Cultivating Immortality in the Winter Wasteland.

Chapter 894 Longshan Temple

After Zhu Polong and the old Taoist priest left, Chen Wang prepared to continue exploring the mountain and try to reach the summit.

However, Chen Wang hadn't gone far when he saw the hanged scholar again.

Chen Wang was taken aback. After a careful examination, he realized that it really was the scholar.

Chen Wang immediately became alert and said, "Brother Wang, weren't you down the mountain? Why have you come here?"

The scholar asked, "Brother, did I guide you to find the treasure in that temple?"

Chen Wang patted the wooden sword at his waist and said, "Found it."

The scholar laughed and said, "Great, great! Could you use the knife in your hand to cut the rope around my neck?"

Chen Wang said, "You haven't answered my previous question yet."

The hanged scholar said, "This tree is elusive and I can't do anything about it. Do you think I wanted this?"

Chen Wang stared intently at the scholar.
The scholar looked at Chen Wang with a sincere expression and said, "Please help me, cut the rope, and I will be free."

Chen Wang said, "I heard that to be freed, you need to hang another person and find a substitute."

The scholar shook his head and said, "That's the talk of a country bumpkin. Heaven's way is cyclical, and good and evil are rewarded accordingly. Why bother with such talk? I can escape this predicament, so why would I have any intention of harming others?"

Chen Wang said, "I'm afraid I can't help you with this. We've only met by chance, and it's not worth it for me to take such a big risk to help you."

The scholar pleaded, "Please, you have no idea how long I've been hanging from this tree. Also, if this rope is cut by the magic weapon, it will reveal its true form. If you cut it, you'll have a chance to obtain this magic weapon. Carrying it with you in these mountains will give you more options."

Chen Wang said, "I don't lack magical treasures, and what kind of magical treasure could a rope that I can cut be?"

The scholar said, "This magic weapon is called the Immortal Binding Rope. Only the knife in your hand can cut it and reveal its true form."

Chen Wang shook his head and said, "No need, I have no interest in these magical treasures."

The scholar's eyes widened in surprise, and his body swayed back and forth.

As Chen Wang passed by him, he suddenly stopped and said, "You are bound by this rope, so there must be some kind of special medium."

The scholar nodded and said, "That's right. What I need to sever with your knife is that kind of medium. Otherwise, no matter how far I go, I will be dragged back by this rope."

Chen Wang nodded and said, "Since that's the case, you don't need to lie to me. Find a substitute, I'll find one for you, how about that?"

The scholar's eyes lit up, and he quickly coughed and said, "Brother, what are you saying? I really don't need a scapegoat."

Chen Wang smiled and said, "Okay, if you don't need it, then forget it."

He turned to leave, but the scholar quickly called out to him, "No, no, no, we can talk this over. Can you really find me a substitute?"

Chen Wang said, "We're all here in the mountains to find treasure. I'll also encounter enemies, and I'll find one for you then."

The scholar was overjoyed and quickly clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, thank you!"

The scholar said apologetically, "This rope is indeed powerful. Even if you cut it, you won't see the real Immortal Binding Rope. I was indeed trying to trick you just now."

Chen Wang said, "I can see that. To be honest, you don't look like a good person."

"What's in it for me to help you?"

"..." The scholar's lips twitched, and he quickly said, "I also know several treasure troves in these mountains. There is a cave in the place you just passed. It is the residence of a master alchemist and contains many pill formulas. If you get it, you will definitely become a grandmaster alchemist."

Chen Wang shook his head: "Not interested."

The scholar continued, "Fifty li to the west, there is a pavilion with a stone chessboard inside. The chessboard is a powerful magic weapon containing spatial power. However, to enter the pavilion, you must play chess and win to take it away; otherwise, you will be trapped inside."

Chen Wang said, "This place is so eerie, but I don't know how to play chess."

The scholar said, “Since you don’t know how to play chess, that’s easy. There’s a medicinal herb field thirty miles to the east. There’s a stone statue at the entrance of the field. The statue opens its eyes every two hours. When it opens its eyes, anyone who enters the field will be captured and turned into a great medicine. But when it doesn’t open its eyes, you have a chance to take the medicinal herb. Just be careful and go easy on it.”

Chen Wang frowned and asked, "Are many of those medicines potent medicines for the human body?"

The scholar was taken aback: "Brother, you still care about this?"

Chen Wang said, "If we have a choice, we will care. If we don't have a choice, we can still eat people."

The scholar cupped his hands and said, "Brother, you are so carefree."

