After Grand Immortal Zhenyuan took care of Patriarch Subhuti's injuries, he helped Mount Fangcun set up a simple Mountain Protecting Formation to prevent those fiendish demons from returning with evil intentions.
After this battle, the strength of such a famous and prestigious sect was greatly damaged.
What was even more worrying was that this chaos had caused the already loose anti-demon alliance to not only cease to exist in name, but it was also on the verge of disintegration.
Shen Luo pondered about the current situation. He only felt that in the current world, after peeling off the layer of nothingness and prosperity, the actual situation could be said to be even more incomprehensible than in the dream. At least at that time, everyone had a common goal and a common enemy. If they worked together, there was a possibility that they could break through gold.
But now, not only had the original allies turned their backs on each other, they were already showing signs of turning into enemies. The Demons' apparent submission to the Immortals was even more worrying.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
On top of Mount Fangcun, in an undamaged hall, Patriarch Bodhi, Zhen Yuan Daisen, Sun Wukong, and Shen Luo sat facing each other.
After a few days of recuperation, everyone's injuries were much better. Patriarch Bodhi had also regained consciousness.
"After listening to Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi's words, I finally know that Young Friend Shen has done so much for the Three Realms. This makes me feel a little guilty. I really underestimated Young Friend Shen before." Patriarch Bodhi's injuries had not healed, but there was a gratified smile on his face.
"Senior, you flatter me. I dare not accept your praise." Shen Luo looked ashamed and said somewhat embarrassedly.
"Our young friend Shen has experienced many miraculous things. I originally only believed 50% of it, but now I believe 90% of it. If there is anything we can help him with, we should do our best to help him. Perhaps this is helping the Three Realms. "Zhen Yuanzi glanced at Patriarch Bodhi and said with a smile.
Patriarch Bodhi pondered for a moment, then looked at Shen Luo and said, "The Mountain River Map … can be given to you."
"Patriarch, really?" Shen Luo was overjoyed.
"I can give you the Stately Painting, but I'm afraid you might not be able to take it," Patriarch Bodhi said.
Shen Luo didn't understand what he meant, but Zhen Yuanzi explained.
"The Stately Painting is also an ancient treasure. It has refined the essence of the three mountains and five peaks, the sun, the moon, and the stars. It is a treasure with a spirit. If you want to possess it, you have to obtain its consent."
Hearing this, Shen Luo was greatly surprised.
Back then, in the dream, he had also urged the Mountain River Map, but he did not see any spiritual awareness response. However, after thinking about it again, he felt that it was not strange. After all, the Mountain River Map they had back then had been broken and rebuilt.
"What kind of test?" Shen Luo asked.
Zhen Yuan Daisen said with a smile, "It's very simple. I'll let you enter the Stately Painting. If you can use your instincts to break through the barrier and walk out of the painting to return to reality, you'll be considered to have passed the test."
"Okay, then please send me into the painting, Patriarch," Shen Luo said with a smile.
"How do you know you're not in the painting?" Zhen Yuan Daisen asked with a smile.
As his voice fell, the colors on the bodies of Patriarch Bodhi, Zhen Yuan Daisen, and Sun Wukong suddenly began to fade rapidly. Soon, they turned into clay figurines, and then shattered into handfuls of dust and drifted down.
Shen Luo saw this and laughed involuntarily. It turned out that he was already in the painting at some point.
He took a few steps, pushed open the door of the main hall, and walked out.
Outside the painting, Patriarch Bodhi looked at Zhen Yuan Daisen and pretended to be displeased. "Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi, you're being suspected of helping to cheat."
"Haha … It's indeed a little too biased. However, Young Friend Shen's time is precious now. It can't be delayed. "Zhen Yuan Daisen said with a laugh.
According to the original test, Shen Luo didn't know what the riddle was, and he didn't even know that he was trapped in the riddle.
This was equivalent to entering the examination room and not knowing what the test was about. The difficulty could be imagined.
