Sword from the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 170 The Great Secret of the Imperial Temple!

Zhou Yi remained silent, while Yuan Tiangang stood to the side without disturbing him.

The Bashu forces have completely taken control of the situation, and more and more people are heading towards Lifeng Hall, Panshilin, and other places leading into the fortress.

It was as if they were fleeing, yet they had somehow blended into the crowd chasing Yun Shuai.

News about the Evil Emperor's Relic and the secret of immortality is spreading rapidly with the flow of people, reaching beyond Duzun Fortress and into Sichuan.

Yun Shuai ran very fast, and Zhou Yi's sense of the relic became weaker and weaker, until only his sense of direction remained.

"Should we go after them?"

Yuan Tiangang saw him move and then asked.

Zhou Yi shook his head and smiled: "It would be better if Commander Yun went straight to the Northern Desert and brought all these people to the Martial Venerable's place, so that I could have some peace and quiet."

The Martial Venerable was caught up in the excitement, and Old Master Yuan stroked his beard and smiled.

His eyes were clear as he glanced in the direction the Buddhist and demonic paths had left, then looked at Zhou Yi beside him.

No one knows better than him how this relic came to be.

At that moment, a thousand thoughts were swirling in his mind, but his face remained calm and composed.

For someone who is well-versed in the I Ching and skilled in physiognomy, Tibetan is second nature.

The leader of the alliance entrusted the task of annihilating the remaining bandits to Jiao Luofeng, Chuan Mouxun, and others, and together with Fan Zhuo, they came to Zhou Yi's side.

The two men's expressions showed even more awe.

"The surviving members of Liang, Western Qin, and those rebel armies have mostly fled outwards."

"There is still one outside force remaining within the Duzun Fortress."

After Fan Zhuo finished speaking, he looked in the direction of Li Yuanji. Most of the people brought by the Li clan were dead, and the three experts Qin Wutong, Diao Ang and Qiu Tianjue were also seriously injured. Now, dealing with them would only be a matter of a word.

Li Yuanji noticed the gazes of the group and his heart skipped a beat.

The pride of the Li family's young master is now completely gone. The Cihang Jingzhai and Buddhist people have all gone after Yun Shuai. Jie Hui is seriously injured, and they have lost their backing in Bashu.

Xie Wenlong defected to Jianghuai, and his situation at this time can be described as precarious.

When Li Yuanji noticed Zhou Yi looking at him, his heart immediately tightened. This was the closest he had ever been to death since birth.

When Zhou Yi looked away and walked towards Jie Hui.

Li Yuanji breathed a sigh of relief, but a sense of relief was mixed with a hidden anger.

For the first time, his famous horse-splitting spear from Guanzhong was dismissed with contempt.

He could not tolerate this contempt, yet he was too afraid to resist. The feeling of humiliation was worse than death for an arrogant and ambitious man like him.

However, he lacked the courage to die.
Zhou Yi noticed the change in Li Yuanji's expression but paid no attention to it.

The Buddhist monks probably won't pursue Yun Shuai for long; they'll likely return soon.

Moreover, Li Yuanji's death is more like a good thing for the Li clan. He was useless, but a master at causing trouble.

However, the Li clan should not be allowed to interfere in matters concerning Sichuan and Chongqing.

"Dad~!"

Xie Wenlong cried out in grief, and Song Yuhua, who was standing beside him, also changed her expression. Xie Hui, who was healing his wounds, spat out another mouthful of blood, and his breathing became increasingly weak.

This gave Zhou Yi the feeling that he was about to make a mistake.

The elders of Duzun Fort panicked. The martial arts judge who had dominated Sichuan and Chongqing for many years could not withstand the power of the Evil King's palm strike.

Upon seeing Zhou Yi approach, Xie Wenlong's rugged face turned pleading, and he immediately knelt down: "Grand Commander, my father's life is hanging by a thread, I beg you to give me a try."

Before Zhou Yi could answer, Xie Hui, who was sitting cross-legged, had already extended a hand.

"No need."

Jie Hui raised the back of his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, and gasped for breath three times.

His dark face and piercing eyes swept over Zhou Yi, finally settling on his son, at which point anger welled up in his eyes.

"You traitor!"

"I have always underestimated you. I never expected you to have the audacity to rebel."

Xie Wenlong dared not speak.

Jie Hui then looked at Song Yuhua: "Yuhua, you truly are worthy of being Brother Song's daughter."

Song Yuhua also lowered her head.

