Xu the Great Benefactor

Xue Lingfu, the City God, had been pinned beneath a willow tree. Seeing Xu Ying dragging the Great Bell toward him, the City God abruptly sat up and laughed. "My Yin Court's blessings reach the heavens! Today, Xu Ying has fallen into my hands!"

A moment ago, he and Zhou Yihang had struck together, preparing to kill Xu Ying, only to hit the Great Bell by mistake. The bell's countershock had nearly shattered the golden body he had painstakingly cultivated for five hundred years, while the Incense Qi accumulated in his shrine had almost been blasted into dust!

Fortunately, the Land God had been in the temple just now, conferring godhood upon Huang Sanduo, the wealthy benefactor, and had not left. Seeing him injured, the Land God hurriedly emerged beside him, placed several incense sticks in the shrine, and burned incense for him.

Only after receiving the Land God's incense did the City God catch his breath, gather the scattering Incense Qi, and stabilize his golden body.

Xu Ying was running this way now, practically throwing himself into a trap. Even a man as deep and calculating as the City God could not help beaming with delight.

He had not yet had time to stand when Xu Ying was only two or three zhang away. The youth ran while turning around at the same time!

Xue Lingfu, the City God, had just risen to his feet, the smile still blooming across his face, when he saw the Great Bell sweep toward him!

"Master, defend yourself!" the Land God cried in panic.

Xue Lingfu remained calm in the face of danger. He immediately summoned his remaining Incense Qi, transforming it into a huge shield that blocked his side.

Boom!

The huge shield was crushed by the Great Bell, which continued sweeping forward. Xue Lingfu ducked his head and hunched his shoulders, preparing to tough out the blow, while his left hand shot out toward Xu Ying.

With the huge shield absorbing some of the impact, he was left dizzy and disoriented after the collision, but otherwise unharmed.

Seeing this from afar, Zhou Yihang thought grimly, This is bad. Xue Lingfu has the Land God burning incense for him, so he's recovering faster than I am! Xu Ying is likely to fall into his hands!

However, Xu Ying was spinning wildly as he charged forward, like a top with its string cut. Xue Lingfu had only just blocked the Great Bell's impact when the bell spun around like a mad beast and crashed into him again, moving so quickly that his eyes could not keep up!

"His eyes couldn't keep up" meant that even his eyes could not see fast enough.

If his eyes could not keep up, how could his hands and feet?

Xue Lingfu, the City God, took the Great Bell's second impact, but failed to withstand the third, fourth, and fifth. He was sent tumbling through the air!

At the very instant he flew into the sky, the Great Bell struck him several more times. His speed increased further as he was brutally smashed toward the temple!

The Land God had originally been hiding behind the City God. With Xue Lingfu sent flying, how could he have fared any better? He too was swept away by a single swing of the bell and vanished without a trace.

When Zhou Yihang saw the City God flying toward him, he hurriedly dodged. With a thunderous crash, the City God smashed into the temple wall.

Xu Ying came charging over, dragging the bell. Before he even drew near, he rose sideways into the air, lightly pressed one hand against the ground, and spun rapidly parallel to it!

The Great Bell was swung up as well. It whistled through the air, then struck the temple wall with a clang, smashing Xue Lingfu—man and wall together—underground!

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

A string of explosive booms rang out. Half of Xue Lingfu's golden body was actually smashed to pieces!

Zhou Yihang activated the Ni Wan Secret Treasury and struggled to repair his fleshly body. Suddenly, Xu Ying spun headfirst like a windmill, and the Great Bell came whistling toward him, smashing into his body!

This old man has really been ruined this time. Zhou Yihang's heart turned cold as the Great Bell slammed into him, sending half his body flying.

After sending Zhou Yihang flying, Xu Ying immediately turned around and swung the Great Bell at the City God, giving neither of them a chance to catch their breath.

Zhou Yihang landed and spat blood. Seeing Xu Ying charge toward him, he shouted, "Xue Chenghuang, we'll only survive if we join forces!"

