Chapter 595: A Small Temple Receives Great Incense

Chen Shi was stunned. Along the way, he had seen rainfall in many places, causing those who had been turned into clay figures to dissolve into muddy water.

He had initially assumed this was the work of whoever had caused the Dao pollution, but now it seemed there might be another explanation.

"If it wasn't you casting the spell, who else in Feng'an Commandery has the magical power to summon rainfall?" Chen Shi pressed.

Chu Xiangxiu said, "My Dao techniques can corrupt mortal bodies, Golden Bodies, and cultivation bases. Even an immortal's Primordial Spirit would dissolve into mud. But I cannot affect the energy of incense offerings. The deities within Feng'an Commandery should all possess such means. Additionally, the deities of the Thunder Ministry could also cast spells to summon rain from outside. If one's cultivation and strength are formidable, and their Dao techniques profound, as with yourself, they could do the same."

Chen Shi pondered for a moment, then said, "You may go."

Chu Xiangxiu was slightly taken aback. "You're not going to arrest me and take me back to the Celestial Court?"

Chen Shi said, "You still have unresolved matters weighing on your heart. Go attend to them first. Once you've settled things, I will naturally come to apprehend you."

Chu Xiangxiu rose and bowed to him in salute. "After I've handled this matter, I will come to see you in person. But I still won't surrender without a fight. If you want to take me to the Celestial Court for trial, you'll need to show your true skill."

Chen Shi inclined his body slightly in return. "Then I shall await your arrival."

Chu Xiangxiu turned and left.

She stopped again, turning her head to say, "Daoist friend Chen, you also came from the Dark Sea, and you also achieved Dao Unification there. Your body carries the same external Dao power as mine."

Chen Shi shook his head. "I am not like you. I have not been invaded by external Dao."

Chu Xiangxiu departed, her voice drifting back: "I sensed the power of external Dao within your body. Perhaps because your Dao Unification never reached a perfect state, you cannot perceive it yourself."

Chen Shi frowned. Had Chu Xiangxiu truly sensed external Dao power within him?

Why hadn't he noticed it himself?

"My Dao Unification is imperfect? Could it be because I originally used the Celestial True God as my Divine Embryo for Dao Unification?"

He felt somewhat uneasy.

He had undergone Dao Unification three times in total: at the Dao Ruins, in the well, and at Western Ox New Continent.

In his assessment, the one most likely to have problems was actually the well unification, because that was the point of the great Dao anomaly.

Second was the Dao Ruins, which was clearly not a normal place.

The least likely to have issues was Western Ox New Continent.

"My Dao Unification in the well—I unified with the demonic Dao. The demonic Dao is obviously also a form of external Dao."

He said quietly to himself, "What Chu Xiangxiu sensed was probably the well unification."

At that moment, footsteps sounded from outside the door. Chen Shi looked over and saw the Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength bowing his head as he passed through the doorway of Chu Xiangxiu's home, entering the Chu residence.

Chen Shi raised an eyebrow. The Clay Bodhisattva appeared to be pursuing whoever had cast the rainfall spell, but it was also possible he was the one casting the rain, using the deaths of Feng'an Commandery's people to force Chu Xiangxiu into the open. However, this was merely Chen Shi's speculation, with no evidence to support it.

The Clay Bodhisattva bent down and picked up several sheets of paper, carefully examining the talismans and divine patterns written on them.

Black Pot quietly withdrew from the Chu residence and came outside, where he saw row upon row of clay bodhisattvas, clay arhats, clay vajras, and clay exalted ones filing into the small village, blocking Chu Xiangxiu's path.

These deities all came from the Bodhisattva of Great Strength's Mahāsthāma Monastery, enshrined within its various halls.

Though their Buddhist cultivation had been stripped and their Golden Bodies broken, their divine path cultivation remained intact.

Clearly, the Clay Bodhisattva had also traced the source of the Dao pollution and located this place.

"Such talent—frighteningly high."

The Clay Bodhisattva praised. "What a pity this set of skills wasn't used on the righteous path. If you could take refuge in my Western Paradise, perhaps you might yet walk the correct way."

Chen Shi smiled. "The Bodhisattva is also one who cherishes talent. Does the Bodhisattva know where the Earth God of Feng'an Commandery has gone?"

