Chapter 168: Chapter 167: Divine Path Emerges, Chaotic Times

The bright moon hung high, with clouds drifting like gauze.

On the pitch-black wild mountain, faint firelight flickered within the ruined temple, and occasionally, wolf howls echoed among the mountains.

It was still the same cobweb-covered wild god statue, only now its owner was no more, repurposed in disguise.

A rabbit was roasting over the fire, though not plump given the season, its meat was charred red, with an enticing aroma.

However, Zhang Kui had no time to eat; at this moment, he was holding the Divine Court Bell in one hand and carefully placing the Divine Strange Pearl into it with the other.

Tonight, with a little trick, he achieved success, feeling joyous and relieved, solving problems while reaping considerable rewards.

After taking down the two Celestial Tribulation Realm centipede demons and the demon god, he gained over sixty points, and adding the previously remaining fifty-some points, it finally crossed a hundred.

Of course, the greatest gain was this Divine Strange Pearl.

When the demon turmoil swept southwest of Qingzhou, he had heard that half-demon girl Fu Yu mention that the Divine Strange Pearl was a product of the ancient divine path cultivation.

Now, he suspected this explanation more and more.

The Divine Strange Pearl is a key item to the Underworld. If the Divine Path could indeed produce it, given the power of the Forbidden Land of evil spirits and the weakness of the human race, nurturing a few over thousands of years wouldn’t be a problem.

In Zhang Kui’s view, this thing seemed more like some proof, a treasure concentrating incense fire divine power.

Perhaps, it was also a key to establishing the ancient Divine Path.

The mysteries were numerous and unknowable.

Of course, for him, the greatest current use of the Divine Strange Pearl was to enhance the Divine Court Bell.

This time, it was obviously much easier.

Just as the Divine Strange Pearl was placed in, it was absorbed and embedded at the top of the great bell, and strands of incense fire divine power’s golden light quickly twined and enveloped it.

In an instant, the Divine Court Bell buzzed, as if countless people were offering sacrifices and prayers, the golden light became steadier and heavier, with a faint hint of purple aura.

Three spectral figures instantly appeared, jointly cupping their hands:

"Greetings to the Star Lord."

They were Tai Shi, Shen Xu, and Yin Bai.

Zhang Kui waved his hand, "No need for formalities upon meeting; though I hold the Divine Court Bell, you all can just call me a fellow Daoist."

Yin Bai smiled slightly and cupped his hands:

"Brother Zhang, this is the last time I’ll call you Brother Zhang. My life has been lonely, yet I was fortunate to meet you, Brother Zhang, which led to such an opportunity. Thank you."

As he spoke, he bowed in gratitude, then his expression turned solemn: "The Star Lord has a grand vow to establish a Divine Path to assist the human race, so rules should be set from the beginning to prevent future trouble."

"Alright, alright, it’s up to you."

Zhang Kui felt a bit helpless, "So, tell me, how does it feel with two Divine Strange Pearls installed?"

The Three-Eyed Taoist Shen Xu immediately beamed with joy:

"Reporting to the Star Lord, incense fire divine power was originally scattered throughout the world, relying on the Divine Strange Pearl to gather. Now, with two in use, the divine power is like countless rivers flowing into the sea, vast and boundless."

Tai Shi’s expression was serious:

"Reporting to the Star Lord, we feel a deeper connection with the divine statues across various places, as if having thousands of clones, with a unified will."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kui instantly displayed joy.

"So, this is the effect."

To put it more plainly, the divine power channels between various places and the Divine Court Bell not only concern divine power gathering, but also makes using divine talismans and skills smoother.

"Exactly."

Appointed as the Evil Suppression General, Yin Bai smiled slightly, "The effect of the Evil-breaking Talisman has greatly improved, Star Lord. Now I have enough strength to add a new talisman."

Zhang Kui also laughed heartily,

"Great, time for a big toast!"

Common wild gods possess all sorts of divine powers, exerting incense fire divine power forcefully, not only crude and wasteful but also failing to benefit more people.

Shen Xu once explained that they usually only select a few lucky ones, with one in ten being considered efficacious enough to attract a large following.

However, Zhang Kui’s Human Race Divine Path is set to protect the human race, not caring about personal gain or power, but relying on his Earth Demon Seventy-two Techniques to perform exorcism, evil-breaking, and crisis resolution.

In his vision, there would be two systems of talismans and divine skills, aiming to protect more people at the smallest cost.

For instance, as long as an Evil-breaking Talisman is properly drawn and offered on an incense table, with sincere prayers to the Divine Court Bell and the Evil Suppression General, Yin Bai would empower it with divine power.

As for divine skills, currently centered around the Disaster Exorcism Skill, a magic altar must be set up to invite Tai Shi’s clone to descend and wield it, with plans to incorporate skills like the Five Elements Skill’s Praying for Rain in the future.

Immediately, Zhang Kui made arrangements.

Tai Shi would preside over major divine skills like exorcism.

Shen Xu and Yin Bai would assist.

