Chapter 206: Fire Essence

Kui Qing clearly did not know the origin of this name; hearing that this name sounded very imposing and felt like it carried some fortune, he also grinned foolishly.

He then said: "Master, although I have let go of my past life, the fetus in my womb from my past life has not let go. Because he was killed by having my belly cut open to pray for rain, he became obsessed and turned into a 'Fire Essence', often residing in the oil droplets of lamp wicks. Once someone is negligent, he jumps out of the oil lamp and sets fire to everything."

"Now it is lurking in your home."

Xu Jia was astonished: "My home is not to be entered without invitation; how did it get in?"

The Green Ox Spirit said: "Only because I was subdued by you, Master, he felt indignant. Thinking of the bond between mother and son, he wanted to take revenge for me."

"There are always times when lanterns are hung at the gate of your mansion, so he jumped into the lantern's fire wick. When the servants changed the oil, he snuck in."

"Other things are no matter, but he brought a treasure out from the placenta, which is a Hibiscus Flag. This flag is curled in an inexplicable way; if waved slightly, it can help the fire spread. If it were built of wood, it would be billowing with thick smoke in an instant, burning into a sheet of flames."

Xu Jia thought about it; there are two types of such little spirits in lamp flowers and candle flames, both in the image of boys. One is the "Lamp Flower Boy", who only appears on festive and joyous days. He is formed by the light of lamps absorbing human Qi and many thoughts of joy and happiness, representing "luck". It is rumored that seeing a Lamp Flower Boy will bring good fortune.

The other type is the "Red Banner Boy". This boy is a "hellion", an arsonist who likes to appear in the dead of night, holding a small flag to fan the flames. Often, before anyone even starts to fight the fire, it has already burned into ruins.

Every time he successfully commits arson, his Divine Ability and Dharma Power increase a little. It is rumored that the "Fire Essence Song Wuji" enlightened them.

Song Wuji was an alchemist during the Spring and Autumn period, known as the "Fire Immortal" because he liked to drink "fire oil". The medicinal pills he refined were similar to "petroleum".

After his Corpse Severance, he became a Fire Official in the Heavenly Court. Of course, compared to "Zhurong", he can only be called a minor official, roughly similar to the eleven Yang Spirits under the seat of the Wind God.

It is rumored that when Xiang Yu burned the Afang Gong, it was Song Wuji who personally directed it from above, burning the three-hundred-li Afang Gong completely clean, with residual smoke lingering for months.

What Song Wuji presides over is "disaster fire", mainly burning people's houses and wealth.

Xu Jia heard that this ox spirit actually had a "Red Child" and nodded slightly: "That matches. This mischievous boy, can you persuade him to turn back?"

Kui Qing nodded: "In my past life, I was his mother; in this life, he recognizes me as his father. That year, when I awakened my Past Life Wisdom and escaped, it was also him who helped set the fire, so I could kill my enemy from my past life."

"By the way, there is one more thing!" the Green Ox Spirit said: "My corpse from my past life has already undergone a corpse transformation and is turning into a drought demon."

Xu Jia was startled: "A drought demon? Which kind of drought demon? The kind that causes drought for a thousand li?"

"That's not quite it," the Green Ox Spirit said: "It might be a fire zombie or something similar. It also has some strange phenomena; when it appears, there is a great drought, and it can drain the underground Water Veins."

"So it's a small drought demon." Xu Jia breathed a sigh of relief. If it were a Fierce God like the "Yellow Emperor's Daughter Ba" descending into the world, Xu Jia would turn and run, taking his father and mother far away.

But if it is just a fire zombie or a small drought demon, as long as it is dug out, then "driven into a pile" to build a bridge, and struck into the foundation of the bridge pier, then performing rituals on the bridge can eliminate the drought.

This kind of zombie, although it has more power than an ordinary zombie, is not difficult to deal with.

"They really committed sins! To pray for rain, they cut you open to beg for rain. Heaven was furious and sent some rain, but one turned into a Green Ox Spirit, and one turned into a Fire Essence. That's not even the end of it; the corpse has to turn into a drought demon... Parents commit sins, and descendants pay for them generation after generation."

Xu Jia sighed with emotion and said to the Golden Toad: "The matter of building bridges and paving roads is left to you. Also, nourish Kui Qing's body as soon as possible."

Jinchan Duobao laughed and said: "This was originally what he requested himself, but I will definitely nourish him well."

