Starting with the Earth God, the path to immortality is deduced!

"Young friend Zhou Yuan."

Zhang Zhengming was pale, but he was holding on with all his might.

He looked at the chaotic county town, his eyes filled with heartache.

"My divine power has not yet recovered, and this city is in complete chaos..."

Zhou Yuan waved his hand, interrupting the City God.

The divine seal on his waist was now slightly warm.

That was because "Strange Tales of Gods and Monsters" was craving more "material," and it was also his duty as the Earth God.

"My lord, please rest assured and stay in the temple to calm your spirit."

"This rough work of sweeping and cleaning the courtyard can be left to the younger generation."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Zhou Yuan's lips.

Having just acquired the great supernatural power of "Soul Suppression," I might as well practice on these reckless fools.

"Ling'er".

Zhou Yuan turned to look at the girl who was feeding Gun Gun bamboo shoots.

"I'll handle the shady side."

"The rats on the sunny side are yours to handle."

Ma Ling'er stuffed the last piece of bamboo shoot into Gun Gun's mouth, clapped her hands, and widened her almond-shaped eyes.

Don't worry!

"They dare to run a cult right under my nose? I'll dig up their ancestral graves!"

After saying that, she flipped over and mounted the panda.

"drive!"

The iron-eating beast looked clumsy, but it ran like the wind and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Zhou Yuan didn't delay either.

He took a deep breath and stepped out.

His figure instantly became erratic.

This is not some profound escape technique.

Instead, it is the "path to the underworld" unique to the Tu Gong lineage.

One step is all it takes to separate the living from the dead.

The once bustling street instantly became deathly silent.

The colors faded from view, leaving only a strange world of gray, white, and black.

This is Jingning County as seen from the perspective of the underworld.

"Waaaaah..."

"Give me back my life..."

"I'm so hungry...so hungry..."

Countless mournful cries instantly pierced the eardrums.

Zhou Yuan looked around.

At the crossroads ahead, a dozen hideous demons were surrounding a night watchman walking at night.

Although the watchman could not see the ghost, the yang fire on his shoulder was almost extinguished.

He was shivering from the cold, and his face was bluish-purple.

"Hehehe, such delicate skin..."

A hanged ghost stretched out its long tongue, about to lick the night watchman's skull.

"court death."

Zhou Yuan snorted coldly.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploding in the ears of all the ghosts.

The hanged man's tongue suddenly stiffened.

Before it could even react.

Zhou Yuan has arrived.

He didn't use any fancy Taoist techniques.

He simply raised his eyelids and glanced around.

Those eyes seemed to hold mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

The [Soul Suppression] technique, which had just been developed to a minor level, was released without reservation at this moment.

boom!

An invisible, terrifying pressure descended instantly.

Those dozen or so evil spirits were slammed to the ground as if by an invisible giant hand.

"ah!!"

Screams echoed throughout the room.

They were horrified to discover that their souls were unable to move.

That tremor from the depths of their souls rendered them unable to even beg for mercy.

"This seat is the local deity of Fengzhou Township."

"By order of the City God of Jingning County, purify the underworld!"

Zhou Yuan held the divine seal, his voice cold and ruthless.

"Kneel down!"

As those two words were uttered.

The oppressive aura instantly doubled.

Pfft!Pfft!

Whether it's a hanged ghost, a drowned ghost, or those strange and grotesque evil spirits.

At this moment, they all obediently prostrated themselves at Zhou Yuan's feet, trembling with fear.

"Sir...sir, please spare my life..."

"I know I was wrong..."

Zhou Yuan didn't even glance at them.

He stamped the divine seal on his hand.

A golden light flew out, transforming into chains that strung the group of evil spirits together.

"Go kneel at the entrance of the City God Temple and await your judgment."

"If you dare to run away, may your soul be scattered and your spirit vanish!"

As if granted a pardon, the group of evil spirits tumbled and crawled toward the City God Temple.

Zhou Yuan did not stop.

He moved like a ghost, traversing the streets and alleys of Jingning County.

That night.

In the underworld of Jingning County, a true nemesis has arrived.

……

at the same time.

In the mortal realm of Jingning County, chaos reigned.

boom!

