Uncle Nine: You were supposed to drive corpses, so you summoned the Monkey King!

backyard.

boom!

The iron axe cleaved through the half-meter-thick wooden stake, splitting it in two.

Lin Chen, shirtless, held an ordinary wood-chopping axe in his hand, chopping at the wood with a dull sound.

Jiale squatted at the kitchen doorway, holding half a bowl of leftover rice, staring in disbelief.

"Junior Brother Lin, be gentle, you're about to smash that wooden stake to pieces," Jia Le complained.

Lin Chen ignored him and swung his axe again.

Click.

Another piece of firewood broke in two.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a small mountain of firewood was piled up in the corner, enough to burn for half a month at the temple.

Lin Chen put down his axe, let out a long breath, felt his blood surge, and broke out in a sweat, expelling the fatigue from the day's journey.

He took a cold shower, changed into a clean blue Taoist robe, and went back to his room.

There were no lights on inside.

Lin Chen sat cross-legged on the hard wooden bed, closed his eyes, and adjusted his breathing.

It's midnight.

[Ding! It's midnight. Begin settling today's cultivation daily tasks.]

Chopping wood three hundred times promotes blood circulation.

[Settlement complete. Gains: Strength +1, Constitution +1.]

A warm current appeared out of nowhere, circulated through my limbs and bones, and sank into my dantian.

Lin Chen clenched his fist, his bones cracked twice, and his physical body became even stronger.

Lin Chen formed the Maoshan Invocation Seal with both hands, held his breath, and his mind stirred.

The mind leaves the body.

Following the familiar incense-burning path in the darkness, my consciousness pierced through the thick clouds, and suddenly the view opened up before me.

A massive white jade archway stands amidst the sea of ​​clouds, gleaming with golden light. Three large characters are inscribed on the archway: South Heaven Gate.

Lin Chen drifted over, familiar with the place.

The sea of ​​clouds surged.

Beneath the white marble pillar of the South Heavenly Gate, a heavenly soldier dressed in gleaming silver armor leaned against the wall, picking at his teeth with a toothpick made of some unknown material.

"Brother Wang, on duty again today?" Lin Chen's divine sense approached and greeted him.

Upon hearing the sound, Wang Tianbing looked around and his gaze fell on Lin Chen.

"Hey! Brother Lin!" Wang Tianbing laughed. "What brings you here? Did you bring that beggar's chicken today? The roast suckling pig you made for Hercules last time has been showing off to me for days. I'm so drooling over it."

Lin Chen smiled and spread his hands.

"Brother, I left in a hurry today and didn't prepare any physical offerings. This is purely a spiritual visit."

When Wang Tianbing heard there was no food, his smile faded, and he leaned back against the pillar.

"You came empty-handed? That's no fun."

"Don't rush, bro." Lin Chen took two steps closer.

"Just because I didn't bring it today doesn't mean I won't next time. I was thinking that eating chicken all the time gets boring. Next time I need your help, I'll roast a whole lamb for you."

"Roasted whole lamb?" Wang Tianbing's ears twitched.

"Yes, three-month-old grassland sheep, freshly slaughtered and roasted, sizzling and dripping with oil on the charcoal fire, with a crispy skin and juicy meat inside. When it comes out of the oven, it is sprinkled with a large handful of cumin and special chili powder. The aroma can be smelled from three streets away."

Lin Chen was quick-witted and described the dish very clearly.

Wang Tianbing swallowed hard as he listened, and even threw away the toothpick in his hand.

"Alright! Brother Lin, I'll remember that! Next time you need anything, just say the word, and no matter what kind of evil spirit it is, I'll grab my spear and poke it into a hornet's nest!"

Wang Tianbing patted his chest and gave his assurance.

"No problem, no problem," Lin Chen nodded.

This kind of deal, exchanging offerings for thugs, is the safest.

Wang Tianbing looked around and grabbed Lin Chen's arm.

"Brother, since you're so generous, I can't be stingy."

"Come on, let me introduce you to a new friend. If you ever run into a tough guy who's afraid of fire, he's the perfect person to talk to."

