Just as Xu Qing was about to pluck feathers once again to make a feather fan.
A voice suddenly echoed in the Bone Temple:
"What this Golden Chicken said is true."
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch revealed himself and said, "That Black Tiger was originally the mount of the Xuantan True Monarch and is best at exorcising evil and suppressing evil qi. It possesses the power to devour evil spirits, not only sweeping away specters but also safeguarding a region."
"Regrettably, in this era of great calamity, the evil qi is pervasive and lingering. The Black Tiger has been afflicted with evil qi, becoming weak and ill. The grains of the mundane world, born of the day's energy, can alleviate some of its pain. This Golden Chicken, being of pure yang energy, will not harm it."
Xu Qing came to his senses, finding it somewhat similar to carnivores occasionally eating grass. However, the former replenishes a missing element in their body, while the Black Tiger is to alleviate the accumulated Yin Sha within.
"If the Yin Sha under this Bone Temple is so intense, why does it remain here to fend off the evil qi instead of going to the mundane world?"
The Demon Exorcism True Monarch shook his head and sighed, "The Black Tiger protects its master. The Xuantan True Monarch claims to have vanished to the nothingness, but in reality, he has been reborn in the mundane world. This Yin River is not without the Xuantan True Monarch's enemies. If the Black Tiger leaves this place, its enemies will surely notice."
"On the contrary, as long as the Black Tiger guards the tomb, they will believe the Xuantan True Monarch has indeed vanished, with no chance of return."
Xu Qing remained silent for a long time.
"Did you gain anything from your recent retreat?" the Demon Exorcism True Monarch suddenly asked.
"A bit," Xu Qing replied. "After ending this retreat, I plan to leave the Yin River for a while. True Monarch, if you wish to deal with the Ghost Law, it's best to wait for a few days."
"Not just a few days; even two or three years will suffice!"
Bidding farewell to the Demon Exorcism True Monarch, Xu Qing did not leave the Yin River using the Twin Coffin. Instead, he planned to use the ability of the Celestial Pillar to travel to Baisha River, using the boundary marker between the Yin and Yang worlds as a coordinate.
Before leaving the Yin River, Xu Qing specifically took out the temple list, having the Golden Simurgh sign and seal it.
Originally, Xu Qing thought that persuading this chicken to enter the temple would take considerable effort. Yet, unexpectedly, as soon as he began to speak, the chicken simply placed its name on the temple list.
"Aren't you going to ask why I'm having you join the temple?"
The Golden Simurgh looked bewildered, merely intent on following Xu Qing for good food and drink, with no thought on what joining the temple involved.
Looking at the nearly three hundred-pound Golden Chicken before him, Xu Qing swallowed back the words he intended to say.
...
Baisha River mouth.
As soon as one zombie and one chicken appeared, thunderclouds gathered overhead.
Xu Qing realized it was the Golden Simurgh's five-hundred-year thunder disaster!
Under the bright sun, arcs of electricity crackled in the thunderclouds, and the Golden Simurgh was bewildered.
It was eager to return to the Jin Sect, but hadn't anticipated being struck by lightning!
Seeing the Golden Simurgh's panic-stricken expression, Xu Qing frowned.
"Did you forget you'd have to face the thunder disaster upon returning to the human world?"
"..."
So, you've only been thinking about going home?
Xu Qing paused several times before ultimately throwing out a hundred thousand incense offerings, saying, "Focus on facing the thunder disaster; do not be distracted."
After speaking, Xu Qing's figure vanished.
In the sky, the thunderclouds brewed.
On the river, the unprepared Golden Simurgh had to rely on instinct to resist the calamity.
At a certain moment, blinding and scorching lightning struck down. It was precisely the Yang Thunder that counters demons!
The Golden Simurgh instinctively threw out all the incense offerings, then huddled like a golden egg emitting protective golden light.
"..."
Xu Qing had previously used the Merit Golden Stele and Lady Bao Sheng's Merit Dharma to resist calamities; Xuan Yu had also proactively offered the Merit Stele Forest to face thunder disasters.
Even Tao Sanmei utilized merit incense to manifest the peach tree dharma to resist calamities.
How come for you, it becomes a chicken egg made of merit incense?
Xu Qing hoped to see a majestic rooster dharma flap its wings and crow, yet the Golden Simurgh gave him this spectacle instead.
The thunder disaster at Baisha River lasted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before dissipating.
Yet, the light of that golden egg remained, with leftovers from the hundred thousand incense offerings.
When the Golden Simurgh cautiously peeked out its head, looking around, Xu Qing said irritably, "This hundred thousand incense offerings will be recorded in the account of the Five Elders Temple. When you return to Underground Street, go find Xuan Yu to issue a retirement procedure for you."
The Golden Simurgh, raised by the Five Elders Temple, was not meant to become part of a branch temple's immortals. The previous temple list signing was merely to address the thunder disaster.
Now that the thunder disaster was over, the Golden Simurgh could apply to retire at any time.
The Golden Simurgh was unaware of the seriousness of owing a hundred thousand incense offerings. To it, having survived the thunder disaster, Master Jingxu and Daoist Yizhen would undoubtedly be overjoyed. As for the incense debt...
How could the Primordial Spirit True Man not be able to repay it?
"Golden Simurgh, you shall return by yourself. If Xuan Yu inquires, tell him that within the time limit, I shall return."
Remembering the twelve-year limit and the uncertain return of the Land Nuo Immortal in the Yin River, Xu Qing knew that every second counted. He must handle the Yin River matters before the opponent discovers any changes.
"Yu the Great passed by his house three times without entering. How many times have I just passed by?"
Xu Qing only wished for a smooth journey, able to advance further before the deadline.
As for the Cat Immortal Hall and Bao Sheng Temple...
Upon seeing the incense accumulated over seven years within the temple's door, he became completely reassured.
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