Chapter 182: Huang Shanjun

From Li Qi's Shaman perspective, he could clearly see a thread connecting this butterfly, continuously draining her essence.

Li Qi also knew this method; it was a technique used to set up a Mountain and River Grand Formation.

Most Shamanes were almost completely ignorant of Yin and Yang numerology Formations because they were too difficult, but they were very skilled at another type of Mountain and River Grand Formation.

The so-called Mountain and River Grand Formation was essentially borrowing power from mountains and rivers, using individual Mountain and Water Deities as nodes, and the Qi of mountains and water as脉络 (channels), to construct them into a whole.

This type of Shanshui Formation did not possess the magical profundity of Daoist Yin and Yang numerology formations; after all, those things could overturn the universe, reverse Yin and Yang, and achieve incredible things with very little cost.

However, the advantage of Shanshui Formations was their immense scale.

A Formation formed by the cohesion of one Mountain God after another, governed by a Shaman, this power, though not subtle, was grand, capable of mobilizing immense strength, and once formed into a whole, it was almost indestructible, unless a great power intervened to directly destroy the entire mountain range and water veins to dismantle it head-on.

Of course, one could also dismantle the connections between each node, but that would require slow, meticulous work.

But all of this had a prerequisite: the Shaman had to mediate and persuade these Mountain and Water Deities , various Anomolus Spirits, and even factions to voluntarily contribute their power.

"Someone made a deal with you? Your essence was depleted earlier, clearly forcibly extracted by this person. What exactly happened?!" Li Qi's emotions were a bit agitated, and his tone carried a hint of severity.

Upon hearing the words of her benefactor, the little girl was terrified.

Butterflies are naturally easily startled, and now, being roared at by her benefactor, she trembled even more, shaking as if she wasn't wearing clothes.

Oh, she wasn't wearing clothes to begin with, just draped in one of Li Qi's robes.

The old horse glanced sideways.

Then continued to bury his head in his food.

Li Qi meddled in affairs all day long; he was used to it. As long as it didn't interfere with his eating and resting, it was fine.

As for Li Qi, seeing the butterfly girl's appearance, he took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, found a large stone to sit on, and patted the empty space beside him: "Come, sit here. Tell me, are there any new things recently?"

"Benefactor... Benefactor, are you... are you angry?" The butterfly asked cautiously: "I dare not sit with Benefactor; I'll just kneel here."

Upon hearing this, Li Qi couldn't help but roll his eyes, then stood up directly, picked her up, and placed her beside him.

Before the butterfly could react, he continued to ask: "Stop talking nonsense. Didn't you notice? This thing on you is draining your essence. I didn't discover it before, but you just emerged from your cocoon and reformed your body; it should have been perfectly complete, but there's an extra thread, which is why I found it."

"Thread?" The little girl was a bit confused; her initial nervousness was also dispelled by Li Qi's question, and she began to recall past events.

After all, by age, she was long-lived among butterflies, but in reality, she had only lived for four or five years, and her spiritual awakening had only occurred for about four years, so her mind was still immature, temporarily single-threaded.

Thinking and nervousness were two things she found difficult to do simultaneously.

Li Qi's barrage of questions made her start thinking, and thus she forgot that she was actually very scared.

"Benefactor... Earlier, the mountain lord here gathered all the awakened Anomolus Spirits, asking us to help him with a favor, to each contribute a trace of essence to forge a Spiritual Artifact for him, and in return, he gave us some spiritual fruits."

"Everyone was afraid he would turn hostile, so they all did it. Is that what this is about?" the butterfly asked.

"Mountain Lord? The Mountain God of this mountain?" Li Qi asked again.

"Hmm... He calls himself Huangshan Lord, Benefactor. Did he steal my essence?" The butterfly asked timidly.

"Perhaps. I'll help you sever it first; you just need to lead the way for me." Li Qi reached out, slipped his hand into the seam of her collar, and felt her back.

This butterfly was only wearing one of Li Qi's robes, so it was easy to reach the thread by slipping a hand into the gap at the back of her neck, with no other obstructions.

Li Qi, with single-minded focus, felt his way down from the shoulder blade, along the spine, all the way to the third vertebra.

The third vertebra, where the cervical spine is located, corresponds precisely to the throat's Qi flow.

Behind the head is the Fengmen acupoint, and the third section of the spine is the Feishu acupoint, both having openings, making them susceptible to wind.

"Take a deep breath, relax. It's beyond imagination, your eyes aren't dizzy, and your spirit is in its abode," Li Qi reminded her.

Then, he suddenly exerted force, striking it with Martial Dao Inner Qi.

Martial Dao Inner Qi, pure in nature, devours and assimilates all Qi of different origins, refining them into the same substance. Therefore, most Martial Artists do not possess many Divine Abilities, but their Inner Energy can break through most spells.

