Knock Knock Knock!

Chapter 45: Bang Bang Bang! Incense Ash and Strange Soil, a Great Wind Arises.

Eyes watched the figure within the swirling incense ash, filled with jealousy and envy. Their expressions soured, many gritting their teeth in anger but daring not to act otherwise.

"He actually intends to absorb and refine all the Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao there!"

"That's too reckless! It was revealed long ago that the Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao impacts the spirit, equivalent to a massive amount of information being forced in. Being able to withstand a single wisp and refine it is already impressive. He's truly a madman."

"I'm starting to understand his immense strength; he's practically gambling with his life!"

"How can cultivators call it gambling with their lives? As the saying goes, 'To hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening is enough!'"

"There are twenty-three wisps of Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao in that strange soil. Ingesting all of them will have an immense impact on the spirit. He probably won't be able to handle it!"

"Perhaps his death here would be good news for you and me..."

"He's dead for sure!"

Many fell silent, gazing at the strange soil of incense ash. They inwardly hoped Yuan Tianzong would die there. He was too conspicuous, radiating brilliance. Even standing still, he could become a mental demon for many, making them feel powerless.

Time seemed to slow down.

Finally, as the wind within the strange soil of incense ash subsided, a figure exuding immense pressure appeared. He stood tall, lightning surging around him, making him appear exceptionally divine and majestic, like a king.

Those who had hoped for his demise here mustered their courage and looked towards his eyes, which flickered with lightning. The clarity within them was disappointing.

He hadn't died, nor had his spirit collapsed. He was perfectly clear.

He had withstood the spiritual impact of twenty-three wisps of Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao. It was unbelievable.

Yuan Tianzong, emerging from the strange soil of incense ash, did not speak. His perception of heaven and earth had surged, and he sensed that more Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao was gestating throughout Wangwu Mountain. He needed to continue absorbing it.

His spirit had awakened and transformed, reaching a transcendent level. He could now detach from his physical body and patrol the surroundings with his psionic force.

Threads of lightning dispersed around him, a manifestation of his expanding spirit.

Heaven and earth opened their gates to him, forming a close connection with the lightning.

After a brief scan, Yuan Tianzong learned the locations of more gestating Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao. He bent his knees slightly and sprang forward, flying over the heads of the crowd and landing in the distant forest.

"His spirit has completely awakened and sublimated. The pressure when his gaze sweeps over us is immense!"

"Indeed, the Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao is truly miraculous!"

At this moment, many people rushed towards the strange soil of incense ash.

Someone asked in confusion, "What are they doing? The spirit smoke has already been depleted by the Refiner. Why are they still rushing over, to eat dirt?"

"Foolish. That incense ash isn't ordinary. Gaining even a little is a harvest!"

"That makes sense. It's like getting a sip of the soup!"

Instantly, many people reached the strange soil of incense ash and reached out to grab the ash.

"No, there's a problem!"

The incense ash could be grabbed, but it would dissipate within a breath.

Everyone looked at the strange soil and discovered it was rapidly shrinking. The incense ash that had gestated the spirit smoke was about to vanish completely, leaving no trace, just as it had appeared.

The spiritual item in their hands was like a flower in a mirror or the moon in the water. Unwilling to give up, some intensified their efforts, digging with both hands and sweeping the incense ash outward. Perhaps a little would remain if the quantity was large enough.

Some were even bolder, opening their mouths to swallow it, only to find they had eaten a mouthful of ash, tears streaming from their eyes from the choking.

"What kind of crap spiritual item is this!"

"It's just incense ash! Only incense ash!"

"It's all yours."

"It can't be taken away. It seems we have no fate with it."

Just then, sharp-eyed individuals spotted someone in a corner successfully taking away a box of incense ash. They exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, how did you do that! Tell me!"

The person had intended to slip away unnoticed but was discovered.

Pairs of eyes turned towards him. If he didn't speak, he would surely be surrounded and attacked.

