For now, Pan Long set aside the matter of the ancient Immortals and Buddhas and turned to Bi Lingkong.
"Teacher, I'm going to settle the matters Zhao Sheng and Wen Chao left behind. Will you come as a witness?"
Bi Lingkong's eyes lit up. She nodded again and again.
The two of them traveled through space and arrived directly outside the Dragon-Slaying Treasure.
Pan Long opened the treasure vault. The moment Bi Lingkong stepped inside and saw the Wenchao Afterimage, she froze.
"This... this is..."
The Wenchao Afterimage looked at her with tender nostalgia and sighed. "Little Bird, you've finally grown up."
Bi Lingkong forced out a couple of laughs. She wanted to say something, but in the end, no words came.
She transformed into a red crow, perched on Pan Long's shoulder, and tucked her head beneath her body.
Pan Long could distinctly feel a slight dampness on his shoulder.
He sighed. "I've become an Immortal and Buddha, and I govern the myriad paths through Natural Science. Barring the unexpected, in a few days at least a thousand ancient Immortals and Buddhas will be willing to follow my orders, so long as those orders don't violate their principles. I've also inherited the highest authority over the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Even if Zhao Sheng and Wen Chao came back to life, there's no chance they could take it from me."
The Wenchao Afterimage nodded. "In that case, we can go to the Divine Capital."
"When do we leave?"
"Once you can formally command the ancient Immortals and Buddhas. Bring them with you."
"Do we need to be that careful?" Pan Long was puzzled.
The Wenchao Afterimage smiled. "I'm only afraid the fellow in the Imperial Mausoleum might leap over the wall like a cornered dog. Remember, destruction is