Chapter 218: Well-Suppressing Flood Dragon

This move by Jizui Leigong dispersed the Netherworld ghost domain and scattered so much demonic atmosphere that it reminded Xu Jia of Mao Ri Xing Guan.

Fortunately, he hadn't stepped on the centipede dragon himself this time, otherwise, he feared the centipede dragon's Dharma body would have disintegrated.

As expected of a Thunder God from the Shangjie, possessing such power.

Even that three-headed evil flood dragon was momentarily dazed; the next moment, Xu Jia opened a Heavenly Gate from the sky, and a sword weapon descended from within the gate.

"The Flood-Slaying Sword!" That Jizui Leigong also grew reverent, because Heavenly Master Xu of the Jingming Sect was currently serving in the Thunder Department, holding a Third Rank official position, and had even been conferred the title of Heavenly Venerable; although there are some "watery" Heavenly Venerables, being able to obtain this title and cultivate within the Formless Realm meant he was one large pyramid level higher than gods like them from the Form Realm.

That Flood-Slaying Sword was called a sword, but it had no form, just a beam of light, held in the hand without dissipating.

"This poor Daoist, under the orders of the Wuyue Prefecture, oversees all demonic affairs in the Jiangnan West Circuit; today I shall use you as an example to deter all demons, monsters, and ghosts!"

The evil flood dragon reacted, spitting out flames to block, but the next moment, the Sword Qi had already landed on its body.

Yet, despite clearly striking the seven-inch mark, only the silver head among the three heads fell off.

That silver head fell, then dissipated, turning into a pile of rotten silver.

"You dare!"

Chang Yu was somewhat afraid of the Flood-Slaying Sword that Xu Jia held, which had been borrowed from the heavens, and dared not continue to tangle with the evil flood dragon as before, only silently blocking its path.

"A technique to sever the tail and escape!" Xu Jia's aura swelled, Tiangang righteous energy filling his brow, and the next moment an eye opened, transforming into a bolt of lightning that flew out.

At the same time, Xu Jia supplemented with two porcelain bottles of divine thunder.

The evil flood dragon exerted its Dharma Power, operating its five-metal magnetic force, but it was still struck by Xu Jia's lightning.

It withered for a moment.

Then the two porcelain bottles exploded, emitting a roar of thunder and fire.

Yet this evil flood dragon did not fear this type of attack; instead, it opened its mouth and swallowed, gulping down the thunder and fire, making a gurgling sound, its state even recovering somewhat.

The Jinshou mocked: "Don't you know that what we absorb is metal-fire, refined into a water phase, which is how we can stir up floods and waves today?"

The electric eye formed by Xu Jia's Tiangang righteous energy just now was not something he had stored himself; he had gained this energy the moment he made contact with the Flood-Slaying Sword.

It was an experience he had never had before; it seemed as if the Flood-Slaying Sword itself stored a great deal of Dharma Power, and its essence was extremely high.

In other words, this was a Dharma treasure that could be used immediately, not the kind that required one's own Dharma Power to drive.

Furthermore, just now, while slaying the flood dragon, Xu Jia sensed an emotion of "pleasure."

It seemed as if a sacrifice had been completed, and the deity was very fond of this sacrifice.

Thus, Xu Jia swung the sword a second time; this strike had a more magnificent momentum than before, because knowing it did not consume his own Dharma Power, he naturally used it more smoothly.

Suddenly, lines of Talismans appeared on the sword light, and chains appeared around Xu Jia.

"Red Pillar, suppress the flood dragon!"

The Nine Palaces Dragon-Suppressing Nails previously set out emitted a red light, dividing into a "Well" character, and in the center of the "Well" character was that flood dragon; the chains coiled around it, and no matter how its flames burned or how it struggled, it was to no avail, because Xu Jia was imitating, playing the role of Xu Xun, the Heavenly Master; for a moment, he was focused, and thus obtained the divine descent of the law.

After this move, that evil flood dragon could stop thinking about escaping or leaving.

"Suppress!"

The next moment, Talismans appeared within the "Well" character, along with ripples of the Dharma Realm, and a vortex sucked it inside.

