Gacha games can't save this bizarre world.

Although the gecko Zen master was still devouring women, the chanting never stopped, as if the chanting was coming from inside its belly.

"Ah!" Nakano exclaimed in surprise, falling to the ground in an instant and retreating backward on all fours.

His shout abruptly interrupted the chanting, startling everyone present as if they were waking from a dream. They were startled to see the Gecko Zen Master swallowing a woman. Screams erupted, and people scattered in all directions.

"Why bother? Why bother? Isn't it a kind of fulfillment to meet death in a blissful fantasy? Why face the cruel reality?"

The temple gates slammed shut, and amidst the screams of the crowd, the Gecko Zen Master transformed into a giant gecko, climbed the wall, and stuck a person in with his tongue, swallowing him whole…

Five directions, symbols of five kinds of highly poisonous substances, the Five Poisons, Five Directions, Five Elements Realm!

It has a bit of the feel of Chinese military formations!

Chapter 434 Seizing the Opportunity~

Gen and Nakano staggered along the mountain path, covered in blood and in a daze.

When he regained some of his senses, he was already at the foot of the mountain.

How did he survive the monster's jaws? And how did he get out?

He thought about it carefully, then stared at his trembling hands in utter horror.

I tore that monster apart myself! I tore it apart!

Screams, wails, curses, and roars filled the air as a dozen or twenty people were relentlessly devoured by the monster draped in a cassock. Begging for mercy, resisting, trying to escape, and yelling—no matter what you did, the monster would swallow you whole with a look of pure enjoyment.

You can even see the human-shaped creature writhing in pain inside its belly, and a satisfied smile on its face!

Finally, the magatama on my neck started to get hot, like a red-hot branding iron, and then... I went crazy!

They tore that incredibly strong monster to shreds! One slash, two slashes, blood everywhere!

Nakano ripped open his collar and found that the magatama hanging around his neck was gone, leaving only a rope, and a bright red magatama brand appeared on his chest below his neck!

As the last of the Five Poisons, Five Directions, and Five Elements realms was destroyed, something seemed to shatter in the small city in the middle of the secret realm.

An indescribable psychic energy began to appear in the small town.

Looking down from high above, Zhao Hao smiled with satisfaction: "Finally out! Let me see what it is!"

In his eyes, psionic energy surged and rose like clouds, eventually forming a black figure in the air.

The figure was blurry and indistinct, except for two bright eyes. Judging from his attire, he looked like a wild monk.

Then the clouds quickly dissipated and disappeared.

Zhao Hao nodded, "As expected of someone who has studied the Yin-Yang arts of the Great Tang Dynasty in the East, you are indeed quite skilled, with no weaknesses in any aspect."

It should be noted that there are very few extraordinary individuals who know and can conceal their aura.

In the Western underworld, only those of very high quality bronze can automatically hide themselves through instinct or spiritual attainment.

In the Eastern fantasy world, especially in the ancient and well-established Celestial Empire, many major sects have developed similar spells or abilities to evade predictions of "luck and destiny".

The highest realm, according to legend, is to "transcend the Three Realms and be outside the Five Elements".

Once you've cultivated to this level, divination, calculation, prophecy, and reconnaissance become completely useless. You can't find him, and therefore you can't scheme against him.

Moreover, he is no longer subject to the restraint of certain attributes, such as the mutual restraint of the five elements.

Zhao Hao has only seen this kind of in-depth research, which focuses on breadth rather than depth, in China.

The other worlds in other places can't be said to be weak, but they are obsessed with power, spiritual energy, and level.

The Celestial Empire, on the other hand, pursues enlightenment and attainment of fruition; power is merely a byproduct, not the ultimate goal. The difference between these two is quite significant.

The methods employed by the owner of this secret realm clearly originated from the lineage of the Celestial Empire.

Legend has it that Abe no Seimei once served as an envoy to the Tang Dynasty. He studied under renowned Yin-Yang masters in Tang China and even inherited many of their teachings. He also wrote a book called "The Golden Crow and Jade Rabbit Collection"!

