Fishing

Over the past decade, Ink Bamboo Mountain has been relentlessly attacking the Ten-thousand-mountains, advancing from Yangjia Mountain to Tianyu Mountain. They not only reclaimed all the previously lost Daoist temples, but also expanded westward by three thousand miles, destroying mountain peaks and Spirit Pool one by one. They slaughtered all the resisting demons and took the subjugated Demon Race as protectors, mounts, spirit beasts, and pets, sealing and raising them with talismans. They granted the demon caves and spiritual veins to meritorious disciples and uniformly planned and developed spiritual fields, herb gardens, mines, and animal pen resource points. They also laid out mechanical railways and introduced migrants with cultivation potential to work and mine resources.

Moreover, it's not that we'll stop here once we've reclaimed the former territory of Tianyu Mountain.

Ink Bamboo Mountain's strategy is now set: first the south, then the north, with all its might aimed at conquering the Ten-thousand-mountains.

For now, we're not actively seeking trouble with the lions of Fuyu Mountain. Besides needing to exterminate the Demon Race and develop resource points, the main reason is that from Tianyu Mountain to the west, from Guishan Mountain to Qiwu Mountain, there are seventeen mountains spanning seven thousand two hundred li, which is a different mountain range with a different geological vein. The feng shui has changed, the destiny has shifted, and even the mountain gods appointed by the ancient Ancient Immortal Palace have changed.

Therefore, if the old talisman formations are still used, there may be deviations if they are not recalculated and improved. Supernatural powers and escape techniques are not unusable, but in battle, even the slightest deviation in effect can be life-threatening.

Therefore, the main force of cultivators from Ink Bamboo Mountain is now gathering in Tianyu. On one hand, they are setting up Daoist temples in various places, preparing talismans and banners, and investigating and calculating the geography and feng shui of each mountain. On the other hand, they are also laying mechanical railways to the six mountains to replenish various strategic resources and build the core territory of the new sect.

In addition, due to the dramatic changes in the times and the current state of the sect's great calamity in recent years, the peak masters of the nine peaks of Bamboo Mountain have also realized that they must start reforms like Lou Guan and Moshan.

In the past, they were indeed poor and unambitious rogue cultivators. They struggled to survive, let alone support many disciples. They would wait to pick out the disciples that Lou Guan had left over, and then select a few with affinity for immortality to pass on their teachings.

But now they have acquired abundant natural resources and treasures accumulated by monsters in the Ten-thousand-mountains, as well as railway and bank shares, and have indeed become wealthy.

On the contrary, several major calamities have led to the extinction of the Ink Bamboo Mountain. In recent years, the campaign against the Demon Race has also inevitably resulted in casualties. In contrast Lou Guan and Moshan lineages are thriving and growing stronger day by day. The peak masters of the nine peaks of Bamboo Mountain also felt that this could not continue and that the lineage would be cut off.

In any case, the land of the original Nine Peaks of Bamboo Mountain had been rented out to refugees for development, and some of the lineages of the Nine Peaks had been severed. Some new Daoist Tradition of cultivation had also been brought over from the north with the refugees. So, taking advantage of this great calamity of the sect and the opportunity of destroying the mountain and temple, the cultivators of Bamboo Mountain simply established a new sect in Tianyu Mountain and formed a group to reorganize into the Tianyu Mountain lineage.

Lou Guan has his own system, and Moshan is based on the Pure Tai Su New Method, so they don't object to the Bamboo Mountain lineage integrating the immortal cultivators of the sect. After all, even if Bamboo Mountain becomes Tianyu Mountain, everyone still regards the Feng Qingniu as the sect leader, leading the Daoist certificates and talismans of the Xuanmen Lou Guan, and they still choose disciples together.

Take Qin Jiu as an example. He no longer needs to go through the trouble of choosing a mountain, paying respects to the sect, and finding the mountain master like Lin Chen and the others did. He only needs to follow the newcomers, participate in triathlons, cross rivers and climb mountains, and run a section to prove that he has the aptitude and physique for cultivation to become Outer Sect Disciple of the 'Ink Bamboo Mountain Lou Guan Dao'.

Then, Lou Guan's disciples will still teach them, guiding them to cultivate and learn to read in Lou Guan City, supplementing their basic knowledge of cultivation, until they reach the Foundation Establishment Perfection and prepare for the exam.

