Killing the Eight-Armed Yaksha produced a remarkable deterrent effect.
Zhao Xing held up its head and walked past over a dozen temples, with no one daring to stop him.
Some even called for help.
As Zhao Xing passed by a temple named "Hao Guang Mountain Lord's Hall," he suddenly heard a faint cry for help:
"Help... Help me..."
A Fifth-Rank priest, with only half his body remaining, was lying on the temple's threshold.
His face was contorted, tiger stripes appearing on his forehead, and his cheeks had split open. His body was also sprouting fur.
Zhao Xing glanced at him. The man's lower half was gone, swallowed by a black fissure that resembled a tiger's mouth, complete with jagged teeth. The fissure continued to devour the divine light emanating from his body.
If not for the robust vitality of someone at the Fifth Rank Pure Essence Realm, he wouldn't have survived with only half his body intact.
"This is Hao Guang Mountain Lord's Hall, housing a yin deity of a strange beast," Zhao Xing noted, glancing into the hall. On the altar stood a statue of a yin deity with a tiger's head and a human body. It wielded a long spear and bore a ferocious expression.
The statues of yin deities often appeared fierce and intimidating. This one, despite having a tiger's head, looked as if it were wearing a smoky makeup, giving it an unsettlingly bizarre appearance.
"How should I save you?" Zhao Xing asked plainly.
"The temples of the Tianhe Shrine have all been sealed, and the divine thoughts of the gods have become intensely chaotic," the man replied, his voice strained. He seemed to have exhausted himself, his hair entirely fallen out.
"Please... Give me a drop of your essence blood to suppress the evil thoughts."
"No," Zhao Xing replied, turning to leave without hesitation.
"Temples like these rarely see ordinary people come to worship. Their incense and faith rely entirely on the priests of Great Zhou," he muttered to himself. "Why would Hao Guang Mountain Lord kill one of his few remaining believers? Isn't this cutting off his own lifeline?"
Without incense and worship, a yin deity would be forgotten and ultimately perish, descending into a state called "Yi"—utter oblivion.
Clearly, what Zhao Xing saw was abnormal. He sneered coldly and continued walking forward.
"He didn't fall for it." As soon as Zhao Xing left, the pain on the face of the half-bodied man vanished, replaced by a calm expression.
"Your acting is terrible. He didn't fall for it," a voice emerged from behind the man, and a tiger-headed human-shaped shadow materialized.
"Not surprising," the bald Fifth-Rank priest chuckled. "Good and bad are hard to distinguish. Being cautious is only natural."
"Can you read his mind? Who is he?" the shadow asked.
"I can't. His thoughts are entirely locked away," the priest shook his head. "This Fourth-Rank official is a formidable expert. Unless he enters my domain, I have no chance of defeating him. After all, he did kill the Eight-Armed Yaksha."
"That Eight-Armed Yaksha barely escaped the seal, and it still ended up dead," the tiger-headed yin deity sighed. "I wonder how it died."
No one had witnessed the battle between Zhao Xing and the Eight-Armed Yaksha.
Because of Wu Xuan Ying, Zhu Qingyou, and the gods of the yin realm, many temples were sealed, preventing most yin deities and priests from leaving.
Not only could they not leave, but their visible range was severely restricted.
Beyond forty to fifty meters from the temple, everything was shrouded in mist.
"Pity…"
Zhao Xing continued forward, undeterred.
Soon, more cries for help reached his ears.
"Sir, save me!"
"Young man, please lend me a hand!"
"Hurry and give me a drop of blood. If I escape, you'll earn great merit!"
"Kind sir, don't go…"
In addition to people, there were also yin deities attempting to entice Zhao Xing:
"Come closer. As long as you believe in me and allow me to enter your body, you can gain Third-Rank strength!"
"Sacrifice your blood to me, and ascend to great heights instantly!"
"No need for rituals or incense. Just believe in me and call my name, and you'll gain my power to soar to the heavens!"
"Please, no one remembers me anymore. I'm about to disappear. Save me, and I'll serve you without question…"
"Stop right there, mortal! You're cursed! Only I can save you, or else you'll suffer calamity within three days…"
Countless voices of yin deities echoed in Zhao Xing's ears.
But most of these entities were trapped, unable to leave their temples. They could only lure Zhao Xing in.
Some managed to influence the world a few dozen meters beyond, but upon seeing the Eight-Armed Yaksha's severed head, they abandoned their plans.
The Eight-Armed Yaksha had been powerful enough to escape the seal, yet it was slain. Clearly, this man was not to be trifled with.
From their desperate pleas, Zhao Xing gleaned critical information.
"The yin realm's two palaces, Heaven and Earth, have undergone drastic changes. Numerous sealed palaces have been opened, and many yin deities have willingly lowered their status, even offering servitude without conditions," Zhao Xing speculated.
"Some of these entities might even surpass the Eight-Armed Yaksha in strength."