The vermilion gate was smashed open by a giant bear paw.

Two heavy door panels spun and flew into the yard, smashing the potted plants all over the ground.

"Who?!"

"Who dares to trespass into Master Wang's mansion?!"

Several servants and guards rushed out with sticks.

As soon as it appeared.

They saw a black and white behemoth taller than the wall, baring its teeth and staring at them.

"Oh my god! It's a monster!"

The guards were so frightened that they threw down their sticks and ran back in a panic.

Ma Ling'er sat on the back of the roly-poly toy, holding a compass in her hand, her face full of menacing intent.

"Where's that fatso named Wang Fugui?"

"Get out here, you idiot!"

The compass needle was fixedly pointing towards the backyard of the prince's mansion.

There was a nauseating, malevolent aura there.

"Who's making such a racket here?!"

A fat man dressed in a long silk robe walked out, surrounded by a group of people.

It was none other than Wang, the richest man in Jingning County.

Although his fat face was trembling, he still tried to remain calm.

"Broad daylight, breaking into a private residence—is there no law left?"

"The law?"

Ma Ling'er sneered and jumped off Gun Gun's back.

She pointed her peach wood sword at Master Wang's nose.

"They colluded with the Wukong sect, set up evil altars in their homes, and offered the blood of living people to the evil gods."

"You're talking to me about the law?"

Master Wang's face turned deathly pale instantly, and his eyes darted away.

"You...you're spouting nonsense!"

"I'm a legitimate businessman!"

"A respectable businessman?"

Ma Ling'er was too lazy to waste words with him.

"Go, smash it!"

Roar!

Gun Gun roared excitedly, completely ignoring the servants, and charged headlong into the backyard.

Boom!

A side room in the backyard collapsed instantly.

Amidst the rising dust.

A dark and ferocious statue was revealed.

The statue had three heads and six arms, and its face was distorted; it was the evil god worshipped by the Wukong Sect!

On the offering table in front of the statue of the god.

Several bowls of blood, still wet with blood, were prominently displayed!

"This is what you call legitimate business?"

Ma Ling'er's eyes turned cold, and the peach wood sword in her hand flew out.

Click!

The evil god statue was instantly cleaved in two.

A plume of black smoke rose up, but before it could coalesce, it was burned away by a talisman pasted on it by Ma Ling'er.

"Oh my God! Oh my God!"

Master Wang let out a miserable cry, his legs went weak, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Take it with you!"

Ma Ling'er waved her hand.

Several constables who had been lying in ambush outside the door rushed in.

These constables had long been fed up with the arrogant attitude of this wealthy man, and now that they had the decree from the City God Temple, they were no longer going to be polite.

Without saying a word, they went up and put chains on him.

Such a scene.

This happened in more than one place in Jingning County that night.

The news of the City God's miraculous appearance spread throughout the city as if it had grown wings.

Those people who had been misled by the Wukong Sect suddenly realized the truth.

In addition, the county magistrate held court overnight to coordinate with the City God Temple's actions.

One by one, the Wukong sect followers who used to bully and oppress others were uprooted.

One by one, the evil shrines hidden in the shadows were destroyed and burned.

That night.

The firelight in Jingning County illuminated half the sky.

……

three days later.

Jingning County has finally returned to peace.

The streets are bustling with life again.

People flocked to the City God Temple to offer incense and fulfill their vows.

The number of worshippers has exceeded that of any previous time.

Inside the main hall of the City God Temple.

Golden light swirled around, and incense burned brightly.

Zhang Zhengming sat regally on the throne, receiving the worship of the people.

It looks like...

Everything is moving in a positive direction.

however.

In the quiet room of the rear hall.

The atmosphere, however, was so heavy it was suffocating.

"Cough cough cough..."

A violent cough broke the silence.

Just moments ago, Zhang Zhengming was incredibly imposing in the main hall.

He was clutching his chest, his face ashen.

Every time he coughed.

The pure golden light that was originally on their bodies would dim slightly.

even.

The blood flowing from the corner of his mouth was not golden divine blood.

Instead, it was a strange liquid mixed with black silk.

"How could this happen?"

Ma Ling'er stood aside, anxiously pacing back and forth.

