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Chapter 822: Slaying the Human, Slaying the Dragon (5000 Words)
Chapter 822: Slaying the Human, Slaying the Dragon (5000 Words)
"With your thousand years of Dao practice, you can overturn rivers and seas. Truly remarkable!"
"But what about my two hundred years of cultivation? Can I really not put it to use?"
As Hu Ma made his move, he truly wanted to test his abilities. He unleashed a True Yang Arrow, showing no mercy, and his entire body glowed like a blazing furnace as he spewed pure Yang Qi into the lake.
To be honest, this True Yang Arrow was just the most basic skill of a Year-End Guardian, so Hu Ma had prepared himself. If it didn't work, he was ready to bite his tongue and use a Blood Yang Arrow.
...But fortunately, even though he was a Year-End Guardian with slightly less impressive skills, they were still useful.
The lake water began to bubble and boil, forming thick fog so dense that it couldn't disperse. The various spirits and evil spirits within the lake struggled in agony, those who could run fled for their lives onto the shore, and those who couldn't swim had already flipped over, showing their bellies as they floated on the lake's surface.
The Three-Headed Dragon hidden at the bottom of the lake was clearly both shocked and furious. Suddenly, it stirred up a tremendous wave in the center of the lake and emerged from the water.
"This kid..."
In Lake City, Erguotou had always carried himself with an air of superiority, ready to assist Hu Ma at any moment.
Back in the capital, no one could control the State Preceptor, who left with grace and ease. As a result, they didn't have a clear understanding of each other's strengths. In fact, Erguotou even felt a bit guilty towards his junior disciple...
After all, the other party had given him the Mother Technique of the Ghost-Walking Sect.
As a reincarnate, he had always been dedicated and followed the Grain Guard Army for this very reason.
Fearing that Hu Ma might not be able to handle the situation, Erguotou was ready to lend a hand.
At this moment, he suddenly realized that he might have overlooked something. He held his breath, but then forgot to exhale.
"Boiling the lake to smelt the dragon, he..."
When he finally managed to speak, his voice trembled: "What kind of skill does he possess now?"
"The Ten Pillar Incense..."
Beside him, Old Abacus's voice also trembled: "Right Defender, do you not understand what the Ten Pillar Incense represents?"
Erguotou's voice shook as he replied: "I've seen Five Pillar and Six Pillar Incense before, and in the City of Wrongful Deaths, I've even fought against those with Nine Pillar Incense. They were indeed powerful, but he only has one more pillar, how can it be..."
"So exaggerated?"
"...Just the first nine pillars are already extraordinary. He is the one who has cultivated the Book of Life and Death to attain the Nine Pillar Incense, the ultimate in the mortal realm."
Although Old Abacus could barely explain it using the theory of the Dalaofa Religion, this was his first time encountering such a situation, so he couldn't help but marvel.
As he explained, his voice trembled: "In our Dalaofa Religion, we believe that the Nine Pillar Incense is the pinnacle, and he possesses Pure Yang Nine Pillar Incense. But this tenth pillar is beyond our doctrine; it belongs to the Great Deity Master's teachings."
"The first nine pillars are astonishing, but they can be explained. However, the tenth pillar represents a life beyond life and a transcendent Dao."
"Mortals should not have a tenth pillar. Therefore, when he attained this pillar, he has already transcended, but his transcendence is different from those who have crossed the bridge."
"Those who cross the bridge seek seclusion and escape."
"But his tenth pillar means that even the heavens cannot contain him, so he has an extra pillar..."
"Initially, the State Preceptor deceived him, saying he should follow the path of transcendence in the mortal world. Those words were meant to trick him into carrying the Twelve Ghost Altars, but now it seems..."
"...He truly has the potential to succeed?"
"...Erguotou was stunned for a moment before suddenly realizing, "So, he hasn't crossed the bridge, but his skills are no less than those who have?"
"I can't be sure about the deeper principles..."
Old Abacus could only smile bitterly and shake his head: "When he says he's inferior to others..."
"...Just take it as his modesty!"
"...You used some kind of demonic spell to cut off his descendants, and it's so vicious?"
The Three-Headed Dragon that emerged from the lake was furious. The lake water couldn't harm him, but the severely injured spirits within the lake had enraged him.
After all, he was born as a spirit and, although he had reincarnated as a human, he only acknowledged his dragon form. Therefore, he didn't value mortal soldiers much, but the spirits in the lake whom he had enlightened were his true foundation.
But now, his friends and family had suffered heavy casualties, and how could he not be furious? He was usually too cautious and interacted less with those in the sect, so his judgment was naturally flawed.