"I do not."

The Clay Bodhisattva shook his head. "Feng'an Commandery falls under the Thunderclap Mystic Province. Appointments and removals of divine officials are managed by the Thunder Ministry. If you wish to know where the Earth God went, you would need to inquire with the Thunder Ministry."

Chen Shi said, "The people of Feng'an Commandery originally worshipped the Earth God. With the Earth God gone, the Mahāsthāma Monastery can flourish."

The Clay Bodhisattva said, "The Thunderclap Mystic Province is vast. It can accommodate the Mahāsthāma Monastery, and it can accommodate the Earth God as well."

Chen Shi took out an incense stick, lit it, and planted it in the ground. "As for where the Earth God went, whether he lives or dies—one stick of incense will reveal the answer."

The incense smoke curled upward, drifting into the air.

Chen Shi gazed at the column of smoke, watching it scatter on the wind and quickly dissipate.

"The Bodhisattva is mistaken. The Thunderclap Mystic Province can accommodate the Mahāsthāma Monastery, but it cannot accommodate the Earth God."

Chen Shi withdrew his gaze and said, "For a deity to receive no incense offerings, there can be only one possibility: he is already dead."

The Clay Bodhisattva frowned slightly. "I was unaware of the Earth God's death."

He walked outward, saying, "Chu Xiangxiu was the Earth God's disciple, yet she possesses heretical arts, causing calamity across Feng'an Commandery and harming countless living beings. My Buddha is merciful. So long as she takes refuge in the Western Paradise, she still has the chance to abandon evil and follow good, to start anew. In the future, she may yet achieve full enlightenment."

Chen Shi's voice came from behind him. "You intend to sever the lineage of Feng'an's Earth God? Chu Xiangxiu is the sole inheritor of Feng'an's Earth God."

The Clay Bodhisattva bowed his head through the doorway, stopped outside, and looked back. "But she can obtain a better lineage. Benefactor Chen, this wager—I have won. I will resolve the Dao pollution of Feng'an Commandery, the Mahāsthāma Monastery is sure to prosper greatly, and the Buddhist Sect is sure to prosper greatly as well!"

Chen Shi followed him out of the Chu residence, smiling. "How can the Thunder Ministry sit idly by and allow the Western Paradise to grow strong?"

The Clay Bodhisattva walked toward the surrounded Chu Xiangxiu, saying in a deep voice, "The Celestial Court can accommodate the Western Paradise, the underworld can accommodate the Western Paradise, so naturally the Thunder Ministry can accommodate it as well."

Chen Shi laughed. "Bodhisattva, others may not know who killed Feng'an's Earth God, but Feng'an's Earth God himself certainly knows who murdered him. If only he could be revived, everything would be made clear. This humble one is no great talent, but I happen to possess the means to resurrect deities."

The Clay Bodhisattva glanced back at him, then continued walking toward Chu Xiangxiu, saying coolly, "Heavenly Soldier Chen, you are merely a heavenly soldier. Do not think too highly of yourself. Feng'an's Earth God has been utterly annihilated, body and soul. Who could possibly revive him? This is simply an unsolvable mystery."

The crowd of clay bodhisattvas, clay arhats, clay exalted ones, and clay vajras surrounding Chu Xiangxiu struck out simultaneously, attacking her.

Chu Xiangxiu raised her hand, and the earth surged. Countless waves of mud rolled forward like a tsunami, swallowing all the clay bodhisattvas and clay arhats in one gulp!

The divine path Dao techniques she cultivated were passed down by the Earth God himself, and the divine abilities she had comprehended were also about manipulating the earth. Against these clay bodhisattvas and clay arhats, she was completely in her element.

"Indestructible Vajra Power!"

One clay vajra activated his Dao technique, his body radiating brilliant golden light, growing larger and taller, rising from the surging mud. With supreme vajra strength, he reached for Chu Xiangxiu.

Chu Xiangxiu pointed a single finger at him. The instant her finger touched his enormous fingertip, the clay vajra's face twisted in horror, then his entire body crumbled to dust, showering the ground with dirt.

"Buddha's Realm in the Palm!"

Another clay bodhisattva roared, striking out with his palm, which began to rotate. Within his palm was contained an entire world, growing larger and expanding at tremendous speed. Chu Xiangxiu felt the world spin around her, and then she found herself within that clay bodhisattva's palm.

