Chapter 679: Indeed Clay Chickens and Tile Dogs

A glance revealed a figure in a Daoist robe standing by the Ritual Cauldron, holding a long ruler inscribed with golden characters.

Seeing the priest, the demon frowned. "Old ox-nose, your Daoist Gate already has an orthodox Investiture Scroll. Why are you joining the fray?"

Daoist Wuwei spoke, "The people of the world know little and struggle to distinguish good from evil. The Assembly of Immortal Investiture holds great significance. I follow the will of heaven and earth to maintain the air of Qingping."

The demon sneered. "Such high-sounding nonsense!"

"Then why haven't you done anything about that snake demon parading as a dragon?"

Daoist Wuwei cast a sidelong glance at the snake demon fighting in the distance. He turned back and answered plainly, "I am no match for it."

The demon paused in surprise, then burst into laughter. "So you're just a coward afraid of death! Hahaha..."

Daoist Wuwei's tone remained calm. "Do not laugh. I may be no match for the snake demon, but I am more than enough to deal with you."

The demon sneered. "Old ox-nose, kill me if you have the guts!"

Daoist Wuwei looked at the demon. "I am not an unreasonable man. If you wish to offer incense, you only need to wait until the three large sticks in this Ritual Cauldron burn out. Do that, and I will not make things difficult for you."

"Get lost!"

The demon spat a mocking laugh. He had no time to bicker with this ox-nose.

He opened his jaw and roared. Demonic Power poured out in a deafening blast, churning with sheer force as it swept toward Daoist Wuwei.

Yet the blast failed to stir even a single hair on the priest's head.

The demon froze and took a step back. "You have some skill, ox-nose."

Daoist Wuwei stepped forward to block the Ritual Cauldron. "I have practiced Cultivation for a few years."

Unable to see through the priest, the demon decided not to rush.

"Fine."

"If you aren't in a hurry, old ox-nose, then we can just wait!" the demon continued.

Since he had taken the lead, more demons would soon arrive upstairs. They would see if this ox-nose could block them all then.

Daoist Wuwei gazed out.

The sound of footsteps echoed through the pavilion. Several auras approached from the bottom floor, while figures darted across the surface of The Lake.

The demon before him warned, "Old ox-nose, you still have a chance if you get out of the way now. Don't blame me for not warning you!"

Daoist Wuwei raised a hand and performed a brief divination.

Lowering it, he looked at the demon. "And if I do not step aside, what can you do?"

The demon frowned in annoyance and clenched his fists, but he quickly calmed down.

This old ox-nose is truly arrogant!

Still, the demon held back.

As the saying went, a lack of patience in small matters upsets great plans.

There was no need to fall for the ox-nose's trap. Why fight one-on-one when they could gang up on him?

"Thud, thud, thud..."

Soon, a throng of demons crowded onto the top floor.

The first thing they saw was Daoist Wuwei blocking the Ritual Cauldron.

"Get out of the way!"

Several demons had arrived at once.

Some reeked of blood, while others bore a dark aura between their brows—clear signs they did not walk the Righteous Path. This motley crew of demons surged onto the top floor, only to stop dead in front of the Ritual Cauldron.

The first demon to arrive seized the chance to fan the flames. "This old ox-nose demands we wait for his incense to burn out before we can offer ours! He even claimed that we are nothing but clay chickens and tile dogs, and that he could wipe us out with a single hand! What sheer arrogance!"

Daoist Wuwei paused at the accusation. "I never said such a thing."

"Scared now?!" the demon scoffed.

"Everyone!"

"This old ox-nose is arrogantly pushing his luck. Let's kill him first, then take the incense for ourselves!"

"Yeah, kill him first!"

"Old ox-nose!"

"Flay this priest alive!"

Dozens of shapeshifted demons tightly surrounded Daoist Wuwei.

Truth be told, there wasn't a single demon in the Mortal World who didn't despise the cultivators of the Daoist Gate. Having suffered endless suppression at their hands, the demons' fury instantly ignited.

