The Heavenly Dao's Will

This function requires permanent activation, and Zhuang Yan activated it without hesitation. Of the remaining 70 points, he spent another 20 to add a sub-item called "Remove" under "Add Status," which can eliminate all negative statuses.

His cultivation had reached Refining Void into Dao, and the next step was the Earth Immortal realm. Although it would still take several years, Zhuang Yan was not anxious—Dao Cultivation was merely a tool for him to absorb Heavenly Dao Power.

He walked out of the meditation room. The incense and fire offerings were growing stronger daily, with Tianci Temple contributing the most. Of the incense and fire offerings in Guangci Prefecture, the Buddhist Sect accounted for half, Zhuang Yan received forty percent, and the remaining ten percent was shared among other immortal officials.

Fire Spirit True Immortal stepped forward, having diligently fulfilled her duties for the past three years. "Mountain Lord has emerged from seclusion," she said, bowing respectfully.

Zhuang Yan nodded and asked, "Were there any important matters during these three years?"

"Everything has been handled according to your wishes," Fire Spirit True Immortal replied. She then brought up the Three Treasures Silver Pestle, saying, "This artifact secretly contains three true methods, which I deciphered two years ago."

Zhuang Yan smiled. "Tell me, what are the three methods?"

Fire Spirit True Immortal explained: "The three methods are Clarity, Illusion, and Void. They are arts of [???] and [???], each with its own mysteries. If combined with my Profound Yang True Fire, their power will be even greater."

Zhuang Yan nodded. "Good. This treasure is indeed destined for you."

He walked to the statue and took out the ceramic jar that had sealed Lu Hanzhi, inverting it to remove the seal.

With a thump, Lu Hanzhi fell out. After three years of sealed confinement, she was still disoriented and only awoke after a long while.

Seeing Zhuang Yan before her, Lu Hanzhi immediately prostrated herself and kowtowed: "Lesser Demon pays respects to the Mountain God."

Zhuang Yan said, "Your three-year term is up. Come with me into the mortal world for a look."

Lu Hanzhi was slightly stunned, then bowed gratefully: "I shall obey your edict."

Zhuang Yan instructed Fire Spirit True Immortal: "You shall remain to guard the mountain manor."

"As the Mountain Lord commands," Fire Spirit True Immortal replied with a bow.

Zhuang Yan activated the Thousand Light Cloud Talisman and, carrying Lu Hanzhi, flew away from the mountain. They headed directly for the city of Guangci Prefecture. Using the divine power of incense and fire to conceal Lu Hanzhi's appearance, they landed directly at Zhong Jing's residence.

The sound of children's laughter came from the courtyard. A man and a woman, two young children, were chasing each other, with a beautiful woman and her maidservants following behind. Lu Hanzhi gazed at the boy's features and understood.

Zhuang Yan observed her calm expression, which revealed a hint of relief.

A man emerged from the moon gate; it was Zhong Jing. He said to the woman, "My dear, I will be going to a neighboring prefecture for business and will not return for two months. Please take care of things at home."

The woman replied with a smile, "Husband, take care. Don't worry about things at home." The two stood embracing.

Seeing this scene, Lu Hanzhi sighed softly. "This is good." As she spoke, it was as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and her demeanor became transcendent.

"Thank you, Mountain God, for your enlightenment. My worldly ties are severed. I shall return to the mountains and forests to seek the Dao." She gave Zhuang Yan a deep bow.

Zhuang Yan said joyfully, "Three years were not wasted. It is good that you could sever your emotional ties and enter the Dao. I permit you to cultivate on Spirit Platform Mountain."

Lu Hanzhi bowed again. "After being sealed for three years, I have realized that romantic love is not as profound as eternal life."

Zhuang Yan brought her back to the mountain and gestured to the peaks. "You may choose a place to establish your own cave dwelling."

"I shall obey the Mountain God's edict," Lu Hanzhi said. She channeled her magical power and, carried by the wind, disappeared into the vast mountain scenery.

Zhuang Yan, meanwhile, turned his cloud towards Mount Fangcun—after three years of seclusion, it was time to pay a visit to Patriarch Bodhi.

Zhuang Yan flew to Mount Fangcun and landed before the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars. Cloudy Boy and Guhe Boy were already waiting outside the cave. Upon seeing him land, they immediately stepped forward to greet him and led him inside.

On the other side, an immortal light flashed outside the Mountain God Temple of Lingtai, and Lan Caihe appeared, holding a flower basket. She hurried into the temple and called out "Mountain God of Lingtai" three times, but no one answered. As she grew anxious, Fire Spirit True Immortal walked into the hall. After observing her for a moment, she cupped her hands and said, "Are you High Immortal Lan Caihe?"

Lan Caihe turned, slightly surprised. "Who are you?"

