"I asked you to go on an adventure to investigate, so how can I express my gratitude?" Zhao Mian said with the intention of taking a test: "Then tell me, what are you going to do when you go to Xiaoyao Cave this time?"
Zhao Huangguan was very confident: "I have long heard that there is a ghost market near Xiaoyao Cave. Every month, when the market opens, all kinds of evil spirits will gather here to exchange natural materials and treasures, or to communicate with each other. I want to find out the news.
, it is most convenient to get to the ghost market here.
Nowadays, the evil spirits in mountain caves everywhere are recruiting soldiers, whether for self-protection or to do something good. I walk as a wandering cultivator in the world, in the name of obtaining cultivation techniques or elixirs and spiritual materials, so I can try
The evil cultivator approaching Xiaoyao Cave."
Zhao Shu remained silent. Among his disciples, Zhao Sanxuan and Zhao Huangguan had the highest cultivation level. However, their temperaments were completely different. How to teach students according to their aptitude became a difficult problem.
When it came to teaching disciples and teaching the Dharma, Zhao Shu knew that he was not very good at it. He just tried his best to imitate the elders he had met and tried to guide his disciples.
When Hengbi Gong entrusted these otter demons to Zhao Shu and took them all the way south to set up the mandala, he didn't have much other guidance besides imparting magic techniques. Especially the refinement and polishing of one's character, Zhao Shu himself was very
If you don't understand it, let alone criticize others.
But Lu Wangji doesn't see it that way. She thinks that Zhao Shui has the ability to see through other people's mentality and cultivation level, and can inadvertently point out the key points of other people's cultivation. But perhaps it is difficult for doctors to heal themselves, and Zhao Shui may not be able to
See yourself through.
Compared with Zhao Huangguan's escapade, Zhao Sanxuan is calm and serious. This is the character he has developed by taking the initiative to take on the responsibility of discipline in the past ten years. Zhao Shu is not worried that he will go astray, and can safely entrust other disciples to him.
he.
On the other hand, Zhao Huangguan, although he was out of touch, had a high level of understanding. Zhao Shui had been back at Yunyan Peak for some time and found that in addition to listening to the Dharma in front of his seat, he also often asked Cangyan Gong for advice.
Cangyan Gong was a loyal elder, and Zhao Huangguan knew how to please people, so he followed Cangyan Gong and learned a turtle breath hibernation method, which can restrain the energy and make it difficult for people to see through the foundation of their own cultivation. This
This is also the reason why Zhao Shu chose to let Zhao Huangguan go to investigate Xiaoyao Cave.
"Put away this talisman." Zhao Shu took out a jasper leaf with a curved talisman written on the surface: "This talisman has the power to protect the soul. If there are evil spirits who try to harm the soul, this talisman can resist it."
.”
"Thank you, Master!" Zhao Huangguan happily took the green leaf talisman.
"You are here to find out how many important people there are in Xiaoyao Cave, and it is best to get a rough idea of the defense arrangements in the Taoist cave." Zhao Shu said, "But the most important thing is to protect yourself and not expose your identity."
Zhao Huangguan cupped his hands and said, "Disciple, remember this, and you will definitely live up to your master's respect and trust."
"Go ahead." Zhao Shu waved his hand casually: "I don't think you need me to teach you how to disguise yourself."
"Yes!" Zhao Huangguan left happily. After he left, Zhao Sanxuan couldn't help but worry:
"Master, is it too dangerous for my junior brother to do this alone?"
"Then what do you think we should do?" Zhao Shu asked with a smile.
"We need to send someone to follow him secretly, so that if there is a fight with evil spirits, we can have someone to guide him." Zhao Sanxuan immediately said: "Disciple is willing to go in person!"
That's what Zhao Shui was waiting for. He took out another green leaf talisman and said, "Well, you can follow Huang Guan secretly, but if it's not a critical moment, don't startle someone else."
"Disciple, I obey." Zhao Sanxuan bowed respectfully and turned to leave.
After the two of them left, Lu Wangji came with his qin in his arms, and Cangyan Gong also came with him, asking, "Does Taoist Fellow Zhao intend to take this opportunity to test the two disciples?"
"Sure enough, I can't hide it from you, senior." Zhao Shu nodded and said, "Nowadays, the world is uneasy. It's hard to stay quiet for a long time just by hiding in the mountains. Faced with the raging evil spirits, we should also think about countermeasures."
Cang Yangong said: "With the cultivation of my Taoist friends, I can only deal with those rabble with ease."
"Maybe." Zhao Shu looked at Yunyan Peak: "But if I do everything myself, I'm afraid these younger disciples will not get the experience, and I can't stay at Yunyan Peak forever. It's better to let go
If they go out and experience it for themselves, they will not be in a hurry when encountering problems in the future."
Cangyan Gong was quite approving: "My Taoist friend has the status of a master, and he will not be biased because of his ethnic origin. I admire him very much."
