Chapter 209: Five Eyes Temple

“When does this exchange meet start?” Chen Luo immediately asked.

“In the next few days. I actually invited Fellow Daoist Han hoping we could attend together. Surprisingly, he’s in seclusion right now,” Shangren Yinwind said with a hint of regret. Compared to Gu Demon Khan Jiu’s formidable strength at the peak of Foundation Establishment, Chen Luo still had some ground to cover.

“Perfect! I have some items to trade. Could you kindly take me there, Old Brother?”

“Certainly.”

The two chatted for a while before parting ways. Chen Luo exchanged some spirit materials with Shangren Yinwind before returning to Gu Demon Mountain, awaiting the arrival of the Five Eyes Temple’s door-opening day.

Two days later.

Chen Luo was setting up an array on Gu Demon Mountain. Inspired by his recent discussion with Shangren Yinwind, he had new ideas for his formations. Under his modifications, the array surrounding Gu Demon Mountain became increasingly complex. Now, even if Gu Demon Khan Jiu were alive, he would struggle to break through.

A brown gourd flew in from afar. Yin Wind Daoist stood atop it, calling out to Chen Luo on the mountain, “Fellow Daoist Chen, the Five Eyes Temple is open.”

Chen Luo set down the newly forged battle flag and stabbed it into the ground. Only after the array’s effect took hold did he rise and fly out of the mountains, the magic sword beneath his feet pulsing with power as he prepared to ride the wind.

“Flying the sword won’t get you to Five Eyes Temple,” said Shangren Yinwind with a smirk, observing Chen Luo’s approach on his magic sword.

“Although the master of Five Eyes Temple hasn’t reached Core Formation, the second-order spiritual vein he controls is of great significance. It’s guarded by natural arrays; without his invitation, outsiders can’t set foot inside.”

With a flick of his wrist, Shangren Yinwind produced a shriveled eyeball. The eyeball was desiccated, resembling a dried fish eye. However, this object was exceptionally special—the pupil within had been refined, granting it a certain degree of vitality. Chen Luo sensed an energy akin to ‘immortal script’ emanating from it, reminiscent of the ancient techniques he learned in the great tomb of Yue Country. Although similar, the system was distinct, requiring different manipulation methods. The eyeball contained a substantial amount of wood attribute spiritual energy, suggesting that its core refining power was likely derived from creature essence.

“Take a seat on my gourd,” Shangren Yinwind offered. As he spoke, he clapped on the gourd he sat upon, and it instantly expanded by a significant size. Chen Luo, taking notice of this, sheathed his magic sword and settled into the rear half of the gourd.

The gourd transformed into mist, carrying the two of them southwestward.

After passing beyond the territory of Gu Demon Mountain, the sky grew dark, and a thick mist began to form. Chen Luo could sense several familiar energies within these mists—locations that reminded him greatly of Guoshan County in the Seven Kingdoms region. He even suspected that Guoshan County had originally been carved out from this very place.

“These mists seem quite peculiar.”

Chen Luo expanded his divine sense, piercing through the fog to perceive the scene below.

At the foot of mist-shrouded peaks, networks of damp pine forests sprawled outwards. In the mists themselves, strange figures practiced cultivation—whether human or otherworldly, it was hard to say.

“This is the miraculous aspect of the Five Eyes Temple,” Gong Ye remarked. “It’s surrounded by a natural formation, with the Mists and Mountains forming the outer protective layer. To get to the Five Eyes Temple, we must pass through here—this is where I used the eyeballs I mentioned before.”

Shangren Yinwind produced a dried-out eyeball.

The withered eyeball, once exposed to the mist, rapidly filled with life. Root-like structures sprouted from the eye, and under their guidance, Shangren Yinwind easily found the correct path. He steered the gourd in that direction.

A natural array? Chen Luo stood at the gourd’s edge, his mind scanning the area with the precision of a second-rank array master. Yet again, he detected no signs of an artificial structure, beginning to doubt the legend of the array. And what of the enigmatic Five Eyes Temple Master? What truth lay behind the teachings he shared with the world?

“Master of Five Eyes isn’t human,” High Monk Yinwind explained. “He’s a willow tree that has taken on humanoid form, possessing beliefs far different from ours. This venerable one has cultivated for twelve hundred years—compared to him, even Ancestor Black Stone is considered a junior. Despite appearing as only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, when it truly comes to battle, even three equally ranked adversaries combined wouldn’t stand a chance against him. The spiritual energy capacity of an ancient willow tree is beyond belief; converted into magical power, it could overwhelm anyone.”

As High Monk Yinwind recounted the intelligence of the Five Eyes Temple, the gourd pierced through the cloud layer and entered a sheltered inner region.

Having crossed the clouds, High Monk Yinwind stored the eye in his hand away and began to lower the gourd. The valley below was temperate, filled with the song of birds and the fragrant scent of blossoms.

The pair descended from the gourd, their feet touching down on the valley’s earthy soil.

The enormous gourd-shaped cloud transformed into a palm-sized charm and flew back into Shangren Yinwind’s right hand.

Chen Luo scanned their surroundings; the valley was completely surrounded by mountains, covered in dense growths of spiny, feather-like plantlife. A vast mist encircled the area—without some special guide, it would be impossible to find this valley.

Directly in front of them stood a massive Daoist temple.

Unlike traditional Daoist temples, this one covered an immense area, with vermilion walls stretching on either side and a pair of stone lions guarding the single wooden gate. The signboard above the gate featured not words, but five eye-shaped emblems.

