Secretly Building Strength!

Meanwhile...

Hundreds of miles away in the depths of the Beast Pasturing Mountain Cloud Sword Mountain Range, a completely different scene unfolds: a bloody and turbulent landscape.

After the merger of the Great Maple Mountain Range and the Clear Wind Mountain Range, the name is still mainly Great Maple Mountain Range, but many people also call it Beast Pasturing Mountain.

This place is rich in Spiritual Qi, with ancient trees reaching for the sky, and the terrain is treacherous.

Inside a deep, secluded canyon.

Hundreds of massive Gale Wolf completely blocked the canyon exit.

In the center of the wolf pack, a level 3 wolf king with dark blue fur bared its fangs and let out a low growl.

Two figures stood opposite the wolf pack.

A badger, about ten feet tall, covered in purple lightning patterns, with thick arms and sharp claws that flashed with cold arcs of light.

On the badger's shoulder crouched a rat-like creature with exposed spines and reddish-black fur; the two beasts were none other than this.

It was Shi Jian sitting down, with Lei Huan on his left arm and Lord Rat on his right!

"You little wolf cub, you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences."

The Lord Rat stroked his whiskers, a cold glint flashing in his narrow eyes:

"The ancestor has decreed that all Demon Race within the eight-hundred-mile-long Beast Pasturing Mountain must abide by the rules, submit, or die."

"You wolf cub, choose one!"

The Gale Wolf King roared and smashed a boulder with its front paws.

It has reigned supreme in this mountain range for decades, so why should it serve as a lackey for some nobody, some nobody-known old ancestor?

"Awoo--!"

The wolf king howled to the sky, and in the next instant, hundreds of Gale Wolf rushed out from all directions, transforming into streaks of blue gale, and pounced on Lei Huan and Lord Rat.

"Act recklessly."

The Lord Rat sneered, and with a flash, disappeared underground.

The Lei Huan grinned, letting out a deafening roar.

With a sudden burst of power from its thick legs, its massive body slammed into the wolf pack like a lightning meteor.

"Boom!"

A violent burst of lightning erupted from the Lei Huan's body, transforming into a dense net of lightning that instantly enveloped an area of dozens of feet in radius.

The dozen or so Gale Wolf at the forefront didn't even have time to howl before they were struck by lightning and turned into charred remains, scattered all over the ground.

The Lei Huan swung its arms, its sharp claws tearing through flesh.

With each swipe of its claws, a Gale Wolf was disemboweled or cleaved in two at the waist, its blood and entrails splattering across the canyon.

It also cultivated the "Lightning-Guiding Instruction" bestowed by Shi Jian, making its physical body incomparably strong. Attacks from ordinary Demon Beast could not even scratch its skin.

Upon seeing this, a hint of fear flashed in the wolf king's eyes.

However, it was unwilling to submit so easily. Its ferocity flared up, and it lunged forward, aiming straight for the Lei Huan's throat, intending to kill it!

The Lei Huan neither dodged nor avoided the giant wolf's counterattack.

"Roar!"

Seizing the opportunity, Lei Huan roared and grabbed the wolf king's head, then mouth to mouth, he forcefully poured a bolt of lightning into the wolf king's body!

With a loud bang, the flesh and blood charred.

Flesh and entrails exploded, splattering chunks of meat and blood all over the ground...

The Gale Wolf King died on the spot!

With the wolf king dead, the remaining Gale Wolf instantly scattered, howling as they fled in all directions.

"Stop chasing."

The Lord Rat crawled out of its burrow and patted the dirt off its body.

The Lei Huan licked its lips, seemingly still savoring the meal, and tossed the wolf king's corpse to the ground.

"Skin this wolf king, extract its Demon Core, seal its body with ice talismans, and put it all into Storage Bag."

The Lord Rat directed several rat demons that emerged from underground to clean up the battlefield.

