《Rat in Yellow Wind Ridge, rising from plundering entries》 Chapter 1 - Yellow Wind Ridge, Eight Hundred Miles, A Sudden Plague of Rats! Chapter 1 Yellow Wind Ridge, Eight Hundred Miles, A Sudden Plague of Rats! ¡°Yellow Wind Ridge, eight hundred miles, all filled with rats wielding sniper rifles. Starting with three Gatling guns, shooting so relentlessly that even fate itself finds no escape.¡± Among the mountains, a hoarse voice howled, scaring birds back to their nests and making beasts hide, as none dared to show themselves. Standing at the entrance of a rat hole, a figure performed morning exercises while singing, reminiscing about past glories. This was Yellow Wind King, a man who had been reborn. In his past life, he was an ordinary orphan, a mechanical engineering graduate, unmarried and single at over thirty years old. Back then, Black Myth¡ªWukong had just been released and instantly became a smash hit. He bought it immediately. Unfortunately, he had no talent for gaming. After dying for the 100th time to the rat snipers, he furiously kicked his PC case. Who knew that in his misfortune, his foot struck the power strip, electrocuting him to death? When he woke up again, he had become a rat. And not just in any world¡ªthis was the world of Journey to the West. His parents weren¡¯t ordinary rats either. They carried the bloodline of the ancient beast, the Moon-Devouring Rat, and had become powerful demons. Under their protection, Yellow Wind King grew up safely. With his inherited bloodline, he embarked on the path of demonic cultivation. But good times didn¡¯t last long. One day, the Buddhist forces of Mount Ling swept through the mountains, hunting demons. His parents led the pursuers away to protect him. Yellow Wind King hid deep underground and barely escaped. His parents, however, never returned. ¡°Thirty years have passed!¡± A shadow of hatred flickered in his golden eyes. He had hidden in this place for three decades. Using the cultivation techniques left by his parents, he absorbed moonlight and the world¡¯s spiritual energy every night. Finally, last night, he underwent a transformation. ¡°But it¡¯s not enough.¡± He clenched his fists. Even now, his strength was barely on par with low-level demons¡ªfar from reaching Demon Immortal status. The Heavens, Mount Ling, and the Underworld ruled supreme. They tightly controlled the Three Realms and Six Paths, with eyes and ears everywhere¡ªMountain Gods, Earth Gods, and more. Powerful figures like Subhuti and Zhenyuanzi dominated their own sacred lands, monopolizing mountains and holy sites for cultivation. As for the demon race¡­ His parents once said, ¡°The heavens despise demons. While humans can become immortals in a hundred years, demons need a thousand.¡± Worse still, Heaven, the Buddhist sects, and the great powers all look down on rootless demon cultivators¡ªslaughtering them at will. Yellow Wind King had no choice but to hide in his cave, only coming out at night to train alone. Even Sun Wukong was thrown into Taishang Laojun¡¯s furnace¡ªand only survived because of his immense strength. Imagine any other demon trying that! Even among the great demon saints, those who surrendered rarely received genuine teachings. Some even collaborated with immortals and Buddhas, betraying their own kind for longevity. Better to study on his own. Besides, he was too weak. If he left Yellow Wind Ridge now, other demons might eat him first. ¡°Finally transformed! What a great feeling!¡± Standing upright, Yellow Wind King had a rat head, human body, and white fur. Though thin, he stood about 1.8 meters tall. Since it was his first transformation, he still retained many beastly traits. His parents once said nine transformations were required to fully become human. They had collected books on demon-to-human transformations, trying to create a proper method. Yellow Wind King often studied these in his free time. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He flexed his muscles, channeling demonic energy into his right hand. His claws extended, as sharp as daggers. He pounced forward and slashed at a stone wall. Five deep claw marks appeared, as if slicing through tofu. He landed, then leaped again, slashing five claw-shaped wind blades that easily severed a giant tree as thick as a person. Then, he spat out a beam of moonlight, piercing a boulder over ten meters away¡ªshattering it to dust. Yellow Wind King smiled with satisfaction. ¡°Human form is much more agile. Beast form is too bulky.¡± Suddenly, his body stiffened. A strange voice echoed in his consciousness. He closed his eyes, concentrating on his mindscape. Inside his mental sea, a vast ocean stretched endlessly. Above it, a bright moon hung in the sky, illuminating everything. At that moment, a golden, ethereal door slowly opened in the highest part of his mind. A mystical immortal melody drifted out. ¡¾Sing your own fate, defy destiny¡¯s grasp.¡¿ ¡¾O chosen one who has reclaimed fate, the blessing of the Wind Spirit and Moon Shadow descends upon you!¡¿ ¡¾You have obtained the Divine Trait System.¡¿ A beam of divine light merged into Yellow Wind King¡¯s consciousness. A vast torrent of information flooded his mind. [By training and learning, you can awaken personal traits. By defeating or killing enemies, you can plunder their traits.][Additionally, every 360 days, you can upgrade one trait.][Traits can be used for yourself or bestowed upon others.][Trait Ranks: White, Blue, Red, Purple, Gold, Five-Colored, and the negative-effect Black Traits.] Yellow Wind King quickly grasped the information. His eyes gleamed with excitement. Had he finally found a way to change his fate? ¡°This is amazing!¡± He clenched his fists and checked his status panel. ¡¾Name¡¿: Yellow Wind King ¡¾Race¡¿: Demon ¨C Moon-Devouring Rat (1%) ¡¾Realm¡¿: Qi Transformation ¨C First Transformation ¡¾Technique¡¿: Moon-Devouring Art ¡¾Traits¡¿ Fate¡¯s Chosen (Gold) ¨C You are a thief of destiny, beyond Heaven¡¯s grasp. Your fate is unpredictable. Master Marksman (White) ¨C You have mastered all ranged weapons. Critical Strike (White) ¨C Focus your mind to find enemy weak points, dealing double damage. Diligence Makes Up for Mediocrity (White) ¨C Hard work compensates for lack of talent, but without luck, your life will remain ordinary. Yellow Wind King scratched his head. One gold, three whites¡­ This looked so basic! Was he really that weak? And why Master Marksman and Critical Strike? He had never used a bow before! Then, a horrifying memory surfaced¡ªthose black-cloaked monks outside Sha Men Village, turning into pincushions under a storm of arrows. Was the Yellow Wind Ridge rat clan naturally gifted snipers? Time to test it out. Just as Yellow Wind King retrieved a bow from his armory. The wind chime alarm rang. A voice echoed through the cave system. ¡°Damn rat, get out here! Today is the day you die!¡± Chapter 2 - The Vengeful Serpent, No Hesitation—Attack! Chapter 2 The Vengeful Serpent, No Hesitation¡ªAttack! ¡°Dead rat, come out!¡± A dragon-like roar echoed through the cave, reverberating off the walls. An invisible force of pressure spread through the air, sending insects and snakes scurrying for cover. The Yellow Wind King hesitated for a moment before striding toward the main hall. Inside, the shrine to Heaven and Earth stood in solemn reverence, and in front of it rested a golden bronze mirror. He formed a hand seal, channeling his energy into his fingertip, and shot a burst of power into the mirror. The surface rippled like water, waves spreading outward. The bronze mirror was part of a set¡ªone primary and eight sub-mirrors. The refinement process was simple, and the eight sub-mirrors could reflect views from eight different directions. In simpler terms, it was a mythological version of a surveillance system. The mirror cycled through eight different locations until it settled on a particular scene. There, a violent storm raged, sweeping up sand and stones. Dark mist filled the sky, thick demonic clouds roiling overhead. Upon them stood three figures. The first¡ªa single-horned red serpent, stretching over three zhang (approximately ten meters) long. Its thick body, large enough for a man to wrap his arms around, was covered in crimson scales. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The second¡ªa boar demon with a large head and broad ears. Its curved tusks jutted out, and it stood upright like a man, its burly frame gripping a hefty axe. The third¡ªa gaunt wolf demon with a lean frame, wearing a simple cloth skirt tied at the waist. A tuft of white fur crowned its forehead, and in its hand was a large blade. Upon seeing the single-horned red serpent, the Yellow Wind King felt a sense of familiarity. It didn¡¯t take long for him to recall the past. ¡°That¡¯s the Red Chain Snake? It¡¯s here for revenge?¡± Ten years ago, Two snake demons had come to seize control of his burrow. With the help of his traps and mechanisms, the Yellow Wind King had fought desperately, managing to kill the elder snake brother. However, the younger one had escaped, vanishing without a trace. ¡°And now it¡¯s grown a horn¡­ Its hiss has transformed into a dragon¡¯s roar¡­ It¡¯s undergone a partial transformation?¡± Demonic creatures didn¡¯t always take on full humanoid forms when they evolved. Some ancient great demons retained their original forms, cultivating their bloodlines to tap into ancestral abilities and divine powers. ¡°A boar demon and a wolf demon¡­ Never seen them before. Must be allies of the Red Chain Snake made outside. It brought reinforcements?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve all transformed¡­ Three against one? That¡¯s trouble!¡± As the Yellow Wind King pondered his countermeasures¡ªThe Red Chain Snake descended with a thick demonic mist, stopping at the entrance of the burrow. The Wolf Demon surveyed the area and spoke, ¡°Good burrow. This is just the place for us to take shelter.¡± The Boar Demon snorted impatiently. ¡°Let¡¯s hurry up and kill that rat! Then we¡¯ll take this place for ourselves.¡± The Wolf Demon nodded. ¡°Makes sense. Let¡¯s go¡ª¡± ¡°Wait!¡± The Red Chain Snake quickly stopped them and said, ¡°Brothers, that damned rat is cunning. We mustn¡¯t rush in recklessly.¡± The Wolf Demon frowned. ¡°If we don¡¯t go in, that rat will just cower inside. How are we supposed to take the burrow?¡± The Red Chain Snake flicked its tongue, its serpentine eyes cold. ¡°Go and chop some trees. I¡¯ll smoke him out.¡± The other two demons did as they were told, dragging a pile of trees to the burrow entrance and stepping back. The Red Chain Snake opened its mouth, spewing forth crimson flames that set the wood ablaze. The Wolf Demon exhaled a gust of foul wind, fanning the thick smoke into the depths of the cave. Meanwhile, the Boar Demon clambered up the mountain, scanning the area to prevent the rat from escaping through another exit. But patience was not its virtue¡ªit soon grew bored and yawned. ¡°Setting fire to my burrow? That¡¯s dirty play!¡± Watching from within, the Yellow Wind King gnashed his teeth in fury. ¡°Hmm? What¡¯s this?¡± Suddenly, something odd appeared before his eyes¡ªabove each demon¡¯s head, three exclamation marks (!!!) floated in place. They looked like status indicators from a game. Curious, the Yellow Wind King focused on them. The exclamation marks expanded, revealing detailed information. [Species: Demon ¨C Cang Wolf].[Realm: Qi Transformation ¨C Shapeshifted].[Traits: Wind Caller (Blue), Skilled in Blade Techniques (Blue), Moon Absorption (Blue), Cunning and Devious (White)]. _____ [Species: Demon ¨C Red H¨³i (5%)].[Realm: Qi Transformation ¨C Shapeshifted].[Traits: Crimson Fire Venom (Red), Dragon¡¯s Might (Blue), Devour (Blue), Mist Rider (White), Vengeful (White)]. _____ [Species: Demon ¨C Boar].[Realm: Qi Transformation ¨C Shapeshifted].[Traits: Thick Hide (Blue), Gluttonous (White), Basic Axe Skills (White)]. ¡°Well, damn!¡± The Yellow Wind King was astonished¡ªhe could actually see their basic stats and traits. He pondered for a moment. ¡°The most dangerous one is that snake. If I can take them down one by one, I might just turn the tables!¡± He headed to his armory, picked up a blade, then reconsidered and took a white bone bow along with three bone arrows. Slipping out the back, he navigated through another tunnel and emerged at a vine-covered pit along the mountainside. The sound of chopping wood echoed through the slope. The Boar Demon was chopping down trees. Cunning and devious, the Wolf Demon and the Red H¨³i left the labor to the physically strongest among them. The Boar Demon swung its axe. Two chops felled a tree. After cutting down seven or eight, it bundled them together with an iron chain. Unbeknownst to it, the Yellow Wind King had already masked his aura and was watching from nearby. He observed as the demon hoisted the logs and trudged up the mountain. Silently, the Yellow Wind King nocked an arrow onto his white bone bow, pulling back the string as he infused it with demonic energy. Hummm! The bow glowed, and the bone arrow shimmered. This bow was crafted from a demon tiger¡¯s bones and tendons, along with rare materials. Its spine formed the bow, its leg bones the arrows. When charged with demonic energy, it radiated a tiger¡¯s majesty. He took aim. With focused intent, he saw the Boar Demon¡¯s weak point¡ªits neck. Release! The white bone bow quivered with a resounding roar, launching the arrow like a shooting star. Trees shattered as it streaked through the forest. In an instant, it covered a hundred zhang (approximately 330 meters). The Boar Demon sensed danger¡ªbut too late. The arrow pierced its thick neck, blasting open a gaping wound. Its head, barely attached by a strip of flesh, lolled to the side before its massive body collapsed. The Yellow Wind King was surprised. As a speed-focused demon, he would have struggled in direct combat against the tank-like Boar Demon. But with the Critical Strike trait, he landed a fatal blow¡ªone arrow, one kill! Of course, the power of his white bone bow and arrows, personally crafted by his parents, was not to be underestimated. In Journey to the West, a powerful treasure could easily turn the tide of battle¡ªlike Taishang Laojun¡¯s Vajra Bracelet or Maitreya¡¯s Golden Cymbal. [You have slain the Boar Demon. Randomly looted trait: Thick Hide (Blue). Fuse?]. ¡°Only one trait? But this one¡¯s not bad!¡± Rodents were naturally small, and most mouse demons were inherently weak, unless they were of a rare variant. Despite his Moon-Swallowing Mouse bloodline, it was only at 1%¡ªpractically negligible. By fusing Thick Hide, he could enhance his physical resilience. ¡°Fuse!¡± [You have fused the trait: Thick Hide (Blue).]. In an instant, The Yellow Wind King¡¯s bones, muscles, and skin transformed. His once wiry frame now displayed defined muscles. He clenched his fists, feeling a surge of strength, endurance, and resilience¡ªnearly double his previous level. ¡°That damned rat! Kill it!¡± A furious roar erupted. Looking up, he saw demonic mist swirling atop the mountain¡ªThe Red H¨³i and the Wolf Demon had heard the commotion and were descending upon him. The Yellow Wind King retreated into the tunnels. The two demons landed, snarling in rage as they found their fallen comrade¡¯s corpse. Chapter 3 - Fuse the Traits—Now’s the Time to Seize His Treasure! Chapter 3 Fuse the Traits¡ªNow¡¯s the Time to Seize His Treasure! The Yellow Wind King returned to his burrow to rest. Using the bronze mirror, he observed the movements of the two demons. They continued pumping thick smoke into the cave. But it was useless. A rat¡¯s burrow naturally had numerous tunnels, and after years of digging and reinforcement, it had an efficient system for ventilation and drainage. The incoming smoke lingered only in the outermost areas. The Yellow Wind King chewed on some stored provisions and dried meat. He contemplated, A plan formed in his mind. He stealthily slipped out of the burrow. By midday, the sun was scorching. The two demons were fatigued. The Wolf Demon sat in the shade, his eyes darting around. ¡°Third Brother, this rat is too sly. Forcing him out might be impossible.¡± The death of the Boar Demon had shaken him. He knew he wasn¡¯t as physically strong as the boar, and he had no personal grudge against the rat. A thought of retreat grew in his mind. The Red Hui¡¯s snake eyes gleamed coldly. Its heart was full of hatred. It was vengeful by nature. After its older brother had been killed, it had spent the last ten years cultivating furiously, finally shedding its skin and transforming. With its newfound strength, it had quickly gathered its allies from the mountain to exact revenge¡ªonly for one of them to be slain yet again. Now, its hatred ran even deeper. But it was not reckless. The rat¡¯s burrow had left a deep impression on it. Even now, an old wound on its body ached faintly. The Wolf Demon suggested, ¡°How about I head back to the mountain and bring some little demons to help?¡± The Red H¨³i¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°That could work. If we have small demons scout ahead, we can avoid traps. Go quickly and return soon!¡± The Wolf Demon hurriedly stood up. ¡°Alright, Third Brother, wait here for me!¡± Then, dropping to the ground, it reverted to its true form¡ªa wolf the size of a young ox, with a tuft of white fur on its forehead. It sprinted down the mountain, its powerful limbs carrying it in great leaps, covering ten meters with each bound, as if flying. It fled at astonishing speed. The Red H¨³i watched it go, flicking out its blood-red tongue. Then, slithering to the side, it used its tail to dig up the buried body of the Boar Demon. Opening its massive jaws wide, it swallowed the corpse whole. Its belly swelled, and crimson light flickered across its scales. It was digesting the Boar Demon, absorbing its demonic power. The Yellow Wind King lay in wait. Suddenly, birds scattered in fright, and trees swayed. His nose twitched¡ªhe caught the scent of a wolf. ¡°It¡¯s coming!¡± Excited, he leaped onto a rock pile, spotting the Wolf Demon in the distance. Without hesitation¡ªHe drew his bow! Nocked the arrow! Held his breath and focused! With his newfound strength, he could pull the bowstring to near-full draw, compressing his demonic energy within. Closer¡­ Closer¡­ One hundred paces! The Wolf Demon suddenly tensed, slowing its pace, eyes scanning its surroundings. Now! The Yellow Wind King let the arrow fly. Shhh! The white bone arrow streaked forward like a flash of white lightning, bursting with a tiger¡¯s roar, like thunder striking from the heavens¡ªstraight into the Wolf Demon! It was like an artillery shell had detonated. The explosion echoed through the mountains. The Wolf Demon was blown apart. Its body burst into pieces, blood staining the forest, splattering nearby trees, snapping them in half. Another one-shot kill! The Yellow Wind King approached, blade in hand. The ground bore a crater, grass and trees shattered, rocks fractured and soaked in blood and flesh. A gruesome sight¡ªthe Wolf Demon had died without leaving a complete corpse. But there was no prompt? The Wolf Demon wasn¡¯t dead yet? Sensing something amiss, the Yellow Wind King focused his senses. Near a pile of broken stones, he uncovered a wolf¡¯s severed head, still exuding traces of a lingering soul. ¡°Die!¡± With a swift slash, he split the head in two. A small, pigeon-egg-sized white stone lay within, shielding the Wolf Demon¡¯s soul. A faint moonlight shimmered across the surroundings. ¡°A Moonstone!¡± The Yellow Wind King recognized it from ancient texts and was overjoyed. The Moonstone was said to come from the moon itself, containing pure lunar essence. It was an extremely rare material. ¡°Mercy, great king¡­!¡± The Wolf Demon¡¯s soul trembled, begging for its life. The Yellow Wind King ignored it. One slash¡ªsending it to reincarnation. He picked up the Moonstone. His demonic energy surged with excitement, and without hesitation, he swallowed it. A cool sensation spread through his body. Not only could the Moonstone increase his demonic energy, but it could also purify his Moon-Swallowing Mouse bloodline¡ªan invaluable treasure. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No wonder the Wolf Demon had that tuft of white fur on its forehead¡ªit had been undergoing a bloodline mutation, evolving toward the Moon Wolf. [You have slain the Wolf Demon. Randomly looted trait: Moon Absorption (Blue). Fuse?][Moon Absorption (Blue): Increases your efficiency in absorbing lunar essence by 20%. Enhances perception of moon-related objects by 10%.] ¡°Moon Absorption? Blue rank? Not bad. Increases cultivation efficiency and enhances perception.¡± ¡°The Wolf Demon must have found the Moonstone using this ability.¡± ¡°Fuse!¡± The Yellow Wind King said. [You have fused the trait: Moon Absorption (Blue).] A wave of cool energy merged into his body. While his physique didn¡¯t change, his connection to the moon deepened. The next time he cultivated under the moon, he would be able to absorb even more lunar essence, and he would have a better chance of discovering moon-related treasures. Suddenly, The Yellow Wind King¡¯s instincts screamed danger. Without thinking, he kicked off the ground, dashing sideways. Rodents had an innate sharpness for detecting threats. From the corner of his eye¡ªA crimson fireball smashed into where he had just stood. The flames sizzled, consuming the shattered wolf head, reducing it to white bone. The Yellow Wind King¡¯s expression darkened. This wasn¡¯t just ordinary fire¡ªit was poisonous. Incredibly toxic. It could melt flesh in an instant. Looking up¡ªA dark demonic mist hovered in the air. Within it, the faint silhouette of the Red H¨³i emerged. ¡°It got here fast!¡± The Yellow Wind King was taken aback. The demonic mist descended. The Red H¨³i expanded its serpentine body, stretching to a massive ten zhang (over 30 meters), as thick as a water barrel. Its crimson scales glowed ominously. A single red horn jutted from its forehead as it spoke in a cold, human-like voice. ¡°Filthy rat! I knew you¡¯d be watching from the shadows. That¡¯s why I let him go. Now, let¡¯s see where you¡¯ll run!¡± The Yellow Wind King narrowed his eyes. ¡°Wasn¡¯t he your sworn brother? You used him as bait?¡± The Red H¨³i sneered. ¡°Sworn brother? Him? Hah! They were nothing more than emergency food¡ªstockpiled rations!¡± ¡°Now, die!¡± With those words, its colossal form surged forward, moving at terrifying speed. Trees parted in its wake, forming a clear path. Wherever it passed, vegetation withered and died. As it advanced¡ªIt opened its gaping, foul-smelling mouth, exuding a sickening stench. A few breaths of it made one feel drowsy. The Red Chain Snake wasn¡¯t originally venomous, but after evolving into a Red H¨³i, it had gained lethal toxins and transformed into a fire-type demon. The Yellow Wind King leaped aside, narrowly dodging the snake¡¯s bite. He slashed his gleaming blade at its crimson scales. Sparks flew. The impact sent the Yellow Wind King staggering backward. ¡°So tough!¡± He was stunned. The Dragon lineage was truly terrifying. Even with his Thick Hide trait, he was no match for the Red H¨³i in sheer resilience. Among beasts, dragons were kings of scales and armor. Their bloodline gave them an innate advantage over other demons. Of course, rare beings like the Lingming Stone Monkey, Nine-Headed Worm, and Golden-Winged Roc were exceptions. The Red H¨³i smashed through a tree, then whipped its tail around, sweeping down another grove of thick trees. ¡°Filthy rodent! Your kind has always been my kin¡¯s food. And you dare raise a blade against me? You¡¯re courting death!¡± Its eyes flared with killing intent. Turning its head, it spat out a series of crimson poison fireballs, crackling towards the Yellow Wind King! Chapter 4 - Cunning Demons—Old Eagle, I’ll Help You! Chapter 4 Cunning Demons¡ªOld Eagle, I¡¯ll Help You! Poisonous flames roared, consuming everything in their path. ¡°Heh, and you call yourself a noble H¨³i serpent? Didn¡¯t I already kill one of you?¡± The Yellow Wind King sneered, flipping through the air to dodge the fire before turning and dashing away, leaving only a faint afterimage. Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, running away is the best! ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡± Hearing the Yellow Wind King mention the past, the Red H¨³i seethed with rage. All creatures had natural predators. Even among demons, there were inherent food chains¡ªchickens overcame insects, birds preyed on snakes and dragons, and so forth. Snakes, in turn, dominated rodents. Yet, despite that, both it and its brother had suffered defeat at the hands of a mere rat. This was an unbearable disgrace¡ªit had to be avenged. Rolling up demonic mist and summoning fierce winds, the Red H¨³i pursued the Yellow Wind King relentlessly, leaving behind a trail of withered vegetation. Its terrifying presence sent tigers, leopards, wolves, and apes fleeing in all directions. ¡°It¡¯s furious!¡± The Yellow Wind King¡¯s heart pounded. The path of dragon evolution was undeniably one of the most powerful choices for ordinary demons¡ªnone could compare. From an ordinary Red Chain Snake, this creature had transformed into a Red H¨³i. The difference in strength was staggering, no wonder it was so arrogant. Even if the Yellow Wind King had teamed up with the Boar Demon and the Wolf Demon, the three of them together still wouldn¡¯t have been a match for this monster. That was the cruel reality of the gap between demons. Fortunately, the Yellow Wind King was exceptionally fast and agile. Darting between mountains and valleys, he had already put several dozen li (miles) between them. But the Red H¨³i refused to give up¡ªit had set its mind on having rat meat for dinner today. In the distance, a towering gray cliff came into view. A shadow loomed in the sky above, circling. The Yellow Wind King¡¯s lips curled into a grin¡ªhe had arrived. His retreat wasn¡¯t random. Stopping abruptly, he took a deep breath and shouted at the top of his lungs. ¡°Old Eagle! I¡¯ve brought you a feast!¡± Sensing something amiss, the Red H¨³i hesitated for a moment, slowing its pursuit. The Yellow Wind King wasted no time¡ªafter his shout, he suddenly turned and charged at the Red H¨³i, trying to cut off its escape. Feeling the danger, the Red H¨³i did not hesitate¡ªit immediately turned and ran. ¡°Hey, you damned snake! Don¡¯t run! Come fight me!¡± The situation flipped¡ªnow the Yellow Wind King was the one chasing after it, slashing wildly. The Red H¨³i was fuming, but it said nothing. It just slithered away even faster. Most demons that evolved from ordinary animals shared the same instinct. Just then¡ªA piercing cry! From the towering cliff, a sharp screech echoed through the skies. A gust of wind followed, and a massive gray-black bird burst out of the clouds. It was a Gray Eagle, but an abnormally large one. Its wingspan stretched thirty zhang (nearly 100 feet), casting a shadow over the forest below. Its keen eyes immediately spotted the Yellow Wind King and the Red Snake¡ªdelight gleamed in its gaze. With a powerful flap of its wings, it created a mighty wind, swooping down from the sky. ¡°Little rat, are you bringing me a meal?¡± The Yellow Wind King yelled back, ¡°Old Eagle, I know your days are numbered! You don¡¯t have much time left¡ªso I brought you a rare snake!¡± ¡°If we work together and kill it, I won¡¯t take a single scrap of its body. You can use it to evolve one last time and live another hundred years!¡± The Red H¨³i panicked. ¡°Brother Demon! Don¡¯t listen to his lies! Rats are deceitful¡ªI was just driving him towards you!¡± The Gray Eagle laughed coldly. ¡°Hah! If prey comes knocking, I¡¯ll take it all!¡± It dived. The speed was terrifying¡ªair trembled with a thunderous boom, like a jet breaking the sound barrier. Under the sunlight, its razor-sharp talons spread wide, gleaming like blades that could pierce through steel and stone. Its true target wasn¡¯t the rat¡ªit was the Red H¨³i. A snake with dragon blood was a rare delicacy¡ªan unparalleled opportunity to evolve. And just as the Yellow Wind King said, its life was nearing its end. If it didn¡¯t undergo one last transformation, it would die of old age in this very mountain. ¡°Too much bullying!¡± The Red H¨³i roared. Coiling its massive body, it bared its fangs, and its crimson scales shimmered dangerously. Then, it spewed a torrent of poisonous fire directly at the Gray Eagle. From afar, the Yellow Wind King took a deep breath. His sharp eyes noticed above the Gray Eagle¡¯s head. With a thought, he examined it. [Species: Demon ¨C Carving Roc (3%)][Realm: Qi Transformation ¨C Shapeshifted][Traits: Gold-Devouring Breath (Red), Supersonic Speed (Blue), Eagle Eye (Blue), Greedy Heart (White)¡­] The Gray Eagle had underestimated the Red H¨³i¡¯s ability to breathe fire. Caught off guard, it took a full blast of flames to the face and plummeted. Luckily, its feathers emitted a faint white glow, shielding most of the damage. However, parts of its body that weren¡¯t protected burned away, leaving charred patches of bare skin. Especially on its head¡ªit now had a bald patch, making it look like an old, bald fool. Crashing to the ground, the Gray Eagle rolled, shifting into its humanoid form¡ªa tall, bird-headed man cloaked in gray-gold feathers, wielding a steel spear. Seeing its enemy weakened, the Red H¨³i seized the moment. It whipped its colossal tail, swinging it like a massive whip. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Gray Eagle barely managed to block with its spear, but the force sent it flying into a grove of trees, knocking them over like twigs. ¡°Hah! I thought you were a Golden-Winged Roc. Turns out you¡¯re just a washed-up, dying old eagle!¡± The Red H¨³i sneered. It had initially run because it instinctively feared the presence of a Roc¡ªa natural enemy of snakes and dragons. But now that they were fighting, it realized the Gray Eagle¡¯s strength had declined significantly. Its eyes gleamed with hunger. If it ate the eagle, it could refine its dragon blood further¡ªits power would soar. ¡°Filthy bird, you dare challenge me!¡± The Gray Eagle growled. ¡°Little rat! I accept your offer¡ªwe¡¯re neighbors, we should stand together!¡± The Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes twinkled. ¡°I changed my mind. I want a third of the snake¡¯s body, or I¡¯m leaving.¡± He shamelessly raised his price. The Red H¨³i hissed, turning to the eagle. ¡°Brother Demon! I have no grudge against you, but I must kill that rat!¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we join forces instead? Help me kill him, and you can have his entire corpse!¡± The Yellow Wind King chuckled. ¡°Old Eagle, I¡¯m of the Yin attribute, and you¡¯re of the Yang. Eating me won¡¯t help you evolve.¡± ¡°But he¡¯s fire-aligned¡ªhe¡¯s your real chance!¡± ¡°And don¡¯t fool yourself¡ªhe wants to eat you too.¡± The Red H¨³i roared, ¡°Shut up!¡± It ripped a massive tree from the ground and hurled it at the Yellow Wind King before lunging. The Yellow Wind King slashed the tree in midair, twisting to block the snake¡¯s bite. The Gray Eagle¡¯s eyes flashed. If he were a hundred years younger, he could have taken on both of them alone. But time was cruel. ¡°The snake is the strongest. The rat is the weakest. Kill the snake first¡­ then deal with the rat!¡± Raising his spear, he charged. ¡°Fine! You get a third! Kill it!¡± Chapter 5 - First Mention of Journey to the West! Chapter 5 First Mention of Journey to the West! Comprehending a New Trait¡ªHundred-Zhang Piercing Shot! The Yellow Wind King narrowed his eyes. He reached for the bow slung across his back, nocking his final white bone arrow, and aimed at the Red H¨³i. Beside him lay a pile of freshly carved wooden arrows, hastily crafted during the fight. The Bird Demon glanced at him. When did this rat learn archery? It paid no attention. But the Red H¨³i was terrified. It had already witnessed the devastating power of these arrows. Panicked, it went berserk, launching a frenzied assault on the Bird Demon, trying to flee. The Bird Demon wasn¡¯t about to let it escape. It fought with all its might, both sides locked in a brutal battle, tearing apart the forest, filling the air with dust and debris. The Yellow Wind King held his breath, steadying his aim. Below, the Red H¨³i and the Gray Eagle were locked in combat. The Red H¨³i¡¯s relentless counter attacks had the Gray Eagle on the backfoot. It shouted, ¡°Little Rat! What are you waiting for? Kill it already!¡± ¡°Alright!¡± The Yellow Wind King focused. With Critical Strike enhancing his perception¡ª He could see the weak points of both the Red H¨³i and the Gray Eagle. But he waited. For the right moment. What moment? He took a deep breath, patiently waiting. Then he saw it. That fleeting instant of opportunity. He released the arrow. The white bone arrow roared through the air, its flight accompanied by a tiger¡¯s howl and a thunderous boom. Demonic light wreathed it as it streaked forward like a meteor from the heavens. At that precise moment, the Red H¨³i and Gray Eagle¡¯s bodies overlapped in their struggle. Their weak points aligned perfectly. The Red H¨³i sensed the danger. But the Gray Eagle was right in front of it. It had two choices¡ªtake the arrow or take a spear to the gut. There was no room to dodge. And the arrow was too fast. By the time they heard the sound¡ª The arrow had already arrived. Two deep impacts rang out. The white bone arrow pierced through the Red H¨³i¡¯s scales, puncturing its body¡ªthen blasted straight into the Gray Eagle behind it. The trajectory had been obscured by the Red H¨³i¡¯s bulk. The Gray Eagle never saw it coming. Nor did it expect the arrow to be so powerful¡ªcapable of punching through the serpent and hitting it as well. The key point? Throughout the entire fight, the Yellow Wind King had only ever aimed at the Red H¨³i. Not once had he revealed his intent to attack the Gray Eagle. After prolonged battle, the eagle had let its guard down. One arrow. Two kills. A true double kill! The arrow exploded upon hitting the Gray Eagle, tearing open a bloody hole in its chest. Shattered bone fragments burst outward like blooming flowers. Both the Red H¨³i and the Gray Eagle collapsed, gravely wounded and on the brink of death. Their eyes blazed with fury, staring at the Yellow Wind King. Especially the Gray Eagle¡ªit spat curses, ¡°Damn you, thieving rat!¡± S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Yellow Wind King ignored it. He grabbed a crude wooden arrow, infusing it with demonic energy. The wood hardened, becoming as solid as steel. He fired. The Gray Eagle barely managed to swipe its spear, deflecting the arrow¡ªbut the force of the shot sent it staggering backward. ¡°You damned rat! Where did you get such strength?¡± The Gray Eagle was shaken. It had fought against the Yellow Wind King¡¯s parents before¡ªbut he didn¡¯t remember them having this kind of power. ¡°Together! Kill the rat first!¡± The Gray Eagle bellowed, dragging its battered body toward him. The Red H¨³i, equally wounded, lunged forward. The Yellow Wind King kept his distance, retreating while rapidly firing arrows. His speed increased. His mind suddenly cleared, as if comprehending a profound insight into archery. [You have trained extensively and comprehended a new trait: Hundred-Zhang Piercing Shot (Blue)!] ¡°Huh!¡± The Yellow Wind King was shocked. He had just awakened a new trait? And it was Blue-ranked! [Hundred-Zhang Piercing Shot (Blue): Within one hundred zhang (330 meters), your archery is 100% accurate. Beyond that, accuracy drops by 10% per additional hundred zhang.] The Yellow Wind King inhaled sharply. This strong! That meant¡ªhis effective attack range was now over a thousand zhang (3.3 km)?! And this was only a Blue-ranked trait. If upgraded to Red or Purple, the range would be even greater! Since this trait was self-learned, he didn¡¯t need to fuse it. Now, when he fired arrows¡ªthey struck their marks with unerring precision. Almost as if he could shoot exactly where he willed it. The Gray Eagle, already weakened by age, took several more arrows. Unable to endure, it shifted back into its eagle form and tried to flee. The Yellow Wind King charged up a final shot¡ª Releasing an arrow straight into the wound at the base of its wing. The Gray Eagle let out a final screech and plummeted from the sky. Meanwhile, the Red H¨³i, sensing its impending doom, shrunk its body to minimize its target size. It tried to escape into the air by summoning demonic mist. But it was too exhausted. It only made it a short distance before crashing to the ground. The Yellow Wind King pursued. One arrow burst its eyeball. Then he rushed forward, engaging in dozens of exchanges before severing its head. Unlike the Wolf Demon, the Red H¨³i had no Moonstone to protect its soul. Its spirit could only wail helplessly as it was dragged into the underworld. [You have slain the Demon ¨C Red H¨³i. Randomly looted trait: Devour (Blue). Fuse?][Devour (Blue): By consuming external substances, you can strengthen your body, accelerate bloodline purification, enhance cultivation, and heal injuries.] The Yellow Wind King narrowed his eyes. ¡°No wonder the Red H¨³i¡¯s bloodline purity was higher than mine¡ªit must have devoured many demons.¡± ¡°Fuse!¡± At that moment¡ªA thunderous roar erupted from his stomach. A searing pain spread through his body, almost unbearable. His teeth clenched, his body trembled. It felt like a dragon was thrashing inside his belly, hammering against his organs. The pain came swiftly¡ªBut so did the relief. A strange force refined his internal organs, fortifying them. When the pain finally passed, his body felt stronger than ever. A deep hunger gnawed at him. He glanced at the Red H¨³i¡¯s corpse, but resisted. Instead, he hurried to where the Gray Eagle had fallen. The bird lay dying, blood pooling beneath it. From one hundred zhang away¡ªThe Yellow Wind King raised his bow. The Gray Eagle sighed, spitting out its steel spear. ¡°You truly are as cautious as your parents¡­¡± The Yellow Wind King sneered. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you leading the Buddhist monks here, my parents wouldn¡¯t have disappeared!¡± The Gray Eagle sighed. ¡°I see now¡­ It was all fate.¡± Chapter 6 - Bloodline Purification & Trait Enhancement! Chapter 6 The Guardian of Mount Ling¡ªThe Golden-Winged Great Roc! Bloodline Purification & Trait Enhancement! The Yellow Wind King was stunned. Isn¡¯t this¡­ Journey to the West? He asked, ¡°How do you know about this?¡± The Gray Eagle replied, ¡°My Lord is destined to be part of this great tribulation, so he sent us out across various mountain ranges to gather intelligence.