From a martial arts disciple to a god through countless trials and tribulations

Chapter 133: Southern Wilderness Ghost Market

In the Tiger Mountain Cave, Chen Xuan sat cross-legged on the stone bed with a focused expression. His body radiated a gray-gold glow, creating ripples on the mountain wall, and clear water droplets dripped from the stalactites above his head.

"call!"

He took a deep breath and successfully advanced to the second level of Daozang. He looked inward at the strange little world within his body and saw that the Human Emperor Daozang was undergoing a miraculous transformation.

"Yeah..."

On the bronze altar, five-colored soil divides the country into five directions. In the center, a flag flutters, shaking down wisps of blue-brown fairy mist.

The little man, Daozang, the Human Emperor, had a serious expression on his face. He wore a black imperial robe embroidered with auspicious clouds and dragon patterns, and black iron boots. He was like a chimney, and a lot of plague oozed out of his body.

"Buzz!"

The Human Emperor's body grew rapidly. In a blink of an eye, his palm-sized body suddenly expanded to more than one meter tall, like a child of seven or eight years old. The rebellious and irritable expression on his tender and delicate face gradually disappeared. He seemed to have become a normal human child who was learning etiquette in school and understanding human nature and reason.

"grown up."

Chen Xuan looked at the Human Emperor with a look of satisfaction. As his realm improved, the violent Taoist Zang's mind was gradually "tamed" and evolved into a normal human being.

"Aiya...ah...I...you..."

The Human Emperor looked up at Chen Xuan in the sky, opened his mouth, and moved his throat as if he wanted to speak, but his face turned red and he could only utter a few unclear words.

"He spoke?" Chen Xuan was stunned when he heard the voice.

The Human Emperor Daozang had originally resembled a wild beast, but after ascending to the Second Heaven, he had undergone such a drastic change. You know, in the eyes of the Southern Wilderness ghosts, those who couldn't speak were beasts, but once they could speak, they were considered ghosts of the same kind.

"Ah...my...master..."

The Human Emperor opened his mouth wide to speak, but in the end, his level was not enough. It felt like there was a razor blade in his throat. No matter how hard he tried, he still couldn't utter a complete sentence.

He lowered his head dejectedly, a hint of frustration flashing in his domineering eyes, as if he was very dissatisfied with his own performance.

"Human Emperor Daozang, what do you want to say to me? But our realm is still a little bit behind. Perhaps when Daozang reaches the third level, we can communicate normally?"

Seeing this, Chen Xuan seemed to be thinking about something. The Heaven's Mandate Sutra was extremely mysterious and more intelligent than those scriptures about strange beasts from mountains and seas that were circulated in the outside world.

The Taoist Canon of Strange Beasts of Mountains and Seas only possesses a simple independent consciousness, but the Taoist Canon of Destiny seems to be a real "living being" with a complete soul and thoughts... It is like a dead soul that is gradually recovering as its realm improves.

"Yeah!"

Chen Xuan observed the changes in the Human Emperor Daozang figurine. In the small world inside his body, the other three Daozang figurines were also secretly observing the Human Emperor Daozang, each with a different expression.

"ah……"

Under the ancient lapis lazuli tree, the little farmer looked shocked, opened his mouth wide, and then looked up at Chen Xuan. For the first time, a feeling of grievance emerged on his honest face.

He seemed to be saying, I was here first!

"Wow..."

On the long and deep river, a small fisherman stood on a small black boat, his face uncertain, his shrewd eyes full of envy and jealousy. He looked up at the sky, as if he was thinking about something.

He seemed to be thinking that since the Human Emperor Daozang was the first to transform, he also had to try his best to improve and grow!
"ah……"

In the palace and temple, a small Taoist priest stood under the eaves. His rational and clear eyes seemed to have a magic that could devour people's souls. His eyes swept across the faces of the Human Emperor Daozang, the farmers, and the fishermen, and he laughed silently.

He seemed to be in the Tao. Haha, all kinds of living beings were really interesting... He did not envy the Human Emperor Daozang who had gone ahead, perhaps?

"Ah...you...don't..."

The Human Emperor Daozang faced everyone's gaze, held his head high and chest puffed out, showing himself off openly. He seemed to be muttering some boastful words, and his eyes seemed to be glaring at the other three Daozang figures in a provocative manner. He was very majestic.

Chen Xuan glanced at the other three Taoist figures and felt relieved when he saw that they did not move.

"I taught them a lesson last time. Although their stubborn natures haven't changed, they've suppressed their evil thoughts and resentment in their hearts and dared not act rashly or recklessly."

This is a very difficult thing. If other cultivators forcibly practice two kinds of Daozang, once one of them upgrades and transforms, the strength will be unbalanced and a fight will definitely break out. The strong Daozang will drive out and kill the weak one, and the weak one will feel uneasy and will definitely fight to the death in advance.

