On the boulder, Fang Ru watched countless beasts charging toward her, momentarily stunned, finally understanding what Mo Fan meant by “safe.”
As for the group of children in front of the bamboo building, protected by Bai Yi, they were unaffected by the onslaught of the beast horde.
A chilling ghostly aura, like a black mist, spread outside the bamboo building, forming a natural barrier that kept the beasts at bay.
Not only the ground, but the sky above the valley was soon filled with flying birds, covering the heavens and circling endlessly in the air.
As the sound of the Mountain-Shaking Drum gradually weakened, waves of invisible force radiated outward, instantly calming the previously restless beast horde, causing them to lie prostrate on the ground.
The birds in the sky also began to find perches, descending into the valley, allowing the sunlight to once again pour down from above.
Seeing the myriad beasts gathered, Mo Fan turned to the dazed Fang Ru and said, “It’s ready.”
“Huh?”
“You mean, this is what you meant by preaching to the myriad demons?”
Fang Ru’s eyes widened, looking in disbelief at the horde of beasts surrounding the boulder.
“Exactly. Didn’t you want to understand our demon race?
This is the perfect chance to understand from the source!”
Mo Fan grinned, looking at the surrounding beasts with a serious expression, saying, “Of all the demons in the world, aside from those born inherently as demons, most are like these beasts before you, requiring various opportunities to awaken their spiritual intelligence for even a slight chance at demon transformation.
Otherwise, they remain trapped by their beastly nature for their entire lives, unable to escape their muddled state!
Even if they manage to awaken their spiritual intelligence, they still need to find spiritual herbs capable of triggering their transformation into lesser demons, the lowest tier of the demon race.
Such spiritual herbs are extremely rare. Many beasts, even if they awaken their intelligence, may never encounter the opportunity to transform, eventually exhausting their lifespan and turning to bones, or being captured by human demon hunters to be sold as spiritual beasts.
Of course, some might even be sold at high prices to restaurants in cultivation markets, ending up as food for human cultivators.”
As expected, Fang Ru was immediately captivated by Mo Fan’s words, exclaiming in surprise, “So you demons have it this tough?”
“Demons?”
Mo Fan smiled at her words, though his smile was icy. Looking at her beautiful face, he said slowly, “A senior of the demon race once told me that the term ‘demon’ is a derogatory name given to us by humans.
What is a demon?
Aside from differences in appearance and form, demons and humans are fundamentally no different, both being creatures of this world.
It’s only because humans fear our demon race, and to suppress us, that they call us demons!
The word ‘demon’ implies a monster!
In human thinking, a monster is synonymous with terror, the root of people’s fears, something that must be slain!”
“I’m… I’m sorry. I never knew there were so many stories behind this.”
Fang Ru murmured after hearing this, genuinely shocked by Mo Fan’s words. She also realised how rude it was to keep calling Mo Fan and the demons of Black Wind Mountain “monsters.”
“No matter. We’re used to it.”
Mo Fan waved his hand, suddenly smiling as he said, “Demon or monster, these are just names others force upon us.
But in my view, life is our own. Why care too much about others’ opinions?
Focus on cultivating yourself, on becoming stronger. That’s what truly matters.
Only when we are strong enough will the voices of doubt from the outside naturally fade, or even disappear.
Everything in this world boils down to this: the strong influence the weak.
If we are swayed by others, it only means we’re not strong enough. That’s all!”
“I see… so the reason I’m always being bossed around by you, Great King, is because I’m not strong enough?
But if I ignore your orders and focus on cultivating, one day I could boss you around too?”
As Fang Ru was absorbed in Mo Fan’s words, Datou spoke excitedly, as if he had gained some insight.
Hearing this, Mo Fan’s face darkened, and he said grimly, “You can try. Let’s see if I don’t skin you alive.”
“…”
Datou was speechless, immediately fawning as he said, “No way! The Great King has been so good to me. How could I ever have such rebellious thoughts?
That was just an example, ahem… Great King, don’t take it to heart. I’m forever loyal to you!”
“Look at you, such a coward!”
Mo Fan scolded, then continued, “Striving to improve is right, and it’s not wrong to have thoughts of surpassing me.
But everything must be grounded in reality. Until you’re truly strong, you’d better stay humble!
Rest assured, you’ll never get the chance to step on me in this lifetime.
Work hard for me, and stop spouting nonsense, lest I skin you and toss you into a boiling pot one day!”
Hearing this, Datou shuddered, gave a wry smile, and finally shut his mouth.
“I suddenly realise your words always manage to touch people’s hearts. I’m starting to doubt if you’re really a demon!” Fang Ru said with a wry smile.
“That’s not important.”
Mo Fan shook his head, looking at the surrounding beast horde, saying, “It’s up to you now. Don’t overthink or worry. Just speak the truths you believe in.
Whether they can understand or gain opportunities to awaken depends on these little ones’ fortunes.”
“Alright, I’ll do my best.” Fang Ru nodded.
Seeing this, Mo Fan didn’t linger. He immediately soared into the air, leaving the boulder.
After Mo Fan left, Fang Ru sat cross-legged on the boulder, beginning to earnestly share her teachings.
Her voice was soft, yet it flowed ceaselessly like a winding stream, each word clear and soothing to the heart.
At first, Datou listened attentively, but soon he began to doze off.
As time passed, the beasts, initially restless, gradually grew calm.
It was as if Fang Ru’s voice held a magical power, bringing tranquillity to the myriad beasts.
Mo Fan stayed in the valley for three days, during which he gained some insights from Fang Ru’s so-called “teachings.”
Most of what Fang Ru spoke of were human principles, but her pure and kind nature gave her unique perspectives, offering clearer interpretations of right and wrong, good and evil.
After leaving the valley, Mo Fan instructed Bai Yaoyao to name the valley “Demon Academy,” officially designating it for Fang Ru, while establishing strict rules to ensure the safety of Fang Ru and the children.
When the demons of Black Wind Mountain learned that a human teacher was preaching to the myriad beasts at the Demon Academy, they grew curious and descended the mountain to observe.
Mo Fan didn’t stop them; instead, he actively encouraged it.
He understood that to reform the old customs of the demon race, he needed to expose the demons to new ideas, and observing Fang Ru’s teachings was the most straightforward way.
Through Fang Ru, the demons could gain a deeper understanding of human ideas, as well as concepts of morality and order.
Meanwhile, Mo Fan didn’t idle. He began practicing the Seven-Star Dragon Step, a technique he had received from Xiao Huang’s mother.
Previously, Mo Fan hadn’t had time to practice this movement technique, and after gaining his black wings and fire escape, he hadn’t felt much need for it.
His speed was already unmatched in the Demon General realm!
Now that he had time, Mo Fan decided to practice it, mainly to incorporate the technique into combat and to promote it among the demons of Black Wind Mountain to enhance their fighting strength.
In just a few days, Mo Fan mastered the Seven-Star Dragon Step, then summoned Hong Yan and other high-ranking demons of Black Wind Mountain, passing the technique to them.
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
Mo Fan appeared in the dungeon of Black Wind Mountain, looking at the dishevelled young cultivator inside.
“Lord Demon King, spare me!!”
You Er, who had been lounging on a pile of straw with his legs crossed, turned pale with fright upon seeing Mo Fan. He immediately scrambled to his knees, begging for mercy repeatedly.