¡± ¡°Thirty years ago, Mount Ling launched a purge¡ªnot just to clear the path for the westward journey but also to investigate the mountains and demons along the way.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t me who brought Buddhist forces here to harm your parents.¡± The Yellow Wind King didn¡¯t fully believe it and sneered, ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± The Gray Eagle said, ¡°On my cliff, there is a shrine. If you burn three sticks of incense there, you can communicate with my Lord.¡± ¡°My Lord has powerful allies. If you choose to aid him, you will surely gain great benefits¡­¡± Its voice gradually faded, and it breathed its last. The Yellow Wind King checked its corpse. [You have slain the Demon ¨C Carving Roc. Randomly looted trait: Gold-Devouring Breath (Red). Fuse?][Gold-Devouring Breath (Red): You can extract and refine metallic energy from consumed materials, strengthening your body and enhancing the cultivation of metal-based techniques and divine abilities. Increases sensitivity to metallic treasures.] Seeing the prompt, the Yellow Wind King exhaled in relief. As for the Gray Eagle¡¯s words, he remained skeptical. So Journey to the West was real. But serving the Golden-Winged Great Roc? Wouldn¡¯t that be like a rat delivering itself to an eagle¡¯s nest? Who knew if the Gray Eagle was just setting a trap before its death? The Yellow Wind King snorted. He carried the last piece of Red H¨³i¡¯s corpse into his burrow, where he had already stockpiled Gray Eagle meat, Red H¨³i meat, and Wolf Demon meat. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A wise rabbit has three burrows. The Yellow Wind King had eighteen, scattered across different directions of his domain. Each one was extremely well-hidden. Since the Gray Eagle had ties to a Great Saint Demon King, he couldn¡¯t afford to be careless. He decided to stay hidden for a while. Perfect timing. He would use his Devour trait to absorb the flesh and blood of the three demons and cultivate. Unfortunately, the Boar Demon¡¯s body was missing¡ªprobably devoured by the Red H¨³i. Looking at the piles of fresh demon meat, he nodded in satisfaction. His burrow extended a thousand zhang underground, with an underground river flowing through it, keeping the temperature cool enough to preserve the flesh. ¡°Before I start my closed-door cultivation, I should check the Gray Eagle¡¯s cliff. Maybe it left behind some treasures.¡± Carrying his blade, white bone bow, and a bag of arrows, the Yellow Wind King climbed up the towering gray cliff. The cliff stood a thousand zhang tall, jagged and treacherous. When he reached the summit, he scanned the area. In the distance, he spotted a beak-shaped rock formation jutting out¡ªthere seemed to be a cave entrance. Cautiously, he approached the cave. He tossed a stone inside, then hid behind cover, waiting. No movement. Only after confirming it was safe did he enter. The cave was narrow at the entrance but vast inside, roughly the size of a football field. In the center lay a massive bird¡¯s nest, beneath an open skylight, where light filtered in. The Yellow Wind King climbed into the nest. ¡°The nesting materials¡­ Ebony, Phoenix Wood, mixed with soft grass and goose down. Pretty luxurious!¡± He jumped into the nest, following the source of light. A pile of shimmering stones lay there, glowing in various colors. ¡°Fire-Refined Stones, Heavenly Gold Stones, Purple Vein Gold¡­¡± His eyes gleamed. His parents¡¯ alchemy notes mentioned these¡ªthey were all rare materials for crafting magical artifacts! ¡°The Gray Eagle must have collected these to prepare for its next transformation.¡± ¡°Well, they¡¯re mine now!¡± He pulled out a bag made from Red H¨³i¡¯s snakeskin and packed all nineteen stones inside. Though each stone was only fist-sized, they weighed at least a hundred catties each, totaling over two thousand catties. Thankfully, thanks to Thick Hide, his physical strength had greatly increased. As he left the cave, his eyes flickered. Behind the bird¡¯s nest, he noticed a small stone temple. Inside, it wasn¡¯t a god or a celestial being that was enshrined¡ªBut a stone carving of a bird¡¯s head, with a memorial plaque in front. [Guardian of Mount Ling ¨C The Golden-Winged Great Roc!] Before the plaque stood an incense burner and sticks of incense. _____ Burning incense? Not happening. Instead, the Yellow Wind King searched beneath the altar and found a redwood chest with brass rings. Opening it, he found books¡ªincluding Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian scriptures. As he rummaged through the chest, his fingers brushed against a small wooden box. It had a black finish, sharp edges, and gave off a fragrant scent. Strangely, it had no lock. The box had twelve sides, each made of small square wooden tiles. Each tile bore a beast¡¯s head engraving. After counting, he realized there were twelve beast heads¡ªmatching the twelve zodiac animals. ¡°Is this¡­ a shape-shifting puzzle cube?¡± The Yellow Wind King was surprised¡ªit looked exactly like the five-sided Rubik¡¯s cubes he had played with before transmigrating. ¡°Who made this?¡± His curiosity burned, but this wasn¡¯t the time to solve puzzles. He returned the cube to the chest, tied it securely with two strong vines, and hoisted it onto his back. Then, he picked up the snakeskin bag of minerals. Before leaving, he set the entire bird¡¯s nest and cave on fire, erasing all traces. _____ Back in his burrow, the Yellow Wind King eliminated all tracks and hid his bronze mirror setup, ensuring absolute secrecy. As a small demon in the Southern Continent, caution was paramount. Once everything was settled he exhaled deeply. Time to devour and cultivate. The flesh of the three demons contained strong bloodlines. Especially the Red H¨³i and the Gray Eagle¡ªthey were variant species. Consuming them would refine and purify his own bloodline. Since he was devouring his natural enemies, he also felt his innate fear of them fading. No longer would he instinctively submit before a Golden-Winged Roc. Just like how the Hundred-Eyed Demon once feared the Rooster Star. ____ As he devoured the Gray Eagle¡¯s flesh, his Gold-Devouring Breath trait extracted metal essence. This merged into his bones, fur, and flesh, strengthening his body. A faint golden glow emanated from him. ¡°A red-ranked trait truly works wonders!¡± His physique improved drastically, and he could now manipulate metallic substances more easily. _____ By the first day of closed cultivation, the Yellow Wind King had already made tremendous progress. As he ate, he flipped through the books, discovering a Taoist text¡ª¡¯The Five Thunder Techniques of Maoshan¡¯. Unfortunately, he lacked a lightning root and had no proper master. Forcing the technique could be disastrous. After all, lightning magic was strictly regulated by Heaven. While wind, water, and fire spells were common, lightning magic was exclusive to the Celestial Thunder Division. In his free time, he played with the puzzle cube, scribbling solution formulas on the ground for fun. Chapter 7 - The Dragon Vein Dies, the Mountains Weep Chapter 7 The Dragon Vein Dies, the Mountains Weep, and a Fortuitous Encounter in a Small Corner! Time in the cave passed without measure. In the blink of an eye, more than nine months had gone by. The Yellow Wind King had completely devoured the flesh and blood of the three demons. During this time, his cultivation had advanced significantly. He underwent a second transformation, gathering demonic power and forming a demon core in his abdomen. He could now be considered a Great Demon! The demon race did not have strict classifications for cultivation realms but was generally divided into Lesser Demons, Great Demons, Demon Generals, Demon Kings, and Demon Saints. Newly transformed demons were Lesser Demons. Those who formed a demon core and cultivated for over five hundred years were considered Great Demons. A thousand years of cultivation marked a Demon General. Becoming a Demon Immortal made one a Demon King. As for Demon Saints, they were on the same level as Great Immortals and Bodhisattvas, and such beings were rarely heard of. However, these classifications were often ignored. Some demons claimed the title of ¡®King¡¯ just by occupying a mountain and gathering a group of minor demons. For example, the six demons who had sworn brotherhood with Sun Wukong¡ªnone of them were true Demon Saints. But true Demon Saints did exist, such as the Nest Zen Master and the Nine-Spirit Saint. The Yellow Wind King stretched his limbs, his bones clanking like metal. ¡°Feels great! With my purified bloodline, my very foundation is changing¡ªI am no longer just an ordinary mountain spirit or wild beast.¡± ¡°Normally, after transformation, it takes decades to form a demon core.¡± ¡°But by devouring the flesh and blood of three demons and seizing their cultivation, I underwent another transformation in just over a month!¡± ¡°The gray eagle contributed the most. It was close to its second transformation, but due to old age and declining strength, it had become vulnerable¡ªotherwise, I wouldn¡¯t have dared provoke it.¡± [You have purified your bloodline and awakened a new trait: Moon Devourer (Blue)!].[Moon Devourer (Blue): Your bloodline enhances your connection with the moon, increasing your cultivation efficiency under moonlight.].[Your Moon Devourer (Blue) and Moon Absorption (Blue) traits resonate. Would you like to merge and upgrade them?]. The Yellow Wind King was delighted. Could traits actually merge and upgrade? [Moon Devourer (Blue) and Moon Absorption (Blue) have merged and upgraded. You have acquired a new trait: Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit (Red)!]. ¡°It really upgraded?¡± The Yellow Wind King checked the new trait. [Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit (Red): You are a child of the moon. Your cultivation efficiency under moonlight increases by 100%. On nights of the full moon, you receive the Moon¡¯s Blessing, doubling all aspects of your abilities and enhancing your perception of moon-related phenomena by 30%.]. ¡°Not only does it combine the effects of the previous traits and significantly boost efficiency, but it also grants a new Moon¡¯s Blessing ability.¡± ¡°This is a huge gain!¡± The Yellow Wind King was overjoyed. He glanced at his current status. [Name: Yellow Wind King].[Race: Demon¡ªMoon Devouring Rat (10%)].[Realm: Qi Refinement¡ªDemon Core].[Cultivation Method: Moon Devouring Art].[Traits: Heaven¡¯s Mandate (Gold), Gold-Consuming Breath (Red), Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit (Red), Thick Skin (Blue), Hundred-Pace Precision (Blue), Devour (Blue), Archery Specialization (White), Critical Strike (White), Diligence Makes Up for Mediocrity (White)]. This looked far better than before. Just as he was feeling pleased¡ªSuddenly, he felt an ominous premonition. His innate sixth sense warned him that danger was approaching from afar. The Yellow Wind King immediately restrained his aura and swiftly approached the Mother Mirror. Pouring his demon energy into it, he activated its reflection ability to observe the outside world. The sky had darkened, casting a massive shadow. It was an incomparably massive divine bird, its wings spanning hundreds of miles as it soared across the sky, stirring up fierce gales. The violent winds swept across a hundred miles, toppling trees, some even uprooted and sent spiraling into the sky like drifting leaves. Clutched in its talons was the lifeless corpse of a divine dragon, over a hundred feet long. The bird pecked at it, swallowing it piece by piece. As it passed, a divine sense swept across the land, scanning all directions¡ªit seemed to be searching for something. The bird descended toward High Cliff Ridge. Its enormous body rapidly shrank, transforming into a humanoid figure draped in golden feathers. It was the Golden-Winged Great Peng! ¡°Something has happened?¡± It strode into a cavern, its golden eyes gleaming as it scanned the scorched rock walls, stopping before its own temple. A mysterious light shot from its forehead, merging into a stone statue of a carved eagle head. The stone eyes flickered to life, replaying past events. ¡°A mere little rat demon? It killed the gray eagle? Impossible¡ªit¡¯s more likely that the gray eagle went out and met an unfortunate fate.¡± It observed the sneaky, white-furred rat demon entering the cave. Its gaze was filled with disdain and contempt¡ªweak, lowly, an insignificant creature. It did not believe that such a demon could kill the gray eagle. The Peng family was proud to the extreme. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing that the rat demon had entered the lair, it lost interest and instead shattered the stone statue, revealing a golden pill hovering quietly inside. ¡°Fortunately, the Golden Core is still here.¡± It breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Thirty years ago, while campaigning with Spirit Mountain, I discovered a hidden dragon vein here. So, I placed my pill here to absorb its essence and nurture a Dragon Vein Core.¡± ¡°Judging by the patterns on it, it needed just a few more years. But alas, the gray eagle died too soon, and lately, Spirit Mountain¡¯s scrutiny has been too intense¡­¡± ¡°Forget it. I¡¯ll use some methods to accelerate its maturation.¡± Grasping the golden core, it performed an Earth Escape Technique, burrowing underground and following its senses to an open chamber. Inside, a golden dragon form was bound by golden chains. It coiled in place, its light dim, its aura feeble. Sensing the Great Peng¡¯s approach, the dragon form struggled and roared. ¡° Seeking death?¡± The Great Peng raised its hand, summoning a sword in its palm, and drove it into the dragon¡¯s form, pinning it down. In that instant, a wicked wind erupted across Yellow Wind Ridge. The sky turned dark. The mountains wept. The forests wailed. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± The Yellow Wind King grew uneasy, an inexplicable sorrow washing over him. It wasn¡¯t just him¡ªall creatures in Yellow Wind Ridge were crying out in grief. ¡°The mountains mourn, and all beings grieve¡­ What has the Golden-Winged Great Peng done?¡± The Yellow Wind King was filled with dread. But he did not dare reveal himself. Deep in thought, he muttered, ¡°That old bird definitely laid a trap for me. It either hid the truth or was unaware of it itself.¡± About a month later, through a subsidiary mirror, the Yellow Wind King saw the Golden-Winged Great Peng soar into the sky. It unfurled its immense wings and vanished into the clouds. Its aura lingered for a long time. Silence. Yellow Wind Ridge fell into a deathly stillness. Chapter 8 - Artifact Refining and Formation Techniques! Chapter 8 The Path to Apprenticeship, Learning New Traits¡ªArtifact Refining and Formation Techniques! The Yellow Wind King was wary that the Golden-Winged Great Peng might have left behind some hidden measures, so he remained in his cave, practicing the Moon Devouring Art daily. Although called Moon Devouring Art, it was essentially a method developed by the Moon Devouring Rat lineage to absorb and refine moonlight to temper the body. It wasn¡¯t particularly advanced. However, with Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit, the efficiency of the Moon Devouring Art increased greatly, allowing him to cultivate even underground. In his spare time, the Yellow Wind King worked on solving an irregular magic cube. Two months passed in the blink of an eye. ¡°I solved it!¡± The Yellow Wind King was thrilled as he examined the magic cube, where twelve zodiac beast heads had aligned perfectly in their respective places. A mechanical sound came from within. The Yellow Wind King grew alert and stepped back. With a ¡°Boom!¡±, the magic cube burst apart, revealing a small token that emitted radiant light, illuminating the Yellow Wind King. Within the light, a message was transmitted to him. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Whoever holds this token, seek the Square Inch Land, where a great opportunity awaits!]. ¡°Hmm?¡± The Yellow Wind King was astonished. What did this mean? An opportunity? Once the message was delivered, the glow dimmed. The token floated into the Yellow Wind King¡¯s hand. He probed it with his divine sense, and the token shone with spiritual light. Inside, it contained three postnatal restrictions¡ªthis was a magical artifact. His parents, who were skilled in artifact refinement, had documented the classification of objects into mortal artifacts, magical artifacts, spiritual artifacts, and spiritual treasures. Another category was ritual artifacts, which were worshiped and sustained by incense offerings, also known as merit artifacts. Except for the innate and acquired distinctions in spiritual treasures, the other categories did not have strict ranks¡ªeach had unique applications. The key was the restrictions embedded in the artifact. Different restrictions provided different functions. In theory, the more restrictions an artifact had, the higher its tier. However, some artifacts, nurtured by nature, possessed innate restrictions, making them extraordinarily valuable. For demons¡ªwhether great or small¡ªmagical artifacts were the most accessible and practical treasures. Having picked up a magical artifact, the Yellow Wind King was overjoyed and immediately began refining it with his demon energy. The artifact contained three restrictions. Spirit Gathering ¨C When activated, it gathered heaven and earth¡¯s spiritual energy to aid cultivation. Amplification ¨C When activated, it enhanced the power of spells and demonic arts. Soul Protection ¨C When activated, it safeguarded the spirit and soul, providing resistance against illusions and charm techniques. ¡°What a treasure!¡± The Yellow Wind King was thrilled¡ªthese three restrictions provided offense, defense, and support all in one. If he could study and understand them, that alone would be immensely valuable. ¡°An opportunity in the Square Inch Land?¡± The Yellow Wind King examined the restrictions closely. Each stroke was meticulously inscribed, aligning with the natural order¡ªclearly the work of a trained expert. The refinement of artifacts, talismans, and pills required formal instruction¡ªself-taught individuals rarely succeeded. ¡°In the world of Journey to the West, the major powers are well-known.¡± ¡°Square Inch¡­ Could it be Spirit Platform Square Inch Mountain, the Oblique Moon Three Stars Cave? Was the magic cube actually selecting a disciple?¡± ¡°Western Ox Continent¡­ Square Inch Mountain¡­ Sun Wukong!¡± The Yellow Wind King¡¯s heart pounded. If there was truly an opportunity to become a disciple, who would want to remain in the wilderness? ¡°Should I take the gamble?¡± The Yellow Wind King gritted his teeth and frowned, contemplating, He glanced at the scattered wooden blocks on the ground and suddenly noticed that their grain patterns resembled mountain formations and contour lines. ¡°Could it be¡­?¡± The Yellow Wind King gathered all the wooden blocks and arranged them in different ways, eventually piecing together a map based on the twelve zodiac signs. ¡°This is the Sand Country¡­ Flowing Sand River¡­ Heading further west, bypassing Longevity Mountain and continuing south, adjacent to the Western Sea, lies the Spirit Platform of the Western Ox Continent.¡± Inside his cave, the Yellow Wind King lay on the ground, studying the map formed by the wooden blocks. Using the edge of a block as a one-unit measure, he compared it against known locations like Sand Country and U-Tsang Kingdom, calculating that one unit equaled a specific distance. Then, he counted the grid spaces to Spirit Platform Square Inch Mountain. This task required a fair amount of intelligence and knowledge¡ªit was designed to eliminate those who lacked the ability to learn and study. However, for someone who had reincarnated from another world, basic knowledge was not an issue. The real challenge was patience, meticulousness, and determination. ¡°This journey is approximately ten thousand miles.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± The Yellow Wind King clenched his teeth and made up his mind. Having witnessed the overwhelming power of the Golden-Winged Great Peng, he felt both fearful and envious. A true Demon King should be like that! ¡°Even though I have cheats, staying in Yellow Wind Ridge means I¡¯ll never encounter truly powerful beings or acquire better traits.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t just sit around waiting for a windfall¡­ or hoping for some miraculous robbery opportunity. I have to step out and travel ten thousand miles!¡± Moreover, The Yellow Wind King wasn¡¯t sure if the Golden-Winged Great Peng would return. With its divine abilities, if it found him¡­ ¡°Yellow Wind Ridge is no longer safe. Leaving temporarily will also help me avoid danger.¡± With this in mind, the Yellow Wind King stopped hesitating. He gathered his bone bow, spear, long knife, minerals, and other supplies before returning to the Rat Cave. At home, he made preparations for the long journey. Most importantly¡ªhe needed proper equipment. The Yellow Wind King fired up a forge, refining iron to craft arrows. His parents, skilled in artifact refinement, had made magical tools like the Child-Mother Copper Mirror and Bone Bow, selling them to demons. Being exposed to this craft from a young age, he had picked up some skills. Though he couldn¡¯t make complex artifacts, he was capable of forging arrows. Furthermore, the Gold-Consuming Breath trait greatly enhanced his sensitivity to metallic substances. While forging, he could subtly sense and harmonize different metals, creating optimal alloys. Even better, during the process, the golden energy released by the metals was absorbed by him, boosting his cultivation. For over ten days, the Yellow Wind King wielded his hammer, forging more than a hundred iron arrows. He also used the gray eagle¡¯s feathers for fletching. [Through forging and study, you have acquired a new trait: Artifact Refining Apprentice (White)!].[Artifact Refining Apprentice (White): You can forge numerous mortal artifacts and have a 10% chance of creating magical artifacts.]. ¡°Hmm? A new trait?¡± ¡°I have a chance to forge magical artifacts?!¡± The Yellow Wind King was ecstatic. ¡°Let¡¯s test it!¡± He retrieved his artifact refinement handbooks and carefully studied them. The books contained not only forging techniques and insights but also a list of rare stones and woods used in crafting. Additionally, they detailed five magical artifact restrictions: Sharpness, Armor Penetration, Water Mirror, Bewitching, and Durability¡ªall highly valuable. Over the next ten days, he painstakingly forged an arrow inscribed with the Sharpness restriction. Chapter 9 - A Year’s Time, An Opportunity to Upgrade a Trait—Moon Chaser (Purple)! Chapter 9 A Year¡¯s Time, An Opportunity to Upgrade a Trait¡ªMoon Chaser (Purple)! ¡°It worked!¡± The Yellow Wind King was overjoyed as he picked up the arrow. The tip was noticeably sharper. He took both a regular iron arrow and a magic arrow outside to test them. The iron arrow was fired¡ªIt embedded deep into the stone. Then, he fired the magic arrow. A piercing whistle sounded. Not only did it penetrate the stone more easily, but it also explode upon impact. ¡°Compared to an ordinary iron arrow, a magic arrow inscribed with restrictions conducts demonic and magical energy more efficiently, doubling its lethality.¡± The Yellow Wind King dedicated himself to forging magic arrows. He wasn¡¯t sure if he had a natural talent for forging or if Gold-Consuming Breath was simply that effective. His success rate in forging magical artifacts with a single restriction was 100%. Over two months, he crafted six armor-piercing arrows and six razor-sharp arrows Initially, he was slow due to inexperience, but as he became proficient, he could forge one arrow in about five days. However, When he attempted to combine both ¡®Sharpness¡¯ and ¡®Armor-Piercing¡¯ restrictions on a single arrow, he failed. He analyzed and experimented, eventually realizing. Ordinary ironstone couldn¡¯t handle two restrictions. Thus, he refined the iron further, forging it into steel. It worked! He successfully created three double-restriction arrows! Unfortunately, the rare stones he had taken from the gray eagle were running low. The Yellow Wind King examined the gray eagle¡¯s spear, which happened to contain both ¡®Sharpness¡¯ and ¡®Armor-Piercing¡¯ restrictions. The hammering section of the spear bore a demonic rune¡ª ¡®Moon¡¯. Clearly, this was crafted by his parents¡ªthough how it had ended up in the gray eagle¡¯s possession was a mystery. An idea struck him¡ªWhat if he embedded the ¡®Amplification¡¯ restriction from the token into the spear to boost its power? He began studying the ¡®Amplification¡¯ restriction inside the token. _____ [Through study and comprehension, you have acquired a new trait: Formation Novice (White)!].[Formation Novice (White): You have a basic understanding of restrictions and formations, allowing you to set up beginner-level formations and restrictions.]. While studying, the Yellow Wind King not only gained a new trait, but¡ª[360 days have passed. You have earned the opportunity to upgrade a trait (below Purple grade)!]. ¡°Hmm? Oh, that¡¯s right! I had completely forgotten! Every 360 days, I can upgrade one trait!¡± ¡°A full year has passed!¡± ¡°Upgrade a trait below Purple grade?¡± ¡°The Heaven¡¯s Mandate (Gold) trait is excluded¡ªI don¡¯t need to think twice. I must choose between my two Red-grade traits.¡± ¡°Gold-Consuming Breath or Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit¡­ one of them has to go up!¡± The Yellow Wind King deliberated carefully. ¡°Gold-Consuming Breath is powerful¡­ but Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit aligns better with my origins and strengthens my foundation.¡± ¡°If I want to find a teacher, I cannot have a weak foundation¡ªotherwise, I might not get to learn the true skills.¡± ¡°Upgrade Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit!¡± [You have upgraded Moon¡¯s Favored Spirit (Red). You have acquired a new trait: Moon Chaser (Purple)!].[Moon Chaser (Purple): You pursue the moon¡¯s radiance and are blessed by the lunar stars. During cultivation, you can draw in moon essence to temper your body and refine your soul. On full moon nights, these effects double. Your perception of moon-related phenomena increases by 60%. If a lunar official falls from grace, you are eligible to take their place.]. As the new trait activated, a pillar of moonlight descended upon the Yellow Wind King from nowhere. His flesh, bones, demon core, and soul were all bathed in moonlight. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged toward him. His entire body began to glow, radiant and pristine. His fur shimmered with streams of moonlight, and his eyes reflected an enormous lunar star. Brilliant light washed over his entire being, cleansing him in a holy and majestic radiance. The demonic power he had absorbed through Devour was continuously purified by the moonlight, transforming completely into his own strength. His bloodline evolved a colossal phantom of an ancient Moon Devouring Beast emerged around him. Its aura carried the primordial and prehistoric presence of the wild era, intimidating all creatures within ten miles¡ªcausing insects, birds, and beasts to tremble in submission. _____ Meanwhile, in the Moon Palace, within the residence of the Lunar Star Sovereign, surrounded by attending moon fairies, the Lunar Star Sovereign was combing her hair. Suddenly, she sensed something, her gaze piercing through the mortal realm. She gently stroked her moon rabbit, murmuring, ¡°Interesting¡­ A descendant of that bloodline has appeared. The Moon Devouring Rat¡­ a thief indeed!¡± The lunar essence refined the Yellow Wind King¡¯s body and spirit. He exhaled deeply. His demon core spun rapidly, absorbing spiritual energy, and soon two brilliantly glowing markings appeared on it. A moon sigil, pure and luminous. A golden silk rune, radiating golden light. Each marking signified a different attribute¡ªlunar and metal¡ªwhile also hinting at the yin-yang and elemental affinities of earth, fire, water, wind, thunder, and wood. Once a demon core gained attribute markings, cultivating related techniques and divine abilities would accelerate significantly¡ªthis applied not just to demons but to all living beings. After some time, the moonlight receded, fading into the sky. The Yellow Wind King let out a long breath, feeling completely refreshed. His senses were sharper than ever. He immediately checked his status. His realm had not changed. However, his bloodline purity had increased dramatically, from 10% to 30%. His body and demonic power had also undergone significant refinement. His strength had definitely increased. The Yellow Wind King pondered. Stretching his limbs, he tested his raw power¡ªeven a casual punch shattered a rock, exerting the force of a thousand pounds. He picked up his giant iron hammer and resumed forging his spear, integrating new metals and inscribing the Amplification restriction. To aid the process, he activated the ¡®Spirit Gathering¡¯ restriction from the token, drawing in spiritual energy to temper the spear. After eighteen days¡ª The weapon was complete. A twelve-foot-long, thousand-pound black iron spear had been forged. The Yellow Wind King dripped his blood onto its edge, completing its spiritual attunement. This spear would be his primary weapon. He also crafted a leather quiver from Scarlet Viper skin, to hold his Bone Bow and arrows, a satchel for supplies, including a Soul-Capturing Bell, an antidote herb, two firestones and a wooden map. He also packed a spare sword and knife, just in case. Fully prepared, the Yellow Wind King stepped outside. He sealed his cave with a massive boulder, then gazed at the vast Yellow Wind Ridge. ¡°The sea is boundless for fish to leap, the sky infinite for birds to soar!¡± Taking a deep breath, he reassured himself. ¡°Before leaving, I should check out the Hidden Dragon Cave.¡± Upon reaching the cave, he found it collapsed, desolate, and devoid of vitality. Snakes and insects slithered through the ruins, absorbing the last remnants of the underground dragon energy. ¡°So, the dragon vein is dead!¡± The Yellow Wind King sighed. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 10 - A Monkey with a Thunder God’s Mouth! Chapter 10 A Dream to the Sand Country, At the Western Sea, A Monkey with a Thunder God¡¯s Mouth! ¡°The dragon vein is dead, and with it, life itself; within a hundred miles, there is no future. The Sand Country, just a few dozen miles from here, is doomed.¡± ¡°The karmic weight of millions of lives perishing. Any other demon would have been struck by lightning by now. Only the Golden-Winged Great Peng can withstand it.¡± ¡°A natural prodigy, its background is no weaker than Sun Wukong¡¯s. As the Buddha¡¯s brother-in-law, even Spirit Mountain must respect it as a guardian. I can¡¯t compare to that!¡± Sighing, the Yellow Wind King pondered. Although they were merely neighbors, he decided to help as much as he could. He entered the dreams of the Sand Country¡¯s king. He then selected one minister, one scholar, one merchant, one farmer, and one beggar¡ªand entered their dreams, urging them to leave quickly and seek new lands. Once finished, he gripped his black iron spear, steeled his resolve, and headed west. Heaven helps those who help themselves¡ªthis was also his fight for survival. Shortly after he left a red-scaled python, as thick as a barrel, slithered out from the Hidden Dragon Cave. In the distant mountains, a gigantic striped tiger stood atop a cliff, roaring as fierce winds howled around it. Its tiger skin split open from its back¡ªit was transforming! Though the dragon vein was dead, the scattered dragon energy nourished some creatures, awakening their intelligence and turning them into demons. _____ The Flowing Sand River raged wildly, its muddy waves crashing. ¡°Eight hundred miles of shifting sands, three thousand fathoms of weak water. Even a feather cannot float; even reeds sink straight to the bottom.¡± At this time¡ªthe Curtain Lifting General had not yet descended as a demon. There was still a ferry run by a demon king, allowing demons from both continents to cross. The Yellow Wind King exchanged a magical sword for a boat ticket. Once he crossed the Flowing Sand River, he entered Western Ox Continent. Compared to Southern Jambudvipa, this land was even more untamed¡ªdesolate and devoid of human presence. By day, he traveled through mountains and valleys. By night, he trained under the moon, absorbing lunar essence. When thirsty, he drank from mountain springs. When hungry, he devoured raw flesh and blood. In his spare time, he practiced archery and spear techniques, studied manuals, and refined his magical artifacts. Through dedicated effort¡ª[Your trait ¡°Archery Specialist (White)¡± has upgraded to ¡°Elite Archer (Blue)¡±]. [Elite Archer (Blue): Your archery has reached a minor mastery level, excelling in ranged combat.].[Your trait ¡°Critical Strike (White)¡± has upgraded to ¡°Weak Point Strike (Blue)¡±].[Weak Point Strike (Blue): You excel at identifying enemy weaknesses, landing critical and lethal strikes when targeting them.]. _____ Traveling alone, the Yellow Wind King had no burdens. He took his time¡ªcovering only 30 to 40 miles per day. After a month, he arrived at Longevity Mountain. Towering peaks loomed, their majestic heights piercing the heavens. Immortals traversed the skies. Sacred beasts roamed freely. Golden clouds stretched endlessly. Mystical auras shimmered like thousand-fold rainbows. He hid his aura and did not dare provoke anything, instead choosing to circle around the mountain. Half a year later, he finally saw the Boundless Western Sea! Following the river upstream The Yellow Wind King disguised himself as a hunter, donning a bamboo hat and veiled scarf, as he entered a small town. Immediately, he overheard a conversation. ¡°Did you hear? The people in the next town fished something out of the sea¡ªa monkey with a thunder god¡¯s mouth and a hairy face!¡± ¡°They say it can speak like a human.¡± ¡°A talking monkey? That¡¯s nothing special. This is Western Ox Continent¡ªhave you ever seen a shortage of demons, ghosts, or spirits?¡± ¡°But that monkey calls itself the Handsome Monkey King. It crossed the great ocean, searching for an immortal master.¡± The Yellow Wind King froze. He quickly invited the two men for drinks, asking for more details. Apparently, this event had just happened yesterday. Excited, the Yellow Wind King rushed to the neighboring town. After further inquiries, he learned the townspeople, fearing that the monkey was an ill omen, pointed him toward the mountains, sending him away. After determining which direction the monkey had taken he raced after him without delay. A few days later, as the Yellow Wind King traversed the wilderness¡ªa thunderous tiger roar echoed through the mountains. Trees crashed down. A battle was underway. He leaped onto a high ridge¡ªgazing into the distance, about a mile away. There, he saw a striped white tiger demon lunging fiercely, clashing with a lean monkey. The tiger was massive, its aura ferocious. With every movement, trees were uprooted, its claw strikes sending boulders tumbling down. However, the monkey was incredibly nimble, darting back and forth unscathed. Not once did the tiger land a hit. The Yellow Wind King hurried closer, covering dozens of feet in each stride. Then, he called out, ¡°Is the Handsome Monkey King up ahead?¡± The monkey turned its head. ¡°Who¡¯s calling me?¡± Down in the valley, the monkey¡¯s heart jolted upon hearing the title ¡®Handsome Monkey King¡¯. Turning his head¡ªhe leaped onto a tree, avoiding the tiger¡¯s strike. With his golden eyes glowing, he scanned the landscape. His gaze landed on a veiled hunter in a bamboo hat and long robe, gripping a spear, an arrow quiver strapped to his waist. Who was this person? The Handsome Monkey King was puzzled. He had never met this individual before. At that moment, The hunter raised his spear and pointed, shouting, ¡°I¡¯ll help you!¡± Without hesitation, he planted his spear in the ground, drew his Bone Bow, nocked a Razor-Sharp Arrow, and aimed at the tiger demon. Sensing danger, the tiger turned to flee. A thunderous boom rang out. The Razor-Sharp Arrow shot forward¡ªlike a black lightning bolt, cutting through air and trees alike. Infused with demonic energy, bathed in moonlight and golden radiance, it crackled with electricity as it raced toward its target. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In an instant, the arrow pierced the tiger¡¯s stomach, exploding violently, sending blood and flesh flying. _____ The wounded tiger howled, collapsing to the ground. But demons have tenacious lifeforce. It still struggled. The Yellow Wind King grabbed his black iron spear, hurled it like a javelin. The three-restriction black iron spear streaked like a bolt of thunder, impaling the tiger¡¯s skull, pinning it to the ground. [You have slain the White-Striped Tiger Demon. Randomly acquired the trait ¡°Fog Manipulation (Blue).¡± Fuse?]. ¡°A Blue-grade trait? Fuse it!¡± [You have fused the trait: ¡°Fog Manipulation (Blue).¡±]. The Yellow Wind King turned to look at Sun Wukong. [Species: Demon¡ªInnate Divine Monkey].[Realm: ???].[Traits: Innate Wisdom (Five-Colored), Golden Eyes (Gold)¡­ ???]. ¡°Question marks!¡± ¡°His information isn¡¯t even displayed like a normal demon!¡± Chapter 11 - Seeking Immortals and the Dao? Let’s Go Together! Chapter 11 The Innate Demon Sage, the Handsome Monkey King¡ªSeeking Immortals and the Dao? Let¡¯s Go Together! Yellow Wind King was astonished. As expected of the Handsome Monkey King¡ªhe couldn¡¯t see through his information at all, as if the secrets of heaven were veiled. Perhaps it wasn¡¯t just the Monkey King. If someone¡¯s origins, strength, and background far surpassed his own, their information might also be concealed. However, the dazzling five-colored glow alone had already blinded Yellow Wind King¡¯s mouse eyes. This was the first time Yellow Wind King had seen one, ranking even higher than his own Destined One trait. Moreover, the Monkey King had another golden trait. Truly an innate divine being, with extraordinary talent. The Handsome Monkey King was also scrutinizing him. His golden eyes flashed slightly as he smiled, ¡°I wondered who it was¡ªturns out it¡¯s a mouse spirit.