Wet viviparity

Chapter 779 Stormy Weather, Three Demons Discuss
As Ding Ruyi departed from Dizhu Rock, a True Person secretly went to the Heavenly River Altar in Taiping Blessed Land.

Passing through the fine, cool rain that fell like a curtain, the True Man saw the Upper Altar, which resembled a lone boat sitting on the waves.

Continuing onward, we arrived at a gray-white rock gate several meters high. Though called a rock gate, it had no gaps and stood facing the lake like a cold, hard giant wall.

This is the place known as the Battle Gate in the Upper Altar of the Heavenly River, and it is also the last pass in the Upper Altar. Behind the gate is the earth dragon vein of the blessed land of Hetian Mountain.

Since the establishment of this altar, over the long years, apart from the erosion of time, what remains are the traces left from the fierce battles against the lake demons.

Upon closer inspection, the marks of a thousand thunderbolts and ten thousand fires are intertwined and deeply embedded in the stone bones, with crisscrossing cracks, which were carved by the claws of a demon immortal from the previous dynasty. Deep within the frost-covered rock folds on the door, one can see a half-broken edge of a frost-covered blade.

Before the battle gate, layers of gray-white, cold frost-covered rock lay on the ground, harder than fine steel.

However, upon closer inspection, the rock is found to be embedded with countless, no fewer than ten thousand, demon skeletons.

The remains were piled up and mixed together in the rock, layer upon layer, rising and falling deep within the rock layers. They had long lost their original ferocious appearance, and their original species could no longer be identified.

As the real person walked through it, he could see giant horns sticking out at an angle, scales and claws twisting and turning, and huge ribs like flower stamens spreading out here in a menacing manner. Beneath the giant wall-like battle gate, the real person did not see the figures of the three generals, but rather three torrents that intertwined and linked together.

These three rapids are deep blue in color, with splashing waves and surging torrents. Points of brilliance shine through the water, which are the "Water Virtue Radiant Dharma Body" cultivated by the Three Officials.

As the real person approached, the sound of the rushing torrent condensed into a voice, saying, "Xinghuazi, it's such a trouble for you to come here, a mere junior. When did Taiping Mountain become so leisurely that you have to worry about such things?"

Master Xinghua could easily discern the sarcasm in his words. He cupped his hands and said, "My three senior masters, this is no small matter."

Another torrent meandered like a snake, swallowing and spitting out water vapor. The sound of the waves condensed into a voice, saying, "What, just because it involves that apprenticeship ceremony, you can disregard the war here and allow your disciples to show favoritism and bias?"

"Xinghuazi, you'd better give a suitable reason for coming to Zhanmen today, otherwise not only will I arrest Ding Ruyi, but also Huyan, who facilitated things at Zhizhu Rock, and that sorcerer will also be punished."

"I know Lingxu's temperament well, and I also know his methods well."

At this critical juncture, his every move will not be arbitrary, especially since he has remained inactive for decades. The fact that he has made such a grand show of holding a discipleship ceremony suggests a crucial strategic plan is being meticulously planned.

When Master Xinghua said this, he became extremely excited, showing a clear expectation and trust in Lingxuzi.

“Master, what I’m saying is not only understood by those within the sect, but also by those heretical demons outside.”

Otherwise, why have so many evil figures recently fallen silent, each entering a state of deep meditation, carefully guarding against being misled by calamities and falling into a deadly trap?

"it is good!"

Before the battle gate, the third torrent calmed its watery momentum, transforming into a long-robed Taoist figure. Holding a tablet in his right hand and placing it on his lap, he said in a deep voice, "Then let's see if this mage's methods match his great reputation."

Furthermore, we must see if he possesses unparalleled wisdom and supreme sword of intelligence to sever his calamity.

Dark clouds gathered, and birds returned to their nests.

In a small temple at the foot of Heshan Mountain, dim light shone through, casting several eerie shadows on the window lattices.

The atmosphere in the temple was lively. A pair of hairy palms and bird arms were clinking cups on the table, and several little devils were serving at the table. Each devil had a copper basin on its head, which contained steamed cakes, rice, bamboo tea, but no meat.

Although the temple had been in disrepair for many years, with its doors half-rotted, its vermilion paint peeling off, and spider webs hanging everywhere, this did not disturb the interest of the three demons inside. On the contrary, the scene made them feel more at ease and relaxed.

The crane on the table was dressed in a worn Taoist robe, with bright red cinnabar on its head, its long neck slightly drooping, looking somewhat tired. It sat upright with its feathers folded, exuding the demeanor of a Taoist. It lightly touched the grain wine in its cup with its long beak, and the next moment it cursed, "You black-hearted, despicable wretch! I only filled half a pot of grain wine, and you even added water to it!"

The ape demon opposite him was wearing a short warrior's jacket, his arms extended past his knees, and he had a hairy face and a thunder god's mouth. At this moment, he hadn't touched a drop of wine and was scratching his ears and cheeks.

Upon hearing He Yan's words, he replied, "These past few years have been blessed with favorable weather and a good harvest of fine rice in the fields. Therefore, the temple has been expanding its spiritual fields and medicinal gardens. However, as everyone knows, the fine rice from all the altars and shrines is currently being supplied to various defense zones of the Heavenly River Altar."

