"Hmph~ You want me to let go of this hatred? No way~ Unless he dies, or I die~" Fei Ling snorted coldly, ignoring all advice.
"But he saved our lives too! Now that one life for another, it's all over. And most importantly, we didn't die, did we? With Master's Seven Treasures Lotus, we can quickly recover our physical bodies and start cultivating again!" Fei Hua said happily.
"Little sister, I've noticed you seem like a completely different person. Are you still the proud and extraordinary little sister I know? How could you let go of such a deep hatred so easily? You've even learned to consider other people's feelings. I really have to look at you in a new light~" Fei Ling said with a hint of mockery in her displeasure.
"Big brother, how could you say that to me? I was a bit young and naive before. But after experiencing so much, I've grown up and matured, and I know how to think and solve problems. I'm doing this for your own good~ Li Yang's strength is truly terrifying, and he even has a second clone. Didn't you see? His main body's strength is on par with yours before your body was destroyed, and his second clone's strength is even more terrifying. Moreover, he has cultivated a terrifying demonic technique, so his progress will definitely be even faster. Now that your physical body is destroyed, your strength has completely disappeared, and even if you want to cultivate, you have to start from scratch. Even if we obtain a physical body condensed from the Seven Treasures Lotus, without the karmic retribution of mortals, and cultivate much faster than ordinary mortals, with many benefits, you still wouldn't be his match if you went out now. Even if you wanted to recover your former strength, it would take several years. By then, Li Yang's strength would be incredibly terrifying. How could you possibly seek revenge against him? It would be nothing short of suicide~" Fei Hua became more and more agitated as she spoke, and the Seven Treasures Lotus that had merged with her trembled slightly.
"Feihua, you're boosting others' morale while diminishing our own. Let me tell you, we are disciples of a prestigious Kunlun sect, possessing countless magical treasures and the best cultivation grounds. Our cultivation speed is unmatched by anyone. Even if Li Yang cultivates demonic arts and progresses rapidly, demonic arts are only fast at the beginning; they become increasingly difficult later on. As long as I cultivate diligently, I can kill him sooner or later. Besides, aren't you going to help me?" Feiling asked, her gaze fixed on Feihua.
"Of course I'll help you. I'm just worried that you might go astray because you're so eager for revenge," Fei Hua said worriedly.
"Hmph! Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I won't let anything happen to me," Fei Ling said grimly.
"I hope so~ I don't want anything to happen to you~" Fei Hua's tone turned somber. She knew that this older brother harbored resentment because of Li Yang's killing of him. He was the kind of person who could only adapt to good times and couldn't handle adversity. He had been living a life of unparalleled success, and now he had been killed by a wild boy.
He absolutely cannot accept this reality, and will launch a fierce retaliation.
"I must stay with my brother then, and I absolutely cannot let anything happen to him," Fei Hua thought to herself. Since being saved and then killed by Li Yang, Fei Hua seemed like a different person, becoming more mature and composed, no longer spoiled and inhuman, and understanding how to consider others. This was perhaps a good thing.
Xishan Mountain, far away in Jiangbei City, is still trembling violently. The tremors have been ongoing for nearly a month, and in recent days, they've become more than just tremors. Some people are even hearing extremely terrifying, low-pitched roars at night, making it almost impossible for them to sleep. Many men who are intimate at night are so frightened that they are almost impotent and unable to get an erection.
The Dragon Group and the National Security Bureau had all disappeared, leaving only someone like Fu Jianjun in the General Staff who could be relied upon, so he had to take matters into his own hands. Since the general refused to compromise and was determined to deal with Li Yang, and Li Yang had suddenly vanished again, despite issuing a nationwide arrest warrant, it had no effect. Meanwhile, the situation in Xishan was deteriorating, forcing him to come in person.
After receiving reports from local residents and conducting his on-site investigation, he gradually came to believe Li Yang's account, and a sense of unease and fear began to creep into his heart. He wiped the cold sweat from his brow and dialed the general's number again, intending to discuss the Xishan issue with him once more.
Chapter 952: Tremor, Progress
Fu Jianjun's fingers trembled slightly as he dialed the general's number.
He felt that although Li Yang's actions were somewhat excessive, they were nothing compared to the monster of Xishan. Because if this monster were to awaken, the damage and harm caused by the collapse of Jiangxi Mountain alone would be many times greater than the harm caused by Li Yang.