¡± Being seen through did not surprise Yellow Wind King. When the Handsome Monkey King was born, two golden beams shot from his eyes straight to the Celestial Palace, startling the Jade Emperor and the immortals¡ªproving his extraordinariness. His Golden Eyes were innate, capable of discerning illusions. As for his Fiery Eyes, those were later refined in Laozi¡¯s alchemy furnace. Yellow Wind King chuckled. ¡°I may be a mouse spirit, but aren¡¯t you just a demon monkey?¡± The Handsome Monkey King grinned mischievously, clasping his hands in a polite salute, displaying proper etiquette. ¡°Thanks for the help in slaying that tiger demon!¡± After leaving Flower Fruit Mountain, the Monkey King first traveled to the Southern Continent. He wandered along the Great Wall, visited small counties, learned human etiquette, and studied their speech. Over more than ten years, he had been influenced by human culture and gained rich experiences. With his innate intelligence, he grasped knowledge quickly¡ªonce he learned one thing, he mastered many. Now, he carried himself with the demeanor of a proper person. His eyes flickered as he asked, ¡°But tell me, how did you hear my name and come looking for me? What¡¯s your purpose?¡± Yellow Wind King replied, ¡°A few days ago, I was in a town and heard of a monkey demon calling himself the Handsome Monkey King, seeking immortals and the Dao.¡± The Monkey King clapped his hands. ¡°That¡¯s me, that¡¯s me! Do you know where to find an immortal? Where to seek the Dao? Give me some guidance!¡± Yellow Wind King chuckled. ¡°To be honest, I am also searching for immortals and the Dao. I heard about you and came out of curiosity.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The Monkey King was delighted. ¡°So we¡¯re like-minded travelers! My apologies for the rudeness. What should I call you?¡± The people he had encountered since leaving the mountain were all ordinary mortals, chasing fame and fortune. Finding someone on the same path filled him with kinship. Yellow Wind King laughed. ¡°Yellow Wind King!¡± The Monkey King exclaimed, ¡°What a name, what a name! You have a ¡®King,¡¯ and so do I! I am the Handsome Monkey King of Flower Fruit Mountain, and you are¡­?¡± ¡°Yellow Wind King of Yellow Wind Ridge!¡± The Monkey King beamed with joy. ¡°Great! Brother Yellow Wind, we are fated to meet! Why don¡¯t we travel together to seek the immortals?¡± Yellow Wind King nodded. ¡°I was just about to suggest that! I know of an old immortal¡ªwe should visit him and seek the method of eternal life!¡± The Monkey King became even more excited. ¡°You¡¯re also after immortality? Which old immortal is this? Take me with you! Let¡¯s go together!¡± Yellow Wind King pulled out a wooden map from his bag. ¡°Look, a few hundred miles from here lies Mount Fangcun.¡± S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Monkey King leaned in, nodding eagerly. ¡°Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go! We must hurry!¡± But the Yellow Wind King laughed. ¡°No rush. Look¡ªthe sun is setting, night is falling, and demons roam the mountains.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we rest for the night and set out in the morning? Since we¡¯re now brothers, let me treat you to some wine.¡± As he spoke, he removed his pack and took out a wine pouch filled with barley wine from a town. Uncorking it, the aroma of alcohol spreads. The impatient Monkey King suddenly felt parched. During his travels among humans, he had naturally tasted fine wine. He grinned. ¡°Good, good! We won¡¯t travel tonight. Brother, wait here¡ªI¡¯ll fetch some wild fruits to go with the wine.¡± Yellow Wind King pointed at the tiger demon¡¯s corpse. ¡°Why bother? Isn¡¯t that a ready-made dish?¡± The Monkey King shook his head. ¡°Brother, you don¡¯t know¡ªI dislike raw meat. And out in the wilderness, we have no fire.¡± Yellow Wind King chuckled. ¡°I have one. You fetch the meat, and I¡¯ll start the fire.¡± He built a bonfire. Using stones, he crafted a grill, took out salt, Sichuan pepper powder, wild ginger root, soy sauce, and other seasonings. When the Monkey King returned, carrying the massive tiger demon¡ªthree times the size of an elephant¡ªhe was stunned. ¡°You¡¯re out looking for immortals, and you brought all this?¡± Yellow Wind King laughed. ¡°I travel simply, but when meeting a friend, one must eat well.¡± He extracted tiger fat to render oil, ensuring the meat wouldn¡¯t be too dry. Then, he asked the Monkey King to find two bamboo cups. The Monkey King thought, Amused, he didn¡¯t mind being sent around and did as he was told. Under the night sky¡ªthey roasted meat, drank wine, and chatted about the world. Yellow Wind King was a smooth talker. He flattered the Monkey King, saying he would surely learn immortal arts and achieve eternal life. And he meant it sincerely because it was true. This honesty pleased the Monkey King even more, as he could see through illusions and people¡¯s hearts. As the wine took effect¡ªYellow Wind King suggested a sparring match. The Monkey King agreed. Yellow Wind King then proposed, to avoid hurting their bond, they should draw a circle on the ground¡ªthe first to step out would lose. The drunken Monkey King nodded. Yellow Wind King exhaled and smiled. ¡°Finally, he¡¯s taken the bait! Sorry, Monkey Bro, but your traits are too tempting.¡± The night was bright with sparse stars. In the wilderness, an open clearing¡ªYellow Wind King drew a circle, eight feet in diameter. The drunken Monkey King wobbled inside it, hiccupping. ¡°Yellow Bro¡ªhic¡ªyou look like¡­ three people¡­ hic¡­¡± He giggled. Earlier, when they were drinking, they had exchanged details¡ªnames, backgrounds, and ages. The Monkey King was over a hundred years older than Yellow Wind King. Thus, he called himself the elder brother and addressed Yellow Wind King as his little brother¡ªYellow Bro. Yellow Wind King didn¡¯t mind and smiled. ¡°Monkey Bro, remember¡ªthe first to leave the circle loses.¡± The Monkey King nodded. ¡°Alright, hic¡­¡± Yellow Wind King breathed deeply. ¡°Disperse the mist!¡± He knew¡ªeverything depended on this single move. Chapter 12 - Plundering the Handsome Monkey King’s Golden Trait—Lingming (Gold)! Chapter 12 Plundering the Handsome Monkey King¡¯s Golden Trait¡ªLingming (Gold)! In the mountain forest, mist spread everywhere. Yellow Wind King stepped forward, sparring with the Handsome Monkey King while secretly unleashing his demon power. Gathering his energy, he created a thick fog, gradually shrouding the surroundings. At the same time, he shook his Soul Capturing Bell, which had the effects of hypnosis and sedation. Amid the shifting mist, the drunken Monkey King felt dizzy. Soon, his punches weakened, and he collapsed to the ground. The moment he fell, he immediately fell asleep. Yellow Wind King dragged him out of the circle. [You have defeated the demon, the Innate Sage Monkey. Randomly plundering the Handsome Monkey King¡¯s trait: Lingming (Gold). Do you wish to integrate it?].[Lingming (Gold): Your mind is naturally enlightened. You learn effortlessly, master skills to perfection, see through the celestial numbers, and have a body attuned to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven, earth, the sun, and the moon.]. ¡° it¡¯s a golden trait!¡± Yellow Wind King was overjoyed. After reading the description, he wondered, ¡°Is it because I obtained it postnatally, so it was downgraded by a rank?¡± ¡°Forget it, I shouldn¡¯t be greedy.¡± Consoling himself, he decided, ¡°Integrate!¡± [You have integrated the trait: Lingming (Gold).]. A gentle breeze brushed past. Yellow Wind King¡¯s physique underwent another transformation. His meridians were now fully unblocked, his spiritual apertures all opened, and he began absorbing spiritual energy at every moment. Previously, he had the potential for cultivation. But now, he had a Dao Body, a natural genius for cultivation¡ªhis aptitude had been greatly enhanced. And that wasn¡¯t all. When Yellow Wind King opened his eyes, the world before him¡ªmountains, rivers, trees, grass¡ªeverything appeared different. More vivid, overflowing with spiritual essence. His mind became exceptionally clear, as if all dust had been swept away. Like a polished mirror, it reflected all things, illuminating the vast landscapes. Every piece of knowledge he had ever learned from his past life, everything from primary school to university, to experiences in society¡ªall information he had ever encountered became crystal clear in his mind. From this life, all the cave manuscripts, artifact-forging notes, and even that chest of scriptures from the three teachings¡ªall perfectly remembered. A vast treasure trove of knowledge formed within him, granting him insights into transformations, celestial phenomena, and earthly advantages. Moreover, the knowledge he previously struggled to understand suddenly became comprehensible. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was a profound yet very real sensation. Because knowledge works that way¡ª This was the difference between a genius and an ordinary person. The Lingming (Gold) trait did not change his cultivation level or bloodline. Instead, it was a transformation of the mind at the deepest level. And the wisdom it granted him even triggered trait upgrades¡ª[You have gained insight. ¡®Artifact Forging Apprentice (White)¡¯ has upgraded to ¡®Artifact Forger (Blue)¡¯!]. [Artifact Forger (Blue): Your success rate in crafting magical artifacts increases by 30%, and you have a 1% chance of creating a spiritual artifact.].[You have gained insight. ¡®Formation Novice (White)¡¯ has upgraded to ¡®Formation Master (Blue)¡¯!].[Formation Master (Blue): You have a deeper understanding of restrictions and formations. You can now learn and set up intermediate formations and prohibitions.]. Clearly¡ªYellow Wind King¡¯s enhanced memory and learning ability accelerated his knowledge-based traits, creating a positive feedback loop. ¡°In Journey to the West, Monkey Bro¡¯s greatest strength is learning. He often recites famous lines, and the Lingming talent is the reason why.¡± This was the foundation of wisdom. Whether in cultivation or any other pursuit, those with innate wisdom learned twice as fast. Masters preferred to teach such students. Sun Wukong¡¯s wisdom was most evident when Patriarch Subodhi knocked his head three times¡ªwho else would have understood that hidden message? Yellow Wind King pondered. In the night breeze, he meditated beneath the moonlight, refining his body and nurturing his spirit. The spiritual energy within ten miles surged toward him at a hundred times the usual intensity. His demon core was refined, and his entire body glowed under the moon¡¯s radiance. The phantom of a giant Moon-Swallowing Rat shrouded his form. A spectral figure, over a hundred feet tall, exuded the aura of an ancient fierce beast, deterring lesser demons from approaching. Meanwhile, the Handsome Monkey King stirred in his sleep, half-opening his drunken eyes before rolling over. His wisdom and instincts were keen, always avoiding misfortune and seeking fortune. How could he not be on guard? He had merely played along to see what the mouse was after. Sensing that Yellow Wind King harbored no intent to kill or harm him, he relaxed and fell into deep sleep. As for the sight of absorbing the sun and moon¡¯s spiritual energy, the Monkey King had seen it many times back on Flower Fruit Mountain. Every full moon, countless demons performed similar practices. But alas, none of it granted immortality, making it useless to him. The Handsome Monkey King sought the Great Dao of Eternal Life, not the minor arts of common demons. Before dawn, Yellow Wind King finished his cultivation. ¡°In just one night, my efficiency was dozens of times higher than before. No wonder Monkey Bro swept the floor for seven years and became immortal in three!¡± ¡°A genius? More like a supreme learning god!¡± The Yellow Wind King was deeply shaken and filled with admiration. ¡°If you do not cultivate, then seeing me is like a frog in a well gazing at the moon.¡± ¡°If you do cultivate, then seeing me is like an ant looking up at the vast sky.¡± ¡°No! I shall not be discouraged!¡± ¡°Give me time, and within my reach¡ªeven gods and Buddhas shall bow before me!¡± Yellow Wind King suppressed his emotions and reignited his determination. He packed his belongings and shook the Monkey King awake. ¡°Monkey Bro, time to go!¡± ¡°Eh? What time is it?¡± The Handsome Monkey King groggily yawned, stumbled to the riverbank to wash his face, and then set off toward Mount Fangcun with Yellow Wind King. After five or six days, a breathtaking mountain range finally emerged before them. The peaks stood majestic, serene yet imposing. ¡°We¡¯re here! We¡¯re here!¡± Holding the wooden map, Yellow Wind King gazed at the towering mountains and inhaled deeply. A refreshing fragrance of rare flowers and spiritual herbs filled the air. In an instant, all his travel fatigue vanished. The Handsome Monkey King, overjoyed, exclaimed¡ª¡±What a magnificent mountain! Deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, towering bamboo, ancient pines¡ªforever verdant, eternally lush!¡± Just as they were about to advance, from within the forest, a voice recited. ¡°Watching chess as the wood decays, chopping trees with rhythmic knocks¡­¡± ¡°This must be an immortal or a Daoist, quietly meditating and reciting scriptures!¡± The Handsome Monkey King¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Brother, it¡¯s a celestial being!¡± Excited, he rushed into the woods. The Yellow Wind King thought to himself. He hurried in pursuit. ¡°Monkey Bro, wait for me!¡± Inside the forest, The Handsome Monkey King was already conversing with a woodcutter dressed in plain robes, wearing a simple sash. Seeing Yellow Wind King, the woodcutter looked surprised. With one hand tucked into his sleeve, he began calculating with his fingers¡ªwhile explaining the meaning of his song, the history of the mountain, and the origins of its master¡­ Chapter 13 - Becoming Subodhi’s Disciple Chapter 13 Becoming Subodhi¡¯s Disciple¡ªLearning the Dao at Spirit Platform and Square Inch Mountain! In the forest, the woodcutter and the Handsome Monkey King conversed. ¡°Monkey Bro, I¡¯m here!¡± From afar, Yellow Wind King called out as he approached. He bowed respectfully to the woodcutter, saying, ¡°Old Immortal, this junior greets you!¡± His gaze was pure, untouched by dust. However, what he saw was different from ordinary beings. [Race: Divine ¡¤ Mountain God].[Realm: Returning to the Void ¡¤ Great Luo Immortal].[Traits: Innate Earthly Veins (Five-Colored), Mountain-Bearing Body (Gold), Heaven¡¯s Might Transformation (Gold)¡­]. The Mountain God of Square Inch Mountain? No wonder he claimed to be Subodhi¡¯s neighbor¡ªbecause he truly was! Actually, just by looking at the silk belt around his waist and his new bamboo hat, along with his fair, unweathered face, it was obvious he was playing a role. What kind of poor woodcutter, struggling to make ends meet and care for an aging mother, could afford a silk belt and remain untouched by sun and wind? Only Monkey Bro could be fooled by this. The woodcutter avoided receiving the bow and said, ¡°I dare not accept such a title. How could a humble woodcutter be called an ¡®immortal¡¯?¡± Yellow Wind King insisted, ¡°You are worthy! I come from Yellow Wind Ridge in the Southern Continent. By chance, I came across a map and seek a true immortal.¡± Knowing the woodcutter might be wary, he stated his origins and the reason for his visit. The woodcutter glanced at the wooden map in Yellow Wind King¡¯s hand, pondered for a moment, then smiled. ¡°I am no immortal, but there is one in the mountain.¡± ¡°Follow that small path south for about seven or eight miles, and you will find his home.¡± The Handsome Monkey King eagerly tried to pull him along as a guide, but the woodcutter declined, using the excuse of needing to provide for his elderly mother. Thus, Yellow Wind King and the Handsome Monkey King bid farewell and followed his direction, finding a road and heading south. ¡°Strange indeed!¡± The woodcutter watched them leave. His appearance shifted¡ªa robust man clad in black armor, wielding a battle-axe. Stroking his beard, he muttered¡ª ¡°That Mo Family puzzle box is nearly impossible for the unintelligent to solve¡ªyet a little demon cracked it? Even the Grandmaster probably didn¡¯t expect this.¡± S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I can¡¯t even divine his origins. Heh, interesting! Two monstrous prodigies appearing at once¡ªsomeone¡¯s going to have a headache!¡± _____ The Handsome Monkey King and Yellow Wind King moved swiftly. Soon, they arrived at a cave dwelling, where clouds and mist shimmered with divine light. Outside the cave, exotic flowers bloomed, pines and cypresses formed lush forests, cranes wandered gracefully, and phoenix-like birds soared through the sky¡ªtruly a paradise of the immortals. Both demons marveled at the sight. Approaching the entrance, they found the stone gates tightly shut¡ªno signs of activity. Looking around, they noticed an inscription on a cliffside stone tablet, three zhang tall and eight chi wide. It read. [Spirit Platform and Square Inch Mountain, Slanted Moon and Three-Star Cave.]. The Handsome Monkey King beamed with joy. ¡°The people here are honest¡ªthis mountain and cave really do exist!¡± He stared at the stone for a while, but he didn¡¯t dare knock. Instead, he nudged Yellow Wind King forward. Yellow Wind King pondered¡ª With his clear mind, he smiled and said, ¡°Monkey Bro, the Old Immortal has shut his door, likely resting. True devotion to the Dao isn¡¯t about rushing¡ªit takes patience.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s wait for him to open the door on his own. We must not disturb him.¡± The Handsome Monkey King agreed. ¡°You¡¯re right, brother!¡± So, he refrained from knocking. Instead, he jumped onto a pine tree and picked pine nuts to eat. The Handsome Monkey King¡¯s thinking wasn¡¯t as meticulous as Yellow Wind King¡¯s, but he had instinctual foresight, naturally avoiding harm and seeking fortune. Otherwise, how could he have traveled from the Eastern Continent all the way here? Even crossing the East and West Seas wasn¡¯t something just anyone could do. Indeed, he was blessed by destiny. ______ Inside the cave, Subodhi observed the scene, stroking his white beard. ¡°Clever and quick-witted, with an enlightened heart¡ªhe may enter my sect.¡± After waiting for a short while, he ascended his platform to give a sermon. Then, he ordered a disciple. ¡°There are two seekers outside¡ªgo welcome them and bring them in.¡± ¡°Yes, Master!¡± The disciple was surprised. Many had come here seeking immortality and the Dao, yet the Grandmaster rarely took notice of them personally. Today was truly unusual. The disciple stepped outside and saw the Handsome Monkey King and Yellow Wind King. Though curious, he did not show disdain¡ªfor they were already acknowledged by the Grandmaster. After confirming their identities, he led them into the cave. A few steps in, he noticed Yellow Wind King carrying a spear and bow and instructed him to leave them on a stone platform, so as not to disturb the tranquility of the cave. Following customs, Yellow Wind King complied. Then, from his satchel, he took out the Soul Capturing Bell and gifted it to the disciple. The disciple was taken aback, but found the trinket amusing. Since they were soon to be fellow disciples, he accepted it without hesitation. [Race: Demon ¡¤ White Tiger (100%)].[Realm: Refining Spirit ¡¤ Taiyi Celestial].[Traits: Metal-Aligned Demon Physique (Gold), Heaven¡¯s Might Transformation (Gold), Cloud Riding and Fog Stepping (Gold)¡­ Playful and Lazy (Blue)¡­]. Seeing this information, Yellow Wind King had intentionally given him the bell¡ªafter all, a playful one would surely love trinkets. After receiving the gift, the disciple became more talkative. He introduced himself¡ªBai Huizi, a longtime servant of the Grandmaster. Outside, the true appearance of the cave abode was hidden. Inside, however, it was a hidden paradise, filled with palatial halls, jade pavilions, and crystalline structures¡ªgrand and magnificent. At last, they arrived at the Celestial Platform, where Subodhi was delivering his sermon. Seated high upon the platform, his white robes flowed like clouds, his aged yet youthful face radiated wisdom, and his presence was that of a true Daoist master. His information was completely concealed¡ªa list of ¡°???¡± Below him, thirty disciples stood, each with different expressions. The Handsome Monkey King immediately prostrated himself, bowing countless times. The Yellow Wind King didn¡¯t dare stare too much. He followed suit, bowing and kneeling¡ªthere would be plenty of time to observe later. Subodhi stopped them and inquired about their origins. One was from the Eastern Continent, a Stone-Born Monkey, who crossed the vast seas to reach here¡ªleaving the disciples in shock. The other was from the Southern Continent, a Moon-Swallowing Demon, who solved an ancient puzzle and carried a token¡ªwhich left the disciples both curious and puzzled. Subodhi questioned them sternly. Both demons answered truthfully. Yellow Wind King presented his token, and thus, they were accepted as disciples. The Grandmaster bestowed a surname upon the Handsome Monkey King¡ªSun. His Daoist name: Sun Wukong. Though Yellow Wind King already had a name, Subodhi still gave him a Daoist title: Huang Wuzhen. Both demons paid their respects in gratitude. Subodhi then ordered his disciples to take them outside and teach them the rules of etiquette, conduct, and household duties. Once outside, they bowed to their senior brothers and were assigned their sleeping quarters. Starting the next day, they learned proper speech, studied scriptures, practiced writing, and burned incense daily. During their free time, they swept the halls, tended the gardens, gathered firewood, and carried water. In simple terms¡ªthey did chores. Yellow Wind King knew they were still in the probationary period. He dared not slack off¡ªhe trained diligently, striving to become the number one worker of Square Inch Mountain! Chapter 14 - Trait Upgrades and Strength Advancement! Chapter 14 Seven Years of Training¡ªTrait Upgrades and Strength Advancement! At Square Inch Mountain, when not occupied with chores, Yellow Wind King befriended his senior brothers. From Bai Huizi, he learned about the Library Pavilion, which he visited frequently. The library housed tens of thousands of books, containing teachings from the Three Doctrines, Hundred Schools of Thought, and various arcane arts¡ªa vast treasure trove of knowledge. Yellow Wind King cherished this opportunity to seek the Dao. His Lingming (Gold) trait significantly boosted his comprehension and study efficiency. Whenever he encountered difficulties, he asked questions immediately. If his senior brothers couldn¡¯t answer, he asked Bai Huizi to consult Subodhi. On the first day of each month, Subodhi would give lectures on the Celestial Platform, after which disciples could ask questions. At first, Sun Wukong was also interested. But his nature was hard to change¡ªwithin a few days, he lost interest and began wandering around instead. Yellow Wind King, however, knew he couldn¡¯t compare¡ªSun Wukong was a natural prodigy, appearing idle but able to score full marks when it mattered. Yellow Wind King, at best, was just a top scholar¡ªfar from Wukong¡¯s unmatched genius. To reach perfection, he had to work twice as hard. Furthermore, A perfect score was only the exam limit¡ªnot Wukong¡¯s true potential. Did he envy him? Not really. He simply focused on improving himself, like a mountain porter¡ªsteadily climbing, one step at a time, until he reached the summit and overlooked all below. Thus, his heart for the Dao only grew stronger. In the mountain, years passed like days. Soon, seven years had flown by. Thunderous echoes resounded throughout the deep valley. White cranes and spirit elephants, accustomed to the sound, merely tilted their heads¡ªalready desensitized to the noise. On a mid-mountain terrace, where the scenery was serene, seven or eight immortals gathered¡ªsome playing chess, some plucking zither strings, others reading bamboo scrolls. One of them remarked, ¡°What a ruckus¡ªJunior Brother Huang is training his archery again.¡± ¡°Ah, we¡¯re used to it.¡± ¡°He has the bloodline of an ancient beast. His martial arts and body refinement improve at an alarming pace. If we¡¯re just talking about combat, he has already surpassed most of us.¡± ¡°That may be true, but he isn¡¯t cultivating his primordial spirit.¡± ¡°To walk the Dao of the Primordial Spirit, one must shed their demon body and refine a Daoist body. But for demons, the heavens are harsh¡ªit¡¯s not so simple.¡± S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Personally, I think Junior Brother Sun has the greatest potential. He was born from Heaven and Earth, his nine apertures are naturally open, and he possesses the Innate Lingming Physique.¡± ¡°The moment the Grandmaster teaches him the Dao, he¡¯ll soar like a celestial dragon.¡± ¡°In the end, spiritual roots and innate wisdom make the difference.¡± These immortals were enlightened scattered immortals and true immortals. Their conversation carried no malice¡ªjust casual discussion during leisure. ¡°Hah!¡± Yellow Wind King lowered his bow, exhaling deeply. His lean physique, though appearing compact, hid explosive strength within. Over seven years, Subodhi had not taught him or Sun Wukong any mystical arts or divine abilities. The Grandmaster only lectured on Daoist principles and mental cultivation. Yet, Yellow Wind King had found his own path¡ªin the Library Pavilion, he discovered a body refinement technique called Thunder Sound Yi Bow. This technique focused on using bowstrings to simulate thunderclaps, vibrating the lungs, flesh, and bones to induce harmonic resonance, thereby refining the body. Before practicing it, he consulted Bai Huizi to avoid violating the Grandmaster¡¯s rules. Bai Huizi had simply laughed and said¡ª¡°Train however you want.¡± The library was open to all, and everyone¡¯s gains depended on their own luck. Many had found hidden opportunities before him. In Slanted Moon Three-Star Cave, training followed the ¡®heart¡¯s will¡¯. Other than during lectures, the sect had a very relaxed atmosphere. The disciples were detached from worldly affairs, spending their days discussing philosophy and Daoism, completely disconnected from mortal concerns. It was too peaceful. So much so that in these seven years, Yellow Wind King had never fought anyone, nor had any disputes¡ªnot a single trait was plundered. Instead, through study and comprehension, he had acquired three new traits¡ªBasic Cooking, Beginner Spearmanship, and Beginner Qi Perception. Moreover, every year, he received one chance to upgrade an existing trait, totaling seven times over the years. Thus, his traits had undergone major transformations. [Devour Gold and Absorb Qi (Red)] ¡ú [Molten Gold Physique (Purple)].[Molten Gold Physique]: You can smelt various metals, refine your body, and have a chance to comprehend Metal-based divine abilities. Your sensitivity to Metal Qi increases.[Elite Archer (Blue)] ¡ú [Great Archer (Red)] ¡ú [Divine Archer (Purple)].[Divine Archer]: Your archery has reached the pinnacle. Mastery over all archery techniques. Your damage from ranged attacks increases by 100%.[Thick Skin and Tough Flesh (Blue)] ¡ú [Strong Muscles and Sturdy Body (Red)] ¡ú [Copper Skin and Iron Bones (Purple)].[Copper Skin and Iron Bones]: Your body is as hard as copper and iron. Immune to all physical attacks from mundane and magical weapons.[Hundred-Zhang Precision (Blue)] ¡ú [Thousand-Zhang Mind (Red)] ¡ú [Ten-Thousand-Zhang Heart Mirror (Purple)].[Ten-Thousand-Zhang Heart Mirror]: Within a 10,000-zhang radius, your mind is like a polished mirror¡ªseeing through all illusions and locking onto targets with absolute precision. Beyond system-based upgrades, his own learning and comprehension had also led to improvements. [Artifact Forger (Blue)] ¡ú [Master Artifact Forger (Red)].[Master Artifact Forger]: Your success rate in crafting magical artifacts increases by 80%. Chance to create a Spiritual Artifact increases by 10%.[Formation Master (Blue)] ¡ú [Grandmaster of Formations (Red)].[Grandmaster of Formations]: You have a deep understanding of formations and restrictions. Efficiency in learning, setting up, and breaking formations increases by 30%.[Beginner Spearmanship (White)] ¡ú [Proficient Spearman (Blue)] ¡ú [Master of Spearmanship (Red)].[Master of Spearmanship]: You have mastered various spear techniques. Spear attack power increases by 80%. Yellow Wind King trained with the bow, then practiced his spear techniques¡ªstudying from the many spear manuals in the Library Pavilion. According to his senior brothers, even Yang Jian and Nezha had honed their martial skills in this manner. Even Sun Wukong had learned his combat techniques during this period. Each day before dawn, senior brothers practiced sword and spear techniques at the cave entrance. As Yellow Wind King and Sun Wukong carried water, they would pause and observe. After watching for a bit, Sun Wukong would already master the technique, though he found it too basic to be worth mentioning. Unbeknownst to him, his comprehension was so monstrous, it would shatter the will of any warrior who saw it. Having spent seven years with Sun Wukong, Yellow Wind King understood this better than anyone. To keep up, he had to push himself day and night¡ªbarely managing to keep pace with Wukong¡¯s inhuman growth. As the sun set, marking the end of another day of training, Yellow Wind King checked his stats. [Name: Yellow Wind King].[Race: Demon ¡¤ Moon-Swallowing Rat (50%)].[Realm: Nascent Soul ¡¤ Seeking the Dao].[Traits: 4 Gold, 4 Purple, 3 Red, 3 Blue, 3 White]. ¡°Not bad¡ªprogress little by little, and eventually, I¡¯ll reach the summit!¡± Chapter 15 - the Four Realms of Taiyi Immortality! Chapter 15 The Faxing Method, The Great Heavenly Immortal Art, and the Four Realms of Taiyi Immortality! After his daily training, Yellow Wind King calmed his blood and energy. He used his black iron spear as a carrying pole, picking up a load of firewood, and took along his Thunderstruck Divine Wood Bow. His White Bone Bow had already broken. The Thunderstruck Divine Wood Bow was crafted by a senior fellow disciple who also enjoyed refining artifacts. Since they had a good relationship, the bow was gifted to him. Using this bow to practice ¡®Thunderous Sound Yi Bow¡¯ produced even better effects. It was said that the Shapeshifting Rubik¡¯s Cube was also an ingenious creation of that senior fellow, surnamed Lu. Yellow Wind King arrived at Rotten Peach Mountain, where he found Sun Wukong sleeping under a peach tree. Observing closely, Sun Wukong¡¯s seemingly simple sleeping posture exuded profound Daoist charm. His breathing was rhythmic, and vast amounts of heaven and earth¡¯s spiritual energy surged into his nine orifices. Having seven orifices in perfect harmony was already rare genius, but Sun Wukong had all nine orifices open from birth¡ªa natural-born immortal physique. Several large peaches were scattered beneath the tree. A senior fellow had once said these were grown from Pantaos (Peaches of Immortality) seeds, though they were useless to immortals. However, to ordinary people, they were incredibly precious spiritual fruits. Yellow Wind King didn¡¯t mind and picked up the peaches to take back and eat. He also collected some seeds, planning to plant them at Yellow Wind Ridge. Well, being of rat nature, he naturally enjoyed hoarding things¡ªit was quite satisfying. He woke Sun Wukong, saying, ¡°Monkey Brother, wake up! Let¡¯s head back.¡± The next day, they had to wake up early. It was the monthly sermon day of Patriarch Bodhi. As the sound of bells and chimes resonated, the disciples gathered at Jade Terrace to listen to the Dao. Although Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King were not yet formally accepted as disciples, they were allowed to attend the lectures. After speaking with their senior brothers, they stood to the side.Patriarch Bodhi stepped onto the platform. All the disciples fell silent and bowed respectfully. His gaze swept across them, instantly perceiving who had been diligent and who had been slacking in their cultivation. When he looked at Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King, he nodded slightly. For the past seven years, he had watched their progress. Without praising or reprimanding them, he adjusted his robe and sat down as the disciples respectfully listened. Under the Jade Terrace, immortal energy filled the air. Flowers rained from the heavens, and golden lotuses blossomed from the ground. Patriarch Bodhi¡¯s sermon resonated with the universe, manifesting various auspicious visions. Spiritual energy churned like a thick fog. His lectures were open-ended. One moment, he discussed the Three Vehicles of Buddhism. The next, he spoke of Daoist alchemy. Halfway through, he switched to the Confucian concept of Righteous Qi. It was as if an old professor were giving a lecture that blended philosophy, mathematics, and theology, all filled with specialized terminology and classical references. His thought process jumped around, leaving many disciples bewildered¡ªthey frowned in deep thought, as if swallowing bitter herbs. The more experienced disciples had learned to only listen to what interested them, letting the rest go in one ear and out the other. For example, a senior brother who specialized in artifact refining only paid attention to topics on refining and formations. When other subjects were discussed, he simply closed his eyes and dozed off. Yellow Wind King, however, listened to everything. What he understood, he absorbed. What he didn¡¯t, he noted down for future study. Just as he was deep in thought, Sun Wukong suddenly began laughing, scratching his head, jumping up and down with joy. Yellow Wind King was startled and glanced at Patriarch Bodhi. As expected, The Patriarch and several senior brothers all turned their gaze toward him. ¡°Wukong, why are you dancing around like a lunatic in the middle of my class, instead of listening?¡± Sun Wukong hurriedly replied, ¡°Master, I am listening attentively! But when I heard the profound truths, I was overcome with joy, so I couldn¡¯t help but leap about. Please forgive me!¡± Patriarch Bodhi stroked his beard, smiling faintly. He asked Sun Wukong how long he had been here. ¡°Seven years,¡± Wukong answered. Then, the Patriarch spoke of the 360 auxiliary paths of the Dao, saying that each one led to enlightenment. He asked Wukong which Dao he wished to pursue. He suggested four paths. Techniques Flow S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Stillness Movement However, since none granted eternal life, Wukong refused them all. Patriarch Bodhi then rose from his seat and struck Wukong¡¯s head three times with his ruler. Many senior brothers were displeased that the lecture had been interrupted. But Yellow Wind King knew that after tonight, Sun Wukong would take off like a rocket. His eyes flickered, and he quickly stepped forward to plead for him. Patriarch Bodhi glanced at him and asked, ¡°Wuzhen, you came with him. Have you decided which Dao you wish to learn?¡± Yellow Wind King was overjoyed¡ªhe had earned an opportunity! Had he not spoken up for Wukong, he might have been ignored. He immediately replied, ¡°Master, I share the same ambition as Brother Sun¡ªI wish to seek the path of eternal life!¡± Patriarch Bodhi studied him for a moment. Then, he struck Yellow Wind King¡¯s head three times as well and said, ¡°You too have a mischievous nature!¡± With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked inside, closing the middle door. ¡°¡­Wait, class is over early today?¡± ¡°Ai, you two! How could you anger a Master like that?¡± ¡°Master teaches so many profound arts, but you refuse to learn any of them? Greedy fools!¡± Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King didn¡¯t mind. They simply smiled. The other disciples complained for a bit, then went their separate ways. Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King exchanged a knowing glance¡ªthey knew their moment had come. That night¡ªAround midnight, both of them arrived at the back door of Patriarch Bodhi¡¯s residence and knelt before his bed. They waited until the third watch. When the Patriarch awoke, he realized they had not conspired together, but each had come on their own understanding. Thus, he taught them the true immortal art of eternal life. The Great Heavenly Immortal Art! It spoke of breath control, essence refinement, water and fire alchemy, and five-element transformation¡­ The teachings were profound and mysterious. Sun Wukong, with his extraordinary perception, understood them instinctively, even without grasping the full meaning. Yellow Wind King, also perceptive, had spent seven years studying diligently, so he could understand them through his vast knowledge. In fact, he had just reached the stage of nurturing his elixir and transforming his spirit¡ªThe Great Heavenly Immortal Art had come at the perfect time! Three years passed. With this technique, Yellow Wind King advanced rapidly. One day, while cultivating, he suddenly sensed danger¡ªa foreboding premonition. ¡°A calamity¡­?¡± Not understanding why, he went to find Bai Huizi. Over the years, he had given Bai Huizi many small gifts¡ªwooden kites, spinning tops, and other trinkets¡ªto build goodwill. After hearing his description, Bai Huizi studied him carefully, then said, ¡°Junior Brother, wait here. I will go see Master.¡± ¡°Alright¡ªmany thanks, Senior Brother!¡± Chapter 16 - Crossing the Three Calamities and Avoiding the Three Calamities Chapter 16 Crossing the Three Calamities and Avoiding the Three Calamities! Heavenly and Earthly Transformations, I Want Them All!! A moment passed, Bai Huizi came out and called Huang Feng King to enter.Huang Feng King expressed his gratitude and stepped inside. Inside the hall, Patriarch Bodhi was seated. Huang Feng King explained his situation and said, ¡°Master, please guide me through this confusion.¡± Patriarch Bodhi said, ¡°You are naturally sharp-witted, but after refining your divine body, your true nature is alerting you¡ªthere will be a tribulation of three calamities.¡± ¡°The path to immortality is extraordinary¡ªit seizes the creation of heaven and earth, invades the mysteries of the sun and moon. Once the elixir is completed, even ghosts and gods will not tolerate it.¡± ¡°You must guard against thunder calamity, fire calamity, and wind calamity.¡± Huang Feng King was stunned. Hadn¡¯t he not yet reached that stage? Could it be that because of his seven years of foundation, he was now ahead of schedule? He kowtowed respectfully and said, ¡°Master, please save me and teach me a method to cross the three calamities.