Chapter 383
The Old Story of Huang Chao, Old Ghost's Background
The quiet room fell into a deathly silence.
Old Ghost looked at Zhou Sheng with a cold, sharp, and profound gaze, while Zhou Sheng met his gaze quietly, neither humble nor arrogant, calm and composed.
After a long while, the aged voice rang out again, but this time it was even more solemn.
"How did you know, Your Excellency?"
"I already said it was a guess, and judging from your reaction, I guess I was right."
Zhou Sheng smiled faintly. He felt immense pressure under the old ghost's gaze, but with his five hundred years of cultivation circulating, their auras were evenly matched, neither gaining the upper hand.
This brief exchange once again confirmed Zhou Sheng's earlier perception.
Although the old ghost possessed many extraordinary abilities, his condition was problematic. Perhaps it was because he was suppressing this immortal corpse, or perhaps it was for other reasons. Although his cultivation level was very high, his magical power was somewhat lacking.
Zhou Sheng is the opposite. Although his cultivation level is lower and he has not yet undergone tribulation, his accumulated knowledge and foundation are even stronger than his master, who has undergone three tribulations.
If he hadn't calculated this point, he wouldn't have openly revealed the secret of the immortal corpse today.
"There is a story in the play about Mulian. Mulian's mother broke many precepts and her soul was tortured in the eighteen levels of hell after her death. After Mulian followed the Buddha and achieved success in his practice, he was determined to rescue his mother. He did not hesitate to cause a great disturbance in the underworld and finally succeeded in rescuing his mother."
Faced with the old ghost's scrutinizing gaze, Zhou Sheng suddenly began to recount the famous "Mulian Opera".
"Actually, this play isn't over yet. There's another story behind it. I wonder if you've heard of it, sir?"
Old Ghost's eyes flickered as he stared at Zhou Sheng for a moment before slowly closing them.
Just as Zhou Sheng was about to continue speaking, Old Ghost's voice suddenly rang out, beginning the unfinished story.
"Mulian caused chaos in the underworld to save his mother, and eight million evil spirits escaped and were reincarnated into the human world. They wreaked havoc with weapons and were like tigers, leopards and wolves. This was the late Tang Dynasty, which was a time of cannibalism."
"Buddha was furious and punished Maudgalyayana to quell the chaos. As a result, he was reincarnated as Huang Chao, who led a rebellion that caused bloodshed throughout the land. It can be said that he trampled the bones of nobles and officials on the streets of heaven."
"The fragrance of incense fills Chang'an, and the whole city is adorned with golden armor."
Zhou Sheng recited this famous anti-Chinese poem and lamented, "The Huang Chao Rebellion killed eight million people, which corresponds to eight million evil spirits who escaped from hell. Normally, he should have retired successfully and returned to the sacred mountain, but unfortunately... something unexpected happened."
Old Ghost suddenly laughed, a hoarse and rough laugh with an indescribable sinister quality.
"Yes, something unexpected happened, which is why I, this old ghost, have been able to live until now, and even suppress its corpse for a thousand years."
"Now that you know my origins and the identity of the immortal corpse in this coffin, why do you still want to buy it?"
"purchase."
"One million eight hundred thousand strings of cash for incense offerings."
Old Ghost suddenly uttered this number, which startled Zhou Sheng.
This was exactly the amount of incense money he had left. The other party used this as the price to tell him that there were some things he was also aware of.
"it is good."
Without any hesitation, Zhou Sheng agreed. He took out Zhong Kui's gourd and poured out the mountain of incense money.
I was worried that there wouldn't be enough room, but no matter how much incense money I offered, it all vanished without a trace, as if I had fallen into another world.
Even after all the incense money had been spent, the house was still spotless, with not a single copper coin to be seen.
"Therefore, this coffin, and the corpse inside, are all yours."
After saying this, the old ghost slowly stood up. But as soon as he stood up, the coffin began to tremble, and strands of immortal light shone through the cracks. One could even vaguely hear some strange roar.
"Of course, I must also remind you, Your Excellency, that this immortal corpse is not so easy to control. If it is allowed to wreak havoc on the world, then it will not be my responsibility." The old ghost watched from the sidelines as the coffin lid became increasingly loose, showing no intention of intervening.
dong dong!
dong dong!
Just as the coffin lid was about to be forced open, a sword's cry suddenly rang out, and after the dazzling sword light, there was the calm after the storm had subsided.
A precious sword was placed on the coffin lid.
The sword is three feet long, with an ebony scabbard. It is ancient and restrained, exuding a Taoist charm. Wisps of purple aura emanate from it, like the rising sun and the sky filled with rosy clouds.
As soon as the sword appeared, the surrounding temperature rose rapidly, and an invisible heat wave quietly spread.
The coffin quickly returned to calm.
The Pure Yang Divine Sword, containing the power of the Golden Crow and the essence of the Great Sun, is most effective against all evil spirits and demons. Combined with Zhou Sheng's magical power, even the astonishingly powerful immortal corpse in the coffin was temporarily suppressed.
"In that case, I shall take my leave."
Zhou Sheng waved his hand, used Zhong Kui's gourd to collect the coffin, and then turned and left.
One deal turned him from being incredibly wealthy to penniless, and it would be difficult for him to squander money like that again, but Zhou Sheng did not regret it.
Because within this immortal corpse lay a treasure of extraordinary importance to him.
Whether one can break through the bottleneck and successfully overcome the tribulation depends on this one move.
Zhou Sheng knew that only by transcending tribulation could one truly enter the ranks of the world's top experts. Without mastering the corresponding Great Dao, no matter how high one's cultivation level was, one would still suffer losses in a real fight.
He had sparred with his master before. Although his cultivation was slightly better than his master's, he was quickly defeated when his master unleashed the Great Dao of Dharma.
To defeat a formidable foe like Yama, mastering one's own path is of paramount importance.
……
Back in the courtyard, Zhou Sheng put away his mask, took out the golden nanmu coffin, stared at it for a moment, and then began to set up the formation.
The formation he set up was the Nine Nether Corpse Suppression Formation from the "Innate Formation Diagram," with the Taiji Corpse Suppression Stone, the Eight Wind Thunder and Fire Pillars, the Yu Step Dragon Locking Chain, and the Big Dipper Corpse Poison Sand as its core treasures. Legend has it that it was the great formation used by Chisongzi in ancient times to suppress drought demons.
The array diagram came from the Bodhisattva's treasury, and the rare treasures needed to set up the array were what Zhou Sheng had been searching for over the years using the Luoshu (a magical book).
He had been planning for this day for a long time.
After the formation was set up, he reached out and took the Pure Yang Divine Sword. This time, the coffin was empty, but very quiet, without the slightest abnormality.
The grand formation has already taken effect. Even a thousand-year-old drought demon can be suppressed in a short time. No matter how powerful this immortal corpse is, it cannot break through this formation.
Just to be on the safe side, Zhou Sheng did not put away the divine sword, but instead hung it on the wall next to him, with the blade facing the coffin.
The divine sword suppresses demons; under the oppressive power of its sword aura, even the most wicked dare not act rashly.
Furthermore, if any unforeseen circumstances arise, the divine sword can issue a warning or be drawn to subdue demons.
After completing all the preparations, Zhou Sheng took a deep breath, reached out, and slowly pushed open the lid of the coffin.
In an instant, countless beams of immortal light burst forth, blinding him.
...(End of this chapter)