Chapter 178: Piles of White Bones

Xiaotaichuan was a vast expanse of rugged mountains and dense, gloomy forests. It lay at the border between Qingjiang Prefecture and Black River Prefecture, covering about a thousand li. This region used to have many villages filled with common people. However, now, as Fang Cun stood on the dharma ship, looking into the distance, he saw that this place had turned completely desolate. Scattered everywhere were villages burnt to scorched earth. Along the roads, withered corpses and rotting bones were covered with swarms of flies. The land itself seemed stained with a bloody aura…

As they moved forward, even as they neared Crow Mountain, they came upon a small hill. It was unmistakably built from human bones. Inside it sat several skulls, clearly those of children. The sight was so horrifying that it sent shivers down one’s spine, invoking an instinctive fear.

“This is a common trick demons use, building such bone hills to mark their territory!”

Young Sect Master Xu appeared beside Fang Cun, speaking softly. “But these savage demon tactics had disappeared long ago with the rise of Great Xia. Only in wretched demon places like the Southern Borderlands might demons occasionally use such methods, and even then, they were harshly condemned by our Great Xia Qi Refiners. It was truly shocking to witness such a heart-wrenching scene right here in Qingjiang Prefecture, within our Yuan Shen Kingdom…”

Fang Cun glanced briefly at the bone hill from afar before coolly pulling his gaze back. He said, “Back in Qingjiang Prefecture, I heard about the atrocities of the Demon Hound. But until you see it with your own eyes, it’s hard to grasp its cruel, terrifying nature. Seeing this thousand-li scorched land without a trace of humans meant the Demon Hound’s rampage must have lasted many days. Yet, how could we, secluded in the mountains, truly know the suffering of the people down below?”

“Elder Fang, Sect Leader Xu, Elder Ge of our sect sends me with a message! Moving forward from here takes us directly into Crow Mountain territory. Those demons are extremely vicious. We must not let them escape in this battle! Disciples of our Six Sects need to split up now, each heading to their assigned positions. Once fighting starts, no one must leave their post. If any demon gets away, it won’t be a small matter…”

From the sky nearby, a Nine Immortals Sect disciple in immortal robes came flying on a sword. He bowed to Fang Cun and Young Sect Master Xu while floating mid-air, delivered his message clearly, then saluted quickly and darted off on his sword aura. His manner was brisk and efficient.

“Not allowing us to leave our positions—it’s probably to keep us from snatching the Demon Hound’s head, right?”

Young Sect Master Xu whispered, then glanced at Fang Cun, his eyes seeming to ask a question.

Fang Cun pretended not to notice him and said, “We should head over now!”

…

After giving the order, Xiao Qingliu immediately turned the front of the dharma ship and steered it toward the northwest. Meanwhile, the Shoushan Sect disciples outside changed out of their pristine white robes and stored away their dazzling flying swords… They weren’t foolish. Those outfits may have looked impressive to others, but in real combat, they were useless flash—too risky to keep on.

As Shoushan Sect adjusted its dharma ship, the other Five Great Sects also shifted directions, charging toward their key positions. Leading the way, heading straight for Crow Mountain were Nine Immortals Sect’s Elder Ge and a newly arrived Elder Lu, along with seven True Disciples and over thirty ordinary disciples. Riding misty clouds, they showed no stealth as they rushed ahead rapidly.

“What audacious fools dare invade the territory of Divine Lord Eclipse?”

The mist swirled wildly even before they closed in on Crow Mountain among the peaks. A loud shout arose from below, revealing a sinister bone mountain of ghostly aura rising from a valley of towering, ancient trees. Skulls upon skulls formed the hill’s shape, and the voice came from the base, as if the cleaned-white bones themselves were speaking.

The Nine Immortals Sect elders and disciples paused briefly, staring coldly. “Who’s speaking?” they demanded coolly.

“Drip-drip…”

The small bone hill suddenly collapsed. From among the bones, an eight-zhang-long serpent with black scales emerged. Its whole body steamed with demonic qi, radiating intense evil. The huge serpent head swayed back and forth, slowly morphing into a human shape with a snake head, clad in heavy black armor. It held a trident, roaring ferociously: “It’s your grandpa!”

“Drip-drop,” the surrounding scattered bones shattered too. Small demons crawled out, screeching and cackling shrilly.

“This…”

Seeing the Demon General block their way, the Nine Immortals Sect elders and disciples exchanged icy glances:

“Are demons in Crow Mountain this brazen?”

Instead of retreating or begging for mercy upon spotting human Qi Refiners, they dared bark arrogant taunts?

“The fierce reputation of Crow Mountain makes sense—such rampant demons haven’t been seen in decades…”

From atop his Soaring Cloud, the Nine Immortals Sect’s Elder Lu sighed softly.

“Indeed, I too almost forgot how many years it’s been since any demon dared call themselves ‘grandpa’ to my face…”

Elder Ge nodded with an amused sigh, then scanned his surroundings.

Far off, across the ridges, many demons had surged out, all blocking paths and shouting at the elders and disciples of the great sects. Some wielded demonic tools, others waved banners, while still others spewed clouds of poisonous flame that set entire forests ablaze to bar the sects’ paths. Their raging menace made it feel like a real battlefield clash.