“Let’s go inside.”

Shangren Yinwind stepped forward towards the gate.

There was no gatekeeper at the Five Eyes Temple. When the two approached and pushed against the gate, it swung open by itself.

Inside, they found themselves in a spacious courtyard. The walls on both sides were lined with various puppets—some humanoid, others monstrous. In the corners lay several half-finished puppets, along with shattered woodwork scattered across the floor, as if the crafts had been violently destroyed.

Beyond the courtyard lay an open square for celestial worship. At its center stood an eight-sided bronze cauldron, from which smoke spiraled upward incessantly.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the Old Ghost! You actually dare to show your face?”

As soon as they arrived, a grating voice cut through the air. Following the sound, they spotted a striking young man, his face contorted with murderous intent.

The youth was exceptionally handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes set against a jade-like complexion. He looked every bit like a novel’s male lead. However, at that moment, this ‘lead’ was staring at Chen Luo and Shangren Yinwind with overt hostility. His eyes, in particular, were fixed on Shangren Yinwind, who walked ahead. The sight of him caused the young man’s eyes to turn crimson, as if he longed to devour him alive.

“Your friend?” Chen Luo asked nonchalantly.

“While cultivating our divine abilities,” Shangren Yinwind replied casually, “we inadvertently poisoned some people, including several of his family members.”

This demeanor infuriated the handsome youth in the distance, causing his killing intent to surge.

“My sect’s 132 blood debts, and you speak of them so lightly,” he snarled.

The handsome youth’s eyes blazed crimson, his spiritual energy surging within him. His cultivation realm was laid bare: a Foundation Establishment expert, though only at the initial stage. Yet for the young man, this was an extraordinary achievement—merely seventy years had passed since he first began his cultivation journey. To span the vast gulf from ordinary mortal to Foundation Establishment realm in just seventy years was alone sufficient for pride. And beyond that, he could boast of a powerful master standing at his back! With such protection, he held nothing in fear.

In one ‘Book Bar’ read without error!

“Pay him no mind,” the eminent Yin Feng said, ignoring the interruption as he guided Chen Luo towards the main hall. “No one at Five Eyes Temple would dare to make a scene.”

In the main hall, the Five Eyes Temple Master was in the midst of a discourse. Though Yin Feng had heard this lecture multiple times before, he still brought Chen Luo to pay respects to the master. The subsequent exchange session would also be held here, and it was wise to secure a favorable position in advance.

Yin Feng simply dismissed the handsome youth’s hatred from his mind.

Only the weak yap madly, he thought. True demonic cultivators would directly reduce their foes to dust and scatter it in the wind. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to being loathed. There were many who held grudges against him, though he couldn’t even recall their names. If not for someone shielding this boy, Yin Feng would have long taken care of him.

How dare a mere early Foundation Establishment brat make such a fuss in front of Shangren Yinwind!

Upon entering the main hall, Chen Luo found seven or eight individuals scattered in seated positions. These were all Foundation Establishment experts. On a raised platform, an old man with white beard and hair was sharing his insights on breaking through each cultivation realm.

“Focus your mind, gather your essence, wield your spirit with your will, concentrate spiritual energy at a point, then shatter it—simply…”

Chen Luo’s interest waned after listening to just a couple of phrases. The old man’s summary of breakthrough experiences at the early Foundation Establishment stage fell short compared to Chen Luo. With over seventy brains of Foundation Establishment cultivators within him, there wasn’t a single person present who could match his knowledge of this cultivation realm.

On the other hand, Shangren Yinwind was listening with great interest, occasionally interjecting his own opinions. A few others did the same, expressing their views.

The Five Eyes Temple Master answered their questions with a friendly smile, patiently explaining each point.

The lecture continued for a full three days.

By the second day, Chen Luo had lost interest. He decided to wander around the area, exploring the valley thoroughly. However, he didn’t find anything of value. Thankfully, after waiting for so long, the lecture finally ended. The next phase would be the exchange session.

Numerous Foundation Establishment cultivators from afar had rushed to this gathering, primarily for the Exchange Event. As a respected senior, the Five Eyes Temple Master naturally stepped up as a guarantor.

From the high platform, the Five Eyes Temple Master extended his hand, pulling forth an object from below.

“Same rules as always,” he announced. “This humble one will vouch for the authenticity, taking fifteen percent of the profit.” As he spoke, a powerful presence radiated from him—the strength of one who had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, with a seed false pill—a mere gesture that silenced the crowd.

Chen Luo remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Five Eyes Temple Master above. Instantly, he felt at ease.

This is the true purpose of the Five Eyes Temple Master’s ‘Dharma Discourse’!

After all, every cultivator craves resources.

“The Water-Repelling Pearl,” the Five Eyes Temple Master continued, “was generously contributed by Fellow Daoist Nan. It’s a unique second-tier magic artifact, capable of repelling water and controlling air. With sufficient spiritual energy, you could even dive into the deepest seas to excavate dragon ruins without issue.”

“Starting bid: three thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

Before the Five Eyes Temple Master could finish his introduction, bids began pouring in. The usefulness of the Water-Repelling Pearl was undeniable, especially for cultivators near aquatic regions.

“Four thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

“Four thousand and three hundred mid-grade spirit stones, plus an Orchid Heart Grass.”

Chen Luo, however, remained silent. He could craft such second-tier spirit artifacts himself; all he needed was access to the corresponding forging techniques. With that, he could produce as many as he desired.