Rat in Yellow Wind Ridge, rising from plundering entries - Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Trait Fusion, Bestowing the Name “Poison Nemesis,” and the Establishment of a Daoist Sanctuary: Wuzhen Mountain and Swallowing Moon Lake!

[Traits have been bestowed!].

[The Scorpion Demon’s Iron Shell (Blue) and Iron Skin (Blue) are compatible. Would you like to merge and upgrade?].

[The Scorpion Demon’s Brute Strength (Blue) and Hardened Bones (Blue) are compatible. Would you like to merge and upgrade?].

[The Scorpion Demon’s Scorpion Venom (Red) and Corpse Poison (Blue) are similar. Would you like to merge them?].

“As expected! Similar traits can be merged!”

Yellow Wind King was thrilled. This was his first time bestowing traits upon a lesser demon. In the future, this ability would become the core technology of his growing power.

“So, Scorpion Venom and Corpse Poison can’t be upgraded? Is Corpse Poison’s grade too low? But since they can merge, the result might be even more potent!”

“Merge them all!”

[Iron Shell (Blue) and Iron Skin (Blue) have merged and upgraded—Scorpion Demon has obtained the new trait: Crystal Carapace (Red)!].

[Brute Strength (Blue) and Hardened Bones (Blue) have merged and upgraded—Scorpion Demon has obtained the new trait: Steel Bones and Strong Tendons (Red)!].

[Scorpion Venom (Red) and Corpse Poison (Blue) have merged—Scorpion Demon has obtained the new trait: Mutated Scorpion Venom (Red)!].

A hum filled the air—the three newly evolved red traits brought a massive transformation to the Scorpion Demon. Spiritual energy, baleful aura, and underworld essence surged into its body, altering its bones and shell.

Its once black-purple exoskeleton gradually turned crystalline violet, as smooth as polished diamond, shimmering with an indestructible luster. Inside, its tendons and bones strengthened, reinforcing its physique.

Its size expanded, now as massive as an elephant. Its claws, sharp as pincers, and its eight legs, resembling spears, easily pierced solid rock. Its tail stinger darkened to a deep crimson, emanating an aura of lethal danger. The transformation lasted an entire day.

The infusion of spiritual and baleful energy, coupled with underworld essence, led to the formation of a demon core within the Scorpion Demon’s abdomen—it had undergone a complete evolution. Now, it could absorb baleful and ghostly energy, adapting perfectly to its new demonic environment.

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[Species: Demon – Ghost Scorpion].

[Realm: Qi Refinement – Demon Core].

[Traits: Mutated Scorpion Venom (Red), Crystal Carapace (Red), Steel Bones and Strong Tendons (Red), Basic Hammer Technique (White), Minor Fortune (White)].

Upon regaining consciousness, the Scorpion Demon sensed its transformation. It was ecstatic. Had it relied on its own cultivation, it would have taken a hundred years to break through. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

It immediately knelt, bowing in gratitude. During this time, Yellow Wind King had been directing the Shadow Demon to pack his belongings—not much, just a few hundred books.

“I shall give you a name—Poison Nemesis!”

The Scorpion Demon beamed with joy.

“Thank you for the name, Great King!”

Yellow Wind King then glanced at the envious Shadow Demon nearby.

“You shall assist Poison Nemesis in guarding this place. If you do well, I will not withhold rewards.”

The Shadow Demon was overjoyed and quickly bowed.

“Thank you, Great King!”

Following this new lord seemed far more promising.

The Shadow Demon’s eyes gleamed with cunning.

“Great King, I know of a place that is perfect for cultivating a rare underworld herb—Earth Soul Grass.”

“This herb, when eaten raw, strengthens the soul. When refined into pills, it fortifies the spirit.”

“Oh?”

Yellow Wind King studied it.

[Species: Ghost – Shadow Demon].

[Realm: Transforming Qi – Humanoid Form].

[Traits: Dreamwalking (Blue), Cultivation (Blue), Underworld Wind (Blue), Herb Identification (White), Beginner Whip Technique (White), Cunning (White)].

