Chapter 32

What shocked the two men even more was that she casually snapped the stone in half and breathed a puff of immortal energy onto it. In an instant, golden light flowed over the stone, transforming both halves into gold.

"Can you report us now?" Fire Spirit True Immortal tossed the gold to the soldiers.

The two caught the gold chunks and stood there blankly for a long while before snapping out of it. They hurriedly put the gold away and bowed. "Please wait a moment, Immortal Master. This lowly one will report at once."

Before long, a middle-aged man in brocade robes hurried over. The soldiers introduced her, saying, "Steward, this is the Immortal Master."

The steward quickly bowed. "Immortal Master, forgive us for failing to welcome you from afar."

Fire Spirit True Immortal asked, "Is the Prefect available to see me?"

The steward respectfully replied, "The Prefect has already prepared tea in the hall and awaits you. He specifically sent this lowly one to welcome you. Please come in, Immortal Master."

Watching the two enter the manor, the two soldiers exchanged smiles, unable to hide their delight.

"What did you tell them?" the soldier on the right asked quietly.

The soldier on the left gave a sly grin. "I only said an immortal who could turn stone into gold had come. I never mentioned the gold."

The two soldiers chatted excitedly.

"Nicely done," the soldier on the right praised. "We'll never have to worry again for the rest of our lives."

The soldier on the left could barely conceal his joy. "Now we have enough money to buy a house in the prefectural city and get married."

Meanwhile, Fire Spirit True Immortal followed the steward into the main hall, where a plump middle-aged man dressed in lavish robes hurried forward.

"I am Lu Dingyu. Greetings, Exalted Immortal. May I ask your honored name?" Lu Dingyu, Prefect of Guangci Prefecture, bowed respectfully.

Fire Spirit True Immortal returned the bow with a smile. "This poor Daoist is Fire Spirit."

"So it is Exalted Immortal Fire Spirit." Lu Dingyu hurriedly invited her to sit and instructed the maidservants to serve tea. Humbly, he said, "This is only coarse tea and plain water, nothing compared to the spiritual fare of immortals. I hope you will not find it lacking, Exalted Immortal."

"It is of no concern," Fire Spirit True Immortal said calmly. "Tea knows neither rank nor worth. It is all simply a clear drink."

Lu Dingyu beamed. "Exalted Immortal, your heart is broad indeed. May I ask what guidance brings you to my humble residence today?"

Fire Spirit True Immortal took a light sip of tea and spoke bluntly. "This poor Daoist was passing through and sensed Demonic Energy filling this manor, so I came to investigate."

As she spoke, she blew lightly at the teacup. In an instant, the cup became gold, while the tea leaves and water both turned golden. She placed the golden cup before Lu Dingyu and said solemnly, "This poor Daoist has not come for wealth, but to slay demons."

Witnessing this, Lu Dingyu was deeply shaken, and his earlier doubts vanished completely. He hurriedly rose and gave a deep bow. "Exalted Immortal, you said just now... there is a demon in this manor?"

Fire Spirit True Immortal nodded. "The Demonic Energy is concentrated in the northwest. The demon should be hiding there."

"The northwest?" Lu Dingyu's expression changed drastically.

The steward cried out, "The northwest... isn't that—" The words reached his lips, then he swallowed them back.

Fire Spirit True Immortal pressed, "Who lives in the northwest courtyard?"

After hesitating briefly, Lu Dingyu said in a low voice, "My niece... But how could she be a demon?"

"Has she lived in this manor for long?"

"She was only brought here last month." Lu Dingyu sighed. "My younger brother died of illness, and my sister-in-law had passed away long before that. Before he died, he entrusted his orphaned daughter to me."

Fire Spirit True Immortal rose. "Please lead the way so I may take a look."

Lu Dingyu looked troubled. "My niece is all alone in this world. If we disturb her rashly..."

"Rest assured, Prefect," Fire Spirit True Immortal comforted him. "If she is innocent, this poor Daoist will not harm her."

The steward promptly urged, "Master, if the evil is not eliminated, there will be endless trouble later. This is also for her safety."

Lu Dingyu finally made up his mind. "Steward, lead the way."

Fire Spirit True Immortal took her leave of the Prefect and followed the steward through corridors and courtyards, heading straight for the small courtyard in the northwest.

Upon reaching the outer edge of the courtyard, Fire Spirit True Immortal suddenly sensed intense Demonic Energy permeating the area. She immediately stopped the steward from approaching. "The evil energy here reaches the heavens. Do not come any closer rashly."

