The Evil Sorcerer and the Bone Demon

The caravan known as the Stone Monster Merchant Group sped across the land, kicking up clouds of dust.

The Sacred Mountain appeared in the distance.

They had entered the sacred lands of Yinsai and the area surrounding the royal capital. Small towns and villages dotted the landscape along the way.

As they drew closer, the caravan began to slow its pace.

People emerged from the carriages and walked alongside, gazing at the Sacred Mountain ahead.

It was like a pilgrimage.

This was something all caravans and people did upon arriving here, a tradition passed down for countless years, now a custom.

Anhofus, the leader of the Stone Monster Merchant Group, noticed three strange figures standing side by side at the edge of the Sacred Lake.

The smallest one was kicking pebbles, visible only as the back of a girl in a dress.

There was also a woman wearing a golden robe and a tall figure draped in a pristine white cloak.

The little girl kicked pebbles while making bubble-like sounds.

"Gururu!"

The woman in the elaborate golden robe pouted and tilted her head, looking utterly exhausted.

She let out a long sigh and said, "Casting such a wide net won't work. It's like trying to find a needle in the ocean!"

Anhofus's first thought was that these three individuals were clearly of high status, searching for something. However, he failed to notice that they were obviously not Trilobite Men, yet no one found their presence strange or out of place.

This abnormal scene seemed to be influenced by a powerful corrective force, altering everyone's perception to view it as normal.

As he passed by, Anhofus casually remarked, "If you can't find someone or something, why not find a way to make them come to you?"

The white-robed figure turned, eyes beneath the hood meeting Anhofus's gaze.

That gaze was like the brilliance of distant stars illuminating the world.

Anhofus couldn't make out the figure's appearance, and even his sense of the entire world seemed to vanish.

He felt as if he were floating in the cosmos beyond the sky, engulfed in boundless darkness, his eyes fixed only on the towering presence above.

Ah!

What kind of being was that?

Like an eternal, unchanging star.

Anhofus asked dazedly, "Who are you?"

Yin Shen saw through everything about Anhofus—his identity, his magic bottle, and his reasons for coming here. And in his eyes, Yin Shen saw a longing for knowledge and mystery.

"Your bone demon is quite impressive. Would you like to create other monsters?"

Anhofus stood dumbfounded for a long moment before finally stammering, "Of course."

As the caravan departed, the spirit stood beside Yin Shen.

"Who was that mortal?"

Yin Shen: "Anhofus."

The spirit thought for a moment before remembering.

"Anhofus, the student of Sandean's student."

"Oh, right."

"The King of Yinsai mentioned his name earlier. That's why he's here, isn't it?"

Yin Shen withdrew his gaze, no longer watching the departing caravan.

"He will bring more monster races."

"Sandean, Haru, Anhofus—this lineage will spread monsters across the sky, land, and sea."

Concern flickered in the spirit's eyes. "God!" she exclaimed. "Will these monsters You speak of bring disaster or fortune?"

God replied calmly, "Perhaps both. Can anything in this world be entirely beneficial or harmful?"

Then Yin Shen walked towards Shelly, taking her small hand and waving to summon the hot air balloon from above.

"His words weren't bad, though. If we can't find the missing part of the Life Ability, we should find a way to make it come to us, or have others help us find it."

The hot air balloon drifted down from the sky. The spirit hurried after Yin Shen, catching up and walking on tiptoe behind him to see his profile.

"The hot air balloon is too small, God!"

"Why don't we modify it again?" —

The merchant caravan had unknowingly reached the outer city at the foot of the Sacred Mountain. Anhofus, still in a daze, followed the caravan to its destination.

"Master!"

"Master!"

"Master!"

Anhofus was awakened by his servants' calls, finally emerging from his confused state. "What happened to me?"

Servant: "You've been in a daze for an hour, Master."

Anhofus turned to look around. "Where are we?"

Servant: "We've already reached the foot of the Sacred Mountain."

Anhofus nodded. "It's nothing."

