Chapter 331: Reincarnation Trial (Part 1)

"An'er is going to challenge the life-and-death trial and become a God-Demon?" That evening, when Meng Chuan returned and told his wife, she was quite surprised.

Meng Chuan nodded and continued to drink his porridge.

Liu Qiyue, holding her chopsticks, said with mixed emotions, "Do you remember those days when we lived in seclusion in Gushan Prefecture, right after You'er and An'er were born? In the blink of an eye, more than a decade has passed. An'er has grown up and is also about to become a God-Demon. He will follow in our footsteps and fight against the demon race. To be honest, I really don't want You'er and An'er to fight."

"How wonderful it would be," Liu Qiyue said, "if our generation could end this war, allowing our descendants to live in true peace."

Last night, demon monarchs attacked the city. Over 23,000 people died in Changfeng City, and more than 10,000 were left disabled. As the attack had only recently occurred, Liu Qiyue's emotions were naturally even more complex.

"We all wish to end the war and don't want our children and descendants to be involved. However, this war has been going on for over eight hundred years," Meng Chuan said. "Looking at the current situation, there's no possibility of winning within at least a few decades. All we can do is help You'er and An'er adapt to a world like this."

"Then our entire family will be involved in the war," Liu Qiyue whispered.

"You'er and An'er are both exceptional," Meng Chuan said. "An'er, at sixteen, has managed to master the Reincarnation God-Demon Body and become a God-Demon. This talent... surpasses mine, Yan Chitong's, and Xue Feng's. Although Xue Feng became a God-Demon at fifteen, he cultivated the less difficult 'Black Sand Demon Body.' Our son, however, cultivated the extremely challenging Reincarnation God-Demon Body."

Liu Qiyue nodded.

"Perhaps An'er will grow stronger faster than us," Meng Chuan said with a smile. "We should have faith in our children."

"Of course I have faith in our son," Liu Qiyue said, looking at Meng Chuan. "I must guard Changfeng City and cannot leave. So, the day after tomorrow, you'll have to go to Yuanchu Mountain."

"Don't worry," Meng Chuan smiled. "Yuanchu Mountain's inner disciples are only permitted to attempt the life-and-death trial to become a God-Demon when they have a ten-tenths certainty of success. An'er will succeed with ease."

The cold winds of late autumn howled across Life-and-Death Peak. Rain was falling, adding to the chill.

Meng Chuan, Mountain Lord Yuanchu, and Elder Yi were on Life-and-Death Peak, chatting leisurely as they waited.

"Oh, they're here," Mountain Lord Yuanchu said with a smile, looking into the distance.

Meng Chuan also saw them: the siblings walking quickly together along the winding mountain path below. Upon seeing his children, Meng Chuan couldn't help but smile.

Finally, this day had come. His son was also about to become a God-Demon.

"Mountain Lord, Elder," Meng An and Meng You greeted Mountain Lord Yuanchu and Elder Yi first when they arrived, then excitedly looked at Meng Chuan, "Father."

"Mm."

Meng Chuan looked at his son, Meng An, with satisfaction and smiled, "An'er, you've done very well. Your mother was also very happy to hear the news, but she can't leave her post guarding the city, so she sent me to watch you break through."

"Father, just watch me," Meng An said, full of youthful vigor.

"You'er, wait here," Meng Chuan instructed, pointing ahead. "An'er, the God-Demon Blood Pool Cave is right ahead. Go inside, walk to the end, and you'll see the God-Demon Blood Pool. A Venerable will personally oversee your breakthrough. Go on."

"Yes."

Meng An bowed respectfully, then walked towards the distant God-Demon Blood Pool Cave.

Meng Chuan, his daughter Meng You, Mountain Lord Yuanchu, and Elder Yi all waited there.

"I still remember the two of us watching you, Junior Brother Meng, break through to become a God-Demon," Elder Yi said with a chuckle. "In the blink of an eye, over thirty years have passed."

"Time truly flies," Meng Chuan nodded.

"These past thirty years have truly been tumultuous," Mountain Lord Yuanchu said. "The world has undergone immense changes; we've abandoned many fortresses, villages, prefectural cities, county towns, and small to medium-sized passes."

"Indeed, it's been tumultuous." Meng Chuan recalled that only his days cultivating on the mountain had been undisturbed; after descending, there had been one battle after another, witnessing countless deaths.

