Dao Cheng Gui Xian

Chapter 102 Preparedness in the Burial Forest

Burial Forest outside the North City
We passed through the North Gate and headed north along the Emerald Bay waterway.

The first large river beach we encountered was Cuijiazhai, which was surrounded by water on three sides. A dozen miles northeast of Cuijiazhai, there was an abandoned dock.

It used to be a place where merchant ships traveling to and from Wufang City unloaded their cargo. It was a gathering place for wealthy merchants and gentry, and naturally, it was a place where wine, women, and money were abundant.

Therefore, a bustling metropolis, comparable to the West Side of Shanghai, was once built around this dock.

Unfortunately, many years ago, for some unknown reason, the area was completely deserted overnight, and the docks were abandoned. The once bustling metropolis was now covered by a forest.

This forest is the infamous Burial Forest, a place that strikes fear into the hearts of those outside the city!

Li Wushou had read some records about the Burial Soul Forest in the book "Records of Evil Spirits from the Five Directions".

It was mentioned that someone had offered a grand sacrifice to ask the City God to level the Soul Burial Forest and restore the dock to its original use.

However, after taking one look at the Burial Forest, the City God refused.

From then on, everyone accepted the existence of the Burial Forest of Souls, and even people outside the city began to secretly worship the Tree Goddess. This place became a paradise for the evil spirits.

Overlooking the entire Burial Forest, it doesn't appear as lush as Guanyin Mountain in the South City, but it is very dark.

In the very center of the forest stands a huge, umbrella-shaped tree. It is not tall, but it is lush and covers a vast area. It is said to be the original tree of the Tree Goddess.

Two days ago, Zhu Sihai's lark flew into the Burial Soul Forest.

After muttering "ignorant of the world," the Tree Goddess also began to have some doubts!
After all, her branch was broken in a mysterious way, even though Zhu Sihai assured her that it was a backup plan sealed in the magic sword by the City God, which had now been used up by Li Wushou.

But can you trust what a man says?
Even if you can believe it, it's always better to be cautious!

Therefore, the Burial Forest is especially quiet today. The ghost infants that used to run and play freely are now curled up, hugging their knees, and hanging upside down under the trees.

But those dark green eyes warily scanned the surroundings, looking like they were about to devour someone!
The Tree Goddess has issued a decree that a great enemy will attack today, and everyone must be on high alert and not leave the forest to play. Who would dare to disobey such a decree?
In the very center of the Burial Forest, a lark controlled by Zhu Sihai stomped its feet on the dark ground. Suddenly, the lark raised its head and called out towards the treetops:
"It's confirmed. The Martial God's avatar did indeed emerge from the City God's spiritual realm and possess a clay sculpture. Currently, Li Wushou is leading this clay sculpture and twenty-four minor divine officials towards the Burial Soul Forest!"

Two green lights suddenly flashed in the darkness. Zhu Sihai looked up and saw that the human face on the tree trunk had opened its eyes.

As those eyes opened, the surrounding dark green leaves rustled simultaneously, and a series of dark green pupils opened at the same time, illuminating the dark world beneath the trees with this sudden light.

Only then did Zhu Sihai finally see the whole picture of the big tree!
The trunk of the tree was extremely thick, about six or seven zhang in diameter. Unlike ordinary trees, its bark was extremely smooth, like snakeskin, and covered with dark green veins.

Nevertheless, the tree trunk is not tall, only about ten feet, just a bit taller than the other trees in the Burial Soul Forest.

However, its canopy at the top is exceptionally lush, forming a circular canopy that is nearly tens of feet in diameter. Even during the day, under the direct sunlight, one cannot see a single ray of light while standing under this tree.

With the help of the light in his eyes, Zhu Sihai was able to see clearly that the leaves on the tree crown were divided into three colors: light green, dark green, and dark green!

Nearly 90% of the leaves are light green and show no abnormalities, while the remaining 90% are dark green. On the side of each leaf that is not in the light, there is a delicate female face.

The light illuminating the forest emanated from their open eyes. As for the extremely dark green leaves, there were very few; in Zhu Sihai's limited observation, there were only about a dozen!

There were also women's faces there, and these women's faces were exactly the same as the one on the tree trunk, except that their eyes were never open.

"So Li Wushou didn't play any tricks? He really came to my Burial Soul Forest all by himself, with just a few useless minor priests and a dharma body of the Martial God?"

The human face on the tree trunk slowly spoke. Zhu Sihai knew that the more detailed the Tree Goddess's emphasis was, the less she believed it!
Zhu Sihai actually understood quite well, but he still nodded firmly.

"That's the truth! I and the Six-Eyed Monk witnessed it with our own eyes, and we are on our way here right now."

The Tree Goddess did not argue, but her vigilance increased.

Judging from the recent series of events, this newly promoted High Priest is no fool. Surely he didn't do this in such a grand manner just to be offered up as a snack?

Even knowing that Zhu Sihai was involved with him, he still dared to invite him to come along. And that wasn't enough, he also had to recklessly bring along a Six-Eyed Monk. How confident must he be?
Just because he subdued Liu Mu with that strategy of alliance, he's become so arrogant?

However, with the City God not appearing and the Civil Official trapped, the Tree Goddess couldn't figure out what other tricks the other side might have up their sleeve.

"Has Lord Zhu made any progress on the person who stole the Blood Buddha Temple's Flesh and Blood Spirit Official during the Cui Family Village incident?"

The lark, pacing back and forth, shook its head slightly.

“There is no such force within Wufang City. Everyone who left the South City that day has already been dealt with. There is simply no one like that hiding here! This is the same conclusion that Quezi and I reached!”

"If someone can really keep it from us, then no matter what we do, it won't make much of a difference!"

"Therefore, I deduce that either some new evil spirit has appeared, or the Paper Goddess is simply greedy."

"That's true!"

The soil on the ground gently broke open, and a root emerged from the ground. As they spoke, a figure in a lotus leaf skirt materialized, none other than the noble and imposing Tree Goddess.

"Since that's the case, let's see if this high priest is truly stupid or if he has some extraordinary methods! If he can really kill me with our combined efforts, then thinking about it is meaningless! Besides, does anyone really dare to kill me?"

The moment she finished speaking, the Tree Goddess waved her hand, and two of the dozen or so dark green leaves on the tree crown suddenly flew down and drifted into the Tree Goddess's sleeve!
After doing all this, the Tree Goddess sat back down, and the soil beneath her flew up, suddenly sprouting dark green, glassy roots.

In a short while, the roots intertwined and formed a wooden and glass throne, firmly supporting the Tree Goddess.

The growth of the roots and stems propels the throne, lifting the Tree Goddess high.

The branches and leaves behind him extended out and hung down on both sides of the throne, rustling and gently fanning the wind.

The Tree Goddess leaned against one side of her throne, her delicate hand lightly resting on her chin, her gaze passing over the Burial Forest and looking into the distance.

"Everything is ready. Let's see if this high priest can turn the world upside down!"

(End of this chapter)