Inner Demons

Chapter 34: Thriving Incense

In reality, the Painting Spirit did have energy. However, it was not some Celestial Being prince, nor a Dragon Lady. It was Li Yunxin himself. He had imbued his own thoughts and spiritual energy into this painting, which was why Old Daoist Liu felt that the prince resembled Li Yunxin—even though they had completely different faces.

If a Grotto-heaven or School cultivator were present and knew the details, they would surely say that Li Yunxin was courting disaster—the fact that cultivators in this world cannot absorb incense votive power is a lesson learned from countless predecessors who cultivated themselves to death. But Li Yunxin had not had time to learn everything from his parents, and the Painting Saint's jade slip only contained "easily proven"...

So he imbued his own spiritual energy.

In fact, worshipping this painting was equivalent to worshipping him. Since he was intimately familiar with himself and was near the painting, Old Daoist Liu felt that the spiritual energy flow on the painting was tight and firm.

His ultimate goal was to absorb the collected incense votive power into his body and break open the seal on the Snow Mountain Qi Sea.

Li Yunxin knew what he was thinking, so he smiled: "That's normal. The Water Cloud Strength I taught you isn't some common stuff. You've been an Artificer for so many years, so it's normal for your initial progress to be fast. Go hang it up."

Old Daoist Liu, profusely grateful, only lamented his own lack of virtue and ability to meet such an approachable and truly skilled master. He then carried the painting and quickly scurried to the front hall.

Although Old Daoist Liu's Dragon King Temple didn't have much incense, at least the people of Weicheng knew about it—even if they weren't sure who lived there.

It was a beautiful afternoon that day, and there were many idlers on the streets. Seeing him hire someone to dismantle the statue, and having nothing else to do, people spread the word, and dozens, then hundreds, came to watch.

At that time, even city dwellers had little entertainment. Ordinary folks could be happy all day just by setting off a firecracker, let alone "dismantling a temple." So when Old Daoist Liu came out carrying the painting, the small street in front of the temple was already packed with people, and the front yard was also crammed. Women with children, idle men, old women walking with shaky steps—a rough estimate would be close to a hundred people.Everyone was looking and discussing, saying that Old Daoist Liu had gone mad and why he had dismantled the Dragon King. Previously, those who couldn't conveniently go to the Three Rivers' Mouth Dragon King Temple would worship here. Although the Dragon King was in charge of rainfall, he was so powerful and an immortal, who's to say one couldn't pray for wealth, for children, or for sores on Wang Er's wife's face next door?

Now that it was dismantled, people nearby had nowhere to worship.

Therefore, as soon as Old Daoist Liu came out, people started asking questions.

But seeing Old Daoist Liu, carrying the painting with one hand, he had already begun to slowly pace in an 'eight' shape as he entered the back door of the front hall. While stroking his beard, he lowered his eyes slightly and gently pressed his hand downwards, saying: "Folks, please calm down."

"Today, I, Hunyuanzi, am not being disrespectful to the Dragon King. Rather, a master has invited two new venerable deities for my Dragon King Temple!"

"Firstly, the Great Accomplishment, Supreme, Holy, Profound, Marvelous, Spiritual Treasure Crown Prince. This is the Crown Prince of the divine kingdom in the Ninth Heaven, where the Supreme Celestials reside. His power is unparalleled, capable of ensuring family prosperity, abundant wealth, and numerous descendants. Secondly, the Dragon Lady who serves the Great Accomplishment, Supreme, Holy, Profound, Marvelous, Spiritual Treasure Crown Prince. She is the biological elder sister of the Dragon King of the Weak Sea Dragon Palace, and she governs the movement of clouds and rain, ensuring local abundance."

"From now on, my Dragon King Temple will enshrine these two venerable deities. All you neighbors are truly blessed!"

