After Xiang Yu approached, the flower's leaves began to sway automatically, and then a large number of poisonous insects appeared around it, some flying in from the sky, some crawling out from the ground, and some crawling in from all directions.
"It seems like this flower can see us." Xiang Yu frowned.
"It didn't see us, it sensed danger. But this flower is truly extraordinary. It must be the secret to why the herb garden became a forbidden zone."
Hao Jiu didn't think a flower was stronger than a Nascent Soul expert, but the poisonous insects protecting the flower around it were indeed quite powerful. He saw at least several that were unusually large, and he estimated that most of them were insect kings with strength comparable to the Nascent Soul realm.
Of course, the Zerg don't use magic, and their fighting style should be similar to the two Locust Warriors we killed before, but you have to be careful of their venom.
"God of Wine, let's get started. We'll make our home here and become neighbors with this flower from now on." Xiang Yu thought the environment here was quite nice.
“No problem.” Hao Jiu immediately opened the God's Shop and bought an array plate. The function of this array plate is very simple: to isolate the poison gas and form a protective shield in the shape of an inverted bowl with its bottom attached to the ground. Moreover, the size of the entire shield can be changed at will.
"Activate the formation!" Xiang Yu waved his hand, and the gas shield first protected everyone in the alternate dimension. What if the poison gas got in after the spatial door was opened?
At the same time, Hao Jiu activated the Eternal Night Divine Power, creating a cloud that gradually expanded like an inflating balloon, forming a hollow structure that looked like an inverted bowl.
Poisonous insects that rushed towards Yongye Cloud were immediately repelled, even insect kings with Nascent Soul Realm strength could not do so.
Soon, a pest-free area was demarcated, and the protective shield inside slowly expanded, eventually creating a pure land. The large purple flower was not far from the pure land, about ten feet away.
The rest was simple. Hao Jiu bought a nano-alloy castle from the God's Mall. It was a high-tech product that allowed people to live in an entire castle inside a fist-sized sphere.
Hao Jiu bought the cheapest, low-end version, which was a combination of furniture and castle. It had no weapons, electronic technology, or powerful features like protective shields, but it was good because it could be made large or small, had a beautiful appearance, was warm in winter and cool in summer, was dustproof and waterproof, and was light and thin, so it could even be placed directly on the water.
The defensive power of the alloy itself is linked to its thickness, which is inversely proportional to the size of the castle. If the castle is at its maximum size with a hundred rooms, its defensive power can only stop bullets. If it is at its minimum size with only one room, it can withstand all attacks except nuclear attacks, given Earth's current level of technology.
The castle itself isn't expensive, but the sphere that holds it is incredibly pricey, and it's already tied to the castle, so it can only hold the castle. Also, it can't hold anything if there are foreign objects inside the castle.
What's most infuriating is that the castle isn't sold separately! If you want to buy the castle, you have to buy the storage sphere; they're really good at bundling it together.
To be fair, this thing is far inferior to the magical capsules from Dragon Ball, but it's convenient enough and much better than sleeping in the wild.
Of course, Hao Jiu could have bought some tents to provide everyone with a place to stay, but nothing could compare to the awe-inspiring sight before us! It's absolutely awesome!
Everyone, including Xiaoyaozi, was speechless with shock upon seeing the castle. The large purple flower represented the wonder of nature's creation, while the castle was a crystallization of human wisdom.
This was also Xiang Yu's first time seeing the castle, but Hao Jiu had already given him so much wonder, so Xiang Yu remained relatively calm.
"Each person has their own training room. You can choose for yourselves, or two people can share one room. No one should live in the main hall on the first floor. I'm going to put a spatial portal there."
"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.
It must be said that after shielding ourselves from poisonous barriers and insects, the environment here is truly ideal for cultivation, with a much higher concentration of spiritual energy than outside.
If nothing unexpected happens, there should be a small spiritual vein below, enough for all of them.
