Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

"To save you or save me..."

The Lanjiang River God paused, and a gleam of light flickered in his cloudy eyes. "True Man Zhang seems to know quite a bit. How about we talk as we walk?"

Zhang Kui glanced down, chuckling,

"I'm afraid your little boat won't hold."

An ordinary wild tiger is three meters long, while Fatty Tiger is a whole circle larger. Without its tail, it's six meters long, making the boat indeed quite small.

The Lanjiang River God smiled faintly.

"True Man Zhang, no need to worry, it can hold..."

With that, he blew lightly. The seemingly ordinary small boat caught the wind and expanded by a whole size.

Zhang Kui's eyes flickered, and without surprise, he leaped gracefully onto the boat, standing firmly.

This spell that changes objects isn't an illusion; it seems magical but is actually ordinary. If the mana maintaining it dissipates, it instantly returns to its original form.

The Seventy-Two Demons Technique includes Spraying Transformation and Finger Transformation Skills, which can deceive people. But fake things are fake, and even if they transform into weapons, they break with a single strike.

The Lanjiang River God nodded, tapped the bamboo pole, and the small boat drifted out. A lone leaf floated on the river, flanked by mountains and clouds.

Suddenly, water waves rippled beside the boat as an old turtle with a clay jar covered in shells on its back surfaced.

The Lanjiang River God smiled lightly, "True Man Zhang, passing through Lanjiang, I apologize for my rudeness. Let me offer this jar of old wine as an apology."

"River God, you're too polite..."

Zhang Kui's eyes lit up. With a flick of his wrist, the jar flew into his hand. He removed the clay seal and looked inside. This wine, aged over countless years, was only half a jar left, thick, orange, and fragrant like honey.

"Good stuff!"

Zhang Kui quickly stored it away. This wine must be blended to achieve the best taste; drinking it hastily would be wasteful.

Having acquired good wine, Zhang Kui was in high spirits. With a wave of his hand, the "Divine Court Bell" appeared in his grasp.

"Old Zhang has a lot on his plate and doesn't want to play games. You talk to him; let it be up to fate."

A faint shadow of Shen Xu appeared beside him, bowing respectfully: "Greetings, Taoist friend."

The Divine Path differs from cultivators; these Incense Fire Gods have special skills. With just a flash of light in their eyes, they know the full story.

The Lanjiang River God didn't seem surprised, but there was a subtle change in his expression. After a moment of silence, he asked, "True Man Zhang, what do you think the Divine Path is?"

Zhang Kui wasn't in the mood for idle chatter, but this question hit home, so he shared his thoughts from recent days.

"As for the Divine Path, if this world had no demons, ghosts, gods, or Immortal techniques, then it's probably a scam, and Old Zhang wouldn't bother with it."

"No one knows what the Divine Path used to be, but from some murals, it seems to have been rulers of men, maintained by the people's faith, deciding life and death, like shepherds."

"But in recent days, I increasingly feel that this Divine Path should be like a system, where the people offer incense while the Divine Path supports the prosperity of the Human Path, a mutually dependent relationship."

"That's an interesting thought..."

The River God pondered, "If mortals are disrespectful to the gods, what then?"

Zhang Kui laughed, "That's a tricky question for me, but for someone like Old Zhang to show respect, the gods should do something respectable first."

"I won't speak for others, but as a man, Old Zhang refuses to become a dog or let the human race degrade to livestock. No matter if gods, demons, immortals, or buddhas try to rule over humanity, I can't stand it; it breaks my spirit."

The River God was taken aback, looking at Zhang Kui as if he were a fool. "This world isn't for humans to rule. What can you do if you can't stand it?"

Zhang Kui replied with a smile.

"Then I'll fight!"

"Even if I'm alone, I'll fight!"

Fatty Tiger shook his ears, chuckling, "Taoist, don't leave me behind."

"That's a promise."

The Three-Eyed Taoist Shen Xu smiled wryly, "I never thought the Star Lord would have such ambition. I just escaped danger only to enter another but gaining an extra life is worth it."

He bowed deeply,

"Shen Xu is willing to follow the Star Lord to death!"