"Wasn't that God-Locking Formation already broken?"

"Wasn't that Ghostly Venerable already dead?"

"Why is your injury getting worse instead of better, sir?"

Zhou Yuan remained silent.

His face was ashen as he stood in front of Zhang Zhengming.

A ghostly light flickered in his eyes.

【通幽】.

This is one of the seventy-two earthly evil techniques of Taoism.

Although not as domineering as the Heavenly Gang Divine Power, it is most effective for probing the true nature of Yin and Yang.

In his line of sight.

Zhang Zhengming's divine soul and golden body appear bright and beautiful on the surface.

But deep within that golden statue.

At the location of the heart.

A dark aura, like a persistent, insidious infection, was clearly present.

The black mist was not still.

It's alive!

It's like a greedy leech.

It is frantically devouring the incense and prayers offered by the people.

It then transforms into a highly toxic filth, which in turn corrodes Zhang Zhengming's divine foundation.

"What ruthless methods."

Zhou Yuan withdrew his gaze and took a deep breath.

"This is not an injury."

"This is a curse."

"curse?"

Ma Ling'er was taken aback.

"What kind of curse is so powerful? It can even corrode the golden statue of the City God?"

Zhou Yuan turned around and looked at Ma Ling'er.

"This curse mark is extremely well hidden."

"If it weren't for the excessive incense offerings these past few days, which accelerated its onset."

"I'm afraid even I wouldn't be able to detect it."

Speaking of it.

Zhou Yuan paused, then looked at the weakened Zhang Zhengming.

"grown ups."

"This must be a contingency plan left behind by that 'Master Wukong'?"

Zhang Zhengming gave a wry smile.

He nodded.

"Young friend, your insight is truly remarkable."

"This is the unique secret technique of the Void Sect—the [God-Eating Seed]."

"Back twenty years ago, when I fought against that Wukong Zhenren..."

"He secretly planted this seed."

"Over the years, my cultivation has stagnated, and my divine power has gradually weakened."

"It's all thanks to this thing."

Zhang Zhengming sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"I originally thought that by recasting the golden statue this time, I could use the power of the people's wishes to wash it away."

"I didn't expect this..."

"On the contrary, it took root even deeper by leveraging its willpower."

"This is absolutely outrageous!"

Ma Ling'er stomped her foot in anger.

"That so-called 'real person' is so insidious!"

"Isn't this treating the older man as his sustenance?"

Zhou Yuan frowned and remained silent.

He was thinking.

Based on the deductions in "Strange Tales of the Gods and Monsters".

This level of curse is not something that can be easily broken.

"Let me try."

Zhou Yuan suddenly spoke.

He flipped his wrist.

The ancient-looking "Azure Lamp" reappeared in his palm.

"The blue lamplight burns away evil spirits."

"Perhaps we can force this seed out."

Zhang Zhengming hesitated for a moment.

"This... is probably a bit risky."

"This Eclipse God Seed has long been connected to my divine soul."

"If I were to forcibly remove it, I would be annihilated if I were not careful."

Zhou Yuan shook his head.

His gaze was firm.

"grown ups."

"Please forgive my bluntness."

"If left unchecked, it won't last more than half a month."

"This God-Eating Seed will completely devour your sanity."

"At that time."

"You will become an evil god who only knows how to kill."

"Is this the result the adults wanted?"

Zhang Zhengming's body trembled.

There was silence for a moment.

The hesitation in his eyes vanished, replaced by a resolute look.

"Young friend, you are right."

"Rather than sit and wait to die, it's better to take a gamble."

"bring it on!"

Zhang Zhengming closed his eyes, dispelling the protective divine light.

He exposed his most vulnerable core soul to Zhou Yuan.

What a trust.

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

"Ling'er, protector."

"No one is allowed to come in."

"good!"

Ma Ling'er drew her peach wood sword and stood guard at the door, her expression more serious than ever before.

"Light the Azure Lamp!"

Zhou Yuan forced a drop of blood from his fingertip, which landed on the lamp wick.

call!

Blue flames instantly rose up.

This time.

Zhou Yuan controlled the flame, compressing it into a thin, thread-like fire needle.

"go!"

