The Substitute Demon, being a rare and cunning demon, had a mindset in no way inferior to that of the Human Clan, perhaps even more devious.
At this moment, although it appeared unharmed on the surface, a surge of Demon Thought welled up from deep within:
"This Human Cultivator is utterly shameless. Since he possesses such methods, he shouldn't have forced a demon like me into signing a contract. He should have sought the Dao Heart Demon or the Savior Demon, demons that could aid in cultivation. To inexplicably choose me for this contract means he must be facing a life-and-death crisis and wishes to use my Divine Skills to cheat death and escape trouble."
"If I refuse to sign, this fellow will surely become annoyed and use the Refining God Seal Hammer on me, which will be torturous."
"Hmph, I'll sign. This fellow only knows the extraordinary effects of a Demon Contract but is unaware that we Outer Realm Heaven Demons also have ways to deal with it. Once I create the illusion of a successful pact with Void Demon Thought, I'll deceive this chap into opening his Secret Acupoint, seize the opportunity to escape, and reckon this Qi Refining Realm Human Cultivator youngster won't be able to catch me."
The Substitute Demon secretly calculated its plan, preparing to feign agreement with Tao Qian.
Just at that moment, it suddenly smelled a fragrance it simply couldn't resist.
The next moment, another object leaped out from the Secret Acupoint Platform.
At the sight of the object, its expression first shifted to one of extreme terror and then quickly to extreme greed, finally freezing there.
"Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Pill!"
Before Tao Qian could speak, the Substitute Demon cried out in alarm.
Then at once, Tao Qian also revealed a smile, pointed to the just leaped into the Secret Acupoint, a Demonic Qi filled and exceedingly alluring Elixir, and said:
"Since you recognize this pill, then I won't have to waste my breath."
"This pill is also part of the transaction. If you're willing to sign the Demon Contract and help me escape danger after an hour, I'll give you this pill."
With hardly any hesitation, and even skipping the bargaining process, the Substitute Demon excitedly agreed to Tao Qian's terms.
Encased with the gray Ancient Mirror, it was ready to fly over to sign the contract while also preparing to take that "Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Pill."
But just as it was about to act, Tao Qian once again restrained it in place.
Seeing the change, the Substitute Demon immediately panicked, thinking the Human Cultivator had changed his mind. It was considering whether to ask for better terms or to swear an oath when:
Tao Qian then asked, "Don't rush, don't rush. To see if the deal can go through, we must first test if you, the demon, truly have the capability. I know you're adept at body substitution, but I don't know if your skill can deceive the little demons of the Demon Buddha Temple and their Sandalwood Divine Dazzling Skill?"
The Substitute Demon, panicking over Tao Qian's potential change of heart, upon hearing this, couldn't help but let out a scoff and said:
"You Human Cultivator have summoned the right demon. If you had called on other demons, even those higher than me, like the Five Directions Demon or the Jiu Pan Demon, they truly wouldn't have any means against that Māra's Sandalwood Divine Dazzling Skill."
"But I am different. I am one of Māra's people, inherently skilled in chaotic substitution, conveniently capable of deceiving that Sandalwood Fragrance Cloud's search and dazzle."
"Very well, then this transaction is agreed upon."
"Agreed, agreed, agreed!"
The dialogue between the human and the demon concluded.
Both chuckled silently in their hearts; then the Substitute Demon swiftly approached.
It rapidly imprinted its demon thought onto the Netherworld Demon Contract, and in an instant, a surge of blood light emerged, and a sign of the Demon Contract appeared on both Tao Qian's and the Substitute Demon's foreheads. There seemed to be a connection between the two, and Tao Qian even felt he could perceive many of the Substitute Demon's thoughts.
Did this scene signify the Demon Contract was successful?
It appeared to be so, yet the information that emerged in Tao Qian's mind suggested otherwise.
However, Tao Qian merely smiled and did not expose the deceit.
He let the Substitute Demon take that "Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Pill" and swallow it eagerly into its stomach, unable to wait.
Demons are inherently fickle and extremely cunning.
If Tao Qian had initially offered the Blood Transformation Elixir, despite the Elixir's alluring toxicity, there was no guarantee the demon wouldn't have hesitated.