The poisonous insects in the core area of the herb garden were clearly not very welcoming of this new neighbor, but after a series of unsuccessful attacks, the insects became docile. However, every day at least two insect kings led a large group of elite poisonous insects to protect the Purple Poison Flower.
At that moment, on Stormwind Isle, a white-haired monk suddenly let out a long howl.
In an instant, dark clouds filled the sky, and a lightning tribulation was about to descend.
"Hahaha... Once I survive this tribulation, I will be a Nascent Soul cultivator and can ascend to immortality!"
"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Shi! We will now enter the Holy Temple to avoid the tribulation." The others got up and entered the small building of the Holy Temple.
Boom!
Shi Daoyou was struck by lightning, but before he could even cry out in pain, several people inside the temple simultaneously let out extremely terrifying screams.
"Aiya ahhhhh!!!"
Fellow Daoist Shi was completely bewildered. Who on earth was undergoing the tribulation of lightning?
...
The Spirit Realm, the Human Continent, Tianyuan City.
A human cultivator suddenly stopped cultivating and took out a formation diagram from his robes that shone like a starry sky.
"Huh? Another ascension array in the lower realm has broken down. Sigh, let's mark this first. There are still hundreds more waiting to be repaired. Cross-realm teleportation arrays are too unreliable. At this rate, the human race in the spirit realm will only get weaker and weaker. We have no choice but to stick together with the demon race for warmth."
...
Chapter 452 Buddhism
The Zhao plane, the capital of Zhao, Ye City.
Inside the palace, Shi Hu swirled a luminous cup, savoring a glass of red wine.
Standing beside him were two monks, one old and one young. The old monk kept his head down and remained silent, but the young monk was also holding a glass of red wine, which he drank in one gulp, revealing a look of intoxication.
"Grand Preceptor, this is such a fragrant and mellow brew, why not have a cup?" Shi Hu asked the old monk with a smile.
The old monk, named Fotucheng, wore a kasaya and had a kind and benevolent face, exuding the air of a high-ranking monk. Upon hearing this, he respectfully replied with his hands clasped together, "Amitabha. The Buddha has five precepts: not to kill, not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to lie, and not to drink alcohol. Although alcohol is the fifth precept, it is easy to break the other four precepts. This humble monk cannot drink it."
"Alas~ Imperial Advisor, you are mistaken. How could I allow you to break the rules? Do you think this is real wine? Wine is a pungent substance, but this is sweet and refreshing. To call it wine is a lie."
Besides, didn't Master Wu drink too? If he can drink, why can't you? Come, come, Grand Preceptor, drink this cup, and I will agree to build another hundred Buddhist temples, how about it?" Shi Hu handed over the wine cup as he spoke.
The young monk raised an eyebrow. "The blood of this virgin was obtained by His Majesty by chance, one in a million. It is a great sin to refuse His Majesty's grace."
"Amitabha, if I don't go to hell, who will?" Fotucheng took the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.
Snap snap snap...
"Excellent! The Imperial Preceptor is indeed a highly virtuous monk. Knowing it was a cup of blood wine, he remained unfazed. I admire him greatly." Shi Hu clapped his hands and said.
Fotucheng suppressed his nausea and said, "Your Majesty has a special affinity with Buddhism and has made great contributions to the propagation of Buddhist teachings. Buddha will surely bless Your Majesty. However, if Your Majesty could reduce the killing..."
Shi Hu raised his hand and said, "Alas, Grand Preceptor, why are you here again? Didn't you and Master Wu already debate last time? I am using killing to stop killing, otherwise the Jin people's fate will be restored and the Buddhist Kingdom will be in danger."
Besides, if I don't send troops to attack, how can I spread Buddhist temples throughout the land? If I don't seize more Jin slaves, who will support all these monks and nuns?"
Master Wu gave Fotucheng a disdainful look. "National Preceptor, you should go back to the temple to preach. Quickly train a new batch of abbots. If you delay the prosperity of Buddhism, how will you face the Buddha?"
