There was a moment of silence in the yellow-white bone book-edict.

Clearly, the “Grand Witchcraft Curse” mentioned by Tieshugu was no ordinary method.

Not only did Tieshugu himself fear it, but even General Lugugu was extremely wary of it.

Lugugu pondered for a long time before replying, “This matter is not urgent; we need to plan carefully.”

But how could Tieshugu not be anxious?

“Lord Gugu, you simply don’t understand!” Tieshugu’s expression was anxious, tinged with fear. “I serve this demon with my body and accompany it. I know better than anyone that this demon appears to remain unmoved in its cultivation and shows no outward signs, but its terrifying advancement in power is truly inexpressible.”

“Previously, it was just the subtle pressure in its divine sense, which is growing deeper and deeper.”

“In recent days, for some reason, this demon gives me the feeling that it has undergone some deeper ‘transformation’ internally,”

“Its spiritual power is still the same as before, but its whole body exudes a ‘ferocity’ that can devour all things, like a peerless fierce demon…”

“I even suspect that before long, its demonic nature will be ‘exposed’.”

Behind Tieshugu, Mohua’s expression was a little peculiar.

He had been very “restrained.”

His divine sense was contained within himself, and the law of “Can Tie” was also stored in his Sea of Consciousness.

How could this Tieshugu still perceive his “power”?

Was it because Tieshugu was prejudiced against him as a demon, leading him to guess and imagine things?

Or was it because his faith was so deep that he was more “sensitive” to matters of the divine path?

Mohua fell into thought.

Tieshugu was still desperately trying to persuade Lugugu to kill Mohua:

“Therefore, there must be no delay. If we are to kill, we must kill early. Delay will only lead to trouble!”

Lugugu merely said, “The Grand Witchcraft cannot be used lightly.”

Tieshugu said, “This demon’s cunning and wickedness are truly unfathomable; it cannot be killed without the Grand Witchcraft.”

Lugugu said, “You should understand that such a Grand Witchcraft has long been lost. Only a few ancestors of the Shugu clan who committed ‘taboos’ in the past learned it.”

“And those ancestors have long been dead.”

“To awaken them and ask them to cast the Grand Witchcraft to curse this demon to death will undoubtedly require a huge price.”

Tieshugu said with a devout expression, “I, Tieshugu, am willing to pay any price, even my life, to eliminate this demon.”

Lugugu’s gaze was stern as he replied in blood script:

“To awaken dead ancestors and then have dead ancestors kill living people—even if that person is a demon—this violates two ‘life and death’ taboos.”

“If such a taboo is violated, do you think your single life can repay the price?”

“If something goes wrong in the process—”

Lugugu’s gaze was terrifying as he enunciated each word:

“The dead, unwilling to die again, and the living, stripped of the ‘fruit of life’—this would be a great calamity that disrupts the tribe.”

“Tieshugu, can you bear the responsibility?”

Tieshugu fell silent.

His murderous intent was too strong, so he naturally hadn’t considered everything.

But his murderous intent was never out of selfishness but out of loyalty to the tribe, especially his faith in the Barbarian God.

Tieshugu had a strong premonition:

“If we do not awaken the ancestors and kill this demon, then this demon will be the ‘great calamity’ of our Shugu tribe.”

Lugugu also frowned deeply.

After a moment of thought, Lugugu slowly transmitted a message: “Let’s plan this matter more carefully. Before that, let’s try other methods first.”

“What methods?”

Lugugu said, “I have agreed to form an alliance with this demon and return to the Third-Grade Zhuque Realm. Once in the Third-Grade Mountain Realm, I will have no restrictions, and with my late-stage Jin Dan cultivation, I can find an opportunity to destroy its physical body and ruin its foundation.”

Tieshugu asked in return, “It’s a demon. If its physical body is destroyed, can it die?”

“It can die—.” Mohua nodded, muttering inwardly.

Although his divine sense was strong, his physical body was very weak. Wouldn’t he die if killed?

Unfortunately, Tieshugu couldn’t hear him.

