Taking Charge of the Incense-Smelling Cult?

Coming from the Western Desert, Yu Tunzhou traveled down the river, initially traversing famous mountains and marshes on foot, before switching to a waterway by boat.

The boat sails on the river day and night without stopping. The green mountains on both banks recede one after another, and the river breeze caresses the face. The scenery is even better and more leisurely than when we traveled Coming Dragon River last year.

Initially, he did not conceal his whereabouts and attracted many admirers while staying at a restaurant.

On the first day, he greeted the "guests" with a smile, and everyone praised him for not only being a genius with superb skills, but also for not having the airs of a master.

The next day, he was still surrounded by a constant stream of guests at the restaurant, experiencing firsthand what it meant to be unable to refuse such hospitality, and had no choice but to drink with everyone.

On the third day, the guests enjoyed themselves immensely.

On the fourth day, the guests were happy, but the hosts were tired.

On the fifth day, he learned that among the guests, some had traveled overnight from the neighboring county town, and hadn't even had a hot meal yet, all eager to see what the fourth-ranked person on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking looked like.

For five whole days, he was unable to leave the restaurant where he was staying.

Even at night, opening the window will elicit cheers from everyone.

Finally, he discovered that the reason why more and more people were coming was because the restaurant was secretly advertising it. By the third day, the news had spread to the neighboring county town, and it was even showing signs of getting worse.

He felt as if he were not in a mansion, but in a zoo of rare animals.

I was definitely too easy to talk to!

Angry!

After leaving the restaurant, his first action was to find the local Gold-Wielding Guard outpost, show them his token, and order them to thoroughly investigate the restaurant's accounts for any tax evasion, illegal activities, monopolistic practices, or anything else—

After the local head of the Gold-Wielding Guard was stunned, he hurriedly and solemnly promised to conduct a thorough investigation. Only then did Yu Tunzhou feel a surge of anger or helplessness in his chest.

It was after this incident that Yu realized the futility of fame and fortune, understanding that all such things were fleeting and that only Martial Dao were the highest pursuit.

This time, I just wanted to experience what it's like to be a "celebrity".

At the same time, he realized that one cannot roam the world without the airs of a master.

It wasn't to show off, but to save trouble.

The more polite you are, the closer others will become; the more you back down, the more others will take you forward.

If you accept everyone who comes your way, the end result will either be that you are exhausted to death or that you are stuck on a pedestal and can't get down.

As for altars, people carry you up in sedan chairs, but no one helps you down with ladders.

He pondered that he had no real intention of becoming a peerless hero and saving the world.

If he absolutely had to choose between Guo Jing and Wei Xiaobao, he could only choose the latter with tears in his eyes.

Therefore, during his subsequent journey, although he did not deliberately conceal his appearance or identity, he always maintained an aloof and indifferent demeanor to avoid being entangled by others.

Many times, just a wisp of air or a glance is enough to make someone back down.

It turned out that true masters should carry the burdens of being masters!

Not long ago, he had an epiphany, so he chose to travel south by boat so that he could focus on his spiritual practice.

Who would have thought that hiding one's whereabouts and taking a boat trip could lead to a "reunion with an old friend" scenario?

And it's not just about reuniting with old friends, it's also a buy-one-get-four-free deal!

Yu Tunzhou smiled and said, "Zhang Yan, did you bring them here to ambush me? Didn't you bring any External Scenery?"

Under his aura lock, none of the other four figures who wanted to escape dared to move.

He will attack whoever makes the first move.

None of these people were willing to sacrifice themselves to Opening the Dao for others, so for a time, they were in this strange stalemate.

Yu Tunzhou has only one comment on this:

As expected of the Six Paths of Evil and Demons.

Zhang Yan's face was bitter. If it were truly an ambush to kill Yu Tunzhou, how could they possibly be the ones to fall victim?

He could only continue to transmit his thoughts, explaining that what he had just said was the message conveyed by the Holy Maiden on behalf of his mother.

"An Ruyu ----"

Yu Tunzhou slowly repeated the name, squinting as he said, "From the beginning of the year until now, this demoness has been staying in the Incense-Smelling Cult?"

Zhang Yan said in a low voice, "The world has undergone a strange change, and our Sacred Cult was the first to sense it. All the Mothers have issued decrees, and the Holy Maiden has no time to attend to anything else."

Anomalies in the heavens and earth----

Does this refer to the revival of Ancient Method?

The Yu Tunzhou, seemingly lost in thought.

According to Huntian, the revival of Ancient Method also signifies the restoration of the Immortal Dao, and the powerful figures hidden behind the scenes are about to return.

And perhaps they were behind this!

From this perspective, it's highly likely that the deities behind the Incense-Smelling Cult were also involved.

"How many deities of the Incense-Smelling Cult have awakened now?"