Shen Xu, appointed as the Golden Bell Spirit Official, primarily assists Tai Shi in managing the Divine Court, temporarily granted the Disease-removal Talisman to transfer this function should a god of healing take over in the future.

Yin Bai, as the Evil Suppression General, primarily oversees exorcism, granted the Sealing Talisman and the Evil-breaking Talisman.

The Divine Court may be small, but it already has a layout.

Unknowingly, a night passed.

In the morning, several sounds of breaking through the air resounded from the mountain. Elder Huayan, Helian Boxiong, Huo Yu, Taoist Puyang, and Gu Ziqing finally arrived.

Of course, Fatty Tiger dashed over faster, excitedly calling out to the Taoist.

The next day, swarms of locusts moved, devouring each other and turning into flying locusts, flapping their wings and rising, darkening the skies. On the peak of a high mountain to the northeast, scarlet flames soared into the sky.

"True Man Zhang is here!"

The people of Dianzhou were not afraid at all; they burned incense and prayed, sang and danced with tears streaming down their faces as they looked at the fields, now free of locusts.

The story of True Man Zhang ascending the mountain to subdue the Locust Demon had already spread across the land. People in the state mansions still plagued by locust disasters were all eagerly awaiting.

The cultivators of Dianzhou, be it the Curse Witch or the Insect Master, watched this shocking scene with astonished faces, feeling a sense of unease.

On this day, the Chu Family’s stone castle was silent.

On this day, the Chai Kingdom did not come to harass the Colorful Cloud Cave.

On the mountain, Elder Huayan and the others also looked on in amazement, quietly watching the altar.

It turned out that Zhang Kui intended to attempt to subdue the Locust Demon alone this time and invited them to hold the line.

At this moment, the colossal Locust Demon was pinned to the ground by a hundred-meter-long golden sword, howling madly but unable to break free.

The even larger Golden Body of Tai Shi now wielded a massive bell shadow in its hands, covering the entire Locust Demon within. The golden light of the Disaster Exorcism Divine Skill continuously washed over it, turning it to fly ash in no time.

"Hahaha, young friend, it seems you have gained much!"

Elder Huayan stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

The others also offered their congratulations.

Seeing the skill points in his mind reach over one hundred seventy, Zhang Kui also breathed a sigh of relief, solemnly cupping his hands:

"Thanks to all the Taoist friends for holding the line. From now on, leave the rest to me, Old Zhang."

Everyone was taken aback.

Zhang Kui gazed into the distance and sighed:

"Now, Central State is in chaos, the Qian Dynasty has fallen, and without the suppression of a Divine Corpse, demons run rampant, the sea routes are blocked, and each state is isolated."

"At this time, it is inevitable that Great Demons will gather and form a climate, and I fear there are many ambitious individuals seeking to stir up conflict and vie for supremacy."

"The locust disaster is no longer an issue. What follows is the truly difficult era of chaos. As National Guardians, it is up to us to support the tilting heavens. Once I deal with the locust disaster, I will return to Jiangzhou to guard it."

Everyone’s expression turned solemn.

Helian Boxiong said gravely:

"Taoist Friend Zhang is right. Now the Human Race is deep in darkness, and although we are weak, we must strive to preserve the human spark until the light arrives."

Taoist Puyang’s face was full of sadness,

"I, old as I am, did not expect the situation to deteriorate so rapidly in just a year. However, with the monstrous power of the cursed lands, does the Human Race still have hope?"

Zhang Kui’s eyes were full of determination,

"Do not worry, that day is not far off!"

With the plan set, everyone began to discuss the arrangements at once.

Elder Huayan will return to guard Anqing State, where his senior disciple Bu Xu is currently assisting Princess Li Qing in gathering disaster victims, dealing with numerous affairs.

Helian Boxiong will return to Lai State, where he has it relatively easier given that the Helian Family has been established there for many years.

Although he obtained the National Guardian Divine Artifact, the blood Weng Zhong, there is a significant hidden danger in using it. If its power exceeds one’s ability, it will greatly shorten one’s lifespan, which is why the seven State Preceptors are so elderly.

Huo Yu with Double Pupils will guard Bozhou, where Old Liu and Cui Yebai remain. Zhang Kui asked him to take good care of them.

Since the death of Tianji Zi, no National Guardian True Man has been dispatched to Qingzhou, and Gu Ziqing is well-suited to fill the position.

Taoist Puyang will return to Qingjiang State.

The National Guardians of the other states have mostly colluded with the cursed lands and are generally unreliable. The group agreed to support each other and weather the storm together.

Unknowingly, a day had passed, and the waning moon shone on the mountain peak.

"Fellow Taoists..."

Zhang Kui bowed deeply:

"Take care!"

After exchanging farewells, the group left under the cover of night, leaving only Zhang Kui and Fatty Tiger on the mountain peak.

"Where are we going, Taoist?"

"To Zezhou. First, let’s settle this locust disaster, and then we can properly deal with these evil spirits."

The waning moon curved like a hook, as the Daoist rode the tiger, crossing mountains and ridges, gradually vanishing into the night...

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com