Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 1467: 794: Where to Go on the Other Shore, Mastering the Situation
Lin Heng sensed an irregularity, yet he refrained from questioning, simply adopting a contemplative expression.
Zhao Sheng swiftly composed himself and inquired, “Brother Lin, what’s our next move?”
Lin Heng answered, “I intend to visit Old Shopkeeper Chen. Brother Zhao, you could investigate the Nameless Tomb. Let’s proceed independently and share details upon our next encounter.”
Zhao Sheng’s gaze wavered briefly, then he agreed with a nod, “That’s exactly what I had in mind.”
Lin Heng grinned and suggested, “Excellent, we’ll separate here, and reconvene at the Agarwood Restaurant as evening descends—what do you say?”
“Agreed!”
…
Beyond the Ten Kings Temple, Zhao Sheng observed Lin Heng’s silhouette fading into the horizon, his own eyes abruptly turning profoundly intense.
The instant Lin Heng vanished entirely, Zhao Sheng whirled around and slipped back inside the temple.
Navigating through multiple temple chambers, he uncovered a crucial detail within an Oil Pot Hell Painting.
Sure enough, the Hell Map now featured an additional “Fried Ghost.”
It went without saying that this Fried Ghost was undoubtedly the Conical Hat Guest slain by his hand.
Terror gripped Zhao Sheng, and as he examined the Hell Creatures Painting in front of him, his face drained of color in dread.
Assuming he was correct, every “ghost” depicted in the artwork symbolized a fallen Immortal Ruins Guest.
Even more chilling, successive groups of Immortal Ruins Guests poured into Mingxi Town, but scarcely anyone unraveled the mystery of the Hell Creatures Paintings.
In the following instant, enlightenment dawned in Zhao Sheng’s thoughts, leading to a sudden epiphany.
“Yellow Springs Other Shore Painting? Other Shore?… Other Shore!”
He whispered to himself, abruptly grasping Lin Heng’s motive for slaying over treasures.
That individual had surely detected a vital clue, prompting his ruthless deeds.
Plummeting into Hell—wasn’t it all in pursuit of breaking free from Hell, attaining the Other Shore!
The Yellow Springs Other Shore Painting undoubtedly held hints for fleeing this purgatory!
Right then, a sharp yell burst from the rear courtyard, accompanied by distant screams of alarm.
Zhao Sheng snapped back to reality, comprehending that the body within the temple had been found.
He pivoted and exited the primary hall, his eyes scanning the front courtyard square, catching sight of two guards guiding the frail Old Madam Chen toward the back area with caution.
Owing to the disturbance in the rear, Old Madam Chen’s entourage halted, and the man with the worried look replied before dashing off to the backyard, evidently to probe the issue.
Zhao Sheng adjusted his focus and marched toward Old Madam Chen.
Seeming to detect an approach, the withered Old Madam Chen twisted her head abruptly, her cloudy gaze glinting with a trace of keenness.
Zhao Sheng closed in steadily, his face unchanging, soon drawing within mere yards.
At that point, the leftover guard noticed him too and rushed to intercept, bellowing, “Halt, stay back—ah!”
His words cut short as a cry escaped him, hands grasping his throat while he collapsed.
Zhao Sheng retracted his hand blade, concealing it in his sleeve, and progressed steadily toward Old Madam Chen.
Old Madam Chen’s countenance grew solemn, her voice quavering with age as she declared, “Taoist, why do you pursue without mercy! I am—center!”
As the term “center” left her lips, a volley of white hair needles erupted from her locks, morphing into a blinding white glow that targeted Zhao Sheng’s critical spots.
Zhao Sheng thrust his right arm ahead, summoning a wave of Will from nowhere.
Immediately, the scene halted as if frozen, with innumerable tiny white hair needles hovering motionless in the air.
Advancing, the hand blade carved an elusive path, an unseen force swiftly decapitating the foe.
Bang!
The silver-haired head lolled sideways before thudding onto the earth, her features frozen in stunned incredulity even in death.
A thrill coursed through Zhao Sheng, feeling his Will ease just a fraction.
A surge of Will extended outward, enveloping a three-yard area surrounding him in an instant.
With a mere notion, the earth split open quietly, swallowing the blood, remains, and head, then the soil warped as the fissure sealed itself.
With traces erased, Zhao Sheng lingered instead of fleeing, retreating into the temple to resume his patient vigil.
Meanwhile, the man with the frantic expression hastened back from the rear but found no sign of Old Madam Chen and her attendants, leaving him baffled.
He pondered swiftly and bolted into the eastern temple chamber to look, discovering emptiness.
Next, he checked the Western Hall, spotting no one, even though Zhao Sheng loomed directly in his view—the distressed man appeared sightless, treating him as mere vapor.
This was simply a subtle use of Will Heart Light, a minor feat unworthy of note.
The slaying at the Ten Kings Temple rapidly alerted the temple’s abbot.
Qin Temple Priest acted fast, sending messengers to notify authorities while cordoning the area.
The frantic man also departed in haste, seemingly to alert his household.
Shortly thereafter, prior to Chief Liu and his team reaching the site, the figures Zhao Sheng anticipated arrived.
The white-robed woman in a mask crossed the temple entrance, her gaze surveying the square, a flicker of astonishment crossing her eyes at the disorderly sight.
Before she could respond, her form went rigid, ensnared by a potent Will that rendered her immobile.
She felt profound alarm, writhing fiercely in an attempt to call out, but every struggle failed.
The subsequent instant saw her spin around, compelled by the sinister Will to stride out through the gates, heading toward the riverbank.
Soon after, Zhao Sheng reappeared from the riverbank, leisurely approaching the Ten Kings Temple.
His footsteps left no imprint on the soil, akin to the tales of traversing snow tracelessly.
Before long, a young lady cradling an infant emerged on the muddy path outside the temple, hurrying toward the Ten Kings Temple.