Chapter 610: Chapter 283: The Same Kind, Strange Dream

A few days ago, during the Bone Elder Association’s autopsy of Mo Tingsheng, Zhou Xuan inexplicably had a nosebleed.

At that time, he had just learned about the “Will Scroll” not long beforehand. Immediately, he suspected whether Bi Fang above the heavenly dome had activated the “Will Scroll” to curse him to death.

When it came to sensing danger, Zhou Xuan had always had an instinctive animalistic intuition. However, this suspicion seemed too far-fetched, so he didn’t pay it much attention.

Now, he suddenly coughed up blood for no apparent reason.

Two consecutive unexplained physical anomalies were enough to convince Zhou Xuan that Bi Fang had indeed used the “Will Scroll” to curse him to death.

Miss Qiang dispersed her consciousness to inspect Zhou Xuan’s secret realm, and what she discovered was truly extraordinary.

When Zhou Xuan first experienced the nosebleed, a nearly imperceptible blood point appeared in his secret realm.

This time, the blood point began to fester, decaying into a rotten hue, like a wildflower thriving wantonly on an open field.

“Ah Xuan, the source of your illness is indeed strange. It suddenly started to spread,” Miss Qiang said.

Miss Qiang then added, “Your body and that of Nuodai follow different paths to the same destination. I can use the remains of those four Nuodai corpses to help you reconstruct a new body.”

“If the Scroll operates, its outcome will relentlessly pursue its goal. Even if I switch to a new body, it won’t take long before it’s destroyed again,” Zhou Xuan declined Miss Qiang’s well-intended suggestion. However, her idea wasn’t necessarily without merit.

“Perhaps if this current body decays beyond repair, replacing it with a new one might at least buy me more time.”

The body-replacement method could only treat the symptoms, not the root cause, but in critical moments, it might save his life.

“For now, I need to find a way to lift the curse of the Scroll.”

Although Zhou Xuan had deduced through the Kongming Mirror how the Scroll was created and what its effects were, uncovering deeper secrets would require hands-on experience.

“This drink will have to wait. I’m heading home to rest well tonight and will start forging the Scroll tomorrow.”

Saying this, Zhou Xuan thought about returning to East Market Street,

but he still had a few tasks to take care of first.

For example, deciding how to handle the decommissioned Wuxiang Prison and Daluo Tian.

Or arranging for his sister’s request made through a spiritual link, asking him to facilitate Li Shuangyi and Liu Jiaotian’s journey to Yellow Field Prefecture before the Ancient Clan’s celebration banquet.

Setting his wine cup aside, Zhou Xuan stood up and first bid farewell to the painter. “Old Hua, I’m exhausted from my battle with the Three-Headed Stone Buddha. I’ll take my leave now. As for the incense offerings meant for the Saint Heir and Saintess, you’d better hurry and consume them. The Heavenly Official’s divine status still awaits your refinement.”

“Thank you for your concern, Young Master,” the painter replied.

Zhou Xuan then addressed Lady Hong Guan and Shang Qingying, “Coffin Maiden, Master Shang, I promised you earlier that from Wuxiang Prison, Daluo Tian, and the Three-Headed Stone Buddha, you may each choose one Dharma Body. Once you’ve made your selection, split its Buddha power evenly between the two of you to increase your incense offerings.”

“However, know that these Dharma Bodies belonged to the first wave of Buddha Country invaders who landed in Jing Country—a scouting unit of the Buddha Country.”

The person behind the Three-Headed Stone Buddha is called the Great Heavenly King. And the Great Heavenly King’s full name is Xunbo Great King.

This name suggests that the Great King likely led a group of highly skilled practitioners from Buddha Country, searching everywhere for nations to plunder—those resource-rich, thriving countries are the external tides they seek…

The Flesh and Blood Dynasty, found by Xunbo Great King, was utterly obliterated. Three hundred years ago, had Jing Country not been safeguarded by the Nuo God, its fate might have been much the same as the Flesh and Blood Dynasty.

“For three centuries, the Dharma Bodies of Wuxiang Prison, Daluo Tian, and the Wansese Realm couldn’t have sustained themselves with mere ascetic cultivation. Perhaps they were engaging in secret activities.”

“I intend to uncover all their actions.”

As he spoke, Zhou Xuan cupped his fists in salute, “Therefore, these two Buddha Country invaders still have their uses. For now, you may not be able to absorb their Buddha energy.”

“But I promise, as soon as they divulge everything they know, Coffin Maiden and Master Shang will be able to feed on their Buddha energy.”

Shang Wenjun maintained a cold expression but said, “I’m in no hurry. A slight delay or advance in consuming incense offerings makes no difference to me. However, it depends on whether the Coffin Maiden agrees.”

“Shang Witch, are you provoking me now?”

Coffin Maiden raised her wine bowl and downed it in one gulp, saying, “Though I don’t read much, I know a few fundamental principles. Without fur, what would skin adhere to? If Jing Country were ruined by Buddha Country, what good would it do me to refine nine sticks of incense?”

“Young Master, you go ahead and interrogate the two of them. However long it takes, I can wait.”

“Coffin Maiden, you’re very magnanimous. But… it’s actually without skin, what would fur adhere to? You just reversed the saying.”

“Oh…” Coffin Maiden paused, then realized the meaning of the phrase. With a carefree wave of her jade hand, she said brightly, “No big deal, no big deal. As long as my intentions are clear, that’s all that matters. I may lack education and have read little, but my heart… it’s all in this drink.”

Grasping another bowl of strong liquor, the Coffin Maiden downed it in one swift motion.

After she finished her drink, Zhou Xuan interjected,

“Coffin Maiden, we’ve just talked about righteousness; now I wish to discuss something personal with you.”

“Speak freely, Young Master.”

“My Third Senior Brother, Li Shuangyi, turned into a zombie after his death. However, Ping Shui Prefecture is not suitable for raising zombies. He must go to Yellow Field Prefecture. But the security situation in Yellow Field Prefecture…”

The Coffin Maiden instantly understood what Zhou Xuan was getting at. No one knew the catastrophic state of affairs in Yellow Field Prefecture better than she did.

“I thought it was a big deal. I’ll send a secret message right away to arrange for the veteran helmsman of the Bitter Ghosts. He’ll select some adept disciples from the Tangkou to meet your Third Senior Brother at the border between Yellow Field and Ping Shui Prefecture and escort him to Yellow Field Prefecture.”