Entering the Mountain, Searching the Mountain, and Thinking Alike with the Demonic Cultivator

Rumble!

At the height of noon, a deafening roar echoed across the open sea outside the Nanya Immortal City.

In the void, a massive whirlpool materialized, emanating waves of terrifying coercion, while bolts of lightning erupted from within its center.

Following the generation of the thunder, the spiritual Qi from all directions was swept clean, frantically plunging into the depths of the whirlpool as the momentum grew ever more grandiose.

This spectacle captured the attention of numerous cultivators, who stared in horror at the clash unfolding in the sky.

The very instant the thunderous whirlpool descended, two protective barriers—one black and one golden—surfaced in the air.

"Boom!"

Amidst the collision of spiritual energies, thick bolts of lightning relentlessly thrashed against the black-and-gold barrier, only to bounce off into even finer, more intricate arcs of electricity.

Yet this phenomenon lasted for merely a few breaths before a dozen-zhang-long thunder python suddenly lunged out from the vortex of lightning.

Enveloped in peerless, tyrannical electrical radiance, the thunder python fiercely slammed into the black-and-gold barrier.

Crack.

The Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range was precisely a tier-three mountain range.

Although the intelligence gathered could sometimes be biased and required a degree of guesswork, it guaranteed that the secret of his existence would never be leaked.

True Lord Yunlong!

...

Watching his old nemesis about to be eradicated, Leiju felt residual fury linger in his eyes, but upon hearing the dragon's roar, the aura around him instantly deflated.

Under the cover of night, a mass of demonic Qi grazed the ground as it drifted toward Nanyue Peak, crushing a few black-horned ants to death as it swept through the jungle.

Inside the immortal city, Shen Lian stood on the roof of the second floor, gazing at the overwhelming sea of thunder over the ocean. The power of thunder-type spells was indeed extraordinary, acting as the premier force for breaking defensive techniques.

"Why don't you taste it first and then bring it to Master to refine his demonic arts? I think you want me dead so you can inherit my estate."

A single thought from the master was all it took to grind a disciple to dust.

After gathering some information outside, Shen Lian stepped into the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range.

When he previously purchased the Hundred-Spirit Crystalline Source Fruit, the cultivator had mentioned finding it near Wangyue Peak within the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range.

...

A piercing, cold laughter rang out from within the lightning. "Then I'll send you on your way today."

He possessed five spirit beast bracelets alone; aside from the one inhabited by Dahai, Sanqian, and Erwan, the remaining four had all been converted into breeding grounds for black-horned ants.

In certain pillar mountains and valleys, patches of floating spiritual Qi could still be seen. However, these spiritual Qi wisps refused to converge—some here, some there—and though seemingly numerous in quantity, they failed to amount to any significant climate.

If they weren't swept clean all at once, having them snatched away by others would amount to a devastating loss.

The influence of a tier-three grand alchemist truly acted like a lodestone, drawing cultivators from all directions.

...

While ignored by major sects, rogue cultivators cared deeply; acquiring a tier-three standard spiritual dwelling was equivalent to boundless fortune.

Ahead lay his destination for this trip: the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range.

Many treasure ships illuminated their spiritual protective barriers in an attempt to withstand the churning sea, leaving the items inside the cabins scattered in utter disarray.

Previously, Nanya Immortal City had held an auction, and Shen Lian's primary target was the Moon Spirit Essence Dew. Now that he had secured it, observing the massive influx of cultivators heading to the immortal city convinced him that this was the prime opportunity to venture into the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range.

Just imagine, who would ever care if two ants brushed antennae beneath their feet?

Gazing into the distance, the rolling pillar mountains seemed to stretch endlessly without end.

As for how many years a spiritual land could sustain cultivation, rogue cultivators hardly bothered; if they could cultivate for ten years, so be it, and if not, they would simply move elsewhere.

Yet when Shen Lian arrived near Wangyue Peak, he was instantly dumbfounded.

The terrain and environment of the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range were complex, with scattered spiritual veins. While there were seven or eight locations meeting the tier-three spiritual Qi standard, most of these sites lacked longevity. Turning them into a sect's base would require massive investments of spirit stones to hire formation masters to nurture the spiritual veins.