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The Shadow Demon added, “I know that the Corpse King had a hidden stash of Earth Soul Grass seeds. I am willing to cultivate them for you, Great King.”

Yellow Wind King’s eyes gleamed.

Earth Soul Grass?

He had read about it in the books at Fangcun Mountain—it could nurture the soul and primordial spirit, and when refined, it could create Soul Nourishing Pills for spiritual enhancement. This ghost had talent in farming?

Yellow Wind King rummaged through the Corpse King’s belongings. Sure enough, inside a small wooden box, he found a small bag of jet-black seeds. Heh, this little ghost was indeed crafty.

Had it not been after something, it would have remained silent. Yellow Wind King didn’t mind. Among all beings, there were different types—demons, ghosts, and humans alike. So long as they were useful, even a cunning ghost had its value.

Yellow Wind King asked, “What reward do you seek?”

The Shadow Demon replied, “Serving the Great King is my honor…”

Yellow Wind King nodded.

“Good! Then so be it!”

The Shadow Demon froze for a moment before awkwardly laughing, “Great King, I actually desire the Corpse King’s demon core.”

“Hah!”

Yellow Wind King sneered. With a sharp thrust, his spear hummed as it grazed the Shadow Demon’s body—freezing it in place, motionless.

“Do not try to scheme against me again—or else!”

He redirected his spear, shattering the Corpse King’s remains. The Shadow Demon shuddered and immediately knelt, admitting its fault. Yellow Wind King ordered the Scorpion Demon and Shadow Demon to guard Rat Hole Cave. Then, he gathered his belongings and flew outside, stepping onto a cloud mist.

Whoosh!

Riding the clouds, he ascended into the sky. As he soared, the winds and clouds stirred, creating a majestic spectacle that made the lesser demons in the mountains bow in submission.

Just like ten years ago, when the Golden-Winged Great Peng had flown by, causing Yellow Wind King to tremble in hiding inside his cave.bNow, he gazed down from the heights. The ridge split the land into yin and yang.

The northern side of Yellow Wind Ridge—where Rat Hole Cave and Flowing Sands Nation lay—was yin-aligned, full of ghostly energy. The southern side of Yellow Wind Ridge was yang-aligned, filled with lush mountains, vibrant rivers, and thriving life.

Yellow Wind King was stunned.

“This place… It embodies both yin and yang—a natural formation resembling a heavenly grand array! Unbelievable! Truly remarkable!”

“Was this naturally formed or deliberately arranged?”

“Could it be the work of Golden-Winged Great Peng? It possesses a treasure called the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle—a spiritual treasure!”

“Could it be connected to this formation?”

Yellow Wind King studied it carefully.

Seeing no immediate danger, he thought, A rat must be cautious, but being overly timid isn’t wise either.

He descended, landing near a majestic landscape. White cranes soared in pairs, flower deer roamed freely, fish darted through crystal-clear waters—it was a paradise. A towering nine-thousand-zhang mountain stood before him, with cliffs in the north, ridges in the west, a deep gorge in the east, and a sunlit southern face.

From the clouds, a silvery waterfall cascaded down.

“A fine mountain! I shall name it after my Daoist title—Wuzhen Mountain!”

He carefully planted his spirit tree, burying its roots and watering it. The tree, initially withered, trembled as he muttered, “Grow well! Grow strong! If not… I’ll eat you like ginseng.”

The spirit tree shuddered, suddenly radiating a soft luminescence, forming a protective illusionary barrier.

“Coward!”

Yellow Wind King scoffed.

Nearby, he buried spirit peach and plum seeds, waiting for the rain to nurture them. He gazed out at a vast lake—ten miles wide, unfathomably deep, with nine tributaries to the east and a great stream to the west flowing into the Flowing Sands River.

The reflection of mountains mirrored in its still waters.

“A fine lake! I shall name it after my lineage—Swallowing Moon Lake!”