Outside Nanyang Prefecture City, Qingluo Mountain. A small mountain completely covered by lush vegetation.
At the waist of the mountain, there was a small mountain spring waterfall.
Not far away, hidden among the dense banyan forest, was an abandoned small Taoist temple.
Inside the main hall of the temple stood a damaged and headless statue of a deity.
On the mottled and faded walls around, divine demon colored painting patterns could still be vaguely seen.
A strong man over two meters tall, his muscles knotted, and his skin stretched into bizarre lines from the bulge, sat inside the main hall.
In front of him burned a bonfire. Beside it was a smashed offering table.
At this moment, the strong man used the wood from the offering table to light the fire, leisurely roasting a two-hundred-pound boar.
He didn't use a knife; with just his fingers, he easily sliced through skin and flesh, evenly sprinkling on the seasoning.
As the surface cooked, paying no mind to the scorching heat, he casually grabbed chunks of the cooked meat from the outside and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing and swallowing in just a couple of bites.
"Tu Shan, help me deal with Shangguan Ji."
"After the deed is done, I'll lead my troops north to search for the Thousand Mechanism Token. The first one will be given to you."
The square-faced middle-aged man entered the main hall, speaking succinctly.
"Chao Fang? Want some meat?" Tu Shan reached out and handed a clump of bloody, semi-cooked meat to the square-faced middle-aged man, Chao Fang.
Chao Fang shook his head with a smile, "I'd rather not have my head crushed by you."
"Pity..." Tu Shan eyed Chao Fang's head and stuffed the meat with blood streaks into his mouth.
"When do we make a move."
A smile curved the corners of Chao Fang's mouth, "Wait for my signal."
...
In the year 641 of Da Liang, on the third day of May, the weather was becoming increasingly hot.
Chen Mu wore a sleeveless undershirt, sitting under an octagonal pavilion.
Around the corners were seven or eight wooden barrels filled with glistening ice blocks, bringing down the temperature of the entire pavilion a few degrees.
On the stone table lay a wooden basin, in which a small arm-length live fish continuously thrashed about.
Three odd syllables were uttered.
"Five Ghosts Moving Mountain!"
Five paper ghosts appeared in front of him, instantly turning into five curls of black smoke.
Chen Mu's mouth immediately started salivating as he watched the lively fish, his eyes beginning to gleam.
Hum!
The black smoke flashed past, and the fish's head instantly disappeared. The cut was clean, as if sliced by a sharp blade.
The black smoke churned above the wooden basin, continuously attempting to charge at the remaining half of the fish.
But Chen Mu clenched his teeth and intently stared at the black smoke.
Hum!
Suddenly, the black smoke vanished.
Chen Mu gasped heavily, "I really can control the Five Ghosts."
Soul Locking Curse, soul locking, locks the Five Ghosts' Yin Spirit.
"It's like putting a chain on the paper ghosts."
...
On the Luo River, Chao Fang once again entered Nanyang Prefecture aboard a cargo ship.
"Zong Tai, how many of our men have infiltrated?" Experience more content on mvl
"Twelve of our brothers are all in position. Grouped in threes, they've found places to hide near the four corners of the Inner City," responded Zong Tai with a respectful bow.
"Each has brought ten elites, all in the Marrow Transformation Realm," Zong Tai reported with a salute.
"Have all twelve soul-seizing stakes been installed?" Chao Fang asked with solemnity.
"Nine have been put down," Zong Tai replied.
"The remaining locations have inhabitants. Our men have already made contact with these three families, preparing to buy their estates at a high price."
"Good. Spend more money if necessary, but don't arouse suspicion," Chao Fang nodded in satisfaction.
"When do we act?" asked Zong Tai, eager.
"Wait, wait until Shangguan Ji deals with the Zhang Family."
"Wait until Tu Shan severely injures Shangguan Ji," said Chao Fang calmly.
"Right, find me a place to stay."
"The time is drawing near; I need to be close to keep watch."
"Understood!"
...
Eleven days later.
In Nanyang Prefecture, at the Chen Residence of Lin Heng Avenue.
Chen Mu successfully advanced the level of the Soul Locking Curse to the Third Rank.
While grinding for proficiency, he specifically crafted a batch of Secret Medicine for Medicine Cultivators.
The old tanks by the river were once again put to use.
Seven large tanks brimmed with live fish. Besides normal feeding, the Medicine Cultivator Secret Medicine was also added in proportion.
The live fish grew at a visibly quick pace, becoming more aggressive with tremendous strength and vigorous vital energy.
Chen Mu did not immediately proceed with experiments; instead, he continued to accumulate experience for the Ghost Locking Curse.
Twelve days later, the Ghost Locking Curse broke through to the Fourth Rank.
His control over the Five Ghosts Moving Mountain Curse greatly improved. Suppressing the urge to test, Chen Mu continued to push his limits.
In the year 641 of Da Liang, on the sixth day of the sixth month.
The Ghost Locking Curse finally reached Perfection at the Fourth Rank.
Chen Mu summoned the grey walls and searched top to bottom twice, yet he could not find the Ghost Locking Curse.
A thought struck him, and the Divine Intent Diagram of the Five Ghosts Moving Mountain Curse emerged in his mind.
"It seems to have grown a bit larger."
"Have they merged into one?" Chen Mu was filled with surprise.
What was this? An add-on or a patch?
Chen Mu couldn't help but greatly admire the creator of this Secret Technique.
"Truly daring in thought and action."
"It seems the Soul Locking Curse is not only for refining essence but also for controlling the Five Ghosts and perfecting the Five Ghosts Moving Mountain Curse," Chen Mu reflected."
"Impressive!"