"The caravan's people will stay here. The rest of you, follow me up."

He looked up at the Sky Temple in the clouds and the majestic mountain city above.

"Let's go see what kind of mortal this generation's King of Yinsai is."

In God-Servant City, discussions could be heard everywhere.

"Did you hear that sound?"

"It was so beautiful, it made me want to fall asleep just listening to it."

"I heard it too."

"How did you hear it?"

"In my dream."

The palace gates opened, with two rows of soldiers holding long swords standing on either side. Elegantly dressed attendants waited for Anhofus's arrival.

An attendant bowed, humbly extending his right hand.

"Please!"

"Lord Anhofus, His Majesty awaits you inside."

Anhofus entered the palace alone, leaving his servants to wait outside.

The King of Yinsai lay on his throne, gazing at Anhofus with clouded eyes.

So young. Young enough to inspire envy in anyone who saw him.

"Are you the evil sorcerer Anhofus, descendant of the Samo family and student of Haru?"

Anhofus bowed with impeccable aristocratic etiquette. "I am Anhofus, though I prefer to be addressed as Haru's student first."

The King of Yinsai's gaze remained calm, but reclining on his throne, he resembled a lion ready to pounce and devour at any moment.

"Why?" the king asked. "Do you consider the title of 'Haru's student' more noble than that of royal bloodline?"

Anhofus: "I believe the power of truth is stronger than the power of bloodlines."

He raised his head, meeting the King of Yinsai's gaze directly. "Isn't that why Your Majesty summoned me here?"

Such insolent words would have normally incurred the King of Yinsai's wrath. But now, the king no longer cared about such things, just as Anhofus had said.

In this era, the strength and nobility of bloodlines were no longer sufficient.

Moreover, the Henir Dynasty was established by defeating the royal bloodline families.

"I've heard," the king said, "that you've touched the true gates of immortality."

Anhofus smiled. "Everyone seeks the secret of true immortality, but they're all grasping at the moon's reflection in a lake."

"All so-called progress towards immortality is merely inching closer to that illusory reflection."

"But if we speak of methods for ordinary mortals to attain longevity, no one in this world knows more than I do."

Hearing Anhofus's last words, the King of Yinsai immediately stood up.

Like a starving, emaciated lion spotting a deer.

In his eyes gleamed uncontrollable hunger.

Immortality was too lofty a dream, too much like a mirage.

All he sought was to live a bit longer.

"What do you want?"

"Whatever I can do, I will satisfy you."

Anhofus replied, "It's not about satisfying me, but about satisfying yourself, King of Yinsai."

The King of Yinsai slowly sat down, eyeing Anhofus with scrutiny and doubt.

"How can you prove that you can accomplish what your grandfather and teacher couldn't?"

"And how can I be certain that your methods have no hidden dangers?"

Anhofus raised his head confidently. "King of Yinsai, you may state your requirements."

The King of Yinsai, understanding some of Haru's affairs and the Samo family's immortality secret techniques, immediately put forth his demands addressing the issues.

"First: I want a body similar to that of a Trilobite Man, not in the form of a monster."

"Second: This body must be able to live within the city, not like monsters that are exiled by God and can only exist in the wilderness."

"Third: This body must possess high intelligence, and its consciousness and memories must not be interfered with by other consciousnesses."

Anhofus: "That's difficult!"

"However..."

"I can give you that, King of Yinsai."

Anhofus took out Haru's magic bottle, cradling it in his hands.

Inside the bottle was a small skeletal figure, similar to a Trilobite Man but much smaller. As soon as light from outside shone into the bottle, the small skeleton looked around.

It saw the palace and the King of Yinsai.

The small skeleton stood up in the bottle and bowed to the King of Yinsai.

"Greetings, great King of Yinsai."

The King of Yinsai was shocked. This was the first time he had seen such a being possessing intelligence and the ability to speak.

Anhofus held the magic bottle high, a smile spreading across his face.

"Behold!"

"This is what you desire."