All Heavens: Dual Cultivation of Magic and Martial Arts Starting from the Republic of China

The blue and white lightning was very faint.

But that fierce and domineering aura instantly caused the yin energy in the entire earth god temple to freeze...

Fu Ze gave a low shout.

"go!"

He flicked his arm.

The lightning-struck jujube wood dagger transformed into a sizzling stream of light, piercing straight at the fleshy tumor beneath the offering table.

puff!

The dagger struck the tumor squarely!

Blue and white lightning exploded instantly.

Zi la la!

The heart-shaped tumor throbbed and twisted wildly, its surface cracking open with countless tiny fissures, spurting out large amounts of dark red, foul-smelling blood.

"Squeak squeak squeak—!!!"

The insect-like screams grew even sharper.

It almost pierced people's eardrums.

Zhao Rui couldn't help but frown and take a half step back.

Fu Ze, however, stared intently at the tumor.

Lightning flashed continuously.

Fu Ze pressed his advantage and unleashed another "Divine Fire Spell".

Thunder and fire intertwined.

The tumor finally couldn't take it anymore and exploded with a bang!

There was no bloodshed or carnage.

There was only a pool of black filth, spread out on the ground like mud.

It smelled fishy, ​​was cold, and made people want to vomit.

At the same time, the other tumors and tentacles on the ground, as if having lost their support and source of strength, all stopped wriggling and turned into puddles of sticky, black water.

Those clay sculpture fragments turned back into ordinary clay blocks, without any trace of evil energy remaining.

The temple finally quieted down.

Zhao Rui gripped the gun and slowly exhaled.

"it's over?"

Fu Ze did not answer immediately.

He stepped forward, drew the lightning-struck jujube wood magic dagger, and at the same time gathered spiritual energy in his eyes to carefully scan the entire earth god temple.

The statue was broken.

The sarcoma was also gone.

The yin energy has indeed dissipated.

But Fu Ze's brows did not relax.

Because he always felt that something was wrong.

This thing is weird, but it seems too "weak".

Of course, it's not that they're actually weak, but rather that...

Is the being that can make the entire village dream at the same time, be abducted to the local temple, manipulate disasters, and demand infant sacrifices just a flesh-and-blood monster parasitizing the local god statue?

Shouldn't.

That's really wrong.

Seeing his hesitant expression, Zhao Rui lowered his voice and asked.

"Brother Fu, what's wrong?"

Fu Ze looked up at the huge old locust tree next to the land temple.

Under the moonlight, the old locust tree stood quietly. Its shadow fell back to the ground, and everything had returned to normal.

But Fu Ze's unease only intensified.

Fu Ze breathed a sigh of relief.

"I always felt that things weren't that simple."

It's not over yet?

Zhao Rui frowned.

He felt that this thing was already weird enough!

Fu Ze inspected the land temple inside and out again.

The statue was completely shattered.

The black filth on the ground, under the lingering power of the thunder and fire, gradually dried, turning into a thin layer of grayish-black powder. With a gentle touch, it crumbled like burnt incense ash.

The incense smoke, which had been mixed with the stench of blood, began to slowly return to normal. Although it was still murky, since this place had been occupied by evil spirits for three years, it was impossible for it to be completely cleaned up overnight, but at least the wriggling sensation of living creatures was gone.

The old locust tree was also inspected.

Tree roots, trunk, branches.

Fu Ze even used a lightning-struck jujube wood dagger to gently cut a slit in the bark of the tree.

What's flowing out is just ordinary tree sap.

There was no blood.

It has no whiskers.

There was no hidden evil aura.

Zhao Rui, standing to the side with his two pistols already at his waist, couldn't help but ask.

"Brother Fu, how is it?"

Fu Ze frowned.

"It seems there are no problems."

Zhao Rui breathed a sigh of relief.

"Isn't that enough? The evil spirit has been killed, and the local temple has been cleaned up. Locust Tree Village should be able to live in peace from now on."

Fu Ze hesitated before nodding.

"I think so, I hope so."

The uneasy feeling in his heart never dissipated.

It's like you've already turned on the lights in the room, but you still feel like there's something hidden in some corner under the bed that hasn't been illuminated.

Perhaps I'm just overthinking it?

Fu Ze stopped thinking about it.

"Let's go back first. We'll talk again when it's light."

……

When the two returned to the villager's home, Liao Xibai and the others were indeed still awake.

Two oil lamps were lit in the courtyard.

Li Junfeng stood at the door with his arms crossed, while Feng Xuan sat in meditation under the eaves.

Liao Xibai sat on a chair in the main room, wearing an outer garment, and rested his chin on his hand, pretending to be asleep.

Upon seeing Fu Ze and Zhao Rui return, he immediately opened his eyes.