He then said: "When will Master Xu take Dexing? I plan to go there to develop. That is a treasure land—gold mines, silver mines, copper mines. If I can go there, I can soon become a real Wealth God."

"Wait for it!" Xu Jia said: "You must also be careful of the Greed Demon. You are becoming more and more greedy now. Have you forgotten what I said about taking and using?"

"I haven't forgotten, I haven't forgotten!" Duobao hurriedly defended himself: "This is entirely the instinct of the Wealth God acting up. I am definitely benefiting the people!"

He then said: "I am now offering low-interest Green Sprout Loans to the poor. Although it's not much, three or five hundred wen, it allows them to afford seeds and repay the money after the autumn harvest. We also accept cloth; we take it as money. Whether they weave linen or kudzu cloth, I accept it all."

"Now it is flourishing. Those beggars, idlers, and gamblers have now been transformed into new appearances one by one, and they are continuously creating value. For those with families, I let them return to their families; for those without families, I actively help them form families... This is called 'first establish a family, then establish a career'. Once they have a wife and children, they have attachments, and then they can work for me steadily."

"Even those spirit mediums and witches from the Fox Immortal Hall before, we have taken care of them. For those who split coffins, we helped them open shops for coffins and incense; for those who do carpentry, we introduced them to wealthy households in the city; for matchmakers, we opened matchmaker halls; for those who heal and chant spells, there is a monthly herbal subsidy..."

The Golden Toad said: "As long as I can think of it, I will definitely do it in every aspect. Although Jinhua took the Pressing Money, he is too kind and too conservative to do business. I am different; I am bold, seek innovation, and have a flexible moral bottom line. This is what allows one to do big things. Besides, this is also what you taught me. When we first started, didn't we start by trapping these idlers and gamblers? Transforming evil wealth into righteous wealth—now it is still in the process of transforming the evil. Master Xu, rest assured!"

"By the way, that guy Kan Yinwu was also taught a lesson by me. He is much more honest now. Before, he was always secretly bringing things to his own home. Now, not only has he spat out the things, but even those mouse descendants of his that have some intelligence and cleverness have also been incorporated by me."

Xu Jia nodded: "If you can grasp the degree of it, then I am relieved."

Xu Jia then said to Hu Agui: "You go back first."

Hu Agui sighed: "When you need someone, you say 'I need you to help me cultivate', and when you don't need someone, you say 'you go back'. Sure enough, men are all the same, discarding you after using you!"

Xu Jia: "?"

Xu Jia said: "I am going home now."

"Can't I go back with you?" Hu Agui showed the expression of a pitiful puppy, as if no one wanted him on the side of the road, yet he was trying hard to please.

Xu Jia ruthlessly refused: "My home is a solemn Pure Land; it cannot tolerate filthy things entering."

"Hmph!" Hu Agui was so angry that he turned into a gust of fragrant wind and left.

Xu Jia then went home alone.

Returning home, he first put the "Bookworm" into the study.

Seeing Xu Jia return, Xu Mu couldn't help but ask: "Why were you gone for so long? How did the matter go?"

"The teacher has already agreed to act as a guarantor; passing the xiucai exam is steady." Xu Jia took off his outer robe and handed it to Xiao Hong.

Xiao Hong took the clothes and suddenly sniffed: "Young Master, why is there a scent of a woman's face powder on you?"

"You smelled wrong." Xu Jia was expressionless: "How is the pill making going over there now?"

Xiao Hong didn't want to let go of this clue, but when asked about serious business, she wasn't vague. Her monthly silver had risen to two taels of silver. Besides working at the Xu family, she also had to go to the Niu Family Medicine Shop to guide the small workshop making pills. She successfully refined the pills; those medicine workers were not as good as her. Only she could make the Small Five Elements Pill in one go, while the medicine workers at Niu Dafu's side would make mistakes here or there.

"Everything is on the right track. There is a master who specializes in checking medicinal materials, two apprentices in the pharmacy for processing, one who dries them in the sun during the day and one who dries them in the moon at night. I just went over to take a look; I didn't help much."

"That's fine. You are my person, and they are Niu Dafu's people. Now our two families are partnering; I provide the prescriptions, and he provides the labor and medicine."

Xu Jia said: "Just don't waste these medicines."

"Where is Xiaopangdun? I haven't seen him running over here much lately."

