Chapter 590: Karmic Causal Chain of Flesh and Blood

Chapter 590: Flesh and Blood Causality

The so-called Causal City, in fact, has no architectural facilities such as walls, buildings, or roads.

When Li Jun saw a lush, vast expanse of barley fields, the captured Sang Yan Bofu Yun Ri told him that this was the outskirts of Causal City.

Even more astonishing, Yun Ri said this place was originally a desolate, lifeless desert.

Yet now, the wild, rampant growth of flowers and plants was all due to the peculiarities of Causal City.

Only this city stays in one place; after a night, a vibrant green ocean would sprout there.

So if one encounters such a sudden miracle in this land, there is no need to panic.

Because it is not a danger, but an opportunity.

It proves that Causal City is not far away.

Of course, this is the perspective of a monk like Yun Ri.

For ordinary people of this land, this is a grass sea that devours humans.

Under the leaden, shadowy sky, heavy snow still raged.

Large patches of barley surged like waves in the biting cold wind, and four figures wrapped in red robes walked against the tide, exceptionally conspicuous.

Yun Ri, with a numb, lifeless face, walked stiffly at the forefront.

Whether it was time or fate, she had completely abandoned the thought of survival, hoping only that after helping these mortals, the terrifying armor would grant her a swift release.

The grass sea was vast and endless.

As the group ventured deeper, the height of the barley around them continued to stretch upward.

Like a rising waterline, gradually submerging Dun Zhu's head.

At the same time, Dun Zhu felt a strange heat surging from his internal organs, his whole body numb and itchy.

As if something inexplicable was rapidly growing within him, about to break free from his body.

Dun Zhu endured the unease and fear, clenching his fingers tightly, biting his teeth to prevent any sound from escaping.

"No wonder you think you won't survive; when you encounter something, you always hold on so stubbornly. How could you not die quickly? Going alone isn't bravery; if you can fight, fight to the death, if you can't, run for your life. Even the martial order must use your brain. You still have much to learn."

Li Jun placed his right hand on Dun Zhu's shoulder, and a force flowed from his fingers, covering the other's body in an instant.

The force washed away the strange sensation, leaving no trace.

Dun Zhu scratched his head, embarrassed, and revealed a grateful smile.

For his teacher, Dun Zhu was genuinely grateful. However, the oppressive aura on the other's body was too strong, making him hesitant to speak much with Li Jun.

"This place feels a bit odd. Do you sense it?"

Li Jun turned to look at Zhang Siyuan, who nodded deeply in agreement.

"I do. It feels like a force is nurturing our flesh and blood organs, trying to cultivate something. However, it seems only we are affected; the monks are quite friendly."

Zhang Siyuan's perception was clearer and more accurate. He reached out and pulled down a stalk of barley, grinding the swollen grain that had grown to the size of a thumb, marveling at it.

"I have to say, these agricultural monks are quite skilled. This method of identifying identities—I've never seen it before, even in my travels. Brother Jun, do you think if one stays here too long, they might really turn into a barley plant?"

As soon as he spoke, Zhang Siyuan's own expression became strange.

The swaying plants in his eyes seemed to transform into people in green robes, opening their arms and surrounding him.

"Surely it's not that unlucky, is it?"

Zhang Siyuan muttered a curse and quickly dropped the barley.

At that moment, Yun Ri, who was walking ahead, suddenly halted and said in a low voice, "Gentlemen, the messenger of Causal City has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Li Jun frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with Zhang Siyuan.

Although the martial and Confucian orders were not particularly adept at sensing and investigating, with their current strength, it would not be easy for ordinary people to hide from them.

Yet at this moment, both Li Jun and Zhang Siyuan clearly had not noticed anyone approaching.

Instead, only Yun Ri, a fifth-rank monk, could sense the other's position, which was quite abnormal.

Could it be that this grass sea could shield the perception of other ranks, while only the Buddhist monks' spiritual power could function unimpeded?

The dense, growing barley spread out like humans to the left and right, revealing a strange figure.

