A Dream of Slaughter, A Promise of Growth

"Caw! Dreaming. A fun dream, a pleasant dream."

Cheongo's voice, sounding like a clumsy incantation, gradually faded. Jekyeong felt his consciousness drift somewhere, but he didn't resist and accepted it naturally.

When he opened his eyes again, a crimson world welcomed him.

In the bloodthirsty sky, a sound like a desperate wail echoed endlessly, and on the ground, a scene of absolute pandemonium unfolded. Humans, Yao, and all kinds of other alien races—they were all killing and being killed. Bodies piled high as mountains, blood flowed like rivers. If one were to visualize the end of the world, it would look exactly like this scenery that filled his vision wherever he turned.

"Krrrgh!"

At this moment, Jekyeong unlocked the shackles he had kept deep in his heart. His demon-corrupted true nature burst forth as violently as it had been suppressed.

He breathed fire, sweeping away everything in sight, and swung the Flame King Whip to burn the crimson sky. When rampaging elegantly grew boring, he descended to the ground to engage in brutal physical combat. With his massive, sturdy body, he crushed his enemies to paste and tore them apart with talon-like claws.

*Rumble!*

The deepening demonic qi mingled with the equally intensifying bloodlust. Red began to bleed into his blackened dragon eyes, soon taking on an eerie hue.

When he slowly opened his eyes, his dragon eyes were dark, as if cast in shadow.

*Whack!*

Seeing this, Cheongo swung the Summer-Chasing Fan and smacked Jekyeong on the head. The shadow casting over his eyes quickly dispersed, returning them to their original color.

"How is it?"

"Not bad. Actually, quite good."

Jekyeong observed his own state while glancing at Cheongo, who was currently in the form of a young boy. He had always known the fellow was extraordinary, but the bird's bizarre abilities exceeded his expectations every time.

For a mere Great Yao to possess such a strange power. Even though Jekyeong had opened his mind as much as possible and remained completely defenseless, the fact that a Great Yao's hypnosis could affect him—a Yao King—was astonishing in itself.

Moreover, to think a hypnotic illusion could affect reality to this extent?

Jekyeong felt the demonic obsession that had slowly begun to slip from his control grow docile once more. Thanks to the slaughter he experienced in the illusion, the momentum of the demonic obsession had been broken.

Of course, an illusion was still just an illusion, so Cheongo's hypnosis couldn't completely resolve the issue of the demonic obsession. However, it clearly had the effect of significantly slowing down the rate of erosion. Thanks to Cheongo, Jekyeong was able to relieve a great deal of his anxiety.

If there was a problem, it was that the already arrogant crow's nose was now pointing straight to the heavens, but considering the bird's contribution, it was tolerable.

"Lord Dragon, an envoy has arrived from Haeyeon Island."

Hyeongu reported the events that had occurred during the few days Jekyeong had been asleep.

"They requested that we look after the affairs of Haeyeon Island and the water territory for a while. It seems the Ghost Spider is planning something."

Upon hearing Hyeongu's words, Jekyeong immediately thought of something.

Is he attempting Core Formation?

Come to think of it, it was actually stranger that Myeong-ha hadn't attempted Core Formation until now. Whether in terms of talent or accumulation, Myeong-ha had an exceptionally high chance of achieving Core Formation. The former was beyond doubt, as his talent was great enough to catch the eye of a Malevolent God, and the latter would certainly not be lacking, given how long he had run the business of Haeyeon Island.

"Has the envoy returned?"

"He is still waiting outside. When I told him that the Lord Dragon would give an answer once he woke, he said he would wait until you did."

"He seems to be in a hurry."

"Yes, it appeared so."

The guess grew even more convincing.

"Bring him in."

A moment later, a Lost-Soul Puppet carrying a faint ripple of Dharma power entered the Black Jiao Palace.

"Lord Dragon. I trust you have been well."

"I am always the same. By the way... what is this about looking after your affairs?"

"I will not hide it from you. I intend to attempt Core Formation."

"I figured as much. You have dragged it out for quite a long time."

"It was not easy, as I wanted to be fully prepared."

"The more care you put into it, the greater the lingering regrets."