Zhou Yuan's mental energy was highly concentrated at this moment.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

He carefully manipulated the blue fire needle, piercing it into Zhang Zhengming's chest.

sizzle...

It was as if a red-hot iron block had been thrown into cold water.

A piercing sound rang out.

"Hmm!"

Zhang Zhengming groaned, his brows furrowed, clearly enduring immense pain.

Zhou Yuan dared not be distracted.

His consciousness attached itself to the fire needle and traveled downwards.

at last.

He "saw" the true nature of the [God-Eater Seed].

It was a black lotus flower.

The petals were covered with dense, backward-pointing thorns that pierced deeply into Zhang Zhengming's soul.

Each barb was covered with strange runes.

"Burn it!"

Zhou Yuan gave a low shout.

The cyan fire needle pierced the black lotus in an instant.

squeak--!!

A sharp screech suddenly came from the lotus flower.

It was as if a living, vengeful ghost was hiding inside.

When attacked, the black lotus launched a frenzied counterattack.

Countless black tentacles suddenly swelled up and coiled upwards along the fire needle.

They even wanted to erode Zhou Yuan's divine consciousness!

"not good!"

Zhou Yuan's expression changed.

The ferocity of this thing far exceeded his imagination.

This is not a seed at all.

This is clearly a wisp of the spirit of the Immortal Wukong!

"Go back!"

Zhou Yuan suddenly urged the creation of "Strange Tales of Gods and Monsters".

A tremendous divine power erupted from his body.

The counterattack of the black energy was forcefully repelled.

But he had no choice but to sever his connection with the fire needles, and staggered backward.

puff!

Zhang Zhengming also spat out a mouthful of blood, and his whole body instantly weakened.

Although one of the petals of the black lotus was burned off.

But it quickly grew back.

Moreover, the colors became deeper.

It was as if they were mocking Zhou Yuan's helplessness.

"Huff... huff..."

Zhou Yuan leaned on the table, panting heavily.

His face looked rather pale.

Failed.

This [Erosion God Seed] has developed sentience.

Unless Zhang Zhengming's soul is completely destroyed.

Otherwise, it would be impossible to peel it off.

"it's useless……"

Zhang Zhengming weakly opened his eyes and gave a bitter laugh.

"This thing is connected to the mind and spirit of that Wukong Zhenren."

"As long as that Wukong Zhenren doesn't die."

"These seeds will continuously draw strength to be reborn."

"I...can't escape."

The room fell into a deathly silence.

Ma Ling'er looked at Zhang Zhengming, who seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, with red eyes.

I feel extremely upset.

Could it be that the City God, whom we finally managed to save, was...

Is this all we can do but wait to die?

Zhou Yuan stared intently at the dark aura on Zhang Zhengming's chest.

My mind raced.

Master Wukong...

It was Master Wukong again.

This mastermind has been hiding behind the scenes all along.

If we don't get rid of him...

Don't even mention the unrest in Jingning County.

Even the grudge against Uncle Liu from back then can't be avenged.

even.

He himself was a local deity who possessed a priceless treasure.

Sooner or later, he'll set his sights on you.

Since there's no way to avoid it.

Since it can't be solved.

Then...

Zhou Yuan suddenly raised his head.

The confusion in his eyes vanished instantly.

Instead.

It was an unprecedented killing intent.

"grown ups."

There is no curse that cannot be broken in this world.

"There is no one who cannot be killed."

Zhou Yuan's voice was calm.

But what Zhang Zhengming and Ma Ling'er heard was...

Yet it sounded like the clang of metal against metal.

"Since this curse seal is connected to the mind and spirit of True Man Wukong."

That explains it.

"We followed this clue and found his tail."

Zhang Zhengming was taken aback.

"What do you mean, young friend?"

Zhou Yuan turned around and looked out the window at the endless night.

His gaze seemed to pierce through layers of mist.

I looked toward that unknown distance.

"Passive defense has never been my style."

"Rather than waiting here for him to drain the adults dry."

"Wait for him to turn Jingning County into a living hell once again."

"Why don't we take the initiative?"

Zhou Yuan clenched his fist.

The divine seal hummed in his hand.

"I need to find him."

"Then……"

"Kill him!"