Jiangnan West Circuit.
Luling.
A nameless desolate mountain.
The mountain had no vegetation, and the stones were all crimson.
Fierce winds howled, sounding like ghosts wailing and gods crying.
Several terrifying auras, like Pillars Supporting the Heavens, stood divided at the four corners of this desolate mountain.
Until the final black wind howled down from the edge of the sky.
Boom—
The black wind dissipated.
Revealing a figure clad in heavy armor, with a single horn on his head and a face the color of indigo.
This Devil Head looked exceedingly ferocious.
He had a massive mouth with tusks, and round eyes like bells.
He carried a Broad Axe in his hand, and when he landed, the entire mountaintop trembled.
"Is everyone here..."
At the peak of the mountain.
A middle-aged scholar, dressed in a Confucian Robe, with a pale face and no beard, slowly opened his eyes.
Although this scholar wore a Human Race skin, his narrow eyes shone with dense green light, and a large, fluffy tail was vaguely visible behind him.
This was the Jade-Faced Demon Venerable.
His true form was a Jade-Faced Fox that had achieved the Dao, known for being the most resourceful, and he was the leader of these four Great Demons.
To his left.
Coiled was a Giant Blue-Furred Wolf, several yards long, speaking human words in a hoarse voice.
"That woman hasn't arrived yet?"
The last demon to arrive, the Rhinoceros Demon, said in a muffled, booming voice, "I traveled the whole way and didn't see any trace of her."
The Jade-Faced Demon Venerable lightly fanned himself with a Folding Fan, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Logically, Silver Bone should have arrived earlier."
"Hmph!"
The Green Wolf Demon Venerable snorted coldly, his eyes filled with dissatisfaction.
"That Flirtatious Rabbit has always been restless. She probably encountered some satisfying blood meal along the way and got delayed somewhere."
The Golden Eagle Demon Venerable also spoke sinisterly, "If she messes up the main affair, once the Great Sage breaks the Seal, she will surely be punished for the crime of disrespect!"
The Jade-Faced Demon Venerable waved his hand.
"Forget it."
"Although Silver Bone is mischievous, she should understand the priorities when faced with major issues."
"Furthermore..."
The Jade-Faced Demon Venerable stood up, his gaze looking far towards Luling in the south.
"Although White Jade Tower is a Lantern-Lighting cultivator, all his energy must currently be used to suppress the Seal. As long as we interfere, even if we just break open a tiny crack..."
"The Great Sage will be enough to break through the Confinement!"
Speaking of which.
The Jade-Faced Demon Venerable turned around and looked at his three colleagues.
"Currently, there are also four Human Race Mountain Gazing experts acting as Protectors in Luling."
"Four versus four."
"If we make a move now, the victory is only fifty-fifty."
The Rhinoceros Great Demon let out a muffled snort.
"If it's fifty-fifty, then fifty-fifty! Even if White Jade Tower attacks personally, I can withstand a few moves!"
The Jade-Faced Demon Venerable shook his head: "Don't be reckless."
"If we can have absolute certainty, why bet on half a chance?"
"Since Silver Bone has already entered the Jiangnan West Circuit, she should arrive and join us in two or three days at most."
"At that time..."
The Jade-Faced Demon Venerable stretched out a hand and clenched it in the Void Realm.
"We will be five Mountain-Viewing Venerables!"
"Five versus four!"
"The advantage is ours!"
As soon as these words were spoken.
The other three Demon Venerables all nodded slightly.
Indeed.
Even if it's just one extra Mountain-Viewing Combatant.
In a Contest of this caliber, that is the straw that breaks the camel's back!
As long as one person can be freed up to interfere with White Jade Tower.
The situation in Luling will instantly collapse!
The Green Wolf Demon Venerable licked his sharp tusks, and the green light in his eyes flared intensely.
"In that case..."
"Then we shall wait three more days for that Flirtatious Rabbit!"
The Jade-Faced Demon Venerable nodded, lightly fanning himself with the Folding Fan, looking like he had everything under Control.
"That is exactly right."
"Pass down the order, let the various demons and monsters in Jiangnan West Circuit cause more chaos."
"Wait until three days from now..."
"We'll give them a surprise!"
The cold wind howled.
The four Great Demons stood atop the desolate mountain, gazing at the seemingly peaceful Luling.
As if they could already see the magnificent scene of the Seal shattering and Ten Thousand Demons Celebrating... The next morning.
The sky was just beginning to brighten.
Gongsun Lan was still inspecting the defenses on the city wall, her Bright Silver Armor covered in dew.
