Chapter 392: Unyielding Mountain

“The second-in-command of the South Sea Dragon Clan was actually eaten! This is insane. Are Chu Feng's strength and courage reaching unprecedented heights?!”

Professionals stepped forward to confirm Longze's identity, creating a massive stir.

The last time the world was frozen, rapid global evolution followed the severe cold. It was also then that negotiations between humanity and the marine race bore fruit, leading to an end of large-scale conflict.

At the time, negotiators witnessed Longze's thousand-meter-long draconic body rearing from the sea. It was a truly shocking sight, churning up monstrous waves and intimidating the strongest land-based experts.

Now, it was dead, reduced to a meal!

On land, both humans and other species were deeply shocked.

No one could ascertain Longze's true strength, but his status as the South Sea Dragon Clan's second-in-command was terrifying enough in itself.

In the Arctic, at the Primal Magnetic Immortal Cave, some extraterrestrials knew better than anyone on land: those ancient dragons in the sea were exceptionally formidable.

Princess Lin was astonished, and a group of descendants of the descendents stared in disbelief, all utterly stunned by Chu Feng's power.

“Go and investigate the details. How exactly did Longze die?”

In Shuntian, the Lord of Jade Void Palace had been in a foul mood recently. Lu Tong had actually resigned, abandoning his post and leaving the Jade Void Palace. He was furious, knowing the reason for Lu Tong's departure. He yearned to order the old man's arrest, to make him understand that escaping the Jade Void Palace wasn't so easy.

But now, as if doused with cold water, he calmed down completely, regaining his composure.

“It's Chu Feng again!” he muttered. That name had become a recurring nightmare lately, constantly unsettling him and filling him with dread.

On Mount Laoshan, amidst verdant peaks and lush valleys, a thousand-year-old Taoist temple nestled on the sacred mountain. White mists enveloped it, cranes circled overhead, and spiritual waterfalls cascaded down.

Lin Nuoyi stood atop the mountain, her white robe fluttering in the wind. She too had seen Chu Feng's post on his social media platform. Facing the vast ocean, her deep eyes gazed towards the East Sea.

On Kunlun Mountain, a group of powerful demons left messages for Chu Feng on their communicators.

“Brother, solitary enjoyment is no match for shared pleasure! Hurry back to Kunlun; we're all waiting to sample the South Sea dragon meat, which tops the gourmet rankings!”

On Mount Putuo, Jiang Luoshen muttered, “He always manages to astound everyone. He just finished killing aliens, and now he's gone dragon-slaying in the sea. He truly is... a troublemaker!”

“Luoshen, if you wish to see him, we can take you.” An old man appeared suddenly with a smile, like a phantom, giving Jiang Luoshen a fright.

“Old man, you nearly scared me to death, walking so silently!”

By now, the executives of the major financial conglomerates were thoroughly convinced and utterly unnerved. They universally felt that Chu Feng was not to be trifled with; he was a walking jinx. Wherever he went, death followed, and any opponent who crossed him was bound to suffer misfortune.

On a small island in the East Sea, Chu Feng and his companions feasted, thoroughly enjoying their meal.

“The dragon meat is incredibly delicious!” The troublesome girl ate so much she cried out about a stomach ache, her slender waist bulging. Her large eyes darted about, full of charm.

This was a deserted island located near the Eye of the East Sea. Even the Dragon Maiden found it strange, as she had never seen it before. They had unexpectedly discovered it shortly after emerging from the sea. The island was devoid of plants, consisting entirely of rocks, some of which towered over a hundred meters high.

“This island looks like it rose from the sea. Look, some of the depressions still contain seawater,” the yellow ox pointed out.

After finishing the dragon meat, they explored the island, noting something unusual. The place felt peculiar, and mysterious wisps of white mist suddenly began to rise from the island's depths.

Then, they all stumbled, expressions of alarm on their faces, as the island began to shake violently, as if an earthquake had struck.

Rumble!

Then, from the rocky central area of the island, a mountain began to rise. Initially short, it grew rapidly, its presence becoming increasingly formidable.

“Let's go!”

The Dragon Maiden immediately piloted the hovercraft, lifting them into the air. This place was far too peculiar: a rocky island had inexplicably appeared adjacent to the Eye of the East Sea, and now a towering mountain was emerging from it.

From above, they gazed down at the island.

Engulfed in mist, the island had completely transformed. Several magnificent mountain peaks emerged in succession, growing ever higher until they towered above the hovering hovercraft.

After a long time, the island fell silent, shrouded in mist. In its center, seven massive mountains stood side by side, dark and thousands of *zhang* high, enveloped in white fog, their true scale indiscernible.

“How strange. Could we have disturbed a dragon's nest, causing this island to emerge?”

Curious, they wanted to investigate further. Finally, the hovercraft approached the island once more and slowly descended.

“This...” They were startled. Was this still the same deserted island they had been on earlier?

The island remained deathly silent, yet numerous trees had appeared. However, they bore no leaves, buds, or blossoms, only withered branches, some even rotten. Concurrently, the island had grown many times its original size.

What was happening? The island was shrouded in shadows, revealing only rocks and dead trees, emitting a putrid odor. Covered in white mist, it felt unnerving.

Chu Feng and his companions, both skilled and brave, all disembarked onto the island.

“This place is terribly eerie and gloomy. The bright sky is obscured by white mist; I feel a chill running through me,” muttered the old donkey, who was notoriously timid.

