Chapter 474: The Overgrown Rings of Years

Sunset sank west; mountain sparrows returned to the woods; towering wild trees stood in dark stillness.

"Master, are you truly going out in the middle of the night?" Gao Taigong pleaded: "It's still snowing outside, freezing cold—"

With a master come to Gao's Manor to subdue demons and expel evils, he was naturally delighted—especially since the monk was from afar, surely possessing some skill.

But isn't this overzealous?!

On such a freezing, wind-swept, snowing night, even if there were demons inside the house, no one should venture into the mountains.

"Merely a touch of wind and frost," Su Lin said, clasping his palms in Buddhist greeting, gripping his nine-ringed staff as he pushed open the door.

The cold wind howled, snowflakes whirled, and the biting chill pierced through his fur-lined coat, making Gao Taigong shrink back into the house, only regaining warmth by huddling near the stove.

In that daze, he heard a strange melody, as if the bustling mortal world surged toward him, while the monk marched forward through frost and snow.

Gazing at Su Lin's back, he expressed admiration: "No wonder he's a high monk from Tang."

Whether or not he had real power, just this heart alone made one feel warm all over.

"Hurry and shut the door, it's freezing!" Gao Taigong waved his sleeve and ordered: "Hey, good son-in-law, where did you find this master? Afterward, we must prepare some gold, silver, and valuables."

As Gao Taigong spoke, he suddenly noticed Shi Hao was gone from the room.

"Where's my son-in-law?" he asked the maid.

"He went with the master to subdue demons," the maid replied, her face flushed, still lingering in her mind on Shi Hao's sudden, graceful rise.

He never seemed so handsome before—why did he look so striking today?

"Subdue demons?"

"Mm."

"Subdue demons?! Why are you going with him to subdue demons—!!!"

Gao's Manor was vast, its paths wide enough for a cart, now blanketed under thick snow.

Su Lin walked through the snow, leaving footprints: "Wuneng, where's your weapon?"

"Left it in the room," Shi Hao said, catching a snowflake in his hand: "Let it stay a while longer—maybe this is the last time."

As he spoke, the snowflake melted.

"How did past Reincarnators handle Gao's Manor?" Li Huowang removed his copper mask—too cold, the mask pressed uncomfortably against his face.

No one in this world knew Xin Su anyway.

"Maybe they took quests and commissions like we do," Su Lin suddenly looked up at the sky: "Maybe this place, like Chang'an, is under surveillance too—perhaps."

"Those Reincarnators and Old Pig never returned to Gao's Manor at all."

The world is too vast to monitor everything, but a few villages like this one can be managed—surely they wouldn't let Reincarnators return under Old Pig's identity to flirt with Gao Cuilan?

Given how deep Old Pig's obsession runs, it's unlikely the gods wouldn't lend some protection.

"For the past few days, only reports of spirit possession or lost cattle and sheep," Meng Qi dragged his Ruyi Jingu Bang through the snow, leaving a long golden trail of spiritual energy quickly buried by wind and snow.

Kleen waved to halt: "That means no one dares touch Gao's Manor's people—or someone already did, and is hiding in a room using an assumed identity."

He placed his staff on the snow, let go, and watched it fall randomly in one direction.

Picking it up, he brushed off the snowflakes and said, gazing at the mark: "This way."

Anonymous person Huang said: Once you see a Fortune Teller, strike once.

But when teaming up for dungeons, Fortune Tellers are genuinely useful.

"Su Lin, you're really the one who should take the blame for this," Meng Qi said.

"Call me Master," Su Lin gazed into the dark, lightless mountain path: "I'll chant the Tightening Circlet Spell on you."

"Monk, they all came here to eat your flesh," Meng Qi continued: "You're a prized delicacy now."

"Is that so? Then I hope they know how to behave—if they don't, I can personally teach them how to be human," Su Lin said casually, unfazed by Meng Qi's teasing.

My system does contain many strange things—humanity is a broad category, with numerous sinister artifacts and spells targeting this uniquely favored species, capable of affecting vampires, zombies, demons, and spirits.

Su Lin: "."

"It's a frozen ghost," Meng Qi raised an eyebrow, watching the JK-schoolgirl-suit spirit's curse nearly pressed against Su Lin's face:

"It's wearing clothes from the Eastern Isles—can't be a student here; Jianzhen hasn't sailed east yet."

No white sclerae, eyes pitch-black, skin decayed and shriveled in multiple places, tongue hanging, icy soul-fire illuminating its gray-black flesh.

Visible curses, like dense black insects, tried to burrow into Su Lin's body.

Standard spirit-ghost type, but the sailor uniform felt jarringly out of place—this is the Journey to the West.

"Demon! Eat this, Old Sun's staff!" Meng Qi transformed into Sun Wukong using the Eight-Nine Profound Art, thrusting forward—using the Ruyi Jingu Bang's extendable property to pierce it, causing the spirit to dissipate and be freed:

"Let's go, Master. There's more ahead—why is your hand glowing?"