Seeing Hu Ma's terrifying skills, he assumed Hu Ma was from some sect, using a deadly technique. He even thought it might be the highest Mother Technique of the Ten Surnames Sect or something similar. Amidst his roars, he rode the clouds and fog, charging forward.
He understood the principle that the more powerful the technique, the weaker the practitioner's physical combat abilities.
Since the kid on the lake had such formidable demonic skills, he would swallow him whole.
The lake was already filled with white steam, and in an instant, a thick fog enveloped the area, making it impossible to see even a few feet ahead. The dragon arrived in a rage, and from the city, the crowd could only see the fog being stirred by a giant object. They vaguely saw a black shadow moving, accompanied by a pungent smell.
Compared to the size of the dragon, Hu Ma on the city wall seemed minuscule, even with his Dharmic Form activated.
It was as if half the sky's clouds and fog had transformed into a living creature, pressing down on the small stone pavilion on the city wall.
"If you don't come closer, I might not be able to catch you!"
However, facing the opponent's ferocity, Hu Ma suddenly laughed. His three heads turned abruptly, revealing a calm and peaceful face, which then faced the cloud in the sky.
Then, one of his arms reached out and grabbed. In his hand, a black bottle-shaped object appeared, the very same one that Zhou Si had given to her Bottle Master, now with new changes.
This Bottle Master represented the Year-End Guardian Sect, embodying the ultimate transformations of various martial arts and spiritual techniques. Before formally cultivating the Dharmic Form of the Great Deity General, Hu Ma had to practice each move and gesture according to their guidance. But now, a profound and mysterious change had occurred.
As the bottle tilted forward, countless transformations were naturally contained within, effortlessly breaking through corresponding spiritual defenses.
"Ka!"
Within the fog, there was originally a colossal creature, its massive body twisting and turning, shaking the heavens and the earth. But as Hu Ma's bottle tilted forward to suppress it, the fog suddenly contracted inward and then, in the next moment, exploded outward. Instantly, the figure within the fog became clear.
There was no colossal creature; the Three-Headed Evil Dragon was clearly just a man in his thirties, holding two long spears, now grasped in Hu Ma's hand.
The man was still in a daze, shaking his head, but the next moment, his face turned deathly pale...
"Do you have a thousand years of cultivation?"
Hu Ma brought the man close to his eyes, took a glance, and then coldly smiled. With a forceful grip, the man's bones snapped with a series of 'ka' sounds.
Hu Ma then threw him to the ground and said, "Pick him up!"
As fierce as the Three-Headed Evil Dragon was, with his bones crushed, he couldn't move at all and could only struggle desperately.
The other people in the city didn't have the sharp eyes of Second Pot Head and couldn't see clearly what had happened. They only knew that after the Three-Headed Dragon King escaped into the lake, Hu Ma had followed him to the city wall.
The next moment, a vague figure of an evil god appeared, and endless white steam rose from the lake. Within it, there seemed to be a three-headed dragon transforming into its original form, and also a giant over six or seven zhang tall fighting with it.
But before they could get a clear look, a man in white armor rolled out of the fog, lying on the ground and howling.
Someone recognized his armor and knew that this was the Three-Headed Dragon King.
But for some reason, they still hesitated to approach. Zhou Liang and Zhao Zhu, having benefited from trusting Hu Ma, didn't hesitate when he said to take the dragon king down. Zhao Zhu, in particular, dragged his trident and rushed forward.
He even arrived before the four generals of Old Yin Mountain, pointing his trident at the dragon king's face, "Got him!"
This was a great achievement! A real, significant achievement, capturing the bandit king—what a glorious feat!
"This old man has a thousand years of cultivation, and his destiny is to ascend to the Imperial Court and transform into a true dragon..."
The drastic change in the dragon king's circumstances and the contrast in their status made him unwilling to accept it, howling in protest.
Perhaps feeling too aggrieved, the dragon king raised his voice and screamed. In the northern part of Lake City, there was a huge Governor Temple, and inside, his predecessor, the Ancient Dragon, was enshrined.
The dragon king, having received years of incense offerings, sensed the despair and anger of his human form and began to tremble slightly, shaking the entire city with him.
It was like a massive earthquake, causing houses and city walls to shake. The night was filled with thick fog, and an eerie atmosphere permeated the air.
The city's residents and the Grain Guard Army felt dizzy and disoriented.
In a daze, they looked up and saw a shadow in the night sky, larger than Lake City itself.
A furious roar approached from above.
Many people still revered the deities, and at the sight of this commotion, they began to shiver and wanted to kneel.
"No kneeling!"
