Chapter Twenty-Six: The Ring of Rivers and Mountains

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Bu Xu saw Yang Nan decisively cut ties and a hint of admiration flickered in her eyes. She nodded, “This Indestructible Yin-Yang Wheel is the supreme art taught only to orthodox disciples. I will impart it to you, but remember: you may practice it yourself, but unless commanded by the sect leader, you must never pass it on to others for life. Otherwise, even if you reach the Immortal Saint realm, the people of Kunlun will surely destroy your soul!”

The chilling murderous intent in Bu Xu’s tone made Yang Nan shudder. He nodded solemnly. Bu Xu turned to Chiyang and the two women, “I will borrow this room for practice these next few days. You guard outside. If anything arises, I’ll have Yang Nan attend to it.”

Chiyang and Lian Die understood the gravity of imparting techniques and healing, so they quietly withdrew to stand guard outside.

Seeing that Bu Xu’s transmission and healing would take a long time, Yang Nan suddenly said, “Sister Immortal, allow me half a day to make arrangements. I am hiding here as a woman, and without preparations, I fear my disguise will be exposed.”

Bu Xu saw him admit to disguising himself and, for once, a smile appeared in her eyes. Since her recovery would take a while, she didn’t mind granting him half a day. She nodded and, without further words, took out a jade token from her Universe Ring—the token held the life-saving technique she’d mentioned.

Having gained this benefit, Yang Nan stepped outside, where Chiyang and the two women waited. Seeing him emerge, Chiyang exclaimed, “Ah Nan, you have the chance to receive a supreme technique—what a rare opportunity! This Supreme Demonic Body Method is renowned; it’s a powerful Daoist art. With strong demon soldiers, even the weakest can rapidly increase their cultivation. Truly a double gain!” Chiyang was both surprised and delighted at Bu Xu’s favor to Yang Nan, and took the opportunity to remind him.

Yang Nan smiled, “Don’t worry, big brother. Setting aside cultivation, do you know where Fish Lady and her brother and that giant crab are now?” He glanced over the jade token, which recorded the Supreme Demonic Body Method—a strange technique that borrowed demon soldiers to boost cultivation, starting with the power of ten demons, then a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand! Gather enough demon soldiers, and one could manifest a demon body, increasing one’s realm.

For someone like Bu Xu, who possessed countless secret arts, this method was nothing special. For Yang Nan, however, it was currently the best technique he could hope for. With the method in hand, finding demon soldiers became urgent.

Chiyang chuckled, “The giant crab is still under this De River Water Mansion. He fears your wrath and also fears the River God’s punishment, so he and the Fish Lady siblings are eagerly awaiting your return.”

Yang Nan smiled, “I have half a day, just enough to go to the riverbed and summon Fish Lady, her brother, and General Crab. Healing is important, and more guards is always good.”

Chiyang nodded in agreement. The Hun River was teeming with spirits and monsters; disturbance during healing was a real risk. With Chiyang’s consent, Yang Nan asked Lian Die and the other woman to watch over Bu Xu, and then, together with Chiyang, plunged into the river toward the depths.

Swimming smoothly, Yang Nan reached the De River Water Mansion. The gatekeeping shrimp soldiers recognized these two fierce figures and didn’t dare question them, pressing their spears against the gate, pretending to be dead shrimp. Yang Nan smiled faintly, “Is General Crab inside?”

Both shrimp soldiers nodded frantically, “Reporting to the two immortals, General Crab is waiting for you inside—please, come in!”

After the underwater battle, Yang Nan and Chiyang had terrified these small monsters. Despite Yang Nan’s friendly appearance, none dared take him lightly. Everyone knew how ruthless he could be; even Water Lord himself was beaten miserably. Anyone who displeased him was courting death!

Yang Nan ignored their thoughts and entered the hall. General Crab and the Fish Lady siblings sat anxiously. Seeing Yang Nan’s small frame, General Crab shuddered all over, while the Fish Lady siblings were overjoyed. All three monsters understood: with Yang Nan’s return, the Jiao spirit was surely doomed.

‘Lucky, lucky—I didn’t flee back to De River Mansion or bully these two little fish,’ General Crab thought, listening to Yang Nan speak to the Fish Lady siblings. He was frightened, remembering he’d considered fleeing, but realized that even if Yang Nan had left, that bearded man with the fire sword remained. If he fled, when Yang Nan returned, his fate would be grim. Besides, he had nowhere else to go outside the river.

Lost in thought, General Crab was startled when Yang Nan finished and turned to him, smiling, “The Jiao spirit is dead. What are your plans now, General Crab?”

‘What does he mean?’ General Crab was stunned. Hearing the Jiao spirit was slain by a sword-wielding soldier, and even the old dragon was gravely injured, he realized Yang Nan now had Kunlun backing—becoming ever more dangerous.

