NABC Chapter 85 Re-entering the Mortal World, Unparalleled Divine Power
Chapter 85 Re-entering the Mortal World, Unparalleled Divine Power
Chapter 85 Re-entering the Mortal World, Unparalleled Divine Power
Early in the morning, Lin Zhuo was so hungry that he felt dizzy and lightheaded.
Chanting incantations to refine the protective barrier requires consuming mental energy to resist the erosion of magical power with each syllable uttered. A complete recitation consumes mental energy comparable to a fierce battle.
From midnight to dawn, Lin Zhuo chanted incantations non-stop, successfully reciting the talismanic phrases thirty times in a row, equivalent to refining the restriction five times, bringing the cultivation progress of the Hidden Dragon Pot to only 5%.
This is just the most basic ghost-drawn restriction. When it comes to the level of spirit script and dragon chapter, it often requires chanting the talisman dozens or hundreds of times without interruption to complete a single refining. This makes the practice even more tedious and tiring.
Therefore, many powerful figures will recruit disciples and believers to refine the restrictions on their behalf, which is essentially finding a bunch of laborers to help with the work.
Lin Zhuo rubbed his empty stomach and ate breakfast at the White Egret Sword Sect.
Don't be fooled by the Taoist priests' carefree and reclusive lifestyle and their seemingly impoverished appearance. In fact, their diet is quite good, with a wide variety of meats available, and they are also experts in medicinal cuisine.
The Taoist priest in the kitchen was always busy preparing various nourishing soups for the sect leader, the palace master, and distinguished guests like Lin Zhuo. These soups usually took several hours to simmer, resulting in rich and complex flavors that could rival the ten most famous restaurants in the martial arts world.
Lin Zhuo drank several large jars of medicinal cuisine in the kitchen, devouring various kinds of chicken, duck, pig's feet, pig's kidneys, and lamb chops. The nutrients from ginseng, lingzhi powder, eucommia, polygonatum, and other medicinal herbs warmed and steamed from his stomach. Only when his vital essence was full and his qi sea was high did he put down the soup bowl and let out a long burp.
Eating all this ordinary food was actually less effective than a sip of spirit wine. Lin Zhuo missed the taste of spirit wine.
Team leaders Zhu Baixuan and Shu Yuliu have brought the [Where is the Elixir?] questline to its final stages. All they need to do is return to Liquan Town and heal Zhou Fuhu's son, and that will be the end of their mission. However, the two are not in a hurry. They are currently traveling the world with Fang Qinghan, a disciple of the Undying Valley, collecting ingredients for brewing wine.
Lin Zhuo and Jin Xiaohu were so engrossed in studying the talismans and comprehending the Dao on the mountain that they did absolutely nothing, yet they still enjoyed a lot of mission rewards for nothing.
The [Where is the Elixir] quest series is not particularly difficult overall. The most challenging part is the "Extremely Difficult" level, which requires defeating the Gu-poisoned zombies guarding the elixir "Heavenly Fragrance Ghost Orchid".
Shu Yuliu and Fang Qingjun were well prepared beforehand and managed to defeat their formidable enemy without any major incidents. Their final reward was 350 Disaster Coins and 1950 Universal Experience Points.
As for the loot, it was unremarkable. Lin Zhuo got some white-quality zombie poison oil, which could be used to poison weapons, and he immediately sold it on the forum.
The experience gap for a Qigong Master to upgrade to Lv5 is quite large. If you only do low-difficulty tasks, it's unknown how long it will take to meet the requirements.
Lin Zhuo is relatively optimistic about gaining experience.
After all, he can now compete with the Grandmasters at the bottom of the Heavenly Ranking. Once he has mastered the Hidden Dragon Pot to perfection and can store 20 layers of Hidden Dragon Force, there will be no expert in the martial world who can withstand his palm strike without turning into blood mist. He can easily sweep through the Purgatory difficulty missions.
So now Lin Zhuo has pretty much mastered the key to unlocking the game.
White Egret Sword Sect Mountain Gate.
Lin Zhuo and his mistress Hong Yingniang had changed into light travel clothes, and Jin Xiaohu was perched on his shoulder. It was time to say goodbye.
