The Mountain God Temple

Patriarch Bodhi chuckled and replied, "A spiritual being has emerged in the Eastern Continent of Victory, possessing innate Qi, which is why it displayed such an unusual phenomenon. After consuming mortal food, its innate Qi transformed into acquired Qi, and the golden light dispersed."

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly, pondering inwardly, It must be the birth of that Monkey King.

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt a connection from the Mountain God Temple. Seeing his unusual expression, Patriarch Bodhi asked with concern, "Young friend, is something the matter?"

Zhuang Yan quickly rose and apologized, "Please forgive me, Ancestor. I've felt a connection from the temple, likely a prayer scroll or an edict from the Heavenly Court. I must return immediately."

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and nodded, "Official duties are important. Please go, young friend."

Zhuang Yan left his seat and bowed, "Congratulations on establishing your abode, Ancestor. May your disciples be talented and your teachings spread far and wide." He then presented the Azure Sea Pearl, "I am a humble official and have little to offer. This is the only gift I can present. Though it is not as precious as a ten-thousand-year Vermillion Fruit, it represents my sincere heart."

Patriarch Bodhi received the pearl with a solemn expression, "This gift is as weighty as mountains and rivers, and this kindness will never be forgotten."

After Zhuang Yan departed on his cloud, Patriarch Bodhi personally escorted him to the cave entrance and watched until his figure disappeared in the direction of Danchi Ridge.

Upon returning to the temple, Zhuang Yan saw the immortal light flowing within the shrine and quickly imprinted his jade tablet. Instantly, an edict flew out, revealing itself to be an order from the Rain Department: "On the eighth day of the sixth month, a rainfall of two feet, nine inches, and thirty-eight points is to be delivered within a hundred li of Spirit Platform Mountain."

It was a torrential downpour! Zhuang Yan calculated with his fingers and immediately set off on his cloud to patrol the entire territory. He returned eight hours later, having sketched a rainfall map filled with dense markings.

This time, it was estimated there would be four mountain floods, nine major landslides, twenty-four minor landslides, and six instances of dragon mischief. Consulting the jade book, he found over three thousand beings threatened. Only one village consistently offered sacrifices.

Zhuang Yan took out the accumulated incense offerings from his jade tablet and cast a dream-inducing spell.

Chopping wood, crossing mountain ridges, the axe sounds urgent, his breathing long. He leaves at dawn and returns at dusk, selling firewood, just for a few coins to survive...

Amidst the majestic Mount Fangcun, clear mountain songs echoed through the woods.

A young man in a green robe, his back soaked with sweat, leaned against a rock, panting. Suddenly hearing the song, he looked up and saw a woodcutter in a bamboo hat carrying a bundle of firewood, singing his way down. His rough-spun tunic revealed a bronze chest.

The woodcutter approached the young man and asked with a smile, "Are you also here seeking immortality, young sir?"

The young man's spirit lifted, and he cupped his hands, "Please guide me, sir."

The woodcutter set down his load of firewood, wiped his sweat, and chuckled, "I'm just a woodcutter, what do I know of immortal paths? It's just that recently, auspicious clouds have been swirling around the mountain, and everyone says a true immortal has appeared. I've met quite a few young people like you seeking immortality."

"How much higher is this mountain...?" the young man gazed at the cloud-shrouded peak.

"You still find the mountain high for immortal cultivation?" The woodcutter's eyes flashed with wisdom. "Without sincerity, how would immortals bestow their favor?"

The young man felt as if struck by lightning and bowed solemnly, "Thank you for your guidance!" Just as he was about to leave, the woodcutter handed him a waterskin, "Wet your throat before you go."

The young man gratefully refilled his water pouch, bowed repeatedly in thanks, and continued his climb. A mountain breeze blew, and the woodcutter leaned against an ancient pine for a short rest.

In a hazy dream, a figure enveloped in golden light appeared: "Wu the Woodcutter, I am the Mountain God. Because your village is devout, I shall reveal a heavenly secret: in three days, a torrential rain will cause disaster, and mountain floods with rampaging dragons will arrive. Quickly instruct the villagers to avoid the calamity..."

A pinecone falling into his lap startled the woodcutter awake, but he saw that dusk had fallen. As he lifted his firewood, a faint echo drifted on the wind: "Remember... Looking back, he only saw the rustling of pine trees and the swirling mountain mist."

Wu the Woodcutter shivered violently, cold sweat breaking out on his back. He thought, Could it truly be the Mountain God's manifestation?

The dream-god's admonition still echoed in his ears. He realized the urgency of the matter and immediately picked up his firewood and hurried down the mountain, preparing to inform the villagers.

