Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 610 Huanghua Temple Centipede Five-Colored Divine Light!

You searched your memory for all the Taoist scriptures you had read, but found no trace of the three characters "Huanghua Temple".

Even Yue Yunqing, who was well-versed in the ways of the Supreme Dharma Sect, had never heard of this name.

Seeing the doubt on your face, Li Luosheng explained, "Huanghua Temple was originally the residence of a medicine boy serving under the Heavenly Emperor."

"This is a place specifically for refining elixirs for the Heavenly Emperor."

"The abbot of that Taoist temple was from the thousand-legged tribe, named Huanghua. The Heavenly Emperor personally bestowed the name upon the temple, hence it was called Huanghua Temple."

"This person has served the Heavenly Emperor for many years, and his status is far superior to that of an ordinary Daoist lord."

A slight stirring in your heart caught the words "serving medicine."

[The Daoist canon does indeed record that the ancient Heavenly Emperor once refined a great elixir in order to avoid countless calamities and seek eternal life.]

Whether the Heavenly Emperor can truly live forever remains an unsolved mystery.

However, since Huanghua Temple is a place dedicated to alchemy, it must contain rare and precious medicinal herbs.

Since Danling brought up Huanghua Temple, although he must have had his own motives, it is undoubtedly the place most worth exploring.

After a moment's thought, you nodded in agreement and decided to go.

Just as he was about to leave, a voice came from behind him.

"Li Luo... Holy Son Li, thank you for what happened earlier."

"But a few of us will not go along."

The speaker was Xiahou Li of the Extreme Demonic Sect. He clasped his hands in a salute and continued, "Holy Son, farewell."

Previously, Xiahou Li had always looked down on Li Luosheng—after all, the latter had only succeeded to the position of Holy Son after the death of Taiyinzi, and he always addressed him by his first name when they met.

[However, the strength that Li Luosheng just displayed was actually on par with Xu Wuji's, and he even intervened from the sidelines, indirectly saving Xu Wuji's life.]

Even when speaking again now, the way one addresses another becomes unconsciously more careful and deliberate.

Li Luosheng turned around upon hearing the sound, his gaze falling on Xiahou Li's face, but he remained silent.

Xiahou Li did not feel slighted; instead, he felt that the gaze was as heavy as a mountain, as if he were facing the Demon Sect Master directly, making him feel breathless.

He quickly bowed his head and explained, "The sect leader has given other instructions; please forgive us... we cannot travel together."

Before he could finish speaking, his voice had unconsciously lowered several decibels.

The invisible pressure only dissipated when Li Luosheng nodded slightly.

This kind of oppressive aura was something even the renowned Holy Son of All Beings, Tian Jingxu, from the Demonic Sect had never bestowed upon him.

"Prince Li, farewell!"

Xiahou Li bowed again, then led his group of Extreme Demon Sect disciples away, disappearing into the depths of the secret realm, parting ways with you.

Your gaze swept over Feng Qingyun of the Taihua Sect, noticing him standing still, seemingly with no intention of leaving.

The group set off again, only to find the path splitting into three, leading in three different directions.

You chose the left-hand road and continued forward.

[Flying is forbidden here, and magical powers are suppressed, making the journey exceptionally long.]

After traveling for about an hour, four or five scattered Taoist temples came into view.

Feng Qingyun's gaze shifted, seemingly intending to push open one of the doors to investigate, but he saw Li Luosheng looking straight ahead and walking without stopping, seemingly unconcerned.

The sole destination of this journey is that solitary Taoist temple perched atop the highest point on the left.

Feng Qingyun had no choice but to suppress her curiosity and follow closely behind.

Half an hour later, although the sun and moon did not revolve within the secret realm, twilight began to appear, subtly adding a touch of dusk.

Look around you.

As dusk settled and the clouds drifted by, a Taoist temple stood quietly atop the mountain, its size typical of any other Taoist temple.

The dark blue-green roof ridge resembles a black bird spreading its wings, and the eaves point upwards in a soaring motion.

The door was made of heavy sandalwood, with deep ochre-colored veins that resembled dried blood or solidified cloud patterns.

Above the gate, there was no plaque, only three ancient seal characters deeply embedded in the stone wall.

[Huanghua Temple.]

The writing wasn't carved; it seemed more as if it had been forged stroke by stroke on a boulder with some kind of scorching fingertip. The edges of the strokes were smooth as glaze, faintly revealing a hint of golden-red, like an ember that hadn't yet been extinguished.

Even with the gate closed, a faint, bitter yet lingering medicinal fragrance drifts from ancient times.

As you approach this place, besides the scent of medicine, there's also a warm feeling.

Seeing this, Li Luosheng chuckled lightly: "It seems we're not the first visitors to Huanghua Temple."

Feng Qingyun was puzzled, wondering how Li Luosheng could be so certain that someone had arrived first.

Your gaze, however, is drawn to the couplet beside the Taoist temple gate. Though written in ancient seal script, it is still faintly discernible:

"Yellow sprouts and white snow, a celestial abode; jade herbs and rare flowers, a hermit's home."