¡± However, Patriarch Bodhi said, ¡°Crossing the three calamities and avoiding the three calamities¡ªone word makes a great difference. Have you thought it through?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Huang Feng King asked, ¡°What¡¯s the difference?¡± Patriarch Bodhi explained, ¡°Crossing the three calamities means entering the tribulation, experiencing it, and overcoming it. Once you cross one calamity, you won¡¯t be able to avoid the other two.¡± ¡°If you fail, at best, you¡¯ll end up in the underworld as a ghost immortal or a transformed corpse immortal. At worst, your soul will be scattered and annihilated.¡± ¡°Avoiding the three calamities means not entering the tribulation. Using various methods to deceive heaven and hide from the calamities, such as the thirty-six Heavenly Transformations and seventy-two Earthly Transformations.¡± ¡°Avoiding the three calamities is easier than crossing them. Do you wish to cross them or avoid them?¡± Huang Feng King asked, ¡°What benefits come with crossing the three calamities?¡± Patriarch Bodhi said, ¡°If you can successfully cross the three calamities, heaven and earth will take notice. You will naturally receive an immortal register and be granted a position among the ranks of immortals, earning titles such as True Monarch or Great Immortal!¡± Huang Feng King pondered. Monkey Brother (Sun Wukong) avoided the three calamities and was still very powerful¡ªwas there a need to suffer unnecessarily? He was about to speak but suddenly had a thought. Wait a minute¡ªPatriarch Bodhi clearly knew about both ¡®crossing¡¯ and ¡®avoiding,¡¯ yet he never mentioned it to Monkey Brother? Something was off! Thinking carefully¡ªMonkey Brother actually did ¡®cross¡¯ the three calamities. After wreaking havoc in Heaven and being captured, first, the Thunder Lords struck him with lightning¡ªthis was the thunder calamity. He didn¡¯t die. Then, he was thrown into the alchemy furnace for refining¡ªthis was the fire calamity. He still didn¡¯t die. Finally, he was pressed under the Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years, eating iron pellets and drinking molten copper¡ªnot unlike the wind calamity. All three calamities were completed¡ªthus, he became truly divine. Even though it was arranged by others, it was still the process of crossing the three calamities. Clearly, avoiding the three calamities was just a temporary trick¡ªthe problem remained unresolved. Only by truly crossing the three calamities could one go far in cultivation. Understanding this, Huang Feng King respectfully said, ¡°Master, please teach me how to cross the three calamities.¡± Seeing Huang Feng King choose ¡®crossing,¡¯ Patriarch Bodhi nodded and said, ¡°I have nothing to teach you about crossing the three calamities.¡± Huang Feng King was shocked. ¡°Huh?¡± Patriarch Bodhi said, ¡°Everyone¡¯s fate is different. I can only tell you that there are three techniques to weaken the power of the three calamities.¡± S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Huang Feng King asked, ¡°What are these three techniques?¡± Patriarch Bodhi replied, ¡°For thunder calamity, there is the thunder technique. For fire calamity, the fire technique. For wind calamity, the wind technique.¡± ¡°However, these three techniques are governed by the heavenly laws, strictly controlled by the Celestial Court¡¯s Thunder, Fire, and Wind Departments. I cannot teach you.¡± Huang Feng King was taken aback. No wonder the Celestial Court could nominally control the Four Great Continents, the Underworld, and the Four Seas. Even the great sect leaders had to give them respect. It turned out they held the core technology, keeping everyone under their control. The great sect leaders might not care about the three calamities¡ªbut what about their disciples? Furthermore, the heavenly laws were revered by all celestial beings. Anyone who violated them would be punished by the three major sects. This wasn¡¯t just an empty threat. Huang Feng King clicked his tongue and, feeling helpless, said, ¡°Master, please teach me a method to avoid the three calamities. I will think it over later.¡± Patriarch Bodhi said, ¡°To avoid the three calamities, there is the Heavenly Transformations¡ªthirty-six variations, and the Earthly Transformations¡ªseventy-two variations.¡± ¡°Which do you choose?¡± Huang Feng King hesitated. Which was better¡ªHeavenly or Earthly Transformations? He was uncertain. It was like seeing two stacks of money on the ground¡ªwhich one to pick? A sudden ambition arose within him. He tentatively asked in a low voice, ¡°Master, can I learn them both?¡± Patriarch Bodhi was stunned for a moment, then smiled. ¡°You may have a timid heart, but your ambitions are great! You can learn both, but if you study too many, you will be broad but not specialized¡ªlike an embroidered pillow stuffed with grass. It¡¯s better to focus on mastering one.¡± Then what was there to hesitate about? Huang Feng King said, ¡°Master, please teach me!¡± Patriarch Bodhi sighed. ¡°Very well. Knowledge should not be passed to those with six ears. Come forward, and I shall teach you the incantation.¡± Huang Feng King hurried forward and attentively listened to the teachings. He committed both the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations and Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations to memory. After ensuring that Huang Feng King had remembered everything, Patriarch Bodhi said, ¡°I see that you already have a mist-driving ability. I will also teach you the technique for cloud-somersaulting.¡± Huang Feng King was overjoyed and said, ¡°Thank you, Master!¡± After transmitting the incantations, Patriarch Bodhi said, ¡°Wuzhen (Huang Feng King¡¯s Daoist name), now that you have set your heart on facing tribulations, remaining here is of no use. You should descend the mountain and face your fate.¡± Huang Feng King was shocked. Patriarch Bodhi continued, ¡°Remember¡ªcultivators must be mindful. ¡®A loose tongue scatters divine energy, and moving the tongue stirs up trouble.¡¯ Do not show off your skills.¡± ¡°I do not expect you to repay my kindness. From now on, your life and death are your own matters. If you cause trouble, do not mention my name.¡± Huang Feng King knew he could not stay. He bowed thrice, promised to always remember his master¡¯s kindness, and to take responsibility for his own actions. Patriarch Bodhi closed his eyes and spoke no further. Huang Feng King bowed three more times as a final farewell. As he stepped out of the hall, he turned back for one last glance, feeling a tinge of sorrow. He composed himself and went to pack his belongings. Upon hearing that he was leaving, his fellow disciples were surprised. Sun Wukong, impatient as always, asked if he had angered their master. He even wanted to plead with the master. Huang Feng King stopped him, saying that he had personal matters and that it had nothing to do with their master. He urged Sun Wukong to continue his cultivation. ¡°If you ever get the chance, come visit me at Yellow Wind Ridge.¡± That evening, his fellow disciples and Sun Wukong saw him off outside the cave. Huang Feng King had maintained good relationships. Sun Wukong handed him a bag of peaches and plums. A senior disciple who specialized in refining tools gave him a Ruyi Iron and a bag of twelve Five-Element Arrows. Just before he left, Bai Huizi arrived and gave him a copper coin. She also slipped him a brocade pouch and whispered that it was from their master. ¡°Open it only after you leave Fangcun Mountain¡¯s territory.¡± Huang Feng King bowed toward the mountain gate to thank his master, then bid farewell to his brothers and Sun Wukong before descending the stone steps. After walking five or six miles, he crossed a bridge. Under the bridge, a man in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat was fishing. Seeing him pass by, he called out, ¡°Young man, have you achieved the Dao and are now leaving the mountain?¡± Huang Feng King paused on the bridge and recognized the man¡ªit was the Mountain God. Smiling, he replied, ¡°No, I have personal matters at home and must leave.¡± He bowed deeply and said, ¡°Thank you for guiding me back then.¡± The Mountain God accepted the gesture and said, ¡°I just caught a golden fish¡ªI¡¯ll give it to you. Take it home and raise it well.¡± Chapter 17 - The Mountain God Sends a Pet! Chapter 17 The Mountain God Sends a Pet! The Ancestors of Wanshou Mountain ¨C Qingfeng and Mingyue! The Mountain God finished speaking and threw the bamboo basket to Yellow Wind King. Yellow Wind King caught it and saw a small golden carp inside, wrapped in a bubble, swimming around. [Species: Carp Dragon ¨C Golden Dragon (20%)].[Realm: Refining Essence ¨C Body Tempering].[Traits: True Dragon Bloodline (Gold), Dragon Might (Red), Vein Gathering (Red), Water Control (Blue), Wave Surge (Blue)]. A carp with true dragon bloodline? Yellow Wind King was astonished. He looked towards the water¡¯s edge, but the Mountain God had already disappeared. Was there some ulterior motive? Yellow Wind King scratched his head, tied the bamboo basket to his waist, and continued on his way. Amid the misty clouds in the mountains, a golden divine dragon peeked out its head. ¡°Fangcun, is this reliable?¡± The Mountain God glanced sideways and said, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®reliable¡¯? You don¡¯t trust me?¡± The golden dragon replied calmly, ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you, but I don¡¯t trust him!¡± The Mountain God said, ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? That little rat is very clever.¡± ¡°Besides, I checked¡ªthere are no demon immortals on Yellow Wind Ridge. The only intelligent dragon vein was already killed.¡± ¡°Regathering the dragon vein on the 800-mile Yellow Wind Ridge is only a matter of time. If your daughter goes, she can speed up the process.¡± ¡°This is a merit-worthy deed!¡± ¡°If she gains merit, you can petition the Heavenly Court to grant her the title of Lake Dragon King. Also, Yellow Wind Ridge is right next to the 800-mile Flowing Sand River.¡± ¡°In the future, when she transforms into a dragon and masters water, she can lead the water into the river and ascend to the position of Flowing Sand River Dragon King, commanding an army of water demons.¡± ¡°The Flowing Sand River connects to the Western Sea. If you¡¯re worried, you can check on her at any time.¡± ¡°Besides, as an old Dragon King, you have so many children. Losing one or two¡ªwhat does it matter?¡± The golden dragon glared at him and said, ¡°Watch your words when speaking of life and death!¡± It gazed southward and said, ¡°This Flowing Sand River doesn¡¯t just flow into the Western Sea. The other half belongs to the Eastern Sea!¡± Where two seas meet, disputes are bound to arise. The Mountain God chuckled and said, ¡°That¡¯s why she should first settle in Yellow Wind Ridge¡ªthen she belongs to the Southern Continent.¡± ¡°Born in the Western Sea but granted a title in the Southern Continent, she will be connected to both the Western and Eastern Seas. The Eastern Sea Dragon King won¡¯t go to war over this.¡± The golden dragon asked, ¡°Why did you choose him?¡± The Mountain God replied, ¡°Nowadays, in every famous mountain and great river, every stream and brook, which one doesn¡¯t have a master? The divine positions of the Heavenly Court are all taken¡ªevery spot accounted for. Everyone is watching for an opportunity. Yellow Wind Ridge is his homeland. Having him take charge is legitimate and justified.¡± The golden dragon asked, ¡°What about that monkey?¡± The Mountain God squinted and chuckled, ¡°Do you dare to interfere with his karma? Besides, Flower Fruit Mountain is in the Eastern Sea. Are you planning to cross territories?¡± The golden dragon sighed. ¡°That¡¯s true! Even though calamities limit the actions of heavenly immortals and gods, good locations are becoming scarce.¡± _____ Outside Fangcun Mountain, Yellow Wind King turned back, but amidst the swirling clouds, the mountain range had completely vanished¡ªFangcun Mountain was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Blessed lands and caves¡ªvisible only to those with fate.¡± Yellow Wind King took a deep breath, turned toward the setting sun, gripped his spear tightly, and felt a surge of heroism in his heart. A moment later, he took out Bai Huizi¡¯s silk pouch. Inside was a small slip of paper with just eight words. ¡°If you wish to learn the Three Laws, ask Taiyin!¡± ¡°Huh? Ask Taiyin?¡± Yellow Wind King was puzzled. Did it refer to Taiyin Xingjun, the Great Lunar Deity? That was indeed a mighty god, but he had no connection with them. How was he supposed to ask? Deep in thought, Yellow Wind King recited a Cloud-Surfing Incantation, and a mist formed beneath his feet, lifting him into the air, slowly rising seven or eight yards. [Through study, you have comprehended a new trait: Cloud-Surfing (White)!].[Your Fog Control (Blue) is a sub-trait of Cloud-Surfing (White). Do you wish to merge them?]. ¡°Merging!¡± [Merge complete!].[Cloud-Surfing (Blue): You can ride clouds to fly, increasing speed by 10%. You can also manipulate mist to form illusions.]. ¡°Fun!¡± Yellow Wind King practiced the technique, trying different flight maneuvers until he became more proficient. Then, he flew straight toward Yellow Wind Ridge. His cloud was slow¡ªnothing like Sun Wukong¡¯s Somersault Cloud, which could travel 108,000 miles in a single flip. After flying over ten thousand miles overnight¡ªAs the golden sun rose, the towering Wanshou Mountain came into view. It touched the sky and connected to the earth, exuding a majestic presence. Just then, an immortal flew out on a crane. The immortal spotted Yellow Wind King and shouted sternly, ¡°What demon dares to ride clouds in the territory of Wanshou Mountain?¡± He raised his hand and threw a flying sword. Sword energy streaked across the sky like a golden ray, piercing through the clouds. Outside Wanshou Mountain, Yellow Wind King was just wondering when he¡¯d get to taste a Ginseng Fruit when he suddenly heard the thunderous shout. Seeing the incoming sword light like a shooting star, he exclaimed, ¡°Sh*t! Sword, come!¡± The sword flashed like lightning, golden energy surging. Startled, Yellow Wind King instinctively pressed down on his cloud and leaped into the mountain forest. The sword light twisted, chasing him into the woods. Mountains crumbled, rocks rolled, and trees were severed, leaving a vast clearing. Frightened birds and beasts fled in all directions. A celestial crane cried sharply from above. On its back sat a young boy who extended his hand, recalling the flying sword. He shielded his eyes with his hand, looking down. ¡°Qingfeng, what happened?¡± Another celestial crane flew in, carrying another boy with a sword in hand. Qingfeng said, ¡°A demon was lurking near our mountain gate. I don¡¯t know its intentions.¡± Mingyue shook his head and laughed. ¡°Why would I bring the Demon-Illuminating Mirror? Since when have demons dared to be reckless here?¡± ¡°Even the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle passed by from afar, fearing to offend our master.¡± Qingfeng replied, ¡°Well, today one did!¡± Mingyue grinned. ¡°Probably an ignorant little demon. After taking a sword strike, it should have learned its lesson. Let¡¯s go back and listen to the lecture.¡± Qingfeng snorted, ¡°Lucky for it! If our master weren¡¯t teaching today, I¡¯d have dug three feet deep to catch it.¡± The two boys rode their cranes back to the mountain. ____ A few miles away, Yellow Wind King poked his head out of the ground. Seeing no pursuers, he sighed in relief and cursed, ¡°Wanshou Mountain is so unfair! Can¡¯t I even take a look? Just thinking about it isn¡¯t allowed?¡± Burrowing was a rat¡¯s natural talent. Sensing the terrifying power of that sword, Yellow Wind King had instinctively transformed into his original form and dug into the ground. ¡°That must have been at least a Mystic Immortal!¡± Yellow Wind King muttered. His keen senses had always been sharp, and after cultivating, his ability to detect danger and calamity had only improved. ¡°If you have the guts, fight me one-on-one!¡± He grumbled. But he had no choice¡ªthis was their territory. If a fight broke out, a whole bunch of immortals, young and old, would join in. Yellow Wind King was no fool¡ªneither was Sun Wukong, who also knew how to avoid trouble. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Checking his belongings, nothing was lost. He glanced at the bamboo basket. The little carp was trembling in its water bubble, blowing bubbles in fear. Yellow Wind King chuckled, ¡°You have true dragon blood, yet you¡¯re such a coward?¡± The little carp rolled its eyes and suddenly grew alert¡ªhow did he know it had true dragon blood? ¡°Little one, you have potential. Train well, and when you transform into a divine dragon, you can be my mount. Heh heh!¡± Mount! The little carp scoffed¡ªwho would be whose mount? Riding a big rat? That would be disgraceful! Yellow Wind King secured the bamboo basket. He had sensed a special spiritual aura underground nearby. Could it be a fortuitous encounter? A hidden treasure? Chapter 18 - Fortune and Misfortune Intertwined Chapter 18 Fortune and Misfortune Intertwined, Gaining the Divine Wood Spirit Root, and the Transformation of Yellow Wind Ridge! Yellow Wind King followed his instincts to the entrance of a cave. As he stepped inside, the scenery abruptly changed, and the roar of a fierce beast echoed. A black bear stood upright, towering three to four zhang tall, swinging its massive palms the size of millstones towards him. Yellow Wind King remained motionless, his gaze penetrating the illusion¡ªit was merely an illusionary restriction. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. During his three years at Fangcun Mountain, he had obtained three more opportunities to upgrade his traits. [Master of Refining (Red)] upgraded to [Grandmaster of Refining (Purple)]![Grandmaster of Refining (Red)]: Your success rate in refining magical artifacts increases by 100%. The probability of refining a spiritual artifact increases by 30%, and the probability of refining a spiritual treasure increases by 0.1%. You can independently develop various instruments. ¡­ [Master of Formations (Red)] upgraded to [Grandmaster of Formations (Purple)]![Grandmaster of Formations]: You have deep knowledge of all types of restrictions and formations. Your efficiency in comprehending and breaking restrictions and formations increases by 70%. You have a certain chance to gain insights and create entirely new formations and restrictions during cultivation. ¡­ [Master of Spearmanship (Red)] upgraded to [Grandmaster of Spearmanship (Purple)]![Grandmaster of Spearmanship]: Your spear techniques double in power. Any spear technique is instantly understood upon witnessing it, and you can master and even create new spear techniques. A grandmaster was already the pinnacle of human capabilities. Many formations and restrictions were as good as nonexistent before Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes. ¡°A mere illusion formation, nothing but a petty trick!¡± With his eyes, he clearly saw through the restriction¡¯s pattern. Lifting his spear, he pierced a key node¡ªthe formation¡¯s core. The illusion vanished, and so did the cave. In its place was a woodland clearing where a small tree had taken root in a crater. It stood only a foot tall, yet its roots were thick and gnarled like an ancient bonsai. Its main trunk sprawled like a dragon, with only three leaves. Each leaf was spaced three inches apart¡ªthe first was moon-white, the second was golden-red, and the third was fiery crimson. Its roots clutched a fist-sized meteorite that radiated multicolored light¡ªit was none other than a Five-Colored Stone. The surrounding area was dense with spiritual energy. Clearly, this was a spirit tree. It might have once been an ordinary seed, but by sheer fortune, it was struck by the Five-Colored Stone. Bathed in its spiritual essence, the seed mutated, transforming into a spirit tree that constructed an illusionary barrier to protect itself. ¡°What¡¯s its purpose?¡± Yellow Wind King was curious, yet he found no trait information on the small tree. He pondered for a moment and said, ¡°Since I was able to find you, it means we are destined. If we are destined, then I won¡¯t be polite.¡± The small tree seemed to possess sentience¡ªits leaves dimmed, trembling in fear. Yellow Wind King paid it no mind. He dug up the roots and wrapped them in a pouch, thinking it would make an excellent bonsai decoration. Worried that the tree might not adapt to the soil at Yellow Wind Ridge, he also scooped up a bag of the crater¡¯s most fertile soil. Having gathered his finds, he traveled dozens of miles before forming a hand seal, riding the clouds, and soaring over the Flowing Sands River. ¡°Hmm?¡± Before long, Yellow Wind King stopped mid-air, gazing ahead. A mass of ominous and deathly energy churned in the sky, forming a sinister dark cloud. Beneath the dark cloud was a walled city. Squinting, he read the inscription on the gate¨CFlowing Sands Nation! Outside the city, the river had dried up, fish and shrimp lay dead, the land cracked under the scorching heat, and eerie white bones littered the ground, where vultures circled in search of carrion. Inside the city, Plague and miasma swirled, with ghosts and demonic entities wandering freely. There were no longer any living inhabitants¡ªthe city had completely fallen into ruin. ¡°Sigh, a calamity!¡± Yellow Wind King sighed. Before leaving, he had sent a prophetic dream, unsure if it had saved anyone. If it had, then at least he had earned some merit. ¡°If I had known that merit could offset tribulations, I would have saved some people before leaving.¡± Yellow Wind King avoided the dark cloud and looked down at Yellow Wind Ridge. Its central mountain range stretched north to south for eight hundred miles. The highest peaks reached the sky, while the lowest extended to the underworld. The terrain was treacherous, with cliffs like Soul-Snatching Precipice and caves like Dragon-Hiding Cavern. Over ten thousand streams flowed into the Flowing Sands River, while hundreds of lakes adorned the landscape like scattered pearls. Yellow Wind King surveyed the mountains and waters, spotting a prime location. The mountain was neither too tall nor too short, surrounded by eight peaks forming a natural Eight Trigrams Nine Palaces configuration. At its base, rivers wound together to form a large lake. It was dawn. Mist rose from the water, drifting along the mountains, painting the scene in hues of jade and sapphire, enshrouding the peaks in a veil of emerald haze. ¡°Building a palace and pavilions here would surely make it an immortal¡¯s paradise.¡± Yellow Wind King thought to himself. Even immortals required proper living conditions, and now that he had reached a certain level in cultivation, his standards had naturally risen. If one could live in a grand estate, who would settle for a damp underground burrow? Yellow Wind King began planning in his mind. He descended from the clouds, landing directly outside Rat Hole Cave. Outside the cave, Yellow Wind King surveyed the scene¡ªtrees had withered, cobwebs covered the area, and owls screeched mournfully, painting a picture of utter desolation. It wasn¡¯t just this area¡ªthe surrounding mountains also appeared sickly, half-dead. ¡°The dragon vein is dead, affecting this area as well. The spiritual energy here is mixed with ominous and miasmic energy, making it unsuitable for cultivation.¡± The massive stone that once sealed the cave entrance was gone, and a huge opening had been torn into the cave. Clearly, someone had broken in. The small demons of Yellow Wind Ridge numbered in the thousands, possibly tens of thousands. Many had tried to seize this cave, not just the Red Serpent. As he was contemplating, rustling sounds came from inside the cave, followed by a wave of foul, black miasma gushing from the opening. Yellow Wind King stepped back and saw a swarm of black scorpions, each the size of a fist, raising their venomous tails as they surged out. Over a thousand scorpions covered the ground in a dense swarm. Behind them, a massive purple-black Scorpion Demon, the size of a large basin, emerged. Raising its pincers, it spoke, ¡°Who are you? Leave at once! Do not disturb my lord¡¯s rest!¡± [Species: Demon ¨C Scorpion].[Realm: Refining Essence ¨C Tempering Body].[Traits: Scorpion Venom (Blue), Hard Shell (White), Ferocious (White)]. ¡°Your lord?¡± Yellow Wind King sneered, sweeping his spear in a mighty arc. Divine light erupted, wiping out the thousand-strong scorpion horde and slaying the Scorpion Demon. A notification appeared. [Trait Extracted: Hard Shell (White)]. Yellow Wind King ignored it. ¡°Who dares to kill my subordinate?¡± A bellow rang out as another scorpion demon emerged, this one with a humanoid form, wielding a pair of iron hammers. [Species: Demon ¨C Scorpion].[Realm: Transforming Qi ¨C Humanoid Form].[Traits: Scorpion Venom (Red), Brute Strength (Blue), Iron Shell (Blue), Basic Hammer Technique (White), Minor Fortune (White)]. Seeing the slain scorpions, it shrieked in rage and charged at Yellow Wind King. ¡°Seeking death!¡± Yellow Wind King swept his iron spear. The metallic clang resonated as the scorpion demon was sent flying dozens of meters, crashing to the ground¡ªyet miraculously, it survived. [You defeated the Scorpion Demon and randomly extracted the trait: Minor Fortune (White). Would you like to integrate it?].[Minor Fortune (White): You have a small stroke of luck. You won¡¯t get rich, but you have a slight chance to turn danger into safety.]. Hmm? The scorpion demon survived¡ªwas it due to the trait¡¯s effect? Chapter 19 - The Scorpion Demon, The Thousand-Year Corpse King Chapter 19 The Scorpion Demon, The Thousand-Year Corpse King, and Bestowing Traits Upon a Lesser Demon! ¡°Fortune is rare indeed¡ªsometimes even harder to obtain than merit.¡± Yellow Wind King was delighted as he merged with the Minor Fortune trait. Instantly, he felt an inexplicable shift in his fate, as if his luck had subtly improved. ¡°So, the great king is the rightful owner of this cave. I was unaware¡ªplease forgive me!¡± The Scorpion Demon, writhing in pain, finally regained its senses. Recognizing its adversary, it proved to be quick-witted. Seeing the inscription Rat Hole Cave, it suddenly understood and flipped over to kowtow in submission. Yellow Wind King studied the creature. A mere scorpion that had attained sentience and happened to possess fortune¡ªit had survived earlier simply because fate had not yet abandoned it. ¡°Stand up. The interior is filthy, so you will serve as my mount.¡± ¡°Yes, my king!¡± The Scorpion Demon crouched down and revealed its true form¡ªa massive black-purple demon scorpion, roughly the size of a tabletop. It carried Yellow Wind King into the cave. Upon learning they were heading deeper inside, it quickly protested, ¡°Great King, you may not be aware, but I only dare to roam the outer layers. The deeper areas are a labyrinth, infested with zombies, shadow demons, and malicious ghosts¡ªit¡¯s truly perilous!¡± ¡°Zombies and shadow demons?¡± Yellow Wind King was intrigued. ¡°Yes,¡± the Scorpion Demon confirmed. ¡°I suspect that something has gone wrong underground, causing a connection to the underworld. That¡¯s why these dark creatures have emerged into the mortal realm.¡± ¡°No matter. With me here, there¡¯s nothing to fear!¡± With this reassurance, the Scorpion Demon braced itself and pressed forward. Following Yellow Wind King¡¯s guidance, they navigated the labyrinthine passages with ease, encountering no major obstacles until they arrived at his dwelling. However, standing guard at the entrance were two zombies. [Species: Ghost ¨C Zombie].[Realm: Transforming Qi ¨C Humanoid Form].[Traits: Iron Skin (Blue), Bloodthirsty (Blue), Corpse Poison (Blue), Basic Blade Technique (White)]. The second zombie had identical first three traits, but its final trait was Proficient Swordsmanship (Blue). Sensing the presence of a living being, the zombies shrieked and lunged forward. Yellow Wind King swiftly decapitated them with two precise spear strikes and stormed into his residence¡ªonly to find that it had been taken over by a Thousand-Year Corpse King, along with a horde of zombies and shadow demons. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Species: Ghost ¨C Zombie].[Realm: Qi Refinement ¨C Corpse Core].[Traits: Bronze Skin and Iron Bones (Purple), Grandmaster of Blade Techniques (Purple), Battlefield Command (Red), Corpse Demon Poison (Red)¡­]. The Corpse King was clad in armor, its body towering and muscular. With a feral roar, it commanded the surrounding undead to form ranks, assembling them into an eerie army. Yellow Wind King nocked an arrow and methodically shot down the approaching undead, maintaining his distance. Furious, the Corpse King swung its massive blade, sending a fierce arc of saber energy slashing toward him. Yellow Wind King met it with his spear, engaging in a fierce duel. Though formidable, the Corpse King ultimately fell, its head severed by a decisive strike. [You have defeated the Thousand-Year Corpse King and randomly obtained its trait: Battlefield Command (Red). Would you like to merge it?].[Battlefield Command (Red): You excel in military strategy, directing troops as if they were extensions of your own limbs. When leading in battle, morale soars.]. ¡°This is excellent!¡± Yellow Wind King was elated. He chose to merge the trait, and at that moment, a vast battlefield unfolded in his mind¡ªgenerals marshaling their troops, regiments marching in formation, encampments being established¡ªall appearing with extraordinary clarity. At Fangcun Mountain, he had studied military texts, but now, every lesson became deeply ingrained. The experience was both strange and exhilarating. ¡°Great King, help me!¡± The Scorpion Demon called out¡ªit had been locked in combat with a shadow demon and was losing due to its injuries. Yellow Wind King intervened, swiftly subduing the shadow demon. ¡°Mighty King!¡± The Scorpion Demon cheered, waving its pincers in triumph. Meanwhile, the shadow demon knelt, begging for mercy. Shadow demons were creatures born from the accumulation of underworld energy and death aura. A few of them developed intelligence. Yellow Wind King questioned the shadow demon about the situation. It turned out that the death of the Dragon Vein had repercussions in the underworld as well. The spiritual and underworld energies of Yellow Wind Ridge had overlapped and fractured, creating numerous rifts between the two realms. A surge of ghostly entities had climbed through these fissures. Though the underworld forces had swiftly responded, some ghosts still managed to remain in the mortal world. Furthermore, the leaked underworld aura had seeped into underground caves and dark rivers, altering the subterranean landscape and fostering the birth of new shadow creatures. For instance, Flowing Sands Nation had been completely overtaken by a newly ascended Ghost King. Yellow Wind King surveyed his surroundings. Not only was there ghostly energy from the underworld, but also residual grievances from the slain Dragon Vein, which had altered the entire environment. Returning to his home, he noticed that some furniture¡ªtables and chairs¡ªhad started moving on their own, tainted by underworld energy. Over time, they could potentially evolve into spirit entities like table demons or broom demons¡­ Yellow Wind King pondered. Could it be that letting Golden-Winged Great Peng slay the Dragon Vein had been a ploy to unleash this catastrophe? ¡°Did the Yellow Wind Demon come here for this very reason? The Buddhist teachings of Spirit Mountain often deal with ghostly entities, and every exorcism brings them merit.¡± It wasn¡¯t impossible. Many immortals and Buddhas in Journey to the West were unscrupulous, treating all beings as mere pawns to exploit for their gain. Yellow Wind King glanced at the Scorpion Demon, who was keeping watch over the subdued shadow demon. Perhaps he could entrust the cave¡¯s guardianship to it¡ªbut its strength was too weak. Suddenly, he recalled that he could bestow his acquired traits onto others¡ªand retrieve them at will. This made for a perfect method to cultivate subordinates. Should any of them rebel, he could simply revoke their traits, crippling them in an instant. This unseen leash ensured they would always be under his control. ¡°Let¡¯s give it a try!¡± Yellow Wind King called the Scorpion Demon over. ¡°Great King?¡± The Scorpion Demon crawled before him, looking up in confusion. Yellow Wind King said, ¡°You did well by not fleeing earlier.¡± The Scorpion Demon hastily responded, ¡°Encountering the Great King is my fortune. How could I ever think of running away?¡± The statement was half flattery, half sincere. The vast mountains were teeming with lesser demons, yet few ever reached the rank of Demon King. Such beings were rarities¡ªone in ten thousand. Most lesser demons remained insignificant throughout their lives or perished prematurely. Their best bet was to serve a Demon General or Demon King. Yellow Wind King smirked. ¡°Good. I appreciate subordinates who are both sensible and loyal.¡± ¡°I will grant you an opportunity¡ªbut in exchange, you must guard this cave. If anything happens, inform me immediately.¡± The Scorpion Demon was ecstatic. ¡°Thank you, Great King! I gladly accept!¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Yellow Wind King instructed, ¡°Come closer.¡± The Scorpion Demon obediently approached. In truth, Yellow Wind King could transfer or retract traits with mere thought. However, he deliberately chose to make it appear more ritualistic. From his recent battles, he had collected over ten ordinary traits. [Iron Skin (Blue), Bloodthirsty (Blue), Corpse Poison (Blue), Hardened Bones (Blue), Underworld Wind (White), Intimidation (White)¡­]. None of these interested him personally. However, for a lesser demon, they represented a significant transformation¡ªan invaluable boon. He selected Iron Skin (Blue), Hardened Bones (Blue), and Corpse Poison (Blue). [Would you like to bestow these traits upon the Scorpion Demon?]. ¡°Yes!¡± Chapter 20 - Wuzhen Mountain and Swallowing Moon Lake! Chapter 20 Trait Fusion, Bestowing the Name ¡°Poison Nemesis,¡± and the Establishment of a Daoist Sanctuary: Wuzhen Mountain and Swallowing Moon Lake! [Traits have been bestowed!].[The Scorpion Demon¡¯s Iron Shell (Blue) and Iron Skin (Blue) are compatible. Would you like to merge and upgrade?].[The Scorpion Demon¡¯s Brute Strength (Blue) and Hardened Bones (Blue) are compatible. Would you like to merge and upgrade?].[The Scorpion Demon¡¯s Scorpion Venom (Red) and Corpse Poison (Blue) are similar. Would you like to merge them?]. ¡°As expected! Similar traits can be merged!¡± Yellow Wind King was thrilled. This was his first time bestowing traits upon a lesser demon. In the future, this ability would become the core technology of his growing power. ¡°So, Scorpion Venom and Corpse Poison can¡¯t be upgraded? Is Corpse Poison¡¯s grade too low? But since they can merge, the result might be even more potent!¡± ¡°Merge them all!¡± [Iron Shell (Blue) and Iron Skin (Blue) have merged and upgraded¡ªScorpion Demon has obtained the new trait: Crystal Carapace (Red)!].[Brute Strength (Blue) and Hardened Bones (Blue) have merged and upgraded¡ªScorpion Demon has obtained the new trait: Steel Bones and Strong Tendons (Red)!].[Scorpion Venom (Red) and Corpse Poison (Blue) have merged¡ªScorpion Demon has obtained the new trait: Mutated Scorpion Venom (Red)!]. A hum filled the air¡ªthe three newly evolved red traits brought a massive transformation to the Scorpion Demon. Spiritual energy, baleful aura, and underworld essence surged into its body, altering its bones and shell. Its once black-purple exoskeleton gradually turned crystalline violet, as smooth as polished diamond, shimmering with an indestructible luster. Inside, its tendons and bones strengthened, reinforcing its physique. Its size expanded, now as massive as an elephant. Its claws, sharp as pincers, and its eight legs, resembling spears, easily pierced solid rock. Its tail stinger darkened to a deep crimson, emanating an aura of lethal danger. The transformation lasted an entire day. The infusion of spiritual and baleful energy, coupled with underworld essence, led to the formation of a demon core within the Scorpion Demon¡¯s abdomen¡ªit had undergone a complete evolution. Now, it could absorb baleful and ghostly energy, adapting perfectly to its new demonic environment. ______ [Species: Demon ¨C Ghost Scorpion].[Realm: Qi Refinement ¨C Demon Core].[Traits: Mutated Scorpion Venom (Red), Crystal Carapace (Red), Steel Bones and Strong Tendons (Red), Basic Hammer Technique (White), Minor Fortune (White)]. Upon regaining consciousness, the Scorpion Demon sensed its transformation. It was ecstatic. Had it relied on its own cultivation, it would have taken a hundred years to break through. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It immediately knelt, bowing in gratitude. During this time, Yellow Wind King had been directing the Shadow Demon to pack his belongings¡ªnot much, just a few hundred books. ¡°I shall give you a name¡ªPoison Nemesis!¡± The Scorpion Demon beamed with joy. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Thank you for the name, Great King!¡± Yellow Wind King then glanced at the envious Shadow Demon nearby. ¡°You shall assist Poison Nemesis in guarding this place. If you do well, I will not withhold rewards.¡± The Shadow Demon was overjoyed and quickly bowed. ¡°Thank you, Great King!¡± Following this new lord seemed far more promising. The Shadow Demon¡¯s eyes gleamed with cunning. ¡°Great King, I know of a place that is perfect for cultivating a rare underworld herb¡ªEarth Soul Grass.¡± ¡°This herb, when eaten raw, strengthens the soul. When refined into pills, it fortifies the spirit.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Yellow Wind King studied it. [Species: Ghost ¨C Shadow Demon].[Realm: Transforming Qi ¨C Humanoid Form].[Traits: Dreamwalking (Blue), Cultivation (Blue), Underworld Wind (Blue), Herb Identification (White), Beginner Whip Technique (White), Cunning (White)]. _____ The Shadow Demon added, ¡°I know that the Corpse King had a hidden stash of Earth Soul Grass seeds. I am willing to cultivate them for you, Great King.