Then the scholar said, "After passing the herb field, there is a bamboo forest. In the bamboo forest lives an old ghost with a head who calls himself the Hermit of No Form. If you answer his question, you will know something that concerns your own interests. This is also a kind of opportunity. What do you say?"

It is well known that cultivators value their own opportunities highly, which is why diviners have always been respected.

Chen Wang said, "That's quite good. It can predict past and future fortunes and misfortunes."

The scholar was overjoyed: "In that case, brother, you should lead the people here for me."

Chen Wang shook his head and said, "But I have to do something for him. It's not a big deal, but I feel uneasy about the promise I made."

The scholar said, “Brother, you’re unwilling to do this or that. I’ve already suggested a few good places to go, which shows my sincerity, but I haven’t seen your sincerity.”

Chen Wangdao said, "Brother Wang, do you have any other choice but to trust me?"

After a moment of silence, the scholar clapped his hands and laughed, "You really are a cunning fellow."

He then continued, "Well, I'm finding it quite boring to stay in these mountains. Since I have a rare opportunity to escape, I'll naturally give it another try."

"There is another powerful place in these mountains that you might not dare to go to, as it holds great opportunities."

Chen Wang said, "Brother, please speak."

The scholar glanced at Chen Wang and said, "That place is called Longshan Temple, where powerful cultivators reside. As far as I know, the Scripture of the Past and Future is hidden there, as well as the relics of Buddhist masters. It is said that there are relics of genuine celestial Arhats. If you are fortunate enough to obtain them, your fortune will be beyond words."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wang exclaimed in astonishment, "Longshan Temple? Relics?"

He took a deep breath and asked, "What exactly is this Bronze Immortal Palace?"

The scholar said, "This matter was originally a big secret, but since you asked me, I might as well tell you what I know."

"Many scenic landscapes, including mountains, lakes, fertile fields, and vegetation, have been moved into this bronze immortal palace using great magical power. They may all be transformed from magical treasures."

Chen Wang asked, "What about those statues from before?"

The scholar said, "Naturally, they are guarding this place. Inside are the four Yuan brothers, as well as the Nine Fiends and Twelve True Men."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wang was greatly shocked.

He asked, "Do the four Yuan brothers have full beards, one holding a sword, and the other holding a pipa, capable of manipulating the power of earth, fire, water, and wind?"

The scholar nodded and said, "That's right, there are two more people. One is holding a large umbrella, and the other is raising a strange beast, as big as an elephant, with wings on its back, and it looks like a sable."

Chen Wang frowned, thinking to himself, "This is practically the configuration of the four Mo brothers, the Four Heavenly Kings."

Chen Wang said, "When I ventured into the mountains before, I didn't see that many. There were only two people, one holding a sword and the other a pipa."

The scholar said, "That's because the time was short and the invaders weren't particularly strong. Otherwise, the rest of the group would have recovered as well, and that would have been quite a spectacle."

Chen Wang was taken aback: "The Tribulation Transcending stage isn't considered high-level?"

However, he also guessed that the configuration the scholar mentioned was probably for dealing with those in the Ascension stage.

Chen Wang was greatly surprised.

Chen Wang added, "This bronze immortal palace actually hides so many dangers." The scholar said, "Immortal palace? We previously called it an immortal tomb, the tomb of a powerful being. Didn't you see the significance?"

Chen Wang was taken aback.

The scholar smiled and said, "The statues of gods buried with the deceased, the funerary objects, and the act of moving mountains and lakes—doesn't that seem like the arrangement of a tomb?"

Chen Wang was greatly shocked.

After a moment, he slowly exhaled a breath of stale air: "It really does look like it."

The scholar said, "Brother, this place is not a good place. If you have the chance to leave, leave quickly. Of course, before you leave, please help me get rid of this burden."

Chen Wang said, "What if the opponent I bring is too powerful and ends up harming you? I don't want to destroy you completely."

The scholar asked, "You mean this group of people who came this time?"

Chen Wang said, "There are also some things in the mountains."

The scholar smiled and said, "It's alright. Except for a few exceptions, just lead them this way."

Chen Wang's heart stirred, and he said, "Brother Wang, if you have such abilities, why don't you force me to go and be your substitute?"

The scholar said sincerely, "Do you believe me when I say I find you pleasing to the eye?"

Chen Wang smiled and said, "I believe you."

The scholar laughed: "Why? Doesn't that reason sound absurd?"

Chen Wang said seriously, "Because I'm really good-looking."

