NOVPUBIn the innermost region, there were only three divine temples arranged in a triangular pattern.
Even though it was daytime, candles were lit all around these temples.
Guided by the delighted Incense-burning Dao Cultivators, one after another, the fanatical devotees formed orderly queues as they silently entered the entrance of the temples, while another set of devotees, gaunt but extremely excited, filed out without a sound.
The incoming and outgoing processions crossed paths face to face.
Yet, whether entering or leaving, everyone looked straight ahead, as if they couldn’t see the people opposite them at all.
Despite the dense crowd, the place was as silent as a dead city.
Each temple was like this.
Crowded, yet dead silent.
On this day.
In the second and third regions, one temple in each suddenly saw a surge in the number of devotees.
Unlike the joyful cultivators in the other temples, the Incense-burning Dao Cultivators in front of these two temples were all anxious.
Yet, standing in the temple, no one dared to discuss anything.
Soon, groups of devotees were hurriedly led into the temple by these cultivators.
Before long, groups of emaciated devotees with dull expressions came streaming out.
One by one, they were like marionettes on strings, queuing up and mechanically disappearing in front of the temple.
At this moment, inside the lofty and boundless ’Mountain Goblin’ temple.
Numerous identical statues stood in every corner of the temple.
There was also an enormous statue standing in the middle of the temple.
A crowd of devotees, small as ants, were prostrating before the statue.
Whispering prayers...
The façade of the Mountain Goblin on the statue became increasingly lifelike.
Finally, its eyes suddenly blinked.
Instantly, its face came vividly to life.
As if it were a living being.
Yet, its eyes held a trace of resentment:
"Da Jin Monk Yao Wudi! One thousand two hundred years of bitter cultivation!"
And at that very moment, an indifferent voice echoed inside the temple:
"Mountain Goblin Deity, thou art deceased, thy Divine Power erased, thou shalt be demoted back to a Class IV ’God Seed’."
The voice resonated throughout the temple, yet the devotees below seemed unaware.
A flash of reluctance crossed the eyes of the Mountain Goblin statue.
But it dared not object and soon the statue actually bowed its head slightly, saying respectfully:
"I understand... I was slain by Da Jin Monk Yao Wudi in Song State, and my millennia of hard work were ruined in an instant. I humbly ask for guidance from the direct god, when can we take over Jin?"
The indifferent voice spoke slowly:
"Jin... It is not yet suitable for substantial action. After we conquer the Chu Dynasty, we shall engulf Great Yan."
"Great Yan?"
Surprise flickered in the eyes of the Mountain Goblin Deity:
"May I ask the direct god, why is that? Weren’t we initially preparing to attack Jin?"
The indifferent voice calmly replied:
"Hast thou forgotten the Yin God, who more than a hundred years ago was completely obliterated by a Great Yan Cultivator?"
"Yin God?"
The image of the Yin God involuntarily surfaced in the Mountain Goblin’s mind.
However, no matter what, it couldn’t recall the specific appearance of that figure in its memory.
Not even an outline.
"This time, they sent someone to help us break through Qi State... but we cannot ascertain their intentions. The three Divine Masters have ordered us to attack Great Yan, to probe their purpose or to force out the one who obliterated the Yin God."
"His power is too lethal for us!"
When mentioning the person from Great Yan, even the indifferent voice held a rare fluctuation.
Hearing this, the Mountain Goblin Deity felt a bit confused:
"But can we really overcome this Great Yan Cultivator?"
The indifferent voice spoke calmly:
"We must fight. They are currently distracted by cultivators seeking refuge from the Outer Continent. This is a rare opportunity... They are breeding mortals, which is also what we need. If we could take them from their hands..."
The Mountain Goblin Deity nodded slightly, then as if recalling something, it hastily spoke again:
"Direct god, not long ago my subordinate was slain by a Great Yan Cultivator in subordinate Yan State..."
It recounted all it knew.
"Oh?"
The indifferent voice showed a trace of surprise, then slowly said:
"I understand now, this is indeed an opportunity."
