Xiao Jie’s figure swiftly moved through the mountains and forests, as fast as the wind, yet carrying a heavy air of confusion. He avoided the densely populated roads, choosing instead the remote ridges and wild paths. He was unwilling to re-enter the deceitful human society, to face the unpredictable human hearts; yet he was also weary of the complete solitude of the wilderness, accompanied only by beasts.
A decade of isolation made him long deeply for the warmth of communication with others, but the betrayals and injuries of the past made him instinctively afraid of contact, only wishing to be alone in a corner, far from the strife. Two conflicting emotions tore at his heart with ferocity, making him restless, only able to rely on instinct to rush aimlessly southward.
On this day, Xiao Jie finally crossed over the last steep mountain ridge. The view ahead suddenly opened up, a vast wilderness stretched to the horizon. Amidst this desolation, a decrepit temple stood solitary in the wilderness wind, its remnants and ruins telling stories of the vicissitudes of time.
Xiao Jie stopped and stood, taking stock of the dilapidated temple. It had architecture, indicating there was once human habitation nearby, but given its level of neglect, it must have been far removed from bustling areas, rarely visited by people. This was an ideal place—it could rely on the remnants of human civilization to feel a touch of the smoke and fire, but without the worry of being harmed by worldly disturbances and human machinations.
After contemplating for a while, Xiao Jie finally made the decision to make this place his temporary abode.
He pushed open the creaking temple door, almost falling apart, and walked inside. Cobwebs were everywhere, dust accumulated. In the center of the main hall, a clay statue of a deity was enshrined, surrounded by a few smaller attendant statues. The layout made it look like an Earth God Temple. However, what surprised Xiao Jie was that these statues were without exception human bodies with the heads of various beasts! The main position’s Earth God was conspicuously an old ox head with a kindly face and long beard hanging down to the chest!
Although curious, Xiao Jie was already exhausted after days of travel. He simply cleared a spot in a corner, sat on the ground with his back against the cold wall, and quickly fell into a deep sleep.
He didn’t know how much time had passed when a heavy and somewhat dragging sound of footsteps approached, waking Xiao Jie from his shallow slumber. He opened his eyes abruptly and listened intently. The footsteps belonged to a strong ordinary person, with no inner power fluctuations.
"Creak—" the old temple door was pushed open. A man with an exceptionally burly and robust build, carrying a heavy load of dry firewood, walked in with his head down. When he looked up to see Xiao Jie sitting in the corner of the temple, he was obviously taken aback and instinctively backed up half a step.
Xiao Jie also saw the visitor’s appearance clearly—it was actually a "person" with a huge ox head! Coarse brown hair covered the face, large nostrils, and a pair of curved horns extended from the crown, with eyes that carried both honesty and surprise.
Xiao Jie was suddenly enlightened! His aimless journey south had unwittingly brought him to the territory of Canglin State! This place was a dwelling for future generations of demons. The bull-headed person before him was obviously a "native" of these parts.
"This... Brother, greetings." The Ox Head Woodcutter steadied himself, his voice deep and sonorous, with a hint of tentative friendliness in his tone. He looked Xiao Jie up and down, surprised, yet not much hostile, instead... like he was looking at a kindred spirit?
Xiao Jie paused slightly, then understood. Having mimicked various beasts for ten years, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, a nascent demon core had formed within him, and his aura had long since become different from ordinary humans. To this ox-headed demon, his disheveled, wild demeanor was probably seen as a precursor to a successful transformation, and a "senior great demon" of considerable cultivation! Follow current novels on novel_fіre.net
He didn’t explain, merely nodded slightly in response.
The Ox Head Woodcutter, seeing Xiao Jie’s response, seemed bolder, putting down the firewood and rubbing his coarse hands, saying, "Brother, you seem unfamiliar, are you from out of town? A few years ago, King Xiao Yue issued a decree for reclamation and registration, and now our Niu Jiao Village is busy measuring and redistributing land, settling households, it’s quite lively!
If Brother is interested in settling here, why not come to the village with me for a look? With Brother’s skills, if you are willing to settle, you will surely be allotted a fine piece of land!"
Hearing this, Xiao Jie’s mind was instantly stirred by the recall of dusty memories. Yes! This point in time was right after that earth-shattering change in Canglin State! The local humans were slaughtered and devoured by the rising demons, and then a powerful local demon king was enlightened by an "Immortal", who compelled his followers to learn the rituals and systems of the human clan, to consider themselves as "people", establishing order.
Allocating land and arranging registration for the demons was the beginning of Canglin State’s demon agrarian society in later generations!
Perhaps... this was a good place to settle down. Xiao Jie’s heart was stirred. Though he had absorbed the Sun and Moon Essence, and Earth Vein Spirit Qi, forming a demon core, he was always confused about how to use this power, which differed from inner strength and Daoist skills, only instinctually displaying simple abilities like night vision, far-sight, and sharp claws. If he could learn systematic demon skills from these true demons who had cultivated from beasts, it would be a good choice.
Using a human identity would naturally be inconvenient, but if he could settle as a local ’person’, it would naturally be smooth to cultivate demon arts.
The King Xiao Yue that the ox mentioned must be Master Xiao Yue.
They might even reminisce together.
He pondered for a moment, then nodded to the Ox Head Woodcutter.