Chapter 242

Huizhou Province, within the territory of Annan City.

Fangs Mountain.

Early morning, before dawn.

Three figures appeared on the winding path. Fangs Mountain was located within the territory of Annan City, but it had not been developed into a tourist attraction. There were few people on weekdays, and occasionally backpackers would come here for mountaineering and exploration.

"Brother Black, I heard you used to practice in Luohuang Mountain."

Just at this moment, Shi Shougong couldn't help but speak up.

He and Su Shiyu looked at the tall and thin man before them, their eyes revealing a trace of curiosity.

This tall and thin man was none other than the Black Rat who had been subdued by Zhang Fan after the mediation of Bai Buran that day.

That day, after Meng Qinghuan died, Zhang Fan was worried that the Daoist Alliance would investigate closely and find the three demons beside him, so he let them leave Jiangnan Province to avoid the limelight.

Among the three demons, the Black Rat had the strongest cultivation. He took Shi Shougong and Su Shiyu, traveled through provinces and cities, and came to this Fangs Mountain.

"Correct." The Black Rat said lightly without looking back.

"Brother Black, I heard that the former Deputy Sect Master of the Wu Wei Sect was imprisoned in Luohuang Mountain because of a bet with the Chaoran True Person. Is this true?" Su Shiyu couldn't help but ask.

What she was talking about was naturally that Master Nian of the Juemiao Temple.

Since he escaped, many rumors had already spread wildly in the Daoist world.

"There really is such a thing. In my early years, I even received his guidance." The Black Rat said lightly.

The reason he could have his current cultivation had a lot to do with Master Nian's guidance.

Not only that, Master Nian also helped him refine an incredible treasure, the 【Black Wind Bead】, but unfortunately, it was shattered during the fight with Zhang Fan.

Thinking about it even now, the Black Rat felt a burst of heartache.

"Brother Black, what does the Deputy Sect Master of the Wu Wei Sect look like?" Su Shiyu asked curiously.

Counting it up, she and Shi Shougong were also members of the Wu Wei Sect, but they were the most grassroots kind. Even the former leader, Si She Bai Yujing, was just someone whose hidden identity they had seen.

"This..." The Black Rat's expression tightened.

He had never seen Master Nian's true face either.

In fact, although he had received guidance, it was only through spiritual communication and heart-to-heart transmission. He was not qualified to enter a place like the Juemiao Temple.

"Tsk tsk, what a good place..."

Just at this moment, the Black Rat suddenly stopped and couldn't help but praise.

"Hmm!?"

Su Shiyu and Shi Shougong were stunned.

"Vast clouds and mist cover the cliffs, the mountain terrain is scattered like fangs. Wild energy surges for three hundred miles, a thousand birds lose their tracks as they enter the intestinal gorge..."

"It really is a treasure land." The Black Rat praised.

"Brother Black, did you see any mysteries?" Shi Shougong asked.

In terms of cultivation and vision, they naturally couldn't compare to the Black Rat.

"You two have been demons for a short time, so naturally you don't know the mysteries of heaven and earth." The Black Rat sneered.

"Have you heard of what is called 'calling the shape and shouting the image'?"

"'Calling the shape and shouting the image'!?"

There is a branch of learning in Feng Shui and geomancy called 'calling the shape and shouting the image.'

Mountains and waters are named according to their shape, and the name is determined by the image. This place then gains spirituality, seizes the fortune of heaven and earth, and gradually becomes different.

For example, if a certain mountain's shape looks like a mouse, the locals call it Mouse Mountain, and in Feng Shui, it is called 【Spirit Mouse Stealing from the Granary】. Gradually, it produces spiritual energy, gathers mountains and rivers, and the mountain's shape will look more and more like a mouse.

As time goes by, the local public security becomes worse and worse, but the economy becomes better and better, because the mouse has the energy of theft and the ability to gather treasures.

Take Long Hu Mountain, for example; it has the image of a coiled dragon and a crouching tiger. The name Long Hu secretly matches the mysteries of the Daoist Inner Elixir Method, so it is called the ancestral court of the Daoist school, and experts emerge one after another.

This is the marvelous use of Feng Shui patterns.

Many Feng Shui masters, using the method of 【calling the shape and shouting the image】, can seize the mysteries of gods and ghosts by changing the layout of a city.

Just like Jianghai City, known as the Magic City; if you open a map, you can find that its outline vaguely resembles a toad with a copper coin in its mouth. This is called the 【Golden Toad Spitting Treasure Pattern】, which breathes in wealth and gathers treasure energy from all directions.

It is said that someone excavated an artificial lake at the tip of the toad's nose; this is called 【Living Water Generating Energy】. The toad's mouth and eyes for breathing in and out are there, and it has completely come to life.

