The Nightmare Wood Talisman that Chen Shi had left on the fortune teller would erupt after three hours if left untouched.
If soone attempted to undo the talisman but used the wrong thod, it would activate imdiately.
The talisman master from the Mountain-Moving Clan, who had just been here, was nad Huo Shanting. He was also a long-renowned talisman master within the Mountain-Moving Clan. When the clan was tomb raiding and encountered tombs protected by talisman arrays, or guarded by ans like zombie traps, they would always invite him to break them.
He had also been a scholar in his early years, passing the provincial examinations to beco a provincial graduate. However, after waiting five or six years, the court never gave him an official post, so he remained idle at ho.
But he still needed to make a living, so he delved into talismans, becoming a talisman master and traveling far and wide. His own talisman mastery grew increasingly higher.
Yet being a talisman master didn't earn much money. By chance, he ca into contact with the Mountain-Moving Clan. The clan's gentlen invited him to act a few tis. Seeing how quickly the money ca, Huo Shanting joined the Mountain-Moving Clan.
He had dabbled in both the Northern and Southern Schools of talismans. Among them, he had studied the Southern School Talismans to the fourth grade, with so understanding of the third grade as well.
Although he wasn't proficient in the Nightmare Wood Talisman, he assud all talismans under heaven followed the sa basic principles. Moreover, the person who cast the talisman and curse was a twelve or thirteen-year-old child. Even if they had been cultivating talismans since the womb, how deep could their mastery be?
Unexpectedly, the mont he tried to break the Nightmare Wood Talisman, his first stroke was wrong, triggering the talisman's power.
This talisman was called Nightmare Wood. As the na implied, it was a tree that could make people have nightmares.
Chen Shi had planted the talisman on the fortune teller. Using the fortune teller as its seed, it took root and sprouted. In an instant, the fortune teller's physical body and Nascent Soul were completely absorbed, becoming the first human devoured by the Nightmare Wood!
Huo Shanting was the second.
He had no ti to escape before a branch pierced through the back of his head, imdiately plunging him into a deep sleep and entering a nightmare.
That shout earlier was rely him forcing himself awake from the nightmare, discovering this strange tree had pierced his brain and was sucking his brain matter, letting out a single cry of despair.
Then, he entered another nightmare.
The Nightmare Wood connected to one human body after another. Anyone connected to it would involuntarily fall into nightmares. The scenes they feared most in their lives would appear in their dreams.
The dreams it created were interconnected.
The dreams of different people would link together. The more people it connected to, the more terrifying the nightmares beca. Injuries suffered in the nightmares would affect both spirit and body.
In the end, everyone connected to the Nightmare Wood would die in one nightmare after another.
Even if they didn't die in this nightmare, there would be another, until death.
The Nightmare Wood relied on these connected individuals as nutrients, continuously absorbing their fear and nightmares, drawing power from their physical bodies and spirits to strengthen itself.
It did not take root in the earth; its earth was human bodies, one after another.
Trees take root in the earth because the earth contains nutrients and water. The Nightmare Wood taking root in human bodies followed the sa principle.
What made it different from other trees was that it would actively seek out humans, capturing and connecting them one by one, turning them into its own nourishnt.
It could move, and its speed was extrely fast.
Right now, it was swiftly moving through the Mountain-Moving Clan's Carriage Capital branch headquarters, breaking through a wall from the front hall and killing its way to the White Tiger Hall.
In the White Tiger Hall were over ten skilled mbers of the Mountain-Moving Clan. So summoned their Golden Cores and Nascent Souls, others activated talisman objects and talisman-weapons, while so, in panic, leaped into the air.
The Nightmare Wood's root tendrils were like incredibly nimble tentacles, rapidly moving across the ground, climbing onto walls, moving across walls with astonishing speed. Carrying person after person with tubes inserted into the backs of their heads, it remained swift as the wind, evading incoming spells, talisman objects, and talisman-weapons.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"
Its branches, one after another, pierced with perfect accuracy into the backs of the cultivators' heads!
Those dozen-plus cultivators whose heads were touched by its branches would imdiately fall into dreams, experiencing various terrifying nightmares.
They beca like ragdolls hanging from the tree's branches, moving along with the Nightmare Wood.
