Master of the Evil Suppressing Pagoda (Part One)

"Oh? Is there anything else the host wants to tell me, young man?" The host's words intrigued Zhuge Xiang, who asked in return.

"Since you are so loyal to the Asura Sect, I will naturally not force you. However, the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound is indeed a secret of my Heavenly Dragon Temple. I wonder if you would be willing to become Guest Elder of my Heavenly Dragon Temple?" Clearly knowing that Zhuge Xiang was unwilling to betray the Asura Sect, he actually compromised and was willing to let Zhuge Xiang become Guest Elder of the Heavenly Dragon Temple.

"Abbot, absolutely not!" Before Zhuge Xiang could answer, several high-ranking monks from Heavenly Dragon Temple changed their expressions drastically and cried out urgently, "How can the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound be taught to Guest Elder?"

"I know what I'm doing, fellow disciples, there's no need for further comment," the abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple said, waving his hand to stop the other monks from speaking. He then turned to Zhuge Xiang and asked, "Well? Fellow Daoist Zhuge, would you be willing to become Guest Elder of my Heavenly Dragon Temple?"

He changed his mind and even changed how he addressed Zhuge Xiang, reverting to calling him "fellow Daoist."

Zhuge Xiang stared blankly at the abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple. He hadn't expected that the abbot would make such a significant concession for the sake of the secrets of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. Regardless, Zhuge Xiang was still very grateful for the abbot's words. He smiled and said, "Since the abbot is so kind, I will accept it without hesitation."

"Alright, from this day forward, Fellow Daoist Zhuge will be Guest Elder of my Heavenly Dragon Temple..." Upon hearing Zhuge Xiang's agreement, the abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple nodded and smiled.

As he spoke, he stretched out his palm, and a ripple of space appeared. Then, nine yellowed scrolls appeared. He then asked Zhuge Xiang, "Fellow Daoist Zhuge, are six, seven, or four of the Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds Scrolls missing?"

Seeing that the abbot had actually brought out the Nine Diagrams of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, the high monks dressed in Crimson Kasaya all looked anxious. Clearly, in their eyes, it was not worth it to release the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Cultivation Technique for a mere Guest Elder. However, seeing that the abbot's mind was made up, they knew that their persuasion would be useless.

"Senior Abbot, since there's nothing more for us to do here, we'll take our leave..." Seeing that Zhuge Xiang and the Abbot were about to begin their discussion and research on the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, the monks dressed in Crimson Kasaya bid farewell and left. Even with their status at Heavenly Dragon Temple, they were not allowed to peek at the Illustrated Chart of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

"Alright, fellow disciples, go back and rest." The abbot nodded and said to the senior monks. Then, the senior monks of Heavenly Dragon Temple left the Great Hall one after another, leaving only Zhuge Xiang and the abbot Great Hall.

"No, what I'm missing are the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth paintings. As for the ninth painting, I've already learned it," Zhuge Xiang said to the abbot after the senior monks had left the Great Hall.

"Oh? You didn't follow the order and learned the Nine Diagrams first?" Zhuge Xiang's words surprised the host.

Although there are no strict requirements on which of the Nine Diagrams in the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound must be learned first, generally speaking, Cultivation Technique should be practiced step by step and in sequence.

"Alright, take a look at these pictures for now. Considering what you gained from forcibly pushing the Cultivation Technique to the highest level last time..." After his initial surprise, the host pushed the four missing pictures in front of Zhuge Xiang and began to speak.

"Hmm," Zhuge Xiang nodded, reached out and opened the four Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram. These four were the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram that Zhuge Xiang was missing.

As the Illustrated Chart unfolded, a series of system notifications rang in Zhuge Xiang's mind: consuming one Skill Point would allow him to learn one of the Cultivation Technique on the Illustrated Chart.

Is there still a choice? This is exactly what Zhuge Xiang has been waiting for. He immediately confirmed it. The continuous prompts pushed Zhuge Xiang's Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Cultivation Technique directly to the highest level of the Ninth Layer. With his Clear-Minded Heart Mirror, Zhuge Xiang had completely Mastery Level and understood the Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds diagrams.

"Abbot, these Illustrated Chart of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound have indeed given me a lot to think about. Now I will tell you about them..." After successfully learning all Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds, Zhuge Xiang calmly began to explain the mysteries of the Nine Diagrams of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound to the Heavenly Dragon Temple Abbot.

Of course, Zhuge Xiang couldn't reveal everything and tell the other party all the secrets; otherwise, wouldn't that make the other party know that he had completely mastered the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound?

Zhuge Xiang merely provided a simple explanation of the mysteries of the Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds, offering some guidance on key points to help the abbot loosen the bottleneck in his cultivation of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, and then stopped there.

"Alright, that's all the kid has grasped for now. The rest he can only learn gradually in the future..." This discussion went on until dawn, at which point Zhuge Xiang finally stopped and said to the host.

The abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple was unusually kind to him. Zhuge Xiang didn't know if it was out of kindness or malice, so he had to leave him a way out.