Daoist Wuwei turned to glance at the still-burning incense.

He let out a soft sigh.

In truth, he was highly reluctant to meddle in this mess.

But he had already accepted the Imperial Decree. Qingxian Temple was an orthodox branch of the Daoist Gate; how could they refuse the mandate of the Son of Heaven?

Daoist Wuwei spoke, "Once the incense burns out, I will naturally step aside."

"Who the hell do you think you are!"

"Kill him!"

A chorus of furious shouts erupted.

One figure lunged forward. Demonic Power swirled around his shoulders as he charged like a runaway beast, intent on taking the priest's life.

Daoist Wuwei remained entirely still.

He slowly raised the Tianpeng Ruler and pressed it downward vertically, his other hand forming a seal as he chanted an incantation.

"Heaven clear and earth bright, by the might of the Tianpeng Ruler, suppress the demonic and vile!"

The Tianpeng Ruler in the priest's hand suddenly erupted with blinding golden light.

Radiant ripples swept outward from the ruler, blocking the surging demons.

"Boom..."

The leading demons were sent flying backward. Some crashed hard onto the floorboards, while others tumbled over the railing and plummeted into the water below.

"Splash..."

Plumes of water splashed into the air, fueling their hatred even further.

"Damned priest!! I will kill you!!"

The demon in the water erupted in violent rage. Throwing all rules to the wind, he unleashed his Demonic Power and shot straight toward the top floor to murder the priest.

Daoist Wuwei chanted softly, "Boundless heavenly honored one..."

Gripping the Tianpeng Ruler, the priest took a step forward and immediately engaged the demons before him in combat.

Wherever the Tianpeng Ruler struck, the demons were forced to retreat.

When the ruler landed on a demon, agonized shrieks followed. With a sharp sizzle, the strike forced the demon back into its true form. Wherever the ruler swept, blood sprayed and black mist rose into the air, painting a terrifying scene.

He swept the ruler outward.

Several demons were immediately sent tumbling backward.

Daoist Wuwei stepped forward, using Shrink the Earth to an Inch. He appeared directly in front of another demon and brought the ruler down.

The demon reverted to its true form—a wild boar covered in sharp spikes. Bearing a fresh, bloody gash, it scrambled away in a panic.

Daoist Wuwei spun around and delivered another strike.

It aimed straight for the chest of a demon trying to ambush him from behind.

"Bang."

The demon dropped straight to the floor, screaming in agony. Its body shimmered and shrank, turning into a gecko.

Daoist Wuwei prepared to strike again.

But he paused when he saw his next target—it was the very demon who had been spouting nonsense earlier.

The demon paled in shock and hurriedly begged, "Priest, spare my life! I know my mistake!"

Daoist Wuwei hesitated, lowering the Tianpeng Ruler slightly.

But the demon suddenly lunged.

"Die!"

Its hand morphed into a razor-sharp claw, swiping straight for the priest's throat.

The priest casually raised his free hand and thrust his palm forward.

A golden Daoist seal erupted from his palm.

"Boom!"

The demon froze in place. Before everyone's eyes, its outstretched claw slowly crumbled into fine dust and drifted to the floor.

Blood spilled from the corners of the demon's mouth before it collapsed lifelessly. Its body reverted to its true form—a gray fox. It twitched twice and then went completely still.

Daoist Wuwei lifted his head. A few surrounding demons had been preparing to attack, but the moment the priest shifted his gaze toward them, they froze in their tracks.

They exchanged uneasy glances. Not a single one dared to step forward again.

Daoist Wuwei put away his Tianpeng Ruler.

He glanced down at the gray fox. It wasn't dead; a faint breath of life still lingered within it.

Daoist Wuwei spoke calmly, "I have rarely been arrogant in recent years. However, I entirely agree with something this fox demon said a moment ago."

"Before me, you lot are indeed clay chickens and tile dogs."