Chapter 257 Cultivation

Chen Nuo stood in the courtyard of Luohua Manor, a handful of spirit grain pinched between his fingers, sprinkling it bit by bit toward the Iguchi in front of him.

The previously calm water surface beneath the Iguchi immediately rippled.

A yellow carp, fully half a meter long, opened its mouth to inhale, swallowing all the scattered spirit grain, and did not forget to wag its tail and bow to Chen Nuo at the Iguchi afterward.

A perfectly fine long-whiskered dragon carp, yet it revealed a hint of dog-like behavior.

This dragon carp was naturally none other than Little Yellow Dragon, one of the Four River Dragon Gods.

In order to clear the Zhaogu Spring within a year, he had almost exhausted his entire cultivation to neutralize the turbid energy. Now, let alone taking human form, he could not even manifest a dragon appearance.

Such is the nature of the dragon race.

Even having lost a thousand years of cultivation, his intelligence would not dissipate, unlike other wild demons.

Regaining his cultivation was merely a matter of time.

After all, his realm remained, and he was situated in this blessed land of Ziyun Mountain. Having obtained the Mountain Master's permission, he had become the Dragon King of the Iguchi.

Although this Iguchi was only a meter or so long, it connected directly to the underground river and was a vent for spiritual energy.

The density of the water vapor, while not comparable to the Four Seas, was sufficient to rival any major river in the world.

It was a treasure land that any aquatic spirit would dream of.

Once some time had passed and his cultivation recovered, Little Yellow Dragon could build a dragon palace within this Iguchi and enlighten some river creatures to serve him; wouldn't those days be even more comfortable than before?

He only regretted that he was not a dragon lady; otherwise, marrying into this Luohua Manor as a concubine would also be a golden path.

Little Yellow Dragon thought this to himself, and when he saw Chen Nuo sprinkle another handful of spirit grain, he hurriedly performed another 'dragon water suction' to swallow it all, revealing a look of satisfaction.

These spirit grains were good things, especially for his current state, as he was lacking this essence for nourishment.

Practicing breath control and fasting is something only a true immortal who has attained the Dao can achieve.

Consuming pills and fasting is a provision only a natural-born immortal can enjoy.

Don't look at this small handful of spirit grain; it can only be produced in this blessed land, and ordinary demons wouldn't even be able to smell it.

It is said that the dragon race is wealthy, but that is the business of the Four Sea Dragon Kings. What did it have to do with him, a son of the Jinghe Dragon King? He had never been fed like this by the Jinghe Dragon King before.

Sure enough, what his father said was reasonable.

In the end, this immortal cave dwelling is truly good.

Even if one is just a fish for viewing, it is freer and happier than working under the Heavenly Court. At least there is no fear of being skinned alive one day, and there is usually this spirit grain to be fed.

Back then, the Jinghe Dragon King had not failed to think of finding a good place for his dragon sons, but the competition was too fierce.

Even to be a fish for viewing, there were plenty of dragon descendants scrambling for it.

His Jinghe Dragon King status couldn't compare to the Four Seas; even if he wanted to give gifts, he had to queue up first.

Moreover, the Jinghe Dragon King only produced dragon sons, and they were all unattractive, so even if he wanted to gift them, no one would take them.

Speaking of which, I wonder how my brothers are doing?

Little Yellow Dragon smacked his lips, savoring the lingering essence of the spirit grain, his mood somewhat complex.

He himself had good luck; he could only hope his brothers were the same.

"This year's harvest is indeed good, but you, my husband, cannot squander it like this. Family wealth must be accumulated bit by bit."

Seeing Chen Nuo feeding like this, the Second Sister of the Zhu family immediately felt a pang of heartache.

Only after managing a household does one realize how expensive daily necessities are.

This Ziyun Mountain had only reclaimed a hundred acres of spiritual fields in total.

Throughout the year, the little demons worked meticulously to produce this spirit grain, and more than half of it had to be used for the sisters' cultivation and as payment for the demons in the mountain, so there wasn't much left.

"Only by spending can we have gains. Once Little Yellow Dragon's cultivation recovers, he can regulate the Clouds and mist in the mountain, summon rain and thunder, and then we can increase production, can't we?"

Chen Nuo explained.

To put it bluntly, the spirit grain he sprinkled was actually Little Yellow Dragon's future wages.

"What you say, my husband, is also reasonable."

Hearing this, the Second Sister nodded and followed suit, sprinkling some as well.

Truth be told, watching the yellow fish in the Iguchi wagging its tail to eat, she also experienced the joy of feeding.

After all, this was one of the Four River Dragon Gods, a genuine dragon son.

If they really fought, the five sisters together might just be able to match him.

They were all Great Demons, but the accumulation of differences in physique, techniques, magical powers, and treasures was enough to create a vast chasm.

It was even more so for Demon Kings.

The top-tier ones could even cause chaos in heaven, while the weak ones, like that Jinghe Dragon King, were executed the moment it was ordered.

