Ji Xiang picked up the purple incense, confirming it was genuine. He looked at the great demon kneeling before him and asked, "You wish to pledge allegiance to the imperial court? Why? I see you have no less than three to five hundred lesser demons under your command. The mountains are remote, and the surrounding villages can serve as your 'parents for food and clothing.' Wouldn't it be more liberating to live freely in these mountains?"
The great demon secretly thought, *Aren't I meeting you now? How can I live freely anymore! The only reason I didn't prostrate myself immediately upon seeing you, besides my last bit of pride, was your extraordinary aura.*
Without needing to round up, he knew he couldn't win. When else would he yield if not now?
However, he still had to offer polite words on the surface:
"As a demon in these mountains, there is ultimately no way out. Today I killed Wang Sen, and tomorrow I will be killed by others! The imperial court is currently in need of capable individuals. If I were to pledge allegiance, it might not be considered sending charcoal in the snow, but it could be called a light in a dark room. In the future, I could gain an official status, shed my demonic form, and achieve the rank of Divine General. My descendants could then enjoy blessings. What could be better than this?"
"In the past, many of us great demons were controlled by Prince Lu, who used the 'Five Labor and Seven Injuries' technique and the wisdom fire of Buddhism to burn our internal organs. Now that Prince Lu is dead, we naturally should turn towards the righteous path. This, too, is a path to survival!"
The ultimate destination in the universe is a stable position. A demon without status is naturally different from one with status. Even if bound by many rules, having entered this path, one is mentally prepared. Temporary freedom and joy are fleeting. Relying on the powerful backing of the imperial court will make everything convenient in the future, including cultivation and the transformation of descendants, which can be better accomplished by borrowing the dynasty's national destiny.
To overlook long-term benefits for the sake of temporary pleasure is foolish.
"You speak quite clearly... Your name is Gan Lang."
"Yes, that is my humble name. I am from Mount Guihua..."
"You are a thousand-year-old ancient tree spirit, capable of conjuring wind and waves in water. You possess two blades, the personal swords of the Tang Dynasty recluse immortal Tao Zhenbai. One is called Shan Teng, and the other is Baosheng. These two blades have the ability to fly and kill."
"!"
The great demon Gan Lang was greatly astonished!
He gaped, unsure of what to say. Ji Xiang chuckled, "If you are to meet the Emperor in the capital, these two blades of yours are quite dangerous."
The great demon Gan Lang quickly unfastened the two precious blades. Ji Xiang reached out and wiped away the "forms" of the two blades. In that instant, in Gan Lang's eyes, the shapes of the blades disappeared.
"Now, what do these two blades look like to you?"
Ji Xiang asked Gan Lang, then returned the two blades to him. Gan Lang stared intently at the two blades, but they no longer resembled blades. In his eyes, they looked like short clubs, constantly wriggling masses of mud.
Wiping away the forms of the blades did not diminish their power, it only prevented them from flying and killing. Although the precious blades possessed spirits, without forms to control them, they naturally could not perform the 'flying sword technique.'
The way of flying and controlling objects requires a form that can be manipulated.
"The blades are still blades, but I have erased their forms. The spirits within the blades can no longer kill by flying, but their power will not change when you wield them."
Looking at the lesser demons around them, Ji Xiang said, "What about your subordinates?"
Gan Lang snapped back to attention. His mind raced, and he immediately said, "I request the superior officer to decide!"
Ji Xiang spoke to test him: "What would you do if I ordered them all killed, leaving none behind?"
Gan Lang's heart trembled. After a moment of deliberation, he replied, "If the superior officer is willing to incorporate this humble demon into the imperial court's system, then this humble demon dares not disobey the superior officer's command. Even if it means killing these brothers, this humble demon will comply! When there is an order from above, how can the subordinate refuse!"
"But if you insist that this humble demon kill these brothers before accepting me into the imperial court's system, then this humble demon will have to defy the superior officer's wishes."
