The Nether River lies beneath the Black Water River, an underground dark river, its scope nearly as vast as the Black Water River.
The presence of unique spiritual creatures like dragon loaches has led to the emergence of numerous demons in the Black Water River.
Where there are people, there are conflicts, a saying that applies equally to the demon race and the Black Water River.
As the water demons in the Black Water River grew stronger, some Demon Generals emerged, gradually becoming leaders and overlords of various water domains.
However, the Nether River, being an underground dark river, has limited cultivation resources compared to the Black Water River, capping the demons here at the Demon General realm.
This resulted in many Demon Generals in the Nether River, most content to rule their small territories freely.
A few ambitious Demon Generals formed alliances, leading to frequent wars and killings in the Nether River.
This situation ended half a year ago with the Black Dragon’s arrival.
With its King realm strength, the Black Dragon swept through the Nether River, ending the fragmented rule of the Demon Generals and unifying it.
With the Black Dragon King’s death, Mo Fan, the Black Wind King, naturally became the new Demon King of the Nether River.
Though his cultivation had not yet reached the Demon King realm, his strength was no less than any Demon King’s.
Under Mo Fan’s deliberate arrangements, Demon Generals from various domains of the Nether River flocked to Black Dragon Peak to pay homage.
This so-called homage was simply to meet the new king.
For the Demon Generals, this was not their first time, so there was little resistance. They knew little about the new Demon King and needed to see him for themselves.
Of course, the main reason was that they had heard how the Black Wind King had swallowed the Black Dragon King alive, filling them with fear of being devoured for any slight.
Meanwhile, Mo Fan gathered information about the entire Nether River from Black Sturgeon and White Dragon.
Black Sturgeon and White Dragon were the two peak Demon General water demons he subdued at Black Dragon Peak.
Black Sturgeon’s true form was a sturgeon that had lived over a century, while White Dragon was a white thunder dragon fish turned demon. Both were ferocious freshwater creatures, making them stronger than average demons.
Notably, when the Black Dragon learned of White Dragon’s name, it forcibly changed it to Black Snake. Now that the Black Dragon was dead, White Dragon reverted to her original name.
Mo Fan had no objections to this.
He ordered the two demons to receive the arriving Demon Generals while he re-entered the Black Dragon’s cave.
The two demons sighed helplessly, knowing full well why Mo Fan was going there.
Seeing this, You Er’s eyes lit up, instinctively following.
Mo Fan noticed You Er following but paid it no mind, only instructing Langlang to guard Black Robe, who was cultivating, while he ventured deeper into the cave.
The Black Dragon’s cave was not large but extremely deep.
Mo Fan didn’t know how long he walked downward until he reached a smooth jade wall.
The front of the jade wall was milky white, like a massive piece of mutton-fat jade.
Mo Fan touched it, feeling its smooth, cool surface and sensing faint spiritual qi, his eyes lighting up.
He stepped back, formed hand seals, and inscribed a complex rune with demonic qi in front of him, then pressed it into the jade wall.
Rumble.
The jade wall trembled, a matching array rune appearing on its surface, followed by ripples spreading like water.
Mo Fan didn’t hesitate, stepping through.
You Er followed closely.
As they entered the jade wall, their eyes widened, filled with joy.
This was a vast mine, its structure almost entirely jade, with pale cyan stones embedded everywhere.
The stones were uniform, the size of spirit stones.
Strands of rich spiritual qi emanated from them.
Even more astonishing, not far ahead, a mountain of these pale cyan stones was piled up, slightly concave in the centre, resembling a beast’s nest.
These were spirit stones.
A mountain of spirit stones.
Mo Fan took a deep breath, hearing You Er’s loud laughter. “Hahaha, the legend is true. Dragon-type demons really do hoard treasures. Who would’ve thought there’d be so many spirit stones here?”
“We’re rich. We’re rich.”
“Your Taoist master is going to be wealthy.”
“Hm?”
Mo Fan turned, looking at the ecstatic You Er, and snorted. “Remember, these spirit stones are mine, including you.”
“Uh…”
You Er’s joy froze, then he ran to Mo Fan, hugging his leg with a pitiful face. “Great King, finders share. I beg you, give me a little.”
“Get lost.”
Mo Fan kicked the shameless guy away, then, with a glint in his eye, said, “These spirit stones aren’t much use to me. If you serve me loyally, you won’t lack benefits.”
“I will, I will.”
“Great King, from today, I, You Er, am yours in life and death.”
You Er scampered back, hugging Mo Fan’s leg with a fawning expression, making Mo Fan feel queasy.
“Damn it, get your hands off me. I don’t swing that way.”
Mo Fan cursed, shaking off You Er’s grasp, then asked, “Do you know what this place is?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“It’s definitely the Black Dragon King’s lair.”
You Er said seriously, then added, “But it looks more like a spirit stone mine. My goodness, that Black Dragon King sure knew how to live, choosing a spirit stone vein for a lair. No wonder his cultivation outstripped his subordinates by so much.”
Mo Fan nodded, agreeing with You Er. This spirit stone mine was similar in size to one he had seen in the Demon Spirit Mountains, though that one was later emptied by the Bi Xiao Sect’s female devil.
He casually grabbed a spirit stone, activated the Great Sun Breathing Technique, and absorbed its spiritual qi instantly.
Sensing the qi’s nature, Mo Fan nodded. “Low-grade water spirit stone. This is indeed a water spirit stone vein.”
This confirmed the information from the Black Dragon King’s memories.
All in all, killing the Black Dragon King was a massive haul.
“Pity it’s only a low-grade spirit stone vein, though it suits my spiritual root well.”
You Er murmured, then silently waved his hand, making a large patch of spirit stones vanish.
His tricks didn’t escape Mo Fan’s notice, but he didn’t care.
With so many spirit stones here, giving some to You Er was fine. Mo Fan had brought him along partly to awe him with the wealth of this vein.
He wanted You Er to see that he had abundant cultivation resources, and following him was far better than struggling alone.
Next, Mo Fan waved his hand, unleashing the Heaven-Swallowing Technique, and swept the entire spirit stone vein clean.
At that moment, a long howl came from above, stirring Mo Fan’s heart.
Black Robe had broken through.