But now, the four kinds of Taoist treasures in Chen Xuan's body are in a wonderful balance. If other cultivators saw this scene, they would definitely call it unreasonable.

"You all should behave yourself and do your job well. I will not treat anyone unfairly."

Chen Xuan spoke in a deep voice to the four Taoist figures, and then shifted his attention away from the small world within his body.

"Finally, I've reached the second heaven." He stood up from the cave, stretched himself, and his body made a crisp sound of bones colliding.

Chen Xuan walked out of the cave, and the fresh air of the early morning hit him in the face. White mist was flowing on the mountain peaks, and smoke was curling up. Sister Tiger was cooking delicious food in a big pot. The four-tusked baby elephant was waiting quietly by the side, with bright eyes and saliva flowing from its mouth.

Not far away, Hu Da, carrying a knife on his back, was practicing his knife skills, making a "Huha" sound with his mouth, and his elder brother Hu was patiently giving him instructions.

Farther away, a small dog on the cliff turned its head, nodded slightly at Chen Xuan, and barked, with a look of satisfaction and appreciation in its eyes. He noticed the change in Chen Xuan.

"Woo!" Little guy, you will be promoted to the second heaven in ten days. With your talent in cultivation, as long as you don't die halfway, the probability of you becoming a traitor before your life ends is very high.

The mountain king sighed inwardly, his lifespan as long as an old tortoise's, a thousand years of lifespan elapsed, yet he couldn't even take that final step. Lucky as he was, he had been blessed with the care of the Mountain Ghost Goddess in his youth, but now, having reached middle age and given up the rest of his life, he still couldn't retreat from the world and was forced to take the "unorthodox path."

But now, this young human being who has an inexplicable connection with the Mountain Ghost Goddess, regardless of other factors, can directly cultivate to the [Tao Hongchen] realm based on his qualifications alone. How can he not be deeply moved?

Chen Xuan nodded, knowing his own situation. In his previous life, after solving the problem of his aptitude, he successfully entered the [Tao Hongchen] sequence in his middle and old age and became a big man.

"Woo!" Little guy, the talent you have shown now may be comparable to the "immortal seeds" cultivated in ancient Taoist temples and super powers. You can look forward to a great future.

Immortal seeds are as famous as those with destiny.

In the jade book of the Black Cat in the Little Underworld, although there are endless people with destiny in the land where Chu and the Southern Wilderness meet, no "immortal seed" has yet been born.

Soon, not only the tiger king noticed something was wrong, but other tiger cubs at higher levels also gradually became aware of Chen Xuan's stronger aura.

"Huh? Chen Xuan, you've reached the second level... Congratulations." The steady Tiger brother bowed to Chen Xuan and congratulated him, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Chen Xuan had met these descendants of the Mountain Lords when he was hosting the Chu cultivators at Little Stone Lake. They knew when Chen Xuan had ascended to the Daozang realm, but how long had it been since then? Less than a month at most! Had Chen Xuan begun advancing again?

The most important thing is that they know that during the time that Chen Xuan was in seclusion in Hushan, he even cultivated a kind of plague scripture. With such a terrifying talent for cultivation speed, is he a monster?
"Brother, what did you say? Chen Laoer...Brother, has he become more powerful again?" Hu Da was shocked, and the big knife in his hand fell to the ground with a snap.

Beidao Hu Da's level is no longer high enough. If Brother Hu had not congratulated him, he would not even be able to sense the change in Chen Xuan... he is no longer on the same level as him.

"Ah! Little Fox's benefactor, Boss, has become stronger again. He is truly the reincarnation of a god!"

Suddenly, a surprised bird cry sounded from the sky, and a bird with colorful feathers circled down from the sky, flapped its wings and landed in front of Chen Xuan.

"Queyu, why are you here when you're not on Fox Mountain with Bai Zi?"

Chen Xuan raised his hand, letting the bird rest on his arm, and asked in confusion.

After Shangyang Cave was opened, the birds moved to the safe area of Fox Mountain and sought refuge there.

"Ah! The ghost market at the foot of Fox Mountain is about to open in the next few days. Ghosts, humans, and demon merchants from all directions are gathering here. Little Fox asked me to invite Hu Da and the others to participate... I didn't expect that my benefactor, Boss, is here too."

Queyu raised her wings and wiped her forehead. Then, she greeted several members of the Tiger family. Finally, she pointed at the back of the little dog on the cliff with her wings and asked in a low voice:

"Whose child is this little dog? Why is he sitting alone on the edge of the cliff pretending to be so profound? He has a withdrawn personality... Doesn't he welcome me?" Queyu muttered aloud, a little angrily.

