The Mountain God's Temple

I am the Mountain God of Lingtai. Zhuang Yan said coldly, "You beast, you've been lurking in the mountains, committing countless evils. Do you have anything to say before your execution today?"

The Great Red Scale Python's eyes flashed with ferocity, and it suddenly lunged at Zhuang Yan. The Fire Spirit True Immortal and Vanguard Hu cried out in alarm, but Zhuang Yan's body was enveloped in immortal light, instantly suppressing the demonic python.

The giant python slammed heavily to the ground, its wounds bursting open and bleeding profusely. It was on the verge of death. Seeing this, the Fire Spirit True Immortal said urgently, "Mountain Lord, it's almost gone!"

Fear flickered in the demonic python's eyes. Zhuang Yan raised his hand and lightly tapped it, casting a healing spell. Under the shroud of clear light, the python's injuries rapidly healed, and it was restored to its original state in no time.

After recovering, the Great Red Scale Python's demonic energy surged, but it no longer acted aggressively. Instead, it transformed into a beautiful young girl in a red dress. She bowed three times to Zhuang Yan and then gazed at him with her ruby-like eyes.

"You wish to surrender to me?" Zhuang Yan asked. The girl bowed again in response. Vanguard Hu asked curiously, "Little girl, why don't you speak?"

The girl opened her mouth to indicate something, and Zhuang Yan understood. "So you're mute. The Fire Spirit True Immortal chuckled, "To cultivate to the Refining Void into Dao stage and still be unable to speak, that's truly rare."

Zhuang Yan smiled slightly and looked at the girl. "Do you truly submit, or are you pretending to surrender just to save your life?"

The girl heavily kowtowed three times and reached up to press the wound on her head, where traces of blood from the Golden Halberd still remained.

"Is it because I saved you that you truly submit?" Zhuang Yan asked again.

The girl nodded quickly.

"But I also caused this injury. Do you not resent me?"

The girl clasped her hands together and looked up at Zhuang Yan piously.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal explained from the side, "Mountain Lord, she is praising your compassion."

"Is that so?" Zhuang Yan looked at the girl. Seeing her nod repeatedly, he couldn't help but laugh. "You do have good potential. Alright, I will take you in. From now on, you will follow the Mountain Guard General and be a Snake Vanguard alongside Vanguard Hu, with the same salary."

The girl immediately prostrated herself to perform the grandest form of obeisance.

"Do you have a name?" Zhuang Yan asked.

Seeing the girl shake her head, Zhuang Yan smiled. "Since you were the Great Red Scale Python, you shall be called Chi Ling."

The girl's face lit up with joy, and she kowtowed again to express her gratitude.

Zhuang Yan summoned Vanguard Hu. "From now on, you will teach Chi Ling how to speak."

Vanguard Hu looked troubled. "Mountain Lord, I don't know how to teach people."

"Don't you know how to take care of children?"

"But... isn't that different?"

Zhuang Yan laughed. "What's different? She's also a child. Just treat it as teaching your own child."

Vanguard Hu looked at Chi Ling, then at the Fire Spirit True Immortal, and finally agreed. "I will do my best."

Zhuang Yan looked around and saw that the Mountain God Temple was now surrounded by peach trees.

"How many peach trees are there here?"

"One hundred and thirty-six," the Fire Spirit True Immortal replied.

Zhuang Yan nodded. "Not bad. If you don't become an Immortal Official in the future, you can still make a living selling peaches."

The Fire Spirit True Immortal gave a dry chuckle, and Zhuang Yan laughed heartily before departing, transforming into a beam of immortal light and disappearing into the Eight Immortals Pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Zhuang Yan fell into deep thought. The capture of Sun Wukong made him realize his shortcomings—the lack of ability to divine heavenly secrets.

After sending Wukong back to the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars, Patriarch Bodhi explicitly stated that it was a destined tribulation. The Patriarch did not intervene for two reasons: first, it was within the Mountain God's responsibilities, and second, he had known all along that Zhuang Yan would come to his rescue.

This made Zhuang Yan realize: truly powerful beings could all deduce heavenly secrets and foresee the future. He, however, was always reacting passively.

"I need to add the ability to investigate heavenly secrets," Zhuang Yan thought. With a single mental command, he refined 200 points of Heavenly Dao Power.

A mysterious light flashed between his eyebrows, and the function bar immediately gained a new entry: "Investigate Heavenly Secrets." His remaining Heavenly Dao Power became 640 points.

Zhuang Yan's thoughts shifted slightly, and he activated the "Heavenly Secret Investigation" function, silently chanting "Sun Wukong" in his mind.

In an instant, information about Sun Wukong flooded his mind: one month later, Patriarch Bodhi would teach Sun Wukong the Great Celestial Immortal Art, the Seventy-Two Transformations, and the Somersault Cloud technique.