"Precisely."

Jekyeong felt a twinge of regret that the one standing before him was not Myeong-ha's true body. He wanted to see the fellow's vivid reaction. Discussing such a monumental event as Core Formation, what kind of sly expression would that slippery bastard have made? Unfortunately, not a single shred of emotion could be read from this living corpse.

"As the Lord Dragon knows, Core Formation is not something that can be guaranteed in advance. Thus, I would like to ask a favor of you. Of course, I do not ask for free. I will show my sincerity, meager though it may be."

"Oh? What kind of sincerity?"

"The secret technique of Vein-Forging."

Jekyeong froze for a moment.

The Vein-Forging Art was a secret beast technique used to artificially create spiritual veins. There were various theories as to when and where this secret technique originated. The prevailing theory was that a peerless Yao Emperor of the past had drawn inspiration from the human race's artificial spiritual veins to devise a secret technique unique to the Yao race, though humans often dismissed it as a clumsy imitation of their own heritage.

Regardless, this Vein-Forging Art was considered a secret among secrets among the Yao race. Even the spiritual vein of the Seongya Archipelago had been created by the Heumwon Clan using the Vein-Forging Art, and what Mu-ara had offered as the price of cooperation was also the Vein-Forging Art.

At the time, Jekyeong had been highly interested in the Vein-Forging Art, but he had given it up because he deemed cooperating with Mu-ara too dangerous.

Yet now, the Vein-Forging Art he had abandoned back then had appeared before his eyes once more. Furthermore, this time there were no difficult conditions; he merely had to look after Myeong-ha's affairs for a short while in his stead. No matter how he looked at it, there was no reason to refuse.

As for how Myeong-ha had laid his hands on the Vein-Forging Art... Jekyeong was curious, but he did not ask.

"Very well."

As soon as Jekyeong accepted the proposal, the Lost-Soul Puppet pulled out a wooden slip and infused it with Dharma power. Soon, a faint divine charm began to drift from the wooden slip, which had previously felt like nothing.

"I ask for two years. If I do not return even after two years have ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠passed..."

He trailed off, but Jekyeong understood without him having to say it.

"What do you plan to do about a spiritual vein?"

Since Myeong-ha possessed all other requirements, the only remaining issue was a spiritual vein. As far as Jekyeong could see, there was no spiritual vein in Yangseo Lake that Myeong-ha could target. Not to mention the spiritual vein of the Jusong Sea Region or the two spiritual veins in the Yao territory, even the spiritual veins in the human territory would be difficult for Myeong-ha to covet.

"That is precisely why I asked you for two years. Since it is difficult to find a suitable ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠spiritual vein within Yangseo Lake, I have no choice but to look outside."

"I see."

Myeong-ha was just like him. Jekyeong didn't know where the fellow was planning to go, but he must have made his own calculations before moving.

"Then, the next time we meet, will we be fellow Daoists once more?"

"Haha. I certainly hope so."

After Myeong-ha's Lost-Soul Puppet left, Jekyeong slowly examined the Vein-Forging Art recorded on the wooden slip.

As expected... it won't be easy.

To perform the Vein-Forging Art, not only was an astronomical amount of Spirit Stones required, but also a powerful and delicate demonic power. The amount of Spirit Stones Jekyeong currently possessed was by no means small, yet even that didn't satisfy half the amount needed to create a Grade 1 spiritual vein.

Jekyeong, who had internally hoped to upgrade the spiritual vein of the Seongya Archipelago to Grade 2, could only smack his lips in the face of this cold reality.

Well, this is only natural.

Come to think of it, even the mighty Heumwon Clan had only managed to create a Grade 1 spiritual vein, so there was no reason for him, a newly ascended Yao King, to sigh over his light pockets.

If that fellow Myeong-ha succeeds in Core Formation... things will get noisy again.

Jekyeong believed Myeong-ha had a high probability of achieving Core Formation, and thus, he was already considering future events. A proud Core Formation cultivator would never be satisfied with a mere spiritual territory, so a Myeong-ha who achieved Core Formation would naturally target a spiritual vein.

