Chapter 491: The Power of Mastery

After Zhang Mu confirmed, the two Era Tattoos in front of him slowly started to move, as if the paper was being gently blown by the wind.

The tattoo design started shrinking as it got closer to Zhang Mu, and eventually, it touched Zhang Mu’s body with flames.

Looking at the vivid Buddhist Demon Pagoda in front of him, Zhang Mu felt a hint of nervousness.

This tattoo was actually going to be burned into his skin alive!

“Hiss… sizzle…”

Without giving Zhang Mu any chance to react, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest and back at the same time!

Zhang Mu glared ahead angrily, though he held back from making a sound, the cold sweat on his forehead showed how intense the pain was.

The energy from the Era Store slowly imprinted patterns on Zhang Mu’s body, with the energy seeping into his skin, layer by layer, until it formed a complete design.

However, Zhang Mu’s pain not only did not lessen but instead became more intense!

What’s going on!

The pain reached the point where Zhang Mu could barely bear it.

How come it’s not over yet!

Zhang Mu’s eyes started to turn red, his body half kneeling, repeatedly hitting the ground in an attempt to distract himself from the pain, but with little effect, as this pain originated from the soul.

Unable to escape! Unable to weaken!

No matter what method Zhang Mu tried to alleviate the pain, it always ended in failure.

Just then, the chanting of a mantra sounded in Zhang Mu’s ears, seeming to want to save him.

Zhang Mu felt drawn towards the chanting, and the pain in his body seemed to lessen significantly. This was a great temptation for him, as he was on the edge of suffering.

As long as he dropped the weapon, he could enter paradise.

This thought entered Zhang Mu’s mind, but it immediately brought him back to his senses.

He struggled to force a smile, his fingernails digging deep into the flesh of his palm, trying hard to stay conscious.

“You think you can rescue me? Do you have the ability?”

Suddenly, the sound of chanting disappeared, and in front of Zhang Mu appeared an illusion.

It was the ox-headed demon and horse-faced ghost, the messengers coming to take his soul away!

They were all towering and powerful, and Zhang Mu felt like a helpless ghost under their gaze, watching himself being dragged to hell, enduring countless tortures, never to be reincarnated!

However, Zhang Mu had endured the initial pain, for some reason, the pain he felt was just at the limit he could bear. Perhaps a bit heavier would make him faint completely, while a bit lighter would give him a chance to catch his breath, the intensity was just right.

But perhaps it didn’t know, Zhang Mu had great adaptability. After getting through this period, he became completely sober, watching everything with cold eyes, looking at the ghost catcher around him with an unstoppable mockery in his eyes.

“Illusion? In fact, the pain ended when the branding was done. Now, what I feel is all an illusion, right?”

The ghost catcher in front still tried to intimidate Zhang Mu, his deep voice echoing in Zhang Mu’s ear.

“Little ghost, how dare you disrespect us! Surrender now, or I’ll send you to the deepest pits of hell!”

Zhang Mu calmed down and tapped into the power of Sharira in his mind. With his ghost catcher reaching up to his calf, he stood up fearlessly and said, “When did ghost catchers start asking for ghosts’ opinions before capturing them? If you have the guts to take my soul, then just do it.”

The imposing ghost catcher seemed to be provoked by Zhang Mu and pressed down on him. However, Zhang Mu looked at it with only a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Illusion? I’m used to playing with such things. If only I hadn’t mistakenly believed that the pain of the branded tattoo had ended.

Nevertheless, the stronger you are, the better the amplification effect on me should be. It’s quite interesting.

Indeed, as the giant palm of the ghost catcher touched Zhang Mu, it instantly dissipated into smoke and disappeared.

Zhang Mu’s surroundings returned to how they were before in the Era Store, calm and serene, with only No. 37 silently watching him from afar.

Zhang Mu glanced at his chest and was surprised to find that there was nothing there!

The Buddhist Demon Pagoda tattoo seemed as if it had never been engraved on him at all.

However, Zhang Mu noticed something different inside his body. He discovered some unknown energy and, focusing his mind, he guided this energy out of his body.

He guessed right. The Buddhist Demon Pagoda and Duwang River were activated by this special energy. The tattoos were just fixed energy circuits that enhanced the effects of this unknown energy.

