Chapter 74: Fifth Incense, True Lord Appears

"You're right, I usually listen from bed," Zong Shichang said, taking pride in it rather than feeling ashamed. "Is there anything else worth mentioning?" Zhao Xing pointed to the two women descending from the Altar of Heaven. "Anyone who witnesses the performance is considered an observer. If you return their bow, it signifies approval, and the dancers' and musicians' magic will improve."

"I assume they'll come over here to bow to us too. Returning their bow is a sign of respect, but not returning it is also fine."

"The higher the observers' status and appreciation, the more feedback the dancers and musicians receive from their performance. If they also offer gifts, the feedback is even greater, though there's an upper limit."

The group that received the incense sticks was more formidable than those in the plaza, so Liu Muqing and Lu Qian naturally didn't want to miss the opportunity. As expected, after descending, they hurried over and bowed to Zong Shichang's group.

Zhao Xing thought their performance was quite good, so he cupped his hands in a gesture of approval. Lu Qian had been watching Zhao Xing, and when she saw him return the bow, she pursed her lips. Though the fellow was annoying, he at least understood etiquette. If only he would return her Peacock Plume Robe.

Everyone else also showed respect, as both women came from prominent families and knew Young Master Zong. They all returned the bow. While others' return bows were quite formal, Zong Shichang pulled out banknotes from his pocket and waved them at Lu Qian and Liu Muqing. "Excellent performance, young ladies! A reward for you!"

Lu Qian watched Zong Shichang approach, grinding her teeth and wishing she could punch him twice, but she ultimately restrained herself. Gritting her teeth, she said, "Zong Shichang, thank you!"

"That doesn't sound very sincere. I'm not giving you the top prize then," Zong Shichang said with a grin, handing the banknote to Lu Qian. For Liu Muqing, he folded the banknote and tucked it into her hair bun. Liu Muqing bowed again, "Thank you, Young Master Zong."

"You're welcome, Miss Liu," Zong Shichang replied, cupping his hands very formally, his voice softening considerably.

After the two women left, Zhao Xing nudged Zong Shichang with his shoulder. "Are you smitten with Miss Liu?"

Zong Shichang turned his head. "Is it that obvious?"

Zhao Xing chuckled and walked away. "Your eyes were practically glued to her. Do you think everyone else is blind?"

Zong Shichang mumbled to himself, "Yeah, even you noticed. So why doesn't Miss Liu know how I feel...?"

In the meantime, the remaining two incense sticks in the Altar of Heaven plaza were claimed. One claimant was Gu Feng, who held a bow and arrows, their silver gleam shimmering, and was accompanied by four or five people. Upon meeting Zhao Xing's gaze, Gu Feng's expression subtly changed. He was the bow-wielder who had attacked Zhao Xing earlier that day, attempting to seize his spiritual essence. He hadn't expected Zhao Xing to have improved so much, surpassing even Cao Qiushui after absorbing three portions of spiritual essence. After some thought, Gu Feng ultimately decided not to proceed, instead waiting in line behind others.

The recipient of the last incense stick was a machinist, accompanied by two mechanical beasts resembling tigers, each over two meters tall with two-foot fangs extending from their mouths, glinting menacingly and looking quite extraordinary. Behind the mechanical tigers were four smaller mechanical beasts, odd-looking, almost like lizards.

"Grade-three high-tier mechanical beasts? And six of them?" Zhao Xing looked on, quite surprised. The mechanisms of the Engineering School were driven by formations, and mechanical beasts were the most difficult skill to master among them. Unlike the straw doll technique, mechanical beasts could exist indefinitely, possessed higher sentience, and could even cast spells hidden within their bodies. Straw dolls, however, were temporary, couldn't last forever, and had no sentience at lower grades. Nevertheless, the straw doll technique was adaptable; it could be performed with a handful of dry grass, using readily available materials, saving time and effort. Mechanical beasts, on the other hand, required more expensive materials and significant time and effort to research their formations.

"This person is Hu Yang. To be able to create grade-three mechanical beasts in his early twenties, he's truly a rare talent," Zong Shichang remarked. "Honestly, I envy these Engineering School officials. Being able to create such powerful mechanical beasts is far better than straw dolls."

"I don't envy them at all," Zhao Xing said, shaking his head.

"Brother Zhao, don't be stubborn," Zong Shichang said, squinting. "Speak from the heart."

"How old did you say he was?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Early twenties, if I heard correctly, probably twenty-one," Zong Shichang replied.

"Does he look twenty-one to you?" Zhao Xing questioned.

Zong Shichang looked at Hu Yang's obvious forehead wrinkles, crow's feet, and dark circles under his eyes, and he opened his mouth but said nothing.

"Now look at the top of his head. Does he have any hair left?"

Zhao Xing shrugged. "Now do you understand why I don't envy them?"