"They're on the brink of vanishing. Without offerings of incense and faith, they'll face total oblivion," Zhao Xing thought.
Throughout history, countless yin deities had been left behind.
Even if ninety-nine percent perished, the remaining ones accumulated over time would still number in the thousands—a daunting quantity.
During the reign of the Great Ancestor, to ensure stability, such yin deities were not eradicated but were left to gradually fade away.
Of course, some stubborn yin deities managed to survive. As long as one person remembered and worshiped them, they wouldn't die.
Thus, their activities were restricted. To demonstrate Great Zhou's benevolence, they were granted minor deity titles, confined to a yin palace, and assigned small groups of priests to monitor them.
This arrangement ensured they neither died nor descended to the human realm.
Over time, as fewer people worshiped them, their power dwindled. Ultimately, they relied solely on the official priests of Great Zhou for sustenance.
"There are too many yin deities. During the Great Ancestor's reign, a massive number were sealed. By Emperor Wen's time, the quantity had slightly decreased, but their rate of emergence far exceeded their demise."
"By Emperor Jing's era, he found this approach too slow. He began striking directly at the yin deities. However, his efforts were distracted by military reforms and the Southern Barbarian Wars, so the results were modest," Zhao Xing reflected.
The imbalance between numerous yin deities and limited priests, combined with minimal offerings from ordinary people, had intensified conflicts within the yin realm.
"King Liang's rebellion provided many yin deities with a sliver of hope. Remaining passive would doom them to oblivion. Unable to resist before, they now have an opportunity. The cost of summoning them has significantly decreased."
Of course, yin deities like Fu Tianyang and Wu Cheng were unaffected.
The ones siding with King Liang were mainly obscure or nearly forgotten yin deities.
"This is not yet Great Zhou's decline. If two thousand years pass, chaos will truly erupt."
"Control will weaken dramatically, and the yin realm will see the emergence of resurrection opportunities. The barrier between yin and yang will weaken considerably."
"Even small-town-level deities will descend, causing havoc."
"Emperor Jing is quite ruthless. King Liang's rebellion not only exposed the deeply hidden reactionary forces but also allowed him to strike a major blow to the yin deity system."
"After this, many yin deities will disappear. Most of them are ancestors of aristocratic families."
"If King Liang successfully suppresses the barbarians, it's the best-case scenario. He can wield supreme divine authority to achieve this. If not, the opportunity can be used to purge and pave the way for future generations."
The wailing of countless yin deities echoed, their myriad thoughts swirling around Zhao Xing.
These voices were potent, but due to the barrier between the yin and yang realms, as well as the seals on the temples, they couldn't break free.
A weaker-willed individual might have succumbed to temptation, gaining temporary power but ultimately becoming a "god servant" or "puppet."
Naturally, exalted yin deities like Wu Cheng and Fu Tianyang had no such concerns.
Their incense offerings and faith were abundant, keeping them above petty disputes.
"Stop! Who are you?" A priest who could move freely appeared in Zhao Xing's path after he walked for about fifteen minutes.
He looked entirely normal, his appearance fully human. Using his Heavenly Eye technique, Zhao Xing confirmed there was no divine possession behind him.
"Have I reached the domain of the Deity of the Land and Earth?" Zhao Xing speculated.
"This must be a Deity of the Land and Earth priest."
Observing the man's demeanor, Zhao Xing deduced his identity immediately.
Though he couldn't gauge the priest's depth, he sensed a faint danger emanating from him.
"I am Zhao Xing, a Hundred Paths Transport Official of Tianhe Prefecture, also serving as a Third-Level Inspector of the Five Eastern Prefectures in Pinghai Province, and a Marquis conferred by the court!" Zhao Xing declared.
"I've come to retrieve the Golden Body of the True Lord Tianyang!"
The Hundred Paths Transport Official position was merely Fifth Rank, but the East Five Prefectures Third-Level Inspector was a solid Fourth Rank title.
Zhao Xing's reasoning was sound, and his identity justified his presence in the shrine. There was no issue.
Hearing his introduction, the priest across from him cupped his hands and introduced himself, "This humble official is Yao Yuanchun, the Right Command Officer of the Shrine of the Land and Earth."
His demeanor became more polite, not because of Zhao Xing's titles but because Yao Yuanchun himself held a similar Fourth Rank position.
What compelled this change in attitude was Zhao Xing's avatar holding the severed head of the Eight-Armed Yaksha.
"Are you a Shennong or a priest?" Zhao Xing asked.
"I am a priest, a follower of the True Lord of Hai Mountain," Yao Yuanchun replied.
The True Lord of Hai Mountain was none other than Meng Haishan, the fourth Grand Shennong and the grandfather of Meng Kun.
"I see. Then we are kindred spirits," Zhao Xing remarked, exchanging pleasantries while scrutinizing Yao Yuanchun closely.
Moments later, his top-tier Heavenly Eye technique revealed some details.
