Chương 35: Inviting the Deity

Fang Cheng understood. Pei Tang had suspected he was colluding with Hu Tong to silence Zhu Youchang.

"Zhu Youchang and I had a personal grudge. I mean, I was dispensing justice! He slaughtered countless lives. As a good person, killing him was the right thing to do. You have to believe me. Good people don't lie. How could I possibly be colluding with Hu Tong?" Fang Cheng was anxious. He couldn't let anyone slander him. The demon sword inside him sensed his emotional turmoil and stirred, humming with a low vibration, as if ready to burst free at any moment. Pei Tang let out a surprised sound.

He had probed Fang Cheng's body earlier and found nothing unusual about the demon sword. But now he could clearly sense its violent fluctuations. The energy contained within was immense, and demonic aura radiated from it in waves.

"Not simple." Pei Tang shook his head inwardly. Neither the demon sword nor Fang Cheng, who could suppress it, was simple. Especially the latter. Sometimes, deceiving oneself was the hardest thing of all; it required an incredibly strong conviction.

"I believe you. Bingxuan and I have exchanged many letters, and he's told me a great deal about you. He's currently in Xijiang Prefecture, your home, investigating some rumors about you. Most of them are false. People parrot what they hear. The common folk always exaggerate things they haven't seen themselves. Word spreads, and the truth becomes a lie, while the lie becomes the truth. Fang Cheng, you must understand. The immortal realm is already in chaos, and the mortal realm may soon follow.

We're in extraordinary times, and we need extraordinary measures. We must do everything in our power, both within and beyond our duties, to prevent catastrophe. So to be safe, I used those two men to test you just now. I was overthinking things. My apologies." Hearing this, Fang Cheng's mood lightened. Pei Tang's suspicion was reasonable, after all. Fang Cheng had been the one to impulsively stab the key witness, Zhu Youchang.

"Lord Pei, when you introduced Hu Tong's cities, I already found him suspicious. Those cities are all close to the Everlasting Mountains. And there's something I haven't mentioned yet." He quickly told Pei Tang about Xiaogou, emphasizing the Stabbing Brotherhood's activities, men having children, and also mentioned the Spirit Gathering Array hidden in Zhu Youchang's cellar.

"Indeed." Pei Tang nodded slightly. His guess had been right. Hu Tong was involved. He'd spoken to Hu Tong earlier, both to keep him steady and to catch him in the act when he dismantled the temples.

"Fang Cheng, your discovery is crucial. I'll send people to investigate the Stabbing Brotherhood immediately." Pei Tang wrote several letters and sent them off via flying sword, ordering searches for traces of the Stabbing Brotherhood in Hu Tong's cities. After that, he sighed and continued, "Zhu Youchang's case isn't just about bribery. There are deep interests at play. What's worse, the diagrams for the demonic Spirit Gathering Array have been leaked.

If demonic cultivators or spirit beasts get their hands on it, the consequences would be catastrophic. I'm not an Underworld Officer, but I can't just stand by." Fang Cheng nodded and suggested, "Since it's an extraordinary time, why bother with evidence? Just grab anyone suspicious, hang them up, beat them until they cry for their parents, and torture the truth out of them. Isn't that simpler?" Pei Tang shook his head.

"It's not that easy. Every suspect we've identified has been silenced before we could question them. Bingxuan and I suspect there are moles inside both the Hall of Eternal Life and the Underworld Bureau. So we can't touch Hu Tong. We have to use him as bait to catch the real mastermind."

"Silenced? The mastermind is quite bold." Fang Cheng's sense of justice blazed within him. The demon sword stirred eagerly. Who could it be? He couldn't wait to devour them.

"Lord Pei, could the Chief of the Hall of Eternal Life be the mastermind?" Fang Cheng voiced his suspicion. After hearing Zhang Ruilin's tragic story, he had no good opinion of the Hall's senior officials. Pei Tang fell silent. This was the scenario he feared most. It would mean more than half the Hall of Eternal Life was involved.

"It's unlikely. Li Jinghong's proposal today was probably his doing. He wants stability, to keep Great Sheng's population from declining. The demonic Spirit Gathering Array can produce Immortal Crystals in the short term, but it's too brutal. In the long run, it would lead to mass slaughter and chaos, which would be disastrous for the Hall."

"That makes sense too." Fang Cheng nodded.

"Whether it's the Hall's higher-ups or the Great Sheng royal family, they're all making money without lifting a finger. Of course they want stability, not rebellion."