"There's no such thing as 'ingenious craftsmanship' without 'sacrificing your life for it'."

Zong Shichang was left speechless.

Zhao Xing smiled, his gaze shifting away from Hu Yang. He would never research mechanical formations, let alone create mechanical beasts! "Sacrificing your life for craftsmanship" was no exaggeration. In the path of mechanical formations, many secret techniques later on required one to consume their own life force to imbue artifacts with spiritual properties. For example, the sword smiths' 'Heart's Blood Sharpening Technique'. Simply put, it meant sacrificing lifespan to enhance the sentience, power, and other attributes of mechanical puppets.

As long as such secret techniques existed, it would be impossible to resist using them. A little bit today, a little bit tomorrow, accumulating over time... even with the Dynasty's blessings of increased fortune and longevity, it wouldn't be enough to compensate! The aforementioned method was still considered tame; some madmen, eager to achieve world-renowned fame, would directly sacrifice themselves in one go. Even Gan Jiang and Mo Xie (legendary Chinese sword-smiths) would be impressed. Zhao Xing absolutely would not study the Engineering School's formations. He wouldn't do anything that shortened his life, though he certainly enjoyed using their artifacts.

Those in the Altar of Heaven plaza awaited the second wave of incense offerings, while those below waited for the battle between Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao to conclude. Suddenly, Zhao Xing noticed their speed slowing, and their light and shadow gradually dimmed.

"Clang!"

As a clear ringing sound emerged, everyone's ears rang, and they quickly retreated a few steps. The two figures of light and shadow finally separated, revealing their true forms. The battle between Yang Junxiong and Du Jiaojiao had finally reached its conclusion.

"Sister Jiao!"

Lu Qian and Liu Muqing immediately rushed over.

"I'm fine," Du Jiaojiao said, breathing slightly raggedly, her hair disheveled.

Yang Junxiong's hair wasn't even out of place, and his breathing was even, as if the intense battle had been effortless for him.

"She's grown stronger again," Zong Shichang sighed with emotion. "With lips untouched and a punch that could kill a young man, who would dare to pursue her like this?"

"Brother Zong, ranked martial artists have excellent hearing. If you don't curb your tongue, you might be the next young man beaten to death," Zhao Xing said flatly.

"Cough, cough," Zong Shichang cleared his throat, changing the subject. "What do we do now? Should we make our move?"

"Let's observe first," Zhao Xing said, staring ahead.

Yang Junxiong pointed his spear tip at the approaching Lu Qian and Liu Muqing. "If you continue to interfere, I will find a way to severely injure you and your friends."

"You... despicable!"

"Shameless!"

At his words, Lu Qian and Liu Muqing's expressions changed. Du Jiaojiao stopped them, gazing at Yang Junxiong for a moment before nodding. "I'll yield this first incense stick to you."

Yang Junxiong retracted his long spear, and with a clamp of his legs, he transformed into a streak of light, rushing up the steps and entering the temple.

"I didn't realize Du Jiaojiao valued loyalty so much," Wen Zhao said, fanning himself with a feather fan. "She's actually willing to give up the chance for the first incense stick for her friends."

"It's truly rare. No one can remember what happens on the mountain, yet she still chose to do so; her heart is pure. No wonder her spear technique is so formidable," Zhang Boran remarked with some emotion. "However, she probably also felt she had no chance of securing the first incense, which is why she gave up."

"Enough talk, get ready."

After Yang Junxiong entered the temple, Du Jiaojiao protected Lu Qian and Liu Muqing as they followed. When a ranked expert decided to act that way, no one dared to object. They could only watch as the trio claimed the first four spots for worshipping the deity. Now, the first four incense positions were taken. The pressure immediately shifted to Wen Zhao and Zhang Boran.

The moment Du Jiaojiao and her two companions stepped onto the stairs, Zhang Boran immediately began to sprint. Wen Zhao, meanwhile, chanted, "Foot steps East towards the horizon, spirit sweeps the cosmos, destined for great reach."

Zhang Boran's speed suddenly accelerated, his aura instantly rising to the ninth stage of Qi Gathering! He ascended the hundred stone steps almost in an instant. However, just as Wen Zhao thought Zhang Boran would be the fifth to enter, Zhang Boran suddenly ran back at an even faster pace.

"Cousin, what are you doing?" Wen Zhao was utterly astonished.

Zhang Boran, expressionless, raised a hand and punched Wen Zhao.

"What? Cease..."

Before Wen Zhao could finish speaking, he was directly struck by the punch, his teeth scattering as he flew backward, his fate unknown. This bizarre scene made the eager crowd pause, filled with confusion and uncertainty. What was happening?