Because, in the final analysis, all spells and Divine Abilities are the utilization of the infinite "Qi" between heaven and earth.

The Inner Energy severed that thread.

The area previously filled by that thread now revealed a small hole, exposing a slight flaw in the butterfly's human-like miniature world.

External Qi invaded it, causing her to instantly feel dizzy and disoriented.

External Qi entering the brain, causing blurred vision and a heavy head, is an excess of Yang.

Li Qi used his finger to plug the flaw, then activated Life Qi to heal this slight imperfection.

"All right, now this thing won't drain your essence anymore. Where is that Huangshan Lord?" Li Qi asked.

After the thread on the little butterfly's body was removed by Li Qi, she felt lightheaded for a moment, then suddenly felt refreshed and her body became lighter.

She immediately understood that this man, in just a quarter of an hour, had helped her three times.

At this thought, the butterfly quickly rose and knelt in obeisance: "I will lead the way for Benefactor immediately!"

Li Qi was also a bit anxious. Although he had learned about the existence of the Mountain and River Grand Formation from Wang Baiyan, he had now seen it with his own eyes, so he was eager to confirm it.

"Old horse, you eat. I'll come back for you later. If I'm not back in an hour, you can continue resting." Li Qi called out to the old horse.

The old horse neighed, indicating that he had heard.

Seeing this, Li Qi followed the little butterfly and walked towards the mountains.

The little butterfly, barefoot and draped in Li Qi's robe, led Li Qi through the mountains.

However, along the way, she always seemed hesitant, constantly turning her head to look at Li Qi.

"Do you have concerns? Don't worry, I won't let them implicate you." Li Qi saw her hesitant appearance and, thinking she was worried about retaliation, reassured her.

But the little butterfly shook her head, pondering for a moment: "It's not that. It's just... I don't have a name yet, and I'd like to ask Benefactor to bestow one upon me."

"A name, ah, so that's it." Only then did Li Qi remember that this butterfly had mentioned before that she hoped he would give her a name.

"I can't bear the word 'bestow,' but I can certainly help you choose a name." Li Qi walked on the mountain path, beginning to ponder.

After walking for a while, he looked around, got an inspiration, and smiled: "Butterflies love fragrant grasses, showing that dancing butterflies and flying flowers are equally suitable; because of their fragrance, bees and butterflies rejoice. Therefore, a gentleman does no defiling deeds, and is skilled at associating with pure and fragrant people. Their Origin Qi is whole, their sharp edges not revealed, which is a peaceful haven for conducting oneself in the world. Following natural order, there is no trouble, like the full moon perfectly round with a basin of water."

"I will use this meaning to name you Zhufang, hoping that in the future, you will avoid filth and pursue fragrant orchids, not becoming a swarm of gnats, but continuing to be a dancing flower and flying butterfly."

"Thank you, Benefactor. May I ask Benefactor's name?" The butterfly was overjoyed and bowed repeatedly.

Li Qi quickly helped her up: "My name is Li Qi, and also, stop kneeling so readily!"

"Zhufang understands! From now on, I will be called Li Zhufang!" Li Zhufang said joyfully.

"Ah? You want to take my surname?" Li Qi frowned after helping her up and hearing this.

Taking someone else's surname is no ordinary matter; it affects one's entire future. A name is something that stays with you for life.

"Zhufang is merely a wild butterfly, naturally without a name or clan. To have survived this time is entirely due to Benefactor's rescue, to have transformed is also due to Benefactor's auspicious words and guidance, and even the removal of external threats from my body relied on Benefactor's help. Such great kindness is beyond repayment; I can only engrave it in my heart! I hope to have an opportunity to repay it in the future!" Li Zhufang immediately said.

The little girl's face was full of conviction, which gave Li Qi a headache.

The main reason was that the butterfly's transformation age was too young, only twelve or thirteen, just the age when her body was beginning to develop.

Li Qi was not very good at dealing with children.

So, he simply straightened his face: "Don't think so much. Helping you was merely a small effort for me; you don't need to repay me. Just honestly lead the way and help me find Huangshan Lord."

"Yes!" Li Zhufang, however, was delighted and immediately agreed, then continued to lead Li Qi.

Along the way, the mountain path was narrow, with hundreds of perilous obstacles, but Li Qi was already accustomed to walking mountain paths. Li Zhufang, as a transformed butterfly Anomolus Spirit, could even fly, so they didn't encounter any particular obstructions.

Along the way, like most places in Baiyue, the scenery was beautiful and the trees were lush, but some areas had begun to yellow, which didn't seem normal.

"Is the Mountain and River Grand Formation beginning to draw the Qi from these mountains, causing the trees to wither?" Li Qi thought to himself when he saw this.

Turning another bend, there was a deep pool formed by a chasm, its spring water deep, emerald, and clear. In it was a giant fish, a full twelve feet long, swimming listlessly, seemingly very tired.