The evil flood dragon struggled, severing its Jinshou, turning into a pile of Dog-head Gold, its claws clutching the edge of the well tightly, just like the Demon Sorcerer being beaten back to Hell in Jackie Chan Adventures; in the end, it sank down, still unwilling: "No!"

The next moment, the Flood-Slaying Sword dissipated and vanished, and the added Dharma Power was withdrawn, causing Xu Jia to shiver, secretly thinking: "This Sect Leader, why suppress and not kill?"

The two Thunder Gods had already realized that Heavenly Master Xu Xun had just responded to the call and assisted in suppressing the flood dragon; among them, the Zhengyang Dajiang said: "Look, I told you they are not to be trifled with; they have a lineage inheritance, they just like to let things be, but when something real happens, they help without a word."

Jizui Leigong also nodded: "These great beings with Divine Abilities have cultivated to the Formless Realm; they have no god, no form, they are everywhere, manifesting millions of incarnations. We are still in the Form Realm, still attached to divine forms, unable to achieve the formlessness of the Great Dao..."

The two Thunder Gods' attitudes were much better this time, and they asked: "Does the Heavenly Master have any other matters?"

Xu Jia was also surprised that they had been so business-like just a moment ago, and now they were willing to make things convenient.

So he said: "Is there a way to resolve the resentment incense of that Secret Sect? Otherwise, that City God was originally a True God..."

"City Gods are classified among Demon Gods, not True Gods," Jizui Leigong corrected: "They only count as True Gods conferred by the human imperial court; Demon Gods are Netherworld Gods, Ghost Gods—deities with terrifying and shocking appearances."

Taoism indeed likes to call Netherworld Ghost Gods "demons"; there are various demon kings in the underworld, and many demon kings in the heavens as well; when practitioners take exams, there are also demon kings.

Heavenly demons are also a type of "Heavenly Being."

It's not that they are all bad; of course, for the practitioner themselves, if you don't let me pass and make things difficult for me, you are bad.

The so-called "enmity of blocking the Dao."

What Taoism slays is mostly "evil," that is, incorrect Qi, which is evil energy.

However, for Jizui Leigong to say this is indeed a bit "too hurtful" to the deities of the City God system, and even the deities of the Netherworld system.

How come only you Heavenly Gods are True Gods, and Earth Deities are True Gods, while we Ghost Gods are not True Gods.

In the legal codes, there is a saying that "True Gods do not possess bodies, and those who possess bodies are not True Gods"; people have always used this to make points, saying this one isn't a True God... that one isn't a True God, slandering local beliefs.

These local beliefs do not count as Heavenly Gods, nor are they Earth Deities; most belong to "human ghosts," receiving sacrifices and being conferred as gods, having spirit mediums under their seats who can be possessed to handle affairs; these belong to "Nether-official Demon Gods," and while they are indeed not True Gods, they also don't count as "Evil Gods." In fact, there are many who have been promoted all the way from local Demon Gods.

For example, "Mazu" of Min; initially, she was also of the Demon God stream, and now she still retains the Mazu spirit medium system. Or for example, "Erlang" of Sichuan...

This Thunder God explained it clearly: it is nothing more than the fact that Netherworld Demon Gods are a mixed bag, but True Gods must be verified step by step, cultivating Merit, accumulating seniority, and undergoing layers of political vetting before they can pass.

Xu Jia said: "That is still a local City God; if he is gone, the local Yinyu Dharma Realm will be in chaos."

"That is the business of the underworld." Jizui Leigong was about to say more when he was silenced by the Zhengyang Dajiang, who said: "He is straight-forward; if this resentment incense is a blood sacrifice, there is actually no way to resolve it, just like a dog that has eaten human flesh must be killed, even if this City God is innocent; if he is tainted by blood sacrifice and corrupted by resentment incense, he can only suffer by being divided."

"There is a specialized department to investigate this, and as for how to deal with it specifically, the two of us are from the Thunder Department Yamen of the Form Realm; we only act when we receive orders and do not consider these subsequent matters, so I ask the Heavenly Master not to blame us."

"It is better for the Heavenly Law to be a bit ruthless," Xu Jia sighed after hearing this: "Only then can fairness be guaranteed."