“Heh-heh, we heard rumors from Qingjiang of loudmouths disrespecting Divine Lord Eclipse! Now you fools actually come knocking on our door? Enough talk! Our Divine Lord Eclipse holds no grudges against you Qingjiang Qi Refiners—stay out of each other’s affairs. If you retreat now, all is peaceful. But if you dare trespass on our domain, don’t blame us for showing no mercy…”

The Demon General across from Elder Ge and Elder Lu continued his angry shouts.

The Nine Immortals Sect disciples were quivering with rage. Yet they had to hold back for now, as no orders came from their elders.

For a moment, the sect seemed silent, almost as if intimidated by the demon.

…

“This spot is still about thirty li from Crow Mountain’s gate. For the strength of our disciples, heading full speed would take them only an incense-stick’s time. The first sect to reach Crow Mountain would face its fiercest counterattack. But that would also give the earliest shot at encountering the Demon Hound. And if the other four sects arrived fast enough, they could help share the burden…”

Elder Ge ignored the Demon General’s words, surveying the terrain as he calculated internally.

Meanwhile, the other sects weighed similar thoughts—some gauging their brethren’s positions against the mountain’s distance, others sizing up the Demon Generals’ power, pondering the best moment to strike for victory.

The skies lacked any tension of fierce resistance; instead, a stifling calm lingered.

At the same time, along the most secluded path with the fewest obstacles, the Shoushan Sect disciples were all on edge.

Expression calm, Fang Cun spoke to Yu Qingli: “Activate the divine talisman!”

Yu Qingli responded obediently. Ignoring the few small demons hopping and screaming insults before the dharma ship, he calmly took a divine talisman in hand. As if no one watched, he infused magical power and promptly set it afloat mid-air.

“Whoosh…”

As the talisman rose, it burst into radiant light visible for dozens of li.

The small demons opposite gaped in confusion. What were they up to? Standing right here, yet they cast a talisman aloft?

Was this rich boys burning talismans as fireworks?

…

“No good—Shoushan Sect jumped the gun to strike…”

Instantly, as the talisman floated in the sky, the elders of the Five Great Sects all paled.

Seeing the talisman rise from Shoushan Sect’s side, they inwardly cursed: “That sect had such confidence before to bet against the Five Great Sects? It meant they had backup ready to slay the Demon Hound! Now, acting so quick—were they trying to grab the demons’ attention first to lure the Demon Hound toward them?”

None of the elders paid mind to those blocking demons.

Qi Refiners cultivate inner calm; what meaning lies in stacks of bones? Being cursed as grandchildren by demons?

It meant nothing!

What concerned them was Shoushan Sect’s actions!

Compared to the Crow Mountain threats, they feared that sect winning the wager far more!

So every move by Shoushan Sect pulled at their minds!

“Crash…”

Just as the talisman floated high—even the Demon General blocking ahead turned to stare—Elder Ge of Nine Immortals Sect burst forward unexpectedly. In a heartbeat, his sleeves spread wide as he floated above the serpent-headed Demon General. Startled, the demon screeched, stretching its head five zhang toward him, trying to coil around the elder.

“Hah! Mere worms think they rule?”

Elder Ge snorted scornfully. His sleeves flared, unleashing boundless power that smashed into the snake’s face. Before it reacted, his palm slapped down, seizing the demon by the throat and yanking it hard. It wriggled free of its armor, turning into a few-chi-long white-spotted black snake writhing on his arm.

“Today, Nine Immortals Sect purges demons for the people! We spare no serpent or insect in these hills!”

His stern shout rang out. As crimson flames lit from his palm, the serpent instantly turned to ash.

At that moment, Nine Immortals Sect disciples roared battle cries, morale soaring. In a blink, they sent out their flying swords and divine orbs, charging forward violently. Those dozen small demons stood no chance against these elite disciples.

After slaughtering them, Elder Ge and Elder Lu swept their disciples into clouds, unleashing mystical powers to advance at shocking speed—a pace hinting of wind and thunder.

“Nine Immortals Sect storms Crow Mountain…”

“Oh no, don’t let them get ahead!”

“With Dragon Stones at stake, no need for courtesy now…”

…

Watching Nine Immortals Sect’s sudden surge toward Crow Mountain, the other Four Great Sects panicked. Normally, mountain assaults demanded caution. But first, all sects came well-prepared; second, the Dragon Stone stakes made caution irrelevant—all thoughts of carefulness vanished to the clouds. Swiftly, they lunged ahead…

Instantly, the heavens darkened, clouds churned, and blood-lust filled the air.

Across the three-hundred-li land, it seemed five giant waves surged relentlessly toward Crow Mountain!

As the gale howled, voices like anguished cries rose—as if countless tormented souls finally glimpsed vengeance.

…

With all Five Sects displaying overwhelming force against Crow Mountain, Shoushan Sect’s dharma ship remained leisurely hovering in mid-sky.

“If Qi Refiners always wielded such power, how could demons dare grow this reckless?”

On the deck, Fang Cun watched the Five Great Sects’ unstoppable charge toward Crow Mountain and sighed softly. Then he turned to the small demons blocking the ship, who stared dumbly. Offering a kind, gentle smile, he reminded:

“Your mountain’s under attack. Shouldn’t you go back?”