"Yao Yuanchun, as a chief shrine priest, practices the 'Harmonic Hidden God Method.' The core of his cultivation lies in the 'Divine Palace' and 'Spirit Platform.' This is somewhat similar to the Shennong's Seasonal Qi Command and Earth Sand techniques."
"When summoning gods, he allows divine spirits to reside within the Divine Palace and Spirit Platform in his body."
"No wonder I couldn't discern his depth earlier. This guy's divine summoning is exceptional—these yin spirits don't enter his Sea of Consciousness but inhabit his acupoints."
"Besides the Divine Palace and Spirit Platform, his eyes also house two yin spirits. His entire body hosts at least nine spirits, spanning various professions. This is definitely a formidable opponent," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
With nine spirits inhabiting his acupoints, cultivating the Divine Palace and Spirit Platform, and mastering multiple professions, Yao Yuanchun's talent among priests was comparable to Zhao Xing's versatility. Zhao Xing had mastered myriad techniques and cultivated Pure Essence Soil alongside temporal and terrestrial laws.
Moreover, the presence of nine yin spirits allowed Yao Yuanchun to unleash considerable power.
However, based on the lifelines and chakra wheel, Zhao Xing estimated Yao Yuanchun, a Fourth Rank official, was already at least two hundred years old.
Yao Yuanchun also regarded Zhao Xing with caution, experiencing similar realizations.
Zhao Xing's avatars were not ephemeral constructs like talisman bodies or energy manifestations—they were created using the Self School's authentic techniques!
While visible avatars numbered only eight, dozens more were concealed!
Combining this with the thunder energy fluctuations earlier and the Eight-Armed Yaksha's demise, Yao Yuanchun quickly deduced Zhao Xing's formidable strength.
This mutual recognition heightened Yao Yuanchun's vigilance.
He couldn't determine whether Zhao Xing was a friend or foe.
But eventually, he had to ask.
"Lord Zhao, what is your purpose in seeking the True Lord Tianyang?"
Yao Yuanchun stepped forward, his gaze sharp.
"Do you stand with King Liang or against him?"
Zhao Xing placed his hand on the Yuan Yin Sacred Codex and closed his eyes.
This gesture made Yao Yuanchun even more tense.
He suspected Zhao Xing had noticed the divine spirits hidden in his eyes, and this stance was preparation for combat.
It all depended on Zhao Xing's next words!
"King Liang is a traitor. I swear by my Three Souls, if I have the power, I will eliminate him!" Zhao Xing declared. As he finished speaking, his figure vanished into the mist behind him.
Yao Yuanchun almost made a move but halted upon hearing these words. He immediately shouted, "Wait! Don't act—he's one of us!"
"I, too, swear by my Three Souls to eradicate King Liang and his rebels!"
At once, the eight avatars that had emerged from the mist, with their Thunder Fingers poised at Yao Yuanchun, extinguished their energy.
Scanning his surroundings, Yao Yuanchun felt a cold sweat on his forehead.
The nearest avatar was less than twenty meters from him.
In the brief moment they had spoken, Zhao Xing had set up an arrangement, completely unbeknownst to Yao Yuanchun.
When Zhao Xing had vanished into the mist, Yao Yuanchun had lost all precise locks on him. His Sea of Consciousness was flooded with seven identical targets.
Had Zhao Xing been an enemy, Yao Yuanchun would have already lost this round of the game.
"My apologies, Lord Yao." Zhao Xing ordered his avatars to retract the Thunder Fingers and conceal themselves again.
"No offense, Lord Zhao." Yao Yuanchun also cupped his hands, the clarity in his eyes replaced with a cloudy haze.
"In these turbulent times, there's no need for excessive formalities between us," Zhao Xing said. "Brother Yao, could you brief me on the shrine's situation?"
Yao Yuanchun was undoubtedly an expert. In the current climate of reduced divine summoning costs, he could undoubtedly kill an early Third Rank adversary.
Since he opposed King Liang, he was an ally.
"The main temple of Tianhe Shrine is contested by Wu Xuan Ying, a Superior Third Rank Transcendent Priest, and Zhu Qingyou, a Third Rank Mystical Priest. They each occupy four shrines and are fighting for control of the Hall of Heroic Spirits, the gateway between the yin and yang realms."
"Typically, heroic spirits cross into the mortal world from this location."
Zhao Xing nodded. His understanding of the situation aligned with what he had suspected.
Both sides were locked in a standoff, leaving them indifferent to external affairs.
"What are Brother Yao's plans?" Zhao Xing inquired.
"The yin realm is in chaos. Thoughts are jumbled, and the main temple is sealed. I only recently escaped and haven't formulated a plan," Yao Yuanchun admitted, his expression grim.
Such circumstances were once-in-a-lifetime events.
Yao Yuanchun's uncertainty was understandable.
"If Brother Yao has no specific plans, why not join me?" Zhao Xing suggested. "We can look out for one another."