Xie Hui snorted and turned his neck to say to the group of elders from Duzun Fort, "Xie Wenlong did indeed save Duzun Fort. From now on, he will be the fort master, and he will make all decisions for Duzun Fort. You should pay your respects quickly."

Those around were all taken aback upon hearing this.

"What, my words no longer carry weight?"

Jie Hui's accumulated power was too great, and his angry words made the elders of Duzun Fort surrounding him bow down in unison: "Greetings, Fort Master."

However, he bowed to Xie Wenlong.

Seeing that his face had turned pale and his breath had become weaker, Xie Wenlong felt guilty and sad. Ignoring the elders around him, he wanted to ask Zhou Yi to try to save him again.

Jie Hui gave a cold smile: "You've become the fortress lord, yet your judgment is still so poor. You don't know how to read people's expressions. Haven't you noticed that the Grand Commander isn't worried at all?"

"It's clear I'm not that easy to die."

After hearing this, Xie Wenlong looked at Zhou Yi with surprise and suspicion.

Zhou Yi nodded and said, "Master Jie was only affected by the life and death energies of the Undying Seal Technique, which caused the abnormality. Although he was seriously injured, he has a strong internal energy to protect him, so it is not fatal."

After hearing Zhou Yi's words, Xie Wenlong calmed down.

This scene left Jie Hui feeling frustrated and resentful. His son needed confirmation from others before he would believe what he said.

It's ironic.

I can't help but think of what I've done during this period. If nothing changes today, and the people of the Demonic Sect persist in their pursuit, along with the rebels and other forces, the Duzun Fortress that once dominated Sichuan and Chongqing may have become history.

"Grand Commander," Xie Hui said, regaining his composure, "I will no longer concern myself with the affairs of the Bashu Alliance. From now on, my son will be in charge. I also thank you for your help today, Grand Commander."

Zhou Yi smiled and said, "Master, please rest assured and recover from your injuries."

After listening to their conversation, people from Ba Meng, Chuan Bang, and Duzunbao all felt a sense of relief that the big event had been settled.

At least we don't have to fight anymore.

They spoke without trying to hide it from others, and the Li family members nearby heard them clearly.

Li Yuanji's face was ashen; he had no more desire for Sichuan and Chongqing.

At this moment, even without the interference of the demonic sects, and with all the Buddhist sects returning to support the Li clan, it would be too late to salvage the situation.

Now that the three major forces of Ba Meng, Chuanbang Duzunbao are of one mind, given the Buddhist style of doing things, they are destined to be unable to interfere in Bashu if they cannot find someone like Jie Hui to speak up for them.

Li Yuanji didn't understand Zhou Yi's thoughts. At this moment, he was filled with anxiety, plotting how to save his life and return to Guanzhong safely.

At the same time, there was also the Evil Emperor's Relic that stirred up the martial arts world.

Lord Jie was helped to a quiet place to recuperate, and Fan Zhuo and Feng Zhen, along with the people of Duzun Fort, took care of the funeral arrangements.

They also suffered many casualties.

Corpses were everywhere in front of Zhenchuan Tower.

This was the most brutal battle that had ever been fought in Sichuan and Chongqing in a long time.

Zhou Yi meditated to regulate his Qi and adjust his state.

Hou Xibai and Fan Caiqi came looking for him. Seeing his condition and glancing at Shi Qingxuan not far away, they walked away without saying hello.

While regulating his internal energy, Zhou Yi also reviewed the battle that had just taken place.

Such combat experience is extremely valuable, and most people only experience it once in their lifetime.

He had different feelings about each of the various schools of thought.

This not only deepened his understanding of martial arts, but also greatly benefited his creation of the Celestial Master's Random Thoughts.

Shi Qingxuan waited for a long time, until noon, before he finally woke up.

After the meal, Zhou Yi resumed his martial arts practice.

No matter how loud the noise outside Duzun Fortress was, it did not affect his meditation.

"The people from Cihang Jingzhai haven't returned yet?"

After nightfall, Zhou Yi noticed something was amiss.

“No,” Shi Qingxuan said. “Don’t you find it strange that they wouldn’t pursue Master Yixin after she was injured?”

Zhou Yi nodded slightly.

He tried to sense the Evil Emperor's Relic, but only had a faint sense of direction. It was either farther away or fixed in some place.

"Bashu has been basically taken over, and you don't need to worry about the rest. In a few days, the news that the Bashu alliance supports Jianghuai will spread quickly. This trip has been a complete success. What are your plans?"

Zhou Yi thought for a moment and said, "I need to go to the Evil Emperor Temple."

