Chapter 165: Chapter 142: The True Monarch’s Supreme Method of Spirit Refinement, Twisting a Fate Incense Outside the Kitchen God Temple

Atop the Exquisite Magic Tower.

Lou Zhenxiao’s brow was tightly furrowed. The Three-Color Mirror Wheel behind his head rippled faintly, betraying his turbulent emotions.

He couldn’t help but deeply regret his Flying Foundation Establishment. Because his progress in cultivating the Lanmiaoze Divine Skill was slow, he had accepted Fu Lizi’s kind offer and taken that Cloud-Water Mother Sand.

If not for that, why would he be suffering this torment now!

’A tribulation! This must be my tribulation!’

Lou Zhenxiao sighed softly, utterly helpless.

That saying, widely circulated within the Demon Dao Dharma Lineage, "Everything the world gives comes with a price, though it may be hidden in the shadows and not immediately obvious," was truly accurate.

If he hadn’t formed this "friendship" with Fu Lizi, he could have just unleashed his sword and cleaved the man all the way back to the Mingcang Marsh!

’Forget it. He’s just a bit noisy. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my Cultivation...’

The thought had barely crossed his mind when Fu Lizi’s voice rang out:

"Junior Brother Lou, this is ’Dragon Liver’ and ’Phoenix Marrow’ from the Land of Presence and Absence! Even True Monarchs love to pair them with wine. Care to try some?"

With a flick of his wide sleeve, he produced a low table, cushions, and an enamel incense burner. He set up a "Cloud-Obscuring, Dust-Warding Canopy" that emitted waves of wondrous music, and then took out fruits, pastries, spirit nectars, and jade brews.

In an instant.

The top of the Dharma Tower was filled with fragrant aromas, Spiritual Energy converged, and a treasured light shot to the heavens. It was quite a lively scene.

Lou Zhenxiao considered himself someone not given to gluttony or easily swayed, but seeing the exquisite delicacies on the platters—as brilliant as Jade Material and radiating clouds of Spiritual Light—he did feel a flicker of temptation.

’Senior Brother Fu is truly worthy of being a Demon Dao True Master. His every move is a hindrance to Cultivation.’

Lou Zhenxiao closed his eyes and shook his head in refusal, his will like a blade slashing away the distracting thought.

Before he could even enter a meditative state to consolidate his Life Essence, he heard Fu Lizi exclaim while smacking his lips:

"Junior Brother Lou! Look, look! We’ve got a great show today!"

Lou Zhenxiao could no longer suppress his fiery temper. His eyes snapped open, and boundless golden qi threatened to erupt from them, transforming into a pillar of sword light that could connect heaven and earth and split the land!

"A truly great show! Life is divided into nine ranks, high and low, and this one is the top-tier Sun and Moon Emperor’s Life! A rare sight indeed!"

Fu Lizi hurriedly pointed a hand at the water mirror while desperately shielding the table in front of him, afraid that his hard-won Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow would be wasted for nothing.

’It really is an Emperor’s Life!’

Lou Zhenxiao’s eyes narrowed. He controlled his emotions and desires at will, and in an instant, his heart was calm and his mind was still, without a single ripple.

"Senior Brother Fu, why doesn’t your Daoist Register show this person’s Dharma Lineage and background?"

Fu Lizi meticulously chewed a small, spirit-flame-roasted piece of Dragon Liver, then raised his wine cup to sip the Jade Dew.

Lou Zhenxiao shot him a sidelong glance at his leisurely manner and took a deep breath.

The next moment.

Golden qi surged from the Exquisite Magic Tower, and the air filled with the sharp CLANGING of a sword!

Seven or eight breaths later.

A disheveled Fu Lizi straightened his askew Ruyi Lotus Treasure Crown.

"Junior Brother, you need to work on that temper of yours. You’re too impatient."

Seeing that the sword’s cry was about to ring out again, he quickly changed the subject:

"His Life Qi is precious, so isn’t it perfectly normal for him to carry something that conceals heavenly secrets?

I only used the Daoist Register to activate the Three Lives Stone in order to get a glimpse of those prodigious Dao Materials.

Their specific backgrounds and appearances, however, are difficult to discern.

Besides this Emperor’s Life, there are also several high-grade Flowing Spring Lives and Pearl Jade Lives whose details are unfathomable."

Lou Zhenxiao narrowed his eyes. He didn’t have much of an opinion about Fu Lizi privately contacting that Ghost Dao True Monarch, Lady Xuan’nv, to stir up a world-shaking Opportunity that would sweep across the northern and southern lands.

