Chapter 692: After This Incense, We Owe Each Other Nothing

Ruyi watched his down-and-out figure walk away.

For some reason, as she watched him go, she felt as though she were looking at a future peerless swordsman.

Perhaps it was just an illusion, or perhaps a touch of pity.

Ruyi asked Uncle Chen.

"Uncle Chen, what will become of him?"

Chen Changsheng watched the swordsman's retreating figure, then glanced at Ruyi. "There are times when even This Chen cannot see things clearly," he said.

"You can't see clearly?"

"Perhaps."

Listening to Uncle Chen's answer, Ruyi replied after a long moment.

"Oh..."

Jian Shenghua looked over.

He remained silent, vaguely recalling something.

It seemed he had been just as down-and-out in his early years, but it had been so long ago that his memories were a blur.

Shangguan Ningjing's figure vanished down the narrow path.

The crowd's attention returned to The Lake.

It seemed like a casual interlude, passing without further consequence.

Someone might occasionally recall a detail or two, but even that would soon be forgotten. After all, who wasn't a passing traveler?

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Before the Ritual Cauldron.

Hu Shilan stepped forward slowly, holding three sticks of incense.

Calming her mind, she looked up toward the vast heavens.

"The Human Dao is vast and obscure; the immortal path is boundless. The Ghost Dao rejoices, acting as the gate of life. I am a fox demon from a minor realm, not of this place. I once harbored a fierce desire to win and grow strong, but as the years passed and the seas turned to stone, my heart has found peace. Now, I seek only safety and a long, joyous life."

"From this day forth, I shall protect the Human Race and watch over the lights of a myriad households. Let this stand as my vow."

Hu Shilan let out a long breath, stepped forward, and planted the incense into the Ritual Cauldron.

Lu Qishan stepped forward next, remaining silent.

But just as she was about to plant her incense into the Ritual Cauldron...

A voice rang out.

"Wait."

The gathered crowd frowned, looking toward the source of the voice.

They saw a figure striding across the water. Magical Power gathered at his toes, isolating him from the water.

Gripping his Pure Bell, Wang He offered a calm smile. "Quanshan Wang He greets you Great Demons."

Zhu Wuneng raised an eyebrow. "Time's up!"

With that, he raised a hand, whipping up a demonic wind that blasted toward the Daoist.

"What's the rush?"

Wang He smiled and shook his Pure Bell.

"Ring, ring..."

Suddenly, the waters of The Lake began to stir.

The corpses of the demons that had fallen into The Lake earlier all floated to the surface. Under the influence of the Pure Bell, every demon seemed to spring back to life.

Their remaining Demonic Power flared, blocking the gust of demonic wind.

"Does this humble Daoist truly have no chance?" Wang He asked with a smile.

Tu Hu raised an eyebrow. "Stepping out now is nothing but an attempt at sitting back to reap the fisherman's profit. What right do you have to come forward?"

Wang He replied, "The mountain lord is right. It is just that this humble Daoist is still young. Finding it difficult to compete head-on with all of you, I had to resort to such an underhanded tactic."

Zhu Wuneng grew irritated and thrust a palm forward.

"You court death!"

Wang He shook his Pure Bell again, and dozens of demon corpses shifted to form a solid wall in front of him.

But even so, he still failed to block Zhu Wuneng's strike. As a mortal cultivator, he was ultimately no match for such a Great Demon.

Wang He's expression instantly turned grim, but he did not intend to concede because of it.

He coughed lightly and said, "I ask everyone to grant me this face. I am here solely for the sake of Quanshan's orthodox status."

Hearing this, the few present immediately understood.

This cultivator was only trying to prove Quanshan's worth here, so he could petition the Human Sovereign for orthodox recognition.

Zhu Wuneng sneered. "What a clever scheme. I'll make sure you come with your life, but leave without it!"

His figure turned into a blur as he charged forward.

Demonic Power coalesced into a broadsword, slashing at Wang He's waist as if to cut him clean in half.

Heart pounding, Wang He scrambled to dodge.

He summoned the corpses to act as a shield.

Then, he pulled a Talisman from his sleeve and invoked his Arts and Techniques.

"Corpse Lock!"

The Talisman shot toward Zhu Wuneng.