This strange tree charged out of the White Tiger Hall, into the corridor of the rear garden, broke through the corridor roof, leaped onto the roof, and raced across it. Carrying a hundred or so Mountain-Moving Clan cultivators, it still ran with incredible speed.
Its branches grew wildly, chasing after other Mountain-Moving Clan cultivators.
Cultivator after cultivator was pierced through the brain, then lifted by the branches, dancing in the air.
With each person connected, the Nightmare Wood absorbed nutrients and would grow rapidly, sprouting more root tendrils and branches from the back of that person's head, thereby allowing it to capture even more people.
For a ti, chaos reigned throughout the branch headquarters. Mountain-Moving Clan mbers fled everywhere, yet before running far, they would suddenly shudder, freeze in place, fall into a deep sleep, and then be lifted by this tree.
The Nightmare Wood's form grew larger and larger, more and more cultivators hanging from its branches.
Although this thing was not a demon, rely a Spirit-level creation, its strength increased with terrifying speed. An ordinary Nascent Soul realm cultivator couldn't withstand a single strike from it before being captured!
Baili Mu was both shocked and furious. He flew into the air, arriving above the Nightmare Wood, snorted coldly, and raised his hand to press down with a mountain-like spell!
At that mont, on that Nightmare Wood, the hundred or so Golden Core realm and Nascent Soul realm cultivators opened their eyes simultaneously, staring at Baili Mu. Their eyes were snow-white, without any pupils.
They all raised their hands at the sa ti, erupting with magic power to et Baili Mu's strike!
A dull sound erupted in the air. The cultivators hanging from the Nightmare Wood were shaken until their bones broke and tendons snapped, their limbs popping and exploding one after another, all becoming mutilated and incomplete.
But Baili Mu's Dragon-Shaking Scripture spell was still forcefully blocked!
Most of the cultivators on the Nightmare Wood were damaged and could no longer withstand his next move.
However, for a creation ford from a single talisman to withstand a strike from a Divine Descent realm expert was an achievent that left people gasping in astonishnt!
Around Baili Mu's body, mountains seed to coil like dragons. He pushed out a palm.
The Nightmare Wood crackled and exploded into pieces. Yet the cultivators hanging from its branches stared straight at Baili Mu, smiles appearing on their faces, speaking in unison: "So you are the Sect Leader of the Mountain-Moving Clan? Your thods are indeed extraordinary. Chen Shi of Xinxiang pays his respects."
"Boom!"
Baili Mu's palm force pressed down, shattering the Nightmare Wood.
On the ground, corpses lay scattered in all directions.
Baili Mu retracted his stance, took a step forward, his face dark.
His Dragon-Shaking Scripture spells were incredibly powerful, but they were incomplete. The Dragon-Shaking Scripture the Young Master had gifted him was also incomplete, making his spells too crude and difficult to control with finesse.
He had shattered the Nightmare Wood but couldn't guarantee not harming those controlled by it.
However, even if his spells were exquisitely detailed and he saved these people, they wouldn't survive.
Because they were in the dream. The death of the Nightmare Wood was the greatest nightmare. With the nightmare collapsing, everyone controlled by the dream would die.
Last ti in the underworld, when Chen Shi seized the treasure, he hadn't gone on a killing spree, only injuring a few dozen of them.
But this ti, Chen Shi's Nightmare Wood Talisman had charged into their Carriage Capital branch headquarters, killing over a hundred of their people before and after, causing heavy casualties!
This ti, the Mountain-Moving Clan and the Hundred Refinents Hall had brought over thirteen hundred people in total, with the Hundred Refinents Hall contributing over three hundred. The rest were skilled mbers of the Mountain-Moving Clan.
Because of this one talisman, they had lost one-tenth!
He had ordered people to search everywhere for Chen Shi's whereabouts. Most of these people weren't in the hall. If they had all gathered together and the Nightmare Wood Talisman suddenly activated, the casualties would likely have been in the hundreds!
At that ti, the Nightmare Wood would have beco even stronger!
The Nightmare Wood he had just killed was rely newly born, far from mature.
If it had matured, he wouldn't have been its match either.
What made him even more furious and humiliated was that this Nightmare Wood was clearly controlled by Chen Shi!