However, Patriarch Bodhi didn't really want to bicker with Zhen Yuan Daisen. He immediately put on a smile on his face and made a bet with Zhen Yuanzi to see who could bet on the time Shen Luo would take.
"Young Friend Shen's talent isn't very good, but his mind is tough enough. He will definitely be able to come out of the painting on his own within seven days." Zhen Yuan Daisen took the lead and said.
"Within seven days … Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi is underestimating this Mountain River Map. In my opinion, it will take him at least half a month to walk out of the painting." Patriarch Bodhi stroked his beard and made a gesture.
"You guys are very assured. Do you all think that he will definitely come out?" Sun Wukong frowned.
"Our young friend Shen has actually experienced much more than what we see on the surface. His mental fortitude is no less than that of many Grand Unity cultivators," said Zhenyuanzi.
"That's exactly why I'm a little worried. It's good to have a resilient heart, but the more demonic obstacles you experience, the easier it is to be trapped in this Stately Painting," said Patriarch Subhuti.
"Now that you mention it, it's really hard to say …" Zhen Yuanzi couldn't help but worry.
Just as the two of them were feeling a little melancholy, they suddenly heard a voice. "Patriarch, do I pass?"
Patriarch Bodhi and Zhen Yuan Daisen were stunned when they heard this. They turned their heads and saw that Shen Luo had already walked out of the Mountain River Map, holding a scroll in his hand. It was the Mountain River Map that had been put away.
"You … why did you come out?" Patriarch Bodhi was at a loss for words.
Zhen Yuan Daisen was also stunned on the spot.
"Oh, I went straight to Chang 'an City after I left the main hall. When I entered the city, I found that on the Vermilion Bird Gate …" Shen Luo briefly recounted his experience in the painting.
"In short, I just found that the Five Peaks were different from what I remembered. I found the right direction and quickly walked to a bright cave entrance. After I came out, I came back here."
After listening to Shen Luo's understatement, the two mighty figures' expressions became a little strange.
But in fact, the reason why Shen Luo could not be trapped by the Mountain River Map was because he had an indissoluble bond with this map in the dream. The two of them had a natural affinity.
"Wukong, how long did Young Friend Shen take?" Patriarch Bodhi asked with a dry throat.
"Less than a quarter of an hour," Sun Wukong scratched his face and said jokingly.
"Impossible, impossible …" Patriarch Bodhi and Zhen Yuan Daisen were a little deflated and found it hard to believe.
Seeing this, Shen Luo looked at Sun Wukong suspiciously.
"Just now, the two Patriarchs were fighting …"
"Wukong, go and see how our fellow disciples are doing with the reconstruction," Patriarch Subhuti immediately interrupted.
Sun Wukong heard this and did not bother to expose them. He went out by himself.
While Shen Luo was puzzled, he heard Patriarch Bodhi say again, "The Mountain River Map is of great importance. Now that it is in your hands, you must protect it carefully. Do not let the demons take it away."
"Senior, don't worry. Even if my soul dissipates, I will protect this treasure well," Shen Luo promised.
"Why don't you wait for Wukong to recover and let him accompany you?" Patriarch Bodhi was still a little worried.
"Patriarch, you don't have to do this. Just let the Great Sage recuperate. Others don't know and won't believe that this treasure is with me. So as long as the news doesn't leak out, I won't be in too much danger, "Shen Luo said with a wave of his hand.
"Young Friend Shen may be young, but he is very experienced in doing things. I can rest assured," Zhen Yuan Daisen said.
As he spoke, he took out a green jade pendant and handed it to Shen Luo.
Shen Luo had already crushed the jade pendant to send a message to Zhen Yuan Daisen when the Six-Eared Macaque appeared.
"Many thanks, Senior." He stepped forward and took it.
"If you find that something is wrong this time, crush the jade pendant in advance. I will be able to get there in time," Zhen Yuan Daisen said.
"That's good …" Patriarch Bodhi said with relief.
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