Chapter 469: Chapter 187 The Righteous and Zealous Shen Gongbao
"The senior’s fame spreads across the Nine Provinces, known to all, clear to all, as a junior with injuries, I truly have no choice but to be cautious," Jiang Li said very carefully while secretly observing with the Emperor’s Qi Observation Skill.
Shen Hou, this Daoist, was simply an incarnation of bad luck, his Qi Shu seemingly nonexistent, replaced instead by a kind of murky aura. This aura, formless and insubstantial, could not be detected unless one was proficient in the Qi Observation Technique. When this force approached, all existing Qi Shu began to dim, as if suppressed.
Whether this would bring misfortune, Jiang Li did not know, but under the influence of this murky aura, being cursed was certainly a given.
Qi Shu is the first line of defense against sinister methods like witchcraft and curses, protecting the body so that curses struggle to capture one’s life breath. Even if they capture the breath, they must penetrate the ’gravity’ of the Qi Shu, a defense layer before they can directly attack the body.
But under the influence of Shen Hou’s murky aura, the Qi Shu is suppressed, and this defense naturally becomes tantamount to nonexistence. At this time, casting a curse would be an excellent opportunity.
’If the suppression is severe, it might even further affect the body and Divine Soul, leading to errors in perception and loss of emotional control. To put it professionally, this is the Tribulation Qi leading one astray.’
Looking at the murky aura drifting about as if it were nothing, Jiang Li was even more watchful.
It’s best to avoid such things when possible, even with the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron at hand.
Fortunately, Elder Tianpeng entered the hall soon after.
The giant-like figure walked through the split open gates, a fierce and explosive Qi Mechanism emerging, causing the murky aura to retract somewhat.
’It seems this aura is also a kind of Qi Mechanism, if powerful enough, it can indeed affect it,’ Jiang Li concluded in his mind upon seeing this.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but inwardly sigh that the saying ’the strong are always strong’ is indeed not without reason.
"Where did you get this information?" Elder Tianpeng took over the conversation, coming to Jiang Li’s side, keeping him away from the murky aura.
But that was all it did.
If this Daoist used his world-famous Five Character Mantra, Jiang Li suspected that Elder Tianpeng’s interference might be ineffective.
"Well, as a Daoist with friends and old acquaintances all over the world, isn’t it natural to have some minor news?" Shen Hou chuckled and laughed.
"Friends all over the world? Perhaps it’s more like having enemies all over the Divine Country," Elder Tianpeng said bluntly, seeming extremely familiar with Shen Hou, "Enough, it matters not where this information comes from, I ask only this, is it true?"
"It is without a doubt," Shen Hou straightened his beard seriously, "It was said by my junior brother himself; he fought Wuzhiqi for a long time and found that even with the Divine Skills for Demon Suppression, it was hard to restrain Wuzhiqi. This adversary has completely entered the demonic Dao, perfected his Mental State, and his journey northward, though named as revenge, is actually for advancement."
"The Three Altars Sea Meeting Great God cannot suppress him?" Elder Tianpeng showed a grave expression.
Jiang Li was also contemplative.
Apart from having a special attack against the Dragon Clan, the Dao Fruit of the Three Altars Sea Meeting Great God also possessed strong suppression against demons, ghosts, and monsters. It can even be said that being a Dragon Clan Killer is a secondary occupation, and the Devil Suppressing God is the main vocation.
In the context of "Journey to the West", Nezha had subdued ninety-six cave demons, his Divine Skills vast and wide.
Throughout the dynasties, there have been stories and legends of Nezha’s demon suppression.
Theoretically, facing such a specialist in Demon Suppression, although Wuzhiqi was an old monster with years of accumulation, he should have been restrained. That he was not, only indicated that he had become strong enough that even the Divine Dao Fruit skills of the Three Altars Sea Meeting Great God were insufficient to suppress him.
"After battling for a long time, without gaining the upper hand, and even destroying tens of miles of land, Wuzhiqi also exploded nearly a hundred water veins, causing floods to overflow in many commanderies,"
Shen Hou continued, sighing, "My quarrelsome junior brother not only failed to behead the enemy but was also forced to withdraw to keep the floods from worsening further. He was so angry he didn’t speak for half a day, then ran off to save people from the disaster, competing with those thieving bald heads from Buddha Country for merit."
