Patrolling the Mountains

Two days later, Li Fan visited the Daoist temples of Yangjia and Guanxiang Mountains to deliver messages.

Both mountains are guarded by True Immortals of Lou Guan, one surnamed Tian and the other Zhou. They appear unremarkable to the naked eye, but their profound cultivation is awe-inspiring. They are highly accomplished Daoist masters, roughly on par with Real Person Liang and True Real Person Huang, their skills likely comparable. Although their true combat strength is not apparent, it is clear that their cultivation is higher than that of Xiao Yao and his group who forged the sword. They have also attained Daoist cultivation longer. Obviously, they are old monsters who have not wasted their energy on miscellaneous skills such as alchemy, talismans, arrays, and divination, but have focused solely on cultivation.

If it weren't for the fact that Tai Gongshi possessed specialized skills and was exceptionally proficient in his work, with a production efficiency at least four times that of the average person, he probably wouldn't even be qualified to sit in the seat of Master Shoushan...

This also shows that once Lou Guan's lineage breaks through the Tribulation of Killing and achieves the Golden Core, there are countless people who can refine their Nascent Soul Stage through the sect's profound Cultivation Method. Each of them has a deep foundation and profound cultivation. They truly deserve the nitpicking comment from Profound Heaven Sword Intent: "The orthodox sect of the ancient Xuanmen, the Cultivation Method of cultivating the Nascent Soul Stage through the Inner Alchemy School is unparalleled."

This experience further solidified Li Fan's desire to possess all three Nascent Soul Stage techniques!

However, these trivial matters were put aside for the time being. It concerned the important matter of the Qi Luck Array of Ink Bamboo Mountain and Li Country. Master Tian and Master Zhou took Li Fan to check the seal.

However, the seals on these two mountains remained intact and were not broken by the Chen Jinu. This was mainly because these two magic formations were right under the nose of the Daoist Master, and it would be too unreasonable for him not to keep an eye on them.

One was in the medicinal garden of Guanxiang Mountain, where a tree demon in the Transformation Stage was sealed. The other was at the bottom of the Yangjia Mountain, where a vicious dragon in the Transformation Stage was locked. With Li Fan's rudimentary knowledge of formations, he could only tell that this was a kind of formation that squeezed the true energy of the two demons, creating a dual formation of water and wood to transform the world.

However, these two matters involved the sealing of demons, which was not worth the trouble of patrolling Golden Core disciples to investigate, so there is no record of Chen Jinu coming to investigate. Perhaps it was also because the seals had not been broken and the matter involved the secrets of the Ink Bamboo Mountain sect, that the two True Immortals, Tian and Zhou, did not, like True Immortal Tai, explain the cause and effect to Li Fan, a junior, in much detail, but only took him along to check that the seals were intact.

However, both of them confirmed that six months ago, there was indeed a Golden Core cultivator they had never seen before, with a white face and no beard, riding a Suanni, who came to patrol the mountain in place of Real Person Huang's disciple, Xu Liang.

However, this person did not come to see the two seals of destiny. In the Guanxiang Mountain herb garden, he only checked whether a few spiritual herbs customized by the sect had been stolen by demonic beasts. In Yangjia Mountain, he only patrolled along the mountain's spiritual veins to see if any demonic groups had come to occupy the area. These were all fairly normal behaviors.

Neither of the two officers felt there was anything wrong with suddenly changing patrol personnel.

According to Master Tian, this herb garden was originally for the public use of Ink Bamboo Mountain. Any cultivator could plant their spiritual herbs here and let them grow by absorbing the Purple Radiance qi of the tree demon. It was perfectly normal for a cultivator to occasionally come and check on the growth of their herbs.

Master Tian was more tactful, while Master Zhou's meaning was more direct, to the point that he almost spat out his words.

Because patrolling the mountain shouldn't have been entirely assigned to Xu Liang. However, the cultivators in the sect complained that the reward for patrolling was too low. They didn't see many demonic beasts or encounter any opportunities in the heart of the Ink Bamboo Mountain. Basically, all the young and inexperienced people were assigned to patrol, and they all ran away after doing it once.

Now that something has gone wrong, they're blaming everyone and everyone else, suspecting that Xu Liang might have ties with a demon and that the sect needs to investigate. It's as if missing the seal on the destiny formation has become his sole fault. What kind of logic is this? Where is the reason?