The Zhuge Xiang was stuck on the last picture of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound. After Zhuge Xiang's guidance, he could clearly feel that the bottleneck was loosening, as if he could break through at any moment. But just at the most crucial moment, Zhuge Xiang stopped and could not explain the secrets of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram in one go. This feeling made him very anxious, but the abbot also knew that Zhuge Xiang could not completely learn Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds Diagrams, and he could not ask too much of him.

"Alright, Fellow Daoist Zhuge, if you gain any further insights into the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, I hope you will not hesitate to enlighten me. Although you are not a disciple of my Heavenly Dragon Temple, as Guest Elder, I hope you can treat Heavenly Dragon Temple as you would the Asura Sect. My Heavenly Dragon Temple will certainly not let you down," the abbot said to Zhuge Xiang after taking a deep breath and temporarily setting aside the mysteries of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound.

Zhuge Xiang had already successfully mastered the Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds, so he had no intention of staying any longer. The abbot of Heavenly Dragon Temple had also obtained what he wanted and gained a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, so he didn't try to persuade Zhuge Xiang to stay any longer. After exchanging a few polite words, Zhuge Xiang bid farewell and left Heavenly Dragon Temple.

After leaving Heavenly Dragon Temple, Zhuge Xiang found a secluded place and released the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda. As he fully mastered the Nine Heavenly Demon Zen Sounds, the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda completely became Zhuge Xiang 'Zhuge Xiang Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda Treasure Artifact, and he gained absolute control over it.

A tall tower stands in the mountain valley. The ancient Treasure Pagoda is filled with a sacred and majestic aura. Zhuge Xiang walked up to the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda, and the door opened automatically.

On the First Layer, Liao Wufa's Sky-Slaying Sword was stuck in the ground, broken and tattered. The Sky-Slaying Sword only had a few points of durability left. The Monster Beast and Vengeful Spirits sealed on the First Layer looked at Zhuge Xiang and retreated in fear. They could clearly feel that Zhuge Xiang's strength was far beyond what they could contend with.

Without stopping, Zhuge Xiang continued upwards, to the Second Layer, the Third Layer, the Fourth Layer...

On the Ninth Layer the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda, Liao Wufa slowly opened his eyes. From the connection with the Sky-Slaying Sword, he naturally knew that Zhuge Xiang had come to the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda again. He was very happy about Zhuge Xiang's arrival, which meant that Zhuge Xiang would be learning the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound again, and it also meant that the day he left was getting closer.

The Fifth Layer! All that exists here are relatively powerful Fairy and Zombie, etc. Although these beings look at Zhuge Xiang who is walking up, they all have a look of fear on their faces, but they are also eager to try. The Fifth Layer is the same floor that Zhuge Xiang stopped at in the Evil Suppressing Pagoda before.

"Hmph..." Zhuge Xiang Guimei Wangliang Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters, merely letting out a cold snort. A murderous aura emanated from him, along with the King's Aura he possessed during his Tribulation Transcendence. The terrifying presence caused the Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters on the Fifth Layer to retreat in fear.

Zhuge Xiang, after all, possessed the cultivation of the Void Core Stage, making him a top-tier cultivator in the Deity Transformation stage. Coupled with his strength and King's Aura, who among the Fairy- level beings would dare to easily attack Zhuge Xiang? Furthermore, Zhuge Xiang's imposing presence had even defeated Demon Monster- level beings; his aura was superior, overwhelming them completely...

Zhuge Xiang didn't even glance at the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram on the Fifth Layer; he simply lifted his leg and headed towards the Sixth Layer...

"Huh? He's not even looking at the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound Diagram?" Liao Wufa had initially thought that Zhuge Xiang entered the Evil Suppressing Pagoda to learn the Heavenly Demon Zen Sound, but sensing that Zhuge Xiang's steps didn't stop and he continued walking towards the Sixth Layer, Liao Wufa slightly taken aback and couldn't understand the meaning of Zhuge Xiang's actions for a moment.

On the Sixth Layer, the Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters were even stronger, almost comparable to Zhuge Xiang's Void Core Stage cultivation. Moreover, their numbers were vast. However, Zhuge Xiang's aura, comparable to Void Returning Stage expert, and his King's Aura still kept them from moving. Zhuge Xiang ignored them and continued towards the Seventh Layer...

"This... his strength has actually reached this level?" Even Liao Wufa couldn't help but gasp as he sensed Zhuge Xiang getting closer.

Although Liao Wufa, a master of Unrivaled in Divination and Swordsmanship cultivation, and Zhuge Xiang's strength is insignificant compared to him, we must not forget that only a few years have passed since Zhuge Xiang first entered the Heavenly Dragon Town Evil Pagoda. Yet, Zhuge Xiang has already acquired such formidable strength. Liao Wufa has witnessed his growth firsthand.

The Seventh Layer was filled with Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters comparable to the top of the Deity Transformation stage, with cultivation levels similar to the Golden Core Stage. Some even seemed to be on the verge of breaking through to the Void Returning Stage. Although Zhuge Xiang was strong, once he reached the Seventh Layer, his strength was not much different from that of the demons and Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters there.

Amidst roars, several Yaomo Ghosts and Monsters, radiating powerful auras, pounced towards Zhuge Xiang, launching their attack. The aura emanating from each of them was nearly identical to Zhuge Xiang's... (To be continued...)