Chen Shi had actually controlled those hundred or so Mountain-Moving Clan cultivators, using their mouths to demonstrate his power to him!
Baili Mu looked at the corpses on the ground, his anger boiling: "You stole the sword I was offering to the Young Master, killed so many of my Mountain-Moving Clan mbers. Even if the Emperor of Heaven himself ca, I wouldn't tolerate you! Pass the order! Gather all Mountain-Moving Clan personnel!"
Furious, he roared. The surviving Mountain-Moving Clan disciples hurriedly activated command talismans. A talisman flew into the sky, transforming into a golden, gleaming Luoyang spade.
This was the symbol of the Mountain-Moving Clan. Any clan disciple who saw this golden Luoyang spade had to drop all work and rush to assemble.
Inside and outside Carriage Capital, many Mountain-Moving Clan disciples still searching for Chen Shi all hurried toward the branch headquarters.
Soon, over three hundred skilled mbers gathered at the headquarters. Baili Mu ordered them to prepare various talisman objects and talisman-weapons, ready to set out of the city. As for the others, once gathered, they would be led over by the incense master.
Just then, Carriage Capital's prefectural yan Governor, Gao Chang, arrived leading prefectural troops. With one command, several thousand prefectural soldiers surrounded the Mountain-Moving Clan's headquarters, sealing it tight.
"Is the court going to exterminate my Mountain-Moving Clan?" Baili Mu's heart jumped in alarm. He hurriedly looked at Saintess Xuan.
After all, the Mountain-Moving Clan wasn't an orthodox path; they dealt in capital offenses. If the authorities targeted them, it would likely an annihilation for the entire clan.
Earlier, blinded by rage, he had lost his composure, actually summoning his disciples so openly and grandly. Clearly, the authorities had noticed!
Now, the only one who could save the Mountain-Moving Clan was probably Saintess Xuan.
Saintess Xuan understood his aning and said, "Sect Leader, rest assured. You are the Young Master's person. Xuanxuan will certainly do her utmost to ensure your safety."
Baili Mu felt slightly relieved: "I trouble the Saintess."
The Mountain-Moving Clan was a crooked path, but the Bodhi Monastery was a renowned orthodox sect.
Back when the Three Treasures Eunuch discovered the Western Ox New Continent, the Bodhi Monastery followed the fleet and the first batch of immigrants to this unfamiliar land, promoting Buddhist teachings, subduing demonic creatures, and establishing illustrious military achievents.
After most of the Western Ox New Continent's demonic creatures were subdued, the Bodhi Monastery, the Water Moon Holy Land, and the Great Bao Guo Temple were enshrined as the New Continent's three great Buddhist holy lands.
Saintess Xuan hailed from the Bodhi Monastery. She was a woman who had taken vows while keeping her hair, holding a lofty position revered as the Bodhi Saintess. Presumably, the authorities would give her so face.
At that mont, Governor Gao Chang walked forward alone, waving for his entourage to step back.
"Uncle Gao, long ti no see." Saintess Xuan stepped forward to greet him, smiling.
Governor Gao Chang originally had a stern face. Seeing her, his expression relaxed, and he smiled: "Saintess Xuan is also here. What a coincidence. How is the Young Master?"
Saintess Xuan smiled shyly: "Uncle Gao, Xuan'er is from the Bodhi Monastery, not the Young Master's personal maid. Why ask about the Young Master as soon as we et?"
Governor Gao Chang laughed heartily: "Saintess, you and the Young Master are so close, it's hard for Gao not to misunderstand. I'm still waiting to drink your wedding wine!"
He glanced at Baili Mu, who had walked up, and his face imdiately turned gloomy again.
Baili Mu's heart thumped wildly. He hurried forward, went down on one knee, and saluted: "This commoner, Baili Mu, pays respects to Minister Gao!"
His cultivation realm was similar to Governor Gao Chang's, both at the Divine Descent realm, but their statuses were vastly different.
Gao Chang had the backing of the Gao Family, one of the Thirteen Great Clans, representing the court. No sect could contend with any of the great clans, not even the three great Buddhist holy lands!
Though Baili Mu's cultivation was high, facing a behemoth like the Gao Family, if the other party lifted a finger, the Mountain-Moving Clan would likely be wiped out.
Saintess Xuan said with a smile, "Uncle Gao, Sect Leader Baili is a capable person under the Young Master."
Gao Chang shook his head: "I know he's the Young Master's man. Otherwise, the mont they entered the city, I would have arrested and beheaded them."
Baili Mu bowed his head, not daring to speak.
Gao Chang continued: "The reason you can operate in Carriage Capital is because this prefect, considering the Young Master's face, turns a blind eye. But if you want to cause trouble and kill people in my Carriage Capital, this prefect cannot tolerate it. Baili Mu, Carriage Capital city is not a place for you to run wild. If you want to cause trouble, go cause trouble outside."
Baili Mu argued: "Minister, it wasn't our Mountain-Moving Clan taking action in Carriage Capital. It was soone else killing our Mountain-Moving Clan people in Carriage Capital..."
"I don't care."
Gao Chang said indifferently, "Within a hundred li of Carriage Capital, the Mountain-Moving Clan may not seek revenge. All grudges must wait until the other party is a hundred li away from Carriage Capital."
Baili Mu was filled with stifled anger, thinking: "Governor Gao insists I must be a hundred li away from Carriage Capital before taking action. Is he mocking for being surnad Baili (Hundred Li)?"
Saintess Xuan smiled: "Sect Leader Baili, aren't you going to thank the Minister?"
"This commoner thanks the Minister!" Baili Mu bowed deeply from the waist.
Gao Chang saw he had been half-kneeling earlier but now bowed directly from the waist, inwardly complaining he didn't understand proper conduct.
However, he couldn't be bothered to care.
"This prefect's words end here. The Mountain-Moving Clan should be careful not to approach within a hundred li of Carriage Capital. Otherwise, this prefect will definitely execute without rcy!"
Gao Chang tossed out this sentence and walked away.
Saintess Xuan quickly followed, smiling: "Uncle Gao, let see you off."
Gao Chang smiled: "I dare not. Saintess, please."
Saintess Xuan walked side by side with him, speaking softly: "Uncle Gao coming here this ti to reprimand Sect Leader Baili must have another reason."
Gao Chang sighed, not hiding it: "Soone from Shuikou Village ca to report a cri, saying a murder occurred in their village. The perpetrator was Chen Shi of Qianyang Mountain in Xinxiang, the provincial graduate from two provinces. Hearing this, I knew things were bad, so I rushed here to stop Baili Mu from seeking revenge against Chen Shi."
His expression turned grave: "Does the Saintess know Provincial Graduate Chen's background?"
Saintess Xuan gave a shallow smile: "He seized the Young Master's magic treasure, the Dark Spring Swimming Dragon Sword, in the underworld. I didn't know his origins, so I contacted my master. My master told so things about him."
Gao Chang said: "You should know about the Gongzhou demonic transformation. That demonic transformation was triggered by him. My entire family's life and fortune are tied to Carriage Capital. I don't want Carriage Capital to beco another Gongzhou. The Young Master, I can't afford to offend. Provincial Graduate Chen of Xinxiang, I also can't afford to offend. So I have to ask you to leave Carriage Capital by a hundred li."
He smiled slightly: "Once you leave Carriage Capital, do whatever you want."
He stopped walking: "Saintess Xuan, you are a talent cultivated by the Bodhi Monastery. Your master should have already told you how dangerous Chen Shi of Xinxiang is. The struggle between Taboos, Saintess, it's best not to wade in, lest you get burned."
Saintess Xuan gave a faint smile: "Uncle's kind intention, Xuan'er appreciates it. I bear no malice toward Young Master Chen and will not take action against him."
Gao Chang said: "That is for the best."
He ordered the troops to withdraw and left first.
Saintess Xuan watched him go into the distance, murmuring softly: "Although Young Master Chen is also a Taboo, he is rely a commoner, while the Young Master is the one who holds the world's destiny. When the Young Master gains power and aims for the world, my Bodhi Monastery will then be a ritorious supporter of the true dragon."
What could Chen Shi possibly bring to the Bodhi Monastery?
At that mont, soone ca to report, shouting: "Sect Leader! Sect Leader! Chen Shi has entered the city and is coming this way!"
Saintess Xuan's heart thumped wildly, blood rushing to her head: "This man has such nerve!"
Audacious and reckless!
Utterly brazen!
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