Soul Devouring and Boundary Breaking: I Embark on the Path to Immortality in the Era of Demon Chaos

On this day, Lin Yan summoned Shi Hu, Li Tie, Wang Dashan, Zhou Fu, and Lu Ling to the old locust tree.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on them. The five men stood at attention, awaiting instructions.

Lin Yan took out a roll of parchment from his robes and slowly unrolled it. It was a detailed map of Canglang Mountain that he had drawn after days of surveying. The ink was still fresh, and the mountain range, the direction of the streams, and even several important caves were clearly visible. His fingertip landed on an inconspicuous ink dot in the heart of the map, which was deliberately circled several times with cinnabar.

"Here," Lin Yan said slowly, "the Spirit Spring."

Upon hearing those four words, Shi Hu and the other four men all gasped. Although they hadn't witnessed it firsthand, Lin Yan had briefly mentioned the origin of that spring—a place where the Fiery Tiger resided, brimming with spiritual energy, and far from ordinary. Seeing Lin Yan's solemn expression, they all knew that this matter was of great importance.

"Gathered in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, nourishing all things, it is an extremely rare opportunity for cultivation." Lin Yan's gaze swept over the five people. Seeing that although there was eagerness in their eyes, there was no greed, he felt somewhat relieved. "However, fortune is fraught with misfortune. At this time when the spiritual veins of such a treasure land are depleted, if word gets out, not only will the bandits and rogue cultivators in the vicinity be tempted, but even the big shots in Qingzhou Prefecture will likely be tempted. At that time, Black Stone Town will be guilty of possessing a treasure, and may be in danger of being overthrown."

He paused, letting his words sink into everyone's hearts, before continuing, "Therefore, this spring must be properly hidden. I have discussed this with Miss Su, and she will personally set up a 'Hidden Spirit Locking Array' to completely seal the spring's aura, making it appear as an ordinary mountain valley."

"Miss Su?" Li Tie was slightly surprised. He knew that Su Qingyao was proficient in medicine and formations, but he did not know that she could set up such a large formation to seal the spiritual spring.

"Exactly." Lin Yan nodded. "Most of the necessary materials for the formation were found when we inventoried the spoils seized from Chen Fuhai and Zhao Mang's families the other day. As for the remaining items, Miss Su said they could be replaced with things commonly found in the mountains. Each of you five will lead a team of trusted brothers and accompany Miss Su and me into the mountains in three days. Your roles are threefold: first, to provide protection; second, to assist in setting up the formation; and third, to familiarize yourselves with the paths and key elements of the formation. This matter must be kept strictly confidential. It must not be divulged from your mouths or heard by anyone else. Even in the future, unless it is a desperate situation concerning the survival of the entire town, you must not discuss using this method. Is that possible?"

"Yes!" the five answered in unison, their expressions solemn. They knew the weight of this matter; if they brought disaster upon themselves due to their negligence, they would be condemned to death.

Three days later, the morning mist had not yet dissipated.

A well-trained team of over twenty people quietly left the town. They were all dressed in dark coarse cloth, carrying tools and bags, and moved nimbly. Lin Yan and Su Qingyao led the way, followed closely by Shi Hu and five others, each leading a small team. They were spaced several feet apart, forming a loose yet coordinated formation, which was a simplified version of the "Five Elements Patrol" formation that they practiced on a daily basis.

Today, Su Qingyao changed into an indigo-blue dress suitable for mountain travel, with a slightly worn vest over it. Her long hair was neatly tied up, with an ebony hairpin inserted diagonally. Several bulging leather and cloth bags were tied around her waist, containing the array materials she had prepared and categorized over the past few days: several pieces of high-quality jade and obsidian containing faint spiritual energy, which she found in the Chen family's storeroom; a small box of deep-sea silver sand and mica crystal powder that Zhao Mang had privately kept; and "Spirit-Sealing Cinnabar," which she had mixed herself with animal blood and several minerals; as well as some rhinoceros horn pens and dew-collecting copper plates for carving runes, all carefully selected from the "miscellaneous items" collected from the two families. Other items, such as peach wood stakes from specific years, five-colored soil imbued with earth energy, and morning dew collected from sunny spots, would need to be collected or prepared on-site after entering the mountains.

She moved with light steps, her gaze occasionally sweeping across the surrounding mountains and forests, silently deducing the location and order of the formation in her mind. Lin Yan occasionally glanced at her, seeing her focused expression, her brows and eyes showing no tension, but rather a calm radiance of eager anticipation as she prepared to display her skills and test her knowledge, which reassured him.