Seeing this, Li Qi knew that this giant fish must also have had its essence drained, just like Li Zhufang.

But Li Zhufang was a butterfly, inherently fragile, and draining some essence nearly cost her life.

While the giant fish's cultivation was similar to Li Zhufang's before, both having awakened their spirits and gained sentience, on the verge of transformation, its body and Qi and blood were robust. Having been drained so much, it was only tired, not fundamentally harmed.

Seeing this, Li Qi didn't bother further but continued forward to find Huangshan Lord.

After walking three li, they reached a high peak to the west, where a dangerous cliff unfolded, forming a canyon within. Descending slightly over the ridge, following the dangerous cliff, the mountain terrain opened up again, and they ascended a slope to enter.

Upon entering this mountain, it seemed to have formed a wind tunnel, with the wind roaring incessantly and the floating clouds opening and closing erratically.

Upon reaching this point, Li Zhufang stopped: "Benefactor, Huangshan Lord is below this Tiger's Roar Cliff... It's just that I dare not go down."

"Tiger's Roar Cliff, that name is quite fitting." Li Qi looked down and heard the roaring wind.

The wind howled and rumbled, like a tiger roaring in the forest, striking fear into one's heart.

But occasionally, Li Qi could hear a real tiger's roar, carrying malevolence and ferocity, echoing with the wind.

The tiger's roar and the wind's roar resonated together, blending into one, their might shaking the mountains and forests, appearing as if they could soar into the sky and plunge into the sea.

"This local Mountain God... a ninth-rank tiger demon? He has walked the Divine Dao." Li Qi observed for a moment and came to a conclusion.

Then he said to Li Zhufang: "You wait here. I'll go down for a bit and be right back."

With that, Li Qi grabbed the cliff face and carefully climbed down.

He also wanted to jump down handsomely, but unfortunately, he couldn't fly.

This Tiger's Roar Cliff was a hundred zhang high. Jumping directly down, despite having a ninth-rank Martial Dao body, he might not die from the fall, but breaking his legs was almost certain.

It was better to honestly climb down.

Stepping on the protrusions on the rock face along the way, Li Qi quickly reached the bottom of the cliff.

But even before he arrived, he felt Killing Intent from the shadows below.

A crimson gaze came from the nest below, cutting through the mountain wind.

Then a gigantic fierce tiger ran out from below, wagging its tail and shaking its head, stretching its waist and extending its limbs, its mouth like a basin of blood, broad shoulders, steel waist, golden claws, iron tail, glaring at Li Qi with fierce eyes, roaring loudly, and speaking in human words: "What impudent child! How dare you disturb your great deity's peace?!"

After hearing this, Li Qi estimated the distance, looked down, and saw there were still about twenty zhang remaining. His legs probably wouldn't break from the fall, so he simply jumped down directly, landing heavily on the ground, standing three zhang away from the fierce tiger.

"Huangshan Lord? Is that right?" Li Qi asked, simultaneously glancing around.

This entire area was filled with fierce and Death Qi, with many bones scattered around, some human, others from various animals, presumably all piled up by this Huangshan Lord after he had eaten them.

Li Qi didn't feel any particular aversion to him eating people; after all, he was a tiger, and he ate other animals besides humans. One couldn't forbid a tiger from eating meat.

However, the arrangement of these bones...

Li Qi frowned: "Who taught you this? The arrangement of these bones... You don't have any伥鬼 (ghosts of victims), have they all been shattered and mixed into the bones by you? Using the essence of the Baiyue demons in this mountain as a guide, plus the 伥鬼 you've accumulated over time, and nurturing them with the power of this Mountain and River Grand Formation, are you trying to cultivate a bone demon? And this bone demon's intelligence is nurtured from the Spirit Souls of your 伥鬼, so it will naturally obey your commands. This kind of ruthless method... is not something ordinary Divine Dao practitioners would know. This is clearly Shaman Dao."

Yes, a ruthless method. This Formation required sacrificing the Qi of mountains and rivers, and at the same time, it would undoubtedly drain the lives of countless small demons like Li Zhufang. And all of this was to nurture a ninth-rank bone demon to serve as his subordinate.

The most crucial point was that this method belonged to the Shaman Dao lineage.

Unlike orthodox Shamanes, the Shaman Dao lineage specialized in refining Gu worms and cultivating evil demons to serve as their subordinates and protectors, and they were also skilled in casting curses. Like Spirit Shaman, they were a branch of Shaman Dao, and their methods were quite insidious.

This bone demon was one of the subordinates that the Shaman Dao lineage could refine.

Li Qi sighed inwardly.

As expected, was it the work of Guangyang City?

But there was a problem.

The Mountain and River Grand Formation actually didn't require blood sacrifice.

So, why were they gathering blood sacrifices? Or was the blood sacrifice a lie from Wang Baiyan, trying to provoke him?