"Senior praised Miao." Zhao Shu said.
"This is not flattery." Cang Yan said: "When I walked in the world, there were clear barriers between humans and monsters, and they were constantly killing each other. The Immortal Sect in those days could not tolerate strange monsters."
Zhao Mian was silent for a moment. As far as he knew, the Immortal Sects from ancient times did not insist on racial origin. Some sects’ Immortal Patriarchs also had guardian mounts. If they failed to ascend and were stranded in the world, these Patriarchs would often protect the Dharma.
He will be regarded as a supreme elder by future generations of disciples. He has profound magical power and respected status, and no one dares to despise him.
What's more, what the immortal cultivators want is to live forever and be able to ascend to immortality. Especially in the realm of Zhao Shu, it is normal to live without grains, eat wind and drink dew. Even if you don't use magic, you still have no fear of cold, heat, water, fire.
Buji can no longer be equated with ordinary people, so there is no need to talk about the difference between humans and monsters.
In fact, many successful practitioners often think that they are higher than ordinary people, so they have always relied on the power of magic to bully the weak and extort worshipers.
Especially in today's turbulent world, evil people emerge in endlessly, and there are no legal constraints, so they are destined to run rampant.
Lu Wangji reminded: "I have fought against the evil cultivators of Xiaoyao Cave in the past, and there is also a powerful person among them. If Sanxuan and the others are exposed, I am afraid they will not be able to deal with it alone."
"So I plan to follow them and keep an eye on them secretly." Zhao Shu said: "If they really encounter a strong enemy, I will naturally take action."
When Zhao Shu used the True Essence Lock to deduce Qi numbers these days, he sensed the turbid air from the distant canal head mountain, which somewhat hindered the Qi number deduction. Even for this reason alone, he still planned to quell the evil spirits and drive away the filth.
"I'll go with you." Lu Wangji said.
While Zhao Shu was still deep in thought, Cang Yan openly said: "Don't worry, fellow Taoist, I am planning to stay here to cleanse my Qi. If I have some free time, it will be a pleasure to tell old stories to the juniors."
"With seniors guarding here, I can rest assured." Zhao Shu nodded.
…
The sky is getting dark, the bloody sunset hangs in the western sky, and the atmosphere is eerie.
Looking around, there are overgrown grasses all around, and there are a few trees with twisted branches, withered and charred black, and they don't look like living things.
On both sides of the official road in the past, there were faintly visible bones lying on the pillow, and snakes and insects emerged from the skulls. They carefully observed the outside world and quickly retracted when they heard the footsteps.
Looking at such a desolate scene, Zhao Huangguan just sighed secretly. The closer he got to Qushou Mountain, the sparser the population. Most of the birds and beasts wandering around had rotten fur, incomplete limbs, or two heads and multiple legs.
, bizarre and strange.
Since the drastic changes in Dongsheng Capital, boundless turbid air has gushes out from the ground cracks everywhere. Ordinary living beings who have been infected by the turbid air for a long time will inevitably suffer from physical decline.
In some populated settlements that are slightly closer to the Earth Fissure, many newborn babies are deformed and many die in infancy. When ordinary people are sleeping soundly, they will also have frequent nightmares, making them restless and gradually becoming thin and weak.
Therefore, the legend about the Earth Fissure became popular, and ordinary people were afraid of the Earth Fissure. Whenever possible, they would move their families to stay as far away from the Earth Fissure as possible.
As a monk, Zhao Huangguan is far more sensitive to the flow of qi than ordinary people. This ancient turbid qi that has accumulated from the depths of the earth and been buried for countless years can no longer be simply described as dirty, but contains the potential to destroy life.
The evil power of the body.
Fortunately, Zhao Huangguan is also a successful practitioner. The Danyang magic method taught by his master is good at refining the soul and protecting vitality, allowing him to walk safely in this turbid wilderness.
When it was completely dark, Zhao Huangguan saw a few green will-o'-the-wisp lights in an abandoned village in the distance, swaying like lanterns. He nodded secretly and walked straight towards the deserted village.
Passing through the crumbling wooden archway, the scenery in front of me suddenly changed. The originally decaying deserted village turned into a prosperous market, with bright lights, tourists, and shops on both sides, as if it was another world.
But if you look closely, you will see that the lantern does not look like paper, but rather a human skin with a face. Most of the tourists coming and going have strange shapes, some are covered in hair and horns, some have evil spirits, or they are walking in the air.
As for what is sold in the shops on both sides, they are not ordinary goods, but skulls with evil curses carved on them, human pigs with their limbs cut off, and ghost babies with umbilical cords attached. The vendors in the shops may have blood dripping from their necks.
Use the backbone to greet guests, or cut the fresh organs into minced meat and sell them loudly.
If any ordinary person saw such a terrifying situation, they would probably faint from fear on the spot.
Zhao Huangguan's face was as if nothing had happened. He looked left and right like an ordinary tourist. His heart was filled with anger, but it did not break out.
