Wandering Gods of Day and Night-Chapter 1183 - 452: Sick Village_2
"Set out immediately, go to Mingjiang Prefecture, and capture Zhou Xuan and the Fox Lady."
Upon returning to the cave, the first words Hulu Taoist uttered determined the course of action.
Zhao Longhu, Zhao Youting, and their two other fellow disciples all thought their scheming had succeeded, each showing no emotion on the surface, but inwardly celebrating with glee.
Especially Zhao Longhu, who felt a sneaky joy in his heart, thinking to himself, "These old ancestors, despite their high cultivation, have been secluded in the mountains for such a long time that they’re easy to deceive."
...
This shower of flower petals didn’t cease until the break of dawn.
And Zhou Xuan and the others dispersed one after another.
The bustle of East Market Street had also mostly subsided; however, being a funeral street in Mingjiang Prefecture, every day someone would die, and naturally, it remained thriving throughout the night, with the sound of drums and suona horns playing sporadically.
Meanwhile, in the night sky, two figures hid among the clouds, keeping watch on everything happening below on the street.
They were none other than the imperial envoys dispatched by the Heavenly Dome—Eternal Life Sect Leader and Tiancan Monk.
The ragged kasaya draped over Tiancan Monk rustled in the wind as he spoke to the Eternal Life Sect Leader, "Unexpectedly, what that kid said turned out to be true. He possesses the qualities needed to become the mightiest Dan Officer in the world."
"It’s not just qualities anymore; he has already refined an excellent elixir, though it’s only a speck of medicine powder."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader extended his hand, and the few remaining petals in the sky were caught by him.
Once in his hand, those flowers transformed into the shape of Copper Coins.
The Copper Coin flowers quivered, producing a jingling sound as if Copper Coins were clashing together.
"The flower rain is a blessing; this auspicious symbol bestowed by heaven and earth, given that they’re Copper Coin flowers, will enhance the prosperity of this street."
He continued, "Come tomorrow, this street will truly flourish with business, bustling with guests."
The Eternal Life Sect Leader clenched his fist tight around those Copper Coin flowers, directing Tiancan Monk, "Old Can, you keep watch here; remember not to disturb Zhou Xuan proactively.
Zhou Xuan, henceforth, might become someone neither of us can afford to offend."
"Rest assured, Sect Leader, I, generally, know my limits."
"I naturally trust you. Oh, one more thing: if anyone troubles Zhou Xuan these days, unleash carnage... Zhou Xuan must not die—if he perishes at this juncture, we both cannot bear the consequences."
"Understood."
Tiancan Monk responded thusly, while the Eternal Life Sect Leader, with a wave of his wide sleeve, drew a "door" in front of him.
Rather than a "door," it’s better described as a passage between the Mortal World and the Heavenly Dome.
Yet, this passage is too narrow and precious; without a decree from the Heavenly Dome, it cannot be opened.
Even now, having opened it, the Eternal Life Sect Leader needed to notify the individual at the other end of the passage.
"Mr. Yan, there’s a significant development with Zhou Xuan. I need to proceed to the ’Changsheng Palace.’"
"Go ahead."
From within the passage came a languid voice. Only after receiving this permission did the Eternal Life Sect Leader stoop down and squeeze through.
...
Inside the passage was an infinite darkness, propelling the Eternal Life Sect Leader along with an unseen force, until after what seemed an eternity, he arrived in a space filled with light.
He found himself inside a stone room,
where an elder, holding a lantern, illuminated the Eternal Life Sect Leader.
The elder harbored a strong dislike for the Eternal Life Sect Leader because from his perspective, the Sect Leader was covered in festering sores, each the size of a bowl and oozing pus.
Thus, the elder, being cautious, took two steps back to avoid infection.
"However, this Eternal Life Sect Leader is relatively clean; Tiancan Monk is more revolting—covered with festering sores, and maggots crawling out of the wounds. Just a glance makes my skin crawl."
The elder looked disdainfully at the Eternal Life Sect Leader,
but the feeling was mutual.
The elder was the keeper of the passage, known as "Mr. Yan."
In the Eternal Life Sect Leader’s eyes, Mr. Yan was nothing more than a plump maggot, his pale, repulsive flesh quivering with every step he took.
More than once, the Sect Leader nearly succumbed to the impulse to kick Mr. Yan down and stamp on this fat maggot’s head to burst it open,
but these were just wicked thoughts; in reality, he lacked the ability.
Mr. Yan was not a Hall Disciple ascended from the Mortal World, but a native of the Heavenly Dome—the Heavenly Fire Clan.
Among this unfathomable Sky Dome City, the Heavenly Fire Clan stood superior to the rest.
"Here, take this. Carry this lantern as you exit; it will guide you to the ’Changsheng Palace.’"
Mr. Yan instructed.
Due to their mutual disdain, both Mr. Yan and the Eternal Life Sect Leader moved with extreme caution.
Mr. Yan, wary of getting infected by pus, held the lantern at a considerable distance.
While the Sect Leader, repulsed by Mr. Yan’s maggot-like appearance, used his sleeve to shield his hand before accepting the lantern indirectly through his clothes.
"At least he knows how repulsive he is, deliberately staying away from me."
This thought simultaneously erupted in both their minds.
...
Engraved on the lantern were the characters for "Eternal Life", which the Sect Leader grasped as he exited the stone room.
Beyond the stone room was a dense mist,
through which the lantern illuminated a stone path.
Having resided long in the Heavenly Dome, the Sect Leader was well aware of the rules: while walking in the Heavenly Dome, one must stick to the path illuminated by the lantern. Straying off it, one would become fodder for the "Divine Fire"—even those of God-level are no exception.