The valley where the spiritual spring is located is deep in the mountains, and few people have set foot there for over a month. The traces of the great battle of the past have been slightly covered by the new vegetation, but large areas of scorched earth and broken ancient tree stumps can still be seen, and a faint trace of sulfur can still be seen in the air. Yet, in the center of the valley, the spiritual spring still rests quietly there.

The spring pool, about ten feet square, was crystal clear, its water so pure that the colorful pebbles and soft aquatic plants at the bottom were clearly visible. A layer of milky-white mist, like a veil, perpetually lingered above the water's surface. Sunlight filtered through the trees, refracting through the mist to create a hazy, dreamlike glow. Approaching the spring, one could feel a warm, pure spiritual energy wash over them, making their breath quicken and their pores seem to open up, instantly dispelling much of the fatigue from days of travel. In the crevices of the rocks beside the pool, several rare spiritual herbs even grew, their leaves a vibrant green, glistening with dewdrops formed from the mist.

"Truly a place of spiritual beauty." Su Qingyao murmured in admiration, her gaze lingering for a moment before turning to Lin Yan. "Brother Lin, as we discussed earlier, the formation should be centered on the spring, divided into three layers: the inner layer, 'Locking Essence,' to prevent the leakage of spiritual energy; the middle layer, 'Illusion,' to distort light and shadow and confuse perception; and the outer layer, 'Bewitching,' which combines the terrain to create illusions and simple trigger warnings. Look at the terrain of this valley..."

She pointed around and explained her ideas one by one. Where to bury the jade pieces as a base, where to carve the connecting runes, where to erect peach wood stakes to activate the earth's energy, where to sprinkle silver sand to settle the spiritual energy... Her ideas were clear and her thoughts were thorough.

Lin Yan listened carefully and nodded, saying, "Very good. Let's arrange it accordingly." He turned to Shi Hu and the other four, "Miss Su will point out the location. You will lead the men to dig the foundation pit, transport the stones, and carve the wooden stakes. Be precise and make no mistakes. Li Tie, you will lead three men to guard the surrounding area; Zhou Fu and Lu Ling, collect the dew, soil, and other materials Miss Su needs; Wang Dashan, assist Miss Su in processing the materials and mixing the spirit sand. Shi Hu, oversee the overall situation and ensure safety."

The group obeyed the order and immediately split up to carry out their tasks.

Su Qingyao first went to a point three zhang (approximately 10 meters) due south of the spring, used a specially made compass to determine its location, and then injected a wisp of her own true essence into the ground beneath her feet, carefully sensing the direction of the earth's veins. After a moment, she selected a point and signaled Shi Hu to have his men dig a shallow pit three feet square. Once the pit was completed, she took out a palm-sized, warm and translucent blue jade piece from her bag. This jade was one of Chen Fuhai's collections; although not of the highest quality, it contained a trace of water and wood spiritual energy, perfectly matching the nature of the spring. She dipped her fingertips into spirit-sealing cinnabar, concentrated her mind, and carefully outlined intricate "spirit-locking patterns" and "origin-returning symbols" on both sides of the jade piece. The cinnabar marks were deep red, meandering and flowing, faintly radiating spiritual light.

After finishing the drawing, she carefully placed the jade piece in the center of the pit. Then she took out four smaller obsidian pieces—obtained from Zhao Mang, these pieces being of a cold, yin nature, capable of absorbing and stabilizing dissipated spiritual energy—and inscribed them with the four basic talismans "定" (stabilize), "镇" (suppress), "收" (collect), and "纳" (accept), placing them around the jade piece according to the four cardinal directions. Next, she personally covered it with the first layer of moist soil, taken from the spring and saturated with spiritual energy. Then, she had Zhou Fu bring a handful of each of the five-colored soil, representing the five elements, and applied them in sequence. With each layer, she gently pressed it down with her palm to ensure it adhered tightly to the jade object. Finally, she covered it with the original soil and tamped it down, so that the ground only slightly rose, indistinguishable from the surrounding area.

With the foundation of this array completed, Su Qingyao's forehead was already beaded with sweat. She closed her eyes and regulated her breathing for a moment, sensing a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy emanating from the ground, echoing the spring like a heartbeat. Then it gradually subsided and subsided, bringing her some peace of mind.

Over the next few days, everyone worked diligently throughout the valley under Su Qingyao's direction.

