Chapter 205: Heading to the Dragon Serpent Mountains
Some beasts are born with intelligence, known as the Demon Clan, distinguishing them from ordinary beasts.
The Ten Thousand Demon Nation contains many such Demon Clan members.
The Heavenly Ghost Clan is considered a branch of the Demon Clan.
They are unique—neither entirely beast nor ghost.
In appearance, they look human, but in battle, they reveal their ghostly form.
In many ways, they resemble the human race more than the Demon Clan.
Every member of the Heavenly Ghost Clan is born with formidable combat strength, but they are plagued by poor fortune and endless bad luck.
Rumors within the Demon Clan suggest that the Heavenly Ghost Clan brings misfortune to the Ten Thousand Demon Nation, eventually leading to its downfall.
These rumors spread for thousands of years.
In the end, the Demon Emperor exterminated the Heavenly Ghost Clan.
They were nearly wiped out from top to bottom.
Shen Mo never expected to encounter a member of the Heavenly Ghost Clan within the Jade Cauldron Sect, one of the three major sects of Yuzhou.
And she was a descendant of the legendary Ghost King.
"Interesting. Coming to Yuzhou was the right choice."
"This world is truly fascinating."
Shen Mo smiled slightly as he landed in front of the Treasure Pavilion.
The Treasure Pavilion was grand and luxurious.
Disciples and stewards came and went at the entrance.
Shen Mo, dressed in the robes of a first-tier elder, drew respectful nods from most disciples around him.
Yet, some seemed unfazed.
After all, there were at least thirty first-tier elders in the Jade Cauldron Sect.
They had become a common sight.
Shen Mo walked straight into the Treasure Pavilion.
The Treasure Pavilion had nine floors.
The first, second, and third floors corresponded to outer disciples, inner disciples, and core disciples.
The fourth through ninth floors were designated for elders, from first-tier to sixth-tier elders.
Each floor required the corresponding rank for entry.
No one could bypass these restrictions.
After presenting his Jade Cauldron Pearl, Shen Mo was granted access to the fourth floor.
The number of people on the lower three floors was significant.
However, upon reaching the fourth floor, the number of people dwindled considerably.
Almost everyone here was at the Nascent Soul stage.
Shen Mo scanned the area, noting that most of the treasures were mid, high, or top-grade in the Profound Rank.
There was only one item of Earth Rank quality—the low-grade Infant Transformation Pill.
It was essential for Nascent Soul cultivators to advance in their realm.
Shen Mo glanced at it. A bottle contained five pills and required two ding-level contributions to exchange.
For the superior Grand Infant Transformation Pill, Shen Mo estimated that it would likely require a higher-level bing-level contribution.
"Pfft, that's pricey."
Shen Mo shrugged and ignored the Infant Transformation Pill, instead focusing on items needed for beast control.
"Celestial Essence Grass and White-Shell Fruit, both of which are ideal heavenly materials for feeding Demon beasts. Their medicinal properties are mild and suitable for all types of Demon beasts."
"I'll exchange for these two first."
"I can come back for more as needed."
These two items were top-grade in the Yellow Rank.
They were effective yet inexpensive.
Excellent value for the price.
Shen Mo used his two ding-level contributions, exchanging them for 1,000 pounds of Celestial Essence Grass and 2,000 pounds of White-Shell Fruit.
After storing these items in his storage ring, Shen Mo left the Jade Cauldron Sect's gates and set off directly for the Dragon Serpent Mountains.
...
On the Third Peak.
He Tianchou was humbly massaging an elder's shoulders and legs.
"Master, how should I deal with this Shen Mo?"
"I really don't want to get involved with them."
The elder smiled faintly. "It's too late; you're already involved."
He Tianchou was taken aback. "Why do you say that, Master?"
The elder replied calmly, "I just received word that Yang Qiye has assigned Shen Mo to the Dragon Serpent Mountains."
He Tianchou's face froze.
Yang Qiye was the Second Elder.
The Dragon Serpent Mountains were very close to Yuhai City.
Now, no matter how much he wished to keep his distance from Shen Mo, it wouldn't be possible.
