"Clang~" The wildcat hadn't yet figured out what was happening with the almanac when another sound came from behind.
The statue of the East Lake Earl suddenly shook and abruptly opened its eyes.
In the wildcat's yellow-green pupils, a phantom emerged from the statue.
"Meow~" The wildcat, raised by the mountain god, was naturally mystical and could see the phantom of the East Lake Earl, feeling a sense of familiarity.
The East Lake Earl glanced at the sleeping Zhao Xing, then at the wildcat, before carrying a crescent blade and stepping through the door.
"Meow?" The wildcat walked to the door, peering through the crack. It wanted to go out and search for that dangerous feeling.
But recalling Zhao Xing's instructions, it jumped back onto the table, silently guarding Zhao Xing's side.
Zhao Xing originally had no intention of sleeping, but as he lay there, he suddenly fell asleep and entered a dream.
In the dream, the sun was bright, warm as spring, with golden light shining from afar.
Zhao Xing immediately saw a land of bliss: there were celestial cranes dancing, auspicious clouds filling the sky, and celestial maidens with flowing sleeves and colorful ribbons appearing faintly among the clouds.
He himself lived in a dilapidated courtyard, clothes in tatters, stomach empty. Looking down, he found himself disheveled, face full of wrinkles, as if at the end of his life.
"Alas, a frail body, nearing the end, pitiful, pitiful indeed." An old Taoist shook his head continuously.
"Who, who is speaking?" Zhao Xing looked up.
At this moment, an elder in a purple Taoist robe, holding a horsetail whisk, with a kind face, stepped on auspicious clouds and landed at Zhao Xing's courtyard gate.
"I am the True God of the Mysterious Heaven. You are gravely ill, nearing your end, with little time left."
"Immortal~ Please, Immortal, save me." Zhao Xing seemed shocked, bowing his head in worship.
The old Taoist smiled slightly: "This god observes the sufferings of the mortal world, meeting you is fate. Very well, I shall save you."
Then the old Taoist waved the horsetail whisk, and a golden light fell on Zhao Xing, visibly rejuvenating his body.
Wrinkles disappeared, hair turned from white to black, legs and feet became agile, and his whole body was filled with strength.
"Thank you, Immortal, thank you, Immortal!" Zhao Xing seemed overwhelmed, continuously shouting.
"Unfortunately, this god can only solve your temporary troubles, keeping you away from illness and returning you to youth. You are still a mere mortal, in a few years, you will still face death."
"Immortal, I don't want to die, I don't want to die." Zhao Xing hurriedly shouted, "Since the Immortal has shown mercy, please grant me another golden light like before."
"If you wish to completely escape this fate, you must cultivate immortal arts, receive the infusion of magical power..."
"Please, Immortal, grant me another."
"Only by entering the immortal gate, stepping onto the immortal path, can you..."
"Please, Immortal, grant me another."
"Eternal life, free from illness and disaster, otherwise..."
"Please, Immortal, grant me another."
"..." The purple-robed old Taoist was somewhat angry. What was wrong with this mortal? Why did he keep asking for more, as if soul power was free?
But Zhao Xing didn't care, just kept repeating the same sentence, as if possessed.
Seeing this, the purple-robed old Taoist had no choice but to send another golden light onto Zhao Xing.
Zhao Xing was overjoyed: "Thank you, Immortal, you are truly a good Immortal. I feel much better now."
The purple-robed old Taoist continued: "If you were to become my disciple under the True God of the Mysterious Heaven, you could escape the sea of mortal suffering. Are you willing to worship me?"
Zhao Xing said blankly: "Will you grant me another? Immortal, I am suffering..."
"Scoundrel, are you done yet!" The purple-robed old Taoist was furious, "With such greed, how can you seek the Great Dao?"
Zhao Xing seemed frightened, saying nothing.
The purple-robed old Taoist's expression softened slightly: "Everyone has a heart of greed. Considering our fateful encounter, step out of the courtyard and let me examine your bones, then I will bestow a benevolent method upon you."
Zhao Xing said: "My legs are not agile, Immortal, please perform the method outside the courtyard."
Suppressing his anger, the purple-robed old Taoist still wore a kind face: "If so, then invite this god in."
"Immortal, please..."
The purple-robed old Taoist was about to step forward.