What an ethereal and otherworldly aura!

According to Taoist scriptures, "yellow sprout" symbolizes the true water in the kidneys, and "white snow" refers to the true fire in the heart; both are key principles of internal alchemy cultivation.

[From this, it seems that this place must have been a secluded retreat for alchemy and enlightenment.]

Although you cannot mobilize your magical power, you have cultivated the Jade Emperor's Aura Observation Technique for a long time and can now identify auspicious and inauspicious locations. Previously, in the Langya Heavenly Realm, you glimpsed a trace of ominous black malevolent energy.

But this place was peaceful and serene, filled with auspicious energy.

[Yue Yunqing and Feng Qingyun clearly also sensed that this place was unusual.]

Just as everyone was intently examining the scene—

The vermilion gates of the Taoist temple opened by themselves without any wind, their heavy doors creaking softly.

A deep, resonant voice came from inside the door: "Honorable guest, please come in for a chat!"

[It was actually the standard, modern language, not some ancient remnant.]

Everyone was startled.

Since entering the Heavenly Treasure Vault, Feng Qingyun had never encountered any living creatures other than the disciples of the three families, and at this moment, he felt a chill run down his spine.

[Yue Yunqing frowned slightly. After the incident at Langya Heavenly Realm, she had become more cautious and deeply wary of these ancient beings.]

Only Li Luosheng did not hesitate and stepped into the temple.

After a moment's thought, you followed, and Yue Yunqing entered as well.

Feng Qingyun hesitated for a moment, then finally entered, followed closely by the other disciples.

Behind the gate lay a spacious courtyard, surrounded by green walls. In the center stood a tall, ancient, yellow alchemical furnace, from which wisps of smoke curled, releasing a unique medicinal fragrance.

[The moment you all stepped inside, the vermilion gate slammed shut!] [Feng Qingyun's heart tightened. He turned sharply to look, only to find the gate tightly shut, completely isolating him from the outside world.]

[In the courtyard surrounded by white walls, weeds grow rampant in the cracks of the bluestone floor; this seemingly tranquil courtyard exudes an inexplicable eeriness.]

Feng Qingyun also noticed bloodstains on the white walls and floor; the blood hadn't completely dried, which made him even more cautious.

Looking at the enormous alchemy furnace in the courtyard, Li Luosheng smiled and said, "It seems we haven't arrived too late."

The same voice rang out again, echoing through the courtyard: "You...you've also come to find the elixir of immortality?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and were astonished to discover that it was coming from inside the alchemy furnace!

Li Luosheng nodded calmly: "Of course."

Upon hearing this, a burst of maniacal laughter erupted from the alchemy furnace: "That's perfect! Come and help the Dao Lord ascend!"

Feng Qingyun's heart sank suddenly; an ominous premonition swept through his body like a chilling tide. The Taihua Sect disciples behind him turned pale, their eyes filled with undisguised fear.

【"boom--!"】

A deafening roar erupted as the massive lid of the alchemy furnace was flung open, and a gigantic creature writhed out—a jet-black centipede as tall as a five-story building!

Even more chillingly, this centipede had the upper body of a human, and was none other than an old Taoist priest in yellow robes and white eyebrows.

Its enormous centipede-like body clung to the alchemy furnace, while the humanoid old Taoist priest at its top remained motionless, eyes closed, expressionless.

[You concentrate your senses and perceive that although this centipede possesses a powerful aura, having reached the peak of the Dragon Court Realm, it has not exceeded the limitations of this world.]

The old Taoist priest at the top of the centipede's body suddenly opened his eyes, golden light shooting from them. He then spewed out billowing purple poisonous mist, which swept towards the crowd.

[The Void Tear at Yue Yunqing's fingertip instantly transformed into a blue glass shield, protecting everyone from the Supreme Dharma Sect within.]

However, upon contact with the poisonous fog, the protective shield began to rapidly dissolve.

Feng Qingyun's expression changed drastically. With his magical power restricted, he had no choice but to activate his natal magic treasure, nurtured within his divine sense, to defend himself. The disciples of the Taihua Sect also unleashed their magic treasures, but the purple poisonous mist could even corrode the spiritual light of their treasures; for a moment, the light flickered, and mournful cries echoed.

The members of the Blood Sea Demon Sect circulated their qi and blood, their bodies glowing with a blood-red light to resist the poisonous mist.

Behind Li Luosheng, a sea of ​​blood rose and fell, transforming into a blood-red umbrella.

[You, however, seemed much more composed. Although magic is forbidden here, it's useless against innate supernatural abilities that don't require magic to activate.]

[But then I saw five-colored light flowing around you, and the Great Ming Peacock's innate divine power, "Five-Colored Divine Light," unfolded leisurely—wherever the divine light passed, nothing was left untouched, nothing was left unfallen.]

The surging poisonous fog dissipated silently, like ice and snow meeting the sun, the moment it approached, unable to get even a fraction closer.

Li Luosheng looked at you and couldn't help but laugh, "Brother Zhou, impressive skills!"

The purple venomous mist spewed by the centipede grew increasingly dense, almost completely enveloping the courtyard.