“Handsome Chu Feng, I'll stick with you!” The troublesome girl was also very uneasy.

“Is this our Dragon Clan's territory? It's very close to the Eye of the Sea,” the toad remarked, looking suspicious.

The island was covered in trees, but they were all rotting husks, not a single one bearing leaves.

After traveling a considerable distance, they finally approached the seven majestic mountains. Circling them, they eventually discovered a bluestone staircase leading into the mountains.

“This must be the mountain gate area!”

They suspected it was an ancient sect, once submerged by seawater and now reappearing. Perhaps the island had previously been hidden in a folded space and had only now emerged.

As they walked along the stone steps into the mountains, the troublesome girl suddenly screamed, clinging to Chu Feng like a koala and pointing ahead. “Ghost!” she shrieked.

“What's an evolved being afraid of ghosts for?” Chu Feng pulled her off and set her down.

However, at that moment, the others also gasped. Not far away stood a skeleton, covered only by a layer of withered skin, its mouth continuously opening as if speaking.

“This...” Even Chu Feng felt a chill. What was happening? How old was this skeleton?

“Demons and ghouls! You dare to scare me? I'll beat you to death!” The toad charged forward, ready to strike, sensing no energy from the skeleton.

Awooo...

It leaped back, greatly startled, because from behind the stone, a toad emerged, its flesh nearly rotted away, leaving only a skeletal frame draped with dry skin.

“You scared me half to death! How can there be such a giant skeleton toad?!” it shrieked.

Everyone sensed something was wrong. Looking ahead, they gradually discovered more creatures, all skeletal in form, yet all capable of movement.

“Are these things... alive?”

The area suppressed their divine senses, dulling their perceptions.

Proceeding with caution, they reached the mountain gate. At the foot of the seven towering mountains, they found a chilling sight: numerous creatures, seemingly powerful in their prime, now appeared eerie and horrifying. Their flesh had almost entirely decayed, revealing white skeletons.

Yet, they were all alive and moving.

“What the hell? Have we stumbled onto the Road to the Underworld?!” the great black ox exclaimed, both surprised and uncertain.

The yellow ox's small face tensed as it gazed intently, scrutinizing its surroundings.

“There's a tablet, look!” Inside the mountain gate stood a stone tablet, densely carved with text recounting ancient events.

However, Chu Feng, the Dragon Maiden, and the others didn't recognize the script; the characters were far too ancient and peculiar.

“Immortal Mountain!” the yellow ox suddenly exclaimed.

“What? It's *this* place!” the troublesome girl also gasped.

Evidently, both the yellow ox and the troublesome girl were shocked, having recognized the nature of this place.

“What's going on?!” Chu Feng asked, surprised.

The yellow ox's eyes widened, then, overcome with excitement, it stared at the stone tablet and the seven great mountains ahead, unable to calm itself.

After a long while, the yellow ox composed itself and looked at Chu Feng. “I've found the opportunity to achieve sainthood and become an ancestor,” it said. “I might have to part ways with you here.”

“Huh?” Chu Feng was taken aback.

“This is Immortal Mountain, one of the seventy-two sacred lands of the demon race!” the yellow ox informed him.

The troublesome girl was filled with envy and extreme jealousy, sighing repeatedly. “Throughout the cosmic sea,” she said, “this is one of the seventy-two most powerful sacred lands of the demon race!”

“In that case, everyone stay!” the toad exclaimed, fearful the yellow ox would keep the opportunity to itself and prevent it from entering.

“It's only suitable for the demon race, not humans,” the yellow ox replied, shaking its head.

The troublesome girl sighed, “I truly wish I could transform into a demon!”

“You pretty much are already, aren't you?” Chu Feng remarked.

He learned that this was a territory of the demon race, a legendary place even in the wider universe. Countless powerful demons had sought it out, yet its whereabouts remained entirely unknown.

“Aren't there many sacred lands across various galaxies?” Chu Feng asked.

“That's different,” the yellow ox explained to Chu Feng. “On some planets, the strongest few dao lineages might call themselves sacred lands, but the significance isn't the same.”

From ancient times until now, the legend of the seventy-two most powerful sacred lands has circulated among the demon race!

Immortal Mountain was one of them, thought lost in the star sea for countless years. To find it on Earth was unimaginable.

Such ancient sacred lands are not controlled by a single major power, but rather serve as places of inheritance and arduous training.

“If one fails here, they will turn into a skeleton, unable to perish, forever confined to the mountains. But if one successfully rises after being tempered here, they can leave, having laid the supreme foundation for achieving sainthood and becoming an ancestor.”

The yellow ox advised the great black ox, the Northeast Tiger, and the others to make their own choices.

Regardless, the yellow ox intended to enter the mountain!

“Chu Feng, let's part ways here. Who knows how many years it will be until we meet again,” the yellow ox said.

“Many years?” This news was too sudden for Chu Feng.

“I'm going too!” the toad declared.

“I'm coming too!” the great black ox declared decisively. Then, looking at Chu Feng, he added, “Brother, we part ways here. Take care!”

Following that, the Northeast Tiger and the Golden Eagle also stated their intention to enter Immortal Mountain. Even the old donkey, usually timid, showed resolve at this critical moment, declaring that he would enter the mountain even if it meant his death.

In that instant, Chu Feng felt a pang of melancholy. A group of his good brothers were leaving, parting ways indefinitely. Who knew how many years it would be until they met again, or if they ever would.