Unceasing demonic beasts rushed in from all directions, gathering at the foot of Toad Mountain.
The cultivators below the mountain, however, were in dire straits, subjected to a frenzied slaughter.
Screams rose and fell, the land was strewn with the dead and wounded, and blood stained the earth.
This was the demonic beasts' home ground, and their numbers were astonishingly vast. The cultivators had no room to resist.
"What's going on? Why have all the demonic beasts gathered here?"
Huineng and Fan Jingxing, who were gathering herbs at the foot of the mountain, sensed something was wrong and immediately fled uphill.
At this moment, they were acutely aware that safety lay only beside Ji Mo.
They also noticed that the wild, violent energy contained within Toad Mountain had vanished.
The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad had absorbed all the mountain's energy, rendering Toad Mountain no longer a perilous place.
Other cultivators also realized this and all scrambled towards Toad Mountain.
But hiding on the mountain was merely prolonging their agony. Ultimately, these demonic beasts would surely attack the mountain, and none of them would escape death.
At the summit.
Ji Mo paid no mind to the screams echoing from below. He searched everywhere for the lost toad, but unexpectedly made a startling discovery.
The entire Toad Mountain was riddled with cracks. Though seemingly chaotic, they followed a discernible pattern, intertwining to form a grand formation.
Someone had laid down a supreme formation, using Toad Mountain as its vessel, nurturing something unknown within its depths.
This was White Emperor's territory, and it was evident that this was most likely White Emperor's doing.
"Could it be that White Emperor, like me, also enjoys farming?"
Ji Mo's curiosity was piqued. He was eager to know what the legendary White Emperor had planted in the mountain.
For he had already seen, through a fissure, a blue seed buried deep underground.
Ji Mo looked at the flute in his hand and, after some thought, decided to lend a hand, considering them fellow cultivators.
The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad, concealed by the gushing demonic energy from underground, revealed a cold smile.
His strength had recovered to the peak of the Demon Saint realm. Coupled with the thousands of gathered demonic beasts, he was confident he could eliminate even a Spirit Emperor.
He planned to use the demonic beasts as cannon fodder first, to wear down Ji Mo. Once Ji Mo's spiritual power was depleted, he would strike and kill him.
After careful consideration, the Ancient Soul Devouring Toad felt his plan was flawless. Even if it failed, he could escape with ease.
Hong Qiantu, having been berated by Ji Mo, walked down the mountain with a dejected expression.
He wished he could slap himself twice. Why had he been so nosy, asking Ji Mo such private questions?
The result was enraging Ji Mo, who had thoroughly scolded him and told him to get lost.
On the way, Hong Qiantu encountered many cultivators. They all looked at him as if he were an idiot, clearly unable to comprehend why anyone would foolishly head down the mountain at this time, to their own doom.
Hong Qiantu met their gaze with a sneer. The jade flute on the summit had fallen into Mr. Ji's hands. Did these people really think they could snatch something from Mr. Ji?
Thus, both sides regarded each other as fools.
Midway up the mountain.
Hong Qiantu met Huineng and Fan Jingxing.
"Old Hong, why are you running down the mountain?" Fan Jingxing asked.
Had Hong Qiantu lost his mind, going to his death?
"Alas, I offended Mr. Ji, and he told me to get lost."
Hong Qiantu sighed, feeling as though he was incompatible with Ji Mo, unable to get along.
Then, he excitedly told the two, "Old monk, Old Fan, I'll tell you a huge secret. I've discovered that Mr. Ji is actually White Emperor."
He eagerly revealed this earth-shattering secret to his old friends, expecting them to be immensely shocked. However, they remained unfazed, showing no reaction whatsoever.
"Are you two deaf? Listen carefully, Mr. Ji is White Emperor."
Hong Qiantu repeated himself.
Was this news not shocking enough? Why were they so calm?
"You're the one who's foolish, speaking carelessly and offending Mr. Ji. That's why Mr. Ji is angry and wants you to die."
Huineng looked at Hong Qiantu with great pity.
"What? Mr. Ji wants me to die?"
Hong Qiantu was stunned.
After Fan Jingxing told him about the situation at the foot of the mountain, his face turned deathly pale.
Now that the foot of the mountain was filled with demonic beasts, Ji Mo telling him to get lost was practically equivalent to telling him to go die.
Huineng chanted a Buddhist phrase and said, "You ultimately lack reverence for Mr. Ji, making wild speculations and thus burning yourself. For the sake of our hundred years of friendship, this old monk will risk Mr. Ji's displeasure to collect your corpse."
Hong Qiantu immediately collapsed to the ground, terrified.
"All the demonic beasts have gathered. Ji Mo, wait. You'll be finished soon."
The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad issued a command to all the demonic beasts, and they began their advance towards the summit.
Meanwhile, Ji Mo, holding the jade flute, chose a rock and climbed onto it.
The horde of demonic beasts, having received the order, surged towards the summit like a tide, leaving no survivors in their wake.
The cultivators hiding in various parts of Toad Mountain were met with utter destruction.
The shadow of death enveloped the human cultivators on the mountain. They had nowhere to hide, and could only await their demise in torment.
Expressions of despair appeared on everyone's faces.
Just then.
A melodious flute melody drifted from the summit.
The clear and melodious notes echoed throughout the entire Toad Mountain.
"Mr. Ji has made his move!"
Huineng and Fan Jingxing were incredibly excited. As long as Ji Mo acted, all danger would vanish.
"Are you crazy? Why are you playing the flute at a time like this?"
The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad couldn't fathom Ji Mo's ploy. To have the leisure to play the flute at such a moment?
Although it sounded pleasant, what use was it? Could it blow away these thousands of demonic beasts?
As soon as the demonic beast horde reached the summit, this fellow would meet his end.
The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad decided that he would later stomp Ji Mo underfoot and grind him relentlessly, to avenge the earlier humiliation.
Suddenly!
The entire Toad Mountain trembled.
Some heard a heartbeat from within the mountain's core. The great mountain seemed to be coming back to life.
The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad's expression changed drastically as he discovered his connection to his main body had been completely severed.
The flute music grew louder and more impassioned, an aura of killing intent permeating the air.
The cracks on Toad Mountain's body suddenly erupted with blinding light, and streaks of fierce sword energy radiated outwards.
"Who can save my Ling'er!"
An old cultivator's eyes were filled with tears of blood.
His beloved female disciple was being pounced upon by a demonic beast, on the verge of being torn to shreds.
He was powerless to intervene, able only to watch his cherished disciple die before his eyes.
Just then, a sword beam flashed, instantly cleaving the demonic beast in two.
Elsewhere.
Several young cultivators huddled together, trembling, their faces etched with despair. Surrounded by over a dozen demonic beasts, their lives hung by a thread.
As their hearts turned to ash, a brilliant sword light enveloped all the demonic beasts.
...
Similar scenes unfolded in various locations across Toad Mountain.
The surging sword energy seemed to possess eyes, relentlessly reaping the lives of demonic beasts and saving countless cultivators.