Black Mountain

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Black Mountain lived in the Mountain of Ten Thousand Silences, where he and the Red-Eyed Tiger Red Wind were longstanding enemies. Only days before befriending Si Chen, the two had wanted to beat each other to death. Si Chen’s pills completely healed their injuries, while his lack of malice helped overcome their caution toward humans 33.

The three became close while exploring the mountains and gathering spiritual wild fruit. Black Mountain entertained Si Chen with crude stories of his past fights and let him meditate against his warm fur. As their friendship deepened, he began lying behind Si Chen to shield him from cold nighttime winds. He and Red Wind also introduced the boy to other intelligent demons in the mountains 33 34 35.

Appearance

• Bear form: A black bear the size of a small mountain, with enormous paws, bronze-bell-sized eyes, and thick, soft fur. His heavy footsteps shake the ground 33 34 35.
• Human form: An exceptionally burly man with thick hair and rugged features. He twists his neck and shoulders uncomfortably after transforming 50.
• Voice: Naturally booming and thunderous, even when speaking amicably 33.
• Under Blood Pool contamination: His eyes turn blood-red, accompanied by uncontrolled aggression 39.

Personality

Black Mountain is rough-spoken, boastful, and habitually profane, but honest at heart. His straightforward affection and gratitude put Si Chen at ease: unlike many humans the boy encounters, Black Mountain does not hide calculations behind his words. Red Wind frequently punctures his boasts by bringing up embarrassing incidents from his past 33.

He treats friendship as a commitment to mutual protection rather than polite exchanges. He objects to excessive thanks, defends Si Chen against criticism for associating with demons, and repeatedly places himself between his friend and danger. His eagerness to fight does not eliminate caution: when Lü Ci’s allies regroup, he refrains from charging recklessly 35 46.

Despite his coarse manner, Black Mountain is methodical and fair when dividing loot. He allocates rewards according to contribution and cultivation, gives additional consideration to injuries, and reserves shares for the kin of fallen demons 50.

Abilities & Skills

Physical Strength and Paw Strikes

Black Mountain fights primarily with overwhelming bodily strength and enormous paw strikes 35 39.

• Joins Red Wind in blocking Lü Ci’s furious Nascent Soul-level sword strike, though both demons are pushed backward 35.
• Kicks against the air with explosive force to redirect his fall away from the corrosive lake 36.
• Smashes a gap through Si Chen’s Thunderbolt Grid while maddened 41.
• Breaks open the rubble sealing the Blood Pool hall 42.
• Destroys Lü Ci’s Sword Formation in under three breaths by concentrating demonic power into his paw 43.

Toughness and Durability

His thick hide and powerful flesh allow him to contend with opponents above his tier’s usual human equivalent 39.

• Can exchange blows with Nascent Soul middle-stage cultivators 39.
• Suffers searing pain, but no serious burns, from Red Bean’s barrage of crimson fireballs 41.
• Remains vulnerable to mental contamination: the Blood Pool makes him attack allies without recognizing them 39.

Human Transformation

As a third-tier demon beast, Black Mountain can transform into a human 50.

• Uses human form to remove and collect Storage Rings more deftly 50.
• Finds the form uncomfortable and prefers the steadiness of four legs, returning to bear form after distributing the spoils 50.

Tracking and Navigation

Black Mountain combines a keen nose with familiarity with the mountains 35 43.

• Tracks Si Chen by scent whenever the boy becomes lost 35.
• Leads the group on longer journeys and prevents Si Chen from choosing wrong turns inside Dragonfall Land 35 38.
• Locates Lü Ci and his accompanying elders by their scents and notices an unusual scorched smell near the Flood Dragon’s remains 43.

Knowledge of Flood Dragons

Black Mountain recognizes a Flood Dragon Scale through its scent and residual pressure 34.

• Explains that dying Flood Dragons scatter their scales to draw treasure-seekers to their resting places 34.
• Warns that Dragonfall Land is both a treasure vault and a slaughterhouse, where sacrifices may give a Flood Dragon a chance at resurrection 34.

Relationships

• Si Chen — Close friend whom he calls “brother.” Si Chen heals his injuries and later frees him from the Blood Pool’s influence; Black Mountain provides shelter, guidance, and protection in return 33 34 35 42.
• Red Wind — Former mortal enemy turned companion. They tease one another, guide Si Chen together, and coordinate their attacks against Lü Ci 33 35 44.
• Red Bean — Initially dismissed by Black Mountain as an ordinary red-feathered bird. Red Bean later distracts the maddened bear to protect Si Chen and shows lingering displeasure after his recovery 33 41 42. The bird also pecks him when an enthusiastic shoulder pat makes Si Chen sway 50.
• Lü Ci — Enemy who attacks Si Chen and later seals him inside the Blood Pool hall. Black Mountain destroys his defenses, fights him, and helps prevent his escape 35 40 43 44 49.
• Fellow mountain demons — Allies who accept his orderly division of the battle spoils, including compensation for injured companions and the families of the dead 50.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Dragonfall Land Expedition

• Departure: Recognizes Si Chen’s awakened Flood Dragon Scale and eagerly joins the expedition despite understanding its dangers 34.
• The Heavenly Pit: Rebukes humans criticizing Si Chen’s friendships with demons and helps Red Wind block Lü Ci’s attack 35.
• Flight restriction: Survives the fall toward the corrosive lake by forcibly changing his landing point, then continues into the lair 36 37.

Blood Pool Contamination

• Entering the pool: Seeks its apparent body-strengthening benefits despite Si Chen’s warning that something feels wrong 38.
• Loss of control: Kills nearby cultivators and turns on Si Chen. A vitality-infused strike from the Yi Wood Eternal Spring Art briefly restores clarity, but Lü Ci interrupts the attempt 39.
• Purification: Red Bean holds him and Red Wind at bay while Si Chen purifies the pool. Si Chen then kicks Black Mountain into the cleansed water, expelling the contamination and restoring his senses 41 42.

Retaliation and Spoils

• Pursuing Lü Ci: Breaks out of the sealed hall, follows Lü Ci’s scent, and destroys the Sword Formation barring the final cavern 42 43.
• Battle: Attacks Lü Ci alongside the demons. When Fang Heng activates the Yin Corpse Banner, he takes a defensive position in front of Si Chen 44 45 46.
• Corpse Flood Dragon: Recognizes that its aura surpasses Nascent Soul and is frightened, but remains with the demons protecting Si Chen 47.
• Lü Ci’s defeat: Helps Red Wind block Lü Ci’s escape while the Corpse Flood Dragon kills him 49.
• Aftermath: Collects and fairly distributes the Storage Rings Si Chen relinquishes, then returns to bear form as Si Chen prepares to enter seclusion 50.

Notable Quotes

“Who my brother chooses to befriend is none of your damn business!” 35

“Don't rush! Everyone here gets a share. I won't pocket so much as a scrap!” 50

Trivia

• His constant swearing rubs off on Si Chen, who unexpectedly calls Lü Ci an “old bastard.” Black Mountain responds like a teacher discovering a promising pupil 33 43.
• Si Chen’s extraordinary directional problems leave even Black Mountain searching for tactful wording: “not everyone is like you and spends two years wandering around the mountains” 50.