Xue Lingfu had been smashed until half his golden body was gone. The remaining half was battered and tattered, while his Incense Qi was also on the verge of scattering, making it difficult to hold on. Hearing Zhou Yihang's shout, he immediately realized that this old opponent was also at the end of his strength.

"If we don't join forces, this junior will really hammer us to death here in Huangtianpu Town!"

Thinking this, he gathered his remaining Magic Power. The Incense Qi transformed into a massive hand more than ten feet across, which reached into the temple.

The newly appointed temple god, Huang Sanduo, had been hiding inside and watching the battle. When he saw the City God's huge hand reach for him, it grabbed him in one sweep.

Huang Sanduo hurriedly cried, "Xue Chenghuang, don't you remember? I even gave you gifts before!"

"I remember. That's why I'm borrowing your life!"

Xue Lingfu, the City God, used every ounce of strength he had to hurl him at Xu Ying!

Xu Ying was swinging the bell at Zhou Yihang when he caught sight of the two-faced, six-armed divine statue flying toward him. He hurriedly turned around and let the Great Bell meet Huang Sanduo.

The Great Bell crashed into the statue, which instantly shattered into pieces. Huang Sanduo was only a newly appointed god. He had just begun to enjoy a trace of incense when his divine body broke apart and his soul scattered into nothingness. A single fragment of Indestructible True Spirit flew toward the underworld.

However, that momentary delay gave Zhou Yihang time to recover. He immediately summoned his remaining Magic Power and activated the Dong Jun Pingtian Seal, striking the Great Bell with one palm.

Clang!

The Great Bell let out an earth-shaking boom. The terrifying power unleashed by the Dong Jun Pingtian Seal sent it flying into the sky, tumbling end over end.

Xu Ying had not been struck by the Dong Jun Pingtian Seal, yet he felt an irresistible force surge toward him, lifting him into the air and sending him tumbling helplessly through countless rotations.

This is bad! I can make the Great Bell perform all kinds of movements while carrying it, but the Great Bell can also make me perform all kinds of movements while carrying me.

The Great Bell crashed to the ground, bounced up and down along the street, and rolled dozens of zhang away.

Xu Ying fell with it, bouncing, landing, and rolling dozens of zhang.

Zhou Yihang and Xue Lingfu were both stunned for a moment before suddenly realizing, "That's the way to deal with him!"

Xu Ying braced both hands against the ground and rose, cautiously watching the two men.

Zhou Yihang and Xue Lingfu struggled to their feet but did not advance. Though they were the most powerful experts in Lingling, both were now completely drained. Although they knew how to deal with Xu Ying, charging forward without a companion's cooperation would most likely just result in Xu Ying swinging the bell at them.

Xu Ying had suffered a loss as well. The wound on his shoulder had burst open, and he knew the situation was bad. Keeping his eyes on the two men, he slowly retreated.

He retreated into an apothecary.

The apothecary's assistant had already wrapped the medicine and packed it into a large burlap sack. He and the shopkeeper were standing outside watching the scene, but when they saw Xu Ying approach, they hurriedly returned inside.

Xu Ying snatched up the sack, slung it over his shoulder, and carefully backed away, afraid that the Great Bell would smash the apothecary apart the instant he turned around.

Only after exiting the apothecary did he turn and run toward the outskirts of town.

Clang-a-lang-lang! The Great Bell trailed behind him, smoking all the way. Its sound was like a whole line of people following behind him, joyfully beating gongs and drums.

Zhou Yihang and Xue Lingfu each suppressed their injuries and did not give chase, allowing Xu Ying to leave.

"Who can walk beside the river forever without getting their shoes wet?"

Zhou Yihang exerted all his strength, activated the vitality of the Ni Wan Secret Treasury, and repaired the damage to his fleshly body. He gave a bitter smile. "This time, my shoes weren't merely wetted. I nearly got dragged into the water and drowned by that little fellow Xu Ying."

Xue Chenghuang's expression was dark. Half of his golden body crackled and peeled, occasionally bursting out a tiny golden fragment that turned into gold when it hit the ground.