"By the way, are the two of you willing to divide your spirits into the altar, set up a Register Position, and receive some Incense Fire offerings?"

The Zhengyang Dajiang nodded: "That is naturally possible; the Heavenly Master only needs to write down the Register Position on jujube wood or peach wood on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, and the two of us will naturally descend to the altar."

"In the future, if there is any need, just prepare melons, fruits, fresh flowers, and sweet dew one day in advance, and you can summon our incarnations to serve as Guardian Divine Generals."

Having said this, the Zhengyang Dajiang secretly transmitted a mantra; the mantra contained their true names, and disciples could sense them by adding it to their daily practice, obtaining their Dharma Power and Divine Abilities.

This Jizui Leigong was skilled in "Thunder Sound," while this Zhengyang Dajiang was skilled in "Yang Thunder."

Thunder Sound is like the chicken crowing he just made, containing the Thunder Law within the sound, while Yang Thunder is the cultivation of a certain Yang Qi from heaven and earth into the Thunder Law, making its power more easily able to restrain yin-evil and Netherworld objects.

These two types of Thunder Law are both very practical, but their ranks are not very high, and their official duties are low; within the Form Realm, they are only around the Seventh Rank. Yet, reality is just like this: the cultivators who painstakingly ascend are merely one member among the one hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers who fought Sun Wukong.

After finishing cultivation in the Desire Realm, one must still cultivate upon reaching the Form Realm; after finishing cultivation in the Form Realm, one must still cultivate upon reaching the Formless Realm, until one enters the Great Luo Heaven, only then can one be considered to have reached the pinnacle.

Xu Jia then distributed the Form Realm Alliance Lu from the Three Days Alliance Lu to them as a token, and learned their names: this Jizui Leigong is called "Yin Huan", and this Zhengyang Dajiang is called "Gu Zhengyang".

Yin Huan is indeed a "chicken demon" who attained Didao through cultivation, but the world he was in was a "Ghost Realm"; it was only when Yin reached its extreme that Yang was born, allowing him to attain it. Later, within the Yin-Yang, he achieved the "Heavenly Chicken," which allowed the Ghost Realm to possess material reality and divided Yin and Yang, so he attained Didao and ascended, reaching the Form Realm where he was chosen by Yin Yuanshuai of the Thunder Department to serve as a Thunder General. This Gu Zhengyang, however, is a genuine practitioner; he cultivated Thunder Law while alive, hated evil as if it were a personal enemy, attained Didao through Corpse Severance, and his Yang Spirit ascended to heaven. He was reborn in the "Bingjie Chi" of the Form Realm, and at the beginning, he truly started as a "Heavenly Soldier," later accumulating merit and conduct to rise to his current position.

Therefore, this Yin Huan has better luck and a better background, which is why he is "straightforward," while this Gu Zhengyang is more slick.

The two said: "We must return to heaven to report our mission and cannot linger long. That Wufeng Shizhe has already fallen into Little Mao Mountain and reincarnated as a catfish. I dispersed his Dharma Power but did not destroy the foundation he cultivated. He is also an exotic being who painstakingly attained Didao, and after a thousand hardships and ten thousand tribulations, he obtained the Eighth Rank Wind God official duty. If he can cultivate again and guard his Desire Thought, he will surely be able to return to the Heavenly Court."

Having said this, the two turned into streams of light and vanished, disappearing into the Dharma Realm.

Only then did Chang Yu say: "These two Thunder Lords didn't put in much effort, yet they still received a pile of thanks."

Xu Jia said: "They helped a great deal; without their help, this Town Dragon Well could not have been struck down. That Wufeng Shizhe would have been thrown into the South Sea to become a turtle, and who knows, he might have turned into sea turtle soup. Although Little Mao Mountain is not comparable to the true Mao Mountain as a Blessed Land and Cave Heaven, it is still a treasure land in the Dexing region. If he cultivates there, he will soon be able to have some Achievement and need not waste his time."