Just as Yu Tunzhou was about to ask further questions to obtain information, he suddenly frowned and looked to the side. There really were people who weren't afraid of death.

Do you feel there are too many people for you to kill completely?

At that moment, one of the four people he had targeted suddenly broke free as if he had nothing to lose, attempting to jump into the river to escape.

As soon as he moved, the other three followed suit, scattering and fleeing, each relying on their luck.

Yu Tunzhou turned his head and looked at the scene. His gaze was deep and unfathomable. Under the influence of his aura, several bolts of lightning struck the four people's escape route.

Each bolt of heavenly lightning was close to the power of External Scenery Divine Ability power, which was far beyond the ability of a few Early Divine Ability Realm warriors to withstand.

One of them had half his body submerged in the river, but was still struck by a bolt of lightning that struck later than he had been struck, his body charred and sinking to the bottom of the river.

Upon seeing this scene, Zhang Yan instinctively held her breath, staring in disbelief at what was before her.

Has this guy already broken through the External Scenery?

Otherwise, how could one exude such power with every gesture?

Since practicing the Five Thunders Heavenly Heart Orthodox Method, Yu Tunzhou has officially entered the realm of understanding the second page of the Book of Changes.

Nearly four months have passed since he left the Western Desert. With his talent, he has naturally made further progress, combining the power of gathering the primordial energy of heaven and earth in the Eight-Nine Mysterious Art with Thunder Method, and can now truly control the landing point of heavenly lightning.

"Huh?"

Yu Tunzhou suddenly looked over.

Among those few, the one with the most unstable mind, closest to madness, and suspected of practicing Devil Cultivation Method arts, actually withstood a bolt of heavenly lightning with his own Gang Qi and used the force to escape into the river.

This was somewhat unexpected for him. In his view, the other party was suspected of practicing Devil Cultivation Method and should be the least likely to withstand the heavenly lightning.

It seems this person's lineage is not simple. Yu Tunzhou was about to make another move—escaping by using the river to his advantage—something he had already mastered before.

During this period, although Little Black has not yet completed the final step, he is getting infinitely closer to it under the nourishment of his Fist Intent. With his control over the river and his unity with Unity of Heaven and Celestial Person, even if he encounters the Dragon Race, it would be embarrassing for whoever loses.

"Yu Tunzhou! Now, six mothers have been confirmed to have awakened!"

Zhang Yan suddenly answered quickly, delaying Yu Tunzhou's pursuit.

Yu Tunzhou turned and sized him up. "You Six Paths of Evil and Demons, you even talk about loyalty and righteousness? Is he your father or something?"

"He is my elder brother." Zhang Yan's expression concealed her pain.

The Yu Tunzhou— it was obvious.

"Letting him go isn't difficult, on the condition that you tell us everything you know."

Zhang Yan remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Yu Tunzhou was speechless. "I advise you to stop trying to outsmart me. Delaying time won't work on me. Even if he uses the river to escape for miles, I can still find his trail. Otherwise, do you think I escaped from An Ruyu back then?"

If the other party never comes ashore, then that's certainly possible.

But once you get ashore, things will be difficult.

However, the trick was that Zhang Yan was unaware of this.

Zhang Yan's expression shifted, and she was about to speak when another person spoke first.

"Young Hero Yu, I can answer your question on his behalf." A portly middle-aged man, dressed as a businessman, approached and was wiping sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.

Yu Tunzhou looked over upon hearing the voice, squinted, and said, "I remember, you boarded the ship three days ago?"

The visitor replied calmly, "Indeed, I heard news of Young Hero Yu and came here on my own initiative, but Young Hero Yu has been in seclusion in his room, so I dared not disturb him rashly."

Zhang Yan said in a low voice, "Wang Fujing, did you deliberately lure us here?"

The middle-aged businessman, Wang Fujing, shook his head and said, "I didn't know you would come. I came to find Young Hero Yu to discuss some matters with him."

Yu Tunzhou saw through the scheme.

Zhang Yan and the others came looking for not someone else, but this ordinary person in front of them.

Meeting Yu Tunzhou's gaze, Wang Fujing said frankly, "I am Wang Fujing. I once served as a divine messenger within the Incense-Smelling Cult, but I have since faked my death and escaped."

"Fake death to escape?" Yu Tunzhou sized him up. "An envoy of the Incense-Smelling Cult, just an ordinary person?"

"The Incense-Smelling Cult's divine messengers are divided into two types: one cultivates Martial Dao, and the other directly receives the Mother's blessing," meaning they do not follow Martial Dao but can still possess the power of the External Scenery.

Seeing Yu Tunzhou's interest, Wang Fujing introduced himself without reservation, "I was once the second type, but later my mother took away my blessings, and I became an ordinary person again, even an abandoned child."

Yu Tunzhou nodded. The other party's words were clearly implying to him that he had been abandoned by the Incense-Smelling Cult.

