Chapter 486: Upper Immortal's Edict, Guard This Mountain

While the hunters marveled at the distant mountain peak, Ji Yuan and the old beggar were still at the foot of the mountain where Tu Siyan was suppressed. The old beggar attempted to awaken Tu Siyan using a spirit-cleansing method, but perhaps due to a self-preservation mechanism from her severe injuries, her spiritual consciousness remained hidden, and she did not awaken.

Given Tu Siyan's significant vital energy damage at the moment, it was not advisable to use overly aggressive methods, as this could easily lead to severe soul injury or even its escape. Therefore, they could only leave her there for the time being, waiting for her to awaken on her own.

Although the mountain-suppressing technique had subdued Tu Siyan, it would not cause her any further harm. A faint stream of spiritual energy would also gather within the mountain, giving her a chance to recover her vital energy. However, this recovery would take a very long time, though her spiritual recovery might not be as slow.

The hunters in the mountains ultimately dared not approach the newly appeared mountain too closely. After observing it and seeing that dusk was truly setting in, they quickly departed, filled with excitement, eager to inform their villagers about what they had witnessed.

Ji Yuan and the old beggar each withdrew their respective magical techniques. The old beggar had primarily relied on casting spells, while Ji Yuan had flicked a drop of ambergris into her, but Tu Siyan showed no reaction.

"Mr. Ji, I think we should give up for now and wait for this demoness to awaken on her own."

Ji Yuan could only sigh.

"Alright, so be it. However, Tu Siyan is an eight-tailed fox demon and briefly reached the nine-tailed level just now. I wonder if there will be any complications?"

The old beggar smiled.

"Please rest assured, Mr. Ji. My mountain-suppressing technique is quite formidable; few in the immortal path can rival it. Under my technique, this demoness's demonic power cannot be wielded. She can only maintain minimal survival and recovery. Unless an external force breaks this mountain, there is absolutely no possibility of her escaping."

As if expecting Ji Yuan to ask another question, the old beggar added.

"And if an external force were to break this mountain, not only would it require considerable cultivation, but I would also certainly know about it!"

Ji Yuan didn't know precisely how high the "considerable cultivation" the old beggar spoke of truly was. Even though destruction is always easier than creation, it likely meant a level of power not far from, if not surpassing, the old beggar's own.

The old beggar had given full assurances in his initial remarks, but after some thought, he added another point.

"However, there is a subtle method: if there is a mountain god here who controls the earth's ley lines, and that mountain god cooperates with this demoness from within and without, it might be possible to shake the mountain's stability..."

As he spoke, the old beggar frowned, looking around the mountains and wilderness, and murmured.

"I wonder if this mountain even has a mountain god?"

Earth deities such as mountain gods, land gods, river deities, and water gods share a common characteristic: they are adept at hiding. Unless one is determined to utterly destroy an entire water body or earth vein, a deity intent on hiding is extremely difficult to find.

When the old beggar and Tu Siyan battled earlier, the commotion was so immense it nearly shattered the entire Pozi Mountain range. Even if there were a deity in this mountain, it would surely have hidden as deeply as possible long ago, making it absolutely impossible for it to reveal itself voluntarily.

The art of summoning deities might also be related to these factors, but precisely because of the unique nature of such deities, the art of summoning is exceedingly difficult to learn, let alone master.

Furthermore, the art of summoning deities is considered one of the most supreme mystical techniques. Very few cultivators or cultivating sects possess the complete method, and they do not easily impart it. Even true disciples are not taught it unless their cultivation reaches a certain level. However, various fragmented or incomplete versions occasionally circulate; while these summoning methods vary greatly, they are still considered valuable.

The old beggar had actually contemplated the art of summoning deities and had even practiced a relatively complete method. Unfortunately, the method was only *relatively* complete, not truly whole, and a slight difference can lead to a huge deviation. To this day, the old beggar still hasn't fully mastered the path of summoning deities.

Naturally, facing stronger deities was out of the question, but even weaker earth deities couldn't always be summoned. It wasn't entirely a matter of luck; rather, weaker mountain and water deities might have very shallow connections to the earth and water veins, making them difficult to summon based on terrain or water flow.

However, considering the current situation, the old beggar thought it might be worth a try, so he spoke lightly after finishing his previous remarks.

"Mr. Ji, have you heard of a method that can summon deities to appear? While it's somewhat offensive, it might be suitable for the current situation."

Hearing the old beggar's words, Ji Yuan's interest was immediately piqued. This old beggar knew how to summon deities?

"Elder Lu, are you referring to the art of summoning deities?"

It was important to note that over the years, Ji Yuan had not encountered anyone else who could summon deities besides himself. Of course, his own method of summoning deities was unique, having evolved through his specific edicts.

Therefore, upon hearing that the old beggar was clearly preparing to perform deity summoning, he was very interested in observing it to see the differences.

Seeing Ji Yuan first inquire with slight surprise, then reveal an expression of great interest, the old beggar felt a surge of satisfaction. He smiled and nodded in response.

"Mr. Ji, you are correct, it is indeed the art of summoning deities! This method is extremely secretly transmitted. I, this old beggar, once accidentally conducted some research into it. I can only say I've achieved a minor accomplishment, certainly not mastery, but it's worth a try."

Ji Yuan had been waiting for that very sentence. He immediately stepped aside, deliberately making space, and with a wave of his hand towards the ground, he said.

"Elder Lu, please proceed!"

The old beggar did not hesitate. He gently swung his right arm, rotating his index finger towards the sky, held his left palm flat in front of him, and murmured softly. Soon, a faint reddish glow emanated from his fingertips.

At this moment, the old beggar's expression turned solemn. He brought his finger down onto his left palm, gently sliding it to form a special runic pattern.