Just as Shen Lian had anticipated, after wandering through a few towns outside the mountains, he discovered that the most debated topic among cultivators was the auction at Nanya Immortal City.

Why on earth are you asking me this question, Master?

This is putting us black ants on the spot.

"Dahai, tell me, if we happen to stumble upon demonic cultivators up to no good, should we lend a helping hand?"

Fortunately, Shen Lian had long since prepared for this.

North of Nanya Immortal City, Danyang Town.

The population of black-horned ants across the four spirit beast bracelets had already reached tens of millions, with individual ant nests standing over a dozen zhang tall.

...

Part 1 of 3

Part 2 of 3

Now, he placed far greater value on the abilities of ordinary black-horned ants. Failing to enter the demonic-transformation state meant they remained inconspicuous; even a Core Formation cultivator would pay them no heed.

In wider and deeper sections, or places with lakes, the spiritual Qi was abundant and of high grade, whereas the weaker tributaries suffered from poorer spiritual Qi.

The Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range was vast. Over half a month, Shen Lian scattered hundreds of millions of black-horned ants throughout the mountains. These ants would continue to breed and fight the local ant colonies for territory.

...

Somewhere in the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range, inside a subterranean cavern, demonic Qi surged and the stench of blood was thick.

"Hum!"

It was as if it had been deliberately severed by someone.

As for cultivating the black-horned ants, Shen Lian only meticulously nurtured Dahai; those previously transformed demonic black-horned ants were merely kept in spirit beast bracelets to roam and cultivate freely.

Spiritual veins were not merely shaped like dragons; some presented a divergent form, akin to river branches, where certain riverbeds were wider and deeper, while lakes occasionally formed in other areas.

Under the perception of his divine sense, the grand protective array had shattered, intact array flags had been looted, the buildings erected among the mountains had collapsed, stained with blood, and all intact skeletons had vanished completely.

...

The atmosphere of the mainland was entirely distinct from that of the sea, lacking the salty, humid tang, replaced instead by a thick, primal, and untamed aura across the mountains and earth.

The Thousand-Pillar Mountains were a minor offshoot of the Heavenly Pillar Mountain Range in the southern region of the Southern Continent. All large and small mountain ranges across the southern continent were branches of Heavenly Pillar Mountain, or branches of branches.

Besides, who could blame them when True Lord Nanyue wasn't even home, having gone off to attend some trade assembly?

Conversely, once black-horned ants underwent demonic transformation, their intelligence increased, granting them independent thought; once captured by others, the risk of leaking secrets emerged.

Shen Lian patted Dahai on the shoulder and asked a question.

At this, Dahai was momentarily stunned.

Dahai itself was merely at the early stage of Tier 2. To accelerate communication, he personally carried Dahai as they constantly flickered across various parts of the mountain range.

Dahai, standing on Shen Lian's shoulder, brandished its two large pincers marked with dark gold lines, striking a domineering and arrogant pose.

Among the branch mountain ranges, fourth-tier spiritual veins were occupied by Nascent Soul sects, third-tier veins by Core Formation sects, while second-tier veins became the domains of Foundation Establishment clans, markets, and towns of varying sizes.

Two figures sat cross-legged directly in the blood and filth, gathering the hunted female Foundation Establishment cultivators into a single storage Dharma artifact.

By now, the number of cultivators traversing the streets exceeded a thousand.

This also reflected just how scarce pills above Tier 3 truly were.

"Life-and-death combat is forbidden outside Nanya Immortal City."

Among the two demonic shadows, one possessed a voice like a torn gong, grating and deeply distressing to hear.

Early the next morning.

It was said that this True Lord Nanyue had been a royal scion in the mortal world, accustomed to luxury even before stepping onto the path of immortality—a habit he never shook off, taking over a hundred concubines, including more than a dozen Foundation Establishment ones.

When no trade assembly was announced, the pedestrian traffic on this street was lukewarm, hovering around two or three hundred people back and forth on good days, and merely a hundred or so on bad ones.

Across the boundless, primitive earth, mountain ranges shaped like massive pillars stood upright, their heavy, wild jungles blanketing the entire terrain.