"A level 3 Demon Core is quite valuable; it can be exchanged for a lot of cultivation resources. This pelt is also excellent material for crafting a magic robe."

After saying this, the Lord Rat turned around and saw several level 2 and level 3 Demon Beast leaders, who were also the strongest in their respective groups.

"Did you see everything clearly?"

The Lord Rat's eyes swept over the demons, its voice sharp and piercing:

"This is what happens when you break the rules!"

The demons prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to utter another sound.

"Our ancestor was merciful and spared your lives."

"From today onwards, this Beast Pasturing Mountain will be divided into inner and outer sections, comprising thirty-six mountain peaks. You will each be assigned a territory according to your respective clans."

"From now on, focus on procreation and cultivation."

An elderly level 3 Azure Ape, mustering its courage, asked:

"Lord Rat..."

"What price will we have to pay if we surrender?"

"The price? You're overestimating your abilities."

"Our ancestor protected you not for any personal gain."

"Our ancestor was benevolent and virtuous, and cared deeply for the Demon Race. That's why he lay dormant under Human Race rule, helping you and dealing with the Human Race on your behalf, simply wanting to leave a peaceful place for the Demon Race to live."

"From now on, the bodies of your clan members who die of old age, illness, or in battle should be handed over to the authorities, so that the Human Race can be accounted for."

The demons stirred.

I can't believe that a Saint Demon could actually emerge from their Demon Race!

"You don't need to panic, nor do you need to think this is a trap."

"Hand over the corpses, and the Ancestor will exchange them with the Human Race for elixirs, spiritual herbs, and Cultivation Method. He will then distribute these resources as rewards to your offspring and the strongest members of your clan!"

"The dead members of our tribe will be exchanged for more resources, and everything will be put to good use."

"We exchange our dead bodies for a future of life; Human Race resources to nourish the bloodline of our Demon Race!"

"This is the rule set by our ancestor!"

The demons were stunned. They had originally thought that submission meant becoming slaves and being at the mercy of others.

Unexpectedly, this ancestor of the Demon Race would use this method to give back to them—a cruel yet extremely rational survival Principle.

A flash of understanding crossed the Azure Ape's eyes, and it bowed its head in submission.

"The Green Ape Clan is willing to obey the Ancestor's orders!"

With one leader taking the lead, the remaining Demon Beast leaders followed suit, swearing allegiance in unison.

The Lord Rat nodded in satisfaction. The ancestor's righteous rhetoric was incredibly effective against these single-minded Demon Beast.

"Commander Lei Huan Badger."

What are you doing?

"I'm leaving things here to you. Divide the territory according to the booklet. Anyone who dares to cross the line, kill them and sell them for money."

"Understood, Lord Rat, take care."

Lei Huan accepted the Jade Slip, feeling a sense of unease. The ancestor had sent him to oversee this place, which meant he trusted him and was willing to groom him as a trusted confidant.

It is also the embodiment of the ancestor, extending to this place!

Beast Pasturing Mountain, southeast of the city, lies three hundred feet underground.

This is a vast underground world where the sun never shines.

Countless intricate tunnels intertwine, like a spider web, extending deep into the entire mountain range.

The stone walls of the mine tunnel are inlaid with luminous fluorite, Tongming the underground area.

Thousands upon thousands of enormous rats were busy in the tunnels, waving their sharp claws to dig out pieces of spirit ore and put them into specially made Storage Bag.

This is the deepest secret hidden in Beast Pasturing Mountain.

After the merger of the Great Maple Mountain Range and the Clear Wind Mountain Range, the earth's veins changed, squeezing out a second-order black iron ore vein with astonishing reserves and a small third-order red gold ore vein.

Before the exploration teams from White Cloud Temple could even get to the edge, the Lord Rat's underground army had already hollowed out half of the core area of the mine.

The Lord Rat scurried through the mine tunnels, surveying its territory.

These spirit ores are the core source of Shi Jian's wealth.