Yet, seeing Yang Nan’s familiar smile, a strong chill welled up in General Crab’s heart. Not being completely foolish, he knelt and declared, “You’ve subdued me, young master. From now on, I follow you, no matter what dangers lie ahead!”

To serve under a human cultivator was a blessing for a monster. General Crab instantly understood Yang Nan’s intent.

Yang Nan was surprised at General Crab’s sudden enlightenment, and nodded, “I’ll call you Old Crab from now on. You seem a capable commander, though your strength is lacking. I happen to have a water Dao art for you. If you train demon soldiers for me, I’ll treat you well.”

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First a stick, then a carrot—Yang Nan’s approach won Old Crab’s full submission. Rising, Old Crab hesitated, “Young master, I don’t mind giving up the Water Lord position, but I have a few brothers who want to follow me. Their cultivation is weak and their human forms odd. If you’d take them too, I guarantee their loyalty!” He beat his chest, full of heroic devotion.

Fish Lady hesitated, “These demon soldiers haven’t fully taken human form—would they be suitable for you?”

“No matter. As long as they’re demon soldiers, I’ll take as many as possible. I won’t let you suffer by following me.”

Old Crab’s desire to recruit soldiers aligned perfectly with Yang Nan’s plan. He laughed inwardly: Old Crab’s loyalty may be questionable, but he simply couldn’t bear to lose his subordinates. Yang Nan had already planned for this; after killing the Wild Pheasant Spirit, he gained a River and Mountain Ring, which was said to contain a natural realm—perfect for storing lesser monsters. If attacked, he could instantly summon a troop of demon soldiers, a surprise force! With the Supreme Demonic Body Method, he could harness their power to overcome cultivation limits and no longer be defenseless against enemies.

If the little monsters were weak, they could always be trained.

However, the River and Mountain Ring had many restrictions; without Bu Xu’s help, he couldn’t use it. He would have to ask her for assistance.

Yang Nan made up his mind and agreed to Old Crab’s request. Old Crab was overjoyed—being accepted by a human cultivator was a blessing for any monster. Though Yang Nan’s power was still low, he seemed clever and fierce—a worthy master!

Yet, being used to command, he feared becoming a solitary general under Yang Nan. With a band of subordinates and a Daoist art, he’d be secure—no other monster would dare provoke him.

At Old Crab’s command, the shrimp, crab, clam, and snail monsters of De River Water Mansion began bustling about like moving house. With the Jiao spirit dead, the other Water Lords hadn’t heard, so De River and De Yang Water Mansions fell under General Crab’s authority. Old Crab’s plan was shrewd: since they’d abandon the river mansion and follow the new master, why not take everything?

He ordered his minions to pack up dishes, treasures, pearls. He himself requested leave from Yang Nan to return to De Yang Water Mansion to gather his belongings and followers. Yang Nan let him go—after all, Wang’s fleet needed repairs at De River dock after the storm.

Chiyang saw Yang Nan openly recruiting a Water Lord and looked worried. Yang Nan laughed, “Don’t worry, big brother. There are countless thousand-year-old monsters in the Hun River, and lesser monsters abound like grains of sand. The River God won’t mind—soon enough, a new Water Lord will arrive.”

There was something Yang Nan hadn’t told Chiyang: the Underworld God was missing, the Earth God vanished, and the Water God was likely gone too. With the top authorities absent, only river and sea gods remained. Even if they objected, he wasn’t afraid—especially with Bu Xu supporting him.

Chiyang thought it over—there were endless monsters in the world, and the River God wouldn’t trouble Yang Nan. With a few squads of monsters, Yang Nan’s safety would be much improved.

Seeing the monsters busy, Yang Nan went ashore to seek Bu Xu’s help in unlocking the River and Mountain Ring’s restrictions. Without the ring, his plans were but dreams.

On Wang’s ship, Yang Nan explained his intentions with a smile. Bu Xu’s lips curled into a faint smile, “You sly little fox! I killed the Wild Pheasant Spirit and wanted her River and Mountain Ring, and you want to keep it for yourself?”

Yang Nan saw Bu Xu’s ambiguous smile and cautiously said, “Sister Immortal, you have wealth and status—you don’t need this imitation ring. Besides, I can use it to store demon soldiers for our protection while you heal. It’s a win-win. I’m poor and can’t compare to you, the soldier’s honored one! Without the ring, what use is the Supreme Demonic Body Method you gave me? I can’t parade a crowd of misshapen monsters through the streets.”

Bu Xu smiled, “Since you helped me heal, I’ll let you have the ring. But the ice crystal divine iron and the Wild Pheasant Spirit’s corpse must go to me! The divine iron is a Kunlun treasure, and her corpse is my fee for refining the ring.”