"When working for the imperial court, one listens to the orders of superiors. When not working for the imperial court, one speaks of brotherhood. If the superior officer insists that this humble demon kill these demonic brothers before allowing me to join the imperial court, then this humble demon would rather die than betray these brothers."
Upon hearing this, Ji Xiang burst into laughter, "Good, good, good! You are excellent! You possess both wisdom and strength! You can be a Divine General! As for the fate of these lesser demons, you may decide yourself!"
This great demon was very intelligent, knowing how to express his attitude. Becoming a general meant obeying orders; not joining the court meant being a demon, acting freely. It sounded like he was seeking personal gain, explaining that he would have no problem killing his own brothers to join the court, but in reality, he was telling the court that if he became a Divine General, as long as he was alive, these lesser demons under his command would never dare to disobey the imperial court's orders. Therefore, this statement was actually saving the lives of these lesser demons.
This was much better than a simple pledge of loyalty.
Ji Xiang was very satisfied.
A wise demon general can be a marshal, while one who only knows how to charge blindly can only be a general. Armies are easily obtained, but a good general is hard to find. Yet, with thousands of generals in hand, how many can be chosen as marshals?
Such an excellent demonic talent actively seeking allegiance is a good thing.
Gan Lang bowed in thanks, then shouted to the surrounding lesser demons, "Those willing to follow me and pledge allegiance to the imperial court, follow me. Those who wish to leave me and live freely in the mountains, I will never stop you! But today's parting is different from the past. If I truly become a Divine General of the imperial court, and you commit evil and harm people in the mountains, I will come to hunt you down! We have been brothers, and none of us want to end up in such a tragic situation!"
The lesser demons whispered amongst themselves. Soon, a portion of them agreed to follow Gan Lang. The demon soldiers would have an official status, not quite heavenly soldiers, but they could be considered low-ranking divine soldiers like "grass-head gods." At the very least, their demonic aura would be eliminated, and they could openly borrow the power of incense and sacrifice without having to steal.
The remaining lesser demons bowed to Gan Lang and then dispersed into the mountains.
"You remember what you said. If they commit evil, you will personally kill these lesser demons. This is not difficult for you, is it?"
"It is not difficult. This is what your subordinate should do!"
"Very good. Then you may proceed to the capital. I will give you a letter of introduction..."
Ji Xiang casually tore off a White Lotus Sect propaganda flyer, attached his incense to it, and had Gan Lang take it to the capital to find Celestial Master Zhang.
"May I ask what the Celestial Master looks like?"
"The old man guarding the gate at the entrance of the Forbidden City is him."
Ji Xiang reached out, and at this moment, the Abhidharma Vajra Hell Mark opened, drawing Wang Sen's head into it!
The demons were instantly terrified. From within the ghostly face, sounds of howling joy could be heard, carrying chills and malice that even they feared!
To intimidate them, Ji Xiang took this opportunity to warn them:
"This ghostly face in my palm leads to Avici Hell. To date, hundreds of demons and monsters have been cast into it. Those who enter Avici Hell will never be reborn, and will be gnawed by hellish demons daily. Some of the lucky ones might, after their first death, be reborn as one of the Avici demons."
The demons were struck dumb with fear, their limbs frozen. The sounds of the evil spirits still echoed in their ears! The celestial horse neighed, carrying rolling thunder and lightning. Ji Xiang soared into the clouds, heading towards the last location marked by incense!
Gan Lang, holding the incense propaganda flyer, let out a long sigh. From this day forward, he would shed his demonic form, join the ranks, and a beautiful life was within reach.
Indeed, the heavens and earth were about to undergo great changes. The imperial court now paid no mind to the powerful individuals, whether human or demon, who came to pledge allegiance!
...
This White Lotus Sect was like mushrooms after rain, growing more and more numerous. One could pick many of them every day, but they would grow back in a couple of days.
However, the White Lotus Sect did not yet have the capability to replicate the operation of "Heaven is dead, Yellow Heaven shall rise."
