Kitchen God Sits in the Heart, Buddha Passes by the Side

Under this oppressive atmosphere, a heavy pressure gradually arose both inside and outside Jiarong County.

Chaos reigned in the county town. The Marshfolk who were fighting for the lives of others suddenly trembled and felt themselves restrained by some force.

On the mound outside the city, the many Marshfolk chiefs, now free, quickly descended.

At this moment, a luminous figure appeared in their hearts, its hair like fire, releasing a calming aura and attempting to guide their conscience, making them realize the horror of what they had done.

"The looting must stop immediately! And we must not commit any more killings!"

Upon arriving and witnessing the devastation in the city, Geluolan was shocked and immediately spoke with unwavering resolve. However, the other Marshfolk tribe chiefs, including De Ying, shook their heads, their faces showing reluctance.

One of Human Path, "Geluolan, we remember your kindness in helping us escape this predicament and inviting the Kitchen God into our hearts. However, the tribe came here to plunder. Now that it is autumn, we need to seize some money, food, and supplies, otherwise how will we survive the long dry season? Even if you are the chieftain, no one will obey your orders if they are issued at an inopportune time."

The Marshfolk's expedition was organized by Biaoxin Xin, but many of their clan leaders were also betrayed by Biaoxin, suppressed by Buddhist light, and even had Buddhist chants penetrate their minds and hearts, trying to forcibly convert them.

This transformation is tantamount to forcibly changing a person's aspirations and ideals, directly affecting consciousness and will, causing severe damage to the spirit and soul, and bringing intense pain in the process.

However, at the crucial moment, Gloran silently recited the name of the Kitchen God in his heart, and the protective power of the Kitchen God's duties descended upon him, freeing him from the pain of changing his mind.

With the pain gone and her State of Mind at ease, Geluolan radiated a relaxed and contented aura, which stood out prominently in the Buddha's light, making her impossible to ignore.

Then, Geluolan immediately told his father, De Ying, about the matter. In this critical moment, De Ying couldn't care less about anything else. He also silently recited the Divine Name the Kitchen God in his heart and began to visualize the form of the deity based on the statue in the tribe.

This observation immediately brought about a turning point; much of the Buddhist light spreading in his heart was repelled. Naturally, he persevered and continued to visualize the divine image.

The changes in the father and son inevitably attracted the attention of the other Marshfolk tribe chiefs. After some negotiation, they all followed suit. However, since the others did not know the appearance and outline of the gods, but only their Divine Name, their imaginations were bound to be flawed. Fortunately, as De Ying and Geluolan contemplated, their emotional fluctuations spread out, and the figure and outline of the gods were hidden in these fluctuations.

The fluctuations affected the other Marshfolk tribe chiefs, and even the elders and shamans not far away were enveloped, and a blurry figure slowly condensed in their minds.

This figure, seated in the heart, also emitted light, but not like the domineering and self-centered light of Buddha. Instead, it exuded a peaceful aura, giving people a sense of ordinary life, and carrying with it a wisp of auspicious protection.

As this figure appeared, everyone sensed a gentle gaze upon the world. They couldn't help but feel a longing, and the Buddha's light was gradually repelled. Their minds began to focus on this deity known as "Kitchen God."

Finally, the Buddha's light dissipated, and the divine figure descended, instantly clarifying the vague outline in their hearts and restoring their freedom.

However, these Marshfolk chiefs were only temporarily praying to the gods. They were not devout believers, but at most they only showed some respect. They certainly wouldn't call it quits because of this, since the amount of looting directly affected the survival of the entire tribe.

Geluolan understood this principle, so he compromised and said, "In that case, at least we must not kill, lest we offend the natural order."

This time, even De Ying seemed somewhat helpless, saying, "We can only try our best to restrain them. Previously, Biaoxin trapped us and then used some method to bewitch the tribesmen, letting them plunder and loot to their heart's content. They've become too eager to be commanded, and even if we issue orders, we may not be able to stop them."

At this moment, someone else thought of something and asked in confusion, "Speaking of which, where did Biaoxin go? That guy betrayed us; we must settle this score!"

As they were talking, several exclamations suddenly came from behind them. Then two elders came over and said hurriedly, "There are a large number of soldiers from the Central Plains within a dozen miles around, and they seem to be surrounding this place!"

These elders and shamans were all people with cultivation. Before this expedition, they took advantage of the sparse garrison in several counties to plant some spies who could communicate remotely. If they found anything amiss, they would immediately come to report.

"What? How many people have come?"

The chieftain of the Marshfolk had just broken free from the suppression of the Buddha's light and only saw the chaos in Jiarong County; he was still unclear about the situation.

The elders and shamans who reported the news replied, "The ranks of the Central Plains soldiers are too dense. Although the individual Qi and Blood of each soldier is not as strong as that of the soldiers of Wuxin Commandery, their numbers are so great that their Qi and Blood is soaring. It is difficult to investigate them in detail, but even a cursory glance shows that there are at least 20,000 of them!"

"Twenty thousand people? That many?"

The clan leaders all showed surprise and appeared somewhat flustered.

Immediately, someone suggested, "The government troops are powerful, and they've already looted almost everything, so why don't we just retreat?"

The other clan leaders were tempted and considered leaving.