But Tao Qian first drew the demon's attention with the Demon Contract, then timely threw out the Demon Pill as bait, deliberately interrupting the process once or twice... In such a manner, even the most cunning demon lowered its guard, succumbed to the temptation of the Elixir's toxicity, and swallowed it directly.
As soon as the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Pill entered the mouth of the Substitute Demon, Tao Qian happened to open the Secret Acupoint.
The Demon immediately changed its expression. While its smoke-like demon body began to flee, it pointed at the Demon Contract in front of Tao Qian, where the false Demon Thought was disappearing, and burst into crazed laughter,
"Naïve Human Clan Cultivator, you actually thought that through threats and bribes, you could make me obediently comply and be driven by you."
"This time, you've lost both your wife and your soldiers, gifting me a Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Pill for nothing."
The Substitute Demon intended to end its mad laughter with a successful escape, having obtained the Demon Pill and achieving its mocking purpose, which seemed perfect.
But embarrassingly, as soon as it finished laughing, it discovered it had lost control of its demon body.
Even though the Secret Acupoint was wide open and it only needed to leap to leave,
no matter how much it stirred the Demon Thought, the demon body remained fixed in place, immovable.
What was worse, at this moment, it could distinctly feel
an alien presence deep within its Demon Soul that it could not expel, and to its shock, both the Demon Thought and demon body had been seized by this alien presence.
At this instant, even the foolish knew it had been duped.
Indeed, it hastily raised its head, only to see the nearby Human Clan Cultivator revealing a darkly amused smile, eyeing it with great interest.
"What have you done? What did you add to the Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Pill?"
The Substitute Demon roared angrily, with its demon body disintegrating and reforming.
Misty Ancient Mirror surfaces flickered with various faces, as the Demon Thought nearly began a minor tempest on the spot.
But no matter how it tried, not even a glimpse of the "Corpse Evil Worm" could be caught, let alone expelled.
The number of Demon Sects could not compare to the Major Sects of Daoist and Buddhist,
but each one was more bizarre than the next. It was true for the Secret Demon Sect and Demon Buddha Temple, and even more so for the Evil Sect known as "Hidden Sect", which was exceedingly peculiar.
Without knowledge of the Magic Skills, it was utterly impossible to unravel the Evil Sect's Exotic Skill.
Seeing all its methods fail, the Substitute Demon finally began to plead:
"I am willing to sign that Demon Contract, swear by my Demon Soul, and will never betray you."
"Let me sign it, please, I am willing to sign."
"Even without signing, I recognize you as my master and am willing to offer you my 'Lifebound Demon Soul', wholeheartedly serving you from now on, only begging you to remove that thing."
"Master, please spare me. With an alien presence parasitizing my Demon Soul, I've lost the ability to grow; how then can I relieve you from worries and resolve difficulties for you in the future?"
"Master, when you face trouble from those of the Demon Buddha Temple, I am willing to find a 'Buddha Fragrance Demon' to assist you. Such a Demon is most adept at dealing with Buddha, and you just need to transfer the alien presence from my Demon Soul into its Demon Soul—then all dangers would be resolved."
"Master, my great master..."
The Demon kept changing its tone, ultimately placing itself in the position of Tao Qian's servant.
Unfortunately, Tao Qian did not believe it.
Upon hearing this, he willed it to silence and then cheerfully said:
"I've also heard of the Buddha Fragrance Demon, but with my current cultivation, I cannot summon it. However, it matters not, for now that I have you, the Substitute Demon, my chance at freedom has greatly increased."
"We still have some time left. After I refine a few more Heavenly Demon Blood Transformation Pills, with the method I used just now, I will subdue a few more Substitute Demons, or perhaps an Empty Demon, along with one or two Star Zha Demons."
"That should suffice."
"Your demon body is quite an eyesore, enter here to await further instructions."
As soon as the words were spoken, Tao Qian took out a Blood Gourd specially used for containing demons and placed the Substitute Demon inside.
Afterward, he once again took a seat at the Secret Acupoint Platform, cradling the Dao Seed, letting the Exotic Fragrance permeate into the interconnected Outer Realm territory, and cast out the second line, simply waiting for the fish to bite.