Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 442 The Sacred Mountain of Zhoucheng
The ghosts could clearly see the commotion caused by the ghostly soldiers at night.

In the past, when ghostly soldiers passed through the city, demons and ghosts outside the city could hardly escape them.

As it turned out, none of the members of this large merchant guild were in any trouble, and they even brought so many goods, which made people very curious.

Manager Zhang said with a forced smile, "It was just luck, thanks to the protection of the gods of Great Chu!"

Manager Zhang knew that what happened last night was not something he could tell outsiders, but he said it was thanks to divine protection.

The underworld officials wanted to roll their eyes when they heard this. Were those gods just bored? Would they really protect you?
They didn't see any movement from those leaders in the city last night.

"Alright, alright, go in!"

The underworld official waved his hand, allowing the caravan to enter the city without conducting any further checks.

The reputation of the Grand Merchant Guild was well-known to these long-lived underworld officials. It was a powerful guild, and they wouldn't bother to make things difficult for Manager Zhang and his men.

And so, the caravan slowly entered Ghost City.

Once inside the city, Lu Zheng and Qing Wan clearly sensed the difference.

The Yin energy outside the city was mixed and chaotic, while the Yin energy inside the city was very pure, which was beneficial to the cultivation of certain humans, gods, demons and ghosts.

Lu Zheng recalled that when Chi Mei mentioned Ghost City, she seemed to want to move there permanently, which meant she saw the city as a good place for cultivation.

However, it is not an easy thing for the demons and ghosts outside the city to live in Ghost State City for a long time.

The capital city is large, and living there is not easy; it's the same no matter which capital city you're in.

The housing prices and various expenses in this Ghost City area are terrifying; ordinary ghosts simply cannot afford to buy a house.

Moreover, if you don't have any connections in the city, and someone sets their sights on you, it's common for you to be eaten alive.

Although there are rules and laws in the city, no one will stay in the city forever without going out.

Once we leave the city, there are plenty of ways to deal with it.

Looking out the car window, Lu Zheng noticed that the buildings on both sides of the street were old and seemed gloomy even in broad daylight.

All sorts of demons and ghosts walked the streets, making it look quite lively.

Many demons glanced at the caravan, their eyes gleaming with a sinister light, revealing a hint of greed.

The caravan was full of people, living, breathing people, and the human energy they exuded was incredibly attractive to these demons and ghosts.

Even though Steward Zhang and his group had been to Ghost City several times, they still felt extremely uncomfortable every time they faced the undisguised gazes of the many demons and ghosts.

It was as if these demons and monsters would pounce on them at any moment and devour them completely.

"Oh, isn't this the people from the Great Merchants Guild? You're here to do business again! You look exhausted from your journey. Come and rest in our shop; we'll certainly treat you, our distinguished guests, to the best of our ability..."

A seductive female ghost, upon seeing the members of the merchant guild, began soliciting customers in a coquettish voice.

The ghostly voices were eerie, carrying a captivating, enchanting power.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions changed. Some quickly calmed themselves down, while others circulated their martial arts techniques...

Manager Zhang's face was very unpleasant. These ghostly things that liked to suck people's yang energy were really annoying, and they even tried to seduce them.

If you actually go to this shop, you won't be able to rest, and you'll probably be so exhausted you won't be able to leave.

Manager Zhang kept his eyes straight ahead, forcing a smile as he said, "Our Great Merchant Guild is still carrying offerings for the gods, so we can't delay. We'll come back to support Boss Ying's business later."

Upon hearing this, the pretty female ghost at the shop entrance blinked and said in a low voice, "Is that so? Then we won't delay Manager Zhang's important business any longer. Everyone, you must come later..."

When it comes to matters of the gods, these demons and ghosts still have some sense of propriety and dare not act recklessly.

The caravan traversed several streets before finally arriving at their branch office.

Manager Zhang instructed someone to prepare a place for Lu Zheng and his companion to rest, and then apologized, saying, "I still have many things to attend to. Please rest first, and I will come to find you when I'm done... Please forgive me!"

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "It's alright, the manager just needs to go about his business and doesn't need to worry about us."

Soon, Lu Zheng and his companion were arranged to stay in a quaint little courtyard.

Land is incredibly valuable in Ghost City, but the Grand Merchant Guild still has a considerable foundation. Coupled with its connections to divine officials, it owns a sizable area of ​​shops even here.

"Hey, over there..."

Qingwan looked up at a certain spot, her beautiful eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Lu Zheng followed Qing Wan's gaze and saw a mountain in the city, with divine aura swirling around it.

It is the residence of the priests of Ghost City, and the city's temple is also located there.

Lu Zheng's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at a pavilion on the mountain. He could vaguely see some moon marks on the high platform, which also exuded an extraordinary charm. It was the residence of the moon goddess.

Lu Zheng glanced at it once and then looked away.

It's best not to stare at such a place for too long, lest some deity notice.

Lu Zheng looked at Qing Wan and said softly, "Don't worry about them. Now let's focus on our own cultivation."

"Mmm." Qingwan nodded, then whispered, "How long will it take you to clear away those auras?"

Lu Zheng shook his head. "It's hard to say. I'll try my best."