"You're going to retrieve the Golden Body of True Lord Tianyang?" Yao Yuanchun asked. "That might be difficult. The temples are sealed, and several adversaries with ulterior motives are present—"
"That's precisely why I'm here," Zhao Xing replied. "I can't let these people defile the True Lord Tianyang, tainting his divine power for their own gain."
"In that case, allow me to guide you," Yao Yuanchun offered.
"Thank you, Brother Yao," Zhao Xing said.
Inside the True Lord Tianyang Shrine, two priests were leading the congregation in continuous chants directed at the statue of Fu Tianyang, who watched the vortex of mist outside with curiosity.
"This kid has some luck," Fu Tianyang mused. "Of all paths, he managed to encounter Yao Yuanchun?"
"There are seven routes to the True Lord's shrine. Six are blocked by Third Rank yin spirits who have possessed priests."
"And he chose the one leading to Yao Yuanchun?"
"No wonder my disciple asked me to watch over him. Not only is he exceptionally gifted, but he also carries divine fortune. Even in a place like this, he can turn misfortune into blessing."
Fu Tianyang's earlier manifestations were not random acts but deliberate moves planned back in the thirty-third year of the Jingxin Era.
At the time, Li Boqian had pleaded for his intervention, sharing Zhao Xing's situation.
Li Boqian had requested that Fu Tianyang extend his protection during the impending turmoil.
Thus, Zhao Xing's mission to "save the ancestral golden body" could have been initiated regardless of which prefecture he was stationed in.
But why Fu Tianyang and not another Grand Shennong of the Heaven School?
It had everything to do with the nature of yin spirits:
Deities of the current dynasty were typically stronger than those of previous ones, a characteristic dictated by the Fortune Dynasty system.
Among deities of the current dynasty, those closer to the present era wielded greater power due to their more recent deaths, wider recognition, and stronger influence.
Deities nearer to the present era retained more human traits, making them more approachable.
Fu Tianyang's protection of Zhao Xing had a somewhat personal touch.
Li Boqian could not persuade earlier Grand Shennongs to intervene, as this required official business.
This had led to the current situation where the Tianyang Shrine hosted the most priests among the six major Shennong shrines.
Fu Tianyang was the strongest and, consequently, the most susceptible to defilement.
Possessing human traits meant he still harbored emotions and desires.
For the rebels, this made his divine consciousness easier to manipulate, allowing them to harness his power with reduced risk.
Conversely, deities from earlier eras were harder to summon and more prone to causing issues.
Take the Eight-Armed Yaksha as an example—it had completely overtaken its summoner, turning the priest into nothing more than a vessel.
"Brother Zhao, we've arrived," Yao Yuanchun said.
Having Yao Yuanchun as a guide simplified matters.
Their journey was undisturbed, with no spirits daring to intervene.
Soon, Zhao Xing and Yao Yuanchun stood before the True Lord Tianyang Shrine.
Zhao Xing sensed dozens of presences inside and glanced at Yao Yuanchun, who explained:
"The primary shrine priest here is Ai Tianming, a priest of True Lord Tianyang."
"He is also a Fourth Rank official and has lived for over five hundred years, making him the most formidable presence here."
"The others are not worth mentioning."
Yao Yuanchun added, "I can confirm that he has already defected."
"Why do you think so?" Zhao Xing asked.
"At the moment of upheaval, every priest was forced to expend ten to fifty years of their lifespan to resist the encroachment of the yin realm," Yao Yuanchun explained.
"For Ai Tianming to still be alive, there's only one possibility: he accepted King Liang's decree and gained additional lifespan."
"This man defected instantly, slaughtering numerous priests from five nearby shrines. He is despicable and must be eliminated!"
Zhao Xing nodded. A Fourth Rank priest's theoretical lifespan limit was around six hundred years, and Ai Tianming's age of over five hundred placed him dangerously close to this threshold.
The theoretical limit was called so because ninety percent of individuals never reached it.
Thus, Ai Tianming surviving this upheaval was impossible—unless he had betrayed his principles.
"Yao Yuanchun, you think yourself noble and exceptional!"
At that moment, a voice echoed as a square-faced old man in a green robe appeared in the Tianyang Shrine.
"You stand on your moral high ground to criticize me, but look at yourself. At just two hundred years old, you've already ascended to a Fourth Rank position."
"You still have a bright future and a long life ahead. But what about me?"
Ai Tianming sneered, "For one hundred and fifty-three years, I've been stuck in this Fourth Rank position."
"I've mastered top-tier techniques."
"I've accumulated one hundred and fifty-three years of experience across sixteen prefectures."
"Why won't the court promote me to Third Rank?"
"What makes me inferior to those idle parasites holding higher positions?"
"You didn't ascend because of reasons unique to you," Yao Yuanchun retorted. "Does that justify murder and treason? Absurd!"
"If everyone who failed to ascend turned traitor, wouldn't the world be in chaos? Such malicious thoughts are precisely why you were never promoted!"
