Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 71 Mountain Lord's Banquet and Treasure Appreciation Event

Fang Shu rubbed the object in his hand.

This thing looks like wood, shaped like half a deer antler, about the length of his forearm and the thickness of a baby's fist, but it is quite straight, with grooves and protrusions carved on it, and it is segmented, making it look quite strange.

He tried to channel some of his qi and blood into it, and immediately felt the object in his hand tremble slightly and become scalding hot, as if it could catch fire. But apart from that, he did not find anything else unusual.

"It seems that it really is just a collectible antique?" Fang Shu examined it with distraction, but when he couldn't figure out what use it was for the time being, he calmed down.

Now that he's come to his senses, he realizes that he probably didn't just get lucky and found an ancient treasure, but rather an "evil treasure."

However, with the Taoist talisman present, the evil energy within the object is removed by the talisman, which is equivalent to the evil energy dissipating, turning it into an ancient treasure in the eyes of the world.

Realizing the function of the Daoist talisman, Fang Shu's eyes flickered.

His attention once again fell upon the dragon energy within the Dao talisman:

"What exactly is this dragon energy? Is it earth energy, malevolent energy, or perhaps it is like ambergris, the energy inhaled and exhaled by a dragon or even a true dragon?"

Unfortunately, the Daoist talismans are still undergoing a change, and it is unknown when the change will be completed.

Even though it had been cleansed of "immaculate dragon energy," Fang Shu was still unaware of its true uses for the time being.

For a while.

Fang Shu held the straight deer antler and sighed inwardly, "The creations of ancient times are truly quite magical."

Subsequently.

After tidying himself up a bit, he walked out of the shack with a joyful expression and a calm demeanor.

However, Fang Shu did not reappear in the sight of the people in the gambling den. Instead, he quietly slipped away from behind the shack.

Behind the hut, several small monkeys dressed in clothes and hats, looking like servants, were waiting for guests.

When they saw Fang Shu walk out, holding something in his hand, the monkey-like men's eyes lit up.

After observing for a while, they let out a few strange monkey cries, then clapped their hands and hopped ahead, guiding Fang Shu towards the depths of the demon market.

Fang Shu cupped his hands in greeting and followed slowly behind Xihou.

At the same time, bang bang bang!
Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums rang out in the gambling den. It must have been the clerks who heard the call and knew that Fang Shu had also won a good prize.

"Shipped! Shipped!" the men shouted.

Upon hearing the sound of the gong, Fang Shu felt a slight sense of relief and quickened his pace.

Inside the gambling den, the onlookers, who had been waiting in vain for Fang Shu to appear, suddenly erupted into a clamor:

"The gong's been struck! Good heavens, could it really be a treasure unearthed?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, it seems that guy really did get lucky."

Among them, the leopard-headed monster that sold the pillow stone suddenly went dazed and froze on the spot.

Even when the immortals and demons around it bumped into it, the leopard-headed demon didn't come to its senses.

When he finally came to his senses, he was excited, clutching the five taels of spirit stones Fang Shu had given him, wishing he could rush into the shack and exchange the pillow stone for it.

However, the monster staff in the gambling den were already on guard against it. Two burly bull demons stepped forward and used their bull horns to restrain the leopard-headed monster, forcing it out of the gambling den.

Seeing this, the surrounding immortals and demons, while expressing their envy, also mocked and ridiculed the leopard-headed demon:
"Tch! Another guy who can't afford to gamble or lose."

"Haha, you deserve it!"

The onlookers stared at the shack for a few more times, and seeing that no one came out, they knew that Fang Shu did not intend to flaunt his wealth. Only then did they turn their gaze away and keep muttering to themselves.

Because the gambling den had produced two winning numbers in a row, two sets of gongs were struck.

This place attracted the attention of the demon market's customers, and the popularity and demonic energy in the area were further amplified, making it lively and bustling with noise!

the other side.

Guided by the monkey companion, Fang Shu gradually climbed higher, and the mist in the valley gradually thinned out.

