Killing Dao Fruit
Chapter 153 - 150: Though the Road is Long, the Journey is Near!

Chapter 153: Chapter 150: Though the Road is Long, the Journey is Near!

The result was naturally beyond question.

A swarm of fish, turtles, shrimps, and crabs had emptied his twenty thousand silver coins in the blink of an eye.

Wang Yuan even put on a show, using the "Wine, Color, Wealth Qi Building" Dharma Contract to sign the loan certificates with them.

After the release of sword qi had involuntarily benefited the whole city, there wasn’t much wealth left in the [Money Box], but scraping the bottom of the box to take out this money was a minor issue.

Moreover, this was an "investment" to cope with the next calamity, not "consumption."

Since he hadn’t spent the money on himself, the tribulation energy of [Five Ghosts, Eight Defeats] couldn’t find its way to him.

Furthermore.

The new "life-saving money" didn’t need to be stamped on the surface like the [Life Trading Coin]; it only needed to be kept in the [Money Box] for a day, with no flaws visible on the surface.

Unless they also had a pair [Money-Opening Eyes], capable of Unsightly Observation.

Otherwise, it’s simply... utterly indefensible!

The moment anyone borrowed and spent it, they’d be finished.

However, having received Wang Yuan’s "life-saving money," how could these fish spirits not spend it at such a crucial moment of the auction?

"Hahaha, finally gathered enough, I’m bidding 2,600 silver coins for that ’Fish-Dragon Stronghold,’ hoping for good fortune!"

"What a joke, 2,700 silver coins!"

"..."

One after another, the [Earth God Talismans] were bought by the fish, turtles, shrimps, and crabs who had borrowed Wang Yuan’s silver coins.

Through the [Deceit Object · Money Box], Wang Yuan felt the faint connection he had established with these spirit monsters, smiling even more joyfully than they were.

Compared to a high-level fisherman like him, the puppet master who targeted the old and weak with [Blood Ginseng Poison] didn’t even qualify to carry his shoes.

This spot financing could be described as a win-win situation.

The No-Life Dao gained benefits, the spirits and monsters got the talismans, and Wang Yuan got them.

Even the Taoist Yu Jiezi, who sat high on the platform, couldn’t help but nod smilingly at Wang Yuan, a fellow practitioner from the "Wine, Color, Wealth Qi Building."

The strong influx of off-market funds immediately drove up the ensuing transaction prices for the talismans.

It also made the competition among the spirits and monsters even more fierce.

The "No-Life Dao" earned at least an extra twenty percent on the spot.

The Yellow Seal Mage’s gaze towards Wang Yuan became increasingly friendly.

In his heart, he began to seriously consider whether he should conduct such loan services himself at the next "Dragon Gate Meeting," to make another fortune?

Little did he know that a thief had quietly entered the leek field he had worked so hard to cultivate!

Other heretical demons outside the orthodox path naturally noticed the commotion here.

However, even after seeing Wang Yuan lose money, they didn’t entertain any ill intentions.

After all, these assets were far from sufficient to make them risk a life-and-death fight with an unknown [Red Seal Mage].

Everyone was practicing for "immortality and invulnerability."

Apart from the few brainwashed lunatics, every magician who grew up in this world was cunning and sly to the core.

Unless they could be killed outright, who would rashly provoke an enemy?

The saying that a child with gold in a bustling market is always vulnerable is relative; the puppet master who retreated immediately when things turned south did so, and they did the same.

Soon, the auction ended, and all thirty-six [Earth God Talismans] were snapped up.

At this point, if anyone paid close attention, they would discover.

Beginning from Baixi Village in Yunhe County and following up along the Turbid River Basin, at least seven or eight sections of the river had "Dragon Lords" who had borrowed from Wang Yuan.

Even before he assumed his new role in the Imperial Dragon Guard, he already had a group of subordinates willing to go through fire and water, to sacrifice their lives for him.

Foresight establishes; neglect leads to failure.

Even if he had not yet understood why the "No-Life Dao" was so generous in sharing the opportunity to transform into a dragon.

As long as these "lurkers" were present, no thing could escape his notice.

Wang Yuan also soon realized that "No-Life Dao" didn’t treat "Yunhe County," this key location, with any particular favor.

It seemed they were enacting their plan, even though they were not sure where the "fallen dragon" would appear.

"At least I still have a bit of an informational advantage on my side," he reflected.

Unfortunately, Wang Yuan’s good mood didn’t last long.

Ding—!

Taoist Yu Jiezi on the stage struck the jade chime again and said with a smile:

"Fellow Taoists, aquatic spirits indeed have the convenience of becoming Turbid River Earth Gods.

But what we of ’No-Life Dao’ value is inclusiveness and opening the gate to convenience.

You may have heard about the failure of the [Sacrificial Technique · Five Grains Harvest] three days ago.

What I am here to say today is.

With the retreat of the ’Dragon Qi Prohibition,’ there is no longer any suppression on magicians below the county city level, and demons and monsters can also move about unimpeded!"

Buzz...

Upon hearing this, the hall immediately buzzed.

Because the evil entities in Luoyang City were completely annihilated by Wang Yuan’s [Money-Opening Eyes] three days ago, the news had not spread immediately.

Now that Taoist Yu Jiezi revealed the key point, a host of demons became excited and began to indulge recklessly.

"Does this mean we can fully enjoy ourselves with feasts and drinks?"

"Hahaha... I have finally waited for this day! My suffering has brought forth sweetness at last!"