Lugugu was unsure, so he said, “Once its physical body is destroyed, even if it doesn’t die, it will certainly be severely weakened, and its true demonic form will be exposed to broad daylight, scorned by others. With its sacred shamanic outer garment torn away, it will be difficult for it to deceive people and stir up trouble again.”

Mohua nodded inwardly.

What Lugugu said actually made a lot of sense.

The only pity was that he really wasn’t a demon and wasn’t afraid of broad daylight.

Tieshugu sighed and could only say, “Alright.”

He was at the early stage of Jin Dan cultivation, a leader of a Shugu nomadic tribe, and he couldn’t possibly overrule Lugugu, a general of a main Shugu tribe at the late Jin Dan stage.

Moreover, awakening the dead Shugu ancestors and asking them to curse Mohua to death was not something he could do on his own.

Finally, Lugugu asked about the forging method of the “Yuangugu Heavy Armor,” which he cared about most.

Tieshugu merely said, “This is the demon’s absolute secret. It never tells anyone, and the valley where the armor is forged is a forbidden place, allowing no one to enter, so it’s impossible to observe.”

Lugugu didn’t ask any more questions.

This late-night “private chat” ended there.

Tieshugu continued to study late into the night by candlelight, diligently poring over the records of the Shugu tribe and other tribes, searching for a method to utterly eradicate Mohua, the “demon” who walked in broad daylight.

Mohua admired his diligence and didn’t disturb his “efforts,” quietly leaving.

After leaving, Mohua returned to his room, sat at his desk, and fell into deep thought.

“Grand Witchcraft”

“What exactly is this Grand Witchcraft, which is said to be able to ‘curse me to death’?”

“Curse—is it related to karma?”

“Grand Witch—could it be related to Grand Shamanic Priests?”

Mohua’s gaze was somewhat solemn.

But this was not the most important thing.

What surprised Mohua even more was that, according to the “private chat” between Tieshugu and Lugugu, there was even a “Summoning the Dead” technique circulating within the Shugu tribe?

Mohua didn’t know what law this “Summoning the Dead” technique followed.

Could it really “awaken” the dead?

Or did it only “awaken” a remnant soul or fragments of memory?

Or perhaps, what was awakened was actually a dead person who had been “parasitized”?

Can the dead really be “awakened”?

If a dead person is awakened, are they “alive” or “dead”?

Summoning the Dead—

Mohua’s expression suddenly became somewhat wistful, and he couldn’t help but murmur in his heart:

“Master…” All around was dead silent, and equally dark.

Mohua used his heart as a candle, his gaze deep.

The next day.

The entire itinerary for leaving Wucha Mountain Realm and heading to Zhuque Mountain Realm had largely been decided.

Before that, Mohua went to the deep mountains again to see the large tiger.

Part of the reason he decided to conquer the Zhuque Mountain Realm was because of this large tiger—now named “Dahua.”

Dahua, at the peak of the Second Grade, was about to break through.

Originally, Mohua thought this large tiger, like himself, would need more time to form its core.

But he was wrong.

Dahua was much stronger than him.

Ever since it mingled with a group of tigresses, Mohua wondered if some bloodline had awakened, as the demonic aura on Dahua grew stronger day by day.

In its distinct black and white fur, the white became more translucent, and the black became richer and deeper.

Its demonic power also seemed to have reached a critical point, with faint, glowing crystals of demonic power already appearing around its body.

This was a prelude to “forming the core.”

Clearly, Dahua would soon attempt to form its core and become a Third-Grade Jin Dan realm tiger.

Mohua also had to find it another “residence.”

If it remained in the Second-Grade Wutu Mountain Realm, once it formed its core, it would inevitably trigger a “heavenly tribulation,” instantly turning to ash.

Of course, the beast’s instinct would also compel it to leave this heaven-restricted land before forming its core.

But outside the Wutu Mountain Realm, hunger disasters raged, and dangers lurked everywhere.

Mohua naturally couldn’t rest assured with Dahua venturing out alone, much less for something as important as forming a core.

What if it encountered an ambush and was captured by the royal court, or if it was disturbed during core formation, causing its demonic core to explode and leading to its demise?

