Ancient relics, if they withstand the passage of long years without decaying, can become endowed with various mystical properties under the nourishment of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, and are known as Ancient Artifacts.

Among them, those with unparalleled divine might are called Divine Artifacts.

The Qian Dynasty has seven National Guardian Divine Artifacts: the Nine Heavens Profound Fire Mirror, the Thunder Sword, the Yellow Springs Palace Lamp, the Blood Weng Zhong, the Soul-Devouring Silk, the Wordless Stele, and the Demon Bone Gourd, each overseen by a different State Preceptor.

These are things ordinary people would naturally not know, but Zhang Kui, in his leisure time, had inquired clearly from Elder Huayan.

Some of these National Guardian Divine Artifacts were passed down from the Great Zhou, obtained by the Qian Court over time, while others were acquired from explorations of Ancient Secret Realms.

And this "Blood Weng Zhong" is the oldest among them.

It is rumored that during the Great Zhou, an alchemist discovered an ancient secret realm in the North Sea ice fields, within which lay a Nameless Ancient Tomb. Legends say that at that time many died amidst strange occurrences, and only one alchemist obtained this "Blood Weng Zhong", and since then it has suppressed the national destiny.

With the appearance of a National Guardian Divine Artifact, it seems the Court is truly concerned.

"Blood Weng Zhong, Blood Weng Zhong..."

Beside him, Captain Yang Bai looked at the chaotic and desolate Shanyang City, murmuring with trembling lips:

"I had already sent out the Shadow Crow to notify them yesterday, if only they could arrive half a day earlier..."

Zhang Kui squinted his eyes slightly, gazing into the distance.

He saw ten miles outside Shanyang City, Yin Qi soared into the sky, and a blood-colored figure slowly descended...

"You all wait here, I'm going to take a look!"

After giving instructions, Zhang Kui shot off in an instant, his form gradually fading away.

"Invisibility Skill..."

Yang Bai watched in open-mouthed astonishment.

His family was considered a prestigious cultivator lineage of a hundred years, but compared to this man with his Flying Sword and Invisibility Skill, who exactly was he?

Looking at Fatty Tiger, who had closed his eyes to nap beside him, Yang Bai hesitated for a moment, then cupped his fists and said,

"Master Hu, could your esteemed master be a newly appointed National Guardian True Man?"

Fatty Tiger twitched his ears and glanced sideways,

"National Guardian True Man is such a great title. However, my Taoist master might not care for it."

Hiss...

Yang Bai inhaled sharply, his eyes filled with doubt and surprise. "Over there, is that Jingjiang Water Mansion? I even saw the Black Painting Boat."

Fatty Tiger snorted,

"Jingjiang Water Mansion is notable, but Master Hu has roamed Stone Man Tombs without a scratch."

Yang Bai's mind buzzed instantly.

Goodness...

This Demon Tiger isn't likely lying.

If so, this is indeed a prominent ally.

If I refuse to leave with my second uncle, I fear misfortune would befall me, and even my father wouldn't be able to protect me.

Hmm... I must hold on tight!

Thinking of this, Yang Bai showed a flattering smile. "Master Hu, are you tired? Let me massage your back for you..."

......

On the other side, Zhang Kui sped swiftly and soon arrived at the lakeshore.

He saw Yin Qi rising from the lake, black mist billowing, with a black painting boat faintly visible in the lake, several times larger than those of ordinary people, intertwined with water weeds, ghost fire as lamps, eerily strange.

Zhang Kui's eyes narrowed slightly.

He had seen such painting boats in Changyun City, though they were smaller in size. Cave Abyss Skill equally failed to probe them.

Painting boat, painting boat...

Could it be that those in charge of Jingjiang Water Mansion are all women?

Looking to the left shore, a hundred-meter-tall Stone Guardian stood solemnly with sword in hand, its head wearing a Kui hat, body clad in Lock Armor, its stone surface weathered and full of cracks, the head and face already blurred.

But bizarrely, blood was constantly seeping from those cracks, thoroughly dyeing the Stone Guardian red, a bloody stench filling the air.

Elder Huayan had said, divine artifacts can vary in size as desired and usually wouldn't appear this enormous.

Yet strangely, where was the State Preceptor controlling the divine artifact?

Just as Zhang Kui felt a sudden foreboding, followed by a chill all over his body, hallucinations flooded his mind, as if he were being watched by two fierce beings simultaneously.

On one side were damp, viciously beautiful eyes in the black mist,

On the other was a cold, indifferent face within an endless sea of blood.

Exposed...

Zhang Kui's expression turned grim, and he gradually revealed himself.

The Invisibility Skill is only level one; since encountering the Celestial Tribulation Realm Demon Turtle, he's been repeatedly spotted, rendering it nearly useless.

