Chapter Eighteen: Three Thousand Black Serpents

These outer disciples vaguely knew that the uncle now in charge of the Demon Valley was merely a child in his early teens, not even yet a master in cultivation! All seven kings of the Demon Valley were masters; following such an uncle into the valley was nothing short of marching to their deaths. The dozen or so outer disciples understood this perfectly, their spirits dampened and faces crestfallen.

Yang Nan’s gaze swept lightly across their faces, and he instantly understood what was in their hearts. He said calmly, “From today, I shall preside over Demon Valley. If you wish to come, come; if not, you may remain here on Kunlun Mountain.”

The disciples cursed inwardly: ‘Ancestor Yuanxu has ordered us; how dare we refuse? Not going would violate the sect rules—how could we stay on Kunlun Mountain then?’ Though disgruntled, these unfortunate souls still responded obediently in unison, “We are willing to follow Uncle’s guidance.”

Yang Nan nodded, “If that is so, why wear such dejected expressions? You are disciples of Kunlun—how can you fear a handful of demons? Leave everything to me.”

The outer disciples forced a bitter smile: If a master said this, perhaps we’d believe it, but for someone whose cultivation barely matches ours, such bravado is mere folly…

Though their hearts were heavy, they knew it was not Yang Nan’s fault. The true culprit was the one sending them to die. Most of those chosen to accompany Yang Nan to Demon Valley were those without status or connections in the outer sect—neglected by both uncles and elders. What could they do?

Following Yang Nan, they could only see this through to the end…

Seeing the disciples finally summon a bit of spirit, Yang Nan said no more. He mounted his Yin Devouring vessel, transforming into a streak of light across the sky. The disciples dared not linger; some rode swords, others wielded magical devices, following swiftly behind.

The Seventy-Two Demon Valleys were dense with ancient trees, shadowy ravines, and strange peaks carved by wind and stone. Spirit beasts and monsters frolicked among the mountains, immortal cranes and divine apes appearing and vanishing—a true paradise of spiritual mountains. After several days of swift flight, Yang Nan and the Kunlun disciples finally arrived at the Spirit Beast Mountains, thousands of miles away.

The so-called Seventy-Two Demon Valleys were not literally seventy-two valleys inhabited by demons, but rather the collective name for the Spirit Beast mountain range. Countless monsters dwelled here—beast demons, tree spirits, fish monsters, bird demons, insect fiends, all among the five clans of the world’s demon race. Of these, seven possessed the greatest cultivation, and so the range was called the Seventy-Two Demon Valleys.

These seven most powerful monsters were once the mounts and beloved pets of the ancestor Qingya. Qingya’s cultivation was unrivaled, and he raised these creatures merely to breed demon soldiers. Two thousand years ago, they were but fledgling monsters; now, they had become mighty demons. Time’s changes are unpredictable—even Qingya himself could not have foreseen this day.

Since the ancestor Qingya treated this place as a breeding ground for demon soldiers, he naturally built a sanctuary here. This sanctuary stood atop the range’s highest peak—Jade Purity Peak. Successive stewards had expanded it, and so the Jade Purity Hall was majestic and splendid, its towers imposing and elegant, embodying Kunlun’s unique grandeur.

Upon entering the hall, Yang Nan used the Demon Valley Thunder Command to open the gates and begin his stewardship in earnest. Yet, not a single one of the seven Demon Kings appeared, though custom demanded they pay their respects to the new master!

Yang Nan paid no mind. He ordered the disciples to their posts, summoned Fish Maiden and other demon soldiers from the River Mountain Ring, and began to guard Jade Purity Peak.

Yang Nan sat daily in the sanctuary, neither sending disciples to summon the Demon Kings nor permitting anyone—disciple or demon soldier—to leave the hall. This strange behavior caused the dozen outer disciples to whisper among themselves: Was this young uncle simply afraid of those ferocious Demon Kings? By hiding so, what would happen when it came time to pay tribute?

If mere avoidance ensured safety, past stewards of Jade Purity Hall would not have suffered so much…

Yang Nan cared nothing for what the disciples thought. Day after day, he sat in the sanctuary, diligently cultivating the Nether Soldier Devouring Heaven Manual. The first transformation, the Giant Soldier Manifestation, was complete; with the aid of divine talismans and spiritual energy, the True Explanation of the Luo Sha Yin Soldier refined his power in extraordinary ways. Within the Upper Prime aperture, another crystal of magical force formed over several months.