But then Zhao Xing's tone changed: "Please, Immortal, just stand outside and perform the golden light from before. My humble abode is too dirty, I fear it will sully your esteemed presence."
"......"
At this moment, the purple-robed old Taoist finally realized, the smile on his face vanished, the surrounding golden light turned into red light, and he stared coldly at Zhao Xing.
"Interesting, a mere mortal like you can actually resist my spell, this dream..."
"Hmph!" Zhao Xing snorted coldly, no longer pretending, as the tattered clothes on his body suddenly emitted a profound golden light.
"Buzz~" The dream shattered, cracking like glass, along with the purple-robed Taoist.
"Whoosh~" The eternal lamp lit up once more.
Zhao Xing awoke.
"Meow?" The wildcat jumped onto Zhao Xing's shoulder, rubbing its head against him.
"I'm fine, no need to worry about me." Zhao Xing patted the wildcat's little head.
He glanced back at the statue of the East Lake Earl, then at the gate outside, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He hadn't expected the people from the Mysterious Heaven Sect to really make a move.
"Nightmare Evasion Technique, first confirm the location. At this time, the officials on the list should all be under its influence."
"I just don't know how many people were fooled, opened the door, or said 'please come in'." Zhao Xing pondered.
The Mysterious Heaven Sect's actions always began with the evil god.
That is, the Nightmare Evasion Technique, first to beguile.
But the house Zhao Xing was in was protected, a rule established by the founding ancestor: no entry without invitation.
The yin spirit couldn't enter, only linger outside. This evil god wanted to influence Zhao Xing with soul arts, so it could only use 'benevolent methods'.
Because only benevolent methods could enter the house and affect Zhao Xing inside.
The moment he entered the dream, the sixth-grade soul armor instantly awakened Zhao Xing, granting him absolute control over the dream.
Thus, he was not tempted, and the various transformations in the dream, such as aging and frailty, were all Zhao Xing's active cooperation.
"This yin spirit's actions were essentially providing me with pure soul power. If I were beguiled to open the door or say 'please come in', it could reclaim it."
"However, it sent out two soul powers, both absorbed by me, equating to a true plunder. It must be furious now." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
He glanced at the panel record.
[You have plundered the 'soul power' of the seventh-grade yin spirit 'Blood Spirit Sovereign', your life soul has advanced to the early ninth grade.]
[You have plundered the 'soul power' of the seventh-grade yin spirit 'Blood Spirit Sovereign', your life soul has advanced to the mid-ninth grade.]
[Life Soul: Mid-Ninth Grade]
Seeing the new attributes on the panel, Zhao Xing couldn't help but smile: "Successfully fleeced the sheep!"
Typically, the level of the life soul lags behind.
Because there is no specialized soul cultivation method, only through gathering essence and practicing spells can the seven souls grow.
The seven souls nourish the life soul, gradually raising its level.
The Fortune Dynasty does not cultivate life, such professions and spells were all cut by the founding ancestor.
Of course, now Zhao Xing's life soul is only mid-ninth grade, not yet 'cultivating life', just stronger soul power, with higher resistance to soul-related spells like Nightmare Evasion Technique, and slightly enhancing the power of spells or secret techniques involving the life soul.
For example, the Sleep Bug spell and Dream Storage Method are more powerful than before.
"Thanks to Blood Spirit Sovereign for the soul power, truly too generous."
Even without relying on the soul armor, Zhao Xing had some confidence in using the Dream Storage Method to fleece the yin spirit during the Nightmare Evasion Technique stage. With the sixth-grade soul armor, it became even more convenient.
It's important to know that the Nightmare Sect are the true soul cultivation experts. The Mysterious Heaven Sect is far behind the Nightmare Sect in soul cultivation and dream manipulation.
"The Mysterious Heaven Sect uses Nightmare Evasion Technique to confirm the location, next comes the human action." Zhao Xing looked outside the door, "I hope Old Chen is reliable."
"I am the True God of the Mysterious Heaven, Chen Shijie, you caused the death of your parents, were driven out by relatives, reduced to fighting with beggars for food, all because your life palace shows signs of decay. A decaying life palace leads to early life soul decline. Moreover, your fate carries calamity, if you cannot cultivate life and change fortune, you will surely suffer misfortune in old age."
"If you can worship this god, I can help you change your fate, why not quickly kneel and worship the god!"