The Earth God suddenly emerged from who knew where, knelt at Xue Chenghuang's feet, and burned incense while kowtowing and muttering under his breath.

The scattered Incense Qi around Xue Chenghuang gradually gathered again. The fragments of gold on the ground also bounced and hopped as if they had grown legs, constantly leaping back onto his body.

"Xu Ying caught us off guard and injured us with a protective treasure. Once we're prepared, dealing with that blasted bell of his won't be difficult."

Xue Chenghuang spoke indifferently. "However, Lord Zhou probably won't be able to personally capture Xu Ying. After all, Lord Zhou will soon be heading to the Yellow Springs."

As soon as he finished speaking, Demonic Energy filled the entrance of the town, and a Demon God strode into Huangtianpu Town.

Xue Chenghuang said, "I have the Earth God. He can travel underground and go to every mountain and lake to mobilize forces. The Earth God can also monitor Xu Ying's movements. Lord Zhou is injured—surely he lacks the strength to resist the Demon Gods under my command?"

Zhou Yihang sighed and chuckled softly. "You can summon reinforcements, but can't I? Surely Xue Chenghuang doesn't know that my Zhou Family's Nu Art is called 'every blade of grass and tree becomes a soldier'? Informing a few juniors to come receive me is no difficult matter."

At the other end of Huangtianpu Town, the officials of Lingling County's various departments—Merit, Granary, Household, and others—arrived one after another.

Gods from the villages and towns, along with Demon Gods from every direction, also arrived at Huangtianpu Town. Upon seeing the injured City God, they were stunned and hurriedly knelt, burned incense, and asked after his safety.

On the other side, dozens of officials from Lingling County's Assistant Merit, Assistant Granary, Assistant Household, Assistant Military, Judicial Assistant, Assistant Personnel, and Prison Administration departments also arrived. Although they were fewer in number than the gods, they were all Nu Masters raised by the Zhou Family, and their abilities far surpassed those of ordinary Grass Head Gods.

The two sides formed opposing lines, their killing intent surging.

Ever since the death of Emperor Mingxiao of Zhidao, the conflict between divine authority and Imperial Power had become common knowledge.

In Yongzhou, it was even worse.

Other places could still maintain harmony on the surface, but in Yongzhou—especially in remote Lingling, where the emperor was high above and far away—even Imperial Power found it difficult to reach the counties, let alone divine authority.

Here, the Zhou Family was the local emperor, ruling one region as an independent power and fighting the divine authority of the Yin Court. The two sides had long been as incompatible as fire and water.

Zhou Yihang returned to his former appearance as an elegant old man. He forced himself to the front of the formation and smiled. "City God, this matter was originally just a misunderstanding, wasn't it?"

Having received the incense of the village and town gods, Xue Lingfu, the City God, had also barely suppressed his injuries. He stepped out from the crowd and said solemnly, "This matter was indeed a misunderstanding."

Zhou Yihang smiled. "Since it was a misunderstanding, and the fugitive Xu Ying is fleeing in panic, it truly isn't appropriate for either side to continue quarreling. If Xu Ying escapes Lingling, wouldn't that be humiliating?"

A shamefaced look appeared on Xue Lingfu's face. "Lord Zhou is right. The fugitive Xu Ying is extremely dangerous and has violated the Heaven's Law. We must bring him to justice as soon as possible, without delay. Let us set aside the misunderstanding between our families for now and discuss it again in the future."

Zhou Yihang said solemnly, "I was thinking the same."

The two men each issued orders for their officials, the gods of the villages and towns, and the gods of the mountains and rivers to track down and surround Xu Ying. They themselves remained behind their respective forces to recuperate from their injuries.

Xue Chenghuang ordered a Land God to burn incense and instructed him, "The matter of Xu Ying is no small thing. Go invite the divine dragon of the Ningyuan Confucian Temple to come reinforce us."

