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 chose not to probe further, instead adopting a pensive expression.
Zhao Sheng swiftly composed himself and inquired, “Brother Lin, what's our next move?”
Lin Heng responded, “I'm intending to track down Old Shopkeeper Chen. Brother Zhao, you could investigate the Nameless Tomb instead. We'll split up and share details during 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 go our separate paths for the moment, and reconvene at the Agarwood Restaurant as evening descends—sound good?”
“Agreed!”
…
Beyond the Ten Kings Temple, Zhao Sheng observed Lin Heng's form fading into the horizon, his eyes abruptly turning profoundly intense.
The instant Lin Heng vanished entirely, Zhao Sheng spun 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 he'd slain.
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 the treasure hunt and killings.
That individual had clearly stumbled upon a vital insight, prompting his ruthless deeds.
Plunging into Hell—wasn't it all in pursuit of breaking free from torment, arriving at the Other Shore!
The Yellow Springs Other Shore Painting surely held hints for fleeing this infernal realm!
Right then, a sharp yell burst from the rear courtyard, accompanied by muffled screams of alarm.
Zhao Sheng snapped back to reality, aware that the body inside the temple had been found.
He pivoted and exited the main hall, his eyes scanning the front courtyard square, catching sight of two guards carefully guiding Old Madam Chen toward the back area.
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 check things out.
Zhao Sheng adjusted his plans and marched toward Old Madam Chen.
Seeming to detect the nearing presence, the frail and withered Old Madam Chen whipped her head around, her cloudy gaze sparking with a trace of keenness.
Zhao Sheng drew near steadily, his face unchanging, closing the distance to mere yards in seconds.
At that point, the leftover guard spotted him too and moved to intercept, bellowing loudly, “Halt, stay back—ah!”
His words cut off as a cry escaped him, hands flying to his throat before he collapsed.
Zhao Sheng retracted his hand blade, concealing it up his sleeve, and progressed steadily toward Old Madam Chen.
Old Madam Chen's face grew solemn, her voice quavering with age as she declared, “Taoist, why do you press on so fiercely! I am—center!”
As the term “center” left her lips, a torrent of white hair needles erupted from her locks, morphing into a blinding white glow that targeted Zhao Sheng's key areas.
Zhao Sheng thrust his right arm ahead, summoning a wave of Will from nowhere.
Immediately, the scene halted as if time had stopped, with innumerable tiny white hair needles hovering motionless.
Advancing, his hand blade carved an elusive path, an unseen force swiftly decapitating the foe.
Bang!
The silver-haired head lolled sideways, then thudded onto the earth, her features frozen in stunned denial even in death.
A thrill coursed through Zhao Sheng, feeling his Will ease just a touch.
A pulse of Will extended outward, enveloping a three-yard circle around him in an instant.
With a mere flicker of intent, the earth split quietly into a fissure, swallowing the blood, body, and head, before the soil warped and the gap sealed shut.
With all traces erased, Zhao Sheng lingered instead of fleeing, retreating into the temple to patiently lie in wait.
Meanwhile, the man with the anxious expression rushed back from the backyard, puzzled by the absence of Old Madam Chen and her escorts.
He pondered swiftly and bolted into the eastern temple chamber to look around, but discovered nothing.
Next, he dashed into the Western Hall, spotting no one, even though Zhao Sheng loomed directly in his view—the fretful man appeared oblivious, treating him like invisible mist.
This was simply a basic use of Will Heart Light, a minor feat unworthy of note.
The killing at the Ten Kings Temple swiftly alerted the temple's abbot.
The Qin Temple Priest acted fast, sending messengers to notify the authorities while cordoning off the area.
The anxious-faced man also departed in haste, likely rushing home to alert the rest.
Shortly thereafter, prior to Chief Liu and his team reaching the site, the figures Zhao Sheng anticipated arrived.
The white-robed woman with the mask crossed the temple entrance, her gaze sweeping the square, a flicker of astonishment crossing her eyes at the disarray.
Before she could respond, her form went rigid, ensnared by a potent Will that rendered her immobile.
She felt utter panic, writhing in vain to break free or cry out, but every attempt failed.
The instant after, she twisted sharply, compelled by the sinister Will to stride out through the gates, heading steadily to the riverbank.
Soon, Zhao Sheng reappeared from the riverside, leisurely approaching the Ten Kings Temple.
His footsteps left no imprint on the soil, akin to the fabled art of treading snow tracelessly.
A brief while later, a young lady cradling an infant emerged on the muddy path outside the temple, hurrying toward it.