The beasts living in Myriad Monster Ridge, at most, possessed power around the Nascent Soul stage.
Upon entering, Xu Yi and the other two did not conceal their auras. They advanced rapidly, and the beasts that sensed their approach promptly hid, daring not to show themselves.
Only after the trio had left did they cautiously peek out.
On the other side, Xu Yi's gaze fell upon Bai Shan's increasingly familiar direction of travel. He inquired, "Are you heading to the Yangshen Pit?"
"Yes," Bai Shan replied with a mysterious smile. "You wouldn't know this, but beneath the Yangshen Pit lies a peculiar existence."
A strange glint flashed in both Xu Yi and Ji Buwang's eyes simultaneously.
Not only did they know, but they had also been there personally, and Xu Yi had even gained a special opportunity within.
"What? What are those expressions? You don't believe me?" Bai Shan puffed out his cheeks.
He knew then and there that letting Lu Zaiye accompany them was not a good idea.
These two were whispering behind his back, their eyes locked in a suggestive gaze, discussing who knew what. It was truly infuriating.
Xu Yi pondered for a moment, deciding there was no need to conceal the truth. He responded directly, "You're referring to the Demon Servant Trial Space, aren't you?"
Bai Shan: !
"How do you know! This is a secret of my demon race!"
Bai Shan even considered grabbing Xu Yi by the collar and demanding to know what they *didn't* know.
Initially, he hadn't been particularly supportive of the alliance between the demon and human races, as he had no particular friendships with anyone other than Xu Yi and his companions.
Even if the human race were to go to war with the demonic race, it was of no concern to him.
However, at that moment, he abruptly changed his mind.
The human race, such a formidable species, not only cunning but also possessing unfathomable methods, had managed to uncover even the secrets of the demon race. They offered no privacy to the demons whatsoever.
If the human race were to resolve the issues with the demonic race, then their demon race would be next to face their wrath.
But it would be better to become allies with the human race, preventing them from finding any reason to attack the demons.
Bai Shan's expression became resolute, convinced that this decision was incredibly wise.
When the demon race witnessed the fate of the demonic race in the future, they would surely be proud of him, their wise pioneer of the demon race.
Bai Shan couldn't help but straighten his back further, his face solemn, as if he had already become the leader of the demon race.
Xu Yi cast a glance at the inexplicably acting Bai Shan.
What was this child thinking about so wildly again?
"Over a hundred years ago, the Demon Servant Trial Space beneath the Yangshen Pit had opened, and both Lu Zaiye and I had been there."
Upon hearing this, Bai Shan's mouth fell slightly open, his expression rather comical. "Ah, you mean you both passed the Demon Servant trials?"
Xu Yi nodded. "Not just us, Xiong Zhuangzhuang was there too."
It was here that they had met Xiong Zhuangzhuang.
Bai Shan's expression contorted somewhat, yet he remained silent.
The remainder of their journey became exceptionally quiet.
In less than half an hour, the Yangshen Pit appeared within their sight.
"Do we just jump in like before?" Xu Yi asked.
Bai Shan shook his head. "No, the Demon Servant Trial Space is not open at the moment. Jumping down will only lead to the bottom of the Yangshen Pit land."
The opening of the Demon Servant Trial Space had no discernible pattern. Even the demons had to rely on luck to participate.
Bai Shan had also wished to enter, but from birth to his human form, he had never encountered an opening of the Demon Servant Trial Space.
He refused to admit his jealousy, only lamenting Xu Yi's good fortune.
Bai Shan retrieved a small golden bullhorn from his storage bag and tossed it towards the Yangshen Pit.
Shortly after, a rumbling sound echoed from beneath the Yangshen Pit.
"You can jump down now."
The small golden bullhorn was the key to activating the barrier.
Bai Shan stepped forward, about to demonstrate for Xu Yi and Ji Buwang, but was coldly halted by Ji Buwang's sharp command, "Stop!"
Bai Shan felt indignant, thinking, "Who do you think you are to order me around?" Yet, his body obediently stopped in its tracks.
Xu Yi was initially surprised, but seeing Ji Buwang's grave expression and furrowed brows, he seemed to understand something. His divine sense extended downwards, and his face gradually turned grim.
"Bai Shan, I finally understand why they pushed you forward," Xu Yi said meaningfully.
Bai Shan was not foolish, merely someone who, at times, was reluctant to use his brain for careful consideration.
Both Ji Buwang and Xu Yi had sensed something amiss, and he himself also belatedly realized it.
When his divine sense detected the subtle fluctuations of demonic energy below, his face clouded over, and his teeth gnashed audibly.
"They actually ganged up to trick me!"
Bai Shan couldn't believe it, his anger surging.
Indeed, the barrier beneath the Yangshen Pit had been activated, along with the offensive formations outside the Demon Servant Trial Space.
If he had jumped down unprepared, he would have faced an attack personally set by the Demon King.
No matter how arrogant Bai Shan was, he didn't believe he could contend with the Demon King. The outcome was predictable.
Because of this, he recalled many overlooked details from the past.
For instance, the few great demons who had shown him excessive enthusiasm, and those who asked him to gather information but never cared about his reports.
It turned out he was the one being used by the demons.
In reality, they had long since gathered information through other scouts, and he was merely an obvious bait. It was likely they had enthusiastically encouraged him to participate in the sect grand competition, believing he would eventually be exposed.
Bai Shan let out a wry smile, experiencing for the first time what it meant to be disheartened. "Heh, I often say humans are cunning, but in truth, there's not much difference between humans and demons."
Xu Yi stepped forward and patted Bai Shan's shoulder in comfort. "A fall teaches a lesson. You don't need to dwell on it too much."
Ji Buwang's gaze darkened. Seeing Bai Shan looking like a deflated eggplant, he pursed his lips and averted his gaze.
"I've made up my mind. I will do my utmost to help you persuade the Demon King!"
Those people intended to ally with the demonic race to deal with the human race.
Then he would deliberately thwart their wishes.
He would show them that he, Bai Shan, was no pushover!
Xu Yi's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected that after suffering a setback, Bai Shan's resolve would advance by leaps and bounds. It was, in a way, a blessing in disguise.
"Bai Shan, you've grown up. I am very pleased," Xu Yi said, moved.
Bai Shan: ...There was no need for such heartfelt sincerity.
With a thought, he recalled the small golden bullhorn. This was evidence of those individuals' treachery against him.
"Now I can't bring you in," Bai Shan said, spreading his hands helplessly.
After speaking, he and Xu Yi simultaneously looked at Ji Buwang.
The last time they entered Pillar Province, it was Ji Buwang who produced the realm-breaking talisman, so it was likely he had a way to bring them in.
Seeing that the two had finally remembered him, Ji Buwang's lips curved into a subtle arc. Unhurriedly, he took out a realm-breaking talisman from his storage bag and flung it towards the barrier in the center of the Yangshen Pit.
The moment the realm-breaking talisman touched the barrier, it began to burn.
A gap was torn in the barrier.
Without any need for verbal communication, Xu Yi and the other two stepped forward, flashing rapidly into the barrier.
A moment later, the talisman burned out, and the barrier closed again, returning to its normal state as if it had never been opened.