Tian Fengyu's face darkened, his gaze towards Ji Xiang filled with surprise and confusion.
Ji Xiang circulated his vital energy, probing the other's physical condition, and asked, "Senior Brother, why do you suddenly use the divine power of Diming Shen to inquire about my name?"
Tian Fengyu forced a stiff smile. "Junior Brother, what are you saying? Isn't it normal to ask for someone's name?"
"You say I used divine power. Do you have any proof? If I had just used divine power, why wouldn't the surrounding celestial soldiers have apprehended me?"
Though he spoke thus, he hadn't actually used divine power just then. The Diming Shen's inquiry divine art only activated when the other party answered. This was originally a process for guiding souls away, but if used on a living person, it would incur sin, like a curse.
However, before the mark could be placed, Ji Xiang had neutralized it. Just like the previous deities such as the Kitchen God Qian Guang, Ji Xiang could accurately utter the "words" that countered these deities. This left Tian Fengyu in disbelief.
Even feeling it was terrifying, detestable, and dreadful!
The scriptures in the world were as vast as the ocean. Even a person with extensive knowledge and exceptional talent would not dare claim to recall the countering phrases immediately. In fact, it was more common for them to not even know which phrases could restrain gods and ghosts.
Tian Fengyu was deeply puzzled: "How could such a minor Diming Shen have someone specifically seek out methods to counter him? Although this deity is weak, he wouldn't attract much attention. He's merely a minor official in the underworld... Could this Daoist have encountered other Diming Shen before?"
Deities like Diming Shen, who were ordinary employees of the underworld, had numerous divine positions, unlike the heavenly generals who only had one.
But no matter what, it was impossible to inquire about his name and perform the divine art again. If the Diming Shen heard that phrase, he would close his mouth and cease asking for the visitor's name.
Seeing Tian Fengyu's unpleasant expression, Ji Xiang also let out a cold smile.
"Surprised, aren't you? I have the guide."
The rest of the story, you can imagine for yourself.
However, despite causing Tian Fengyu to falter, Ji Xiang's examination of Tian Fengyu's body revealed no abnormalities.
His body was healthy, with no high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high blood sugar. His vital energy was indeed unexpectedly abundant, accumulating in large quantities within his body.
"This vital energy hasn't had time to be absorbed yet, accumulating in various parts of his body. That's why his strength has become so great, consistent with my previous judgment. But how could someone with poor innate talent store such a large amount of vital energy first?"
"Could it be that besides me, someone else transferred qi to him?"
Ji Xiang could only think of this reason. People with poor innate talent found it difficult to absorb vital energy, and it was impossible for them to store such a large amount of vital energy in their bodies for slow absorption. This was unachievable unless someone transferred qi.
"Senior Brother, were you already transferred qi by someone else? No wonder you didn't need Junior Brother's help. With so much vital energy stored in your body, you haven't had time to refine it?"
Ji Xiang asked, but Tian Fengyu vehemently denied it.
"Junior Brother, what are you talking about? My cultivation is all earned through my own hard work..."
Tian Fengyu stated that no outsider had helped him "transfer qi," and he emphasized how hard he had cultivated.
Aside from the abnormal reserve of vital energy, Ji Xiang also discovered a minor issue: his essence, qi, and spirit were not unified. The changes in essence and qi were not as rapid as the changes in the divine light within his body.
Were his three souls still problematic?
Ji Xiang couldn't recall how this situation occurred and could only softly chant a spell:
"Tai Wei Xuan Gong, You Huang Shi Qing, Nei Lian San Hun, Tai Guang An Ning, Shen Bao Yu Shi, Yu Wo Ju Sheng..."
Unexpectedly, after chanting only a few lines, Tian Fengyu interrupted him. "Junior Brother, what do you mean by chanting the Soul Summoning Incantation? Are you implying that the Yellow Heaven Sect has placed a curse on my soul?"
Seeing that the other party had no reaction to the Soul Summoning Incantation, Ji Xiang pondered, "This doesn't seem to be soul possession. Otherwise, upon summoning the soul, he would surely exhibit changes in his aura. Soul possessors and the physical body also require a period of adjustment, and not every body can be possessed."
Soul possession actually requires very stringent conditions. With that effort, it would be better to learn from Tieguai Li and find any corpse to borrow for soul returning.
Since he couldn't find any issues with the other party, and the blank divine tablet hadn't displayed any guidance, it meant that the content the divine tablet had marked was still well hidden.
At least his soul was fine?
Ji Xiang felt it was troublesome. In summary, he appeared to be a living person from the outside. Ji Xiang mused that perhaps the temple guardian himself was connected to the Fire Lord. He wasn't possessed, but rather had a great secret of his own.
If it wasn't something too powerful, then it was likely another entity similar to A Lian, which wouldn't be too concerning... but precautions were still necessary. Ji Xiang's mind moved, and he thought of a plan.
Ji Xiang slowly withdrew his hand. Seeing that Ji Xiang had found nothing, Tian Fengyu couldn't help but smile. "Junior Brother, you've examined him. Have you found anything?"
"I told you long ago that I have no connection with those in the Yellow Heaven. I've been cultivating in the temple these past few days. Senior Brother, would I lie to you?"
Ji Xiang also smiled. "Indeed, Junior Brother was too suspicious. I apologize, Senior Brother."
Tian Fengyu nodded. "It's nothing."
Ji Xiang left Tian Fengyu and took a few steps before reporting to Emperor Wanli.
"Your Majesty, after this humble Daoist examined the temple guardian by circulating qi, there were no issues."
After speaking, he paused, then lowered his voice.
"However, this humble Daoist still feels he might have problems. The inability to find them now is simply due to this humble Daoist's insufficient magical power and shallow cultivation."
Emperor Wanli responded, "Perhaps there are?"
"Perhaps there are" implies "may exist," which is still a form of suspicion!
These words could not be spoken directly. The heavenly general had not directly uttered these three words just now.
However, Emperor Wanli understood. If one person said the temple guardian was acting strangely, it might be his own perception that was flawed. For example, Luo Sigong said he felt nothing. Emperor Wanli believed it was because he lacked magical power, hence he felt nothing was wrong. Now that Ji Xiang also said so, it might truly be problematic.
Mortal eyes cannot recognize gods, demons, or ghosts, but even those with magical power couldn't see it. Yet, they still sensed something was amiss... Emperor Wanli was now inclined to believe the words of the heavenly general and Ji Xiang.
But relying solely on words like "seems"... this was not enough to make an arrest!
Arresting someone was a minor matter; being criticized was a major one. Emperor Wanli knew that if he arrested someone without finding evidence, he would have to refrain from attending court the next day, as he would surely be subjected to the verbal attacks of those ministers.
The officials of the Great Ming, while not earth-shattering in their governance, were merely mediocre. However, when it came to political maneuvering and criticism, they were second to none!
Emperor Wanli glanced at his ministers.
As expected, strange glances were already appearing in the ministers' eyes, as if they were scrutinizing Ji Xiang and finding him somewhat resembling Qin Hui.
Emperor Wanli was very displeased with Ji Xiang.
"Ji Xiang, you say he seems problematic, but you don't know what the problem is. Are the words 'may exist' something to be spoken carelessly! If he also possesses illusionary arts that prevent you from understanding, then what if something unexpected happens later..."
Ji Xiang replied, "Your Majesty, do not worry, this humble subject has a method."
Saying this, he took out a black bean that exuded a sinister aura from his sleeve.