After he reported it to the Taifu Sect, the Duzhen Hall also gave its support.

Having so many prodigious Dao Materials gather in one place, with their luck transforming and giving rise to extraordinary destinies, was a good thing for the two Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineages.

After all, these "Fate Shuzi" would eventually join the Innate Sect and the Taifu Sect, becoming great Dao seeds for the North and South Dipper Sword.

’Life Qi like the sun and moon, an Emperor’s Life of the highest tier. I didn’t expect we could actually attract such a character.’

Lou Zhenxiao focused his gaze on the water mirror. Within it, Divine Senses of various sizes shone like stars, each with a different brightness.

The Grass and Muddy Tile lives were like flickering candles in the wind, appearing dim;

The Earthwood and Gold Stone lives were a bit brighter, able to disperse the bleak, ghostly winds.

The higher-grade Flowing Spring and Pearl Jade lives were brilliant and dazzling, capable of illuminating the area for a hundred feet around, making numerous ghostly creatures afraid to approach.

The external manifestation of Life Qi was unrelated to one’s Cultivation; it was purely a matter of the thickness of one’s own luck.

For example, someone with an extraordinary background, such as being from a Grand Sect or Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineage, would have a correspondingly higher manifestation.

Alternatively, someone possessing a great treasure that suppressed their destiny and enhanced their aura would hardly have a low one.

Originally, the Divine Senses in the water mirror flickered like scattered sparks. But when that incomparably massive orb of Life Qi—shining like the sun and radiant as the moon—was guided over and slowly descended upon the Eighteen-Layered High Platform of Fengdu...

All those with Grass and Muddy Tile lives retreated, and even those with Earthwood and Gold Stone lives dared not approach. Just as commoners and wealthy merchants are unworthy to meet the emperor, they were all forced back.

"Junior Brother Lou, why don’t you guess how many steps this Sun and Moon Emperor’s Life can take inside the Kitchen God Temple, which contains the Six Ding True Fire? Shall we wager a plate of Dragon Liver?"

Fu Lizi slurped the Phoenix Marrow from his Jade Bowl. The substance resembled frozen cheese curd; after slowly melting, it gave off a rich, sweet fragrance like a soft cream and was extremely refreshing to eat.

Lou Zhenxiao gave it a faint glance, once again gathering his will like a sword to sever that wisp of craving, and said slowly:

"From the temple door to the worship incense table is about seventeen steps.

An Emperor’s Life is precious and can withstand the Six Ding True Fire, so taking seven steps will not be difficult.

The rest will depend on the individual’s destiny and the refinement of their Divine Sense. In my opinion, nine steps is the limit."

Fu Lizi pondered for a moment, then smiled.

"Eleven steps. I bet he can walk to the Wind and Fire Cushion in the Kitchen God Temple. If he just sits for a quarter of an hour, he’ll be irrigated by a Fire Life, and his destiny will flourish. That would be quite a significant fortune."

Lou Zhenxiao himself cultivated Ding Fire, so he naturally knew the benefits.

Back when the Immortal Dao annihilated the Ghost Dao, they dispatched Gong Rong, the Daoist of the Eight Sceneries Palace.

This newly ascended True Monarch’s title was "Emperor Yan Mingzhu," and he was extremely formidable.

His Fire Element Daoist Techniques were unrivaled throughout the entire Yanfu Vast Land. Later, he even performed the Combined Refining of Bingding and comprehended how to seize Great Divine Techniques like the Six Ding True Fire.

"That True Monarch Mingzhu expended an enormous amount of effort to exterminate the myriad ghosts and suppress True Monarch Nvqing’s Dao-manifesting artifact, the Profound City Central Palace!

If not for that, how could a wisp of the Six Ding True Fire’s Divine Technique and Dharma Nature have evolved into this ’Kitchen God Temple’?"

Fu Lizi sighed with emotion.

"When a True Monarch refines their spirit, their methods are so profound that they cannot be easily fathomed."

It was just like the scenes made up by Mortals in storybooks and oral tales, where plucking a single fine hair could create billions of clones.

A True Monarch comprehended the various scriptures and refined Divine Techniques. From then on, their techniques gave birth to Primordial Spirits, making them seem like living things.

A wisp of fire released could burn for a thousand years without extinguishing, scorching a minor world dry. A drop of water sprinkled could crush Mount Sumeru and remain for all eternity.

Take the northern and southern lands for example. One hundred and twenty thousand years ago, during the western journey of the Sword Dao, the Profound Yellow Wujie True Monarch once sat and discussed the Dao with a certain True Monarch from the Demon Dao.