¡± Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes gleamed. Earth Soul Grass? He had read about it in the books at Fangcun Mountain¡ªit could nurture the soul and primordial spirit, and when refined, it could create Soul Nourishing Pills for spiritual enhancement. This ghost had talent in farming? Yellow Wind King rummaged through the Corpse King¡¯s belongings. Sure enough, inside a small wooden box, he found a small bag of jet-black seeds. Heh, this little ghost was indeed crafty. Had it not been after something, it would have remained silent. Yellow Wind King didn¡¯t mind. Among all beings, there were different types¡ªdemons, ghosts, and humans alike. So long as they were useful, even a cunning ghost had its value. Yellow Wind King asked, ¡°What reward do you seek?¡± The Shadow Demon replied, ¡°Serving the Great King is my honor¡­¡± Yellow Wind King nodded. ¡°Good! Then so be it!¡± The Shadow Demon froze for a moment before awkwardly laughing, ¡°Great King, I actually desire the Corpse King¡¯s demon core.¡± ¡°Hah!¡± Yellow Wind King sneered. With a sharp thrust, his spear hummed as it grazed the Shadow Demon¡¯s body¡ªfreezing it in place, motionless. ¡°Do not try to scheme against me again¡ªor else!¡± He redirected his spear, shattering the Corpse King¡¯s remains. The Shadow Demon shuddered and immediately knelt, admitting its fault. Yellow Wind King ordered the Scorpion Demon and Shadow Demon to guard Rat Hole Cave. Then, he gathered his belongings and flew outside, stepping onto a cloud mist. Riding the clouds, he ascended into the sky. As he soared, the winds and clouds stirred, creating a majestic spectacle that made the lesser demons in the mountains bow in submission. Just like ten years ago, when the Golden-Winged Great Peng had flown by, causing Yellow Wind King to tremble in hiding inside his cave.bNow, he gazed down from the heights. The ridge split the land into yin and yang. The northern side of Yellow Wind Ridge¡ªwhere Rat Hole Cave and Flowing Sands Nation lay¡ªwas yin-aligned, full of ghostly energy. The southern side of Yellow Wind Ridge was yang-aligned, filled with lush mountains, vibrant rivers, and thriving life. Yellow Wind King was stunned. ¡°This place¡­ It embodies both yin and yang¡ªa natural formation resembling a heavenly grand array! Unbelievable! Truly remarkable!¡± ¡°Was this naturally formed or deliberately arranged?¡± ¡°Could it be the work of Golden-Winged Great Peng? It possesses a treasure called the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle¡ªa spiritual treasure!¡± ¡°Could it be connected to this formation?¡± Yellow Wind King studied it carefully. Seeing no immediate danger, he thought, He descended, landing near a majestic landscape. White cranes soared in pairs, flower deer roamed freely, fish darted through crystal-clear waters¡ªit was a paradise. A towering nine-thousand-zhang mountain stood before him, with cliffs in the north, ridges in the west, a deep gorge in the east, and a sunlit southern face. From the clouds, a silvery waterfall cascaded down. ¡°A fine mountain! I shall name it after my Daoist title¡ªWuzhen Mountain!¡± He carefully planted his spirit tree, burying its roots and watering it. The tree, initially withered, trembled as he muttered, ¡°Grow well! Grow strong! If not¡­ I¡¯ll eat you like ginseng.¡± The spirit tree shuddered, suddenly radiating a soft luminescence, forming a protective illusionary barrier. ¡°Coward!¡± Yellow Wind King scoffed. Nearby, he buried spirit peach and plum seeds, waiting for the rain to nurture them. He gazed out at a vast lake¡ªten miles wide, unfathomably deep, with nine tributaries to the east and a great stream to the west flowing into the Flowing Sands River. The reflection of mountains mirrored in its still waters. ¡°A fine lake! I shall name it after my lineage¡ªSwallowing Moon Lake!¡± Chapter 21 - Ancient Ferocious Beast, Plundering the Thunder Toad’s Entry – Devour (Purple)! Chapter 21 Ancient Ferocious Beast, Plundering the Thunder Toad¡¯s Entry ¨C Devour (Purple)! Southern Yellow Wind Ridge. Clouds churned, and the battle raged on. A thunderous croak boomed like rolling thunder. A massive toad, thirty zhang tall like a small mountain, lashed out its long tongue, forming countless whip-like shadows, densely packed, attacking the Yellow Wind King. Each jump carried it higher than mountains, and arcs of electricity crackled over its body. A single flick of its tongue unleashed a cascade of lightning, shattering trees and crumbling boulders with terrifying force. With one breath, it summoned thunderclouds, raining divine lightning down upon the battlefield. Yellow Wind King was jolted into alarm. ¡°No wonder this place is devoid of monsters. Turns out, an ancient ferocious beast has been lurking in the lake!¡± [Species: Ferocious Beast ¨C Thunder Toad (60%)].[Realm: None].[Entries: Innate Thunder Control (Gold), Devour (Purple), Dynamic Vision (Purple), Vast Stomach (Purple), Electric Tongue (Purple)¡­]. It had no cultivation realm¡ªnot because it was weak, but because it didn¡¯t cultivate immortality or divinity. Instead, it walked the path of bloodline regression, refining its innate divine abilities. With each metamorphosis, its strength and body grew infinitely, ferocious beyond compare, capable of devouring even immortals and buddhas. Lightning exploded. Water surged. Yellow Wind King fought with all his might, battling in close quarters with his spear and attacking from afar with arrows. Though he managed to wound the beast, it only provoked its savage instincts further. The toad¡¯s blood energy was immense¡ªlike a boundless ocean. Its emitted fiendish aura shattered mountains. Although Yellow Wind King possessed the bloodline of an ancient beast, he was not like this toad, who specialized in divine abilities and physical strength. His blood energy was nowhere near as vast. Activating ¡¶Great Heavenly Immortal Technique¡·, he clashed with the beast head-on, but his black iron spear couldn¡¯t withstand the force¡ªit shattered! The Thunder Toad opened its massive mouth, unleashing a powerful suction force that swept up trees, lake water, and earth, pulling everything into its maw. Before Yellow Wind King could react, he was swallowed whole. Inside the Beast¡¯s Belly, the battle ceased. The Thunder Toad leaped back into the lake. Inside its belly, Yellow Wind King clung to a tree, rolling into its cavernous stomach. To his astonishment, its stomach was unimaginably vast¡ªnearly the size of ten football fields, a hundred zhang high. It resembled an alternate dimension, filled with countless dissolved and corroded bones, along with some glowing metallic remnants. As he observed, a putrid yellow rain fell from above. The trees and soil it touched immediately melted, releasing wisps of green smoke. ¡°Stomach acid?¡± Yellow Wind King quickly formed a seal, conjuring a protective energy barrier around himself to resist the intense corrosive force. His energy shield sizzled as it was rapidly eroded. ¡°So strong! But¡­ eating recklessly comes at a price. Haven¡¯t you ever heard of Princess Iron Fan? Oh, right, you haven¡¯t!¡± He drew his Thunderwood Divine Bow, reaching into his quiver for the twelve Five-Element Arrows gifted by his senior refining master. Each arrow carried five layers of restrictions¡ªArmor-Piercing, Sharpness, Tearing, Penetration, and an elemental restriction corresponding to one of the five elements. Unlike the makeshift restrictions he¡¯d encountered before, these were fully refined, maximizing their power. Taking a deep breath, Yellow Wind King adjusted his stance, nocking five arrows onto his bow at once. Yes¡ªFive Arrows Fired Simultaneously! Each representing one of the five elements. These twelve arrows were divided into three sets. Why three? One set of five arrows corresponded to the five elements. The other two were the Yin Arrow and the Yang Arrow, forming a dual-element set. ¡°Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth¡ªFive Elements, Unleashed! Slay gods and annihilate immortals!¡± The arrows tore through the air, each trailing a dazzling streak of white, green, blue, red, and yellow light. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They all struck their target, ripping through the Thunder Toad¡¯s flesh, embedding deep into its body. A bloodstorm rained down inside its stomach. The entire space trembled as the beast let out a deafening wail. Moments later, a violent explosion shattered the sky. Each Five-Element Arrow carried a destructive formation. Upon breaking, these formations released their full power. The conflicting elemental forces clashed, triggering an immense destructive blast. The Thunder Toad struggled violently, but ultimately, it succumbed. No matter how tough its outer skin was, its internal organs were still soft and vulnerable compared to spirit weapons. _____ [You have slain the ferocious beast ¨C Thunder Toad. You have plundered a random Thunder Toad entry: Devour (Purple). Would you like to fuse it?].[Devour (Purple): By consuming flesh and other materials, you can absorb and convert energy, rapidly restoring yourself.]. ¡°Hm?¡± Yellow Wind King was greatly disappointed. Was this what he fought so hard for? What he truly wanted was [Innate Thunder Control (Gold)]! The moment he saw the Thunder Toad, he was ecstatic. He needed to undergo Tribulation Lightning, but he couldn¡¯t cultivate thunder techniques¡ªthe heavens forbade it. However, there was a loophole. The Heavenly Court could restrict postnatal thunder arts, but it couldn¡¯t control innate thunder divine abilities! So when he spotted the Thunder Toad with its golden [Innate Thunder Control], he went berserk, risking everything to fight it. And in the end¡­ this was all he got! Water gushed in through the torn flesh. ¡°Water?¡± ¡°Wait¡­ am I still in the lake?¡± Yellow Wind King frowned. He wasn¡¯t good at fighting in water. Just then, a water bubble shot out from the bamboo basket at his waist. A tiny carp emerged, waving its fins at him, signaling for him to leave it to her. She had been watching nervously the entire time, and now, seeing Yellow Wind King¡¯s victory, she was overjoyed. She eagerly rushed out to help. After all, with the Thunder Toad dead, this lake now belonged to her. Yellow Wind King had won a kingdom for her! Well done! Yellow Wind King blinked in surprise. He had almost forgotten about her. She was no ordinary carp. A carp with true dragon bloodline¡ªnaturally adept at controlling water. She and the water bubble dived into the lake, their bodies expanding rapidly. In moments, she had grown three to four zhang long, her golden scales shimmering brilliantly. Although she had yet to take human form, she already had dragon whiskers, dragon scales, and a dragon tail¡ªa pureblood carp dragon. Swimming against the current, she quickly stopped the influx of water. The Thunder Toad¡¯s corpse shuddered and began to float upward. Before long, golden sunlight streamed in. Yellow Wind King leaped out, landing atop the beast¡¯s floating carcass. The carp dragon joyfully churned the waves, pushing the corpse swiftly toward shore. The lake was stained red with blood, attracting countless fish, but none dared to approach. The carp dragon¡¯s dragon aura dominated the aquatic creatures. It drank deeply from the lake, absorbing the rich spiritual energy in the Thunder Toad¡¯s blood. She felt that with just a little more, she could take human form. However, she knew her limits. The Thunder Toad¡¯s blood wasn¡¯t just filled with spiritual energy¡ªit also contained a dense feral aura. Too much of it could taint her bloodline. Arriving at shore, the carp dragon withdrew her aura, flicked her tail at Yellow Wind King, and swiftly vanished into the lake. With the dragon¡¯s suppression gone, swarms of fish¡ªincluding black fish demons, crab spirits, and old clams¡ªdescended upon the feast. The smarter ones ate a little, then retreated to digest. The greedy ones ate until they burst. Truly, when a whale falls, all things thrive! Chapter 22 - Initiation into the Path of Thunder! The Demon King’s Might—A Gathering of Beasts! Chapter 22 Initiation into the Path of Thunder! The Demon King¡¯s Might¡ªA Gathering of Beasts! Yellow Wind King fused [Devour (Purple)], but since he already had [Swallow (Blue)], a subordinate entry, the fusion did not result in any noticeable change. Stepping forward, he exerted his strength, lifting the Thunder Toad¡¯s massive corpse, weighing dozens of tons, and carried it to the shore. With each step, the ground trembled. As he cultivated and purified his bloodline, his strength had far surpassed that of ordinary demons. On the distant ridges, various demons observed from afar. ¡°Strange¡­ since when did Yellow Wind Ridge have a demon king? And he actually killed that lightning-spewing toad!¡± At the foot of the mountain, Yellow Wind King lit a massive bonfire. Stretching out his claws, he activated [Molten Gold Body], allowing him to absorb metallic qi, fortifying his bones and claws. His claws, already razor-sharp, gleamed with a golden glow, resembling divine blades that could pierce metal and stone. Approaching the Thunder Toad¡¯s corpse, he began cutting it apart¡ªa treasure trove for any refining master. ¡°Its skin is highly toxic¡ªinedible! First, I¡¯ll extract its poison glands. They can be refined into potent weapons, and the hide can be crafted into leather armor.¡± ¡°The meat, however, is filled with spiritual energy¡ªnourishing qi and blood, comparable to the Celestial Banquet of dragon liver and phoenix marrow! Roast it!¡± ¡°Its tendons carry innate thunder power¡ªperfect for crafting bow strings. Just what I need for my Thunderwood Divine Bow!¡± ¡°They¡¯ll be ideal for training in ¡®Thunder Roaring Archery¡¯.¡± ¡°The bones are incredibly dense and naturally infused with spirituality¡ªexcellent for refining weapons, bows, and arrows.¡± ¡°Its tongue? A perfect material for a whip.¡± ¡°Its eyes enhance vision¡ªeating them could refine a third eye, improving my dynamic vision!¡± ¡°The stomach acid can temper metals¡ªit already holds divine iron and rare stones within.¡± S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°And its stomach itself? I could refine it into a Spatial Pouch!¡± Spatial Pouches were highly sought-after treasures among immortals, capable of storing objects¡ªor even people. A must-have for travel. Yellow Wind King butchered the Thunder Toad with expert precision, stripping meat from bone. ¡°Ah-ha! Found it¡ªthe Thunder Gland!¡± Hanging from the giant skeletal remains, the massive, deep-purple gland, taller than a man, crackled with arcing electricity. Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes burned with desire. Since he couldn¡¯t obtain [Innate Thunder Control (Gold)], he¡¯d take another approach¡ªconsuming thunder-based treasures to cultivate his own lightning imprint. Opening his maw wide, he devoured the Thunder Gland whole. Electricity exploded in his mouth! In an instant, his fur stood on end, his entire form resembling a white puffball crackling with arcs of lightning. Suppressing the initial electric shock with his formidable physique, he activated [Devour (Purple)], allowing his stomach to absorb the gland¡¯s boundless thunder energy. Focusing intensely, he guided the thunder energy into his demonic core, attempting to inscribe a lightning rune upon it. He was bypassing the Heavenly Court¡¯s forbidden laws¡ªnot cultivating the Five Thunder Techniques of Heaven, but instead using the Thunder Toad¡¯s innate thunder body to develop his own thunder imprint. If he could engrave a lightning imprint, he would be able to command and wield lightning. And even if Heaven¡¯s Thunder Department descended to question him, he would have a solid excuse. This was fate! The greatest opportunities lay in fate itself. Since the Heavenly Court claimed the mandate of Heaven, how could they argue against it? The Thunder Toad had clearly devoured an enormous amount of thunder energy. Even with [Devour (Purple)], it still took three full days to fully digest the Thunder Gland. For anyone else, it would have taken three to five years! Finally, his demonic core had successfully inscribed a lightning rune, marking his entry into the Thunder Dao! [You have comprehended a new entry: Lightning Rune (White)!].[Lightning Rune (White): You have begun cultivating the Thunder Dao. You can now perceive and train in thunder techniques, and you may upgrade this entry by fusing with related thunder-based entries.]. Currently, Yellow Wind King¡¯s demonic core bore three fundamental runes. Moon Rune Gold Rune Lightning Rune These three represented his core cultivation paths. He would nurture his divine powers through these runes, refine his body and spirit, and eventually surpass three great tribulations to achieve the Grand Celestial Rank of the Supreme Immortal! Opening his eyes, he flipped his claws, summoning a spark of lightning that danced across his fingertips. Raising his palm, he struck forward. A lightning bolt shot out, snaking through the air for over ten zhang before striking the lake¡¯s surface. A thunderous explosion sent massive waves rolling across the water! Thunder techniques were notoriously lethal. Among demon clans, it was said that Heaven¡¯s Thunder Department was the most fearsome of all, filled with arrogant and battle-hardened warriors. Yellow Wind King retrieved his Thunderwood Divine Bow, nocking a sharp arrow, and channeled lightning along its shaft. Electric arcs surged. The arrow streaked across the sky, crackling with thunderous force, piercing through the air for ten thousand zhang, before exploding against a distant cliffside. A massive section of rock shattered and tumbled down the mountainside. This stunned the gathering demons who had come to watch. ¡°A true Demon King!¡± ¡°Such might!¡± Excited murmurs spread among the crowd. News of the Thunder Toad¡¯s death and Yellow Wind King¡¯s rise had already traveled far, drawing numerous demons from across the region. Yellow Wind King gazed at the surrounding mountains. Then, he simply sat down, igniting a roaring fire, and roasted the Thunder Toad¡¯s flesh. The meat was rich in spiritual energy, immune to decay for centuries. However, the longer it sat, the more its spiritual essence faded¡ªso it was best to eat it fresh! The fragrance spread far and wide. A ripple disturbed the water¡¯s surface. A golden carp emerged, floating within a water sphere, its round eyes blinking as it stared hungrily at the roasted meat. ¡°You want it raw?¡± Yellow Wind King asked. The carp shook its head. Laughing, he tossed a chunk of roasted leg meat into the water sphere. The carp devoured it in one gulp¡ªthen stared at him expectantly. Feeding it felt like tending to a pet dog or cat. After eating dozens of pieces, the carp let out a satisfied burp, wriggled happily, and returned to the lake to digest the meal. It had grown up accustomed to being served! Yellow Wind King also ate his fill, though the mix of spiritual energy and violent demonic qi made it difficult to fully absorb. ¡°Demonic Qi? Perfect for training the Earthly Fiend Transformations!¡± Forming seals, he began cultivating ¡®The 72 Earthly Fiend Transformations¡¯, delving deeper into demonic transformations. [You have comprehended a new entry: Earthly Fiend Transformation (White)!].[Earthly Fiend Transformation (White): Enhances comprehension of Earthly Fiend arts by 5%. Can be upgraded through fusion.].[You have comprehended a new entry: Heavenly Gang Transformation (White)!].[Heavenly Gang Transformation (White): Enhances comprehension of Heavenly Gang arts by 5%. Can be upgraded through fusion.]. Yellow Wind King was startled. ¡°Fusion of these entries leads to upgrades?¡± ¡°That easy?¡± Chapter 23 - Gathering Beasts, Recruiting Followers, and Gaining a Haul of Entries! Chapter 23 Gathering Beasts, Recruiting Followers, and Gaining a Haul of Entries! Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformations¡­ they became entries? And they could be fused with corresponding entries? Yellow Wind King was thrilled. The outside world was not like Mount Fangcun. There, spiritual energy was abundant, the mountains and rivers radiated Daoist charm, and the Bodhi Patriarch himself preached the Dao. Cultivation was rapid. But after leaving, Yellow Wind King clearly felt his progress slow down. ______ A day later, some demons silently retreated¡ªthey were used to living alone and did not wish to follow orders. Others remained watching from a distance, hesitant to draw near. Then, a horde of rat demons appeared. ¡°That¡¯s the rat tribe from Thousand Cavern Mountain in the southeast.¡± ¡°Their leader is a Demon General¡ªcalls himself ¡®Rat Marshal¡¯.¡± The spectating demons whispered among themselves, recognizing them. Fifteen rat demons, all fully transformed, knelt ten zhang away, led by the Rat Marshal. ¡°We hail from Thousand Cavern Mountain! Upon hearing that a fellow rat demon has ascended, we have come to pledge allegiance. We humbly ask the Great King to accept us!¡± ¡°We beseech the Great King to accept us!¡± Yellow Wind King sniffed the air, catching an unpleasant stench. ¡°Wash yourselves first, then we¡¯ll talk.¡± The rat demons were overjoyed and rushed to the lake to bathe. ______ In the distant mountains, a large tiger with striped fur could no longer hold back. It leaped down the cliffs, stopping thirty zhang away, and knelt in submission. [Species: Demon ¨C Scarlet Tiger (5%)].[Realm: Qi Transformation ¨C Human Form].[Entries: Scarlet Fire (Red), Vengeful Spirits (Blue), Wind Control (Blue), Swallow (Blue), Tiger Might (White), Minor Fortune (White)]. Soon, an old fox also arrived, introducing itself as hailing from Hundred Fox Mountain to the west. [Species: Demon ¨C Black Fox].[Realm: Spirit Formation ¨C Dao Seeking].[Entries: Knowledgeable and Studious (Purple), Ingenious Mind (Red), Righteous Aura (Red), Master Calligrapher (Red), Talented Painter (Red), Cunning (Blue), Expert Swordsmanship (Blue), Chess Master (Blue), Formation Beginner (White), Alchemy Beginner (White)]. Yellow Wind King studied the old fox carefully. He had heard of this fox before. A thousand-year-old demon, famous throughout Yellow Wind Ridge. Rumor had it that it once traveled East to study, later serving as the National Advisor of Flowing Sand Kingdom. A scholar among demons. Seeing these demons approach safely, the other demons in the mountains poured out in droves¡ªAll pledging loyalty to the Great King! S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. _____ At the foot of Enlightenment Mountain, demons gathered¡ªwolves, insects, tigers, leopards¡­ numbering five hundred strong. Among them¡ªTen Demon Generals, Thirty to Forty Greater Demons and the rest were minor demons and untransformed spirits Yellow Wind King knew that strength required numbers, and great warriors needed allies. But he could not accept just anyone. He stood up, gazing at the assembled demons, and spoke with authority. ¡°Listen well! Cultivation is not easy! If you serve under me, you must abide by three laws!¡± No bullying the weak or wanton slaughter! No deceit or betrayal! No senseless troublemaking! ¡°Those who accept, stay. Those who do not¡ªleave now! Should any return with ill intent, I will not spare them!¡± Some demon generals frowned. One stepped forward, cupping his hands. ¡°Great King, it is not that we do not respect you¡­ but we are used to freedom and dislike restrictions.¡± He turned and left. Several other demon generals and greater demons also bowed, then departed in a swirl of demon wind. Yellow Wind King swept his gaze over the crowd. ¡°I¡¯ll give you half a day to think. If you wish to leave¡ªgo now. I will not stop you.¡± Then, he sat down and closed his eyes to cultivate. Seeing that he truly didn¡¯t stop them, many fearful demons sighed in relief and quickly fled. ______ By sunset, three hundred demons remained. Yellow Wind King accepted them all and assigned the old black fox to register names and numbers. Half a day later, the old black fox returned. ¡°Great King, the registry is complete.¡± Though it was a black fox, it stood upright, dressed in a Confucian robe, with a scholar¡¯s sword at its side. A refined, erudite demeanor. Yellow Wind King flipped through the records. Total Demons: 314 Species: Rats, foxes, tigers, deer, snakes, wolves, rhinoceroses, lions, elephants, bears¡­ Key Ranks Appointed. Left Prime Minister: Old Black Fox Right General: Rat Marshal Commanders (Duwu): Five Demon Generals (Flower Deer Mistress, Silver Wolf General, Iron-Eating Bear, Six-Tusked Elephant, Golden Lion) Captains: Twenty Greater Demons (Each leading ten minor demons) ______ Flags were made. Camps were set up. Weapons and armor were forged for the troops. Even demons needed uniforms! A disciplined army now stood in Yellow Wind Ridge. Morning: Lectures on Daoism and Cultivation Noon: Lessons in Speech and Manners Afternoon: Combat Drills and Battle Formations Evening: Literacy and Scholarly Studies With Old Black Fox managing, Yellow Wind King focused on cultivation. Practicing Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformations Absorbing thunder energy on stormy nights Training lightning techniques and refining his demonic core Secretly studying Maoshan¡¯s Five Thunder Techniques _____ During sparring with his generals, Yellow Wind King acquired seven new entries. [Earth Burrow (Red)] ¡ª from Rat Marshal[Talented Painter (Red)] ¡ª from Old Black Fox[Fortune (Blue)] ¡ª from Flower Deer Mistress[Moon Howl (Blue)] ¡ª from Silver Wolf General[Sharp Fangs (Blue)] ¡ª from Iron-Eating Bear[Titanic Strength (Purple)] ¡ª from Six-Tusked Elephant[Wind Calling (Red)] ¡ª from Golden Lion _____ Yellow Wind King merged multiple entries. [Fortune (Blue)] + [Minor Fortune (White)] ¡ú [Auspicious Luck (Blue)].[Wind Calling (Red)] boosted his Heavenly Gang Transformation[Earth Burrow (Red)] boosted his Earthly Fiend Transformation Both transformations leveled up to Blue (10% insight boost)! The most powerful was [Titanic Strength (Purple)]. It resonated with. [Moon Hunter (Purple)].[Molten Gold Body (Purple)].[Bronze Skin, Iron Bones (Purple)]. Fusion Upgrade Prompt Appeared! ¡°So that¡¯s how I reach Gold Rank!¡± He now understood. Two Blue ¡ú One Red Three Red ¡ú One Purple Four Purple ¡ú One Gold! Five Gold ¡ú ??? Divine?? The higher the entry rank, the more it transformed physique, perception, and talent. No hesitation. Upgrade! Chapter 24 - Lunar Demon Sacred Physique! Ascending to Immortality! Chapter 24 Upgrading to a Golden Entry ¨C Lunar Demon Sacred Physique! Ascending to Immortality! As Huang Fengwang willed it, the system prompt echoed. [Lunar Pursuer (Purple), Molten Gold Physique (Purple), Copper Skin Iron Bones (Purple), Celestial Power (Purple) have fused and upgraded. You have obtained a new entry: Lunar Demon Sacred Physique (Gold)!].[Lunar Demon Sacred Physique (Gold): The body of the Lunar Demon, embodying the dark side of the moon, possessing golden flesh and sacred bones, and lunar-phase divine power.]. A new entry was born. At that moment, despite the sun hanging high in the sky, a dark red shadowy moon quietly appeared, cascading moonlight like a waterfall. It was overwhelming! Blazing white and crimson-red moonlight gushed down like torrents, shaking the heavens as it flooded into Huang Fengwang¡¯s body. Not only was the moonlight drawn in, but even the essence of the sun was also attracted, descending in golden flames. Huang Fengwang had no choice but to reveal his true form¡ªa colossal Moon-Devouring Rat, a hundred feet tall and a thousand feet long. He devoured the lunar radiance, absorbed the golden flames, and refined his body. Divine light erupted from him, illuminating the sky for hundreds of miles. His fur stood like steel spikes, exuding a fearsome aura that enveloped the land. Above Huangfeng Ridge, fierce winds howled, and thunder roared. A spiritual rain fell from the heavens, nourishing the flora, as trees swayed in joy, and beasts and birds inhaled the essence, growing in spirituality. ¡°Our King is divine!¡± The old black fox and the other demons bowed deeply, refining their inner energy with delight. In the distant mountains, various demons and ghost kings trembled in fear, their souls nearly scattering. One by one, they prostrated and kowtowed. In the Floating Pagoda Mountain, an old Zen master opened his eyes. In Wuzhuang Temple, Zhenyuanzi gazed into the distance. This was not just limited to the earthly realm. The celestial stars trembled in resonance, their celestial deities puzzled. Within the Moon Palace, the grand halls quaked. The celestial maidens staggered, spilling their flower baskets and dropping their exquisite dishes. The Solar Star Lord inquired about the disturbance, but none knew the cause. Stepping out of the palace, she summoned her divine power, scanning the heavens above and the netherworld below, only to find that the mortal realm had both the sun and moon rising together. Such a spectacle alarmed even the Jade Emperor, who convened his celestial ministers, ordering Clairvoyant and Clairaudient to open the Southern Heavenly Gate for observation. Huang Fengwang never expected the golden entry to be so powerful. His bloodline purity reached 100%¡ªand it was still increasing. He was mutating, transcending the limitations of the Moon-Devouring Rat¡¯s lineage. His body and blood absorbed the moonlight, solar essence, and spiritual energy. He stood upright. No longer retaining his rodent form, he transformed into a divine demon with a rat¡¯s head and a towering, godlike body, standing at ten thousand feet. His eyes flashed like lightning, his maw resembling a blood-filled abyss. His flowing hair was like golden steel, his muscular physique brimming with an unfathomable power. His vitality surged like an ocean. Behind him, a crimson moon rose from the vast sea, appearing as a divine halo. A terrifying aura billowed, roaring like furious waves in a storm, unleashing an earth-shattering presence. Half a day later, Huang Fengwang¡¯s transformation was complete. The celestial phenomena quickly dissipated. The sky cleared, the winds ceased¡ªeverything felt like an illusion. He exhaled, clenched his fists, and radiant energy flowed between his fingers. He had the unmistakable feeling that he could crush a Thunder Toad with a single punch. This was no illusion. His power had risen across all aspects. The golden entry, born of fusion and evolution, was far superior to any plundered one. In the Celestial Court, Clairvoyant and Clairaudient reported back to the Jade Emperor, explaining the situation. The Jade Emperor was intrigued and asked, ¡°When was this demon rat born? In which generation? How has he attained such a level of enlightenment?¡± The two divine messengers responded, ¡°We do not know.¡± sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unlike Sun Wukong, Huang Fengwang¡¯s birth had been unremarkable¡ªordinary, blending into the countless beings of the world. Not just the messengers¡ªeven the other celestial beings were astonished. One after another, they raised their sleeves and began divination calculations. Seeing this, the Jade Emperor remarked, ¡°Since he is a fated creature blessed with fortune, as long as he does not cause chaos or rebellion, and cultivates with a sincere heart, he is of no concern.¡± The celestial beings all nodded. ¡°Agreed!¡± And so, the matter was settled. After all, the lower realms had plenty of powerful demon kings. If every single one had to be subdued, how would the Celestial Court ever manage? As long as they acknowledged the court¡¯s authority and did not raise the banner of rebellion, they would simply turn a blind eye and let things be. In the Moon Palace, The Lunar Star Lord observed, frowning. ¡°Is that rat? How has he attained such enlightenment in just a few days? And why does his power align with lunar demonic energy? Could he have been manipulated to disrupt my Dao?¡± ¡°Zhenyuanzi? No, I have no quarrel with him.¡± ¡°The Old Golden Crow?¡± She could not divine an answer. Forming a mystical seal, she dispatched an avatar to descend into the mortal realm. At Spirit Mountain, Buddhist light radiated in all directions. The arhats and bodhisattvas were also discussing the matter. Tathagata spoke, silencing the assembly, ¡°Since this concerns the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, which is outside Spirit Mountain¡¯s jurisdiction, it has nothing to do with us.¡± The vast lands of the Four Great Continents and the sacred mountains each had their own rulers¡ªno one could overstep their bounds lightly. However, the gazes of Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin flickered. After all, they had their own Dharma grounds in the Southern Continent. Standing in his divine form, Huang Fengwang overlooked the mountains and sensed celestial and Buddhist deities watching him from all directions. ¡°It is unwise to be too ostentatious.¡± He flickered his form and withdrew his divine appearance, landing by the lakeside to contemplate his transformation. He checked his status. [Name: Huang Fengwang].[Race: Demon ¨C Moon-Devouring Demon Rat].[Realm: Refining Spirit ¨C Taiyi Scattered Immortal].[Techniques: Moon-Devouring Art, Thunder Bow, Grand Heavenly Immortal Scripture].[Entries: Heavenly Mandate (Gold), Divine Clarity (Gold), Lunar Demon Sacred Physique (Gold), Master Archer (Purple), Boundless Heart Mirror (Purple), Artifact Refining Grandmaster (Purple), Formation Grandmaster (Purple), Spear Grandmaster (Purple), Devourer (Purple), Tactical Commander (Red), Painting Sage (Red), Heavenly Astral Transformation (Blue), Earthly Fiend Transformation (Blue), Weakness Strike (Blue), Cloud Walking (Blue), Intermediate Culinary Arts (Blue), Intermediate Aura Reading (Blue), Auspiciousness (Blue), Diligence Overcomes Weakness (White), Thunder Veins (White)]. He glanced at his realm¡ªTaiyi Immortal¡ªand pondered. His mind, now more enlightened, found an answer. ¡°There are multiple ways to evade the Three Calamities. I have trained in the Heavenly Astral and Earthly Fiend techniques, though not to completion, yet I have cultivated some attainment. Moreover, my bloodline mutation has granted me an additional divine sanctity.¡± ¡°Various factors have shielded me from calamities, allowing me to become immortal without facing them. However, although I am an immortal now, the tribulations still remain.¡± Somewhere deep inside, he sensed an impending disaster. Not just him¡ªall beings with divine power had a natural instinct to foresee fortune and misfortune, differing only in speed and accuracy. Huang Fengwang belonged to the category of those who were both fast and precise. Chapter 25 - Brother Monkey Arrives! The True Immortal of Ruyi and News of the Bull Demon King! Chapter 25 Brother Monkey Arrives! The True Immortal of Ruyi and News of the Bull Demon King! Huang Fengwang ascended to immortality, and celestial rain blessed the land. The demons, flora, and fauna all benefited, refining their breath and cultivation. On the shore, minor demons molted into new forms, golden carp in the lake transformed into dragons, and the peach seeds Huang Fengwang had planted broke through the soil with fresh leaves. Even the entire region, nourished by the divine rain, began to stir with spiritual energy, subtly reuniting a dormant dragon vein. Mist rolled across the lake, and spiritual essence was born. It was foreseeable that in the near future, more spiritual herbs and trees would sprout, drawing in spiritual birds and beasts. With the congregation of spiritual creatures, their essence would, in turn, enrich the land, creating an unending cycle of growth¡ªa place destined to become an immortal paradise. As the saying goes¡ªA mountain need not be high¡ªits renown comes from the presence of an immortal. A river need not be deep¡ªits sanctity comes from the presence of a dragon. Huang Fengwang felt a realization stir within him. ¡°The Dao of Heaven and Earth, the Dao of all beings, the Dao of nature¡­ Where is the Dao? The Dao lies beneath one¡¯s feet.¡± ¡°Heh! A good saying¡ªthe Dao lies beneath one¡¯s feet! Brother Huang, it¡¯s been a while, and you¡¯ve gained such fortune!¡± A familiar mischievous voice rang out. Huang Fengwang looked up and saw a cloud descending. It was none other than the Handsome Monkey King of Flower-Fruit Mountain¡ªSun Wukong! Sharp-faced, bareheaded, wearing a red tunic, a yellow sash around his waist, and black boots on his feet. Huang Fengwang smiled. ¡°Brother Monkey, it¡¯s been a long time. I hope you¡¯ve been well.¡± He made a quick mental calculation¡ªhe had left for over half a year. It seemed Sun Wukong had finally left the mountain after showing off his abilities. ¡°All is well, all is well!¡± Though Sun Wukong spoke cheerfully, his eyes carried a hint of loneliness, no doubt because he had been cast out of Fangcun Mountain, leaving him melancholic. ¡°Since Brother Monkey has come, let me treat you well. Drink wine, eat meat, and enjoy yourself with me!¡± ¡°Heh, good! Brother Huang, I appreciate it!¡± Sun Wukong did not hesitate. Huang Fengwang summoned his left chancellor to prepare spiritual fruits and fine wine, while the right general went hunting, and the golden carp sent over seafood. The officers, alongside the gathered demons, happily arranged tables, placing wooden plates, bowls, and chopsticks in order. The fox maidens from Hundred Fox Mountain led the female demons in cooking exquisite dishes, presenting a banquet of a hundred delicacies. A troupe of demons played flutes and drums, singing and dancing. The atmosphere was lively and grand. ¡°Brother Huang, your demons¡­ they are unlike ordinary ones! They know decorum, act with discipline¡ªthis is truly something remarkable!¡± Sun Wukong exclaimed, clicking his tongue in admiration. Huang Fengwang grinned. ¡°Demons are also sentient beings. They eat raw meat and drink blood only because they lack education.¡± Sun Wukong nodded. At Fangcun Mountain, he had seen his senior disciples¡ªsome of whom were demons¡ªyet they possessed refined speech and divine grace, superior even to many immortals. Conversely, in the mountains, unrefined demons were steeped in malice, filthy and repugnant¡ªpurely due to a lack of education and proper guidance. ¡°Brother Huang is truly remarkable.¡± ¡°I should learn from this. If I return to Flower-Fruit Mountain, I must teach my kin well. Perhaps some of them might even become immortal demons.¡± Sun Wukong was an exceptional learner. Observing keenly, he had realized from the very first meeting that Huang Fengwang was no ordinary demon. In truth, with his pride, few demons could even catch his attention, let alone be acknowledged as a brother. Huang Fengwang and Sun Wukong sat at the head of the banquet, chatting freely. The two demons were sharp-minded and understood each other well, refraining from calling each other ¡®senior¡¯ or ¡®junior¡¯, so as not to go against the instructions of Patriarch Bodhi before parting ways. Huang Fengwang took another look at Sun Wukong¡¯s stats¡ªthis time, they were no longer incomplete. [Race: Demon ¨C Innate Sacred Monkey].