There were two spiritual veins in the Yao territory, but the Jansu Whale King would never share his spiritual vein with anyone else... which left only the spiritual veins in the human territory...

There's going to be another massive uproar.

He had a premonition, bordering on certainty, that the tribulation of the human territory was far from over.

Having accepted Myeong-ha's proposal, Jekyeong sent Hyeongu to manage the affairs of Haeyeon Island and the Heukgyo Water Territory. Initially, he had considered staying on Haeyeon Island himself, but he changed his mind, figuring that Hyeongu could sufficiently control the situation except during auctions.

His cultivation level is a bit of a pity, though.

Hyeongu was nearly perfect as a subordinate, but he lacked in one single area: his cultivation level. If he were at least in the late stage of the Great Yao realm, or even the mid stage, Jekyeong could leave things to him with a peace of mind.

But this is the normal pace of cultivation for the Yao race.

He couldn't blame Hyeongu. He knew the turtle was constantly striving in his cultivation, diligently seeking out and consuming good things.

Despite this, the fact that his cultivation level still couldn't break out of the early Great Yao stage was not Hyeongu's fault, but rather an inherent trait ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of the Yao race. Compared to humans, the Yao race enjoyed vastly longer lifespans, but their cultivation speed was inversely proportional. No matter how excellent a Yao's bloodline was, their cultivation speed was similar to or even slower than an ordinary human's. Thus, it was entirely normal for Hyeongu to still be struggling in the early Great Yao stage.

Harshly put, wasn't Hyeongu a turtle, a creature famous for its longevity? Jekyeong didn't know exactly which turtle lineage Hyeongu had inherited, but a long lifespan was a common characteristic of Yao who inherited turtle lineages.

"If you find anything helpful to you on Haeyeon Island, feel free to take it."

"Pardon? Is that truly alright?"

Hyeongu's small eyes widened.

"It is fine. In any case, when Myeong-ha asked me to look after the place, he must have already anticipated this much."

"I am deeply grateful for your grace, Lord Dragon."

Having served Jekyeong for a long time, Hyeongu knew his master never said things he didn't mean. Therefore, these words were undoubtedly a favor meant to nurture him.

He must be unsatisfied with my cultivation level. Indeed, the Lord Dragon already stands tall over Yangseo Lake, yet I am merely at the early Great Yao stage...

Hyeongu felt a weight in his chest. No matter how hard he tried to find and eat good things, his cultivation rose so slowly that he sometimes doubted if it was improving at all. It felt like a turtle—no, a slug—crawling.

If he hadn't known that this was a racial limitation rather than his own personal failing, Hyeongu would have surely fallen into self-deprecation. His decision to put more effort into studying formations was also not unrelated to this frustratingly slow rise in cultivation. Formations were also incredibly profound, requiring him to proceed cautiously and slowly, as if groping his way through the dark, but they at least gave him a sense of achievement that cultivation did not.

"I will surely repay your grace, Lord Dragon."

Hyeongu burned with motivation. All kinds of rare treasures flowed into Haeyeon Island. Among them, there would surely be items effective in raising his cultivation.

"There is no need to walk on eggshells. You represent me there."

Jekyeong scratched the top of his foot with a claw. With a sound like grinding metal, sparks flew, and a single drop of blood seeped out. Jekyeong flicked that drop of blood into the space between Hyeongu's brows.

"Go. If you encounter a situation you cannot handle, let me know. You know what to do, yes?"

"I do."

That day, Hyeongu left the Seongya Archipelago and headed toward the Heukgyo Water Territory.

Heukgyo Water Territory.

To be precise, it was correct to call it the former Heukgyo Water Territory, but the vast majority of cultivators, regardless of race, did not know this fact. This was because Myeong-ha, who had purchased the Heukgyo Water Territory from Jekyeong, had deliberately concealed the fact that the owner of the water territory had changed.

If the Lost-Soul Puppets aren't seen, the humans might suspect the Ghost Spider's absence. But this part is unavoidable.

The Ghost Spider's Lost-Soul Puppets were different from ordinary puppets; only the Ghost Spider himself could control them. Thus, drawing suspicion was inevitable.

Suspicion is fine. As long as it doesn't lead to an uproar.