Fifth Incense, the True Lord Reveals Himself

"That's true, I usually listen to it in bed." Zong Shichang wasn't ashamed at all; on the contrary, he seemed proud. "Is there anything else to it?"

Zhao Xing pointed to the two people who had descended from the Heavenly Altar of Heaven: "Anyone who sees this is a spectator. If they return the greeting, it means they approve, and the magic of the Dancer Master and musicians will improve."

"I guessed that the two of them would also come to pay their respects to us. If you return the gift, it's already a courtesy. It's fine if you don't return the gift."

"The higher the level and appreciation ability of the audience, the more feedback the Dancer Master and musicians will receive from the performance. If they can give something else, then their feedback will be even greater, but of course there is an upper limit."

The group from Dexiang was a cut above the ones in the square, so Liu Muqing and Lu Qian naturally wouldn't let them go.

Sure enough, after coming down, he ran over here and bowed to Zong Shichang and his group.

Zhao Xing thought the two performed quite well, so he cupped his hands in a gesture of respect and gave them a thumbs up.

Lu Qian kept her eyes on Zhao Xing. When he returned the greeting with a cupped hand, she pouted.

Although this guy is despicable, he is at least polite.

I wish he could return the Peacock Feather Magic Garment to me.

The others also gave them face, after all, these two were from prominent families and knew Young Master Zong, so they all returned the greetings.

While everyone else's return gifts were quite proper, Zong Shichang pulled out silver notes from his pocket and waved them at Lu Qian and Liu Muqing: "You two ladies are quite clever, here's a reward!"

As Lu Qian watched Zong Shichang approach, she ground her teeth, wanting nothing more than to punch him, but ultimately held back, gritting her teeth as she said, "Zong Shichang, thank you!"

"That doesn't sound sincere. I'm not giving you the jackpot." Zong Shichang chuckled as he handed the silver notes to Lu Qian, while folding them and tucking them into Liu Muqing's hair.

Liu Muqing Repeat Movement again, saying, "Thank you, Young Master Zong."

"Miss Liu, you're too Guest Qi." Zong Shichang bowed respectfully, his voice becoming much gentler.

After the two left, Zhao Xing nudged Zong Shichang with his shoulder. "You like this Miss Liu?"

Zong Shichang turned around and said, "Is it that obvious?"

Zhao Xing scoffed and walked away. "You think your eyes are glued to people? Do you think they're stupid?"

Zong Shichang muttered to himself, "Yes, even you can see it, so why doesn't Miss Liu know my feelings..."

In just a short while, the remaining two incense sticks in the Heavenly Altar Plaza were snatched away.

One of them was named Gu Feng, who held a bow and arrow that gleamed with silver light, and was surrounded by four or five other people.

Upon meeting Zhao Xing's gaze, Gu Feng's expression changed slightly.

He was the same archer who attacked Zhao Xing during the day, intending to seize Lingxiu's essence. However, he did not expect that Zhao Xing would improve so much. After absorbing three portions of Lingxiu, he even surpassed Cao Qiushui.

After thinking it over, Gu Feng ultimately decided not to move forward and instead waited in line at the back.

The recipient of the last incense stick was a Mechanism Master, accompanied by two Mechanical Beast resembling tigers. These mechanical tigers were over two meters tall, with fangs protruding two feet from their mouths, gleaming with a cold light, making them quite extraordinary.

Behind the tiger followed four small Mechanical Beast, which looked strange, like lizards.

"Upper Third Tier Mechanical Beast? And it has six heads?" Zhao Xing looked at it, quite surprised.

The Engineer School's mechanisms are driven by Magic Array, and Mechanical Beast are the most difficult skill to learn.

Unlike the Straw Man Art, Mechanical Beast can exist indefinitely, possess a high level of spirituality, and can even cast spells hidden within their bodies.

However, straw figures have a limited lifespan and cannot exist indefinitely; at lower levels, they have no spirituality whatsoever.