At this time, if there really were aquatic creatures practicing in that lake, they could steal the local fortune, have treasure light enter their bodies, and practice supreme demonic arts.

Of course, whoever dares to do this is looking for death.

Fangs Mountain corresponds to the mysteries of calling the shape and shouting the image. The mountain terrain is like scattered teeth, and the winding mountain gorge passage is like a coiled intestine.

A thousand birds flying past is like entering the fangs in the mouth, only to be swallowed into the belly and pass through the coiled intestine.

Because of this, Fangs Mountain is so lush with vegetation, yet very few birds fly down, which can be considered a local wonder.

"This is a great fierce hole, but it's a good place for practice." The Black Rat became more and more amazed as he looked.

Daoist practice emphasizes the unity of heaven and man.

Ancient Daoist priests hoped to run into the mountains to find blessed caves, borrow the timing of heaven, take the advantages of the earth, and connect with the harmony of man. Only when the three talents are unified can one naturally merge with the Dao.

Therefore, almost all the famous mountains and rivers under heaven were occupied by Daoist Dharma lineages.

"Brother Black, can one practice in a great fierce hole?" Su Shiyu couldn't help but say.

It's not that all demons and ghosts are "dirty"; the more evil and fierce a place is, the more they like it.

That's because they really have nowhere else to mix; there's no other way.

If they could, they would also want to occupy blessed caves and let those famous sects give up their Daoist sites for them to stay.

"Heaven gives birth to all things. All phenomena, when developed to the extreme, are treasure lands. It has nothing to do with good or evil; the marvelousness of application lies in one's heart." The Black Rat said in a deep voice.

"It just depends on how you use it."

This sentence was once said to him by Master Nian, and it contained the mysteries of heaven and earth.

"Brother Black is worthy of being a senior expert." Shi Shougong couldn't help but praise.

"Hehe, as long as we find the location of the dragon eye of this great fierce hole, perhaps we can obtain good fortune." The Black Rat's eyes lit up.

Every treasure land must have a dragon eye, which is the core location.

That is where the energy of heaven and earth is most intense. Entering it to practice has unimaginable benefits, and in some places, it can even nurture rare spiritual fetuses, which is even more marvelous.

"Great fortune is coming, great fortune is coming..." Su Shiyu shouted excitedly.

"Young people, don't be restless. Tribulations follow fortune; when great fortune comes, it is often accompanied by tribulations. At this time, you must be even more calm." The Black Rat had the appearance of a senior expert.

In fact, this sentence was also said to him by Master Nian.

"Brother Black's lesson is correct."

Su Shiyu nodded, but the smile on her face had not faded, and her eyes were smiling like crescent moons.

Whoosh...

The mountain wind rose leisurely, blowing the damp and cold rain dew.

Just at this moment, two people walked towards them on the winding mountain path. One was slightly older, in his thirties, wearing a Daoist robe, with a bun on his head, his eyes containing light and looking sharp.

The other was a handsome young man in trendy brand-name clothes.

Shi Shougong just glanced at him and could see that this outfit started at six figures.

"Who are you people? Don't you know this mountain is not open to the public?" The trendy young man blocked the mountain path, looked at the Black Rat and his group, and said imperiously.

"We are backpackers mountaineering." The Black Rat raised his eyelids slightly, swept his gaze over the Daoist priest, and said cautiously.

"Hurry up and leave; this is not a place for you to mountaineer." The trendy young man waved his hand.

"Okay." The Black Rat nodded.

"Brother Black..." Shi Shougong hesitated, but was stopped by the Black Rat, who grabbed the hands of the two and was about to leave.

"Wait."

Just at this moment, the Daoist priest spoke up.

He walked over slowly, blocked the trendy young man, and smiled slightly: "Brother Qin, your cultivation is still shallow; you can't see it. These three are not backpackers at all; they are clearly demons."

As soon as these words were spoken, the Black Rat's expression changed slightly, and his gaze sank suddenly.

With his cultivation, the Daoist priest before him could actually see through his identity at a glance!?

"Demons?" The trendy young man named Qin Shi was stunned for a moment, then suspiciously looked at the three of them, a cold and sharp color gradually surging in his eyes.

"Hehe, I've lived this long and haven't seen a real demon yet. Brother Kongxing, catch them and let me play with them, how about that?"

"Okay!" Li Kongxing grinned, his eyes shining brightly.

"Stinking Daoist, I gave you three points of face, and you're still shaking."

Just at this moment, the Black Rat didn't pretend anymore. Originally, he just didn't want to cause extra trouble. Since the other party had seen through his identity, he naturally had no taboos.

Roar...

