Now, let it be said that the lands of the Eastern Region are vast and boundless.
Leaving the borders of the Great Tang, heading west for an unknown distance...
One finds the scenic realm of Spirit Mountain.
This place is not under mortal jurisdiction, nor is it governed by imperial law.
It is a den where demons and monsters entrench themselves, a paradise for non-human cultivators.
Looking out across the horizon...
An uninformed observer might think at first glance that this was some immortal's blessed land or a secluded peach blossom spring hidden from the world.
Though Spirit Mountain is vast and its peaks are many...
Only the ten most majestic and towering main peaks can truly be called seats of honor.
Each one is presided over by a Demon Emperor from the Top Ten Caves.
They rule their respective regions, commanding the gathered demons.
And among those Ten Peaks...
There is one area that is most peculiar.
This mountain is called Qingluan Mountain.
Unlike the barren lands and soaring Demonic Qi of other peaks...
On this Qingluan Mountain, birds sing, flowers are fragrant, and streams murmur softly.
The mountain is covered in delicate pink wildflowers; when the wind blows, fallen petals flutter everywhere in a scene of breathtaking beauty.
Furthermore, there are pavilions and towers built into the mountainside.
With upturned eaves and carved beams, they are exquisitely painted.
At first glance, it looks no different from the gardens of the Jiangnan water towns.
Upon the mountain paths...
Shadowy figures move about in an endless stream.
Only when one draws closer to take a better look...
Does it make one's skin crawl and send a chill down the spine.
How are those humans?
They are clearly a pack of foxes walking upright!
These foxes are all 'monkeys wearing crowns.'
Some wear scholar's robes and square caps, waving folding fans while reciting classical prose and swaying their heads.
Some are dressed in silks and satins, wearing powder and rouge to mimic the mannerisms of noble young ladies, hiding their faces as they giggle softly, their steps as graceful as lotus flowers.
They mimic human speech and human actions.
They have even mastered the etiquette of cupping hands in greeting to perfection.
Unfortunately...
The large tails dragging behind them and their sharp-featured, vulpine faces look awkward no matter how you view them.
And halfway up the mountain...
Outside a grand hall named the Pavilion of Loyal Hearts...
It is exceptionally bustling.
Dozens of giant Pill Furnaces are lined up, their fires blazing and waves of heat rolling out.
The air is thick with a rich medicinal fragrance mixed with the smell of charring.
Those busy working beside the Pill Furnaces are not fox demons.
Instead, they are members of the Human Race, ragged and emaciated!
Their ankles are locked in thick iron chains; their hair is disheveled, their faces grimy, and their expressions numb.
Crack!!
The crisp sound of a whip broke the dull noise of labor.
A fox demon dressed in a butler's uniform brandished a long whip covered in barbs, viciously lashing the back of an old man.
The old man screamed in agony and fell to the ground.
His back was instantly flayed open, dripping with fresh blood.
"Old thing! Haven't you eaten?!"
The fox butler shrieked in human tongue, a cruel sneer curling his lips: "The heat! The heat! How many times has this servant told you?!"
"This art of Alchemy emphasizes a slow simmer over a gentle flame. Do I still need to teach you? Attacking with such a fierce fire—are you trying to make the furnace explode?!"
Ignoring the searing pain on his back, the old man scrambled to get up: "Manager, have mercy... Manager, have mercy..."
"This old one... this old one was truly lacking in strength, and my hand... my hand slipped for a moment..."
"Lacking in strength?"
The fox butler sneered, using the tip of his foot to tilt up the old man's chin.
"Since you have no strength left, then keeping these hands is useless."
"Someone, come!"
"Drag this old thing down, chop off his hands, and throw him to another mountain peak."
"Yes!"
Two burly guards stepped forward with cruel grins.
"No! Please, no!"
The old man's Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, he shrieked piteously.
The surrounding Pill Cauldron Sect Disciples all lowered their heads, their bodies trembling.
Their eyes were filled with despair and indignant grief.
Yet not a single person dared to speak up to stop it.
In this place...
Human life is as cheap as grass.
Even though the surrounding scenery is as picturesque as a painting and the peach blossoms are brilliant...
In their eyes...
How could this be any kind of paradise?
The fox butler watched the old man being dragged away and kicked his toes in distaste.
Then he turned around and gave the rest of the crowd a sinister smile.
"All of you, tighten your skins for me!"
"Our Great King is a most refined person and cherishes talent above all else."
"As long as you are obedient and refine good pills, the Great King will naturally reward you."
"But if anyone dares to slack off or harbor any crooked thoughts..."
He pointed toward the distant, mist-shrouded mountain cliff.
"Down there, there are many starving 'babies' just waiting for a taste of meat!"
Having finished speaking...
He resumed his refined appearance, opened the folding fan in his hand, and fanned himself gently.
"Alright, don't just stand there in a daze."
"Get back to work!"
"This Alchemy is an elegant matter; it requires peace of mind and a calm spirit..."
"You humans are just too impetuous; you don't understand the refined pleasure within..."
Listening to such absurd rhetoric...
The pill slaves only felt a wave of desolation in their hearts.
A pack of beasts that drink blood and eat raw meat...
Now wearing human clothes, speaking human words, and even trying to teach these Alchemy Grandmasters about 'refined pleasure'?
This world...
Truly has turned black to white and disordered the heavens and earth... Somewhere on Qingluan Mountain.
This place was not smoke-filled and scorched like the front of the mountain, nor were there piteous wails from whip lashes.
Instead, pines and cypresses stood thick, tall bamboos grew upright, and the faint sound of clear reading could be heard, giving it the elegant air of a scholarly household.
On the level grass, a group of young children were gathered together playing.
But among these children were mixed many little beasts with furry faces and thunder-god muzzles.
These little foxes each wore miniature scholar's robes and square caps, dragging fluffy tails behind them as they mingled with the humans in a mockery of their appearance.
Whether kicking rattan balls or playing with bamboo horses, they were having a grand time.
It wasn't that the Pill Cauldron Sect had the heart to produce descendants while reduced to prisoners...
Nor was it that the demons had suddenly found kindness and allowed these human children to be carefree here.
This matter was actually a rule personally established by the Azure Luan Old Ancestor... that is, the Azure Fox Demon Emperor.
The Azure Luan Lineage considered themselves noble and had always looked down upon those crude demons who only knew how to eat raw meat and use brute force.
In their eyes, how was such behavior any different from wild beasts?
Therefore, everyone on Qingluan Mountain not only cultivated martial paths but also focused on Artifact Refining, Alchemy, and even the human arts of the zither, go, calligraphy, and painting—learning them all.
The reason for raising this group of human children and letting their own cubs eat, live, and play with them...
Was so that these fox descendants would be influenced from a young age, knowing the habits and understanding the thinking of the Human Race.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can... replace them.
At this moment...
On the grass, the original sounds of play gradually died down.
Replacing them was a flush-faced argument.
A little fox wearing a green robe stood upright, its two front paws on its hips, shouting in a shrill voice.
"Wrong! Wrong!"
"What you're saying is wrong!"
The big tail behind it shook with anger as it pointed at several human children opposite it.
"The Master in the clan clearly said that all things in heaven and earth belong to the virtuous and are controlled by the capable!"
"In today's world, the Human Race is weak and has long since lost the favor of heaven."
"My Fox Race is intelligent, understands Yin and Yang, knows etiquette, and understands when to advance or retreat. We should naturally be the protagonists of this world!"