"Enough about the case. Let's return to the demon sword." Pei Tang ended the topic. He was satisfied with Fang Cheng's performance. Great Sheng needed more cultivators like him, instead of those obsessed only with immortality.

"Fang Cheng, I can temporarily suppress the demon sword for you. But you need to agree to two conditions."

"Name them, my lord!" Fang Cheng said without hesitation.

"First, go to White Flower City and serve as its City God." Pei Tang looked at him seriously.

"Huh? Me?" Fang Cheng was stunned. He'd expected some grueling task, not a promotion. Seeing his silence, Pei Tang thought he was unwilling and explained, "White Flower City suffered heavy losses after the demon attack. I don't have enough people to send. This case needs my attention. And you saved White Flower City. You have great prestige among the people. You're the perfect choice to be its City God. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

I know White Flower City is remote and conditions are tough. But don't worry. Once I've wrapped up this case, I'll transfer you back. And I'll make sure you receive the highest salary. What do you say?" Fang Cheng quickly declined, "No need. The standard salary is fine. Actually, I think White Flower City is great. The people there are kind, much better than where I was before. But you said White Flower City is directly under the Hall of Eternal Life's control. Can they let me take the position?"

"They, ha." Pei Tang laughed.

"If I want you there, you'll be there. No one can stop it. Besides, in the eyes of some elders, that place is a desolate wasteland for exiles. They wouldn't bother sending anyone anyway."

"Right, those high-and-mighty cultivators look down on White Flower City." Fang Cheng nodded in agreement.

"What's the second condition?" Pei Tang smiled without answering.

"Follow me." He walked forward. Fang Cheng followed closely as they passed through the villa and climbed toward the summit of Golden Lotus Mountain. At the peak stood a stone tablet, over three zhang tall, pitch-black and radiating a cold, murderous aura. Pei Tang and Fang Cheng approached the tablet. Strange symbols were carved into it, like tadpoles, yet somehow like words, mysterious and profound.

"These are ancient characters." Pei Tang explained.

"Soul-Suppressing Stone." Fang Cheng's mind supplied the name involuntarily, as if he had seen these weathered, ancient words somewhere before.

"Correct. This is the Soul-Suppressing Stone." Pei Tang nodded in confirmation. He hadn't expected Fang Cheng to recognize ancient script. His gaze toward Fang Cheng grew even more appreciative.

"The Violet Star Emperor left this stone here after his ascension, to suppress all evil and prevent Heavenly Demons from invading the mortal realm. But over the ages, the Soul-Suppressing Stone has worn down and decayed. Its power is nearly gone now. Only a faint trace of the Emperor's energy remains..." Pei Tang pressed both palms against the stone. In an instant, a golden halo emerged from within him, spreading along his arms and covering the tablet's surface. BOOM!

A colossal Dharma Manifestation appeared in the sky, hundreds of zhang tall, blotting out the heavens. The Dharma Manifestation took the form of a handsome man. He wore a nine-dragon robe and a flat heavenly crown, and held a star-glittering sword in his hand. He stood on golden auspicious clouds, surrounded by lightning, hurricanes, and blazing fire. An overwhelming, majestic, and dominating aura radiated from him, enveloping the entire world. He seemed to look down at Fang Cheng, at all living beings.

His eyes were deep and bright, capable of seeing through all things, leading the movements of sun, moon, and stars, and the cycles of the universe. Fang Cheng felt as insignificant as an ant. The pressure was suffocating. His bones were about to crack, his soul was under attack, and a sharp pain shot through his skull. The demon sword inside him dared not make a sound. It curled up in a corner, trembling in terror.

"Fang Cheng, tell me. Who is he!" Pei Tang's voice was low and strained. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his arms trembled violently. Maintaining such a massive Dharma Manifestation was clearly exhausting him. Fang Cheng's lips moved, but only indistinct sounds came out.

"He is... he is..."

"Answer me!" Pei Tang's roar struck Fang Cheng like a thunderbolt, jolting him awake. He raised his head abruptly, his eyes burning as he stared at the Dharma Manifestation behind Pei Tang. From the depths of his throat, he shouted:"The Central North Pole Violet Star Supreme Emperor!"

"Excellent. Now I ask you, do you wish to become a disciple of the Violet Star Emperor?" Pei Tang proclaimed loudly.