After that, I learned another piece of news from Shi Qingxuan.

Yuan Tiangang was very carefree; after exerting his strength, he drifted away.

Zhou Yi sighed, feeling that he should at least treat everyone to a meal and drinks.

Master Yuan has lived in Sichuan for a long time, but he never gets involved in the conflicts of the martial arts world, let alone vying for supremacy. This trip to Duzun Fortress has already broken his secluded life of cultivation.

Zhou Yi's desire to organize Taoist teachings grew stronger.

These are friends we shouldn't disappoint.

"Master Yuan left a message."

"What?"

Shi Qingxuan said softly, "He guessed that you were going to the Evil Emperor Temple, so he told me the exact location of the ancient Shu Kingdom Evil Emperor Relic."

"Oh?" Zhou Yi asked, slightly puzzled. "Your Mohist mechanical manual and the Evil Emperor's relic are not in the same place?"

"of course."

Her eyelids were lowered, and her gaze calmly fell on Zhou Yi's face: "The underground of the Evil Emperor Temple is very large, with many winding paths. One of the paths leads to the Demon Subduing Cave. I entered the Evil Emperor Temple by following that cave."

Zhou Yi seemed to be deep in thought, his curiosity growing stronger.

So he tentatively asked, "Are you available tomorrow?"

Shi Qingxuan hummed in agreement.

On the second day after the Battle of Duzun Fort, before the morning mist had cleared, the two set off towards the northwest of Chengdu.

I originally intended to invite Hou Xibai along.

But the wealthy young master disappeared early in the morning, acting mysteriously, and no one knows what he went off to do.

After traveling more than twenty miles in the direction of the Evil Emperor Temple, one can smell a lingering stench of blood.

There were also many corpses of martial arts practitioners in the grass and thorn bushes along the roadside.

A brief examination revealed that the person had been dead not long ago.

The closer you get to the Evil Emperor's Temple, the more pronounced this becomes.

Zhou Yi made an even more astonishing discovery: his perception of the relics became increasingly clear.

After confirming the direction with Shi Qingxuan, he realized that something was strange.

"I have a feeling that people from both the Buddhist and demonic paths might be in the Evil Emperor's Temple."

Shi Qingxuan frowned slightly, thinking of the complex terrain beneath the Evil Emperor Temple. If Yun Shuai were to burrow underground, he wouldn't be able to fully utilize his lightness skill advantage. Even if he were forced into a corner, given his cunning, there was no reason for him to break in.

That's the rational judgment, but I still believe Zhou Yi's guess more.

"Do we still want to go?"

"Let's go in first, just look around from the outside."

The two traveled another twenty li or so, and the Jinjiang River flowed down from Dujiangyan. Due to the recent heavy rains, the current was swift.

They crossed a tributary with a loud, rumbling sound and climbed up a hillside surrounded by bamboo and trees.

The scene before me was truly unexpected.

A large swathe of bamboo, as thick as a large bowl, lay fallen in all directions; some were cut down by sharp blades, some were shattered by the impact, and some were uprooted.

These mud pits that appear after the bamboo roots are pulled out are used as burial sites by many martial arts practitioners.

Zhou Yi spotted some familiar black-clad corpses, which were coming from the coffin palace.

More corpses were hidden among the fallen bamboo trees.

"Where is the Evil Emperor's Temple?"

Looking around, all that could be seen were broken stone steps covered in moss; there was no temple to be seen at all.

A shocking crater appeared before us, recessed into the hillside.

Shi Qingxuan pointed to the large pit: "This is where the Evil Emperor Temple was located. Now it looks like it has sunk underground?"

They stepped to the edge of the pit and found a broken plaque.

The plaque was actually written in seal script.

The words "Imperial Temple" are faintly visible.

"It's not that it sinks, it's that it gets shattered."

"Then how did the foundation of the Imperial Temple sink completely?"

Zhou Yi carefully smelled the air and seemed to have found the answer.

The Hai Sha Gang had helped the Yin Gui Sect transport gunpowder from Jiangnan and even set up a gunpowder depot. He sensed a conspiracy.

"It exploded, just like fireworks."

Zhou Yi continued, "Is it possible that the people from the Buddhist and Demonic factions are underground right now?"

Shi Qingxuan had also thought of it, so she wasn't surprised, but her expression was a little complicated.

Zhou Yi asked knowingly, "Do you have a place to stay nearby?"

"Have."

"Go and have a look first."

Shi Qingxuan didn't quite understand what he meant, but she still nodded and led the way.

