Killing Dao Fruit

Oooooh...

The whoosh of a ghostly wind moaned in Wang Yuan's ears as he sat in the palanquin, feeling as if the entire wedding procession was as light as paper, swiftly enveloped and propelled by the chilling breeze.

Peering through the small window of the palanquin, all he could see was a blur of dim glimmers, unable to make out any landscape.

This wasn't his first time experiencing such phenomena, so he wasn't panicked. He clearly knew that he was walking the Yin Road, surrounded by a host of ghosts making a racket.

"With all kinds of musical instruments, the suona reigns supreme; it's either ascending to heaven or paying respect at the wedding hall.

Unfortunately, while others draw on the Earth's Qi, you're directly connected to the Underworld.

This feeling, like visiting relatives by descending to hell, no matter how many times one experiences it, is completely unsettling."

Sitting in the palanquin, Wang Yuan couldn't help but clutch tightly to the crimson incense bag in his hand, fearing that a slight carelessness would leave him abandoned halfway and falling into the dark Underworld.

Even his meager knowledge obtained from a Tomb Guardian was enough to tell him that it wouldn't be a pleasant experience.

Just a few breaths later, Wang Yuan suddenly saw a bright light before him.

In front of the wedding procession appeared a vast, gentle valley filled with continuous houses, intersected by lanes and paths.

Looking around, the surrounding mountains seemed similar to Beimang Mountain but were at least dozens of times larger.

In the center of the valley encircled by mountains stood a colossal Dragon Claw Locust tree soaring into the clouds like a heavenly pillar.

Its bark, patchy like iron scales, and its twisted branches, half-dead and half-lush, spread wide to form a vast dome.

Each of its branches was wrapped with red cloths inscribed with wishes.

From afar, it looked like an ancient dragon, wielding red fire clouds, its upper body proudly raised, with complete scales and claws.

It looked exactly the same as the Dragon Claw Locust outside, only magnified dozens of times.

Regrettably, this mystical locust tree resembled an elderly man at dusk, exuding an aura of senility and decrepit old age.

The wedding procession treaded on the Yin wind and continued forward, running for quite a while before officially entering the shade of the Dragon Claw Locust tree.

Here, instead of becoming darker, the sky seemed as bright as day.

A giant white lantern, as large as a hill, hung high in the treetops, replacing the moon outside, casting cool, bright white light all over the valley.

Below the light, in the fields were busy farmers, on the roads traffics of carriages and horses, along the streets hawkers calling out their wares, and scholars lingering with admiration...

The pastoral tranquility and urban bustle almost made one think they had reached Luoyang Ancient City outside the mountains.

Seeing this wedding procession emerging from the void, many people couldn't help but stop and watch from a distance, eyes filled with curiosity—strikingly different from the ghosts outside.

"Hmm, this is very typical of a Divine Deceit World scenario.

If only that giant lantern didn't have the huge character 'Offering' on it, it would be perfect."

This is the real heart of Wangren Town, where the ghosts' spiritual wisdom is obviously much stronger than those outside, at least capable of communicating, and significantly more vibrant.

Having been here before, Wang Yuan was no longer stunned by the first sight.

In fact, although this place is not the Underworld, its nature isn't much different from that ghostly place.

Apart from a very few things that are real, everything else is fake.

Paper houses burned in the Mortal World become multi-storied buildings here, paper servants become lively concubines, and paper money turns into actual gold and silver treasures...

Mundane materials, combined with a mortal's wishing power, are magnified thousands of times here, truly substantial yet meaningless to the outside world.

And with the real and the fake, even the long-time resident ghosts here might not be able to clearly distinguish them.

The palanquin smoothly proceeded along a straight road and entered a city gate bearing the sign "Wangren Town."

Passing through Tongli Square, Cihui Square, Jishan Square... eventually arriving right next to the giant Dragon Claw Locust tree at Jishan Square and stopping in front of a splendidly opulent mansion.

Carefully lifting the heavy red curtain of the palanquin, Wang Yuan glanced cautiously left and right to ensure that only a group of pale-faced paperman servants were around.

Then he shamefully covered his face and, like a monkey, leaped from the bridal palanquin, dashing through the open gates in three quick steps.

Inside, two Qingyi maids had been waiting for a long time.