The only difference is that Li Yang killed members of the National Security Bureau and the Dragon Group, giving the general and certain others a severe slap in the face. In contrast, the majority of those killed in the West Mountain collapse were ordinary civilians.
"General, according to my reconnaissance and investigation, the situation in West Mountain is exactly as that man said. There really is a huge, ferocious beast trying to emerge. I never imagined that such a terrifying thing was lurking beneath West Mountain; just thinking about it sends chills down my spine."
"Fu Jianjun's words carried more of a woman's sentimentality, and less of the coldness and composure of a soldier. This fully demonstrates that he was indeed frightened. As an ordinary person, he was unable to accept such a sudden turn of events."
"Are you exaggerating? Do you think I don't know the situation in Xishan?" the general said with a cold snort. He was completely unmoved by Jianjun's words.
Fu Jianjun's forehead was covered in even thicker sweat as he said nervously, "General, I'm telling you the truth. The residents here have been hearing the roars of wild beasts at night. It's not an exaggeration. If we don't take this seriously, the consequences will be dire!"
"Fu Jianjun, are you trying to scare me? Do you dare take full responsibility for what you said?" the general said in a deep voice. He was not impressed by Fu Jianjun's words.
Fu Jianjun's posture immediately lowered. Although he was already seven or eight parts convinced that there was something strange beneath West Mountain, he wasn't a cultivator, and the instruments couldn't detect anything below. However, the tremors and the roars heard by the residents were definitely not unfounded. If only one person heard them occasionally, perhaps they were dreaming or hallucinating. But so many residents were reacting this way, and it wasn't just one night. Now it happened almost every night. This was practically an undeniable fact. But the general said he would take full responsibility, and he suddenly felt nervous and guilty.
He had poured countless hours of effort into climbing to his current position; everything he had achieved was hard-won. Asking him to risk his future and destiny for Xishan was beyond his capabilities. Even if sacrificing himself could save tens of thousands of residents near Xishan, he wouldn't do it. What did their lives have to do with him? They wouldn't give him any benefit whatsoever. Why should he gamble everything for them?
"General, I, I dare not~" Fu Jianjun swallowed hard and said timidly.
"Hmph! I knew you wouldn't dare. Let me tell you, I know the situation there better than you do. Cultivators have been paying attention to it for a long time. This isn't our business as mortals. As the leader of the mortals, you don't need to worry about it. Do you understand? Even if the mountain collapses or something unexpected happens, it's not our responsibility, because we simply don't have the ability to manage it. All we can do is take care of our own affairs and do our duty. Stop overthinking and don't betray my trust in you. Do you understand?" the general said calmly and forcefully.
Fu Jianjun broke out in a cold sweat. It turned out the general was already fully aware of the situation; his worries were unfounded and had not only been futile but had also undermined the general's confidence in him. He truly shouldn't have risked his position and interests for the sake of these commoners.
This was a huge blunder. It's best to just wholeheartedly follow the general's orders and serve him faithfully. Yes, what the general wants most right now is to capture Li Yang, bring him to justice, and punish him according to the law. Now we must work hard to make up for the points lost with the general!
"General, it was all my ignorance, I was worrying unnecessarily. I meddled and delayed your important business. I know I was wrong, and I know what I should do next. Please give me another chance, General, I will never make the same mistake again~" Fu Jianjun immediately promised the general over the phone.
"Hmm. I know you're just confused for a moment. Understand your place and position. Don't worry about things unnecessarily, understand? Doing so will not only delay others, but more importantly, it will ruin your own future." The general gave Fu Jianjun a light warning. The implication was that if Fu Jianjun continued to be so oblivious, then his future was over. He shouldn't even think about making any progress. Not only would he not progress, but he might also become utterly worthless.
"Understood. I know what to do now," Fu Jianjun said with utmost seriousness and respect.
"Good to know. It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost," the general said calmly before hanging up the phone.
Fu Jianjun broke out in a cold sweat. After putting away his phone, he looked up at the majestic, continuous Western Mountains and made a decision. "Let those commoners die," he thought, "let the Western Mountains tremble. If they collapse, so be it. What does it have to do with me?"
Fu Jianjun left Xishan and then went on a rampage like a mad dog, biting people everywhere and forcing those who knew Li Yang's whereabouts to reveal Li Yang's exact address. However, despite his extremely diligent and frantic investigation and search for Li Yang's whereabouts, he achieved very little and found nothing. No one knew Li Yang's location.
