I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 375: Divine Test?

With Xiu Liu's presence, Zhang Chen had fewer troubles, and all the bandits who blocked his way were eliminated by Xiu Liu.

As for whether there is a mysterious being blocking the way? Is there a master from the mysterious world? How could someone who has mastered mysterious power become a bandit?

It took Zhang Chen three months to travel three thousand miles to Mount Qingcheng, and countless bandits died at the hands of Xiu Liu. By the time he arrived at the foot of Mount Qingcheng, Xiu Liu had already reached the seventh level.

According to the Yin Shen method, the seventh level is facing masters who are at the level of possession.

"Young master, we have arrived at Qingcheng Mountain." Xiu Liu stopped the carriage and looked at the towering mountain village in the distance with a cautious look in his eyes. He could feel a trace of terrifying energy flowing in the depths of Qingcheng Mountain.

"Have we arrived at Qingcheng Mountain?" Zhang Chen lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked into the distance. What he saw were towering and endless mountains. The mountain range was continuous and undulating, and there was no end in sight.

"Is this Mount Qingcheng?" Xu Fu also came out of the carriage, looking at the mountains in the distance with a look of joy.

"There is a Taoist temple on Mount Qingcheng, called Wuzhuang Temple. It is said that there are immortals living in Wuzhuang Temple. You can reach Wuzhuang Temple by climbing along this mountain path. However, Wuzhuang Temple is divided into two parts, the front one receives pilgrims, and the back one is deep in the mountains with natural dangers as its support. It is difficult to reach without good fortune." Xu Fu pointed to a Taoist temple gatehouse not far away and introduced it to Zhang Chen.

The gatehouse was built at the foot of the mountain. It looked somewhat similar to the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain where Monkey King learned from his master in Journey to the West. However, the name of Wuzhuang Temple made Zhang Chen's heart move: "Wuzhuang Temple? Is it true? Maybe it's just the same name. It can't be true, right?"

Countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Chen's mind, and then he said to Xiu Liu, "After I go up the mountain, you can go down the mountain to develop. With your current cultivation, you have already cultivated the ability to be reborn and immortal by dripping blood. As long as you stay alive, there is almost no one in this world who can kill you. In the future, whether you go to the mountains to cultivate hard or enjoy the wealth of the world, it all depends on your choice."

Zhang Chen paused for a moment and said, "But you are not allowed to kill good people! You are not allowed to kill innocent people!"

Xiu Liu was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "I have already considered it in my mind. The Blood God Sutra needs a lot of blood to practice. After much thought, I think the battlefield of the human world is the most suitable for me. I want to go to the human world to find a country to settle down, and then practice secretly in the border. If you need anything in the future, just call me."

At this point, Xiu Liu seemed to have remembered something, and hurriedly said to Zhang Chen: "I don't know how you can contact me in the future, and what evidence you will have when you ask someone to summon me in the future."

Zhang Chen patted Xiu Liu's shoulder and said, "You have practiced the Blood God Technique. No matter where you go, I can sense you. If I want to find you, it will only take a moment. Go on your own!"

Xiu Liu was stunned when he heard this, then he bowed respectfully to Zhang Chen before he respectfully said goodbye and left.

Xiu Liu drove the carriage away, leaving Zhang Chen and Xu Fu standing in front of the Taoist temple. Xu Fu looked at the gate of the Taoist temple with excitement in his eyes: "Zhang Chen, let's go."

Zhang Chen nodded upon hearing this, and followed Zhang Chen into the mountains.

The gate of the Taoist temple was wide open, and pilgrims kept coming in and out. It can be seen that the Wuzhuang Temple is very popular.

"Let's go."

Zhang Chen took Xu Erniu's hand and followed the crowd towards the steps in the mountain. After passing through the gatehouse, there was a long corridor. The two followed the crowd to the main hall, where they saw a mysterious tablet covered with red silk, which looked very strange.

Inside the Taoist temple, there were a dozen young Taoist priests in black robes receiving passing pilgrims. The young Taoist priests were not very old, perhaps fourteen or fifteen years old, and their faces were full of childishness.

The two of them burned incense, and then Zhang Chen walked along the steps all the way to the back mountain.

There were no Taoist priests blocking the way on the steps leading to the back mountain, but the steps leading to the back mountain were steep and narrow, and looked very scary.

Zhang Chen was not an ordinary person. Although his body was thin, he was not afraid of the steep cliff. Xu Erniu followed closely behind Zhang Chen, shaking with fear.