Strands of Magical Power blocked him, but Zhu Wuneng tore them away with a single grab.

"Come!"

Wang He unleashed his Divine Abilities once more.

The corpses hovered in the air as the Demonic Power merged together, gradually solidifying into a long pestle.

"Thrum!"

A resonant tone echoed as the long pestle struck forward.

Zhu Wuneng met it head-on but suddenly faltered. The pestle's strike forced him a half-step back, leaving him momentarily stunned.

Just what kind of unseen Divine Abilities was this...?

To think it could gather the strength of these dead demons' corpses.

Having cast this technique, less than a tenth of Wang He's Magical Power remained. He gasped for breath, cupping his hands. "Many thanks."

Hearing this, rage boiled over in Zhu Wuneng's heart.

"Die!"

Wang He shook his Pure Bell, and the demon corpses floated, rapidly forming a solid wall.

He immediately cast an Escape Art and fled.

But unexpectedly, he still took a hit of Demonic Power as he left.

Wang He cried out in pain, but still fled the place with all his might.

Seeing the Daoist flee, Zhu Wuneng roared in fury, "Don't let me catch you!"

Having been played like this, there was no way he could find peace of mind.

Tu Hu shook his head helplessly, silently cursing him for a stupid pig.

Meanwhile, on the shore.

Mo Yuan burst into laughter as well. "This pig demon is truly a pig."

Letting himself be used as someone else's spear.

Still, that young Daoist from Quanshan had some real guts. To dare step forward in a scene like this, he was truly risking his life.

To put it bluntly, he just wanted to make his presence known.

If the Human Sovereign didn't even know of Quanshan's abilities, how could they ever attain orthodox status?

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The Little Beggar looked over and said, "There shouldn't be anyone else this time."

Once the scene settled down, Lu Qishan stepped forward with her incense. Without a word, she simply planted it into the Ritual Cauldron.

Long Rong stepped up, holding three sticks of incense.

"Rong belongs to the Water Tribe," she said. "Having practiced Cultivation for centuries, I know that Cultivation is not easy. If it is this hard for a demon, the Human Dao is even more arduous. Therefore, I am willing to protect the Human Race and help the Human Race prosper."

Next was Tu Hu, followed by Zhu Wuneng.

Neither of them said a word.

What they sought this time was nothing more than a talisman of safety.

The Two Snow Spirit Maidens approached, each extending a hand to hold the incense.

"Heavens above."

"We sisters were formed from the snow, yet we do not understand what the world is. What is human, what is demon, what is spirit, what is Immortal? When it comes to the truths of this world, we are like children. As the Human Dao prospers, we seek only to find early enlightenment."

Yan Qun grasped his three sticks of incense, hesitating for a moment as he looked at the Little Beggar.

Seeing his gaze, the Little Beggar said, "Go on, don't worry about me."

Seeing this, Yan Qun stepped forward to offer his respects.

"Yan Zi of Linjiang has watched the Human Dao prosper," he said. "I know the joys of the Red Dust, and I know its bitterness. I have seen countless things and met countless people, yet this swallow has nowhere to return. My life has been like duckweed, drifting without aim; I seek only a place to belong."

"With this, I offer my respect!"

He strode forward and planted the incense into the Ritual Cauldron.

Seeing this, the Little Beggar was in no rush. He looked at the Old Ox and said, "Old Ox, aren't you going?"

The Old Ox was still thinking about Shangguan Ningjing. He snapped out of his daze and asked, "Me?"

The Little Beggar laughed. "You really are a stupid ox."

The Old Ox stared blankly, then grasped his incense and stepped forward.

Truth be told, he did not quite understand what all of this meant.

The Investiture of Immortals Assembly, the Investiture of Immortals Assembly.

If the incense was planted into the Ritual Cauldron, would he be an Immortal then?

Was that how it worked?

He was still a bit muddled.

He stood before the Ritual Cauldron, pondering for a long time before speaking. "I..."

"As long as I don't have to be so tired."

The Old Ox said this single sentence, then planted the incense into the Ritual Cauldron.

Following that, everyone's attention fell upon the Little Beggar.

The Little Beggar stepped forward slowly and picked up his incense.

He hesitated for a moment, but quickly snapped out of it.

"After this incense, we owe each other nothing."