Volume One: Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Nineteen: Even an Ant Can Shake a Tree

All things born into this world possess a spirit. From the mighty cultivators who can, with a mere gesture, shatter mountains and rend the earth, to the humble blades of green grass struggling for life in barren soil—all are endowed with their own innate essence.

The dragon vein of Red Spring Mountain, together with the earth's spirit within a hundred-mile radius, had always been seething with fury, only suppressed by the mountain god and the phantom demon, forced into a restless slumber deep beneath the land. Now, through the spirit-summoning art taught to Li Yu by the Daoist, their true spirits were awakened. Each divine thought that came to him spoke of the same thing: grievances were to be repaid with resentment, enmities with vengeance.

The moment the incantations were spoken, all these spirits were roused. They transformed into gusts of wind, swirling around Li Yu, conveying joy and gratitude. With the summoning, the spirits of the earth and the dragon vein intertwined, merging into an immense and formidable force. In the sky, this power gradually took the form of a golden dragon, exuding a weighty and ancient aura.

Above Red Spring Mountain, the dark clouds congealed into the vague semblance of a human face—if one looked closely, it faintly resembled the mountain god of old. With a cold snort, the apparition spoke, "So you managed to escape after all. I had no wish to destroy your foundation, but since you insist on courting death, I shall see you on your way."

As these words fell, a mountain soared forth from the clouds, the same move the mountain god had once used against Lu Ming and his companions. Yet now, the technique no longer shone with golden radiance; instead, it was wreathed in black mist and murderous intent—the mountain god had truly fallen into demonhood.

The golden dragon, undaunted, raised its head and let out a thunderous roar, its form swelling as it shot forward. With a lash of its tail, it shattered the conjured mountain to dust. Yet as the mountain broke apart, the dragon's own form shrank, its body less substantial than before.

But the fragments of the shattered mountain did not simply vanish. From within them emerged countless wisps of black mist, each one a contorted face. Like ravenous beasts, they rushed at the golden dragon, intent on devouring it completely.

The golden dragon twisted and turned through the heavens, inhaling deeply from the earth below. Wisps of ethereal white vapor rose up from the ground, merging into its form, and its scales turned from gold to a pure, gleaming white.

Transformed into a white dragon, it erupted with radiant light. The twisted faces of black mist within its body howled in agony, their cries heartrending, and soon they dissipated, leaving no trace behind.

With blood-red eyes, the white dragon fixed its gaze on Red Spring Mountain. Without hesitation, it soared toward its foe, and the mountain god, seeing this, dropped all pretense and flew forth to meet the challenge.

At this very moment, the phantom demon was on the verge of achieving his grand design. Should he fail now, all his years of scheming would come to naught, and he would face even harsher retribution. But if he could hold out until the phantom demon emerged, all would fall into place. He would regain his freedom, free to soar the skies and roam the boundless seas—there would be nowhere beyond his reach.

Both adversaries brimmed with fighting spirit. The white dragon, burning with hatred, longed to swallow the demon whole and erase him from existence. The mountain demon, resolved to succeed or perish, believed that if he could endure just a little longer, victory would be his.

The white dragon opened its maw, releasing a torrent of white light. It surged forth, swiftly morphing into a massive sword that slashed toward the mountain demon.

The mountain demon raised his hand, summoning runes—the true seal of the mountain spirit. Two vast nets materialized: one ensnared the oncoming sword, immediately binding it tight, while the other shot toward the white dragon, catching it before it could dodge.

The mountain demon sneered, "I know all your tricks, but you know nothing of mine. Today, I shall see you perish here."

Even as he spoke, his mouth gaped open and more shadowy figures poured forth—each one a fierce, powerful ghost, brimming with malice. Clearly, this was the trump card granted by the phantom demon.

The black ghosts swarmed, tearing at the white dragon’s body. Some, skilled in supernatural arts, unleashed spells and seals upon the dragon.

The white dragon, tense but unafraid, suddenly expanded in size. This time, blue lightning flickered across its scales, crackling with energy. Bolts of lightning erupted from its form, shattering the ghosts, while those too slow to flee were utterly destroyed.

Still, it was not enough.

The most potent lightning, after all, ought to descend from the heavens. Yet Changlin City was still sealed within its great protective array, cutting off all arts and summons that could connect with the sky.

The mountain demon, aware of this, mocked, "I know you have this move, but if you cannot call thunder from above, how long can the lightning within you last? And your strength is nearly spent, while I have countless more ghosts to unleash!"

As he finished, more vengeful spirits surged forth at his command, flying relentlessly at the white dragon.

The white dragon grew grave, realizing that he alone could not break this deadlock. Sealed deep within the earth by the mountain demon and phantom demon, deprived of much of his dragon and earth essence, his power was far from its zenith. Now, with Changlin City's array severing his connection to the heavens, he was helpless despite his myriad techniques.

