Chapter 5 Shi Gandang_1

One day later.

At the bottom of the deep pool, the dark currents surged, unfathomably deep.

Yibai coiled atop a massive stone covered in aquatic plants, his serpentine body lying dormant as he contemplated the matters Old Tortoise had discussed with him earlier.

He was well-versed in various kinds of Qi by now.

But he only had a fragmented understanding of the cultivation steps for his demon kind.

However, he didn't know, but Old Tortoise did.

Old Tortoise had told him the steps.

The cultivation path for demons started with awakening the spirit, followed by becoming a spirit, then forming the Demon Core, and finally transforming the shape.

Once the third step was reached, one could be said to have attained a significant level of power.

It was said that the Mountain Lord living among the mountains was between the third and fourth steps.

"Come to think of it, that tiger must have sent the Ghost Servant to trick us and eat us to aid its cultivation because it wants to transform its shape,"

Yibai twisted his serpentine head, glancing around him.

Now, the pool had few living creatures left.

The formerly sentient fish and members of the Aquatic Tribe had all fled to the mountains.

This departure was likely to be one without return.

"After this, won't I be the one in charge of this pool? No, that's not right; there's still Old Tortoise, but that's no trouble; Old Tortoise and I have a good relationship."

Yibai couldn't help but feel much more relaxed.

But he knew that the biggest trouble was still that tiger in the mountains.

If that tiger couldn't advance to the next step after eating those fish, shrimp, and other demons, it might set its sights on the demons in other areas down the mountain.

And his deep pool, with him and Old Tortoise in it, was very likely to become a target.

Yibai pondered how to quickly acquire the power to protect himself.

Devouring monsters could ensure a worry-free cultivation journey for him, unlike other demons who fretted over how to cultivate.

But he had not yet achieved transcendent detachment.

Even when he ate monsters, it took time to digest them.

Growing strong enough in a short time not to fear that tiger was very difficult.

Boom!!!

All of a sudden, Yibai felt as though his entire head had been severely struck by a great hammer, leaving him dizzy as he lay on the bottom of the pool, the world around him spinning.

Gulp, gulp...

The dark currents at the bottom of the pool seemed to be thrown into disarray by some unknown force, bubbles churning incessantly.

He didn't know how much time had passed.

Yibai finally felt much better, raising his serpentine head, still feeling somewhat groggy around him.

This...

What on earth was going on?

Yibai fought the discomfort and looked around.

Soon, he noticed something amiss.

Over there on the surface of the water appeared to be a spreading golden Qi, scorching hot and sacred, making him feel uneasy with just one glance.

Yibai could be certain that this was the source of his headache.

"What is that?"

Yibai moved through the water, approaching the surface cautiously.

...

As he neared the surface of the deep pool, Yibai could see the situation on the shore clearly.

On the banks of the deep pool stood two humans adorned in Flying Fish Robe.

Yibai could clearly see the pale white Qi emanating from their bodies.

This must be human Qi.

But deep within the white Qi of these two people lingered hints of gold.

This puzzled Yibai greatly.

Within the black Qi, the red Qi that hinted at a demon that had consumed a human biing, was mixed with a monstrous and sinful aura.

What then, concealed within the human Qi was that golden Qi?

After pondering for a moment, Yibai made a guess.

Judging by their attire, they resembled officials from the Imperial Court of this world—could it be that this golden Qi was the national fortune of the Imperial Court?

However, the source of his discomfort emanated not from these two officials.

Yibai's gaze quickly fixed on the rectangular stone relief under the feet of the two officials.

Gazing upon it, his eyes stung as though seared by the sun's brilliance, and even his soul felt threatened by the shining golden light emanating from the shallow relief.

With just one look, Yibai understood everything.

The bas-relief bore merely three characters, but they weighed as much as thousands of pounds.

'Shi Gandang'!

The Tai Mountain Stone Shi Gandang.

Regarding this item,

Yibai was not unfamiliar.

In a bygone era, such stones stood before every household, and many were also set up by the roadside.

Elders said that erecting a Shi Gandang could safeguard the home, repel evil, and bring blessings while warding off disasters.

Once an enthusiast of mythology, Yibai was all too familiar with Shi Gandang.

Legend has it that when Nuwa mended the heavens, some leftover stones from the repair contained the essence of Vajra guardians merged into them by her choice.

The main stone was placed atop Tai Mountain, with the rest scattered in mountains and ponds, all called 'Shi Gandang'.

It is said that Shi Gandang can sense the presence of monster Qi and act upon it, with the power of Vajra to eliminate any approaching demons.

It is written, "Shi Gandang suppresses all ghosts and wards off disasters and misfortunes. It brings blessings to officials and good health to the people. It fosters the prevalence of good governance and the spread of rites and music."

The purpose of Shi Gandang is apparent from this.

Yibai finally understood why he was feeling so uncomfortable.

This Shi Gandang stood on the shore—if he was not the one suffering its oppression, then who would be?

It was as though he was lying on open ground while someone pressed a massive stone against his chest, leaving him gasping for air.

"I never expected, one day, to be oppressed by a Shi Gandang."

Yibai felt a bitter taste in his heart.

Yet, he dared not make any move and had to struggle to conceal himself. He couldn't be sure that he was safe now, but if he were to reveal himself, would he be crushed to death by Shi Gandang?

Yibai was hiding in a deep pool.

The two people on the shore, however, had not noticed that a large snake was spying on them.

Their eyes flickered anxiously as they watched the rugged path leading up the mountain from the deep pool.

Atop that mountain, there was a Mountain Lord who had attained significant power.

"We... we've already set up the Shi Gandang, Old Zhang, should we leave now? Staying here... gulp, I... I'm a bit scared."

"What's there to fear in broad daylight? All kinds of malevolent spirits must hide away. Our task is to erect the Shi Gandang, but we must also ensure that it stands firm. If there's an issue with our site, all the Shi Gandang we've set up on the roads below are meant to prevent the Mountain Lord from escaping. If something goes wrong here, we're finished..."

The two whispered among themselves.

Their words, each and every one, reached Yibai's ears without missing a beat.

'So that's how it is.'

'Is it a plot against the Mountain Lord? Has the human side realized that the Mountain Lord intends to transform?'

'Yet this Shi Gandang, standing by the pool, I'm not sure if it's oppressing the Mountain Lord, but it's certainly crushing me.'

Yibai thought bitterly to himself.

He stared at that Shi Gandang for a long time, not daring to act rashly.

In the end, he could only choose to withdraw back into the pool.

As for the unjust disaster brought about by the Shi Gandang,

Yibai had not a single solution at hand.

At this moment, he profoundly realized just how true the often-repeated saying 'Cultivation for a demon is fraught with hardships'... was.