he needed to see it through.
The eight *Zhi Dao Ren* inside were divided into two groups: two stayed near the array, ready to break it later and draw enemies, while the other six lay in ambush outside for support.
Another six *Zhi Dao Ren* ventured deeper into the valley to search for the treasure site.
Was this all his means? Of course not.
As the "*Jing* of Stability" says, always keep backup plans to adapt to changes.
To make his actions more deceptive, the *Zhi Dao Ren* Li Changshou truly intended for treasure hunting—*Jin Zi Si Hao*—was disguised as a flying insect, trailing far behind a *Tian Xian Jing Zhi Dao Ren*.
At this point, Li Changshou's mind was occupied at ninety percent capacity, managing multiple operations simultaneously; any mistake could lead to total collapse!
Soon, Li Changshou pinpointed the location of the treasure vault.
—It had the most restrictions and the tightest guards, with faint traces of meritorious power flowing within.
After a brief consideration, Li Changshou selected a plan: the six *Zhi Dao Ren* approached the vault underground with knockout drugs, then launched a fierce assault on it.
Meanwhile, *Jin Zi Si Hao Zhi Dao Ren* used earth escape to burrow underground.
Once the dozens of ox demon guards outside were subdued by the drugs, two *Zhi Dao Ren* charged out to lure away the experts, and then the four launched a direct assault, hurling "single-use" miniature arrays at the vault's outer defenses...
In the midst of this chaos, *Jin Zi Si Hao Zhi Dao Ren* reached the edge of the vault underground.
Just one step away!
Li Changshou steadied his focus, controlling the *Zhi Dao Ren* to press his left palm against the glowing barrier ahead, erupting with immortal power to blast through two layers of restrictions!
His immortal sense swiftly probed forward, confirming no living auras nearby, then he activated the Five Elements Escape, transforming into a streak of rainbow light underground!
Escaping through the earth!
In an instant, Li Changshou reached the core of the vault, bursting through the thick stone floor and into the dazzling cave!
He was in!
The walls were lined with weapons radiating fierce energy, and a pile of treasure materials glowing with golden light was heaped like a small mountain.
Li Changshou focused and his expression changed dramatically.
There was someone here!
Not only that, but this person's cultivation was beyond his comprehension, and he had been completely undetected until now!
Moreover, this slightly plump *daoist* was lying on top of the treasure pile, murmuring in ecstasy as his body writhed among the materials...
The key point was!
He was... barely clothed...
Suddenly, the *daoist*, who seemed lost in a trance, sat up abruptly, locking eyes with Li Changshou in a stare-down.
Time seemed to freeze in that moment!
"Take that, you thief of treasures!"
The plump *daoist* thundered, his eyebrows furrowed in rage!
Brilliant lights flashed around him, condensing into knives, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, and forks, manifesting as yuanbao, wish-fulfilling jewels, great tripods, and stone pagodas, all hurtling chaotically toward Li Changshou's *Jin Xian Jing Zhi Dao Ren*!
Li Changshou could only shout, "This junior is a disciple of the *Ren Jiao*!"
But in the next instant, the *Zhi Dao Ren*'s form was engulfed by dozens of spiritual treasures, instantly losing contact with his main body, even the wisp of yuan spirit reduced to fragments...
Back on Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou sat there in a daze, instinctively controlling the other *Zhi Dao Ren*, momentarily at a loss.
That *daoist* just now—he had a vague sense of having seen him before...
At the Three Teachings Origin Conference, wasn't that the slightly plump figure accompanying Xuan Du Shi?
"*Ren Jiao*'s rough luck—what in the world is this?"
Li Changshou's mouth twitched uncontrollably, while a powerful immortal sense locked onto his other *Zhi Dao Ren*.
Was treasure hunting supposed to be solemn and sacred?
'Back on the Fen Bao Cliff, I picked up so many spiritual treasures—do I really lack treasures?'
Duobao Dao Ren often asked himself this question, and the answer was, naturally, no.
Not only did he not lack them, he had plenty.
—More than any other being under the saints, in fact.
When making friends within the *Jie Jiao*, Duobao Dao Ren never judged by their cultivation level or the number of spiritual treasures they had, since none could match his own.