The newcomer wore a conical hat, a raincoat, rolled-up trouser legs, bare feet, and skin tanned to a bronze hue from years of farming.

A standard appearance of a peasant farmer from the early Ming Dynasty.

"I have seen the messenger. I am Yun Ri, the abbot of Sang Yan Bofu Zuzu, here to exchange for mature causal computing power."

Yun Ri bowed low, her tone respectful, declaring her identity.

"All who visit Causal City come for what they desire."

The farmer replied indifferently, lifting his hat slightly to reveal a pair of cold, indifferent eyes, scrutinizing Li Jun and the others behind Yun Ri.

"What kind of goods have you brought this time? I'll be blunt: the situation in this land is tense now, and the exchange standards can't compare to before. If it's just ordinary goods, you may have made a wasted trip, Abbot."

"This I understand. However, what I've brought this time is a rare treasure, one that will surely satisfy Zheng Chengzhu's causal tree."

Having prepared in advance, Yun Ri responded fluently, raising her hand to signal.

"Come here, let the messenger see your quality."

Zhang Siyuan, wrapped in a red robe, stepped forward voluntarily, removed his hood with stiff movements, his eyes vacant, perfectly mimicking the appearance of a controlled puppet.

"This person is a genuine member of the Confucian aristocracy, with a high rank, and holds an official position in the Great Ming. I risked great danger to abduct him."

At this moment, Li Jun, who was a protective deity, watched the scene with interest.

This Zhang family son, though he claimed to only know the 'shooting' art, actually understood many things.

At the very least, from the farmer's gleaming eyes, it was clear his disguise had not been penetrated.

The farmer concealed his surprise, speaking calmly, "Abbot, the value of the goods is not determined by words; only when planted in the soil can we know."

"Of course." Yun Ri nodded repeatedly.

"Since you've decided to exchange, then Abbot, please follow me."

The farmer turned to lead the way, continuing their journey through the barley sea.

Perhaps due to Yun Ri's low status, along the way, this so-called messenger of Causal City did not heed her attempts at conversation, walking ahead on his own.

Instead, Li Jun noticed the ground beneath his feet was gradually tilting downward at a slight angle, as if heading underground.

After walking for half an hour, the sky above their heads was already occupied by dense, thorny vines.

Eerily, these vine plants did not remain still; instead, they flowed like snakes, intertwining and overlapping, sending shivers down one's spine.

Here, the sound of wind and snow could no longer be heard; the bone-chilling wind was replaced by sweltering heat, so intense that it felt like being under the scorching summer sun.

Li Jun observed the peculiar surroundings, a cold smile playing on his lips.

This damned place—what kind of Causal City was it? It was clearly a massive artificial greenhouse.

"The farm has arrived."

The group followed the farmer to stop, only to find a wall formed by intertwined vines.

The farmer merely raised a hand and waved; the vines writhed like living things, slithering and retreating in all directions.

The view cleared abruptly, and Li Jun lifted his gaze to look out.

The entire farm was shrouded in a veil of mist, within which vast, unbroken stretches of fertile fields could be faintly discerned.

Yet what was planted within them was a strange crop the likes of which Li Jun had never seen.

These plants bore some resemblance to corn, yet their stalks were over ten times thicker, their height exceeding three meters, their entire bodies a rare, vivid crimson. From afar, they looked like pillars of burning fire.

A few figures moved along the ridges between the fields, pausing before each strange plant to inspect them, as if selecting targets to their liking.

"It has been a while since I last came, but Lord Zheng Chu’s farm grows ever more prosperous."

Yun Ri was no stranger to Karma City, and the spectacular scene before him did not stun him for long. He spoke with a smile.

"The Temple Master flatters me."

The farmer bowed slightly. "Since the Temple Master is a regular, you should be well versed in the rules of Karma City. I shall not waste words. You may make your selection at leisure. I will take my leave."

With that, he turned and departed, slipping into a crack that had split open in a wall of thorns.

"Damn it, why do I find this place so damn creepy?"

Zhang Siyuan muttered under his breath, then urged the motionless Yun Ri forward.

