Chapter 111: Founding the Monster Court Today

After forty-nine days, not only did Dongmen Hong and others with existing cultivation bases experience significant advancements, feeling as if their perception of the world had transformed, but even Zhang Youren, an ordinary mortal, found his inner aura refined, spontaneously generating magical energy. Consequently, throughout this period, he neither felt hunger nor thirst, and his body remained remarkably unchanged.

On this day, those deeply immersed in the profound essence of Daoist teachings suddenly sensed a cessation of the mystical sounds around them. Gradually, one by one, they emerged from their trance-like state.

“Forty-nine days have passed. The depth of your understanding from these teachings now depends on each individual’s comprehension. As for the future, I hope you all will continue to perform good deeds diligently.”

Seated high above, Duan Wenxuan glanced around briefly before waving his hand. Instantly, except for those sitting on prayer mats or cushions, all other beings were teleported down from Kunlun Mountain.

“Zhu’er?”

“The Great Black Ox?”

Hui Xiuran and Yuan Daoyuan were startled when everyone else disappeared. Both had arrived with friends, causing them immediate concern. However, with Immortal Taiyi still present, they dared not act recklessly, only managing brief exclamations of surprise.

“Do not fret,” Duan Wenxuan reassured them. “Their karmic connections with Kunlun Mountain have simply reached their end, and they were sent back down accordingly.”

Upon hearing this explanation from Duan Wenxuan, Hui Xiuran and Yuan Daoyuan breathed sighs of relief. Zhun Pu and others felt elated, confirming that these golden lotus meditation cushions indeed held extraordinary significance.

Duan Wenxuan, sensing the subtle workings of karma and destiny, smiled. “I was born in the primordial chaos, enduring for one hundred twenty-nine thousand six hundred years. As the chaos waned, I re-established my path here, thus founding the Kunlun Dao Lineage to repay this world.

The Kunlun Dao Lineage, aligned with the opportunities of this realm, has room for nine disciples, hence the arrangement of nine golden lotuses. Those among you blessed by fate, would you be willing today to join the Kunlun Dao Lineage under me as your master?”

Dongmen Hong’s face lit up immediately, along with the others’. How could they refuse such an opportunity? They promptly knelt and exclaimed, “Disciples are willing! Greetings, Shizun.”

“Arise.”

As everyone stood, Hui Xiuran’s expression turned somber, unconsciously casting a glance at Zhun Pu, feeling slightly resentful. Had he known about this immense fortune earlier, he would never have let Pang Zhu lose his chance to Zhun Pu.

Zhun Pu, on the other hand, wore an exceptionally joyful expression on his plump and fortunate face.

With another wave of Duan Wenxuan’s hand, nine strands of golden qi emerged, swiftly penetrating the foreheads of each disciple below.

“This is the Clear Qi from Kunlun Mountain’s Dao Lineage. This Clear Qi will safeguard your spiritual platforms, ensuring they remain intact even if you perish, preventing your consciousness from dispersing into the cosmos.” With these words, Duan Wenxuan gestured once more, causing numerous treasures to appear before the nine disciples.

“As your new master, it is only fitting that I bestow some gifts upon you. These magical artifacts hold no use for me; seize them based on your fortune.”

Upon hearing this, the nine disciples wasted no time, eagerly eyeing the treasures presented before them.

Wu Shi made his move first, capturing a scroll within his grasp. As he held it, the scroll briefly vibrated before settling calmly in his hand, clearly acknowledging him as its rightful wielder.

Instantly, Wu Shi comprehended the scroll’s purpose. Named the Mountain River Diagram, when activated, it revealed vast landscapes of mountains and rivers spanning thousands of miles. Not only could these majestic terrains suppress enemies, but adversaries could also be sealed within the Mountain River Diagram itself, making it an immensely powerful artifact.

Naturally, Wu Shi felt overjoyed. Coupled with the vine bestowed by Duan Wenxuan earlier, which had already undergone significant transformation to become a formidable spiritual root of magical artifacts, Wu Shi decided against selecting another treasure. After all, as Da-shixiong, he should not be overly greedy.

Apart from Wu Shi, Hu Dali chose two large hammers, entirely purple-gold in color. With each swing, they emitted sounds reminiscent of wind, rain, and thunderclaps. Hu Xiaoli picked up a golden miniature pagoda known as the Four Symbols Tower. This small tower shimmered with golden light, emitting a roaring sound akin to raging flames, indicating its extraordinary nature.

Being originally mortal, Zhang Youren couldn’t compete effectively for treasures. However, a white jade imperial seal spontaneously fell into his hands. At first glance, the jade seal appeared ordinary, except for the inscription at the bottom: “Heaven, Earth, Humanity, Law.”

Dongmen Hong, swift and agile, secured a heavenly scripture and a peculiar stone. Following him, Tuo Wenjing obtained a vibrant jade bamboo, resembling gleaming turquoise, along with twelve beads carved from exotic wood called the Sun-Moon Stars Beads. Zhun Pu, standing next to Tuo Wenjing, swiftly acquired a Yin-Yang Brush and a Rotating Wheel Tube.

Meanwhile, Yuan Daoyuan obtained two formidable treasures—the Primal Chaos Sword and the Blue Lotus Banner. This potent combination of offense and defense caught everyone’s attention. No one anticipated that this seemingly ordinary child, Yuan Daoyuan, would possess such remarkable fortune. With these precious artifacts at his disposal, anyone contemplating challenging him in the future would undoubtedly think twice.

Lastly, Hui Xiuran received the Overturning Clouds and Seas Seal, a Seven Fragrant Treasure Chariot, and a Soul-Banishing Bell.

