Killing Dao Fruit
Chapter 465 - 462: An Inexplicable Sense of Familiarity

Chapter 465: Chapter 462: An Inexplicable Sense of Familiarity

Wang Yuan followed behind Xiong Ruixing, his feet treading on the mountain mist, ascending ten zhang with each step.

It wasn’t until they reached the peak that he discovered the massive structure on Huotong Mountain was merely the outer palace of the "Dragon and Tiger Temple" used to receive believers coming to worship.

The disciple with the highest Taoist ability within was no more than a beginner of Red Seal.

All along the way, the daoists of the Dragon and Tiger Temple bowed in respect, addressing Xiong Ruixing as Uncle and Ancestral Uncle.

This truly showed Wang Yuan what was called the grandeur of a major sect.

His own Dushuo Mountain was not bad either, but after all, it lacked the gradual accumulation of dozens of generations of disciples and could not compare to the orderly and dignified bearing of the leading sect of the Righteous Path.

Tap tap tap...

As they reached the main hall "Dragon and Tiger Hall," which led to the grotto heaven of the Tao lineage, Wang Yuan suddenly heard the crisp sound of running overhead.

Looking up, he found that these were several ridge beasts made of clay, jumping and frolicking on the glazed tiles of the hall’s roof.

"Eh? Are these... the living Five Ridges and Six Beasts?"

Normally, the Five Ridges and Six Beasts are common architectural elements of palace-style buildings.

The Five Ridges refer to the main ridge and four hanging ridges, with dragon kisses, also known as "swallowing beasts," at both ends of the main ridge. Along the four hanging ridges are five crouching beasts, collectively known as the "Five Ridges and Six Beasts."

The Six Beasts are all divine beasts that anchor the ridges, with three functions: to bless and bring good fortune, to ward off fire and disasters, and to protect the buildings.

Beyond the dragon kisses, the other five crouching beasts are: Suan Ni, Bullfighting, Xiezhi, Phoenix, and Xiayu.

What’s most important is this.

It’s not strange to have the Five Ridges and Six Beasts; what is odd is that each of them, clearly made of burned clay, acts like a living creature, capable of walking and running.

Some chase and frolic on the roof, some sunbathe with legs crossed, and some even try to catch butterflies that land on the temple’s roof...

They seem to have their own emotions, not much different from regular living creatures.

Xiong Ruixing, known as the "Fire Carriage General" by Wang Yuan’s side, was accustomed to this sight and promptly explained for him:

"Taoist Fellow Taibai, these are the sentient ’Five Ridges and Six Beasts’ spirit monsters found in all branches of our Dragon Elephant Tao.

They usually keep watch on the ridges and are a part of the defensive system of our Tao lineage. Their nature is mischievous, so when there’s nothing else to do, they frolic by themselves. My apologies for their impertinence."

With that, he added a supplementary comment:

"In our Dragon Elephant Tao, the ’Dragon and Tiger Temple,’ which is the foremost among all branches, delves deepest into this method. The essence of it is a technique to enlighten spirit monsters.

Those with Great Divine Power who employ this tactic can make even stubborn stones come to life and plants speak.

Even inanimate objects can be transformed into spirit monsters, though most have low intelligence, cannot practice cultivation, and are not suitable for molding."

"The method of enlightenment, huh?"

Wang Yuan casually withdrew his gaze, but beneath the surface, waves began to stir, conjuring an image.

—The technique once used by the Demon Master Taoist Master of the Taoist Heavenly Prison "Inner Scene Heaven and Earth·Calamity Beast Hiding"!

Ability: It can grant life to the land, mountains, rivers, and air within its area of influence, turning them into extensions of one’s own body.

Transforming into various evil gods and calamity beasts.

Wang Yuan had thought that this was a unique method of the Demon Master Dao.

But now, having seen the "Five Ridges and Six Beasts" spirit monsters "enlightened" by the Dragon and Tiger Temple, he was instantly jolted.

It was all too similar—the resemblance between the two was uncanny!

Not only that.

Up to this point, the "Corpse Dissection Relics·Hundred-Patched Coat" still suppressed in Sage Wu’s "Inner Scene Heaven and Earth" was originally the skin of the "Underground Master."