People are trapped by their inner demons and unwilling to enter the Buddhist path. However, the Buddha, in his compassion, should deliver all beings to the Pure Land. Like Your Majesty, truly embodies the spirit of "If I don't go to hell, who will?"—a righteous act of universal salvation.
Just then, a man burst into the palace; it was Zhang Chai, a favorite minister of Shi Hu.
"Your Majesty, a terrible thing has happened! Another rebellion has been launched! Prince Ruyin has been beheaded and his entire army has been wiped out!"
"What! Kun'er has been killed? Who dares to be so bold!" Shi Hu was furious. Ruyin King Shi Kun was his eighth son. He was good at pleasing him, had a knack for commanding troops, and was also quite skilled in martial arts. How could he have died?
"I don't know who he is, but it is said that he wields two swords and is highly skilled in martial arts. He can move through an army of thousands as if it were empty, and he has the might of a tyrant!" Zhang Chai suddenly slapped his thigh as he said this. "Your Majesty, now is not the time to talk about this. That man has led his rebel army and has already attacked. He has recruited unruly people along the way, and his army has exceeded 100,000!"
"Hmph! These Jin people really don't know what's good for them. Issue my decree, appointing Prince Yan Shi Bin as Grand Commander, leading General Yao Yizhong and General Pu Hong to lead troops to quell the rebels!" Shi Hu waved his hand.
"Yes." Zhang Chai secretly breathed a sigh of relief; as long as he wasn't allowed to fight, that was fine.
"Grand Preceptor, you see, it's not that I want to kill, it's just that these unruly people are not behaving properly," Shi Hu said, shrugging.
"Amitabha Buddha..." Fotucheng chanted the Buddha's name, closing his eyes and remaining silent.
He initially approached Shi Le, the founding emperor of the Zhao state, for two reasons: first, to promote Buddhism, and second, to persuade Shi Le to reduce his killing. Later, Shi Hu deposed Shi Hong, the second emperor of Zhao, and his murderous intent intensified, gradually leading him astray.
Shi Hu was a devout Buddhist. Originally, Fotucheng could still offer some advice, but since the arrival of this Master Wu, although Shi Hu still treated him with great respect, it was far less than before. Moreover, whenever there was a disagreement between him and Master Wu, Shi Hu would always side with Master Wu.
The monk Wu beside him rolled his eyes and said, “Your Majesty, I find this matter strange. That mysterious person may be very unusual. This time, the rebels cannot be dealt with in the same way as before. The Prince of Yan and others alone may not be able to resist them. This person gathers the fortune of the Central Plains. If we kill him, Great Zhao will surely be able to unify the world.”
"Oh? Since the mage says so, then let Prince Pengcheng Shi Zun and the fierce general Shi Min go to provide support and join forces to attack the rebels from both sides. We must kill that mysterious person!" Shi Hu slammed his fist heavily on the dragon throne.
"To ensure a perfect solution, this humble monk is also willing to go and relieve Your Majesty's worries!" Master Wu clasped his hands together and smiled slightly.
Shi Hu clapped his hands and laughed, "Good! With a sorcerer in charge, even if Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King, were to be reincarnated, he would be no match! Hahaha..."
At this moment, in the cultivation world, Xiang Yu had already sent Wu Xingyun to the Danling Sect.
In fact, the six major sects of Yue Kingdom are very strict in recruiting people. Having spiritual roots is only the most basic requirement. They also test one's character. The Danling Sect is even stricter. To become an excellent alchemist, one must have both wood-attribute and fire-attribute spiritual roots.
Of course, if someone is a genius with a single-attribute spiritual root or a different spiritual root, the Danling Sect will never turn them away even if they don't have a wood or fire spiritual root.
The reason why various sects have not recruited many disciples is ultimately due to insufficient cultivation resources. How many cultivators a sect can support depends on the size of its spiritual veins and how many Foundation Establishment Pills it has. Recruiting people with mediocre aptitude would be of no use.
The strength of a cultivation sect depends on its high-end combat power, which is cultivated little by little from its disciples. Only in this way can disciples develop a deep affection for the sect.
