Weird Cultivation, I have a five-organ temple

Chapter 659 Mysterious Stone Tablet
"On your inspection tour, did you meet with the Grand Master upon returning to Wushan? What exactly is the situation regarding the joint attack on Deng by Ba and Chu?"

First, Shang Lu sent a message to Zi Shu Xun Shou.

After waiting for a while without receiving a response, he sent messages to Lü Yang and Gongshu Ling respectively.

"Senior Brother Lü, where are you now? Have you found out any news?"

"Senior Sister Gongshu, what's the situation on your end?"

However, all three messages went unanswered, as if they had sunk without a trace.

"That's strange." Shang Lu frowned slightly, sensing something was amiss.

Zishu Xunshou and Gongshu Ling are one thing, but if something happens to them, they certainly won't reply to messages immediately.

But Senior Brother Lü is different. Unless he's in a fight, he always replies to messages instantly. The fact that he's not replying now is obviously not right.

"Could something really have happened?"

It's no wonder Shang Lu made such a guess; the whole series of events seemed rather strange.

First, there was the Grand Master, who was originally supposed to return to Wushan to stop the King of Ba from negotiating peace with the State of Chu and withdrawing his troops. However, after he returned, not only did he fail to prevent the peace negotiations, but the situation escalated into a joint military campaign by Ba and Chu to attack the State of Deng.

Next came Zishu Xunshou and his group. They had been exchanging messages before, and he had said that he would inform him of the situation once he arrived at Wushan.

Now, judging by the time, they should have returned to Wushan by now, but they can't get in touch with them.

Anyone who encountered such a situation would suspect that Zi Shu Xun Shou and others, and even Da Zhu, might have met with an accident.

"Da Zhu's cultivation is among the best in Ba Kingdom. Who can do anything to him? And then there's Zi Shu Xun Shou. Although his cultivation isn't top-tier, he's extremely vigilant and skilled in concealment and hiding. Even if they really encountered danger or trouble, they shouldn't have been too late to send out a warning message, right?"

As Shang Lu pondered, he carefully examined the Decree of Impermanence. Their last communication was after Shang Lu escaped from the State of Chu, when they exchanged news of their safety.

After that, there was no further communication.

Previously, Shang Lu had been busy dealing with the Discipline Black Witch and hadn't had time to check the Impermanence Decree or think about it in detail. Now, upon reflection, he suddenly found it strange.

It's one thing for the Rat to be on a hunting expedition, but it's impossible that Lü Yang and Gongshu Ling haven't sent him a single message all these days.

Especially Lü Yang, given his personality, he would send a message via telegram at the slightest sign of trouble along the way.

Not to mention, Uncle Huai and Hei Yun are with them, and they'll definitely be urging them to send a message.

"Could it be that they were also targeted by the Discipline Black Witches and chose to travel in silence?"

This speculation was rejected by Shang Lu himself as soon as it arose.

Zishu Xunshou and his group have returned to Ba Kingdom. No matter how arrogant the Chu Kingdom's black sorcerers are, they can't possibly infiltrate Ba Kingdom to hunt down the sorcerers and the Grand Master, right?

Especially now that the states of Ba and Chu have formed a military alliance, wouldn't the entire kingdom of Ba be in an uproar if the Discipline Black Witch really dared to do that?

At that point, no matter how much the King of Ba coveted the benefits offered by the State of Chu, he probably wouldn't be able to suppress the opposition of his ministers and would have no choice but to turn against the State of Chu.

"What exactly went wrong? Could it be that Da Zhu and his group's conspiracy was exposed and they were purged?" Shang Lu frowned and wondered.

The Guardian Witches, led by the Grand Master, were ostensibly the personal guards of the King of Ba, but in reality, they had been using royal power to weaken the powerful clans and aristocratic families.

The goal is to one day break the monopoly of cultivation held by sects and aristocratic families.

Such a thing is clearly unacceptable to sects and aristocratic families.

Even King Ba, though he is using the Guardian Witches to suppress the aristocratic families and sects, would probably try every means to annihilate them once he learns the true purpose of the Grand Priest and the Twelve Hunting Guards!
Because the royal family is the largest sect or clan!

What Da Zhu and Zi Shu Xun Shou and others were doing was undoubtedly digging up their roots.

Shang Lu became increasingly worried and turned to ask, "Third Sister, has Uncle Huai contacted you during this time?"

Third Sister gently shook her head, indicating no.

Shang Lu pressed further, "Do you have any way to get in touch with Uncle Huai?"

"Yes, but I can't guarantee I can get in touch, and it will take time," San Niang replied.

"Let's give it a try," Shang Lu instructed. Having a solution is better than having none.

At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh that it was a pity the Witch Academy Jade Token was destroyed, otherwise he could have used the Witch Academy Jade Token to ask Bai Lingxu for information.

"There's no use being anxious in this situation."

Shang Lu pondered, "During this period, cultivators from all over the country have come to Qinglin Prefecture, including many sorcerers from the Ba Kingdom. Perhaps I can try to get some information out of these people."

