All the evil beasts in the world, I feed on demons and monsters

Chapter 412 Details of Breaking the Scale
Ji Ran's resounding words startled the young Taoist priest opposite him. Then, he laughed loudly, his youthful face revealing a worldly wisdom. He cupped his hands towards Ji Ran and said, "What spirit you have, sir!"

"But there are still a few difficulties."

At this moment, the young Taoist priest's tone was clearly much more serious than before.

"First of all, the reason why I say this ghost dragon will definitely ascend is that ordinary people have no chance of winning against their ghost-ified selves."

"Those women who live with firewood, rice, oil, and salt; those innocent and ignorant children; and those farmers who live with the fields."

"Their chances of surviving are zero, given that they have become demons in their own minds."

The young Taoist priest sighed softly and said, "And this kind of person, this kind of commoner, accounts for almost all of all the dead souls."

Ji Ran didn't speak. What was the biggest difficulty in the eyes of the young Taoist priest actually had a clear solution for him long ago—the Immortal Scripture: Crossing Life and Death!

The karma of everyone is linked to one person; if that person is destroyed, all beings are destroyed!

But the young Taoist priest in front of him gave him a somewhat unfathomable feeling. He was clearly young, yet extremely mature, as if he had seen through the ways of the world.

This is something that could only be achieved at a young age if he had experienced the ways of the world and traveled extensively. Otherwise, Ji Ran couldn't think of any other possibility.

And among all the sects in the world, even the unorthodox ones, would any sect allow a little child to undergo training at such a young age?
In other words, whether this young Taoist priest was even human was still debatable, and Ji Ran was naturally wary of him.

At that moment, he said earnestly, "We should at least give it a try."

Sensing Ji Ran's confidence, the young Taoist glanced at him and praised, "It's a pity that none of you were projected as evil spirits. Otherwise, you might have actually seen a few dragon scales shatter today."

"Can you tell?"

Fox Fairy, standing beside him, spoke with a smile, though her fox eyes held a scrutinizing glint in them, saying, "It can restrain the souls of the dead, discern the origin of the earth vein dragon, and even reveal the true nature of the ghosts and monsters it reflects..."

"Young Taoist priest, what scripture do you practice?"

"Unorthodox and demonic practices."

The young Taoist boy calmly replied, "The orthodox Taoist sects have monopolized the methods of immortality. We unorthodox sects naturally do not worship Heaven but pay homage to Earth."

"Well."

Upon hearing this, Hu Yao nodded and said, "I see."

Ji Ran, who was standing next to him, also seemed to understand a bit more and asked, "How exactly do we do it?"

"Just enter the scales. Before this earth vein dragon awakens, it is a dead thing."

The young Taoist pointed and said, "The space inside those scales contains the thickness of the earth. From the moment you enter, humans and evil spirits walk face to face."

"A person is someone who has witnessed the deepest pain and despair in their heart, or a scene that has dealt a huge blow to their character and spirit, leaving a deep impression."

“As for evil spirits, they don’t care about what they see. They are influenced by the evil thoughts of the dragon and are purely dominated by evil desires.”

"When the two meet, that is the opportunity to break through the scales."

The young Taoist priest looked at Ji Ran and said, "Once someone is sent inside, it's up to fate."

"Only the person in question can enter?"

"Yes."

Ji Ran frowned and said, "Is there really no way to intervene?"

"Have."

The young Taoist priest said softly, "If there are incense gods or thunder gods who are entangled with you in karma, they can follow you in your dreams and give you guidance."

"But after ten years of Buddhist worship in the Southern Han Dynasty, the Taoist faith had long since disappeared. This path was cut off."

"understood."

Ji Ran nodded, looked into the young Taoist's eyes, and said, "You understand very well."

The young Taoist priest, however, remained calm, his clear gaze fixed on Ji Ran, and said, "I've been here before."

"Ok?"

“Those two monks should have told you that I am not a ghost. I am still alive.” The young Taoist pointed to the sky and said, “My true body underwent a change, and my soul entered the earth’s veins, making its way to the underworld.”

"Is that so?"

Ji Ran gave the young Taoist priest a deep look and smiled, "Thank you for your guidance."

With that, Ji Ran cupped his hands in greeting, turned around, and walked towards the bridgehead.

"Lay Buddhist".

"Ok?"

Ji Ran paused, turned around and looked at the young Taoist priest. The young Taoist priest cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and said, "In the Small Void, some powerful martial artists are guarding the area around the Buddhist Kingdom to prevent any deceased from leaving."

"If you want to break through the scales, it's impossible for ordinary people. Only those martial arts practitioners have the chance to break through."

"Thank you."

Ji Ran nodded, then suddenly said, "A few days ago, a Taoist priest came."

"Yes."

As soon as Ji Ran spoke, the young Taoist knew who it was.

"That young Taoist has reached the initial fourth rank in strength, and the people here can't stop him. However, once he breaks out of the Buddhist Kingdom and regains his memories, he will turn back. At this time, he will return to his past self, and he will be unable to resist going out again, regaining his memories, and then coming back in. This cycle repeats itself, and he will remain in the Buddhist Kingdom indefinitely."

"His true form intends to ascend to heaven together with this earth vein dragon."

Is it a fourth-rank official?
Ji Ran nodded. This level of cultivation was probably not that of the Taoist from Longhu Mountain. And judging from the young Taoist's words, he was also a restless fellow, and it seemed unlikely that he could be found anytime soon.

Ji Ran cupped his hands in acknowledgment, then turned and left.

Shuanghua Honggun and the others immediately followed, but he heard Ji Ran's cicada-like voice: "You stay here and follow this little Taoist priest. Tell me any problems you may have."

"no problem."

Upon hearing this, Shuanghua Honggun paused, then immediately turned and walked toward the Taoist priest and monk who were chanting scriptures.

Ji Ran didn't stop walking, but continued, "Fox Spirit."

"Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Fox Spirit Lord immediately moved closer, his expression respectful and humble. Through what had just happened, Fox Spirit Lord had completely understood Ji Ran's affiliation with the Double Flower Red Stick.

When facing the young Taoist priest, Ji Ran kept pressing him for answers, while Shuanghua Honggun remained silent throughout. After the matter was over, Ji Ran left him behind to keep an eye on the Taoist priest. It was clear at a glance who the powerful figure he was looking for was.

"Go find that fourth-rank Taoist boy. Once you find him, come find me at the bridge."

"Slave takes orders."

With the departure of Fox Spirit Lord, only Li Hanzhang remained behind Ji Ran.

The two wandered through the streets and alleys together, watching the bustling city life. Li Hanzhang sighed, "If one can live in a place like this after death, what is there to fear about dying?"

"Even a caged bird is happy in people's eyes."

Ji Ran's voice was calm, yet he showed no regard for Li Hanzhang's feelings. His gaze fell on the boy at the street corner, who was holding up Li Hanzhang's jade pendant and fastening it to his sister.

This scene reminded Ji Ran of the boy's head being held by the old man at the Ghost Temple Bridge. It was a bewildered young ghost without a head in the underworld.

Hey.

At this moment, Ji Ran stopped at the bridgehead, turned to look at Li Hanzhang, and said, "Do you still remember that boy who sold leopard skins?"

"remember."

“Bring him over, and I’ll show you…the world outside the cage.”

Li Hanzhang was taken aback, but nodded and said, "Okay!"

(End of this chapter)