You Wujiang was sitting in the side hall of the Yamen, engrossed in reading an Ancient Scroll he held in his hands.
As an Aristocratic Family Member entrusted with an Imperial Decree.
Even in this war-torn region, his habit of reading every morning was unshakable.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of knuckles tapping on the door frame broke the morning silence.
You Wujiang raised his head.
He saw the Girl in Black Robes leaning against the doorway, holding several steaming Meat Buns.
Apparently, she had just snagged them from somewhere within The Department.
"Your Highness?"
You Wujiang quickly stood up, put down his scroll, and prepared to bow.
"Stop it, don't bother with those superficial formalities."
Jiang Yuechu walked into the room and casually tossed a Meat Bun over.
You Wujiang fumbled to catch it, feeling somewhat flattered.
"Your Highness came over so early, do you have any instructions?"
Jiang Yuechu pulled out a chair and sat down, taking a bite of the bun.
The juices overflowed.
"Yes, I do have something."
She swallowed the food in her mouth, lifted her eyelids, and looked at You Wujiang.
"I wanted to ask..."
"How does one break through the Mountain Gazing?"
Pfft—!!!
You Wujiang, who had just taken a bite of the bun, instantly spat it out.
If Jiang Yuechu hadn't reacted quickly and stepped aside, she probably would have been sprayed all over her face.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!!!"
You Wujiang coughed violently, his handsome face turning bright red.
He widened his eyes, staring incredulously at the young woman before him.
"What did you say?"
Jiang Yuechu frowned, looking at him with disgust.
"Breaking through the Realm, is that hard to understand?"
You Wujiang's mouth hung open, and it took him a long time to close it.
Hard to understand?
This is impossibly hard to understand!
She only entered Seed Lotus a few months ago.
And now... she's asking how to enter Mountain-Viewing?
"Your Highness..."
You Wujiang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the stormy waves in his heart.
"You... reached Lotus Seed Perfection?"
"Mhm."
You Wujiang gave a wry smile and put down the bun in his hand.
His expression also became solemn.
"Since Your Highness is asking, I, You, will naturally tell you everything I know."
He organized his thoughts and slowly began to speak.
"The so-called Mountain-Viewing."
"The Mountain Gazing is profoundly mysterious and cannot be achieved merely through the accumulation of ordinary True Essence."
"The so-called Mountain-Viewing, views the mountain in one's heart, also known as the Inner Scenery."
Jiang Yuechu frowned and said, "Inner Scenery?"
"Exactly."
You Wujiang stood up and paced inside the room.
"Every Martial Artist in this world has a different Spiritual Seal, so the mountains in their hearts are naturally diverse and strange."
"If the Spiritual Seal is a Deep Sea Giant Whale, then the Inner Scenery should be a vast ocean island surrounded by endless waves."
"If the Spiritual Seal is a Nine Heavens Thunder Roc, then the mountain should be a sky-reaching precipice shrouded in mist."
Speaking of this, You Wujiang's expression became solemn.
"Therefore, the first Iron Rule is..."
"No matter what mountain one views in their heart, it must not contradict their own Spiritual Seal!"
"If one has a fire-attributed Spiritual Seal, but insists on viewing a snowy mountain cold pond..."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
This was not hard to understand.
Following the natural flow is the Heavenly Dao.
"Continue."
You Wujiang continued: "Finding the Inner Scenery and establishing the mountain form is only the first step."
"Next comes the most crucial step of choice."
"Dividing Yin and Yang."
"There are Three Thousand Great Daos in the world, but the Mountain Gazing fundamentally only divides into two paths."
"One is called Yang Mountain."
"The second is called Yin Mountain."
You Wujiang clenched his fist, True Essence surging: "Those who choose Yang Mountain primarily cultivate the Physical Body, Refining Essence into Qi."
"If one successfully walks this path, their Vital Qi and Blood will be like a Dragon, possessing the power to Collapse Mountains and Break Peaks with every move. Cultivating to Mountain-Viewing Perfection leads to an immortal Physical Body, Indestructible like Vajra."
Jiang Yuechu rubbed her chin.
Recalling the sensation of beating up that rabbit.
It was indeed quite tough.
"What about Yin Mountain?"
You Wujiang released his fist and lightly tapped his Glabella with his fingertip.
"Those who choose Yin Mountain primarily cultivate the Divine Soul, Refining Qi into Soul Transformation."
"This path does not cultivate brute physical strength; it specializes in Primordial Spirit Leaving the Body and Wandering the Great Void."
"With a single thought, one can Summon Wind and Rain."