Their figures were graceful, clad in long blue satin gowns, their hair neatly done up, fingers delicate, and skin as white as jade, beautiful and enchanting like lotuses swaying in the water.

Seeing the youth covered in mud and a bit disheveled yet emanating a strong masculine vibe as he walked in, the eyes of the two women heated up instantly, but their bodies impeccably performed a graceful greeting.

"Young Master Yuan, the hot water is ready; please follow the servants," they said.

After speaking, they seemed to forcibly restrain their longing as they shifted their gaze away from Wang Yuan and turned to lead the way.

"Thank you, sisters," he said.

Already very accustomed to such gazes, Wang Yuan confidently followed them.

They walked past a quiet stone path, indigo halls, and pavilions past water pavilions...

The two beautiful ghosts, with slender waists and gently swaying hips, moved slowly ahead of Wang Yuan, truly a sight of myriad charms and delightful to behold.

Seeing this exquisite scene,

Many "Spiritual Undead Knights" might not be able to help but generate one daring idea after another, even shifting from horror to risqué fantasies of romantic settings.

But Wang Yuan kept his eyes straight ahead, undisturbed.

He would even sincerely touch his own waist and advise them:

"So young, too young,

Men who travel outside, especially into these dens of ghosts, must first and foremost protect their... oh no, their Yang energy!"

The Tomb Guardian's precepts had foresight, the second being not to desecrate the bones or spirits of the mountains.

Desecrate? "Desecrate!"

The two female ghosts deliberately took a long tour around the estate, introducing Wang Yuan to groups of ghosts in colorful clothes chasing butterflies, playing zithers, and washing clothes by the stream...

They smiled charmingly, each with their own allure, and those familiar with Wang Yuan even greeted him very warmly.

Yet Wang Yuan maintained his focus and safely reached a bedroom.

As he watched the two Qingyi maidens reluctantly leave, step by step, he finally took a deep breath as if he had just fought a fierce battle.

He removed his mud and grass-covered clothes and stepped into a wooden bath.

"Ah! Comfortable."

As the perfectly heated bathwater reached his chin, his tense body and mind gradually relaxed, but his messy thoughts began to resurface.

"In the month before the grand ceremony of King Yili of two hundred years, if I avoid wandering, I might stay safe for a while, but the day of the ceremony is an unavoidable hurdle.

If I get through, the world is my oyster; if not, my fate will be like those old people in the Elder Care Pavilion, drained of all remaining fortune and longevity, unable to even become a ghost.

I must make use of the time and, during these three days before returning to Daling Village, at least begin learning one of the skills from 'Gathering Beasts Magic Skill' or 'Transformation into Tiger Technique'."

With that thought, Wang Yuan could no longer enjoy the moment's peace.

He quickly washed himself and climbed out of the tub, picking up a cotton towel prepared by the maid to dry off.

In a nearby crystal-clear glazed mirror, the reflection showed a fair-skinned, good-looking young man.

Still at a developing age, he had already achieved 'Great Success' in 'Bone and Flesh Outer Appearance'. His figure was upright, and his lines were well-proportioned without any flaws.

The slight definition of his muscles around his torso and abdomen might not seem exaggerated, but only he knew the explosive and enduring strength his body possessed.

Wild Dog Taoist had relentlessly pursued him, likely not without a covetous eye for his prime physical form. At this level, even without composing poetry, he could probably freeload, right?

Wang Yuan chuckled, dismissing these jumbled thoughts from his mind, about to change into a new set of clothes placed on a nearby tray.

Suddenly sensing something off, he sharply turned back to look at the mirror again.

But in the mirror, he saw an additional figure that was not previously in the room.

A petite girl wearing a red veil and a phoenix-embroidered wedding dress, with an elegant and beautiful demeanor, sat leisurely on the edge of the bed in thin, soft red embroidered shoes.

Resting her alabaster arm against her cheek, she used her pair of delightful autumn-water-like eyes to sweep across his sturdy chest and robust arms...

Realizing Wang Yuan had caught her spying, the girl in the mirror didn't show the slightest embarrassment. She smiled sweetly at him and mischievously greeted:

"Yo, Xiao Yuan, delivering yourself to the doorstep again, huh!"