Lou Guan remains the same; to join Lou Guan, you must overcome the tribulation of death and achieve the Golden Core before you can obtain the true method. As for Li Fan's Mo Shan Tai Su Dao, it is currently in the stage of rampaging through alien test subjects, and it is basically impossible for normal people to accept it.

Now, Tianyu Mountain allows one to join without the bloodshed. As long as one passes the Six Arts Examination held by Ink Bamboo Mountain, which includes the additional "Ink Bamboo Mountain Middle School Examination" on mechanical arts, and obtains passing scores in three out of the Six Gates, one can join Tianyu Mountain and have one free opportunity to apply for Heavenly Treasure. After reaching the Core Formation stage, one can become an "Inner Sect Disciple of Lou Guan of Tianyu Mountain".

After joining the 'Tianyu Mountain Inner Sect', you can come to the Ten-thousand-mountains to do tasks, earn sect contribution points, grind, and exchange them for rewards. So, to put it simply, the reason it changed from the Nine Peaks of Bamboo Mountain to 'Tianyu Mountain' is mainly because the reward exchange is all done at the front-line Tianyu Mountain base camp. Now everyone is fighting side by side with fellow cultivators who are fighting against the Demon Race, so there is no distinction between us.

After this reorganization, the 'Tianyu Mountain Lou Guan' actually fits the organizational model of the Xuanmen more well, and is more likely to be recognized by the Xuanmen than the 'Ancient Method Louguan' and the strange 'Moshan Louguan'.

Today, the cultivators of Tianyu Mountain were also in an uproar. After all, they were scattered cultivators from all over the country who had gathered in the border regions and were used to being bullied. They were a new sect that had only been established thanks to Lou Guan, but they still lacked confidence when they went out into the world.

But who would have thought! After receiving the distress call, Senior Sister Chen Asha rescued a large number of fellow disciples and, with only the Golden Core realm, single-handedly vanquished the demon! She even beheaded the Nascent Divine Transformation demon king! The Snow Lion King under the Nine Bends God Lord of Fuyu Mountain! It seems that the Cultivation Method of our Tianyu Mountain are quite powerful! Our morale has soared, and our cohesion is off the charts!

"... Originally, I wanted to take you to the Central Plains to broaden your horizons, but who would have thought this would happen at the last minute? Your meridians are now shattered, poison has entered your body, your internal organs are out of balance, and the poisonous fire has penetrated deep into your bone marrow. You must soak in Immortal Spirit Jade Marrow and recuperate quietly. Moreover, these swords are so damaged that I have to take them to be repaired. I can't take you with me on this opportunity."

Li Fan examined Asha's pulse and was speechless. This girl was too stubborn. He had already instructed her to use the Kun Ticket when encountering Divine Transformation stage demon, but she still insisted on fighting it herself. This time she almost died.

"I'm sorry, senior brother..."

Chen Asha squatted in the medicine furnace, and her poisonous insects were all paralyzed on the ground, as if they were dead and unable to recover.

"Sigh, if you can't win, run. Don't always listen to that old guy's advice to rush in and risk your life. You're not cheating, where are you going to get so many lives to risk? If you teach like that, how many disciples would survive?"

Fortunately, Yuepo was looking for you this time, so we were able to arrive in time. You've escaped a close call. Try to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm."

Li Fan wrote down a prescription and threw a bunch of pills and spiritual herbs for Asha to recuperate.

Asha really worked hard; she learned everything that was taught to her and could use it in crucial moments, but her natural talent was still lacking.

The Dragon Fetus Feathering Pill's power boost was incredibly powerful. Back then, Li Fan used it like candy, fighting his way through countless demons as if they were nothing. But unexpectedly Asha only used one pill, and her body became too weak to handle the boost. She was finished after one attack, paralyzed and completely helpless.

If even taking drugs doesn't work, how am I supposed to fight those overpowered monsters guarding the Central Plains and the Xuanmen...?

Alas, it seems that the Central Plains Xuanmen's selection of disciples based on rank and aptitude, though cruel and cold-blooded, truly has its reasons. People are not born equal. Innate qualities like physical constitution and aptitude may seem indistinguishable in ordinary times, but in crucial moments, the difference between taking one more or one less pill can be stark. Whether a disciple is worth the sect's significant resource investment is predetermined from the very beginning.

From a personal perspective, Li Fan would naturally protect Asha. However, from the perspective of the sect leader, it is indeed better to entrust the sect with disciples who have higher aptitude and are destined to go further, even if their personalities are a little unpleasant. This is perhaps the fairest thing to do for the entire sect.