The Black Rat opened his mouth, and the surrounding rock walls shook, with cracks spreading out.

Immediately after, a black wind surged out, like a spirit snake, winding towards the other party.

The trendy young man's expression changed slightly, and he felt a pungent, fishy smell rushing towards his face, making him feel nauseous.

"Evil beast, you don't even look at what place this is. You're looking for death."

Li Kongxing smiled coldly. With a wave of his hand, his Daoist robe fluttered, and his wide sleeves were like a bag, actually containing the gloomy black wind.

The Black Rat's expression changed slightly, and the bones in his hands trembled, actually growing nails like blades.

Hum...

Almost at the same time, Li Kongxing raised his hand, and an object appeared in his palm. It was a copper mirror with cloud patterns winding on the back, a ferocious beast head in the center, and inscriptions and talismans carved around it.

"This is..."

Seeing that copper mirror, the Black Rat's expression changed suddenly.

"Daoist treasure, Demon-Revealing Mirror!"

There are thousands of Daoist treasures, and the Demon-Revealing Mirror is one with great fame. This type of treasure is specifically aimed at demons and ghosts.

Being able to sacrifice this treasure, the Daoist priest before him must be from a famous sect.

"Look at the treasure!"

Li Kongxing raised his hand and shook the 【Demon-Revealing Mirror】. The mirror light erupted like the sun descending, with ten thousand rays of light.

There was no space to retreat or move on the narrow mountain path. The Black Rat let out a miserable scream. Being illuminated by the mirror light, his whole body actually started to smoke black, as if it were being burned.

"Brother Black..."

Shi Shougong shouted in a loss of voice and stepped forward.

No one is allowed to look at the content!

"Don't come over."

The Black Rat roared in shock. Black long hair actually grew on his face, and his ears became pointed.

"He's demonizing..." Qin Shi watched triumphantly, as if enjoying a great play.

Hum...

Just as Shi Shougong took a step, he came into contact with the scorching mirror light, and the heart-piercing pain went deep into his bone marrow.

In an instant, he felt his Primordial Spirit falling into a sea of fire, with boundless pain, unable to break free. His body trembled, and a layer of fine scales actually grew out.

"Brother Kongxing, I want that woman..."

Qin Shi narrowed his eyes slightly, his wanton gaze falling on Su Shiyu. He hadn't tasted a female demon yet.

"Run."

Su Shiyu's face turned pale with fright, and she hadn't reacted yet.

The Black Rat roared in a low voice. His cultivation was strong after all. Even though he was illuminated by the 【Demon-Revealing Mirror】, he could still move. He pushed back with his hand and actually knocked Su Shiyu down the mountain.

"Still able to move?"

Qin Shi's expression sank suddenly. He took a step forward, his fingers like electricity, and actually reached directly into the Black Rat's back. With a crisp sound of "crack," the Black Rat's spine was crushed by him.

Plop...

The Black Rat let out a miserable scream, spat out blood, and his body instantly lost its support, collapsing to the ground.

"Brother Black..."

Shi Shougong shouted angrily. Qin Shi turned around and kicked, actually shattering his throat bone. His methods were fierce and ruthless.

"You ruined my good deed."

Qin Shi looked sideways at the bottomless mountain below, his brows furrowed.

"Brother Kongxing, that female demon..."

"Forget it. If she didn't die, it's her good fortune. The main business is important."

Li Kongxing's gaze fell on the Black Rat and Shi Shougong lying in a pool of blood.

"After we find the location of that dragon eye, we will refine the Inner Elixirs of these two demons."

The Inner Elixirs of great demons are rare treasures even for Daoist practitioners.

"Brother Kongxing, I heard from my grandfather that twenty years ago, this Fangs Mountain was occupied by someone. Can that dragon eye still be used?" Qin Shi couldn't help but ask.

"What you said is correct. Twenty years ago, someone was indeed practicing here." Li Kongxing nodded and said.

"However, the mountain's aura is still there, so that dragon eye should still be usable."

"Who was that person? Able to forcibly occupy this mountain?" Qin Shi couldn't help but say.

He had once heard the elders of the clan mention this past event. Back then, that person competed with their Qin family for this mountain, and the result was self-evident.

"That person had a great background; he was the previous generation's Zodiac." Li Kongxing said in a deep voice.

"Zodiac? The Wu Wei Sect's Zodiac?"

"Correct. This time, searching for the dragon eye is also the intention of the Daoist Alliance. For this reason, I borrowed the Demon-Revealing Mirror from Qiyun Mountain." Li Kongxing sneered.

"I want to see what the place where the previous generation's Zodiac went into seclusion looks like."

As he spoke, a cold luster rose in Li Kongxing's eyes, looking at the Black Rat and Shi Shougong who were wriggling and twitching in the pool of blood.

