187: One bow
The Seven Arrows Shooting the Head is not a Divine Ability that yields immediate results.
It is quite cumbersome to perform; besides setting up the camp and altar, and arranging the lamps, it also requires daily worship for twenty-one days, and only succeeds on the twenty-first day.
Furthermore, this method is too sinister, and performing the Divine Ability carries the risk of backlash and tribulations.
However, having obtained this incantation, it would be a waste of a god-given gift not to use it.
The Old Ghost of Purple Canopy Grotto-Heaven had imprisoned Bai Ling; as Bai Ling's husband, Xu Qing was determined to help her take revenge.
The Old Ghost's wicked heart had not died, and he had sent many scouts to the outskirts of the mountains, which was clearly a major problem.
So, having a way to deal with the Old Ghost, Xu Qing naturally could not give it up.
A chilling coldness rippled through the secret chamber.
The figure in green robes paced the Seven Stars Step around the altar, the mantras and incantations sounding like the whispers of malevolent ghosts from the Nine Serenities Hell, echoing in the secret chamber for a long time.
After a long while.
With a solemn expression, Xu Qing gave a respectful bow to the straw effigy.
Buzz!
The Void Realm trembled.
An invisible power of Karma instantly crossed the barriers of space, extending toward a certain direction deep within the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
At the same time, above the head of the straw effigy, a dim oil lamp appeared out of thin air; the flame was as small as a bean and flickered precariously, as if it could go out at any moment.
This was the Primordial Spirit fire of that Old Ghost Zigai appearing.
With Xu Qing's bow, the flame suddenly dimmed a bit, and a slight crack mysteriously appeared on the straw effigy's body.
A smile curled at the corner of Xu Qing's mouth.
After completing the bow, he temporarily ignored the altar, took out another green jade bottle, and began to refine the Incense Offerings and Power Of Will within it... on the edge of the Taihang Mountains.
Dongshu Village.
Since the Taihang Mountain God had manifested, the village had enjoyed favorable weather and was no longer troubled by Yao Beasts; the villagers' faith in the mountain god had become increasingly devout.
Before the small, newly built temple at the village entrance, Incense Offerings were flourishing, and many Hunters were coming to offer sacrifices.
However, today, the rapid sound of galloping hooves came from outside the village.
The villagers looked toward the sound, and nervous expressions appeared on their faces.
Things had not been peaceful lately, and they had heard about what had happened in several surrounding villages.
Some outside Cultivators were even more evil than those bald donkeys from the Xuanyang Temple, plundering everywhere they went and even causing many deaths.
And now that Yunzhou was in a state of war, the government's attention was focused on the borders.
How could they have the mind to care about the plight of the villagers?
Moreover, those who committed the offenses were immortal masters with cultivation, and the government would not easily do anything to them.
Dongshu Village might have been lucky, as it had not encountered similar things.
Now... was it finally their turn?
Under the gaze of many uneasy eyes.
A convoy, accompanied by rolling dust, stopped at the village entrance.
The young man in brocade robes at the head was none other than Zhao Ming, the Ninth Prince of Great Gan, known as Prince Ning.
He dismounted and ignored the panicked villagers, walking straight to the small temple.
Looking at the green snake statue enshrined in the temple, a playful arc rose between his handsome brows.
"Is this the so-called Taihang Mountain God?"
Zhao Ming chuckled: "A mere wicked yao actually dares to usurp a divine position and receive Incense Offerings from ten thousand people?"
The attendants behind him also showed looks of disdain.
They had lived in the capital for a long time and held high positions, accustomed to the orthodox City Gods and Water Gods of Great Gan, and they had always looked down upon such illicit cults in the countryside.
"Your Highness, such a wild god should just be smashed," an attendant stepped forward and said.
"No rush."
Zhao Ming waved his hand, his gaze lingering on the statue for a moment before turning to look at the ground beneath his feet.
"Although this place is remote, it is still the territory of Great Gan. There should be an Earth God guarding it."
