Day and night tour

Chapter 499 The Secret Realm of the Alchemist
Manager Liu was quite shocked by Zhou Xuan's identity.

"It is the true teaching of Wuwen Mountain, the seventeenth stance... The people of Wuwen Mountain are not all dead yet, not all dead yet."

Manager Liu seemed to have been touched by something sad. He waved his hand, signaling the other pig-headed men to bow to Zhou Xuan.

The five of them knelt down on one knee in unison, holding up their butcher knives, and lamented, "We never imagined that Master would be the hope of Wuwen Mountain, while we... are the disgrace of Wuwen Mountain."

Why are you working for the Zoroastrianism?

Zhou Xuan had a feeling that there was something fishy about the five swordsmen from Wuwen Mountain appearing in the fire pit.

Inside the "Temple of Returning Souls," he couldn't use his senses to judge the level of incense offerings based on Steward Liu's sword techniques.

But judging from the "flowing wind and swirling snow" just now, these people are clearly not the kind of junior disciples who only need three or four sticks of incense to burn.

If you offer five sticks of incense, you can go anywhere in the beautiful world of Jing Kingdom. Why would you come to this gloomy place to be killed and have human pills made by the Zoroastrians?

"After the calamity at Wuwen Mountain, all the Great Swordsmen were killed by the people sent by the Earth God. The remaining disciples, like us minor characters, were captured by the Zoroastrians and sent to various fire pits to work as alchemists."

Manager Liu pointed to the pig's head he was wearing and said, "This hood is the shackle that Zoroastrians taught us to put on us."

Zhou Xuan walked over slowly and gently tapped Steward Liu's forehead with his fingertips.

"Thump".

After the headpiece trembled slightly, a buzzing sound like beetles flapping their wings emanated from inside the pig's skull.

The sound was very sharp.

"What's so strange about this pig's head?" Zhou Xuan asked.

“Master, inside the bone cavities of these pig heads we are wearing, there is a kind of insect raised by the Zoroastrians, called the ‘fragrance-accumulating insect’.”

Manager Liu no longer harbored any hostility towards Zhou Xuan, and even revealed everything he knew, fearing that he might have missed something.

"What is the purpose of the fragrant insect?" Zhou Xuan asked again.

"This fragrant insect can be seen as an insect-shaped container into which the fragrant spirits and fireflies of the outside world are poured."

Manager Liu pointed to the knife in his hand and said, "Look at us, the reason we can use the Incense Divine Power and the Wuwen Mountain Knife Style is because of the incense that has been stored inside these insects beforehand."

Zhou Xuan then understood why he couldn't use his incense-based supernatural powers in the ancient hall, but Steward Liu and the others could.

“These beetles are also our supervisors. If the five of us brothers leave this space, these beetles will self-destruct and blow us to pieces.”

"It is both the source of your supernatural power and the iron shackles that bind you."

Zhou Xuan nodded and said, "Is that old man refining pills outside also from Wuwen Mountain?"

"No! He is a Zoroastrian alchemist named Ning Bukong."

Just as Steward Liu mentioned Ning Bukong's name, an aged voice drifted into the cave.

"I heard a lot of noise a while ago. If it weren't for the fact that the furnace outside was at a critical stage in its refining process and I was unable to leave, I would have come in long ago."

Ning Bukong said to Steward Liu and the others, "You lowly people from Wuwen Mountain, you've been refining pills here for so many years, how come you still can't cultivate loyalty to the Fire Sect?"

"You are all sinners of the Heavenly Vault. It was the Zoroastrianism that took you in, and not only have you not repented, but you have also become traitors, revealing the secret of the 'Fragrance-Keeping Insects' to outsiders?"

"After all these years, even a stone would have warmed up by now."

While cursing, Ning Bukong used his pipe to whip Manager Liu, just like a slave owner whipping his slave.

But Manager Liu, a former swordsman, could only lower his head and endure the beatings and scoldings.

Zhou Xuan naturally couldn't stand by and watch, so he immediately used "Star Body" to strengthen his body and threw a punch at Ning Bukong.
However, his solid punch felt like it had hit cotton; Ning Bukong's figure shattered like light and shadow.

