Crow Immortal: I Can Duplicate Infinite Resources

Chapter 262: The Mountain God Is Also You

“The Bear King of Heifeng Mountain?”

Han Yu raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. “I had heard rumors of a Foundation Establishment realm Demon Beast residing on Heifeng Mountain. How exactly did you end up groveling here?”

The ten-foot-tall black bear, its fur as dark and coarse as charcoal, looked up. When it spoke, its deep, rumbling voice carried a distinct note of pathetic grievance.

“Reporting to the Crow King… I am that Foundation Establishment Demon Beast. And this place is Heifeng Mountain.”

Han Yu blinked, caught off guard. “This is Heifeng Mountain?”

He had simply ordered his flock to find a secluded place to cultivate in the dead of night. They were entirely unfamiliar with the local geography. Who knew they would accidentally squat on the territory of the local apex predator?

“Yes, Crow King, this is Heifeng Mountain,” the bear grumbled miserably. “My cave is just over that ridge. Two nights ago, I sensed a flock of crows radiating Spiritual Qi encroaching on my forest. I thought another Demon Beast was trying to steal my territory, so I went to chase them off.”

The bear let out a heavy, shuddering sigh. “How was I supposed to know your subordinates were so numerous? Or that they knew such terrifying illusion formations? Or that they were led by a Foundation Establishment realm crow?! I… I truly was no match.”

It pressed its massive forehead back into the dirt. “Today, upon seeing you, Crow King, I finally understand. You are a Golden Core great demon who has taken human form! This little bear is utterly and completely defeated! I only beg the Crow King to spare my miserable life! I am willing to guard your gates and watch over your mountain!”

Han Yu observed the creature carefully. It spoke fluently, its cadence and vocabulary indistinguishable from a human’s.

“Do all Demon Beasts suddenly learn to speak upon reaching Foundation Establishment?” Han Yu asked.

The massive bear looked momentarily confused by the “Crow King’s” ignorance but answered honestly. “It depends on the beast’s own choices. If they live near humans, observe human interaction, and actively desire to communicate, about eighty percent will gain the ability to speak after breaking through to Foundation Establishment.”

“If they isolate themselves in the deep wilderness with only wild animals for company, or simply have no desire to speak human tongues, they won’t learn. Speaking is convenient, but not strictly necessary for us. It is much like taking human form—some great demons possess the ability but simply prefer their natural state.”

So that’s how it is, Han Yu thought.

His large raven hadn’t remained silent because it couldn’t learn to speak after reaching Foundation Establishment; it was because telepathic communication was vastly faster and more precise. Furthermore, Han Yu despised unnecessary noise, so the raven simply maintained their original method of communication.

Nodding slightly, Han Yu continued his interrogation. “Tell me about the power dynamic on Heifeng Mountain. What lesser Demon Beasts serve under you? And why is your speech so articulate?”

The bear shook its heavy, pitch-black head. “There isn’t much to tell. I am an early-stage Foundation Establishment Demon Beast, and I am the only one here. I chase off any other Demon Beasts that wander into my territory so they don’t interrupt my naps.”

“I have crossed paths with human Rogue Cultivators from the Seeking Truth Daoist Temple and Qingfeng Mountain. I’ve also met the Demon Beasts from Shaxing Mountain and the yin spirits from Yinyi Town. Once they realized I had the strength to hold Heifeng Mountain and had absolutely no interest in joining their factions, they left me alone.”

Han Yu was surprised. “You are truly the only Demon Beast here?”

The bear nodded earnestly.

Han Yu narrowed his eyes, testing the creature. “I have never tasted human flesh before. Tell me, Bear King, what do they taste like? Are they a delicacy?”

The Bear King scratched its massive cheek, looking deeply uncomfortable. “This… Crow King, I haven’t eaten humans either.”

“Ever since I Awakened to Spiritual Qi and gained sapience, I watched the local woodcutters and hunters. I learned to forage for wild fruits and mushrooms, and how to cook meat over a fire. I even stumbled upon a spirit fruit doing that. But I have never eaten a human, so I cannot answer your question.”

The bear hesitated, then added in a pleading rumble, “Crow King, if you truly desire human flesh… could you please spare the villagers living at the base of Heifeng Mountain? They are incredibly scrawny. I assure you, they would taste terrible.”

The lingering killing intent in Han Yu’s heart evaporated, replaced by genuine amusement. He chuckled. “You are a very strange Demon Beast. Why are you so fiercely protecting mundane mortals?”

The Bear King shifted nervously, not daring to lie to the “Crow King.” “I… I learned how to speak and forage by watching their grandfathers and fathers. Decades ago, they even built a mountain god shrine for me. We… we are just too familiar. It wouldn’t be right to eat them.”

“Wait.” Han Yu glanced at the heavy stone idol he had unceremoniously dumped outside the ruined temple, then looked back at the massive beast kneeling before him. “This mountain god temple belongs to you?”

The Bear King mumbled, entirely embarrassed. “It does.”

“Things were fine for a long time,” the bear continued. “But nine years ago, a weasel Demon Beast snuck onto Heifeng Mountain. I ignored it at first, but the bastard turned out to be a man-eater. It killed several villagers.”

“The mortals assumed the weasel was my subordinate. They stopped coming up the mountain to leave offerings. Since that day, I have violently forbidden any other Demon Beasts from setting foot on my mountain.”

Realizing how that sounded, the bear panicked, waving its massive paws defensively. “Of course, I don’t mean you, Crow King! I meant other Demon Beasts! You are free to come and go as you please on Heifeng Mountain!”

“And what if I decide to stay?” Han Yu asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The Bear King opened its mouth to protest, quickly snapped it shut, and slumped its shoulders in defeat. It was smart enough to know it had absolutely no say in the matter.

“Relax. I don’t eat humans,” Han Yu said smoothly. “I simply require a place to stay for a while.”

Having confirmed the creature was surprisingly docile, possessed no taste for human flesh, and even harbored a strange protective instinct for the local mortals, Han Yu completely discarded the idea of killing it. It was far more useful alive.

The Bear King visibly sagged with relief. Its terrifying ordeal was finally over.

“From this day forward, Heifeng Mountain shall be renamed,” Han Yu declared. “We will change the character. It is now Heifeng (Black Phoenix) Mountain. My crows are my black phoenixes.”

The Bear King blinked cautiously. “Does that mean you will be known as the Black Phoenix King?”

“No. I am the Black Phoenix Perfected One, Li Ya.”

Han Yu smiled down at the massive beast. “Bear King, from now on, you answer to me. You will guard the gates and patrol Heifeng Mountain in my name. Do you accept?”

The Bear King nodded frantically, terrified that any hesitation would result in its immediate execution.

“Good,” Han Yu said, stopping the bear before it could scurry away. “How well do you know the Seeking Truth Daoist Temple? Are you on good terms with them?”

“Not exactly. We are just… acquainted,” the Bear King replied. “Since I don’t eat people, their Cultivators don’t feel the need to violently ‘vanquish evil’ when they see me.”

“A while back, a group of them marched up here, apparently wanting to taste bear paw. I beat them to a pulp, and we sort of came to an understanding after that. Now, if they need information about the surrounding wilderness, they occasionally come ask me.”

“Have you ever been inside their temple?”

“No. There are too many humans there. It makes me nervous. But I know exactly where it is,” the Bear King offered.

Han Yu nodded. “Excellent. I need you to act as a guide.”

“Under the cover of darkness tonight, you will take one of my crows and scout the route to their temple. I need the exact layout mapped out.”