Unexpectedly, detection still occurred even at this distance, clearly overestimated.

Zhang Kui cupped his hands towards the Blood Weng Zhong,

"I am Zhang Kui, greetings to State Preceptor Cui."

Elder Huayan had mentioned that the State Preceptor overseeing Blood Weng Zhong was named Cui, seldom seen even by them.

Unexpectedly, after retracting their awareness, neither side paid him any attention, continuing to confront each other in silence.

After waiting a while, when Zhang Kui was about to leave in annoyance, the ice on the riverbank suddenly cracked open, revealing several Fish Demons and Yakshas, eyes blood-red, frantically clawing and biting each other.

Hmm... That strange malevolent aura.

Zhang Kui squinted his eyes, increasingly astonished, quickly using Cave Abyss Skill to investigate.

Though the painting boat couldn't be penetrated, the riverbed was still relatively clear, in chaos now, Demons struck by malevolent Qi periodically erupted into a chaotic melee.

Within the boat, a visible black ripple quickly spread, waking Demons struck by the evil aura, only for others to fall prey soon after.

"Good..."

A hoarse, raspy female voice suddenly emerged from the boat, "Only... one person can go in... find the person immediately... exit..."

While Zhang Kui was puzzled, an elderly voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

"Who are you, and what business have you here?"

Zhang Kui was momentarily stunned, then looked at the "Blood Weng Zhong," cupping his hands to say, "I am Zhang Kui, come from the Capital City, intending to rescue True Man Yu Hua. State Preceptor Cui, where are you?"

"I am in the Capital City."

Capital City?

A glimmer of surprise flashed in Zhang Kui's eyes.

Divine Travel Realm... This State Preceptor is actually Divine Travel Realm!

Yes, post-Celestial Tribulation, inner and outer are harmonized, Divine Souls roam sensing Heaven and Earth, empowering Magical Treasures to engage adversaries across a thousand miles.

Only Divine Travel Realm could achieve this.

Before he could ponder further, State Preceptor Cui's voice continued, "You young one, being here to save lives, do you have the courage?"

What does this mean?

Zhang Kui cupped his hands, "Please, State Preceptor, give guidance."

The Blood Weng Zhong's eyes flashed with bloody light, "This Jingjiang Water Mansion has somehow gotten wind of a treasure in this ancient Secret Realm and has sent people secretly long ago."

"But for reasons unknown, the Secret Realm got exposed, drawing Yu Hua and Qiu Canzi inside."

"This ancient Secret Realm here possesses a curious repelling force, compounded by the current turmoil, leaving it unable to look after itself. I have made arrangements with them, agreed not to attack ordinary people again, and sent someone inside to search for Yu Hua and Qiu Canzi."

"Your arrival is timely, but do you dare enter?"

Zhang Kui didn't hesitate for a moment,

"Though I lack a master-disciple title with True Man Yu Hua, she owes me for teaching and guiding me. As long as they clear the way, I dare enter!"

"Good..."

The elderly voice carried a faint note of appreciation.

Immediately after, three beams of bloody light shot out from the massive Weng Zhong, hovering in mid-air.

Zhang Kui focused, finding them to be three ancient stone shards resembling pieces of armor, covered in incomprehensible blood-colored patterns.

State Preceptor Cui's aged voice echoed once more,

"Though you're only in the Grain Avoidance Realm, there's no need to fear. These are three Stone Talismans, capable of withstanding three deadly tribulations, provided the opponent's skill doesn't exceed mine."

"Remember, despite the upheaval of Jingjiang Water Mansion, whatever they seek, pay it no mind. Find the people and exit immediately."

"Go now, for delay brings change. If more of their people arrive, I'm afraid I would have no choice but to give up..."

This is the human plight.

Even the most powerful State Preceptor can only use the chaos to propose some terms.

This Jingjiang Water Mansion Leader likely didn't arrive personally. Calculations suggest that just one Water Mansion's elite forces could match or even surpass the Qian Dynasty...

Recalling the frequent laments of Elder Huayan on the hardships of human survival, eyes teeming with sorrow.

Zhang Kui took a deep breath, suppressing the fierceness in his eyes, collecting the three Stone Talismans with a wave of his hand, bowed and marched towards the river.

Sure enough, the Demons made way, baring sinister fangs at him, eyes full of cruel bloodthirst.

Zhang Kui gave a cold glance, using the Forbidden Water Skill, floating towards the ghostly blue Light Sect at the riverbed...

Boom!

Moments after stepping into the Light Sect, his mind buzzed deafeningly, as though countless voices were shouting, with scenes of ancient sacrificial rites flashing indistinctly before him.

Zhang Kui steadied himself, only to see a mottled, ancient boulder before him, with an archaic large character cast in greenish bronze across its surface:

"Ji!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.