The two traveled quickly for eight or nine miles and came to a stone house in the mountains, with fruit trees swaying in front of it.

She skillfully pushed open the wooden door and invited Zhou Yi inside.

Though small, the house was fully equipped with all sorts of furniture and miscellaneous items. However, the furnishings were unusually messy, as if a thief had ransacked the place.

"Someone came in."

“This little house was not built by Qingxuan. After the original owner passed away, I saw that it was close to the Evil Emperor Temple, so I borrowed it to stay. Others should not know where this place is.”

Zhou Yi lifted the bamboo curtain at the back and looked around: "This shows that someone has been eyeing the Evil Emperor Temple for a long time."

"You shouldn't live here anymore, it's too dangerous."

The girl didn't reply, then he asked, "Can the Demon-Subduing Cave lead to the underground of the Evil Emperor's Temple?"

"Okay, are you still going?"

"I'm afraid of missing out on something."

Shi Qingxuan said no more and led him several miles in the southeast direction.

We passed through a small canyon, and crossed a waterfall and a small lake.

"According to Mr. Lu, the Evil Emperor Temple has been renovated many times over the years, and the last reconstruction was done by him. You should know why he wanted to rebuild it."

Zhou Yi replied, "For Xiang Yutian."

"Well, if you do the math, that was over thirty years ago."

Her slightly furrowed brows relaxed, like thin clouds dispersed by a spring breeze, and she pointed forward with a hint of reminiscence:
"Less than two miles further ahead, there is another bat cave maze, which was also built by Mr. Lu for his secret cultivation and practice with the Evil Emperor."

Lao Lu and Lao Xiang have a very close relationship, so they must know a lot of secrets.

Zhou Yi, considering his king of secrecy, was somewhat troubled.

After walking for a while, the two came to a small stone house. Shi Qingxuan, familiar with the place, took out a lantern, lit it, and held it in front of them. She then pushed open a sliding wall behind the Buddha niche, illuminating the stone steps that went deep underground.

"You must stay close to me and make the same step at every point, or you will be killed."

"it is good."

The two exchanged a glance, and Shi Qingxuan led the way, swiftly dodging and weaving, turning left and right, constantly descending.

More than a hundred stone steps suddenly appeared beneath my feet.

The sheer scale of the project involved in setting up such intricate underground mechanisms is unimaginable.

Zhou Yi was secretly amazed, wondering how Lao Lu had managed to do it.

Further down, there is a round hole.

The inscription on the left side of the cave entrance reads "Natural beauty is naturally formed," while the inscription on the right reads "Divine craftsmanship opened the cave."

"This is the entrance to the Demon-Subduing Cave, but the section below is a bat cave maze. Once inside, you must not speak loudly, as millions of bats live below, and you must not disturb them."

After giving him a reminder, Shi Qingxuan led him into another blessed land.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Yi decided that "a perilous and secluded place" would be a more appropriate description.

Below the cave entrance lies a strange world, like a beehive magnified a million times, with seven cave entrances. The main branches of each cave are connected, winding left and right, extending downwards in a bizarre and winding manner.

Shi Qingxuan handed him a peculiar rock powder, which, when applied to the body, would frighten bats from approaching.

This powder comes from a cave that bats dare not fly into, because they are afraid of this kind of rock.

It would be impossible to know these key details without an extremely thorough understanding of this place.

After walking a little further, Shi Qingxuan extinguished the lantern.

Suddenly everything went black, and then a predominantly white area below, accompanied by various crystals in light yellow, brownish-yellow, and earthy yellow, lit up.

The light wasn't strong, but it was enough to see.

There were many bats overhead, densely packed together.

Fortunately, they were covered in stone dust, so the bats dared not approach.

Walking a little further, you'll see all kinds of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowers, sparkling and varied in shape, giving you a dreamlike feeling.

Unless you come here in person, it's hard to imagine that such a magnificent underground world exists.

There were many forks in the road below, but Zhou Yi only remembered the way he had come from.

He no longer needed to worry about how to get to the bottom of the Evil Emperor Temple.

After walking for another half hour, they arrived at a relatively spacious stone cave, with a faint airflow leaking down from above.

"The Mo family's mechanical arts manual was obtained from here, but it's still quite a distance from where the Evil Emperor's relic is located."

Zhou Yi looked around and saw that the wide opening resembled a stone chamber.

Apart from a small stone table, there were no other items.

Shi Qingxuan held up a lantern and shone it on the stone table. The rarest place in the entire cave was right there.

