King Yellow Wind's sharp eyes flickered. "Shepherding humans?"
Old Black Fox nodded.
"Precisely—shepherding! During my travels in the Eastern Lands, I encountered an official title: State Shepherd. This position managed an entire state, and the term 'shepherd' implies a governor should guide his people as one tends sheep and cattle."
"If humans can shepherd humans, why can't we do the same?"
"Humans are prolific, skilled in mining, smithing, weaving, farming, and building. As long as we restrain our kin from harming or eating them, and provide food, clothing, and coin, many will gladly work for us."
"If the Great King ensures favorable weather and protects their safety, they will worship you as a god, offering incense and gratitude."
"This arrangement even accrues merit. Why not embrace it?"
King Yellow Wind narrowed his gaze at Old Black Fox.
What a crafty old thing! Truly fox-like in nature.
General Rat, Golden Lion, and others instinctively edged away. Old Black Fox wasn't playing the same game as them. While they relied on brute force, this schemer was weaving plans to exploit humans from birth to grave.
Old Black Fox chuckled slyly. "Great King, what I've proposed is but a small path. Look higher—that is the true eternal Way."
He gestured skyward.
King Yellow Wind tensed, sitting upright as his expression grew stern.
"Remember, three feet above us stands the gods. Speak no further nonsense!"
Old Black Fox bowed. "Your servant has erred!"
"Leave now!"
After the generals left, King Yellow Wind sat in thought, his eyes glimmering.
Old Black Fox's words had opened his mind.
The Heavenly Court's management of the Three Realms and Six Paths was not just about maintaining order but securing its rule.
With divine sustenance like Peaches of Immortality for rewards, restricted access to lightning, fire, and water techniques as core technologies, and strict laws governing reincarnation, the system was comprehensive.
No wonder demons longed to join the celestial ranks. Even becoming a river or mountain deity was a coveted position.
"Ah, so positions in the system are truly desirable," he muttered, a daring idea forming in his mind.
The Yellow Wind Ridge stretched 800 miles—an area ripe for development.
"Still, such plans require patience. When Monkey causes his great disturbance in Heaven, I'll seize the chance to secure a position in the court. Without legitimacy, any action risks branding me a rebel."
"For now, power must remain my focus. Strength is the foundation of all ambitions."
Forging Divine Weapons
King Yellow Wind returned to his cultivation routines, practicing under the moonlight, then retreating to his mountain forge.
Using Thunder Toad sinews, he crafted bowstrings and tempered a spear with Ruyi Iron—a mystical material gifted by his fellow disciple. Combined with stones tempered in the Thunder Toad's stomach acid, the weapon's properties were extraordinary.
Though tempted to forge more Five-Element Arrows, he abandoned the idea. Crafting such arrows required mastery of the Five Elements—a feat beyond his current capabilities. Instead, he focused on making a Qiankun Bag from the Thunder Toad's stomach.
To speed the work, he summoned Six-Tusk Elephant, Iron-Eating Bear, and Golden Lion, whose immense strength made them natural blacksmiths.
Forty-Nine Days Later
A new Ruyi Divine Spear emerged from the forge.
Length: 15 feet (can adjust in size).
Weight: 10,800 pounds.
Enhancements:
Augmentation, Sharpening, and Durability: Standard enhancements applicable to most weapons.
Anti-Magic: Designed to break through arrays, barriers, and spells.
Soul Damage: Capable of attacking the opponent's soul or spirit.
King Yellow Wind also finished restringing his Thunderstrike Bow with the toad's sinews. Drawing it released bolts of lightning without needing arrows. Ordinary arrows, when fired, carried electrical power capable of devastating effects.
Visiting the Lake
Atop Swallow Moon Lake, waves surged as a childish voice called out.
"Big Rat! Come here!"
King Yellow Wind turned to see a golden carp dragon forming a column of water and addressing him. Though it had achieved transformation, it retained the appearance of a playful golden carp.
"Big Rat?" King Yellow Wind chuckled. "Call me Great King!"
The little fish dodged nimbly, slapping the water with its tail as it stuck out its tongue. "You missed me!"
King Yellow Wind observed it closely.
Species: Carp Dragon (40% Golden Dragon)
Realm: Nascent Energy, Humanoid Form
Traits:
True Dragon Bloodline (Gold)
Nine Transformations of the True Dragon (Purple)
Dragon Might (Red)
Pulse Gathering (Red)
Dragon Fortune (Blue)
Water Mastery (Red)
Wave Surge (Red)
Wave Rising (Blue)
Water Shield (Blue)
What extraordinary potential!
Most demons at the Core Formation stage were no match for this young dragon.
Suppressing his desire to seize its traits immediately, King Yellow Wind decided to bide his time. "Let the dragon mature," he thought. "Bigger fish yield better rewards."
"What is it you want?" he asked.
The little carp dragon grinned mischievously. "You're building a palace, aren't you?"
"Indeed," King Yellow Wind replied. "And what of it? Do you want to build an underwater Dragon Palace? That might be tricky!"
"Dragon Palace? I already have one!"
The carp dragon summoned a curtain of water, revealing an image of a golden palace beneath the lake. Gemstones sparkled in every corner, and aquatic creatures like crab soldiers and turtle guards patrolled its perimeter.
King Yellow Wind was stunned.
"Where did you get an underwater palace?"
The little dragon puffed out its chest proudly.
"Have you forgotten? The bamboo basket you brought me in was actually a postnatal spiritual treasure—the Ruyi Basket!"
King Yellow Wind froze.
So the basket had been a treasure all along?
He peered at the dragon, connecting the dots. Why had the mountain deity given him this creature in the first place?
His keen mind began piecing together a larger puzzle.
Lingering Questions
Old Black Fox had once remarked that the Thunder Toad had appeared about seven or eight years ago, suspiciously coinciding with King Yellow Wind's time at Square Inch Mountain.
"Too much of a coincidence," King Yellow Wind muttered.
Had someone from Fangcun personally visited Yellow Wind Ridge to assess his character and circumstances?
"Am I being paranoid?" he wondered. "Or is this... plausible?"
Thinking further, he considered: if Square Inch Mountain had indeed laid the groundwork for his rise, was the Yin-Yang array encompassing Yellow Wind Ridge part of their design?
And if so, who orchestrated the placement of the Thunder Toad?
Was it the Mountain God's own decision? Or did it bear the mark of Patriarch Bodhi's foresight?
Perhaps this wasn't mere coincidence but an investment in his future.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]