A strange sight appeared before his eyes.

Throughout the mountains and forests, countless Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, some as big as a face, some as big as a basin, and some as big as a millstone, grew, either on rocks or on trees. The steps Fang Shu climbed were also formed by Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms, one step after another, clearly defined.

Before long, we arrived at the top of the mountain.

There are no trees here, only low-lying fungi that resemble grass and trees, each emitting a fluorescent glow, quite charming and lovely.

They swayed in the wind, exhaling wisps of smoke, appearing silvery-white under the moonlight.

This extraordinary and beautiful scenery was truly pleasing to the eye and quite astonishing to Fang Shu.

He walked on the carpet of mushrooms until he reached the end, where he saw a large platform, about eight or nine zhang in circumference, which stood out abruptly and had the shape of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams.

But upon closer inspection, it turns out to be an enormous Ganoderma lucidum cap.

At this moment, on the Lingzhi Platform, there are figures of all sizes sitting on the ground, swaying and gathering together, while the rich aroma of fine wine wafts through the air.

Fang Shu approached, and just then, a greeting rang out from the Lingzhi platform:
"The God of Little Western Mountain, the Brocade-haired Gentleman, has arrived!"

However, the greetings were not for Fang Shu, but for others.

Fang Shu also noticed the two little monkeys guiding him, and they kept gesturing to him to stop.

Laughter drifted on the wind from mid-air:

"Please forgive me, Lord Shan, for I am late."

Following the sound, they saw a sedan chair in mid-air carrying a scholar with a human body and a rat-like appearance, riding the wind and landing on the Lingzhi Terrace.

The other person apologized, then lifted the hem of his robe and skillfully blended into the crowd of people drinking on the stage.

"You're late! You're late! You deserve a penalty drink!"

The other three or five figures on the stage immediately started to jeer.

Upon closer inspection, Fang Shu discovered that the drinkers were either crowned jackals, armored crab generals, or colorful bird demons, all of them quite tipsy, clearly having been drinking for quite some time.

What surprised him even more was that as the monsters drank, the moonlight in the sky gathered into shapes, like ribbons of silk, and fell continuously into their wine cups, which they could take as they drank.

This scene of moonlight emanating from the ground was no less impressive than when he encountered the weasel Taoist who imparted his teachings, but this place was even more unrestrained and leisurely, with the moonlight flowing continuously. "A Qi-refining demon!" Fang Shu realized in his heart.

Immediately afterwards, he also heard the drinkers on the Lingzhi Terrace talking to each other:
"You little rascal, after drinking a little wine, your face turns as red as if you've been steamed. What a waste that you're supposed to be a river god."

"Come, Brother Jinmao, I heard you've gotten another job from the Immortal Sect. Now you're also a wandering god, able to travel to all directions and lakes. Let me toast you!"

These drinkers addressed each other as "mountain god," "river god," and "wandering god," as if local deities were holding a banquet, except that none of them possessed any divine or magical aura, only a demonic and alcoholic smell.

Fang Shu silently took in the scene on the stage, becoming increasingly certain that the monsters present were at least Qi Refining Immortals.

Because he remembered that, according to popular belief, most immortal sects would issue divine decrees near their mountain gates to restrain the surrounding mountains, lakes, spirits, and monsters.

In practice, this means recruiting a group of immortals and demons to serve as mountain gods, river gods, and other positions, in order to manage the mountains, rivers, and lakes.

These monsters who address each other as "a certain god" must be the ones who have received the divine decree from the immortal sect in Mount Lu.

Fang Shu looked around, taking in all the mountain and river gods, when a thought struck him: "Where is the Mountain Lord, the owner of this demon market, yet?"

He quickly found out where the mountain lord was.

Right under his feet!

The two young servants respectfully walked to the Lingzhi Platform and kowtowed several times.

The Lingzhi Terrace shook, and the groans of a drunkard could be heard:

"Um...what is it, what is it?"

And this sound came from the huge Lingzhi Platform.