Zhou Yihang also secretly ordered someone to invite County Magistrate Zhou Yang. When Zhou Yang arrived at Huangtianpu Town and saw Zhou Yihang covered in injuries, he could not help being startled.

"Yang'er, Xu Ying is on the run. Send down those officials with lower cultivation; they are no match for the criminal. Lead some capable men and capture him personally. I'll hold the rear and keep watch against Xue Lingfu."

Zhou Yihang instructed him, "Also, report Xu Ying's matter to the provincial governor and ask him to mobilize the Zhou Family's experts to surround and capture Xu Ying."

County Magistrate Zhou Yang's heart jolted. "That boy is merely a villager from the countryside. Is it really necessary to alarm the provincial governor?"

The governor of Yongzhou was surnamed Zhou and named Heng. He was the court's governor stationed in Yongzhou, held military authority, and had countless experts under his command. Although Zhou Yang was also a member of the Zhou Family, he could not enter the center of the family's power.

Only a small handful of people could enter that aristocratic clan's power center, and Governor Zhou Heng was one of them.

Zhou Yang was rather confused. Reporting Xu Ying's matter to Governor Zhou Heng would simply be handing him the credit. Why not take the credit for himself?

Zhou Yihang said, "The criminal Xu Ying has already cultivated his Demonic Arts to the level of a Demon King. Even among monsters, few can cultivate to such a level. Our Zhou Family absolutely cannot tolerate his falling into the hands of the Yin Court!"

Zhou Yang hesitated for a moment before summoning his courage to ask, "Father, the old ancestor's cultivation reaches the heavens and earth. He has fully developed the power of the Secret Treasury, and in the present world, neither ghosts nor gods can surpass him. Why, then, is he so interested in Demonic Arts?"

Zhou Yihang's gaze was distant. "Yang'er, you are not qualified to come into contact with these secrets yet. But since you're curious, I'll tell you some of what I know."

He fell silent for a moment, then said, "Twenty years ago, I followed the elders of the clan to Duqiao Mountain in Beiliu County, Lingnan. There, the Nu Masters of our clan discovered an ancient grotto-heaven. After searching through the imperial archives, the clan elders guessed that it was the cultivation ground of the Ancient Qi Refiner Tuo Yu, and quite possibly one of the few grotto-heavens in Divine Land that had remained relatively intact. Three clan elders took command that time, along with two hundred core Zhou Family disciples and a thousand Nu Masters. We advanced in grand procession to explore that grotto-heaven. We encountered many strange things."

Fear appeared in his eyes. Only after a while did he steady his emotions and say, "They were strange things that neither Nu methods and Nu Arts nor the arts of ghosts and gods could explain! They could only be explained with immortal arts and immortal methods! We Nu Masters, including the three clan elders, couldn't even understand them! Couldn't understand them—do you know what that means?"

The fear in his eyes turned into despair.

The Zhou Family's excavation of Duqiao Mountain's grotto-heaven came at a terrible cost. All one thousand Nu Masters died, more than half of the Zhou Family's core disciples were killed or wounded, and one of the three clan elders perished.

In the end, after paying a grievous price, they brought several things out of the ancient grotto-heaven in Duqiao Mountain, including jade slips left behind by the Ancient Qi Refiner Tuo Yu.

The slip was one chi and two cun long, green and lustrous like tender bamboo, with golden writing on it that no one could recognize.

Besides the jade slip, there was also a handwritten ancient text, presumably a written record left by the Ancient Qi Refiner Tuo Yu after deciphering the jade slip.

The ancient text contained a cultivation method. Its language was convoluted, obscure, and difficult to understand.

"We also saw a mural in that grotto-heaven depicting someone overcoming the tribulation and ascending to immortality. Thus, some of the clan elders guessed that the Ancient Qi Refiner Tuo Yu had witnessed someone ascend and become an immortal. What she deciphered was precisely an immortal's cultivation method!"

At this point, Zhou Yihang steadied himself and said, "After that, I never saw that ancient text again. But I still remember the expressions of those clan elders when they saw it and flipped through it. Their faces were extremely strange, as strange as if they had eaten three-day-old spoiled swill! They said..."