"Move it. Take us over for a look."

Dunzhu followed at the rear. The instant he stepped into the mist, an inexplicable fear seemed to seep into his body along with the fog, clutching his heart in a death grip. The soft, sticky sensation rising from the soles of his feet made every hair on his body stand on end.

Finally, he drew near a crimson plant as thick as a tree.

At this distance, the mist could no longer obstruct his vision.

The moment he saw the plant’s true form, Dunzhu felt a horror explode across his scalp. Violent heartbeats thundered in his ears; even the bones, meridians, blood vessels, and skin throughout his body seemed to crack and pop.

This was no field; clearly, it was a plot of writhing flesh and blood, seeping with grease and gore, even revealing hair and teeth that had yet to dissolve.

These were no plants; clearly, they were flayed bodies sewn together, with hands, feet, and human faces pressed into the muscle.

Dunzhu’s meager vocabulary utterly failed to describe even a fraction of the horror before him.

But the shock delivered by his sight was far from over.

As if sensing an approach, the massive Karma Tree bent its trunk with seeming sentience, revealing the 'fruit' ripening at its crown.

Palm after palm, fingers pressed tight, connected front to back, forming a shell-like outer layer.

As the outer layer slowly peeled open to the sides, the contents within were revealed—grotesque and misshapen.

Covered in coarse black mane, a terrifying demon with a human head and beast body.

Naked, limbs twisted, tree-root-like tissues extending from its facial features—a Wisdom-Root Body.

Only half a head remained, its cleaved brain soaking a bright yellow relic—a Karma Person.

Everything was suspended within the fist-sized fruit by blood vessels, swaying back and forth, awaiting selection.

Seeing this, Dunzhu could no longer contain his heaving stomach. He collapsed to his knees, retching violently.

"What in the world is this thing?"

Yun Ri’s monk robes suddenly swelled, bursting into shreds as a suit of ferocious armor expanded from within.

The Horse King, hidden within Yun Ri all along, revealed his form. He reached out, seized Yun Ri by the throat, and hoisted her up with a single arm.

"This is the specialty of Karma City—the Karma Tree that can cultivate anything."

Zhang Siyuan gritted his teeth and roared, "You call this Karma?"

"Plant the cause of intent, reap the fruit of expectation. Whatever you desire, the fields of flesh and blood can grow it for you."

Knowing she was as good as dead, Yun Ri wore an expression of relief. She laughed, "How is this not Karma?"

Zhang Siyuan’s face turned iron-blue as he pressed, "What about the rules that farmer mentioned just now?"

"One cause for one fruit. If you want to take something from this farm, you must plant a sufficient substitute. But it must be a living thing; dead things are not welcome in Karma City."

Yun Ri’s gaze fixed on the blood-red eye inches away. She shrieked, "I’ve done what you asked. Can I die now? Kill me! Kill me fast!"

"Don't rush. Cooperate nicely, tell me everything, and I won't have Zhao Qingxia craft you into a saddle for the barbarians. I’ll give you a quick death. My word is my bond."

The Horse King’s cold voice emanated from the single eye.

"What else is there to ask? Aren't you here to stand up for these slaves? The master of Karma City is Zheng Chu. He’s hiding right here. Go kill him!"

Yun Ri screamed, as if being alive were nothing but torture.

"These people... can they still be saved?"

Li Jun leaped onto the Horse King’s shoulder, crouching down to stare coldly into Yun Ri’s eyes.

"How? They’re beyond saving."

Yun Ri grinned wide. "But they’re lucky. At least they’re no longer cattle and sheep that feel pain—just a bunch of plants without perception."

"Kill her."

Having his answer, Li Jun straightened up and exhaled a heavy breath of turbid air.

Bang!

The five fingers of the ink-black armor clenched, crushing Yun Ri’s head into a spray of meat paste.

The splattering blood rain landed on the faces of those 'fruits,' instantly licked clean by tongues that shot out.

The headless corpse fell into the fields of flesh and blood, swallowed without a trace by the surging waves of meat in the blink of an eye.

