In the Dharma-Ending World, Where Have the Immortals and Gods Gone?

"Mud Wyrm!"

"The Mud Wyrm is looking this way!"

The household guards and servants protecting Gao Bai cried out in terror. The entire convoy had already dissolved into chaos.

Yet a hundred li away, the surging Mud Wyrm charged straight toward Jinhua County.

Gao Bai stood blankly atop the carriage, staring at the rushing Mud Wyrm, at the dragonlike body that flickered in and out of sight amid the rolling, filthy yellow mud. All life had drained from him.

It was over. Everything was over.

The Mud Wyrm was taking dragon form. Jinhua County was finished!

"Father! Jinhua County lies under the rule of our Yu Dynasty and has ghosts and gods watching over it. The Mud Wyrm might not necessarily be able to break in."

"Father carries a ghost god enshrined by our family. If you go forward now, perhaps you can stop the Mud Wyrm."

Gao Yulan emerged from the carriage compartment, ignoring the torrential rain lashing her face as she shouted at Gao Bai.

Gao Bai jolted awake and hurriedly pulled a spirit tablet from his robes. "Right, right, right!"

"I have a ghost god enshrined by the family. Perhaps it can stop the Mud Wyrm!"

As he spoke, Gao Bai hurriedly fetched incense offerings from the carriage and began worshipping the tablet. His lips moved continuously in prayer. Once he had finished reciting the invocation, Gao Bai solemnly bowed. "Honored God above, the Mud Wyrm has taken dragon form and brought calamity upon the mortal world. I beg you to descend and save the people from fire and water."

The incense Gao Bai offered was no ordinary candle incense. It was faith incense condensed from the power of mortal belief. Every stick was the fat and blood of the people, worth a fortune.

As several sticks