[Realm: Refining Spirit ¨C Taiyi Scattered Immortal].[Entries: Innate Divine Clarity (Five Colors), Golden Eyes (Gold), Heaven and Earth Transformation (Gold), Earthly Fiend Transformations (Gold), Heavenly Fortune (Gold), Somersault Cloud (Gold), Three Heads and Six Arms (Gold), Word of Command (Purple), Master of the Staff (Purple), External Incarnation (Purple) ¡­]. Good heavens! Monkey Bro¡¯s potential was absolutely insane! Unfortunately, an entry could only be plundered once per target. Huang Fengwang had tried multiple times¡ªonce he defeated someone, he could no longer plunder from them, just as if they were dead. Otherwise, he would have already grabbed Monkey Bro by the fur, plucking him bald until he had no path left to walk! For three days, Huang Fengwang and Sun Wukong feasted, drank, and played in the mountains, indulging in revelry. Then, on the third day, a report came from the rat general. ¡°My king, a Daoist has arrived outside. He calls himself the True Immortal of Ruyi and requests an audience.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Huang Fengwang was intrigued. True Immortal of Ruyi? He pondered¡ªwas this person mentioned in Journey to the West? Then, it hit him¡ªWasn¡¯t he the younger brother of the Bull Demon King? Sun Wukong stood up. ¡°Brother, since you have a guest, I won¡¯t intrude. I¡¯ll return to Flower-Fruit Mountain.¡± Huang Fengwang said, ¡°Brother Monkey, stay a few more days. Once I deal with this, we can drink again.¡± Sun Wukong waved his hand. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I saw how lively your domain is. I¡¯ve started missing my own monkeys and apes. I¡¯ll go back first. When I have time, I¡¯ll somersault ten thousand miles in an instant¡ªdrinking together won¡¯t be a problem.¡± Hearing this, Huang Fengwang had someone fetch a set of attire¡ªa tiger-skin hat, tiger-skin skirt, and tiger-skin boots for Sun Wukong. A true display of ferocity and vigor¡ªmighty as a dragon, fierce as a tiger! Sun Wukong strode outside, made a hand seal, flipped in midair, and vanished into the clouds in the blink of an eye. The rat general, the old black fox, and the other demon commanders were astounded. That monkey looked unassuming, but his abilities were immense. A Daoist watched the cloud-born figure disappear and grew curious. Before long, the camp gates opened, and a demon officer led him inside. As he walked through the stronghold, he was astonished by what he saw. On one side, an old fox led demons in morning studies, reading the Thousand Character Classic and reciting the Tao Te Ching. On the other side, a hundred demons chanted and marched in formation, all dressed uniformly, exuding an air of discipline. ¡°What a demon king! He understands education, military training, and strategy. He must have a powerful background! But whose disciple is he?¡± His eyes flickered with thoughts. The demons of the Southern Continent were indeed different¡ªfar superior to the ones in the Western Continent. He committed what he saw to memory, intending to report back to his elder brother. Upon entering the main hall, he saw a demon king seated on the throne. White fur, bright eyes, radiating divine clarity¡ªdressed in Daoist robes, exuding no trace of demonic aura, appearing as a true cultivator. The demon king spoke. ¡°Who goes there?¡± The Daoist bowed respectfully. ¡°Great King, I am from Xiniu Hezhou, of Chiyang Mountain¡¯s Jitu Manor, younger brother to the Bull Demon King, titled the True Immortal of Ruyi. I have come by my brother¡¯s decree to pay my respects.¡± Chiyang Mountain, Jitu Manor? Huang Fengwang was puzzled¡ªa completely unfamiliar name? Then he remembered¡ªthis was still over five hundred years before Journey to the West. It suddenly made sense. Chapter 26 - The Grateful City! Jade Spirit Pills, and the Curse of Immortality! Chapter 26 The Grateful City! Jade Spirit Pills, and the Curse of Immortality! Five hundred years¡ªa blink in eternity, yet enough to turn seas into mulberry fields. The demons that Sun Wukong would encounter in his journey to the West¡ªwhere were they now? Probably still hiding in some forgotten corner of the world. Take the old black fox, the rat general, and the other demon officers under Huang Fengwang, by the time of Journey to the West, they had vanished. It was no surprise. Without attaining immortality, they had no means of prolonging their existence. Some perished in tribulation lightning, failing to evade celestial disasters. Others fell to the Heavenly Court¡¯s demon purges, the exorcism campaigns of Daoist masters, or even the ruthless sweeps of Spirit Mountain. It was well known that every so often, the Heavenly Court, Spirit Mountain, and the Underworld would launch grand purges against demons and other lower beings. After all, the countless demons inhabiting the vast mountains were like weeds¡ªno matter how often they were cut down, they would sprout anew. If left unchecked, some would inevitably overreach, attempting to usurp the Dao of Heaven with their own petty paths. Besides, if there were no demon-hunting campaigns, how would the gods build their merit? Where would the materials for refining pills and magical artifacts come from? Wool must be sheared from sheep. The Four Great Continents were like fertile farmlands, cultivated in turns¡ªwas that not the most efficient system? Suppressing his thoughts, Huang Fengwang asked the Daoist Ruyi, ¡°What brings you here today?¡± Ruyi Daoist replied, ¡°I have come for two matters.¡± ¡°First, my elder brother saw from afar that a great demon had ascended to immortality. He sends a gift to congratulate you, Great King.¡± He presented a wooden box, inside which was a jade bottle filled with fragrant white pills. ¡°These are called Jade Spirit Pills. There are nine in total. Each pill extends one¡¯s lifespan by thirty years. I offer them to you, Great King, for a long and prosperous life!¡± Huang Fengwang was surprised¡ªthis was a truly generous gift. His time at Fangcun Mountain had broadened his knowledge. He was well aware that in the Journey to the West cosmos, the Three Realms were governed by strict rules. Under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Court and the Underworld, the lifespans of demons and cultivators were limited. When their time was up, whether they were mortals, demons, immortals, or even gods and Buddhas, they were required to enter the cycle of reincarnation. Those who refused would be dragged away by the underworld¡¯s ghostly soldiers. Take Sun Wukong, for instance. Had he not cultivated to immortality, his natural lifespan as a stone-born monkey would have been precisely 342 years before he would have died of old age. As for other demons? Even worse. Though there existed ways to evade the Underworld¡¯s grasp, none could escape the wrath of the Heavenly Court¡¯s armies. This was precisely why so many demon kings, upon hearing the legend that eating Tang Sanzang¡¯s flesh would grant eternal life, were willing to risk everything to capture him. Even certain immortals and gods, in order to extend their own lifespans, secretly allowed their mounts to descend into the mortal realm and wreak havoc, engaging in all manner of illicit schemes behind the scenes. Though immortals who reincarnated were given preferential treatment, who would willingly discard thousands of years of arduous cultivation in a single moment? To prevent these ancient beings from clinging to life endlessly, the Heavens decreed great calamities to purge the parasites feasting on the cosmic order. Thus, such calamities were known as the ¡®Curse of Immortality¡¯. Ruyi Daoist was unaware of Huang Fengwang¡¯s thoughts. Seeing his calm expression, he gained a newfound respect for him. Any other demon king would have been ecstatic at the mere thought of extending their life. He added, ¡°However, extending one¡¯s lifespan goes against the natural order, defying Heaven¡¯s will. Thus, only one pill may be consumed¡ªany more would be ineffective.¡± ¡°At best, additional doses can clear the mind, ward off evil, and expel maladies.¡± Huang Fengwang understood immediately. These pills were Ruyi Daoist¡¯s own creation. Since he and his elder brother, the Bull Demon King, had already consumed them, they no longer had any effect¡ªso why not use them to befriend other demon kings? The Bull Demon King was a well-known socialite among demons. By the time Journey to the West took place five hundred years later, his family would control a significant portion of Xiniu Hezhou¡ªoccupying four of the eighty-one tribulations of the pilgrimage. Truly, a household of loyal troublemakers. ¡°Very well. I shall accept this gift.¡± Huang Fengwang did not refuse. He calculated his own lifespan¡ªhe was merely fifty years old, far from the end of his years. However, his elder demons under his command could certainly use these pills to extend their lives. Ruyi Daoist continued, ¡°Secondly, in one year¡¯s time, during the Ghost Festival, my elder brother will be celebrating his thousandth birthday. He formally invites you to the banquet.¡± He presented a finely written invitation, detailing the date and location. One does not refuse gifts from another. Huang Fengwang accepted the invitation, saying, ¡°Very well. Inform your elder brother that I shall attend in one year¡¯s time. But since you have traveled far, allow me to host you for a meal before you depart.¡± He wanted to ask about the Bull Demon King¡¯s current circumstances. Ruyi Daoist also had his own questions and gladly agreed. Half a day later, he departed on a gust of wind. Huang Fengwang summoned his seven demon generals and bestowed each of them a Jade Spirit Pill. ¡°Thirty years of additional life?¡± The old black fox was overjoyed and bowed deeply. ¡°Thank you, Great King!¡± He had already lived for a thousand years and had little time left. To gain thirty more years¡ªa greater chance to achieve immortality¡ªhow could he not be ecstatic? The six other demon generals were equally thrilled. They swallowed their pills on the spot, feeling pure energy infused in their bodies. Their lifespans extended, and they bowed again, unable to contain their joy. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old black fox¡¯s eyes gleamed with thought. He stepped forward and said, ¡°Great King, I have a proposal.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± Huang Fengwang regarded him. The old black fox, also known as Linghu Zihei, had once studied in the Eastern Lands as a scholar. He said, ¡°Great King, now that you have ascended to immortality, it is certain that more celestial and Daoist friends will visit in the future. While our current encampment is suitable, it is rather lacking in grandeur.¡± ¡°Why not construct a proper palace and immortal pavilion in the mountains to reflect your newfound status?¡± Huang Fengwang stroked his whiskers. . ¡°I have considered this. However, among our ranks, there are no skilled craftsmen.¡± The old black fox grinned. ¡°Great King, near my Hundred Fox Mountain, there is a town inhabited by refugees from the fallen Liusha Kingdom. Among them are many skilled artisans.¡± ¡°I once heard them say that before the disaster, a divine rat appeared in their dreams, warning them to flee. Great King¡­ could that have been you?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± A divine rat in their dreams? Wasn¡¯t that him? Huang Fengwang felt gratified. ¡°So some of them survived. My efforts were not in vain.¡± The old black fox said, ¡°Indeed, Great King. The people of that city are deeply grateful to you!¡± ¡°Good deeds yield good rewards. You saved them in their time of need¡ªnow, when we require skilled hands, why not recruit them?¡± Huang Fengwang fell into contemplation. Huangfeng Ridge was a crucial point on the journey to the West. Spirit Mountain must have had its reasons for placing it here. Besides, this was his home. No matter how powerful he became, this would remain his Daoist stronghold¡ªit was worth developing properly. He instructed the old black fox, ¡°You are the most learned among us. The task of planning and constructing our immortal halls falls to you.¡± ¡°Remember: build in harmony with the mountain¡¯s natural terrain. Do not disturb the feng shui or ley lines. I shall personally oversee this matter.¡± ¡°Furthermore, recruit artisans willingly¡ªthere shall be no forced labor or abductions.¡± The old black fox happily agreed. ¡°Rest assured, Great King. Such base tactics are beneath me.¡± Some of the more violent demons, who had indeed abducted humans before, shifted uncomfortably. Others, who had refrained, nodded smugly in approval. Huang Fengwang simply observed. The old black fox added, ¡°Great King, humans may be short-lived, but they possess great intelligence and adaptability. If nurtured properly¡­ they will prove invaluable.¡± Chapter 27 - Forging Divine Arrows, and Refining the Ruyi Spirit Weapon! Chapter 27 The Art of Herding Humans and Demons, Forging Divine Arrows, and Refining the Ruyi Spirit Weapon! Huang Fengwang¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°Herding humans?¡± The old black fox nodded. ¡°Indeed! Herding humans!¡± ¡°In my travels across the Eastern Lands, I encountered an official title¡ªGovernor (Zh¨­um¨´). A governor oversees an entire province, and why is the title ¡®ÄÁ¡¯ (m¨´, herding) used? Because governing people is like herding cattle and sheep!¡± ¡°If humans can herd humans, why can¡¯t we?¡± ¡°These humans are skilled in reproduction, multiply quickly, and can mine, forge, weave, farm, cook, and build.¡± ¡°If we simply restrain our demons from harming or eating them, and provide them with food, clothing, and wealth, plenty of humans will gladly work for us.¡± ¡°And if you, Great King, ensure them good harvests and peace, they will revere you as their deity, offering incense and worship.¡± ¡°This is even an act of merit¡ªwhy not?¡± Huang Fengwang squinted at the old black fox. This old schemer¡ªhe¡¯s got the mind of a capitalist already! The rat general, golden lion, and other demon officers instinctively stepped away from him. They plundered and robbed on impulse, but the old black fox? He schemed from the cradle to the grave, calculating generations ahead. The old fox chuckled. ¡°Great King, my idea is but a small matter. The greater truth lies in the endless cycle of reincarnation.¡± He pointed towards the sky. Huang Fengwang¡¯s expression stiffened. He sat upright and sternly reprimanded, ¡°Three feet above one¡¯s head, the gods watch. Do not speak recklessly!¡± The old black fox bowed. ¡°This humble one has spoken out of turn, Great King!¡± ¡°Leave now.¡± After the fox and the other demons departed, Huang Fengwang¡¯s eyes gleamed. The old black fox¡¯s words had sparked a new train of thought. The Heavenly Court maintained order in the Three Realms not only to preserve cosmic stability but also to secure its rule. It controlled immortality through peaches of longevity. It monopolized tribulation survival techniques like lightning, fire, and water arts¡ªthe ¡®core technologies¡¯ that choked off others¡¯ paths to transcendence. And it limited the number of immortals through laws and reincarnation cycles. It was a flawless system. No wonder demons fought tooth and nail to get into the Heavenly Court, the Underworld, or at least become mountain or river gods. ¡°Ah¡­ bureaucracy is truly sweet.¡± A bold idea sprouted in Huang Fengwang¡¯s mind. Huangfeng Ridge spans 800 miles¡ªif properly managed, it could become something much greater. ¡°I must wait.¡± ¡°When Brother Monkey causes havoc in Heaven, I¡¯ll seize the chance to secure a post in the Celestial Bureaucracy. With official status, I can operate freely.¡± ¡°Otherwise, without legitimacy, I¡¯d just be labeled a traitor.¡± ¡°For now, strengthening myself comes first.¡± Huang Fengwang knew that power was the foundation of all ambitions. ¡°Fortify the walls, stockpile provisions!¡± He bathed in moonlight, practiced his arts, and then retreated to the mountains to light a furnace. He used the tendons of the Thunder Toad to forge a bowstring. He smelted Ruyi Iron (a mystical metal that could morph at will) with a strange stone from the Thunder Toad¡¯s stomach acid to forge a long spear. Ruyi Iron was a spiritual material capable of crafting divine weapons akin to the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Monkey King¡¯s Staff). Huang Fengwang attempted to forge Five Element Arrows. Unfortunately, such arrows required a Gold Core with five elemental patterns and proficiency in Five Elemental Arts. Too difficult. He abandoned the idea and instead refined the Thunder Toad¡¯s stomach pouch into a Qiankun Bag (a storage pouch). He needed help. So he called upon the Six-Tusked Elephant, the Iron-Eating Bear and the Golden Lion. These three possessed innate Blacksmith Physiques. 49 days later, a Ruyi Divine Spear was born! Length: 15 feet Weight: 10,800 catties Size: Can change at will It contained five enchantments. Enhancement ¨C Boosts power Sharpness ¨C Enhances cutting ability Durability ¨C Strengthens resilience Anti-Magic ¨C Counters formations, spells, and barriers Soul-Piercing ¨C Directly damages an opponent¡¯s soul The last two were learned from his Fangcun Mountain brothers. His Lightning Wood Bow was now strung with Thunder Toad tendon. When he drew the bowstring, lightning surged forth! No arrows needed. With his [Lightning Veins], he could channel demonic power into the bow to fire pure lightning arrows. Regular arrows could also be imbued with electricity, increasing their lethality. Fully armed, Huang Fengwang descends the Mountain. The old black fox had already recruited master craftsmen under the protection of the rat general.vThey roamed the mountains, mapping the terrain and designing blueprints. The entire Wuzhen Mountain bustled with activity. ________ The lake¡¯s surface churned. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A childish voice rang out. ¡°Big Rat! Come here!¡± Huang Fengwang turned towards the Moon-Devouring Lake. A column of water rose, revealing a golden carp¡ªexcept it had already gained a human voice. Though still in fish form, it had clearly undergone a transformation. He examined it. [Race: Carp Dragon (Golden Dragon ¨C 40%)][Realm: Qi Refinement ¨C Shapeshifting][Traits:] True Dragon Bloodline (Gold) Nine Transformations of the True Dragon (Purple) Dragon¡¯s Might (Red) Vein Gathering (Red) Dragon Fortune (Blue) Water Mastery (Red) Wave Surge (Red) Current Riding (Blue) Water Shield (Blue) A True Dragon bloodline? Even a lowly Golden Core demon would be no match for this creature. Huang Fengwang resisted the urge to plunder its traits. Better to wait¡ªgrow the fish into a real dragon, then take the best possible trait. He knocked on its head. ¡°What ¡®Big Rat¡¯? Call me ¡®Great King!¡¯¡± The carp dragon dodged, flicking its tail and splashing water in his face. It made a silly face. A mischievous brat. Huang Fengwang laughed. ¡°What do you want?¡± The carp dragon grinned. ¡°Are you building a palace?¡± ¡°More or less. What of it?¡± ¡°Are you building an underwater Dragon Palace?¡± ¡°Too difficult.¡± The carp dragon puffed up proudly. ¡°I already have one!¡± With a flick of its fin, it cast a water veil, revealing an extravagant underwater palace! Golden towers, shimmering pearls, lobster guards, turtle generals, and fish servants patrolling. Huang Fengwang was stunned. ¡°Where did you get a Dragon Palace!?¡± The carp dragon blinked. ¡°Did you forget? The bamboo basket you carried me in was actually my spiritual treasure¡ªRuyi Basket!¡± ¡°¡­¡± Huang Fengwang stared at the fish. So it was never just a simple carp¡­ Suddenly, a thought struck him. The Thunder Toad had mysteriously appeared in the lake seven or eight years ago¡ªright after he left for Fangcun Mountain. Too coincidental. Has someone from Fangcun Mountain secretly investigated Huangfeng Ridge? Was the Thunder Toad meant to test him? Had the mountain deity been involved? Or had Patriarch Bodhi himself placed a hidden wager on him? Chapter 28 - Chapter 28 The West Sea Dragon Princess and Monkey Brother: ¡°Old Sun Has Come to Borrow Weapons!¡± While the Yellow Wind King was pondering, the little carp, full of innocence, spoke up, ¡°Old Yellow, if you want to build a palace, why don¡¯t you ask ¡®Ghost Axe and Divine Chisel¡¯ for help?¡± ¡°Ghost Axe and Divine Chisel? Can¡¯t afford them.¡± The Yellow Wind King rolled his eyes. Ghost Axe and Divine Chisel were two celestial deities in the Heavenly Court, leading a team of craftsmen responsible for constructing celestial palaces and temples. If the Jade Emperor issued a decree, the materials and costs would be covered by the treasury. For example, when Sun Wukong was granted the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven, his mansion in the celestial realm was built by them. However, if a deity wanted to hire them privately, they would not only need to provide materials and cover the costs but also offer a substantial amount of merit and incense offerings. Ever heard the saying, ¡°It¡¯s easy to invite a god, but hard to send one away?¡± If you refuse to be reasonable, let me remind you¡ªour craftsmen also know how to use hammers! Big hammers weigh eighty, small ones forty! Moreover, the Ghost Axe and Divine Chisel division also forged weapons, armor, and military supplies for the celestial soldiers. They were the ultimate logistics overlords. Even the mighty Thunder Division had to show them respect¡ªoffending the logistics team was never a wise move. If trouble arose, a single word from them could summon reinforcements from the Thunder Division, Fire Division, and others, ready to punish the disrespectful. The little carp, unconcerned, said, ¡°It¡¯s just money, right? I have plenty!¡± The Yellow Wind King was stunned. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about ordinary gold and silver. I mean spiritual treasures, merit coins, and incense offerings.¡± The bronze coin that Bai Huizi had given him before leaving was a merit coin¡ªit could dispel disasters and even summon deities. The little carp asked, ¡°Do pearls and corals count? My family has lots of those!¡± Wait a moment! The Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes shifted. ¡°Are you talking about your old home or your new one?¡± ¡°My old home, of course! The new one was just set up. I searched the lake, but there wasn¡¯t anything valuable.¡± ¡°Where exactly is your old home?¡± Just as the little carp was about to answer, its eyes flickered, and it crossed its fins over its waist. ¡°Ha! You¡¯re trying to trick me into telling you! Not a chance!¡± With a flick of its tail, it splashed water and swam away. ¡°It¡¯s either the East Sea or the West Sea. Since Mount Fangcun is close to the West Sea, the latter seems more likely.¡± The Yellow Wind King speculated. The one behind the Thunder Frog incident was most likely connected to the little carp. In reality, they weren¡¯t investing in him¡ªthey were investing in the little carp. He was just along for the ride. ¡°Could she be the Dragon Princess of the West Sea?¡± ¡°A dragon palace overflowing with treasures¡ªtruly a rich family! I¡¯ve latched onto a little tycoon!¡± That being said, the Yellow Wind King had no intention of taking money from a dragon king. After all, dragon wealth came with strings attached, and karma was not something to take lightly. Not that he feared karma¡ªhe simply had a different plan in mind. A connection with the Dragon King should be used wisely for maximum benefit. ¡°Besides, I can use this construction project to foster relations between humans and demons, laying the foundation for managing Yellow Wind Ridge.¡± ¡°Since ancient times, infrastructure projects have always spurred development. Whether for humans or demons, it¡¯s the same principle.¡± As he contemplated, the Yellow Wind King sensed something. Looking up, he saw a cloud descending from the sky. At about thirty zhang (100 feet) above the ground, a monkey flipped down from it. ¡°Monkey Brother!¡± Sun Wukong grinned as he approached. ¡°Good brother, Old Sun has come to bother you!¡± ¡°Monkey Brother, what are you saying? We¡¯re sworn brothers¡ªthere¡¯s no such thing as bothering! But why are you calling yourself ¡®Old Sun¡¯ now?¡± Sun Wukong chuckled. ¡°You don¡¯t know this, brother. I returned to Flower Fruit Mountain and defeated a demon that was bullying my little ones. My children call themselves ¡®Big Grandson,¡¯ ¡®Second Grandson,¡¯ and so on. Since they¡¯re my descendants, I figured calling myself ¡®Old Sun¡¯ makes me seem more respectable.¡± Perhaps due to his short stature, Sun Wukong was particularly obsessed with the idea of being ¡®big¡¯. The Yellow Wind King could tell that Sun Wukong wasn¡¯t one to hide his thoughts. He smiled and asked, ¡°Monkey Brother, you must have a reason for coming here?¡± Sun Wukong grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve been training my children on Flower Fruit Mountain, using bamboo spears and wooden swords. We¡¯re starting to look like an army.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m worried that the human kings or the lords of the birds and beasts might misunderstand, thinking we¡¯re raising an army against them. If they gather troops to attack us¡­¡± ¡°Right now, we¡¯re only armed with bamboo and wood¡ªhow can we fight them? We need sharp swords and real weapons! I remembered that you can forge weapons, so I came to ask for some.¡± In the original story, Sun Wukong did indeed seek weapons twice. The first time, he went to the Kingdom of Ao Lai. Originally, the old monkeys suggested buying or forging weapons, but instead, Sun Wukong summoned a gust of wind and looted the kingdom¡¯s armory. Since the Ao Lai Kingdom was a nation of mortals, they had no way to seek help from the heavens or the underworld. They could only cry in frustration. (Ao Lai Kingdom¡¯s King: ¡°Damn that Flower Fruit Mountain monkey!¡±) The second time, Sun Wukong visited the East Sea Dragon Palace. There, he took the Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden-Hooped Staff) and even demanded the Dragon Kings provide him with armor. He didn¡¯t just borrow¡ªhe took everything! The Four Sea Dragon Kings were furious. Unlike mortal kings, they had access to the Heavenly Court. As soon as Sun Wukong left, they filed an official complaint to the Jade Emperor, demanding action. Coupled with the fact that Sun Wukong had earlier stormed the underworld to erase his name from the Book of Life and Death, the matter finally caught the attention of the Heavenly Court. During a celestial court session, the Jade Emperor surprisingly agreed with Taibai Jinxing¡¯s suggestion¡ªnot only did he not send troops, but he also decided to recruit Sun Wukong into the Heavenly Court. Later, many gods and demons criticized this decision, and Sun Wukong himself despised his resulting title¡ªBimawen (Keeper of the Heavenly Horses). The Yellow Wind King had a thought. Instead of asking the Four Monkeys of Chaos or raiding the Ao Lai Kingdom, Sun Wukong had come directly to him? He smiled and asked, ¡°How many weapons does Monkey Brother need?¡± Sun Wukong replied, ¡°About ten thousand ordinary weapons.¡± Then he grinned. ¡°If you have any extra enchanted weapons or spiritual arms, throw in a few¡ªI still don¡¯t have a suitable weapon for myself.¡± Uh-oh! The monkey was making a bold request! The Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°Monkey Brother, ordinary weapons are easy to forge, but enchanted weapons and spiritual arms are rare.¡± ¡°Besides, I have two conditions.¡± ¡°First, you have to help me forge the weapons.¡± ¡°Second, I need to visit Flower Fruit Mountain to pick out something valuable to offset the cost of the weapons.¡± ¡°We¡¯re sworn brothers, but we should settle accounts clearly to avoid future disputes.¡± Sun Wukong had lived with the Yellow Wind King for ten years and knew his personality well. Laughing, he said, ¡°Alright, alright! I agree!¡± The Yellow Wind King chuckled. ¡°Monkey Brother, it¡¯s not that I¡¯m stingy.¡± ¡°The iron ore for forging weapons comes from the mines in Thousand Cavern Mountain, controlled by my subordinate, the Great Mouse General. It doesn¡¯t belong to me alone.¡± S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°I need to compensate him and the mining demons properly¡ªwe can¡¯t have them working for free, can we?¡± Sun Wukong nodded. ¡°That makes sense. People and demons alike are driven by profit. If you offer them something in return, they¡¯ll work harder.¡± Chapter 29 - Arriving at Flower Fruit Mountain, a Land Filled with Treasures! Chapter 29 Monkey Brother Forges Weapons! Arriving at Flower Fruit Mountain, a Land Filled with Treasures! Sun Wukong pondered. The principles of rewarding and punishing subordinates, as mentioned by the Yellow Wind King, had been brought up by his master, Patriarch Bodhi. However, back then, he had only been interested in immortality and hadn¡¯t paid much attention. Now that he led a tribe of demons, he occasionally faced management issues, making him reflect on these principles. After thinking for a while, he tossed the thoughts aside, unwilling to dwell on them. By nature, Sun Wukong was free-spirited and undisciplined. He disliked being controlled by others and had no interest in controlling others himself. The Yellow Wind King summoned the Great Mouse General and arranged for Sun Wukong, the Six-Tusked Elephant, and the Golden Lion, along with a hundred demon warriors, to head to Thousand Cavern Mountain. Thousand Cavern Mountain lived up to its name. From a distance, it appeared dark and barren, with only a few stunted trees growing sparsely. This was because the mountain was rich in iron, copper, tin, and other metals. The overwhelming presence of metallic energy made it unappealing to ordinary creatures and demons. Only the Great Mouse General and his clan thrived here, gnawing on iron and stone to sharpen their teeth. Over time, they had burrowed countless holes into the iron mountain. They frequently excavated iron ore and transported it to the Kingdom of Flowing Sands and nearby cities to trade for food, clothing, and weapons. A thousand catties of iron would only fetch a hundred or so catties of grain, a few weapons, and some garments¡ªclearly a bad deal. But that was how the market worked. The value of an item wasn¡¯t just about its worth¡ªit depended on whether people were willing to buy it. The Yellow Wind King instructed the Great Mouse General to gather his mouse demons and observe the process of smelting iron, forging steel, and crafting weapons. This would prevent them from sitting on a mountain of treasures while going hungry. A well-forged sword or blade would surely sell better than raw iron ore. The Yellow Wind King shared his knowledge freely. Any interested demon was welcome to learn. Whoever worked the fastest and produced the finest weapons would even receive rewards. Right now, collecting blue and white stat entries was too easy for him. He could defeat entire groups of major and minor demons with ease. He distributed the surplus blue and white stat entries among his followers, helping them grow, which made him widely respected. By doing so. He maximized resources, cultivating a workforce of demon artisans. He reinforced his rule by maintaining a clear system of rewards and punishments. He strengthened his army. He enhanced his control over his subordinates. A single move, multiple benefits. In Thousand Cavern Mountain, the demons worked together. The furnace roared. Some mined, some stoked the fire, others hammered, and some shaped molds. The Yellow Wind King and Sun Wukong infused magic into the weapons they forged. In just a few days, over ten thousand weapons¡ªswords, spears, sabers, halberds, axes, and other arms¡ªwere crafted, all neatly arranged. The Yellow Wind King also personally forged a dozen magical weapons and handed them to Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong was overjoyed. ¡°Good brother, Old Sun thanks you! If you ever need my help, just call, and I will surely come!¡± Need help? What trouble could possibly be greater than Old Sun¡¯s own affairs? The Yellow Wind King merely smiled. Sun Wukong scratched his cheek. ¡°How many weapons can I carry at once? I should use my clone technique to transport them!¡± With that, he plucked a handful of his fur, chewed it into pulp, and spat it out while chanting a spell. ¡°Transform!¡± With a breath, his hairs changed, falling to the ground and turning into hundreds of small monkeys. The Great Mouse General and the other demons were stunned. They all thought, No wonder our king values this monkey so highly¡ªhe truly possesses divine abilities. The little monkeys swarmed around, carrying the weapons. The strong ones took five or seven each, while the weaker ones carried two or three. In no time, everything was cleared away. Seeing all the weapons taken, Sun Wukong asked, ¡°Good brother, will you come back to Flower Fruit Mountain with me now, or will you visit later?¡± The Yellow Wind King chuckled. ¡°Since I have the chance, I¡¯d like to test Monkey Brother¡¯s Somersault Cloud and see its legendary speed. Let me give my final instructions to my men first.¡± Since Sun Wukong had taken the weapons, his next steps would likely be storming the Dragon Palace and the Underworld. The Yellow Wind King didn¡¯t want to miss out on the action. Sun Wukong laughed. ¡°Alright, alright!¡± The Yellow Wind King turned and gave orders. While he was away, things were to continue as usual. No one was to act recklessly. If any major issues arose, the Seven Demon Generals were to discuss them, with the Old Black Fox making the final decision. The demons all acknowledged his orders. By now, the Yellow Wind King had firmly established his authority. No major trouble was expected. And if any did arise, it was better to deal with it now¡ªafter all, they were still in the early stages of building their power. Sun Wukong stepped onto a cloud and used his magic to summon a great gust of wind, carrying the Yellow Wind King and the monkey clones across countless mountains and rivers. The Somersault Cloud was incredibly fast. In just over half an hour, they spotted an island rising from the middle of a vast sea. It stood tall over the waves, commanding the surrounding waters like a pillar of heaven¡ªunshakable through endless eons. It was none other than Flower Fruit Mountain! Sun Wukong descended, landing within the mountain. The monkey tribes, startled by their arrival, scattered in fear. Sun Wukong quickly summoned them back and explained the situation. Upon hearing that their king had such a powerful friend, the monkeys were amazed and thanked the Yellow Wind King profusely. Once done, they eagerly grabbed the weapons, wrestling over swords, spears, axes, bows, and crossbows, chattering and playing excitedly. Meanwhile, Sun Wukong and the Yellow Wind King retreated into Water Curtain Cave to drink. Grinning, Sun Wukong asked, ¡°Good brother, is there anything here that catches your eye? Anything valuable?¡± The Yellow Wind King replied, ¡°This place is filled with spiritual energy¡ªit¡¯s truly a land of immortals. Let me take a closer look later.¡± Sun Wukong laughed. ¡°No rush! Take your time, but first, drink! Drink!¡± The next day, Sun Wukong gathered his monkey army¡ª47,000 in total. He arranged them into ranks, set up camps, and trained them in formation drills with their new weapons. Their movements soon alarmed the neighboring demons. From the seventy-two nearby caves, various demon kings came to pay homage, acknowledging Sun Wukong as their leader. Every year, they would now offer tributes and report in at set times. Some prepared to support in battle, others collected supplies, while still others brought drums, banners, and armor to train their troops. As for the Yellow Wind King, he was led by two old monkeys to explore the mountain. His keen sense for lunar and metallic energies, coupled with his ability to perceive auras, quickly led him to a jade mine. This was no ordinary mine¡ªit had absorbed the spiritual essence of Flower Fruit Mountain and the celestial radiance of the sun and moon. The jade here glowed with a soft luster, its energy restrained yet potent. This one mine alone could be traded for 70,000 to 80,000 weapons! And yet, in Flower Fruit Mountain, it was merely mid-tier. This was the ancestral land of the Ten Continents and the source of the Three Islands¡¯ veins¡ªnot an exaggeration. Despite its modest size, it nurtured hundreds of times more demon spirits than Yellow Wind Ridge and housed seventy-two demon kings. Marking the jade mine, the Yellow Wind King continued exploring. Who knew what other treasures awaited? S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And sure enough, they were everywhere. Ancient trees, scorched black yet sprouting new buds, revealed themselves as divine thunderwood, struck by lightning three times. A single vine, rooted in a cliff, bore five leaves imbued with the Five Elements¡¯ essence, nourishing the body when consumed. A thousand-year-old ginseng spirit, fully humanoid, burrowed underground, evading even the nimblest monkeys. A giant moonstone, luminous and pure, perfect for absorbing lunar energy¡ªfar superior to the one he had previously obtained. Not to mention spiritual beasts like five-colored deer, white jade elephants, qilins, azure phoenixes, and black cranes. The Yellow Wind King was overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of treasures. Chapter 30 - Opening a Dungeon, Farming Stat Entries! Chapter 30 Seventy-Two Demon Kings of Flower Fruit Mountain? Opening a Dungeon, Farming Stat Entries! So many good things, all of them treasures¡­ The Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes widened. The spiritual aura of Flower Fruit Mountain was no less than that of Mount Fangcun. It was truly an immortal land. Yet, for such a celestial paradise, why had no immortal sects claimed it? Was it because of the numerous demons and spirit beasts guarding it, or was there another reason? He pondered for a moment. Inside the Water Curtain Cave, there were stone pots and bowls¡ªclear signs that an immortal had once lived here. Who could it have been? Returning to the Water Curtain Cave, the Yellow Wind King made a proposal to Sun Wukong. ¡°Monkey Brother, I see that many of your monkey troops and mountain demons are still using bamboo spears and wooden swords. This mountain has copper, iron, gold, and tin. I¡¯d like to set up a forge and trade weapons for some spiritual treasures.¡± Sun Wukong¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Good, good! Brother, go ahead and forge! While you¡¯re at it, why don¡¯t you train my monkeys? That way, if their weapons break in the future, they can repair them themselves instead of troubling you again. What do you think?