However, the Straw Man Art is not picky about materials; it can be performed with just a handful of dry grass, making it easy to use whatever is available, saving time and effort.

The materials for Mechanical Beast are even more expensive, and it also requires time and effort to study the Magic Array.

"This man Hu Yang. He's only in his early twenties and he can actually make a third-tier Mechanical Beast. He's a rare talent indeed."

"To be honest, the officials of the Engineer School are truly enviable. They can create such powerful Mechanical Beast, which are far superior to straw men," Zong Shichang said.

"I'm not envious at all," Zhao Xing shook his head.

"Brother Zhao, don't be stubborn," Zong Shichang said, squinting. "Speak from your conscience."

"How old did you say he was?" Zhao Xing asked.

"In his early twenties, or if I'm not mistaken, twenty-one," Zong Shichang said.

"Does he look twenty-one?" Zhao Xing asked.

"..." Zong Shichang looked at Hu Yang's obvious wrinkles around his eyes and dark circles, and opened his mouth.

"Look at the top of his head again, is there any hair left?"

"..."

Zhao Xing shrugged and said, "Now you know why I'm not envious, right?"

"There's no such thing as ingenious craftsmanship; it's all about risking one's life to achieve it."

Zong Shichang was speechless.

Zhao Xing smiled and looked away from Hu Yang.

He said he would never study mechanical Magic Array, let alone make Mechanical Beast!

"Life is in the hands of nature"—this is no joke.

In the later Magic Array, many secret techniques require one's own efforts to refine the treasures.

For example, the swordsmith's "Heartblood Edge-Opening Art".

To put it bluntly, it means sacrificing one's lifespan to enhance the intelligence, power, and so on of Mechanical Puppet.

As long as such a secret method exists, it's impossible to resist using it. Use a little today, a little tomorrow, and over time... even with the blessings and longevity-enhancing Dynasty of Fate, you still can't add up to it all!

The above is considered relatively mild. There are also some madmen who want to become famous all over the world and will sacrifice themselves in one go. Gan Jiang and Mo Ye would have to say "awesome!"

Zhao Xing would absolutely never study the Engineer Family Formation; he wouldn't do something that would shorten his lifespan. Of course, he did like using the Engineer School's treasures.

People in the Heavenly Altar Plaza were waiting for the second wave of incense offerings, while those below were waiting for Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao's battle to end.

Suddenly, Zhao Xing noticed that the two of them had slowed down and the light and shadow had gradually dimmed.

"Clang!"

As a crisp sound rang out, everyone's ears perked up, and they quickly took a few steps back.

The two beams of light finally separated, revealing their true forms.

The battle between Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao has finally come to an end.

"Sister Jiao!"

Lu Qian and Liu Muqing rushed over.

"I'm fine."

Du Jiaojiao was slightly out of breath, her hair disheveled.

Yang Junxiong's hair was perfectly in place, and his breathing was even, as if the battle just now had been very easy for him.

"She's gotten even stronger," Zong Shichang remarked. "No one has tasted her lips, and she can kill a young man with a single punch. Who would want her if she kept going like this?"

"Brother Zong, Ranked Martial Artist have excellent hearing. If you don't learn to be more careful with your words, you might be the one who gets beaten to death," Zhao Xing said calmly.

"Ahem." Zong Shichang changed the subject, "What do we do now? Shouldn't we make our move?"

"Let's take a look first."

Zhao Xing stared ahead.

Yang Junxiong pointed his spear at Lu Qian and Liu Muqing, who had rushed over. "If you continue to pester me, I will find a way to severely injure you and your friend."

"You're despicable!"

"Shameless!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Qian and Liu Muqing's expressions changed.

Du Jiaojiao stopped the two of them, stared at Yang Junxiong for a moment, and nodded, saying, "This First Incense is for you."

Yang Junxiong sheathed his spear, squeezed his legs together, and transformed into a streak of light as he rushed up the steps and entered the temple.

"I didn't realize Du Jiaojiao was so loyal," Wen Zhao said, waving his feather fan. "She was even willing to give up the chance to be the first to offer First Incense for her friend."