Although the Ba Kingdom sorcerers who came to Qinglin Prefecture may not know what happened in Wushan.

However, if things really turn out as Shang Lu feared, and King Ba actually took action against the Grand Priest and the Witch Doctor, it would inevitably trigger a series of chain reactions.

It is not difficult to deduce some or two things from these events.

Having made up his mind, Shang Lu waited a while longer. Seeing that the Impermanence Token still hadn't received a reply, he activated the Taotie Handle, letting it devour the telepathic messages emitted by the Impermanence Token.

At the same time, this gluttonous artifact truly unleashed greed, attempting to corrupt Shang Lu's mind, causing him to covet the various treasures sold in the shop, and thus to make some irrational and impulsive moves.

However, these desires posed no threat to Shang Lu; they were directly extinguished by his inner fire, leaving Shang Lu no chance to even activate the Heart Sutra.

When Third Sister reminded him that the flying spirit wave had been completely swallowed up, Shang Lu put away the Impermanence Token and the Gluttonous Beast Handle, and left the room arranged by the shopkeeper with the black fox that had turned into a yellow dog.

The shopkeeper, still somewhat wary of him as he emerged, waited until he was certain the Taotie figurine hadn't been contaminated before smiling and saying, "No wonder you dared to buy the Taotie figurine; it seems you possess a special method for calming the mind. So, are you satisfied with the Taotie figurine's effects?"

Shang Lu cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "Satisfied. The items sold in your store are indeed genuine."

"Our Lingbao Pavilion has always been honest and fair to all, young and old. If you have any other needs in the future, please feel free to come here. We offer great discounts to our regular customers."

This shopkeeper was clearly skilled in sophistry; his words possessed a captivating charm that made people unconsciously remember phrases like "Lingbao Pavilion" and "great discounts."

In the future, whenever I want to buy something, these messages will be the first thing that comes to mind, and I will subconsciously come to this place.

Although Shang Lu was not affected by him, he still cooperated by cupping his hands and saying, "Definitely, definitely."

After leaving Lingbao Pavilion, Shang Lu was not in a hurry to go to Taimo Academy, but continued to wander around Wenxianfang.

Aside from the treasure to eliminate the flying spirit waves, he also needed to buy some materials to make Nuo masks in preparation for the upcoming Wuzhiqi Nuo mask and the Nuo mask of the deity behind the Golden Path God Tablet.

Actually, these materials are available at Lingbao Pavilion, but Shanglu didn't buy them there.

He didn't want anyone to see through his intentions and guess his identity and background. In fact, he even bought these materials from several different vendors.

Better safe than sorry, especially after all the previous experiences, Shanglu became even more cautious in his actions.

After purchasing all the necessary materials for making Nuo masks, Shang Lu decided to head to the Tai Mo Academy.

But on his way out of Wenxianfang, he was drawn to a stone tablet placed in front of a shop.

This stone tablet is quite old, and many parts have been weathered and damaged, leaving it pitted and uneven.

The lower half of the stone tablet was wrapped in talismans, obscuring its contents. However, the upper half, exposed outside the talismans, revealed strange, wavy patterns and peculiar characters that resembled both tadpoles and swimming fish.

People came and went in the Immortal Inquiry Hall, and many noticed the strange stone tablet. However, because they couldn't recognize the strange patterns and peculiar characters on it, they all just glanced at it and left. Very few stopped to take a closer look.

Shang Lu stopped in his tracks. In fact, if he hadn't already cultivated his mental fortitude, he probably would have lost his composure the moment he saw the stone tablet!
Those strange patterns and peculiar characters that were incomprehensible to others were extremely familiar to Shang Lu.

Back in the Water Mansion Secret Realm, it was from these patterns and characters that he comprehended and learned the fragments of the Heart Sutra, which is as good as water!

The patterns and inscriptions on this stone tablet are very likely another fragment of the Heart Sutra, "The Supreme Good is Like Water".

Even if it is not a fragment of the Heart Sutra, it must be closely related to it.

Shang Lu experienced firsthand the effects of the fragments of the Heart Sutra during this period.

If it could be completed, or even just partially completed, its power and effect would certainly be greatly enhanced.

Unfortunately, the lower half of the stone tablet was covered by talismans, preventing Shang Lu from seeing it. Even if he could see it, he wouldn't be able to begin his cultivation there.

After a moment's thought, Shang Lu stepped into the Lingbao shop with the "Tianbaolou" sign hanging on it.

Upon arriving at Tianbao Tower, Shang Lu discovered that the tower's interior was far larger than it appeared from the outside, suggesting that some kind of "hidden world within a cave" technique had been employed, demonstrating that the power behind Tianbao Tower was not to be underestimated.

At this moment, there were many cultivators selecting spiritual items and treasures in Tianbao Tower, but the waiters who served them were not human, but colorful spirit birds.

These birds, like parrots, can speak human language.

However, unlike parrots, these colorful birds are clearly intelligent, and their words are not simply parroting.

