「Three months later.」
The enhanced comprehension from the crystallization had completely faded, and Chen Jiuge had ended this period of seclusion.
Feeling the enriched Dao energy circulating within him, Chen Jiuge remarked to himself, With these crystals existing, it’d be a miracle if the Star Sea Realm didn’t descend into a bloody free-for-all over them.
Casually throwing a large chunk of dull Spiritual Ore onto the ground, an Asura complained to his companion, "What’s up with this Shadow Clan? It’s all these lousy stones. The weapons crafted from them are so chilly and cold, utterly unsuitable for my grand and majestic image."
"Stop complaining. It’s not even for your use. The Elder said we’d trade with other clans in a while; by then, we’ll surely be able to get some fine weapons."
Chen Jiuge, somewhat curious, touched the Spiritual Ore on the ground and asked, "What is this thing?"
The two Asuras were startled and explained awkwardly, "It’s said to be a special product of the Shadow Clan called Shadow Stone. The weapons made from it align well with their Shadow Dao."
"Oh, is that right?" Chen Jiuge asked. "Would it be alright if I took one piece?"
"Divine Son, why don’t you take a few more pieces? There are plenty here anyway."
Unable to resist their enthusiasm, Chen Jiuge collected seven or eight pieces before the two happily saw him off.
「Back at his residence.」
Chen Jiuge took out a piece of Shadow Stone and stroked it lightly, his face revealing a hint of amazement. I actually see the Shadow Bloodline within the ore! What’s going on here?
Could it be that the Shadow Clan sprung from stones?
Casually extracting the bloodline from the Shadow Stone, Chen Jiuge went to the Qingmu Realm, captured a common wild beast, and infused the bloodline into it.
With pitch-black skin, a slender tail, and a small horn newly sprouted on its head, a new Shadow Clan member appeared!
A resounding sound of the Dao echoed in Chen Jiuge’s mind: "Human Clan’s Chen Jiuge has created a new species; hereby rewarded with the Sound of the Dao."
His previously deficient Metal and Wood aspects of the Five Elements were instantly comprehended, and the Five Elements Dao began to slowly merge with his Life Dao.
What just happened? Chen Jiuge felt the changes within him, shocked. What is this Sound of the Dao? And I actually created a new species?
The bloodline clearly indicated Shadow Clan. Could an extra horn make it a new species? Chen Jiuge felt he might have stumbled upon an incredible secret.
Taking out the other Shadow Stones, Chen Jiuge successively created seven new, small Shadow Clan members. His lips were slightly chapped. This aura... it’s unmistakably the aura of the Shadow Dao,
Looking at the seven little black beings, their faces full of admiration, Chen Jiuge roasted two sheep for them. Watching them eat joyfully, he instructed, "Now stay here obediently; I’ll come back to see you later."
"As you command, Father God," the seven little black beings replied respectfully.
After settling them in the Green Bamboo Realm, Chen Jiuge planned to inspect the remaining Shadow Stones. If every piece contains the Shadow Bloodline, that would be quite something, he mused.
A race absolutely loyal to me... that’s truly something to look forward to! ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel-fire.net
"Someone, take me to the Shadow Stone mine; I want to check it out."
"Very well, Divine Son."
Standing atop the vast Shadow Stone vein, Chen Jiuge touched the nearby Shadow Stones with a sense of anticipation. Observing the Shadow Bloodline emerging from them, he felt as if he had been struck by an immense jackpot.
Forcing himself to calm down, he commanded, "All of you, leave. I want to look around alone. No one is allowed in, not even the Elder."
Although somewhat baffled, the Asuras loyally obeyed Chen Jiuge’s orders.
After the Asuras had completely retreated, Chen Jiuge set up a Soundproofing Array. His face broke into an ecstatic grin as he thought, I’ve struck it rich! I’m invincible! This time, I’m really going to be invincible!
One strand, two strands, three strands... From the surface of the entire ore vein, Chen Jiuge extracted over 9,000 strands of Shadow Bloodline.
The count reached 9,993.
Huh? Why are there no more? Chen Jiuge looked at the nearby ore in surprise. I haven’t extracted from this one yet; where did its bloodline go?
Smashing the surrounding walls with his hand, he retrieved a new piece of Shadow Stone, only to find it lacked any Shadow Bloodline.
Chen Jiuge was rather speechless. So, if the Shadow Clan went extinct, the Shadow Stone would manifest the Shadow Bloodline. This must be the Heavenly Dao’s way of replacing the defunct Shadow Clan. But why is there a quantity limit?
Although reluctant to accept it, this seemed to be the truth, and Chen Jiuge could only give up.
Never mind, never mind. Ten thousand is good enough. Any more, and my Green Bamboo Realm wouldn’t be able to hide them all. Gaining ten thousand loyal subordinates for free isn’t a loss, after all. Chen Jiuge consoled himself with this thought before leaving the mine, signaling that the excavation of Shadow Stone could resume.
「Green Bamboo Realm.」
Chen Jiuge arrived at the spot where the seven little black beings had eaten the roasted sheep, his eyes widening. What’s going on here?
The earth was scorched and smoldering, black smoke continuously drifting over the sparking forest. It had caught fire!
"Father God, it’s my fault," the first little black being that had appeared immediately knelt and admitted his mistake. "I wasn’t full, so I took my younger brothers and sisters hunting in the forest. While roasting the food, I accidentally set the forest ablaze."
Chen Jiuge helped him up, saying, "It’s alright, it’s just a minor thing."
With a Spirit Rain Technique, he extinguished the remaining flames. Replenishing it with Life Force from his Divine Power Sky Blue, the scorched earth and forest were restored to their original state.
"Master, I’m here." A robust vine shot out, and Chen Ziteng, still appearing as a baby, quickly materialized.
"Hmm," Chen Jiuge said to Ziteng. "Go and capture ten thousand wild beasts for me. I need them alive."