Chang Shan Yin... Chang Shan Yin... Chang Shan Yin!
Zhou Ming's departing back suddenly froze, then he spun around, his eyes fixed on the Rank 4 Enslavement Path Gu Master riding on a wolf in the distance.
Wolf King Chang Shan Yin.
In the original work, he was a great hero renowned throughout Northern Plains, a Genius Enslavement Path Gu Master. With his Rank Four Peak cultivation, he fought a great battle against the Rank Five expert Ha Tu Gu, completely annihilating Ha Tu Gu's bandit group and thus becoming famous in Northern Plains.
Chang Shan Yin himself, after killing Ha Tu Gu, was also on the verge of death and had no choice but to use a life-saving Gu worm to Seal himself at the center of the battlefield, falling into a slumber for several decades.
In the original work, he was found by the protagonist after twenty years of slumber, killed, and his identity was taken over, allowing the protagonist to establish a formidable reputation in Northern Plains.
But now... Zhou Ming, riding on a wolf, watched indifferently as the battle in front ended, all the Gu Masters were devoured one by one by the wolf pack, eventually becoming food in the wolves' bellies, not a single one left.
Chang Shan Yin did not leave immediately; instead, he contracted his wolf pack, surrounding himself in the center. At the same time, his gaze turned towards Zhou Ming's direction.
After witnessing the end of this battle, Zhou Ming no longer concealed his Aura. His Rank Four Peak Aura immediately drew Chang Shan Yin's vigilance.
"Your Excellency, do we know each other?"
Chang Shan Yin spoke, simultaneously activating a Gu worm. His voice was deep, carried far and wide by the power of the Gu worm.
Zhou Ming rode his camel-wolf down the slope and walked towards Chang Shan Yin.
Chang Shan Yin's wolf pack remained motionless, maintaining a highly effective defensive formation. The wolves seemed to completely restrain their instincts, showing no disturbance, which demonstrated Chang Shan Yin's superb wolf-controlling skills.
The camel-wolf stopped only when it reached the edge of the wolf pack's defense. Zhou Ming spoke, "You don't know me, but I know you. The famous Enslavement Path Gu Master of Northern Plains, Wolf King Chang Shan Yin, even from thousands of miles away, I've heard of your great name."
Zhou Ming's tone was amiable, carrying a hint of admiration, and he showed no hostility, which eased Chang Shan Yin's tense nerves.
He sat on the wolf's back, his right hand on his chest, and said loudly, "Your Excellency, as a Rank Four Gu Master, you must not be an unknown person. May I ask why Your Excellency is looking for me?"
As he got closer, he also saw Zhou Ming's appearance clearly. His excessively young appearance made him uncertain and surprised, so he did not ask for Zhou Ming's identity but directly asked for Zhou Ming's purpose.
Although Zhou Ming had the Ghost Face Gu to disguise his appearance, the Ghost Face Gu was only a Rank Three Gu worm, and Chang Shan Yin's soul foundation was far superior to his. He might also have some investigative Gu worms, so his true face could easily be exposed. It was better to show his true face, which would make Chang Shan Yin trust him more easily.
"You flatter me, Wolf King. My name is Zhou Ming. I merely possess a Rank Four cultivation, but in reality, I have no fame; I am but an unknown nobody."
"Some time ago, I encountered a disaster, many of my Gu worms were destroyed, and my strength greatly diminished. Now I am looking for a Market to buy a few Rank Four Gu worms to replenish my strength."
"Just now, I saw your struggle and intended to leave, but then I heard the other party call out your name, Chang Shan Yin. Therefore, I wanted to come and ask for directions, hoping Brother Chang Shan Yin can offer some guidance."
"So that's how it is." Chang Shan Yin nodded, then remembered something and asked, "Some time ago, the Zhou Family went to war with the Kou Family, Wenren Family, and Fu Family, fighting three Families with the strength of one, and ultimately achieved a great victory, shaking the entire Northern Plains. Brother Zhou, are you a member of the Zhou Family?"
Zhou Ming rubbed his nose, feigning a shy, bitter smile, "I can't hide it from you, Brother. I am indeed from the Zhou Family, but due to some special reasons, I am traveling alone in Northern Plains. You flatter me, Brother."
Chang Shan Yin laughed heartily, waving his hand to disperse the wolf pack, making way for Zhou Ming.
"Brother Zhou, there's no need to explain. Everyone has their own difficulties; as long as there's no intention to harm others, there's no need to worry. There's a Market near my Chang Family. Brother Zhou, come with me, and you can also be a guest in my Family. I, Chang Shan Yin, will surely entertain you well!"
Northern Plains people are both brave and warlike, and also warm and hospitable. Their bones are filled with reverence for the strong. For those who are powerful and share their temperament, they will be welcomed and received with the highest etiquette.
Chang Shan Yin naturally couldn't easily believe Zhou Ming's words. Although he let Zhou Ming walk beside him, his White-Eyed Wolf remained close, and several Thousand Wolf Kings surrounded him, ensuring Chang Shan Yin's safety.
The two walked side by side, chatting as they went, and soon Zhou Ming obtained a lot of information.
This information was trivial to Chang Shan Yin, but extremely important to Zhou Ming.
The first and foremost point was the current time Zhou Ming was in!
Although Chang Shan Yin appeared to be around thirty years old, he was actually only 26, and his current cultivation was merely Rank Four Middle Stage.