Of course, the latter Dragon King had obtained his position first and then slowly grew up within the Heavenly Court's support system, possessing only magic power.

He had neither heaven-reaching magical powers nor mountain-shaking physique.

Moreover, such Demon Kings had their fates long intertwined with the Heavenly Court.

Even if they resisted, once the Heavenly Law descended, their cultivation would be less than one-tenth, and even if they wanted to fight to the death, they would have no qualification.

To put it bluntly, they were just pigs raised to be slaughtered for the New Year.

"My husband, it is time to go and help the sisters with their cultivation."

The Second Sister said gracefully, her face serious, but her eyes filled with a hint of seductiveness.

"You are so active now, don't be the first to beg for mercy later."

Chen Nuo smiled at the corners of his mouth.

Hearing this, the Second Sister seemed to think of something; her earlobes turned red instantly. She glared at Chen Nuo, but still held on, refusing to say any words of surrender.

...

"My husband... it's unbearable, it's too hot, please spare your sister..."

In the Zhaogu Spring, the Second Sister's melodic gasps for mercy rang out.

A flash of white skin was dazzling to the eyes.

The five Zhu sisters, who had just been clinging to Chen Nuo's body like long snakes, were now, having been unable to bear the refining of the sun's essence a few minutes ago, scrambling to free themselves and swim toward the edge of the spring.

"Good younger brother, quickly let go of your sister, otherwise I really won't be able to hold back and will reveal my true form."

The Second Sister begged repeatedly.

Seeing that she really couldn't hold on, Chen Nuo released his grip and let her leave his side.

The Second Sister finally caught her breath, her pretty face flushed red, her body looking as if it had been steamed.

The other sisters were in the same state.

The spring was already filled with yang energy, and now, stimulated by the sun's essence that Chen Nuo had brought down, it became completely active, drilling into the sisters' meridians like small fish, stirring up their demonic energy.

Of course, if one could persist, it would be of great benefit to cultivation.

To some extent, this could be considered a form of dual cultivation.

It was equivalent to Chen Nuo refining the sun's essence he brought down and then passing it to the sisters through the yang spring.

"Useless little demoness, you want to subdue this poor monk with just this?"

Chen Nuo snorted coldly.

He had entered into another role-play.

The sisters recalled the harsh words and bold statements they had made before, and at this moment, they were both ashamed and annoyed.

The techniques and moves taught by their mother weren't working either.

If five against one couldn't drain him, wouldn't the rest be cheapened for other little demonesses in the future?

How can he be so capable?

The sisters pushed each other, wanting to turn the tables.

But they truly couldn't endure it, and in the end, they could only give up one after another, thinking of settling the score after their strength had greatly increased in the future.

For today, they would let this husband be arrogant for once.

Seeing the sisters lower their heads in defeat, Chen Nuo said no more.

In terms of family status, one had to fight for it with one's own strength. He had to let the sisters recognize the gap every few days to avoid them stirring up trouble.

One must know that if a demon's desires run rampant, they can truly strip a person to the bone.

This is a kind of demonic nature, and it is even more so for spider demons.

Having free time, Chen Nuo always had time to take out the glazed eyeball and take this opportunity to refine it again.

That is the nature of magical treasures; they must be nurtured frequently.

A touch of golden light was drawn from the glazed eye, shaped like a golden needle, but it was neither copper, nor iron, nor gold.

This was the magical treasure refined by Star Lord Maori in his sun eye.

It is the most yang object in the world, and it is the most effective at restraining demons and evil spirits.

However, the Hundred-Eyed Demon King had ambushed Star Lord Maori and used extremely yin and filthy objects to stain this golden needle.

When Chen Nuo seized this golden needle, it had already lost its divine power, leaving only the effect of manipulating spirits and souls, barely qualifying as a magical artifact.

If he wanted to wash away the filth on it and restore the golden needle to its original appearance, he should ideally draw down the Great Sun Golden Light again and re-refine it.

But this was not an easy task.

One must know that the sun, moon, and stars in the sky are a self-contained system. Wanting to draw down the Great Sun Golden Light would affect the whole body, and Chen Nuo was not Star Lord Maori; he had no official position.

There was no need to cause such a big commotion for this.

However, this sun eye could condense the essence of the Great Sun.

This was originally a divine ability of Star Lord Maori.

It was just that after his death, this sun eye divine ability was also mostly lost. Even if Chen Nuo refined it into a magical treasure, it had only barely recovered to about seventy percent.

So, if he wanted to restore this Great Sun Golden Needle, he would have to use time to re-refine it little by little.

This was not without benefits.

Originally, this golden needle was not Chen Nuo's magical treasure. If it could be restored after this experience, it would reach the realm of following one's heart.

He could also use this to comprehend the divine ability of the Great Sun Golden Light.

The Hundred-Eyed Demon King's Golden Light Array only trapped and did not kill, which was ultimately inferior. Perhaps he could gain some insight from it and achieve a Great Sun Golden Light Array, adding some killing intent to it.