"What brings you here?" Yu Tunzhou asked.

"I would like to invite Young Hero Yu to take charge of the Incense-Smelling Cult!"

Yu Tunzhou looked at Zhang Yan and asked doubtfully, "You should know him, right? Has he always been like this?"

Zhang Yan felt as if she were meeting Wang Fujing for the first time, finding him completely unfamiliar.

He naturally knew Wang Fujing; the two had worked together in Pinghu County. However, he had never heard that Wang Fujing had actually served as a divine messenger, and that he had been directly chosen by his mother to be among the highest-ranking officials!

The difference before and after is equivalent to the believer's choice versus God's.

"Young Hero Yu, how about we find another place to discuss this privately?" Wang Fujing said apologetically, "This place is not suitable for discussing serious matters."

As for Zhang Yan ----

He paused, then calmly said, "If Young Hero Yu is willing, he can be used as a spy to infiltrate the Incense-Smelling Cult."

Yu Tunzhou asked curiously, "You can recruit him to your side?"

Wang Fujing looked at Zhang Yan, remained silent for a moment, and said almost coldly, "Do you still remember when you were four years old, your parents died tragically on the street, leaving only you and your brother Zhang Ying, who were eventually taken in by the sect after being rescued?"

Zhang Yan's pupils contracted, and she said in a low voice, "What do you want to say?"

"After all these years, have you found the real killer who murdered your parents?" Wang Fujing asked with pity in his eyes.

"What exactly are you trying to say?!"

Zhang Yan's eyes were fierce; if it weren't for Yu Tunzhou's restraint, she would have pounced on Wang Fujing by now.

"Actually, your parents were members of the cult," Wang Fujing calmly revealed the truth of the past. "However, your father was absorbed into the Netherworld Branch. The Netherworld God ordered him to sever his ties to the mortal world, and he first targeted your mother. In the end, they both perished together."

"Afterwards, the Netherworld Envoy discovered that your elder brother also possessed the talent to inherit the Netherworld Branch, which is why he recruited you brothers into the sect."

As for you—

Wang Fujing slowly said, "You were originally destined to be your elder brother's mortal companion," but you were favored by the Azure Clouds Branch and taken under their command. Your elder brother has been slow to make a move against you, so his Cultivation Method have become increasingly unorthodox.

Zhang Yan stood there expressionless, without anger or rebuke for his nonsense; her mind was simply subconsciously recalling past interactions with her brother.

He and his elder brother had supported each other since childhood. His brother had been extremely kind to him then, but after he joined the Netherworld Branch, his brother's attitude towards him changed drastically. Every time they met, his brother's gaze held a hidden malice.

Finally, each time they met, his elder brother would humiliate and drive him away in an almost brutal manner.

Wang Fujing paused, then said in a deep voice, "I have a way to bring your brother back from the Netherworld Branch!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Tunzhou praised, "It seems you were indeed prepared. I'm interested to hear you talk about the Incense-Smelling Cult Sect."

He casually knocked out Zhang Yan, who was expressionless but mentally shaken, and threw him to Wang Fujing, who hurriedly helped Zhang Yan up, but stumbled and fell to the ground.

"After stepping down as divine envoy, my body suffered great damage, which is quite embarrassing for Young Hero Yu. Please allow me to find a helper." Wang Fujing slumped to the ground with a wry smile.

Yu Tunzhou nodded. "Let that guy up there, who's at the Middle Divine Ability Stage, come over here."

Wang Fujing sighed, "Young Hero Yu is indeed a hero among the young; nothing can be hidden from you."

Yu Tunzhou stroked his chin, finding the habit of using flattering language all too familiar.

"I'm a little curious, why did you come to find me? Logically speaking, since we're both from the Six Paths of Evil and Demons, shouldn't you be looking for Deng Canglan Wu Xuan?" Yu Tunzhou suddenly asked.

Wang Fujing looked intently at Yu Tunzhou, and instead of answering, asked, "Young Hero Yu, do you consider yourself to be on the same path as Lu Huaiqing?"

Yu Tunzhou shook his head. "Master Lu and I are only fellow travelers on the same path in terms of martial arts."

They had discussed other aspects while in the cave.

Master Lu had the world in his heart and was willing to achieve success without expecting anything in return, believing that once a person is dead, there is no need to care about posthumous fame.

He's a bit less magnanimous; while he might also find fault with many things, he's more inclined to believe that success will be his, and as for failure?

He certainly wouldn't be there, let alone die.

Wang Fujing remained silent for a moment, seemingly somewhat surprised by the answer.

"The reason for choosing Young Hero Yu is twofold: firstly, because he resides in the Northern Dark Continent, and secondly, because the Incense-Smelling Cult is involved in the peace and stability of all living beings, and we dare not rashly entrust it to others."

