Forbidden Ground: The Hundred Emperors Pagoda (Part One)

The spiritual energy in the heart of the Hundred Emperors Tomb is so dense that it becomes tangible. The smoky spiritual energy even reduces visibility to less than ten meters. The Dragon Qi Crystal born in this smog have an ineffable benefit to cultivation.

Naturally, the competition for the Dragon Qi Crystal was fierce, with numerous contests taking place. The Dragon Phoenix Ranking, which gathered talented Cultivator from the Thirteen Commanderies of the Great Qin Empire, truly resembled a battle between geniuses in the Hundred Emperors Tomb hinterland.

"Ding! You have gained 300,000 Experience Points."

"Ding! You have gained 350,000 Experience Points."

"Ding! Gained 280,000 Experience Points..."

Deeper into the Hundred Emperors Tomb hinterland, with Mo Wentian providing support, Zhuge Xiang and his companion successfully deceived many so-called Righteous Path Cultivator, reaping a rich Dragon Qi Crystal. Zhuge Xiang was not one to waste time; he would take out the Dragon Qi Crystal he collected each day and consume them, converting them into Experience Points.

Dragon Qi Crystal are formed from the condensation of spiritual energy. Although they can enhance cultivation, this method of cultivation that relies on external forces cannot be continued indefinitely. Due to the limitations of his physical body, Zhuge Xiang can only absorb about ten Dragon Qi Crystal each day, and the rest can only be kept on his person.

However, ten Dragon Qi Crystal would amount to roughly 3 million Experience Points. In just a few days, Zhuge Xiang, through battle and with the help of the Dragon Qi Crystal, raised his cultivation to the Fifth Layer of Spell Control Stage in one go.

The Hundred Emperors Tomb, though only a few hundred miles in circumference, was carried on the back of the Undying Great Roc. The area within the Hundred Emperors Tomb hinterland, shrouded in dense spiritual energy, was only a few dozen miles in circumference. After traveling for several days, Zhuge Xiang and Mo Yan quickly arrived at the very center of the Hundred Emperors Tomb.

Perhaps due to the Dragon Qi Crystal collected over the past few days, coupled with the fact that many Cultivators have been absorbing spiritual energy for cultivation in the Hundred Emperors Tomb, the smoke formed from the spiritual energy has gradually thinned out considerably.

"Look, the Hundred Emperors Pagoda, we've arrived at the heart of the Hundred Emperors Tomb' Mausoleum," Mo Wentian said, pointing into the distance.

Indeed, although the view is obstructed in the Hundred Emperors Tomb hinterland and one cannot see very far, the Hundred Emperors Tomb's Mausoleum itself can be clearly seen from several miles away.

The Hundred Emperors Pagoda, standing over a hundred feet tall with ninety-nine stories, is said to bury a member of the royal family of one of the Six Nations on each floor. It stands at the very center of the Hundred Emperors Tomb, like a Sky-Supporting Pillar. However, the Hundred Emperors Tomb is also the resting place of the Six Nations Imperial Clans, and it is Forbidden Ground that must not be disturbed.

The Hundred Emperors Tomb is a journey of treasure hunting and adventure. The Hundred Emperors Pagoda is the burial place of a hundred royals. What kind of burial goods are inside? Naturally, it arouses curiosity. However, the Hundred Emperors Pagoda is a Forbidden Ground area. It is said that since the birth of the Hundred Emperors Tomb' Tomb, many Cultivators have rushed into the Hundred Emperors Pagoda one after another to search for treasures. However, no one has ever come out alive. Therefore, over time, the Hundred Emperors Pagoda has become Forbidden Ground, and no one dares to enter.

Suddenly, he heard a series of wolf howls and the powerful, masculine chanting of Buddhist hymns. Zhuge Xiang used to the numerous battles in the Hundred Emperors Tomb, but after taking a few steps forward, a familiar and graceful figure appeared in front of him amidst the spiritual mist, causing him to pause slightly.

A man dressed in monk's robes wielded a Vajra Demon-Subduing Staff, his movements powerful and awe-inspiring, even accompanied by chanting. Occasionally, as he raised his hand, Buddhist Sect mantras could be seen being unleashed.

Before him stood a veiled girl, struggling and clearly being suppressed. The girl exuded a strong Demonic Qi, and in terms of attributes, she was completely subdued by the monk.

This girl was none other than Leng Ningxiang, Cold Wolf Leng Ningxiang Canghai Commandery, whom Zhuge Xiang knew. Although her attribute was countered, her cultivation at the first level of the Spell Control Stage was not weak. Looking at the monk with surprise, Zhuge Xiang discovered that his strength was even greater, reaching the Fifth Layer of Spell Control Stage. No wonder Leng Ningxiang was also countered by him.

"Let's make our move, another fat sheep has arrived." As fellow Cultivator from Canghai Commandery, in the Hundred Emperors Tomb hinterland, it's essential for all friends to stick together to avoid being bullied. Therefore, Zhuge Xiang prepared to take action and whispered a reminder to Mo Wentian beside him.

Nodding, Mo Wentian disguised himself well, transforming into a monk. Zhuge Xiang, similarly, used his Appearance Ring to transform his own power attribute into the extremely strong and yang Buddhist Power. Then the two walked over.

"Amitābha Buddha, may I ask which temple this master is from? I am Fa Wu of Fahua Temple, and this is a lay disciple of Heavenly Dragon Temple, whose Dharma name is Mi Nan," Mo Wentian said, stepping forward and bowing to the monk who was fighting with Leng Ningxiang.