¡± Forging ordinary weapons was just basic craftsmanship, far from the true secrets of artifact refinement. The Yellow Wind King readily agreed to Sun Wukong¡¯s condition. Sun Wukong then summoned two Red-Bottomed Horse Monkeys and some clever young monkeys, sending them to follow the Yellow Wind King in mining, building a forge, and smelting iron. Hearing of this, the seventy-two demon kings of Flower Fruit Mountain came to see for themselves. Upon witnessing the Yellow Wind King¡¯s skilled craftsmanship, they each requested a custom weapon. Demon kings naturally sought enchanted weapons rather than ordinary steel. They weren¡¯t lacking in materials¡ªbe it their own bones, rare minerals from the mountains, or treasures from the ocean, they all possessed valuable spiritual resources. What they lacked was a master craftsman who could refine these raw materials into legendary weapons. The Yellow Wind King, on the other hand, saw their stats and materials¡ªand his eyes gleamed. [Species: Demon ¨C Moon Wolf (80%)].[Cultivation: Nascent Soul ¨C Seeking the Dao].[Traits: Lunar Spirit (Purple), Netherwalker (Purple), Swift Step (Purple)¡­][Species: Demon ¨C Qilin (65%)].[Cultivation: Refined Spirit ¨C Taiyi Scattered Immortal].[Traits: True Qilin Blood (Gold), Earth Affinity (Gold), Beast Commander (Purple)¡­].[Species: Demon ¨C Azure Luan (75%)].[Cultivation: Nascent Soul ¨C Seeking the Dao].[Traits: Azure Luan Bloodline (Gold), Fire Breath (Purple), Beast Tamer (Purple)¡­]. ¡°Good, good, this is excellent!¡± ¡°Every single one of them has an impressive background!¡± The seventy-two demon kings of Flower Fruit Mountain¡ªmost were powerful demon generals, but some had already ascended to demon immortals. More surprisingly, their bloodlines were highly refined, and most possessed one of the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations. It made sense¡ªsuch a rich spiritual land needed to be this formidable to withstand the Heavenly Court¡¯s suppression. Taking this opportunity, the Yellow Wind King devised a plan. ¡°Why not treat Flower Fruit Mountain like a dungeon, farm stat entries, and complete my collection of Earthly Transformations?¡± With a gleam in his eye, he turned to Sun Wukong and the demon kings, proposing two conditions for his forging services. Three Sets of Materials Required. Forging wasn¡¯t without risk, it wasn¡¯t guaranteed to succeed. Extra materials ensured success. And why exactly three sets? Because blacksmiths deserved a commission¡ªthe Yellow Wind King wasn¡¯t about to work for free. Even cattle and horses got wages! Of course, those who lacked extra materials could trade other spiritual treasures. Everything was negotiable. One Duel Before Forging. Each demon seeking a weapon had to spar with the Yellow Wind King¡ªvictory or defeat didn¡¯t matter, only experience. His reasoning? ¡°Only through combat can I understand your fighting style and create a truly suitable weapon for you.¡± This made perfect sense! The demon kings praised his generosity¡ªmost of them wielded stolen weapons, ill-fitted for their unique styles. A personalized enchanted weapon would instantly boost their combat strength by at least 10¨C20%. And as for these two conditions¡ªwere they difficult? Not at all! The demon kings agreed with excitement. ¡°Who goes first?¡± ¡°I will!¡± A mighty lion demon stepped forward. It wielded a massive cleaver, its golden fur shimmering, fangs bared, eyes blazing with golden light. [Species: Demon ¨C Nine-Headed Spirit Lion (50%)].[Cultivation: Refined Spirit ¨C Taiyi Scattered Immortal].[Traits: Sacred Nine-Lion Blood (Gold), Mountain Mover (Purple), Lion¡¯s Roar (Purple), Piercing Void Eyes (Purple)¡­]. This lion ranked among the top ten of the seventy-two demon kings! ¡°I seek guidance!¡± ¡°Good!¡± The Yellow Wind King gripped his Ruyi Divine Spear and stepped forward. Sun Wukong and the other demon kings gathered to watch. The surrounding demons shouted and cheered, waving banners in excitement. After thirty rounds, with a sudden surge of force, the Yellow Wind King swept his spear sideways, disarming the Lion King and sending its cleaver flying. [You have defeated Demon ¨C Nine-Headed Spirit Lion. You have randomly acquired the stat entry: Piercing Void Eyes (Purple). Fuse?].[Piercing Void Eyes (Purple): See through illusions, discern good from evil, perceive truth, and has a chance to break through barriers and enchantments.]. A vision-based ability! The Yellow Wind King was thrilled¡ªhe had envied Sun Wukong¡¯s Fiery Golden Eyes for a long time. ¡°Fuse!¡± A cool energy seeped into his eyes, transforming his pupils into a silver-gold hue. Scanning the area, he suddenly saw through the hidden thoughts of several demon kings¡ªa few of them weren¡¯t truly loyal to Sun Wukong. They obeyed only because they feared his strength. ¡°Hah¡­¡± The Yellow Wind King smirked inwardly. Sun Wukong also had Golden Eyes¡ªhe must have already noticed this hidden discontent. No wonder, after the Heavenly Court¡¯s crusade, Erlang Shen exterminated or captured most of the seventy-two demon kings, yet Sun Wukong bore no resentment toward him. Sun Wukong had likely known from the start that these demons weren¡¯t truly his allies. Moreover, Erlang Shen spared the monkeys of Flower Fruit Mountain¡ªwhat seemed like a battle was actually a favor in disguise. This was no simple ¡®fight between immortals¡¯¡ªit was political maneuvering, unseen beneath the surface. Thinking back, when he first met Sun Wukong, he had only won because of alcohol and mist techniques. In hindsight, Sun Wukong had deliberately held back. Perhaps, sensing no hostility from him, Sun Wukong had decided to test him instead. With newfound clarity, the Yellow Wind King kept his thoughts hidden. Thus began his grinding session¡ªa daily cycle of fighting demon kings and forging weapons. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For each demon king, he crafted weapons using their shed materials, along with additional elements suited to their styles. From swords to axes, spears to bows, the Yellow Wind King crafted everything. Seeing their comrades¡¯ combat prowess rise dramatically with new weapons, the other demon kings rushed to spar with him. Each day, he gained two to three stat entries¡ªsome great, some average, in colors ranging from white to purple to gold. He soon discovered he could store unused stat entries for up to a year and even transfer them to others. However, he chose not to reveal this ability in Flower Fruit Mountain. This place was different from Yellow Wind Ridge¡ªtoo many powerful beings were watching Sun Wukong. Chapter 31 - Upgrade—Di Sha Transformation (Gold)! Taiyi Profound Immortal Realm! Chapter 31 Upgrade¡ªDi Sha Transformation (Gold)! Taiyi Profound Immortal Realm! Five months passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, Yellow Wind King defeated a great demon who possessed the Di Sha Transformation trait and seized its final Di Sha Transformation trait. [Your Di Sha Transformation trait is complete. Do you want to fuse and upgrade it?]. ¡°Upgrade!¡± [Di Sha Transformation completed. You have acquired the trait: Di Sha Transformation (Gold)!].[Di Sha Transformation (Gold): Evade the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations, gather the Yin-Yang Five Elements of Heaven and Earth, and transform all living beings and objects at will with a single thought.]. Yellow Wind King¡¯s body radiated divine brilliance. A vast amount of spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged toward him, forming a towering vortex that reached the sky. A colossal phantom of the Moon-Devouring Demon Rat stood like a mountain, exuding an aura of ancient wilderness. ¡°Eh?¡± Inside the Water Curtain Cave, Sun Wukong and the demon kings emerged, gazing at the rat-headed, demonic-bodied deity in shock. ¡°Good brother, you have also mastered the Di Sha Transformation!¡± Sun Wukong was delighted and thought to himself, . The demon kings were in awe and admiration. ¡°King Yellow Wind has profound cultivation! What an incredible divine power!¡± Mastering the Di Sha Transformation, Yellow Wind King¡¯s demonic god phantom became more solid. If fully materialized, it would be a Dharma-Body Transformation divine ability. His cultivation realm also underwent a transformation, ascending from Taiyi Loose Immortal to Taiyi Profound Immortal¡ªProfound beyond profound, wondrous beyond words! Yellow Wind King inhaled deeply, and spiritual energy from all directions surged into him. He exhaled, and a turbulent gust swept across a hundred miles, stirring winds, clouds, and thunder. This breath alone shocked heaven and earth, made ghosts and gods weep, and caused ocean waves to tremble. Not far from Flower Fruit Mountain, the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace felt the greatest impact. Inside the Dragon Palace, the Dragon King, Dragon Princess, and all shrimp soldiers and crab generals swayed uncontrollably as the ocean waves oscillated violently. The Dragon King clutched his throne and shouted, ¡°What is happening? Who dares to disturb the sea?¡± ¡°Report!¡± A heavily armored general rushed in and bowed. ¡°A demon king in Flower Fruit Mountain of Ao Lai Kingdom has broken through his realm and is displaying his divine powers.¡± The Dragon King was stunned. He stroked his beard and sat back down, sighing. ¡°Since it is a demon king from Flower Fruit Mountain¡­ forget it.¡± ¡°Father! That demon king is too arrogant! Why not send troops to punish him?¡± A dragon prince protested loudly. The Dragon King glared at him and scolded, ¡°You think sending troops is so simple? Do you disregard the laws of Heaven?¡± He raised his fists and gestured upward. ¡°Even if we were to punish him, we would need to submit a memorial to the Heavenly Court, request approval from the Jade Emperor, and discuss it with the immortals. If an army is to be sent, celestial generals and heavenly troops will naturally be dispatched to the mortal realm to suppress him.¡± The Dragon Prince wanted to argue further, but the Dragon Mother discreetly tugged at his sleeve and whispered, ¡°My son, war brings disaster. If you attack now, there will be no benefit¡ªfirst, you will be questioned and reprimanded by the immortals. Second, your own troops will suffer casualties. What¡¯s the point?¡± After his grand display, the Yellow Wind King withdrew his divine power and returned to the mountain. Sun Wukong and the demon kings gathered around to congratulate him. Sun Wukong: ¡°Good brother, your divine ability is no less than mine now!¡± Demon Kings: ¡°Congratulations, King Yellow Wind! Your mastery of divine abilities has greatly increased your power!¡± The Yellow Wind King laughed heartily. Sun Wukong ordered the monkeys to bring out spiritual fruits and monkey wine for a grand feast. During the banquet, Yellow Wind King glanced at his updated system interface. [Name]: Yellow Wind King[Race]: Demon ¡¤ Moon-Devouring Demon Rat[Realm]: Refining Spirit ¡¤ Taiyi Profound Immortal[Cultivation Methods]: Moon-Devouring Technique, Thunder Sound Yi Bow, Great Grade Heavenly Immortal Technique[Traits]. Heaven¡¯s Mandate (Gold) Spiritual Clarity (Gold) Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moon Demon Holy Body (Gold) Di Sha Transformation (Gold) Master Archer (Purple) Boundless Mind Mirror (Purple) Grandmaster of Refining (Purple) Master of Formations (Purple) Master of Spear Techniques (Purple) Devourer (Purple) Tiangang Transformation (Purple) Piercing Void Eyes (Purple) [NEW]. Tactical Commander (Red) Master Painter (Red) Cloud Somersault (Red) Advanced Qi Observation (Red) Five Thunder Law (Red) Weakness Strike (Blue) Intermediate Culinary Arts (Blue) Auspicious (Blue) Diligent Hands (Blue) At first glance, the only new trait seemed to be [Piercing Void Eyes (Purple)], but in reality¡ªYellow Wind King had selectively merged many traits, focusing them into Di Sha Transformation and Tiangang Transformation. Di Sha Transformation was upgraded to Gold. Tiangang Transformation was enhanced to Purple. Similar traits were merged and upgraded accordingly. [Thunder Mark (White)] ¡ú [Five Thunder Law (Red)].[Five Thunder Law (Red)]: You excel at learning thunder techniques. All thunder-based attacks deal 30% increased damage.[Diligence Makes Up for Weakness (White)] ¡ú [Diligent Hands (Blue)].[Diligent Hands (Blue)]: Your hard work always yields unexpected rewards. Keep working hard![Cloud Somersault (Blue)] ¡ú [Cloud Somersault (Red)].[Cloud Somersault (Red)]: You can ride clouds at increased speed (+50%) and control mist to linger perpetually.[Intermediate Qi Observation (Blue)] ¡ú [Advanced Qi Observation (Red)].[Advanced Qi Observation (Red)]: You have keen insight to perceive feng shui, luck, and a person¡¯s fate and destiny. Some weaker traits were absorbed into stronger ones, such as Strength and Divine Power, which were now covered by [Moon Demon Holy Body]. ¡°It¡¯s like taking too many pills¡ªyou build resistance, and they stop working.¡± Such excess traits would be better used to cultivate subordinates. As the demons drank and celebrated, Sun Wukong suddenly sighed, scratching his head. ¡°You all have great weapons now,¡± he said, ¡°but I¡­ have none that suit me!¡± The demons looked at each other in silence. Yellow Wind King smirked and said, ¡°Monkey brother, with your great divine abilities, ordinary weapons surely won¡¯t do!¡± Sun Wukong grinned and said, ¡°Can you forge me a divine weapon, like your spear?¡± The Yellow Wind King shook his head. ¡°Quality materials are rare. It was pure luck that I obtained mine.¡± ¡°Ordinary weapons and magical tools are easy to forge, but true spiritual and divine weapons require extremely rare materials.¡± Sun Wukong pouted, looking dejected. Just then, the Four Elder Monkeys exchanged glances and stepped forward. ¡°Great King, can you go into the sea?¡± Chapter 32 - Monkey Brother Dives Into the Sea! Monkey Brother Doesn’t Want It? I’ll Take It! Chapter 32 Monkey Brother Dives Into the Sea! Monkey Brother Doesn¡¯t Want It? I¡¯ll Take It! Dive into the sea? Sun Wukong puffed out his chest proudly. ¡°What¡¯s so difficult about that?¡± He stood up straight and declared, ¡°Since I attained the Dao, I have mastered the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations and the Somersault Cloud divine ability. I can turn invisible, escape, conjure magic, and control spells!¡± ¡°There is a road to the heavens, a gate to the underworld, I walk the sun and moon without leaving a shadow, pass through gold and stone unhindered, water cannot drown me, fire cannot burn me!¡± ¡°Forget diving into the sea¡ªwhere in the world can I not go?¡± The Four Elder Monkeys cheered in unison. ¡°Great King, since you possess such divine abilities, beneath our Iron Bridge lies a waterway leading straight to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace!¡± ¡°The Dragon Palace holds countless treasures. If you are willing to go, why not ask the old Dragon King for a fitting divine weapon?¡± Sun Wukong¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, and he laughed. ¡°Excellent! I¡¯ll go see the old Dragon King right away!¡± Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes gleamed with thought. He stood up and said, ¡°Monkey Brother, I¡¯ll go too. If we don¡¯t find a weapon for you, I¡¯ll gather some materials to forge one for you!¡± Sun Wukong grinned. ¡°Good brother! Let¡¯s go, let¡¯s go!¡± With a leap, he soared over the heads of the demons and landed at the bridge outside Water Curtain Cave. He performed a Water-Breathing Spell, formed a hand seal, and with a splash, dove into the waves, parting the water as he strode towards the Eastern Sea¡¯s depths. Yellow Wind King was not naturally adept in water, but after mastering the Seventy-Two Transformations, he had gained the ability to traverse and enter water freely. He formed a seal, shook his body, and transformed into a goldfish, leaping along the waterfall into the water and catching up to Sun Wukong. ______ Not far into their journey, they encountered a sea-patrolling yaksha. This yaksha had sharp eyes and immediately noticed the monkey demon entering the sea. ¡°Strange¡­ could this be a demon king or celestial being?¡± Blocking their path, the yaksha demanded. ¡°Who are you? Where do you come from? Speak clearly so I can report properly!¡± Sun Wukong grinned and declared, ¡°I am Sun Wukong, the Heaven-born Sage of Flower Fruit Mountain! Your Old Dragon King is my close neighbor¡ªhow can you not recognize me?¡± ¡°Flower Fruit Mountain?¡± The yaksha shuddered. ¡°Could it be¡­ this is the same one who stirred up the sea with his divine powers recently?¡± Not daring to delay, the yaksha rushed to the Dragon Palace to report. ________ Upon hearing the report, the Dragon King hurriedly stood up and, along with his dragon sons, grandsons, shrimp soldiers, and crab generals, left the palace to greet the visitors. When he saw the two figures approaching, he glanced at the yaksha. The yaksha scratched his head. ¡°Why is there an extra one?¡± Forget it. The Dragon King sighed inwardly. ¡°Misfortune never comes alone. If one trouble arrives, another follows. More or less makes no difference now.¡± Experienced and shrewd, the Dragon King smiled warmly and stepped forward. ¡°Ah, two honored immortals! Please, come in!¡± ______ The Yellow Wind King observed him closely. [Species]: Dragon ¡¤ Golden Dragon (30%)[Realm]: Refining Spirit ¡¤ Taiyi Loose Immortal[Traits]: True Dragon Bloodline (Gold), Summoning Wind and Rain (Gold), Dragon Might (Purple)¡­ The Yellow Wind King was surprised. ¡°The Grand Eastern Sea Dragon King is only a Taiyi Loose Immortal?¡± ¡°And his bloodline purity is barely higher than a small carp?¡± It made sense now. In Journey to the West, the Four Sea Dragon Kings were always submissive and called themselves ¡®Little Dragons¡¯. It wasn¡¯t an act¡ªit was the truth. It seemed the Four Sea Dragon Kings were merely figureheads, while the true powerful dragons remained hidden in the shadows. After all, immortal and divine titles were treasures in the eyes of mortals and weak demons, but to great divine beings, they were nothing but shackles. ¡°I was born free in this world¡ªwhy would I submit to control?¡± _____ S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yellow Wind King and Sun Wukong strode in without hesitation. The Dragon Palace was a sight to behold golden pavilions, jade towers, pearl-studded halls, coral decorations, and crystal embellishments glittered everywhere. The guards stood at attention, stationed every three steps, with patrolling sentries every five steps. Among them, dragon maidens and pearl-clad courtesans, with graceful figures and exquisite features, floated through the palace, their silken skirts trailing behind them. Once inside, tea was served. The Dragon King, probing for information, asked, ¡°When did the two of you attain immortality? Under which master did you study?¡± Sun Wukong, ever cunning, smiled and replied slyly, ¡°My brother and I left home to cultivate and attain an immortal, indestructible body.¡± This clever response sidestepped the Dragon King¡¯s probe. Without wasting time, Sun Wukong got straight to the point. ¡°Recently, I¡¯ve been teaching my disciples and guarding my mountain. But alas, I lack a fitting weapon!¡± ¡°I have long heard that my esteemed neighbor enjoys the luxuries of the Dragon Palace, surely possessing many divine weapons. I have come specifically to request one.¡± ______ ¡°A weapon?¡± This was simple enough. Moreover, considering Flower Fruit Mountain¡¯s recent display of power, this might be a show of strength¡ªa warning. If he refused, The Dragon King couldn¡¯t afford to reject. He immediately ordered his Commander of Barramundi to present a crescent moon blade. Sun Wukong took one glance and said, ¡°I don¡¯t use sabers. Give me another!¡± Yellow Wind King¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Let me try!¡± He stepped forward, lifted the crescent moon blade, and scanned it with his divine sense. Weight: 1,800 pounds Nine postnatal enchantments Material: A spiritual-grade weapon! More importantly, four of the enchantments were techniques Yellow Wind King had never seen before¡ªa great learning opportunity! Yellow Wind King grinned. ¡°Old Dragon King, I¡¯ll take this one! Name your price!¡± The Dragon King studied him¡ªa tall, lean, sharp-faced demon rat, much more refined than that monkey. More interestingly, he sensed a trace of dragon energy on him. ¡°Has he interacted with other dragons before?¡± The Dragon King¡¯s eyes flickered. Then, he feigned generosity and said, ¡°Ah, no need to haggle. If you like it, take it! The Dragon Palace has no shortage of treasures!¡± Yellow Wind King chuckled. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll gladly accept!¡± _____ Next, the Dragon King offered a nine-pronged fork to Sun Wukong. Wukong swung it around and dismissed it. ¡°Too light! Too light! Too light!¡± The Dragon King was stunned. ¡°This fork weighs 3,600 pounds!¡± Yellow Wind King stepped up again. ¡°Let me see!¡± This twelve-enchantment weapon featured three entirely new enchantments¡ªa valuable discovery. Yellow Wind King grinned. ¡°Old Dragon King, I¡¯ll take this too! Name your price!¡± The Dragon King: ¡°¡­¡± At this point, he knew exactly what Yellow Wind King was going to say next. Chapter 33 - The Dragon King Bleeds Dry! Monkey Brothers Divine Weapon—Ruyi Jingu Bang! Chapter 33 The Dragon King Bleeds Dry! Monkey Brother¡¯s Divine Weapon¡ªRuyi Jingu Bang! The Dragon King was exasperated. ¡°Are you two here to ask for weapons or to rob my palace?¡± One of them rejected every weapon. The other wanted them all. What kind of logic was this? Was this fun to you? The Yellow Wind King winked and grinned. ¡°Old Dragon King, since you¡¯ve already gifted two weapons, why stop now? You might as well go all the way!¡± The Dragon King felt like crying but had to force a smile. ¡°Fine, fine! Take it!¡± ¡°Great!¡± The Yellow Wind King laughed heartily. ¡°The Dragon King is truly generous!¡± Sun Wukong chuckled and added, ¡°Old Dragon King, don¡¯t frown! My dear brother here is also a master in weapon forging and formation arts!¡± ¡°Since you¡¯ve given him three weapons today, in the future, if you ever need a custom-made divine weapon, you can go to him!¡± The Dragon King raised his brows in mild surprise but didn¡¯t take it seriously. A demon craftsman? After all, The Dragon Palace had its own skilled artisans. If necessary, they could commission divine craftsmen from the Heavenly Court, such as Master Lu Ban or the Celestial Blacksmiths. Yes, it would be expensive, but who cared about price when forging a life-bound treasure? Only wild demons with no connections would settle for an amateur craftsman, likely lacking proper enchantments or formations. _____ Seeing Yellow Wind King snatch up three treasures, while he himself got nothing, Sun Wukong became impatient. ¡°Old Dragon King, do you have any more weapons?¡± The Dragon King waved his hands quickly. ¡°No more! No more!¡± Sun Wukong scowled. ¡°Nonsense! The ancients said: ¡®The Dragon King of the Sea never runs out of treasures!¡¯ Search again!¡± ¡°If I find one I like, name your price!¡± The Dragon King rolled his eyes. ¡°Which ancient said that? Show yourself! I swear I¡¯ll beat you to death!¡± Spreading his hands, the Dragon King firmly refused. ¡°Truly, I have nothing left!¡± He had been willing to part with some weapons to avoid trouble, but if they pushed too far, he wouldn¡¯t tolerate it. ¡°What, do they think I¡¯m a weak snake they can squeeze dry?¡± _____ At that moment, the Dragon Queen and Dragon Princess entered, pulling the Dragon King aside. ¡°That monkey and rat demon aren¡¯t good characters,¡± the Dragon Queen whispered. ¡°Didn¡¯t that monkey say he prefers heavy weapons?¡± ¡°In the sea, we have a piece of divine iron from the bottom of the Milky Way. Lately, it¡¯s been glowing with golden light¡ªperhaps it¡¯s destined to be wielded by this demon saint?¡± The Dragon King hesitated, ¡°That¡¯s the measuring rod left behind when Great Yu controlled the floods! It¡¯s a solid block of divine iron¡ªhow can it be used as a weapon?¡± The Dragon Queen shrugged. ¡°Who cares? Give it to him and see how he deals with it! Just get rid of them first!¡± After some thought, the Dragon King sighed. ¡°Better to cut my losses than let these two cause more trouble.¡± Though he was angry, his anger only lasted a brief moment. The Dragon Clan¡¯s fate was grim¡ªhated by the heavens even more than the demons. With a heavy heart, the Dragon King led Sun Wukong to a distant part of the sea. He pointed towards the golden glow in the distance and said, ¡°That radiant object is what you seek.¡± ______ Sun Wukong hurried forward, reaching out to touch the massive iron pillar. It was thick as a barrel, over twenty feet long, and immensely heavy. Wrapping both arms around it, Wukong muttered, ¡°Too thick and too long! If only it were shorter and thinner!¡± As if responding to his wish, the divine iron shrank¡ªa few feet shorter and slightly thinner. Sun Wukong grinned and shook it. ¡°Still a bit too thick! If it were just a little thinner, it¡¯d be perfect!¡± Again, the divine iron adjusted itself to his ideal size. Sun Wukong was overjoyed. He lifted it and examined the two golden bands at either end. Carved on the iron surface was a line of characters. ¡°Ruyi Jingu Bang¡± (The Compliant Golden-Hoop Staff). Weight: 13,500 jin (approx. 6,750 kg). ______ S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ecstatic, Sun Wukong shouted, ¡°Brother! Old Sun has finally obtained a divine weapon!¡± As he walked back, he continued adjusting the size, shrinking it to twenty feet long, about the thickness of a bowl. Swinging it around, he unleashed a storm, stirring up giant waves. The sheer power terrified the Dragon King, Dragon Princess, and sea demons. They huddled together in fear, praying they wouldn¡¯t get hit. ________ ¡°Damn it!¡± The Dragon King muttered under his breath. ¡°You fool, Dragon Queen! You just gave away a divine weapon!¡± The Dragon Queen snapped back. ¡°How was I supposed to know? That iron had been sitting there for countless years without changing at all!¡± ¡°But the moment this monkey arrived, it became his perfect weapon¡ªclearly, it was destined for him!¡± The Dragon King clutched his chest. Pain! Heartache! A divine weapon with limitless potential¡ªgone! ¡°What a loss!¡± _____ More Demands! Now that he had his Ruyi Jingu Bang, Sun Wukong looked at the finely dressed Dragon King and Princess, then at himself and Yellow Wind King, who were still in simple robes. He smirked. ¡°Old Dragon King, now that I have a weapon, I still lack armor! How about gifting me and my brother two sets of battle gear?¡± The Dragon King¡¯s eye twitched. ¡°This damn monkey! He¡¯s really milking me dry!¡± ¡°Is there no justice? No rules!¡± But when Sun Wukong grabbed his collar with one hand and lifted the Golden-Hoop Staff with the other, the Dragon King immediately caved. ¡°Fine, fine! I¡¯ll get you some armor!¡± However¡ªhe refused to suffer alone. The Four Sea Dragon Kings were brothers, sharing fortune and misfortune alike. He rang the palace gong and beat the ceremonial drum, summoning the other Three Dragon Kings. Yellow Wind King listened closely. ¡°These aren¡¯t ordinary drums and gongs¡­ they function like a spiritual telecommunication system, transmitting messages across the Four Seas!¡± ¡°Interesting¡­ so this is the mythological equivalent of wireless communication?¡± His engineering background kicked in, sparking a crazy idea. ¡°If technology has already mimicked ancient mysticism, could modern devices be adapted into mythology?¡± ¡°After all, many ancient magical arts have modern counterparts¡ª¡± Rain summoning ¡ú Weather modification technology. Flying to the heavens ¡ú Space programs. Lightning control ¡ú Electrical engineering. As he pondered, the Three Other Dragon Kings arrived. _______ Thanks to Sun Wukong, Yellow Wind King also received a full set of armor. Sun Wukong: Phoenix-Winged Golden Crown, Locking-Golden Chainmail, Lotus-Thread Cloud-Walking Boots. Yellow Wind King: Black-Feathered Scarlet Sun Crown, Silver-Scale Fish Armor, Lotus-Patterned Cloud-Stepping Boots. As the two left the Dragon Palace, the Four Dragon Kings gritted their teeth and immediately sent a petition to the Heavenly Court. Chapter 35 - The Rat God of Yellow Wind Ridge! Chapter 35 Mythological Espionage! The Power of Propaganda¡ªThe Rat God of Yellow Wind Ridge! Beyond Mount Futuo, Yellow Wind Ridge soon came into view. From a distance, the ridge stretched like a massive dragon, dividing light from shadow, yin from yang. Yellow Wind King descended from his cloud and landed directly at Wuzhen Mountain, the heart of his domain. At the base of the mountain, patrolling demons spotted him and cheered excitedly. ¡°The Great King has returned! The Great King has returned!¡± The news spread like wildfire. Soon, Old Black Fox, Flower Deer Maiden, and other demon generals and commanders rushed forward to greet him. After formal salutations, they entered the military camp together. The Yellow Wind King¡¯s sharp gaze swept across the area¡ªAmong the waiting figures, he noticed a group of humans bowing respectfully. But one woman in particular caught his attention. Not because of her beauty¡ªbut because above her head, there was a row of question marks. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. _______ ¡°What the¡ª?¡± Even now, the only beings capable of showing ¡°???¡± in my system were powerhouses like Subhuti! The Yellow Wind King¡¯s scalp tingled. Without hesitation, he looked away, suppressing his reaction. ¡°I saw nothing. I saw nothing. I SAW NOTHING.¡± Clearly, if such a powerful being was hiding their identity, they had no intention of being exposed¡ªBut at the same time, they wanted to observe him up close. In that case, Yellow Wind King decided to play along. He would be the perfect actor, pretend ignorance, and let the game unfold. ______ With a calm demeanor, he asked Old Black Fox, ¡°Who are these people?¡± Old Black Fox respectfully responded, ¡°Great King, these are carpenters, masons, and craftsmen. That elderly man over there is especially skilled¡ªhe once built the imperial palace of Liusha Kingdom.¡± He pointed to an elderly human in the group. The old man immediately bowed low. ¡°This humble one, Hei Jing, greets the Rat God!¡± Yellow Wind King glanced at him. And his system instantly revealed the truth. [Species]: Star God ¡¤ Venus (Taibai Jinxing)[Realm]: Refining Spirit ¡¤ Taiyi Heavenly Immortal[Traits]: Venus Deity (Gold), Master of Warfare (Gold), Sword Immortal (Gold), Martial God (Gold)¡­ ¡°!!!¡± Yellow Wind King sucked in a cold breath. ¡°Damn! Another one! Even Taibai Jinxing (Venus Star God) is undercover here!¡± ______ Yellow Wind King grinned, but his eyes twitched slightly. He shot a quick glance at Old Black Fox. ¡°You were supposed to watch the house¡­ and now Heavenly Immortals are running around inside!¡± Old Black Fox missed all of this! But to be fair, last time, Yellow Wind King¡¯s ascension to immortality had shaken the Three Realms. It was inevitable that various powers would send agents to investigate. And with the strength of Taibai Jinxing and this mysterious woman, it was no wonder Old Black Fox was fooled. Even Yellow Wind King himself wouldn¡¯t have noticed without his system. ______ ¡°Are the rest of them spies too?¡± Yellow Wind King casually scanned through the other craftsmen. [Species]: Human ¡¤ Mortal[Traits]: Master Mason (Red), Skillful Hands (Red), Long Life (Blue), Shrewd (Blue), Greedy (White)[Species]: Human ¡¤ Mortal[Traits]: Master Carpenter (Purple), Strong (Red), Skillful Hands (Red), Clever (Blue), Loyal (Blue), Good Fortune (Blue), Wealthy (White) He checked seven or eight more¡ªLuckily, most were ordinary humans, not spies. And among them, some had valuable talents. [Skillful Hands (Red)][Clever (Blue)][Wealthy (White)] These were good resources¡ªuseful for crafting, strategy, and financial growth. _____ As Yellow Wind King observed, the humans bowed low, all respectfully calling him, ¡°Great Rat God!¡± He soon understood why. Old Black Fox had accidentally leaked the story of how Yellow Wind King appeared in a dream and saved them. The story spread rapidly¡ªA scholar wrote a popular folk tale. ¡°The Rat King of Yellow Wind, who saved Liusha Kingdom in a dream!¡± People began worshipping him. A merchant family placed his idol at home. One night, when a ghost intruded, the idol¡¯s divine light repelled it. A poor family ran out of food. They prayed to the Rat God, and by morning, their grain storage was mysteriously full. Miracle stories spread like wildfire. Soon, nearly every household was offering incense to the Rat God. Now, hearing that the Rat God was building a palace and temple, people flocked to help¡ªeven in a demon¡¯s domain. Some scholars even suggested a more elegant title, calling him. ¡°Grand Immortal Yellow Rat¡± (Huang Da Xian). ______ Yellow Wind King was thrilled¡ªas the humans revered him, he absorbed threads of divine incense and merit. Not much, but it was a start. In the Three Realms, ¡®incense and merit¡¯ were the currency of deities. They could be traded. Used to summon gods and immortals. Invested in divine cultivation. ¡°This is good! Old Black Fox may not be great at combat, but his public relations skills are top-notch!¡± ¡°A true scholar¡ªa demon who understands propaganda!¡± ______ Seeing an opportunity, Yellow Wind King strode toward Taibai Jinxing (disguised as Hei Jing). With a kind smile, he grasped the old man¡¯s hands warmly and said, ¡°Elder, are my subordinates treating you well? Are your wages paid on time? Have they troubled you in any way?¡± Taibai Jinxing¡¯s mind raced. ¡°This is a demon king!¡± Just days ago, he had sensed Yellow Wind King¡¯s overwhelming demonic aura¡ªbut now, this demon king was acting like a benevolent ruler! The contrast was shocking. He coughed lightly and responded, ¡°Every month, I receive ten taels of silver and six stones of grain, never a single coin less.¡± His position as a foreman meant he earned the most, but even the lower workers were well-paid. He added. ¡°Prime Minister Fox has never troubled us.¡± ¡°Good!¡± Yellow Wind King then turned to the crowd, raising his voice. ¡°Rest assured! In my domain, you are safe! If any demon or person dares break the law, I shall not spare them!¡± ¡°Work well, and I promise¡ª¡± ¡°You shall have money, food, and a better life!¡± His words were simple yet powerful. He addressed security, wages, and a hopeful future¡ªthree things mortals cared about most. The humans cheered, feeling even more devoted to their Rat God. Old Black Fox stroked his beard, pleased. ¡°The Great King is truly a genius!¡± The mysterious woman, hidden among them, frowned. ¡°I can¡¯t predict his origins. Is he truly just a Moon-Devouring Rat?¡± ¡°Impossible!¡± Chapter 36 - The Formation of the Yellow Wind Ridge Department! Chapter 36 Taibai Jinxing: Who Among the Immortals Does Not Long for the Mortal Realm? The Formation of the Yellow Wind Ridge Department! After calming the craftsmen, King Yellow Wind returned to his camp and waited for General Mouse, who was forging iron at Thousand Cavern Mountain, and Six-Tusked Elephant to arrive. With the seven demons gathered, King Yellow Wind held a meeting to understand the progress of the tasks each demon was responsible for. He first inquired about Old Black Fox. Old Black Fox was in charge of the demon literacy campaign and the construction of the Wu Zhen Mountain temple. Both tasks were progressing smoothly. The demon literacy campaign was a long-term undertaking, aiming to cultivate a group of high-quality demons. As the saying goes, it takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to nurture people. It wouldn¡¯t succeed overnight. However, King Yellow Wind was patient, knowing that cultivating such talent would eventually benefit his plans. As for the construction of the Wu Zhen Mountain temple, after a series of inspections, surveys, and mapping, ¡°Black Scene¡± had come up with three possible construction plans. They were now waiting for King Yellow Wind to choose one, and once selected, they would begin construction on an auspicious day. ¡°Three plans?¡± Taibai Jinxing, a skilled official, knew what was happening. No wonder someone who came from a military background could become the first-secretary of the Jade Emperor. ¡°Let me have a look!¡± Said King Yellow Wind. ¡°Of course!¡± Old Black Fox left to bring ¡®Black Scene¡¯ in, who presented the three plans, each depicting a different style for the Wu Zhen Mountain temple. One plan showed military-style fortifications, with rows of barracks, banners fluttering in the wind, resembling a military camp. Another depicted a beautiful landscape, with mist surrounding pavilions and towers, an ethereal atmosphere. The third illustrated a palace and city at the foot of the mountain, with fields and bustling smoke from daily life. The plans were detailed and professional, with building standards clearly indicated, and even included potential defense formations such as the Yin-Yang Sword Formation, the Celestial Star Formation, and the Five Mountains Guardian Formation. These were indeed beyond the abilities of ¡®Black Scene¡¯, who was just an ordinary mortal. Taibai Jinxing realized he had made a mistake. He hadn¡¯t reviewed the designs thoroughly before presenting them. he thought, worried that he might be exposed. Just as Taibai Jinxing was about to reveal his identity, King Yellow Wind smiled and said, ¡°Old Black, you¡¯re really amazing. No wonder you¡¯ve become the royal architect of the Flowing Sand Kingdom.¡± ¡°These must be royal secrets, or perhaps passed down from your ancestors?¡± Taibai Jinxing hesitated for a moment but quickly replied, ¡°Yes, yes, my ancestors had a cultivator who¡­¡± King Yellow Wind nodded. ¡°No wonder! These three plans will stay with me while I carefully consider them.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Taibai Jinxing bowed and left the tent. Once outside, he paused and furrowed his brows, wondering, ¡°Has he noticed?¡± ¡°Or maybe he doesn¡¯t feel anything?¡± ¡°Forget it, if he doesn¡¯t mention it, I won¡¯t admit it. I¡¯ll just stay here for a while longer. Anyway, a day in the mortal realm is like a year in heaven.¡± Taibai Jinxing caught sight of a beautiful woman watching him. She was someone skilled in silk weaving and scene decoration, but she wasn¡¯t from the same town as ¡®Black Scene¡¯, so he didn¡¯t recognize her. He adjusted his appearance and smiled at her. The beautiful woman rolled her eyes, noting, ¡°You¡¯re an old man, still thinking you have charm?