The "Calamity Beast Hiding" that the Taoist Heavenly Prison could perform through it was likely a power that the "Underground Master" once possessed.

Who exactly was the Underground Master? And from which sect did he originate?

"Although he is now the highest in the Ghost Path, his identity in life has always been a mystery.

Especially since the Deity of the Demon Master Dao is known for transforming humans into demons, using ninety-nine types of demons to reconstruct the Dharma Body in the quest for a transcendental metamorphosis, there appears to be some inherent connection with the Dragon Elephant Tao.

Looking at it now, even the "Dragon and Tiger Temple" at the heart of our Mountain Taoist Temple cannot completely shake off the suspicion of crying ’stop thief’ while being the thief!

Anybody within this Tao lineage could potentially be a traitor."

"According to Sister Ruan, it was the Dragon Elephant Tao that specifically requested my support.

I didn’t think much of it initially, assuming it was due to my growing reputation.

But piecing together these coincidences, it now seems like there’s a storm gathering on the horizon."

"Among my enemies who could be considered major adversaries, there’s only the current ’Ming King’ of the No-Life Dao and the ’Underground Master,’ who is currently opposed in the Underworld.

The latter, merely two months old, keeps being targeted for assassination by assassins and should have no time to deal with me.

If the former is scheming against me in secret, it could indeed be dangerous.

After all, the ’Small Book of Life and Death’ I carry is something that the ’Underground Master’ is desperate to possess.

In theory, it can complement any Taoist practice and achieve the advanced ’Spirit and Body Unification,’ also considered to be a kind of alternative Heavenly Department Daoist Skill.

It could provide another path to immortality for those prominent orthodox sects already occupied by ’Corpse Dissection Immortals.’

Reflecting on this, Wang Yuan even felt an impulse to turn around and leave.

Unfortunately, once engaged in the game, can "Calamity" really be avoided by running away?

"These are just speculations for now, with no evidence to prove that the ’Underground Master’ is connected to the mastermind behind the upheaval in Liangzhou.

For now, it’s best to remain cautious and take things one step at a time."

Wang Yuan comforted himself, acting nonchalant as he followed Xiong Ruixing into the grand hall.

And thus, he entered the true gateway of the "Dragon and Tiger Temple"—the Huotong Mountain Cave, also known as Huolin Cave Heaven.

Beimang Mountain Cave ranked first, while Pengxuan Grotto Heaven ranked second among the thirty-six grotto heavens.

Hoo——!

It was as if dragon roars and tiger howls exploded by his ears, the spiritual mechanism shooting straight through his heart and mind. Suddenly, the view expanded, mountains stretching endlessly, clouds billowing and dawn resplendent.

Compared to Taishan, which as the site of many generations’ imperial sacrifices, ostensibly exuded an air of kingly authority, this Huolin Cave Heaven possessed an extra three parts mystical nurturing beauty and three parts ethereal immortal aura.

Moreover, with the "Saint Descent Power Alliance" Daoist Skill pervading the place, the spiritual mechanism of heaven and earth was far purer than Pengxuan Grotto Heaven, which served as a public Daoist field.

For disciples of the "Dragon Elephant Tao," the benefits of cultivating here were innumerable.

Furthermore.

Having obtained one of the top grotto heavens in the world, along with Yellow Dragon Sage, whose combat power was nearly at the peak of the "Corpse Dissection" level, stationed here.

If "The Number One Blade of the World" Xie Tianke was a copper wall and iron barrier standing tall in the northern border.

Then this "Dragon and Tiger Temple" and Huolin Cave Heaven were like unbreakable fortresses firmly nailed in the Southwest Territory.

They seemed like two colossal pillars, each supporting half of the clear skies for Red County Divine Land.

Especially this Huolin Cave Heaven, even facing the peril when "No-Life Buddha" suddenly intruded into the Lower Realm, it could protect itself without concern for quite some time.

Unless...

They had internal problems of their own.

Upon gradually realizing that something was amiss and with some preconceived notions, Wang Yuan couldn’t help but let his thoughts wander.

’It’s almost a fact that there is something fishy within Dragon Elephant Tao.

