Simultaneous travel: I am proving the great way in the heavens.

Chapter 609 A Sword Heart That Slays Gods and Buddhas alike! I have a heart that yearns for immortality and enlightenment!
Judging from the dilapidated state of the ancient temple where the mural is located, it is not difficult to determine whether it is the Immovable Monk transformed from the Kapala Gu Gu, or the group of flower-named demons in the Wanhua Forest in the illusion of the human skin Thangka mural.

In reality, they had all been abandoned in this ancient temple by the being who created them, for who knows how long.

For so long, however, he never used the illusionary murals created by the human skin Thangka to harvest souls, nor did he use the Kapala Gu to collect blood offerings.

Clearly, either the being who created these things has completely forgotten about them, or these two magical treasures are no longer important to him.

However, neither of these two guesses is very likely.

After all, even if they seem insignificant, the Kapala Gu and the human skin Thangka murals are still magical artifacts.

To use an imperfect analogy, even the lowest-grade magical artifact surpasses the value and worth of ordinary items in the mortal world.

If something is made of real gold and silver, would even a multi-millionaire with substantial assets be willing to throw it away so easily?

Not to mention, magical artifacts leave an imprint on cultivators.

Even if it's lost, it can be easily retrieved.

If that's the case, then it means that the human skin Thangka paintings and the Kapala Gu have some unknown function.

Just now, when Luo Fu completely linked the human skin Thangka painting with the Divine Might Space, it also meant that he had completely severed the connection that seemed to be with the original owner.

That fleeting touch was clearly the original owner's last and only means of reconciliation.

Unfortunately, the human skin Thangka mural is now in the Divine Might Space.

Don't be fooled by Luo Fu's current low cultivation level; his essence is far from ordinary, especially his Divine Might Space, even though it has not yet become a world.

However, its true nature, when suppressed, is not something that ordinary powerful beings can handle.

The only pity is that Luo Fu could not use that fleeting touch to find out who the true owner of the human skin Thangka was.

………………

In a desolate and dilapidated ancient temple.

A spatial fluctuation flashed by.

Luo Fu's figure returned to the temple from the Divine Might Space.

The moment he appeared, the three souls, like swallows returning to their nests, instantly entered the bodies of Zhu Xiaolian, Hou Xia and his servant, and the bandit Meng Longtan, who were stunned there.

The three vegetative-looking bodies opened their eyes as if waking from a dream, as the soul returned.

Seeing the dilapidated scene before me, especially the fact that one wall of the ancient temple was missing.

The mural depicting a dreamlike scene from his memory had vanished, and Zhu Xiaolian immediately looked in the direction of Luofu.

"Brother Luo... Immortal Master, was everything we did before... real?" As if recalling everything from his past memories, Zhu Xiaolian could no longer address Luo Fu as a brother.

Although Zhu Xiaolian had previously witnessed some of Luofu's mysterious and profound magical techniques.

But it still couldn't compare to the awe-inspiring experience I had in the painted mural.

That is the ability to transform an illusory existence into something real and tangible; it is to invert illusion and reality, to refine the false into the true.

Even though he didn't understand cultivation, Zhu Xiaolian knew that this was an incredible supernatural power.

Luo Fu nodded slightly and said, "Brother Zhu, our fate has run its course. I wonder if you plan to continue your journey to the capital for the imperial examinations, or..."

Before Luo Fu could finish speaking, Meng Longtan suddenly rushed over and knelt down in front of Luo Fu with a thud, kowtowing forcefully, his head hitting the ground with a loud thud. He said excitedly, "Believer Meng Longtan begs the Immortal Master to accept me as a disciple. This disciple is willing to serve the Immortal Master by his side, to be his slave, and only hopes that the Immortal Master will have mercy on me."

Meng Longtan's reaction is not surprising at all.

Let alone the fact that he was a bandit who robbed and plundered in the mountains, even if Luo Fu had been in the world before he transmigrated, anyone who had the same experience as them would probably be completely taken aback.

Meng Longtan's actions seemed to serve as a reminder to Hou Xia. Without even asking Zhu Xiaolian's opinion, Hou Xia immediately followed Meng Longtan to his side and knelt down.

“Disciple Hou Xia dares not ask the immortal to accept him as a disciple, but humbly requests the immortal to allow him to serve him.”

As expected of someone who came from a family of pageboys, Hou Xia was clearly much smarter than Meng Longtan.

Even though Zhu Xiaolian was the key to serving Luo Fu, and Luo Fu was just an afterthought, they still had a relationship as companions on the journey.