This was only because of the unique climate of Northern Plains, coupled with the naturally rugged disposition of Northern Plains people. Most people didn't care much about their appearance and wouldn't deliberately maintain it. Men living on the grasslands, weathered by wind and frost, were generally like this.
'In the original work, Chang Shan Yin only had his great decisive battle with Ha Tu Gu when he was at Rank Four Peak. Between now and then, there must be at least three or four more years. After that, he would have to slumber for over twenty years to connect with the original plot.'
'In other words, the time I am in now is twenty-five or six years before the protagonist arrived in Northern Plains in the original work!'
'At this time, the protagonist of the original work is very likely just an infant, or not even born yet!'
In Zhou Ming's Heart-Nature, excitement suddenly surged, and an uncontrollable thought swelled wildly in his mind.
'Take this opportunity to kill him!'
'Who cares if he's that kind and pure youth, or that Devil Head with a heart of steel? Just destroy the entire Qing Mao Mountain! Uproot the problem, leave no future troubles!'
The protagonist in the original work, like Zhou Ming, was also a Transmigrator, and initially also had C-grade Aptitude.
With low Aptitude and no fortuitous encounters, his cultivation path was arduous, every step difficult, constantly beaten by reality. After five hundred years of vicissitudes, struggling and enduring, he had completely changed.
He became a true — Devil Head!
Words like 'heart of steel' or'single-mindedly pursuing the Dao' were simply insufficient to describe his Heart-Nature.
To be devoid of emotion and desire, and to stop at nothing, were merely embellishments of his character.
This person was truly too terrifying; Zhou Ming often praised and admired him when reading that book.
Now that he had personally come to this world, Zhou Ming, considering himself an ordinary person, felt he simply could not compare to him.
Since that was the case, it was natural to strike first!
Forcibly suppressing the immense excitement in his heart, Zhou Ming tried his best to remain calm and rational.
'Not the time, it's not the time yet.'
'Stick to the plan. First go to Lang Ya Blessed Land, then to the Eastern Sea, then to Southern Border. Traveling along this path, there's plenty of time!'
'Fang Yuan! Fang Yuan!'
...Two days later, Zhou Ming returned to the Chang Family camp with Chang Shan Yin.
The Chang Family was a medium-sized Family. The Clan Chief, Chang Sheng Chun, had Rank Four high-level cultivation and was also Chang Shan Yin's father.
In terms of scale, the Chang Family certainly couldn't compare to large Families like the Zhou Family.
The Zhou Family occupied Warm Pool Valley, building tall city walls and sturdy defensive fortifications to resist external enemies. Various rules and regulations, as well as supporting facilities, were complete, and Family members each performed their duties, making their overall strength very powerful.
The Chang Family did not have such a good living environment as Warm Pool Valley. They merely built a camp on flat ground, with thick earth walls on the outside. Thorns grew on the earth walls, spawned by the Thorny Vine Gu, used to fend off beast groups.
Behind the earth walls were watchtowers, with Gu Masters patrolling and standing guard, protecting the Family.
Before Zhou Ming and Chang Shan Yin even arrived, the Chang Family had already received news and opened their gates early, with a group of Gu Masters coming out to welcome them.
"Young Clan Chief is back!"
"Eh? Why is there a young man with the Young Clan Chief?"
"He must be a Gu Master that the Young Clan Chief subdued on the road. For a Prodigy like our Young Clan Chief, it's only normal to have Gu Masters following him!"
"Shh! Don't talk nonsense! That young man is a Rank Four Gu Master!"
"What?! Such a young Rank Four Gu Master? Could he be a direct descendant of some large Family?!"
Chang Shan Yin led Zhou Ming into the city. Along the way, while the crowd welcomed them, they also whispered incessantly about Zhou Ming, the unfamiliar face.
However, their discussions about Zhou Ming did not diminish their excitement over Chang Shan Yin's return. No matter where Chang Shan Yin went, he would be met with enthusiastic cheers, which clearly showed Chang Shan Yin's status and prestige within the Family.
Soon, the two passed through the crowd and walked along the main road into the center of the camp.
Most of the residents here were Gu Masters, with clusters of Gu houses made of House Lizard Gu and Mushroom House Gu, arranged in a picturesque and unique style.
And in front of the Mushroom House Gu at the very center of the camp, an elder with a face similar to Chang Shan Yin's was waiting there with some Gu Masters.
"Father!"
Chang Shan Yin waved to the elder, jumped off his White-Eyed Wolf, and introduced Zhou Ming, "Brother Zhou, that's my Father, also our Chang Family's Clan Chief. He heard I brought a friend back, and he personally came out to welcome us!"
Zhou Ming also jumped off his camel-wolf to show respect to the Chang Family, and at the same time, he smiled, "Thank you for the Chang Family Clan Chief's kindness. As a Junior, I am truly a bit overwhelmed with gratitude."
"Hahaha, we Northern Plains people only recognize strength! The strong should be respected, and they should receive the best hospitality!"
Chang Family Clan Chief Chang Sheng Chun led his people forward, laughing as he spoke.
"Please, come in quickly! We heard Shan Yin brought back a Rank Four expert, and we have already prepared good wine and meat, just waiting for our guest to be seated!"
"Then this Junior thanks the Chang Family for their hospitality!" Zhou Ming did not decline and, surrounded by everyone, entered the main tent.
Mare's milk wine, beef and mutton, various delicacies filled the tables, beautiful young maidens sang and danced, people drank from large bowls and ate large chunks of meat, with joyous songs and laughter, all through the night. The tables were a mess of dishes, and both hosts and guests enjoyed themselves thoroughly.