Throughout the process, Ji Yuan, standing by, was utterly absorbed. It was clear that the old beggar's deity summoning method and Ji Yuan's were almost entirely different approaches.

The casting process was not long; from forming the hand seal to striking his palm into a rune took only three or four breaths. Then, the old beggar's eyes narrowed. He brushed his right hand over his left palm, and the next moment, he gently struck his left palm towards the ground.

"Thud..."

The ground beneath them gently vibrated, and a ripple, like water, slowly spread outwards. In this aspect, it was almost identical to Ji Yuan's deity summoning method.

"I summon the mountain god of this mountain to appear."

A faint, thundering sound from the old beggar's mouth also spread as the divine ability was unleashed.

One breath, two breaths, three breaths... Time slowly passed, but no mountain god appeared before Ji Yuan and the old beggar.

The old beggar waited for a while without any sense of awkwardness. He then turned to thoughtfully examine the large mountain he had formed with his mountain-suppressing technique.

"It seems that even if this mountain has a mountain god, its connection to the mountain's ley lines must be very shallow. Furthermore, my mountain-suppressing technique effectively altered the mountain's configuration, which is why the summoning failed. Of course, a greater possibility is that this mountain simply has no mountain god. After all, the Da Xiu Dynasty is aware of divine matters and strictly controls unauthorized shrines. Without the aid of collective wishes, ordinary spirits find it difficult to become mountain gods."

Ji Yuan also nodded.

"That is indeed a possibility. In that case, let us depart for now. I will leave some safeguards here."

As he spoke, a yellow human-shaped talisman flew out from Ji Yuan's sleeve, prompting the old beggar beside him to lean forward and peer with great curiosity. It was quite peculiar how the paper talisman was specifically cut into a small human figure, with no visible runic patterns on it.

Ji Yuan gently tossed the yellow paper talisman forward. As it slowly drifted down through the air, a golden-yellow, powder-like luminescence appeared. Ji Yuan then spoke softly.

"Divine Warrior, come forth."

The next moment, the yellow paper talisman transformed entirely into streams of golden-yellow luminous powder, swirling and shifting before Ji Yuan and the old beggar, finally coalescing from the light into a burly, gold-armored divine general.

As soon as the gold-armored Divine Warrior appeared, it performed its characteristic action: slowly bowing, meticulously cupping its hands in a salute towards Ji Yuan, its voice resounding like a great bell.

"My Lord."

"Very well. Below this mountain, the fox demon Tu Siyan is suppressed. You shall guard this mountain here, ensure its stability is unharmed, and prevent this demon from escaping."

The gold-armored Divine Warrior maintained its respectful posture and replied with a resonant yet slightly deep voice.

"I obey your decree."

The old beggar's eyes lit up, his expression one of profound astonishment. He scrutinized the gold-armored Divine Warrior up and down. This marvelous technique was something he had never even heard of, let alone witnessed. Although immortal cultivation included methods of puppets, clones, and avatars, and talismans were versatile, none of them were anything like Ji Yuan's approach.

Having received the decree, the gold-armored Divine Warrior lowered its arms, straightened its body, and slowly stepped back two paces. Its form gradually faded, becoming semi-transparent as it merged with the mountain.

This semi-transparency was only perceptible to Ji Yuan and the old beggar's spiritual sight; an ordinary person would certainly not be able to see it.

"Alright, Elder Lu, let us depart now. I have something I need to ask the National Preceptor of the Da Xiu Dynasty, so I won't linger in these mountains."

"Haha, let's go then!"

Clouds formed beneath their feet, slowly lifting Ji Yuan and the old beggar into the air. However, after ascending several dozen feet, Ji Yuan suddenly looked towards a certain direction within the mountain.

There, he faintly perceived human activity, which must be the mountain village. Amidst this, he also saw faint threads of 'wish power' rising. This wish power, after ascending, dissipated into the surrounding mountains rather than vanishing directly. Due to his deep study of the Edict Law and Xuanhuang Qi, Ji Yuan was well-versed in this field and could not possibly be mistaken.

This was precisely when the hunters had returned to their mountain village, enthusiastically proclaiming what they had seen, elaborating on how powerful the mountain god was and how magnificent the mountain appeared. Consequently, the villagers became even more devout in their worship of the mountain.

'Wish power not dispersing?'

Ji Yuan frowned, instinctively glancing at the old beggar. Could it be that there was still a mountain god in this mountain?

"What's wrong, Mr. Ji? If you're tired, I, this old beggar, can also guide the clouds."

"No, Elder Lu, please wait. Let's go down one more time. This time, I'll try."

As he spoke, under Ji Yuan's control, the clouds flew back down.

"Try? Try what?"

The old beggar paused, then suddenly realized something. As he looked at Ji Yuan with surprise in his eyes, Ji Yuan, now on the ground, had already channeled his magical energy.

"I summon the mountain god of this mountain to appear."

As the resonant sound of his edict spread, Ji Yuan gently tapped his right foot on the ground.

A water-like ripple spread outwards. The next moment, a swirling mist rose from the ground, and from it emerged a scared, yellowish-brown spirit wearing plain cloth robes.

As soon as it appeared, this spirit quickly bowed and prostrated itself repeatedly before Ji Yuan and the old beggar.

"The mountain god of Pozi Mountain greets you, two immortal masters! I greet you, two immortal masters!"

So it was!

"There's no need for such formality, Mountain God. It's simply that you have no temple in this mountain, so I had no choice but to use the deity summoning method to call you forth."

Ji Yuan replied, then turned to the old beggar.

"It seems this mountain does have a mountain god, but their connection to the earth's ley lines is indeed not deep."

The old beggar: "..."