"It's truly remarkable. No one remembers what happened on the mountain, but she still did it. Her heart is pure; no wonder her marksmanship is so amazing," Zhang Boran remarked with some emotion. "However, she probably felt she wasn't confident of being the First Incense, which is why she gave up."

"Enough talk, get ready."

After Yang Junxiong entered the temple, Du Jiaojiao escorted Lu Qian and Liu Muqing inside.

If a Ranked Realm expert does this, no one dares to object.

They could only watch helplessly as the others occupied the first four spots for worshipping the gods.

The first four incense sticks are now full.

The pressure immediately fell on Wen Zhao and Zhang Boran.

The moment Du Jiaojiao and the other two stepped onto the steps, Zhang Boran immediately began to sprint.

Wen Zhao muttered to himself, "You stand to the east, at the edge of the sky; your spirit sweeps across the universe, reaching far and wide."

Zhang Boran's speed suddenly increased, and his aura instantly rose to the Gathering Yuan Ninth Level!

He rushed up the hundred-step stone staircase in almost an instant.

However, just when Wen Zhao thought Zhang Boran be the fifth to go in, he saw Zhang Boran suddenly run back at an even faster speed.

"Cousin, what are you doing?" Wen Zhao was utterly astonished.

Zhang Boran expressionless, raising his hand to throw a punch at Wen Zhao.

"What? Ceasefire..."

Before Wen Zhao could finish speaking, he was punched directly, his teeth flying out, Wen Zhao sent flying backward, his fate unknown.

This bizarre scene caused the eager crowd to stop in their tracks, filled with astonishment and uncertainty.

What's going on?

Zhao Xing glanced back at Yuan Bo was standing next to Zong Shichang.

Just now, Yuan Bo, who has always kept a low profile, made his move.

The idol in his eyes disappeared and appeared behind Zhang Boran.

With its limbs spread out, it pressed itself completely against Zhang Boran's body, controlling him like a marionette.

"When you use spirit writing to summon Invoking the Gods, it usually involves the spirit possessing the person's own body. This Yuan Bo actually managed to summon Yin Spirit into someone else's body? He's got some skills." Zhao Xing had originally planned to intervene, but Bright Eyes seeing Zhang Boran's condition, he stopped.

"Young Master, you may go in now." Yuan Bo, who had not spoken until now, suddenly spoke, his tone somewhat sinister.

Zong Shichang, however, looked at Zhao Xing and gave up the opportunity to be the Fifth Incense: "Zhao Sanjia, you go first. It's not appropriate for you to stay behind."

Zhao Xing glanced at Yuan Bo, but the latter showed no reaction.

"OK."

Zhao Xing didn't Guest Qi and immediately summoned Yin Wind to surround him, which then drifted toward the steps like a ghost.

Gu Feng, standing behind him, gripped the silver bow, but ultimately didn't dare to make a move.

Some people have noticed Yuan Bo's special status, and if they make a move now, they may not be able to secure the Fifth Incense.

Hu Yang, standing between the two Mechanical Beasts, remained unmoved.

He hadn't originally intended to compete for the top five, and since the incense sticks after fifth place were all pretty much the same with little difference, there was no need to compete for them.

Therefore, after Zhao Xing went in, Zong Shichang, Uncle Cang, and Uncle Hu all went in safely.

Next up were the archer Gu Feng and the Mechanism Master Hu Yang.

Zhang Boran was actually the last one to go in.

After Yuan Bo lifted the restrictions, he regained consciousness. Although he didn't understand what had happened, with the last spot in front of him, he didn't care that his cousin was still unconscious and went straight into the temple.

After Zhao Xing entered the temple, he did not see the four people in front of him.

On the temple platform, offerings of three kinds of sacrificial animals are displayed, and a deity holding a ruler gazes into the distance.

With a thought, Zhao Xing lit the incense in his hand, bowed three times, and then placed the incense in the incense burner.