Xu Liang is also a disciple of Ink Bamboo Mountain, Golden Core cultivator. He just happened to be cultivating in the Flame Pool. Helping with guarding and patrolling is already more than enough. Does he expect to be tied to this place and guard the gate?

Of course, these two masters weren't trying to make things difficult for Li Fan. After all, Real Person Huang, as his mentor, couldn't say too much. These three were all fellow disciples of Lou Guan, and had guarded the southern gate together for so many years. They genuinely felt it was unfair to their senior brother and junior brother. But the way they spoke made their dissatisfaction quite obvious.

This guardianship of destiny formation isn't for their own sake, or even for the sake of Ink Bamboo Mountain. As long as Ink Bamboo Mountain doesn't lose its peak, they don't care about any destiny formation. This is all for the sake of the destiny of the Li Country!

Well, after guarding this desolate mountain area for so many years, maintaining the magic array to suppress the calamity, and guarding the border to prevent demons from venturing into the Li Country to devour people, all that resources have been wasted, and not only have they not received a single kind word, but they actually come here to cause trouble? And they even stab them in the back—no, stab them in the back many times. Do they really think the people in the mountains have no temper?

In fact, when Li Fan handed over Real Person Huang's letter and reported the emergence of the drought-stricken Divine Beast from the two mountains, he saw the two Old Taoist' faces immediately fall. He also knew that after this, Ink Bamboo Mountain would probably never help Li Country again to suppress any vague and ethereal calamities.

There may be many good-natured people in this world, but someone who is wronged, plotted against, and beaten, who is slapped in the face but still insists on being a good-natured person and even offers the other cheek to be slapped, is definitely not a foolish, indiscriminately kind person. There is a scripture I have to tell you about later, cough cough cough!

Therefore, this time, spies from the Li Country came and used underhanded means to ruin the fortune of Ink Bamboo Mountain, assassinate Ink Bamboo Mountain disciples, steal Ink Bamboo Mountain's dragon, and plot to instigate a sword fight between Ink Bamboo Mountain and the Immortal Palace. One scheme after another, one link after another, there was never a day of peace. Even these old Daoists who were cultivating in seclusion in the mountains could not hold back and were furious!

From the perspective of Ink Bamboo Mountain alone, they've really been generous to the Li Country. Originally, the responsibility of guarding the Twelve Countries was the Immortal Palace's. They say the Li Country is providing tribute, but how much rice do these cultivators eat? Moreover, under the False Moon, they usually eat their own people to increase their power. So why should they be betrayed and stabbed like this by these incompetent rulers, eunuchs, corrupt scholars, and dog officials?

So what those two big shots meant was probably the meaning of the vast majority of Ink Bamboo Mountain disciples.

Ink Bamboo Mountain has done everything he could. Since those beasts from Li Country look down on them, then let's separate if you want to. We'll go our separate ways, and we'll leave the rest to fate! I'm not going to interfere anymore!

There's an old saying that goes, "Heaven's sins can be forgiven, but self-inflicted sins are inescapable." Some things, once crossed, have no turning back. The fate between Ink Bamboo Mountain and Li Country has run its course.

Li Fan was also a bit scratching his head. Of course, he didn't care at all about these native dynasties or their dragon veins and destiny. After all, the fate of the Li Country was coming to an end, so what did it have to do with him Li Fan? He wasn't some prince or nobleman, so he could just let it go.

However, he was still somewhat skeptical about the widespread drought. Although Li Fan's original values didn't support such things, he had now transmigrated to another world and become an immortal. So, it was possible that in the next few years or even a decade or so, there would indeed be some changes in the weather that would be unfavorable to human life.

Fortunately, before leaving Yangjia Mountain Dojo, Li Fan received a message from Ink Bamboo Mountain through the mountain god's intervention. He was informed that the sect had intercepted two Yong Bird based on the report and sent them to Changsi City for the abbot to execute. At least he had given advance notice, and all parties should have been prepared.

Li Fan thought about it and realized that drought wasn't so terrible. At worst, he could ask cultivators to bring rain, and he could also tell Fuling and the others to prepare more rice and flour. If something really happened, he could help relieve the disaster victims. Anyway, the sect would naturally make decisions on these matters. It was a waste for a Golden Core cultivator like him to concern himself with the affairs of these big shots. He would just focus on finishing his patrol mission and handing it in.

