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

Chapter 156 Exposed
The order in the City Lord's Mansion area is better than expected.

On the ten-mile street paved with green jade, there are neatly arranged bronze Kui lanterns on the roadside. The glazed eaves of the Luoyue City Lord's Mansion pierce the sea of clouds, and the gilded glow can be seen from a long distance away.

When Chen Xuan approached this area, he found that he was not conspicuous and there was no need to hide his figure.

Because, on this once very prosperous street, there are still many surviving mortals walking around, dozens or even hundreds of them. They don't look frightened, their eyes seem numb, and they accept their fate.

Even some restaurants and food stalls are still in operation.

"Daozang monks can fast for a short period of time, but Yuhua monks are no different from ordinary people. They need to eat every day and have a bigger appetite."

Chen Xuan discovered that these restaurants were all provided for the use of Zhiguo monsters, and some immortalized monsters were coming in and out of these restaurants.

As for the great Taoist monsters in Zhi Country, they occupy independent courtyards in the city and have dozens or even hundreds of mortals serving them. They will not lower their status to come to these places.

"Whoosh!"

Chen Xuan observed from a distance for a moment, and then calmly walked into the long street where the City Lord's Mansion was located.

In the streets, there are some armored feathered-level Zhiguo monsters patrolling back and forth.

The leader was a Taoist monk from the Bamboo Clan. He had a green complexion, was ten feet tall, but his waist was only as wide as a fist. He wore purple-gold beast-swallowing armor and held a sharp sword in his hand, looking very majestic.

This Taoist monster from the Bamboo Clan looked casual, but the moment Chen Xuan entered the long street, his gaze passed over Chen Xuan like an eagle.

"A mortal who has practiced martial arts..."

"A green bamboo monster from the fourth level of the Daozang realm..."

Chen Xuan was sitting in a tea stall with a leaky roof. With a glance, he could tell the strength of the green bamboo monster guarding the gate.

If a battle broke out, he was confident that he could advance dozens of meters within two breaths, break the Green Bamboo Monster's neck, and then wipe out all the other feathered monsters.

"Go away! How dare you, a young man, sit in the seat where the Zhiguo monster masters sit? You are so audacious! If you don't want to die, get out of here!"

The old man who made tea shouted loudly, waved the spoon, and immediately stepped forward to drive Chen Xuan away.

"..."

Chen Xuan had no choice but to leave his seat and sit by the flower bed on the side of the road, spread his legs and pretend to rest.

"Wow!"

Immediately, he quietly stretched out his spiritual body, emitting a white spiritual light, gradually expanding his perception range, and cautiously approached the City Lord's Mansion several miles away.

He was very cautious and did not fully unleash the sensing ability of his spirit body, because the old turtle and the mountain king could vaguely sense the spirit body's prying. If the Taoist Zizhu in the City Lord's Mansion also had some means to sense the power of the spirit body.

In this tense state of war.

It is very likely that a life-and-death battle is inevitable.

"Just take a look, do nothing..."

Chen Xuan thought to himself that he had no intention of rushing into the City Lord's Mansion to fight with the powerful Dinglu.

Because he felt that his own strength was still a long way off when facing the Dinglu realm.

The three ancient secret fighting techniques of "Purple Sky Dragon Transformation Technique", "Eight Gates Soul Locking Technique" and "The Second Form of Zhenwu Seven-Section Sword", as well as the peerless treasure Xiaolei Shen Bow, can all briefly burst out power comparable to that of the powerful Dinglu.

But he is not a real Dinglu master after all.

An attack he launched with all his strength might only have the destructive power of a casual blow from the opponent... Moreover, a powerful being in the Dinglu realm might also possess ancient secret techniques and peerless treasures.

As for the Human Emperor Banner and the Soul Body, they belong to a higher level of power.

But the conditions of use are extremely harsh.

"Wow!"

Chen Xuan's perception of the light of his soul was like a soft ripple on the water, slowly sweeping across the magnificent City Lord's Mansion.

