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

Picture a scenario where Immortal Ruins Guests get tossed into Mingxi Town, oblivious to the eerie "One-Day Reincarnation" event.

Fascinating events would surely unfold!

In that crowd, certain individuals would attempt to launch preemptive strikes on fellow Immortal Ruins Guests, much like the mighty warrior Su Heihu.

Extending this line of thought, if Su Heihu pulls off the attack and lasts until "tomorrow," he'll hunt down more victims to assault.

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

If he ends up as the final one alive, he'd keep cycling through rebirths in the town until fresh Immortal Ruins Guests show up.

That kicks off another brutal round of slaughters.

But why assume Su Heihu is the sole "killer"?

Drawing from the timeless traditions of the Cultivation World, Zhao Sheng quickly figures that these "killers" come in numbers.

Consequently, each batch of arrivals probably sparks a wave of bloodshed in Mingxi Town.

Over endless ages, these bloodbaths have cycled without end, yet the Immortal Ruins Guests who escape this town alive number barely any.

No, the odds of making it out successfully hover near nothing.

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

Without the Hundred Generations Book, other Immortal Ruins Guests remain blind to the town's "day" looping endlessly or its horrifying nature.

The modest, shadowed vessel glides leisurely down the river, and Zhao Sheng, nestled within the cabin, abruptly feels a chill of sweat.

Right then, he's pieced it together, sensing that Mingxi Town conceals a "monster"—some twisted being that endured countless savage loops, emerging as the supreme 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 eliminate Zhao Sheng, since each rebirth swells the "edge" he gains.

In dire straits, hiding remains an option, right?

Once his true identity comes to light, dodging their chase turns simple as can be.

Though this reasoning stays as guesswork for the moment, Zhao Sheng relies on his hunch, convinced the "monster" almost certainly lurks among the townsfolk.

And the Ten Kings Temple probably serves as its most common haunt.

Since...

...

Ten miles beyond Mingxi Town rises a grand temple compound with crimson walls and golden roofs; it features three expanding courtyards front to back, plus sixteen halls covering about two acres.

This spot boasts the strongest flow of worshippers in Mingxi Town: the Ten Kings Temple.

With the sun high overhead, Zhao Sheng strides down the dirt trail and soon reaches the gateway.

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

Appearances deceive!

Moments later, he sighs in disappointment and advances to the main entrance.

As his foot hits the third stair, a figure suddenly steps out from inside.

Zhao Sheng locks eyes with the stranger, both pausing briefly without meaning to.

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, looks at Zhao Sheng, and politely remarks, "Would you mind letting me through, my friend?"

"Oh, sorry!" The words jolt Zhao Sheng alert; he moves aside, shifting two steps right to clear the way.

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

Watching the figure depart, Zhao Sheng looks 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 incense burner in the middle, packed with many 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 back courtyards hold more shrines with King Yan effigies.

Local ancient records reveal this realm embraces the Wheel of Hell idea, ruled by the Ten Kings across infernal realms, revered as the ten lords of the Underworld.

Upon hearing of a Ten Kings Temple near the town, Zhao Sheng instantly viewed it as a crucial site.

His past brushes with the Six Paths of Reincarnation made ignoring it unthinkable.

Fellow Immortal Ruins Guests share that pull, so crossing the threshold, Zhao Sheng stayed on quiet alert.

A quick scan captures the entire scene around him.

Now, the temple buzzes with at least twenty devotees burning incense.

The majority sport blank foreheads, just ordinary folk. But a handful draw his notice.

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

By the censer, a woman in red attire places incense sticks, cradling a three- or four-year-old boy. The kid looks frail, donning a tiny red hat shaped like a tiger's head.

Clearly, the boy 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 before he directs it to the east hall.