Immediately, Xu Jia looked toward the Town Dragon Well and sensed the Qi mechanism within. It turned out that suppressing without killing was because killing would damage the Earth Vein. By suppressing it here, the Qi mechanism flows slowly to the surroundings, making the people outstanding and the land fertile, allowing it to recover from the wounds of this catastrophe.

"This Flood Dragon is suppressed." Xu Jia looked up at the sky: "But this rain, how does it look like it's not going to stop!"

Regarding this kind of celestial phenomenon not caused by evil spirits, Xu Jia also had no particularly good method.

At this time, Hu Jinhua and Huang Pipo presented the "gold" and "silver" as if offering treasures.

"Master Xu, this gold and silver are different from what we usually see!"

Xu Jia immediately weighed them in his hand, and they were indeed much heavier. This kind, being heavier than the usual equivalent, is likely "radioactive."

Xu Jia then observed from the Dharma Realm and, sure enough, it was continuously emitting "Gold Qi," wanting to dye the surrounding soil and stones into gold and silver, possessing the power to "turn stones into gold."

"Could this be the legendary Golden Mother?"

Xu Jia said: "Wrap these two items in oil paper first, then wrap them in a layer of cloth, and seal them in a lead box. Wait for me to study them carefully later."

Yet, he did not know when a Jade Ring had appeared in his hand, shaped like a dragon's head. It felt very warm to the touch, and when he channeled Dharma Power into it, the feedback was even more pure.

It was precisely the Earth Treasure of Dexing.

"Beneath the earth, it is precisely because this Earth Treasure is missing that the Evil Qi of the earth's ailments is gushing out. But if it is just placed back beneath the earth like this, it is truly a pity. It seems I must still arrange a Feng Shui layout to comb through the Evil Qi. Let this Earth Treasure be placed back in its original position first; wait until the layout is formed, then come to retrieve it."

Xu Jia immediately handed this Jade Ring to Chang Yu: "Hold this jade in your mouth, follow the path the evil Flood Dragon came from, find the underground, settle the Earth Vein, and plug the Earth Eye."

Chang Yu had this idea before, wanting to enter the Earth Vein to cultivate. Although it was somewhat different from what was expected, it could be considered "fulfilling a dream," so he decisively entered the Earth Vein.

The commoners who were still alive, hearing the thunder, lightning, and wind from just before, and the roar of the Flood Dragon, were all trembling with fear. Later, with the ghosts of You Ming walking and the City God hooking souls, many died suddenly. Added to the previous atmosphere of terror and proselytizing, the "haze" of Dexing had not yet completely dissipated.

Xu Jia then stood on the spot and chanted scriptures and incantations to save the wandering souls, purify the world, and dispel the atmosphere of terror.

Then, a chant of scriptures was heard: "Eastern Jade Treasure Emperor Supreme, Emperor Heavenly Venerable, save the wandering souls from the Fire and Thunder Hell. Shifang Spiritual Treasure Savior Venerable Savior Heavenly Venerable, Om A Hum, Hum A Li, Hum Hum Hum, in the Eastern Extreme Palace, break open the first layer of Fengdu.

Southern Profound Truth Ten Thousand Blessings Venerable, Ten Thousand Blessings Heavenly Venerable, save the wandering souls from the Fire Affliction Hell. Shifang Spiritual Treasure Savior Venerable Savior Heavenly Venerable, Om A Hum, Hum A Li, Hum Hum Hum, in the Eastern Extreme Palace, break open the second layer of Fengdu.

......... In the Eastern Extreme Palace, break open the eighteenth layer of Fengdu."

Inside Fengdu, all the Ghost Gods were speechless: "Who is breaking into Fengdu again for no reason? The ceiling is broken, who is going to fix it! If you want to fish people out, just fish them out, why be so violent?"

Fortunately, they didn't know it was a former colleague, otherwise they would definitely have cursed and come knocking.

Xu Jia broke open Fengdu to absolve sins and to save the suffering.

Those eaten by evil gods and sacrificed, their Soul might not even exist anymore; dying again and again, they are the most pitiful, falling into who knows how many layers of Fengdu, and might have even become basic materials, unable to reincarnate. If one forcibly pieces them together, what if they can be saved? Then send them to be transcended; only then can it be complete.

(End of chapter)