"Fahua Temple? Fa Wu?" Upon hearing Mo Wentian's words, the monk turned around, sized up Mo Wentian and Zhuge Xiang, and then returned the greeting, saying, "My Dharma name Kongming. Greetings to both of you."

"Mi Nan?" Zhuge Xiang's aura had changed, but his appearance remained the same, so Leng Ningxiang recognized him at a glance. Hearing Mo Wentian's explanation, Leng Ningxiang looked at Zhuge Xiang with some surprise.

"The three of us are all connected to Buddhism; how about we travel together?" Zhuge Xiang and Mo Wentian, having already amassed countless Cultivator through their charade of disguising themselves as Righteous Path Buddhist Sect disciples, readily extended an invitation to the Kongming.

"Of course," Kongming readily agreed to Mo Wentian's invitation, nodding Mo Wentian.

After a brief hesitation, Kongming continued, "However, I have several junior brothers who are currently exorcising Exorcise Demon nearby. Since both of you are Buddhist Sect disciples, it would be good to take this opportunity to introduce you to my junior brothers."

"This is a good thing!" Upon hearing this, Kongming and several of his fellow disciples, Mo Wentian, were overjoyed. They never expected that fishing would result in catching a whole series of fish.

He put away the Vajra Demon-Subduing Staff, Kongming's mouth came a series of deep and profound Sanskrit chants that carried far. He was obviously using this method to contact his junior brother. After waiting for about Half a Tea Interval of tea's time, several people indeed arrived. However, upon seeing these people, Zhuge Xiang's brows furrowed slightly, and he instinctively sensed that something was amiss.

Four people emerged, two men and two women, all at the level of the Spell Control Stage. More importantly, none of them were dressed as Buddhist Sect disciples. As they approached, the four of them subtly surrounded Zhuge Xiang, Mo Wentian, and even Leng Ningxiang standing nearby.

"Master Kongming, could these people also be your friends?" Although Mo Wentian wisdom was unquestionable. He naturally sensed that something was wrong, and his heart grew heavy, but his face remained calm as he asked the question with a natural expression.

"Indeed, these are all my friends. Please forgive my presumptuous words. In fact, I have no junior brother here at the Hundred Emperors Tomb," Kongming said, bowing Kongming.

"Master, what do you mean by this? We are both monks, and we both believe in Buddha. Do you intend to harm me?" Now, all pretense of civility has been laid bare, Mo Wentian asked Kongming in a Kongming voice.

"You all worship Buddha? I'd like to ask you, who exactly are you?!" Kongming voice, clearly disbelieving that Mo Wentian was a Buddhist Sect disciple.

"Master Kongming, what's wrong? Who are they?" The leader of the four Cultivators, a man at the Third Layer of Spell Control Stage, asked Kongming.

He waved his hand, not in a hurry to answer the Cultivator's words. His Kongming eyes were fixed on Mo Wentian. Before he could answer, he continued, "It seems you haven't asked me where I come from yet. My Dharma name Kongming, and I come from Fahua Temple."

"...", Zhuge Xiang's face stiffened slightly, and he was at a loss for words.

Mo Wentian disguised himself as a monk, claiming his name was Fa Wu and that he came from Fahua Temple. Now, he finally realized where the problem lay. This Kongming was actually a genuine monk from Fahua Temple. It was no wonder that a fake would be exposed when he met the real deal.

Mo Wentian was dumbfounded, and finally realized why the other party had immediately gathered so many friends.

"Fellow Daoists, they have disguised themselves as disciples of Fahua Temple, they must have other intentions. I ask for your help to capture them and find out the reason," Kongming said, bowing to the four Cultivator he had summoned. Regardless of why Mo Wentian would pretend to be a disciple of Fahua Temple, the important thing is to capture him first and then question him carefully.

"You're too kind, Master." Kongming's reputation in their county was obviously very high. Several Cultivator hurriedly returned the greeting. Then, they stared at Zhuge Xiang and Mo Wentian and attacked together. Zhuge Xiang, in particular, was a cultivator at the Spell Control Stage, so he was naturally more threatening than Mo Wentian, who was at the Divine Ability Stage Fifth Layer.

Since the other side had already made the first move, how could Zhuge Xiang and the others sit idly by and wait to die? They had been exposed, and this Kongming fellow had actually tricked them, gathering several genius Cultivator to turn against them instead.

Leng Ningxiang also made a move, naturally to help Zhuge Xiang and the others. With her cultivation level, plus the Demon Wolf Secret Art and the Wolf King Possession, although she was suppressed when dealing with Kongming, she was more than capable of dealing with other Cultivator at the Spell Control Stage. In fact, she even managed to entangle two of them in one go.

Mo Wentian also removed his disguise, revealing his demonic aura. However, his cultivation at the Divine Ability Stage Fifth Layer was completely suppressed by another woman at the first level of the Spell Control Stage.

"Hmph, so you're just a villain from the demonic path, trying to disguise yourself as a Righteous Path Cultivator," Kongming said with a cold snort as he saw Mo Wentian transform from an enlightened monk into Demonic Path Cultivator in an instant.

As they were speaking, Kongming made his move, joining forces with another Cultivator at the Third Layer of Spell Control Stage to attack Zhuge Xiang.

"There are quite a few of them, but they are far from enough to kill me." Seeing Kongming, who was at the Fifth Layer of Spell Control Stage, and another cultivator at the Third Layer of Spell Control Stage besieging him, Zhuge Xiang was not afraid of fighting, but instead his blood was boiling.

Since deception is unacceptable, a forceful action will suffice. After all, Zhuge Xiang himself is Cultivator at the Fifth Layer of Spell Control Stage, so there's nothing to fear. (To be continued.)