On the stone table, there is a mural carved from an object. "This is... a dragon."

Gently stroking the blurred stone carving, one can vaguely make out the shape of a dragon.

"Yes, and this too."

She held the lamp up to the light and carefully examined it before Zhou Yi could make out a line of writing.

It appears to be in seal script, but it is difficult to distinguish.

Shi Qingxuan's eyebrows relaxed, revealing a calm and focused expression, as she read aloud to him:
"Suppress all other schools of thought and exclusively honor Confucianism. The other schools and sects are all heretical and deviant."

Zhou Yi asked, "Who do you think left this seal script?"

Shi Qingxuan said, "It must be that some evil emperor was dissatisfied with Emperor Wu of Han's exclusive promotion of Confucianism. They never considered themselves evil, but only regarded themselves as the Holy School."

"Um"

She then illuminated the stone-carved dragon: "At first, I didn't know why a dragon was painted here. After hearing you say that the Temple of War is guarded by a demonic dragon, I suddenly wondered if this was the vision of the Evil Emperors of all time for the Temple of War."

“It’s not surprising that Guang Chengzi mentioned the secrets of the Temple of War after he came out of it.”

Zhou Yi nodded. He stood in the cave and pointed to his right.

"Is this the direction we're going next?"

"You sensed it?"

Zhou Yichong nodded to her again: "The underground is interconnected, so even if the Evil Emperor Temple is destroyed, there are probably many ways out."

"The people from both the Buddhist and demonic paths are unwilling to leave, perhaps because they have discovered something."

Shi Qingxuan was also curious: "If they are hostile to you, we can go back the way we came."

She took out a short flute and explained an escape route: "I can use the sound of the flute to control the bats. With those bats delaying us, we can escape."

After exchanging a few more words, the two left the cave.

After walking for a while, Zhou Yi sensed it again, and the feeling became clearer and clearer.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the view ahead became increasingly bright.

The paths inside the cave have been repaired and are now more exquisite, with dragon-shaped murals in various poses.

Not only is it full of imagination, but it also seems to incorporate some martial arts thinking, making it vivid and lifelike.

Shi Qingxuan spoke aloud beside him: "The passage below the Evil Emperor Temple also has mechanisms, making it extremely difficult to enter such a deep place. I wonder how those people got here."

Zhou Yi boldly speculated: "Perhaps it was damaged by an explosion due to years of disrepair."

They turned off the lights and walked toward the light.

It resembled an ancient hall, where most of the things had decayed over time, leaving only a remnant of their original form. They were located approximately on the third floor of the hall.

The light is provided by numerous luminous crystals.

These crystals are part of the underground rock themselves, and therefore have not decayed.

Those who practice martial arts have better eyesight; with the light of these crystals, they can see all kinds of things clearly.

Looking down from the high vantage point, I glanced down.

It was an extremely wide and flat area, much like the bluestone square in front of Zhenchuan Tower.

However, the incense burner placed in the center of the bluestone square was the one that Jie Hui had set up.

The first floor of this main hall is a strange structure made of metal and rock, resembling some kind of large mechanism.

So many people!
A quick glance revealed at least two or three hundred people.

These people split into two camps. Yun Shuai, who had left Duzun Fort in a carefree manner, formed a camp by himself, facing the remaining two hundred or so people alone.

Masters from both the Buddhist and demonic paths are here.

A few people were looking around, while most were staring at Yun Shuai.

The main hall was not quiet; a rumbling sound could be heard, which came from the underground river.

Recently, the water level in Chengdu has risen, and the underground river is also surging.

The Evil King, Yin Queen, Master Zhenyan, and other experts all looked in the direction where Zhou Yi was.

Their actions naturally attracted the attention of those around them.

After assessing the situation below, Zhou Yi stepped out, and the two of them leaped down. As soon as they landed, the Evil King's expression turned sour.

The girl in blue ignored him, standing very close to Zhou Yi while staring at the huge mechanism.

Shi Feixuan gazed at the two of them, then glanced at her master beside her, hesitant to speak.

When Zhou Laotan, Emperor Ding, and the others saw him suddenly appear, they remained quite calm, as if they thought it was perfectly reasonable.

The old nun was already struggling with her breathing, and upon seeing Zhou Yi, she gasped for breath several times.

Fan Qinghui comforted her uncle from the side, focusing her voice to speak in a way that was inaudible to others.