Inside the Mountain God Temple, Zhuang Yan slowly opened his eyes.

Among the gods of the Heavenly Court, only low-ranking deities like Earth Gods and Kitchen Gods bore inescapable responsibilities towards the mortal world. Although these lesser Immortal Officials were ranked ninth, the burden on their shoulders was no less than that of a fifth-rank official.

The ranks of Mountain Gods and River Lords fluctuated. From supreme deities like the Five Great Emperors of the Five Sacred Mountains to minor gods like Zhuang Yan, ranked eighth, it all depended on the territory they governed. They only needed to adhere to the Heavenly Rules to manage their jurisdictions. Whether they protected living beings or not depended on their own hearts.

This time, he had sent a dream to Wu the Woodcutter because Wu's village had consistently offered incense, and even this temple was built by the villagers. As for other villages, since no one worshipped there, Zhuang Yan naturally paid them no mind. However, the villages were closely connected, and the news would spread.

A sound came from outside the hall. Zhuang Yan looked up and saw two plump figures busily working inside the hall. He floated in and asked, "Hu Lailai, Hu Ququ, what are you doing?"

The two young tiger demons jumped in fright. Seeing it was Zhuang Yan, they patted their chests and said, "We're bringing mountain fruits for Grandpa Mountain God!" As they spoke, they tiptoed to place fresh fruit on the offering table. Zhuang Yan waved his hand, "Save some for your parents."

The cubs insisted on placing all the fruit, wiping their sweat and saying, "Please enjoy them, Grandpa Mountain God!" Before they left, Zhuang Yan stopped them, "Have you been fighting recently?"

Hu Ququ said aggrievedly, "Our dad beat us until we couldn't move." Zhuang Yan chuckled and sternly warned, "Go back and tell the Tiger King that in three days there will be a heavy rain, and mountain floods with rampaging dragons are likely. Have him notify the creatures in the mountain to prepare early."

After the young tiger demons left, Zhuang Yan turned and suddenly saw a golden-armored divine general standing before the offering table, gnawing on a fruit and sneering, "Common mortal fruits are worthy of offerings?" With that, he casually tossed it onto the ground.

Zhu Lie, newly appointed Marshal Tianpeng, had been full of pride as he threw the fruit on the ground. Zhuang Yan frowned, "If you don't want to eat it, don't waste it."

"If I had known they were ordinary wild fruits, I wouldn't have cared," Zhu Lie straightened his back proudly. "Now I am Marshal Tianpeng of the Thunder Department, in charge of the Heavenly River's troops, a fifth-rank Immortal Official."

Zhuang Yan picked up the fruit and tossed it out the door, saying calmly, "Wasting food will cause you to be reborn as an animal in your next life."

"Ridiculous!" Zhu Lie burst into laughter. "This Marshal has an infinite lifespan, what need is there for a next life?"

Zhuang Yan glanced at him, "This small temple cannot accommodate such a great Buddha. Please, Marshal."

"Oh ho!" Zhu Lie laughed instead of getting angry. "A mere eighth-rank minor god, yet you have such a temper. Do you know why I'm here?"

"I don't."

Zhu Lie stepped forward and put his arm around Zhuang Yan's shoulder, "You played a part in the subjugation of demons in Ghost Sound Ravine, but I urgently needed this merit, so I didn't request a reward for you—that's right, I stole your credit."

Zhuang Yan sneered, "You are quite frank."

"You have quite a bit of courage to talk back to a superior like this," Zhu Lie narrowed his eyes. "However, I am here to give you money today." He waved his sleeve, and fifty thousand Purple Coins piled up on the altar. "Accept it, and we are even. If you refuse, you are looking down on me."

"Why shouldn't I accept what is rightfully mine?" Zhuang Yan flicked his sleeve, rolling the money into his pouch. "In the future, Marshal, please visit Spirit Platform Mountain less often. This humble temple cannot accommodate your presence."

"Do you think I care?" Zhu Lie sneered and turned to leave, just as his deputy entered to report, "The time has come, Marshal. Please return to heaven to report."

He tidied himself and stepped out of the hall, then turned back, "Kid, if you encounter trouble, just report my name, Marshal Tianpeng!" With a long laugh, his heavenly horse soared into the sky, leading his heavenly soldiers into the clouds.

Zhuang Yan watched the dust and smoke, shaking his head. This person was neither truly evil—he could accept advice—nor truly good—greedy for merit and arrogant, he would surely bring trouble upon himself sooner or later.

Returning to his humble abode, he refined the eighty thousand Purple Coins he had saved into Innate Purple Qi, absorbing it into his Niwan Palace to cultivate in seclusion.