However, it's no wonder that the garrison commander in the south complained that no one came to help. The person in charge who assigned this task was really incompetent. This patrol of the mountain required running from east to west, circling four mountain peaks, and flying three or four thousand miles back and forth. Without a mount, it would be exhausting, yet they only gave him five hundred strings of cash as a running fee. That was incredibly stingy.

Moreover, the entire journey was through barren mountains and treacherous waters, not even a bird's feather could be seen, let alone any monsters or prey. The mountain gods had probably already driven them away beforehand, so Li Fan had been flying for days without even a chance to test his sword skills. It was truly unbelievable...

Li Fan's mood improved by 1 point.

Huh? System, what's wrong with you now?

Li Fan abruptly pressed down on the Sword Light, frowning as he looked Fourth Department.

He had just been lectured by Master Zhou and was heading back to Ink Bamboo Mountain from Yangjia Mountain. It was impossible for his mood to improve, unless... the system was hinting to him not to miss out on the treasure!

Li Fan immediately understood, unleashed Sword Light, and tossed the Si Nan to the ground, where it spun around.

The spoon initially pointed southwest, towards the Yangjia Mountain temple, but suddenly turned northwest. Sure enough, something unexpected had happened!

Li Fan then turned around and flew northwest on his sword. After flying for nearly a hundred miles, he saw two streaks of yellow and red smoke clouds darting about below, seemingly fighting or fleeing.

Li Fan glanced at the two wisps of smoke and mist, his eyes flashing – they were demons!

There's no need to explain monsters; everyone on Earth knows them. It would be strange if there weren't any monsters in the Immortal Realm. However, in this world, the Three Great Sects have almost wiped out all the wild monsters within the Twelve Countries, leaving only domesticated and tamed spirit pets and Daoist companions.

Many Demon Race from the Central Land were driven into the Ten-thousand-mountains Mountains, nearly becoming extinct for many years. However, with the False Moon in the sky, it not only benefits humans but also has a greater impact on demons who cultivate under the moon. Moreover, their cultivation seems to be easier and more effortless. After all, they were originally just beasts who preyed on each other, so the concept of Devil Embryo transformation didn't matter. As a result, the demons in the mountains have now revived on a large scale, forcing the Immortal Palace's forces to retreat.

Ink Bamboo Mountain and these demons have been old enemies. Li Fan had also looked at the demon-slaying manual given by the sect and could tell at a glance that the two demons below were the kind of demons who had cultivated their inner cores, which is equivalent to the Golden Core Stage in humans.

Although his opponents were two Golden Core, Li Fan was not afraid at all. After all, when demons faced Daoists, who were their natural counter, their strength would generally drop by one level. But a genius like Li Fan could easily kill cultivators by skipping levels. Demons of the same realm were no match for him. Li Fan could tell at a glance that the two demonic Dao Breath were turbid and their cultivation was not in accordance with the correct method. Moreover, they were scattered and wandering, obviously having fought for a long time and were no longer in good condition.

Moreover, for demons cultivating under the moon, achieving an inner core is not difficult. Most demons at this level are neither human nor non-human; they have developed sentience and can speak human language, but they have not yet achieved a true human form. Therefore, they can only use some of their own kind's methods, which are nothing more than revealing their demonic form and tearing at each other like wild beasts. Their combat strength is incomparable to that of human cultivators. As long as one has a magic weapon, such a demon is a good candidate to kill and extract the inner core.

However, if they can cultivate to the Nascent Soul Realm, they can transform into human form and manifest a human body. They can also learn human cultivation Cultivation Method. In fact, throughout history, many demons have cultivated into human form and joined human sects as slaves in order to seek the righteous path. The Three Great Sects also acknowledge that they have cultivated into human form and occasionally accept them into their ranks. This is the origin of the Nascent Soul Realm being called 'True Person'.

Li Fan flew over on his Sword Light, intending to test his skills. He casually extended his Divine Sense and captured the two demons.

The two demonic energies instantly sensed the approaching enemy, immediately stopped their pursuit, and split into two groups, maintaining their distance and remaining wary of each other.