Mohua would certainly be very sad.

Therefore, he had to first scout the Zhuque Mountain Realm, occupy a larger mountain, garrison it with heavy troops, and then let the large tiger go there to safely form its core.

As for the other tigresses…

Mohua’s gaze slightly darkened.

He didn’t know why these tigresses gathered around Dahua amidst the chaos of war.

He wasn’t sure if it was truly because the Great Wilderness was experiencing a “shortage of male tigers.”

But these tigresses were demon beasts.

Demon beasts acted purely on instinct.

If Dahua was strong, they might get along peacefully.

But if Dahua failed to break through, and its demonic core became flawed, its foundation unstable, leaving it in an extremely “weak” state,

Mohua couldn’t be sure what these tigresses would do.

He didn’t know if they would, in turn, devour Dahua’s “demonic core” and feast on its flesh.

One couldn’t even bet on human hearts, let alone the hearts of demon beasts.

Therefore, Mohua still had to keep the matter of Dahua forming its core firmly in his own hands.

This way, once Dahua successfully broke through, he would essentially have a true Third-Grade Jin Dan realm king of demons.

In a place like the Great Wilderness, where “ungrateful people” were everywhere, having a “big tiger” he could truly trust was incredibly rare.

However, occupying territory in the Zhuque Mountain Realm was no small matter; he didn’t know how much trouble and how many obstacles he would encounter.

Mohua had to temporarily part with the large tiger again.

To prepare Mohua for his journey, Dahua stole some unknown delicious demon meat, secretly hoarded by its “big wife”—that Third-Grade Diaoqing Xuanhu—and gave it to Mohua.

One person and one tiger sat in the mountain forest, gathered around a fire array, roasting meat and chatting.

Of course, it was mostly Mohua giving instructions:

“Lust is a knife over one’s head—even though you’re a tiger, you must understand this truth.”

“The words of our ancestors never lie, and they won’t lie to a tiger either.”

“Those tigresses are all after your body; you, a male tiger, must learn to protect yourself—”

Dahua nodded its head, letting out an “awoo” sound, indicating it understood.

Mohua even pulled out his long-cherished fruit wine, personally brewed by his mother, Liu Ruhua, for Dahua to taste.

Dahua slurped up half the bottle with one lick, which made Mohua feel heartbroken.

After eating and drinking his fill, and having given all the necessary instructions, Mohua had to part with the large tiger again.

Next, it would be another period of toil and exhaustion, with an uncertain future.

Mohua sighed softly in his heart, suddenly feeling a surge of emotion.

He was no longer the “little formation master” he once was; he had grown up.

Growing up meant being busier, having more things to do, more worries, and increasingly heavy responsibilities and pressure on his shoulders.

He might never again be as carefree as he was in his childhood.

Mohua suddenly missed the days in Tongxian City. Although there were some minor troubles, most were harmless. He practiced with his master every day and attended classes with his junior and senior disciples.

He would wander around Dahei Mountain when he had nothing to do and occasionally play with the big tiger.

Now, he no longer had such leisure, and he wondered if he ever would again—

Mohua patted Dahua’s head, his gaze gentle, and softly said:

“Next, I will go to the Third-Grade Mountain Realm. Take good care of yourself.”

“If everything goes smoothly, I will occupy a mountain and then bring you over.”

“If things don’t go too smoothly, and I don’t return, but you have to break through, then follow the direction I showed you earlier today, keep going forward until you feel the sky is vast and there’s no more suppression. Then find a secluded mountain valley and form your core on your own. Don’t trust anyone, or any tiger—”

A tiger’s head generally couldn’t be touched by anyone.

But Mohua seemed different.

Dahua was also somewhat different.

It seemed to feel Mohua’s concern and the familiar “sense of parting,” and couldn’t help but nuzzle its head against Mohua’s palm.

And the imposing character “Wang” (King) on its head became even more pronounced.

Three days later, Mohua mobilized his troops and set off.

Inside the Wutu Mountain Realm, he had also made arrangements.