Ai Tianming countered, "I want to rise higher—what's wrong with that? If ambition is a sin, why don't you resign from all your official positions?"
With a mocking smile, Ai Tianming continued, "Of course, your path has been smooth. You're a noble-born, with connections in both the mortal and yin realms. You can afford to feign indifference to official rank because your rise is guaranteed."
"Nonsense!" Yao Yuanchun's emotions surged.
Zhao Xing observed calmly, saying nothing. Ai Tianming's voice remained steady, showing neither anger nor despair.
"Do you think Tianhe Prefecture, a warfront prefecture, is a cushy job? Have I ever enjoyed glory or wealth? Have I ever taken even a single bribe?" Ai Tianming asked, his tone serene.
"My inability to advance is simply because of my background, nothing more."
Zhao Xing realized this was a man who had passed beyond anger, one who had become entirely disillusioned with the Great Zhou Dynasty.
"I won't argue whether King Liang's rebellion is justified. Even if it is true rebellion—so what?" Ai Tianming continued. "I only regret this day didn't come sooner!"
"Don't speak to me of righteousness or laws. You seek justice, and I rebel; we're both just fighting to survive. Even if you overturn the heavens, you're still rebelling."
Yao Yuanchun's gaze turned icy. "Rebels always come up with some justification for their actions. The court fed you for five centuries, yet you don't even have the courage to face death. You are a disgrace to the priesthood!"
"Words are meaningless," Ai Tianming said, his eyes turning as black as ink. "I see you're ready, and so am I. Let's see who walks out of this shrine alive!"
"Die!" Yao Yuanchun's eyes erupted with golden light.
From his left eye emerged the Earth Profound General, clad in golden dragon armor and wielding a Tyrant Halberd, standing six meters tall. The general immediately merged with Yao Yuanchun, causing his own form to grow, towering at three meters high. The halberd in his hand became tangible and imposing.
From his right eye flew five figures—Five Element Generals from the era of Emperor Xu, each radiating one of the Five Elements: blue, green, red, yellow, and white. These spirits corresponded to metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, respectively.
Yao Yuanchun's physical body charged forward while the five generals stayed back, casting spells. At the same time, representations of the sun and moon appeared on his shoulders: the sun for soul offense and the moon for soul defense.
"Transforming yin and yang into sun and moon, commanding gods of the Five Elements, and wielding Eight Divine Techniques in one thought—an extraordinary talent for a priest!" Zhao Xing couldn't help but marvel as he watched.
Ai Tianming was clearly under immense pressure. All his earlier words had merely been stalling tactics. While he claimed readiness, he was far from fully prepared.
In the same time, Ai Tianming only managed to cast five divine techniques: the "Canglan True Lord's Vital Severing Method," the "Lingxiao True Lord's Stealth Technique," the "Haoguang Immortal's Wind Defense," the "Wind-Commanding Battle God Technique," and the "Spiritual Illusion Perfect Circle Spell."
Upon witnessing Yao Yuanchun's offensive spells, Ai Tianming immediately shifted to a defensive stance, focusing his illusions to interfere with Yao Yuanchun directly. He dared not engage head-on.
Even so, Ai Tianming was forced into a corner moments after the fight began. If not for the arrival of seven Fourth Rank priests as reinforcements, he would have been defeated in just a few exchanges.
"Even among Fourth Rank priests, there are vast differences in strength," Zhao Xing noted while observing the internal conflict within the priesthood.
Yao Yuanchun had understated his own abilities earlier. When he said, "Aside from Ai Tianming, none are worth fearing," it had been pure modesty.
After considering the enhanced power Ai Tianming had gained, Zhao Xing estimated that without this boost, Ai Tianming would only last three rounds against Yao Yuanchun.
The first round would break his defenses, the second would leave him heavily injured, and the third would see him near death.
As for the others, they wouldn't even last a single exchange. Even teaming up would make no difference.
"I must have incredible luck to encounter such a strong ally during a simple mission," Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Seeing that Yao Yuanchun had taken the upper hand and the True Lord Tianyang Shrine was unguarded, Zhao Xing immediately flew toward its main hall.
Inside, more than twenty figures turned to Zhao Xing with alarm as he barged in with over a dozen avatars.
A quick glance with his Qi Observation Technique made Zhao Xing smirk coldly. "Traitors, all of you. Die!"
His Qi Observation Technique revealed their identities instantly. They were all Fifth Rank, too weak to hide from his scrutiny.
"Clang!"
The Soul-Crushing Bell reverberated, and the bell's sound sent shockwaves through the room. Shadows emerged from behind the priests as their attached yin spirits were forcibly dragged out.
"No! I don't want to return!" some screamed.
"Come here!" Zhao Xing commanded.
"Die, ahh!" others wailed in despair.
"How dare you attack a god!" some yin spirits roared indignantly.
"Defiling a god is a crime punishable by death! Death!" others bellowed.