"Within my Buddha realm, how can you still manipulate the earth?"

That clay bodhisattva smiled faintly. This Buddha realm in the palm was his hand itself. Standing within the realm and looking up at him, his face appeared more than ten times larger than the sun and moon, his body towering like a giant god standing beyond the heavens—unmatchable.

The clay bodhisattvas and clay arhats who had just sunk into the earth leaped up one after another, landing within his palm's Buddha realm and attacking Chu Xiangxiu.

Chu Xiangxiu stomped her foot heavily. Her expression was somewhat shy, but her attacks were utterly ruthless as she said, "Is your Buddha realm not made of earth?"

That clay bodhisattva's face changed drastically. The Buddha realm churned violently, the earth flew upward, forming countless enormous earth dragons that strangled the clay bodhisattvas, clay vajras, and clay arhats, coiling around them and crushing them to pieces!

Meanwhile, the clay bodhisattva who had manifested the Buddha realm in his palm stared in terror at his own right hand. His hand had transformed into something no longer resembling a hand—the palm had reorganized itself, like ten thousand tentacles dancing in the air, shredding his companions to pieces!

Not only that, but this mutation was spreading up his arm. His arm was also made of earth, and it had come alive. Tendril after tendril composed of mud whipped through the air. Upon closer inspection, they weren't tentacles at all—they were earth dragons and mud serpents!

That clay bodhisattva immediately raised his hand and severed his own arm to stop the spread, then launched himself into the air.

He had barely taken to the sky when the land surrounding the village—hundreds of li in every direction—seemed to come alive. It surged upward, transforming into an enormous hand with mountain peaks as its five fingers. With a thunderous crash, it slammed into him, smashing him to dust!

Chu Xiangxiu withdrew her hand and turned to see an immeasurable great sun rising slowly into the sky—it was the divine ability of the Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength!

"BOOM!"

A giant hand of earth, stone, and mountains thrust down from the sky, blocking in front of Chu Xiangxiu. The two divine abilities collided. The immense, thick hand was burned through by the blazing sun. With a violent, earth-shaking impact, Chu Xiangxiu was sent flying backward, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

The Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength looked at his own hand and arm, which were continuously exploding apart, with some surprise. He praised, "Well said, well said. Benefactor Chu, your Dao techniques are singular yet refined, already reaching the level where great skill appears simple, directly touching the essence of the great Dao. You have an affinity with my Western Paradise."

He clenched his fist heavily, dispersing Chu Xiangxiu's Dao technique. His hand and arm restored themselves on their own, and he soared into the air, striding after Chu Xiangxiu.

His strength was many times greater than the other clay bodhisattvas and clay arhats. After all, the Mahāsthāma Monastery was his temple—his incense offerings were the most abundant, his divine power the strongest, and naturally his strength was far superior.

At that moment, he frowned slightly, feeling a numbness in his arm. Alarm struck him: "External Dao from the Dark Sea!"

Within that arm of his, a wisp of external Dao was interfering with the circulation of his divine power, affecting his strength.

His cultivation far surpassed Chu Xiangxiu's, and the divine patterns throughout his body were exquisitely intricate. He should never have been invaded by Chu Xiangxiu's external Dao. But this external Dao hadn't invaded now—it had been hidden within that stick of incense Chu Xiangxiu had offered him!

Way back when he had first been polluted by the external Dao, this wisp had already lain dormant within his body, waiting for the moment to strike!

And now was that moment!

On the other side, Chu Xiangxiu struggled to steady herself but still couldn't help retreating—hundreds of li backward—before she finally regained her footing. Immediately, she pushed off with both feet and sprinted forward, charging straight at the Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength!

This was the opportunity she had been waiting for!

The wisp of external Dao she had planted was specifically meant to take down the Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength!

Suddenly, a series of crisp, clear shouts rang out. Thousands of clay consorts rose into the air along the path, robes fluttering as they summoned earthen magic treasures and attacked her.

Monks required opposite-sex dao companions in their cultivation—one to protect themselves, and another to resolve sexual desire. Such companions were known as consorts.