He paused, then said, "They said that the opening of the immortal method deciphered by Tuo Yu was identical to Demonic Arts."

County Magistrate Zhou Yang's eyes widened as stormy waves surged through his heart.

There were many monsters in the wilderness around Lingling. They did not run all over the place, but one could coincidentally encounter one or two.

Some of these monsters brought disaster upon the countryside, some lived in remote mountains and ancient forests, and some possessed the audacity of bears and leopards, occupying mountains and declaring themselves kings. Most of those who cultivated into Demon Kings, however, were recruited by the Yin Court and granted divine offices such as Mountain God or River God to manage the mountains, rivers, lakes, and waterways for the Yin Court.

Zhou Yang looked down on monsters. Their cultivation methods were bizarre and varied, but all were Qi Gathering Stage methods. Once they reached the peak of the Qi Gathering Stage, their path ended, and they could advance no further.

Demon Cultivators were inferior to Nu Masters. Once Nu Masters opened their Secret Treasuries, they could draw upon the power of the Secret Treasuries to refine Hidden Scenery, and their cultivation would grow ever higher, reaching through heaven and earth, their abilities transcending the ordinary and entering sainthood!

The old ancestor of the Zhou Family stood at the very pinnacle of this world. Even the current emperor had to show him respect threefold!

But Demon Cultivators were inferior even to gods who had become divine through incense!

Once a god had been granted a divine title through incense, as long as the divine position remained, it could continuously absorb Incense Qi. Its Magic Power would grow increasingly profound, and it could cultivate to an extremely formidable realm!

Only Demon Cultivators were limited to the Qi Gathering Stage. At most, they could become Demon Kings, be conferred as Demon Gods, and govern no more than a single mountain.

As for the cultivation methods of the Demon Race, they were even more unimpressive, and very few people would study them.

Yet Zhou Yihang had now said that the opening of immortal methods was identical to Demonic Arts. Zhou Yang could not help being shocked!

"The ancient text left behind by the Ancient Qi Refiner Tuo Yu was an immortal method after being deciphered, but it was far too convoluted and grating to the ear. It still requires further deciphering."

Zhou Yihang closed his eyes and rested his mind. "Even deciphering this text cost the lives of several geniuses in our Zhou Family. Many dazzling figures of the clan also went gray with worry over it. It was simply too difficult to understand."

He sighed, and tears trickled from the corners of his eyes.

Zhou Yang's gaze flickered. "That is why Xu Ying, who deciphered the cultivation methods of the Demon Race, is so extraordinarily valuable."

"But if our Zhou Family cannot obtain it, then we must destroy it. We cannot let another family benefit!"

Zhou Yihang's face turned somewhat cold. He waved his hand and said, "Yang'er, go. Remember, you must notify the provincial governor."

County Magistrate Zhou Yang acknowledged the order, bowed, and departed.

In a cave on Mount Xiao in Lingling, Xu Ying stood inside and looked out. The sky was covered in dark clouds, and thunder and rain crashed down together. The rain fell freely in torrents, while fierce winds dragged the rain into wavering lines and tore them about.

The sky gradually darkened.

This sudden downpour had held back the pursuers.

Xu Ying withdrew his gaze. A large pot sat over a bonfire inside the cave, and medicine was simmering within.

The Snake Demon Yuan Qi curled up beside the bonfire, looking sickly as he waited for the medicine to finish boiling.

In a corner of the cave, a Black Bear hunched timidly, trembling as he watched Xu Ying. This was his cave, but Xu Ying and Yuan Qi had now occupied it as cuckoos in a magpie's nest.

"Xiong Qianli, don't be afraid. We'll leave once we've taken shelter from the rain." Xu Ying kindly soothed the bear demon.

The Black Bear spoke in human words. "Great Benevolent Man Xu, are you trying to deceive me? Last time, you took my scripture and said you'd return it after reading it. You still haven't returned it even now!"

Was I especially long today?