"Nothing," Su Lin glanced at the light emanating from his right hand, shook it twice: "Thought you might not see well—wanted to turn on a flashlight."

"Thanks, I've seen enough horrors in the City of Calamity," Lu Mingfei muttered—he hadn't felt anything at the time, his rage meter full, but afterward, the place felt even creepier than a haunted house.

"Lao Zhou, send some people to watch over Gao's Manor," Su Lin said to the empty air beside him—his true form was inside:

"The other side likely has Reincarnators with enhanced Spirit-Controlling systems—pull out the Yellow Book again, write: 'No Spatial Teleportation Allowed Here.'"

Sometimes it's really annoying how these things lack personal space—just popping up right on your face.

"Seven people, and one monkey actually showed up," said the glasses-wearing man in a black cap and hunting robe: "That Tang Monk—the Snow Maiden's stored curse had no effect on him. Troublesome."

"Your Majesties, this Tang Monk and his party seem formidable."

A three-pronged steel fork stuck into a stone, clanging sharply; when they looked at the wielder, he wore a pale-yellow silk robe over armor, golden armor radiating a hazy divine light.

"You demons, best drop those scheming thoughts—you just want me to go scout for you."

"With this world transformed, Tang Monk isn't Tang Monk, Pilgrim isn't Pilgrim—would eating them really grant the benefits of the Golden Cicada?"

His expression darkened, eyes narrowed, gleaming with sharp light; his fingers tapped lightly on his weapon, scanning the Reincarnators and demons within the cave.

At the cave entrance stood a stone stele inscribed with "Yun Zhan Cave"; now twenty-five Reincarnators and three demons gathered chaotically inside.

Before this, these people had ransacked the place like locusts, uncovering some useful items.

"You're joking, Great King Huangfeng," said Bai Mingsheng. "There are certainly benefits, but this matter must be accomplished through our collective efforts."

"We agreed beforehand: after this is over, each of you great kings may choose a team you favor, and we shall journey together to the outer void, seeking higher realms. At least, Bai has already regarded you all as kin."

"You're quite the talker," the Huangfeng Demon chuckled, yet made no move.

Bai Mingsheng turned to a blond, brown-skinned man and asked, "Lu Sitela, what do you, the Lingshan emissary here to oversee the battle, intend to do?"

Lu Sitela lifted his head, a flicker of killing intent flashing in his eyes—he had been posing as the Bodhisattva Lingji, but Bai Mingsheng had exposed him.

Yet as soon as he recalled the rumors circulating in the Reincarnation Space about Bai Mingsheng, he suppressed that flicker of killing intent.

Trouble had arisen at Lingshan; Ya's fate was unknown, but surely had suffered a setback. At the South Sea, Mu Yan, still refining Guanyin's Dharma Body, could barely lend aid.

"Just like you—kill the scripture seeker, and restart this Journey to the West," Lu Sitela said coldly.

"You borrowed our Purple Gold Gourd. When will you return it?" asked the silver horned demon, his helmet like winter snow, clad in battle armor: "The Purple Gold Gourd has now lost all connection! How do you compensate?!"

Beside him, the golden horned demon, likewise armored and crowned with radiant golden armor, frowned: "We lent that artifact to test the waters—but it was only a loan! Do you understand?"

"That's why I've come here to gather you all!" Lu Sitela ignored the dangerous aura emanating from them:

"You've been fighting to the death in Yunzhan Cave and Gao's Village—what did you find? What gains did you make?"

"Golden Horn, Silver Horn, Huangfeng Demon—you won't regret today's choice. If you wish to advance further and escape the Great Celestial Cataclysm, join us. The Huangban Team now holds the identity of Kuimulang, plus Huangyu and this Captain Bai."

"Five calamities loom overhead. Once we annihilate the scripture seeker's party,"

Boom—

The entire cave shook violently; outside, flying sand and falling rocks crashed down, cutting off Lu Sitela's words.

"They've come to us," Golden Horn sneered, gripping the Seven-Star Treasure Sword as he rose and strode toward the demons waiting outside: "Come! I'll retrieve that treasure myself!"

As long as he stepped close and chanted the incantation, even if the Purple Gold Gourd lay within the Reincarnator's small world, it would return to him.

Silver Horn flipped his wrist, producing the Star-Studded Jade Vase and the Shaking Golden Rope, snorted, and followed.

Associating with these so-called Reincarnators, these heavenly demons, was a last resort. The Master was gone; the Guanyin who had transformed them into demons had been replaced.

The Heavenly Court paid them no mind—otherwise, after so many restarts, the two brothers would never have been kept in the dark. Look at Kuimulang: a mighty Twenty-Eight Mansions Star Lord, reduced to this fate. Clearly, even the Heavenly Court was struggling to survive.