Zhou Yi's gaze swept over the crowd, settling on the old king of Tuyuhun, Murong, before turning to Commander Yun:

"It is said that the Western Turkic national teacher is skilled in cunning and deception. How did he end up in a deadly situation?"

Yun Shuai was somewhat embarrassed: "Grand Commander, you are joking. I, Yun, know nothing of cunning schemes, otherwise I would not have fallen for the tricks of the Great Ming Venerable Sect."

Zhou Yi took a step forward.

Yun Shuai was wary and quickly brought the yellow crystal ball in his hand closer to a dark, bottomless hole:
"Grand Commander, stop here. I know I am no match for you. So I will just throw the relic into this cave and let everyone's dream come true."

Zhou Yi was about to reply when he heard Shi Qingxuan whisper in his ear.

He immediately changed the subject and asked Yun Shuai, "Do you want to live or die?"

"Who would want to die if they could live?"

“If you put the relic down, no one will kill you.”

Yun Shuai smiled bitterly and said, "Grand Commander, you don't know this, but I have offended all of you experts and can no longer trust them. Unless they move to the sides and give me the exit behind them, I will rush out and throw back the relic."

Murong Kualü sneered: "Given your cunning, if we let you go, would you really throw the relic back?"

"Old coffin lid, don't speak yet."

Zhou Yi then said to Yun Shuai, "Give me the relic, and we'll switch places. If they attack you, I'll throw the relic down. That way, we can break the deadlock."

Yun Shuai hesitated: "How can I trust you?"

Zhou Yi exuded a powerful aura and said proudly, "I have never broken my promise in my travels. Isn't my character enough to guarantee that?"

Yun Shuai looked at Zhou Yi. Although Zhou Yi was a major enemy of the Western Turks, his words were convincing.

Moreover, there was no other way to save their lives.

"Gentlemen, what are your opinions?"

The Evil King looked at Zhou Yi and spoke first: "I've changed my mind. Now I only want to kill him. How can you convince me?"

The Empress Dowager smiled intoxicatingly: "That's right, I want to kill him too. What reason will the Celestial Master give me?"

Before the old nun Yixin could speak, Master Jiaxiang interrupted her, saying, "Benefactor Yun is in a dangerous place. Why would the Celestial Master willingly take such a risk?"

His words were rather tactful, but they were similar to those of the old nun Yixin, who remained wary of Zhou Yi's sudden attempt to take the relic.

All those who had broken into the underground hall of the Evil Emperor Temple turned to look.

They had witnessed Zhou Yi's combat prowess at Duzun Fortress, and even if they had doubts now, they wouldn't dare to jump out and question him like the Evil King, the Yin Queen, and the Holy Monk.

"That's easy, I'll answer all three of your questions together."

Zhou Yi pointed to the mechanism on the ground:

"This mechanism can be activated. The Evil Emperor's Relic might be a crucial component. Don't you want to take a look?"

Shi Zhixuan looked at his daughter, who was staring intently at the mechanism.

The Empress's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression: "Do you know what's behind this mechanism?"

"This has been recorded in our school's records."

Zhou Yi's voice seemed to possess a magical quality, slowly echoing through the underground hall:
The unparalleled talent "Tianmo Cangqu" searched the world for rare and unusual books, discarding the dross and retaining the essence of all schools of thought to compile a classic, which was the ten-volume "Tianmo Strategy".

"Although this 'Heavenly Demon Strategy' was created during the Qin and Han dynasties, its origins can be traced back to ancient times. It is profound and essential, involving the mysteries of heaven and earth. It is not only incredibly powerful, but it also contains methods for achieving immortality."

Upon hearing this, everyone was moved.

Murong Kualü's eyes flashed: "Since it's the Heavenly Demon Strategy, what does it have to do with this place? Don't talk nonsense."

"You say that only because you are ignorant."

Zhou Yi glanced at him disdainfully, but the old king was not angry and waited to hear what he had to say next.

"Don't you think about why the Evil Emperor's Relic can prolong life?"

"This is only one of the secrets. What the evil emperors of all time sought was the source of immortality, which is the Temple of the God of War."

Upon hearing this, a chorus of surprised exclamations erupted from the underground hall.

Many people looked on with longing, and of course, there was also a hint of greed.

"Fight the Temple of War!" The old king's hair stood on end, overwhelmed by an indescribable excitement.

Old Master Zhou sighed as his fellow disciples rushed forward.

Ding Dadi, You Niaojuan, Jin Huanzhen and others all looked at him with strange eyes.

are you crazy!
You bastard, how could I possibly reveal such a closely guarded secret of my Holy Extreme Sect?