Zhao Xing glanced back at Yuan Bo, who stood beside Zong Shichang. Just moments ago, the usually low-key Yuan Bo had made his move. The divine image in his eyes vanished, reappearing behind Zhang Boran. With limbs spread, it completely adhered to Zhang Boran's body, controlling him like a puppet on strings.

"Spirit mediumship usually involves inviting a deity into one's own body. This Yuan Bo can actually invite a Yin god into someone else's? He's quite something," Zhao Xing thought. He had initially intended to make a move but stopped after his keen eyes observed the situation with Zhang Boran.

"Young Master, you may enter now," Yuan Bo, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke, his tone somewhat eerie.

Zong Shichang, however, looked at Zhao Xing, yielding the opportunity for the fifth incense stick. "Zhao Sanjia, you go first. It's not proper for you to be last."

Zhao Xing glanced at Yuan Bo, who showed no reaction.

"Alright," Zhao Xing said, without being overly polite. He immediately enveloped himself in a shadowy wind, floating toward the steps like a ghost. Behind him, Gu Feng gripped his silver bow, but ultimately dared not make a move. Some people recognized Yuan Bo's unique abilities, and striking now might not guarantee the fifth incense stick. Hu Yang, standing between his two mechanical beasts, remained indifferent. He hadn't initially intended to compete for the top five spots, and the incense sticks after the fifth were quite similar, with little difference, so there was no need to compete further.

Thus, after Zhao Xing entered, Zong Shichang, Uncle Cang, and Uncle Hu all entered safely. They were followed by the bow-wielder Gu Feng and the machinist Hu Yang. Zhang Boran, surprisingly, was the last to enter. After Yuan Bo released his control, Zhang Boran regained consciousness. Although he didn't understand what had happened, with the last spot before him, he disregarded his unconscious cousin and entered the temple directly.

Upon entering the temple, Zhao Xing did not see the four people who had gone ahead. On the temple altar, there were offerings of three sacrificial animals, and a divine statue holding a ruler gazed into the distance. With a thought, the incense stick in Zhao Xing's hand instantly lit up. After bowing three times, he placed the incense stick in the censer. He murmured, "Zhao Xing, agricultural official, requests the True Lord to manifest."

As the incense burned, what was just a slender wisp of smoke suddenly billowed, filling the entire hall. Looking up again, the surroundings became instantly shrouded in mist, and the light dimmed. The divine statue on the altar had vanished, replaced by a living giant. It radiated faint golden light and stood a towering three zhang tall. This was the manifestation of the Yin god.

"You have requested my manifestation. What is your request?"

Zhao Xing cupped his hands and replied, "I ask the True Lord to teach me how to obtain the Golden Cup of Spiritual Essence guarded by the mountain cat."

He did not elaborate, as the Yin god oversaw everything on the mountain and naturally knew what he was referring to. Judging by the effect of the fifth incense stick, if this Golden Cup were a mid-grade spiritual essence, the True Lord would typically tell him the answer directly after manifesting. However, what the mountain cat guarded was clearly not a mid-grade spiritual essence, but a high-grade one. Thus, he would still need to pass the Yin god's test.

"The Golden Cup is a high-grade spiritual essence. If you wish to obtain the method, you must undergo a test."

"Should the incense burn out before you pass the test, it will be considered a wasted opportunity."

"If you seek a mid-grade spiritual essence, I can directly tell you a location without any effort on your part."

"Have you made your decision?"

Without hesitation, Zhao Xing cupped his hands and said, "I choose to accept the test, True Lord. Please proceed."

The three-zhang tall deity spoke: "One day, a fruit tree planter came to East Lake Mountain. He offered the first incense to me, praying for no wind in the coming days because his pear orchard trees were blooming."

"The second incense was offered by a boatman, who asked me to blow more wind upstream, as his boat needed wind power to travel."

"The third incense was from a traveler setting out on a long journey, who prayed to me for no wind or rain."

"The fourth incense came from a farmer, who said his fields were dry and needed rain for rice planting, praying for heavy rain today."

Having finished, the three-zhang tall deity stared at Zhao Xing. "I have granted the wishes of these four people. How should I resolve this?"

Zhao Xing was a junior agricultural official, and the questions involved wind and rain, seeming tailored to his expertise. However, these four individuals presented conflicting requests: one wanted wind, one didn't; one wanted rain, one didn't. They were entirely contradictory. If he failed to provide an answer satisfactory to the Yin god before the incense burned out, he would have wasted his opportunity.

However, Zhao Xing didn't deliberate for long; almost as soon as the Yin god finished speaking, he provided an answer.

"I have a method that might resolve the True Lord's dilemma."

The three-zhang tall deity reminded him, "There is still time. You may think it over before answering."

Zhao Xing smiled faintly, confidently stating, "Rain at night, clear skies during the day. Wind along the water's surface, but not entering the pear orchard."