The moment the steward drew near, he felt a bone-piercing chill. Hearing this, he hurriedly retreated behind the True Immortal. With a flick of her sleeve, Fire Spirit True Immortal pushed open the courtyard gate, and a sinister wind rushed toward them. Crimson flames ignited around her body, instantly burning the oncoming filth into wisps of green smoke.

The figure enveloped in Profound Yang True Fire stepped into the courtyard. The blazing flames grew ever brighter, purging the Demonic Energy entrenched within in an instant. At that moment, a woman in green robes emerged slowly from the pavilion, her cloudlike hair piled high and her figure graceful.

After watching her for a moment, the woman performed a formal salute and asked, "May I ask how to address you, honored deity?"

"Where is the Kitchen God of Guangci Prefecture?" Fire Spirit True Immortal asked directly.

"The Kitchen God is resting here in comfort. There is no need for concern." The woman smiled faintly as she stroked her slightly swollen belly.

"You dare imprison an orthodox deity. Do you know how grave your sins are?"

The woman traced the curve of her belly with her fingertips and sneered. "Who in this world can judge my crimes?"

The accompanying steward suddenly widened his eyes. "You... you are with child?"

"Your eyesight is not entirely dull." The woman glanced sideways at him.

"But you are not yet married... This..." The steward's voice trembled.

"This bears the True Buddha Bloodline. How are you mortals worthy to question it?" the woman scoffed. The steward's face changed at once, and he hurriedly fled in panic.

Fire Spirit True Immortal's gaze flashed like lightning. "When did you seize this body?"

"It was always my body. What possession are you talking about?"

"How could such heaven-piercing Demonic Energy belong to an ordinary mortal?"

The woman suddenly formed a lotus hand seal, stepping upon a golden lotus as Buddha light burst forth. Fire Spirit True Immortal brought forth her three dharma-treasure vajras, unleashing the three arts of Bright Light, Illusory Dream, and Falsehood together, shattering the incoming Buddha light into lotus petals that filled the sky.

"Kama-tantra?" Fire Spirit True Immortal revealed a look of surprise.

"You do know a thing or two." The woman raised an eyebrow.

"Come back to the mountain with me, and all past matters may be forgiven."

The woman stroked her belly and sneered. "The feng shui and fortune of this Prefect's manor are perfect for nurturing my child."

Fire Spirit True Immortal's expression turned icy. "You are actually stealing the fortune of an official residence to nourish your pregnancy?"

"Very well." The young girl said calmly, "What I carry is a True Buddha Sacred Embryo. It must borrow the fortune of mortals for nourishment before it can attain a supreme immortal body."

Fire Spirit True Immortal's gaze darkened. "A True Buddha Sacred Embryo? Whose descendant among the Gods and Buddhas are you carrying?"

"You are not worthy to know his name." The young girl looked arrogant. "Leave now, and I may spare your life."

Fire Spirit True Immortal sneered. "Arrogant words are meaningless. Today, I will take you back to Lingtai Divine Manor."

"Lingtai Divine Manor?" The young girl furrowed her brow slightly. "Are you the Mountain God of Lingtai?"

Fire Spirit True Immortal said, "I am the Assistant Prefect of the Manor of Lingtai Dongming. You have disturbed the mortal world in your demon form, and I have come to arrest you."

"Arrest me? Ridiculous." The young girl smiled disdainfully, her lotus hand seal shifting as it transformed into a lotus wheel floating above her head.

By then, the steward had brought Lu Dingyu into the courtyard. Seeing this scene, both were horrified.

The lotus wheel was exceedingly sinister. Lu Dingyu and the steward merely glanced at it once before wicked thoughts began to arise within them.

Lu Dingyu had served as an official for many years, and his will was firm enough that he could barely hold himself together. The steward, however, had already gone mad, tearing at his clothes as he lunged at Fire Spirit True Immortal.

Fire Spirit True Immortal swept her sleeve, and a streak of immortal light flashed past. The steward immediately fainted and collapsed.

Lu Dingyu struggled to suppress the turmoil in his mind and asked in a trembling voice, "Lian'er, you... why are you doing this?"

The young girl Lian'er said indifferently, "Uncle, do not blame me. The True Buddha Sacred Embryo requires the fortune of your family to nourish it. This is fate."

Fire Spirit True Immortal demanded coldly, "How did your parents die?"

Lian'er's expression was indifferent. "Since you already know, why ask?"

Fire Spirit True Immortal's eyes were sharp. "So it was indeed you who drained your parents' fortune, causing them to be plagued by misfortune until they died?"

