Infinite Puzzle City

Chapter 709 The Manifestation of the Literary Pillar
"A curse spell!!"

Seeing the methods Xiao Ran used, Tan Shancai's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he stared intently at Xiao Ran: "Your skill is impressive. In the martial arts world, there are probably few who can compare with you in this curse technique."

Xiao Ran looked up at Tan Shancai: "You flatter me. There aren't many people in the world today who can see through my curse technique."

Xiao Ran responded to Tan Shancai with a cold smile, but inwardly he became even more vigilant. The fact that the other party could see through his curse technique at a glance meant that he was probably a master.

Seemingly sensing Xiao Ran's thoughts, Tan Shancai's smile deepened. He glanced at the increasingly dazzling silver light behind him and said to Xiao Ran, "Your methods are not bad, but you don't know that my Tan family's methods are specifically designed to counter your curses!"

"A special counter to curses!" Xiao Ran's heart tightened, but she quickly relaxed. She had never heard of a special counter to curses before.

Tan Shancai's eyes flashed with a cunning and sinister light: "We just don't want to fight with you. If you are willing to leave, we'll just consider everything that just happened a misunderstanding, okay?"

"Ha, you think you can just say you're invincible? Are you going to risk your life or your head to do it?" Xiao Ran sneered. "Give me a straight answer, and I'll hear it before I speak."

After Xiao Ran finished speaking, she simultaneously transmitted her voice to Shao Hongzhang: "Don't just stand there like an idiot, hurry up and think of a solution. Aren't you able to control Wen Zhu? Hurry up and think of a solution, I can't hold on for much longer."

Spells of curses are not omnipotent. These people in front of us have been completely transformed under the rules created by Huang Chao, making them comparable to evil spirits outside.

I've already reached my limit by suppressing so many at once; I can't hold out for much longer.

What's more, those five guys from the Tan family are watching them like hawks. If they don't find a way out soon, neither Shao Hongzhang nor I will survive.

"Yes, there is a way, there is a way!!"

Shao Hongzhang belatedly realized what was happening and quickly tore off a piece of his clothing, cut his finger, and began writing rapidly on it.

Shao Hongzhang's little tricks naturally did not escape the notice of the Tan brothers, but Tan Shancai and the others did not care.

Even knowing that Xiao Ran was stalling for time, he was still not annoyed. He simply explained to Xiao Ran, "You must be very confused. I'm afraid you've never heard of the saying that it can specifically counteract curses."

"I haven't heard of it."

"Of course, because the methods of my family, no, it should be said that the methods of our treasure hunters are not only for countering curses, but also for countering Qimen, Feng Shui, and mechanisms. If we didn't have such methods, how would we dare to steal the essence of heaven and earth and the mysteries of creation?"

Treasure hunters search for treasures in the mountains, and what they steal are not ordinary things. These things are the essence of heaven and earth, and ordinary people will fall seriously ill if they just look at them, let alone steal them.

But the treasure hunters are not afraid, because their method is to dispel the evil energy in the world.

If there is treasure in the mountain, they will dispel all the evil energy in the mountain. If there is a magical gate protecting it, they will have a way to break through it.

While Xiao Ran's curse techniques are rare in these mountains and rivers, there are still natural ways to use curses. If you encounter them, they can also find a way to create a hole.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that the methods of treasure hunters are precisely the nemesis of Xiao Ran's curse. The reason why Xiao Ran has never heard of them is because the profession of treasure hunters is shady and their methods are not to be known by outsiders.

If these methods were exposed, those who hoard treasures, who are already universally hated, would become even more like rats in the street, and might even face the annihilation of their entire family.

"So this is ah."

Although Tan Shancai did not specify the exact method, Xiao Ran could roughly judge from his description that the other party was not lying.

Theoretically speaking, curses are about mobilizing evil energy. In Xiao Ran's previous understanding, it was about finding a latrine, or rather, creating a latrine, and then throwing firecrackers into it.

Tan Shancai and his group are like latrine workers. You painstakingly find a latrine or even build one, but before you can even light the firecrackers, a latrine truck comes along and empties the latrine completely.

At this point, even if you had a firecracker in your hand, you could only stare helplessly.

Seeing that Xiao Ran remained silent, Tan Shancai gradually became smug: "Well, if we were to make a move, could you still stop us?"

"So, what are you waiting for if you don't make a move?" Xiao Ran wondered. He frowned and pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized something.

"So, even if you don't take action, you're still keeping an eye on Wenzhu."

"Hahahahaha..."

Upon hearing Xiao Ran's words, the five brothers of Tan Shancai immediately threw their heads back and burst into laughter.

"Your Excellency is indeed a wise man. Treasure hunters never leave empty-handed. The previous dynasty is over, and Chang'an has been destroyed. The talent accumulated on this literary pillar over three hundred years is such a great fortune. It is ten thousand times better than those stones in the mountains."

Tan Shancai stared intently at the burning tumor, which had been reduced to charcoal and was now filled with articles formed from the convergence of his talents.