Perhaps taking Yun Ri’s corpse as the trade goods, that Karma Tree trembled ceaselessly. The blood vessels connecting the 'fruits' snapped one after another, and a pile of indescribable monstrosities fell pattering to the ground.

"This woman was an accomplice too. Letting her die like this is letting her off too easy!"

Zhang Siyuan stared at the beast-transformed barbarian at his feet, his fists clenching tight.

"Easy? Zhang family son, you jest. I’ve had Zhao Qingxia finish crafting her saddle. How could I let her die so simply?"

"Lord Horse, you—"

Zhang Siyuan’s eyes widened as he personally witnessed the Horse King swallow a Wisdom Root into the armor plates of his palm.

"What, got an opinion?"

"No."

Zhang Siyuan gave a thumbs up. "Lord Horse, you’ve got style!"

"Praise slower. The real style is yet to come!"

Red light flashed in the single eye. Rolling flames erupted from the Horse King’s arms, sweeping toward the surrounding fields of flesh and the Karma Trees.

The Karma Trees engulfed in the sea of fire thrashed wildly, emitting piercing shrieks that split gold and cracked stone.

If one looked down from on high at this moment, they would see every Karma Tree in the entire farm startled awake. Like humans, they tore their own roots from the earth and fled on legs to escape the raging inferno.

Just as the chaos reached its peak, a dull, heavy boom like a war drum suddenly rang out.

Dong! Dong dong! Dong dong dong!

The drumbeats grew denser, faster, heavier.

Zhang Ciyuan's face suddenly changed. He discerned that this was not the sound of drums, but the sound of a heartbeat. The fallen causal trees halted their steps, ignoring the flames chasing them from behind, and knelt in the center of the blood and flesh fields to pay homage. At that moment, the causal trees, which did not possess human forms, all knelt on the ground in unison, and a jubilant and high-pitched song echoed from within their trunks. "Spring rain comes, summer thunder roars. Autumn bears grains, winter stores grain. A drop of blood that falls to the ground grows into ten thousand ounces of flesh, and the belly swells with unceasing music." The fruits on the tree crowns burst open one after another, and countless strange and bizarre things clattered down like rain. They too knelt on the ground, singing. "Sow evil causes, reap good results. Atoned for sins, cleansed of impurities. The field master bears all things, lives with the South Mountain, and the sun and moon shine together." In the midst of the joyful singing, the mist that had enveloped the entire farmstead gradually dispersed. In the very center of the blood and flesh fields stood a towering structure formed by two spiral staircases that bit into each other. At the top of the tower was a throne made of white bones. A ghostly and enormous figure occupied the center. He had long black hair cascading down his shoulders, handsome features beyond compare, but his neck and below were a bare, crimson flesh, with muscles piled high, entwined with green-black meridians and blood vessels. A massive fissure stretched across his waist, as if his upper and lower bodies were two different forms forcibly joined. The source of the thunderous heartbeat, the object of the causal trees' worship. His identity was unmistakable—he was the Lord of Causal City, Zheng Chu, the Agricultural Scribe. "Who dares disturb my Causal City?!" His tightly closed eyes suddenly flew open, and Zheng Chu rose from the throne. Bones, white as snow, pierced through his muscles, forming a grotesque bone armor. Two massive battle axes emerged from his palms, clashing and sparking with flashes of fire. "You're really loud, you know." Standing atop the Horse Lord's shoulders, Li Jun scoffed, raising his right arm. A silver-white spear burst from the armor's spine, grasped firmly by his five fingers. His cold gaze fixed on the figure atop the tower as he bent his legs, then straightened them abruptly, launching himself skyward like a sharp arrow. Bang! A square foot of blood and flesh exploded violently, dark golden armor chasing into the sky, enveloping him. Crackle! Black-red lightning split the armor plates, rolling black flames dragging into dozens of feet long. "Horse Lord, play your song, kill them!" The wind howled, the trumpet blared! In an instant, it overpowered all the seductive songs and thunderous heartbeats.