Chapter 36: A Brand-New Race: Tribe of the Spirits!

The price of the Forbidden Technique is the burning of your lifespan.

Once you employ this technique, you, who already lack One Soul One Po, can no longer extend your life by any means.

Born in a yin year, yin month, yin day, yin hour, you, possessing a special constitution, besides being able to convert your own spiritual energy into yin attribute and reshape the Hundred Ghosts Night Parade and Corpse King Opens the Way phenomena,

you also have the ability to sacrifice your true self and communicate the Forbidden power of the Yellow Springs Other Shore.

In the world there is no one like you, who gathers countless forbiddens yet can live to this realm, so naturally no one knows of your ability.

You chant again, "Burial Spirit Domain, Di Yu opens."

The gate from Di Yu rose from the ground on Chao Sheng Shan, countless forms of ghosts and deities surged out, blocking the steps of many Demon Kings.

"No!"

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao shed two streams of blood tears.

You gently embrace her and chant again, "Burial Spirit Domain, cross the other shore."

The spatial Dao began to converge wildly toward you, enveloping you, Tu Shan Jiao Jiao, and Yan Beicheng.

When the Di Yu gate dissipated, you had already arrived at the edge of a distant sea region.

After confirming Yan Beicheng was still alive, you left, carrying Tu Shan Jiao Jiao.

You decide to spend these final years peacefully with your beloved.

Seven days later, Tu Shan Jiao Jiao awoke.

You are younger than when you went to Chao Sheng Shan, returned to your youthful appearance, but your lifespan is now almost gone.

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao saw it, leapt into your arms and wailed loudly.

"I'm sorry! It's all my fault! I shouldn't have returned to Tushan, shouldn't have gone to Chao Sheng Shan, shouldn't have contested the Leader of the Demons."

"It's all my fault!"

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao kept apologizing to you.

You gently stroke her silky hair and smile, "How could I blame you? The burdens you carry have always been greater than mine."

"At most, I'm just shouldering the responsibilities I ought to bear."

You have never blamed her.

Existing in the world, a soul that seeks freedom is never truly autonomous.

If it weren't for the Tu Shan Clan, you would have died at eighteen; you owed a debt to the Tu Shan Clan, and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao went to Chao Sheng Shan not for herself but to repay that debt for you.

You are destined never to truly roam the world carefree, disregarding the Tu Shan Clan.

Enjoying the benefits inevitably entails responsibility.

When you originally let Tu Shan Jiao Jiao leave, weren't you also harboring a bit of hope?

You also thought that if Tu Shan Jiao Jiao became Leader of the Demons, a single shout from a height might truly end the war.

Your child with Jiao Jiao could later live on this land without discrimination.

But you tucked all beautiful fantasies deep in your heart, made the worst plans, and reality turned out the same.

Heaven's Mandate does not always favor you alone.

You feel that along this journey, you have already received enough.

"Stop crying."

You say, "I can still live a long time, at least until the child is born; crying too much would be bad for the child."

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao suddenly looks up, "For the child, you must live on, Wu You! I will definitely find a way to save you!"

"Alright."

You smile and nod, giving her hope.

After using the Forbidden Technique, you are no longer tolerated by this world and are destined to die.

You have entered beyond the rules; how could any item within the rules save you?

In the following period, you and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao enjoyed a sweet and tranquil life together.

In the autumn of the second year of seclusion, a child was born, a boy.

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao gently looks at you, "Give him a name."

You think for a moment, "I have no surname; let the child take yours, call him Tu Shan Yue Ming, how about that?"

"Okay."

You and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao recall your childhood together, being called a fool and a mute by others.

During the day, you were always bullied and ordered around.

Only after the tribe members rested could you both snuggle on the rooftop to watch the bright moon.

The clear moon was one of the few beautiful sights of your childhood.

You do not wish your child's life to shine like the sun; you only hope there will always be moonlight, never darkness.

Thus you name him—Tu Shan Yue Ming.

During this seclusion, you and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao occasionally sensed the turmoil outside; the Demon Tribe and Human Race once again launched a great war at Shanhai Pass.