Wouldn't it be better to do it privately?!

Master, what kind of worthless disciple did you choose? He's squandered the whole family fortune!

Old Zhou sighed, his expression one of disappointment, and gave Zhou Yi a wink, but Zhou Yi completely ignored him.

Old Zhou sighed, his eyes flaring with ghostly fire.

Before he could speak, several senior monks chanted Buddhist prayers and actively participated in the discussion:

"According to the Celestial Master, this ancient mechanism leads to the Temple of the God of War?"

Several holy monks practiced Zen meditation for many years, and very few things could affect their minds.

At this moment, even the holy monk was tempted before the legendary Temple of the God of War, facing the very source of ultimate martial arts.

Zhou Yi didn't say it was definitely true, but only said: "Few people in the martial arts world know about the Evil Emperor, nor do they know that the previous Evil Emperor, Xiang Yutian, lived from the Eastern Jin Dynasty to the Sui Dynasty. Going back further, the names of the Evil Emperors of all time are even less known."

"Just like this underground palace, if you hadn't happened to step into this place, how would you have known that such a place existed?"

"Those evil emperors who possess extraordinary power yet remain unknown are researching the Temple of War Gods. They burn their lives in endless pursuit and exploration."

"And the Temple of War is located deep underground, which is why the underground palace was built."

While most people were still in shock, Shi Zhixuan asked, "Where did you get so much information?"

"Naturally, it is recorded in Taoist scriptures."

Zhou Yi was full of confidence:

"The Longevity Manual is a rare and ancient book of Taoism. Taoism has collected many secret records related to the origins of martial arts, and when it comes to the breadth of knowledge, even Ning Sanren would avoid me. So what's so strange about knowing these secrets?"

While examining the mechanism, Shi Qingxuan glanced at him discreetly.

He spoke eloquently, mixing truth and falsehood together, making it impossible for others to distinguish between them.

Everyone looked at Yun Shuai, and Zhou Yi followed suit and walked towards him. He then extended a hand, and Yun Shuai stared at the mechanism, seemingly reluctant to let go.

"Aren't you leaving?"

Zhou Yi said, "If you die later, it's none of my business."

"it is good."

Yun Shuai was quite decisive; he switched places with Zhou Yi and handed the Evil Emperor Relic to him.

"Grand Commander, until we meet again!"

This time, no one intervened and let him leave.

But they pressed closer, fearing Zhou Yi might try something funny.

Shi Qingxuan walked to the front of the mechanism array.

Upon closer inspection, the mechanism resembles a door, with various hidden compartments and thirty-six large bronze rings on top.

They are arranged according to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, forming a solemn and rigorous "Thousand Machine Lock" array.

The barrier is covered with layers of mortise and tenon joints and protrusions, which gleam with a cold, heavy luster under the dim light. This is a barrier that cannot be broken by brute force alone.

Shi Qingxuan stood there for a while longer.

Her dark, bright eyes were fixed on the mechanical door. Her pupils were clear as a deep pool, yet seemed veiled by a thin mist, reflecting the myriad thoughts swirling within her. Her long eyelashes cast tranquil, curved shadows beneath her eyes. At a certain moment, she deliberately broke the silence.

My fingertips traced across the cold bronze, carefully examining the almost imperceptible fine markings on the ring.

The fingers pushed the heavy copper ring, and each precise rotation and insertion was accompanied by a dull "click" from deep within the mechanism, like the groan of a sleeping behemoth being laboriously awakened from its joints.

In the underground hall, everyone held their breath.

Even Zhou Yi showed a hint of excitement.

As the final Heavenly Stem ring and Earthly Branch position were perfectly fitted together, a huge and deep rumble suddenly rolled from the depths of the door, as if the entire mountain was responding!

The bronze door embedded in the ground slowly moved, and a huge bronze mechanism protruded from the previously dark hole. It looked like a lock that Chen Laomou usually played with, with a groove at the top.

Zhou Yifu, with a sudden inspiration, placed the relic on it, and it fit perfectly.

But
invalid!

Then it suddenly occurred to me that the relics of the ancient Shu Kingdom were just empty shells.

However, the complete characters "Universal love and non-aggression" appeared above the door, indicating that Shi Qingxuan had activated this intricate Mohist mechanism.

At this point, all that was lacking was the strength.

"This mechanism is too outdated; let's all give it a push."

Shi Qingxuan took control of the mechanism, Zhou Yi was the first to exert his strength, and the Evil King and Empress Yin followed closely behind.

