Within Lu Pingâs sleeve, the Divine Sense of the Shanyan Demon King could still spread to the outside, observing the surrounding situation.
It noticed Liiu Hanyan, Li Hanshuang, and a group of Jiuhua Sect disciples, who not only had not left, but instead moved closer to Lu Ping, seemingly having some sort of relationship with him.
Out of curiosity, the Shanyan Demon King couldnât help but ask, "Senior, many Shanyan Demons live here! If those people arenât your subordinates, I wouldnât pay them any mind. I wouldnât bother to remind the Shanyan Demons here to behave; Iâd just let those people fend for themselves."
The implication of the Shanyan Demon Kingâs words was clearly hinting that the Shanyan Demons lurking around the Spirit Vein were highly aggressive and would pose a threat to Liiu Hanyan and others.
If they were Lu Pingâs people, it would command the surrounding Shanyan Demons not to attack and let them stay put obediently.
If not, it wouldnât interfere, allowing the Shanyan Demons to act on their own.
"If Iâm guessing correctly, the nearby Shanyan Demons are under your rule, arenât they?"
Lu Ping casually inquired, without answering the question posed by the Shanyan Demon King.
With just a casual sweep of his Divine Sense, Lu Ping discovered that there were at least three hundred Shanyan Demons lurking around.
Among them, there were several in the Crystallization Stage.
This level of Shanyan Demon, once they attack, any single one could annihilate those Jiuhua Sect disciples.
"Yes!"
The Shanyan Demon King nodded emphatically.
"They have been following me all these years, never leaving or forsaking me. Senior, those people..."
At this point, the Shanyan Demon King didnât continue, but Lu Ping understood the implied meaning.
He pondered for a moment before replying slowly, "Although they arenât my subordinates, donât trouble them."
This sentence served as an umbrella for Liiu Hanyan and the others, protecting them from the attacks of the Shanyan Demons.
"Alright, I understand."
The Shanyan Demon King flattered, with a hint of amusement.
"Senior, you truly care for the masses! Iâm indeed following the right person!"
Care for the masses?
Upon hearing this evaluation, Lu Ping couldnât help but let out a bitter laugh in his heart.
To be honest, he just felt that the Jiuhua Sect stands as a leader of the Righteous Dao, conducting themselves properly and benefiting their region.
Regarding such reputable sect cultivators, offering some protection is acceptable.
At this moment, Liiu Hanyan and others also gathered around Lu Ping.
"Senior, youâre truly amazing, subduing that Demon Beast so quickly!"
"Junior greets Senior."
Li Hanshuang and Liiu Hanyan spoke first, their expressions full of respect and admiration.
Lu Pingâs previous methods to subdue a Golden Core Demon King astonished them.
In response to everyoneâs greetings, Lu Ping just looked at them lightly, without any intention to speak.
"Senior, forgive our presumptuousness, but our fellow disciples have been missing here for a long time. We are acting on orders, which is why weâve come here to disturb you."
Li Hanshuang explained, "We ask for your permission to examine the area, searching for signs of our fellow disciples. Thank you in advance."
They were naturally here to look for traces of Senior Brother Gao and the others, to see if there were any clues left.
To do so, they certainly needed to inform Lu Ping.
After all, following the subduing of the Shanyan Demon King by Lu Ping, he held sway over the area.
Hearing this, Lu Ping cast a light glance at Li Hanshuang, causing him to tense with increasing respectfulness, not daring to make direct eye contact.
At the same time, the voice of the Shanyan Demon King transmitted in his mind.
"Senior, tell them not to look, their fellow disciples are likely already devoured by my little ones..."
The Shanyan Demon Kingâs words intentionally trailed off, but the meaning was already quite clear.
Those Jiuhua Sect disciples are feared to have been eaten by the Shanyan Demons.
How can they be found?
Upon learning this information, Lu Pingâs expression showed no fluctuation.
He didnât keep it a secret, casually glancing at Liiu Hanyan and others, saying nonchalantly, "The Demon Beasts occupy this place, donât bother searching, head back."
"This..."
Upon hearing Lu Pingâs words, Liiu Hanyan and Li Hanshuang exchanged glances.
"Senior, do you know something?"
Liiu Hanyan couldnât help but ask.
Without waiting for Lu Ping to respond, Li Hanshuang realized first, a bitter smile appearing on his face, "Seniorâs words imply my three fellow disciples fell prey to these Demon Beasts."
The Shanyan Demon King, hearing the conversation between Lu Ping and the others, immediately confirmed, "Indeed, Senior advised them not to search needlessly; itâs futile. Thereâs no sense wasting energy here. My underlings indeed got a bit mischievous."
Knowing these Jiuhua Sect disciples werenât Lu Pingâs subordinates, the Shanyan Demon King wasnât worried about Lu Ping siding with them.
Lu Ping nodded privately, briefing Liiu Hanyan and the others on the outcome.
"Senior Brother Gao and the others..."
"Alas!"
Upon receiving the news, the groupâs spirits were low.
"Things have reached this point, what can be done."
Li Hanshuang sighed.
Cultivators falling prey to Demon Beasts is not an uncommon occurrence.
They actually anticipated this outcome.
Reflecting on the earlier attack by Shanyan Demons, if it werenât for luck and Lu Pingâs timely intervention, they would have been annihilated too, instead of standing safely here.
On this topic, Liiu Hanyan and the others had little more to say.
However, the anomalous Spiritual Qi here caught their renewed attention.
Some Jiuhua Sect disciples even whispered among themselves, considering reporting the Spirit Vein to the Sect, thinking it would be a great achievement.
The Jiuhua Sectâs Sect System is quite complete, including rewards for finding Spirit Veins.
Once a disciple discovers an unclaimed Spirit Vein outside and reports it to the Sect, they can earn corresponding rewards based on the Veinâs Tier.
For example, this Tier Four Spiritual Vein, once reported, if Jiuhua Sect successfully occupies it, the reporting disciple will receive a reward valued at ten thousand cultivation resources and qualify for promotion to the Inner Sect.
Of course, such rewards arenât absolute and can be adjusted, as long as the equivalent resources are received.
However, a Tier Four Spiritual Vein of this calibre, with the cultivation level of the Jiuhua Sect cultivators present, they wouldnât be able to guard it.
Reporting it to the Sect in exchange for substantial cultivation resources is undoubtedly the best choice.
However, finding this Spirit Vein, these disciples quickly realized itâs unlikely to report it for occupancy.