Xiao Hong smiled: "He is afraid of you, Young Master, now. He always says you let him temper his courage. I have already heard that you kicked him into a snake den with one foot. Now he dreams of all kinds of snakes at night, and now he is afraid even when he sees a rope."

Xu Jia didn't expect that the kick at the Snake King Temple would give him a trauma.

He couldn't help but think to himself: I wouldn't have crippled this disciple with my own hands, would I?

So he said: "You go see him tomorrow and tell him that I have a magic art to pass on to him here, which is very powerful and can control lightning."

"Really! Can I learn it?" Xiao Hong said expectantly.

"No, you just learn the Old Farmer Technique. How is your practice going now?"

Xiao Hong said with a blushing face: "I don't know what's wrong lately, but after practicing this, that thing doesn't like to come much anymore."

"Normal, this is mending the leaks. Your body was too deficient before. After mending the leaks, don't you often feel warm all over now, and you don't have the problem of cold hands and feet anymore?"

"That's right!"

Xu Jia nodded and explained: "If you want to reach that state, you just stop practicing for a period, and it will naturally come. As far as I know, after some Daoist Priests practice, their cycle generally changes from once a month to once every month and a half, or even two months, or perhaps only once every three months. This is the process of gradually 'slaying the red dragon.' Once the red dragon is slain, one will remain youthful, the body will be light and healthy, one will attain Longevity, and one will also have far fewer of the seven emotions and six desires."

Xiao Hong gave an 'ah' sound: "But I haven't given birth to a child yet!"

"This doesn't really affect having children. It's just that when you are pregnant, don't practice, lest the fetus be refined away. Although it seems many in the Yin Pill School do exactly this to extend their lifespan and preserve their life force. Besides, you aren't married yet, so where would a child come from? If you want to practice, then continue practicing; if you don't want to, then don't. This is up to you; after all, this is merely a method to strengthen one's physical power."

This is a type of "Internal Boxing," the pinnacle of health preservation, which can also increase strength, regulate the Qi and blood throughout the body, and nourish the five internal organs. It is a method of cultivation for a Human Immortal; calling it "Martial Dao" is less accurate than calling it "Life Merit."

Xu Jia did not pass on "Nature Cultivation" to Xiao Hong. If one practices Nature Cultivation, it consumes a large amount of Essence Qi to nourish the Soul, and then one would not have these troubles.

"So that's how it is." Xiao Hong began to ponder her own situation, and Xu Jia reminded her: "Boil some hot water for me."

Xiao Hong agreed, and she didn't ask where that fragrance from just a moment ago had come from.

Xu Mu, however, was curious: "Do you have a girl outside?"

Xu Jia retorted: "The probability of me raising a female demon or a female ghost outside is higher than that of raising a girl."

He then immediately asked Xu Mu: "Mother, have there been any strange occurrences at home recently?"

"I have been following your method, chanting mantras and holding secrets in the Buddha hall, and I have to guard against formless Yin demons emerging from the darkness, so I offered two small jars before the Bodhisattva statue in the Buddha hall, filled them with clear oil, and lit them as Ever-Bright Lamps."

"Everything was fine for the first few days, but in the last two days, they have always been crackling and popping. The light of the fire shrinks and grows. You previously said there were no ghosts in the Buddha hall and that Yin demons also fear the light, but this thing crackles and makes a fuss whenever I sit down to chant Buddha's name, and it becomes quiet again as soon as I stand up."

Xu Jia knew immediately that this must be the child from his past life that Kui Qing had mentioned, who had reincarnated in this life as a spirit of fire. It was just that he had wanted to commit arson in Xu Jia's home but had blundered into the Great Sea Lamp of light in the Buddha hall, and since Xu Mu was practicing Dharma there, he had been "subdued."

"Let's go, we'll go take a look together." Xu Jia took his mother's hand and they walked side by side into the Buddha hall.

The Buddha hall enshrined a ceramic statue of Guanyin, which possessed a certain aura of compassion, holding a Pure Bottle in its hand. Xu Jia had previously taken this bottle down to set up a Feng Shui array.

There were also two Great Sea Lamps burning brightly; although the flames were not large, they made the place feel as if it were permeated by sunlight.

This Buddha hall was already a Daochang for the Bodhisattva, a temple for the propagation of Dharma. Viewed from the Dharma Realm, a Dharma image of Guanyin Bodhisattva was inside, though the face resembled Xu Mu's slightly; this was precisely Xu Mu's "karmic connection to Buddhahood."