You have already done what needed to be done.

You, already a broken corpse, can no longer do anything, and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao, now a mother, cannot venture out again.

In the spring of the third year, your condition deteriorated again.

You often cough up blood, nearing the end of life.

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao thought of a way to save you: dual cultivation, the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan's dual cultivation technique, as enchanting as its beautiful visage, and a peerless marvel.

That spring, you practiced dual cultivation many times.

Perhaps Heaven took pity, truly improving your condition somewhat, but you know in your heart that when the time comes you will still die.

In the autumn of the third year, it was Tu Shan Mingyue's first birthday; you and Jiao Jiao held a Birthday Feast for him.

You even held a make‑up wedding for yourselves.

Not long after, you received news that Yan Beishan of the Yuling Master Lineage had reached the summit, propping up a great hall that was about to collapse, turning back a raging torrent before it fell, and defending Shanhai Pass, which was about to be breached by the Demon Tribe.

The winter of the third year, your body deteriorated again.

You lie on the bed, your consciousness growing increasingly hazy.

One day, Tu Shan Jiao Jiao told you some news, saying, "A mysterious organization has recently emerged, causing the forces of the Demon Tribe and the Human Race to suffer successive setbacks."

"After investigations by the two races, it was discovered that they are a group of Half-Demons."

"Those Half-Demons who were once looked down upon seem to have risen, becoming the third major power after the Demon Tribe and the Human Race."

"The title of the strongest among the Half-Demons is Ye Xue."

The extremely familiar name echoed in your mind, and you recalled the child you rescued while traveling across the continent.

She is also a Half-Demon, also named Ye Xue, and you were the one who gave her that name.

In your heart you mutter, "Could it be the same person?"

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao was speaking when news from the outside arrived; you felt as if facing a great enemy, and this was the first time your dwelling had been discovered by outsiders.

There were two visitors, their bodies completely shrouded in cloaks, their true faces unseen.

The visitor said, "I finally found you."

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao, holding the child, shielded you behind her, and asked, "Who are you? Why are you looking for me?"

"No! I'm not talking about you."

The cloaked figure said.

In that voice you sensed a hint of familiarity; she removed the hood from her cloak, revealing her true face.

She had changed a lot: the two horns on her head had grown considerably, and a scaly tail sprouted from her back.

"Ye Xue?"

You called out her name.

Ye Xue flashed a smile and said, "Uncle, I have come to save you."

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao stared blankly at you, "Do you… know each other?"

Ye Xue replied, "Uncle is my savior; it was he who rescued abandoned me from the Wilderness and raised me."

"Wait!"

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao furrowed her brows, "The leader of the Half-Demon Tribe, Ye Xue, is you?!"

Ye Xue nodded, "Exactly."

After exchanging glances with you, Tu Shan Jiao Jiao cleared a path, allowing Ye Xue to come to your side.

Ye Xue's method of saving you was simple: she cut a pulse to draw blood and fed it to you.

"Dragon blood!"

Tu Shan Jiao Jiao let out a gasp.

Ye Xue explained, "One of my parents carries a trace of Dragon bloodline; fortunately, I have awakened that sliver of bloodline power."

The Dragon race exists only in the legends of Tianyuan Continent.

Dragon blood, barely considered outside the rules, contains vigorous life force that restored part of your vitality.

You regained consciousness and thanked Ye Xue, "Thank you."

Ye Xue smiled, "Uncle, thanking is not your style; in my heart, you are cold, proud, domineering, and arrogant."

After your condition improved, you sat around a table together and talked for a long time.

Ye Xue narrated to you the history of the Half-Demon Tribe's development, their countless endurance and burdens, which led to their present state.

After hearing the story, you and Tu Shan Jiao Jiao exchanged a glance.

Ye Xue's appearance gave you new hope; a brand‑new path awaits your child, Tu Shan Yue Ming.

Ye Xue also said:

"Our race now has a new name; we are neither Half‑Human nor Half‑Demon. We are now a brand‑new race — Tribe of the Spirits!"