All Heavens: Starting with Panlong's Transcendence, Devouring All Heavens

Chapter 144 Lanruo Temple, Slaying the Tree Demon

We arrived at the restaurant and sat down.

Yan Chixia looked at Ning Caichen suspiciously: "Boy, looking so poor, do you even have any money?"

Ning Caichen shrank back in fear when asked this question, but he still nodded and said, "I don't have any money right now, but I'm a debt collector at Jibaozhai. I'm here because this restaurant owes me money. Once I collect the debt, I'll have money."

"Then what are you waiting for?" Yan Chixia glanced at him.

"Oh!" Ning Caichen hurriedly took out his book box and frantically searched through it. It took him a while to find an account book in the box.

But as he looked at it, a bitter expression appeared on his face. It turned out that during the battle at the ruined temple, the great battle had destroyed the temple, and rainwater had poured in, soaking his book box. It was nighttime then, and he hadn't paid attention, but by the end of the night, the account book was completely soaked, and the writing on it was no longer legible.

"Go collect the debts!" ​​Yan Chixia asked, puzzled by his expression.

Lynn noticed his embarrassment and said hoarsely, "Brother Yan, why don't you call the shopkeeper over here?"

Yan Chixia understood Lin En's meaning and roared, "Where's the manager? Come here now!"

"Gentlemen, what brings you here?" Soon, a man who looked like a shopkeeper came to the table of the three men.

"I...I'm from Jibaozhai to collect debts. You owe...you owe Jibaozhai a total of..." At Lin En's prompting, Ning Caichen began to speak timidly.

Seeing his cowardly appearance, the shopkeeper became suspicious. He leaned closer to look at the account book in Ning Caichen's hand, but Lin En pressed him down with one hand, making him unable to move.

"snort!"

At the same time, Yan Chixia snorted coldly and slammed his sword on the table.

"What, are you going to renege on your debt?" Lynn's hoarse, cold voice rang in the shopkeeper's ear, startling him.

At this moment, Five Elements Fist A-Qiang walked in from outside. Hearing Lin En's words, he immediately rolled up his sleeves: "Goodness, whoever tries to renege on their debt, I'll give them a go!"

Lynn's voice was devoid of any emotion: "You'd better pay back your debt obediently, otherwise we'll just have to kill you and take the money ourselves!"

He remembered that in the original movie, Ning Caichen came alone to collect the debt, but the account book got wet in the rain. The innkeeper refused to admit the debt and even kicked Ning Caichen out. Unable to collect the debt and without money for a hotel, Ning Caichen had no choice but to stay at Lanruo Temple, which led to the story with Xiaoqian that followed.

However, just because Ning Caichen couldn't get the money doesn't mean the three of them couldn't.

The three of them working together could easily rob someone, let alone ask for money!

The shopkeeper quickly begged for forgiveness: "No, no! Paying back debts is a matter of course. I'll go get the money right now!"

"Go!" The three of them were not afraid that he would escape, nor were they afraid that he would report them to the authorities.

Even if I report it to the authorities, they will still entrust the matter to them. Why should I deal with my own problems?

Before long, the innkeeper came with the money owed to settle the debt. Ning Caichen accepted the money and breathed a sigh of relief. He immediately ordered dishes and wine to treat everyone to a big meal.

But Yan Chixia stopped him: "Let's go to another one!"

They've made enemies, yet they still dare to eat here. Even if the other party doesn't poison them, just spitting a few drops of saliva into the food or drink would make them feel nauseous.

The group moved to another restaurant, ordered a table full of food and drinks, and enjoyed a hearty meal. During the meal, A-Qiang took out the reward money he had received from the government and gave one to Lin En and one to Yan Chixia. He also gave Lin En a copy of the information on local demons that Lin En had asked him to obtain from the government.

Then, the group discussed their plans for the future.

Ah Qiang chuckled and said, "I saw the government's bounty. There's a powerful demon at the Nascent Soul stage in Lanruo Temple, not far from this county town. Why don't we join forces and kill him? Killing a Nascent Soul stage demon will definitely make us famous!"

"Are you crazy! Going to provoke a powerful demon in the Nascent Soul Realm!" Yan Chixia glanced at him, but shook his head, disagreeing with his suggestion.

Lynn's heart stirred. Killing the clay demon in the dilapidated temple had given him 10 Origin Points. If he could kill the tree demon granny in Lanruo Temple, he would definitely gain more Origin Points.

He looked at the realm column on the semi-transparent panel: Black Zombie Iron Corpse (35/100).

If he can kill the tree demon, he might be able to use the source points to advance again and become a green zombie bronze corpse!

By then, his strength will be comparable to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator. Compared to Yan Chixia and A Qiang, the benefits of killing the tree demon are significantly greater.

"How did Yan Chixia kill the tree demon in the original story?" Lynn carefully recalled the content of the movie.