The room erupted with chaos as forty to fifty yin spirits raged, attempting to charge Zhao Xing.
"Clang!"
Another strike of the bell. Half of the yin spirits were obliterated instantly. The other half, stripped of their connection, were dragged into the surrounding mist, pulled back to the yin realm by its gravitational pull.
The hall filled with oppressive yin energy, thick and murky, as the spirits descended to the yin realm. Without their priestly hosts, these yin spirits were naturally dragged back.
In mere moments, the shrine was left with only the empty husks of priests, their souls entirely obliterated.
"Forgive me, ancestor."
Zhao Xing stretched out his hand, swiftly removing the golden statue of True Lord Tianyang from its pedestal.
The statues of Shennong deities, unlike other divine statues, were typically life-sized rather than colossal, making them easier to move.
Commanding two of his avatars to carry the golden statue, Zhao Xing hurried out without delay. The yin realm's pull also affected him, and if he didn't act quickly, his avatars' soul bodies would be pulled from their grass puppet vessels and into the yin realm.
"Mission accomplished!" Outside the hall, Zhao Xing's main body snapped his fingers.
The avatars carrying the golden statue promptly delivered it to him.
"What?!"
Both Ai Tianming and Yao Yuanchun, catching sight of this, were stunned. Their movements even slowed momentarily.
"How did he manage to carry the golden statue out so easily?"
"This is impossible! We've spent all this time casting spells and couldn't move it an inch."
"Who is this man?"
Golden statues were not so easily moved. Lowering a divine statue from its pedestal was no simple feat.
Yet Zhao Xing had marched in and removed the golden statue of True Lord Tianyang almost instantly.
"Ancestor." Outside, Zhao Xing knelt respectfully before the statue, which now glowed faintly with divine light.
"Rise, we Shennong deities do not require such grand gestures," the statue of True Lord Tianyang suddenly came to life, smiling kindly.
Though he spoke humbly, it was evident he was pleased.
"Ancestor, what should I do with these people?" Zhao Xing asked, gesturing toward Ai Tianming and his group.
True Lord Tianyang's smile faded as he spoke in a measured tone. "King Liang's rebellion is not without its reasons."
"Remember this, disciple. Before rebellion, there can be distinctions of right and wrong. After rebellion, only positions remain. It's about life and death, not morality."
"Yes, thank you for your guidance, ancestor," Zhao Xing replied with a bow.
"Small Fourth Rank traitors like these are not worth my golden statue's power. Disciple, assist Yao Yuanchun in exterminating them. Once done, proceed to the Hall of Heroic Spirits to quell the rebellion," True Lord Tianyang instructed.
"Yes," Zhao Xing nodded.
However, just as he was about to act, the battle had already concluded.
On the plaza, where night and day clashed, Ai Tianming and the other seven Fourth Rank priests had fallen, their heads severed from their bodies. Their yin spirits had also been annihilated.
"An impressive display of the Yin-Yang Domain Killing Technique," True Lord Tianyang remarked approvingly. "That boy is quite skilled, though his temper still flares easily. Ai Tianming's words clearly provoked him."
Standing amid a pile of corpses, Yao Yuanchun was breathing heavily, visibly shaken.
Ai Tianming's dying words echoed in his ears: "You're so lucky. Without your noble background, your fate would've been the same as mine. Ha… haha…"
Yao Yuanchun's hard-fought efforts were entirely attributed to his family background, fueling his anger.
"Brother Yao, pay no heed to such nonsense," Zhao Xing said, arriving as his avatars searched the bodies for loot.
Fourth Rank priests undoubtedly carried divine talismans of high quality. Leaving them here would be a waste.
"Why would I care about his words?" Yao Yuanchun replied bitterly. "But how did you retrieve the True Lord's golden statue so quickly?"
"That's classified. Best not to ask," Zhao Xing replied casually.
He couldn't reveal his connection to Li Boqian, nor did he wish to fuel any speculation from Yao Yuanchun.
Seeing Zhao Xing's reluctance to elaborate, Yao Yuanchun did not press further. Given Zhao Xing's position as an Inspectorate Official, secrecy was understandable.
"What's next?" Yao Yuanchun asked.
"To the Hall of Heroic Spirits," Zhao Xing replied, finishing his search before commanding his avatars to vanish.
"Understood." Yao Yuanchun conjured clouds beneath his feet and took flight alongside Zhao Xing, who carried the golden statue invisibly.
The Hall of Heroic Spirits wasn't far, and the two soon arrived above the plaza.
Carrying the golden statue, Zhao Xing remained concealed as he surveyed the area.
The plaza was eerily quiet, devoid of yin energy. Instead, it exuded a serene, peaceful atmosphere.
"Interesting," Zhao Xing muttered, sensing the unusual conditions.
"Oh? What's so unusual?" True Lord Tianyang asked, intrigued.
"This shrine's divine essence dominates, which means the gods here are righteous and untainted by malice. They don't even perceive themselves as rebels."