Her words were somewhat cold, but Yang Nan understood—Bu Xu was giving him a great favor! The River and Mountain Ring wasn’t something anyone could have. With her power, if she wanted it, could he refuse? She only wanted the divine iron and the corpse—a generous gesture!

Don’t forget, the Wild Pheasant Spirit left behind a five-color feather fan, a wind-type treasure of excellent grade. Bu Xu didn’t mention it—not because she was unaware, but because she saw Yang Nan’s weakness and let him keep it for defense.

Healing was Bu Xu’s top priority, and the benefits she gave Yang Nan were simply a fair exchange.

Yang Nan gratefully took off the ring and retrieved the Wild Pheasant Spirit’s corpse from his Universe Ring. Bu Xu sighed as she gazed at the disheveled corpse, “The Wild Pheasant Spirit was a powerful monster, but she strayed from the right path and brought ruin upon herself…”

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Bu Xu cupped the dark River and Mountain Ring in her palm, then opened her cherry lips and spat out a beam of golden light. Yang Nan saw clearly: the golden light formed a crescent, resembling a curved golden dragon. It was the first time he’d seen Bu Xu’s celestial weapon up close, so he observed carefully.

The golden dragon seemed alive, its scales and claws lifelike, mouth half open, eyes vivid and animated—a miniature dragon, not a mere weapon.

Bu Xu urged the dragon, which shot beams of golden light, enveloping the dark ring. The golden glow gathered like a small sun, scorching and dazzling, encasing the ring. Each time a beam merged with the ring, the mountains and rivers on its surface grew more vibrant. As the dragon breathed more light, the ring’s black glow shifted, and its patterns floated up, forming a beautiful image in the air.

Bu Xu continued refining the ring with the golden dragon until, an hour later, she withdrew the dragon. The ring, freed from golden light, returned to a dark ring, landing lightly in Bu Xu’s palm.

Her face flushed as she finished refining. Lifting the restriction was a minor task for Bu Xu, but forcing her natal weapon while gravely injured caused further harm. Yet the ring was crucial now, so she pressed on.

Bu Xu reached into the ring and drew out an object. Yang Nan opened his eyes: it was a fist-sized, translucent jade stone in her palm, radiating intense cold, as if to freeze the entire room. The stone emitted blue light, its surface shimmering—a supreme cold treasure.

Bu Xu gently closed her hand, stored the ice crystal divine iron, and handed the ring to Yang Nan, “Luckily, the old dragon placed the divine iron in the ring—otherwise I’d have to scour the world for him! There are several fine spirit irons and a wind-type technique inside for you.”

Yang Nan was delighted—Bu Xu recovered the stolen sect treasure, and he gained benefits, a win-win! He took the ring and, using spiritual power, opened it. His spiritual sight revealed a deep valley inside, a small lake several miles wide, and a giant platform within the valley, holding several items.

Though the ring was an imitation, it had the magical ability to create its own world. There was no sky or sun, only a space of several miles—a space far superior to ordinary Universe Rings or storage artifacts, as it could hold living things.

Seeing the vast space inside, Yang Nan was overjoyed. The spirit iron on the platform was perfect for forging weapons, and the technique was a wind-type “Grand Wind True Method,” with various wind arts recorded. Though he couldn’t use it, it was ideal for Die Yi.

Bu Xu saw Yang Nan’s joy at the ring and smiled, “The ring’s restriction is gone. Be careful—if someone seizes your ring, it will no longer belong to you.”

Without restriction, any artifact can be used by anyone. Yang Nan understood this well.

He grinned, “As the saying goes: don’t flaunt your wealth. I’ll keep it hidden. Besides, I only rob others—who could rob me?”

Bu Xu saw his crafty, shameless look and shook her head, extending her hand, “Now you have the River and Mountain Ring, you should return the Universe Ring to me, right?”

Yang Nan clutched his wrist, feigning pain, “Sister Immortal, you have riches and don’t need this ring. Let me keep it.”

His reluctant expression made Bu Xu want to laugh. She marveled—she was always cold and distant, people avoided her, yet this young man, though young, was bold enough to make her feel a bit close to him. Sweet-tongued, ruthless, but not bad at heart.

“Since you’ll enter Kunlun Sect, you may keep the Universe Ring. But take care of your life—don’t let it be stolen,” Bu Xu withdrew her hand and sat cross-legged, saying no more.

After much wrangling, Yang Nan finally acquired the Universe Ring. He rejoiced—at last, he’d struck it rich. With these two treasures, how could he not prosper?

He didn’t worry about being robbed. A disciple of Kunlun was not so easily bullied. Bu Xu’s gift meant he was under her protection—who in Kunlun dared try? If he died outside, he’d have only himself to blame.