The Master of Beasts-Chapter 639 - 176_2
Due to geographical reasons, the number of top warriors in the North is actually not high. Instead, the number of Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals is quite abundant. To become a part of the North Land King's Guards, one's cultivation must be at least that of a Three Flowers Heavenly Immortal, and even among that realm, they must be the best!
"This is a secret message the King asked me to hand over to you."
Jiang Xueyao signaled her maid to take it, and upon looking at it, a trace of oddity appeared on her face.
"Has the North also been invaded by the Underworld?"
"Do they actually want a secret technique to fight against ghosts?"
Thinking about the business opportunities in between, Jiang Xueyao flashed a charming smile, and with a wave of her hand, she said, "Come on, how can we let our honored guests drink such poor spirits, bring out the good wine."
Wei Hua chuckled bitterly, waving his hand as he said, "The North and the Zi Jing Blossom of Commerce have been trading for quite some time; we're old friends now. I just wonder what kind of price we need to pay for a good secret technique."
"Quite some time?" Jiang Xueyao shook her head slightly, "To be exact, a thousand years, including prior contacts, our trade at most has been over a thousand years, and we are engaged in normal transactions where you all have not provided me with any discounts!"
Wei Hua hesitated, his rugged face showing uncertainty on how to speak. Remembering the instructions given by the King, he immediately gritted his teeth and said, "We are willing to give ten Heavenly Immortals, along with a hundred True Immortals, in exchange for one secret technique!"
"It must be an effective secret technique, not one with weak effects."
"Fine, but at least one of the ten Heavenly Immortals must be a Three Flowers Heavenly Immortal, and there must be at least ten Little Heavenly Immortals among the True Immortals!" Jiang Xueyao negotiated.
"Deal!"
Seeing Wei Hua readily agree, the smile on Jiang Xueyao's face faded; what a shame to get so little.
Not long after, the maid returned with an Inheritance Stone.
"The secret technique of Light and Dark Transformation can temporarily convert spiritual energy and blood energy into a substance akin to Yin Qi, which can cause significant damage to underworld ghosts!"
"Of course, in fighting techniques of the same realm, cultivators are still relatively disadvantaged," Jiang Xueyao explained.
"Isn't there something better?" Wei Hua asked, somewhat dissatisfied.
"Something better? I would love such a secret technique myself. Those kinds of secret techniques are only available in major sects. The public ones are just the most basic and least effective. 'Light and Dark Transformation' is considered neither top-tier nor the most practical secret technique available outside!" Jiang Xueyao rolled her eyes.
"Alright."
Wei Hua, somewhat disappointed, took the Inheritance Stone.
"Remember your reward!"
"Rest assured, Northern Cultivators keep their promises!" Wei Hua replied earnestly.
"Well, I believe in your promise from the North."
Wei Hua was in a hurry, or rather, the North was in a hurry. After acquiring the Inheritance Stone, Wei Hua quickly bid farewell, not even having time to take a sip of the wine he loved.
"It seems the North is quite dangerous now; the Underworld's ghosts are indeed...."
Jiang Xueyao shook her head silently. These ghosts were hard to deal with, especially when they drew out the Yang Qi from some cultivators, causing a depletion in cultivation, and in serious cases, infertility.
Jiang Xueyao was unaware that the most severe consequence now had become draining one's lifespan until death!
.......
Star Moon City
Mo Yu looked at the underworld ghosts imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, continuously emitting meaningless screeches, and frowned slightly, "What are these things exactly?"
"Not sure, but I think it might be those rumored underworld ghosts!" Hei Mu speculated.
"Probably not, there are many strange creatures in the True Realm, how can you be so sure they are underworld ghosts?" Yu Bai refuted.
"Enough, what matters most now is to find a way to contact the outside world!" Kai Ming scolded.
A thousand years ago, the Golden Desert inexplicably lost contact with the True Realm, and all transmission arrays ceased to function, unable to transmit either outside of it or within it.
Amidst this ambiguous ambiance, the Golden Desert underwent significant changes. Some ambitious independent practitioner immortals, upon discovering that everyone was cut off from the outside world, united to seize control of the survival spots of some small families, and even harassed Star Moon City.
However, Star Moon City housed a lot of Heavenly Immortal Spiritual Beasts, and a fair number of Three Flowers Heavenly Immortals, resulting in the retreat of those independent practitioner alliances.
"Recently, these strange creatures have been appearing more frequently, and many cultivator disappearances have occurred in the city. Perhaps it's time for another large-scale inspection!" Zhan Ge said gravely.