The grain wine supplied in the temple these days is all brewed from fine rice from previous years, and the stock is really limited. We are quite content that we can still drink this diluted grain wine as a pastime in our leisure time. "Not bad."

The burly, bearded man on the table slammed down the wine bowl he had just finished drinking, letting out a slow, relieved exhale.

"That day, when Master Wen came and went in the temple, he saw me and two other demonic Taoist workers carrying stone slabs to help the fellow disciples in the Crane Temple build the Cloud-Connecting Plank Road. His expression and attitude were very unpredictable."

The demon burped, exhaling his drunken breath, and said from the bottom of his heart, "The various systems in this Taoist service are very complete, and my brothers and I are very convinced of them. That's why we went through all the trouble to come from the Liling Mountains. We also believe that Master Lingxu is not the kind of person who would give up because of endless obstacles."

"Now that the calamity has begun in the south, Crane Temple is no longer at peace. This is precisely the opportunity for us, the subordinates of the Daoist Service Department, to set an example and reverse the prejudices held by some of the True Persons in the temple."

As he spoke, he stretched out his large, fan-like hands, unafraid of the heat, and grabbed two scalding hot sweet potatoes from a nearby earthenware jar. He tossed one to each of the crane and the ape, then grabbed two more for himself, tossing them back and forth between his two giant hands while blowing on them.

The crane nodded gracefully in thanks, then gently pecked at the potato flesh with its beak, slowly and deliberately.

He said, “I am from the Daoist Crane Spirit Group of the Central Plains, the old ape is a relative of the Dingyuanzi of the Fire Ruins Cave, and you, old bear, are the younger brother of Xiong Kong’er, the mount of the True Man Li of the Yellow Lamp Cave. With our relationship, even if the Daoist Service Office is abolished, it will not stop us from living freely.”

Suddenly, his tone changed, and he laughed, "Of course, if something happens to He Guan, we certainly cannot survive by any means."

Upon hearing this, the three demons fell silent. It was unclear who started it, but their eyes involuntarily drifted towards the ants moving their nest beside the table.

A grand apprenticeship ceremony is currently taking place in Heguan, stirring up a storm in the region.

As peripheral figures at the center of the storm, the three demons could clearly sense some changes. Like ants before a heavy rain, they had already sensed a certain omen, a premonition that made their demonic hearts tremble and their dreams be disturbed in the middle of the night.

However, while ants can move to avoid disaster, the three demons cannot and are unwilling to do so.

Dissatisfied, the demon Xiong Gu crossed his arms in front of his chest, changed the dull topic, and said in a firm voice: "I didn't come here through connections. I came here to pursue the ideals of the Dao Yi Si, and so do all the brothers and sisters in the Dao Yi Si."

One day, the saying "fate does not discriminate based on birth" will surely come true, and demons will be able to live like humans, no longer ignorant and barbaric, but possessing their own unique etiquette and civilization.

The ape demon held the yam, tearing at it with a grimacing grin, seemingly oblivious to the heat. Even as it scratched its ears and cheeks from the burn, it wouldn't let go, mumbling, "Kuang Gu, with your strength to split mountains and such awareness, you'll become the third protector sooner or later."

The ape demon's unintentional remark struck a chord with the demon man.

"Haha, today I, Old Xiong, used all my strength to clear the silted-up 'Treasure Silver Stream' by splitting rocks and dredging it. After the Daoist Bureau checks it, it will be another good deed recorded."

As he spoke, he advised the two demons, Crane and Ape: "You two should also strive for improvement. Don't become complacent just because you have completed nine years of study at the Preaching Academy and passed the evaluation and become Taoist workers. You should still accumulate more good deeds."

Good deeds such as transporting firewood for the people in winter, dredging rivers and diverting water in summer, and extinguishing forest fires are all recognized acts of kindness.

Crane Demon laughed and said, "Old Bear, you don't know, Old Ape recently received a mission to deliver an invitation. He is the only spirit in the Daoist Service Department to take on such a task."

"You are unaware of the inside story. For this apprenticeship ceremony in our temple, we have invited masters from all over the world and from all caves. It seems that only our temple has invited the Hundred Birds Immortal from Yanbo Temple on Wei Niao Mountain. That Immortal is a demon bird who has attained enlightenment."

I suspect the disciples in the temple were unwilling to take on this task, which is why it ended up in my hands, Old Ape.

"What nonsense?"

Kumagai slammed his hand on the table, startling the little demon who scattered all over the temple and huddled in the nooks and crannies.

"Isn't that Dinghai Demon Leng Cuishan also a fierce demon from the South China Sea? But the one who went to invite him was none other than the Dharma Master disciple Ding Ruyi, who had just returned from the Heavenly River Altar."

I just saw you scratching your head and looking troubled. If you ask me, the temple must have a reason for giving you this task; why make wild guesses and create unnecessary worries for yourself?

The old ape listened intently, his golden eyes gleaming, nodding repeatedly, and assured, "Don't worry, although I'm a bit muddle-headed, I know that the Master's permission for us to stay and serve here is already a great favor. I will certainly not fail in my duty."

(End of this chapter)