Zhuang Yan's lips curved slightly. "The Great Sage Equal to Heaven is about to emerge." Thinking of Sun Wukong's embarrassed state when he was teased by Chi Ling, he couldn't help but smile. "Even heroes have their downfalls."

After a brief pause, Zhuang Yan again chanted "Spirit Platform Mountain" in his mind.

Instantly, a massive amount of information surged forth, mostly trivial matters: a certain demon's lifespan is nearing its end, a certain being's birth date, the sex of a fetus, and so on. Zhuang Yan filtered out these unimportant messages, retaining only two important heavenly secrets.

The first was still about Patriarch Bodhi imparting knowledge, which Zhuang Yan already knew, so he erased it. When he saw the second item, his expression grew serious: in ten days, the Buddhist Sect's Mahamayuri Bodhisattva would transform into the Golden Sparrow Fairy, infiltrate Spirit Platform Mountain, and establish a dojo to investigate the Mountain God's true strength.

Zhuang Yan's eyes sharpened. "Is this directed at me?"

Meanwhile, the Mother Buddha, Mahamayuri, concealed her Buddhist light and transformed into an exotic female immortal, traveling eastward to Spirit Platform Mountain. Gazing at the Spirit Platform, three hundred miles away, she saw Danchi Ridge shrouded in divine light and Mount Fangcun radiating auspicious rays.

The divine light on Danchi Ridge was as expected, as the Mountain God Temple was located there. However, the auspicious energy in Mount Fangcun was extraordinary. Mahamayuri was secretly surprised: "There is a hidden master in this mountain." After a moment of thought, she decided to avoid Mount Fangcun to prevent her true identity from being discovered.

Finally, Mahamayuri descended upon Liu Zhen Peak and chose a place with good feng shui to settle down. Just as she formed a hand seal to enter meditation before her cloud dwelling, she suddenly saw a flash of Buddhist light, and the Dharma form of Cundi Bodhisattva appeared.

"Venerable, what brings you here?" Mahamayuri asked, clasping her hands.

Cundi Bodhisattva returned the greeting. "Fellow Daoist, what is your intention in coming to Spirit Platform Mountain?"

Mahamayuri stated frankly, "I have come specifically to investigate the background of this Mountain God of Lingtai."

Cundi Bodhisattva said, "This person was recommended by Laojun, and his background is clear."

Mahamayuri shook her head. "This person possesses vast divine powers yet is unknown, and he has been appointed to the Western Ox Continent by Grand Supreme Elder Lao. There must be something strange about this."

Cundi Bodhisattva chuckled, "My fellow Daoist, do you perhaps suspect Laojun?"

"It's not suspicion," Mahamayuri Bodhisattva replied sternly. "Someone without roots or origin, yet possessing immense magical power, was planted in our Buddhist territory by Laojun's hand. How can I not think otherwise?"

Cundi Bodhisattva lightly laughed, "The world's troubles have nothing to do with the Daoist Sect. They live in seclusion on overseas immortal islands, never interfering in the mortal world, and have no grievances with our Buddhist Sect. You are being overly worried, my fellow Daoist."

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva responded calmly, "Venerable one, there's no need to persuade me. I will discuss it further after I have investigated and clarified the matter."

"Very well," Cundi Bodhisattva sighed slightly. "I only hope you act with caution and do not lose your composure."

"Venerable one, please rest assured, I have my own considerations," Mahamayuri Bodhisattva replied composedly.

Cundi Bodhisattva nodded in acknowledgment, and his figure gradually vanished into the void.

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva closed her eyes to meditate. Suddenly, she sensed something unusual. Upon opening her eyes, she saw a handsome man in the attire of a Seventh-Rank Immortal Official approaching her, exuding an extraordinary presence.

She immediately rose and performed a courtesy, "Are you perhaps the Mountain God of Lingtai?"

Zhuang Yan walked closer silently, scrutinizing her with piercing eyes, then directly took a seat.

"Where are you from?" Zhuang Yan asked directly after sitting down.

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva smiled and bowed, "This humble immortal is Golden Sparrow. I was traveling in the Western Ox Continent and found this mountain to be spiritually rich and beautiful. I wish to build a hermitage here for quiet cultivation."

She then respectfully inquired, "May I know your esteemed title, Lord?"

Zhuang Yan's expression was calm, "This god governs Spirit Platform Mountain. You, a mere Rogue Immortal, have established your residence without reporting it. What crime should you be punished with?"

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva was inwardly alarmed. She had thought it was a chance encounter, but unexpectedly, he had come specifically to hold her accountable. With her cultivation as a Grand Unity Golden Immortal, ordinary mountain gods would hardly be able to detect her presence, yet this person before her was extraordinary.

She quickly apologized, "Mountain Lord, please hear me out. This humble immortal intended to report to you after settling down. I did not expect to disturb your presence. I beg your forgiveness."

