Chapter 362: The Call of the Bai Ze

Grand Preceptor Taiwei was taken away by the chief deity of the Thunder Division, but the mess on the ground still needs to be cleaned up.

Mu Yi first released Baxia from the Demon‑Lock Tower, after all its mother was still waiting outside.

"Mother!" Seeing Baxia transformed into the form of an eight‑year‑old child, Mu Yi couldn't help but curse in his heart that Taiwei was inhuman.

This divine beast has always grown slowly; Baxia also carries the bloodline of a divine turtle, making its growth even slower. Though its size is massive, it is truly just a juvenile.

No wonder Ao Rong kept calling it a youngster; fortunately Ao Rong still retains some reason, otherwise the whole Shushan Sect would have been drowned long ago.

An angry mother—what can't she accomplish?

"Dragon King, hold on. This time I am karmically linked with this child; since I have taken its opportunity, let me make up for it!"

"The Shushan Sect's founding patriarch Taiwei was escorted to the Heavenly Court for trial; his crimes are inescapable. This Demon‑Lock Tower was employed for demonic paths, yet it is also a priceless treasure."

"In the future, why not convert this Demon‑Lock Tower into a Demon‑Suppression Tower, letting the Shushan Sect slay demons and monsters, imprisoning those hard‑to‑kill demonic cultivators and beast‑spirits inside, then have Baxia guard it? That would be a meritorious deed. What does the Dragon King think?"

Calling it guarding is accurate, but in practice it mirrors the earlier ritual of forging the Demon‑Subduing Sword: imprison the rogue demonic cultivators and beasts, use their essence and true blood to nourish Baxia's growth, and since Baxia wishes rapid development, it must bear a suppression burden. With this scheme, Mu Yi has indeed found a good place for Baxia.

Ao Rong felt a stir, yet hesitated; after all, turning from prisoner to jailer doesn't seem like a good choice.

"I have the cheap authority to confer titles; I can grant Baxia an eighth‑rank Divine Position. If it performs well in the future, further promotion is not impossible!"

Mu Yi seized the moment; he wasn't suddenly a martyr, but rather saw an opportunity for his own advancement within Taiwei's scheme.

"Divine Majesty, may your benevolence inspire my child to serve like a loyal dog and horse!" Hearing Mu Yi could grant a divine position, Ao Rong immediately consented on Baxia's behalf.

Then Mu Yi, following the same method, on behalf of the Shushan Sect compensated many captured divine‑beast descendants with divine positions, and simultaneously set trials for those beasts to bind them, preventing new resentment and retaliation against humanity.

This was unavoidable; for Mu Yi to claim the Demon‑Lock Tower, he had to inherit the karmic debt left by the Shushan Sect. Fortunately, his cheap conferral right now proved useful.

The various divine beasts dispersed, while Baxia stayed atop the Demon‑Suppression Tower, bearing Mu Yi's divine statue to suppress the entire tower.

After the demons inside the Demon‑Suppression Tower die, their power is absorbed by the tower and passed to Baxia, while their souls are taken by Mu Yi's divine statue and cast into the Reincarnation Barrier, either into the Hungry Ghost Realm or the Animal Realm.

【9】 In this way, Mu Yi need not act personally to make the Reincarnation Barrier grow.

Thus, Mu Yi doesn't need to act himself and can let the Reincarnation Barrier grow.

After solving these problems, Mu Yi finally returned to the Shushan Sect.

At this moment the Shushan Sect was in total chaos; even Jing Wei didn't know what had happened.

The founding patriarch was missing; the ancestral statue that once stood solidly in the main hall had cracked inch by inch. He could not make any contact, and after the earlier disturbances his heart had already sunk to the bottom of a valley.

Seeing Mu Yi arrive, they naturally rushed to welcome him.

"Divine Majesty, our sect's patriarch…"

Mu Yi extended his hand, cutting off the rest of the sentence.

"Taiwei violated heavenly law, using personal selfishness to disrupt the natural operation of Heaven and Earth, and has already been taken back to the Heavenly Court for judgment."

"You, throughout Shushan, have for years harmed countless spirit and divine beasts between Heaven and Earth; you ought to have your sect abolished. Yet considering you were also deceived by Taiwei, this time I permit you to atone by slaying demons and monsters, thereby cleansing your sins."

While speaking, Mu Yi pointed a finger; a fragrant fire clone transformed into a divine statue, replacing the shattered patriarch statue in the main hall and seated upright within.

"From now on the Shushan Sect will be overseen by this Heavenly Lord; should you encounter Blood Demon kind later, you may seek this Heavenly Lord's assistance!"

"Henceforth the Demon‑Lock Tower shall become a Demon‑Suppression Tower; any unmanageable demons may be locked inside, with Baxia suppressing them."

Jing Wei, hearing this, stood dumbfounded, his mind racing, then immediately prostrated himself.