According to custom, this was the time to invite the Red Lantern Goddess to fight the Governor.
But since Hu Ma had already taken action, there was no need for that.
Hu Ma merely gave a cold snort and turned his gaze to Yang Gong, who was riding his horse towards them. "The Exorcism Mansion does not execute the living, and this Three-Headed Dragon King has also committed wrongdoings. His sins are unforgivable."
"Now that he has fallen into the hands of the Bright State King, what happens next is up to you."
"As for the one enshrined in the temple..."
"..."
Hu Ma let out a cold laugh, and with a slight lift of his sleeve, a roaring gale swept in from outside the city.
The night seemed to condense to its densest point, and the sky above Lake City appeared to solidify into a solid mass. But in the deepest part of the night, a golden light suddenly flashed, pushing back the cold fog above Lake City.
Two colossal Golden Armor Deities appeared, carrying a box and walking over the city wall. They respectfully placed the box in front of Hu Ma.
Hu Ma reached into the box and pulled out the Evil Suppression Golden Mace. With a deep growl, he declared, "The Exorcism Mansion is open, the Golden Armor Deities appear! The Lake Prefecture Governor has enjoyed undeserved offerings, accumulating sins upon himself. Now, he shall face punishment!"
"Disassemble the golden body and bring the guillotine!"
A thunderous boom reverberated as if one city had been pressed down upon another. The Exorcism Mansion's aura surged and appeared behind Hu Ma.
Golden light illuminated the interior of the Exorcism Mansion, revealing a row of ferocious guillotines.
The second position on the right was a tiger-headed guillotine, used once before to execute the Five Evil Spirits. The first position on the right was a dragon-headed guillotine, its surface pitch-black, and its blade had been sealed for many years. Since the reopening of the Exorcism Mansion, it had not been used.
As Hu Ma gave the order, the Golden Armor Warriors on the stand stirred.
The next moment, from within the Exorcism Mansion, numerous Golden Armor Warriors suddenly lifted their heads, took steps, and marched out.
The golden chains on their bodies slid as they charged towards the Lake Prefecture Governor's temple. With their golden hands, they tore down the temple doors and shattered the threshold, golden light flashing as they entered.
In a short while, they had dragged out a black figure, its body stout and elongated, with three heads at the front. It struggled fiercely, but they ignored it and brought it directly to the Exorcism Mansion.
Black mist filled the air, swirling around the souls of the city's residents, making it hard to distinguish reality from illusion. Everyone just stupidly looked up.
"Spare my life, spare my life..."
When they saw the dragon-headed guillotine being raised, and the Golden Armor Warriors pushing the black figure towards it, the shadow was terrified.
Its body trembled, and it screamed desperately.
The Three-Headed Dragon was a creature of heaven and earth, not only guarding the Blood Food Mine but also cultivating an astonishing level of spiritual power. It had even exploited a loophole in the heavens, and after the cycle of reincarnation was severed, it still managed to reincarnate into a human form. Using this human form, it obtained a portion of heavenly mandate and was crowned the Grassroots King.
It was also because he possessed the Heavenly Mandate that his fate was tied to this world, placing him in the category of royalty. To execute him, the Dragon Blade was required.
If he hadn't received the Heavenly Mandate and was merely a Governor, a Tiger Head Guillotine would suffice.
He himself was well aware of this, so even when he was captured, he remained defiant. However, upon seeing the Dragon Head Guillotine, he was terrified.
"Can a lowly creature like you contest the numbers of the Heavenly Mandate?"
Hu Ma showed no mercy, waving his hand, and in the Exorcism Mansion, a token flew out and landed beside the Three-Headed Serpent.
"Execute him!"
Amidst the cold command, Hu Ma's expression was disdainful. "I also have three heads, and you have three heads. What kind of level is that? Do you think you're the same as me, growing three heads?"
"Tsk!"
The Dragon Head Guillotine was raised high and brought down with a solid thud. Despite the Three-Headed Serpent's belief in its own Dharmic Form and numerous unutilized abilities, it was unable to move even a hair's breadth while being restrained by the Golden Armor Warriors.
With a cry of unwillingness, the head fell to the ground in an instant.
At the same time, in the sky above Lake State's capital, the pervasive evil aura dissipated, and instead, boundless blood energy surged forth. In the Spiritual Temple, the golden statue of the Three-Headed Serpent began to shed its golden foil, and the three heads simultaneously rolled out of the temple.
"Dragon King, you colluded with the Daughters' Sect and secretly performed lewd rituals, using living humans to refine your demonic arts. You failed to cultivate virtue and report your good deeds."