In a thousand years, Zhan Ge and other spiritual beasts have not been idle. Now, besides Mo Ming, Kai Ming, Hei Mu, and the other Three Flowers Heavenly Immortals, Zhan Ge and Black Eye have also reached the Three Flowers Heavenly Immortal realm.
This remains the key to Mo Yu's steady hold on the City Lord position. Hei Mu still dutifully stays at his post without harboring any ill intentions.
"The matter might require the assistance of the master and Mr. Mo!" Mo Yu inquired.
"No problem!"
"This humble monk also consents."
"Then, we will lock down the city in three days to commence another detailed inspection. This time, we must eradicate all of these things!" Mo Yu said grimly.
These creatures are largely immune to the harm of spells and divine skills, posing great danger to normal True Immortals, and even Heavenly Immortals could easily fall victim if not careful.
Most terrifyingly, these creatures lack spiritual wisdom and merely follow their primal instinct to slaughter, relentlessly killing and devouring cultivators wherever they appear—truly natural enemies.
Three days later
Zhan Ge and Black Eye sealed off the only two city gates of Star Moon City. Large numbers of Northern Guards and Star Moon Guards, led by various Heavenly Immortal Spiritual Beasts, began street closures!
"By order of the City Lord Mansion, the city will be locked down for three days, and a citywide search will be conducted. No cultivator is allowed to step out!"
"By order of the City Lord Mansion, the city will be locked down for three days, and a citywide search will be conducted. No cultivator is allowed to step out!"
"By order of the City Lord Mansion, the city will be locked down for three days, and a citywide search will be conducted. No cultivator is allowed to step out!"
After three resounding announcements, most cultivators on the streets obediently retreated. However, there were still some cultivators unwilling to comply.
Among them, the biggest dissenters were the managers of the merchant caravans.
"Why lock down the city? I'm carrying a large shipment that urgently needs to return. Who will bear the loss of delays?"
"Exactly, we're not from Star Moon City, why aren't we allowed to leave!"
The cultivators hiding in their own courtyards sneered, "These merchant caravans really think they're a big deal, huh?"
The one in charge here was the Wind God Roc!
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh"
The green gale blew many lower-cultivation merchant caravan members away; if the Wind God Roc hadn't controlled the force, they might've been blown straight out of Star Moon City.
With turquoise eyes carrying a unique majesty, the Wind God Roc's sharp voice rang out, "Do you all have any objections?"
The pressure of the Two Flowers Celestial Immortal enveloped everyone. Most of these merchant caravans only had True Immortal cultivation, with a few barely having One Flower Heavenly Immortal cultivation.
"Sir, we don't know why the city is being locked down; this shipment is indeed urgent. Could there be some leeway?"
"After all, with so many merchant caravans held up, the consequences for Star Moon City might be unfavorable!"
These barbed words were not paid heed by the Wind God Roc. Consequences, what consequences? You merchants are just profit-driven!
"Comply with the search, or die!"
As the word "die" was uttered, a fierce wind blade swept past the merchants, leaving two deep grooves on the ground.
"This...."
"What's happening!" Zhan Ge, having completed the gate lockdown, looked at the chaotic scene before him and voiced his displeasure.
"Sir, these merchant leaders want to leave the city!" the Wind God Roc replied respectfully.
"Leave the city? Could there be monsters among them!"
Without a second thought, Zhan Ge immediately swung his long staff, creating a violent shockwave that pressed everyone to the ground, including even the One Flower Heavenly Immortal managers!
Seeing only a few cultivators still standing, Zhan Ge showed an excited grin, "Look, we've found a few just like that!"
The remaining standing cultivators were mostly of lower ranks, like servants and maids from the merchant caravans, and they couldn't possibly withstand Zhan Ge's strike just now.
Suddenly, several inhuman screeches rang out, and these creatures transformed back into their original forms, charging at Zhan Ge!
"Good timing!"
"Divine Skill—Annihilation!"
Numerous Buddhist scriptures appeared on the seemingly ordinary long staff, and countless Buddha shadows emerged in mid-air. The moment they touched these monstrosities, brilliant Buddha Light erupted, causing them to dissolve!
"The monk's blessing is indeed handy!"
Gazing at the ashes on the ground, Zhan Ge's expression appeared even more exhilarated.
"Someone, drag them all away and dig to find out why there were monsters within those merchant caravans!"
"No, we're innocent!"
The managers proclaimed their innocence, but Zhan Ge paid no heed. Even if it wasn't their doing, since monsters were found among their caravans, they must pay a price to free themselves!