First, in front of the main gate of the City Lord's Mansion, there is an ink-black staircase. On both sides, ten-foot-high stone tablets stand like halberds, and golden seal characters flow like a river in the sunlight.

Afterwards, they entered the magnificent mansion, where many human servants were busy working.

Finally, Chen Xuan's perception continued to travel for thousands of meters and he saw a bamboo forest. The green bamboo forest rustled in the wind, and each bamboo leaf looked like crystal jade, emitting a clear light like broken jade.

In the courtyard where winding stream flows.

A middle-aged Taoist priest in a purple robe sat under a bamboo to practice with his eyes closed. He looked like an immortal, with a sword in a green scabbard across his knees, just like a hermit.

Taoist Zizhu.

Chen Xuan secretly observed the newly promoted Dinglu master from Zhi Country from a distance of several miles, and guessed in his heart:
"Taoist Zizhu, there is no reaction. He cannot sense the power of the soul."

"...I overestimated him."

This idea came to Chen Xuan's mind, so he decided to rest on this street for a while and observe Taoist Zizhu silently.

"Wait and see. If Taoist Zizhu walks out of the City Lord's Mansion on his own, his fate will be bad..."

If you don't come out.

Chen Xuan rested for a while, then went to find the mushroom spirit... and then left Luoyue City.

"It's very risky. I can't do risky things easily." He thought to himself.

……

……

"It's a huge risk, but we must take it to replace the Purple Bamboo Taoist who is at the Dinglu Realm. Otherwise, Luoyue City will be lost."

The mushroom spirit led twelve "mortal slaves" into Luoyue City. When he heard the firm voice coming from behind him, his tense heartstrings finally broke.

There is no hope left.

This group of Chu people disguised themselves and used some unknown method to hide their presence and sneaked into Luoyue City.

"These twelve top-level Taoist monks have such a crazy idea that they want to defeat Taoist Zizhu..." The mushroom spirit thought in despair.

Jiang Qinghuang, Xiao Hu, and ten young demon-suppressing generals from the Demon Suppression Division, including Deputy General Xu Chang.

They are all top Taoist monks.

"We can do what the sixty or so Daozangs in Luoyue City can't do." Jiang Qinghuang, dressed in a plain white civilian dress, disguised herself as a man, with her long black hair tied into a bun.

She has been training in the war between iron and fire for more than half a year and is now at the fifth level of Daozang. She still has a noble temperament, but a hint of awe-inspiring iron-blooded aura gradually reveals in her phoenix eyes. She is about to become a real big shot who can change the world up and down.

"The great Dinglu masters cannot cross the border to Luoyue City as they will be sensed in advance. Only Daozang monks can find a way to sneak into the city."

Jiang Qinghuang whispered, "Everyone, if Luoyue City falls, half of the western front of Zhiguo will be cut off, and they will be in a huge passive position..."

Jiang Qinghuang, Xiao Hu, and several young demon-suppressing generals who carry peerless treasures all have the ability to briefly burst out the power of the cauldron.

The mushroom spirit couldn't help but turn around and said, "The only person in the world who can kill the Dinglu Master is another Dinglu Master! Moreover, Taoist Zizhu can call on the other three Dinglu Masters to come back for help... Mushroom, please don't seek death!"

He was really unlucky. He risked his life to do a big business, but he didn't meet his traveling merchant friend. On the way, he met a monk from the Demon Suppression Division. He must have been betrayed by his traveling merchant friend!

Later, he might die from the anger of Taoist Zizhu.

Jiang Qinghuang glanced at the mushroom spirit without explaining.

In fact, the other several Zhiguo Dinglu were hundreds or thousands of miles away from Luoyue City, and they couldn’t get here in a short time!
Moreover, the two Demon-Suppressing Generals at the Dinglu Realm that the Demon-Suppressing Division had put together had already arrived at the front line. Once the other Dinglu of Zhiguo set off, they would immediately follow and stop them.