Li Fan floated in the air, circling his body with the Fagui Sword, and looked down intently.

On the ground were two creatures, one yellow-skinned and the other red-haired, both appearing to be mammals, each as large as a horse. They stood on two legs and ran like humans, wearing armor that resembled chainmail or leather armor. They were indeed spirits with some intelligence.

Li Fan carefully examined the yellow-skinned demon, and sure enough, what he had seen earlier was correct. The demon was holding something in its left hand, from which a faint light of treasure was emanating. The red-haired demon had come after it to steal the treasure.

Haha! This is truly my lucky break!

Li Fan cleared his throat, pointed, and said, "This treasure is destined for me."

The two demons were silent for a moment, then let out a strange howl.

The fox demon thought, "It's all your fault! Stop running away! It was clearly a twin spirit fruit from the same stem! You insisted on keeping it all to yourself! Look, it's even climbed onto the edge of Ink Bamboo Mountain!"

The weasel demon declared, "Further words are useless! Those who are not of our kind are bound to have different hearts! Let's join forces and kill the demonic cultivators of Ink Bamboo Mountain!"

Li Fan couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Hey! What right do you two monsters have to call me the Demonic Path? You're not even of my kind! One of you is a canine, and the other is a weasel—what kind of kin are you?!"

Slay the demons, cut them down.

Before he finished speaking, a sword shadow flashed beside him, and the Fagui Sword drew a black line in the air, like a shuttle flying overhead. Its shadow swept across the mountains and fields, circled the two demons once, and then flew back to Li Fan's side. No blood dripped from the sword's spine, and the two furry heads on the ground had already fallen to the ground.

Li Fan, "..."

Well, the flying sword is indeed powerful. He had just started practicing the Qiankun Flying Dragon Sword and hadn't even finished complaining when the battle was already over.

But killing him so easily is really boring... Oh no, could he actually be the kind of pervert Profound Heaven Sword Intent was talking about, the kind who 'likes to bathe in the Blood River '? And this plot seems so familiar, haven't I seen it somewhere before... Never mind, I don't want to think about it anymore...

Li Fan shook his head to clear his mind of distractions, landed on the ground, and casually flicked his fingers to release two sword energies. He cut open the bellies of the two demons and took out their demon cores. He then blew a sword flower, severing the weasel demon's finger and picking out two purplish-red berries that were joined together from its palm. They did indeed have a strong, fragrant aura that spread outwards.

What is this?

'I have obtained the Twin Scarlet Fruit. These Scarlet Fruit are treasures born of heaven and earth, suitable for use as a Foundation Establishment treasure. For Golden Core cultivators and Kun, consuming them will only increase spiritual energy and mood by a small amount.'

Another Scarlet Fruit? Does that mean any red fruit is called Scarlet Fruit? And why don't you just say it directly? If you want to save it for the two fish to Foundation Establishment, that's all...

Li Fan narrowed his eyes. The Si Nan was still pointing west; it seemed there was still an opportunity in that direction.

However, I'll let it go this time. So many things have happened, and the preparations weren't thorough enough. I'll go back to report to the sect first, and then settle the mission.

And speaking of this Si Nan, is it really guiding him to find opportunities? It seems like all the benefits are going to these two fish. What if they both achieve their Golden Core stage while the Kun is still just taking advantage...?

'The Kun doesn't need to be fed with rare Heavenly Treasure; the purity of spiritual energy doesn't affect its growth. The Kun's evolution depends solely on the amount of matter it consumes. In fact, drinking water is sufficient.'

There's also elixir in the Cold Pool below Wangshu Residence, but Kun won't drink it. It's become so picky now, only eating tofu. What should we do?

'The host can directly feed the Kun the corpse of a high-level demon beast, and the Kun will drink water.'

"Why didn't you tell me about this feeding manual earlier!" Li Fan turned to look at the two monster corpses on the ground. "You're just feeding this to Kun? And what kind of folk remedy is feeding foxes and weasels? How can it correct its eating habits?"

'It's not really a folk remedy; just feed it more salty, fishy, and hard-to-digest foods, and it'll go drink water on its own.'

That makes a lot of sense... I'll have to talk to Fuling about it when I get back, and tell her to put more salt in the stir-fries...