Seeing the multitude of Celestials now, and knowing that once this news spread, even more curious people might come in the future, Old Daoist Liu's heart swelled with joy, and he spoke even more eloquently. But while his words were eloquent, the two venerable deities were unknown to the people, who naturally didn't buy it. So there was a chorus of boos, only saying that Old Daoist Liu had gone mad with greed, fabricating two deities to collect money.

Old Daoist Liu, unperturbed, smiled faintly again.

He knew the quality of the painting in his hands.

There were five Intent Realm Artificers in Weicheng. In reality, he himself had only just touched the fringes, capable of both Illusory Realm and Intent Realm. But the other four were truly accomplished masters—at least in the eyes of ordinary people.

And he knew even better that the quality of the painting in his hands was likely far superior to that of the four masters combined!

So, after a smile, he unfurled the painting in front of everyone.

With a rustle, a sensation that was both comforting and awe-inspiring, like a warm spring breeze, instantly swept through the front hall of the Dragon King Temple, then swirled horizontally in the courtyard! The clamor instantly ceased, and everyone, young and old, widened their eyes. Those who had been ill, feeling unwell, now felt light as swallows again!

This was because for a statue to be worshipped as a deity, it must make people feel it is worth worshipping. So Li Yunxin, when painting, added the effect of calming the mind and warding off evil. He was also a master of the Manifestation Realm, almost unrivaled among Artificers in Weicheng, and even among secular Artificers. Such a task was, of course, effortless for him.

After a short silence, several faint-hearted individuals slightly bent their knees, making to bow.

Old Daoist Liu became even more smug, and said with authority: "Now that you have seen the images of these two Heavenly Venerables, please do not be disrespectful, my fellow villagers. You must know that all things come true when the heart is sincere; if there is no sincerity, even if the Jade Emperor the Great Heavenly Venerate descends, he will pay you no mind."

As he spoke, he climbed a ladder and hung the portrait behind the incense altar.

Then, without even looking at the crowd, he turned around and walked leisurely to the backyard, hands behind his back.

But as soon as he stepped out the back door, he quickly hid and peeked through the crack in the door.

He saw the neighbors all scrambling to kneel and bow before the portrait, the clinking sound of copper coins falling into the merit box incessant, sounding like celestial music to Old Daoist Liu's ears. Some who had left home without money rushed back to their houses, fearing to displease the two Heavenly Venerables. Others with sick family members quickly rushed home to bring them, hoping to receive some of the Heavenly Venerables' immortal energy.

In an era where major illnesses led to death and minor ones dragged on, once people truly experienced the "immortal energy" in this temple that could make their bodies comfortable, it was more effective than any persuasion or propaganda.

By dusk, almost all the neighbors had come to worship once. Although the gentry dismissed it as uneducated common folk spreading rumors, ordinary people had no shortage of time and energy.

Old Daoist Liu looked at the scene and felt as if he had vaguely seen it decades ago, before the Three Rivers' Mouth Dragon King Temple existed. His mouth was stretched into a wide grin, and he happily went to Li Yunxin to report the good news.

But he only reached the door of Li Yunxin's main room and hadn't yet stepped in when he heard a shout from inside: "Don't come in!"

Old Daoist Liu quickly stopped.

A moment later, he heard Li Yunxin gnashing his teeth again: "I'm at a critical point in my cultivation, don't disturb me. You eat first. Ha."

Old Daoist Liu didn't know what state this master was in, so he obediently retreated. After wandering by the pond for a while, he weighed the money bag at his waist and saw that it was completely dark, so he decided to leave through the back door. He planned to go to the Wood South Residence around the corner, get two ounces of braised lamb, a plate of crispy peanut butter, a plate of three shredded salted vegetables, and a pot of Erdao Tou liquor.

Once he left, the backyard became quiet. But gradually, the sounds of people coming to offer incense in the front courtyard could be heard again.

Li Yunxin sat in the room, listening to the sounds, gritting his teeth.

He felt very unwell at the moment.