White Bone Demon Trail

Chapter 88 Differentiation of Demonic Thoughts
Xiao Qianli was still shocked. This dragon was over forty or fifty feet long, with four claws on its feet, dragon fins on its tail, a broad snake head, a protruding mouth and nose, and a mouth full of sharp teeth, but the dragon horns on its head had not yet grown.

This is a giant dragon that is about to transform into a dragon!

It has even more of a dragon-like appearance than the demonic dragon in the Thousand Light Cave of Beihai!

The demonic energy on her body was unconsciously suppressed back into her body, and Xiao Qianli could only bow and say, "It was this junior who disturbed you, please forgive me."

"What's this talk of atonement and forgiveness? I'm just a fisherman by the river." The old man smiled and put away his line. "Just keep your fighting and killing away from my sight."

"Little girl, you'd better rein in your murderous intent."

Xiao Qianli was taken aback upon hearing this. "My murderous intent? Senior, I am foolish to speak of such things..."

"Hehe, the killing intent emanating from you is far stronger than that of the demon you were chasing." After saying this, the old man waved his hand with a smile and said, "Go."

Xiao Qianli was puzzled, but faced with such a reclusive master, he could only politely turn and leave.

She took a step back and realized that the riverside cottage, the dragon, the old man, and the orange cat had all disappeared.

She stood alone by the river, gazing at the surging eastward flow of the river.

The old man picked up the grass carp from the wooden basin, laughed, and threw it back into the water.

With a "plop," water splashed up, and the grass carp happily flicked its tail and disappeared into the water.

A wave surged in and transformed into Ling's figure. He cupped his hands and said, "I was unaware that you were here, senior. I have greatly disturbed you."

The old man cast his line into the river again, sat back down on the wooden chair, and said, "I'm the one who caught you, so how can you say I'm disturbing you?"

"I see, thank you for helping me out, senior," Ling said, cupping her hands in greeting.

“I see that she and you are of the same origin, yet you kill each other because of it. Most things in the world are governed by the law of the jungle, but there can never be only the law of the jungle,” the old man said with a shake of his head and a sigh.

"I humbly request your guidance, senior." Ling was surprised, but her expression became even more respectful.

The old man held a fishing rod in one hand and stroked his beard with the other, saying:

Flowing water does not compete for the first place, the contention is endless.

The mountains do not compete for peaks, but for standing tall for eternity.

Plants and trees do not compete to be tall; they compete to live on endlessly.

Old trees don't compete for forest; they compete for towering crowns.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

"It's not really instruction, it's just that everyone has their own destiny. You should go too."

The old man said calmly.

Ling then bowed and took his leave, disappearing into the cave in a single step.

He stood on the surging river, lost in thought.

Ling didn't ponder the other person's reasoning, but instead wondered why there were so many extraordinary people in the world who chose to remain hidden from public view.
What are the reasons that force these highly accomplished individuals to live in seclusion?
It's simply a stronger being, so strong that they are powerless to change it.

Ling looked up at the deep sky. Was it the realm of gods above the nine heavens?
Or is there another reason?

Ling went north against the current and returned to Wanxiang Mountain.

As soon as he returned to the mountain, he came out again with the Wuxiang Diagram.

He was going to deliver the Wuxiang Diagram to the places that needed it.

In Zhangyang City, in a rather elegant garden, there are religious followers standing guard and patrolling everywhere.

In the hall, a group of people all looked solemnly at the cult leader at the head of the table.

Li Xiangzhi also closed his eyes heavily, and after thinking for a long time, he said, "This time the court sent a new county magistrate to change his term of office, probably because they have noticed our existence."

If we continue to hide in the shadows, we will be suppressed by the new county magistrate or the state's troops sooner or later.

"

"So, brother, you mean..." Liu Dazhu's face showed some fear, "...we're going to rebel?"

"Rebel about what? We're not rebels!" Li Xiangzhi glared at him. "We're purging the court of corrupt officials!"
The young emperor is now twelve years old, yet Empress Dowager Wen still refuses to relinquish power. Our actions are in accordance with the greater good, forcing Empress Dowager Wen to return power to the previous dynasty. The affairs of state should be debated by the officials of the previous dynasty; how can they fall into the hands of a mere woman?

"But even if we add up all our followers, the number of followers in the surrounding counties is only a little over ten thousand."

They were all farmers, or even refugees; they had no fighting ability whatsoever, let alone courage. Liu Dazhu said worriedly:
"There are nearly 10,000 soldiers stationed in the state! They are all excellent soldiers who can take on ten men at once. How can our rabble be a match for them?"
I fear that even before the imperial court sends troops, the garrison within the prefecture will wipe us out!

