C25 Advancement Mission

Chen Ming had no time to spar with these two formidable demons at a leisurely pace. Wasn't it just a waste of precious moments, waiting for the Green Lion Demon King to sense that something was amiss?

Snatching up a wolf fang club, Chen Ming strolled nonchalantly behind one of the demons, who was currently straining to ward off Chen Ming's Flying Sword. It took considerable concentration to fend off the formidable power of a Demon King's magic.

With a practiced swing of the club, Chen Ming struck the demon's head. Thanks to his mastery of the Ninety-nine Profound Technique, even his mere physical strength rivaled that of a cultivator at the Level Two Dao Entering Stage. The demon's forehead split open, blood gushing forth. Chen Ming kept swinging the club, musing aloud, "Demons do have tougher bodies than cultivators, after all."

Seven solid blows later, the Azure Lion's head lay in pieces.

With the Prince Su Sword now unopposed, Chen Ming directed it swiftly toward the other great demon. The two Flying Swords launched a pincer attack, swiftly dismembering the demon.

Swinging the Wolf Fang Club, Chen Ming pulverized the four Azure Lion demons into an unrecognizable mash, ensuring no one could discern the perpetrator.

Once the Spirit Sense reward for dispatching the two great demons was secured, Chen Ming retrieved a key from the remnants and turned his gaze to the caged demons. The White Fox Demon understood that Chen Ming wasn't a savior sent by their own Demon King; to them, Chen Ming was indistinguishable from any Demon King, especially since he had completed his transformation.

"Who are you, and why are you freeing us?" the White Fox Demon inquired.

Chen Ming offered a wry smile to the White Fox Demon and replied, "No, no, no, I'm not here to rescue you. I'm here to propose a trade with your Demon King."

"What kind of trade?" the White Fox Demon pressed.

"You've seen it yourself," Chen Ming said with a grin. "The Green Lion Demon King practices the Spirit Devouring Technique. Without intervention, he'll become a Great Demon King in a few years. And the Demon King you serve? None will escape his fate."

The White Fox Demon nodded in agreement. "We've witnessed the Green Lion Demon King practicing dark arts. There's no doubt about that."

Chen Ming offered a sly grin. "How about a trade? I'll reveal the secrets of the Green Lion Demon King to you, effectively saving their lives. A Demon King's life carries great value, and I'm not one to be greedy. My only desire is Pitfall Mountain! And this gesture, this is my show of good faith."

He emphasized the title "Demon King" at the end, making it clear to them that he, too, was a Demon King.

"I'm not authorized to accept this deal," the White Fox Demon replied.

Chen Ming chuckled. "Your agreement isn't necessary. Inform the Demon King you serve, and they'll make the right choice."

With a flick of his wrist, Chen Ming tossed the key into the White Fox Demon's cell. The White Fox Demon swiftly unlocked his door and freed the twelve Great Demons confined with him.

"Come with me," Chen Ming commanded, gesturing with a wave of his hand.

Familiar with Pitfall Mountain's defenses and seizing the cover of night and the brief interlude of a guard shift, Chen Ming led the thirteen Great Demons through a series of twists and turns, finally escaping the mountain's domain. Still within Pitfall Mountain's territory, Chen Ming transformed into a crow and moved the Dao Scripture's Dao Palace to the forefront, scouting for any patrolling Great Demons from the air as he guided the group onward.

Perched atop a mountain peak, Chen Ming watched the thirteen Great Demons cross the boundary of Pitfall Mountain. "Now, the real battle can begin. If we play our cards right, we might just topple Pitfall Mountain entirely."

Once sure of their escape, Chen Ming, still in his crow form, flew back to his domain at Flying Eagle Ridge. Now, all that remained was to wait in silence for the war to unfold.

"Ding! Undercover mission phase two complete: Thirteen Great Demons rescued. Evaluation: Perfect. Reward: 1,300 Spirit Sense points and 130 prestige points."

With over 2,800 Spirit Sense points amassed, Chen Ming considered enhancing his own abilities. The impending war necessitated strength, especially if he intended to disrupt a conflict led by Demon Generals.

"Advance the Fire Crow Spell to the sixth stage of the Dao Entering Stage!"

A surge of warmth flowed through the Dao Palace within him, dedicated to the Fire Crow Spell. Chen Ming felt his mana surge, his strength evolving with it.

Chen Ming accessed his panel once again:

Name: Chen Ming

Reputation: 565

Status: Intermediate Cannon Fodder

Stage: Dao Entering Stage (Stage doesn't seem to correlate strongly with actual strength)

Constitution: Infinite Dao Body

Cultivation Techniques: Fire Crow Spell at Great Perfection. Dragon Elephant Power at Level Six (progress to Level Nine to condense the Dao Seed). Ninety-nine Profound Technique at Level Twenty-Four (advance to Level Seventy-Two to refine the Dao Seed). Heavenly Thunder Nine Changes at Level One, Dao Scripture at Level One.

Sword Techniques: Prince Su Sword has condensed the Kingly Sword Heart. Jade Maiden Sword at the introductory level.

Dao Seed: Fire Crow.

Disciples: Zhuo Qingyao.

Teacher's Virtue: 91

Spirit Sense: 11

Aura: Killing Intent.

Danger Value: 240 (This figure does not account for attribute suppression)

Danger Rating: Dangerous.

Fate: Destined to die at the hands of Armo, the Devil Dao's Eldest Disciple, during the Devil Slaying Conference one year after the Great World Opening.

Elevating two stages cost me roughly 2800 points of Spirit Sense, leaving me with little to spare. My current strength has reached that of a Demon General, albeit a low-ranking one, certainly not on par with the White Wolf Demon General.

It makes sense, though. The Dao Entering Stage consists of nine levels, with the seventh marking a significant transformation. Only beyond the seventh level is one considered a Demon General among demons or a Great Cultivator among humans. The reason I've achieved a danger value equivalent to a Demon General at the sixth level of the Dao Entering Stage is largely due to the high quality of my mana, akin to that of a Demon King, and the fact that my cultivation of the Dragon Elephant Power and the Ninety-nine Profound Technique is roughly at the second level of the Dao Entering Stage.

"Ding! Your strength has undergone a transformation; you are no longer mere cannon fodder. You have ascended to the rank of Intermediate Cannon Fodder!

[Mission: Stage Evolution]

[Requirement: Slay a Demon King]

[Reward: Release the Stage Lock]"

"What exactly is this Stage Lock?"

"Ding! It means your current maximum stage is the sixth level of the Dao Entering Stage, and you cannot advance any further."

"Why are there such odd restrictions?"

"Ding! Don't you see? As the beloved Infinite Dao Body, you're essentially dishonoring it by only advancing one cultivation method's stage."

Chen Ming pondered this and realized there was some truth to it. If he only improved one cultivation method, how would he be any different from other cultivators? What purpose would the Infinite Dao Body serve then?

Still, this task seemed excessively harsh. To personally slay a Demon King at the sixth level of the Dao Entering Stage was akin to courting death.

The wind howls, the Yi River is bitterly cold; if I'm to never return, then I simply won't depart!

Chen Ming resolved to first enhance the stages of his other cultivation methods. By then, the gap in magical power wouldn't be as vast.

Besides, Pitfall Mountain was on the brink of a major conflict. If he could seize the opportunity amidst the chaos of battle and successfully claim the title of head dog, wouldn't that effortlessly resolve his dilemma?