Geluolan shook his head and said, "That's not advisable. We've taken too much stuff, and with the supplies, how will we move through the Lin Zhong? Besides, if we retreat, we'll lose our momentum and be at a disadvantage."

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

The Marshfolk Coalition may seem large, but it only numbers around ten thousand. In the past, when they raided before the dry season, they would at most target border villages. They would never have dared to directly attack a county town like today. Firstly, the county town was garrisoned by soldiers and had city walls to block their way. Secondly, doing so would easily provoke Great Rui.

However, this time, thanks to Biaoxin's deliberate instigation, a coalition was formed. But the current situation is different from what many tribal chiefs expected. Biaoxin has disappeared, and they have lost control of their tribes. In addition, there is the possibility of a large army pressing in.

"Um?"

Suddenly, another elder approached, looking slightly puzzled, and said, "Reporting to the clan leader, for some reason, everyone in that city has stopped..."

"What happened?"

While the clan leaders were filled with doubt and uncertainty after hearing the report, Geluolan had an idea.

For a time, people's opinions differed.

Just then, the Kitchen God statue, which sat enthroned above their hearts, suddenly moved. A few sparks rose around its figure, twisting and gradually transforming into six shapes—

The sixth line of the Li Trigram!

As soon as the six-line diagram was formed, the clan leaders, along with many elders and shamans, were all stunned, feeling as if something had been added to their hearts and bodies.

Geluolan, in particular, frowned, as if on a whim.

On a level he was unaware of, the Li Trigram was analyzing his psychology and behavior, and finally made a prediction, bestowing the blessing of the first line of the Li Trigram upon him.

The ninth day: initial chaos, followed by caution, and ultimately no disaster.

Having done all this, the deity withdrew its Divine Sense and perceptions from this area.

"Freezing the Marshfolk in the city is already the limit of what I can do. If this continues, not to mention violating the heavenly laws and incurring karmic Karma, the mere fact that divine power has exceeded its limits would give the Circuit City God Lü Liang an excuse to act prematurely. The most urgent task right now is to bide our time, accumulate strength, and develop our sacrificial customs. We cannot interrupt this process due to momentary impulse."

Having regained his focus, the deity himself sat quietly in meditation, surrounded by a short sword and a bracelet.

Within the Divine Body, a dazzling light shone brightly, and from the outside, one could vaguely discern the outline of the Li Trigram.

Just now, Qiu Yan finally completed the analysis of the Li Trigram and fully integrated it into the Core Talisman of his true form, thus adding a power to his Domain of Law that can analyze the present, predict the future, and thus interfere with Fortune.

"The invasion of the Marshfolk and the Barbarians caught Jiannan Circuit off guard this time, but the scholar's clone turned the tide. What follows is just a conflict in the mortal realm. There is no need, nor is it necessary, to continue to interfere. Let it develop on its own."

Thinking of this, Qiu Yan noticed a slight change in the Incense Faith, and Divine Power Stars within his Divine Body.

" Among the Marshfolk are my believers, and there are also believers in Jiarong County. They fight with each other, and I cannot take sides, but it has reminded me that I must establish rules in the future. If anyone crosses the line, no matter how devout they are, they must be punished. In this way, we can gradually integrate and restrain them. This will also help spread and develop the ritual, so that it will not get out of control and degenerate into a heretical sect."

As the thought arose, the Core Talisman above the Divine Pool began to rotate. On its surface, the Li trigram Li Trigram, faintly shimmering with a blue light, within which seemed to emanate a chaotic energy—

The fire from the World-Troubling Copper Furnace has already been integrated into it.

The blue light radiation, infused with a hint of Fortune interference within the Divine Power Stars, projected a patch of light and shadow onto the edge of the Divine Pool, gradually condensing as if it were about to extend out of the land.

"I've already figured out the characteristics of this Fourth Grade Divine Rank. I just need to accumulate enough Divine Power Stars to attempt to break through. Moreover, with the Chaos-World Furnace Flame, I even have a plan for the Third Grade..."

As Qiu Yan was pondering this, a thought suddenly struck him.

"Hmm? That person has finally returned to the sect with the Copper Furnace. This is a good opportunity for me to learn about the true strength of the Daoist Sect and gather intelligence, so I won't be confused later."

Golden Summit Mountain, known as the highest peak in Shu Region, soars into the clouds, offering views of the sunrise in the morning and the Cloud Sea during the day.

On this golden summit stands a Daoist temple called Spirit-Sealing Abbey. It is ancient and dilapidated, and because the mountain path is difficult and rarely visited, it is deserted and lonely.

Suddenly, the Cloud Sea churned, and a golden light pierced through the sky, entering the Daoist temple directly. After turning around inside, it revealed a burly man with a leopard's head and round eyes, wearing a Daoist robe and holding Copper Furnace.

As soon as the burly man landed, he first put down the Copper Furnace, bowed to the Dao Ancestor on the platform, then raised his hands to form a mudra and chanted incantations.

A halo suddenly appeared on the ground, its edges shimmering with intricate, non-character-like runes. The halo changed color, resembling a cave entrance, causing the burly man and the Copper Furnace to sink into it.

As the light and shadow shifted, the person and the Copper Furnace descended and moved, arriving at the foot of the mountain.

Within this mountain lies a vast cave, its walls gleaming with light. Layer upon layer of pavilions rise and fall, stretching endlessly, with several beams of light weaving through them. (To be continued)

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