Once again, lowering his head, a majestic Pagoda appeared on Zhang Mu’s chest, with the Duwang River slowly materializing behind him.

It seemed like he had really succeeded.

At this moment, the silent mechanical list spoke again.

“No. 001, congratulations on enduring the test of the Era Tattoo,” Zhang Mu rolled his eyes and said, “Wasn’t it supposed to be a reward? Why has it turned into a test? What if I can’t pass it, will I lose the reward?”

The mechanical list patiently explained, “There’s no other way. The mark of the Era Tattoo also needs the user to be able to endure it. It’s not given out for nothing. If you fail, I will select a lower-grade tattoo design for you until you can endure it. However, the effectiveness will decrease each time.”

“Please choose an enhancement for your awakening ability. Once bound, it cannot be changed. Choose carefully.”

Zhang Mu answered without hesitation, “Illusion, strengthen my third-rank illusion!”

Under the control of Era Store, the energy inside Zhang Mu started to communicate with Sharira in his mind, forming a specific circuit.

The pagoda on Zhang Mu’s chest began to come to life, the carvings of deities and demons on it gradually becoming clear.

The deity had a dignified face.

The demon looked fierce and evil.

Boom!

After receiving the energy boost from Era Store, Sharira in Zhang Mu’s mind emitted a strange glow, even expanding Zhang Mu’s mental sea twofold.

Full of spiritual power, and most importantly, his Sharira was undergoing a transformation!

Truly a fourth-rank power, Zhang Mu couldn’t help but tremble in his heart upon sensing this familiar aura.

It actually amplified his awakening ability to the early stages of fourth-rank power. Zhang Mu once again marveled at Era Store’s dominance.

Zhang Mu still doesn’t realize how the Duwang River behind him has changed him, he will only know when he uses his powers.

At this moment, No. 37 finally spoke up.

“Your era rewards have been distributed, do you need me to take you to the Era Battlefield?”

Zhang Mu took out a piece of clothing from the Era Merchant Ring and put it on.

Although Zhang Mu was a little confused when No. 37 urged him to enter the Era Battlefield, he was also eager, so he agreed directly.

“Okay, just take me in.”

No. 37 didn’t say anything else, just pushed Zhang Mu into a black hole.

It felt the same as entering the Era Battlefield in the future, and Zhang Mu passed out immediately.

After Zhang Mu left, No. 37 suddenly knelt down, gasping for breath.

He completely lost his usual elegance, looked up at the empty air, and said, “Master, please give me an explanation. I am in charge of Era Caravan in this experimental field. You can’t touch me, and you even control me in Era Store. This is a challenge to Era Caravan!”

It turns out that No. 37 just now was actually being manipulated by someone!

At that moment, the empty place slowly revealed a dark shadow and a calm voice was heard.

“Era Caravan and my clan have a cooperative relationship. It is indeed against the rules to act against you, but you almost ruined my plan just now. This time, it’s just a small punishment for you.”

The dark shadow never showed itself. Anger surfaced uncontrollably on No. 37’s face. He took a deep breath, stood up straight, and said, “Are you trying to harm Zhang Mu?

He is now a Senior Era Sub-merchant of my Era Caravan, our chosen one. You can’t harm him. It’s a set rule!”

“I have my reasons. I have changed the rules, and it’s not your concern. I advise you not to make any more moves, or else Era Caravan won’t be able to protect you.”

The plain and calm voice of the dark shadow pushed No. 37’s anger to the extreme.

The voice of No. 37 was shaking.

“Even though you are powerful, if you continue breaking the rules, I will report you to Era Caravan.”

Boom!

A strange energy pressed down towards No. 37, forcing them back onto the ground after just standing up!

If Zhang Mu were here, he would not believe that the strongest person he knew, No. 37, was being forcefully pushed to their knees.

It’s unbelievable that he was being suppressed like this in his own territory.

Humiliation! Such great humiliation!

But the current No. 37 was powerless to resist, only able to glare at the figure in the sky, unable to speak.

“Understand your own strength and position, and if you dare to meddle again, I don’t mind informing Era Caravan to handle you internally.”

After saying this, the shadow disappeared into Era Store.

In the quiet Era Store, only No. 37, feeling exhausted, was kneeling on the ground, unable to move.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep