Chapter 355: Chapter 156: Witnessing Equaling Heaven Rewards the Spirit Monkey Mask, Divine Eye Sees No More Huaguo Mountain [Seeking Monthly Ticket]
Li Che’s eyes narrowed slightly.
His brow felt increasingly hot, as the “Star Plucking Pupil” Divine Skill involuntarily activated.
The Star Plucking Pupil, [breaking down everything, absorbing souls, discerning truth from illusion, quelling evil and punishing the wicked]!
In Li Che’s eyes, no evil could hide or escape detection; everything was visible to the Star Plucking Pupil.
Therefore, Li Che had never doubted the judgment of the Star Plucking Pupil.
In his view, the serene Heart Monkey Temple amidst the snowstorm became ghastly and ghostly in an instant.
This was definitely not a problem with his eyesight.
It must be that there was something wrong with the Heart Monkey Temple.
Li Che furrowed his brows.
Or could it be that ghosts were hidden within the Heart Monkey Temple?
Beyond that…
"Could it be related to the Corpse God Cult?”
Li Che’s heart stirred.
He couldn’t help but think of this possibility, and verifying it wouldn’t be difficult.
The Chess Saint Taoist Fruit in his chest throbbed, and the next moment, his mind sank into the Heaven and Earth chessboard.
The chessboard cast a vast net that enveloped heaven and earth in an instant, shrouding the ghostly Heart Monkey Temple within it.
After that, Li Che’s spirit floated within the Heaven and Earth chessboard, and he flicked his fingers lightly upon the Seven Elements Corpse Curse Mark, which was already mostly refined.
An Immaculate Heart Taoist Fruit collided with it violently and exploded abruptly!
Then came a second one…
It was like an ancient bell being struck with force!
Suddenly, invisible black ripples like bell waves began to spread from the center of Li Che’s body, constantly expanding…
Like a black tide, they spread toward the Heart Monkey Temple and then, under Li Che’s odd gaze.
Under the coercion of heaven and earth, one after another, dense Corpse Curse Marks burst forth from the Heart Monkey Temple.
Even Li Che couldn’t help being taken aback.
Li Che suddenly understood where all those high-ranking members of the Corpse God Cult who had evacuated Mansion City had hidden.
So it turned out…
They were all hiding within this temple?
Of course…
The Heart Monkey Temple might just be one of the Corpse God Cult’s stronghold outside Mansion City.
But isn’t that… fortuitous?
Li Che laughed.
He was not only unafraid, but he became even more excited.
His heart could hardly resist rubbing its hands together in anticipation.
One could say, “No need for extensive searching, the prize is found by chance.”
Li Che slowly dispersed the Heaven and Earth chessboard, withdrew his mind, and the burning Star Plucking Pupil once again returned to stillness.
"Gong Shaojian, this Heart Monkey Temple… isn’t it said to be an offshoot of the once-glorious Equal Heaven Temple?”
Li Che asked, turning the topic to the Heart Monkey Temple.
Upon hearing this, Gong Yunli scoffed disdainfully, “The Heart Monkey Temple is simply trying to gold-plate its own face. During its prime, Equal Heaven Temple was a gargantuan entity that spanned the six paths and twelve provinces, and it wasn’t exaggerated to call it the number one sect in the world ŗãNƟΒЁs̩
"Although it has declined and split due to the uprising at the Mysterious Temple, coupled with human interference, resulting in its division into three major sects
"In reality, the three major sect temples only share a superficial origin with Equal Heaven Temple.”
"Equal Heaven Temple was very strong, but the three sects… too weak.”
"From this comparison alone, it’s clear… the loss of the sect’s lineage is too severe,” Gong Yunli said.
"Sects and the Imperial Court are different, sects place great importance on their lineage; a lineage that lasts for a thousand years is not just talk.”
Li Che nodded.
Equal Heaven Temple was an enormous entity that encompassed the six paths and twelve provinces, but what was the Heart Monkey Temple?
It was nothing more than a minor faction under the jurisdiction of Lingnan Circuit in Golden Light Prefecture.
The weak have their own sorrow.
If the Heart Monkey Temple was not colluding with the Corpse God Cult, there was only one possibility—that the Corpse God Cult had utterly subverted the weak Heart Monkey Temple.
Regardless of which it was, it wasn’t good news.
Li Che and Gong Yunli didn’t chat much more, as the carriage convoy shattered the snowstorm and slowly entered the vast plaza in front of the Heart Monkey Temple.
Li Che and Gong Yunli alighted from the carriage as the wind and snow howled.
Gongyang Liancheng came over and joined Gong Yunli.
Li Che and the other Woodcarving Masters stood quietly in the line, silently waiting for Gongyang Liancheng and Gong Yunli’s arrangements.
To go to the Fire-Eye Mystical Awe Spirit Monkey Temple, they needed the two to lead the way.
Aside from the Eight-Armed Prison Lotus Furious Third Prince’s Sinister Temple at the Four Imperials Level, the Golden Light Prefecture also had two major Eight Extremes Guaiyi Temples—the Fire-Eye Mystical Awe Spirit Monkey Temple and the Iron Crutch Happy Mirth Mendicant Temple.
Being Eight Extremes Guaiyi Temples, all were suppressed by the Imperial Court and now under the jurisdiction of the Temple Control Bureau.
To enter the Mysterious Temple, one needs a Temple Entry Order.
Gong Yunli had applied for an entry order from the Temple Control Bureau a few days earlier.
However, the chief representative stationed at the Fire-Eye Mystical Awe Spirit Monkey Temple from the Temple Control Bureau sent back a message that the Mysterious Temple’s Strange Que had been trembling for some days.
Therefore, the date of observing the Temple God was pushed back, and now finally promised.
Gongyang Liancheng’s expression was solemn as he checked the list, then nodded.
"Everyone is here, let’s get ready. We are about to go to the Mysterious Temple to observe the Temple God,”
"For all of you, this is a rare opportunity. Make sure to seize it well.”
Gongyang Liancheng didn’t cower like when he faced Vice Supervisor Lin Xiu; instead, he wielded considerable official authority.
From a distance, two old monks slowly emerged from within the Heart Monkey Temple.
With kind expressions, white eyebrows, and white beards, they were clearly elderly monks.
"Master Xuanli, Grandmaster Xuanyuan
Gongyang Liancheng clasped his fists in salute and greeted the two monks with a warm smile.
"Master Xuanli is the abbot of Heart Monkey Temple. Heart Monkey Temple has been meritorious in assisting the Temple Control Bureau in overseeing the Mysterious Temple; among these, Master Xuanli’s help is indispensable.”