While Hu Ma was publicly executing the Governor's deity statue of the Three-Headed Serpent in the sky above Lake State's capital, Yang Gong had also arrived on horseback before the human body of the Three-Headed Serpent, who was being escorted by Zhao Zhu and others.
From his lofty position, Yang Gong shouted sternly, "The Grain Guard Army has come to uphold justice for the people on behalf of Heaven. Now that the evidence is clear, you will receive a just punishment in front of the people of Lake State!"
"I surrender! I surrender..."
The Three-Headed Serpent's thousand years of Dao Practice had been destroyed, leaving only his human body, which was now filled with fear and panic, shouting loudly.
But no one paid him any attention. He had already been dragged to the platform where the Daughters' Sect had just sacrificed the common people. Among the soldiers, a swordsman stepped forward to act as the Executioner. He took a swig of strong wine, spat it onto the blade, and then swung it down forcefully.
"Pfft!"
Blood gushed from the severed neck, and the head flew three or four zhang high before falling to the ground.
At that moment, the entire city heard a desperate and fearful cry, which silenced the chaos that had filled the city.
The Exorcism Mansion executed the deity, and the Grain Guard Army executed the human. The Three-Headed Serpent, who had been ambitious and entrenched in Lake State, had his city broken, his army defeated, and his body and soul destroyed in a single night.
Among the grassroots kings who were qualified to contend for the Heavenly Mandate, one had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"Bow... Bow to the Grain Protection King..."
The common people in Lake State's capital had been stunned for an unknown duration before someone finally reacted and led the others in kneeling towards Yang Gong.
Even the scattered soldiers and captured leaders followed suit, their legs trembling as they knelt and prostrated themselves.
"In a single night, they broke through the city and executed a thousand-year-old demon. The name of the Grain Guard Army will surely spread throughout the world!"
At this time, Hu Ma finally breathed a sigh of relief and approached Second Pot Head and Old Abacus.
Old Abacus, standing nearby, was already trembling with fear. He said in a quivering voice, "He... he only had five hundred years of Dao Practice, not a thousand."
Hu Ma glanced at him and said, "Don't worry about such details. Just spread the word outside like this from now on."
Old Abacus immediately understood and quickly lowered his head.
The disciples of the Non-Bull Sect standing beside them didn't need to ask; they had already understood Hu Ma's intentions and made the necessary arrangements.
"Now that the Three-Headed Serpent has been executed, what about the Heavenly Mandate..."
Second Pot Head also reacted and was about to ask anxiously, but he saw that Hu Ma had already taken out the Heavensward Sealing Seal.
As he held the seal in his hand, it glowed with soft yet heavy colors in the deep night, perfectly embodying the essence of the Way of the King.
At the same time, in Lake State's capital, when Yang Gong beheaded the human body of the Three-Headed Serpent, an invisible breath also flew out from the Three-Headed Serpent's body. This breath was neither tangible nor intangible, and only those with profound Dharmic Form within the Dao Sect could sense it.
It was the Heavenly Mandate.
Hu Ma could clearly sense that this strand of the Heavenly Mandate flew to the seal, causing it to suddenly become much heavier.
The last "Prosperity" character he had been searching for had now begun to take shape.
As he was searching for this "Prosperity" character, he slowly raised his head, his eyes seemingly seeing beyond the misty city of Lake State, beyond the houses and walls, and perceiving the myriad things in the world.
Various stars were scattered throughout the world, accompanied by figures with domineering, hidden, or noble auras.
Hu Ma curled his lips slightly, "Is that where the remaining Heavenly Mandate resides?"
...
...
"Report..."
"The Grain Guard Army entered Lake State and, within a day and night, defeated the Three-Headed Serpent's army."
"King Yang Gong of Bright State executed the Dragon King, and the Exorcism Mansion destroyed the mountain and temple, executing the Dragon King's deity. The Red Lantern was hung in the temple, and the people, both high and low, united in their hearts."
"Among the Thirty-Six Village Heads, one has already fallen."
The news of Bright State's execution of the Dragon King, the destruction of his golden statue, and the hanging of the Red Lantern spread throughout the world before dawn, even reaching a certain place where a young man in a red-crowned silver robe heard the news and sighed. He looked up and said, "Old man, you still want to test the strength of the Grain Guard Army in Bright State. From what I see, they are not only capable, but their quality is even better than that of the average grassroots king!"
"This was probably just a test, and they also had to put on a show for those reincarnates. I estimate that after witnessing this, those people will be reassured and enter the game."
"In that case, there's no point in testing. Do you think our Zhao Family should make the first move, or should we use some method to persuade the other Several Surnames to make their move first and show their true skills?"
(End of Chapter)
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