Shennong Dao Master
Chapter 81 - 74: The Fifth Incense Stick, True Monarch’s Saintly Revelation (Fourth Update)_2

Chapter 81: Chapter 74: The Fifth Incense Stick, True Monarch’s Saintly Revelation (Fourth Update)_2

Suddenly, Zhao Xing noticed that the speed of the two figures had slowed down, and the light and shadows were gradually dimming.

"Clang!"

With a crisp sound resonating in the air, everyone felt a shock in their ears and quickly took a few steps back.

The two figures finally separated, revealing their true forms.

The duel between Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao had finally reached a conclusion.

"Sister Jiao!"

Lu Qian and Liu Muqing hurriedly ran over.

"I am fine."

Du Jiaojiao panted slightly, her hair disheveled.

Yang Junxiong’s hair was still intact, his breath even, as if the recent battle had been a breeze for him.

"She has become stronger again," Zong Shichang remarked, "Her lips remain untouched, yet she can punch a young man to death. At this rate, who would dare to want her?"

"Mr. Zong, high-ranking martial artists have excellent hearing. If you don’t watch your mouth, you might be the next young man she punches to death," Zhao Xing said casually.

"Ahem," Zong Shichang changed the subject, "What should we do now? Should we make a move?"

"Let’s watch for now,"

Zhao Xing focused on the scene ahead.

They saw Yang Junxiong’s spear tip pointing at the approaching Lu Qian and Liu Muqing: "If you continue to pester us, I will find a way to seriously injure you and your friends."

"You despicable!"

"Shameless!"

With those words, the expressions of Lu Qian and Liu Muqing changed drastically.

Du Jiaojiao stopped them, stared at Yang Junxiong for a moment, and nodded: "I concede the first incense to you."

Yang Junxiong retracted his spear, squeezed his legs, and shot up the steps in a flash, entering the temple.

"Who would have thought that Du Jiaojiao values loyalty so much," Wen Zhao said, shaking his feather fan, "She even gave up the chance to compete for the head incense for her friends."

"It’s indeed rare. No one can remember what happens on the mountain, yet she still acts with a pure heart, which explains why her spear skills are so formidable," Zhang Boran sighed, "But she probably also realized she had little chance of securing the head incense, so she gave up."

"Stop talking so much. Get ready."

...

After Yang Junxiong entered the temple, Du Jiaojiao protected Lu Qian and Liu Muqing as they followed him in.

No one dared to voice any objections when such high-caliber martial artists did so.

They could only watch as they took the first four slots for worship.

Now, all four incense slots were filled.

The pressure immediately shifted to Wen Zhao and Zhang Boran.

As Du Jiaojiao and her group stepped onto the stairs, Zhang Boran immediately began his sprint.

Wen Zhao chanted, "From the east to the sky’s edge, the aura sweeps the universe and stabilizes the distance."

Zhang Boran’s speed suddenly increased, and his momentum instantly soared to Gathering Essence Ninth Rank!

He dashed up the hundred-step stone staircase almost in an instant.

Just as Wen Zhao thought Zhang Boran would be the fifth to enter, Zhang Boran suddenly rushed back even faster.

"Cousin, what, what are you doing?" Wen Zhao was stunned.

Zhang Boran, expressionless, lifted his fist and punched Wen Zhao.

"What? Stop the... "

Before Wen Zhao could finish his sentence, he was punched, his teeth flying, and he was sent tumbling away, his life or death uncertain.

This bizarre scene caused everyone itching to try to stop in their tracks, hesitating with uncertainty.

What was happening?

Zhao Xing glanced back at Yuan Bo, who stood beside Zong Shichang.

Just now, Yuan Bo, who had remained low-profile, had made his move.

The divine statue in his eyes disappeared and appeared behind Zhang Boran.

It spread its limbs, attaching itself to Zhang Boran like a marionette controlling him.

"Divination and summoning usually involve one’s own body. This Yuan Bo can summon a Yin God to possess someone else? Quite a feat," Zhao Xing had also planned to make a move, but seeing Zhang Boran’s condition, he decided to hold back.

"Young Master, you may enter now," Yuan Bo, who had been silent, suddenly spoke in a somewhat eerie tone.

Zong Shichang looked at Zhao Xing, offering him the chance for the fifth incense: "Zhao Sanjia, you go first. It’s unsuitable for you to be the rearguard."

Zhao Xing glanced at Yuan Bo, who showed no reaction.

"Alright."

Zhao Xing did not hesitate. He immediately summoned Yin Wind around him and floated up the stairs like a ghost.

Gu Feng behind him squeezed his silver bow, ultimately not daring to make a move.

Some had recognized Yuan Bo’s peculiar skill. Making a move now might not secure the fifth incense.

Standing between two mechanical beasts, Hu Yang also remained unmoved.

He never intended to compete for the top five. After the fifth incense, there wasn’t much difference; it wasn’t worth the effort to compete further.

Thus, after Zhao Xing entered, Zong Shichang, Uncle Cang, and Uncle Hu entered safely.

Next came the archer Gu Feng and the mechanical master Hu Yang.

Surprisingly, Zhang Boran was the last one to enter.

After Yuan Bo released his control, Zhang Boran regained his senses. Though he didn’t understand what had happened, seeing the final slot before him, he couldn’t worry about his cousin still unconscious and entered the temple directly.

....

After Zhao Xing entered the temple, he did not see the four who entered before him.

On the altar were offerings of three sacrificial animals, and a divine statue holding a ruler gazed into the distance.

Zhao Xing’s thoughts stirred, and the incense in his hand instantly ignited. After bowing three times, he placed the incense in the incense burner.

He chanted, "Minister of Agriculture Officer Zhao Xing, ask the True Monarch to reveal the divine."

The incense burned. Although it was merely a thin wisp, it suddenly filled the hall with swirling smoke.

When Zhao Xing looked up again, the surroundings were shrouded in heavy fog, and the light dimmed.

The divine statue on the platform had vanished, replaced by a living giant.

Emitting faint golden light, the giant stood three zhang tall.

This was the manifestation of the Yin God.

"You have summoned the divine. What do you seek?"

Zhao Xing bowed and said, "I ask the True Monarch to teach me how to obtain the Golden Cup Spirit guarded by the Mountain Cat."

He did not elaborate further, for the Yin God knew all that transpired on the mountain.