"This humble immortal is Fire Spirit, a Mountain Guard General under the Mountain God," Fire Spirit True Immortal replied.

Lan Caihe nodded slightly. "So it's you. When did the Mountain God of Lingtai subdue you?"

"Three years ago," Fire Spirit True Immortal answered truthfully.

Lan Caihe put a hand to her forehead and sighed. "He still hasn't submitted the edict!" Seeing the other's confusion, she changed the subject. "Do you know where the Mountain God has gone? I have important matters to discuss with him."

Fire Spirit True Immortal shook her head. "The Mountain Lord just descended to the mortal realm. His whereabouts are unknown. If you are not in a hurry, High Immortal, you may wait here."

Lan Caihe had no choice but to sit down. Fire Spirit True Immortal served her tea and fruit.

When Zhuang Yan bid farewell to Patriarch Bodhi and returned to the Mountain God Temple, he saw Lan Caihe waiting.

"True Person Lan, what a rare visitor," Zhuang Yan said with a smile.

Lan Caihe quickly stood up. "I've finally managed to wait for you."

"What is so urgent?" Zhuang Yan asked.

"Firstly, you subdued Fire Spirit True Immortal three years ago. Why have you delayed submitting the edict?" Lan Caihe got straight to the point.

Zhuang Yan was taken aback. He took out the edict to check and indeed, it had not been submitted. He quickly wrote a memorial and submitted it along with the edict to the shrine.

The Edict Messenger from the Department of the Mortal Realm immediately delivered the documents to the Hall of Grotto-Heavens. The Protocol Officer took the edict and asked doubtfully, "Subduing Garuda only took a day, yet this Fire Spirit True Immortal took three years?"

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion smiled slightly. "He probably forgot to report back." He then unfolded Zhuang Yan's memorial and read it carefully.

He stroked his long beard and nodded. "Indeed, that is the case."

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion handed the imperial decree and the memorial to the Protocol Officer, instructing, "Record a third-class merit for the Mountain God of Lingtai."

"As you command," the Protocol Officer replied respectfully and withdrew.

After the Edict Messenger left the hall, the Protocol Officer quickly returned to report. Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion inquired, "Are there any developments regarding the matter of Golden Maid of Jade Pool?"

The Administrator reported, "Reporting to the High Minister, the Eight Immortals were ordered to subdue demons, but no news has been received yet."

At this moment, another Edict Messenger entered the hall and reported, "True Person Li Xuan has presented a memorial."

"Present it quickly," the Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion immediately ordered.

The Administrator handed over the document, and the Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion read it with a focused gaze.

After reading, he took a deep breath, handed the memorial from Tieguai Li to the Administrator, and rubbed his own forehead.

The Administrator also showed surprise after reading, "The Golden Maid of Jade Pool actually stole the Queen Mother's Kunlun Mirror?"

The Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion sighed. This adopted daughter of the Queen Mother of the West was deeply favored. Her so-called "abduction" was actually her secretly descending to the mortal realm. To save the Queen Mother's face, the Heavenly Court referred to it as "suffering a calamity."

"Although the Eight Immortals defeated Venerable Tianmiao, they were injured by the Golden Maid of Jade Pool wielding the Kunlun Mirror. Now, Lan Caihe has proposed seeking aid from the Mountain God of Lingtai," the Administrator said hesitantly, "I wonder if the Mountain God can contend with this treasure."

The Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion immediately issued an order, "Please summon Immortal Lord Yaohua to discuss matters."

Not long after, an Immortal Official, dressed in splendid attire and possessing peerless beauty, arrived gracefully. She held a whisk and bowed, "Fellow Daoist, what is the battle situation of the Eight Immortals?"

The Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion invited her to sit and asked directly, "The Golden Maid of Jade Pool stole a treasure and descended to the mortal realm. Why did Immortal Lord conceal this?"

Immortal Lord Yaohua sighed softly, "If the truth were revealed, I fear the other immortals would become even more reluctant to act."

"This kind of cover-up will only delay important matters," the Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion shook his head. "The Eight Immortals have already been repelled and retreated." After a brief pause, he probed, "Should we report to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion..."

"Absolutely not," Immortal Lord Yaohua refused immediately. "If we report to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, there will be no room for maneuver. Your Ladyship does not wish to publicize this, nor can she bear to see the Golden Maid of Jade Pool subjected to heavenly punishment."

The Queen Mother of the West wanted to suppress this matter, yet also wished to protect the Golden Maid of Jade Pool's life.

If an immortal maiden eloped to the mortal realm and was discovered by the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, the Heavenly Rules were strict and not to be trifled with. Even with the Queen Mother of the West's status, she could not openly defy heavenly law.