In a dilapidated temple, Chen Shijie stood before a statue, holding a broken bowl with half a blood-stained bun inside.
He was only the size of a seven or eight-year-old child, but his face appeared to be in his thirties or forties, extremely strange. This was because the yin spirit couldn't fully recreate the dream that Chen Shijie feared.
Compared to Zhao Xing, Chen Shijie's dream was more realistic, and he didn't have control, the yin spirit held the initiative.
Because he had no soul armor protection, nor had he practiced the Great Dream Chronicle like Zhao Xing.
"Worship the god?!" Chen Shijie's eyes struggled, muttering to himself: "I joined the army at thirteen, due to poor bone structure, I trained late into the night every day, yet still got punished by the squad leader for being too slow."
"I was ridiculed and bullied by my peers, every night I prayed for even a slight improvement in my aptitude, just a little, but until I was fifteen, I only reached the Gathered Essence First Level, did the Immortal ever hear my prayers?"
"I followed the commander into the Great Wilderness Mountain, accidentally fell into a barbarian trap, barely alive, it was the marquis who found me. Did the Immortal ever hear my cries?"
"You..." Blood Spirit Sovereign was stunned for a moment, feeling the dream being shaken by some will of Chen Shijie.
"I reached Gathered Essence at fifteen, trained tirelessly, every expedition was a life-and-death struggle, until I was twenty, reaching Gathered Essence Fourth Level, I don't know how much blood I shed, how many injuries I suffered, finally earning enough military merits to change my cultivation aptitude."
"After three more years of effort, I finally passed the military agricultural officer exam... all of that was earned by myself."
Chen Shijie took a step forward with each sentence.
With each step, he grew taller by three inches.
The purple-robed Taoist said nothing, quietly watching Chen Shijie.
The latter walked step by step to his front, by this time Chen Shijie had fully returned to his normal form.
He looked at the purple-robed Taoist and smiled: "You should know that as a military agricultural officer, I can also request divine intervention. Do you know how many times I've requested divine intervention in the ten years I've been a military agricultural officer?"
Blood Spirit Sovereign calmly asked: "How many times?"
Chen Shijie looked at the blood-stained bun in the bowl, smiled indifferently: "Following the marquis into the wilderness to pacify the barbarians for ten years, there were four times that were life-and-death situations."
"Even so, I have never requested divine intervention from this dynasty's Immortals even once!"
Chen Shijie's eyes coldly stared at Blood Spirit Sovereign, slowly crushing the bun and bowl in his hand, blowing the dust towards Blood Spirit Sovereign: "Let alone you?"
The dust spread, transforming into a gust of yin wind, enveloping Blood Spirit Sovereign.
The latter shook his head, before his form shattered, he regretfully said: "Chen Shijie, with such wisdom, you should join my Heavenly Profound Sect. No matter, after taking you away, I will personally accept you as a disciple, never treating you as a disposable pawn..."
"Hmph, demonic heretic, dare to speak such nonsense!" Chen Shijie snorted coldly, the phantom completely shattered, he stood on the hillside, the illusion in his eyes disappearing, clarity restored.
The wind blew through the night in Peaceful Town.
It was already the hour of the pig, most residents were asleep.
However, in several courtyards not far from the ruins, fake mountains or underground chambers suddenly opened.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~"
Figures appeared, like agile cats, leaping out of the courtyards, heading towards the ruins.
Their attire matched the 'demon people' from the martial examination.
Even if there were still officials who hadn't returned, seeing this scene, they assumed it was arranged by the government.
They quickly rushed into the ruins, and the officials wandering on the periphery seemed not to see them, as if these people were air, allowing them to enter.
In reality, they indeed couldn't see these people, due to the Nightmare Evasion Technique, everyone was affected to varying degrees.
Under the leadership of several leaders, the group split into teams, heading towards their targets.
Chen Deshun and Wu Mei received the task of abducting Zhao Xing and Li Chengfeng.
The two hall masters, Chen Deshun was responsible for Li Chengfeng, Wu Mei for capturing Zhao Xing.
Falcon led seven people with strong blood and qi, heading straight for Chen Shijie's location.
Wu Mei advanced quickly, knowing the time for action was limited, Blood Spirit Sovereign only gave them three quarters of an hour.
If they hadn't completed the task by the third quarter of the hour, they must retreat.