The Shushan Sect has indeed had members question the Demon‑Lock Tower, but with the patriarch above, who can twist the arm of a thigh?

"Heavenly Lord's mercy!" Jing Wei hurriedly thanked.

The preceding sentences already made him break into a cold sweat; he dared not even catch a breath.

If Taiwei has become a criminal, then what are they, the Shushan Sect?

The patriarch is gone, but the Heavenly Lord remains; for the Shushan Sect, that doesn't seem a bad thing.

"From today onward, the new Shushan Sect shall take slaying demons, doing good, accumulating virtue, and benefiting humanity as its mission, never returning to the old ways!"

Mu Yi earnestly instructed Jing Wei, making clear how they should develop henceforth.

After Mu Yi departed, Jing Wei stood idly in the main hall for a long time, then let out a deep sigh and prostrated before Mu Yi's divine statue.

"Praise the Heavenly Lord who pursues demons and sweeps away impurity!"

…

Mu Yi wasn't sure whether his handling was appropriate, but the Shushan Sect disciples' earlier spirit in resisting Blood Demons made him think they were merely led astray by Taiwei; guiding them back to the right path might be a good thing.

On the other hand, the Demon‑Suppression Tower was indeed an experiment for him; rather than personally slaying demons, he could broaden the scope, spreading his doctrine so more people, under his influence, would walk the path of pursuing demons and cleansing impurity.

This would greatly benefit his future consolidation of divine office.

【Zongwang Prompt: Defeat the world boss in the campaign, gain Legend Rank 3】

【Zongwang Prompt: You have passed down the Dao tradition in the Shushan Storm Campaign world, Legend Rank 10; as Shushan disciples spread, your legend will become ever more widespread】

Glancing at the Zongwang Prompt, Mu Yi paid it little heed.

The Legend Rank is essentially a core factor for ascension; the higher the legend, the easier the deification.

However, for him—a nobody who hasn't even reached half‑god level—it holds no meaning.

In fact, he isn't much different from the priests of the divine cults; the divine position comes from the Heavenly Court, not from his own cultivation, essentially a power loaned by Heaven and the Underworld.

As for lacking treasure chests or the like, Mu Yi is accustomed to that.

After becoming a Legend, it's become hard for him to obtain the growth benefits he once enjoyed.

Nevertheless, even without those Zongwang treasure chests, he can still gain other rewards within these worlds, sometimes more valuable than anything a chest could contain.

For example, the Blood God Offspring hidden within his barrier now offers a priceless artifact, constantly exuding blood qi to strengthen the Asura Path barrier.

He rode his familiar carriage to the Red Earth Tavern and found the Nine-tailed Fox Owner.

"Back already?" the Nine-tailed Fox Owner looked up at Mu Yi.

"Will you give those Shushan Sect bastards a good lecture for me?"

"Going to Shushan, many things happened…" Mu Yi didn't know where to begin.

"That old Taiwei, daring to lay a hand on you?" the Nine-tailed Fox Owner asked, half‑astonished.

"It's not that…"

Mu Yi organized his thoughts and told the owner the whole story.

He spoke from the Blood Demon incident all the way to Taiwei being taken away.

After the Blood Demon, I found out that Taiwei violated heavenly law; now the Thunder Department Deity has taken Taiwei back to the Heavenly Court for judgment. He should be sent to the Immortal Slaying Platform and then reincarnate.

"Hahaha, Heaven has eyes, Heaven has eyes!" the Nine-tailed Fox Owner burst into laughter; regarding Taiwei's fate, she felt genuine joy from the heart.

"Hmph! I said back then that his actions had already entered the demonic path; sooner or later heavenly punishment and earthly destruction would come. I never expected karmic retribution that he would die because of me!" The Nine-tailed Fox Owner felt refreshed all over, her great grudge avenged.

"Come, come, come! Mu Xiaozi, I'm happy today; please have a drink!" The Nine-tailed Fox Owner pulled out a jar of wine from under the counter.

"Hmph, this is the Immortal Brew I obtained when I roamed the Zongwang back in the day; today I'll let you open your eyes!"

The owner opened the wine and poured out two bowls of fine wine.

【Jade Nectar】

Item Level: 40

Item Quality: Purple Epic

Type: Fine Wine

Effect: After consumption, slightly increases mana cap, life cap, restores a large amount of HP and a large amount of MP.

Each minute, a physique check is made; on failure, gain a large amount of happiness; on success, gain a large amount of deliciousness.

Mu Yi hadn't even seen the effects clearly when the Nine-tailed Fox Owner urged him to drink.

Smooth on entry, a single line throat.

Nothing like anything Mu Yi had drunk before; one sip and it seemed all past drinks were like plain water, with unparalleled flavor dancing on the tongue.

"How is it!"

The Nine-tailed Fox Owner's cheeks flushed slightly, she looked at Mu Yi with a smiling gaze; Mu Yi nodded, though his head felt heavy and his feet light, he nonetheless stuck out his thumb and gave high praise to the Immortal Brew's taste.