They must find a safe retreat for both the elder brother and himself.

"The scripture seeker's party is no ordinary group," Wu You said. "If we strike, we must strike together. Li Hantian gave no intelligence at all—he just withdrew from the mission in terror."

"No matter how vast your resources, they cannot withstand repeated losses," Lu Sitela said, glancing meaningfully at Bai Mingsheng. "Still, this team's compatibility with the scripture seeker's identity was beyond expectation—and with those hidden cards, they're troublesome."

"Captain Bai, thank you for changing your mind and joining us. On behalf of our team leader, I promise: whatever you lose in this mission, we'll charge it to the Danghun Team's account."

"Heh," Bai Mingsheng smiled, and with his few team members, walked out.

Huangfeng Demon's eyes rolled, his lips curled upward, and he hurried after Bai Mingsheng's team.

"Great King Huangfeng, the scripture seeker is right before you—won't you lend support? You've read the Journey to the West; with your cultivation, defeating a fake Great Sage Equaling Heaven should be no trouble."

"Hehehe," Huangfeng Demon stared at Bai Mingsheng and his group, grinning: "Aren't you the same? The fake Manjushri has high hopes for you—won't you help him fight the scripture seeker? No need for pretense—I wish to join your team."

Hearing this, Bai Mingsheng's lips curled into a smile. This Huangfeng Demon was clever—no wonder he was a rat refined into a spirit; his scheming surpassed everyone else present.

"Perfect. Our team is nearly ready to advance from Class A to Class S. We can accommodate a demon immortal—but are you willing to temporarily reduce your cultivation?"

"Perfect—our team is also due to upgrade from Class A to Class S, and we could certainly accommodate a demon immortal. But would you be willing to temporarily reduce your cultivation?"

Huangfeng Demon frowned, wary, his gaze fixed on this Reincarnator named Bai Mingsheng.

"We can certainly extend an invitation—the Reincarnation Space has no rigid rules," Bai Mingsheng said, holding up a wristband before Huangfeng Demon:

"But you, as a native being, differ from us Reincarnators, who were selected to enter the Reincarnation Space."

"During missions, if you're temporarily invited, your strength will be assessed by the Reincarnation Space and factored into our final mission evaluation."

"Ordinary demon immortals on this Journey to the West are fine—but someone like you, Great King Huangfeng, with such deep roots? No Class A team would dare engage you without preparing for annihilation."

"Ordinary demon immortals on this journey to the West are one thing, but someone like you, Lord Huangfeng—a team with deep heritage wouldn't dare face you without preparing for total annihilation."

"So you'll affect our mission evaluation," Bai Mingsheng said, feigning confusion: "Didn't that man tell you this? Usually, Reincarnation teams rarely recruit beings stronger than the entire team."

"If you don't wish to reduce your cultivation, perhaps you should ask the Danghun Team."

Hearing this, Huangfeng Demon turned his gaze toward Yunzhan Cave, his eyes cold.

Clearly, the fake Manjushri had concealed much from this group of demon immortals. Those weaker Reincarnation teams likely never intended to honor their promises.

Hearing this, the Huang Huang Fengguai turned back to look toward Yunzhan Cave, his gaze cold.

Perhaps, during this world's Reincarnation cycle, many other Reincarnators had used this same method to approach him, to exploit him—only now, they'd all been forgotten.

Just as Huangfeng Demon was weighing the pros and cons, the amber-colored barrier above the entire mountain range suddenly brightened, cracking open from a fissure at the dome's peak, then shattering rapidly.

Perhaps, over the cycles of this world, many other Reincarnators used this method to draw near to him, to exploit him—though they've all forgotten now.

Huangfeng Demon's eyes widened. This was the Yellow Robe Ye Zhetian—a treasure of the fake Kuimulang, impervious even to heavenly immortals. There were other defenses on this mountain.

"Looks like we're running out of time."

Bai Mingsheng glanced at the position of the Huangban Team's core, then pulled out the Shanhe Map and vanished from his spot.

Huangfeng Demon frowned, transforming into a whirlwind of sand and dust, flying toward Golden Horn and Silver Horn—along with the minor demons he had brought.

He intended to observe the situation before deciding.

Moments later, mere breaths, he saw ahead: Golden Horn and Silver Horn leading a horde of demons, surrounding the "Tang Seng and his disciples" alongside a group of Reincarnators.

The fake monkey held a Purple Gold Gourd; behind him stood six others.

Their advantage seemed overwhelming—the "Tang Seng and his disciples" had walked right into the trap and the Bound Immortal Rope's range.

The fake monkey held a purple-gold gourd in his hand, and six others followed behind him.

Before all eyes, Golden Horn and Silver Horn bent their knees and collapsed onto the snow.

(End of Chapter)

Under everyone's eyes, Jinjiao and Yinjiao bent their knees and knelt directly into the snow.

(End of Chapter)