Zhang Chen looked at the endless mountain road, which seemed to have no end. The mountain road under his feet was only a few meters wide. The wind was strong at the cliffs. If he was not careful, he would be blown off the cliff and smashed to pieces. The most important thing was that there was no guardrail on the stairs.

Xu Erniu looked fearful, and her thin body was swaying, as if she could be blown down by the mountain wind at any time. However, she kept her face tight and followed Zhang Chen with determination, without making any sound, just quietly following Zhang Chen.

Zhang Chen turned his head and looked at Xu Erniu, who was trembling with fear but still climbing the mountain, and asked, "Aren't you afraid? If the mountain wind blows you off the cliff, you will be killed."

"I want to see my father, I want to become a god!" Xu Erniu's body was trembling, and her voice changed tone, but her face remained firm.

Seeing this, Zhang Chen untied his belt, wrapped it around Xu Erniu's body, and then stretched out his hand and the Wind-Fixing Pill appeared.

The yin and yang energies repelled Zhang Chen's magical powers, but they could not repel the Wind-Fixing Bead that had become a magic weapon.

As the Wind-Fixing Bead appeared, all the mountain wind within three meters around Zhang Chen dissipated. Zhang Chen turned around and continued to climb the mountain. Only a voice rang in Xu Erniu's ears: "Don't be afraid, you will never fall to death as long as I am here."

Xu Erniu felt relieved when she heard that. She knew Xiu Liu's methods along the way. Even Xiu Liu was respectful to Zhang Chen, so how capable could Zhang Chen be?
Xu Erniu regained her confidence and followed Zhang Chen into the mountains. After walking for a while, Xu Erniu looked at the strong wind blowing in the mountains in the distance, and then felt the calm wind within three meters around her, and she couldn't help but be stunned.

Zhang Chen walked silently in front, Xu Erniu followed behind Zhang Chen, and the two were connected by a belt.

Zhang Chen finally understood why there were no disciples guarding the road leading to the back mountain in Wuzhuang Temple. This was because the road was extremely dangerous and climbing up not only tested one's mentality and physical strength, but also one's luck. Those who could climb up were all very lucky and would naturally be accepted as disciples to increase the sect's luck.

When the two were tired from climbing, they sat on the steps to rest for a while, ate some dried meat that had been prepared long ago, and drank some water.

From time to time, Taoist priests passed by the back mountain. Although they looked at the two with curiosity, they did not ask any questions.

The two climbed from morning until dark, until it was dark, but they still hadn't seen the Wuzhuang Temple on the back mountain, so they had to stop at the cliff to rest. Fortunately, Zhang Chen had the Wind-Fixing Pearl, so the hurricane in the mountains could not blow over.

The only thing they had not considered was that it was already late autumn, and the two of them were wearing thin clothes in the mountains, and the temperature dropped and it was very cold at night.

Xu Erniu huddled in Zhang Chen's arms, and the two chose a gentle staircase, then sat on the staircase and hugged each other for warmth. Late at night, Xu Erniu hid in Zhang Chen's arms and actually giggled, which was particularly creepy in the dark. Zhang Chen shuddered when he heard it, and thought Xu Erniu was possessed by evil spirits, and almost kicked Xu Erniu off the stairs.

"God! I, Xu Erniu, am a god from today on!" Xu Erniu laughed wildly in her sleep, drooling from her mouth. She kept smacking her lips, as if she was eating something delicious. After a while, Xu Erniu stopped smacking her lips and mumbled in her sleep, "Zhang Chen, why don't you eat? This pork elbow is for you."

Zhang Chen couldn't help but smile knowingly as he listened to the mumbling in his sleep, and hugged Xu Erniu tighter in his arms.

The next morning, just after dawn, the two got up and ate dried meat and preserved fruit. Xu Erniu looked at Zhang Chen and said expectantly, "Zhang Chen, I had a dream last night. I seemed to have become a god."

"And then there will be lots of pork elbows to eat?" Zhang Chen said with a smile.

Xu Erniu blushed when she heard this: "How did you know?"

Zhang Chen pulled at his clothes and said, "Your saliva soaked half of my clothes last night."

Xu Erniu was embarrassed after seeing what happened, and then she argued forcefully, "No! It was clearly wet by dew."

Zhang Chen wanted to say something, but when he saw Xu Erniu's eyes that seemed to be nagging, he quickly closed his mouth.

The two climbed in the mountains for another day. At this time, there was thick fog in the mountains and no one could be seen ten meters away. The wind was howling in the mountains, and the trees were swaying.

Looking at the afterglow setting down the mountain and then at the fog between the mountains and rivers, Zhang Chen decisively chose to rest where he was.