"A jade container can preserve the incense ash." After saying this, he quickly left.

Jade container?

Where could they find a jade container in such a hurry? By the time they returned, the incense ash would have long since disappeared.

Suddenly, someone thought of something. By the time they turned their heads, they saw disciples from the Celestial Master Temple rushing out, carrying many jade containers. This was their home turf, and they moved with incredible speed.

"Celestial Master, I'll pay a high price! Sell me one!"

"I'll pay a higher price too!"

The Sect Leader Celestial Master ignored their words. Compared to the incense ash, what was money?

One by one, the Celestial Master Temple disciples arrived beside the gradually disappearing strange soil of incense ash and began filling the jade containers.

"Don't push, don't push! There's plenty!" a disciple, uncomfortable with the crowding, couldn't help but say.

The others ignored him. The disciple turned and shouted, "Senior Brother, look! This place... a monster?!"

The disciple leaped back in horror, his eyes reflecting a Skeleton Monster with a python's head and human bones. It was kneeling on the incense ash, its two bone palms acting like shovels, scooping up a large amount of ash and putting it into a jade urn.

The sword shadows swayed, and the disciples drew their swords, slashing at the fiend that dared to appear in broad daylight.

"Stop."

A voice called out, halting the disciples' actions.

Xue Ding raised his hand, signaling the disciples to step back.

"Senior Disciple Brother, this fiend..." The disciple's face was filled with shock. Although they were disciples of the Celestial Master Temple, dedicated to slaying demons and evil spirits, this was the first time they had encountered a true fiend.

"Don't spout nonsense."

"Yes, Senior Disciple Brother."

In a moment, Bone filled the Jade urn in its arms with incense ash. Its fleshless face seemed to hold a hint of regret; it couldn't take all the incense ash with it. Alas.

It bowed to Xue Ding in thanks, then glanced down at the Jade urn before turning to leave. It was too small; it couldn't hold enough!

Whoosh, whoosh!

Figures darted through the forest, branches shaking, green leaves falling.

The entire Wangwu Mountain became extremely lively, with creatures active everywhere.

Nothing else, the incense ash and strange earth were appearing randomly in various locations. Although the scale was far from the first appearance at the entrance of the Celestial Master Temple, it had nurtured one or two wisps of Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao.

"Divine Smoke of Entering the Dao!"

In a valley, three mutants active there were overjoyed, thinking this opportunity had finally fallen into their laps!

"Go!"

A domineering voice rang out.

The three's expressions changed. They looked up and indeed saw the Refiner appear like a ghost, rushing towards the incense ash and strange earth, skillfully collecting a wisp of divine smoke from it.

Facing this devil who killed without batting an eye, how could the three dare to resist?

Only after he had gone did the three weak mutants dare to curse.

"What a bandit! He's already taken so much divine smoke and it's still not enough, damn it!"

"Quick, we can't leave the incense ash behind. Someone said it can strengthen the spirit."

As the technique for leaving incense ash with a Jade container spread, many people obtained Jade containers in a short period.

"Forget it, we were unlucky to run into the Refiner. Fortunately, he was decent enough to leave the incense ash for us~" one mutant tried to find solace, remaining optimistic.

"I heard the price of incense ash has skyrocketed. If all else fails, we'll just sell it and live a life of luxury back home."

Some had grand ambitions, while others were content with what they had. The world is full of such diverse lives.

Just as the three were focused on digging up incense ash, one of them suddenly noticed a dark shadow quietly appearing at his feet.

"Oh no!"

Just as he was about to react, the other party struck first.

Clang! A crisp sound echoed.

After three strikes, the three mutants immediately fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Da da~"

The sound of a Wooden fish echoed. Who else could the attacker be but Bone?

It was seen pushing its 'tool' – a Rib – back into place, putting down the crude Jade box on its back, rubbing its hands together, and picking up a hoe to start shoveling incense ash.