Just as despair threatened, wildfires ignited in the distant mountains, sweeping toward them with relentless fury. Every peak around Changlin City was soon engulfed in a vast sea of flames. Whether through negligence or surprise, the mountain demon was caught off guard, and the fires quickly consumed the mountain, turning it into a blazing inferno.

The mountain demon could not comprehend how such a fire had erupted without his notice. Attempting to quell the flames through his senses, he was astonished to find the blaze only growing fiercer, as though it had developed a will of its own and opposed him.

The intense heat warped the protective array, and since the formation was anchored to the mountains and forests, the fire undermined its very foundations, rendering the array perilously unstable.

Realizing that the formation could not hold, the mountain demon was powerless. The array had existed since before he became mountain god, relying on the power of nature. Now that nature's strength had been ravaged by himself and the phantom demon, the formation was barely sustained by residual force and the support of Changlin City's lord and outsiders.

He sensed that this external support had already withdrawn. With the blaze devouring its base, the array collapsed, revealing the pitch-black sky above.

Feeling the wind free itself, the white dragon knew the moment had come. He recognized the fire as having spilled from the heavenly lamp, and before acting, he gazed at the distant courtyard, silently vowing, "Rest assured, I will avenge us with all my might."

The mountain demon’s face twisted in fury; he knew the situation was now beyond his control.

The white dragon raised his head and roared. Thunder boomed through the sky, and a bolt of lightning struck him squarely. The dragon was unharmed, but the black ghosts upon him were largely obliterated, the survivors left weak and half-dead.

Moreover, the net binding him shattered instantly. Heavenly thunder, most masculine and yang, is the nemesis of all evil spirits. With a single strike, the tide turned.

Seizing the advantage, the white dragon summoned bolt after bolt of lightning from the heavens, annihilating the remaining ghosts in a flash.

The mountain demon was struck several times as well. In his current demonic state, he became the thunder’s primary target—for his aura was abhorrent to both heaven and earth and would not be tolerated until it was erased.

Sensing his chance, the white dragon lunged with jaws agape, intent on swallowing the mountain demon whole and ending it all.

Knowing that only the phantom demon’s intervention could save him now, the mountain demon cried out, "Will you not act? If you delay any longer, we will both die here!"

As soon as his words faded, Red Spring Mountain split apart with a thunderous crash, shattering completely.

From the ruins emerged an enormous hand, which swatted the white dragon aside. The phantom demon stepped forth, eyeing the battered mountain demon with disdain. "Useless. You cannot even handle such a minor task."

Relieved to have escaped the dragon’s grasp, the mountain demon caught his breath and flew to the phantom demon’s side. Hearing the contempt and mockery in the latter’s tone, he retorted fiercely, "Do not forget who has been buying you time, allowing you to accomplish your grand work without distraction."

He glanced up at the now-exposed sky, continuing, "The array here is broken. Soon, those above will take notice. I must go. What you promised me—now is the time to fulfill it."

The phantom demon chuckled, "Why rush off? I still have a surprise for you!"

The mountain demon immediately sensed the threat. His expression changed as he asked, "Do you intend to go back on your word?"

The phantom demon sneered, "You are not so hopeless after all. I am on the verge of success—did you really think you could walk away now?"

The mountain demon glared at him with bitter resentment. "Do not think I am at your mercy. I have my own means of protection."

But before he could elaborate, the phantom demon interrupted, "Are you referring to this?"

As he spoke, a multicolored orb emerged from his body, slowly taking the shape of a tiny human figure—a miniature version of the mountain demon, but devoid of any demonic aura, gleaming with the golden light of the former mountain god.

The mountain demon’s expression shifted dramatically. He realized he had lost his leverage over the phantom demon and immediately tried to flee, but had barely gone any distance before the phantom demon seized him with a single hand.

"You were clever enough to hide your true seal within the earth and dragon essence you gave me, hoping to keep a sliver of control. But you forgot—I am a demon. Your little tricks, though subtle to you, are nothing but parlor games to me."

With those words, the phantom demon crushed the tiny figure in his grasp.

The mountain demon stared at him in terror, knowing he was doomed.

The phantom demon smiled at his fear, saying, "There is no need for regret. Helping me achieve the Great Dao is fortune enough for you."

The mountain demon fell to his knees, begging in terror, "Please, spare me! I swear to serve you faithfully from now on, to obey your every command, never daring to rebel again!"

The phantom demon shook his head with a smile. "I have no need for a useless servant."

With that, he reached for the mountain demon, who, seeing submission was futile, resolved to make one last desperate stand. "Very well! If you will not spare me, we shall perish together!"

The mountain demon’s body began to swell, preparing to self-destruct and take the phantom demon down with him.

Yet, as he was about to explode, the phantom demon seized control, shrinking him smaller and smaller until he was reduced to a black pellet.

The phantom demon gazed at the pellet, smiling, "Let this be your final lesson: those who seek profit from the tiger’s skin bring about their own destruction."