Terrifying Indeed

Above the Minping Tribe, rippling waterlight shimmered.

A Spirit God descended and appeared before Hachachar.

Auspicious Spirit God looked at Hachachar's pained expression and carefully examined the spell afflicting him. "Your body is beyond saving. Let your soul enter my Divine Domain. Perhaps, if you encounter good fortune in the future, you'll be able to start anew!"

Hachachar was secretly delighted at these words. His body was already old and frail; he hadn't expected to receive such an opportunity today and gain entry to the Divine Domain. This was a blessing in disguise.

He gladly agreed and stopped suppressing the poison in his body. His flesh burst apart with a roar, turning into a puddle of Poisonous Water that fell to the ground.

Auspicious Spirit God then stripped out his soul and sent it into the Divine Domain Dojo.

In truth, worshippers like Hachachar, who believed in Auspicious Spirit God, were supposed to have their souls gathered into the Divine Domain Dojo after death, where they would continue providing him with Incense and Fire.

This was merely happening a little earlier than expected.

But Hachachar and the people of the tribe didn't know the truth. They all believed this was a mark of Auspicious Spirit God's favor, and their faith grew even stronger.

Auspicious Spirit God used his power to shape Hachachar's soul into a human form, preserving his consciousness.

Hachachar spoke. "Spirit God above, my descendant Hachamu was just protecting your divine dignity when he suffered the Fiend's Poisonous Hand. He reversed the Auspicious Water Pattern and was gravely wounded. I beg you to show him mercy!"

Auspicious Spirit God said, "The loyalty of Hachamu's line is plain to me. Go in peace!"

Hachachar's soul bowed solemnly, then rode a stream of Water Qi into Auspicious Spirit God's Divine Domain Dojo.

His descendant, Hachamu, was drawn before Auspicious Spirit God.

The Auspicious Water Pattern had struck Hachamu's body, leaving it bright red, as if he'd been scalded by boiling water. Pain contorted his face, but his throat was too hoarse to make a sound.

Auspicious Spirit God blew a breath over him. Nourished by spiritual energy, Hachamu's body slowly recovered.

After finishing this, Auspicious Spirit God appeared before Chen Ming and said, "Fellow Daoist, I wonder how my follower offended you. Why did you strike to kill?"

Azure and golden light flickered in Chen Ming's eyes. He saw Auspicious Spirit God's Dharma Body standing upon the waves, white fish and red carp faintly visible among them, its face compassionate and gentle.

But no ordinary cultivator of the Divine Path could claim a tribe for himself in the Vast Mountain Range with only the strength of the Contemplation Realm.

Besides, the Minping Tribe was Auspicious Spirit God's territory. He should have known exactly what had happened, yet now he was pretending not to know and asking Chen Ming.

"Justice is in the hearts of the people!"

"Don't play dumb in front of me, Auspicious Spirit God. You know what he did to offend me. Why even ask?" Chen Ming said coldly.

Though the Secret Method made things blurry, Auspicious Spirit God could still sense that Chen Ming's strength was no less than his own.

He withdrew his Dharma Body and took on human form: a handsome man with a faint blue water pattern glowing between his brows.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist!"

"I was only asking. We've both cultivated to this level. We can't let a few mortals kindle our fury and ruin our cultivation."

Auspicious Spirit God spoke indifferently, shielding the mortals of the tribe from his voice. Only Chen Ming could hear him.

Chen Ming smiled. "Auspicious Spirit God, you really are perceptive—smooth and without an edge. You've indeed cultivated Waterway Heartlessness."

"You jest, fellow Daoist. Just call me Qingyuan. May I ask where you've come from?"

Though Chen Ming cultivated the Demon Refining Method, he didn't seem like a stubborn sort. Auspicious Spirit God introduced himself and asked his name.

Chen Ming replied, "This poor Daoist is Xuan Mingzi, a wandering cultivator. I was just traveling through this Treasure Land to enjoy the scenery. I never expected things to turn out like this. What a disappointment!"

"So you're Fellow Daoist Xuan Mingzi. Since you've come to my territory, why not take a rest?"

"The Vast Mountain Range is in turmoil. It's better to have another friend than another enemy, don't you agree, Fellow Daoist Xuan Mingzi?" Qingyuan said with a beaming smile.

As he spoke, waves rose behind Qingyuan. White fish and red carp leaped out of them, repairing the grand formation around the Minping Tribe and extinguishing the Golden Light Divine Flame still burning across it.

Chen Ming narrowed his eyes, knowing that Qingyuan was displaying his strength.

"I've only just arrived, and I'm unfamiliar with the Vast Mountain Range. I'd be glad to ask the Divine Venerable for guidance."

"But first, let me take care of a few loose ends."

Chen Ming withdrew his Supernatural Ability and dispelled the Poisonous Smoke Insect Swarm, appearing once more in the Marketplace.

Young Qin Yuyan stared at the mess of broken goods on his stall, his eyes red as he struggled to hold back his tears.

A few kindhearted people around him were trying to persuade him. "Young Qin, hurry up and pack your things. Take your grandmother and leave the tribe!"

"You offended the Priest and angered the Spirit God. If you don't leave now, disaster's coming!"

Qin Yulan took their advice to heart too, preparing to pack up and leave.

But when he looked up, he saw Chen Ming.

Young Qin Yuyan was quick-witted. He immediately dropped to his knees. "I beg the True Person to save my life!"

Chen Ming took out the same vibrant herb and handed it to him. "I'll take your roof tiles. The herb is yours."

But Qin Yuyan didn't take it. He kowtowed deeply and said, "There are many more tiles like these, with patterns on them, in those ruins. I'm willing to serve as your vanguard and show you the way."

"I wouldn't dare ask to become your disciple, True Person. I only hope to learn even a little of your skills!"

"You've seen what I can do. Everyone calls me a fiend. Do you still want to learn from me?" Chen Ming asked.

Qin Yulan answered with unwavering resolve. "I do!"

Chen Ming chuckled and made a quick calculation with his fingers. A vague sense came over him: this boy would be connected to him in the future, but the time wasn't right yet.

"If your resolve remains firm, your fate will bring us together in time!"

With that, Chen Ming drifted away.

When Qin Yuyan looked up again, only the jade-green herb remained before him. Chen Ming was already gone.

Qin Yuyan put away the herb and hurried off, repeating to himself, "If your resolve remains firm, your fate will bring you there."

After settling things, Chen Ming and Auspicious Spirit God, Qingyuan, concealed their forms and left the Minping Tribe.

The water pattern between Qingyuan's brows rippled as he asked in confusion, "I sensed a bond between that boy and you, fellow Daoist. Why didn't you take him in?"

Chen Ming smiled. "Fellow Daoist Qingyuan, your Supernatural Abilities are profound indeed. You can even sense the bonds of fate around me."

Qingyuan thought to himself, This fiend is sharp-minded. He's already wary of me after a single remark. For all I know, he's planning to make a move in secret.

Keeping his guard up, Qingyuan explained, "That boy is from my tribe. He once offered me Incense and Fire Thoughts, and now that he's right here, his destiny has changed. I only sensed it faintly."

"I thought your Supernatural Abilities were so profound that they'd reached a truly terrifying level!" Chen Ming said.

"I hardly deserve to be called 'truly terrifying.' You jest, fellow Daoist!" Qingyuan hurriedly replied.

Those words, "truly terrifying," made his heart skip. For some reason, he sensed an immense terror in them!

Qingyuan circulated his power and opened his Divine Domain Dojo. Within, waterlight shimmered and flying fish flashed with color, like a wondrous sight from beneath the sea.