At this moment, Yan Chixia spoke up: "To be honest, although this tree demon has a hundred years of cultivation, its true form is just a large locust tree. Its origin and aptitude are both average, and its strength is not comparable to that of a normal Nascent Soul cultivator. I have the Demon-Slaying Sword in hand, and if you two help me, slaying the tree demon will not be difficult! It's a pity..."

Ah Qiang was immediately intrigued by his words: "What a pity?"

Lynn also became interested and said in a hoarse voice, "If you have any difficulties, Brother Yan, just tell us. Maybe we have a solution."

Yan Chixia didn't keep them in suspense and said directly, "Tree demon, tree demon. Since it's a tree demon, it grows in the earth, absorbs the essence of heaven and earth to become a demon, and is born with the ability to escape through the earth. It's like a fish in water in the earth. Moreover, tree demons are huge, and it's difficult to kill them with one blow. It's easy to hurt them, but to kill them? Even a Nascent Soul cultivator might not be able to do it."

"Earth Release? Huge size?" Lynn fell silent at this.

None of the four of them know how to burrow underground. If the tree demon can't defeat them and burrows into the ground, they'll be left helpless.

Yan Chixia continued, "Furthermore, because the tree demon's true form is a locust tree, it naturally attracts ghosts and spirits. It likely has quite a few ghosts as subordinates. While those ghosts are generally weak, if they were to suddenly appear at a crucial moment, they could cause us considerable trouble!"

"Of course, those are minor issues. The most troublesome thing is that this tree demon can use earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magical ability to burrow)!"

"Earth Escape?" Lynn looked at Yan Chixia: "I've heard that among the magic arts of the Xuanmen sect, there is a Five Elements Escape Technique. Do you know anyone who knows it?"

Yan Chixia shook his head: "The Five Elements Escape Technique is an extremely profound art. It is generally only passed down in those prestigious sects, and it requires extremely high talent from the cultivator. Even ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators may not be able to learn it. Finding someone who knows the Five Elements Escape Technique is not that easy!"

Lynn nodded thoughtfully.

Just then, another person walked in through the door. This person was dressed as a Taoist priest, his clothes were shabby, and he looked somewhat like a singer from Lynn's previous life. Upon seeing him, Lynn's eyes immediately lit up. Wasn't this the Taoist priest Zhi Qiu Yi Ye from Kunlun Mountain who appeared in the movie?

He remembered that as soon as Zhi Qiu Yi Ye appeared, he used the technique of earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic that allows one to escape from the ground) to fight a battle with Zuo Qianhu of the imperial court. This guy knew the technique of earth-遁.

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear!

However, the disheveled Taoist priest was stopped by the waiter as soon as he reached the entrance of the restaurant. "How can you judge a book by its cover? I may be a little dirty, but that's because I'm using earth magic to catch ghosts underground. I'm not a beggar, so why won't you let me in!" Zhi Qiu Yi Ye shouted.

The waiter, however, did not move aside: "Sir, please don't make things difficult for me. We cannot serve guests who are improperly dressed!"

Upon hearing this, Zhi Qiu Yi Ye was furious, but he couldn't attack a mortal, so he could only sulk and say, "Outrageous!"

Lynn quickly invited him, "Taoist Master, if you don't mind, please join us at our table!"

The waiter tried to stop them, but after being glared at by A-Qiang, he could only chuckle awkwardly, step aside, and clear the way.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!" Zhi Qiu Yi Ye sat down, drank wine in large gulps, and began to eat meat.

Lynn asked directly, "Daoist Master, you say you can use earth magic? May I ask where your immortal abode is?"

Zhi Qiu Yi Ye, probably hungry, mumbled with his mouth full of food, "I studied under a master in Kunlun Mountain, and this time I'm here on his orders to slay demons and monsters!"

"They really are Taoist priests from Kunlun Mountain!" Lin En, Yan Chixia, and A-Qiang exchanged glances. "It's settled!"

Kunlun Mountain is the legendary Taoist temple of Yuanshi Tianzun, one of the Three Pure Ones. It's not surprising that Zhi Qiu Yiye, who came from Kunlun Mountain, knows the Five Elements Escape Technique.

Immediately, Lynn invited Zhi Qiu Yi Ye to join the operation to slay the tree demon.

He asked in a hoarse voice, "Master, may I ask your name?"

"Sure, sure... um... my name is Zhi Qiu Yi Ye!" Zhi Qiu Yi Ye said in a muffled voice after taking a sip of wine.

Before Lynn could speak, A-Qiang impatiently asked, "Master Zhi Qiu, I just heard you say you use earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique for catching ghosts)? Do you know how to use earth-遁?"

"Of course, it's just a simple earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of magic that allows one to escape from the earth)!" Zhi Qiu Yi Ye said proudly. "I also know immobilization techniques and lightning strikes! No demon or monster can escape my grasp."