Zhuang Yan said sternly, "There is a penalty for wrongdoing, as is natural and right. You have privately established a dojo, and according to the law, you should be fined one hundred thousand Purple Coins."

"This..." Mahamayuri Bodhisattva was momentarily stunned.

"Hmm?" Zhuang Yan said sharply, "How can an immortal not understand reason? Who is your master? To be so negligent in discipline, quickly summon him to receive his punishment!"

Never before had a dignified Bodhisattva of the Buddhist Sect been reprimanded like this. Mahamayuri Bodhisattva suppressed her emotions and obediently replied, "Mountain Lord, please calm your anger. This humble immortal is willing to accept the punishment."

With that, she produced one hundred thousand Purple Coins and offered them.

Zhuang Yan accepted the payment, his expression softening slightly. "It is a great virtue to correct one's mistakes. I will now register your dojo."

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva bowed in thanks, "Thank you, Mountain Lord, for your grace."

Zhuang Yan stood up and waved his sleeve, causing a jade slip to appear. "If you have no objections, then leave your magical imprint."

"As you command." Mahamayuri Bodhisattva took the jade slip and examined it closely. It read: "Rogue Immortal Golden Sparrow has established a dojo at Liu Zhen Peak, Spirit Platform Mountain, under the jurisdiction of the Mountain God Temple. All questions shall be decided by the Mountain God. This is hereby established as evidence, to be verified by magical imprint, and enforced according to law."

"Do you have any questions?" Zhuang Yan asked.

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva pointed to the words "under the jurisdiction of the Mountain God Temple" and asked, "Mountain Lord, what does this mean?"

Zhuang Yan smiled and replied, "Liu Zhen Peak is one of the main peaks of Spirit Platform Mountain, and it naturally falls under the Mountain God's jurisdiction. That is all."

"I understand." Mahamayuri Bodhisattva nodded, but she hesitated to leave her imprint on the jade slip.

Zhuang Yan pressed, "Do you still have doubts? Please speak freely."

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva quickly said, "There are no other doubts." She then channeled her power to leave her magical imprint on the jade slip.

"Mountain God, please take a look." Mahamayuri Bodhisattva returned the jade slip.

Zhuang Yan took it and smiled, "Very good. Since you have left your imprint, this peak now belongs to you."

"Thank you, Mountain God." Mahamayuri Bodhisattva cupped her hands in thanks.

Zhuang Yan, however, said, "Wait before you thank me. Since you have left your imprint, you must now obey the dispatch of the Mountain God Temple and not disobey."

"What?!" Mahamayuri Bodhisattva exclaimed, "What does the Mountain God mean by this?"

Zhuang Yan smiled, "The jade slip clearly states that you are now under my command and must obey orders."

"The jade slip does not say that," Mahamayuri Bodhisattva quickly pointed to the jade slip.

Zhuang Yan pointed to the text, "Doesn't this say it? Under the jurisdiction of the Mountain God Temple means everything about you is under my command."

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva was astonished, "The Mountain God did not explain it this way just now!"

Zhuang Yan laughed heartily and then pointed to the words "All questions shall be decided by the Mountain God": "This clearly states that if there is any ambiguity in the text, it shall be decided by this god."

"This is outrageous!" Mahamayuri Bodhisattva glared at Zhuang Yan. After a moment, she said in a deep voice, "A dignified Mountain God would actually scheme against this humble immortal like this? I don't want this dojo anymore!"

"You have no choice!" Zhuang Yan said sternly, "The jade slip has been established, the magical imprint has been made, how can it be treated as a child's play? Do you intend to toy with this god?"

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva said coldly, "Mountain God, do not push your luck too far."

"Oh?" Zhuang Yan raised an eyebrow, "A mere Rogue Immortal dares to threaten an official of the Heavenly Court? I shall report this to the Thunder Department and discuss it further!"

Seeing Zhuang Yan about to leave, a killing intent flashed in Mahamayuri Bodhisattva's eyes. However, she suppressed her anger, prioritizing the bigger picture. She then forced a smile and caught up, "Mountain Lord, please wait. I was just joking. It is my honor to follow the Mountain God."

Zhuang Yan turned around upon hearing this and smiled, "Now that's more like it. Someone who can casually produce one hundred thousand Purple Coins would surely understand reason. Cultivate well, this god shall depart. I will send you orders in the future."

With that, he rode his cloud away.

Mahamayuri Bodhisattva's heart sank. She realized she had revealed her true nature. How could a mere rogue immortal casually produce one hundred thousand Purple Coins?

Seeing that Zhuang Yan seemed oblivious, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Gazing at Zhuang Yan's receding figure, Mahamayuri Bodhisattva was filled with mixed emotions. A dignified Bodhisattva of the Buddhist Sect had fallen into a trap and signed a contract. Fortunately, she had used the name of the Fairy Golden Sparrow, otherwise, what would have become of her reputation?