Internal affairs were still managed by Elder Zhamu, while Elder Jiaohu was responsible for the confidential armor forging matters.

Tribal warfare and peacekeeping were handled by Jiaoli and the new “Yuancha.”

The two worked together in harmony and were not to violate the rules set by Mohua; otherwise, everyone would have the right to execute them.

Externally, Mohua mobilized the vast majority of military forces from the Danque tribe and the Wutu Alliance.

Especially the more than one hundred Yuan’gu heavy armored soldiers, almost all of them were dispatched.

All Jin Dan cultivators were also not allowed to remain within the Wutu Mountain Realm.

Danzhu was the supreme commander of all the barbarian soldiers.

Xiao Zhatu was also arranged by Mohua to be Danzhu’s junior aide, accompanying the army on the expedition.

Mohua hoped that Xiao Zhatu, by staying with Danzhu, could gain more connections and learn more, so that in the future, he could also become a capable and independent talent.

This was Mohua’s expectation for Xiao Zhatu and the fulfillment of his promise to Elder Zhamu.

Even if one day he suddenly disappeared from the Great Wilderness and could never return,

Danzhu would still have a strong “helper” to realize his ideals. Zhatu and Danzhu could also support each other to gradually change everything in the Great Wilderness.

This was also Mohua’s “painstaking effort.”

After Mohua’s forces were assembled, Lugugu’s side was also ready.

The commanders of both sides met briefly.

Lugugu was tall and imposing, his expression solemn. When he looked at Mohua, his gaze was cold but held a hint of respect. If Mohua hadn’t secretly overheard his “private chat” with Tieshugu about how to kill himself, this “demon,” and eliminate the root of the problem,

He would have almost believed that Lugugu “respected” him greatly.

Mohua silently shook his head.

But Mohua said nothing; in fact, when he looked at Lugugu, his gaze was even clearer, his expression more sincere, as if he had truly buried the hatchet with the Shugu tribe, watched out for each other, and felt “like family.”

After all, when it came to acting, few were more skilled than Mohua.

And Mohua’s acting prowess lay in its “sincerity.”

He could truly “deceive” himself, intending from the bottom of his heart to let bygones be bygones with the Shugu tribe and watch out for each other.

The two sides met and briefly discussed the marching route.

Then, the “Wutu Tribe,” composed of Shugu, Danque, and various small tribes, a total of six thousand barbarian soldiers, set off on their journey.

Within the Yuancha Mountain Realm, the barbarian army moved like a vast river, with an extraordinary aura.

Four days later, the allied barbarian soldiers left the Second-Grade Wucha Mountain Realm and arrived at the broader Third-Grade Great Realm—the Zhuque Mountain Realm.

This was naturally not Mohua’s first time in the Zhuque Mountain Realm.

He had been there before.

But the significance of this time was completely different.

This time, he didn’t come alone; he “returned with troops.”

He now had Jin Dan cultivators, barbarian soldiers, and Yuan’gu Heavy Armored Soldiers under his command, truly capable of attempting to gradually “encroach upon” and even “occupy” the Third-Grade Zhuque Mountain Realm.

But as Mohua stepped onto the land of the Zhuque Mountain Realm, looked up at the gloomy sky of the Zhuque Mountain Realm, and then gazed at the continuous, desolate dead mountains of the Zhuque Mountain Realm, his heart gradually sank.

Mohua could probably imagine that the situation in the Zhuque Mountain Realm was very bad, but he didn’t expect it to be much worse than he had anticipated.

Under the spread of hunger disasters, the once prosperous Zhuque Mountain Realm had become very desolate.

Tribes warred, engaging in mutual burning, killing, looting, and plunder.

Thousands of miles of scorched earth, scars everywhere; countless people had died.

And the dead, imbued with dense death aura, floated towards the sky.

Mohua could even discern the distinct “death omen” of lamenting冤魂 (yuanhun) from the cloudy sky.

This was not a death omen for one person.

Rather, it was a kind of Heavenly Secret formed by a massive amount of karma.

This was the “death omen” of an entire mountain realm.