Ashiya Doman was originally just a wild genius from a remote place, a self-taught individual. The reason he was not valued was not only because of his background, but also because he had no lineage. Although he had some skills, he was ultimately not good enough and was considered to be one-sided.

Legend has it that he lost badly in his first challenge against Seimei, and then became Seimei's disciple.

However, he was not sincerely seeking to become a disciple, but rather trying to steal the knowledge and surpass the master.

Taking advantage of Seimei's inattention, he seduced Seimei's wife and successfully stole the "Golden Crow and Jade Rabbit Collection," though some legends say it was only half a copy.

Regardless of the version of the legend, Ashiya Dōman must have obtained the Tang Dynasty's Yin-Yang arts from Seimei.

As for their later defeat and exile, the truth behind that remains unknown.

After all, Ashiya Dōman was no ordinary superhuman, being the rival and lifelong nemesis of Abe no Seimei, the pinnacle of Onmyoji in Japan.

There is a saying in Japan that Abe no Seimei had actually reached the peak of the Bronze level, but ultimately failed to attain enlightenment.

As for whether he became a god, there are no legends about that.

It's estimated that the Yin-Yang school doesn't really support this path, pursuing something different.

While not as good as Ashiya Dōman, he was probably not far behind.

……

With the destruction of the Five Poisons, Five Directions, and Five Elements realms, something awakened in the central town.

The entire secret realm began to operate like a sophisticated instrument, and people like Chosokabu, Nizen Akiha, the little monk Sojun, and Genwa Nakano were all pulled towards the small town by "a mysterious force".

Even Yoshino Rei, who had been healed and released by Zhao Hao, headed towards the central town for various reasons.

Zhao Hao surveyed the entire situation from the sky, discerning every detail of the secret realm's operation and changes, and couldn't help but marvel.

"Amazing! To perform a ritual within a snail shell—truly ingenious!"

This secret realm meant nothing to Zhao Hao. Its size was average, and its laws were simple and constant. It was far superior to his own small world, and even his dream world was much stronger.

However, this was the first time Zhao Hao had ever seen such a method of using established rules to guide "fate" and turning all living beings into pawns to be manipulated at will.

It's like how the Russians, who are used to heavy industry and have all kinds of large factories, and can build tanks, airplanes, and spaceships, are amazed when they see a precision watch production line for the first time, and can't help but applaud its precision and small size.

To be honest, it was very inspiring.

Zhao Hao felt that even if he didn't get the secret realm this time, just witnessing this technique would be worthwhile.

After all, apart from taking two days off, he didn't do much. Even the rescue work was done by Orange and Wangcai. He was just relaxing like watching a movie.

Suddenly, the popcorn in Zhao Hao's hand was snatched away.

It was Orange who appeared beside Zhao Hao, riding on a somersault cloud, eating handfuls of Zhao Hao's creamy popcorn.

"Ugh~ I'm so tired, I'm exhausted~" she muttered as she stuffed handfuls of food into her mouth, keeping an eye on Zhao Hao as if afraid he would snatch it back.

Zhao Hao rolled his eyes. "You just raised your hand, it was such a small thing, and you think it's a big deal?"

"Isn't it hard work for me to grow beans?" Orange retorted.

"But aren't the Senzu Beans all managed by Tao Zongwang, the Minion and Nine-Tailed Turtle?"

"Teaching him how to plant it must be exhausting too!"

Orange has been spending most of its time in dreams lately, and has even had less time to eat at the various restaurants in Liberty City. This is because it has an important mission: to cultivate Senzu Beans on a large scale.

After all, he's a cat spirit; it wouldn't be right for him not to have Senzu Beans.

"Your cheap apprentice and lackey have arrived, you'd better hurry up and go! Oh, and the sake girl is quite nice!" Tachibana said.

It did leave a good impression on Sanhao Soju, mainly because Sanhao Soju was so good at praising it, and it was the kind of praise that was super sincere, with no fake surprise or admiration.

