Chapter 952: Adding Drama

The land of the mountain folk, as the name suggests, is rugged and mountainous, dominated by earth element, where earth generates metal, hence its abundant mineral deposits.

Wei Yuan, while attempting to locate his position, seized the opportunity to relearn the customs of the mountain folk. The mountain folk dwell in tribes, with multiple tribes uniting to form kingdoms. Within these kingdoms, governance typically blends an elder council with rule by the strongest. The mountain folk excel in metallurgy and construction, particularly possessing a racial talent known as “Shatter Rock.” Those who awaken this talent can carve stone as easily as chiseling lime, excavating dozens of zhang within a single night.

The mountain folk come in two distinct forms: most are slightly shorter than ordinary humans but exceptionally stocky; a few are extraordinarily tall, often exceeding two zhang—taller than a two-story building. During Wei Yuan’s junior examination, he once encountered a mountain giant whose cultivation had been sealed. In that battle, Wei Yuan subdued the Lord of Mingwang Palace through sheer brute strength.

The strength of the mountain folk is no less than that of the Liao or Wu tribes; their status was forged over millions of years. In mountainous terrain, they are unquestionably the sovereigns—endowed with unmatched mobility, endurance, celestial blessings, and the presence of ancient titans. Wherever there are endless mountain ranges, it is the mountain folk’s natural domain.

Thus, when Wei Yuan saw the endless mineral deposits, he felt not only joy but deep caution. The minerals needed by humans are the same as those needed by the mountain folk—this holds true across all races.

Previously, this region may have been an overlooked corner of the world, but Wei Yuan no longer believed in luck. Once these mineral deposits are developed, conflict is inevitable. If he cannot eliminate every competitor who comes to seize them, then he does not deserve them—that is what is meant by “virtue unfit for position.”

He who possesses virtue claims what is his, crushing all who resist—that is true virtue.

Wei Yuan stood atop a solitary peak on mountain folk land, surveying the surrounding world. His posture, angle, lighting, and attire were flawless; for a moment, he felt he had reached the pinnacle of his life.

If he could not even overcome the mountain folk on the frontier, how could he deserve the Manifestation of Human Smoke and Fire? How could he merit the Twin Realms of Huangquan and Jingtu?

At this moment, Wei Yuan felt the vast heavens and earth contained only himself—a profound loneliness, with no soul to understand him.

Naturally, at this moment, Bao Yun, Ji Liuli, Feng Tingyu, Yuan Fei, Rong Long, Su Xuejing, Hongye, and others vanished automatically from his memory.

As for Zhang Sheng, it was different. Merely by the presence of a young Daoist, Wei Yuan felt this was one of his own—he felt honored to stand beside her.

Wei Yuan stood for a long while without anyone passing by, so he descended the peak himself.

Then Wei Yuan summoned all the cultivators of Tai Chu Palace within the mountain folk territory to discuss expansion. He first proposed the primary task: repel the mountain folk who would inevitably come. The second priority: establish a self-sufficient base to sustain warfare through warfare, securing this land first. The third and final priority: launch troops against Ji State to quell its rebellion.

After stating his goals, the cultivators remained silent. Wei Yuan frowned and asked, “Did everyone understand?”

The cultivators replied, “How could anyone not understand such a simple matter?”

Wei Yuan immediately said, “Good. Then proceed as planned.”

Each cultivator was assigned specific duties; all had their own tasks, and since they were all fellow disciples, coordination posed no issue. They promptly accepted their assignments, gathered briefly to clarify roles, and then dispersed to carry out their respective duties.

Wei Yuan then entered seclusion to meditate, returning to the Manifestation of Human Smoke and Fire to interrogate the latest captured heart demon. This was the nineteenth heart demon—he had long grown numb.

But when Wei Yuan arrived at the scene and saw over a dozen ordinary humans imprisoned within the array, then saw those innocent wide eyes and heard that familiar cry of “so cold,” he exploded in rage.

At this moment, Wei Yuan realized that when he truly became angry, he neither wished to speak nor showed any expression.

What enraged him was not that everything had repeated itself, but that after it repeated, the immortal plants’ handling of the outcome remained identical.

The Food Immortal Vine insisted that if the demon water had been applied and no change occurred, then there was no problem. The Ice Glass Divine Tree firmly believed there was a problem—no reason needed. If a reason must be given, then "suspiciousness" was reason enough.

Everything was exactly as before. Wei Yuan felt all the ordinary humans were sneering at him.

These immortal plants were chosen by him. When the heart demon mocked them, Wei Yuan felt the heart demon was mocking him. The problem was—he himself had recognized that two identical scenes were abnormal. Could these immortal plants be even more foolish than he was?

Wei Yuan realized he might have overlooked one thing: if the immortal plants were stripped of their immortal qi and their lofty status aura, they might be genuinely unintelligent.

Wei Yuan approached the powdered girl, crouched slightly, reached out, and gently lifted her small face, examining her closely.

The girl instinctively shrank back, yet dared not truly evade, allowing Wei Yuan’s hand to hold her chin and tilt her face upward, then softly whimpered.

Wei Yuan studied her carefully, then rose and glanced at the surrounding immortal plants.

The immortal plants displayed varied expressions, each with their own demeanor—except the girl with crimson eyebrows, who looked bewildered, unsure what was happening. The girl Yin Yang remained calmly standing, appearing as if her spiritual energy were depleted.

Wei Yuan stood and said, “Detain everyone. No communication among them. No contact with anyone. No speaking—under any circumstances. Not a single word!”

The Ice Glass Divine Tree frowned and said, “But—”

Wei Yuan’s long-suppressed rage erupted suddenly: “Say ‘but’ again, and get out!!”

The Ice Glass Divine Tree slowly opened her mouth, unable to believe what she had heard.

Wei Yuan coldly said, “The Manifestation of Human Smoke and Fire allows free entry and exit. Anyone who doesn’t wish to stay may leave.”