Even though he possessed a cheat, the higher his Dao Cultivation, the more Heavenly Dao power he could absorb to restore his own might.

Therefore, he had to improve his realm as quickly as possible, ideally achieving the "Earth Immortal" Dao Fruit soon and joining the ranks of Immortals.

After refining the eighty thousand strands of Innate Purple Qi, Zhuang Yan's cultivation surged, breaking through three or four realms consecutively.

He put away his hand seals, stepped out of the Mountain God Temple, looked up at the sky, and cast "One Thought Capture."

A faint light, visible only to Zhuang Yan, streaked across the sky, vanishing in an instant, but he gained nothing.

"It seems I can only collect Heavenly Dao power next month. The eighth-rank Immortal Official can only absorb two points each month. I wonder how much one can get at the Spirit Refinement and Return to Void realm," he mused inwardly.

Suddenly, thunder roared, and lightning struck the peak of Spirit Platform Mountain. Dark clouds churned, fierce winds rose, and fine rain began to fall.

"This closed-door cultivation has already lasted three days." Zhuang Yan turned back into the temple and, counting on his fingers, realized it was already the hour of Snake (Si).

The Heavenly Court's rain-making had its own procedures: clouds gathered at the hour of the Dragon, thunder rumbled at the hour of the Snake, rain fell at the hour of the Horse, and stopped at the hour of the Sheep. This was the regulation for the Rain Department carrying out imperial edicts to bestow rain; ordinary rainfall was at the discretion of the Dragon Gods.

The drizzle continued until noon, then suddenly turned into a downpour. In the afternoon, cliffs and rocks cracked in many places on the mountain, and torrents carrying mud and slush rushed towards the villages. Fortunately, the villagers had been warned by Wu the Woodcutter and had fled into the deep mountains.

Only the people of Wu Mountain Village remained unharmed. After the rain stopped, they returned to their village to find their homes had become a marsh. As the people of the other villages fled into the mountains, dark clouds pressed down from the sky, a bloody light flashed, and then black smoke billowed, and the villagers vanished without a trace.

To Zhuang Yan, this was merely a trivial matter of his divine duties, until one day--

A short old man wearing a county magistrate's hat and a ninth-rank official robe stumbled into the temple, gasping, "Is the Mountain God here?"

Zhuang Yan revealed himself. "Who are you?"

The old man hurriedly bowed. "This humble old one is the Earth God of Xiaotian Village, here to pay respects to the Mountain Lord!"

"Since you are the Earth God, why have you come here?"

"Disaster has struck!" the Earth God stammered. "A great disaster has occurred at the foot of the mountain!"

The Earth God reported, "Two days ago, demons took advantage of the rain on Spirit Platform Mountain to abduct over two thousand refugees from the villages below. An entire town and three villages, including Xiaotian Village, have been affected."

"Such a thing happened?" Zhuang Yan frowned. "Why was this not reported immediately?"

The Earth God replied fearfully, "This humble god... truly dared not."

"Dared not? Are you afraid of retaliation from those demons?" Zhuang Yan pressed.

The Earth God lowered his head. "The magic power of us Earth Gods is weak; we are powerless against the demons. After deliberation, we have come to request the Mountain God's assistance."

Zhuang Yan sneered, "What a clever plan. You are afraid of offending the demons, so you want me to be the one to stick my neck out?"

The Earth God said sheepishly, "Mountain God, please see clearly... it is indeed so."

"Heh!" Zhuang Yan scoffed. "The people under your jurisdiction have suffered calamity; what does that have to do with me, the Mountain God of Spirit Platform?"

The Earth God looked troubled. "Mountain Lord, you may not know, but we Earth Gods are all poor and weak..."

Zhuang Yan interrupted, "And all cowardly as mice."

The Earth God paused, then gave a wry smile. "Indeed. However, we still have one authority—we can directly report to Empress Houtu. If the Mountain Lord is willing to help, we will jointly request merit for you afterward."

Zhuang Yan raised an eyebrow. "Since you have this authority, why not report directly to Her Majesty Houtu?"

"Mountain Lord, you misunderstand," the Earth God explained. "Her Majesty Houtu is one of the Four Emperors; how could she be disturbed by mere demons? We will mention it casually during our routine reports each season."

Zhuang Yan pondered, "Shouldn't subduing demons and eliminating monsters be the responsibility of the Heavenly Court?"

The Earth God shook his head. "Although the Heavenly Court governs the Three Realms, human affairs should be handled by the Human Emperor and Immortal Sages. The Heavenly Court will not interfere unless absolutely necessary."

"What are human Immortal Sages?" Zhuang Yan asked.