After offering a few words of comfort to Asha, Li Fan went outside and addressed the group of disciples waiting there.

"Asha is fine. She'll be lively and energetic again after a month or two of bed rest. Don't disturb your Senior Sister's rest."

"As the Grand Master commands."

The Tianyu Mountain were relieved to hear from the Grand Master that Senior Sister was safe and sound, and they dispersed.

"Mountain Lord, I was able to escape with my life thanks to Senior Sister. Could I thank her in person? I have prepared a gift for her."

Li Sheng still refused to leave, carrying a pile of animal heads on his back, kneeling on the ground and begging for forgiveness.

Li Fan glared at him. This guy had also been nearly killed by that lion demon and had been rescued, but he was thick-skinned and had learned the art of transformation. Once he was full, he was as good as new. He certainly had good potential...

"Shi Sheng, you're quite capable yourself. How about coming with me to the Central Plains for some fun?"

This time, Asha's sudden encounter with danger caused her to miss the opportunity to undergo tribulation in the Central Plains, but it also made Li Fan realize that Xuan Tian was right.

It's time to take my disciples to see the level of the Central Plains. Always staying in the mountains and practicing in isolation, exchanging moves with a bunch of mindless monsters, their brains are getting dumber and dumber.

For example, in Asha's recent predicament, she did benefit from her frequent battles with Demon Race, which gave her a very solid foundation. However, because she was so well protected, she completely lacked awareness of the level of a Divine Transformation Demon King, and even underestimated her own abilities. She probably mastered powerful techniques like the Dragon Fetus Feathering Pill but never used them in actual combat. Otherwise, how could she have gotten herself into such a predicament?

And honestly, what's so difficult about a Divine Transformation demon king? Is it really that hard to fight? At most, it's just a bit stronger and can roar a couple of times. It's not like the Jade Toad Granny has any Daoist magic or immortal affinity. If it were a proper Nascent Soul Stage cultivator trained by an old Xuanmen sect, wielding a superior flying sword and having plenty of elixirs and miraculous medicines at their disposal, how difficult would it be to kill it?

If Asha were just a rogue cultivator from Tianyu Mountain, it wouldn't be so bad. But she was trained by Xuan Tian himself using the orthodox secret methods of the prestigious Beichen Sword Sect, and possesses countless magical treasures. It's a shame she almost lost.

No, once she recovers from her injuries, she has to be sent out for training. The same goes for the others; they all need to be given a thorough workout.

Therefore, Li Fan's first target was naturally Li Sheng Shisheng, whose skills were no less than Asha's and whose aptitude was clearly better.

But who would have thought that Li Sheng would shake his head so vigorously, like a rattle-drum?

"The Central Plains? No way! What's so fun about the Central Plains? We're chased by officials and bandits day and night, and we can't even get a full meal. I barely managed to escape. Ink Bamboo Mountain is much better. Everyone there is kind and friendly, and there's plenty of delicious food. I'm not going back."

Li Fan cursed, "Eat, eat, eat! Is that all you've got? When are you going to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage?!"

Li Sheng scratched his head, "I've already broken through to the Nascent Soul Stage several times?"

Li Fan was furious, "You idiot! I already told you to suppress the changes of the Revered Heavenly Demon. Your cultivation is insufficient and your mind is not strong enough. Don't break through recklessly! Aren't you afraid of the backlash!"

"And you've already broken through several Dharma Body levels? Yet you still let that lion beat you so badly you were sent flying! If you, as the protector, could have held the line, would Asha have been injured like this? You've utterly disgraced Moshan!"

Li Sheng felt extremely guilty. "Yes, disciple has disappointed you. However, that lion was quite strong. I had already used all my strength to unleash the Sixteenth Layer of the Ink Mountain Fist, but I still couldn't defeat it. Senior Sister, the number one among our disciples, truly lives up to her reputation..."

Li Fan speechless. Sigh, this guy's a complete waste, all he knows is brute force. It's no surprise he loses a wrestling match against an animal. Why don't you flank him, use positioning, slide tackle, backstab, kidney strike? Why just go head-to-head? Where's your brain?

"Master! Master! I want to go! I've never been to the Central Plains before! Please take me!"

When Li Fan saw the girl who jumped up and raised her hand, he knew it was indeed Nie Feilian, the ultimate social butterfly. This girl had that rare kind of social bullying; if there was a chance to become an immortal, she had to jump out and fight for it. However...