Lin Yan watched as Su Qingyao focused intently on setting up the array. Every rune was meticulously drawn, every positional measurement was repeatedly verified, and the requirements for materials were extremely stringent—the peach wood had to be sun-grown and over ten years old, and after peeling, it had to be soaked in morning dew for three hours; the five-colored soil had to be taken from a specific location and free of impurities; even the beast blood used to blend the spirit-sealing cinnabar had to be fresh, warm deer blood, chosen for its agility and docility… The list of details was endless. Yet, she showed no sign of annoyance, but rather seemed to enjoy it immensely, her eyes sparkling with a light that made her even more lively than usual.

He would lend a helping hand from time to time, either using his profound inner energy to help Su Qingyao stabilize the spiritual energy connections at certain key points, or using his keen perception to spot and fill gaps, pointing out hidden spiritual energy gaps in certain areas. The two gradually developed a tacit understanding; often, Su Qingyao only needed a glance to know what kind of assistance she needed; if Lin Yan pointed out a subtle anomaly, Su Qingyao could propose an adjustment plan after a little thought.

Shi Hu and the others went all out. Digging pits, moving stones, carving wooden stakes, collecting dew... all were physically demanding tasks, but no one slacked off, and no one asked any questions. They only knew to follow the directions and dimensions indicated by Miss Su. They watched as the originally vibrant valley gradually lost its spiritual energy as jade pieces, stones, and wooden stakes were buried and runes were carved. The overwhelming sense of spiritual moisture gradually faded and blurred, eventually almost disappearing. Their admiration for Su Qingyao arose spontaneously, and they gained a more intuitive understanding of the "Way of Array Formations" she had spoken of.

By the evening of the seventh day, the great formation was finally completed.

Su Qingyao stood on an inconspicuous rock at the entrance of the valley, a key point of the outer "Maze Array." Her face was slightly pale, clearly showing the considerable strain of setting up the array over the past few days, but her eyes were bright. She took out the last remaining, pigeon-egg-sized, milky-white crystal—a "Mist Concealing Stone" found in Chen Fuhai's secret box, quite rare—and embedded it into a pre-carved groove in the rock. Gathering the last bit of true essence at her fingertips, she gently touched the center of the crystal.

"Buzz..."

A low yet clear tremor, seemingly emanating from the depths of the earth, instantly reverberated throughout the entire valley. All the buried array bases and inscribed runes were activated simultaneously!

The scene before everyone's eyes suddenly changed.

The misty spiritual energy dissipated at a visible speed, not truly disappearing, but rather being constrained and compressed by an invisible force, clinging tightly to the surface of the spring and transforming into a thin, almost invisible, transparent film of water. The spring's own luster dimmed, and the reflections of the sky and clouds on its surface became blurred and distorted, appearing from a distance like an ordinary mountain pool with slightly clearer water. The once exceptionally lush vegetation in the valley also subtly "faded" its vibrant color, blending seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and forests. Even more strangely, from a certain angle outside the valley, the terrain inside seemed to have undergone subtle misalignments and overlaps, making it difficult to focus the gaze and unconsciously giving rise to the thought, "This place is unremarkable and doesn't need to be explored further." And if someone were to attempt to enter, triggering the simple warning mechanisms hidden among the vines and rocks would be a minor matter; more importantly, they would be unknowingly guided by a "mysterious" force, circling around to other places without realizing it.

What was once a treasure land brimming with spiritual energy now appears to be nothing more than a quiet, unremarkable mountain valley.

Su Qingyao let out a long sigh of relief, her body swaying slightly. Lin Yan stepped forward at the right moment to support her. She steadied herself, turned to Lin Yan, and smiled slightly. Her smile contained weariness, but also the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment of completing an important work: "I have not failed you. This formation operates by harnessing the spiritual energy of the terrain. As long as the central mist-concealing stone is not destroyed and the formation base is not violently damaged, it can operate on its own, slowly absorbing the essence of moonlight to replenish its consumption. It should be able to maintain this for several decades without any problem. Even if someone with profound cultivation tries to forcibly probe this place with their divine sense, they will only feel that the spiritual energy here is slightly different from the norm, but they will find it difficult to see the true face of the spring. Furthermore, it will trigger the 'divine shock' feedback hidden in the formation, causing them to retreat or become wary and dare not act rashly."

Lin Yan carefully sensed for a moment, and sure enough, with his profound spiritual perception, he would hardly have noticed anything unusual unless he already knew the location of the spring and deliberately focused his divine sense to "see". He admired in his heart that the Su family's array formations were indeed unique.