Feng Qingyun's expression grew increasingly grim—this poisonous fog was extremely strange, even eroding the spiritual light of magical artifacts, causing it to dim and shrink.

He looked up and saw you standing silently in the center of the poisonous fog, your body surrounded by swirling five colors, yet you remained completely untouched.

"What kind of tactic is this?!"

He was deeply shaken, finally understanding why someone as powerful as Yue Yunqing could command such deference from this man.

Just then, the centipede's enormous body twisted violently, overturning the alchemy furnace with a crash.

A muffled thud shook the ground.

Feng Qingyun subconsciously glanced into the furnace, and his expression immediately changed.

[More than ten mutilated corpses were piled up in the furnace, their flesh and blood unrecognizable as human; severed limbs lay scattered, some headless, some missing limbs, with visible signs of gnawing, a truly gruesome scene.]

The corpse itself naturally did not frighten this senior disciple of the Taihua Sect.

What truly shocked him were the still-intact garments on the severed limbs—embroidered with patterns of a hundred beasts, pointing to a name he recognized: the Heretical Beast Sect.

[Could it be that what Li Luosheng just said, someone has already gone in—it's the Hundred Beasts Sect!]

Then, they were all annihilated, and the centipede put them into the alchemy furnace.

Feng Qingyun felt a pang of panic. Duan Fei of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect was only one place below him on the Outer Path Dragon and Tiger Ranking.

Even if he personally took action, he might not be able to easily defeat Duan Fei, let alone slaughter an entire sect of disciples.

[It seems that this centipede is far beyond their ability to contend with!]

The poisonous fog grew increasingly thick, completely obscuring visibility; the restrictions on this place remained in place, and magical power was still suppressed, making it impossible even for divine sense to penetrate its depths.

Feng Qingyun couldn't help but feel remorseful. He should have left decisively like the Extreme Demon Sect members, and shouldn't have followed Li Luosheng into this temple!

He looked around with a grim expression; the entire open space of the Taoist temple seemed shrouded in a thick purple mist.

Suddenly, a gigantic centipede-like shadow burst forth from the depths of the poisonous mist, spewing forth blazing flames; the surrounding temperature soared, and scorching waves crashed against us.

Feng Qingyun quickly dodged to the side. Although the Pure Yang Skill primarily cultivates magical power, it also strengthens the body; a single punch from it possessed the power of nine oxen and two tigers.

He slammed his fist into the centipede's carapace, but it felt like hitting a red-hot steel plate; barbs sprouted from the carapace, instantly piercing the membrane, sending excruciating pain shooting straight to his heart.

Although the attack forced the centipede back half a foot, several shrill screams echoed from within the mist amidst the whistling wind.

Feng Qingyun painfully looked at his still-bleeding arm, only to find himself surrounded by emptiness; his fellow disciples who had been beside him just moments before were nowhere to be seen!

【"not good!"】

[From the depths of the thick fog came a sickeningly chewing sound, accompanied by that deep voice once again: Delicious... truly delicious!]

Four disciples of the Taihua Sect have already perished in the jaws of this centipede.

The howling wind rose again, the sound of the centipede crawling rapidly through the thick fog.

[It seemed to possess considerable intelligence, deliberately avoiding you, who were shrouded in the five-colored divine light, and the demonic sect members whose blood was churning, instead focusing its attacks on the Taihua Sect and the Supreme Dharma Sect.]

Although the Void Tear in Yue Yunqing's hand was a divinely forbidden treasure that did not require magical power to activate, it was still struggling against the continuous erosion of the poisonous mist, and its radiance was visibly dimming.

[In the instant the light trembled slightly, the centipede seized the opening, its long body coiling around, and another disciple of the Supreme Dharma Sect was abducted into the mist, accompanied by a piercing scream!]

The atmosphere is becoming increasingly tense!

[As you gaze intently, you vaguely see the old Taoist priest, possessed by a centipede, tearing out the hearts of cultivators with his bare hands and swallowing them. With each person he ate, his aura surged!]

What's even more alarming is that this centipede seems completely unaffected by the restrictions imposed by Huanghua Temple, and is able to freely unleash its cultivation power here!

You and Li Luosheng exchanged a glance, knowing that if they allowed him to continue hunting, this fiend would become increasingly difficult to deal with.

[A sudden burst of five-colored divine light erupted from your body, its dazzling brilliance like the rising sun. The surrounding poisonous fog dissipated upon contact, creating a haven of tranquility within the thick mist.]

Upon seeing this, Yue Yunqing and Feng Qingyun immediately led their followers into the light barrier.

The centipede slithered around the perimeter of the divine light, its scarlet compound eyes fixed on the people within the light barrier, but ultimately dared not act as recklessly as before.

[Li Luosheng softly chanted, "Ascend Kunlun, feast on jade essence, live as long as heaven and earth, shine as brightly as the sun and moon."]

[Danling activated "Lesser Fate," causing the centipede to momentarily freeze.]

[When Feng Qingyun looked again, your figure had already vanished.]

(End of this chapter)