"Well done, you may take a hundred thousand mortals to replenish the incense fire."
"Thank you, direct god!"
A look of joy instantly appeared on the face of the Mountain Goblin Deity’s statue.
And very quickly.
In the core area of over ten thousand divine temples, within the three largest divine temples.
The indifferent voice now carried a hint of respect:
"Divine Master, an excuse has been found."
From deep within the divine temple, a kindly voice, indistinguishable as male or female, slowly resonated:
"Hmm, you may arrange these matters at your discretion... Jingyuan Continent, Huangji Continent, have arrangements been made well?"
The indifferent voice hurriedly replied, "The preparations to begin testing the God Seed have been made."
"Hmm, Great Yan has allowed us to grow unchecked, it’s unclear what their intentions truly are, we too must prepare early, go now."
"Yes, Mother Godness above."
The indifferent voice left respectfully.
As for the next voice, kind yet tinged with a hint of gravity, sighed softly:
"Class VI..."
...
Chen State.
Yuhuang Peak.
"Wind-style mana seeking to merge into the Golden Core would definitely not succeed through brute force... Some special treasures... But they are too rare..."
Yao Wudi was earnestly giving guidance on Wang Ba’s cultivation.
After Song Dongyang and Tang Ji had interrogated the surviving Qi cultivators they had saved, they immediately approached Yao Wudi with serious expressions.
"Guardian Yao, we have a clear understanding of the situation."
"An elder from Qi State, Chao Wenshao, in former years, by sheer chance came into possession of a portable Dungeon that contains nearly ten million mortals, but more crucially, almost half of the Qi Royal Clan’s treasures are hidden within it."
Yao Wudi instantly stopped explaining and showed a look of surprise:
"Nearly half the treasures? Where’s the other half?"
Song Dongyang glanced over the shivering Qi cultivators and then said:
"They are on their person, it simply requires the use of a Secret Technique to extract them."
Yao Wudi thoughtfully then asked:
"Then, do they know where this Dungeon is now?"
Song Dongyang and Tang Ji immediately looked somewhat helpless, with Tang Ji speaking up after:
"According to what they say, the person in control of the Dungeon is none other than the Qi Grandson, Chao Yunwen. However, this man did not manage to escape when the city fell."
Yao Wudi frowned slightly:
"What does that mean? The Dungeon is still in Qi’s capital?"
Tang Ji nodded:
"It should be."
Yao Wudi’s expression immediately showed a hint of temptation.
Seeing where things were heading, Wang Ba quickly stepped in:
"Master, it’s impossible to tell what could be at Qi State now, perhaps a dozen or more Evil Gods from the Kingdom of Immortals. You must be extremely cautious not to rush in."
"Besides, you previously killed two Evil Gods from the Kingdom of Immortals, and there’s been no movement for a few days. It’s unpredictable when they might come."
"Yes, I suggest we report back to the Sect, it’s best if Guardian Yao doesn’t personally risk danger," said Song Dongyang, joining in.
Yao Wudi, hearing this, showed a slight expression of helplessness.
What Wang Ba said made sense, and he was well aware of it too.
However, having finally achieved Immortal Ascension but being unable to display it, he felt an itch to act.
"Alright, alright, sigh," he said, shaking his head and about to continue guiding Wang Ba’s cultivation.
Just then, Tang Ji suddenly took out a Spirit Rhinoceros Stone.
Immediately, an urgent voice transmitted from the Spirit Rhinoceros Stone:
"Urgent report from the Ghost Market of Yan State!"
"A few days ago, cultivators from the Kingdom of Immortals and three holy children from the primitive Demonic Sect perished in Yan State. A conflict erupted after negotiations between the Evil Gods of the Kingdom of Immortals and the Immortal Ascended Guardian Yao of the primitive Demonic Sect, Qin Ya, came to naught!"
"Qin Ya is severely injured! Great elder Liang Qiuyu of the primitive Demonic Sect has already set out personally to come here!"
"Great Yan and the Kingdom of Immortals, have they started fighting?"
Upon hearing this news, Yao Wudi’s eyes lit up instantly.