Only his voice remained in the cave.

"Zhou Xuan? The Great Master? A successor of Wuwen Mountain? I don't care who you are, once you come to the Ancient Palace, don't expect to leave alive."

"The pills I refine here require me to pay the Palace Master 50% of their medicinal power. And that 50% is not paid for nothing."

"Lord of the Palace, kill this vile woman who came from who-knows-where."

Suddenly, the entire ancient hall resounded with cries of "ghosts weeping," and countless hands appeared out of thin air, reaching out towards Zhou Xuan.

Zhou Xuan used his celestial body to defend against the strange hands in the hall, but those hands transformed into countless strands of silk, penetrating the celestial body's defenses and burrowing into Zhou Xuan's body.

Zhou Xuan then felt his life force being drained.

At this moment, he also recalled some scenes from when he was looking down at the fire pit from his vantage point—the white steam rising from the fire tower used for alchemy would be completely absorbed by some invisible and intangible "people".

Looking back now, those so-called "people" were the "palace masters" Ning Bukong spoke of, the true masters of the Guihun Ancient Palace.

As for the white mist that was sucked away, that was the "protection fee" paid by Ning Bukong. If anyone caused trouble in the ancient hall, the hall master would step in to settle things.

"Lord of the Palace, kill this vile woman! Kill this vile woman!"

Seeing more and more hands burrowing into Zhou Xuan's body, Ning Bukong became increasingly arrogant, his voice laced with ruthlessness.

“Zhou Xuan, look at your abilities. You might be a big shot in the outside world, but this is the Ancient Palace. Once you’re here, even if you’re a dragon, you have to coil up, and even if you’re a tiger, you have to lie down before us.”

"No matter how great your abilities are, you will perish here, and then I will refine you into an elixir and send you to heaven."

"This is what happens when you barge into the gates of hell."

Ning Bukong kept shouting.

But Liu's five fellow disciples could no longer tolerate it. They abandoned their previous timidity and simultaneously unleashed their fighting spirit, wielding their butcher knives and slashing towards Zhou Xuan.

The wind swirls and the snow falls.

Or is it the swirling wind and returning snow?

The overwhelming force of the blade, like rolling snow sealing the mountain, enveloped Zhou Xuan's body and blocked the hands reaching into it.

This is a tacit understanding from Wuwen Mountain.

“Master, even if we five fellow disciples survive, we will only bring shame to the name of Wuwen Mountain. We have no hope.”

"But you are the hope of Wuwen Mountain—the sword of Wuwen Mountain will live on forever!"

“Master, I know you possess a sword spirit and great supernatural powers, but in this ancient temple, there is no incense, so you cannot display your abilities. In a moment, we five fellow disciples will cut off our heads and draw all the ‘fragrance-gathering insects’ to your body.”

"You can have the incense offerings for a short time. You must take advantage of this opportunity to use your supernatural powers to break out."

"If we could see the seventeenth move of the sword technique, and even just a glimpse of it, we would die for it."

The five people, one after another, explained their rescue plan and also expressed their final wishes.

They wanted to see the "Seventeen Styles of the Sword".
Rather than looking at the knife,

Rather, it's more accurate to say that they wanted to see the Wuwenshan Hall, which had been in decline for many years, once again experience a fleeting moment of glory.

The hands of the five fellow disciples have been filthy and sinful over the years, but even in their sinful inner world, they still managed to sweep out a clean space for their spiritual home, "Wuwen Mountain."

That's where they grew up, and it was once their home.

This time, these people who had been enslaved took action to protect the hope of "Wuwen Mountain".

Zhou Xuan was deeply moved.
But he felt that the plan was ineffective.

"Gentlemen, your ideas are quite bold, but you should also know that the 'Fragrance-Gathering Insects' were taught to you by the Zoroastrian sect. Ning Bukong is an alchemist and sorcerer of the Zoroastrian sect, so he naturally has methods to control the Fragrance-Gathering Insects."

Zhou Xuan calmly rejected the proposal from Steward Liu and his group.

