This time, arriving at the foot of Red Cloud Mountain, Xu Chang’an noticed the atmosphere felt distinctly different from usual.
Even an ordinary guard post was manned by several Old Demons at the Late-stage of Qi Refining.
Though he found it strange, Xu Chang’an didn’t ask any questions.
He presented the token Yu Ruyan had given him, and a Guardian Little Demon immediately went to report up the mountain.
After waiting for nearly an hour, a streak of light shot out from the Mountain Gate.
"Little mouse, you’ve come!"
Yu Ruyan was as beautiful as ever.
Her long dress fluttered around her exquisite figure, giving her an ethereal, fairy-like grace.
"Miss Yu."
Xu Chang’an greeted her, cupping his hands in a salute.
With a dazzling smile, Yu Ruyan led Xu Chang’an, and together they flew into the Mountain Gate.
Flying was strictly forbidden within Red Cloud Mountain. Ordinarily, not even a Foundation Establishment Great Demon was permitted to fly.
Clearly, however, Yu Ruyan’s special status exempted her from this rule.
Inside a pavilion on Red Cloud Mountain.
Xu Chang’an retrieved a gift box from his Storage Bag and offered it to Yu Ruyan.
"Miss Yu, congratulations on becoming a Foundation Establishment Great Demon. This is my congratulatory gift."
Yu Ruyan seemed quite pleased and readily accepted the gift box.
Inside the gift box, Xu Chang’an had placed more than ten bottles of High-grade Elixirs, all at Tier Two Middle Grade.
Yu Ruyan’s official Foundation Establishment Celebration was still a few days away.
So for now, she had some free time.
Having not seen each other for over a year, the two demons caught up on recent events.
The atmosphere was congenial, so Xu Chang’an took the opportunity to ask about the unusual tension on Red Cloud Mountain.
"Oh, that! It’s because several Demon Kings have been visiting these past few days."
"Demon Kings are visiting!?"
Xu Chang’an was taken aback.
Red Cloud Mountain was the hegemon of the Red Cloud Mountain Range. It was perfectly normal for Demon Kings to pay a visit.
However, for several Demon Kings to visit at the exact same time was deeply significant.
’Is something about to happen?’
As High-tier members of the Demon Race, Demon Kings were the true wielders of power in the Red Cloud Mountain Range.
Their movements were undoubtedly a bellwether for the entire Red Cloud Mountain Range.
Yu Ruyan offered a brief explanation for Xu Chang’an’s confusion.
Apparently, there was something that needed to be discussed, and any power presided over by a Demon King would be making a trip to Red Cloud Mountain in the coming days.
’A gathering of Demon Kings... they clearly aren’t discussing trivialities!’
’The Red Cloud Mountain Range probably won’t be very peaceful in the days to come!’
Xu Chang’an’s expression remained calm.
’Fortunately, he was no longer the same Little Gray Rat Demon he once was.’
’Faced with impending storms, he at least had the rudimentary ability to protect himself!’
The matter of the Demon Kings was too far removed from them. They didn’t delve any deeper, instead changing the subject to the upcoming Foundation Establishment Celebration.
For her Foundation Establishment Celebration, Yu Ruyan had not only invited Xu Chang’an, but also Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit.
They were expected to arrive at Red Cloud Mountain within the next day or two.
"Xiong Da, the Yellow Wasp Spirit..."
Xu Chang’an sighed with a hint of nostalgia.
It had been many years since they’d last seen each other after parting ways.
Now, thanks to Yu Ruyan’s Foundation Establishment Celebration, they would be able to reunite.
They had kept in touch through letters.
Xiong Da had gotten his wish and acquired a Middle-grade Magical Artifact, and could now travel long distances by Flying in the Sky.
For his trip to Red Cloud Mountain this time, he had no need to travel on land; he came by Flying in the Sky.
’That big lug is probably over the moon about it!’
Then there was the Yellow Wasp Spirit, who had come upon some unknown fortuitous encounter.
He had made steady progress, even surpassing Xiong Da.
Despite his meager Inferior Bloodline, he had broken through to the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining.
It was a feat that had made many a demon’s jaw drop.
Generally speaking, only those with a Middle-class Bloodline had the potential to reach the Late-stage of Qi Refining.
For the Yellow Wasp Spirit to break into the Late-stage of Qi Refining was already a break from the norm, let alone reaching the Eighth Layer.
Even on Langlang Mountain, a place presided over by a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, the Yellow Wasp Spirit could now be considered a Sequence Elder!
Xu Chang’an and Yu Ruyan chatted cheerfully. By the time they finished the Spiritual Food Banquet, night had fallen.
Yu Ruyan put on a serious face and teased Xu Chang’an.
She told him he should stay the night and rest in her pavilion.
Here on Red Cloud Mountain, Yu Ruyan’s status was unique. Who knew how many demons were watching his every move during this visit.
Staying the night in her pavilion would be far too conspicuous. As a humble Gray Rat Demon, Xu Chang’an would never be so bold.
He refused at once.
"You’re so cruel, little mouse!"
Yu Ruyan looked as if she were about to burst into tears.
"Don’t be upset, Miss Yu. This little mouse isn’t that kind of demon."
Xu Chang’an patted his chest and walked out of the pavilion.
Outside the pavilion, a Little Demon was already waiting to lead him to the cave mansion that had been prepared for his rest.
Xu Chang’an rested for the night in the Red Cloud Cave Mansion.
Around noon the next day, Yu Ruyan sent a Little Demon to inform him that Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit had arrived.
The demons were overjoyed to be reunited, and the mood was relaxed and cheerful.
During their conversation, the Yellow Wasp Spirit repeatedly mentioned his son, who was also on Red Cloud Mountain.
The pride in his expression was plain to see.
When the topic of the Striped Tiger’s death came up, the demons could only sigh with emotion.
’The Demon Path was an arduous one; it was best to cherish every step.’
Throughout their reunion, Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit acted as they always had, except for one thing: when speaking with Yu Ruyan, they were clearly more reserved.
Though the demons had been friends for years, Yu Ruyan had now become a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, and her status was obviously different.
In the normal order of things, Yu Ruyan had now become their senior!
As the Foundation Establishment Celebration drew closer, Yu Ruyan naturally became much busier.
With a constant stream of visiting demons, she had little time to entertain Xu Chang’an and his friends.
Xu Chang’an didn’t mind, but Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.
「Two more days passed.」
Yu Ruyan’s Foundation Establishment Celebration officially began.
Normally, if a demon from an ordinary mountain faction were to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and become a Foundation Establishment Great Demon, that faction would surely throw a massive celebration, inviting peers from far and wide to showcase their power and prestige.
On Red Cloud Mountain, however, becoming a Foundation Establishment Great Demon was merely a step into the middle ranks. While not exactly commonplace, it certainly wasn’t a rare occurrence.