"Unfortunately, even if we manage to defeat the weakest Taoist Zizhu, Zhi Country will still have the upper hand in Luoyue City. If only there were a way to defeat Zhi Country's second Dinglu Master..."

Jiang Qinghuang sighed quietly in her heart. On this trip, she brought out all the peerless treasures in the hands of other battlefield cauldron masters and various spiritual objects accumulated in the Jiang family's treasury. This kind of risky move could not be repeated in a short time.

"Your Highness, the effect of the concealment pill I refined will only last for half an hour." Xiao Huo reminded in a low voice. His face was calm and he turned the black ring in his hand... This was the confidence he had in facing any trouble calmly.

The Ring Master was proficient in various alchemy techniques, so he refined a special elixir that could conceal the breath and temporarily imitate a trace of Taiyin Qi, giving them the opportunity to sneak into Luoyue City.

However, Xiao Hou wasn't a Dinglu master after all. Otherwise, if he could refine a Dinglu-level elixir, the entire battlefield would be greatly improved. "If you don't succeed, you'll die!"

The group dispersed, moving stealthily as they surrounded the City Lord's Mansion in the central area of the city.

……

……

Time passed by minute by minute.

"Gurgling..."

Chen Xuan sat cross-legged on the ground to rest, like a homeless wanderer. The aroma of tea brewed in the big pot at the tea stall next to him drifted into his mouth and nose like the smoke in the temple, with a bitter taste in the fragrance.

The tea art is not very advanced.

Chen Xuan felt his mouth watering.

But then, he turned his head and saw the hunchbacked old man making tea, secretly spitting into the teapot... It would be better to let the passing Zhiguo monsters drink it!

"rumble……"

at this time.

Outside the street, five or six figures of green-scaled strange beasts, with a cloud of dust, ran past Chen Xuan and stopped in front of the city lord's mansion in the distance.

A young bamboo demon in a purple Taoist robe dismounted from his horse, with a serious look on his evil face, and hurried into the City Lord's Mansion.

"A Taoist sixth-level expert, a legendary master of the Bamboo Clan, one of the four great spirit monsters?"

Chen Xuan lowered his eyebrows and sensed that the cultivation level of this green bamboo monster was not inferior to Liu Qi.

"You look worried? The news outside the city about the Jiang family's royal flag is fake..."

Chen Xuan speculated in his heart.

However, he rested on this street long enough to watch Taoist Zizhu.

In the street, the Bamboo Demon Daozang guard who was patrolling back and forth looked at him for the third time, and his eyes gradually became confused.

"What's wrong with this mortal?"

Although there were people coming and going on the street, Chen Xuan, who was sitting on the side of the road and resting, was conspicuous and his behavior became suspicious.

"Ah……"

Chen Xuan raised his head, narrowed his eyes, and for the first time took the initiative to look back at the Taoist Bamboo Demon Guard who had looked at him three times, with an inexplicable smile in his eyes.

Then, he turned his head towards the City Lord's Mansion not far away and slowly stood up.

"What is he going to do? Is he going to the City Lord's Mansion?"

The bamboo demon guard was stunned when he saw this, his eyes widened and his heart skipped a beat.

"Wow!"

At this moment, a middle-aged man in cook's clothes, with leopard eyes and tiger beard, and a sweat towel on his shoulder, suddenly walked into the long street.

Xu Chang.

The young demon-suppressing general from the Demon Suppression Bureau whom Chen Xuan met by chance in the mountains appeared in his vision.

Next.

Jiang Qinghuang, Xiao Huo...

Suspicious figures appeared from all directions.

People from the Chu State's Demon Suppression Bureau sneaked into Luoyue City and smuggled themselves to the vicinity of the City Lord's Mansion.

Chen Xuan frowned slightly and sat back on the ground.

……

……

City Lord's Mansion.

In the courtyard, the young bamboo monster looked anxious. He entered the bamboo forest and shouted to Taoist Zizhu.