Every quarter of an hour beyond that, the chance of being discovered increased.
If they exceeded three quarters, it was certain death.
"Years of lurking, all for these three quarters of an hour!"
"As long as we capture the targets, retreat immediately, the Sovereign will cover us, and the late eighth-grade nearing their end will cover our retreat."
"Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing... my dear, wait for mother to come and love you~"
Wu Mei licked her lips, a hint of enchanting red flashing in her eyes.
In the fenced courtyard, Zhao Xing glanced at the wooden statue of the East Lake Earl, finding nothing unusual, indicating the East Lake Earl's spirit had left.
"But the Nightmare Evasion Technique stage is over, whether or not the East Lake Earl guards doesn't matter." Zhao Xing was clear about the process, the Mysterious Heaven Sect would definitely not launch a second attack.
Not that they couldn't, but they didn't dare.
If they launched a second attack, they wouldn't have the strength to escape. This was an abduction mission, not a suicide attack.
"Why can't I hear any movement?" Zhao Xing pinched the earring by his ear, a treasure obtained from the Grand Dream Academy, the Wind Crystal Earring.
It allowed Zhao Xing to use the flow of wind in space to detect sounds from further away.
Zhao Xing hadn't practiced hearing-related spells, but with the Wind Crystal Earring, he could hear distant sounds.
Yet now there was no sound at all, he wondered if Old Chen had already taken care of it.
But sensing the earth veins, he found the Subterranean Palace Technique hadn't disappeared.
"Could it be the Mysterious Heaven Sect retreated? Impossible, these lunatics like to go all in, once they start, they never retreat, unless they exceed the allotted time. And some people here won't retreat, they must be sent for the Great Zhou to hunt down, causing destruction before dying, drawing attention."
"So quiet, I wonder how Young Master Zong is doing, he should be staying at the entrance as I instructed." Thinking to himself.
Zhao Xing looked around and suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.
What you think of comes true, it was Zong Shichang!
He was covered in blood, even his face, indistinguishable whether it was his own or someone else's, looking extremely terrified.
"Zhao Xing, Zhao Xing, quickly let me in, someone is chasing me!" Zong Shichang shouted.
Zhao Xing used his clear eyes and five-element observation to check, finding no abnormalities.
He closed his eyes, then opened them again.
Even though the clear eyes and five-element observation showed nothing, his earth soul was stirred, especially since his life soul had truly reached a grade, his Dream Storage Method was stronger.
With a blink, he completed the dream entry, life soul and earth soul merging in perception.
"Are you kidding me, Zong Shichang, trying to fool an idiot." Zhao Xing sneered inwardly.
Even without life soul perception, he would find it strange.
He just thought of Zong Shichang, and Zong Shichang appeared?
How could there be such a coincidence?
"Brother Zong, don't come to the door, it's sealed. Actually, I opened a door on the fence."
"Yes, yes, three meters to the left, covered by vines, I'll come open it for you..."
Hearing Zhao Xing say this.
Wu Mei was overjoyed, after so many years of lurking, she hadn't expected the Mysterious Heaven Phantom Technique to still be so effective, instantly deceiving this kid.
When she first arrived, she felt the house was protected, meaning the Nightmare Evasion Technique hadn't tricked the kid into opening the door.
If successful, as a carrier of the Sovereign's blood, she could enter directly. Because agreeing to let Blood Spirit Sovereign in... she could enter too.
Unfortunately, it didn't work, so she had to think of another way, unexpectedly succeeding with one trick!
"Thank you, thank you." Wu Mei was overjoyed, immediately following Zhao Xing's instructions, standing by the fence three meters from the courtyard gate, then groping around: "Zhao Xing, quickly let me in... huh?"
Wu Mei's expression suddenly changed, feeling the ground beneath her feet suddenly rise, a violent force erupting from below.
"Boom!"
The soil exploded, Wu Mei involuntarily flew backward, crashing into distant ruins, collapsing countless stones and beams.
"Cough cough... cough cough..." Wu Mei clutched her chest, crawling out of the rubble. She looked at her lower limbs, both legs were bloodied.
Her right leg was even blown to the bone.
Wu Mei felt excruciating pain, her head buzzing from the explosion.
She couldn't help but ask three questions:
What was that just now? How did he see through it? What happened?
(End of Chapter)