The Yue Kingdom only has two Nascent Soul Realm experts. Although the Danling Sect doesn't have any, the Danling Sect has good alchemists. The other five sects also have their own alchemists, but they are not professional enough, and the success rate of many pills is not high.
Key pills like the Foundation Establishment Pill require extremely precious materials; a single failure could mean the loss of one or even several Foundation Establishment disciples.
Therefore, most of the time, the other five sects would ask the Danling Sect to refine the pills for them, as the success rate was higher, and the Danling Sect was doing quite well as a result.
After the spiritual root test, Wu Xingyun was found to have three spiritual roots. Coincidentally, she actually had wood and fire spiritual roots. Otherwise, Xiang Yu would have had to use some tricks to let Wu Xingyun sneak in.
Now that Shoujun has recovered, his ability to deceive is even stronger, and he can also play a role in the cultivation of cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage. It is not difficult for him to tamper with the spiritual root test. Moreover, Xiang Yu has also prepared spirit stones.
Once cultivators reach the Foundation Establishment stage, they are qualified to take on disciples, and they are all short of spirit stones. It wouldn't be difficult to get Wu Xingyun into the Danling Sect with a little effort.
Things were going so smoothly that Xiang Yu and Hao Jiu were actually a little unaccustomed to it.
However, what they did not know was that the cultivation world of the Central Plains was about to face a bloody storm, and the Yue Kingdom would be the first to bear the brunt!
Chapter 453 Ruthless Person
It's a very hot day in the Buddha Zhao plane.
"Han Xin, your marching speed is too slow. When will we ever reach Ye City?" Zhongli Mei grinned as he looked at the mixed army of men, women, and children. He really wanted to ask, "Are you serious?" They had to stop and rest after only a few miles.
Han Xin smiled slightly, "General Lei Hu, I know what you're thinking. Ten thousand Divine Martial Guards are enough to crush and win, why dawdle? But the enemy's situation is unclear, and rash advance is a major taboo in military strategy. If even one of our ten thousand elite Divine Martial Guards dies, I won't be able to explain it to the Overlord."
Moreover, our primary objective is to kill the target and complete the mission. What if you lead 10,000 Divine Guards to slaughter everyone and scare the target away?
Besides, you've seen the fighting spirit and determination of these people. The faster we go, the sooner we'll run into the enemy's main force, and how many people will die then?
"Let's take it slow and wait for them to attack. We can conserve our strength and wait for them to tire themselves out. If the target really comes to decapitate us because of their superior strength, you might not be able to defeat them."
"Can't beat him? Hehe, have you forgotten the Overlord Card I have? You should be worried about Xiang Sheng, that guy has no sense of direction, I hope he doesn't run back later."
Zhongli Mei was originally quite envious of Xiang Sheng's Zoro card, but later, seeing that Xiang Sheng often got lost, he was somewhat glad that the Overlord hadn't given him the card back then.
Han Xin drew his twin swords and brandished them a few times. "Do you think I want him to go? If he's not here, I'll have to pretend to be the leader of the rebel army with twin swords. I'm likely to get beheaded. I don't have the Overlord Card, and I don't know if the Duan Yu Card is reliable."
"Then why did you buy Duan Yu's card? With me protecting you, you can rest assured. Wait, why did you send Xiang Sheng? Did he threaten you or bribe you? Or were you annoyed with him and used this as an excuse to get rid of him?" Zhongli Mei teased.
"Stop fooling around. It's just that the God of Wine wants to train him. If he keeps getting lost like this, he'll become a useless person. Don't worry, he has a divine artifact, he won't lose it. As for Duan Yu's cards, I don't think they have any obvious side effects, so I just bought them to play around with." Han Xin said, picking up two swords and tapping them together. "Let's rest, let's rest. Once we've rested enough, we'll set up camp."
"Oh~" The crowd cheered and sat down.
Zhongli Mei's lips twitched violently. "Another rest? And you're going to set up camp? It's only just past noon. It'll be dark a long time before it gets dark."