"Fellow Daoist is making things difficult for this Lord," the Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion waved his hand. "Although the Department of the Mortal Realm can subdue demons and monsters, it has no authority to interfere with matters of High Immortals descending to the mortal realm."

Immortal Lord Yaohua respectfully bowed, "Queen Mother has ordered me to convey an oral message, imploring Your Excellency to consider our past relationship and dispatch the Department of the Mortal Realm to find the Golden Maid of Jade Pool."

The Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion inwardly lamented. The Queen Mother of the West lowering her status to make such a request was clearly putting him on the spot.

"Fine," the Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion sighed deeply. "Since we must avoid the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, we cannot dispatch the Thunder Department's divine generals. There is only one feasible plan."

Immortal Lord Yaohua asked, "I wish to hear the details."

The Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion conjured an edict and ordered the Administrator to present it, "Please, Fellow Daoist, personally go to Spirit Platform Mountain and deliver this decree to the Mountain God."

"The Mountain God of Lingtai?" Immortal Lord Yaohua looked puzzled, "A mere local deity, what does he have to do with this matter?"

The Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion chuckled, "Fellow Daoist, do not underestimate this person. The Eight Immortals have returned defeated, and Lan Caihe has already gone to seek aid. However, relying on him alone may not be enough to move this Mountain God. This decree may succeed."

"Is that so?" Immortal Lord Yaohua put away the decree and cupped her hands, "I shall depart immediately. Thank you, Your Excellency."

Leaving the True Palace of Great Mystery, Immortal Lord Yaohua rode the clouds straight towards Spirit Platform Mountain in the Western Ox Continent.

Inside the Mountain God Temple of Lingtai.

Zhuang Yan refused immediately after hearing the second matter Lan Caihe described, "Don't look for me for such troublesome matters. Immortal maidens escaping privately are the most difficult to deal with."

"Don't be so quick to refuse," Lan Caihe grabbed his sleeve. "Right now, you are the only one we can count on."

Zhuang Yan turned and looked directly at him, "It's not that I'm unwilling to help, but this involves the Golden Maid of Jade Pool and the Queen Mother. You know the implications of this."

Lan Caihe said urgently, "We just need to borrow your clay pot to subdue the Golden Maid of Jade Pool. The Eight Immortals will handle the rest of the trouble."

Zhuang Yan shook his head again, "I cannot comply."

Lan Caihe's eyes rolled, and he put his arm around Zhuang Yan's shoulder, chuckling, "If you are willing to act, there will be generous rewards."

"Oh?" Zhuang Yan raised an eyebrow, "Tell me more."

Lan Caihe lowered his voice, "That Venerable Tianmiao is Dinguang Tathagata. His cave dwelling is filled with countless treasures. They will all be yours after he is captured."

Zhuang Yan's expression changed drastically, "You wicked Lan Caihe! You are trying to trap me in injustice!"

"What do you mean? How have I ever intended to harm you?" Lan Caihe looked genuinely surprised.

Zhuang Yan said coldly, "You know very well that Venerable Tianmiao is Dinguang Tathagata, yet you are instigating me to capture him and promising to share the treasures. What is this if not intentionally trying to harm me?"

Lan Caihe was speechless, "This... this..."

This Dinguang Tathagata, Ancient Buddha Dipamkara, is the Past Buddha among the Three Tathagatas of Buddhism.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal asked in confusion, "In that case, Venerable Tianmiao is from the Buddhist Sect?"

"Precisely," Lan Caihe admitted with a nod.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal snorted disdainfully, "I loathe these kinds of people the most. They are clearly from the Buddhist Sect, yet they do not cultivate Buddhist dharma, do not abide by the precepts, and spend their days indulging in worldly pleasures. It's truly disgusting."

"Indeed detestable," Lan Caihe agreed, then turned to Zhuang Yan, "Doesn't the Mountain God find this person detestable?"

Zhuang Yan said indifferently, "Stop preaching here. Even if I detest this person, I will absolutely not help you capture the Golden Maid of Jade Pool."

Seeing Zhuang Yan's firm attitude, Lan Caihe was at a loss for a plan.

Suddenly, a five-colored auspicious cloud tore through the sky and landed directly in the main hall of the Mountain God Temple.

Zhuang Yan looked back, his expression stiffening as he recognized the newcomer, and immediately turned to greet her.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal merely glanced and felt that this person had an extraordinary demeanor. Lan Caihe, however, exclaimed, "Immortal Lord Yaohua? What brings you here?"

Immortal Lord Yaohua first cupped her hands in greeting to Lan Caihe, then looked around at everyone and asked, "Who is the Mountain God of Lingtai?"

Her gaze fell upon the Fire Spirit True Immortal, who raised his right hand, drew a circle in the air with his index finger, and finally pointed at Zhuang Yan.