Yu Tunzhou was puzzled, but after a moment it came to its senses.

The Incense-Smelling Cult has long been at odds with the royal family, and the recent conflict between the royal family and Northern Dark Continent has also become public knowledge.

Is this implying he harbors the traits of a traitor?!

"You guys go upstairs and wait for me."

Yu Tunzhou waved Wang Fujing away and went to the deck of the cruise ship alone to briefly review the information the other party had just revealed.

He gazed at the vast expanse of the river in the distance, where the autumn colors on both banks were in full bloom, with the forests just beginning to turn red.

If we calculate the time, there is only one month left until the opening of the Eternal Dragon Gate.

Unexpectedly, at this time, I received a "surrender" from a defector of the Incense-Smelling Cult.

"May I ask if the one ahead is the Young Hero Yu Tunzhou, ranked fourth on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking?"

On a parallel cruise ship, someone cupped their hands and asked a loud question.

It was clear that they had made a preliminary guess at his identity from the Thunder Method he had just used.

Such a lightning-attracting technique at an External Scenery level, coupled with such youth, is almost unimaginable to anyone else in the world!

"I am Zhang Ziyi from the Ling River. I humbly request that Young Hero Yu offer me some guidance!"

The newcomer cupped his hands and announced in a loud voice.

Yu Tunzhou, dressed in a blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back, his expression cold and stern, and merely glanced at the crowd.

His Fist Intent surged forth, without borrowing the energy of heaven and earth to aid him; it was purely an outward manifestation of his own Martial Dao, yet it was like an invisible mountain stretching across the river, pressing down on Zhang Ziyi's perception.

Standing at the bow of the ship, Zhang Ziyi was the first to be hit. His cultivation level was not low, and his foundation at the Early Divine Ability Stage made him a figure of considerable importance. However, when that Fist Intent pressed down, the circulation of his proud Gang Qi and Qi and Blood almost came to a standstill, as if his entire body was being pressed down under a "Ten-Thousand-Ren High Mountain"!

Only his instincts told him - Don't move!

The martial artists waiting to watch from afar all retreated with grim expressions, an overbearing figure involuntarily appearing in their minds. "Those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish," like a brand or a demon in their hearts!

Yu Tunzhou withdrew his gaze, his Fist Intent also receding, and turned around expressionlessly, walking towards the cabin.

The river breeze remained the same, and the boat rocked gently.

His steps were steady, his clothes fluttered lightly, and everything returned to normal, as if the collapse of the mountain and the world-shaking Fist Intent were just an illusion for everyone.

Along the way, there are always those who want to spar. Some of them may be genuinely passionate about Martial Dao and want to learn from him, but most are just looking to make a name for themselves.

With his current reputation, even just being able to withstand a few of his moves would be enough to brag about.

For example, this person, upon seeing his Thunder Method, would still dare to have the heart to ask for his guidance?

Unless they have suicidal thoughts.

Having a good reputation is a real hassle.

Yu Tunzhou struck a pose befitting a master, then slowly walked back into the house, thinking to himself that if he did this a few more times, no one would dare to casually ask him for advice.

A fearsome reputation isn't enough!

In the house.

Lu Yi had just tossed Zhang Yan onto the bed when he felt the almost identical Fist Intent from the two martial artists outside. Shocked, he whispered, "Seeing this today, I know that not a single word on the Dragon and Tiger Ranking is false!"

Wang Fujing's eyes flashed as he asked, "How do you think he compares to Lu Huaiqing of yesteryear?"

Lu Yi shook his head and said, "I never saw Lu Huaiqing at his most spirited, but I imagine there are very few people in this world who could surpass him."

He paused, then said in a low voice, "Judging from the fact that he's still stuck at the first stage of the Form Refinement realm, his Dao Path is not yet fully established, and there's still room for advancement. It's hard to imagine just how ambitious he truly is!"

Wang Fujing nodded slowly, deep in thought.

I risked my life to see Yu Tunzhou because I couldn't bear to see Ruyu struggling alone in the sect.

Furthermore, the Incense-Smelling Cult involves too many aspects; this behemoth can change masters, but it must not fall! Especially now, with the world undergoing strange changes and many old mothers awakening one by one...

--

When he thought of the "prophecy" he heard from the Samantabhadra Old Mother messenger, Wang Fujing felt that his days were numbered and time was running out.

An indescribable anxiety burned within him like a fire in his heart.

At this moment.

Footsteps sounded outside the door, and a figure in a blue robe stepped into the room. Wang Fujing composed himself and turned around.

"Speak, what is your purpose in seeking me out?"

Yu Tunzhou entered the house, glanced at Lu Yi, who lowered his eyes, took a step back, and handed the "battlefield" over to Old Wang.

Wang Fujing was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "When I was a divine messenger, I heard a message from my mother: 'All calamities and disasters originate from the Dragon Gate.'"