Among them, Zhun Pu was acutely aware that he had thoroughly offended Hui Xiuran and kept surreptitiously observing what treasures Hui Xiuran acquired. Seeing him obtain three valuable items immediately raised concerns.

The Overturning Clouds and Seas Seal perfectly suited Hui Xiuran as a creature from the ocean depths. The Seven Fragrant Treasure Chariot is renowned for its escape capabilities, while the Soul-Banishing Bell, with each toll, causes breath cessation, soul loss, and mental confusion respectively, leading to perpetual unrest. It became evident that dealing with Hui Xiuran in the future would be exceptionally challenging.

Setting aside their varied thoughts, Duan Wenxuan had already distributed all the treasures. The recipients were overjoyed and respectfully bowed to him, expressing gratitude for his generous gifts.

“All matters concluded, you may now descend from the mountain. As for when you transcend worldly affairs, that will be the time you can return to these nine heavens of Kunlun Dao.”

The group was taken aback, staring incredulously at Duan Wenxuan.

Zhun Pu seized the moment, kneeling pitifully, “Master, are you sending us away?”

“Not entirely. Your time has not yet come; go forth for now.”

Duan Wenxuan said no more. With a blink, he vanished from sight. In the next instant, everyone except Wu Shi found themselves teleported down to the base of Kunlun Mountain. Meanwhile, Kunlun itself disappeared amidst dense fog, making it inaccessible, let alone the floating Kunlun Dao Palace suspended in the void.

“Uncle?” With Duan Wenxuan gone, the curious golden carp eagerly jumped towards Wu Shi.

Wu Shi smiled, “Go ahead and play freely. I’ll be cultivating within the Kunlun Dao Palace. If anything arises, feel free to seek me out.”

The golden and silver carps eagerly agreed, feeling utterly thrilled. With their patriarch immersed in comprehending the grand dao and Wu Shi not restricting them, as newly transformed beings, they were overjoyed at the prospect of exploring freely.

Leaving Kunlun Mountain aside, let’s focus on what happened below its slopes.

Immediately after being dismissed from the mountain, Hui Xiuran sought out Pang Zhu, fortunate that she hadn’t left either. Upon meeting and confirming each other’s well-being, both breathed a sigh of relief.

Hui Xiuran never anticipated such profound insights during this sermon. Seeing Pang Zhu unharmed, he promptly suggested returning to Sishui River.

Now possessing significant treasures, he couldn’t wait to share them with Pang Zhu. Additionally, he wanted to understand the opportunity for transcending worldly affairs mentioned by his teacher, hoping it would enable him to bring Pang Zhu back to Kunlun Palace sooner.

As Hui Xiuran and Pang Zhu hastily prepared to depart, no one stopped them since most shared similar intentions. Although they had all become disciples of Taiyi, truthfully, there was little emotional bond between them, making mutual trust scarce.

After everyone discreetly and swiftly left, Hu Dali and his brother, wielding the violet-gold hammer and carrying the Four Symbols Tower respectively, were ecstatic, eager to return to their den. These magical artifacts belonged to them now, but they needed further practice to master them effortlessly.

However, upon returning to their tigers’ den, Erhu immediately sensed something amiss. Someone had intruded into their lair, and worse still, the freshly dug grave for their mother had been disturbed.

Having gained sentience and living among human villages for years, they adopted human burial customs. After their mother’s death, they followed suit by procuring a coffin and interring her, much like humans would. Yet now, the coffin was nowhere to be found.

Overwhelmed with grief, Hu Dali and his brother tracked the scent relentlessly until they discovered their mother at a hunter’s residence. Unfortunately, as she was a demon cultivator, her corpse decomposed slowly. The hunters, upon finding her intact remains, had meticulously peeled off the tiger skin, currently drying it to sell at Qingzhou Prefecture later. Additionally, the tiger bones were soaked in wine, while the meat was slightly cured and also drying in the courtyard.

Witnessing this scene, Hu Dali and Hu Xiaoli wailed inconsolably. Their primal instincts surged, leading them to brutally kill the entire hunting family on the spot. Afterward, they hastily gathered their mother’s remains, reburied them, and paid their respects anew.

The next day, after a night of rest, Hu Xiaoli felt somewhat better. He noticed Hu Dali approach, gently patting him on the shoulder and solemnly saying, “Little bro, I’ve given it careful thought last night. We must undertake a significant act.”

Hu Xiaoli was puzzled.

For some reason, Hu Dali felt unusually clear-headed at that moment. “Xiao, tell me why humans believe it’s justified to hunt and kill us tigers, yet when we consume them, they deem us utterly wicked? Our mother raised us amidst human villages, where we observed their order and civilization firsthand. In this regard, our kind indeed falls short.

As you well know, creatures of the mountains retain their wild nature, lacking understanding of ethics and norms. Consequently, humans don’t perceive us as truly sentient beings, leading them to view killing us as commonplace.

I wish to change all this. I envision establishing a Monster Court, akin to human kingdoms, to govern the land’s spirits and monsters. By teaching them human values and education, we can foster harmony. Eventually, the Monster Court and human empires could coexist peacefully, influencing each other amicably. Monsters wouldn’t prey on humans, and humans wouldn’t slay monsters. What do you think?”

Hu Xiaoli’s heart swelled with excitement upon hearing Hu Dali’s vision, though he also sensed the enormity of the task. After a brief silence, he suddenly slapped his thigh and declared resolutely, “Agreed! Whatever Dage decides, I stand by your side, always following and supporting you.”

With Hu Xiaoli’s commitment, the two tigers exchanged smiles.

From this day forward, the foundation for the Monster Court was laid.