The Grey Rat's Demon Path

Chapter 175: Chapter 161-162: The Brewing Chaos

For Xu Chang’an’s custom elixir business to survive long-term without being resented and targeted by the merchant guilds and shops already in the trade, finding a powerful faction for support was of the utmost importance.

As the overlord of this region, if Xu Chang’an were to seek a backer, Peacock Mountain was undoubtedly the best choice.

’Peacock Mountain...’

Xu Chang’an decided to find an "in"—a way to build connections within Peacock Mountain.

Pill Master Ye had a Demon Vein connection within Peacock Mountain, so he could certainly ask him for a favor.

’Speaking of which...’

’That Peacock King is, for all intents and purposes, my good-for-nothing Dao Companion.’

’And here I am, a humble Grey Rat, having to find my own connections and my own backer just to do business.’

’Is there any justice in this world?!’

With a clear plan in mind, Xu Chang’an immediately set it in motion.

Through Pill Master Ye, he first met a Steward Demon from Peacock Mountain.

After a few exchanges, he used his connection with the Steward Demon to get in touch with an Earth Bear Demon.

In fact, Xu Chang’an had met this very same Earth Bear Demon once before when he first arrived in Peacock Demon City.

He would send over some Elixirs and Demon Talismans now and then, and share a few Cultivation Techniques or bits of Cultivation Gossip.

Through these back-and-forth exchanges, the two demons gradually grew acquainted.

And so, Xu Chang’an continued to refine Elixirs while also managing his growing network.

In addition to the Earth Bear Demon, Xu Chang’an also attended a few small networking events with Pill Master Ye, meeting many Shopkeepers from various merchant guilds and others in his trade.

Three years passed like this.

Xu Chang’an had gradually carved out a niche in the market, all while solidifying his connection to the Earth Bear Demon.

The Earth Bear Demon was a Direct Lineage Demon, serving the Peacock Princess herself.

’Which means the Peacock Princess is basically my half-backer!’

’What has the world come to!’

’The Peacock King’s so-called Dao Companion, reduced to relying on a junior for protection!’

On Shuyun Peak sat a pond, its water crystal clear. Within it, Spirit Flowers of every shape and color bloomed, releasing a misty essence. A thin white fog hung over the water, creating a scene of special tranquility.

A gorgeously decorated pavilion stood on one side of the pond, flanked by exquisitely carved stone statuettes. Here and there, a few vibrant Spirit Flowers bloomed.

Spiritual Qi flowed faintly through the air, soothing the mind and spirit of anyone who breathed it in.

Just beyond lay a vast Spirit Medicine Garden, where numerous Spirit Plants and Materials were cultivated.

The garden was quite large, and several Little Demons could be seen meticulously tending to the plants.

A cave residence stood behind the garden, with three large words carved above its entrance.

Gray Rat Cave!

Just then, two demons emerged from Gray Rat Cave.

One was a Gray Rat Demon, the other a Black-haired Pig Spirit.

The two demons conversed as they walked.

"Gray Rat Alchemist, I’ll be counting on you for this batch of custom Elixirs!"

"Of course, of course."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the Black Spirit Pig Demon activated a Magical Artifact and shot into the sky as a streak of light.

Xu Chang’an watched the Black-haired Pig Spirit depart, his eyes narrowing slightly.

This Black-haired Pig Spirit was the Shopkeeper for a merchant guild in Peacock Demon City. They had started doing business two and a half years ago.

By now, he was one of his most established clients.

’Just as I thought. Things are getting unstable.’

A little over a month ago, a letter had arrived from Yu Ruyan.

It said that, for reasons unknown, the standoff between the Thundering Mountain Range and the Yanyue Sect had reached a new height.

Small-scale battles were already breaking out.

Though the flames of war hadn’t yet reached the Red Cloud Mountain Range, it was unlikely they could remain uninvolved if things continued this way.

Just now, the Black-haired Pig Spirit had placed a custom order for a batch of High-grade Elixirs—for healing, breaking through obstacles, and providing buffs.

It was clearly related to the situation in the Thundering Mountain Range.

Besides the Black-haired Pig Spirit, Xu Chang’an had noticed a significant increase in demand for custom Elixirs over the past few days.

WHOOSH!

An Escape Light shot up from Shuyun Peak, streaking across the sky.

’That’s the Powerful Bear Demon!’

Xu Chang’an recognized the owner of the Escape Light.

The Powerful Bear Demon was affiliated with a merchant guild in Peacock Demon City. ’He probably has another escort mission,’ he thought.

’What a time to be alive.’

Xu Chang’an couldn’t help but sigh.

...

Over the next year, Xu Chang’an clearly noticed prices rising whenever he went to purchase resources.

This was especially true for items that could be quickly converted into power, such as Elixirs, Demon Talismans, and Demon Patterns.

Even the prices of some Spiritual Herbs and Plants saw a slight increase.

Fortunately, thanks to Yu Ruyan’s timely intelligence, Xu Chang’an had been prepared, stockpiling a large quantity of materials in advance.

’Buy raw materials cheap, refine them into Elixirs, and sell them for a high price!’

Another three months passed like this.

Cheng Mengying from Lion’s Mane Cave sent a letter.

It stated that her supply of elixir-refining materials to Xu Chang’an would have to be suspended for a while. The letter vaguely alluded to the reasons.

’Is Lion’s Mane Cave preparing to get involved in the standoff between the Thundering Mountain Range and the Yanyue Sect?!’

’Is this a decision from the entire Red Cloud Mountain Range, or just Lion’s Mane Cave acting alone?!’

A flicker of light crossed Xu Chang’an’s eyes.

The standoff between the Thundering Mountain Range and the Human Race’s Yanyue Sect was not a simple confrontation between two powers.

It involved dozens of major powers within the Thundering Mountain Range.

And on the other side, numerous human Sects and clans led by the Yanyue Sect!

The web of intertwined interests was far too complex to be easily summarized.

Two more months passed.

Another letter arrived from Yu Ruyan.

It revealed a truly bombshell piece of news.

Red Cloud Mountain had decided to answer the Thundering Mountain Range’s call to arms, organize a Demon Army, and march straight into the heartland of the Human Race.

By the time the letter arrived, Red Cloud Mountain had already assembled the first wave of its Demon Army and launched an attack into human territory.

’A great war is about to erupt.’

Xu Chang’an was lost in thought.

The previous standoff was one thing, as were the small-scale battles that followed.

Those were merely fights between Cultivators and Demons.

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