Chen Nuo took advantage of the time when the yang energy was strongest at noon to refine the sun eye and golden needle in his hand.

After the trivial matters were done, it was finally time for the real business.

"Sisters, I have come to play with you."

As Chen Nuo spoke, he dove into the spring water and disappeared from sight.

A moment later, the continuous, delicate moans of the demons echoed in the Zhaogu Spring.

In the main room, the Sixth Sister of the Zhu family asked her mother with a voice full of childish innocence, looking somewhat aggrieved and puzzled.

"Mother? Why won't you let me soak in the spring with my sisters?"

"...You are still too young to withstand the energy of that yang spring."

The old lady squeezed a smile onto her face and comforted her.

In her heart, she was cursing someone.

Before the three letters and six betrothal gifts, the three mediators and six rituals, he actually dared to share a pool, calling it cultivation?

Is that movement considered proper cultivation?!

That is what is said, but if one were to analyze it, this could be considered following the example of those above.

The Zizhuer of those days acted even more absurdly.

And regardless of what is said, Chen Nuo was indeed helping the demons with their cultivation.

...

...

Ziyun Mountain, Clouds.

This was the place where Star Lord Maori was ambushed by the Hundred-Eyed Demon King, who forcibly implanted an immortal egg into his body.

However, the immortal egg had not yet completely transformed the Star Lord before Chen Nuo interrupted the process.

Unfortunately, the Star Lord's immortal body had already been polluted and could not be reversed, so he could only go through reincarnation.

As for when he would be able to return to his position, that would depend on whether his mother, Bodhisattva Pilanpo, was capable enough.

Star Lord Maori sneaking down to the mortal world was already considered a dereliction of duty. It would be good enough if Heaven didn't pursue the responsibility; it was impossible to keep his Star Lord position. Perhaps there was already a new rooster on the job.

There were too many schemes involved in this.

As for that degraded immortal egg, Chen Nuo did not destroy it. Instead, after taking the sun eye, he used Star Lord Maori's remaining body to create a meat pool to see what could be hatched from it.

And this Clouds was currently guarded by King Venomous.

He couldn't be happier to be watching the bones of that enemy.

This was also the reason why King Venomous had truly submitted.

Speaking of this Scorpion Spirit, he was also a devoted character, just a bit green on top of his head.

He was originally a Demon King of Venomous Mountain, bordering the Women's Kingdom of Western Liang, and the mountain naturally inherited the tradition of respecting women.

The Demon King in that mountain was a female scorpion spirit, also known as Fengyue Mo.

She was the most enchanting and beautiful.

She practiced the path of the 'movement' gate, was extremely skilled in bedroom arts, and was good at intimate affairs, so she had countless fellow cultivation partners.

Among those partners, there happened to be a male scorpion who was very robust with golden armor and golden claws, and he had once been Fengyue Mo's favorite.

Fengyue Mo had even given birth to a litter of small scorpions with this male scorpion.

Alas, among this litter of scorpion cubs, there was not a single female, so she had no heart to teach them techniques, and even the male scorpion with golden armor and golden claws was abandoned along with them.

Seeing that Fengyue Mo no longer sought him for cultivation, King Venomous was quite spirited; he led his children to move outside the mountain and no longer associated with her.

Afterwards, when the pilgrims passed through the Women's Kingdom of Western Liang, Fengyue Mo kidnapped Tang Monk and was shocked to death on the spot by a rooster's crow from the Star Lord invited by Wukong.

The citizens of the Women's Kingdom of Western Liang who had been captured into the cave all dispersed, and when they left, they also divided up the wealth accumulated in the cave.

Wukong felt it wasn't enough, so he deliberately added a fire, burning even those few houses to nothing.

When the fire started, King Venomous, who lived outside the mountain, sensed it.

By the time he found his way to the mountain, his former love had been stripped of her clothes, her tail cut off, and she had been pounded into a pile of rotten paste, dead in front of the slope.

He inquired everywhere and only then learned that it was the Star Lord from Heaven who had killed his wife. He was determined to avenge her and finally found his way to this Ziyun Mountain.

Now that his great revenge could be considered avenged, King Venomous had also settled his heart and completely joined the mountain, just thinking about finding wives for his four sons in the future.

This was actually not difficult.

Those four scorpion spirits could also be considered Great Demons, and there were many demons in the ridge willing to marry them.

However, these brothers were just like their father, inheriting the same taste; they liked the strong and disliked the weak.

They couldn't look down on ordinary wild demons, but there weren't that many Great Demons in the world to be found.

There was certainly none in this Webbed Ridge. King Venomous thought that whenever the matters at hand were finished, he would ask the Mountain Master for leave and return to his old home to look around the Women's Kingdom of Western Liang.

There were many fierce women there, and he estimated that they would suit the scorpion brothers' tastes.

Just as King Venomous was worrying about his sons, the immortal egg in the meat pool on the mountaintop suddenly had movement, emitting bursts of rosy light.

"Quickly call the Mountain Master!"