Don't say that Orange isn't the type to be pleased by criticism; even a saint would be happy to hear genuine flattery.

Look, even a lazy cat like Orange is eager to say good things about No. 3 Shochu. It shows that good words are good for people, and good actions are good for horses! Comrades!

……

At the city gate, Chosokabu and his two companions met up with the three people from before.

Zong Chun and Wu Jing had arrived long ago and had been waiting for quite some time.

Before that, he grabbed his second junior brother and started bragging about his experiences: with his sword, he angrily slew the fire toad demon; with his wind, he soared heroically to the sky; with his fire, he raged and burned; with his mud, he lifted it up to a height of ten thousand feet... ten thousand feet high... ten thousand feet high... ten thousand feet high...

The playing was so vivid and catchy! All that's missing is someone to play the clappers!

Before: I never knew I had a talent for waka poetry, how wonderful~

Chosokabu: I don't see anything else, but I believe you when you say mud can rise to great heights, and you're covered in mud right now.

Chosoka and the other two covered their noses, unwilling to approach the three men covered in stinking mud.

Before that, the three of them had been fighting the giant toad in a muddy swamp, and that giant toad was too fierce, forcing them to abandon all pretense of dignity and constantly tumble and roll in the mud. They were also frequently blasted into the air, with mud raining down on them!

They're not even human anymore. Even the better beggars are more presentable!

The troop of spearmen at the city gate watched the three strange men warily, almost ready to attack them.

In the end, it was the kind-hearted little girl, Miho, who summoned a stream of clear water that swirled and churned in mid-air, giving the two people and the tanuki a thorough cleansing.

Surprisingly, Miho Shochu has made great progress after the previous battle.

The psionic level, which was originally only Black Iron 2-star, has increased significantly, and the control over water flow has become more and more precise.

In fact, not only did she benefit, but everyone else also benefited greatly.

Chosoga no Fu is already a Black Iron 5-star. His psionic energy growth is not obvious, but his swordsmanship, especially his understanding of Steel-Cutting Flash, has made great strides. He has at least one foot in the door.

This is not only because Zhao Hao "taught well," but more importantly, because the rules in this medium-sized secret realm are blessing those who break through the Five Poisons Barrier!

This secret realm serves the master of the secret realm in the central town, and for the master's plan to officially begin, the Five Poisons Barrier needs to be broken. Therefore, breaking the Five Poisons Barrier is in line with the operation of the secret realm.

Characters like Chika, Sojun, Nizen, and Ramenmaru have all grown in strength. Moreover, they have all received gifts from the secret realm to varying degrees.

Chosoka Furuya mastered the Steel-Slaying Flash technique and had previously subdued the Tang Umbrella Demon.

The spirit power of the Miyoshi Shochu increased significantly, and it also subdued Ittan-momen.

After the serpent demon turned to ashes, Chika found a paper doll, which was a shikigami imprisoned by the serpent demon. Although it was only a Black Iron 3-star, this shikigami named Paper Doll had special abilities and great potential.

Previously, he had gained a deeper understanding of the power of wind, and even accidentally used a pseudo-wind barrier.

Ramenmaru found the giant fire-breathing pipe that the Toad Walker had spewed out when it breathed fire. The thing was almost 1.5 meters long, and in Ramenmaru's hands, it turned into a large flamethrower! For this tanuki demon who only knew illusion magic and had no real combat power, it was a huge upgrade.

Deep within the battered bamboo forest, the young monk Zongchun found a spider egg. When the spider egg touched his hand, it absorbed a bit of spiritual energy and hatched into a little demon named Jorogumo.

Although raising a female monster doesn't seem like a good thing, this team already has quite a few monsters, so one more won't make a difference.

Zong Chun: Little fairy, I need your help in my cultivation~

Even Yoshino Rei, whom Zhao Hao saved, was fully restored thanks to the Senzu Bean Zhao Hao gave her, with her spiritual energy and poison resistance greatly increased. They also found some very precious extraordinary ores in the mine.