And Duobao Dao Ren was never stingy; many outstanding disciples in the *Jie Jiao* had received spiritual treasures from his hands.
But the act of treasure hunting itself was irresistible, like an addiction.
When his cultivation was low, he relied on divine abilities to seek treasures;
Once his cultivation advanced, his abilities evolved, allowing him to directly sense heavenly omens and locate treasures about to emerge.
Today was just such a day; he had sensed a treasure emerging and come to join in the excitement.
Duobao Dao Ren's current cultivation was at the brink of severing the three corpses; he knew that once he comprehended the essence of 'treasures,' he could step into a new realm.
But comprehension wasn't something that could be forced.
In the Honghuang world, it was common knowledge that his true form was the first treasure-seeking rat in existence.
The division among the Three Pure Ones began when Tongtian Jiaozhu brought Duobao back to the San You Cottage and took him as the eldest disciple, which made Yuan Shi Tianzun feel slighted...
Duobao Dao Ren never saw his origins as a flaw; on the contrary, it was because of them that he met his master, his greatest fortune and opportunity.
Yet the word 'treasure seeking' had become like a heart demon for him, driving him from ancient times right up to the present.
There was no helping it—the process of seeking treasures was intoxicating, making him forget himself and feel the most primal rhythm of the Great Dao.
And the hardship of the hunt only heightened the satisfaction and joy of finding the treasure!
When he embraced the treasure, sensing the pulse of the Great Dao and immersing himself in his own path...
'Nothing in the world could satisfy me more!'
Duobao Dao Ren sighed from the heart.
Was intimate contact with treasures wrong?
Was there a problem?
This was his realm!
"Ahem," Duobao Dao Ren sat on the treasure pile, wiping his face as immortal power formed clothing on him, topped with a real *daoist* robe.
How embarrassing.
Wasn't the *Ren Jiao*'s Little Sea God still outside? How did he suddenly appear here?
Wait, no—the one he had just obliterated seemed to be only at the *Jin Xian Jing*...
"Hiss!"
It couldn't be the Little Sea God's true body, could it?
If he had accidentally killed the prized disciple of his grand master in a fit of shame, that would be a huge mess!
Duobao Dao Ren quickly jumped down from the treasure pile and realized it was just a *Zhi Dao Ren*, letting out a sigh of relief as he retrieved the over three hundred spiritual treasures he had flung out earlier.
It was all because he had been too lost in the moment...
How utterly mortifying!
Duobao Dao Ren had arrived at this place half an hour earlier, and as the master of treasure seeking, he quickly spotted the *Zhi Dao Ren* Li Changshou had placed around.
At that time, Duobao Dao Ren understood that this treasure's emergence was likely connected to the Sea God...
Nowadays, the ability to turn paper into soldiers was almost synonymous with the Sea God.
Moreover, Duobao Dao Ren had secretly tried to divine one of the *Zhi Dao Ren* and received a warning from the *Taiji Tu*, confirming the operator's identity.
But Duobao Dao Ren didn't interfere.
He enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, reliving the feelings from when he was a weak creature.
Duobao Dao Ren had planned to find the treasure, indulge for a bit, and then leave quietly without disturbing the *Ren Jiao*'s Little Sea God.
In fact, he even intended to leave a small gift for the Little Sea God to forge a minor karmic tie.
So, Duobao Dao Ren silently entered the ox demons' treasure vault, gathered the treasures, lay on them, and lost himself in bliss, waiting until just before the Sea God's *Zhi Dao Ren* arrived.
Of course, Duobao Dao Ren was confident he could leave without a trace being detected by Li Changshou; he had even kept a thread of his focus on the eight *Zhi Dao Ren* outside...
He never expected...
His surprise gift turned into a shock for the other party.
"How did he just pop up from underground?"
Duobao Dao Ren slapped his forehead, racking his brain on how to resolve this, but he was too flustered to think of a good solution.
So, for now, he pulled out a purple-golden alms bowl from his embrace, waved his hand, and with a gentle shake, the bowl vanished.
At the same time, a massive alms bowl with a diameter of a thousand *li* descended from the sky, enveloping Cizi Tie Cheng and the valley in one fell swoop.
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