North Mountain, Snow Region Celestial Lake.
The lingering twilight cast its glow on the cliffs of North Mountain, silhouetting Lin Zhao and Leng Yan. It was a rare occasion for Lin Zhao to descend the mountain and accompany Leng Yan as they surveyed the densely packed tents of the demon army to the north.
At that moment, two consecutive bell chimes echoed through the air!
"Ding!"
System notification: Congratulations to player [Jiu You Huang Quan] for successfully becoming a disciple of Qing Liang Sect's [Zhao Sui Guang] (Twelfth Realm cultivator), receiving rewards: Level +1, Charm +2, Reputation +5000, Gold Coins +12000!
"Ding!"
System notification: Congratulations to player [Xi He Da Guo Kui] for successfully becoming a disciple of Qing Liang Sect's [Zhao Sui Guang] (Twelfth Realm cultivator), receiving rewards: Level +1, Charm +2, Reputation +5000, Gold Coins +12000!
...
"It seems the Knights of Azure have firmly allied themselves with Qing Liang Sect."
Leng Yan pursed her red lips and said, "The animosity between Snow Region Celestial Lake and Qing Liang Sect runs so deep; it's unlikely this will end peacefully."
"It matters not."
Lin Zhao appeared remarkably carefree, smiling, "When the time is ripe, I will lead Xiao Jiu Er, Shu Zhi, Mu Gua, Chu Yu, and other descendants of the Great Chen Dynasty up the mountain to seek justice for Old Huang. Zhao Jingyu, the ancestor of Qing Liang Sect, has committed countless evils; he must die. At that time, Li Canghai, do not blame me for killing your master; I have already given you prior notice."
Leng Yan chuckled softly, "That's a bit unreasonable~~~"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but laugh, "Being too reasonable makes one easy to bully. Although I am a disciple of Mr. Qin, my genes carry traces of Sword Cultivators, Military Strategists, and Warriors. The principle of 'a gentleman can be deceived with fairness' does not apply to me."
"Mm, I think that's the right approach."
Leng Yan said, "In this world, all our kindness should be tempered with a sharp edge. Otherwise, kindness will be perceived as weakness by some, and ultimately, we will be the ones to suffer."
Lin Zhao nodded, "After the two systems, Realm and Sect, were opened, the demon race has been surprisingly quiet. I have a feeling they are brewing something."
"Is Shi Jun Gang still in charge of the four demon army camps?"
"It seems so."
"Then there's no problem."
Leng Yan chuckled, "Shi Jun Gang is no match for you."
Lin Zhao laughed heartily, but a nagging unease lingered in his heart. Shi Jun Gang could be considered a capable commander, but he always fell short by a single step in his schemes, which led to his defeats. However, Shi Jun Gang should never be underestimated as a mediocre talent, or one would surely suffer. Miss Leng's trust in him was boundless, and she could say such things, but he himself must not take it lightly. After all, while Shi Jun Gang might lack in overt strategies, his covert schemes were undoubtedly intricate. Constant vigilance was necessary.
...
A dark and windy night.
North of Pan Yun Mountain, beyond the mountain range, lies a swift river called Bai Zhi River. The banks of the Bai Zhi River are mostly rocky cliffs, overgrown with a medicinal herb named Bai Zhi, hence its name. Like the Xi Jian River, the Bai Zhi River originates from the continuous snow mountains to the east, but its flow and navigability are far inferior to the Xi Jian River. The Xi Jian River is the main east-west current, while the Bai Zhi River is merely a tributary.
At this moment, by the riverbank.
A woman in a black dress stood atop a cliff tens of feet high, gazing down at the Bai Zhi River with a cold gaze. She was Shi Jun Gang, the commander of the four demon army camps. Behind her stood two individuals: Feng Quan, a Twelfth Realm cultivator, and Bai Ye, an Eleventh Realm cultivator. In front of Shi Jun Gang, a wisp of verdant river spirit, buffeted by wind and rain, slowly descended, solidifying into a middle-aged man clad in a green python robe.
"Rain Master Yue Ling greets the esteemed Demon Saints."
Yue Ling slowly clasped his fists in greeting.
