The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 654 - 371: The Truth of Hidden Stream_2

The power of Ba Snake inherently forbids the use of any escape technique within the Ba Snake Mountain Range. Nevertheless, such a movement cannot be restrained from rippling outward—indeed, Changtian himself often summoned his True Form in this manner in the past. However, Ning Xiaoxian’s cultivation is too shallow, and the True Form of Ba Snake sleeps too deeply, only receiving an extremely weak signal, insufficient to awaken it from its slumber.

Yet, this slight movement was enough. Although Ba Snake was usually oblivious, a familiar sense from deep within its soul uncontrollably caused it to shift its form several times.

This is what instigated the earthquake. Strictly speaking, it was Ning Xiaoxian and Changtian together who played a trick on the True Form of Ba Snake, thereby plunging the Hidden Stream’s base into chaos. However, she harbored no guilt over this, as Hidden Stream was originally established by Changtian himself. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Hidden Stream was once a sharp sword in Changtian’s hands, accompanying him through bloody battles, waging wars in ancient times.

In the scrolls of many ancient sects, this is no secret. Before heading to the Ba Snake Mountain Range, Changtian disclosed the truth about Hidden Stream to Ning Xiaoxian.

As the saying goes, even a hero needs three helpers. No matter how powerful Changtian himself was, in an era dominated by Great Demons of ancient times, it was impossible to be invincible across the universe; hence, having a direct army was essential. Not to mention him, even White Tiger had over hundred thousand Great Demon Army under his command back then.

The Ancient War ended with a pyrrhic victory of the Demon Clan, and Hidden Stream was greatly weakened. Before Changtian was sealed in the God Demon Prison, he ordered Hidden Stream to completely withdraw and lie dormant in the Ba Snake Mountain Range, partly to guard the True Form of Ba Snake, and partly to recuperate and await the opportunity to rise again.

Over these many years, Hidden Stream has become a Demon Sect, but its internal structure has not changed. Essentially, it is not a loose sect but an army. Therefore, it is essentially isolated from the outside world, and each demon within the Ba Snake Mountain Range lives a strict and disciplined life, as they are soldiers who, without Changtian’s pardon, cannot retire for life.

The nature of Hidden Stream determines that the Demon Soldiers do not need, nor can they, have too much contact with the outside world. The vibrant external world does not belong to them. Let alone here, even in Huaxia, when have you ever seen a capable army stationed in the midst of a bustling area?

What puzzled Ning Xiaoxian was, with Changtian having departed for over thirty thousand years, how could he ensure the loyalty of this troop? Moreover, given that the Heavenly Dao’s law of balance keeps the fertility rate of Great Demons very low, how could Hidden Stream, lying dormant in the Ba Snake Mountain for a long period, replenish its ranks and maintain a force of no less than one hundred thousand?

When she raised these two questions, Changtian kissed her forehead several times as a reward. This girl had grown up and become wise.

He had lived for too long and deeply understood that human hearts change easily, and verbal commitments are unreliable. Especially over a long period, everything can be ground into dust, including loyalty, zeal, and promises. Even the system construction that modern people praise, can gradually deform and decay over time. Without his personal sanction, without the majesty of the Divine Beast to suppress, the troop would gradually stray from his initial intentions and control, and perhaps eventually vanish in the river of time.

Therefore, the methods he used were not conventional at all. All of this relied on the ability bestowed by the Eastern Constellations—Yimu Growth Power.

He spoke earnestly, his eyes flickering with a cold glint. "When the True Form of Ba Snake returned to the mountain range to sleep, the Yimu Power continuously emanates, and Hidden Stream stays here, immersed day and night in the baptism of Yimu Power. The powers of the Seven Stars of the East enable the demons who long bathe in this to also gain the Power of Growth. Their cultivation progresses faster, their bodies grow larger, more agile, and their lifespans are at least doubled."

"Some demons naturally live very long lives, reaching thousands of years beyond human imagination. With such an extension, they have more time to challenge higher realms, as it is well-known that many demons’ cultivation is built up over time. The longer they live, the deeper their cultivation becomes."

She interjected: "In that case, isn’t the Ba Snake Mountain Range the coveted feng shui treasure for all demons? Why has this place maintained its most primal state, and the number of Hidden Stream members not skyrocketed?"

Changtian chuckled, his bared white teeth lending a somewhat grim aspect: "Everything has its pros and cons. Where can one only reap benefits in the world?"

"Although Yimu Growth Power can offer various benefits to demons, demons immersed in this power for a long term will unconsciously have their will taken away, becoming increasingly dependent, and naturally compliant to Ba Snake who emits the Yimu Power. Just living in the Ba Snake Mountain Range for a month, a demon would not be able to detach for life."

She understood. For demons, drawing on Yimu Power was like consuming drugs. But unlike addiction which can be quit, Yimu Power would rob the demons of their willpower, forever stripping them of freedom, leaving them without control over their own life and death, unless Changtian released them from his bonds.

In this wondrous world, great powers have many ways to secure the absolute loyalty of their subordinates, like the Heart Oath devised by Yin Jiu You, or the Connection poisonous insect venom of Miluo. Changtian simply made clever use of the gifts bestowed by Heaven.

This outcome meant that original veterans within Hidden Stream not only could not betray Changtian in this lifetime, but also could not leave Ba Snake Mountain, and even if they went out, they would return quickly due to the deep call of their soul; also, the Yimu Growth Power continuously attracted new demons to come to Ba Snake Mountain, joining Hidden Stream. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to qidian.com to vote for recommendation ticket and monthly ticket. Your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)