Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1461 - 791: Ten Kings of Hell, Mysterious Painting

Picture a bunch of Immortal Ruins Guests suddenly dropped into Mingxi Town, with no clue about the bizarre "One-Day Reincarnation" event.

Chaos would surely ensue!

In that mix, certain individuals would undoubtedly launch preemptive strikes on fellow Immortal Ruins Guests, just like the mighty burly warrior, Su Heihu.

Pushing the logic further, if Su Heihu pulls it off and makes it to "tomorrow," he'd keep hunting down more victims to assault.

With repeated victories, this killing loop would drag on forever, ending only when he's the sole survivor or gets taken out by someone else, shattering the pattern.

If he ends up as the final one alive, he'd loop through reincarnations in the town right up until fresh Immortal Ruins Guests show up.

Kicking off yet another brutal round of eliminations.

But why assume Su Heihu's the lone "killer"?

Drawing from the timeless traditions of the Cultivation World, Zhao Sheng quickly figures that these kinds of "killers" are plentiful.

Consequently, each time new arrivals flood in, Mingxi Town turns into a bloodbath of slaughter.

Over endless ages, these slaughter fests have cycled without end, yet the Immortal Ruins Guests who escape this town with their lives number barely any.

Actually, the odds of getting out successfully hover near nothing.

Pondering this intensely, Zhao Sheng abruptly grasps that the "One-Day Reincarnation" stands as an impossible puzzle.

Fellow Immortal Ruins Guests lack the Hundred Generations Book; they'd never grasp how the town's "day" loops over and over, nor sense its horrifying grip.

The modest boat, cloaked in shadow, drifts lazily down the river, while Zhao Sheng, nestled in the cabin, abruptly feels a chill sweat break out.

Right then, he's pieced it all together, sensing that Mingxi Town conceals a "monster"—some twisted being that's endured countless savage loops, emerging as the ultimate ruler among Gu Kings.

Confronting such a "freak," even Zhao Sheng struggles to feel assured of victory against it.

Naturally, that foe would find it just as hard to take down Zhao Sheng, since each extra reincarnation boosts the "edge" he gains.

If push comes to shove, he could simply go into hiding, right?

Once his true identity comes to light, dodging their chase turns into a breeze.

Though this line of reasoning remains just a hunch at present, Zhao Sheng puts faith in his theory, convinced that the "monster" almost certainly lurks among the town's folk.

And the Ten Kings Temple probably serves as its favorite haunt.

Since...

...

Ten li beyond Mingxi Town rises a grand temple compound of crimson walls and golden roofs; it features three layered courtyards growing larger rearward, with sixteen halls spanning about two mu of land.

Here lies the spot boasting the strongest worship in Mingxi Town: the Ten Kings Temple.

As the sun climbs to its peak, Zhao Sheng treads the dirt trail and soon reaches the gateway below.

He eyes the bold, gleaming "Ten Kings Temple" characters on the signboard, then halts briefly to examine the carvings closely.

It doesn't look right!

Moments later, he sighs in disappointment and heads for the main entrance.

Right as his foot hits the third stair, a figure suddenly appears from within.

Zhao Sheng locks eyes with the stranger, both freezing for an instant.

The fellow is a youthful scholar, about twenty, topped with a square hat, exuding a polished and bookish vibe.

In that split-second lapse, the young scholar draws near, glances at Zhao Sheng, and politely remarks, "Would you mind letting me through, my friend?"

"Oh, sorry!" The words jolt Zhao Sheng back, and he quickly moves aside, stepping two paces right to clear the way.

"Thank you!" The young scholar offers a soft smile, mirrors the courtesy, and then heads down the stairs, fading along the dirt path.

Watching the figure recede, Zhao Sheng seems lost in thought.

Next, he pulls his eyes away and proceeds through the temple doors.

Beyond the entrance stretches a vast open plaza, dominated by a large censer in the middle brimming with many long incense sticks, wisps of smoke curling up to infuse the yard with thick sandalwood scent.

Flanking the plaza to the east, west, and north stand halls for different Kings Yan, while the back courtyards shelter more shrines with King Yan effigies.

Per the old records of this locale, this realm embraces the idea of the Hell Wheel, ruled by the Ten Kings across infernal realms, revered as the ten lords of the Underworld.

The instant Zhao Sheng heard of a Ten Kings Temple near the town, he knew it had to be a crucial site.

Given his brushes with the Six Paths of Reincarnation, ignoring that link proved out of the question.

Naturally, other Immortal Ruins Guests would think likewise, so as Zhao Sheng crossed the threshold, he stayed on subtle alert.

His eyes scan once, capturing the entire scene.

Now, the temple buzzes with worshippers lighting incense, totaling no less than twenty.

The majority sport blank foreheads, ordinary folks. But a handful snag his notice.

A sturdy figure in a conical hat strides into the west hall.

By the censer, a woman in a red coat slips incense inside, cradling a three- or four-year-old kid. The little one looks frail, topped with a tiny red tiger hat.

Clearly, the child suffers from sickness, prompting the young mother to bring him here for prayers to King Yan, seeking blessings for his safety.

Zhao Sheng's attention lingers a moment on the tiger hat, then drifts to the east hall.