Each and every piece of exquisite writing was once a sensation, and some were even recorded in books with their ornate language.

If I can seize this thing and transplant it into the Tan family, then within two generations, the Tan family will produce outstanding individuals who are unparalleled in the world.

At that time, the Tan family will no longer have to be those treasure hunters who are shamed by the world, and they will no longer have to deal with bears in those deep mountain valleys.

Their family, like the Confucius family, could prosper for generations simply by passing down their literary works.

"You fart!"

At this moment, Shao Hongzhang raised his head and heard Tan Shancai's words. Never before had he felt such anger. "You bunch of lowlifes, you actually want to lay your hands on Wenzhu. Bah, give up on your ambitions."

Faced with Shao Hongzhang's insults, Tan Shancai was indifferent. Instead, he lowered his head and sneered, "I should thank you both. If it weren't for your help, we wouldn't have been able to get close to this tumor."

This tumor not only suppresses Wenzhu, but also greatly restrains them. Once they get close, their heartbeats will unconsciously synchronize with the tumor, making it unbearable.

Now that the tumor is gone, it's actually a boon for them.

So when Xiao Ran and Shao Hongzhang destroyed that thing, it was a godsend for them.

"boom!"

Just then, a muffled thud was heard, and the surrounding area shook violently.

A beam of silver light pierced through the soil, a pure and dazzling silver pillar that was too bright to look at directly. It burst through the filthy earth and shot straight into the sky.

The moment the pillar of light appeared, a vast and powerful cultural aura swept across the area like a tangible tsunami!

"Your Majesty has inquired about the 'foundation of the Way of the King.' I have heard that the Great Unity of the Spring and Autumn Annals is about establishing the proper order of Heaven and Earth..."

A vast article appeared before everyone.

This article is extensive and uses sharp language, covering everything from a nation to an individual.

A powerful aura emanated from the text, instantly putting Xiao Ran under immense pressure. Although he did not practice Buddhism, he felt his mental strength being suppressed to the extreme in the face of this top scholar's essay.

At the same time, even his own curse magic began to feel like it was about to collapse.

"This is Han Yu's essay from the imperial examination back then!" Shao Hongzhang was very excited. The imperial examination in the eighth year of Yuanzhen was known as the Dragon and Tiger List. That year, 23 people, including Han Yu, Ouyang Zhan, and Li Jiang, took the exam and produced 3 prime ministers and 5 high-ranking officials.

The article before us is Han Yu's treatise on national policy, written during his time taking the imperial examinations.

Following closely behind the crowd, another passage of text appeared before them.

"If distant people do not submit, then cultivate virtue and culture to attract them..."

This article is beautifully written, and its talent is astounding, like a gentle spring breeze.

"This is Wang Wei's essay on cultivating virtue and literary talent. It was this essay that earned him the top scholar title!"

As the articles of ancient sages emerged in the silver light, Shao Hongzhang was completely mesmerized.

Until Xiao Ran shouted, "Stop looking, do it!"

The moment Xiao Ran spoke, she felt a pang of fear, and her curse spell began to collapse.

Those guys who were originally suppressed by the Taishan Stone suddenly felt a sense of lightness throughout their bodies. After regaining their ability to move, they immediately let out a bloodthirsty shriek, and a thick bloody smell surged in like a tide!
A foul stench assaulted Xiao Ran as rotting claws, wriggling tentacles, and bone spurs dripping with venom swarmed towards her in an instant.

Seeing this, Xiao Ran swung his fists, covered his body with his spiritual power, and used the Nameless Fist Technique, moving with wide and sweeping movements, to charge towards these figures.

With a swing of his fist, terrifying mental energy formed a storm invisible to the naked eye. In just an instant, several figures in front of him were crushed into mincemeat by this power.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Blood exploded in the air, and the pungent smell of blood filled the air. Even without the aid of cursed objects, Xiao Ran still possessed abilities that were enough to make him stand out from the crowd.

"call!!"

A figure emerged from the blood and appeared behind Xiao Ran. Sharp bone spikes shot out from its mouth, heading straight for Xiao Ran's back. However, before the bone spikes could get close, they were controlled and fixed in mid-air by a mental force. Then, the bone spikes quickly flew back and pierced through the opponent's head.

With the support of his mental power, everything within five steps of Xiao Ran appeared before his eyes in great detail, from all angles without any blind spots. It was simply a pipe dream for Xiao Ran to try to ambush him.

However, there were just too many of them attacking. These guys were completely fearless, with only bloodthirsty madness in their eyes. They kept attacking one after another, and even Xiao Ran was starting to have trouble keeping up.

At that very moment, a chanting sound came from behind Xiao Ran.

"The frost-covered blade has remained silent for ten years, yet it roars like a dragon every night in its sheath."

As the chanting began, streaks of silver light swept in like ocean waves, and wherever the silver light passed, those demonic shadows were instantly pierced through.

Xiao Ran turned around and saw Shao Hongzhang holding up his robe, standing under the silver light, reciting the poems on it.