When they arrived, they were greeted by two Taoist priests, one older and one younger, and when they left, the sect leader and many temple masters solemnly saw them off.
Chang Mingzi's view of Lin Zhuo's self-confidence was particularly complicated. In recent days, many palace masters had come to ask him: Where exactly did Qinghong take their precious disciple? Why can't they see him all day long?
That's right, those sent to the valley to learn talismanic arts from Lin Zhuo were all elites destined to succeed the Sword Sect. Chang Mingzi could only make excuses and cover for his eldest disciple.
Although Lin Zhuo is leaving now, the legacy and influence he left behind will continue to grow. Chang Mingzi saw the reluctance and dependence in Qing Hong and the others' eyes, as if this outsider was their dear master, which made the young Taoist priest a little jealous.
The truth will eventually come out. As the secrets of the sect spread throughout the valley, the morale of the sword sect will likely waver. Whether this is a blessing or a curse, Chang Mingzi couldn't say for sure; only heaven knows.
"Master Lin's journey to Anzhou may be fraught with trouble. Why don't I accompany you down the mountain?" Chang Mingzi's words startled the surrounding Taoists.
"No need," Lin Zhuo shook his head.
As the saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes. He no longer needs to invite any powerful allies as a backup for a mere Demonic Cult King.
"Esteemed Daoists, there's no need to see me off on this long journey through the martial world. If fate allows, I will visit your sect again in the future."
Watching Lin Zhuo and his group depart, the various hall masters could only sigh that new talents emerge in every generation, while the sect leader and his disciples gazed at the vast sky in the morning light for a long time, as if watching a flock of geese flying south, or perhaps recalling the silhouette of someone.
From the tranquil world of the mountains, one is thrown back into the bustling world below. Stepping into the city of Anzhou, one is met with a cacophony of sounds and sights, a constant flow of carriages and horses, and a throng of people.
At the inn outside the city, Lin Zhuo stopped the carriage. During their time on the mountain, the horses pulling the carriage had been entrusted by the White Egret Sword Sect to the farmers in the village at the foot of the mountain. They were well-fed and glossy, and Lin Zhuo gave the farmers extra money as a reward.
They swaggered into the city, and along the way, countless spies recognized Lin Zhuo and Jin Xiaohu as a pair. Hong Yingniang, wearing a veil, had a graceful figure and beautiful eyes, so it wasn't hard to guess her true identity.
North of Anzhou City, on the Luoying River, pleasure boats and painted barges are moored at the ferry. These boats also run prostitution businesses, but compared to the high-end brothels, the prices here are more affordable, thus attracting a wider audience. At night, the river is illuminated by lights, creating a lively and bustling scene.
Many people are unaware that the forces behind the Golden Pavilion and the Fallen Blossom Boat are actually the disguised Huanhuafang of the Demonic Sect.
On a painted boat in the middle of the river, four of the five major workshop owners were gathered, with only the eldest workshop owner, Mo Weiren, absent.
The mighty Heavenly King Mo Weiren already knew that all the spies planted within the White Egret Sword Sect had been eliminated, and the sect's years of hard work had been destroyed. Even the Dharma King personally intervened and ordered Mo Weiren to investigate the whole story.
With his keen sense of smell, Mo Weiren did not rush directly to the Yanwei Mountain area. He suspected that the disguise of Huanhuafang had been exposed, so he needed a more reliable method to approach the suspicious Bailu Sword Sect.
As for Lin Zhuo, who abducted the courtesan, he naturally wouldn't let him go either.
"The head of the sect has ordered us to capture this runaway girl and bring her back. After all, she has a connection with Qinghong, the true disciple of the White Heron Sword Sect. Now that she has lived on Yanwei Mountain for so long, she probably knows some of the inside story." The second sect leader, dressed in brocade, had his hands almost shyly tucked into his long sleeves, only extending a few fingers to hold a cup of fragrant tea. The rising steam wafted through his handsome middle-aged face, and his peach blossom eyes were always narrowed, with a cold glint in them.
This person ranks sixteenth on the Jianghu Black List and is known as "Green Snake in the Sleeve". According to the rules of the list, the top twenty on the Black List correspond to the Heaven and Earth Lists. Therefore, this Second Master Yu Yujun is also a recognized master.