Meanwhile, Li Yang, who was diligently absorbing Yin energy underground in the western suburbs of Gaoping County, Shaanxi Province, was radiating golden light so intensely that he resembled a golden statue. However, the Yin energy and malevolent energy formed by the hundreds of thousands of wronged souls buried underground for nearly a thousand years were simply too powerful. After absorbing so much, he was still almost the same as the first time he absorbed it, without the slightest weakening, and it continued to supply Li Yang with a rich and continuous flow.
The golden light emanating from Li Yang grew increasingly intense, making him appear as if he were made of gold, coated with a dazzling golden radiance. His entire demeanor was also gradually transforming, becoming solemn and majestic. His strength had clearly reached the mid-stage of the Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation realm. Even if he were to unleash his full power now, although he wouldn't be a match for Tian Yuanzi and the others, he would still be a super expert capable of dominating the world.
However, Li Yang still hadn't woken up. The golden light continued to intensify, and his cultivation level steadily increased. Even the Heavenly Luo Blood Transformation Divine Blade beneath him underwent significant changes. Originally weakened by the Seven Treasures Tree Staff's attack, the Heavenly Luo Blood Transformation Divine Blade was now gradually radiating a chilling and ferocious aura. A wave of savage and bloodthirsty blade intent permeated the air, exuding a terrifying presence. Its severely damaged strength was slowly recovering, and the Twelve Heavenly Gods and Demons Formation within the blade was gradually regaining its power. The infamous demonic weapon from ancient times was gradually restoring its true form, poised to reappear in the world, a triumphant return.
West Mountain.
It became lively again, but it was only a few people, all standing still high in the sky. There was a big monk, an old man with white hair and beard, a scholar, an old Taoist priest, and a Taoist priest with messy hair and beard, wearing an apricot-yellow Taoist robe that was at least black and filthy.
"The situation here is indeed critical. The Blood Demon is about to break through the seal. I wonder where he got the demon blood? Its power is so great that it allowed him to leap from the mid-stage of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation to become a master of the Earth Immortal realm out of thin air." The old Taoist with messy hair and beard frowned as he looked down.
"Now you know we're telling the truth, Zhang Tianyi? We're not lying to you, are we?" the great monk Dandong said loudly.
“What you say is true. But I really can’t help you. I’m only at the late stage of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation. I haven’t worked hard to cultivate over the years, and my realm hasn’t improved at all. In fact, it has slightly regressed,” Zhang Tianyi said with a bitter smile.
"I saw it coming long ago. I just used the Body Reconstruction Technique on the soul I found here, and it took a lot of damage to my strength. Even after meditating for a while to recover, I still haven't returned to my peak. I could tell you were no match for me. It seems you really have been stubbornly clinging to life all these years, willingly falling into depravity~" The Great Monk Dandong mocked Zhang Tianyi mercilessly.
"You big monk, you really don't hold back when you speak!" Zhang Tianyi said with a helpless wry smile.
“Zhang Tianyi, what the great monk said is true. You shouldn’t have been so decadent and unambitious all these years. If you continue like this, your strength will not only fail to improve but will actually decline. The gap between you and Senior Hua Mandie will only widen. How will you pursue her then?” said the scholar, Daoist Xuanyang.
“What they said makes sense. I think you should pull yourself together,” said the old Taoist priest, Master Xukong, stroking his white beard.
"You old codger, still talking? Why don't you pluck your own beard off? All these years, you're still only at the late stage of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation. You've wasted and squandered all the spiritual energy of Mount Shu." Zhang Tianyi was getting a little overwhelmed by the scolding from the group, so he grabbed Master Xukong and started mocking him.
"I heard you've been studying the Two Elements Micro Dust Array, a major formation of Mount Shu, all these years. I wonder what inspiration you've gained?" Zhang Tianyi said unhappily.
"This grand formation was left behind by our ancestor. Even in the Immortal Realm, it's an extremely powerful formation. Moreover, what remains in the mortal world is only a part of it, not the complete formation. I've only obtained a smattering of it. It's nothing to mention~" Void chuckled and stroked his beard as he spoke.
"Is that old fellow Tian Yuanzi still not coming?" Abbot Dandong said with dissatisfaction.