Lin Shuguang, Are You Even Human?

Su Beichen didn't say it, but Lin Shuguang really wouldn't have known the secrets behind Demon Mountain.

But this "secret" was probably only a secret for someone as blank as Lin Shuguang—people with backgrounds like Su Beichen's had likely already turned Demon Mountain over from top to bottom.

As for Su Beichen stubbornly wanting to enter Demon Mountain, either he had concrete clues in hand, or he was just looking for trouble.

Still, seeing the "sincerity" Su Beichen was willing to offer, Lin Shuguang tucked away his own desire to investigate and pretended to agree reluctantly.

A few young prodigies had emerged during the first round of competition, but unfortunately, their moves didn't provide any improvement to Lin Shuguang's Dao Patterns—a real pity.

"Let's go. Time to climb Demon Mountain." Su Beichen shot Lin Shuguang a meaningful glance.

Then, under the guidance of Jade Void Palace, the disciples from various sects who had successfully made it into the second round all headed toward the legendary Demon Mountain.

Most of these participating disciples, like Lin Shuguang, were visiting Demon Mountain for the first time, and their expressions carried a fair amount of anticipation.

Jade Void Palace's methods were quite formidable.

In an instant, nearly a thousand people were teleported to another location—a desolate stretch of land, the entire mountain scarred and battered, filled with an ancient, decaying aura.

"Though the divinity here has been completely lost, it really is like Su Beichen said—this Demon Mountain hides secrets..."

Standing at the foot of Demon Mountain, Lin Shuguang noticed that the Gray Seal state of his Beast God Soul had actually begun to shrink. The reduction was small, but it did confirm Su Beichen's speculation.

Lin Shuguang extended his perception, trying to probe Demon Mountain more carefully.

But his perception was blocked by some strange force, unable to function at its usual level.

"Trying to sense things?" Su Beichen sidled up, a sly grin on his face. "This Demon Mountain is at least from the ancient era, and it's survived until now. Even if it's lost its divinity like the legends say, it's no scrap heap. There are plenty of strange places inside, and some traps hidden within. One wrong move and you could get pulled into some kind of formation."

Lin Shuguang raised an eyebrow. "If it's lost its divinity, how can formations still exist?"

Su Beichen nodded. "They do exist, but they're extremely well-hidden. Most of the formations now were personally set up by Jade Void Palace's experts. They call it a trial, but in my opinion, it's also to cover up the mysteries of Demon Mountain."

"Is that the 'truth' you were talking about?" Lin Shuguang asked.

Su Beichen nodded again. "Demon Mountain has stood for so many years without falling..."

"If you can think of something, couldn't others have thought of it too?" Lin Shuguang suddenly cut him off.

Su Beichen's expression froze, and for a moment, he was speechless.

After a long pause, he said through gritted teeth, "Give me my money back!"

Lin Shuguang turned around and walked away without hesitation.

Su Beichen: "..."

For this second round, Wang Yuanzhi and the other elders hadn't shown up at all.

Ever since Lin Shuguang learned from Su Beichen that this whole thing was a farce, he wasn't at all surprised why Wang Yuanzhi and the others hadn't appeared.

"Hey, Puff Face, how are we getting in later?"

While the Jade Void Palace invigilator was explaining the competition rules, Lin Shuguang asked in a low voice.

Su Beichen was completely stunned by the nickname and snapped, "You bastard!"

But apparently afraid of being overheard, he lowered his voice again. "When the time comes, follow behind me. I'll handle the formations. There might be disciples from other sects or Beast Souls attacking us—you try to hold them off."

"Beast Souls?" Lin Shuguang's heart stirred, but he asked, "You know my cultivation level too. If the opponent's too strong, I won't be able to hold them off."

Su Beichen thought for a moment, then took out three blood-red banners. "This is a partial set of the Blood Spirit Soul Sacrificing Banner. It's enough to hold off an enemy at the sixth heaven for thirty seconds at most. The time is tight, but it'll be enough."

Lin Shuguang took the three Blood Spirit Soul Sacrificing Banners, raised an eyebrow, and looked at him. "Sounds pretty good. You're just giving these to me?"

"Dream on—they're on loan!" Su Beichen bit down hard on the word "loan."

Lin Shuguang chuckled, unbothered. "You're really comfortable handing these over? Not afraid I'll just take them and not give them back?"

Su Beichen smiled faintly, very confident. "These Blood Spirit Soul Sacrificing Banners have been sealed with a restriction. Even someone like Qi Tianming, a high-level Core Realm cultivator, couldn't break it. I have the confidence to give them to you, and I have the confidence to take them back."

Lin Shuguang weighed them in his hand. "Are these things really that amazing?"

"Things?" Su Beichen hated Lin Shuguang's way of talking. He grumbled a few times, muttered something about not knowing a good thing when he saw it, and then ignored him.