"You're back? How did it go?"

Fu Ze then recounted their experience at the local temple in detail.

After listening, all three of them frowned.

Liao Xibai's voice was solemn.

"Clay figurines of flesh and blood, even more bizarre than ghosts and demons. And they can appear in the dreams of the entire village, demanding live infants. This method is truly sinister. Young friend Fu, do you think this matter is now resolved?"

Fu Ze shook his head.

"It's hard to say."

"The evil spirits in the local temple have indeed been eliminated. But I always feel that it wasn't the true source."

Zhao Rui couldn't help but say.

"That thing is already growing inside the statue of the Earth God, isn't that the source?"

Fu Ze thought for a moment.

"I can't explain it clearly, but I always feel that the things in this earth god temple are like a dark hand that's out in the open."

"A hand may be severed, but the thing behind it may not be dead."

"Of course, it's also possible that I'm being paranoid and overthinking things. Perhaps the evil spirit in the local temple is the real culprit, and it's already dead."

The main room fell silent, with only the flickering flame of the oil lamp.

After a moment, Liao Xibai spoke.

"Go to sleep first."

"Tonight has been too long, and everyone is quite exhausted. Regardless of whether there are any hidden stories behind this, we should wait until dawn to discuss them."

Fu Ze nodded.

He was indeed quite tired.

It's not that my body can't take it.

Instead, one evil event after another has occurred along the way, keeping people constantly on edge.

Because Li Junfeng and Feng Xuan did not participate in the fierce battle at the Earth God Temple, they took turns keeping watch at night.

Fu Ze leaned against the corner of the wall to rest.

But in reality, he was using his mind to connect with the [Decree of the Heavens] to check information.

"As expected! There was no notification of killing the evil creature."

"It's very likely that, just as I suspected, that thing at the local temple is only part of the real culprit behind it all?"

Fu Ze recalled the battle that had just taken place.

"No wonder I felt something was off; when that monster died, the [Decree of All Heavens] on its chest didn't even tremble or get hot!"

At the time, his attention was focused on the fighting and he didn't notice this, but he only realized it now.

Fu Ze was somewhat embarrassed.

To go, or not to go?

……

Even after daybreak, Huai Shu Village remained shrouded in mist.

The villagers gradually came out of their homes.

They already knew what happened at the local temple last night, and they also knew that the three babies who were sacrificed had survived.

But most people didn't show much joy on their faces.

More than anything, it was fear.

The fear has been ingrained for three years and cannot be eradicated overnight.

They were afraid that the local deity was not dead.

They fear that disaster will strike again.

They were afraid that Fu Ze and these outsiders would just leave and leave, leaving Huai Shu Village to suffer in the end.

Fu Ze was too lazy to blame them.

Are the common people ignorant?

That's truly foolish.

But if the world wasn't so chaotic, the government didn't care, the righteous gods didn't appear, and evil spirits ran rampant, why would they place their hopes on a "land god" who devours babies?

Ultimately, ignorance is also nurtured by suffering.

But not everyone is just afraid.

Several bold young people stepped forward.

One of the men, a man in his early twenties, gritted his teeth and said.

"Master Fu, I'll go with you to the local temple."

The other young man nodded as well.

"I'll go too."

"If that thing is really gone, we can come back and tell everyone."

Fu Ze glanced at them.

"OK."

"But don't touch anything indiscriminately."

The young people nodded quickly.

The group quickly went to the east end of the village.

The local temple is still there.

The statue was shattered on the ground.

The old locust tree is still tall.

This place is clearly different from last night.

That cold, damp feeling that made me uneasy had largely disappeared.

Sunlight streamed into the earth god temple, falling on the broken statues and offering table, and surprisingly, it brought a touch of warmth.

Several young people stood at the temple gate, their faces full of confusion.

"It seems... really different now."

"Every time I used to get close to this place, I would feel a chill down my spine and my heart would race."

"It's gone now."

"Yes! I think so too!"

A young man mustered his courage and walked to the old locust tree.

He reached out and touched the bark, then looked up at the canopy.

"The Earth God... that evil spirit, is he really dead?"

Fu Ze thought for a moment and then said.

"At least this thing in the earth god temple is dead."

"As for whether there will be other troubles in the future, it's hard to say. But no matter what, you can't sacrifice a child."

Several young people nodded repeatedly.

One of them had red eyes.

"No more."

Never again.

After they returned to the village, they told the other villagers what they had seen.

The villagers were skeptical.

But the disappearance of that chilly feeling at the east end of the village was something that couldn't be hidden from people.

Some of the bolder ones also went to see the local temple.

Upon their return, each of them wore a complex expression.

Three years.

Nine babies.

They always believed that those were offerings required by the local earth god, a price that had to be paid to ensure the safety of the entire village.