With the death of Prince Lu, the leadership was decapitated, and various doctrines resurfaced. The confidantes of Prince Lu, who held the last vermilion incense, knew that disaster was imminent.
In Yin Fan Township, a chilling wind blew, and a hazy mist covered the land. The sun set, night fell, and thunder rumbled in the sky. A pure white celestial horse appeared in the eerie mountain range, dispelling large swathes of the gloomy mist!
"Wuwu—"
The sounds of ghostly wails were incessant, and cries of mourning continued. Solitary ghosts, disturbed, emerged, their mouths spewing curses, and they lunged at Ji Xiang!
*Slap!* A mighty slap sent the solitary ghost spinning like a Wheel-turning King. Ji Xiang caught it and asked, "Are there any powerful ghosts in this mountain?"
The last temple was within these mountains. He expected it to be a haunted place, as ordinary people would not dare to come to such a ferocious location.
The solitary ghost covered its face, bared its teeth, and looked at Ji Xiang with disbelief.
*A human can hit a ghost?*
*What is the origin of this black-robed Taoist?*
"Idiot? It seems to be a roadside ghost, knowing nothing."
Seeing the fellow's bewildered expression, Ji Xiang gave him another slap. This slap was so powerful that it scattered the solitary ghost's body, leaving only its eyeballs rolling on the ground. He then strode forward.
Not long after, the cries of ghosts intensified. A group of wedding ghosts carrying blood-red palanquins appeared, their faces frozen in stiff smiles, beating gongs and drums. These ghosts, upon seeing Ji Xiang, a living person, tried to pull him into the palanquin. Ji Xiang calmly asked:
"Where are you taking this wedding procession, and where is the bride from?"
"Is the Ghost King of this mountain your wife?"
The ghosts, who always wore stiff smiles, looked at each other and did not answer Ji Xiang's questions. A powerful female ghost sat inside the blood-red palanquin. She lifted the curtain and floated out, a chilling wind blowing. She called out, "Husband, don't you recognize me?"
"Stop calling everyone husband. As a woman, how can you be so licentious? Look at my spear and say that again."
Ji Xiang took out the Five Thunder Divine Machine. The ghosts became somewhat fearful and retreated.
Firearms were effective against ghosts, especially fatal. The Five Thunder Divine Machine also bore Celestial Master Zhang's Great Dipper Divine Incantation. A single shot would not require reincarnation; it would be reduced to ashes.
The female ghost was silent for a moment, then a voice filled with resentment emerged, "Abandoning me after seducing me, not a single man in this world is good..."
"Blind your dog eyes! Look at who I am!"
Ji Xiang narrowed his eyes, and demonic energy surged from him!
The might of a demon king roared forth!
The ghosts could not withstand this pressure and were immediately pinned to the ground by a surging power! Their souls were almost shattered, and their stiff smiles turned into crying faces!
Even the female ghost was startled!
"A demon! Not a living person!"
Ji Xiang raised his spear to strike, and the female ghost quickly retreated, not even taking her palanquin. But how could she escape! With a shot from his spear, Ji Xiang fired a projectile from the Five Thunder Divine Machine, severing her below the waist.
"Fly, fly again. You who have harmed people for years are now harmed by others. Do you know such a day would come?"
Ji Xiang walked over. The female ghost trembled and softened, saying, "This humble woman did not know a great demon was present and has offended you greatly. I beg the great demon for forgiveness."
"I ask you, is there a Ghost King in this mountain? It's not you, is it? Where is he?"
"No, no! Great Demon, do you have a grievance with my king?"
"No."
"Then... ah? No?"
The female ghost was stunned.
*No grievance, so is he just looking for trouble?*
"Can I not look for him if there's no grievance?"
"No... but... yes, are you here to subdue ghosts on behalf of someone?"
The female ghost muttered.
"This demon head comes to help mortals kill ghosts... This, this world?"
"Hmph! What a rare sight! We demons are the will of heaven. Acting on behalf of heaven is our duty!"