"Hmph..."
Feng Quan let out a disdainful scoff, his gaze towards Yue Ling devoid of any attempt at concealment. Your father, Yue Hao, was a pillar of the human realm. He once led fifty-three thousand Cloud State cavalry in a surprise attack, severely damaging ten demon army camps. That battle was earth-shattering. Yet, Yue Hao is long gone, scattered into dust, leaving behind such an unworthy descendant. Yue Ling, where does he find the face to cooperate with the demons? A disgrace to his ancestors.
Feng Quan felt profound contempt for such a person.
"..."
Shi Jun Gang glanced at Feng Quan, thinking to himself, "Lord Feng Quan, if our demon race is to conquer this world, we must utilize every capable individual. Yue Ling's temperament may be like a dog's, but if he can be of use to our demon race, why not employ him? Battling humans solely through brute force will not yield significant advantages. We must employ strategy. I do not wish to elaborate further on this."
Feng Quan nodded, "Your subordinate understands. Military Advisor, proceed with your plans. Your subordinate will remain silent."
"Mm."
Shi Jun Gang smiled slightly, "Yue Ling, your repeated conjurations of wind and snow in recent days have indeed contributed greatly to our four northern tribes. Especially the snow at Copper Mirror Lake; without that snow, it is unlikely that the Demon Race's Divine Cavalry Commander, Yu Feng, could have defeated Li Chunyang's hundreds of thousands of Lin Lu legions with just thirty thousand cavalry. Your contributions have been substantial, and we have all witnessed them."
"Lord Shi Jun Gang's praise is too kind."
Yue Ling clasped his fists, raising his eyebrows slightly, "As the Rain Master of the vast snowy region, conjuring clouds and bringing rain is merely my duty. In truth, I have never intentionally aided the four northern tribes, nor have I helped the human race. It is simply that, wherever and whenever, snow or rain falls, wind blows or clouds gather, all are subject to the decrees of heaven. I, Yue Ling, merely follow the grand current of events."
Shi Jun Gang did not expose him and smiled, "The reason for summoning you, Lord Yue Ling, is actually part of our demon race's plan for the southern regions. The intention of the Demon Ancestral Mountain is to build a Rain Master Dragon King Temple for you, Lord Yue Ling, on the banks of this Bai Zhi River. From henceforth, for thousands of miles from Pan Yun Mountain to the north, all cities and villages will add a place of worship for Lord Yue Ling among their deities. We intend to use the incense offerings of the demon race to nurture you into a Twelfth Realm cultivator!"
"Ah?!"
Yue Ling's body trembled as if struck by lightning. This was something he had yearned for but dared not seek. Now, the demon race was offering it to him. The next moment, this once-lofty Rain Master knelt on one knee, his body trembling, "Yue Ling is eternally grateful. Whatever commands the demon race issues, Yue Ling will obey without question!"
"Please rise, please rise."
Shi Jun Gang smiled and helped Yue Ling up, "From this day forward, Lord Yue Ling will be a deity worshipped by our demon race. You must clearly delineate yourself from those human deities, such as Su Fu and Han Bu Yu of Snow Region Celestial Lake, those stubborn and unyielding individuals. In short, the demon race's domain will surely expand south in the future, and the control of our wind and rain will be entrusted to you, Lord Yue Ling."
"Yes!"
Yue Ling clasped his fists, "I will absolutely not disappoint the Ancestral Mountain!"
...
In the dead of night.
"Swish~~~"
A golden sword light erupted from the plains north of Pan Yun Mountain, unnervingly flattening a peak by the Bai Zhi River. That sword light originated from Feng Quan, a Twelfth Realm cultivator. Immediately after, a colossal figure materialized in the night sky, approaching from the north. Upon closer inspection, it was a demon creature tens of feet tall, known as a "Demon Warrior" in the Demon Ancestral Mountain. This Demon Warrior was like a massive mountain, possessing immense strength, and moved through the forest with a hunched posture, carrying a palatial structure on its back.
Yue Ling stared, dumbfounded.