"I too will host a ’Killing Banquet,’ stealing a [Killing Dao Fruit] to seek immortality!"

"A divine position of an Earth God that can aid in transforming into a dragon is good, but it pales in comparison to becoming a ’Deceit Monster.’ Indeed, this is extraordinarily good news! Ga ga ga...."

For these heretics and evil beings, their cultivation methods are inferior, and they never had any chance to peek at the Immortality Dao Fruit.

They kill and harm others, solely to steal the Killing Dao Fruit that grows on the ’Undying Tree’!

Even the lowest-level Killing Thieves Fruit is enough to transform them into a Red Seal Strange Immortal.

They may not be very powerful, but they can still be considered an ’immortal’ who has attained everlasting life."

Seeing their reactions, Taoist Yu Jiezi nodded in satisfaction, clapped his hands, and continued saying,

"Gentlemen, my ’Three Yang Sect’ wishes to invite all of you to join us in this grand event.

Anyone who joins our sect and pays homage to the ’No-Life Buddha’ will be prepared by our sect with the ritual of the ’Killing Banquet’ and even Elixirs that are compatible with your fate.

You just need to be responsible for killing and collecting the ’Five Grains’ of people to brew a cup of Immortality Wine, and we will only take fifty percent of the gains..."

Immediately, many heretics left their seats and came forward to enlist their names and surnames.

"Taoist Meng has been kind not to abandon me, I’m in! Just fifty percent is really too cheap!"

"I’ll also join the sect! The ’No-Life Dao’ is truly the conscience of the sects!"

"..."

Wang Yuan and Xu Zhenzhi exchanged glances, feeling a claustrophobic sense of an approaching storm within these two righteous individuals.

One could imagine this news was currently spreading like a whirlwind in every corner of Great Yan.

In the days to come, it would stir up one wave after another of demonic revelry.

And cause one tragedy after another in the mortal world.

Wang Yuan thought to himself:

’I don’t know how much longer the Imperial Dragon Guard needs to deploy their forces.

During this vacuum period, who knows how many civilians will fall prey to these heretics and evil beings?

No, I can’t wait for the ten-day deadline given by the Duwei Mansion to take office. I must rush to Yunhe County as fast as possible!

The sooner I go, the more innocent civilians I can save.’

A moment later, this "Dragon Gate Meeting" was declared over.

Wang Yuan and Xu Zhenzhi, who no longer cared about sending out two Rashamon Bones, left together immediately.

At the foot of the mountain, before parting ways, Wang Yuan cupped his fists and tentatively said to Xu Zhenzhi:

"Brother Xu, what are your plans now?

Since you’re traveling thousands of miles, why not accompany me to Yunhe County for a visit?

That place is where the third Dragon Gate of the Turbid River lies; if it really changes course in the future, then you’ll never see it again.

Even if you don’t go, could you give me some advice?"

At the same time, he also dispelled the disguise of the Ghost Replacement, revealing his true form akin to a Qiu Tiger with official energy.

It was his way of responding favorably to the other party’s good intentions in letting him escape from the Turbid River.

He knew well that the Turbid River’s ’Water Dragon Vein’ would certainly become the focal point of both parties’ contention in the future.

If this Feng Shui Master could casually give him a pointer or two, it would be tremendously beneficial.

The moment Wang Yuan dispelled his guise, Xu Zhenzhi’s Qi Observation Skill immediately caught the change in his aura.

His heart instantly understood.

Stroking his beard, he looked at him with a smile that was not quite a smile:

"Brother Wang, oh, Captain Wang, you’re making use of an old man’s kind-heartedness, trying to drag me into this, huh?

After seeing the No-Life Dao generously distributing Earth God Talismans today, this matter is clearly murkier than the waters of the Turbid River!

Nevertheless, I’ll give you a word of advice.

What was a deep abyss yesterday is but a shallow talk today. The road may be long, but if you walk it, you will reach; the task may be hard, but if you do it, it can be accomplished!"

Heartened by the words of this wise man, whom even the envy of others couldn’t penetrate, Wang Yuan felt encouraged.

"Are you saying that as long as I earnestly put in the effort, this matter can be accomplished?"

Xu Zhenzhi, looking pleased with his teachable nature, patted his shoulder with profound sentiment:

"The future of Great Yan and the Human Clan is in the hands of you young people.

The green hills will remain unchanged, and the rivers will flow forever! If fate allows, we shall meet again another day, farewell!"

Whoosh!

Before Wang Yuan could utter another word, Xu Zhenzhi instantly burrowed into the ground and vanished.

"Uh...???"

Wang Yuan opened his mouth, feeling as if he had heard something profound, yet as if he hadn’t heard anything at all.

He was unsure whether Old Xu meant to go or not to go. Was this the way of a ’great master,’ unconventional and out of this world?

But he didn’t know the most important ’Precept Taboo’ of the ’Mountain and Sea Qi Method’:

"Bask in the emerald sea at dawn and Mucangwu in the evening!

Since the establishment of one’s Dao Foundation, one’s life must be spent on the move.

The larger the world one sees, the more fascinating it becomes, and the more Earth Qi meridians one personally sorts through, the quicker one’s Taoist Skill will grow.

If one settles in a place for more than a month, one’s Taoist Skill will begin to decline instead of improving.

Even the Divine Power Talismans will gradually fuse with the local Feng Shui Earth Qi, causing the body to slowly mutate into mineral substances.

Consequently, the mutated Taoist Skill will also bring misfortune to those around them!"

Even if he were to go, it was clear it wouldn’t be now.