"With a single thought, one can Scatter Beans and Turn Them into Soldiers."
"The methods are cunning and varied, making them impossible to guard against."
Speaking of this, You Wujiang sighed.
"However, neither Yang Mountain nor Yin Mountain is superior or inferior; it only depends on the individual's Karmic Affinity."
"Some are born with a strong Physique, making them suitable for the Yang Mountain path."
"Some are born with a powerful Divine Soul, making Yin Mountain a smooth road."
Jiang Yuechu listened carefully.
But she was secretly calculating in her heart.
Yang Mountain focuses on Tankiness and Output; it's simple and brute force.
Yin Mountain focuses on Control and Spells; it's flashy and complicated.
If that's the case.
With her current methods.
Her Physical Body is powerful, clearly making her a Good Prospect for Yang Mountain.
But she also possesses the Divine Ability of Water Control and Move Mountain. Could Yin Mountain also be an option?
"What about you?"
Jiang Yuechu lifted her eyelids and looked at the young man before her.
"I see you've reached Lotus Seed Perfection. Which path are you planning to take in the future?"
Hearing this.
The expression on You Wujiang's face instantly became somewhat bitter.
"As I, You, just said, Mountain-Viewing views the heart, and what is sought is 'Comprehension'."
"My talent is decent. Now that the Nine Lotuses have Bloomed Simultaneously, the accumulation is sufficient."
"But..."
You Wujiang pointed to his chest, his tone low.
"In my heart, there is only a dense fog."
"Perhaps it is because my Heart-Nature is restless, or perhaps the trivial matters of the Mortal World are too numerous, obscuring my vision."
"This step..."
"It is as difficult as ascending to the heavens."
Jiang Yuechu fell silent.
She looked at the somewhat dejected Prodigy of Great Tang before her.
But she was muttering inwardly.
If according to You Wujiang's explanation.
To enter Mountain-Viewing, one must first determine the attribute of their Spiritual Seal, and then visualize the matching Inner Scenery.
But the problem is... what exactly counts as her Spiritual Seal?
This whole large family of Demons, Monsters, Ghosts, Birds and Beasts, land, and water creatures.
The Attributes are varied and diverse, Mutually Generating and Restraining.
It's practically a damn zoo.
To find a mountain that satisfies the Tiger, comforts the Flood Dragon, and also pleases the Wild Boar... Jiang Yuechu rubbed her Glabella, feeling a headache coming on.
"Your Highness?"
Seeing her remain silent for a long time, You Wujiang tentatively called out.
"It's nothing."
Jiang Yuechu recovered her senses and waved her hand.
"Thank you for clearing up my confusion."
"I have other things to attend to, I'll take my leave first."
Having said that.
Without waiting for You Wujiang to stand up and see her off.
Jiang Yuechu stood up directly and pushed the door open to leave.
Outside the door.
The sun rose higher, dispelling the morning mist.
Jiang Yuechu stood under the eaves, her hands clasped behind her back.
After a long time.
She suddenly chuckled softly and shook her head.
Why think so much?
For others.
Perhaps they need to tread on thin ice and be extremely cautious.
Fearing that taking half a wrong step would lead to Eternal Damnation.
But for herself... Jiang Yuechu extended her slender palm and gently turned it over in the sunlight.
Her palm lines were clear; Destiny was in her grasp.
Her journey so far.
From a defenseless Daughter of a Convicted Official to achieving Lotus Seed Perfection today.
Did she rely on so-called Comprehension Ability?
Did she rely on daily Arduous Cultivation?
Or did she rely on vague and illusory Opportunities?
Bullshit.
She relied on this system panel!
Since the Mortal Realm could be broken through.
And Seed Lotus could be entered.
Then this Mountain-Viewing... as long as her Dao Cultivation is sufficient, and the Numerical Value is stacked high enough.
This Golden Finger also has a way to forge a path for it!
Thinking of this.
Jiang Yuechu no longer worried about the so-called debate over the Inner Scenery.
With a shift of her mind, she sank into the depths of her Sea of Consciousness.
Buzz—
[host: Jiang Yuechu]
[Realm: Lotus Seed Perfection]
[Dao Cultivation: Thirty-four thousand two hundred and twenty-nine years]
Looking at that long string of numbers.
Although Jiang Yuechu was already mentally prepared, she still found the sight pleasing to the eye.
Over thirty thousand years!
What an enormous Fortune this was?
And now.
It all belongs to me.
The corner of Jiang Yuechu's mouth curved up; she was about to Splurge.
Suddenly.
As if she had discovered something.
She raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm?"