Li Fan glanced at her current cultivation level of the early Golden Core. He figured her skill was only at the level of an average Inner Sect Tianyu Mountain, probably not even passing the high school entrance exam. He sighed inwardly, but smiled outwardly.

"Feilian, you should cultivate steadily for a few hundred years and solidify your foundation. I'll bring you some delicious food when I come back..."

"Something delicious? Where can I find something delicious?"

Li Tangyuan immediately came over. Although she was only at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Perfection, she was already as chubby as her name suggested, with a face as round as a dumpling. It wasn't just chubby; it was real fat, all flesh.

Li Fan stared at her expressionlessly. Was the food at Tianyu Mountain really that good? Did this guy still have any of the Nangong Family's former selves? And how come he's only at Foundation Establishment? If your face is so Perfected Realm, at least get your cultivation to Perfection!

Ignoring the foodies, Li Fan turned to look around.

Ten years is still too short. Asha is injured, Li Sheng is not going, and the juniors in Bamboo Mountain Class are growing too slowly and are not presentable at all. Nie Feilian is considered decent, at least she has reached the Perfected Realm, while Xiang Xiaoyu and Yan Xiao Ling are even worse than her, still stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage. It seems they don't go to the battlefield to experience tribulations.

Lin Xiang is also a fool. She's failing all five arts and is still taking extra classes. Her Gu Guan Method are also half-baked. She probably can't even beat an average Mo Shan citizen. It seems I'd better go by myself.

"Huh? Why are there only a few girls here? Where's Kun? Where are Lin Chen and the others?"

Nie Feilian replied, "The Three-Eyed Divine Kun Lord went with the elders of the sect to exorcise demons. They said that there is a surge of evil energy at the bottom of Danxue Mountain, and there may be a Non-Thing demon god causing trouble. Just in case, we need to ask it to take a look."

Ah, Kun has become an indispensable fighting force for the sect. My mortal heart is greatly comforted.

Xiang Xiaoyu also said, "Young Master and the others went fishing in the pond."

Yan Xiao Ling complained, "My brother went with us, but he didn't take us."

Li Tangyuan snorted, "I fish every day, but I can't catch a single one."

"Young Master? Oh..."

Then Li Fan realized that Lin Chen, Song Dayou, Xiang Kong, Yan Zhong, Yan Zheng, these guys in the beginner class, were a small group of fellow students from the same year, and they hung out together everywhere.

As luck would have it, the eldest disciple of the Moshan Sect, whose body was the reincarnation of the Tianyu God after his physical transformation, was none other than Xiang Kong, the young master of the Xiang Family, so he was somewhat related to Xiang Xiaoyu.

Incidentally, the heads of the other seven fellow disciples from Moshan have already grown back, and they have all grown various forms of the Five Mountain Mountain God Dao Body. They are now scattered throughout the Five Sons Peak of Moshan, together with many Moshan people, devouring and hunting various free-range and imprisoned Non-Thing demons, Moon Worship to cultivate, and stabilizing their cultivation.

Two years ago, when Li Fan visited her, Da Baitui's long, white legs had already grown back. However, since she cultivated the human-faced snake-bodied Dao body of the Northern Mountain God, her two long, white legs only made her look like a human gecko at first glance, not human at all, which was quite disheartening. The others were also strangely shaped and similar. In short, given their current condition, it was not advisable to release them out of the mountain to scare people. Moreover, they were indeed too demonic and easily lost control, opening their mouths to devour people and falling into the demonic path.

However, with Tai Su Tian Shi now on Mo Shan's side, in another ten or twenty years, they will probably all be able to cultivate back to the Nascent Soul Realm, regain their senses, transform into human form, and become the backbone of Ink Bamboo Mountain's much-needed fighting force.

The former master of the mountain, Mo Zhizi, was similar, but his appetite was even greater. The mere Mo Shan Five Sons Peak couldn't feed him, so he had to go to Kunlun Mountain to eat great monsters. He probably had to eat his way back to the Transformation Stage before he could subdue Taotie.

On the contrary, the eldest brother of Moshan has not yet awakened, which is definitely much slower than his junior brothers and sisters. However, he has cultivated to the level of a Divine Lord before. Although it is not certain, in most cases, those who have undergone physical transformation and reincarnation have a much faster cultivation progress than ordinary people. Perhaps Xiang Kong is also a promising talent!

Li Fan suddenly became interested. After asking Xiang Xiaoyu and the others for directions, he used his dust-based teleportation ability to fly straight to Langshui to see what level these lazy kids who didn't study hard and just slack off by fishing in the river were at.