"Be careful!"

Chen Xuan was startled by the sound and quickly covered the bird's mouth. These words were not allowed to be said! Hu Da on the other side glared at him with his tiger eyes, rushed over fiercely, grabbed Que Yu and threw him to the ground, shouting, "You stinky little bird, you dare to insult the Hu family? Today I will make you into bird meat buns!"

"Ah! Children's words are careless!" There was a commotion in the crowd. Queyu was beaten up by Huda, and colorful feathers fell to the ground. He flew away with a bruised face and nose.

"Queyu is going to other mountains to report the news. Everyone, remember to go to Fox Mountain in a few days! Little Fox misses you all so much!"

Three days later.

In the early morning, a group of tiger cubs from Tiger Mountain, carrying the mountain king's belongings, went to participate in the ghost market spontaneously held at the foot of Fox Mountain, preparing to set up stalls and trade items needed for cultivation.

Chen Xuan went along with them, preparing to exchange some of the Wood Virtue Spiritual Essence for use as a backup, and at the same time join in the fun and broaden his horizons.

Tiger Mountain and Fox Mountain were hundreds of miles apart, so they were in no hurry to travel. Each Ghost Market would last for several days. Furthermore, with Tiger Big and Four-Tusk Little Elephant as the two encumbrances, they couldn't go very fast.

"arrive."

In the evening, a group of people and ghosts arrived at the foot of Fox Mountain.

Turtle Mountain and Tiger Mountain are both located on the outskirts of the Southern Wilderness, only a thousand miles away from the human Chu area. However, once you reach Fox Mountain, it means entering the depths of the Southern Wilderness, and the truly bizarre and terrifying side of the Southern Wilderness will be revealed.

"Huh! This is the ghost market in the Southern Wilderness..."

As soon as Chen Xuan arrived near Fox Mountain, he was stunned and shocked.

On the mountain road sandwiched between two peaks, there is a bright light, like a galaxy on the ground. The rising mist covers the entire mysterious ghost market.

"Three no principles: don't ask where you come from, don't investigate your real name, and don't explore cause and effect." The steady Brother Tiger whispered to Chen Xuan the rules of the ghost market.

"it is good."

Chen Xuan and others walked into the thick fog. The bluestone slabs made a sticky sound on the soles of their boots, and black and red blood stains seeped into every crack in the bricks. Following the bright light of the roadside lamps through the thick fog, countless figures emerged, and the outlines of various strange buildings gradually took shape.

"This..." Chen Xuan looked over and saw that thousands of dark green lights suddenly lit up on the nearest roadside stall.

Those were the painted skin ghosts carrying lanterns made of human skin, sticking the dried facial features on bamboo racks and selling them.

"The freshly peeled skin of a human scholar! Carrying the air of a top scholar after ten years of hard study!"

"The rouge made from the tears of mermaids and demons can reveal the secrets of the deep underwater city!"

"Sir, would you like to buy a shadow? The shadow of this human hero's fighting spirit only has sixty years of lifespan."

"Freshly released Wood Virtue Daozang spiritual essence, second-level heaven quality, from a peony spirit girl from the Zhi Country's Grass Spirit Clan..."

The stall made of rotten wood suddenly trembled, and the vendor with a snake-like face swam halfway out. His shelves were filled with flesh-and-blood Taoist treasures soaked in blood jade bottles. There were blood-gold eyes, brightly colored pointed ears, and black hearts beating like thunder...

When Chen Xuan approached, those flesh-and-blood Taoist scriptures seemed to look at him in unison, and the bottles showed the scenes of the deceased's last experience: the moment when the long sword pierced the chest, the distorted face when the poisoned wine entered the throat, and the moonlight hanging in the dry well, reflecting the bones in the well.

"Exhortation..."

The sound of a mournful pipa came from the direction of the teahouse. A graceful figure could be vaguely seen behind twelve layers of gauze curtains. A maid wearing a bronze mask brought a teacup. A price list written in cinnabar hung in the air: [Meng Po Soup (a residual recipe of the Dan Ding Dao) - washes away the autonomous consciousness of the rebellious Daozang, and requires all three thoughts of greed, anger, and ignorance to be exchanged].

The red-robed monk sitting next to me was tearing open his chest with his gold-painted palm, grabbing a ball of pink mist and injecting it into the scale. The mist was filled with the breathing sounds of men and women making love.

"There are many strange things in this world."

Chen Xuan withdrew his gaze from the bloody and weird stalls, then frowned and looked forward.

On the bluestone road, countless ghostly figures intertwined, and it was extremely lively. Among them, a strange, hunched human figure came into view.

"Human? What's on his back?" Chen Xuan said to himself. He saw a human being in a market full of ghosts and monsters... a transcendent monk?
(End of this chapter)