"Hey, this little brother!" A stooped green-faced imp stopped Zhao Huangguan: "You look a bit unfamiliar to me. I wonder where you are from a fellow Taoist cave?"
Zhao Huangguan had changed into a scholar's robe at this time, which was incompatible with the terrifying scenery around him. He smiled and held his hands: "I, Huang Guanzi, come from Feilin Island in the East China Sea. I first arrived at this precious land. If you are rude, I will forgive you."
"Oh, it turns out it's Master Donghai. I'm disrespectful." The green-faced kid quickly returned the greeting: "Since it's your first time to visit our Tomb Sheep Ghost Market, why don't you let me introduce you to something?"
"Then it's hard work." Zhao Huangguan said relaxedly, but in his heart he was on guard and began to pay attention to the surrounding situation.
The little green-faced ghost led Zhao Huangguan through the long street and said as he walked: "This Grave Sheep Ghost Market has been here for seven or eight years. Because of its unique atmosphere and its own style, it has attracted experts from all walks of life to gather together."
"Gathering together?" Zhao Huangguan asked: "As far as I know, ghost markets are mostly places where turbid energy gathers, gathering dead souls to wander around, and it is a treasure place for practicing martial arts and refining weapons. I am afraid that all the experts will do it just for this.
Are you going to fight in the Grave Sheep Ghost Market?"
The green-faced kid had an ugly smile: "Your Excellency has never said that if you can monopolize this ghost market, there will be endless benefits. However, it is not easy for everyone to practice. If we really have to fight together, I am afraid that each other will suffer heavy casualties and no one will get anything.
This ghost market finally came up with a solution...Have you seen the shops on both sides? If you want to occupy a place here, you have to pay tribute to the owner of the ghost market."
"Then who is the owner of the ghost market now?" Zhao Huangguan asked.
"There is more than one owner of the Tomb Sheep Ghost Market." The green-faced kid said: "The Goddess of Salt Well, the Master of Xiaoyao Cave, and the Lord of Qinghe Mansion are in charge of the Tomb Sheep Ghost Market. Naturally, they represent the three parties."
"Oh?" Zhao Huangguan became interested: "I wonder if I can meet these three ghost market owners?"
The green-faced kid smiled and said: "Those three are all busy people, and they may not have any free time. But..."
Zhao Huangguan looked at the green-faced kid rubbing his hands, not knowing what he was thinking, and threw out a pearl: "This is the East China Sea light-bearing pearl. If you don't know the product, I can change it to something else."
The green-faced kid grabbed it with a flattering look on his face: "No need to change, no need to change! Your Excellency, please come this way."
Passing through a slaughterhouse, Zhao Huangguan watched various demons and ghosts peel off human skin, separate the internal organs, muscles and bones, and vaguely hear the screams of living people in the distance.
Suppressing his emotions, Zhao Huangguan followed the green-faced imp to a large mansion with carved beams and painted ceilings. The slaves coming and going were mainly ghosts, and there were also some walking corpses covered with charms. They exuded a strong smell of incense, but there was still a trace of it.
Rotten stench.
These walking corpses acted like coolies, carrying large buckets filled with blood and sending them to the backyard one by one.
"Oh, this is a little unlucky." The green-faced kid said, "The goddess is probably taking a bath at the moment."
"Bath?" Zhao Huangguan was puzzled.
"The Salt Pond Goddess is an expert in ghost ways. In order to stay young, she bathes in the blood of boys every first and fifteenth day of the lunar month." The green-faced imp sighed: "It's a pity that in recent years, there are fewer and fewer boys and girls nearby, and they can only go farther.
The land is plundered for survival."
Zhao Huangguan asked: "Besides the Yanchi Goddess, can I see other ghost market owners?"
"The Lord of Qinghe Prefecture has not come often in the past six months. It is said that he is dealing with the masters of the Xiong Kingdom." The green-faced kid said: "As for the master of Xiaoyao Cave, it is hard to say. If a beautiful woman comes to offer sacrifice, he may come forward.
"
"Oh? Xiaoyao Cave Master still has such a preference?" Zhao Huangguan sighed: "It's a pity that I came here for the first time and didn't make enough preparations. Otherwise, I would have looked for a group of beauties from other places, so I could take the opportunity to make friends with Xiaoyao Cave Master.
"
"I wonder what your intention is in befriending the Master of Xiaoyao Cave?"
At this time, a man with a gloomy face outside the hall asked. From the look of his face, he looked almost like a dead man, but there was an evil energy flowing around his body. He should be a living person practicing ghost magic.
"I have heard that there is a magic weapon in Xiaoyao Cave, called the Moon Soul Condensation Plate, which has the effect of absorbing moonlight and jade dew." Zhao Huangguan brought out the prepared words: "I am currently going to refine a furnace of golden elixir, and I am in need of it.
Moonlight Jade Dew is an elixir, so I came here to ask for the Moon Soul Condensation Disk."