"Unlike the Eight-Armed Yaksha or Mountain Lords I encountered earlier, who were deeply resentful and tainted."
In the yin realm, yin spirits varied greatly. Some held official positions, while others did not. Those with authority wielded significantly more power in the mortal realm, but they were fewer in number.
Zhao Xing scanned the surroundings and observed that Zhu Qingyou and Wu Xuanying were vying for control over the forces of the yin realm. Remarkably, neither side had suffered casualties.
It was clear that the stakes were higher here.
"You're correct," True Lord Tianyang confirmed. "They're contending for the command of one hundred thousand yin soldiers and generals from Tianhe Prefecture."
"They don't fully understand the situation and rely on their priests for guidance."
"Priests can influence the minds of yin spirits when summoning them. Whether the spirits act righteously or wickedly depends on the priests."
True Lord Tianyang raised his hand, and the misty vortex above the shrine began to dissipate.
From within the Hall of Heroic Spirits, faint sounds began to emerge.
The priestly chant resonated through the shrine.
"The nation is besieged by traitors, law and principles are eroded, and the way of heaven is absent."
"In the vastness of heaven and earth, heroes lie hidden in the depths. With my utmost sincerity, I humbly invite you to appear before me."
"Those illustrious figures of the past, whose noble names shook the heavens. Your achievements are eternal, your spirit endures through the ages."
"By my faith, by my conviction, I call upon the divine power—"
Zhu Qingyou's voice was fervent, and after several repetitions of the chant, a talisman flew from his hand.
"Brave soldiers, once sustained by the incense of Great Zhou, follow me to correct chaos and restore order."
"Eliminate traitors, restore law, re-establish principles, and act on behalf of heaven. Do not let Great Zhou repeat the mistakes of the Era of Myriad Nations!"
"My heart is the heart of the gods; my will is the will of the gods. As the Tongyou Priest, Zhu Qingyou, I summon the Ten Generals of Tianhe to manifest!"
No sooner had his words echoed than another voice rose, melodious yet solemn, overshadowing Zhu Qingyou's chant.
"Heroes of old, the flames of war have ceased, the strife has ended—"
"Your achievements shall forever be recorded in history, your radiance shall shine for millennia."
"By my sincerity, I recite this Repose Incantation."
"May your souls return to a place of tranquility, your hearts follow the path of light."
Wu Xuanying and Zhu Qingyou, one summoning divine generals, the other reciting a calming incantation to pacify the yin soldiers and generals, were entirely at odds.
Inside the Hall of Heroic Spirits, the spirit tablets trembled intermittently, as if unsure of whether to respond to Zhu Qingyou's summoning or Wu Xuanying's soothing call.
The tug-of-war was so intense that Zhao Xing couldn't help but shake his head. "If I were one of these yin spirits, I'd probably lose my mind from all this back and forth."
"Ancestor, who do you think will prevail?" Zhao Xing asked, genuinely unsure of the outcome between these two high-ranking priests.
"Zhu Qingyou holds the upper hand," True Lord Tianyang replied. "His divine will is bolstered by Fortune, giving him an edge."
"Moreover, the turmoil in the yin realm makes it justifiable for the Ten Generals of Tianhe to intervene and restore order."
"Wu, that boy, is too conservative," True Lord Tianyang continued. "At this moment, he should be seizing control instead of pacifying spirits."
"If he had seized control, whether to calm the spirits or send them back to the yin realm later would've been entirely his decision. Right now, he's just trying to prevent chaos, which is overly cautious."
Zhao Xing nodded, acknowledging the wisdom of his ancestor. Such a large-scale rebellion was a rare event, occurring only once in several millennia. It wasn't surprising that even high-ranking priests could falter under such pressure.
"Ancestor, would you be willing to intervene?" Zhao Xing asked.
"I cannot," True Lord Tianyang said, shaking his head. "As the Shennong God of the yin realm, I don't hold authority over military affairs or the command of yin soldiers and generals. Such authority is reserved for the living in the yang realm."
"However, if the rebellion were actively happening and you formally requested my intervention, I could act through you. Yin soldiers descending into the mortal realm disrupt the celestial order, creating chaos in the heavenly phenomena. In such cases, I am allowed to intervene."
Zhao Xing nodded in understanding and directed one of his avatars to ask Yao Yuanchun, "Brother Yao, can you still fight?"
"I can."
"Can you stop Zhu Qingyou from summoning the Ten Generals of Tianhe?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I lack the authority," Yao Yuanchun explained. "Command over troops is not within my jurisdiction. As a Fourth-Rank Priest, the Ten Generals of Tianhe wouldn't heed my call."
"I could chant until I vomit blood, and they still wouldn't respond," he added. "However, if they were to manifest, I could forcefully send them back. My only viable action is to perform the Sending God ritual."