The three-zhang tall deity nodded with a smile. "Excellent."

The dense smoke dissipated. Zhao Xing regained his senses to find himself no longer inside the temple, but beneath a tree. Ahead was the cave where the mountain cat resided. A wind chine had also appeared in his hand.

"Thank you, True Lord, for bestowing this method," Zhao Xing said, cupping his hands towards the mountain.

Once one's personal destiny was set, and to avoid unnecessary disputes upon leaving the temple, after offering incense, individuals were typically transported directly to their desired location.

Holding the wind chine, Zhao Xing walked straight into the cave. He hadn't been in for long when a "Haa!" roar echoed, and a dark shadow struck like lightning. But just as the attack was about to reach Zhao Xing, it suddenly halted.

"Ding-a-ling."

The wind chine in Zhao Xing's hand swayed, emitting a clear sound.

"Meow?"

The mountain cat stopped, looking at the wind chine in Zhao Xing's hand with confusion.

Zhao Xing now saw the mountain cat's true form. It was very small, only about the size of a normal house cat. Its fluffy little head had two pairs of pointed ears, its small gray tail wagged gently, and its large eyes sparkled with curiosity. It seemed puzzled as to why Zhao Xing possessed the wind chine from the Mountain God Temple.

"Come here, little one, you'll be with me from now on," Zhao Xing said, squatting down and beckoning the mountain cat with the hand holding the wind chine.

The mountain cat drew back its head slightly, appearing hesitant, but the faint glow emanating from the wind chine drew it closer. The wind chine from the Mountain God Temple, imbued with the True Lord's aura, was intended to subdue the mountain cat. The mountain cat was, in fact, kept by the Yin god to guard four kinds of spiritual essence. This explained why the mountain cat could achieve a high rank even as a cub. The mountain cat had consumed an unknown quantity of spiritual essences from the mountain. However, the Yin god had also given the mountain cat a choice. If it refused to acknowledge a new master, Zhao Xing would only obtain the Golden Cup of Destiny. If it accepted him as master, he could take the mountain cat with him.

"Do you remember the vine incense berries and white fragrant grass I gave you last time?" Zhao Xing whispered. "From now on, you can eat as much as you want. If you want to come with me, come here."

"Meow," the mountain cat responded. After much hesitation, it approached and rubbed its small head against Zhao Xing's palm.

"Ding-a-ling," the wind chine gave a final clear ring, then transformed into specks of golden light that scattered into the wind, merging into Zhao Xing and the mountain cat's bodies. A connection was established between the man and the cat.

Mountain Cat (Juvenile)Bloodline: Spiritual Essence Variant (evolved from consuming various mountain spiritual essences)Rank: Ninth Grade, Mid-TierInnate Abilities: Divine Speed, Ninefold HealingSecret Techniques: Thunderclap Rending Claw (Mid-Tier, Eighth Revolution), Wind-Commanding Heavy Stomp (Mid-Tier, Seventh Revolution)

Exotic beasts are not governed by the Destiny Dynasty's system. Therefore, the mountain cat's rank does not follow the nine grades and thirteen levels established by the Great Zhou Grand Ancestor but is calculated according to the ancient cultivation system's four minor ranks: 'Early, Mid, Late, and Completion'. Humans within the Destiny system are measured by the nine grades and thirteen levels, with significant differences between the two systems.

Looking at the mountain cat's data on the panel, Zhao Xing grinned, then lifted the mountain cat onto his shoulder. "Little one, you won't regret this choice."

"Meow," the mountain cat responded.

Zhao Xing clapped his hands and walked further into the cave. Since his straw doll had visited once before, he was already familiar with the cave's interior. Reaching the giant skeletal remains once more, Zhao Xing vaguely surmised what had happened in the past. Another exotic beast had battled the mountain cat's mother, resulting in both being severely injured and leaving only this one cub alive.

"Where did you put that glittering golden cup?" Zhao Xing asked, arriving at the four diverging paths.

"Meow," the mountain cat extended a paw, pointing to one of the paths.

"You hid it in the Icy Lotus Pond? You're quite clever, always on guard, aren't you?" Zhao Xing chuckled, pointing towards the path. "Go, fetch it."

"Whoosh!" Zhao Xing felt a slight weight on his shoulder, and then the mountain cat darted into the path like lightning. In the space of a single breath, the mountain cat returned, carrying a cup larger than its own head in its mouth.

"Meow meow?" The mountain cat jumped onto Zhao Xing's shoulder and nudged him.

"Yes, that's the one," Zhao Xing said, taking the golden cup and examining it in his hand. The cup had a soft, jade-like texture, with subtle, enigmatic patterns on its body that seemed to contain the mysteries of heaven and earth. As Zhao Xing looked, a golden stream of energy instantly appeared within the previously empty cup, rapidly growing dense, like a liquid.