But now someone is telling them that it is not a god.

That's an evil thing.

What about the children who died before?

What does it matter if they send it out by hand?

Fu Ze watched this scene without saying a word.

In this kind of situation, no one else can offer comfort.

They can only endure it slowly on their own.

……

After eating some coarse grains, Fu Ze and Liao Xibai discussed the matter.

The final decision was to leave Huai Shu Village first.

They really can't stay here too long.

Liao Xibai's trip to Jinling was already fraught with danger. Zhou Xie was dead, Gui Daozi had escaped, and who knew how many eyes were still watching them in the shadows.

Although the evil spirits in Huai Shu Village are strange, at least one of their visible forces has been eliminated. Staying here any longer might not allow them to uncover anything more in the short term.

Moreover, having suffered such a great loss, the real culprit behind it will likely remain inactive for a long time. This is enough for the people of Huai Shu Village to move away with their families or find other solutions.

Both Fu Ze and Liao Xibai have indeed done their utmost in terms of benevolence and righteousness.

Liao Xibai looked at the villagers, his tone gentle yet serious.

"The local temple should not be repaired for the time being."

"Don't touch that old locust tree for now."

"If anyone appears in a dream again, or if strange things happen in the village again, immediately send someone to the nearest county town to seek help from Buddhist or Taoist masters or the government."

He paused again at this point.

He knew in his heart whether the government was effective or not.

So he looked at Feng Xuan again.

The old Taoist priest understood his meaning, took out a talisman from his pocket, and handed it to the old man.

"If something really happens, burn this talisman. I may not be able to get there in time, but there are some lay disciples of Gezao Mountain nearby who can at least send a message or come to help."

This is the advantage of a legitimate Taoist sect.

His disciples are found all over the world!

There are also special talismans for communication.

These are the foundation of a sect; ordinary independent cultivators and small sects naturally do not have these things.

The village chief tremblingly accepted the talisman and knelt down to kowtow.

"Thank you very much, sirs! Thank you very much, sirs!"

Fu Ze didn't say anything more.

The group quickly left Huai Shu Village.

……

After walking for about 15 minutes, another village appeared ahead.

A crooked wooden sign stands at the entrance of the village.

River Bend Village.

This village is slightly larger than the previous Huai Shu Village, and a narrow river meanders around it, its waters gurgling softly. It should have been a lively place.

But as soon as they reached the village entrance, Fu Ze slowed down.

Not right.

It's that feeling again.

Oppressive, gloomy, and gloomy.

The villagers looked ashen-faced and their eyes were numb.

Several women sat on the threshold, holding empty swaddling clothes and staring blankly.

There were also elderly people squatting against the wall, muttering to themselves, as if they were praying, or perhaps they were afraid.

Fu Ze and Liao Xibai exchanged a glance.

A bad feeling rose in both of their hearts at the same time.

Zhao Rui also clicked his tongue.

"This village looks exactly like Locust Tree Village."

Liao Xibai found a villager to question.

He was a farmer in his forties. When he saw that the group of people were dressed in fine clothes and had an extraordinary bearing, he was so frightened that he kept bowing.

Fu Ze asked him.

"Look at you villagers, everyone looks so frowning. Has something bad happened recently?"

The farmer was stunned, and his face changed.

"How did you gentlemen know?"

Feng Xuan flicked his whisk.

"Amitabha! I am a righteous Taoist practitioner, and I have noticed that this place is not entirely peaceful. Please tell me more about it."

The farmer hesitated for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

"I don't know what's wrong, but something really strange has been happening in our village these past few years."

"Crops are infested with insects, livestock die of disease, and accidents happen frequently to people in the village."

"Later...later, the Earth God appeared in my dream and said that I had to offer three babies under the age of one to avoid disaster."

"At first we didn't believe it, but things kept getting worse. We had no choice but to try it, and to our surprise, it actually worked."

This is the fourth year already.

The words fell.

Everyone's expression changed.

Zhao Rui couldn't help but curse.

"Damn it! It's the same old routine again?"

Li Junfeng was an impatient man who hated evil, and upon hearing this, his eyes widened in anger. At this moment, his blood and qi surged, and puffs of white steam rose from the top of his head.

Fu Ze felt a chill rise from the soles of his feet.

It's not because I'm afraid.

It was anger.

It's the same again! The excuses are almost identical.

If disaster strikes, seek help in a dream, offer a baby, and you will be blessed with a year of peace.

This is no coincidence!

Moreover, this place is actually a year older than Huai Shu Village?

Liao Xibai's face also darkened completely.

"Young friend Fu, it seems things are more serious than we thought."

Fu Ze nodded.

"That's right! There must be someone, or something, using the same method to corrupt and pollute all the nearby villages."