Zhao Xing nodded again. The rules were clear: only a select few held the authority to summon large-scale yin forces. This was a privilege granted by the Fortune of the dynasty. However, once summoned, the yin soldiers were considered to have entered the yang realm, where they fell under yang governance. Sending them back was unrestricted, provided one had the ability to do so.
High-ranking priests capable of performing such a Sending God ritual were typically core members of the hierarchy. If they opposed the summoning, it often indicated broader dissatisfaction with the decision, suggesting the summoning might lack legitimacy.
Nonetheless, opposing such summoning from the bottom up was exceedingly difficult. Inviting gods was far easier than sending them away.
"If Zhu Qingyou gains control over the Ten Generals of Tianhe, his power will utterly crush Wu Xuanying," True Lord Tianyang observed. "Look, he's about to succeed."
Zhao Xing saw Zhu Qingyou nearing success as well. "Ancestor, should I retreat?" he asked.
"Yes," True Lord Tianyang advised. "The shrine lies at the intersection of yin and yang, making it unsuitable for sending gods."
Yao Yuanchun also turned serious, cautioning Zhao Xing. "Brother Zhao, we must withdraw. At this point, only the authority of Lord He can counter Zhu Qingyou."
"Lord He is preoccupied," Zhao Xing replied. "He hasn't yet emerged victorious from the Grand Rites Assembly."
"Then there's only one option," Yao Yuanchun said. "We could seek assistance from the prefectural musicians or dancers."
"Tianhe Prefecture is under military governance. Where would you find Third-Rank officials from the Bureau of Music here? That's not feasible," Zhao Xing countered.
"Then what's your plan?" Yao Yuanchun asked, puzzled by Zhao Xing's calm demeanor.
"Let me give it a shot," Zhao Xing replied.
"You?" Yao Yuanchun looked him up and down, skeptical. "Forgive me, brother, but while your strength is undeniable, mastering the Sending God ritual is not something that can be achieved on a whim."
It was true that Shennong priests could summon and send gods, but it was typically done using external tools and was mostly limited to their own domain of deities. Sending away the Ten Generals of Tianhe seemed out of reach.
Zhao Xing, however, calmly placed True Lord Tianyang's golden statue down and retrieved the Yuan Yin Sacred Codex. "With this," he said, "can I send away the Ten Generals of Tianhe?"
Yao Yuanchun's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets upon seeing the sacred codex. "A Ninth-Rank sacrificial treasure?!"
True Lord Tianyang burst into laughter upon inspecting the text. "You cheeky boy, using a codex from the Li Dynasty to send away gods of the current dynasty? Ingenious!"
"Quick, let me possess you! I've never done something like this before!" True Lord Tianyang exclaimed eagerly. "I didn't get to do this while alive; now that I'm dead, let me enjoy it!"
Inside the hall, Wu Xuanying coughed up blood. The thirty priests supporting him also spat blood, their faces pale as sheets.
"It's over," Wu Xuanying muttered, despair washing over him as he gazed at the trembling Hall of Heroic Spirits.
He had hindered Zhu Qingyou's summoning but failed to completely stop it. Above the hall, dark clouds swirled into a black vortex.
From the vortex emerged four yin generals astride flaming ghostly white horses, each wielding war spears.
Behind the generals marched their armies—ten thousand yin soldiers, clad in armor, brandishing spears, and flying banners in unison.
Four yin generals, forty thousand yin soldiers!
The generals were of the Third Rank, and the soldiers, all Fourth Rank, were a force capable of overturning Tianhe Prefecture. They marched in perfect formation, their battle readiness evident.
"Brother Wu," Zhu Qingyou called out, his face pale from exertion. "Given the circumstances, why not join me in defending the king?"
"You're dreaming!" Wu Xuanying roared, charging at Zhu Qingyou in a fit of rage.
"Hmph, ignorant fool! Freeze!" Zhu Qingyou's eyes turned cold as he raised a command arrow and pointed it at Wu Xuanying.
Wu Xuanying and the priests behind him were immobilized on the spot. Zhu Qingyou commanded, "Ten Generals of Tianhe, seize Wu Xuanying's primal soul and imprison it in the Seven-Star Divine Prison of the yin realm!"
As the generals approached, an eerie wind swept through the hall. But suddenly, everything fell silent.
"What?"
Zhu Qingyou looked around, bewildered. The four generals and forty thousand soldiers had vanished. The dark clouds had dispersed, and the sky was clear once more.
"Where are my yin soldiers and generals?!" Zhu Qingyou demanded, turning to his adjutant.
"I… I don't know," the adjutant stammered, equally dumbfounded.
"This is impossible! I succeeded in summoning them. It must be my injuries—perhaps I'm hallucinating," Zhu Qingyou muttered, quickly leaving the hall and raising his command arrow toward the sky.
"Ten Generals of Tianhe, manifest and obey my orders!"
He called out three times, but the sky remained still.
Instead, a young man holding a codex appeared on the plaza, walking toward him with an amused expression. "Stop shouting, brother. The yin soldiers and generals just left."