Three crystals of power, three streams of spiritual energy rising above—the third tier of the Master level!

With battle looming, every increment of power meant greater certainty. Now with third-tier power, Yang Nan had finally mastered the second transformation of the Nether Soldier Devouring Heaven Manual—Soldier Becoming Three Thousand!

Within the Celestial Prime Sanctuary, Yang Nan focused his magical energy. The Black Serpent Soldier suddenly became countless filaments as thin as silk, gathering into a cloud of dark mist. Each thread required a strand of divine consciousness; ten thousand threads meant ten thousand consciousnesses!

Soldier Becoming Three Thousand demanded three thousand consciousnesses!

Without two types of magical power to support it, Yang Nan could never have controlled so many threads. Yet, as he wielded this art, he felt as if he were split into three thousand selves at once!

He could simultaneously command three thousand versions of himself to perform different actions.

Such a sensation would drive anyone mad, unless their will was steadfast.

Three thousand selves required an unwavering Dao heart to stabilize. If his mind faltered, the three thousand Black Serpent threads would be useless. At this moment, Yang Nan finally understood how invaluable his dual lives had made his mind!

Though his Dao heart was not yet fully refined, the calm and resolve gained from living two lives granted him a will far beyond ordinary mortals—thus, he could master the three thousand Black Serpent technique!

With three thousand consciousnesses controlling them, each black thread took a unique shape—capable of attacking alone or weaving into a net, wondrous beyond compare.

As long as a single Black Serpent thread survived, Yang Nan’s soul would never perish—this was the benefit brought by the Immortal Yin Wheel!

The black threads, misty and serpentine, wrapped lightly around a massive stone formed of spiritual energy. Instantly, the stone dissolved into powder, vanishing without a trace.

Each black thread was as fine as hair, yet sharper than a divine weapon, weaving and darting with an unstoppable killing intent!

Yang Nan, having mastered this second transformation, was secretly astonished: Each black thread shaped by the Black Serpent Soldier was incredibly sharp—invincible in combat! Most cultivators’ bodies were fragile; if their magical power and arts fell short, these threads would exploit their weaknesses, leading to a tragic end!

The Nether Soldier Devouring Heaven Manual truly deserved its reputation as one of Kunlun’s foremost magical arts! Yet controlling three thousand Black Serpents consumed terrifying amounts of power. Even Yang Nan could only maintain it for a brief moment—but that was enough to strike down an enemy!

Three thousand Black Serpents—threads and mist, lethal and unstoppable—just one entering the body could destroy flesh, cruel and venomous indeed.

Such supernatural techniques were only the standard of the Soldier Sect; if he mastered peerless arts, to cut down all beings and transcend three lives would not be mere empty words!

Advancement from Soldier to Master was swift. With the Celestial Prime talisman in hand and supreme techniques to aid him, anyone could reach the Master tier. But above Master, progress would be slow; Yang Nan’s power was still meager, and he could only devote himself to diligent cultivation.

After mastering the second transformation, Yang Nan finally ceased, stepping out of the sanctuary to attend to the Demon Valley affairs he had ignored for months.

Jade Purity Peak, expanded through generations of stewardship, was vast beyond measure. Though Jade Purity Hall possessed eighteen layers of protective wards, these were far inferior to the main sanctuary on Kunlun Mountain. The wards could not withstand the assault of the seven Demon Kings, and Yang Nan did not expect to subdue the proud and unruly kings with mere defenses.

Since the seven Demon Kings had delivered their challenge on the first day, Yang Nan saw no reason to be courteous. He discussed with Chiyang how to subdue the Demon Kings. Chiyang, aware of the strength of the monsters, frowned in thought for a while, then suddenly said, “Nan, why not seek out the Mountain God?”

Yang Nan’s eyes brightened at the suggestion, and he praised it enthusiastically! Every mountain in the world has its Mountain God, but the strongest sects, due to the presence of ascended immortals, were not assigned Mountain Gods by the Great Emperor of the Earth Spirits. All affairs were managed by the sect itself, so spiritual mountains like Kunlun and Dragon Tiger Mountain had no Mountain Gods or similar spirits.

However, though the Spirit Beast Mountains were nominally under the Kunlun Sect, they did not truly belong to Kunlun’s vein; thus, a Mountain God would surely reside here! Yet even so, the Mountain God was little more than a figurehead—such a minor deity would not dare to restrain the powerful Demon Kings, nor offend the world’s greatest sect.