Angry for half a day without speaking...
What was originally a rather serious topic suddenly took on a comical feel.
This fourth-grade expert had a temperament like that of a child.
’Who knows if he’s as tall as a child?’ Jiang Li guessed in his heart.
To be fair, it would be better for the young hero Nezha to be a bit shorter, he would lose his charm if he were too tall.
Elder Tianpeng also shook his head and said, "My junior brother is also wandering around at this moment, looking for trouble with the people from Kunxu Immortal Palace. He had earlier discovered the Cloud Sea Sky Light Mirror of the Kunxu Immortal Palace and was certain that a master from there was present. Now he’s set on drawing out the person who cast the spell."
Thinking of this, the predicaments of the two were quite similar.
It’s just that the Dragon Slayer Daoist from Yuxu Temple was doing good deeds, whereas Elder Kaiyang was merely seeking personal revenge.
In any case, after this discussion, Elder Tianpeng was now certain that Wuzhiqi was plotting his promotion to a higher rank.
The higher the grade, the closer one’s connection to heaven and earth, constantly perceiving that decay, and with one misstep, one might be assimilated. Many cultivators retreated for this reason, not daring to seek a higher rank, because once promoted, it would be a dead-end road.
Many Outer Elders from Dinghu Sect were like this.
Moreover, a person’s mental state isn’t eternally unchanging, especially after years of struggle. As one’s lifespan wanes, one might become mentally exhausted and lose one’s position and literally ossify.
As far as Jiang Li knew, some older elders from Dinghu Sect also hid in secret places...that is, in Cave Heaven Blessed Lands, using the environment of the Cave Heavens to avoid the constant erosion of the Five Turbid Evil World.
It wasn’t just Dinghu Sect; other factions were the same.
Wuzhiqi had been famous for over a hundred years, reaching Fourth Grade Perfection long ago, yet he had never sought promotion, which clearly showed he felt his mental state wasn’t up to par. It was no surprise for a devil cultivator to have related issues.
However, this old demon was by no means ordinary, having lived for over two hundred years; naturally, he had his means. Now that he had embraced his demonic nature, it seemed to have supplemented his mental state, giving him the confidence to be promoted.
"That means Wuzhiqi will certainly not give up, even if the Taiping Sect retreats," Elder Tianpeng slowly exhaled a breath laden with turbid energy.
If Taiping Sect were to retreat, it would remove an unstable factor. Theoretically, it would be disadvantageous for Wuzhiqi, but if he truly sought promotion, he would have to face it regardless.
"That’s right, which is why this Daoist has been considering joining hands with your sect," Shen Hou said solemnly, "If our two sects take action together, we have a good chance to launch a strong assault against Wuzhiqi, slay him, and settle this water disaster."
At this moment, he was completely serious, truly exuding the aura of an immortal with the bearing of a Daoist.
But considering that the recipient of Shen Gongbao’s Dao Fruit had become a protagonist, it always felt a bit off.
The righteously valiant Shen Gongbao?
Putting aside Jiang Li’s thoughts for a moment, Elder Tianpeng immediately nodded and said, "Once Kaiyang returns, I will discuss this with him. If that old demon Wuzhiqi wishes to be promoted, he must first survive."
Implicitly, this was an acceptance of the plan.
"Excellent."
Shen Hou revealed a smile, "Then I shall not impose on you any longer here; I take my leave."
He very well-understood when to depart, and with that, he turned to leave.
However, before he left, Shen Hou seemed to remember something and added, "Oh, one more thing. I’ve also received news that the Jiang family of Yong Province has encountered a powerful enemy; they’ve already suffered dozens of casualties. From my observation, this is likely a ruse to lure out the enemy. Jiang Xiaodao, do not act recklessly out of impulse and do something impetuous."
Upon saying this, Shen Hou couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Because from what he had heard, this young Daoist friend was not only not impetuous, but in terms of cunning...no, in terms of wisdom and strategy, he was not less than any of those experienced in Jianghu.