With a casual wave of his finger, he created the four intersecting rivers of "Huai," "Hong," "Zong," and "Dian."

The Demon Dao True Monarch was no less impressive. His Divine Techniques evolved, and his Dharma Nature spread, thus forming the three mountain ranges of Beimang, Dangyin, and Zhongxiao.

"The Kitchen God Temple is opening."

For once, Lou Zhenxiao put aside his Cultivation, watching the scene reflected in the water mirror with great interest.

「...」

「...」

’So many "people."’

On the Eighteen-Layered High Platform of Fengdu, Jiang Yi’s Divine Sense slowly descended. The blurry figures around him all scrambled to get out of his way, keeping their distance.

’So after breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, one’s Divine Sense can be drawn to Fengdu when it leaves the body. No wonder it was so quiet during the day, with not a single soul entering or leaving. It seems the Opportunities are all at night!’

Jiang Yi understood. He was just about to blend in and gather some information when he discovered that no matter where he drifted, the surrounding figures would hastily scatter. No one dared to get close to him.

’Are they ostracizing the newcomer? These guys have only been in Fengdu for a few days, and they’re already acting like "veterans"!’

Jiang Yi couldn’t help but think of the Qianji Sect, where the Inner Peak Disciples looked down on the Outer Sect’s Mortal Servants in the same way.

Since he couldn’t get into their circle, he simply drifted to a corner to wait quietly.

It was his first time here, and with so many things unclear, it was always right to do less and make fewer mistakes.

A few mid-to-high grade Life Qis, manifesting as Earthwood and Gold Stone, gathered together, their thoughts crossing paths:

"What is this Sun and Moon Emperor’s Life doing, lingering on the eighteenth layer?"

"The moment he arrived, his sun and moon manifested, oppressing us so much we can’t even breathe! He must be a High Cultivator at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer of Great Perfection!"

"I think it’s more than that! He’s probably a True Master seed from an Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineage..."

Huang Zishang was also huddled in a corner. He only had a mid-grade Gold Stone Life Qi and didn’t dare get too close to that dazzlingly brilliant, massive ball of light.

He grumbled to himself, cursing inwardly:

’So this is him, the great enemy whose name contains ’Shang’! Truly shameless, a Dao Material from an Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineage, coming here to compete with small fry like me for an Opportunity!’

RUMBLE!

The eighteen layers of Fengdu rumbled and shook as if the abyss itself were overturning. A nearly endless torrent of yin-sha qi surged forth with a violent momentum that seemed to scorch the heavens, stir the earth, and gather the clouds!

The thunder of the Sun and Moon Emperor’s Life’s arrival was instantly stolen. Everyone’s attention was now focused on the sudden, strange transformation!

An ancient temple, seemingly buried for tens of millions of years, emerged from the rolling black clouds that were as thick as mountain ranges.

Its doors swung open, releasing golden flames!

The vast and unrestrained yin-sha qi was like a hazy ocean, yet it was pierced and torn apart by the beams of flame shooting from the temple.

The scene was truly shocking, as if two worlds were colliding, releasing waves of energy that contained great terror, great collapse, and great destruction.

After a long time, the yin-sha and golden flames seemed to reach a balance, facing each other without further turbulence.

Only then did the world-shaking commotion gradually subside.

Fengdu stopped shaking, and the temple also fell silent.

On the Eighteen-Layered High Platform, a clamor of thoughts interwove and overlapped, like idle chatter in a teahouse or tavern:

"Is this the legendary upper-layer Opportunity?"

"What a huge temple! I wonder which ghost or god it enshrines?"

"Fengdu is a place of yin, yet this temple has a fiery and majestic presence..."

Jiang Yi’s heart stirred. ’The "Fire Life Destiny" shown by the Celestial Book must be here!’

’But how do I get inside?’

The temple seemed to exist between presence and absence, separated from the Eighteen-Layered High Platform by an invisible chasm.

Jiang Yi suppressed his urgency, planning to wait for others to scout the path first.

With an Opportunity before them, who would be willing to fall behind?

Within three to five breaths, a tall figure with a life that manifested as a furnace flame stepped out from the sixteenth high platform!

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the person soared into the air, their powerful thought resounding in all directions:

"I beseech the Kitchen God to grant me fire!"

The temple doors opened wide, and a cluster of flames floated out, which the tall figure absorbed into their body.

HISS! The manifestation of their Life Qi suddenly shot up, and wisps of green smoke actually began to rise from it!

A pained grunt followed!

’Is he... turning himself into an incense stick to be burned in the temple?’