"That...that..."

Manager Liu panicked when Zhou Xuan pointed out the flaws in their plan. They really had no better way to rescue Zhou Xuan from this ancient palace.

Ning Bukong was even more irritable, roaring, "You bunch of bastards from Wuwen Mountain, you've grown wings and developed rebellious bones. Once the Palace Master kills Zhou Xuan, I'll skin you alive!"

"You can't skin them alive."

Zhou Xuan said coldly.

During the fight just now, Zhou Xuan had grasped the situation inside the ancient hall and the layout of this fire pit.

In terms of organization, this fire pit is essentially staffed by three types of people: alchemists, alchemists-in-chief, and the temple master. Alchemists are subordinate to the alchemists-in-chief.

The alchemist and the palace master have a cooperative relationship.
The alchemist gave half of the pill's potency to the palace master. In return, the palace master would fulfill his duty of protection.

Because Ning Bukong provides the temple master with sufficient benefits, the temple master will obey Ning Bukong as long as he does not violate principles.

In short, Ning Bukong is the true master of this space.

Once Ning Bukong is dealt with, Zhou Xuan's life will be safe.

Zhou Xuan patted Steward Liu on the shoulder and stepped out from the snowstorm created by the swordplay.

He pointed to the top of the cave and shouted, "Ning Bukong, now that you see your master, why don't you come out and kneel down to pay your respects!"

"Tsk tsk, Zhou Xuan, you're used to being arrogant outside, and now you're running wild in this ancient palace? Nobody here will tolerate your temper."

Ning Bukong retorted sarcastically.

Zhou Xuan reached into his secret realm, grasped a white jade plaque, and said, "To be honest, your ancient palace is really in the middle of nowhere, and your information network is too outdated. Do you even know who I am?"

"I know, don't they call you Master? You're a descendant of Wuwen Mountain!"

"I have another identity."

Zhou Xuan suddenly revealed the jade tablet in his hand, on which was written a line of gilded characters: "Master of Divine Elixir of the Jade Capital".

"I am Ning Bukong, the Divine Pill Master appointed by Baiyujing. How dare you, a dog-like figure, bark so arrogantly?"

Whether it's a Zoroastrian alchemist or a self-employed alchemist like Monk Yu, they are all, to put it bluntly, alchemy officials of the Heavenly Vault.

These past few days, Zhou Xuan has finally found out that all the pills ultimately end up in the Sky Dome.

The Heavenly Fire Clan of the Sky also strictly manages the alchemists in the world.

In other words, Zhou Xuan and Ning Bukong were actually from the same system—they could even be considered colleagues.

However, even among alchemists, there are differences in rank.

A pill official neglected by the heavens is worlds apart from a pill official appointed by the Jade Capital.

Ning Bukong, who had been hiding within the ancient palace's spatial dimension, carefully examined the jade token in Zhou Xuan's hand. He immediately scurried out of the dimension, knelt upright, and respectfully said…

"Ning Bukong, the alchemist of the Zoroastrian sect, pays respects to the Divine Alchemist Master."

Ning Bukong's expression changed extremely quickly. Not only did his tone change considerably, but he also suddenly lay down on the ground, his head pressed against Zhou Xuan's shoes.

"I was unaware that my master had arrived at this small fire pit in the mountains. I have been unbecoming and beg your forgiveness."

After he finished speaking, he called out to the Palace Master: "Palace Master, this is the Master appointed by Baiyujing, a favorite of Baiyujing."

Although he was of lowly status, he was still a celestial official and naturally knew a thing or two about celestial affairs.

He knew that Baiyujing was an extremely arrogant place. Not to mention the "patients" in the human world, even ordinary members of the Tianqiong Tianhuo clan would be looked down upon by Baiyujing.

If Zhou Xuan could receive an imperial decree from Baiyujing, what else could he be but a favorite of the capital?
Upon hearing this, the master of the ancient hall immediately withdrew the countless hands in the hall, and then the entire space of the ancient hall trembled.

The temple master, like Ning Bukong, was also afraid.