Ji Xiang rebuked, thinking that this mountain was the territory of some Ghost King, and this Ghost King must be a subordinate of Prince Lu. Prince Lu had a host of demons and monsters. Now that they were free from the "Five Labor and Seven Injuries," they must be enjoying the good life, just like Gan Lang.
The last vermilion incense was in his hand, and he could smell the scent of blood from this mountain from afar. It had certainly harmed many people. It was not wrong to kill him, regardless of whether he knew him or not.
"But my king's strength is supreme. Although you are mighty, you are only a Earth Immortal demon..."
The female ghost perceived Ji Xiang's inherent strength. He was indeed much stronger than her, but ultimately, he was only an Earth Immortal.
Ji Xiang raised the muzzle of his gun. The female ghost immediately lowered her head and softened, "I will take you there, I will take you there!"
"No need to take him!"
At this moment, a chilling wind rose again, and from within the mist, sounds of ghostly soldiers emerged.
Several Ghost Generals appeared, their eyes flashing with scarlet light:
"I didn't expect it to be a demon head and not a human! My king already knows your intentions! All soldiers, advance! He is merely an Earth Immortal, slay him!"
Ji Xiang moved the muzzle of his gun away from the female ghost's head. Ghostly soldiers filled the mountains in all directions, and ghosts wailed! This place resembled the underworld more than the underworld itself. Countless ghosts emerged from underground, from the graves, from the depths of the mist!
They bared their fangs and brandished their claws, their faces contorted!
"Alas!"
Ji Xiang sighed, then raised his left hand.
A gigantic phantom of a ghostly face appeared out of thin air, opening its fangs, its laughter filling the entire Yin Fan world!
The leading charging Ghost General was bitten to pieces by the Abhidharma Vajra Ghost Face!
The wind and clouds reversed, instantly swallowing three thousand ghostly soldiers! The other ghosts immediately halted their advance!
The gigantic ghostly face made satisfied chewing sounds, and cheers erupted from its mouth. Simultaneously, several powerful auras seemed to be crossing dimensions to arrive!
Ji Xiang's expression shifted, his face unchanged, as he heard conversations from hell.
The ghosts were greatly alarmed! As ghosts, they were more sensitive to the auras within the ghostly face and showed expressions of terror!
The aura of Avici Hell!
...
In the deep mountains, the door of the last temple was smashed open by Ji Xiang. Standing inside was a Ghost God in the Innate Realm.
The Great Fortune Green Ghost, the Ghost God of Yaoming Kingdom, stood thirty feet tall, commanding forty-nine thousand lesser ghosts, wielding a red cudgel and brutally killing ten thousand people.
"What is this 'Vast Emptiness Home,' 'Perfect Enlightenment Land.'"
"Could it be the Yaoming Kingdom Dharma Realm!"
The red cudgel struck down towards Ji Xiang. In mid-air, it, along with the Great Fortune Green Ghost itself, suddenly split into pieces!
He opened his mouth and exhaled.
A flash of white light!
The vermilion divine incense fell into Ji Xiang's palm!
At the same time, the Chapter of Subduing Demons entered its third level!
...
The wind and thunder roared. Another day passed. Ji Xiang returned to Ying Tian and picked up the young girl from the Shen family. In just half a day, riding the celestial horse through the sky, with clouds rolling, the supernatural power of this great immortal and great free spirit completely awed the young girl. In the blink of an eye, the clouds above Mount Wudang could be seen. The Golden Palace shimmered with thunder and lightning, and the mountain gate was just ahead!
Ji Xiang had obtained all three incenses, which could open the path to the Free Sky Dharma Realm. As for the treasure given to him by Qin Nüxiu, obtained from the Abhidharma Vajra, Ji Xiang finally had the time to open it and examine it.
The box was cast from immortal gold, possessing considerable value in itself. And the treasure placed within it shocked Ji Xiang even more!
Traces of light red mist and haze flowed, it was actually a Second-Turn Immortal Pill!