The Cat King surveyed the spacious tunnel, his gaze lingering on the neatly cut steps. A look of satisfaction gradually replaced his initial reluctance.

Although he had agreed to visit, the very idea of crawling into a damp, filthy rat hole had churned his stomach with revulsion. Yet, reality defied his expectations.

Before the visit, Wu Yuan had deliberately widened the tunnels and the main cavern, scrubbing them until not a speck of dirt remained. It was a calculated move, designed solely to leave a favorable impression on this powerful demon.

Stepping into the ore vein cavern, the Cat King ascended the large, flat boulder Wu Yuan had prepared as a viewing platform. From this vantage point, he looked down at the underground domain.

Below him, rows of Snake Tooth Rice stood lush and green, nearing harvest. Beside them, Moon Spirit Grass swayed gently, emitting a soft, milky-white luminescence.

A flicker of genuine surprise crossed the Cat King’s heart.

It was only today that he truly realized Wu Yuan was not merely some lucky vermin, but a fellow possessing genuine demonic talent. He began to view the rat in an entirely new light.

Demon Beast territories were naturally rich in resources, yet it was exceedingly rare for a demon to actively manage or cultivate them. They usually just consumed what nature provided.

Wu Yuan, however, had carved out a path of his own. His methods bore a striking resemblance to the organized operations of human Cultivators or the great demon clans.

Previously, the Cat King had dismissed Wu Yuan as a menial little demon, useful perhaps, but insignificant. Now, he grudgingly acknowledged him as a peer—a fellow traveler on the path of Cultivation.

“I didn’t expect you to be so skilled at management,” the Cat King said, his voice echoing slightly in the cavern. “This level of foresight… even many Great Demons lack it.”

Wu Yuan’s heart tightened. This Cat King has definitely interacted with Great Demons before.

“I achieved what I have today through a Fated Chance,” Wu Yuan said hurriedly, bowing his head. “I was guided by a Fox Immortal.”

“Fox Immortal?” The Cat King raised a brow, intrigue piqued.

Wu Yuan quickly explained, weaving his fabrication. “Some time ago, on a night of the full moon, I was fortunate enough to witness a white fox performing a ritual of moon worship. I received guidance from that exalted being. Out of gratitude, I respectfully address it as Fox Immortal and offer worship every night!”

As he spoke, he pointed a claw toward a rough stone statue perched above his sleeping nest.

It wasn’t a prop carved for this moment. Wu Yuan had sculpted it shortly after moving in, simply because the cave ceiling felt too empty and oppressive. He had carved the likeness of the white fox he had seen in his memories to alleviate his boredom.

The Cat King glanced at the statue but didn’t correct Wu Yuan’s improper terminology calling a mere spirit beast an “Immortal.”

He is, after all, a demon from a backwater place, the Cat King mused. Ignorance is normal. But the sentiment—the gratitude and piety—that is commendable.

The appreciation in the Cat King’s eyes grew stronger.

Sensing the shift in the Cat King’s demeanor, Wu Yuan decided to push his luck.

“Cat King, I recently learned some news,” Wu Yuan said.

Seeing the Cat King regarding him with a half-smile, Wu Yuan steeled himself and dropped the bombshell. “Emperor’s Sap.”

The atmosphere in the cave instantly froze.

Before Wu Yuan could utter another syllable, the Cat King’s expression shattered.

Whoosh!

His figure flashed forward, moving with the speed of Teleportation. In the blink of an eye, he was upon Wu Yuan. A massive paw slammed Wu Yuan into the dirt, pinning him down before he could even twitch.

A terrifying, crushing pressure washed over him.

“Cat King, calm down!” Wu Yuan screamed, his ribs creaking.

The pressure vanished as abruptly as it had appeared. The Cat King stood over him, his eyes cold and dangerous. “Tell me about the Emperor’s Sap. In detail.”

Wu Yuan scrambled to compose himself, gasping for breath. “I only know that in one month, there will be an anomaly between heaven and earth. The Emperor’s Sap will descend then.”

The Cat King stared piercingly at Wu Yuan. “I suppose that so-called Fox Immortal told you this? Though, I imagine it isn’t a particularly powerful demon either. It failed to mention the most important part.”

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a grim whisper. “When the Emperor’s Sap appears, Great Demons will descend to harvest the spirit objects. Small demons like you… you’re more likely to become collateral damage than beneficiaries.”