"Today I'm happy, the wine is plenty, no drunk no return!" The owner, also a bit drunk, shouted to everyone in the tavern.

"Oh oh oh oh oh!" The owner's words ignited the tavern's enthusiasm; everyone raised their cups to thank her.

"No drunk, no return!" Mu Yi likewise raised his bowl and drank deeply.

……

When Mu Yi opened his eyes again, he found himself lying in his own manor, not knowing when he had been sent back.

"Hiss!" The headache after drinking assaulted Mu Yi.

Although his physique is now extremely high, facing such high-grade wine, he was still easily knocked out.

Fortunately, his willpower dispelled the hangover feeling instantly, yet inexplicably, Mu Yi felt sore all over, not knowing what had happened.

Just as Mu Yi wondered and tried to recall,

"Mu Xiaozi, Mu Yi Xiaozi, come to the Underworld, quickly come to the Underworld!" Bai Ze's voice was as sharp as a night owl's.

Mu Yi thought it over; he had nothing else to do, so he went to the Underworld to see what Bai Ze wanted.

But is Bai Ze courting death again? He actually dared to run to the Underworld himself.

When Mu Yi had crossed the Yellow Spring Road and arrived at the Ghost Gate Pass, he froze at the sight with just one glance.

At this moment Bai Ze revealed his true form, hung up on the Ghost Gate Pass, looking just like a hanged ghost.

"Hahaha!" Mu Yi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

It turned out Bai Ze wasn't courting death; rather, he had been hung up by someone for courting death.

"Mu Xiaozi!"

Bai Ze stared at Mu Yi full of resentment, but with his power sealed, he was no different from the carvings on the Ghost Gate Pass, utterly lacking intimidation.

"How did you end up here?" Mu Yi asked curiously.

"You still dare to ask!" Bai Ze, somewhat frantic, "Why am I hung up here, don't you know?"

"Bai Ze, stop complaining; being hung here by Hou Tu Niangniang is her mercy—if it were another great god, you might be crushed under some mountain right now!" Shen Tu chuckled and poked Bai Ze.

"Shen Tu, you bastard!" Bai Ze flew into a rage but could do nothing about it.

"Anyway, you're already hung up here; perfect to keep us brothers company and tell us a story!" Yu Lei likewise had a tone of idle chatter.

Clearly the three are quite familiar, even able to joke without restraint.

"Shen Tu Yu Lei, you two bastards!" Bai Ze, furious, bared his teeth and claws, struggling constantly, but the power hanging him is that of Hou Tu Niangniang—how could he break free?

This provoked Shen Tu and Yu Lei to burst into laughter again; though they had a bit of conscience, they used divine power to block the sight, so others couldn't see Bai Ze's current state.

"Mu Xiaozi, help me plead with Hou Tu Niangniang!"

Bai Ze struggled a while, then gave up in resignation; he knows all things and naturally understands the value of the Heaven and Earth Emperor.

Even if he had the ability to reach the heavens, now he can only hang on the Ghost Gate Pass as a pendant.

"I cannot comply!" Mu Yi firmly refused.

He doesn't have Bai Ze's death-seeking spirit; Bai Ze being hung here is entirely his own doing—what does he have to plead with?

Furthermore, when Bai Ze initially interrogated him, he never considered whether Mu Yi could speak.

"However, I have an idea that might help you!"

Mu Yi rubbed his chin, looking at Bai Ze's mysterious smile; based on the experience of the Demon Suppressing Tower, perhaps he could transform.

"But if it works, how will you repay me?" Mu Yi began bargaining with Bai Ze.

"Three chances!" Bai Ze bluntly named his price.

"Ten chances!" Mu Yi directly opened his mouth wide like a lion; having been tricked once by Bai Ze, this is a perfect opportunity to make up for it.

"Five chances!"

"Eight chances!"

"Six chances!"

"Seven chances!"

"Seven times, then seven times!" Bai Ze black‑faced agreed to Mu Yi's price, after all being hung here is really too dangerous.

If others found out, I'd probably not be able to avoid being surrounded by a crowd watching; if unlucky, the Queen Mother of the West might even send people to come execute and punish me.

By then it would really be screwed; now that I've heard Mu Yi has a method, I can only grit my teeth and agree.

Although I know the more I say, the bigger the trouble, but it can't worry about that much now.

"Shentu and Yulei, you two have guarded the Ghost Gate for many years, with hard work and great merit; if you could take over guarding the Ghost Gate for a while, perhaps they could intercede for you!"

Mu Yi glanced at Shentu and Yulei, then voiced his idea.

Shentu and Yulei exchanged a glance, stroked their chins, and began to consider the feasibility of the plan.

Bai Ze, however, kept a dark face; this idea, to him, was completely a bad idea—being hung here versus squatting here to keep watch, what difference does it make for it?