"It seems you've learned quite a bit these past few days, focusing on learning to read and write," Li Xiangzhi praised him, then continued:

"Don't be afraid. Although the soldiers' weapons and armor are far superior to ours, you have all seen the corruption of the court with your own eyes. These soldiers, though said to number ten thousand, are actually mostly embezzled by the hundred and thousand households, and at best, only seven or eight thousand are left."

Moreover, in the past few months I have gathered the artisans in the city to produce a lot of flint and gunpowder bullets, and also built five divine fire cannons with immense power.

At worst, we can still hold onto Zhangyang City!

I've made my decision. In April, we will send troops north to attack various counties, then expand our followers and surround the capital city of Shenzhou. Shenzhou will then be our territory!
You all lead your men to begin preparations. After you finish farming, even if we lose in the summer and autumn, we will still have cities and grain to hold our ground in the winter.

As for the details of dispatching troops, I will explain them to you after I have considered them carefully.”

"yes, Sir!"

Everyone was excited, though some were uneasy, but more than anything, they were thrilled and yearned for wealth and glory!

Late at night, Li Xiangzhi was working at his desk under the light of a candle. On the table was a map of the entire Shenzhou, with very detailed markings, even including the post stations in each county.

This is clearly an official map that ordinary people simply cannot obtain.

He was deep in thought, pondering military strategies.

"Tick-tock~"

"Tick-tock~"

Outside the window, the night rain pattered down, dripping from the eaves, and a night breeze caused the candlelight inside the room to flicker.

"The leader is truly devoted to the affairs of the sect."

The sudden, clear, and cold voice startled the unsuspecting Li Xiangzhi, who abruptly looked up and asked in surprise, "Who are you?"

"Who am I?" Ling chuckled and took two steps, her figure transforming into a stream of water as she circled around to the statue in the main hall, where she reappeared.

Ling lowered her eyes and looked at him, saying, "What do you think?"

Li Xiangzhi was shocked by the bizarre scene before him and knelt down without hesitation, saying, "This humble one pays respects to the God of No Form! We respectfully welcome the arrival of the God of No Form!"

Ling chuckled softly, a faint light flashing at her fingertips. "You're a clever person, but I wonder which master would be willing to part with someone as clever as you."

"Isn't he afraid that you'll really cause a big incident and become uncontrollable?" This Li Xiangzhi is no ordinary person. His knowledge, experience, and background suggest that he was likely sent by a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

He happened to see the faith in the God of No Form, so he used the name of gods and ghosts to gather people and start a rebellion, which was much more effective than some people who shouted slogans of righteousness.

Upon hearing the words of this "god," Li Xiangzhi was no longer afraid. He smiled and raised his head, "Congratulations, God of No Form! Congratulations, God of No Form!"

Although I am using your name to start this uprising, I am actually petitioning for your divine investiture, to bestow upon you a higher rank and eminence, and to elevate you to the position of a true god!

He knew perfectly well that the "god" before him was merely a mountain spirit, not a true god. For such a demon, being granted official rank by the imperial court and becoming a divine official was an immense opportunity.

Ling shook his head and said, "Perhaps ordinary demons and spirits would yearn for official titles and divine appointments, but I, Wuxiang, truly do not care about such things."

Since you've acted in my name, you've incurred a huge karmic debt in my name. Therefore, it's impossible for you to get my help.

“I already know this in my heart, but if you can lend a hand, even if you don’t like the title of god, our dynasty can still help you advance further on the path to immortality. After all, the world is rich in all its treasures and rare herbs, and I’m sure you will find the elixirs and rare treasures you need!” Li Xiangzhi continued to persuade him.

"Hehe, although you are quite resourceful and wise, the foundation for your military uprising is too shallow, and the hope is slim." Ling raised her eyes and looked at the blue aura above the other person's head, and asked, "Who can protect you?"

The Three Dukes and Nine Ministers of the court? The various prime ministers? Or some general who commands a large army?

Li Xiangzhi's expression changed. "Please, sir, do not guess. These things cannot be said openly."

"Hehe, don't worry." Ling stretched out her hand and pointed lightly in front of him. A stream of light fell and transformed into a scroll painting.

"I bestow upon you a treasure, called the Formless Diagram."

"The Wuxiang Map? The legendary treasure map of Qingzhou? Is it truly the work of Lord Wuxiang?" Li Xiangzhi exclaimed in surprise after a moment of stunned silence.

The fact that the Wuxiang Demon had caused trouble in Qingzhou half a year ago was no secret. Interested people in other states had also heard about it.

"Those who dare to claim to be formless, whether true or false, will ultimately all become me, the true formless one." Ling chuckled meaningfully. "Although this diagram has the ability to summon a skeleton demon army, it is still insufficient to withstand an army of tens of thousands of evil spirits."