The demon race was directly transporting a Dragon King Temple from their domain to the Bai Zhi River! For ordinary human artisans, constructing a Dragon King Temple would take at least a month. But the demon race, with remarkable speed, had transported a ready-made Dragon King Temple to the banks of the Bai Zhi River overnight. Even the divine statues within the Dragon King Temple were already prepared, with him, the Rain Master Yue Ling, seated majestically in the main altar.
At the peak villa, Tian Ran Ju.
Lin Zhao abruptly rose from his study, looking towards the sword light that pierced the northern sky. Simultaneously, he felt a sensation. Since reaching the Eighth Realm as a Sword Cultivator, his perceptive abilities had greatly enhanced. He could sense a shadowy giant object in the north carrying something towards the direction of the Bai Zhi River. However, he could not discern the specifics, as he had not reached the Upper Five Realms and lacked the ability of "Viewing the Heavens through Water."
Beside him, Shu Zhi's delicate brows furrowed.
"See something?"
"A Dragon King Temple."
Shu Zhi pursed her red lips, "Shi Jun Gang, representing the demon race, has built a Dragon King Temple for the Rain Master Yue Ling, right by the Bai Zhi River. From the looks of it... Yue Ling, who controls the weather changes of the vast snowy region, has truly and completely sided with the demon race. From now on, the climate under which we fight will be determined by the demon race."
"Yue Ling again."
Lin Zhao clenched his fist gently, "Marquis Wu actually sired such a disappointing son. Yue Ling might become a stain on the legacy of Marquis Wu, Yue Hao."
"He already is."
Shu Zhi frowned, "Yue Ling, who previously claimed that as a deity, he preserved his divinity and discarded his humanity, was all lies. If there were seven or eight Fourteenth Realm Saints descending to protect our land, do you think Yue Ling would still dare to speak like that? The fundamental reason he chose the demon race over the human race is that he believes the demon race has a greater chance of winning, that they are stronger. And he is more willing to align himself with whomever is stronger."
"I deeply understand..."
Lin Zhao murmured, "It's simply a psychology of admiration for the strong. Whoever is strongest in this world, he will favor them more. If one day a race stronger than the demon race emerges, Yue Ling will unhesitatingly defect to them."
Shu Zhi's red lips parted slightly, "Is such a person detestable?"
"Not detestable, merely pitiable."
Lin Zhao looked towards North Mountain, frowning, "Why do people study? Because they need to understand reason. The higher one's level of cognition, the more the inherent flaws of human nature are shed. As Heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman incessantly strive for self-improvement. A person's life is a continuous process of learning and tempering their state of mind, nothing more."
"..."
Shu Zhi looked at Lin Zhao and couldn't help but laugh, "My lord, if you were to wear a scholar's robe, I believe you could even be a junior tutor at an academy. Many of the things you say are so reasonable..."
Lin Zhao scratched his head, "With my limited knowledge? Forget it, there's still a long way to go..."
...
Under the moonlight, a group of players traveled north, having already passed Pan Yun Mountain and continuing their journey northward.
On their shoulders, they bore identical guild emblems: "All Villains."
"Boss."
A level 104 sharpshooter frowned, "Are we heading north... to leave the season where you are present?"
"Get lost!"
Ding Chunqiu, the leader of the All Villains guild, grinned, "Don't you see? Many players have already become disciples. All those who become disciples of a Fifth Realm cultivator receive rewards and announcements. Since we, the All Villains, are already all villains, we cannot be like those mediocre individuals. My intention is... we head directly to North Mountain, to the Demon Ancestral Mountain, and find a powerful demon to become a disciple!"
"Holy shit..."
A group of players stared dumbfounded, then gave a thumbs-up, "Boss is far-sighted and takes an unconventional path, amazing!"
Ding Chunqiu then looked north, a smile playing on his lips. Since childhood, he had never been a good person. Disliked and disappointed by his parents as a child, ostracized and disappointed by colleagues and friends as an adult, so to hell with it. He lived his life only for pleasure, not to fulfill their expectations, so why should he care about their gazes? Since this is a free game, there's nothing to discuss. If you're willing to play human characters, I'm willing to join the demon race. It's nothing. If it makes this world that displeases me unhappy, then I will be happy.