He gave Wu Yuan a meaningful look, the implication clear: You are out of your depth.

Wu Yuan’s heart clenched. The Cat King knew the inside story.

He immediately feigned panic, looking up at the massive feline with wide, watery eyes. He opened his mouth to wail, “Cat King, please—”

Smack.

The Cat King pressed him back into the dirt, cutting off the theatrics. “Enough. Who can’t see through your little schemes?”

The Cat King snorted, stepping back. “I will teach you a secret technique. It can absorb and gather the Emperor’s Sap. When the time comes, harvest whatever falls near you and hide it well. Do not get greedy.”

To Wu Yuan’s surprise, the Cat King offered the technique without further bargaining. He didn’t even seem angry at Wu Yuan’s manipulation.

In truth, the Cat King appreciated Wu Yuan’s blend of boldness and caution. In the brutal world of Cultivation, which low-level demon didn’t scheme and maneuver to survive?

Meeting the Cat King was a Fated Chance for Wu Yuan. Being able to maintain the relationship? That was an even greater Fated Chance.

The Cat King had decided to Invest. To him, this was merely a copyable secret art, costing him nothing. But to Wu Yuan, it was worth a fortune.

Wu Yuan watched with bated breath as the Cat King demonstrated the flow of Qi.

Secret Technique: [Nine Spirits Absorbing Essence]

This technique consisted of nine layers. Each layer allowed the user to absorb a specific type of elemental Spiritual Qi, imbuing their Demon Power with unique characteristics.

Wu Yuan studied the technique with ravenous hunger. It was exquisite—far more complex and profound than any spell he currently possessed. Even the breathing technique he had “learned” from the fox paled in comparison.

Could this be the cyan Fated Chance? he wondered, his mind racing.

The impact of this gift was enormous. However, a wave of greed quickly followed.

It’s a pity… it’s only the first three layers, Wu Yuan thought, a pang of regret gnawing at him. The Cat King definitely has the higher levels. Truly a golden thigh worth hugging!

By the time Wu Yuan snapped out of his trance to thank his benefactor, the cavern was empty. The Cat King had vanished.

At that moment, Little Huang, the weasel, scurried out from the shadows.

“Boss,” Little Huang said, twitching his nose. “Cat King saw you were zoning out, so he said he was heading back first.”

“Oh, and he told me to tell you: he’s leaving a few days before the Emperor’s Sap descends. He said don’t bother sending gifts anymore. Just focus on staying alive.”

Little Huang scratched his head, looking puzzled. “But… Cat King also said I could learn that ‘Nine-Something’ thingy too. The name is so complicated. What is it?”

Wu Yuan stared at Little Huang’s dumbfounded expression. He took a deep breath, reached out, and grabbed the weasel’s squishy face, squeezing it in frustration.

I, your father, spent months maintaining this relationship! Wu Yuan screamed internally. I racked my brains, plotted, cleaned tunnels, and risked my life negotiating! And you? You just waddled out for a stroll and got the same reward?!

But looking into Little Huang’s innocent, naive eyes, Wu Yuan’s anger deflated. He let out a helpless laugh.

Some beasts were just born lucky.

“It’s a secret technique,” Wu Yuan sighed. “I’ll teach you when the time comes.”

One month later.

Wu Yuan looked up at the stone ceiling, his face a mask of melancholy and anguish.

For the first time, he truly understood just how low the intelligence of the average Demon Beast was.

Teaching Little Huang the first layer of the [Nine Spirits Absorbing Essence] had taken 30,000 years. In that same timeframe, Wu Yuan had already mastered all three layers.

Perhaps it was the advantage of his transmigration, but Wu Yuan’s talent for spell comprehension was terrifyingly high. No matter the complexity, he grasped the core principles instantly. Even Old Black’s rat-controlling sonic variations had only taken him a few listens to replicate.

Back then, seeing Old Black’s shock, Wu Yuan had thought the old rat was making a fuss over nothing. Now, he realized the truth.

Most Demon Beasts were absolute failures when it came to learning new spells. Aside from their innate bloodline abilities, they struggled to learn anything external.

For Wu Yuan, a student from Earth who had fought his way through the hellish competition of the academic system to reach university, this realization was painful.

“No wonder the Demon Race is declining day by day,” Wu Yuan muttered, shaking his head in disappointment. “The foundation is rotten. They utterly lack the drive to improve!”