The Lanjiang River God shook his head, "True Man Zhang... to be honest, I've been practicing for a long time, and with my good relations with some Demon Kings in the Lanjiang Water Mansion, I'm safe for now. I dare not join you in danger."

Zhang Kui didn't mind, bowing his hands, "Fair enough, then it's goodbye from Zhang."

With that, he held the great bell in his right hand and, riding the tiger, leaped into the water, walking on the waves, gradually fading away.

Shen Xu gave a slight bow to the River God, "If I may, reconsider your reliance on the Lanjiang Water Mansion!"

After saying this, he disappeared instantly.

Zhang Kui rode the tiger, walking the waves. Having spoken his grand ambition, he felt even more enlightened, and with high spirits, the great bell in his right hand chimed loudly.

Watching the golden waves expand, harmony reigned within a hundred miles, and the Lanjiang River God's expression changed slightly.

"May I ask True Man Zhang, what is this bell called?"

"Divine Court!"

......

Haojing City, caught in continuous rain.

The Prince Mansion was dark and shadowy, candle flames flickering.

"Commoner Li Fu, who disrespects the Emperor and breaks the royal law, is granted a cup of Soul-Departing Wine as thanks to the world!"

The palace eunuch emotionlessly rolled up the Holy Decree, and several burly Imperial Guards immediately rushed forward, holding down the Fourth Prince Li Fu to force-feed him the poisoned wine.

"Li Shuo, you dog... I'll haunt you... ugh..."

The Fourth Prince Li Fu struggled for a while, but soon his whole body turned blue-black, foam spilled from his mouth, and he bled from all seven orifices, dying.

Reduced first to a commoner, those generals who had voiced support fell silent. Later, he was accused of a random crime and poisoned to death.

He overestimated his wisdom,

and underestimated Emperor Li Shuo's "generosity."

In the distance, atop a tall building, General Heyang Xiahou Ba withdrew his gaze with a cold snort, "A fool even in death!"

Inside the room, Yellow Eyebrow Old Monk was playing with Buddhist beads with his eyes closed. "Mortal struggles for power mean little to us seeking the Path of Longevity. But is what Xiahou said true?"

Xiahou Ba nodded, "Thanks to collaborating with Shamanism, we've learned the miraculous uses of the Divine Strange Pearl. Shamanism allows us to borrow it, but with it being controlled, we could be at their mercy."

Yellow Eyebrow Old Monk furrowed his brow, "But you said the Divine Strange Pearl is so precious, even the Demon Forbidden Land treasures it. As Mid-Autumn approaches, where can we seek it?"

Xiahou Ba's eyes narrowed,

"Emperor Qianyuan Li Wuji is secretive and must have visited the Underworld, though I don't know where he hid the Divine Strange Pearl..."

Yellow Eyebrow Old Monk shook his head slightly,

"I already tried probing, but the Emperor hasn't even heard of such a thing."

Xiahou Ba snorted, "The State Preceptors surely know, but those old foxes would never tell us."

Yellow Eyebrow Monk sighed, "I've already ordered Xiao Qianchou to search all the temples and Divine Temples in the Capital City, but there's not even a shadow of it."

Xiahou Ba thought for a while, a gleam in his eyes, "Wang Chaoxian of Jiangzhou was executed. Didn't you say there was much to ponder behind it? I thought about it; those nearby the Demon Forbidden Land haven't moved."

"It seems someone is playing dumb while being fully aware..."

Yellow Eyebrow Old Monk's expression changed suddenly,

"No, if we touch what's in those forbidden lands, not only our lives will be endangered, but it will cause great disaster."

"Going to the Underworld is equally a gamble for survival, isn't it?"

Xiahou Ba's solitary eye glowed red, a sinister smile on his lips, "As for the rest, once we leave, let the floodwaters come!"

Yellow Eyebrow Monk's face was uncertain, and after a long while, sighed softly: "We must act a few days before Mid-Autumn to make it work..."

......

Oblivious to all earthly plots and schemes, Zhang Kui was busy elsewhere, ringing the Divine Court Bell, exorcizing disasters, and locusts. His fame among the people spread far and wide.

Then, a month later, an urgent message arrived in the Capital City, shocking everyone.

"Lanzhou, locust outbreak, covering the skies!"