This platform is none other than the so-called mountain lord, or rather, mountain mushroom!
The little monkeys chattered and chattered.

The mountain king's voice was filled with surprise:
"Someone has unearthed an ancient treasure?"

In an instant, the demons and gods who were drinking also paused and turned their gazes toward Fang Shu, curiously examining the object in his hand.

Fang Shu slightly cupped his hands, consciously holding the ancient deer antler treasure in his hands so that the other person could see it more clearly.

He suddenly felt streams of divine sense whistling past him, which startled him.

Fortunately, the mountain lord's voice was gentle, and a powerful divine sense descended, protecting Fang Shu. A wisp of moonlight and mist drifted over, lifting the ancient treasure and caressing it as if it were a tentacle.

After a long while, a clicking sound rang out:
"What a fine and solid antique! It's a top-quality collectible!"

Upon hearing the mountain spirit's voice, the other demons present scrutinized him closely, and immediately their expressions turned strange as they uttered a word of praise:
"Indeed, it is a fine collection."

And a drunken monster said:
"As the ancients said, 'When people are well-fed and warm, they think of lustful desires'... Today, having eaten and drunk their fill, and then enjoying this object, they do indeed feel lustful."

"How wonderful! Let me see!"

The antler treasure was captured by a demon who infused it with his true energy, causing the ancient treasure to flash red light, blaze with anger, and buzz incessantly.

Bang!

The armored crab general was struck loudly by a drunkard wielding an ancient antler-shaped artifact. Enraged and filled with shame, it gurgled and spat out bubbles from its mouth.

Fang Shu was momentarily confused upon hearing these words.

But then, as if seeing that he didn't understand, the mountain lord immediately transmitted three words to him.

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu's expression turned to one of astonishment.

Looking at the objects being played with by the monsters, he even had a fleeting thought of throwing them away.

"Hahaha!"

A burst of laughter rang out from the Lingzhi Platform, and the entire platform shook slightly.

The mountain lord said:

"I've never seen anything like 'Mr. Horn' in all my years of life."

It seems that Taoist priests in ancient times were not as terrifying as rumored, but rather more worldly than we imagine.

He spoke as if he were talking to Fang Shu, or perhaps to the drinkers.

The monsters burst into laughter, but the crab general who had been struck by Mr. Horn was still somewhat resentful.

Finally, the Demon Market Mountain Lord addressed Fang Shu:
"Young Taoist, since you are a man, this item may be useless to you. Would you be willing to part with it? I was just thinking of keeping it. Don't worry, I'm in business and I never force anyone."

The other party's tone was gentle, and they seemed to respect Fang Shu's opinion.

But since the other party had already said things that were useless to men, how could Fang Shu possibly say the word "useful" again?

Moreover, the fact that the other party was willing to accept it was exactly what Fang Shu wanted.

He immediately replied, "Yes."

"good."

The Demon Market Lord, still drowsy, said, "Little Daoist, what do you need? I have talisman coins, spirit stones, as well as some precious medicines, magical artifacts, jewelry, and spells for you to choose from."

Ding-ding-ding-ding!

As soon as the other party finished speaking, Lingzhi Terrace trembled slightly.

In the very center of the platform, a huge crack immediately appeared, and steps led into it. Streams of spiritual energy and precious light immediately surged out from it, even making the white moon in the sky pale in comparison.

The demons and deities drinking and feasting all around couldn't help but crane their necks and peer into the treasure vault, their expressions varying.

When Fang Shu heard the word "precious medicine" and saw Taichung Baoguang, his eyes shone even brighter.

What a coincidence! He desperately needs this precious medicine to enhance his cultivation and overcome his tribulation!

However, Fang Shu glanced around at the drunken guests on the Lingzhi Terrace and his heart stirred.

He took a deep breath, then suddenly cupped his hands in a solemn voice and said:

"This junior presumptuously offers this treasure to the Mountain Lord, hoping to have a few cups of wine with him."

(End of this chapter)