Meng You listened silently beside them.

"By the way," Meng Chuan inquired, "do we know the situation in the Black Sand Dynasty and the Great Yue Dynasty regarding the recent demon monarch attacks on cities?"

"Both the Black Sand Dynasty and the Great Yue Dynasty also had ten major cities attacked," Mountain Lord Yuanchu replied.

Meng Chuan was surprised: "The demon race attacked ten cities in each of the three major dynasties?" The number of cities in the three dynasties varied, with the Great Yue Dynasty having the fewest.

"The Great Yue Dynasty suffered the least losses," Mountain Lord Yuanchu stated. "After all, almost all their territories are guarded by Regressor God-Demons. Even the two or three cities guarded by Marquis God-Demons had numerous Marquis God-Demons, ensuring an impenetrable defense."

"The Black Sand Dynasty's losses should be comparable to ours, right?" Mountain Lord Yuanchu said.

"Comparable?" Meng Chuan was surprised. "Shouldn't we have more Regressor God-Demon combat power? And the losses are similar?"

Mountain Lord Yuanchu then lowered his voice, isolating it so Meng You couldn't hear: "Both Black Sand Grotto-Heaven and we have some Regressor God-Demons in slumber, and some ancient Regressor God-Demons continue to guard. While our Regressor combat power is indeed greater, their 'Dao Ge' lineage's machinery is incredibly powerful. They can remotely control many mechanical devices, giving them a significant advantage when resisting ordinary demon monarchs."

Meng Chuan understood.

"With thousands of demon monarchs attacking a city, it's too difficult for Marquis God-Demons to stop them," Mountain Lord Yuanchu said. "When dealing with large groups of demon monarchs, only those who cultivate poison insects or mechanical devices are particularly adept at resisting. But as you know, there are too few Marquis God-Demons who cultivate poison insects; Yuanchu Mountain only has five in total."

"Indeed, poison cultivators are rare," Meng Chuan nodded.

Poison cultivation is a relatively niche system across the entire world, with only one suitable high-grade God-Demon Body: the 'Myriad Poisons Demon Body.' Yuanchu Mountain only has one Regressor God-Demon who cultivates poison, King Luyue. This system has a low barrier to entry, meaning almost anyone can attempt to cultivate it. However, it requires deep focus and research into various poisons.

"The Venerables are also discussing and figuring out ways to compensate for these weaknesses," Mountain Lord Yuanchu said.

Meng You watched as her father, Mountain Lord Yuanchu, and Elder Yi discussed the war situation beside her. Towards the end, they even lowered their voices, clearly not wanting her, as a junior, to know too many details.

Suddenly, her father Meng Chuan, Mountain Lord Yuanchu, Elder Yi, and the others all looked towards the God-Demon Blood Pool Cave.

"Father?" Meng You couldn't help but ask, "My brother, is he...?"

"He'll be out soon," Meng Chuan smiled. "He has already succeeded."

No sooner had he spoken.

Meng An emerged from the entrance of the God-Demon Blood Pool Cave, his aura much stronger.

"Father," Meng An said, walking up to Meng Chuan.

Meng Chuan could sense the immense power of his son's God-Demon Body. The Reincarnation God-Demon Body's physical form was the strongest and most perfect, which made Meng Chuan admire Ancestral Master Cang Yuan even more: "The God-Demon cultivation system focuses more on True Yuan, yet the Reincarnation God-Demon Body can still cultivate the physical body to such strength, surpassing many demon monarchs of the same level. It's truly remarkable." The Reincarnation God-Demon Body represented perfection in all aspects.

"Becoming a God-Demon is just the beginning; continue to cultivate diligently," Meng Chuan encouraged. "You shouldn't linger on Life-and-Death Peak. You and You'er should head down the mountain quickly."

"Yes," Meng An said, bowing. Both he and Meng You respectfully saluted the three elders before immediately descending the mountain.

"Mountain Lord, Elder Yi, I'll take my leave as well," Meng Chuan said, cupping his hands.

"Junior Brother Meng, please go about your business," Mountain Lord Yuanchu quickly replied.

Meng Chuan then transformed into a streak of lightning and vanished into the sky, needing to continue his underground explorations.

As Meng You and Meng An descended the mountain, they watched the streak of lightning disappear into the horizon, knowing their father had left. The siblings then spoke softly to each other as they departed.