"So what if it was?" Lian'er replied calmly.

Lu Dingyu could not believe it. "Lian'er! They were your birth parents!"

Lian'er said faintly, "I was fulfilling them. By offering this life's fortune to nourish the Sacred Embryo, they will surely receive blessings in their next lives and enjoy endless wealth and glory."

"The heresy of the Hidden Wheel Sect." Fire Spirit True Immortal had finally confirmed her origins.

The Hidden Wheel Sect had originally been a branch of Buddhism, but later fell into the evil path. A thousand years ago, it had been personally eradicated by Mahavairocana.

Yet it had unexpectedly resurfaced today. Worse, a degenerate Buddhist had secretly cultivated this art and joined with Lian'er to produce a Demonic Fetus.

This was no small matter. It likely involved secrets of Buddhism.

Heavy breathing sounded behind her. Fire Spirit True Immortal turned around and saw Lu Dingyu's eyes glowing red; he had already been corrupted by wicked thoughts.

She cast another burst of immortal light, and Lu Dingyu collapsed in response.

The sinister light from Lian'er's lotus wheel grew stronger and stronger, yet pure Buddha light shimmered around Fire Spirit True Immortal.

Witnessing this, Lian'er was greatly shocked.

"Flashy but useless." Fire Spirit True Immortal glanced at Lian'er, who was continuously forming hand seals, and smiled contemptuously. "With your meager cultivation, you should stop making a fool of yourself."

Before her words had faded, Fire Spirit True Immortal flicked her finger. With a sharp sound, Profound Yang True Fire instantly surrounded Lian'er.

Lian'er let out a shrill scream. Her body withered and cracked in an instant, while all the power around her was burned away. Smoke rose from her as she collapsed to the ground, her skin splitting like dry firewood. Seven-tenths of the moisture in her body had been evaporated by the true fire, leaving only three-tenths to barely preserve her life.

With a light tap of her fingertip, Fire Spirit True Immortal transformed immortal light into ropes that bound Lian'er tightly. She grabbed the barely breathing Lian'er and turned into a streak of light, shooting toward Lingtai Mountain.

Just after leaving Guangci Prefecture, a streak of immortal light suddenly appeared and blocked her path.

"Elder Guangde?" Fire Spirit True Immortal recognized the newcomer, surprise appearing on her face. "Why are you blocking my way?"

Elder Guangde pressed his palms together in salute and pointed at Lian'er in her hand. "Please hand this woman over to this humble monk, Assistant Prefect."

Fire Spirit True Immortal's gaze turned cold. "Could the child in her womb be connected to you?"

"Amitabha Buddha!" Elder Guangde repeatedly chanted the Buddha's name. "To be honest, this humble monk had long noticed that this woman was connected to the Hidden Wheel Sect. Thus, I remained still, intending to draw out the person behind the scenes."

"You certainly know how to keep your composure." Fire Spirit True Immortal sneered. "But the mortals in the Prefect's manor cannot wait. Once their fortune has been drained, dozens more lives will be lost."

Elder Guangde softly chanted a Buddhist invocation. "To expose the Hidden Wheel Sect's demon leader and save more living beings, a few sacrifices are unavoidable."

Fire Spirit True Immortal's expression changed sharply. After carefully examining Elder Guangde, she suddenly smiled. "You have fallen to demons. Come with me."

Before her words had ended, Profound Yang True Fire erupted from within Elder Guangde's body. With a scream, he fainted on the spot. Fire Spirit True Immortal bound him in the same manner and rode the clouds back to Danchi Ridge with both of them.

After returning to the Mountain God Hall, Fire Spirit True Immortal used the Dinguang Glazed Lamp to suppress Lian'er and Elder Guangde. After setting up a curtain to conceal them, she went straight to where Zhuang Yan was in secluded cultivation. Seeing that there was still no movement in the cloud chamber, she could only return to the hall and personally stand guard.

Within the main courtyard's quiet chamber of Lingtai Divine Manor on Danchi Ridge, Zhuang Yan finally finished refining two hundred points of Heavenly Dao Merit.

A new entry appeared prominently in the function panel:

[Incense Steals Heaven]: Consume incense wish power in exchange for Heavenly Dao Merit.

"At last, it worked!" Zhuang Yan's face lit up with joy. After three months of painstaking research, this heaven-defying divine ability had finally reached completion.

He immediately took out the Immortal Official Jade Edict and mobilized all six hundred and forty thousand units of incense he had accumulated.