¡± She turned away, making a mental note of Taibai Jinxing¡¯s arrogance, and walked off. Taibai Jinxing couldn¡¯t recognize her, but she saw through him immediately. Though both were Star Lords, there was a clear difference in status. ¡®Heh, even in my old age, I still have my charm,¡¯ Taibai Jinxing thought with a smirk, stroking his beard. The mortal realm was great. Many immortals liked to come here for a vacation. In heaven, the rules were strict, and everyone had to keep their heads low. But in the mortal realm, anyone could act like a big shot and enjoy freedom. For immortals, going on official business in the mortal realm was a delightful job! Who wouldn¡¯t long for the mortal realm? Especially the female immortals, who often caused trouble. They would come to the mortal realm, fall in love, and have a bunch of illegitimate children or make connections with powerful families, ruining the reputation of the heavenly court. The Queen Mother of the West, as the head of all female immortals, was furious about this, and she became stricter about allowing immortals to descend to the mortal realm. Male immortals were much better. They¡¯d keep their affairs discreet and never bring their lovers to heaven, keeping things under wraps for everyone¡¯s benefit. Inside the tent, the meeting continued. General Mouse and Six-Tusked Elephant, responsible for the mining, smelting, and steel production at Thousand Cavern Mountain, reported that they were now producing 50,000 pounds of steel per day. However, due to a shortage of workers, they had followed Old Black Fox¡¯s advice and recruited miners and blacksmiths from the surrounding demon mountains and caves. In addition to food, shelter, and clothing, those who performed well could even learn demon techniques. Some small demons, not so wealthy, came to work for the chance to learn magic, while older demons joined for the skills. King Yellow Wind nodded. ¡°Well done! This is exactly what I suggested. The world is bustling, and everyone works for profit.¡± The demons who had been scared away by the ¡°Three Bans¡± earlier weren¡¯t afraid of rules. They just didn¡¯t see the benefits. Once they were offered something worthwhile, they would obediently work. Raising livestock, tending to demons, and all occupations came from the same source. The Golden Lion and Silver Wolf, the two demons with the highest martial power among the seven, were in charge of guarding the camp. Silver Wolf reported. ¡°My lord, a group of ghosts has gathered at the ruins of the Flowing Sand Kingdom, led by the Ghost King, who is expanding his ghost realm.¡± ¡°Yesterday, we received a letter from the Rat Cave. The Ghost King sent a general to demand their submission and offer the Rat Cave.¡± King Yellow Wind chuckled. ¡°I see. What¡¯s the Ghost King¡¯s background?¡± Old Black Fox replied, ¡°He¡¯s from the Underworld. After invading the royal tomb of a former king from the Flowing Sand Kingdom, he revived himself.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a formidable figure, possibly a ghost immortal. He hasn¡¯t acted yet, probably still adjusting to the mortal realm¡¯s environment.¡± ¡°A ghost immortal?¡± King Yellow Wind smiled nonchalantly. ¡°No need to worry. I¡¯ll gather my troops and go meet him. We¡¯ll destroy his ghost kingdom.¡± S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His words reassured the demons. King Yellow Wind turned to Iron-Eating Bear and Flower Deer Lady. ¡°How¡¯s the peach orchard and bamboo forest on the mountain?¡± The Iron-Eating Bear, which had a black-and-white body and was rather plump, lazily replied. ¡°My lord, the golden bamboo forest in the west mountain has reached a hundred acres.¡± The bear had joined the team with capital, offering King Yellow Wind a golden bamboo spiritual root. Golden bamboo had many uses, including as food, medicine, and for making weapons and musical instruments. King Yellow Wind, seeing the bear was lazy and playful, decided to let it take care of the bamboo forest and the golden bamboo spiritual root. The bear had the ¡°Deep Blessing (purple)¡± trait, which made King Yellow Wind quite envious, though he didn¡¯t manage to draw it himself. Flower Deer Lady, the only female demon among the seven, was a flower deer who excelled in cultivation and planting. King Yellow Wind had assigned her to care for the peach and plum trees on the mountain slope. ¡°The spiritual peaches and plums are growing well. With the increasing spiritual energy in the mountain, they should bear fruit in three years,¡± said Flower Deer Lady. King Yellow Wind smiled. ¡°Great. I¡¯ll remember your contributions. When New Year¡¯s Eve comes, there will be a reward for both of you.¡± His initial plan was to give out new abilities, but the appearance of Taibai Jinxing and the mysterious woman caused him to reconsider. Better to hold off and avoid mistakes. The current priority was to maintain stability and develop steadily. Chapter 37 - Clouds in the Blue Sky, Water in the Vase Chapter 37 Clouds in the Blue Sky, Water in the Vase, Five Elements Spiritual Roots, and the Thousand-Year Thunder Peach Tree! After hearing the reports from the various demons, King Yellow Wind praised them and then turned to Golden Lion and Silver Wolf, saying, ¡°Go and summon the demon troops.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Golden Lion and Silver Wolf eagerly rubbed their fists. Both of them had a combative nature, and they were excited for the chance to go into battle. ¡°We¡¯ll go too!¡± Mouse General and Six-Tusked Elephant quickly called out. Old Black Fox and Flower Deer Lady also volunteered to join. Only Iron-Eating Bear remained calm and composed. In its youth, it had fought alongside the War God, wreaking havoc in battles. However, fighting was risky, and since its ancestors had long passed, it had chosen to live peacefully, getting along with others. ¡°I¡¯ll just stick to eating,¡± it muttered, pulling out a piece of bamboo shoot and chewing on it. Golden Lion and Silver Wolf sneered, ¡°You all go ahead with your work, leave the fighting to us.¡± Mouse General wasn¡¯t happy about that. ¡°We can go to battle too!¡± Old Black Fox added, ¡°I¡¯ve learned the Six Arts of a Gentleman. I can command troops and even understand some basic martial arts!¡± Silver Wolf mocked, ¡°Talking about theory? Don¡¯t be like Zhao Kuo!¡± King Yellow Wind was surprised. ¡°Zhao Kuo is so famous?¡± Old Black Fox puffed out his cheeks and said, ¡°Let me tell you about Zhao Kuo, you wouldn¡¯t understand ¡®paper warfare¡¯!¡± King Yellow Wind initially thought Zhao Kuo was so famous that even demons knew of him, but it turned out it was the Eastern scholars who had taught them about him. Not sure whether Zhao Kuo had reincarnated, King Yellow Wind decided not to dwell on it, as he didn¡¯t want to risk any awkwardness. Seeing the demons bickering, King Yellow Wind raised his voice. ¡°Enough!¡± He stopped the argument and said with a softer tone. ¡°Since this is our first time in battle, let¡¯s all go together.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a saying, ¡®Clouds in the blue sky, water in the vase, a family of brothers, each has their own merit and hard work, don¡¯t let discord harm the harmony.''¡± ¡°Understood!¡± S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The demons quickly agreed, ceasing their bickering. Old Black Fox pondered King Yellow Wind¡¯s words, feeling there was a deeper meaning behind the phrase. He couldn¡¯t help but admire the king¡¯s knowledge. While the demons went off to gather troops, King Yellow Wind went up the mountain. He reached into his Cosmos Bag and pulled out a jade stone vein. He threw it into the mountain, and the jade vein grew, spreading like a jade dragon, glowing with a soft white light. It landed in the mountain, merged with the earth, and began to sink. The mountain trembled slowly as if a dragon had flipped over, with the jade vein integrating with the earth¡¯s veins, becoming part of Wu Zhen Mountain¡¯s mineral network. The jade vein had already gained spiritual awareness and was hiding beneath the Flower-Fruit Mountain. The spiritual presence remained concealed, but it wasn¡¯t unnoticed by King Yellow Wind. ¡°Rest well, gather the earth¡¯s veins and energy. When the right time comes, you¡¯ll transform into the dragon vein of Yellow Wind Ridge.¡± A deep humming sound echoed from the earth, and streams of yellow-white energy began to rise, swirling around the mountain. The plants on the mountain swayed, their roots and branches reaching out to absorb the energy, causing the leaves to grow more vibrant and higher. ¡°Gathering spirits and energy? The work of creation?¡± In the camp, Taibai Jinxing sensed the change. He looked towards the mountain, his thoughts stirring, ¡°Who¡¯s behind this?¡± The beautiful woman, teaching the fox lady how to weave, squinted her eyes. She thought to herself, ¡°Heavenly Gang transformation refines pure spiritual energy.¡± ¡°Earth Fiend transformation refines the energy of the earth¡¯s core.¡± ¡°Normally, practitioners would choose one to refine. If they manage to perfect it, it would be a remarkable achievement. But how can he refine both?¡± She was slightly shocked. The Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiend transformations were not easy to master. Not only that, his bloodline purification and mutation were faster than expected, far beyond ordinary demons. she thought. After planting the jade vein, King Yellow Wind planted a Five-Leaf Vine at the base of an old tree on the mountainside. The Five-Leaf Vine could gather the energy of the five elements, and the old tree could do the same. They were complementary to each other, their energies resonating together. The two spiritual roots, both possessing their own spiritual awareness, spread the energy of the five elements in the air, creating ripples that communicated with one another. King Yellow Wind could feel their unique way of interacting, like long-separated brothers reunited. When King Yellow Wind was about to plant the thousand-year-old peach tree, a wave of angry and opposing thoughts reached him. King Yellow Wind was taken aback. ¡°Are the trees also engaging in discrimination?¡± The trunk of the old peach tree revealed a weathered, ancient face, speaking in a slow tone. ¡°Those two are afraid of being struck by lightning.¡± ¡°Struck by lightning?¡± King Yellow Wind realized. The old peach tree had been struck by lightning three times and now contained a powerful Thunderwood energy within it. The tree regularly released and absorbed the energy of lightning, which could trigger thunderstorms and wasn¡¯t friendly to other plants. King Yellow Wind asked, ¡°Where do you want to plant it?¡± Although plants could not usually transform into demons, the thousand-year-old peach tree had accumulated enough spiritual awareness to gain intelligence. King Yellow Wind had negotiated with it when he first obtained the tree. King Yellow Wind practiced the ¡°Five Thunders Method¡± and would undergo a thunder tribulation. At that time, he could use the lightning energy from the tribulation to assist the peach tree in transforming. In exchange, the tree would share half of the lightning energy it absorbed to help King Yellow Wind improve his Thunder Method. The old peach tree¡¯s branches trembled, and after a moment, several branches pointed in a certain direction. ¡°That way, there seems to be a large number of yin creatures.¡± King Yellow Wind looked and saw that it was indeed the direction of the Flowing Sand Kingdom. ¡°Yes! There¡¯s a ghost immortal from the Underworld, who escaped and gathered a host of ghost souls and zombies to build a human ghost realm.¡± The old peach tree was pleased. ¡°A ghost immortal? That¡¯s perfect. All the merits will be mine! Take me there now.¡± King Yellow Wind smiled, almost forgetting that peach wood, also known as Dragon Subduing Wood or Ghost Scaring Wood, was used to ward off disasters and evil spirits. On New Year¡¯s Eve in the human world, families hang peach charms to keep ghosts away, indicating that peach wood indeed has a restraining effect on spirits. Moreover, this particular peach tree had been struck by lightning three times and was even more powerful. Its charred bark and new buds showed its resilience, and even ghostly creatures would be wary of it. King Yellow Wind descended the mountain, and as he reached the Moon-swallowing Lake, a splash of water erupted, and a golden carp leapt into the air. It called out, ¡°Old Yellow, you¡¯re going to fight? Take me with you! Take me with you!¡± Its voice was childish, but its tone was unexpectedly mature. Below it, a group of water creatures¡ªcatfish demons, crab monsters, old turtles, and others¡ªformed a circle around it. With its true dragon bloodline, it had a natural dominance over water creatures, making it the little overlord of Moon-swallowing Lake. King Yellow Wind glanced at it and said, ¡°Who told you I¡¯m going to fight?¡± The little carp pointed to the camp and said, ¡°You¡¯re gathering the demon troops, aren¡¯t you? I may be small, but I¡¯m not stupid!¡± Its tone was childish yet serious, with a touch of arrogance. Chapter 38 - We Shall Change the Sun and Moon to Create a New Heaven Chapter 38 Ultimately, We Shall Change the Sun and Moon to Create a New Heaven! Upgrading the Title: King of the Battlefield (Purple)! ¡°Small? Not foolish?¡± King Yellow Wind chuckled and said, ¡°Oh, you¡¯re clever, really clever. But, well, I¡¯m still not taking you with me.¡± The little carp was anxious. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I also want to earn merit, I also want to improve!¡± ¡°Uh, still an ambitious fish?¡± King Yellow Wind stopped teasing it. ¡°We¡¯re going to fight a Ghost King. On land, you and the water creatures will be at risk of dying of thirst once you leave the water.¡± ¡°Ah, true!¡± The little carp scratched its fin. ¡°But some of the water creatures say that in the dark river and lakes to the north, ghostly beings are appearing. It might be the Yellow Springs water from the Underworld, corrupting the water veins. You should take me to check it out.¡± King Yellow Wind was alarmed. ¡°Yellow Springs water corrupting the water veins?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°A few days ago, some fish from the north said that someone had thrown corpses into the river and polluted it. The surface smells bad, and black gas is rising from the bottom. There are even water ghosts and other evil creatures appearing.¡± King Yellow Wind¡¯s expression turned serious. This wasn¡¯t a small matter. Water was the source of all life, and if it became contaminated, it would be poisonous¡­ Moreover, the water veins and networks of Yellow Wind Ridge were interconnected. If the northern waters flowed into the southern mountains, the entire area would turn barren, and everything would die¡ªturning the place into a ghostly realm. ¡°Is this the work of that Ghost King?¡± King Yellow Wind asked. ¡°The water veins issue needs to be handled by the water creatures. They are the experts. I¡¯m just a rat¡ªdon¡¯t pretend to know more than I do,¡± the little carp responded. King Yellow Wind thought for a moment and nodded. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll take you there.¡± ¡°Yay!¡± The little carp cheered and called for three water demons with the ¡°Qi Refining¡¤Demon Pill¡± stage, capable of walking on land. The water creatures from Moon-Swallowing Lake had suffered a lot from the Thunder Toad¡¯s havoc. Several demon generals were devoured by it, including large demons like the old turtle and clam lady, who now hid deep in the lake to conceal their presence. The remaining demons were just in the early stages of formation. A few demons with the Demon Pill stage had recently broken through after consuming the Thunder Toad¡¯s blood and flesh. When King Yellow Wind had used the Five Elements Arrow to destroy the Thunder Toad from the inside, some of its blood and flesh had fallen into the lake. But despite these demons now having Demon Pills, they still didn¡¯t dare to misbehave in front of the small carp, which was still in the Qi Refining stage. The power of a true dragon was terrifying. In the camp, the Seven Demon Generals gathered two hundred battle-ready demons¡ªboth large and small. The others stayed to guard the home. King Yellow Wind looked around. Compared to the scene at Flower-Fruit Mountain, where the Monkey King could summon thousands of demons at will, this was quite humble. But what could he do? Yellow Wind Ridge stretched across eight hundred miles, with only a few thousand demons, while the Monkey King¡¯s group had tens of thousands, and the 72 Cave Demon Kings and their subordinates had even more, numbering in the tens of thousands. Flower-Fruit Mountain was a blessed land, while Yellow Wind Ridge was on the western frontier of the Southern Continent¡ªan impoverished, remote place. King Yellow Wind shook his head and then looked at his subordinates, who were all dressed in uniforms, looking spirited and marching with impressive discipline. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of pride. A true man is born between heaven and earth. No matter the hardships, he must rise and soar! One thought of expansion, and the world opens up. King Yellow Wind exuded confidence. Just then, a system notification rang. ¡°Wait? Time flies¡ªanother year has passed?¡± ¡°Perfect timing!¡± King Yellow Wind was overjoyed. Everything he did seemed to be going smoothly, with just the right resources coming at the right time. He looked over the purple and lower-level titles and, without hesitation, made his choice. ¡°Upgrade Army Deployment!¡± ¡¾You have upgraded the Army Deployment (Red), and gained the new title: King of the Battlefield (Purple)!¡¿ ¡¾King of the Battlefield (Purple): You are the ruler of the battlefield, skilled in troop deployment, motivating your soldiers, flexibly commanding, and seizing battle opportunities. On the battlefield, your morale will increase, with each victory boosting it by 10% or more, and you will accumulate battle energy.¡¿ Suddenly, King Yellow Wind¡¯s mind was flooded with visions of battlefields. He remembered the famous military texts and all the major and minor wars he had studied¡ªWu Qi¡¯s military training, Sun Tzu¡¯s Art of War, Sima¡¯s strategies¡­ Countless wars flashed before his eyes, from the Battle of Muye to the Spring and Autumn period¡¯s conflicts, the Battle of Changping, the Chu-Han contention, and even the chaotic Three Kingdoms period. These historical and modern battles came alive in vivid detail. ¡°War is the most important affair of the state, the matter of life and death, the path of survival or destruction; it must not be neglected,¡± he recalled from Sun Tzu. Finally, a deep sigh and a warning brought King Yellow Wind¡¯s consciousness back. ¡°War!¡± King Yellow Wind took a deep breath. With his ¡¾Clear Mind¡¿mentality, even the vast memories of war left him feeling dizzy. King Yellow Wind thought to himself. His memories were unusually clear. All the scenes from his previous life were stored in his consciousness. King Yellow Wind thought back to when he first realized this and felt even more certain now. ¡°Is it because of my personal growth? More profound?¡± King Yellow Wind took a moment to calm himself, then returned to the camp, donned his armor, and stepped out. The demons in the camp were immediately struck by his imposing presence. Standing at eight feet tall, he wore silver-scaled fish armor and a black feathered crown, stepping gracefully in lotus-patterned cloud boots. His presence was magnificent. He held a five-meter-long purple-black cold iron spear, made of wishful iron and strange metals, weighing 1,800 pounds. On his back, he carried the Thunder-striking Divine Wood Bow, with an arrow pouch on his right side made from Thunder Toad skin. His left waist had a bag containing his Cosmos Bag. King Yellow Wind walked before his demons and spoke, ¡°While you all are training in literature and martial arts, living quietly without competing or fighting, that is indeed a way to settle.¡± ¡°But there¡¯s a Ghost Immortal from the Underworld who wishes to build a ghost realm here, causing chaos, killing souls, polluting the water veins¡ªthis is an unforgivable crime.¡± ¡°We, the demons of Yellow Wind Ridge, live from these mountains and rivers. Seeing this disaster, how can we stand by and do nothing?¡± The demons were filled with righteous anger and nodded in agreement. ¡°Yellow Wind Ridge is our home! You, an outsider, want to turn it into a Ghost King¡¯s domain?¡± sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ¡°Enough is enough!¡± The wind howled as flags fluttered. King Yellow Wind raised his arm, shouting, ¡°Today, we march! We do not fight for personal gain, but to protect our homeland and eliminate disasters for all the beings of Yellow Wind Ridge!¡± His voice echoed, ¡°The righteous army, heaven will assist us, and we will succeed!¡± Hearing these words, Taibai Jinxing and the beautiful woman exchanged glances, both impressed by this unique demon king. ¡°Having a righteous cause, very interesting,¡± Taibai Jinxing said and stroked his beard. He, being an expert, understood the meaning behind these words and couldn¡¯t help but admire the demon king¡¯s clarity of purpose. Chapter 39 - A Righteous Cause, Heaven Shall Assist Chapter 39 A Righteous Cause, Heaven Shall Assist, Success Is Certain! A Martial Master Among Humans! In the camp, with the King of the Battlefield title boosting his speech, King Yellow Wind¡¯s words were passionate and inspiring, rousing the blood and morale of the demons. The demons raised their weapons and shouted together, ¡°Righteous Army!¡± ¡°Righteous Army!¡± ¡°Righteous Army!¡± ¡°Heaven will assist us, and we will succeed!¡± The entire camp echoed with fervor as the demons straightened their chests. They were fighting to defend their homeland. They were fighting to protect Yellow Wind Ridge. They were fighting to eliminate disaster and punish evil! A sense of honor and justice welled up in their hearts. The atmosphere became electrified, and the energy of the camp soared. Even the few humans present in the camp couldn¡¯t help but feel their blood rush with excitement in this atmosphere. ¡°Long live the Rat God!¡± ¡°The ghostly creatures have occupied Flowing Sand City and have been disturbing our villages. Are they finally going to be eradicated?¡± ¡°Great! Let¡¯s kill them!¡± ¡°With the Rat God¡¯s protection, Yellow Wind Ridge is blessed!¡± The people who had come to work here had already accepted the existence of demons. Unlike the Eastern lands, where there were many immortal cultivation temples and demons had vanished, Yellow Wind Ridge was often filled with demons and monsters. Many of the residents here had dealings with smaller demons and had come to view them as part of life. Over time, their fear of the creatures had waned. Moreover, with Old Black Fox¡¯s advocacy and their firsthand experiences with King Yellow Wind¡¯s amiable side, the human workers felt more at ease. After witnessing King Yellow Wind¡¯s personal presence and his efforts to communicate peacefully with the demons, they felt a sense of unity with the forces heading out to battle. Of course, the main reason was that many of them were former citizens of Flowing Sand Kingdom, which had been overtaken by the ghosts. How could they not feel anger toward the invaders? King Yellow Wind overheard their discussions, and a thought stirred within him. ¡°This is an opportunity to foster better communication between humans and demons.¡± He didn¡¯t rush into battle and instead summoned Old Black Fox, giving him a few instructions. ¡°You¡¯ll do it like this, like this¡­¡± Old Black Fox¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°A great plan, my lord!¡± He went off to discuss the matter with a few of the elders. A group of elders soon arrived. ¡°Your Majesty!¡± They bowed. Among them was ¡°Black Scene,¡± who asked, ¡°Is what the King says true?¡± King Yellow Wind replied with confidence, ¡°The heavens above know no lies. It is true!¡± The elders exchanged glances and bowed again. ¡°We will lend our strength to Your Majesty.¡± King Yellow Wind smiled. ¡°Good!¡± ¡°Now, go with Chancellor Linghu back to the villages and gather the young and strong to form a supplementary force. They will march with me.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± King Yellow Wind then called Mouse General. ¡°Go to the armory and fetch a hundred sets of weapons. Take them with Chancellor Linghu.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Mouse General, being clever and well-acquainted with dealing with humans, understood King Yellow Wind¡¯s intent. Having done business with humans before, it knew exactly how to handle such interactions. Old Black Fox and Mouse General led a group of demon soldiers, accompanied by the human elders, to the area near Hundred Fox Mountain. Hundred Fox Mountain was not just one peak¡ªit was surrounded by five or six villages, home to about fifty to sixty thousand people. These were the survivors of Flowing Sand Kingdom. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When the demons appeared, the villagers reacted in various ways. Old Black Fox and Mouse General didn¡¯t enter the villages, instead leaving the elders to return to their respective towns. ¡°The Rat God from Wu Zhen Mountain is going to fight the Ghost King of Flowing Sand City. Would any of you brave villagers like to join the army?¡± The villagers were surprised but looked indifferent. ¡°Join the demons in battle? Are we going to be their blood food?¡± ¡°Indeed, we worship the Rat God for protection, not to go and fight evil ghosts.¡± One elder angrily shouted, ¡°Have you forgotten the national grudge, forgotten the massacre in Flowing Sand City from over a decade ago?¡± ¡°If not for Chancellor Linghu and his family¡¯s protection, you¡¯d all have been devoured by those ghostly creatures long ago.¡± ¡°Is there not a single courageous man in your tribe?¡± The villagers looked ashamed but, remembering the terrifying ghosts and demons, lowered their heads. ¡°I¡¯ll go!¡± A burly butcher emerged from the meat shop. He had wild hair, one eye covered with an eye patch, and a scar on his face. The villagers were surprised, but not entirely. ¡°It¡¯s General Zhuo Jin! He was one of the Rat God¡¯s dream followers but didn¡¯t believe in the supernatural, leading to his family¡¯s tragic death.¡± ¡°It¡¯s said that ten years ago, General Zhuo Jin fought a sudden appearance of a powerful ghost, but was defeated and severely injured.¡± ¡°Luckily, Chancellor Linghu saved him.¡± The butcher gripped his dark, bloodstained butcher¡¯s knife, exuding a murderous aura. When his single eye scanned the crowd, those who had spoken quickly fell silent. As the butcher stepped forward, over ten others joined him in volunteering. Some had been his soldiers, others had lost family members to the ghostly creatures and could not quell their hatred. When no more volunteers came forward, Old Black Fox urged the elders to speak again. ¡°For those joining the army, you will receive five taels of silver, three bushels of rice, and future protection as village warriors under the Rat God¡¯s favor.¡± ¡°We are only recruiting one hundred people, and the slots are limited.¡± The villagers were stunned. ¡°Five taels of silver, three bushels of rice? That¡¯s a generous offer!¡± The villages weren¡¯t huge, but they weren¡¯t small either. The people who had worked in Wu Zhen Mountain were already receiving gold, silver, rice, meat, and other provisions. The villagers had long been envious of them. At first, they didn¡¯t want to volunteer because going to Wu Zhen Mountain meant working; but going to fight alongside the demons meant risking their lives, especially against powerful, hideous ghosts! Who wouldn¡¯t be scared? But now, with the offer on the table, fear seemed to fade. ¡°Three bushels of rice will last a family for a month and a half, and five taels of silver can buy a lot of things.¡± ¡°Hey, Old Black, why didn¡¯t you mention this sooner? I¡¯ll go!¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it just risking our lives? We don¡¯t have much to lose, so why not?¡± The villagers¡¯ enthusiasm surged, and soon, the one hundred spots were filled. Zhuo Jin, watching this unfold, turned to Old Black Fox with curiosity. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you mention these benefits from the start?¡± Old Black Fox stroked his beard and smiled. ¡°If I¡¯d told them from the beginning, we wouldn¡¯t have seen the true courage of these warriors who aren¡¯t afraid of death.¡± Zhuo Jin and his followers proudly raised their chests, understanding now that they were different from those who joined for money. Old Black Fox added. ¡°You will lead these people. Only by turning sheep into wolves will they tear apart the enemy.¡± Just then, dark clouds and strong winds swept across the sky. Old Black Fox looked up. ¡°The King has arrived.¡± Zhuo Jin and the others looked up to see a well-disciplined and powerful army of demons, flags waving and clouds billowing behind them. They were formidable. The villagers, upon seeing them, fell to their knees, worshiping and crying out, ¡°Rat God!¡± King Yellow Wind looked down upon them and shouted, ¡°Zhuo Jin will command the auxiliary troops. Take a moment to arrange your soldiers and join me in slaying evil!¡± He had already had his eye on this brave general. [Race: Human ¡¤ Mortal].[Realm: Qi Refining ¡¤ Martial Master].[Titles: Martial Soul (Purple), Strength of a Mountain (Purple), Sword Master (Purple), Army Deployment (Red), Loyal and Righteous (Red), Spear Master (Red), Master Archer (Red)¡­]. What a powerful general! Even among humans, there were those with immense strength. Zhuo Jin, feeling the long-dormant military energy stir inside him, clasped his hands and said loudly, ¡°I, your humble servant, will follow your command!¡± Chapter 40 - The Ghost Realm, the Ghost King of the Xuan Immortal Realm! Chapter 40 The Ghost Realm, the Ghost King of the Xuan Immortal Realm! Fire a Few Shots Within Range First! Flowing Sand Kingdom! Black smoke rose from the city in waves, forming large black clouds that covered the sky, blocking the sun. The winds howled mournfully, and the atmosphere was heavy with an eerie chill. Within the city, the ground was in disarray. Zombies, evil spirits, and vengeful ghosts roamed freely, many of them grotesque and distorted in form. These were the souls of the people of Flowing Sand Kingdom who had died but were unable to enter the Underworld. Instead, they were trapped here, becoming ghost slaves, forced to serve the Ghost King. At various locations within the city, large pots bubbled with black smoke and malicious energy. If one looked closely, they would see yellowish corpse water boiling with bones, flesh, and even the souls of those who had refused to submit to the Ghost King. These souls screamed and cried in agony, their sorrow and resentment blending to create a ghastly force that shaped the very nature of this ghostly realm. Soon, an evil spirit would come, dropping a mysterious liquid into one of the cauldrons. It was clear from the care taken in handling it that it was no ordinary substance. A whip cracked across the back of an old ghost. The bone demon guarding the pot yelled, ¡°What are you looking at? Get to work!¡± The old ghost fell to the ground, seemingly fragile despite being a ghost. It looked as though it could scatter into nothingness at any moment. The evil spirit glanced at it and muttered, ¡°Don¡¯t kill it. The king will need these souls for the ritual when he reopens the gates of hell.¡± The bone demon grinned and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know my limits. Brother, you got any goods?¡± The evil spirit shook its head. ¡°No, the Yellow Springs water the king brought is running low. Can¡¯t make decent pills from the living souls anymore.¡± The bone demon clicked its tongue. ¡°Hope nothing goes wrong when the gates open.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been enjoying the energy from the living souls of the human realm for these past few years,¡± it added, peeling off some of its own flesh. The ¡®living¡¯ energy had become something it craved. The evil spirit chuckled. ¡°The human realm is the place for prosperity. The blood and souls there let us cultivate at a pace a hundred times faster than before.¡± Turning back toward the palace, the evil spirit saw a squad of elite soldiers, fully armored, guarding a large altar. On the altar, yin fire burned fiercely, fueling a massive bronze cauldron. A green-faced, sharp-toothed figure was drawing souls from a monstrous snake and throwing them into the cauldron. The snake hissed, writhing in pain. Inside the cauldron, not just one, but hundreds, even thousands, of snake souls wriggled together, a sight that sent chills down one¡¯s spine. As the Ghost King cast his magic, the lid of the cauldron closed with a heavy thud. The snake¡¯s hissing faded as the cauldron radiated dark light. The cauldron¡¯s belly trembled violently. Another ghost soldier approached, dragging a dead snake¡¯s body and throwing it into a nearby river. The river was filled with corpses and skeletons, the water yellow and swirling with malevolent energy. The land along the banks was poisoned, the groundwater tainted, and the very air thickened with dread. Just then, a panicked voice came from the sky. The black clouds parted, and a monstrous bird-headed figure descended from above. The Ghost King had been raiding the living, capturing spirits and demons alike. Some demons, too scared to resist, had surrendered and now served him. The bird-headed figure landed in the courtyard and knelt. ¡°My lord, trouble has come. The Demon King of the southern mountains is gathering his forces and heading this way.¡± The Ghost King turned, surprised. ¡°Gathering forces?¡± With a mocking tone, it added, ¡°That Demon King only commands a hundred or so low-level demons. What kind of army is that?¡± The surrounding ghost generals laughed. The bird-headed figure said, ¡°Not just that. He has also chosen over a hundred strong humans from Hundred Fox Mountain and is marching with them.¡± The Ghost King froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. ¡°Humans? What are they capable of? Coming here to offer their heads?¡± The other ghost generals laughed as well. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. If we weren¡¯t saving them for sacrifices, we would have eaten them already.¡± ¡°Exactly, just a bunch of pigs!¡± ¡°No need to fear him!¡± The bird-headed figure seemed worried. ¡°The small demons and humans won¡¯t be a problem, but the Demon King¡­ his powers are vast!¡± The Ghost King laughed and replied, ¡°What is there to fear?¡± A red-eyed zombie wearing armor stepped forward, its voice dripping with arrogance. ¡°We are infamous bandits of Yin Mountain, even in the Underworld. We are not to be trifled with.¡± The other ghost generals chuckled in agreement. ¡°Exactly, we didn¡¯t act earlier because we were focused on transforming this city. But now that the Nine Fiends Convergence Formation is ready, the human ghost realm is just around the corner.¡± ¡°Indeed, we don¡¯t even need that formation. The Ghost King is an immortal of the Taiyi Xuan Immortal Realm. Why should he fear this demon?¡± ¡°Even if a Taiyi Xuan Immortal were to come, it would be slaughtered by the Ghost King.¡± The flattery made the Ghost King laugh loudly. ¡°Well said. When that Demon King arrives, I will tear out his soul and refine some Taiyi Great Soul Pills for you all!¡± ¡°Thank you, my lord!¡± ¡°Long live the Ghost King!¡± The Ghost King laughed as it turned, its eyes cold as it contemplated. ¡°We must make some noise to avoid attracting attention from the Celestial Court.¡± ¡°Once I capture this demon, I will refine it into a primary soul.¡± ¡°Then, after sacrificing ten thousand living souls and opening the Ghost Gate, gathering ten thousand souls to create the Soul Banner, I can return to the Underworld.¡± Building a human ghost realm in the mortal world? That was a death sentence! The Ghost King wasn¡¯t foolish. It had been lurking here for years, already gathering information on Yellow Wind Ridge. The recent activity meant the time to strike was near. _____ Thirty miles away, King Yellow Wind gazed up at the black clouds that now covered a vast area, frowning. ¡°It seems I underestimated them. It¡¯s turned into quite a force.¡± When he had first returned, he¡¯d noticed a few signs, but it wasn¡¯t as severe. Even when he exterminated the Thousand-Year Corpse King, he¡¯d heard rumors from the Toxic Enemy, but he didn¡¯t pay much attention, as it wasn¡¯t a threat in his memory of Yellow Wind Ridge five hundred years later. ¡°My lord, this situation isn¡¯t easy to deal with,¡± Old Black Fox said gravely. ¡°That black cloud looks like a formation, and anyone who enters it will have their vitality suppressed.¡± ¡°If we fight inside, we won¡¯t have the advantage.¡± Silver Wolf General shot a sideways glance at Old Black Fox. ¡°Don¡¯t raise his spirits too high and crush our own.¡± He turned to King Yellow Wind, saying, ¡°My lord, give me the command. I¡¯ll take the lead and test it.¡± Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Golden Lion also spoke up, ¡°My lord, let me lead the charge!¡± Mouse General wasn¡¯t far behind. ¡°My lord, I¡¯ll go!¡± King Yellow Wind looked at his eager subordinates and smiled with appreciation. However, he shook his head. ¡°No, fighting requires not only bravery but also strategy.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve come prepared, but the Ghost King is not moving. He¡¯s likely setting a trap. If we rush in, we¡¯ll fall into his snare.¡± Six-Tusked Elephant asked, ¡°So, what do we do?¡± King Yellow Wind replied, ¡°First, let¡¯s fire a few shots!¡± Everyone stared in confusion. King Yellow Wind unstrapped the Thunder-Striking Divine Wood Bow from his back and took out a peachwood arrow. He invoked the incantation for the Five Thunder Method. The peachwood, a gift from the ancient peach tree, had been struck by lightning three times, with many branches lost in the process. Despite that, it hadn¡¯t rotted, and its energy had become a powerful material for crafting exorcism artifacts. King Yellow Wind knew its value, and now, it was about to serve its purpose. The power of lightning surged through his demon pill, the lightning patterns flashing as his demon energy converted into lightning force, coursing through the bow and into the arrow. Electricity crackled, and a powerful aura surged from King Yellow Wind, causing the surrounding demons to step back in shock.