The temple custodian and several temple attendants carefully kept order.
They had always served the deity. When the former River Lord held the Divine Seat, they had occasionally communed with his will. After the Divine Seat Talisman changed hands, they made a seamless transition and served the New Deity in peace.
After a busy spell, they calmed and ushered out many worshippers who had come to offer incense. Temple Priest Jiang said a few words to the others, then looked toward the rear hall.
At the far end of his sight, he could faintly make out a glimmer of light.
His expression grew solemn and devout.
Chen Cuo sat cross-legged in midair inside the temple, four colors of light shifting around him.
Before him, Little Gourd floated unsteadily.
The four lights wound around the gourd, held back by an invisible force. Only the red and green lights could enter; the other two could find no way in.
"Just as I thought."
Understanding flashed through his eyes. Chen Cuo opened his mouth and inhaled all four lights, then exhaled sharply.
The Nine-Dragon Divine Fire roared forth and coiled around him, making him look like a man of flame.
But soon the flames entered through his mouth and nose. Heat steamed from his entire body, waves of red radiance spread outward, and his Qi and Blood gradually began to boil!
He landed on the ground and formed a Hand Seal with each hand. Streaks of emerald light emerged from his body and fell around him.
The floor of the Inner Hall was paved with stone slabs, but after the emerald light swept across them, they trembled. Tender shoots pushed through, became vines, and enveloped Chen Cuo in the blink of an eye.
Then Chen Cuo inhaled sharply!
The green leaves and tender