Then they ate dried meat and candied fruits. At this time, Zhang Chen had to praise Xiu Liu for being smart. He brought enough dried meat for the two of them. The only pity was that there was not much clean water. However, there were clear springs flowing down in the mountains, so the problem of water source was simple.

After they ate the dried meat, Xu Erniu went straight into Zhang Chen's arms and fell asleep with a tired face.

In the middle of the night, Xu Erniu in his arms was humming. Zhang Chen knew that the girl was very tired, so she made the sound unconsciously at night.

But when it was almost dawn, a hot stream suddenly wet Zhang Chen's body, waking him up. Then Zhang Chen was stunned, looking at the water dripping from his body, and couldn't help but be stunned: "This girl wet the bed? And she peed on me?"

Zhang Chen's eyes were full of astonishment, but he did not make a fuss. It was normal for children to wet the bed at night because they were too tired during the day.

But it’s cold in the mountains, and if my clothes get wet, I’m afraid I’ll get sick.

Just when Zhang Chen was thinking about how to dry the moisture on his body, Xu Erniu's snoring suddenly stopped, and a pair of bright eyes looked at Zhang Chen. Then Xu Erniu seemed to realize her embarrassment, and the next moment she closed her eyes, and then the hypocritical snoring sounded again.

Zhang Chen laughed secretly upon seeing this, but did not expose it. Instead, he thought of a solution. He saw the golden scissors in his spiritual world vibrating slightly, and the next moment all the yin and yang energies were drawn away, and then the water control technique was performed.

Even though Zhang Chen's water control technique could only be used for a moment, it was enough for Zhang Chen. The water stains on the two people's bodies were instantly drained away.

Xu Erniu, curled up in Zhang Chen's arms, was stunned. She subconsciously stretched out her little hand and carefully stroked her own pants. Then her big eyes opened instantly: "Hallucination? Did I wet the bed in a dream?"

The two looked at each other, and Xu Erniu looked at Zhang Chen: "I say, did you notice anything just now?"

Zhang Chen knew that Xu Erniu was shy, so he smiled and said, "Are you awake? What happened just now? Nothing happened, why are you asking?"

Xu Erniu scratched her head and confirmed that she was dreaming, then she said confidently: "I was dreaming, go to sleep quickly, kids, don't ask questions."

Zhang Chen smiled secretly in his heart, touched Xu Erniu's head, closed his eyes and conserved his energy.

However, it was almost dawn and neither of them slept well. When it was gray, they got up and ate dried meat. After they were full, they continued to climb into the mountain.

After climbing for half a day, a cry suddenly sounded in the mountains. The cry was faint in the mountain wind, and it would be difficult to detect if you didn't listen carefully. But at this time, the mountains were empty and quiet. Zhang Chen and Xu Erniu both heard the cry, and then Xu Erniu said, "Did you hear it? It seems like someone is crying?"

Zhang Chen nodded: "The crying sound is ahead."

As they climbed up the mountain, they heard the crying sound getting closer and closer. Finally, after climbing for dozens of meters, they saw a little fat man hanging under the cliff, lying on a branch as thick as his arm, swaying in the wind.

The little fat boy was not very old, probably only five or six years old, but he was plump. His clothes were tattered, and there was blood dripping from his knees, palms and soles of his feet. He was crying bitterly.

The small tree was about ten meters away from the mountain path, and below it was a deep abyss, which looked very terrifying.

"Save me! Save me!" The little fat boy's voice was full of tears. When he saw Zhang Chen and Xu Erniu looking at him, he immediately asked for help as if he had found a savior.

Zhang Chen looked at the crying little fat boy, and suddenly an idea flashed in his mind: "I remember that in my previous life, when an immortal accepted a disciple, he had to go through many tests. How could this little fat boy suddenly appear under the tree branch? Even if he fell from the mountain path, it would be too coincidental, right? Could it be a test of me by Wuzhuang Temple?"

Zhang Chen was a suspicious person by nature. Looking at the little fat boy crying on the tree, it was hard for him not to think too much.

"Brother, why did you run to the tree branch to rest? The branch is too thin. You might fall down if you are not careful. You can't take such a risk. Come up quickly to avoid falling down." Zhang Chen said with a smile.

The little fat boy under the tree paused when he heard this. He stared at Zhang Chen blankly with disbelief in his eyes: "How can there be such a person in the world? I'm lying on a tree to rest? If I could climb up, why would I be crying here?"

"Brother, save me! I was busy traveling this morning and accidentally fell down. Please save me, brother. I don't want to die! If you can save me today, I will work like a slave for you in the future." The little fat boy begged with tears in his eyes, his voice full of tears.

(End of this chapter)