Even the Xia dynasty knew that one should not expect to directly become Luofu's disciple.

It can only be said that Meng Longtan, this mountain bandit, was truly blinded by his previous experiences, and his mind was filled with the impulse to become an immortal.

Although both Meng Longtan and Hou Xia were extremely devout at this moment, unfortunately, in Luo Fu's heart they were of no value whatsoever.

Even Zhu Xiaolian, after obtaining the human skin Thangka painting and the Kapala Gu, lost his value in Luo Fu's eyes, let alone the two of them, who were essentially just extras.

With a flick of his sleeve, an invisible and irresistible force instantly dragged Meng Longtan and Hou Xiasheng off the ground.

Luo Fu looked at Zhu Xiaolian and said, "Brother Zhu, our fate has come to an end. I hope that you will pass the imperial examination with flying colors and achieve your wish in the future."

The moment the words left his mouth, before Zhu Xiaolian could even try to stop him, Luo Fu's figure vanished from before the three of them like a dream.

They watched helplessly as Luofu disappeared.

Meng Longtan started shouting anxiously.

"Immortal Master, Immortal Master, your disciple is devoted to the Dao. I hope you will have your wisdom and mercy upon me."

Unfortunately, no matter how loudly he shouted, he received no response. Luo Fu had already left the desolate ancient temple, which was now utterly worthless.

Meng Longtan, whose throat was dry from shouting, was overjoyed and his eyes turned bloodshot as he looked at Zhu Xiaolian and his servant and said, "Scholar, tell me how to find the immortal master."

Zhu Xiaolian is still regretting it now; he never expected Luo Fu to leave so decisively.

Deep down, he was still hesitant about whether to continue seeking worldly fame and fortune or choose to seek immortality and enlightenment.

Now there's no time to hesitate, since Luo Fu's departure was so sudden and unexpected.

However, it was precisely because of what he had lost that Zhu Xiaolian felt an even stronger urge to see through the illusions of the world. In his heart, no desire for worldly fame or fortune could compare to the pursuit of immortality he had already missed.

Feeling somewhat flustered, Zhu Xiaolian hesitated for a moment before Meng Longtan pressed him for an answer, and finally said, "Brother Luo... no! I mean, the immortal was a novice monk in a mountain temple in my hometown. If we want to seek immortality and become the immortal's disciple, we'll probably have to turn back and go to the temple to inquire about the immortal's whereabouts."

Of the three, Zhu Xiaolian and Hou Xia, the pageboy was actually the most resolute in their pursuit of immortality.

In truth, he was originally just Zhu Xiaolian's servant. The responsibilities he shouldered during the long journey were enough to make people feel his hardship.

That was truly being treated like a beast of burden.

Along the way to Luofu with Zhu Xiaolian, Hou Xia carried all the luggage.

As a successful candidate in the imperial examinations, Zhu Xiaolian could still enjoy power, wealth, and honor through the examinations. But what about Xia? He had practically nothing.

Even if she followed Zhu Xiaolian all the way, she would only ever be a lowly servant. This is why, if Luo Fu hadn't appeared, Hou Xia would have chosen to stay in the illusionary world that Zhu Xiaolian experienced when he was about to leave.

Even if Hou Xia at that time had known that the Myriad Flower Forest was an illusion, I believe he would not have changed his mind.

Reality was indeed too cruel for Hou Xia, the pageboy.

Buddhist temples and Taoist shrines, which are usually bustling with worshippers, are frequented primarily by the working class, for a simple reason: life is too bitter, and they can only place their hopes in the ethereal realm of faith.

Even knowing that the Myriad Flower Forest was an illusion, Hou Xia preferred to immerse herself in the illusory paradise of the Myriad Flower Forest, given the unchangeable reality.

The same is true now.

The three quickly reached a consensus: a scholar who originally wanted to go to the capital to take the imperial examination, a bandit who robbed and plundered, and a pageboy. This strange trio headed towards Zhu Xiaolian and the others' hometown without hesitation, seeking that faint glimmer of hope.

Luo Fu had no idea that his appearance would lead Zhu Xiaolian, Meng Longtan, and Hou Xia to choose a mysterious path of seeking immortality.

After parting ways with the three, Luo Fu headed straight for the Jiangnan region.

He did know that the current Grand Preceptor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Pudu Cihang, was a thousand-year-old centipede spirit who was trying to seize the dynasty's destiny and transform into a dragon.

However, Luo Fu is not yet confident that he can defeat this centipede.

Don't think that Pudu Cihang is really simple. You should know that this is someone who dares to impersonate the Great Sun Tathagata, and even Zhi Qiu Yiye, the legitimate successor of the Kunlun Sect, cannot tell the difference and does not even dare to have any hostile thoughts.