Many people are often told they have a "Buddha appearance" or a "compassionate appearance," which means their internal and external cultivation are one. It is better to say that the Bodhisattvas and Buddha are becoming more and more like you. After all, the Buddha has no original form; he takes the form of all sentient beings. Everyone has the potential to become a Buddha; even a Heavenly Demon can become a Buddha, such as Poxun. Poxun will become a Buddha in the future, known as the "Tathagata of Wonderful Abiding and Dharma Light." Apart from this Bodhisattva, one could especially see the Ever-Bright Lamps in the two large sea jars, which had transformed into two soft "little suns."

On one of the suns, there was a young boy. This boy looked strange; his whole body was bright red, he had two small horns, was barefoot, and held a triangular flag in his hand that was slightly curled, shaped like the petals of a lotus flower.

He wanted to leave this Great Sea Lamp, but a translucent barrier of light enveloped him. It seemed like the "Womb Realm" of the Buddhist school. The Womb Realm is the compassionate world of "Dainichi Nyorai," which, like a mother's womb, contains, stores, and protects the Buddha Nature of all sentient beings. It represents the potential within all beings to fully attain Buddhahood, thus harboring and nurturing this Buddha Nature until it matures and is born; once born, it is the "descent of the Buddha."

The Womb Realm and the Vajra Realm are two sides of the same coin, possessing the Emptiness of "form is emptiness, emptiness is form."

Xu Mu used this light as an offering, and by chanting the Guanyin Heart Sutra externally and holding the secret True Word Mantra internally, her compassionate Buddha Nature was summoned by the Womb Realm, and she had been nurturing her Buddha Nature all along.

It just so happened that this spirit of fire crawled into the flame of the Great Sea Lamp and was trapped within, continuing to receive the nourishment of the Womb Realm, shedding its own wicked and stubborn nature until it was purified and could emerge.

Xu Jia smiled when he saw this: "This is a good thing. A spirit has appeared in this lamp. Mother, every time you chant, you are performing a Dharma Offering to this spirit. This is great Merit."

"A spirit?" Xu Mu suddenly realized: "There are spirits in this flame too?"

Xu Jia pointed to the "lingzhi-shaped" carbonized material appearing on the wick of the candle: "This little thing is sitting cross-legged on top, just like a Buddha or Bodhisattva sitting on a Lotus Platform. It's just that its nature is restless and the fire nature is fierce; it won't listen to the Dharma and needs to be restrained more. Mother, whenever you are free, just trim the candle wick here, and that will do. Who knows, in the future, it might even become an Immortal in the flames."

"So that's how it is." Xu Mu said: "Recently, while holding the Guanyin Heart Sutra, I suddenly received a flash of spiritual light and seemed to have grasped a Small Supernatural Power. But I haven't even reached one hundred thousand recitations yet."

"That is because you, Mother, have been practicing the Esoteric Buddhism True Word Mantra. The previous method of recitation was not what is held in Esoteric Buddhism and lacked inconceivable power; its main effect was to inspire Buddha Nature. Now that you hold the True Word Mantra, it has the characteristic of Outer Zen Inner Esoteric, making it easier to cultivate a Small Supernatural Power. However, supernatural powers are obstacles to Buddhahood and should not be relied upon too much. I wonder what kind of supernatural power you have grasped?"

"It seems to be an achievement in a dream. When I am asleep, I am also chanting scriptures and mantras in the Buddha hall, and occasionally a Master suddenly appears to resolve my doubts. If I have any questions, he appears immediately to explain them to me. Recently, he asked me to read the Diamond Sutra thoroughly, saying that the Diamond Sutra can resolve some of my doubts."

"A Master?" Xu Jia was startled: "What Master? I previously laid out a barrier in our home and set up an altar to prevent any Yin substances from entering. If it were a Yin Master or the like who transmits Dharma in dreams, they absolutely could not get in. Did you invite any Buddhist Magic Tools home recently, Mother?"

Xu Mu shook her head: "No. I couldn't see that Master's face clearly; perhaps it was an incarnation of a Bodhisattva."

Xu Jia checked carefully again and performed some calculations, but he could not calculate what kind of existence it was.

So he said: "The Diamond Sutra can be read. This sutra is considered a classic that must be read for entry into the Dharma. Although the hundred-character Guanyin Heart Sutra is incisive and every word is a gem, if you can read the Diamond Sutra thoroughly, you will have a deeper understanding and possess the wisdom of seeing one's nature and becoming a Buddha."