It was inevitable that they would interact frequently in the future.
"This is likely Yang Qiye testing our stance. After all, we of the Third Peak have always maintained neutrality," the elder smiled faintly.
He Tianchou frowned, "So…?"
"Don't get too close, but don't distance yourself either. Handle everything officially, just as before. If there are any changes, I'll notify you immediately," the elder replied calmly.
"Yes, yes, that's good," He Tianchou nodded repeatedly.
"Return now. Shen Mo will be managing the Dragon Serpent Mountains, so you'll inevitably need to stay in contact with him." The elder waved his hand.
"Understood, Master. Take care," He Tianchou responded before quickly departing.
After he left, the elder slowly opened his eyes and sighed softly.
"Two young geniuses appearing in the same sect… I just hope their personalities are compatible. If they clash, it won't be a good thing..."
...
One hundred miles outside Yuhai City, at the Dragon Serpent Mountains.
This mountain range stretched for dozens of miles, resembling a coiled serpent in slumber.
From south to north, it was lush and verdant, evoking a sense of tranquility and awe at first glance.
Shen Mo circled the Dragon Serpent Mountains, finally spotting a courtyard situated halfway up the mountain, and landed there.
He knocked on the gate, "Elder Shen Mo, here to take over the management of Dragon Serpent Mountain's resources..."
Before he could finish, the courtyard door was abruptly flung open.
A middle-aged man with sunken eyes and a gaunt figure rushed out.
He stared intensely at Shen Mo, his eyes gleaming.
"Finally… finally, a newcomer."
"Do you know how long I've waited for this day?"
He stretched out both hands.
"Ten years, a full ten years!"
"I've been stuck here at the Dragon Serpent Mountains for ten years! I've lost at least a B-rank contribution in total!"
"Now, at last, someone has come to take over my duties!"
The man laughed heartily, his dejected aura vanishing in an instant.
"Shen Mo, Elder Shen, right? I'll leave this place to you; I, Qian Fangyong, am out of here!"
He immediately took flight, disappearing into the horizon in an instant.
Shen Mo smacked his lips.
This…
He left so quickly, without even a proper handover.
Is Dragon Serpent Mountain really that dreadful?
"Ahem… I didn't expect such a young, uh, unfortunate soul—I mean, elder—this time," a raspy voice came from the courtyard.
Soon, a hunched figure, leaning on a cane, slowly emerged.
Shen Mo looked over.
The elder seemed as frail as a flickering candle.
It was as though a strong wind could blow him apart.
Moreover, his aura wasn't at the Nascent Soul level; he was only at the entry stage of the Core Formation realm.
The elder approached Shen Mo and appeared to want to kneel partially.
Shen Mo quickly supported him. "No need for that. Please speak while standing."
The elder nodded and then spoke. "My name is Huang Bayi, the steward of Dragon Serpent Mountain. I am four hundred and ninety-two years old and have seen off… seven elders."
Shen Mo chuckled. "Why is Dragon Serpent Mountain like this?"
The elder sighed deeply. "I don't know either, but previous elders claimed the feng shui here is poor. The bloodline of the demon beasts cannot be purified and instead becomes increasingly diluted."
"Elder Shen, you're so young—why would you come to the Dragon Serpent Mountains? You should know this place has a notorious reputation… Previous elders were all pressured here due to conflict."
Shen Mo smiled. "Well, since I'm here, I might as well take a look."
Huang Bayi nodded. "Very well. I'm too old and frail to move around, so I'll have my granddaughter show you around the Dragon Serpent Mountains."
He called out, and a young girl, about ten years old, shyly stepped forward.
Huang Bayi whispered, "Her name is Huang Caiying, ten years old, an outer disciple of the Jade Cauldron Sect, and the only disciple willing to help manage the Dragon Serpent Mountains."
Shen Mo was torn between laughter and exasperation.
It seemed even disciples avoided this place.
Despite his amusement, he felt a growing curiosity.
What secrets could the Dragon Serpent Mountains hold that prevent the demon beasts' bloodlines from purifying, causing them to become increasingly diluted?
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