Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 205

"Unexpectedly, even Yama, the Drought Demon, has suffered a crushing defeat."

At the summit of Ping Mountain, clouds and mist swirl like a veil, dampening the moss on the bluestone steps.

Mu Shaoai stood with his hands behind his back on the edge of the cliff, his moon-white robe fluttering slightly in the mountain breeze. The herbal patterns embroidered with gold thread on the sleeves appeared and disappeared with his movements. He twirled the pages of paper sent back by Qin Jiaxian with his fingertips. His eyes were calm as water, only revealing a hint of seriousness when his brows furrowed slightly.

The mountain wind, carrying the sound of pine trees, swept past his ears, shattering the cries of wild geese in the distant sky into a faint whisper, yet it could not dispel the thoughts lingering in his eyes.

The failure of Yama Hanba was within his expectations. At least he did not think that the pawnshop owner would so easily allow anyone to obtain any of the five divine artifacts. It should be known that if any of the five divine artifacts fell into the hands of any party, it would be like a boulder thrown into stagnant water, which would surely stir up a huge wave that could overturn the balance of good and evil. Wouldn't that be contrary to the interests of the pawnshop?

However, on the righteous path, it is also destined that time can no longer be wasted.

"Xiao Mu, Xiao Mu!" At this moment, Jin Bazhen quickly came to Mu Shaoai's side, her face still showing a nervous expression, and called out repeatedly, "My sworn sister has something to discuss with you."

"Yes, I understand." Mu Shaoai nodded and followed Jin Bazhen into the meditation room where Lian Emei practiced.

During this period of time, the righteous path and the otherworldly demon realm were locked in a stalemate. Mu Shaoai took this opportunity to do his best to improve Lian Emei's physical deficiencies. After taking many medicinal pills, Lian Emei's condition has improved a lot compared to before. At least, it has greatly improved the problem of Lian Emei's inability to fight for a long time.

After examining Lian Emei's pulse and confirming that her condition was correct, Mu Shaoai and Lian Emei's conversation immediately turned to the current situation.

"What is your opinion on the Five Divine Artifacts?" Lian Emei asked.

"Now that the eminent monk of Wansheng Rock is trapped, we should go and investigate the situation. If possible, we should try our best to rescue him so that we can have a response when we fight against the Otherworld Demon Realm later." Mu Shaoai analyzed the situation and said, "Now we can confirm that the other side has three people, Yanmo Hanba, Ximie Tianlai, and Kuanglong Yishengxiao, whose strength is no less than that of Yunren. In order to minimize our losses, we also need experts to fight against them."

"The Holy Venerable of the Holy Domain may be considered one person, but I'm afraid the myriad saints are currently unable to escape."

Lian Emei, having aided the Daoist and Demonic Wars in the past, naturally knew that within the Holy Domain, there was still the Great Sun Palace Saint Venerable. However, the current situation at Wansheng Rock was also difficult to resolve.

"None of the Wanshengyan, Zhengdao, and Yiliu have the strength to fight against the elite forces of the Otherworld Demon Realm on their own. Therefore, it is necessary for them to cooperate in attacking."

Lian Emei nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right. Also, we can't let our guard down regarding the swords and halberds. Now that my condition has stabilized, let's split up and do our own thing."

"Then I shall set off for Crystal Lake to meet Yan Guiren again."

“Yes, our group is on the path to the Heavenly Pillar.” Lian Emei then looked at Jin Bazhen, “Bazhen, please take care of Pingshan and be extra careful.”

"Yes, don't worry, Sister Yi."

With the agreement settled, Mu Shaoai and Lian Emei didn't linger and split into two groups, hurrying off. However, shortly after they left, the mountain wind suddenly picked up, whipping up fallen leaves that swirled and danced in the air. In the distance, a faint sound of a pipa drifted over, its clear, melodious notes like cracking ice, yet carrying a strange, magical power that seeped into Jin Bazhen's eardrums.

She instinctively looked in the direction of the sound and saw a white-robed musician standing at the foot of the mountain. He was blind and dressed in gray, resembling an old man, holding an ancient pipa in his arms. As the music resumed, Jin Bazhen felt a sudden boom in her mind. The scenery before her eyes began to spin, and her body uncontrollably led her down Ping Mountain. Lian Emei's words, Mu Shaoai's instructions, and even all the news she had heard recently, all seemed to be drawn by invisible threads, flowing uncontrollably from the tip of her tongue...

"Hmm? Crystal Lake, Yan Guiren, I didn't expect... You should go back."

The musician played the pipa again, sending Jin Bazhen back to Pingshan, and then his figure disappeared outside Pingshan.

……

...On the pillar to heaven, compared to the first few days, the popularity has not decreased. On the contrary, many more martial arts practitioners are throwing themselves into the illusion one after another. Even if they pawn everything they own, they are still unwilling to stop, just for that sliver of possibility.

Several days have passed, and there has still been no news of the Good Dharma Emperor, which has become a topic of discussion among the martial arts practitioners present.

"It's been several days, and the Good Law Emperor still hasn't come out. Could he have really been trapped inside?" A bearded swordsman spat out a blade of grass from his mouth, his tone disdainful.

“That’s not how it works,” a scholar-looking man next to him pushed up his glasses. “The high monks at Wansheng Rock are deeply versed in Buddhism. Perhaps they can truly understand the illusion and obtain the divine artifact.”

"Comprehend it? I think it's more like comprehending 'earth'!" another lean man sneered. "Didn't you see those guys who went in a few days ago? When they came out, they were either crazy or looked like they'd lost their souls. I heard some even pawned their martial arts foundation!"

"Why think so much? In this situation, not knowing whether you're alive or dead is practically the same as being dead."

"Huh? Is that a fair calculation? What if he really does get his hands on the artifact..."

"Impossible. I think he's probably already dead inside."

The crowd roared with laughter, yet tinged with unease. The illusion of the Heavenly Pillar was like a giant vortex, devouring the hopes and sacrifices of countless martial artists, yet refusing to reveal any results. Just then, a beam of Buddhist light arrived from afar, its brilliance rivaling even the sun high in the sky. The light swept across the heavens, heading straight for the top of the Heavenly Pillar.

"That light was..."

"Buddha's Light means that another eminent Buddhist master has emerged from seclusion."

"As expected, there are always three sects to kill, and no end to the high-ranking members emerging."

"BIG HUGE, how many lives do you have to talk like that? Are you a toilet lantern? You're asking for death."

……

A beam of Buddha's light pierced the sky, and a lotus flower emerged from the Ten Thousand Saints Rock, hurrying straight towards the Heavenly Pillar.

"Hmm?" Xiao glanced at the newcomer and responded with his usual expression, "Another Buddhist."

"Amitabha, may I ask where the Emperor is?" Yibu Lianhua asked hurriedly as soon as he landed.

"The Emperor? The Good Law Emperor?" Xiao said calmly, "He is still in the illusion."

"An illusion?" Upon hearing this, Yibu Lianhua looked at the empty space in front of her, then looked at Xiao and asked, "How do I enter the illusion where he is?"

"You? Enter?" Xiao shook his head. "Normally, everyone has their own trial, and you cannot enter his trial."

“Normally speaking?” Yibu Lianhua naturally caught the key information in Xiao’s words. “Does this mean that there are other unusual circumstances?”

Xiao nodded. "Of course, as long as the shopkeeper agrees to let you join, you can participate, but everything comes at a price."

(End of this chapter)