"Father, we've fallen into a trap! The Jiang family's princess has lured all the Daozang masters from the Ginseng and Ganoderma tribes out of the city!"

Taoist Zizhu's lips did not move, and a faint sound resonated in the air. He opened his eyes, and in his purple pupils, the shadow of a continuous purple bamboo forest flashed. He continued:
"Calm down! My child? How high can a Daozang realm master be?"

This was a reprimand for the young bamboo monster, saying he was making a fuss out of nothing... If there was a powerful person at the Dinglu realm in a city, then the word "high" could only be used for the person who was a Dinglu realm master.

The young bamboo demon's face flushed red, and he whispered:

"But father, I suspect Princess Jiang will lead a group of elite soldiers from the Demon Suppression Bureau into the city to harm you!"

Taoist Zizhu nodded upon hearing this and chuckled:

"This Chu army has no other way out except to attack me, the newly promoted Dinglu. They must have sent people into the city. By now, the City Lord's Mansion may have been surrounded."

The young bamboo demon paused when he heard this and exclaimed in surprise, "You predicted this a long time ago, why didn't you tell me?"

Taoist Zizhu had long known that the Chu State Demon Suppression Bureau would definitely look for a way out from him, the newly promoted Dinglu master.

However, he still allowed those top Taoist monsters in the city to leave!
Taoist Zizhu said casually, "If they don't leave, the Demon Suppression Division won't enter the city."

The young bamboo demon said worriedly, "But half a month ago, more than sixty Fire Virtue Daozangs from Luoyue City worked together and almost succeeded in taking my father's life..."

The occurrence of this incident made everyone think that the Huode Daozang monks could work together and use external forces such as treasures and spiritual objects to defeat Zizhu Taoist, a weakling at the bottom of the Dinglu realm.

After all, the red qi of the fire virtue naturally restrains the green qi of the wood virtue.

Taoist Zizhu sneered, and rose from the ground. His body was like a tall and straight bamboo, and his peerless immortal sword danced in the air, casting brilliant purple sword light. He said:
"Because, at that time, I only used less than... two points of strength."

The Daozang realm cannot kill the Dinglu realm.

Just over sixty Daozangs, you think you can overwhelm a Dinglu Realm master? This is ridiculous! Come on, ten times as many!
Six hundred... that's not possible either!
"If they dare to come, they will be walking into a trap!" If conspiracies and tricks were useful to the higher-level cultivators, why would the hundreds of millions of Qi practitioners in the world bother to strive for a breakthrough?
……

……

Outside the city lord's mansion.

Chen Xuan frowned as he listened to the conversation between Taoist Zizhu and his descendants.

Not far away, Deputy General Xu Chang, acting as a pedestrian, held a stack of powerful talismans tightly in his hands, thinking:
"It's difficult for a Daozang Realm cultivator to kill a Dinglu master, but Princess Jiang is well prepared. She brought a formation diagram specifically designed to restrain the Purple Bamboo Taoist, several treasures that rival the power of the Dinglu... and an ultimate secret weapon!"

It was precisely because of the existence of the "secret weapon" that a mere twelve of them dared to surround and kill a powerful Dinglu. Deputy General Xu walked steadily and at a constant speed towards the City Lord's Mansion and headed towards the direction of the formation diagram.

At this moment, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure on the roadside ahead.

Huh?
It's him?

Xue Chen? Why did he appear in Luoyue City?
He, he voted for Chicago!

For an instant.

Deputy General Xu was so frightened that his soul flew out of his body. He was sweating profusely and a chill rushed to his head: "He knows that I am a monk from the Demon Suppression Division!"

next moment.

Deputy General Xu was horrified to see that a group of Zhiguo guards patrolling the streets suddenly surrounded Xue Chen on the roadside as if they had received some instructions.

It’s over.

The only thought left in his mind was...to be exposed in advance.

(End of this chapter)