Chapter 3 Ghost Servant_1

Under the night sky, on the banks of a deep pond surrounded by green trees, a chilly breeze rustled through, lifting waves upon the water's surface.

At this very moment, a mysterious scene was unfolding on the shore, as myriad fish and shrimp popped their heads out, staring intently upwards.

If someone were to pass by now, they would likely be scared out of their wits.

Further in on the pond's surface, behind the cluster of fish and shrimp, a Royal Serpent also made its presence known.

However, this Royal Serpent was extremely cautious, only peering above the water with two small eyes.

This Royal Serpent was none other than Yibai.

"That fellow, is it the Mountain Lord's Ghost Servant? The one to bestow blessings? So where's the blessing?"

Yibai's eyes, erect and unblinking, were fixed on the shore.

There stood a slightly blurred figure with a ghastly pale complexion and lifeless eyes.

If an ordinary person saw him, they might not notice anything amiss, only that he seemed unwell.

But through Yibai's eyes, the man emitted an odious stench of death, with no signs of normal life.

"It's been well into the night already, yet there's still no movement; has this Ghost Servant been waiting for all the creatures in the pond to arrive? Surely it's been long enough by now?"

Yibai was growing impatient.

If this Ghost Servant remained silent, then he would have to leave.

Under the weight of Yibai's impatience,

Finally, the Ghost Servant on shore seemed to think the number of creatures had sufficed, lifting its lifeless eyes to look out over the gathered assembly of fish and shrimp.

"The Mountain Lord has felt his cultivation reach fulfilment, and in three days' time, he will preach within the mountain. All of you may attend to listen; there's a chance to advance quicker into spirits. I hope none of you will let down the Mountain Lord's kindness."

"The Mountain Lord has felt his own…"

The Ghost Servant mechanically repeated the message three times.

After completing the thrice repetition, it transformed into a wisp of white smoke and eerily proceeded towards the mountain.

After the departure of the Ghost Servant, the fish and shrimp at the site immediately erupted into a frenzy, as if the pond bottom had been brought to a boil.

Excited discussions broke out among the fish and shrimp.

Yibai, however, did not partake in the conversations of the fish and shrimp.

He watched the direction in which the Ghost Servant had disappeared, feeling an inexplicable strangeness in his heart.

What, what the heck?

A tiger preaching?

You've got to be joking.

If it were about a highly cultivated monk preaching, or a transcendent being giving sermons, that would be one thing.

But why is a tiger joining the fray?

Yibai muttered to himself internally.

Thinking about a tiger sitting on a meditation cushion, with an audience of fish and shrimp below, he felt it discordant and surreal.

Yibai pondered for a long time but said nothing. A tiger preaching would be a tiger preaching; he would just go see for himself when the time came.

Considering this, Yibai submerged himself into the water, heading toward the bottom of the pond.

He hadn't swum far when he encountered an old acquaintance—

Old Tortoise.

Upon seeing a familiar face, Yibai initially wanted to go over and greet him.

Yet he noticed Old Tortoise acting secretive, as if up to something sneaky.

He immediately swam towards him.

"Prophet, what are you skulking about for?"

Yibai blurted out.

The Prophet was another name for the tortoise.

Old Tortoise, deep in thought, had completely missed Yibai's approach. Startled by the sudden shout, he instinctively retracted into his shell.

After calming down for a moment and seeing it was Yibai, he slowly stuck his head out again.

"You Royal Serpent, have you not heard? Demon scares demon, scares a demon to death?"

Old Tortoise, frightened and irate, snapped back.

"No, clearly you were deep in thought, otherwise how could I have startled you? What's the matter, Prophet, you were contemplating the Mountain Lord's sermon so intently that you lost your soul?"

Yibai teased.

"You, Royal Serpent, without having transformed into a spirit, how come your wisdom is so high? That's quite peculiar,"

Old Tortoise examined Yibai up and down, shaking its head.

Suddenly, as if having thought of something, Old Tortoise looked around, ensuring there were no other creatures present before continuing to speak with Yibai.

"Royal Serpent, heed my words. You must never go to the Mountain Lord's sermon. As far as I know, the Mountain Lord's cultivation has nearly peaked, but he has been unable to take the next step. It seems he hasn't eaten enough humans. To proclaim a sermon at such a critical junction, I fear it bodes ill. That's all I have to say; take care."

After speaking, Old Tortoise transformed its limbs as if they were propellers, swiftly disappearing without a trace.

Left alone, Yibai was plunged into deep thought upon hearing what Old Tortoise had said.

That tiger, was it truly harboring ill intentions?

Cultivation nearly complete, yet unable to advance due to not having consumed enough humans.

Summoning this group of creatures at this time, what else could it be for?

Wasn't it just to eat these beings endowed with a modicum of spirit, to use their quantity to aid the tiger's cultivation?

This tiger, it truly wasn't any good.

Demons don't fool demons.

This tiger specifically deceives its own kind!

Yibai was enraged.

Fortunately, he had been warned by Old Tortoise in advance.

Otherwise, if he had foolishly attended the sermon and been eaten in one bite, it would have been a true injustice.

This incident also served as a warning to Yibai.

Indeed, he could use his ability to travel between two worlds to avoid fatal crises.

But sometimes, if he were to let his guard down, he might not even be able to use that ability before meeting his death.

In this world, he needed to be cautious not only of humans but also demons!

"This tiger, it's no good, and it's so close to me, I must be wary."

"I still need to 'eat people' after all, only by eating enough 'humans' will I not fear this tiger."

Yibai felt acutely the dangers within the Immortal Cultivation Realm.

Even if he stayed in this deep pool, he would face danger; this incident with the Mountain Lord was the perfect example.

Therefore, he still needed to 'eat more humans.'

He needed to visit the Red Moon World more often!

...

Red Moon World.

Inside a stream.

Yibai reappeared at the bottom of the stream.

Looking up at the sky, through the surface of the water, he could see the moon hanging high.

This moon was red...

No matter how one looked at it, it was eerie.

"The flow of time in the Red Moon World is the same as in the Immortal Cultivation Realm. If it's night in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, naturally, it is also night here."

Yibai slowly twisted his serpent body and left the stream.

The Red Moon World during night time was the most dangerous.

But also, the Red Moon World at night had the most apparent weaknesses!

In the Red Moon World during the night, all monsters would become agitated, searching everywhere for surviving humans to hunt down and kill.

However, similarly, some juvenile monsters would not go out. Instead, they would stay home, as if following the instincts they had in life.

So, if one dared to take the risk, one could sneak into some villages and devour these young monsters.

Before, he felt there was no need to take the risk, but now such a huge tiger was confronting him face to face.

He thought, it's time he bullied these monsters, young and old...