He muttered to himself, "Zhao Xing, the official in Agricultural Official, begs the True Lord to manifest his divine power."

The incense was burning, and although it was a very thin wisp of incense, it suddenly filled the entire hall with swirling smoke.

Looking up again, the surroundings were suddenly shrouded in mist, and the light dimmed.

The statue on the platform has disappeared, replaced by a living giant.

It emitted specks of Golden Light and stood a full three zhang tall.

This is the manifestation of Yin Spirit.

"What do you ask of me, that I may manifest my divine power?"

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and said, "I beg the True Lord to teach me how to obtain the Golden Cup Spiritual Essence guarded by the Mountain Cat."

He didn't elaborate, because the Yin Spirit oversees everything on the mountain and naturally knows what he's talking about.

Judging from the effect of the Fifth Incense, if the golden cup is of Mid-Grade Spiritual Elegance, then after the True Lord manifests his divine power, he will generally tell him the answer directly.

However, what the Mountain Cat guards is clearly not Mid-Grade Spiritual Elegance, but a high-grade one.

Then you still have to pass the test of the Yin Spirit.

"The Golden Cup is High-Grade Spiritual Elegance. If you wish to obtain this method, you must undergo a test."

"Once the incense has burned out, if you fail the test, you will have wasted an opportunity."

"If you seek Mid-Grade Spiritual Elegance, I can directly tell you a location without any effort."

"Have you thought it through?"

Without hesitation, Zhao Xing cupped his hands and said, "I choose to accept the test. Please speak, True Lord."

The three-zhang-tall deity said, "One day, a man who grows fruit trees came to East Lake Mountain. He offered me the First Incense and prayed that there would be no wind in the next few days because the fruit trees in his pear orchard were in bloom."

"The second incense stick was offered by a boatman who prayed that the god would blow more winds up the river, because boats need the wind to move."

"The third incense stick represents a traveler who is about to embark on a long journey and prays to the God that there will be no wind or rain."

"At the fourth incense stick's burn, a farmer came. He said his fields were dry and he needed to wait for rain to plant rice seedlings. He prayed for a heavy rain today."

Having said that, the three-foot-tall deity stared at Zhao Xing: "I have granted the wishes of four people. How should this be resolved?"

Zhao Xing was a minor official in the Agricultural Official, yet he was involved in all sorts of affairs; this could be considered a test tailored to his character.

However, of these four people, one needs wind and the other doesn't.

One wants it to rain, the other doesn't.

They are completely contradictory.

If you fail to give a satisfactory answer to the Yin Spirit before the incense burns out, you have wasted your opportunity.

However, Zhao Xing didn't think for long at all; he gave his answer almost as soon as Yin Spirit finished speaking.

"I have a method that may relieve the True Lord's worries."

The three-foot-tall deity reminded him, "There's still time. Think it over before you answer."

Zhao Xing smiled slightly and said confidently, "It rains at night and is Clear Skies during the day; the wind blows along the water's surface, so we won't enter the pear orchard."

The three-foot-tall deity nodded with a smile, "Good."

Whew~

The thick smoke dissipated.

When Zhao Xing came to his senses, he found himself no longer in the temple, but under a tree.

Ahead lies the burrow where the Mountain Cat lives.

He now holds a wind chime in his hand.

"Thank you for bestowing this law, True Lord."

Zhao Xing bowed to the mountain.

Since everyone's destiny is predetermined, to avoid unnecessary disputes after leaving the temple, after offering incense, one will be moved out of the temple and directly to the desired place.

Zhao Xing, carrying the wind chime, walked straight into the cave.

I had only been inside for a short time.

"Ha~" A roar rang out, and a dark shadow struck like lightning.

But just as the attack was about to reach Zhao Xing, it suddenly stopped.

"Ding-a-ling~"

The wind chime in Zhao Xing's hand swayed, making a crisp sound.

"Meow?"

The Mountain Cat stopped and looked at the wind chime in Zhao Xing's hand with a puzzled expression.

