Chapter 186 Wuling Mountain
Chapter 186 Wuling Mountain
The Wuling Mountain area is home to thousands of mountains and valleys. Caves, underground rivers, streams, rivers, high mountains, dangerous peaks, old forests, and miasma together form a vast and dangerous deep mountain area.
The Wuling Mountain area runs from north to south, sandwiched between the Shuzhong Basin and the Two Lakes Plain, and is the east-west boundary south of the great river in China.
To the east of this place is the Eastern Taoism in a broad sense, a place that has always been stable and peaceful, and is also known as a land of wealth and prosperity in the eyes of ordinary people in the secular world.
The area west of this place has never been peaceful. The northern part is occupied by the Shuzhong Xuanmen, which has gradually established itself over the past few hundred years, and the southern part is occupied by the increasingly rampant Southern Demon Sect. In the eyes of ordinary people, this place is a remote and desolate place with poor mountains and bad waters. The only thing worth mentioning is the Land of Abundance.
Located at the junction of the east and the west and between three major forces, the Wuling Mountain area has a very special status. In one word, it is chaotic.
The Eastern Daoists looked down on this place because of the ravines and the lack of immortality. The Xuanmen also thought it was poor and had never heard of immortals being born or ancient treasures being discovered. The Southern Demon Sect did not mind and wanted to rush in and occupy the space, but this was something that the Eastern Daoists and the Western Xuanmen would never allow.
Therefore, this place became a lawless place where everyone was wary of each other, and many independent cultivators gathered here.
The largest gathering place of independent cultivators in the world is in Qingzhou, but the independent cultivators there are nothing more than the following types of people: those who are talented when they are young, but may not be great when they grow up, and are sent away by the sect because the sect does not want to keep them for nothing; those who are unable to survive in the sect and are disbanded; those who are mortals who, by chance, pick up relics and refine their Qi on their own to embark on the path of cultivation; and some are taken in as disciples by independent cultivators and naturally continue to be independent cultivators.
These people are still on the right path. Although the practice is difficult, they still have their hearts set on the right path, live contentedly, and practice steadily.
The second largest gathering place for independent cultivators in the world is in the Wuling Mountain area. What kind of people are here?
There were those who broke the precepts and betrayed their religion, those who were expelled from their sect, those whose sects were destroyed by powerful enemies, those who were abducted by the demon sect to refine treasures and techniques and then escaped with great difficulty, etc. Regardless of their origins, these people had one thing in common, that is, they were absolutely unwilling to settle down and practice slowly. They either had great ambitions in their hearts or great hatred in their bodies.
That is why they gather in this place of order amidst chaos to seek opportunities.
However, there is a saying that one can steal for a thousand days but never be on guard against thieves for a thousand days. The Taoists and Xuanmen look down on this place and do not want to stay here for a long time. It is definitely impossible for them to stop the evil cult that is bent on taking over this place.
Therefore, over the past few hundred years, more and more independent practitioners of the magic path have flocked to the Wuling Mountain area, and finally they have formed a group and developed several large forces. Moreover, the terrain here seems to be naturally suitable for the survival of the magic path. Various miasma and poisonous insects can be seen everywhere. The magic path has developed rapidly here, and more and more independent practitioners have joined in.
Jingchu and Sanxiang were obviously aware of this, and often sent people into the mountains to suppress the demons, but the demons had already taken over, and often used the terrain to encircle and annihilate the righteous disciples who entered the mountains. Moreover, even if they couldn't defeat them, these demons would go into various mountain caves and dark rivers, and the righteous would be helpless. Now that so many independent cultivators have taken root, can they still clear the mountains?
In addition, as the number of people increased, factions naturally emerged and territories were divided.
There are many east-west water veins in the middle section of Wuling Mountain, which serve as natural boundaries. So these people divided the Wuling Mountain area into two areas: Shizhou and Xiangxi. Shizhou is in the north, bordering Bashu and Jingchu, and Xiangxi is in the south, bordering Sanxiang and southern Xinjiang.
The independent cultivators and demonic forces in Xiangxi are loyal to the Southern Demon Cult and have close relations with the Southern Wilderness. Many of them were even sent here by the Southern Demon Cult. Recently, with the transformation of the Green Robe Patriarch into a dragon, the power of the Southern Demon Cult has greatly increased, and the demonic forces here have become even more rampant.
There are more independent cultivators in Shizhou, as well as demonic forces. However, these people are either independent cultivators passed down from generation to generation in Wuling Mountain, who have a sense of belonging to Wuling Mountain and are therefore disgusted with the Southern Demon Sect thorns who come in to cause trouble; others come from all over the world, and hate the demonic style in their hearts and do not want to become dogs under the Green Robe Patriarch.
With the factions and disputes, this place became even more chaotic, with swords and sabers flashing and fighting openly and covertly everywhere.
Among the many water veins that serve as territory boundaries in the middle section of Wuling Mountain, on the western end there is a river called Youshui, and in the middle section of Youshui there is a place called Tulong Mountain.
Tulong Mountain has been very lively recently because of the once-in-a-decade Water and Land Fair, which has been a name used to describe the culture for the past 100 years. Before this, this place was a market town. Every ten years, the water gangs and land gangs from the Wuling Mountain area would jointly hold a trade fair here. As time went on, it was called the Water and Land Fair.
What are the origins of this Water Gang and Land Gang?
Although there are all kinds of people in this mountain, and the devil is rampant, it does not mean that people are fighting and killing all day long. People also need to practice, and practice requires resources. However, the forces here are small and dense, and there are more independent practitioners. They cannot be self-sufficient like the large groups on the east and west sides. Resources are obtained through exchange and circulation, so trade is generated.
To put it bluntly, the Water Gang and the Land Gang are trade caravans, one travels by water, the other by land. Accordingly, one has abundant aquatic products, the other has abundant mountain products. These two gangs are neither righteous nor evil, they just do business, they dare to buy righteous things, and they dare to sell evil things, which is quite similar to the Baiyujing in Wuling Mountain.
The big market at Tulong Mountain was built by these two families. Now it is time for the Water and Land Fair to be held. Many people and monsters from the mountains and valleys have come out and gathered here, hoping to find some treasures they desire.
As the sun set in the west and dusk fell, tens of millions of tung oil lanterns on Tulong Mountain were lit up one by one, like a fire dragon crawling out of Youshui and climbing up the mountainside.
The Mountain Turtle and River-Drinking Toad used by the Water Gang to carry goods were each as big as a small mountain and almost filled up the You River. Perhaps for the sake of liveliness, the Water Gang also tied these turtle monsters and toad monsters with colorful ribbons and pearls, but it made these monsters look even more terrifying.
A new caravan arrived at the Lu Gang today. The big blue ox and the mountain centipede were lying by the river drinking water, looking very thirsty. They did not move, allowing the people from the Lu Gang to unload the goods from their backs.
The riverbank is covered with large, flat rocks, some as big as bamboo strips used to dry grain. Now they are all occupied. A layer of cloth is spread on the rocks, and the goods are placed on top. It is a small stall, so crowded that there is only enough space for people to step on.
As for the mountain, it is even more lively. There are many stilt houses built on the mountain. Three-story buildings are rare, and five-, six-, and seven-story buildings are everywhere. There are shops, gambling houses, restaurants, and everything you can think of is available here.
Baiyujing is elegant and wealthy, Tulongshan is rough and noisy, but both are extremely lively.
"Hey! Did you hear that?"
In a restaurant on the mountain, a table of people started talking nonsense again, starting with their usual rhetoric.
"what happened?"
Someone answered immediately.
"Haven't you heard?"
"What did you hear?"
"Northern and Southern Kuixing!"
"I haven't heard of it, what's wrong?"
"Are you from Xiangxi?"
"Yes."
"That's no wonder."
"Don't keep me in suspense. Tell me now."
"Okay, okay, it's said that there were two Taoist priests, one named Kui Nandou and the other named Kui Beichen, who came out of nowhere and entered Shizhou from Kuizhou two months ago. They killed people everywhere, and their swordsmanship and magic were powerful. The tiger monsters in Hutou Mountain were all beheaded, and hundreds of ghosts were all converted. The Blood Gu Gate in Tenglong Cave was flooded, the Thousand Spider Cliff in Shimen River was burned down by the yang fire from the sky, and the dream-collecting ladies in Butterfly Cliff in Qingjiang were turned into ashes by thunder."
"This, this, this, the old lady Poison from Thousand Spider Cliff is a person who has survived the thunder tribulation, but she didn't escape?"
"No, not one escaped."
"All those killed were bad guys. These are the four with the worst reputations. Which of the great sects in the east did this? Have you found out the details?"
"No, the two murderers only reported their names, not their families, but I heard they were both very young. You said those who were killed were all notorious, which is true, but these are the only ones with a bad reputation in Shizhou. There are many more in Xiangxi, especially those who wag their tails to Patriarch Nanchen."
"Oh, don't mention them. It would be better if they died. I can't stay in Xiangxi any longer. I am also planning to move to Shizhou. We are independent cultivators, so it doesn't matter where we go."
"That's right, bro. Come on, have a drink!"
"Come on! Xiangxi has been really chaotic lately!"
"Oh? Tell me, tell me." "Why, you haven't heard?"
"I haven't heard of it."
"Are you from Shizhou?"
"Yes, sir! Brother, you are waiting for me here!"
Everyone at the table laughed, and the offense and defense changed.
"Brother, I was wrong, I was wrong, tell me quickly."
"Haha, don't worry, brother. Just listen to me. But don't be scared when I tell you. I'm talking about the Eight-Armed Dragon King, one of the Eight Vajra Kings, coming!"
"Ah?! Eight-armed Dragon King Cao Jin? He's coming to Wuling Mountain? What is he doing here?!"
"You don't know, right? It's because half a year ago, Yang Xuanla, the Yinhe Ghost Master among the Eight Vajra, died in Fuxia Lake, so there has been one person missing from the Eight Vajra. Ancestor Nanchen felt that it was unlucky, so he asked King Cao Long to come to Xiangxi to recruit one to fill the position. So, now the Xiangxi Demon Cult is trying to show its courtesy!"
"I see, I see. It looks like we're going to be in chaos. If you want to come to Shizhou, you'd better hurry up."
"Yes, I plan to take advantage of this Tongqu Conference to find more things, and then go to Shizhou to rebuild the cave."
"Welcome! Do you know anyone in Shizhou? If not, you can come to our Lushupo. We have hundreds of independent cultivators there, so you can form a group. I have to say something unpleasant, but I think you are getting old, so let the younger generation do the fighting. There is no hatred that cannot be let go, and we should just retire and enjoy our old age."
"Hey, what you said is absolutely right! Please accept a Tongsheng Gu from me. I will come to find you after this meeting is over."
"Okay, okay, I'll wait buddy!"
"Haha, ok, eh?"
"What's wrong man?"
"look."
"What's wrong? Who is that? Your nephew?"
"No, look carefully, there are two Taoists, young, with the demeanor of masters, and two swords on the table."
"Hiss, can't it be those two Kuixing?"
"Hey bro, keep your voice down!"
"Yes, yes, yes, keep your voice down, don't say it, it really does look a bit like..."
"..."
"Xinzhan, Cao Jin is not an easy person to deal with."
"Yes, I didn't expect him to come."
The two old brothers who hit it off at first sight not far away were right in their guess. The North and South Kuixing were right beside them at this moment.
The two stayed in Kuizhou for nearly two months, tempering the heavenly thunder and watching the great river, and each of them gained a lot, but they never ran into the Emei disciples who were catching dragons again. From this, we can guess that Yuchi Zhenyan and the other two who were let go by the two did not reveal the matter after returning, and did not call for help.
After staying in Kuizhou for two months, not daring to forget the important task of exorcising demons, the two men entered Wuling Mountain from Kuizhou and arrived in Shizhou. They found out about several evil demon sects in the area and spent two months eliminating them one by one.
Later, he heard that a water and land thoroughfare conference was going to be held, so he hurried over, thinking that he could continue to advance into western Hunan and wait for an opportunity to kill the demon.
I didn't expect that as soon as I found a place to sit down, I heard people talking about me. I didn't expect to hear big news as soon as I arrived.
"Emei, how much evil do you want to do before you give up?"
Shen Zhaoming cursed in a low voice.
But he didn't curse for no reason, it was because Cao Jin became famous earlier than Xin Chenzi, he was an alien eight-clawed Shu dragon, this dragon had only been enlightened for a short time, only the third realm, but because of his dragon body and alien blood, he had escaped from the fourth realm sword masters of Emei many times, so he became famous.
However, even such a character could not bear the repeated attacks of Emei on the dragons and rivers, so after being seriously injured and on the verge of death, he joined the Demon Sect in anger, and then he was immediately appreciated by the Green Robe Patriarch, and under his guidance, his cultivation improved by leaps and bounds. Several subsequent sneak attacks by the Southern Demon Sect on the Xuanmen in Shu were all led by this leader.
To this day, he is ranked among the best among the Eight Vajras. If converted to the human race, his strength is probably no less than that of Wu Xi.
"Once we enter Xiangxi, we must be careful about everything. We must take advantage of the conference to find out more about this person."
Cheng Xinzhan said.
Shen Zhaoming nodded.
After the two of them had tasted dozens of local fine wines, including Wuling Teng Wine, Miaozhai Jiuchong Gu Wine, Qingjiang Han Wine, etc., the singing treasure party held at midnight every night began. At this point, it was considered to be the really lively time.
When the auction for treasures began, the voices of the onlookers bidding could be heard from miles away.
However, neither Cheng Xinzhan nor Shen Zhaoming had any interest in browsing the market for bargains or competing for treasures at treasure shows. How could the treasures from this remote place be as good as those from their own sect?
So the first thing they did was to pick a busy restaurant to try the local wine and listen to what the people around them were saying. They hadn't moved until now, when the singing party was about to begin.
To be honest, the treasure singing festival was quite lively. Above the Youshui River beach and outside the Tulong Mountain Stilt House, a nine-story floating glazed tower radiating precious light was erected. The glazed tower had windows on eight sides and was crystal clear, allowing people from all directions to see clearly what was inside.
Each floor of the tower was filled with numerous treasures, and there were handsome men and beautiful women hosting the singing competition, making the scene extremely lively.
After some polite words, the competition began. From the bottom to the top, the origins of each treasure were revealed and their prices were marked. Then the bidding was like waves, rushing straight to the sky, driving away the clouds and mist, revealing a round moon hanging on the top of the tower, making the pagoda even more brilliant and colorful.
"The Three Tribulations of Pure Light Finger, a spell from the Yuzhang Pure Light Sect. One finger can stop a river from flowing. Please bid."
The two people who were tasting wine and clinking glasses were suddenly stunned.
Now, it seems that there is no way to stay out of it.
(End of this chapter)