These clay consorts had originally been the consorts of the Mahāsthāma Monastery. Because they served the bodhisattvas and arhats, they received incense offerings in daily life and possessed some divine power. But they too had been polluted by the external Dao and turned into clay figures.

Chu Xiangxiu ignored them entirely. She raised her hand and struck forward. The consorts exploded one after another, turning into mud that flew up with her palm toward the Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength!

They reassembled in midair, forming a giant hand, but before it could reach the Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength, a string of prayer beads flew into the sky, whistling as they spun, drawing the hand into Buddha Light.

Behind the Buddha Light lay a paradise of ultimate bliss—a world like jade.

Nearly every magic treasure in Feng'an Commandery had turned to mud. Even the Evil-Repelling Banner sent by the Northern Polar Evil-Repelling Institute could only hold out for a single day before dissolving into clay. Yet this string of prayer beads remained perfectly intact, without the slightest damage. Clearly, the power of the prayer beads far surpassed that of the Evil-Repelling Banner!

The paradise of ultimate bliss formed by the prayer beads was composed of Dao patterns, giving rise to various manifestations of the great Dao. These manifestations were all images of the Buddhas—something Chu Xiangxiu's external Dao could not hope to shake.

This treasure was called the Eighteen Right Mindfulness, a demon-subduing treasure refined by the Bodhisattva of Great Strength's original body.

The so-called Eighteen Right Mindfulness referred to eighteen types of self-awareness. The Buddhist Sect preached that the Four Elements were Empty, and one needed to discard all right mindfulness to achieve true enlightenment. That the Bodhisattva of Great Strength had refined away all his thoughts, leaving only these eighteen, showed how extraordinary he was.

The Eighteen Right Mindfulness prayer beads spun, and Chu Xiangxiu found herself spinning along with them, drawn inexorably toward the beads.

"SWISH!"

She passed through the gaps between the beads, and just as she was about to be cast into the paradise of ultimate bliss, the beads suddenly shrank and slipped around her neck.

Chu Xiangxiu's head vanished, yet her body landed perfectly fine, standing on the ground.

Her head now appeared within the paradise of ultimate bliss, where the Buddhas surrounded her, chanting Buddhist scriptures. Their voices rumbled from every direction.

Chu Xiangxiu couldn't move no matter how she struggled. Even her hands involuntarily came together in prayer, and her mouth involuntarily began chanting along with the Buddhas.

The Clay Bodhisattva of Great Strength let out a relieved breath and smiled. "My joy in gaining Chu Xiangxiu surpasses my joy in gaining Feng'an Commandery. With such an excellent disciple, the Western Paradise shall prosper greatly, and incense offerings shall flourish."

He waited quietly, ready for Chu Xiangxiu to take refuge in Buddhism, which would break the Dao pollution.

On the other side, Chen Shi returned to the small Earth God temple and said to Black Pot, "Do you have any incense? I haven't carried incense since leaving Western Ox New Continent. That last stick I used was the final one."

Black Pot took out several bundles of incense, all fine sandalwood.

Chen Shi shook his head. "I need the thick kind."

Black Pot retrieved from his small world a single massive stick of incense as thick as a water barrel, towering several times taller than a person.

"This one will do!"

Chen Shi was overjoyed. He lit the incense stick and planted it before the Earth God temple. This was a small temple receiving great incense—the incense tower dwarfed the shrine itself.

Chen Shi summoned the small temple behind his head. Within his mind's eye, divine light shimmered between the temple halls, as if floating amidst primordial qi—silent and mysterious.

"Godmother above, your son Chen Shi has encountered difficulties in Feng'an Commandery of the Thunderclap Mystic Province. I have come to borrow your great power to resurrect Feng'an's Earth God! Please aid me, Godmother!"

Chen Shi bowed deeply before the Earth God temple. All the divine power dispersed throughout the heavens and earth of Feng'an Commandery trembled in unison!

In the mysterious yellow sea, within the Radiant Virtue Grand Celestial Palace, Houtu Huangdiqi slowly opened her eyes and smiled. "The Crown Prince rarely acts so earnestly. Ah well, let him have his way."

In Feng'an Commandery, the shattered divine power and incense offerings drifting throughout the heavens and earth converged from all directions, gathering within the Earth God temple. Gradually, a divine manifestation took shape—a small, elderly Earth God appearing within the shrine.