You need to offer sacrifices of the fallen soldiers to the army in order to be of any benefit.

I will lend you this picture for five years. After five years, I will come back to retrieve it.

Hopefully, by then you will have already conquered Luoyang and been granted the title of king or marquis.

Having said that, he dispersed into raindrops, drifting into the night rain and disappearing from sight.

Li Xiangzhi, overjoyed, knelt down and said, "This humble one thanks the God of No Form for bestowing upon me this supreme treasure!"

With the help of such demonic treasures, he was overjoyed. Whether it was expanding his followers or unleashing the legendary Skeleton Demon Clan, his Formless Cult would be invincible!
As for whether he would be targeted by demon hunters, he believed that his superiors would definitely not allow him to encounter truly powerful demon hunters.

After all, the seven great demon-hunting families are now all subordinate to the imperial court and subject to imperial decrees.

Even though Empress Dowager Wen held absolute power, the court was so vast that not everyone was loyal to her faction.

……

On Wanxiang Mountain, clusters of divine faith gathered into clouds that lingered for a long time.

But the white-faced figure in the cave never accepted these beliefs or divine power.

If he were to actually accept it, he would be truly drawn into the conflict between the Wuxiang Sect and the imperial court.

He sent out the Formless Diagram so that the massive amount of death energy born in the war could refine it, making it a true demonic treasure.

Seeing the lingering divine power of faith above his head, Bai Wuxiang frowned. He stopped cultivating and activated his formless demonic thoughts.

On the stone platform, Bai Wuxiang twisted his skeletal body, and a distorted figure emerged. He walked out of the cave with a seductive laugh, his voice tinged with fiery evil.

A portion of the divine power of faith departed with him.

A man with a body as golden as gold emerged from the cave, carrying a sword and taking with him a portion of the divine power of faith.

An old figure with a long beard left the cave, accompanied by a bluish light.

A burly man disappeared underground, vanishing without a trace.

Only then did Bai Wuxiang stop his demonic form and revert to human form.

The four phases mentioned earlier, plus the cold element, together form the phases of the five elements.

Although his physical body does not leave his cave for cultivation, his formless thoughts can transform into countless beings to perceive all forms.

Even if these demonic thoughts that were separated died outside, the many insights they experienced still allowed Bai Wuxiang to comprehend the Dao realm and appreciate the Daoist principles.

Bai Wuxiang never worried about them dying. If one of them died, he would create a new demonic thought, which could be a demon, a ghost, a monster, or a human.

Of course, since the formless demonic thought is limited by the realm of the original body, its strength cannot exceed the Yuanzhen realm, and it cannot cause any big waves.

However, the death energy and resentment surrounding these demonic thoughts can be transmitted to the main body, allowing the main body to refine countless amounts of death energy.

In March, as spring plowing approaches, green seedlings are planted all over the mountains and fields.

The candles and paper money were lit in front of a grave.

Despite her slightly limping right leg, Granny Liu still came to pay respects at her child's grave.

Bai Wuxiang appeared silently behind her and said, "Grandma, your legs aren't very strong anymore. Why didn't you send your grandson?"

Grandma Liu turned around and found that it was still that young man, wearing the same elegant white clothes, and his handsome face showed no signs of age.

He stood in the fine mist, in the muddy woodland, untouched by the rain or the mud, smiling at himself as if he were a god or a ghost.

“My grandson is now in school and is studying very hard. There’s no need to bother him with these matters.”

"I see." Bai Wuxiang nodded and said, "It's just that this grave is old and has been exposed to wind and rain. Eventually, it will need to be repaired by future generations."

"Grandpa, you should bring him to see this place more often."

"Hehe, teenagers are the most difficult to discipline." Grandma Liu shook her head and laughed. "Instead of me painstakingly persuading and teaching him, only to make him feel disgusted, it's better to let him become curious on his own and take the initiative to ask his family members and elders."

No matter how many principles our elders teach them, it's not as effective as them figuring them out for themselves.

"Haha, the child raised by the old man must be born with wisdom."

“I’m just an old woman from the countryside, how could I have any wisdom?” Granny Liu shook her head, put away the sacrificial offerings on the ground, turned around and glanced at him, and couldn’t help but say, “You are still the same as when I first met you, without the slightest change.”

However, my health is failing, and this is the last time I will come to pay respects at their graves.

I'm afraid you won't see me again in the future.

Bai Wuxiang asked with a smile, "Perhaps, God will allow you to live a few more years."

“Live a few more years? In the end, you’ll still have to go to the fields.” Grandma Liu shook her head and smiled, saying, “It’s better to lie down in the soil sooner, so you won’t have to move around anymore.”

(End of this chapter)