The night passed quickly.
At dawn the next day, the night dew had yet to dry, and the early chill had just begun to fade. Amid the soft rustling of insects, a loud cockcrow rang out from who knew where, and Dangqing Village gradually awoke.
Yawning bandits lined up in front of several earthen stoves to get their porridge and vegetables.
The bandits in charge paced around the grounds, urging everyone on with knives, spears, halberds, and pikes in hand. Before long, the clang of hammering and the sounds of digging rang out all around.
The only place left undisturbed was Great Immortal Dangqing's temple on the little hill.
Clusters of flowers bloomed quietly, and the temple grounds, both in front and behind, were utterly serene.
The three leaders had come early to offer incense. After watching the bandits on duty clean every inch of the place until it was spotless, they silently prayed for Great Immortal Dangqing's protection once more before turning to leave.
As soon as the mortals had disappeared from sight, a black skirt emerged from thin air amid the drifting incense smoke. With skin like snow and a face like a flower, her figure graceful and slender, Li Lieyue appeared in the temple's main hall.
The Divine Statue at the head of the hall stirred slightly, then immediately transformed into Pei Ling's likeness. He stepped down from the shrine and said, "Senior Sister, thanks for all your effort."
Li Lieyue gave a slight shake of her head. Helping Junior Brother Pei gather the mortals' fear was a trivial matter, not worth mentioning.
At that thought, she said, "Junior Brother Pei, Yan Minghua and I have both recovered to Foundation Establishment Late Stage. We can continue and attack the next ghost god."
Pei Ling was deep in