Lin Shuguang settled down and secretly began studying the Blood Spirit Soul Sacrificing Banner.

Su Beichen had said there was a full set of these banners, and this was only part of it.

But even just this part could let Lin Shuguang fight an enemy at the sixth heaven—this thing really was a treasure.

"Too bad... it can only handle a mid-level Core Realm cultivator."

Hearing Lin Shuguang mutter that, Su Beichen's face turned red. He whipped around and glared. "You bastard!"

And he still didn't know when to be grateful.

If he'd really brought the full set out, he wouldn't just be able to fight Core Realm cultivators—he'd dare to take on Spirit Transformation Realm experts. But a treasure like that would inevitably draw some Spirit Transformation Realm experts to fight over it, and then he'd really end up with nothing.

Su Beichen twitched the corner of his mouth and stayed silent.

At the invigilator's command, the many disciples surged forward, charging toward the mountain peak.

Demon Mountain was called Demon Mountain for a reason—that single word "demon."

As for its origins, the records were long since vague. Some powerful cultivators had even tried to deduce its history, only to suffer heavenly punishment for it. This showed just how extraordinary Demon Mountain's origins were.

It was easy to imagine that the one who once owned Demon Mountain must have been a supreme powerhouse of the world.

Luo Zixu strained every muscle as he charged toward the mountaintop, desperate to soar to the heavens in a single bound!

In his eyes, this State Selection was his only way out.

Blazing flames erupted at any moment from the void along Demon Mountain's slopes, and disciples who failed to dodge in time often cried out in pain as they tumbled down the hillside.

Luo Zixu swiftly leaped over these falling disciples.

Some tried to drag him down with them, reaching out to obstruct him as they rolled past, but none succeeded. Luo Zixu struck with ruthless decisiveness, severely wounding anyone who dared make a move.

This made others think twice about scheming against him.

After all, Luo Zixu was no weakling, and his methods were vicious.

Within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Luo Zixu had already left the vast majority behind. He glanced back and spotted Lin Shuguang in the distance.

"With skill like that, you think you can compete with me?"

He let out a sneer of contempt.

But when he noticed Su Beichen standing before Lin Shuguang, this Senior Brother from Fire Sword Peak couldn't help frowning. "When did those two get together?"

He loathed both of them without exception, harboring not a shred of goodwill.

Neither Lin Shuguang nor Su Beichen had ever shown him any regard.

Su Beichen had backing, so that was one thing—but Lin Shuguang? What right did he have? What gave him the nerve to look down on Luo Zixu?

He cast a cold glance at the pair.

Then Luo Zixu resumed his rapid climb. Hundreds of meters away, Qi Tianming and the other Heavenly Prides of the Ninth Heaven advanced, each step seeming to stir the Gale Force rippling across the entire Demon Mountain.

This powerful reaction sent fear through many disciples.

Was the Ninth Heaven truly this terrifying?

"Do you think they know the truth about Demon Mountain?" While no one was paying attention, Lin Shuguang and Su Beichen quietly circled around to the mountain's rear.

Su Beichen shot Lin Shuguang a meaningful look, also taking note of Qi Tianming and his formidable group.

Lin Shuguang was inwardly stunned by the methods of a Core Realm high-stage cultivator.

"Maybe."

"You'd better hurry. There's no guarantee these Heavenly Prides haven't guessed something about this mountain. If you're too slow, you'll regret it more than I will."

Lin Shuguang warned him.

Su Beichen saw the logic in that and quickened his pace, searching for a spot on the mountain.

"What are you looking for?"

"A place suitable for breaking through the mountain's barrier. This Demon Mountain was once layered with a formation by experts from Jade Void Palace, but after a thousand years, some spots have already begun to loosen. Keep an eye out for me. There are Beast Souls inside this mountain—you've seen the Ox Demon. These Beast Souls are the lingering spirits of powerful ferocious beasts, varying in strength. But where we are now, we won't run into any strong ones."

As he spoke, Su Beichen glanced at the Blood Spirit Soul Sacrificing Banner hidden at Lin Shuguang's waist. "With that, you'll definitely manage."

Lin Shuguang, however, was wondering whether these Beast Souls could help him quickly unlock the Beast God Soul.

The two of them fumbled around stealthily for a while, occasionally encountering isolated disciples. Most were afraid of Su Beichen and dared not approach.

But some sought help, coming to cling to Su Beichen's coattails, only to be sent flying by a single sword strike from him. It wasn't lethal, but it was enough to make anyone think twice.

Su Beichen's Young Master temper was well known to all.

And this display only cemented his reputation.

Lin Shuguang stood quietly by his side.

"I'm about to start. Be careful." Su Beichen turned back to look at Lin Shuguang.

They were in a secluded spot at the mountain's rear.