Xu Jia also had an understanding of the Diamond Sutra. This was the first completely intact Buddhist sutra he had ever read, and it left a deep impression on him. The full name of this sutra is Vajra Prajna Paramita. 'Vajra' refers to the "Vajra nature," which corresponds to the "Gold nature" of the Daoists; it is indestructible and the most solid.

'Prajna' means "wisdom."

'Paramita' means "reaching the other shore."

This sutra is one of the Mahayana classics of Buddhism and is a record of the dialogue between the Buddha, the World-Honored One, and his disciple Subhuti. Therefore, it begins with the four characters: "Thus have I heard."

It deeply expounds on "Emptiness," and Emptiness is the necessary quality for attaining Buddhahood. Among them, "All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows; like dew and like lightning; thus should one view them," is a famous saying from this sutra, which later became a phrase used by many people who have studied Buddhism for a day or two to show off.

Aside from these Buddhist principles, the Diamond Sutra also contains practical verification, such as how to "subdue one's mind" and how not to be deceived by illusions.

Xu Jia immediately took the scripture and explained the general idea to Xu Mu. Master Xu was well-versed in the Three Teachings; although he couldn't say he was proficient in everything, he couldn't be called mediocre in everything either.

Xu Jia had real substance in his belly. He had originally returned to check for fire hazards, but now that Xu Mu wanted to learn the classics, Xu Jia naturally would not refuse.

Xu Mu still had some talent; she had actually acquired the "achievement in a dream" Small Supernatural Power in such a short time, being able to learn the Dharma in her dreams. Perhaps it wasn't a dream; perhaps Xu Mu's consciousness had arrived at the Buddha Realm Pure Land, or perhaps it was a manifestation of a Bodhisattva.

Xu Jia lectured for an hour, and Xiao Hong said from the side: "Young Master, the water has been boiled and is ready."

Only then did Xu Jia stop. He then discovered that Gui Linggao was eavesdropping here again. It wasn't just him; the Battle Hawk was also there shaking its head.

These two little demons—one did nothing at home, and the other had work to do but was bent on slacking off.

Xu Jia immediately ordered Xun Taizi to catch the Battle Hawk.

Xun Taizi had been standing on Xu Jia's shoulder, but it was of "wind quality," so others only felt a gust of wind. Of course, it could reveal its form if it wanted to.

It soared into the sky and immediately grabbed the Battle Hawk with its two claws, startling the Battle Hawk into squawking: "Help! Murdering a bird!"

Not until it landed in Xu Jia's palm did it pitifully say: "Great Immortal, if you have something for me to do, just call me; why use force to catch me?"

Xu Jia pinched the base of its wing and interrogated it: "What have you been doing these days?"

"I went to Dexing to help the Great Immortal supervise that Dharma King!"

Xu Jia: "Oh? Did you discover anything?"

"No, that Dharma King occupied a temple and rarely comes out. But every so often, he sends a girl inside, but that girl is never seen coming out. I suspect she is dead."

"It seems I need to be faster."

He then released the Battle Hawk: "Gather all your bird brothers and supervise well. I am going to practice a Great Art. It will take three days at the shortest and seven days at the longest. If it is not done in seven days, I will go to Dexing myself."

Xu Jia then went to bathe.

Bathing and changing clothes is a preliminary step for practicing many spells, representing Cleansing Body, having no filth, and also representing respect for the gods.

After bathing, Xu Jia changed into a set of old clothes, still wearing his patchwork robe on the outside.

He began to open the altar and draw Talismans. What Xu Jia was about to practice was the "Tiangang Great Sage Inner Landscape Thunder Law." Once this law is mastered, one can refine external thunder. This external thunder, gunpowder, was to be used to break the three evil Flood Dragons.

But as far as Xu Jia knew, they could also be used to blow people up; during the War of Resistance in his past life, various homemade explosive packs and homemade landmines were no less powerful, making the Japanese devils turn pale at the mere mention of them.

Xu Jia admitted that he could not build a gun in this world for the time being, but for this kind of Divine Thunder Seed with relatively mature technology, he could make and refine it himself, and he would feel at ease using it.

When the time came to fight the Dharma King, he would just throw a Divine Thunder at him and blast him until his hands and feet were broken.