If Zhou Xuan were merely a master from the mortal realm, killing him would be no big deal—it's not an easy task for a mortal to reach the ancient palace.

But Zhou Xuan is from Baiyujing.

If Zhou Xuan had been accidentally killed just now, then its palace master would have faced the entire Baiyujing.

If that ancient city on the horizon were to demand an explanation, how could his small ancient palace withstand its wrath?

"As expected, it's a small-minded person, still quite afraid of authority."

Zhou Xuan thought to himself.

He reached out and used the jade tablet in his hand to lift Ning Bukong's chin, asking, "Just now, who did you call a slut?"

"This humble official is...this humble official was blind to your greatness, what else could I be but a lowly person?"

"You become so obedient after seeing Bai Yujing's sign?" Zhou Xuan beckoned to Steward Liu: "How do you usually execute those dead people?"

Manager Liu gestured for a while, then pointed to his own hands and feet and said, "Cut off his hands and feet."

"Alright, use the same methods you use on the dead on Ning Bukong."

Zhou Xuan said coldly.

"Master, please forgive me! Master, please forgive me!"

Ning Bukong kept begging for mercy and pleading with Zhou Xuan.

Zhou Xuan remained silent. Steward Liu had been subjected to Ning Bukong's tyranny on a daily basis, so he naturally wouldn't hold back when chopping off this slave owner's limbs.

"puff!"

"puff!"

With a series of dull thuds, Ning Bukong's arms had been severed.

Ning Bukong continued to beg for mercy loudly.

At this moment, even with his hands severed, he had no intention of resisting.

It's not that I don't want to resist, it's that I can't resist.

Zhou Xuan's identity as the White Jade Capital Official has been revealed. The Palace Master of this ancient palace also knows the extent of his abilities. Even though he has received many benefits from the Zoroastrian Sect, he does not dare to cause trouble for Zhou Xuan now.

Without the help of the Palace Master, Ning Bukong's only skill was alchemy. How could he possibly defeat Zhou Xuan?
Ning Bukong is now isolated and helpless. If he wants to save his life, he can only rely on Zhou Xuan's "great kindness".

“Master, great master… I do not understand the bone-old school’s method of flesh and blood regeneration. Please spare my feet, please spare my feet. I have already realized my mistake.”

"You don't know you're wrong, you're just scared."

Zhou Xuan waved his hand again, and Steward Liu chopped down twice more. Ning Bukong was now a "human stick," lying in a pool of blood, crying and wailing.

Just then, Zhou Xuan took two steps forward and questioned, "Ning Bukong, where is your secret realm located in your body?"

For cultivators, the location of the secret realm varies from person to person; some have it on their chest, while others have it on their feet.

Ning Bukong did not answer, but continued to mutter pleas for mercy.

Zhou Xuan said again, "Speak, tell me where your secret realm is. If you tell the truth, I will show you mercy."
I, Zhou Xuan, never lie; my primary principle is sincerity.

"Master..."

"You only get one chance, don't miss it," Zhou Xuan continued calmly.

"My secret place...is...in...my lower abdomen."

"That's more like it. You answer my questions and cooperate to save everyone's time."

Zhou Xuan immediately inserted his right hand into Ning Bukong's lower abdomen to see how many incense sticks Ning Bukong had burned.

His right hand is the hand of the Nuo god; this is a characteristic of his body and does not require incense to activate it.

The Nuo God's Hand can grab into the opponent's secret realm and even break their incense offerings.

This time, however, Zhou Xuan reached into Ning Bukong's secret realm and searched for a while, but found no incense offerings.

"No incense offerings?"

Zhou Xuan asked himself the question, but soon he shook his head. A Taoist priest could not live without offerings.

He searched again, and quickened the pace of his right hand. This time, he actually found a wriggling object in Ning Bukong's secret realm.

Zhou Xuan pinched the object between two fingers and pulled it out suddenly, while Ning Bukong let out a scream and cried out loudly, "My fire worm, my fire worm!"

Fireflies?

Zhou Xuan carefully examined the object he had taken from Ning Bukong's secret realm. This object was none other than a white cricket...

(End of this chapter)