Lin Shuguang watched as Su Beichen patted something in his pouch. Instantly, a streak of light shot out from it, and before Lin Shuguang could even see what it was, the light merged into the mountain's body.

Su Beichen's blood and qi resonated... Lin Shuguang guessed he was executing some technique that heavily drained his spirit. Veins bulged like writhing dragons along Su Beichen's neck.

A black thread of light burst from Su Beichen's fingertip.

With a "puff" sound.

It was as if something had been breached.

A crack had just appeared in the mountain when a gust of sinister wind surged forth.

A Spirit of the Grizzly Bear materialized.

Lin Shuguang struck with his blade.

The blade passed through the bear spirit without resistance. Aside from the Gale Force blast that pushed the spirit back a fraction, the weapon dealt no damage at all.

"Use your blood and qi... channel it into your martial techniques!"

Su Beichen roared with all his might.

Veins bulging.

His voice hoarse from exertion.

The force of the bear spirit's charge even drew blood from the corner of Su Beichen's mouth.

"Fuck, why didn't you say so earlier!"

Lin Shuguang's mind stirred, and the blood energy throughout his body surged violently.

Even Su Beichen was startled by him.

This guy really did have a trump card.

He hadn't chosen the wrong person...

"Bam!"

Just as he thought this, Su Beichen was struck by a burst of shattered stone. He let out a muffled groan, and fresh blood trickled from the corner of his mouth again.

"Fuck!"

He glared at Lin Shuguang.

Can you get your act together or not? At this rate, this young master is going to be killed by you sooner or later!!!

The Darksteel Blade in Lin Shuguang's hand had already snapped. This Spirit of the Grizzly Bear was definitely an existence beyond the Core Realm in life. He had also suffered some backlash, but fortunately, his internal organs had been tempered to an extreme degree, so he escaped disaster.

"Didn't you say we wouldn't run into any strong enemies here?"

Lin Shuguang glared back at him.

Su Beichen was momentarily speechless.

After a long pause, he cursed.

"How the hell was I supposed to know a Spirit Transformation Realm Grizzly Bear was hiding here? But it's just a soul now, its strength is greatly reduced. You..."

Before he could finish.

Lin Shuguang tossed out the Blood Spirit Soul Sacrificing Banner.

Blood energy erupted, enveloping the three Blood Spirit Soul Sacrificing Banners. The surrounding aura underwent a heaven-shaking transformation.

The aura turned terrifying and ferocious, driven by Lin Shuguang's blood energy.

A sharp storm of blood energy followed as Lin Shuguang brought his fingers together and slashed down.

"Pfft"

"Roar!!!"

The Spirit of the Grizzly Bear let out a silent howl. Its soul burst into flames with a boom and rapidly dissipated.

The terrifying blast wave sent rocks and sand flying in all directions, an utterly fearsome sight!

"Su Beichen, you son of a bitch!"

"Lin, you son of a bitch!"

Two furious voices rang out at the same time.

Rustle!

The array patterns shattered.

Su Beichen's face lit up with joy. Ignoring the dust splattered on him from Lin Shuguang's fierce battle, he hurriedly called out, "Quick, follow me in!"

A vortex appeared.

Lin Shuguang glanced at the Pay-to-Win System, where a section of the Beast God Soul's Gray Seal had decreased. This meant those Beast Souls were still useful for enhancing his Dao Patterns.

Following Su Beichen, both of them charged toward the vortex. In the blink of an eye, one after the other, they vanished from where they stood.

"Where are they?"

"I just sensed someone fighting here..."

Several figures appeared in the rear mountain where Lin Shuguang and Su Beichen had just been. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

They had sensed a battle here just moments ago, but now the people had disappeared so quickly?

"Could it be... they were killed?"

"That shouldn't be the case."

"Senior Brother, look at the battle traces here... I'm afraid this isn't something we can get involved in. Let's retreat quickly."

Lin Shuguang and Su Beichen could fully observe everything happening outside.

Inside the mountain, there was another hidden realm.

It seemed like a separate world, yet they could clearly see the outside through the mountain's interior.

"Do you sense anything?"

Su Beichen turned to look at Lin Shuguang, his expression grave.

Lin Shuguang's face remained unchanged. "It's the stench of rotting corpses. This place... I'm afraid it's a mountain of corpses!"

From the outside, this Demon Mountain appeared as a mass of roiling demonic energy, like a ferocious demon baring its claws.

But inside the mountain, it was a horrifying tomb piled high with white bones.

"Something's off. Are you alright?" Lin Shuguang's expression also grew unusually serious.

"It's passable."

Su Beichen took out a pill Lin Shuguang had never seen before from his pocket and directly shoved it into his mouth.

Lin Shuguang raised an eyebrow. "This Humble One wants one too."

"Are you sure you're injured?" Su Beichen's face darkened.

"What if I spit one out now—would that still count?"

"...Are you even human!!!!"