"That Mountain-Crushing Hand is young but possesses extraordinary martial arts skills; he'll probably be difficult to subdue. Now that he's brazenly entered the city, it's possible that the White Heron Sword Sect is secretly behind it. If we act rashly, we might just walk into a trap." The Third Master, Yan Suiyi, had an ordinary face, and his droopy, triangular eyes were as sorrowful as those of a poor commoner, making him seem like a kind-hearted old man who had been bullied. However, his name on the blacklist was "Skin-Peeling Yama."
"Mojucha, Diniegalin! (It must be done, this is an order!)" The fourth master had a bald head with a rooster-crest hat on it, wore a blood-red monk's robe, had a face full of scars, and spoke in the dialect of the Western Desolate Region.
This person's appearance and attire clearly indicate that he is from out of town. In the martial arts world, he would be universally hated, so he always travels by sedan chair and must not be seen in public.
"Master Jinmei means that we should face the challenges head-on." The Fifth Master spoke softly and gently. She was the only woman among the four masters of the Demonic Sect, and also the apparent owner of Huanhua Fang. She ranked fourth on the list of beauties and was known in the martial arts world as "Hengbo Qiuxian".
"The enemy is in the open while we are in the dark. Why not test what kind of tricks this ninth-ranked grandmaster is up to?" She Yujun gently blew on her tea. Her neatly trimmed nails shone with a lustrous sheen, as if carved from gemstones, with edges as fine as knives. They could easily pierce a porcelain cup, and pierce a human skull as easily as scratching rotten mud.
The Tibetan monk Jinmei was still not satisfied and mumbled a long string of words, meaning that he should immediately kill Lin Zhuo and capture Hong Yingniang. When the Fifth Master Han Miaohua translated, she made the words more euphemistic.
Both She Yujun and Yan Suiyi were used to being cautious and prudent, and their words were often evasive. Jinmei couldn't speak the Central Plains dialect, but she could understand it. Realizing that she was being fobbed off by those around her, she was so angry that her lips turned purple.
Just as they were arguing, a subordinate came to report.
"Reporting to all the lords, that little thief Lin Zhuo, along with Hong Yingniang, has arrived at the Luoying Riverbank, boarded a small boat, and is heading towards the pleasure boat!"
Jinmei was overjoyed. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted something that didn't need a translator; everyone else understood.
"He's really throwing himself into hell when there's a path to heaven." Yan Suiyi rubbed his icy hands. "But the more he does this, the more suspicious it seems. Is he heading straight for us? Could some high-ranking officials from the Sword Sect be following him?"
"Then let's try diplomacy first, then force—" She Yujun had already taken out several bottles of poison from her sleeve, preparing to give the guests a surprise at the banquet.
Just before he finished speaking.
While the various demonic masters and the demonic offspring of Huanhua Workshop harbored doubts and remained unsuspecting, their expressions relaxed and cheerful.
The flower maids on the bow of the painted boat saw a small boat speeding by like an arrow. The man standing on the bow was dressed in black and was slowly raising his palm, which pressed down on the painted boat from a distance of several feet.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew across the river, causing the flower girls' skirts to flutter. The windows on the side of the painted boat suddenly opened, waves crashed against the sides, and the boat tilted violently, eliciting loud screams from many women.
The demonic cult masters on the roof of the pleasure boat felt the surging airflow outside the window. Mixed in with the fierce wind was a kind of grand, dangerous, terrifying, and awe-inspiring fighting spirit that sent chills down the spines of these veterans of the martial world.
"Varied----"
Before the words were even out of his mouth, the entire wooden roof of the boathouse was shattered by an unstoppable, peerless palm strike, turning into hundreds of thousands of fragments that scattered into the wind and pattered into the river.
The exquisite painted boats were transformed into open-air pavilions, and the beautiful sunlight shone brightly in the sky, illuminating the thousands of astonished and silent faces on the river and its banks at this moment.
The four demonic cult masters confronted him directly, and through the dilapidated walls of the boathouse, they saw Lin Zhuo at the bow in the distance. A solemn divine aura descended from afar, weighing heavily on their hearts, making them feel as if they had fallen into an ice cave in the warm autumn day.
The person they were meant to kill has come to kill them!