This Sword Cultivator is Somewhat Dependable

Underworld Cultivators made a deal with the Demon Spirit Palace, conditional on the Demon Spirit Tomb, forcing the Palace to grimly intervene in the struggle between the Netherworld and Lingxu Tower, aiding the Netherworld.

But who could have imagined that the Underworld Cultivators would be a hundred times more excessive and greedy than thought?

They intended not only to use the power of the Demon Spirit Palace to contend with Lingxu Tower but were even unwilling to spare the Demon Spirit Tomb.

On the surface, they put all their efforts into helping the Demon Spirit Palace break the tomb's restrictions.

But in reality, they had a hidden ace; they had other means to enter the Demon Spirit Tomb without going through the entrance.

Using this method, the Netherworld had long since sent their own agents into the Demon Spirit Tomb to thoroughly explore and pillage the treasures hidden by the Gengjin Tiger King.

And they, meanwhile, were kept in the dark, waiting futilely at the entrance.

By the time the tomb's entrance finally appeared in this world, the members of the Demon Spirit Palace entering the tomb would find that all the truly valuable treasures within had vanished without a trace.

"These Human Race traitors are far too cunning!" Realizing the gravity of the situation, Rat Tyrant knew he had to act immediately, "No, I must report this to the three Demon Kings immediately, and let them decide!"

Rat Tyrant glanced at the Western Rat King and, after pondering, wrapped an arm around it, and burrowed into the earth.

Much later, Rat Tyrant emerged from the ground with the Western Rat King and admonished, "Wait for me around here, I need to leave for a bit, but don't go too far."

It was inappropriate to bring the Western Rat King to the Demon Spirit Palace to see the Demon Kings, so Rat Tyrant did not hesitate to take the Western Rat King away from the Demon Spirit Tomb and temporarily settle it in a safe place before rushing off to report his findings to the Demon Spirit Palace.

The Western Rat King, who had just been thinking about how to get away, was ecstatic to hear Rat Tyrant would leave and rapidly bobbed its little head in a docile manner.

Rat Tyrant found the Western Rat King's compliance quite pleasing and fondly ruffled its small head, "Then, I'll be off. I'll come back for you later."

"Squeak, squeak, squeak~" the Western Rat King responded.

Without further delay, Rat Tyrant's small form instantly merged with the earth beneath his feet, disappearing from the Western Rat King's sight.

"Rat Tyrant, Rat Tyrant..." After waiting for a while, the Western Rat King tentatively called out Rat Tyrant's name a few times and received no response.

Once it was certain Rat Tyrant had truly departed, with no hesitation, it recognized the direction and with a leap, quickly vanished into the forest.

....

As time passed, Lu Qingshan, who was waiting for the Western Rat King's return, gradually grew impatient.

There was no reason, other than that the Western Rat King had been gone too long.

Considering the distance to the Demon Spirit Tomb, by all logic, it should have returned by now.

Had something happened?

Lu Qingshan wasn't sure.

He naturally wouldn't have allowed the Western Rat King to seek its own death.

He had assessed in his heart that with the Western Rat King's innate abilities, the chances of it being discovered while obtaining evidence were very low—that's why he let it undertake the task.

But Lu Qingshan also understood that accidents are unpredictable and even more unreasonable than women—they happen without warning, with no explanation at all.

Once an accident occurs, even the most certain plans can unravel due to this inexplicable mishap, collapsing the whole situation.

With the Western Rat King's Demon Clan identity, plus having never bonded with him through a master-recognition contract, it would seem to others as a purebred Demon Beast; even if it were inadvertently discovered, it would most likely not face a life-threatening situation.

Lu Qingshan kept reassuring himself in his heart, yet his concern was still uncontrollably rising.

Feeling the emotions in Lu Qingshan's heart, Qin Yitian didn't show it outwardly, but she was indeed influenced by Lu Qingshan and couldn't help but feel a bit downcast. However, just at that moment, she suddenly gave a smile, "He's back!"

Something stirred in Lu Qingshan's heart. He looked closely and sure enough, a grey shadow flickered into view amidst the ancient forest shrouded by vegetation.

It was the Western Mouse King.

Spit!

The Western Mouse King spewed a Stay Image Bead from his mouth, sending it flying toward Lu Qingshan.

Lu Qingshan caught the Stay Image Bead and probed it with his Divine Sense. After inspecting the light and shadow images inside, his heart settled.

Now, they had evidence!

The Western Mouse King stretched out a paw toward Lu Qingshan, "Where is my Cultivation Technique?"

Lu Qingshan touched his nose and said, "I don't have it right now."

The Cultivation Technique that the Western Mouse King wanted was still lying within the Demon Spirit Tomb; how could he possibly produce it right now?

"Lu Qingshan, you're going too far!" The Western Mouse King was so angry his mane almost exploded, "Don't you know that this time, for your sake, I almost lost my life? And you dare to deceive me?"

"I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you; it just requires a bit of time, doesn't it?" Lu Qingshan pointed to the Stay Image Bead in his hand and calmly explained, "If I had the Demon Clan Cultivation Technique on me right now, why wouldn't I give it to you immediately instead of asking for your help in exchange?"

"First, I need this object so that I can find a Demon Clan Cultivation Technique for you."
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With this explanation, the Western Mouse King immediately calmed down.

Indeed, at least in this regard, Lu Qingshan had been straightforward with it, leaving it with nothing more to say.

"You mentioned almost losing your life; what exactly happened?" Lu Qingshan's gaze sharpened.

Seeing Lu Qingshan's question, the Western Mouse King immediately got excited—it had been waiting for the chance to take credit in front of Lu Qingshan.

"In perilous times, my power stands firm; luckily, I am a force to be reckoned with!" The Western Mouse King elongated his tone, modulating his pitch, as he gave himself an introduction.

Lu Qingshan's mouth twitched slightly.

Ever since Zang Xiaojian gave the Western Mouse King a few books including the 'Southern Sea Spirit Beast Chart' and 'Master Li's Couplet Rhymes', it had started to flip through them whenever it had nothing to do.

It wasn't clear if its brain had grown from this practice, but its speech had indeed become rhymed, and its style had become incredibly odd as a result.

Well, it was quite... spirited.

After setting the stage for himself, the Western Mouse King began to prattle on about his adventures in great detail.

After listening to the account, Lu Qingshan's heart sank slightly, "It's the Void Demon Child again..."

That Spiritual Pearl, according to the Western Mouse King's account, should be a magical item condensed by the Void Demon Child using some special methods, through which a part of his Space True Intention could be exercised.

"Return to Lingxu City!" Lu Qingshan decided.

Time was running short; he needed to hurry.

This time, most of the manpower from the Netherworld were gathered at the entrance to the Demon Spirit Tomb and inside the tomb itself.

If this battle could be won, then after this, even if Lingxu's Netherworld didn't end up as desolate as Zhenjiang's Netherworld, stripped of its essence, they feared it would suffer greatly, perhaps even to the point of no recovery.