If the derivative demon clan is considered to be beasts, then the primordial demon clan can be seen as higher-level beastmen; their intelligence is fairly decent. Otherwise, the guards of the planet wouldn’t have been able to communicate with Zhang Xiaoman earlier — although that communication was entirely based on his strength.
Once inside the market, Zhang Xiaoman masked his presence and took a stroll around. He found that most of the demon clan here were engaging in barter exchanges, showing early signs of civilization.
However, Zhang Xiaoman also understood clearly that this place belonged to the demon clan, and he couldn’t assess it by the standards of the Spiritual Wisdom Clan. Their civilization had a unique development model, which was not included in the memories he captured, making him feel somewhat curious.
He casually walked through the center of the market; due to the absence of a constant star, the surface temperature of the planet was very low, but some formation had been set up nearby to prevent the place from being pitch dark.
Zhang Xiaoman wasn’t detected by anyone, and he swaggered through the street as other demons seemed to subconsciously overlook him. With his current strength, if he didn’t want to be discovered, even those of the Lower Transcendent level wouldn’t necessarily see him.
He walked into a larger building that looked like a tavern. Inside were gathered quite a few demons, most of whom were Intermediate level or higher; ordinary low-level demons didn’t even qualify to enter.
What the demons in the tavern were enjoying was that pus-filled plant fluid Zhang Xiaoman had just seen. He naturally found the spiritual power contained within it unappealing, but it seemed to be a good supplement for these demons.
"So far, I haven’t found any information. Could it be that Ni Yang didn’t pass through here at the time? Or perhaps he did come but these guys are too weak to notice? No way, I’m unlikely to find any clues from these low-level demons. It looks like I’ll need to capture two high-order demons to investigate further."
Zhang Xiaoman thought quietly to himself.
He had already secretly captured quite a few demons, using memory reading to search for information about Ni Yang, but to no avail. In the minds of low-level demons, there was nothing but slaughter and meals, and even rationality was scarce.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Zhang Xiaoman planned to directly target stronger characters—Upper Control Level, or Peak Control Level, and if worse comes to worst, Transcendent level. If even those at the Transcendent level don’t have relevant memories, it would only mean Ni Yang has never been here.
The earlier stages are still doable, but dealing with those at the Peak Control Level and Transcendent level wouldn’t be so discreet, as the energy fluctuations emitted could likely attract the demon clan commander’s attention.
Zhang Xiaoman wasn’t afraid, but since this was the demon clan’s territory, getting entangled with the commander would probably be a waste of time.
He decided to start with the Middle-level demons first. While thinking this, his gaze locked onto two individuals conversing nearby.
"Did you get the entry qualification for Big Claw’s drinking feast this time?"
Speaking was a demon with a massive head. His companion beside him was a black demon with giant claws, which were so large that drinking from the table was quite inconvenient, requiring extreme care lest he crush the cup.
"These two guys, one is Middle Control Level, the other Upper Control Level. They might know something. If I use Shadow’s power to launch a sneak attack, I should be able to quickly take them down and not attract others’ attention..."
Zhang Xiaoman looked at them with a hostile expression.
Over there, the two demons were still chatting, unaware they were about to face disaster.
"I haven’t got it yet, Big Head. I heard this time’s drinking feast is on a large scale, and the requirements have risen. Previously, those of Control Level could enter, but now it seems to require at least Upper Control Level to join. I wonder what the reason is..."
"Upper Control Level can go, right? Then I should be able to enter as well. I’ll check it out later... But this way, probably not many will be able to join the drinking feast..."
"..."
Zhang Xiaoman gathered energy in his palm, ready to launch a sneak attack.
Suddenly, a figure joined in; it was a skin-rotted monster, resembling a humanoid toad, walking with a wobble, sometimes dripping sticky pus.
"You two don’t know yet, this drinking feast is different from before. I heard recently Spike Commander found an Unlimited Level treasure and wants to summon our lord at this drinking feast, offering the treasure to exchange for greater strength..."
"So this drinking feast is actually a grand sacrificial ceremony, not just here but many strong ones from other regions have heard and come. I heard a guy at the same level as Spike Commander arrived here a few days ago but was driven away by the commander; such good fortune, the commander doesn’t tolerate a second Middle-level God participating..."
"..."
The newly arrived demon rambled on, piquing Zhang Xiaoman’s interest.
Recalling the person who was earlier mentioned as being driven away, Zhang Xiaoman had a strong premonition, wondering if that was Ni Yang.
So, Big Head and Big Claw narrowly escaped trouble, while the newly arrived warty toad became Zhang Xiaoman’s new target.
Half an hour later, in the Original Realm.
Zhang Xiaoman removed his hand from atop the warty toad’s head, having read the information he wanted from the creature’s memory; his face flashed a smile.
"Great, looks like Ni Yang indeed came here. The direction I’m pursuing should be correct."
From fragments of the creature’s memory, Zhang Xiaoman learned that the characteristics of the Transcendent-level being were very similar to Ni Yang; it was most likely an accurate guess.
Glancing at the toad creature on the ground, rendered insensible, Zhang Xiaoman shook his head slightly.
This fellow was a big braggart.
Claiming to be Spike Commander’s subordinate, yet earlier in the tavern he was busy boasting about his boss. The actual truth was that Ni Yang never intended to enter this planet; he merely passed by. But given Ni Yang’s strength, even just passing scared the commander, prompting him to take his confidants and guard the planet’s edge vigilantly for a long time, until Ni Yang passed by and disappeared, allowing them to breathe a sigh of relief.
Yet in the toad’s tale, it morphed into their boss driving away Ni Yang, completely shameless.
To such brazen little monsters, Zhang Xiaoman provided them with an Evolution Holy Light Gift Package, turning them into the universe’s nourishment.
With information on Ni Yang, Zhang Xiaoman felt a bit relieved. He didn’t immediately pursue but focused instead on the upcoming drinking feast.
This time was indeed fortunate; another surprise was that the demon clan commander had found an Unlimited Level treasure, and based on Zhang Xiaoman’s speculation, this treasure was very likely the Chaos Spirit Flower he’d been searching for.
These days, while looking for Ni Yang, Zhang Xiaoman hadn’t forgotten to keep an eye on the white aura inside the Divine Artifact Glass Bead, representing the Chaos Spirit Flower’s scent.
But what puzzled him was that the white aura inside the bead appeared intermittently and then vanished; in recent months, it hadn’t appeared at all.
Initially, Zhang Xiaoman didn’t know what was happening. Now he understood; the Chaos Spirit Flower already had a master. During the times it vanished, it was likely stored away by its owner.
"Unexpected gain this time; seems I’ve found material for imprinting the fifth Star Pattern..."
Zhang Xiaoman’s face showed a meaningful smile.