As Shang Lu was looking around, a five-colored spirit bird flapped its wings and flew over:

"Welcome to Tianbao Tower. What would you like, esteemed guest? I'm not bragging, but Tianbao Tower has all kinds of treasures. If you can't find the treasure you're looking for here, then you certainly won't find it anywhere else in the entire Wenxianfang."

"Such arrogance?"

Shang Lu glanced at the five-colored spirit bird, then at the black fox that had turned into a yellow dog. Although he didn't say anything, his meaning was clear: other birds can speak human language, but you, spirit fox, can only chirp and squawk. How shameful.

The black fox, which looked like a yellow dog, turned its head to the side, choosing to avoid seeing it altogether.

The five-colored spirit bird ignored the interaction between the man and the dog, and simply laughed, "It's not that I'm being arrogant, but my Heavenly Treasure Pavilion truly has the strength to back it up. Honored guest, what treasure do you desire?"

Shang Lu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "I noticed there's a stone tablet at the entrance of your shop. Is that for sale too?"

As soon as he said this, Shang Lu keenly noticed that the five-colored spirit bird's gaze had become much sharper in an instant.

It's almost like he's become a completely different person.

Someone has used secret methods to control its body and eyes!
At the same time, San Niang also whispered in Shang Lu's ear, "There are 'eyes' watching you."

Shang Lu was slightly startled, but he remained calm on the surface, pretending not to notice anything.

Even if the people behind Tianbao Tower have some ulterior motives, they wouldn't make a move here.

Otherwise, the reputation that Tianbaolou has built up over the years will be ruined.

"Honored guest, you wish to purchase a stone tablet. Are you able to decipher the inscriptions on it?"

The five-colored spirit bird spoke again. Although its voice was exactly the same as before, Shang Lu, with his extraordinary hearing, could tell that its tone and rhythm were different from before.

Someone is using the bird's mouth to probe and ask questions.

Shang Lu, of course, wouldn't tell the truth, and shook his head, saying, "I don't understand."

The person controlling the five-colored spirit bird clearly didn't believe it: "If you don't understand it, why do you still want to buy it?"

Shang Lu, using his silver tongue, replied, "My intuition tells me that the stone tablet is not simple. Perhaps it holds some kind of opportunity, so I want to buy it and try my luck."

Although the reason was made up on the spot, it was still plausible.

In today's world, many aristocratic families and sects have the habit of hoarding ancient treasures—even if they don't know how to use them for the time being, they hoard them and study them slowly, hoping to make a discovery someday.

The five-colored spirit bird stared intently at Shang Lu with its beady eyes, seemingly trying to assess his identity and the credibility of his words.

Seeing that it remained silent, the pokeweed changed its tone: "If you're not going to sell, then pretend I didn't ask. Goodbye."

After saying that, he turned around and left without the slightest hesitation.

"Honored guest, please wait a moment."

The colorful spirit bird waited until he reached the door before calling out to stop him.

“There’s no treasure in our Tianbao Pavilion that’s not for sale. This stone tablet is no exception. But, esteemed guest, its price is not cheap.”

The colorful bird immediately quoted a price.

It’s indeed not cheap.

Especially for a treasure whose purpose is still unclear, this price is somewhat outrageous.

Shang Lu couldn't help but wonder if the other party wanted to scare him away with a high price, or if they wanted to use the high price to test him further.

Regardless of the method, Shang Lu wanted to take down the stone tablet to complete the "Heart Sutra of the Highest Good is Like Water".

He immediately used his eloquence to bargain with the colorful bird.

Even after successfully negotiating the price down, the final price of the stone tablet still seemed exorbitant.

Fortunately, a considerable amount of pokeweed has been seized in the past few months.

He took out all the money, spiritual liquid, and spiritual fat he had seized, and added several seventh or eighth-grade spiritual roots, finally raising enough to cover the price of the stone tablet.

But for Shang Lu, as long as he can complete the Heart Sutra, no matter how high the cost, it is worth it.

I wonder if Tianbao Tower will do anything unusual.

Therefore, after exchanging money for goods, Shang Lu quickly put the stone tablet into the Impermanence Token and left Tianbao Tower.

Shang Lu's prediction was correct. Just as he left, a pair of eyes were fixed on him from the top floor of Tianbao Tower.

“This person must recognize the inscription on the stone tablet! Even if he doesn’t, the person behind him must know something about it. Otherwise, they wouldn’t pay such a high price to buy a stone tablet of unknown purpose just to take it back and study it slowly.”

"Have someone follow him and find out who is behind him."

The owner of those eyes coldly gave orders to those around him:

"The contents recorded on the stone tablet are most likely a set of cultivation techniques, which are related to our complete deciphering of the secrets of the ancient cataclysm and finding the method to become a god. We must get our hands on it!"

"If these people know what's good for them, we can compensate them. If they don't, then we'll bring them back, search their souls, and extract their secrets!"

"Yes!"

One of the men behind him clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and immediately dispatched men to secretly follow Shang Lu.

These people think they're doing things without anyone knowing.

Little did they know that as soon as their men set out, Third Sister discovered them and informed Shang Lu.

(End of this chapter)