"That would be perfect!" Yan Chixia exclaimed with delight. "Daoist Zhi Qiu, we're about to deal with a demon, but it can use earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of magic that allows one to escape). We're worried it might get away! Daoist, why don't you come with us and rid the people of this scourge!"

"Slay demons? Eliminate scourges for the people?" Zhi Qiu Yi Ye nodded: "No problem, I came down the mountain to slay demons and eliminate evil!"

The four of them decided to kill the tree demon. Of course, the tree demon wouldn't run away since it was there, so they weren't in a hurry to set off. Instead, they planned to kill the demon after they finished eating.

While the group was eating, a figure shrouded in a white robe appeared at the location of the dilapidated temple where Lynn and his two companions had killed the clay demon the previous night. After searching carefully for a moment, the figure's eyes gradually revealed hostility.

The white-robed figure murmured, "Another little demon has died. I'm afraid I won't be able to bring back enough living souls from the underworld this time. I hope Lord Black Mountain won't be angry. These exorcists are truly despicable."

"The next one is the Tree Demon Granny! She's a powerful demon at the Nascent Soul stage; she should be able to complete Lord Black Mountain's task!"

After muttering to himself, the white-robed figure drifted straight away into the distance and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

……

Ning Caichen looked at Lin En strangely and said, "Hero Lin, why are you only drinking and not eating anything?"

Lynn shook her head: "You guys eat, I'm not hungry, I don't have much of an appetite."

He was a zombie whose favorite thing to do was to devour blood, especially the blood of demonic beasts that had become monsters. He found the delicacies meant for humans tasteless, and drinking alcohol was like drinking plain water.

"Oh!" Ning Caichen nodded blankly.

"Brother Yan, let's discuss how to kill this tree demon!" Lynn suggested. "Even if the tree demon is weak in combat, it's still a powerful demon at the Nascent Soul stage. We must not underestimate it!"

"Why bother with all that effort!" Ah Qiang said nonchalantly, munching on a chicken leg. "Once Daoist Zhi Qiu forces that tree demon out, you'll see what I do—I'll smash its head to pieces!"

Yan Chixia nodded in agreement: "Brother Lin is right. We need to come up with a strategy to fully utilize the strength of the four of us and completely kill that tree demon!"

"I heard that the tree demon keeps a group of female ghosts who specialize in seducing the men staying at Lanruo Temple at night. When they're lost in their passion, the tree demon suddenly appears and sucks them dry!" Lin En looked at Ning Caichen beside him. "Why don't we turn the tables on them? We'll pretend to be travelers passing through, ask for lodging at Lanruo Temple, lure all these demons out, and kill them all!"

Yan Chixia's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea!"

"By the way, Little Daoist Zhi Qiu, can your immobilization technique immobilize a tree demon in the Nascent Soul stage?" Lin En asked, glancing at Zhi Qiu Yi Ye. If he could directly immobilize the tree demon and kill it in one blow, that would be the best outcome.

"My immobilization technique won't affect a demon in the Nascent Soul Realm for long. In the blink of an eye, it will probably return to normal!" Zhi Qiu Yi Ye spoke the truth, without boasting or hiding anything.

Ah Qiang patted his chest and shouted, "Just a blink of an eye? That's enough! I'll smash its head in!"

Yan Chixia shook his head slightly: "The tree demon's body is enormous, but its true fatal weakness lies in its life core, the demon core within its body. Simply smashing its head isn't enough! To kill it, we must shatter its life core!"

Zhi Qiu Yi Ye confidently declared, "Don't worry, with me here, it has nowhere to hide! Even if it hides underground, I'll find it!"

……

Having made their plan, the four of them disguised themselves as travelers that very night and entered Lanruo Temple. As for Ning Caichen, upon hearing that they were going to kill demons, he shook his head vigorously, finding an inn in the county to stay in. He had no chance to indulge in any of the "ghostly romance" stunts.

"The environment here is so gloomy!" Yan Chixia said as they walked, his voice ringing in their ears. "I wonder why this sacred Buddhist place would give birth to such a powerful demon."

Zhi Qiu Yi Ye also transmitted her voice: "What's so strange about that? When I passed through the capital, I saw a royal temple. The demonic aura inside was truly terrifying. Those demons were probably all demon kings at the Void Returning Realm!"

Ah-Qiang and Lin En did not know the art of telepathy, so they could only remain silent.

Lynn, however, was pondering Zhi Qiu Yi Ye's words, secretly thinking, "Could he be referring to that centipede demon 'Universal Salvation' who has cultivated for thousands of years?"

This powerful demon bewitched the emperor with its magic and was appointed as the Imperial Advisor. Then, using its position as Imperial Advisor, it devoured the dynasty's fortune, attempting to transform into a dragon and ascend to immortality!

If it succeeds, the world will have another great demon like the Black Mountain Demon, wreaking havoc on the realm.

(End of this chapter)