"Shuiyun, a hundred years have passed and you're still just as useless."

Part 2 of 3

Part 3 of 3

Raising ordinary black-horned ants was simply a matter of tossing them some food.

The Benxin Pill Shop remained closed.

Across the entire vicinity of Wangyue Peak, a chaotic battle must have transpired not long ago; shattered boulders and mountain bodies still retained traces of lingering spiritual energy.

Consequently, upon entering the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range, Shen Lian continuously appeared at every outer perimeter area infused with spiritual Qi, dropping a nest at each location and releasing tens of millions of ordinary black-horned ants.

A faint voice sounded, accompanied by a faint, illusory dragon's roar.

The lack of demonic transformation also implied inferior intelligence; communication and interaction required the unique communication methods inherent to the black-horned ant swarm.

A few cultivators, however, were cautiously sneaking in, hoping to pick up scraps.

"Awoo—"

"Leiju, who dies is yet to be determined!"

Upon arriving at Nanyue Peak, two illusory figures emerged from the rolling demonic Qi, gradually solidifying.

Barring emergencies, Core Formation True Lords practically hid within spiritual veins to cultivate. With a tier-three grand alchemist finally appearing, they all wished to join the lively affair.

"People from the surrounding areas have all been attracted here."

True Lord Shuiyun gripped his natal sword artifact with both hands, savagely slashing down toward the lingering thunder tempest around him.

What was the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range? Shen Lian's ultimate goal was to have these black-horned ants slaughter their way into the mining areas of Heavenly Pillar Mountain.

"Hehe... The concubines of a Core Formation True Lord are truly succulent... What a pity I can't taste what they're like."

Due to the immense expanse of the Thousand-Pillar Mountain Range, controlling the scattered black-horned ants was no easy feat, even with the assistance of spiritual puppets.

The blinding radiance of thunder was torn to shreds under the tearing force of the Gold-Water Sword Qi.

Yet just as he cleared the aftermath of the thunder, a cyan thunderball smashed head-on into his skull.

Upon witnessing this scene, Shen Lian could only feel helpless. The counterintuitive strategy he had devised had also been anticipated by the demonic cultivators—who had brazenly ransacked his home.

This place seemingly belonged to a Core Formation True Lord, and a rogue cultivator at that.

Nanyue Peak.

Over the next few days, the shop remained closed, leaving Old Manager Huang, who had come seeking pills, somewhat disappointed.

Viewing it from high above, the entire mountain range resembled chaotic pillars stabbed into the ground, with undulating hills attached as vassals beneath the base of each pillar.

...

...

In the decades I've been with you, Master, have you ever intervened to save anyone?

Besides, is it up to me to decide whether to save them or not? Are you the master or am I the master?

Leaving that aside, his output of "Joy Pills" had increased by six to sevenfold compared to usual, and sales of other pills had also risen twofold.

"Master, the lads say they saw two floating wisps of black Qi heading over there."

In the Thousand-Pillar Mountains, there were simply too many of these scattered spiritual Qi convergence sites.

The barrier shattered, and the convergence of thunder and black-gold spiritual energy formed a tempest of spiritual power that swept across the vast, rolling waters of the ocean, kicking up gigantic waves that shook the ships anchored outside the city.

Following a brief dialogue, the two demonic figures vanished back into the demonic Qi, drifting toward Nanyue Peak.

After resting his feet in Danyang Town, Shen Lian once again set forth on his journey.

Taking advantage of this opportunity to strike at the concubines of a Core Formation True Lord was not because the two were tired of living, but rather because female Foundation Establishment cultivators among rogue cultivators were far too scarce, forcing them to set their sights on those with established households.

"This old fellow has quite a few concubines at the Foundation Establishment level; it truly fills me with envy."

"Have your tribe scour the underground thoroughly; whether we find it or not, we should leave as soon as possible."

In their exchanges, passing cultivators repeatedly mentioned that numerous cultivators who had been quietly cultivating within the Thousand-Pillar Mountains had rushed toward Nanya Immortal City upon hearing the news.

By the time True Lord Nanyue returned from Nanya Immortal City, they would have long since retreated to their lair.

...

"Master, found it."

(End of Chapter)

Part 3 of 3