"Thank you for your trouble, Qingyao," he said solemnly, then looked at Shi Hu and the others, who also had expressions of shock and joy on their faces. "The formation is complete, and this place will now be one of the top secrets of Blackstone Town. You must remember what you have experienced today, familiarize yourselves with the outer markings and safe routes of the formation, but you must never explore the core of the formation, nor mention the words 'Spiritual Spring' in any situation. In the future, when you are on patrol here, you only need to confirm that there are no abnormalities in the formation from the outside. Without my and Miss Su's written orders, no one is allowed to step into the valley."

"We will obey Lord Lin's (Brother Lin's) command!" the crowd solemnly replied.

As the sun set, it cast long shadows of the people leaving the valley. Lin Yan walked last, stopping at the valley entrance to look back in the direction of the now "disappeared" spirit spring.

As dusk fell, the valley lay silent, blending seamlessly with the surrounding mountains, utterly unremarkable. He knew that the spiritual spring, along with the carefully laid array by Su Qingyao, was like a silent promise and a heavy responsibility, deeply buried here. It might be Blackstone Town's reliance on turning its fortunes around someday, or it might be a harbinger of disaster that could explode at any moment.

Fortune and misfortune are intertwined, and depend on one's own mind. How to keep this secret and how to use this power at the right time in the future will be a greater test for him and for Blackrock Town.

As the night wind rises, the forest rustles in the breeze, like the deep breaths of Canglang Mountain.

He turned around, caught up with the group, and his figure disappeared into the deepening twilight and the vast mountain forest.

The valley returned to silence, as if nothing had happened. Only deep within the earth's veins, the ingeniously woven and hidden spiritual energy began its silent, cyclical flow along the invisible array of veins as the moon rose.

***

Time flows like a stream, quietly passing between the mountain people's hoes and the hunters' bowstrings.

More than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The walls of Blackstone Town have been restored and are now complete. Although they are still made of earth and stone, they are much sturdier and neater than before. Many houses in the town have been repaired, and the streets are clean. Although the town is not wealthy, the sallow complexion has disappeared, and the eyes have brightened.

Beneath the old locust tree, the shouts of the Black Stone Guards still echoed daily, their discipline ever more uniform and their imposing presence ever more evident. The supplies brought back by the expeditions into the mountains not only met the daily needs of the townspeople but also provided a surplus, which they exchanged with passing merchants for scarce goods such as grain, cloth, and ironware. The public treasury gradually accumulated savings, compensation was provided, and all the wounded recovered.

At dusk that day, Lin Yan stood alone on the newly renovated East Town wall.

Outside the wall, the wasteland that once teemed with charging wolves is now sprouting tender green shoots. In the distance, the Azure Wolf Mountains rise in verdant layers, shrouded in a veil of twilight, with occasional birds returning to their nests. The mountain breeze carries the fresh scent of grass and trees, the stench of demons long gone.

Inside the town, wisps of smoke rose from chimneys, and the sounds of children playing could be faintly heard. From the direction of the old locust tree, the commands of the Black Stone Guards to end their drills and the hearty laughter of the men could be heard.

Su Qingyao carried two bowls of freshly cooked medicinal porridge and gently walked up the wall. The porridge was made with freshly picked wild vegetables and mushrooms, along with nourishing medicinal herbs; it was steaming hot and had a wonderful aroma.

"Here you go." She handed one bowl to Lin Yan, then held the other bowl for herself, and, imitating him, leaned against the wall and looked towards the distant mountains.

Neither of them spoke; they simply drank their porridge in silence, watching the sunset paint the clouds in the sky like a magnificent brocade, and bathe Blackstone Town in a warm golden glow.

After a long while, Su Qingyao said softly, "It's just like a dream."

Lin Yan remained silent. Yes, from the near-death struggle at the beginning of his transmigration, to the thrilling uncovering of the conspiracy, to the bloody battle against the Wolf King, breaking through to the Tongxuan realm, and reorganizing Blackstone Town... these few months were actually longer and more tortuous than the more than twenty years in his previous life.

"It's not a dream." He finished the last mouthful of porridge, placed the bowl on the wall, and said in a calm but firm voice, "The road ahead is still long."

Chief Liu of Qingzhou Prefecture would never ignore the upheaval in Blackstone Town. The secret of the ancient stone tablet fragments cast a huge shadow over Canglang Mountain and even the wider world.

The temporary peace in Blackrock Town was merely a brief respite from the storm.

But he was no longer that bewildered, lonely boy who had just arrived. Behind him was a town that was awakening, a nascent force, and companions he could rely on.

More importantly, he found a way to establish himself in this chaotic era of demons and gradually move towards immortality—devouring spirits and breaking through boundaries, I am not alone.