A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 428 - 259: Five Emperors, Four Rebels

As Zhu Mingyu stepped into the Inner Scenic Land, the world before her turned dark and gloomy, an eerie cold wind "woo woo" blowing through, intending to strip away one’s vitality and blood.

"No wonder it’s the territory of He Mountain Dao, these evil demons, don’t they mind living in such dreariness.

All day long, the sky is sorrowful, ghosts weep and gods wail, even sleeping is unsettling."

This Female Wealth Deity of Celestial Water Prefecture furrowed her brow slightly, raised her fan to sweep away the bone-chilling mist that enveloped her, and then looked up towards the low hill that seemed piled with bones.

"The solitary souls and wild ghosts from the Four Families hide here, living in a state neither human nor ghost, truly difficult to endure."

Zhu Mingyu shook her head and covered her face, only to see a thick smoke erupting from the distance, about four or five feet above the ground, coming swiftly and landing in front of her in an instant.

Inside the thick smoke seemed to harbor hundreds of vicious souls and specters, emitting a hair-raising mournful wail, with an aura of terrifying menace that captured one’s spirit.

"Master Mao’s Daoist skill is indeed outstanding. In just a few years, you’ve refined He Mountain Dao’s second-ranked Skull Demon Ghost."

Zhu Mingyu, well-versed and knowledgeable, naturally had heard of the great fame of He Mountain Dao’s seventy-sixth legacy.

Among them, the "Skull Demon Ghost" ranks second only to the "Seven Kills Primordial Spirit", using the skulls of those who died unjustly as materials, causing harm to over a hundred beings to gather a strand of malicious energy, needing a full thirty-six strands to become small.

This pitch-black thick smoke is filled with corpse poison, most capable of contaminating flesh and Divine Soul, those afflicted almost certainly doomed, and with each consumed soul, its ferocity increases.

This Female Wealth Deity from Celestial Water Prefecture secretly pondered, how did Mao Yichang, with his mediocrity, suddenly advance so tremendously in Daoist skill?

Could it be that he secretly obtained some great opportunity?

"In front of Lady Zhu, I dare not claim the title of Master."

The eerie pitch-black smoke dispersed, suddenly revealing a cultured middle-aged man, with long robes and wide sleeves, wearing a hairpin, looking every bit the image of a learned scholar.

This man was Mao Yichang.

"Let’s not dwell on leisure talk. I received your message, where is the piece of Withered Revive Wood?

If you have truly cultivated such a rare treasure, the Grand General will certainly reward handsomely."

Zhu Mingyu, naturally fond of cleanliness, lived a life meticulous in every detail, bathing with the finest milk, even using the essence refined from a hundred flowers to nourish her skin.

Places as foul as He Mountain Dao, she found bothersome to linger for even a few more breaths, especially this Inner Scenic Land long abandoned, devoid of spiritual energy, filled only with chaotic air, in the eyes of those Purple Register Daoist Officials from the Prefecture City, practically equivalent to a cesspool.

"Lady Zhu, don’t be anxious. Even if you give me a hundred guts, I wouldn’t dare deceive you and Grand General Zhao. The Withered Revive Wood is inside the Puzzle Cave ahead; it still lacks a touch to be mature, hence I ask Lady Zhu to remain calm and follow me into the Puzzle Cave to see it with your own eyes."

Mao Yichang was courteous and polite, if not for the dark cloud of Skull Demon Ghost he harnessed, it would be unimaginable that he belonged to the wicked demons sacrificing beings to refine magical artifacts.

"He Mountain Dao should not have the means to Nourish Spirit Root, your Mao Family has been hiding here for quite some time, ten years now, how did you obtain the Withered Revive Wood?"

Zhu Mingyu walked gracefully, her embroidered shoes not stained with a speck of mud, like riding the wind, floating like a celestial.

This woman had numerous magical artifacts on her, shimmering with hidden luster, even visible from dozens of feet away, making Mao Yichang ahead quite envious, thinking:

"The name Female Wealth Deity truly lives up to its reputation."

Zhu Mingyu hailed from a prominent family in Celestial Water Prefecture, though born of a concubine, she had already surpassed the main household in influence, thanks to her backing of the all-powerful Zhao Pijiang, thriving in every business venture without hindrance.

Leading to a saying privately circulated, in the Prefecture City, if Lady Zhu is not involved in a trade, it certainly can’t be accomplished.

The name Female Wealth Deity, beyond signifying Zhu Mingyu’s business acumen and ability to garner wealth, holds another implication.

Namely, in opening doors for fortune and prosperity, harmonious relations must be established by currying favor with Lady Zhu from the Zhus.

Otherwise, without the assent of the Female Wealth Deity, even with connections to high heavens, matters wouldn’t succeed.

"To reply to Lady Zhu, He Mountain Dao emphasizes combat techniques, indeed does not record methods of Nourishing Spirit Root.

But heaven never seals all paths, when the Mao Family was implicated and exterminated for worshipping the Pimo King’s Divine Shrine, extending to the death of Grand Master and the main family.

I took a perilous risk and found that secretly hidden Divine Shrine, fortunately gaining the favor of the Pimo King, and obtained the ’Mystical Spirit Seed Sutra’..."

Mao Yichang possessed a pleasing appearance, yet seemed naturally servile, with a slightly bent waist and a perpetually ingratiating smile, making it hard to hold him in high regard.

"Master Mao, your words aren’t entirely honest, the Pimo King’s ’Mystical Spirit Seed Sutra’, it’s not as if I haven’t seen it, it’s not truly revered in heart and receiving its seed, akin to Dragon Court granting registers.

As the seed grows robust along with the soul, gradually thriving..."

Zhu Mingyu, holding her fan lightly, covering her lips, as they conversed they arrived at the Puzzle Cave.

Inside was narrow and dark, with a damp atmosphere breeding.

When the Female Wealth Deity walked for a moment and saw the land where the Withered Revive Wood was nurtured, her smile froze still.

About an acre of fertile black soil, unbelievably growing heads with missing teeth and balding.

Each with eyes wide open, breathing through nose and mouth, not lifeless.

This scene was truly astounding!

"A person without a heart cannot live; a head parted from body, how does it still have life?"

Like dozens of planted watermelons, the heads collectively stared at Zhu Mingyu, their vacant eyes appearing like hollow pits.

This Lady Zhu was one who had seen storms, naturally wouldn’t be easily frightened.