Zhao Ming's voice was clear, yet it carried an air that allowed no disobedience.
He lightly raised his right foot and stomped casually.
Thump!
The foot landed without much force.
But the ground seemed as if it had been struck by a giant hammer, letting out a dull, vibrating sound.
An invisible ripple instantly traveled underground.
This was not ordinary physical force, but an aura contained only within the Great Gan royal Bloodline.
Imperial authorization, ruling over mountains and rivers.
Within the borders of Great Gan, the royal Bloodline possessed a natural suppression and commanding power over these minor countryside gods.
"Ouch!"
In just an instant, the soil in front of everyone suddenly churned, and a puff of blue smoke emerged.
Immediately after, a little old man in a gray cloth robe scrambled out of the ground in a wretched state.
He was covered in dust and stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
It was the Earth God of Dongshu Village, Zhu Gang.
Zhu Gang was quite terrified at this moment; he had been sleeping soundly in his Immortal Cave when he suddenly felt an irresistible pressure descend from the heavens, forcibly dragging him out with no room for resistance.
The last time he had felt this way was because of that malevolent god in the mountains.
Now it seemed... what kind of extraordinary person had come to Dongshu Village?
"Which Exalted Immortal..."
Zhu Gang hurriedly raised his head, about to beg for mercy, when he suddenly saw the appearance of the person before him.
He saw a youth with a face as fair as jade and an extraordinary bearing.
More importantly, in Zhu Gang's vision, a pale golden phantom of a Flood Dragon hovered faintly above the person's head, emitting a majesty that made his Divine Soul tremble.
"Dra... Dragon Qi?!"
Zhu Gang's legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud, his whole body shaking like a leaf, not even daring to raise his head: "This humble god, Earth God Zhu Gang of Dongshu Village, did not know of your arrival and failed to welcome you from afar. It is a capital offense! A capital offense!"
Although he was only a bottom-tier minor deity, he still had some discernment.
This rich Imperial Dragon Qi could not be possessed by anyone other than the current Great Gan royal Bloodline.
"Rise."
Zhao Ming looked down at Zhu Gang from above and said indifferently.
Zhu Gang climbed up tremblingly, bowing low with a face full of smiles: "I wonder what instructions you have for summoning This humble god?"
Zhao Ming did not waste words, pointing at the green snake statue with a cold tone: "Zhu Gang, as an Earth God invested by the Imperial Court and receiving the stipend of Great Gan, you should have guarded the land, pacified the people, and upheld the orthodox.
But now, the people under your rule do not bow to Heaven and Earth, nor do they respect the Imperial Court; instead, they worship such mountain and wild yao.
Do you know your crime?"
"This..."
Hearing this, Zhu Gang's old face instantly shriveled like a bitter gourd, and he complained incessantly in his heart.
It wasn't that he didn't want to manage it; he truly couldn't!
"My Lord, please judge clearly! This humble god has been wronged!"
Zhu Gang knelt down again with a thud and cried out with a mournful face: "It's not that This humble god has been derelict in his duty, it's just that... it's just that the one in the mountains is too powerful!"
"Oh?" Zhao Ming raised an eyebrow. "How powerful?"
"My Lord might not know," Zhu Gang swallowed hard, "the one in the mountains has heaven-reaching magic power and ruthless methods.
Some days ago, the City God of Fengyang County, who is also This humble god's direct superior, led a group of Yin Gods to eliminate this creature... but..."
"But what?"
"The result was a total annihilation! Even the City God was beaten until his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, with not even a trace remained!" Zhu Gang said with a bitter face, "With This humble god's paltry Cultivation Level, how could I dare to interfere in this matter?"
"What? Even a City God was killed?"
A look of surprise flashed in Zhao Ming's eyes.
The City God of Fengyang County was not something that could catch his eye.
Related matters did not even have the qualification to reach his desk.
So he was not aware of this incident.
"This is somewhat interesting."
Zhao Ming stroked his chin, the disdain in his eyes receding slightly, replaced by a look of curiosity.