The previous time the Moon Goddess clone directly incorporated the essence of the moon's Dao into his Moon Phenomenon.

It's unrealistic to completely eliminate those auras; the only option is to refine them slowly.

But even a trace of Daoist essence is not so easy to refine.

Of course, if Lu Zheng could refine the residual power of the Moon Goddess's avatar, his moonlit phenomenon would also be upgraded, turning misfortune into blessing. ...

"What? The Moon Goddess is not here? When will the Moon Goddess return? I have something important for the Moon Goddess."

When Steward Zhang arrived at the sacred mountain, he was surprised to hear that the Moon Goddess's avatar was not on the mountain.

Gui Nu said calmly, "How could I possibly know about matters concerning adults? Give me the item, and I will pass it on."

Gui Nu didn't know where the Moon Goddess had gone. She never saw her leave the sacred mountain, but when she went to offer sacrifices to the spirits two days ago, she discovered that the Moon Goddess was missing and hadn't returned yet.

"This..." Manager Zhang hesitated for a moment, then said, "This is something that Lady Moon Goddess wanted before, and she asked me to bring it to her next time I come."

The last time he came to Ghost City, the Moon Goddess found him and asked him to buy some rare and precious materials.

Manager Zhang had to ask someone from another branch to buy what Moon Goddess wanted.

Manager Zhang found this rather strange; how could a deity of the Moon Goddess's status allow an outsider like him to buy spiritual items?

However, as a shrewd businessman, Manager Zhang knew not to ask what he shouldn't ask and not to say what he shouldn't say, so he simply did as instructed.

Gui Nu was a little puzzled when she heard what Steward Zhang said.

She thought for a moment and said, "Alright, go back and wait. I'll have someone inform you when Lady Ruoyue returns."

"Thank you, sir!" Steward Zhang quickly expressed his gratitude.

He didn't linger and left the sacred mountain with a respectful expression.

After descending the sacred mountain, Manager Zhang's expression was uncertain. If that person didn't return for a long time, would he have to wait here forever?

Manager Zhang couldn't help but scratch his head. As a native of Chu, he still held a great deal of awe for the gods of the Great Chu.

Although he knew that those gods were high above him, and that if he really asked them for favors, there would most likely be no response.

On the contrary, he dared not make the slightest mistake in obeying the orders and commands of the gods, for he was simply too insignificant to offend them.

He dared not entrust the item to anyone else, as instructed by the Moon Goddess.

"Fine, I'll just have to wait..." Manager Zhang thought to himself.

Just then, a pale golden divine light flew over and descended directly upon the sacred mountain.

Gui Nu noticed the commotion and was taken aback when she saw who it was. It was the Moon Goddess, but not the one who usually resided here; it was another Moon Goddess.

But no matter who it was, to her they were all gods, her direct superiors.

Gui Nu quickly and respectfully said, "Gui Nu greets the Supreme God!"

The Moon Goddess's eyes were cold as she said indifferently, "From now on, I will act as the Moon Goddess of Ghost Continent."

This moon goddess is a wisp of her spirit that was recently separated from the original moon goddess.

The Moon Goddess's avatar here died, but there cannot be a vacancy in the divine office. She still needs to cultivate the true god's techniques. Therefore, the Moon Goddess herself separated a wisp of divine thought to try to reassemble the avatar.

Gui Nu was puzzled upon hearing this. What about the one before?

However, it was not appropriate for a priestess like her to interfere with the decisions of the High God.

Gui Nu quickly replied, "Gui Nu understands and will obey all the God's arrangements from now on."

The Moon Goddess said, "If there is nothing important, there is no need to disturb me."

Gui Nu nodded, then added, "Oh, right, the offerings for this month haven't been given to the gods yet, and someone just came by, saying..."

Gui Nu quickly took out the offerings and recounted the story of Steward Zhang.

Upon hearing this, the Moon Goddess's expression remained unchanged, and she vanished from the spot in a flash.

Manager Zhang was sitting in the carriage preparing to go back when he suddenly felt something was wrong.

He turned his head sharply and found that the carriage curtain had been lifted, and a figure appeared in front of him.

"Do you have something for me?"

This was the first time the Moon Goddess had ever heard of an avatar sending someone to buy things.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Steward Zhang quickly tumbled off the carriage, knelt on the ground, and took out a storage bag.

The Moon Goddess took the storage bag and disappeared again.

Manager Zhang knelt there and praised the gods before getting up from the ground.

He couldn't help but wonder to himself, "This Moon Goddess really is elusive. Did she know he was here and rush back? It's terrifying."

The most important thing is finally done... Manager Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, but he didn't get any benefit at all. Instead, he lost a lot of money.

"Sigh, what happened to the benefits you promised me?" Manager Zhang couldn't help but mutter to himself.

But in this situation, he dared not go up the mountain to ask for benefits; he wasn't courting death.

Elsewhere, the Moon Goddess opened her storage bag and took out several rare and precious natural treasures.

Things were not uncommon for her, but seeing these spiritual items made the Moon Goddess frown.

These spiritual items, along with other materials, can be used to refine a certain divine elixir.

After taking that kind of elixir, one can sever the causal connection between the external avatar and the original body, making it a separate entity.

(End of this chapter)