Chapter 108
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Chapter 108: The Truth is Revealed
The rain had ceased.
In the outer realm, an unnamed Dao Temple stood amidst the wilderness.
This temple, constructed in an era long forgotten, was cloaked in layers of dead branches and green vines that clung to its outer walls and roof, yet it miraculously remained standing.
Its basic framework was still intact.
As Wang Chen pushed open the half-closed door, the flickering lights that floated within vanished instantly.
A rustling sound reached his ears.
Wang Chen, unperturbed, retrieved an Obsidian Lamp from his storage bag.
Infusing it with a trace of magical energy, the white shining stone embedded in the lamp’s head instantly emitted a bright, gentle glow.
It dispelled the surrounding darkness.
With the illumination from the Obsidian Lamp, Wang Chen then took out a pile of firewood.
He set up a bonfire.
In moments, the Blazing Flames made the great hall even brighter.
It also added a touch of warmth.
Calmly, he continued to set up a rack, cooking utensils, and fetched spring water, beginning to prepare his evening meal.
No matter how vast the sky and earth, eating is paramount.
Even a condemned prisoner is granted a final meal before execution.
Only tonight, it was uncertain whose head would roll here!
As the boiling water mixed with spiritual rice began to bubble in the pot, Wang Chen set down his spoon.
He stood up and approached the statue.
This Dao Temple was not a new discovery; he had seen it before during his explorations of the outer realm.
He had even investigated it briefly.
The great hall was empty, and the floor bore little dust, likely cleaned by some Loose Cultivators who had rested here using the Cleansing Technique.
Eight massive wooden pillars supported the high dome, and the goddess on the altar bore a compassionate and dignified expression, as if silently praying for all beings under heaven.
This was a statue of the Earth Mother!
The ancient Three Saints were Huang Tian, Houtu, and Huang Gu.
Legend has it that these three saints together established the eternal path, enabling billions of human cultivators to escape the primitive wilderness and gain the strength to resist Evil Spirits.
In common folk belief, the Three Saints are revered as righteous deities!
However, the situation in the world of cultivation is different.
Followers of the Dao respect the Three Saints but do not build temples for worship.
Yet, the Dao does not destroy the temples built by Loose Cultivators; they simply turn a blind eye.
Sects wage war, destroy mountains, and demolish temples, targeting only the shrines of dark gods and evil deities.
The temple of the Earth Mother was situated not far from the outer mountain gate of the Yunyang Sect.
Yet, it had managed to endure through the ages.
However, it had long since lost its worshippers, and the statue’s Golden Body had completely eroded, leaving only patches of rust.
It presented a rather forlorn sight.
The incense burner that should have adorned the altar was conspicuously absent!
Wang Chen produced three sticks of sandalwood incense and lit them.
He lightly tapped the altar with his hand, and a flicker of light emanated from his fingertips, instantly softening the hard rock body.
His master-level proficiency had elevated his mastery of the Earth and Stone Technique to a meticulous level.
He planted the incense sticks and then bowed three times to the Earth Mother.
According to mortal beliefs, Huang Tian governs fate, while Houtu oversees life and death, serving as the final destination for all departed souls.
Thus, the Rebirth Incantation includes the prayer, "May the departed souls return to the Thick Earth."
Thick Earth refers to Houtu, altered for some reason.
And Huang Tian is referred to as Heaven.
Huang Tian above!
As for Huang Gu, revered as the Dao Ancestor, his presence is significantly weaker compared to Huang Tian and Houtu.
Wang Chen often conducted rites for the deceased, which fostered an almost instinctive affinity for the Earth Mother.
He would undoubtedly need to seek her assistance again in the future.
Offering three incense sticks was a fitting gesture.
May the deity bless him!
After completing the incense offering, Wang Chen returned to the bonfire.
He stirred the spiritual rice porridge in the pot to prevent it from sticking to the bottom, then took out a piece of magical beast meat, skewered it with an iron skewer, and placed it over the fire to roast.
A rich aroma of grilled meat soon permeated the great hall.
Wang Chen occasionally basted the beast meat with his specially concocted sauce, intensifying the aroma to be even more alluring and complex.
It was enough to make one’s mouth water!
Just as the porridge in the pot thickened and the meat was nearly done, Wang Chen was about to indulge.
Suddenly, the temple door he had closed creaked open.
A gust of wind, accompanied by a fine drizzle, swept in!
But there was no one at the door.
Wang Chen was momentarily stunned and called out, “Is it you, Uncle?”
In the next instant, a figure darted into the great hall.
The temple door slammed shut behind them!
Wang Chen observed Lu Defang, clad in a sky-blue robe, folding his oil paper umbrella and offering a gentle, scholarly smile. “Dear nephew, are you dining? I hope my timing isn’t too inconvenient?”
Wang Chen exhaled deeply, reluctantly setting aside his grilled meat.
He rose and responded, “Uncle, your timing is impeccable; in fact, your arrival was swifter than anticipated…”
Prior to entering the temple, Wang Chen had dispatched a letter of crane paper to Lu Defang, disclosing his whereabouts.
Consequently, Lu Defang’s appearance was much more prompt than Wang Chen had foreseen.
He hadn’t even managed to have his evening meal!
From a distance of about twenty to thirty paces, Wang Chen fixed his gaze on this uncle, his eyes sharp as needles, and inquired, “Are you in such haste to see your nephew off?”
Lu Defang was momentarily stunned, then chuckled.
However, this time, his laughter was laced with unmistakable malice, no longer veiled.
The cultivator, a perfect mastery of Qi Training, had utterly discarded his facade of deceit, unveiling his true nature!
Lu Defang sighed and remarked, “If Shaoyuan were still with us, seeing you now would surely bring him great joy!”
“Old Sun had sent me a letter of crane paper, claiming you had come to your senses. I was skeptical.”
“I must admit, I misjudged you. How mortifying!”
Indeed, Old Sun was in league with Lu Defang!
Wang Chen’s understanding was now crystal clear.
He had long sensed something amiss with this old neighbor, but given his recent arrival, he harbored doubts yet didn’t dwell on them.
It was only upon reading the letter Old Sun left before his departure that Wang Chen fully grasped the situation.
This elder had been spying on the original owner for Lu Defang all along!
As for the motive, Old Sun himself was clueless.
It was a sudden attack of conscience that prompted him to reveal the truth to Wang Chen as he fled.
Wang Chen paused briefly before stating, “I have numerous questions.”
“Feel free to ask.”
Lu Defang’s demeanor was exceedingly amiable; he showed no urgency to dispatch Wang Chen.
He spoke kindly, “The night is long; we can converse at leisure, nephew.”
Excellent!
Wang Chen nodded and then posed the question, “Why?”
This was the conundrum that perplexed him most.
As a perfect mastery of Qi Training practitioner and a friend of Wang Shaoyuan, why did Lu Defang seek to harm him or the original owner?
Was it due to some ancestral feud?
Otherwise, it defied all logic!
“Why?”
Lu Defang smiled, “That’s an excellent question! It’s quite a tale.”
Wang Chen said, “I’m eager to hear it.”
“Very well!”
Lu Defang tucked the oil paper umbrella into his storage bag, paced a few steps, and said, “In honor of Shaoyuan saving my life in the past, I’ll ensure you understand clearly.”
But Wang Chen sensed this wasn’t the genuine reason.
This perfect mastery of Qi Training practitioner had much to unburden.
And he could only confide in someone on the brink of death!
He subtly glanced at the bonfire pile before him.
There, a crane-shaped pot lay in quiet repose.