His Inner Landscape Tiangang required cultivating inner water and fire, channeling them into the Kidney Pivot point, and then stimulating lightning to transform it into Tiangang Qi; Xu Jia needed Thunder Sha, which was the Evil Qi left behind at a site struck by lightning after natural thunder fell. In his past life, it was said to be a type of "magnetic field," because the energy of the lightning was absorbed by the parts of the earth rich in "metal"...

But this was not a place that talked about science; the Talisman Xu Jia drew was precisely the "Heavenly Stems Great Sage Talisman."

Among the various great methods of the Lushan Sect, there was also the "Firearm Method"; for example, the Magic Tool "Five Thunders Divine Fire Gun" was a handgun.

In Feng Shui confrontations, there was also the theory of directly using a "cannon" aimed at the opposing building to "break" the other party's Feng Shui; the cannon itself was a strong source of Evil Qi.

Xu Jia drew the Heavenly Stems Talisman, and then drew three "Lushan Thunder Summoning Talismans."

The Lushan Sect also had "Thunder Law," after all, the Ancestor "Xu Xun" himself was a great deity of the Thunder Department.

It was just that this Thunder Law did not directly summon a bolt of heavenly thunder to fall; of course, what Xu Jia wanted to do was exactly that.

After the Lushan Thunder Summoning Talisman was finished, Xu Jia rested to recover; drawing talismans relying on his own Dharma Power and cultivation was never as flexible as drawing talismans with the Dharma Power of his past life.

Fortunately, these talismans all had spiritual light.

Now Xu Jia was going out, preparing to collect Thunder Sha and cultivate Thunder Law.

As Xu Jia stepped out, he saw Jingchi appearing with a "brand new" Wang Mintong; this old man had been dragged by Jingchi to be washed in the Di Gou Quan, and now he had a bit of an "Immortal air and Daoist bone" feeling, lacking the sloppy and wretched look of an old beggar from before.

When he saw Xu Jia, he broke his composure and started making a fuss: "Where is that fox spirit? Don't tell me you're going to catch me and take me back again!"

"I took a Buddhist Treasure Kasaya to redeem you, what do you think?" Xu Jia said irritably.

Wang Mintong grinned: "What good things can the Buddhist school have? It's not as good as our Celestial Master Mansion's Heavenly Master Dharma Robe. Are you going to receive the Register of a Heavenly Master? Have you made the Dharma Robe yet?"

"No need, this patchwork robe is enough." Xu Jia was not attached to those things.

"Fair enough." Wang Mintong looked at Xu Jia's appearance of heading out, his eyes rolling: "What are you going to do?"

"Cultivate Thunder Law, so I can strike you dead."

"Thunder Law? Hmm, how about you give me five hundred taels of silver, and I'll pass the Heavenly Master Five Thunders Register to you as well? This time you can't fool me with an IOU!"

Xu Jia now had the Golden Toad as his Minister of Finance, and he really didn't feel much about this five hundred taels of silver.

So he said: "Fine."

"You can go to the Jin Chan Debt Pawn to withdraw five hundred taels of silver, or other items of equivalent value."

Xu Jia was genuinely curious about the Heavenly Master Five Thunders Register.

"Isn't this still an IOU?"

"It's different, this is a check."

This old man clearly had never heard of what a check was, but seeing Xu Jia write a note, he stared at it with wide eyes for a long time, then said: "Forget it, I'll trust you once!"

He then took out a piece of talisman paper.

Xu Jia took a look: "Dragon Tiger Impeachment Mystery Incantation: Five Thunders Chapter."

Written on it were the names of five thunder gods, the number of Military Officials and horses they commanded, what weapons they carried...

Xu Jia had never seen any of these five thunder gods; they didn't feel like the great deities of the Thunder Department in mythology. Perhaps they were minor thunder gods under the great deities, or perhaps it was a list of thunder gods contracted within Longhu Mountain.

Xu Jia recited it once in his heart, felt a faint resonance, and knew it was the correct method.

So he said: "Are you really a Dharma Official beside the Thirty-Sixth Generation Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain? How did you fall into this state?"

"What do you mean fall? I'm just enjoying my current failed life, having abandoned all fame and profit. Your realm hasn't reached this level; this is the 'Ultimate Joy' of Zhuangzi, you don't know a damn thing. Besides, I'm over seventy; what did Kongzi say? At seventy, one follows one's heart's desires."

(End of this chapter)