Jiangnan Province, Yujing City.

Hongfu Huayuan.

"This spiritual corpse of yours is truly mysterious; an ordinary expert really couldn't refine it."

Fang Changle sat on the sofa in Zhang Fan's house, looking at 【Zhang Beijiang】 standing quietly on the side, his eyes filled with curiosity, and he couldn't help but praise.

As a Maoshan disciple, his understanding of zombies was far greater than that of other sects.

They are both experts in suppressing zombies and masters in refining them.

"Spiritual corpse?" Zhang Fan looked at Zhang Beijiang.

This was a treasure he had obtained from the Qiuxian Temple. According to his speculation, it should have been refined using the corpse of a disciple of the North Zhang family.

"There are many types of zombies. Generally, ten years after burial, when the body starts to grow hair, it counts..."

"This type is called a walking corpse; the body can still move. So-called white zombies, green zombies, and purple zombies are all counted as walking corpses; they are relatively low-level zombies."

"More powerful ones are iron-armored zombies, copper-armored zombies, gold-armored zombies, and the like. These are collectively referred to as Dharma zombies; their bodies become armor, they are impervious to swords and spears, and even ordinary spells are very difficult to hurt them."

Speaking of this, Fang Changle paused slightly.

"This type of Dharma zombie tests one's Daoist practice and kung fu. In the past, our Maoshan even had relevant qualification assessments; the kind you could get a certificate for..."

"Ah!?" Zhang Fan was stunned.

"It doesn't work anymore; everything is cremated. Corpses aren't as easy to get as before, so naturally, there are fewer and fewer people refining corpses." Fang Changle sighed.

In the past, when earth burial was prosperous, the art of refining corpses shone brightly.

It is no exaggeration to say that the art of refining corpses had a complete industrial chain, connecting upstream and downstream.

Raising corpses, transporting corpses, making corpses, refining corpses... and the trading of rare materials for corpses, the trading of corpse-refining grounds, the trading in the zombie market, etc.

In the early years, when the art of refining corpses was prevalent, there were annual industry exchange meetings every year, providing a platform for various sects to exchange technology and display the latest achievements.

On such a platform, many masters of corpse refining could obtain quite a few orders.

At that time, it was truly the most glorious time for the art of refining corpses.

In this line of work, Maoshan was definitely the industry leader.

But it doesn't work anymore; the times are different. Industrial elimination and upgrading are problems that every Daoist practitioner must face.

Many Daoist priests who refined corpses chose to change professions.

"More powerful ones are spiritual corpses."

Fang Changle looked at Zhang Beijiang and continued: "This type of spiritual corpse has already become spiritual and can practice. Even if they were Daoist practitioners before death, they can even understand the Daoist techniques and supernatural powers they practiced before death."

"Spiritual corpses are very rare."

"What about ones more powerful than spiritual corpses?" Zhang Fan asked casually.

He knew that even as a spiritual corpse, Zhang Beijiang's current strength should only be a head stronger than a 【High Merit】, barely able to exchange moves with a 【Great Being】.

However, according to what Fang Changle said, spiritual corpses can practice independently. Depending on the quality of the corpse material, the upper limit should be able to reach the 【Zhai Shou】 realm.

This is already quite terrifying.

And precisely because of this, spiritual corpses are extremely difficult to refine and are quite precious.

"More powerful than spiritual corpses..." Fang Changle's gaze narrowed, and he said in a deep voice.

"That would be the Flying Yaksha."

"This kind of existence can possess terrifying combat power comparable to a Celestial Master."

As he spoke, a trace of faint fear surged in Fang Changle's eyes.

"Hmm?"

Zhang Fan looked at his expression, his heart stirred, and he couldn't help but ask: "Have you seen one?"

"Hehe, sorry, our Maoshan has three Flying..."

Before he finished speaking, Fang Changle covered his mouth suddenly.

"I... what did I just say?"

"You said your Maoshan has three Flying Yakshas." Zhang Fan smiled.

He now knew why Senior Brother Yu Hua always wanted to tear Fang Changle's mouth apart; Maoshan's family fortune would be shaken out by him sooner or later.

"Don't go out and talk nonsense. This is a great secret of my Maoshan; I only told you." Fang Changle warned.

"Hehe..." Zhang Fan smiled.

Before he could speak, his phone vibrated with a "buzz," and a message popped out, which was from Su Shiyu.

"Hmm!?"

Zhang Fan opened the message and glanced at it. Immediately after, he stood up suddenly, the smile on his face completely disappeared, replaced by a fierce aura, and two words burst out from between his teeth.

"Looking for death!"

(End of this chapter)