"I... do..." Fang Cheng answered instinctively, without thinking. After he said it, he was dumbfounded. Wait, he was going to follow the Violet Star Emperor now? What the hell? The Violet Star Emperor was the most powerful being in the immortal realm. One punch and he'd send the Everlasting Emperor flying into a ditch! He also realized that Pei Tang was a disciple of the Violet Star Emperor. No wonder the Chief had sent someone to watch him.

This was Great Sheng territory, Everlasting Emperor territory, and suddenly a Violet Star follower showed up. Of course they'd keep a close eye on him. While Fang Cheng's mind raced, Pei Tang controlled the enormous Dharma Manifestation, slowly withdrawing its brilliance. It condensed into a stream of light and shot into Fang Cheng's brow. BZZT! A sharper pain spread through his entire body. Fang Cheng's brows twisted together, and he swayed, nearly falling.

"Close your eyes. Meditate!" Pei Tang's voice rang in his ear. Fang Cheng quickly closed his eyes and sat cross-legged. Pei Tang pressed his finger to Fang Cheng's brow, channeling Divine Energy into him to stabilize his spirit. He projected his spiritual thought into Fang Cheng's mind:"First Level is Awakening. Within every person lies a natural Dao Field. Opening the door lets you receive the world's Divine Energy. Second Level is Body Refining.

Divine Energy enters the body, refining flesh, bones, and organs; cleansing the five viscera and six bowels; regulating all meridians and acupoints; purifying the Dao Field. Third Level is the Furnace. Merging body and Dao Field into a unique 'Dao Field' of your own, nurturing Divine Energy while using it to temper the Dao Field." Fang Cheng listened and felt along. He'd read all this in the cultivation manual before, but with Pei Tang's spiritual guidance, he gained new insights.

"You were at the Second Level before. But in the Everlasting Mountains, the demon sword devoured many spirit beasts and fed their essence back to you. Those energies not only reinforced your Body Refining stage but also pushed you into the Third Level Furnace."

"Oh, really? I didn't even know I was already a Third Level cultivator. Honestly, I don't even know when I went from First to Second Level." Fang Cheng complained instinctively.

"Silence. Focus your mind!" Pei Tang snapped.

"Many cultivators' lower three stages are similar. They're built on Divine Energy alone. But you're different. Your foundation is unbelievably solid, whether from the demon sword's feedback or your own natural talent. Either way, your Dao Field is ready. I can push you to the Fourth Level now. Inviting the Deity!" Pei Tang channeled his spiritual thought, locating the Dharma Manifestation that had entered Fang Cheng's body, guiding it toward the Dao Field.

"Central North Pole Violet Star Supreme Emperor above! Disciple Pei Tang humbly requests your presence, to descend into Fang Cheng's Dao Field, to manifest as a divine statue, and to bless him with supreme merits!" As his words ended, a statue of the Violet Star Emperor appeared behind Pei Tang, its eyes opening, dark as ink. Simultaneously, a miniature figure of the Violet Star Emperor condensed outside Fang Cheng's Dao Field.

It too opened its eyes, meeting the statue behind Pei Tang in a silent gaze across space. A faint shimmer passed between them. Finally, the Violet Star Emperor's statue withdrew its gaze and gave a slight nod. The miniature figure looked away, stepped forward, and entered Fang Cheng's Dao Field.

"Success!" Pei Tang exhaled in relief. He could sense the connection between the Violet Star Emperor's statue and Fang Cheng. It meant the Violet Star Emperor in the celestial realm had acknowledged him. He withdrew his spiritual thought and lifted his finger from Fang Cheng's brow. The Dharma Manifestation behind him dissipated. The ritual was complete. Now Fang Cheng should have opened his eyes and enjoyed the joy of reaching the Fourth Level. But strangely, he remained in a meditative trance.

Something was calling to him. BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ! Suddenly, Fang Cheng's body radiated dazzling golden light. Inside him, his Dao Field had transformed into an endless void. In this void floated seven golden lotus thrones. Upon each sat a colossal statue, armored, helmeted, sitting cross-legged. Their faces were indistinguishable.

"This..." Pei Tang opened his mouth, but no words came out. Although he couldn't see what was inside Fang Cheng's body, he could see the mist and clouds rising around him, thunder and lightning, hurricanes, raging fire, surging tides, the sun and moon colliding, Mars crashing into Earth, Ultraman fighting a little monster, and the Calabash Brothers going head‑to‑head with a steamed‑rice‑cooking robot... All kinds of celestial anomalies came thick and fast, filling the entire void.

"You're actually an Inheritance Bestower!"