"Today, the sword is drawn, its cold light gleaming, and it will slay ten thousand soldiers from the Tianshan Mountains."

The echoing poetry caused many talented individuals within the silver light behind them to respond, transforming into a silver river that scattered down.

Shao Hongzhang's recitation suddenly rose in pitch, carrying a clanging sound like metal clashing against metal. Every word seemed to carry the chilling aura of battlefield weapons, fiercely chiseling into this chaotic underground space! The blood-soaked robe in his hand fluttered wildly, no longer a soft, floppy fabric, but rather like a battle flag taut by an invisible giant hand!
The poems above are all poems created by Shao Hongzhang in recent years. Although they are not considered top-quality works, they are enough to mobilize the literary strength behind him.

"An iron bow is drawn to shoot the heavenly wolf, the arrow whistles through a thousand mountains and shatters the vast wilderness..."

"Om!!"

The silver-white pillar of light soaring behind them suddenly surged! The magnificent cultural aura was no longer a gentle spring breeze, but transformed into a biting north wind, sweeping away the intent of iron-blooded slaughter! At the core of the pillar of light, countless silver rays frantically gathered and condensed, instantly transforming into a giant light bow that stretched across the sky! The bow's body coiled like a dragon's spine, the bowstring vibrated, emitting a shrill whistle like tearing cloth!

What's even more chilling is that a giant arrow of light, composed entirely of talent refined to the extreme, appeared out of thin air and was nocked on the bowstring! The arrowhead was not a sharp cone, but rather a silver wolf's head phantom, roaring towards the sky with menacing fangs!

However, at that very moment, the five Tan brothers in the distance made their move.

Tan Shancai suddenly waved his hand, his movements carrying a bandit-like air: "Brothers, what are you waiting for? Let's open the bidding!!"

"Order!"

The remaining four men of the Tan family responded in unison, their voices like rolling thunder. The four moved so fast that they left only afterimages, instantly occupying the four directions and merging with Tan Shancai himself to form a faintly flowing pentagram.

In their withered, eagle-claw-like hands, each held up an ancient bronze plate the size of a palm. The plates were strangely designed; their surfaces were not smooth, but covered with layers of tiny, spiraling grooves, like fossil holes left by some ancient creature. At the center of the plates were five deep, dark claw marks, emanating a chilling, sinister aura.

"Five Demonic Thieves, Ten Thousand Evils Return to Nothingness! Rise—!"

Tan Shancai let out a sharp shout, his voice so shrill it seemed to pierce eardrums.

hum!
The five bronze plates simultaneously emitted a dazzling, eerie green light, and the five claw marks in the center of the plates instantly became viscous and dripping, wriggling as if they were alive.

Five beams of dense, emerald green light shot out, not aimed at anyone, but fiercely piercing into the core of the pillar of literature that floated in mid-air and was surrounded by countless beautiful chapters like a galaxy!

"boom!!!"

Suddenly, Shao Hongzhang's figure swayed, and the literary energy gathered behind him was instantly dispersed by the five fierce lights.

"how so??"

He turned around in horror, only to see the void torn apart, and five large hands suddenly reaching out from the void, suppressing the talent that Wen Zhu was flashing.

"Hahahaha, you idiot! With just a few pretentious and lousy poems, how could you possibly draw upon the accumulated wisdom of three hundred years? In the end, you're just making a wedding dress for us!"

Tan Shancai let out a mocking laugh, which made Shao Hongzhang's face turn pale. Three hundred years of talent and literary fortune were such a rich foundation. Although his poems could resonate with people, they could not truly unleash the power of this foundation.

"Ha, with just a few clichéd and lousy poems, you think you can mobilize three hundred years of literary tradition?" Tan Shancai grinned maliciously, his five withered fingers suddenly growing larger, the nails transforming into eerie green claws that pierced into the void.

Space was torn apart like cloth, and five giant bronze hands covered with strange runes burst forth, each finger wrapped with a black chain, slamming into the pillar.

"Clang!!" Wen Zhu let out a mournful cry of unbearable pressure. The surging brilliance of his talent just moments before was now like a trapped beast struggling violently under the suppression of the giant bronze hand. The illusory images of those exquisite articles shattered one after another, turning into a rain of light that scattered across the sky.

Shao Hongzhang coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning ashen. He staggered backward, nearly falling, but fortunately Xiao Ran reacted quickly and grabbed his shoulder.

Looking at the suppressed Wen Zhu behind him, Xiao Ran frowned and asked, "Is it enough as long as the poetry is good enough?"

Shao Hongzhang nodded stiffly, while Tan Shancai and the others burst into uncontrollable laughter, their five giant hands trembling and chains rattling: "What, does Your Excellency also possess some earth-shattering writing?! Hahaha..."

However, Tan Shancai's laughter abruptly stopped the next second. A crimson light suddenly appeared on Xiao Ran's fingertip; he was writing in mid-air with blood as ink, and a line of large characters appeared where the blood droplet hovered…

"Yuzhang, the old prefecture; Hongdu, the new capital..."

(End of this chapter)