Zhao Xing then saw the Mountain Cat's true form.

It is very small, only about the size of a normal domestic cat.

Two pairs of pointed little ears stand upright on its fluffy little head, its gray little tail sways gently, and its big eyes sparkle with curiosity.

They seemed not to understand why Zhao Xing had the wind chimes from the Mountain God Temple.

"Good boy, follow me from now on." Zhao Xing squatted down and beckoned to the Mountain Cat with the hand that held the wind chime.

The Mountain Cat shrank its head, seemingly hesitant, but the light emanating from the wind chimes made it want to get closer.

The wind chimes in the Mountain God Temple, imbued with the aura of the True Lord, are used to subdue Mountain Cat.

The Mountain Cat is the Yin Spirit that guards the four kinds of spiritual beings.

This is why Mountain Cat can Ranked Realm as kittens.

The mountain's natural beauty has been consumed by countless Mountain Cat.

However, the Yin Spirit also gave the Mountain Cat a choice.

If it refuses to acknowledge a new master, Zhao Xing can only obtain the Luck Golden Cup.

If you adopt Mountain Cat as your owner, you can take it with you.

"Do you remember the Fragrant Berry Vine Fruit and White Fragrant Grass I gave you last time? You can eat as much as you want from now on. Come with me if you want," Zhao Xing said softly.

"Meow~" After hesitating for a while, the Mountain Cat came closer and rubbed its little head against Zhao Xing's palm.

"Ding-a-ling~" The wind chime made its last crisp sound, then turned into specks of Golden Light and dissipated in the wind, merging into Zhao Xing and the Mountain Cat's bodies.

A connection was established between the person and the cat.

[Mountain Cat (juvenile)]

[Bloodline: Spiritual Elegance Variant (transformed by consuming various spiritual essences from the mountains)]

[Rank: Mid -Ninth Grade stage Rank 9]

[Talented Abilities: Divine Speed, Ninefold Healing]

[Secret Techniques: Thunder Rending Claw (Mid-Tier Eighth-Turn), Wind Riding Heavy Stomp (Mid-Tier Seventh-Turn)]

Since exotic beasts are not included in the jurisdiction of the Dynasty of Fate system, the rank of the Mountain Cat does not follow the Nine Ranks Thirty Levels set by the Great Zhou Emperor, but is calculated according to the four minor ranks of "early, middle, late and perfect" in the ancient cultivation system.

Humans under the Qi Luck system are measured according to Nine Ranks Thirty Levels, with significant differences among them.

Looking at the data about the Mountain Cat on the panel, Zhao Xing grinned and hoisted the Mountain Cat onto his shoulder. "Little guy, you won't regret this choice."

"Meow~" the Mountain Cat responded.

Zhao Xing clapped his hands and walked into the cave.

Since the scarecrow had been there once before, he was familiar with the cave.

Standing before the massive white skeleton once more, Zhao Xing vaguely deduced what had happened.

Another beast fought with the Mountain Cat's mother, and both were severely injured, leaving only the cub alive.

"Where did you put that golden cup?" Zhao Xing asked as they approached the four forks in the road.

"Meow~" The Mountain Cat stretched out its paw and pointed to one of the side paths.

"You hid the Icy Lotus? You're really clever, keeping a close watch on things." Zhao Xing smiled and pointed towards the side path, "Go, fetch it."

"Whoosh~" Zhao Xing felt a weight on his shoulder, and then the Mountain Cat darted into the side path like lightning.

With a breath, the Mountain Cat returned, carrying a cup larger than its head in its mouth.

"Meow?" The Mountain Cat jumped onto Zhao Xing's shoulder and rubbed against him.

"Yes, this is it." Zhao Xing took the golden cup and examined it in his hand.

The cup has a soft texture, like jade, and its body has subtle, mysterious patterns, as if it contains the mysteries of heaven and earth.

When Zhao Xing looked over, a golden stream of energy suddenly appeared in the previously empty cup, instantly becoming thick and liquid-like.