The scholar smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother, don't forget, this is a very important matter for me."

Then, he told Chen Wang about the location of Longshan Temple.

Chen Wang cupped his hands in greeting and then left.

The Immortal Realm turned out to be an Immortal Tomb, so naturally, there were many dangers inside.

Even Chen Wang's expression tensed up.

Some of the arrangements in this immortal tomb are designed to deal with those in the Ascension stage. No wonder so many of them, who were in the Tribulation Transcending stage, died inside.

Chen Wang continued his ascent.

Chen Wang arrived at Longshan Temple following the scholar's instructions.

From a distance, Longshan Temple appears as a magnificent temple with red bricks and green tiles, much like an ancient temple that has weathered a thousand years of storms.

The white plaque of Longshan Temple still has clear characters, and although it has been weathered by wind and time, it has not been damaged.

Chen Wang wasn't interested in any of the places the scholar mentioned, but he was extremely interested in Longshan Temple.

Chen Wang entered Longshan Temple. In the courtyard of the temple, there was a thick locust tree, which was as thick as a dozen people could hug.

The branches and leaves had long since fallen off; the tree was dead.

But as soon as Chen Wang entered, he felt a strong smell of blood.

Upon seeing the locust tree, Chen Wang's expression turned extremely grim. The bloody smell emanating from the tree came from the mummified corpses hanging on it.

These mummies, some human, some demon, hung from the trees, looking far more terrifying than the hanged ghosts from before.

Chen Wang frowned slightly: "Is this a place where powerful Buddhist practitioners cultivate?"

He tested the bronze door and found it could be pushed open at any time, which emboldened Chen Wang.

Since he had a way to escape at any time, Chen Wang naturally wanted to explore Longshan Temple thoroughly.

He was very interested in the relics and the scriptures of the past and future.

As soon as Chen Wang entered the temple, he felt a chilling aura and a strong sense of being watched.

Chen Wang stopped and turned to look. The mummified corpses on the tree showed no signs of life.

Their clothes were all different, many of them weathered and tattered, having endured countless years, while others looked newer, as if they had been hung up at different times.

Chen Wang continued walking inside.

Although the temple is magnificent, it does not have many buildings.

Chen Wang wanted to go and take a look at the main hall first.

However, the moment Chen Wang turned around, all the mummies on the tree turned to look at him!

Chen Wang seemed oblivious, but the Mirror God in his hand suddenly trembled.

The mirror reflected the cold, sinister gazes of the mummified corpses.

The mirror spirit, startled by the sight, stammered, "Master, this place is haunted. Shall we retreat? That man said this is a celestial tomb, but how can there be a Buddhist temple inside? I think it's a cannibalistic temple."

Chen Wang said, "Whether it's a Buddhist temple or a cannibalistic temple, since we're here, let's go in and take a look. What if there are some good treasures?"

The Mirror God stammered, "Master, look at the way those guys are looking at you, they practically want to devour you. I suspect that the hanged ghost escaped from here and deliberately lured you here."

Chen Wang said, "Don't think too much about it. Since we're here, let's make the best of it and see what's inside this temple."

The Mirror God had no choice but to remain vigilant, constantly reflecting the surrounding environment and subtle changes to prevent Chen Wang from being ambushed by others.

They entered and found a statue of a deity enshrined in the main hall.

However, the solemn ancient temple of Longshan Temple does not enshrine a Buddha statue.

Inside is a very strange statue with four faces and eight arms, each arm holding a different weapon: swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks.

Moreover, it has many eyes all over its body, which is chilling.

Chen Wang thought to himself,

"Isn't Longshan Temple a proper Buddhist practice site? Why would it enshrine such a deity?"

The Mirror God was now silent with fear. Inside the main hall, it sensed an extremely powerful aura emanating from the statue.

Chen Wang was also very wary of this statue, and at this moment, he calmly drew the long sword from the wooden sheath at his waist.

With the long sword in hand, Chen Wang began to carefully examine the statue.

Having learned from his previous experience, Chen Wang discovered that these statues would not easily revive unless triggered by special conditions.

Chen Wang carefully examined the interior of the hall.

Apart from his footsteps and breathing, there was no other sound in the hall; it was extremely dull and oppressive.

However, before Chen Wang could find anything of value, he suddenly heard the sound of chanting. The chanting was very clear and entered Chen Wang's mind. It was not just one person chanting; it was as if hundreds or thousands of people were chanting together.

Chen Wang was immediately startled.

(End of this chapter)