Everyone who entered this underground hall was a master.

Those who lacked ability all died outside.

Shi Feixuan, Master Zhenyan, and Master Daoxin walked out together. As soon as the Buddhists moved, those who were watching also exerted their efforts on the bronze mechanism.

With a surge of their inner energy, the protruding mechanism was about to be pressed down.

Then, a strange thing happened!
The bronze mechanism was like a weapon, and the true energy that everyone added to it felt as if it were attached to the object.

However, it was driven by the strange mechanism.

The Evil Emperor's Relic in the groove lit up, and the yellow crystal sphere seemed to be storing the true energy of two hundred masters.

At this moment, the veil covering one side of the ancient evil emperor was lifted.

Those who practice martial arts all know about essence, energy, and spirit.

Among the three elements of primordial essence, primordial energy, and primordial spirit, primordial essence is the foundation of everything, while primordial energy and primordial spirit are obtained by cultivating and elevating primordial essence.

The vital energy and primordial spirit vary from person to person due to different circumstances and methods of cultivation, but the primordial essence remains the same.

Therefore, relics can be passed down among different evil emperors.

That was the secret that made the Evil Emperor Xie Bo ecstatic. After years of research, he finally created a method to convert primordial energy into primordial essence and inject it into a crystal sphere.

This bronze mechanism, like the dragon-shaped stone carving incorporating martial arts principles we saw before, also contains secret techniques and the wisdom of the demonic sect.

In a special way, vital energy is transformed into vital essence.

Zhou Yi vaguely sensed a subtle trickery in it, a feeling completely different from when he casually channeled his true energy.

Only a very small number of people have this feeling.

Most people simply felt that the Evil Emperor's Relic was miraculous and had no further doubts.

The combined power of over two hundred people vanished into the relic as their true energy adhered to the bronze mechanism.

This time, Zhou Laotan and the others had a strong feeling.

When Emperor Wu of Han dismissed all other schools of thought and exclusively honored Confucianism, all other schools were considered heretical and demonic.

The Shengji Sect, which originated from the Mohist school, refused to accept this and proclaimed itself "Sage".

Today, the true energy of over a hundred schools is being infused into the relic, creating a sense of awe and a renewed exchange of ideas across nearly a thousand years.

Even the first Evil Emperor would have sighed deeply upon seeing this scene.

"Boom~!"

Suddenly, the underground hall trembled, revealing the terrifying power of these two hundred people.

The protruding bronze mechanism was pressed down with a click.

The next moment, several figures rushed toward the Evil Emperor's Relic, but the hall suddenly sank downwards.

This reminded Zhou Yi of Lu Miaozi's mechanisms.

Beneath his comfortable nest lies a second, retractable underground nest.

The underground hall of the Evil Emperor's Temple indeed holds a hidden world!

After falling more than twenty feet, the main hall looked like it had opened a huge mouth.

Everyone suddenly lost their footing and plummeted downwards.

They fell about seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-40 meters), and most people landed on the ground.

For these masters, falling from a height of eight zhang (approximately 33 meters) would at most cause their feet to go numb.

But what's terrifying is...
The first underground hall that had just been there has risen back up, and upon closer inspection, it is over thirty feet high.

That was the maximum height a martial artist could jump.

Furthermore, the entrance was closed, sealing off all escape routes!
"Thump thump~!"

The second-floor hall is even more spacious, and there is even a large lake. Someone fell into the water, splashing a lot of water.

Zhou Yi looked up and his expression changed slightly; something was wrong.

"look."

Shi Qingxuan gestured towards a nearby spot, where there was an ancient stone tablet.

It says above:

"The suppression of all other schools of thought led me to become cynical and resentful of the world. Therefore, I abandoned worldly desires and devoted myself solely to the path of medicine, hoping to use my medical skills to unravel the mystery of the 'Great Method of Planting Demons in the Heart of the Dao'."

"Later, in the search for ancient medical silk manuscripts, he coincidentally opened the ancient Qi State tomb and obtained the tomb owner's pillow treasure relic."

"Using this as a clue, they found remnants of the ancient Shu Kingdom, and later learned that Cang Qu, the ancestor of the Holy Gate, failed to find the Temple of the God of War."

"..."

The last line of text bears a signature, the handwriting of which is faintly discernible: "Xie Bo".

He was the first generation of the Evil Emperor.
……

……

I recommend a contemporary entertainment novel by A Bao; those interested can check it out: "This Celebrity Doesn't Want to Get Involved Anymore."

(End of this chapter)