This alone is enough to make people realize that the method by which Pudu Cihang transformed into the Great Sun Tathagata was definitely not just an empty shell.

Yan Chixia was unaffected because he cultivated the lineage of sword immortals, pursuing the goal of breaking through all laws with a single sword strike, and emphasizing the cultivation of a sword heart that could kill gods and Buddhas alike.

Sword cultivators are an extremely unique existence in many cultivation systems. Although their combat power is astonishing, they are also extremely dangerous.

There are no fancy magical treasures, spells, or supernatural powers to rely on. There is only a celestial sword that has been forged through countless trials. The unity of man and sword for a sword immortal is never as simple as it sounds. Rather, it is the complete integration of the way of the sword with oneself, transforming it into the laws of heaven, or even a philosophical concept, a sword that can cut through anything.

However, excessive strength leads to breakage. The formidable power of sword cultivators brings not only a boost in combat strength but also a level of danger far exceeding other systems. A single misstep can result in death and the annihilation of one's cultivation. Very few can achieve immortality. This is especially true in a world that underwent a tremendous transformation a hundred years ago.

The fact that Yan Chixia, a cultivator who was able to defeat a thousand-year-old centipede demon that was about to transform into a dragon, died so young may not be unrelated to the fact that he was a sword cultivator. In fact, it could be said that it was precisely because he was a sword cultivator that he died so young.

Although Luo Fu's methods were astonishing, he wasn't entirely confident he could defeat Pudu Cihang. So, he decided to pick on the weaker target first and go to Lanruo Temple to meet the Tree Demon Granny and Yan Chixia, the judge who had once been famous throughout the twenty-six provinces of Guandong and Guangxi.

As for Pudu Cihang, there's no rush now. After all, Pudu Cihang has only recently become the Grand Preceptor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and he hasn't even had time to devour the civil and military officials of the court.

As they traveled south, Luo Fu completely refined Jing Yuanying along the way. Naturally, Su Su also rose in power along with Jing Yuanying, even surpassing the flower fairies of the Myriad Flower Forest.

The flower fairies of the Myriad Flowers Forest only gained the opportunity to transform from illusionary beings into beings of true reality because the Painted Wall Illusion Realm possessed the foundation of the Divine Might Space.

However, their process of turning the fake into the real was completed because of Luofu.

Susu, that means she has truly and completely completed this step.

It should be noted that even without meeting Luo Fu, she was already at the level of being a combination of human, ghost, and mirror spirit.

This can be judged by the fact that Su Su can freely manifest a body that is no different from that of a living girl. However, Su Su's essence is still Jing Yuanying.

If Jing Yuanying is damaged, then she will also be destroyed.

The combination of human, ghost, and spirit actually amplifies Su Su's own flaws.

Whether it was the human body, the ghost body, or the damaged mirror, it was all an immense blow to her.

But now, with Luo Fu refining Jing Yuanying, Su Su has truly been strengthened.

Although it may seem like she doesn't gain much on the surface, any damage to her human body, ghost body, or mirror will no longer threaten her life or death.

Unless all three are destroyed simultaneously, any one of the three elements can spend some time returning to the triune state.

This special trinity allowed Su Su to undergo a qualitative leap in an instant.

What was once a suicidal tactic can now be considered a basic attack with her current abilities.

Don't mistake Su Su for a helpless ghost. Although she may seem frail, her strength is absolutely not to be underestimated.

However, due to the unique nature of the Trinity, Su Su, despite her immense strength, was ultimately at the mercy of the alligator dragon. But when Su Su disregarded the cost, she was willing to sacrifice her own soul to ensure the alligator dragon's mutual destruction.

From this perspective, Su Su's strength is at least greater than that of the group of female ghosts controlled by the Tree Demon Granny.

At the very least, Susu is not afraid of the sun.

After Jing Yuanying was refined by Luo Fu.

Su Su became like Luo Fu's maid, accompanying him all the way to Jinhua.

Although Pudu Cihang has not yet completely taken control of the court, the Great Zhou Dynasty is already showing signs of its impending doom.

Putting aside other things, what I saw along the way in Luofu was not so much starvation everywhere, but every three or five miles I could see rotting corpses or piles of white bones. Even worse, there were people lying on the ground, barely breathing, half a step into the Yellow Springs.

Based solely on what I've seen along the way, even without the monstrous national advisor Pudu Cihang, the Great Zhou Dynasty was not far from a change of dynasty.

(End of this chapter)