But no matter how I think about it, they shouldn’t have caused such a disruption as the current "Tribulation Energy" suggests, to the extent of breaking down an entire state, right?

After all, above them dominate "Taishang," "Lady Xiang," and "Victorious Fighting King," these three "Corpse Dissection Immortals" are considered akin to the sources of the Taoist Lineage.

Even if the people below harbor various ulterior motives, how could they possibly cause such a stir?’

Soon.

Doubt-ridden Wang Yuan was then led by Xiong Ruixing to Shenxiu Peak, which was specially used to entertain allies from all parties, where he met a group of Immortal Officials coming back in turns for rest and recuperation.

"Haha, Taibai is here too, take a seat, take a seat, try the special tiger gallbladder wine from "Dragon and Tiger Temple."

"Star Lord, I wonder if there’s a spare Immortal Mansion in Beimang Mountain Blessed Land? Or even the second or third phase projects would do!

I’m willing to pay twenty percent more for an upfront house."

"Thanks to Star Lord’s great fortune, we brothers have made a fortune in the Yin Department recently, a fortuitous meeting is better than a formal invitation.

You must honor us with your presence today, and allow "Dragon and Tiger Temple" to host you with a Dragon and Tiger Banquet that you can’t find anywhere else, all right?"

"..."

Old Master Wang’s current influence had almost reached the point where there was no one who did not know who he was, and naturally, he had extensive connections.

Upon his arrival, those who were just arguing and discussing countermeasures all stood up to greet him.

Wang Yuan also reciprocated the greetings one by one.

"We’re all brothers here, it’s all good, it’s all good."

As for acting stealthy and then surprising others, that scenario simply did not exist.

In this Red County Divine Land, let alone "Green Seal Sage," even those at the "Divine Transformation" level were already counted as significant figures.

Just walking out, one could be at the level of Sect Master Marshal or Taoist Master.

No matter how high their realm or fame, the prospects of clowns challenging them existed only in stories.

In this Divine Deceit World, even if there were such unfathomably odd characters, they simply couldn’t have survived to stand before him; they would have already fallen to various "Precept Taboos."

After a round of pleasantries and taking their seats again, they resumed the topic of discussion they left off.

"Yuan Suifeng has now stirred up all the troubles that can be stirred up near Liangzhou.

Especially Iron Coffin Dao and Poison God Path, the two leading Side Doors of the Southwest, have left the "Dragon and Tiger Temple" and chose to hunt down Yuan Suifeng themselves.

That rebel, even if he has gone mad, still manages to bury several cracks in the already difficult Righteous Path. He truly deserves death."

"I heard that the two Green Seal Sages from Langqiong’s Six Shaos, Flower Hairpin Lady and Child Rejuvenation Immortal, are again provoking the borders, followed by the sixteen powerful nations and Xiangxiong Kingdom, eagerly waiting to pounce.

Not to mention it’s difficult for the Sages of Dragon Elephant Tao to leave their post, even if they could, they may not catch up with the lightning-fast Yuan Suifeng."

"Moreover, that traitor has received covert help from someone, managing to completely conceal fate, even the "Debt" he carries is hidden thoroughly.

It seems that whenever you want to find the "Kui Niu Saint Descent Mark" you can, and hide it when you wish to, making us run in circles around him.

If it weren’t for his excessive wickedness, I would believe he truly had the help of Heavenly Dao.

This can’t go on, if only we could find a way to lure him out."

Faced with this "Decree God" who was unparalleled in speed and appeared and disappeared unpredictably, everyone seemed a bit at a loss.

At this moment, someone suddenly muttered to themselves:

"Doesn’t he need to find various high-quality Taoist Friends for his "Dragon Control Rune"? I think we might as well go all out and use seduction!

The only problem is, where can we find unfamiliar "Divine Transformation" female figures or great "Military Leaders" that he hasn’t seen to avoid losing more than we gain?"

As soon as the words were spoken, without a hint of hesitation,

everyone unanimously and instantly turned to look at the one person at the table.

Wang Yuan, who had been engrossed in the conversation, piecing together the current situation, paused in confusion:

"Eh? Why are you all looking at me?"

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.