Wang Tianbing pulled Lin Chen around the white jade pillar and walked towards the sea of ​​clouds to the left of the South Heavenly Gate.

Not far ahead, red light flashed in the clouds, and a scorching wave of heat rushed towards us.

Lin Chen looked closely and saw a burly man sitting on the cloud in front of him.

He was twelve feet tall, bald, with a ruddy complexion and a tuft of distinct red beard on his chin.

The burly man was not wearing armor; his upper body was bare, his muscles bulged, and flames flickered across his skin, making the surrounding clouds sizzle.

"Brother Zhao! Taking a break?" Wang Tianbing called out.

The red-bearded giant opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of hot air carrying sparks.

"Xiao Wang, what are you yelling about? Can't you see I'm annoyed?"

"Brother Zhao, let me introduce you to a big spender." Wang Tianbing pushed Lin Chen forward.

"This is the mortal boy I mentioned to you, the one who's incredibly generous. Last time, when the Hercules General descended to earth, he helped him with chores and came back with his mouth drooling with oil."

The burly man, known as Brother Zhao, sized Lin Chen up and down a few times.

"He has a good foundation and strong blood circulation; he's a promising talent among ordinary people," Brother Zhao snorted.

"But kid, I, Zhao Tianlei, the vanguard officer of the Fire Department, don't eat pork, much less those ordinary people's vegetarian dishes."

Lin Chen continued.

"Brother Zhao, what's pork compared to your status? It's beneath you. How about I make you a beef tallow hot pot?"

"Hot pot? What's that?" Zhao Tianlei was taken aback.

The gods in Heaven live a life of luxury, eating only peaches and nectar, and have little contact with the mundane world of the mortal realm.

"Brother, this beef tallow hot pot is all about the numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant flavors," Lin Chen began reciting the menu.

"Use dozens of kilograms of pure beef tallow, along with dozens of spices, a large amount of red chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, and simmer it for a whole day."

"As soon as the pot is opened, the red oil boils and the spiciness hits you right in the head."

Zhao Tianlei sniffed as he listened.

"and then?"

"Then slice up a few plates of thinly sliced ​​beef, large pieces of tripe, and fresh duck blood," Lin Chen gestured with his hands.

"The tripe is dipped in the boiling red oil until it curls slightly, then taken out and rolled in a dipping sauce of minced garlic and sesame oil."

"One bite, and it's crisp and crunchy, so spicy it makes you sweat, paired with a big bowl of strong liquor..."

Gudong.

Zhao Tianlei swallowed hard, his red beard trembling.

This description is so exciting! For a fire deity like him, this kind of fiery way of eating is a perfect match.

"Kid, is this hot pot really that satisfying?" Zhao Tianlei's eyes widened.

"I guarantee you'll have a great time, bro," Lin Chen said.

"In the future, when I encounter those cold and evil zombies, as long as I form a hand seal, you can come down and set a fire for me. After that, I will definitely offer you a 20-pound hot pot of beef tallow and ten jars of top-quality liquor."

"make a deal!"

Zhao Tianlei's excitement caused the surrounding sea of ​​clouds to churn.

He stretched out his finger and drew a crimson rune in mid-air.

The rune flashed and disappeared into Lin Chen's brow.

"This is my divine imprint from the Fire Department. From now on, if you encounter any trash that needs to be burned, activate the imprint, and I'll go down and roast it for you!"

"Thank you, Brother Zhao." Lin Chen cupped his hands in thanks.

This trip was worthwhile; we've recruited another powerful henchman.

Zhao Tianlei got into the conversation, reminiscing about the hot pot flavor Lin Chen had described.

Lin Chen felt his head throbbing because he couldn't stay in the Heavenly Court for too long.

He said goodbye to Wang Tianbing and Zhao Tianlei, and his consciousness began to sink.

Passing through the sea of ​​clouds, the incense-burning passage disappeared.

call!

Lin Chen opened his eyes in the guest room.

The oil lamp in the room flickered twice.

Lin Chen sat on the bed and touched his brow. There was a burning sensation there, which was the fire mark left by Zhao Tianlei.

He rolled out of bed, walked to the window, and pushed open the wooden window, letting the night breeze in.