Full-Level Fierce Person
Chapter 537 - 301 Pope

Chapter 537: 301 Pope

Fang Zhixing pushed open the window.

Early in the morning, the outside was shrouded in fog.

He saw a group of shabbily dressed peasants walking on the quiet street.

They walked with their heads down, expressions devout, muttering words as they passed through the city.

"Swamp Dharma King..."

Fang Zhixing furrowed his brows and pulled out a map to check.

To the southwest of the town, there indeed was a vast swamp named "Pingwu."

Stretching over eight hundred miles, the terrain was very complicated, damp, and foul-smelling, like a hidden infinite hell.

Fang Zhixing’s eyes flashed as he realized that if he continued on his straight path to He Ming Mountain, he would have to wade through the dangerous Pingwu Swamp.

Of course, with his strength at that time, where couldn’t he go?

Fang Zhixing thought for a while, then called the inn’s serving boy to inquire, "The Swamp Dharma King is the deity worshipped here, right?"

The serving boy, licking his face, smiled and said, "Correct, the Swamp Dharma King governs the Pingwu Swamp and is our town’s guardian deity."

Fang Zhixing curiously said, "Oh, guarding you from what?"

The serving boy elaborated, "The Pingwu Swamp is home to many terrifying mutant beasts. They emerge from time to time to harm and even eat people. But as long as we worship the Swamp Dharma King and pray for his protection, we will be safe."

Furthermore, there is a rugged trading route leading from our town, roughly passing through the Pingwu Swamp, covering about one hundred and sixty miles.

Beyond the Pingwu Swamp, at the end lies ’Luoyan Mountain,’ and crossing that mountain will lead you to ’Yandang City.’

Merchants and travelers wishing to safely cross the Pingwu Swamp invariably visit the ’Dharma King Temple’ to pray for the Swamp Dharma King’s protection."

Fang Zhixing understood and asked, "Have you ever seen the Swamp Dharma King?"

The serving boy spoke fearfully, "How can we lowly mortals possibly see a deity whenever we wish?"

Fang Zhixing couldn’t help but retort, "Then how do you know it’s the Swamp Dharma King who is protecting you?"

The serving boy earnestly said, "Those who haven’t prayed for the Swamp Dharma King’s protection will surely be dragged deep into the swamp by the mutant beasts, ending up without a complete corpse."

Then he added, "Moreover, the Swamp Dharma King is not an ordinary deity, nor an Evil God. He is a legitimate deity enthroned by the Court, always guarding this swamp."

Fang Zhixing understood. The Yuling Mother Venerate had also mentioned that she was enthroned by the Court.

It seemed that the biggest difference between a legitimate and an Evil God was whether they were official or not.

Those worshipping unofficially were surely considered Evil Gods, not part of the orthodoxy!

With this in mind, Fang Zhixing grew more curious, left the inn, and made his way through the streets to the "Dharma King Temple" the serving boy had mentioned.

Looking around, the temple was not particularly large. Upon entering, a glance up revealed a brightly painted statue, its surface covered in thick layers of colorful paint.

The statue had a human outline, but the lower part of its garment was flowing mud, as if a person was standing in the swamp.

Fang Zhixing closely observed the statue’s face, which was quite handsome with distinct features, a straight nose, deep eyes, clear lips, and prominent cheekbones.

While observing the statue, Fang Zhixing silently released his Divine Soul Perception, scanning everything around him.

However, the statue was just an inanimate object.

Fang Zhixing looked on for a while but noticed nothing unusual.

Just then, a believer approached, knelt down directly, and lit three sticks of incense in his hands, bowing repeatedly to the statue with a solemn and devout expression, muttering prayers for a "safe journey."

The whole process lasted a few minutes; after completing his prayers, as if having gained some emotional solace, the man’s furrowed brows relaxed, and he walked out smiling.

Seeing this, Fang Zhixing was incredulous.

So, he too bought three sticks of incense, lit them, and waved them before the statue.

In the next moment, a vague human face suddenly appeared in the void, hovering above Fang Zhixing’s head.

Fang Zhixing abruptly looked up, staring at the face, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.

"Huh?!"

The face suddenly froze, its eyes widening, staring straight at Fang Zhixing.

After a while, the face uncertainly spoke, "Who might you be?"

Fang Zhixing looked closely at the face, compared it with the statue, and nodded, "The Swamp Dharma King, right? I am a traveler from afar, passing through your esteemed territory, just wanted to say hello."

"Saying hello..."

The face paused and hesitated, "Since you are here, my friend, what may I help you with?"

Fang Zhixing replied, "Honestly, I am very interested in the cultivation of the Taoist practitioners.

Hmm, I have long heard that both Yin and Yang Divines can absorb, refine, and purify the fortunes of mortals, but I have never quite understood how. Thus, I came here to take a look.

Of course, if it’s inconvenient, I will not impose any further and will take my leave."

Hearing this, a trace of anger appeared on the face, and it scoffed coldly, "The secret techniques of our Taoist cultivation are surely not to be shared casually with outsiders!"

A tremendous pressure enveloped the area, the surrounding air seemingly solidifying, making it difficult to breathe.

But Fang Zhixing was calm and undisturbed.

He calmly said, "Don’t be angry, Dharma King. In fact, I’m not exactly an outsider; my master is a formal disciple of the Five Elements Sect."

"Five Elements Sect!!"

The face was taken aback, then sternly said, "Nonsense, if you were a disciple of the Five Elements Sect, why would you ask me about cultivation matters?"

Fang Zhixing replied, "I’m an external disciple, always wandering outside, never having visited the Five Elements Sect.

Moreover, my master is only of the Nine Ox Realm, whereas I am already an Undying of the Hundred Cows Realm."