Xiao Heilai spun around, startled by Gu Tianchen's sudden appearance.
How did this guy get behind me without a sound?!
A gray glint flashed in Gu Tianchen's eyes. Through the Nether Eyes, the small black dog transformed into a massive, divine black hound, radiating awe-inspiring majesty.
"The Howling Celestial Dog, mount of the True Lord of Pure Source Wonder, the legendary Sun-Devouring Lord. A pleasure to meet you," Gu Tianchen said with a smile.
Seeing its true identity exposed, Xiao Heilai dropped the act, speaking in human tongue. "Which Great Xia deity's reincarnation are you?"
The dog sensed the aura of a Great Xia deity on Gu Tianchen, but it wasn't any of the Heavenly Court gods it knew.
Great Xia's deities spanned the Three Realms, not all residing in the Heavenly Court, so an unfamiliar one wasn't surprising.
If not for the Great Xia divine aura, Xiao Heilai would've bitten him already.
"Live and die without fear, fight if you're not convinced. Even that monkey who once wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Court—if my master gave the order, I'd bite him without hesitation."
"Relax, Howling Celestial Dog. I mean no harm. I'm the agent of Fire God Zhurong," Gu Tianchen said with a smile.
"Fire God Zhurong?!"
Xiao Heilai stared at Gu Tianchen in astonishment.
This kid was the agent of the ancient Fire God Zhurong? But Zhurong perished in the ancient era. How could he have been revived?
Boom!
A purple-red Dutian Divine Fire ignited in Gu Tianchen's palm, radiating a trace of divine majesty.
Though Xiao Heilai didn't recognize the Dutian Divine Fire, it sensed the ancient divine power within—stronger than any divine flame it had ever encountered.
Only the ancient Fire God Zhurong, master of the origin of fire, could cultivate such a pure divine flame.
Even the Heavenly Court's Fire Virtue Star Lord would be a mere child—or grandchild—before this power…
Xiao Heilai sniffed carefully, then spoke slowly: "There's more than one divine aura on you…"
"Oh, sharp nose, huh? What else do you smell?" Gu Tianchen asked, grinning.
"A deity skilled in poison? Plague God Lü Yue? No, no… this divine power is far stronger than Lü Yue's back then. Besides, that guy's bound by the Investiture of the Gods; his cultivation can't progress further…"
"Enough guessing. You wouldn't know him even if I told you. Call your master. I need to speak with him," Gu Tianchen said.
At Lin Qiye's Apartment.
Yang Jin set down his chopsticks. "Mom, I'm full. I'm going to look for my cousin."
His aunt fretted, "Why do you kids always head out in the rain? Take an umbrella!"
"Mom, it's stopped raining."
Yang Jin stepped outside, heading to where Xiao Heilai had summoned him.
Through his Nether Eyes, Gu Tianchen saw a faint soul-shadow above Yang Jin—a divine general in silver armor and white robes, wielding a three-pointed, double-edged spear.
The True Lord of Pure Source Wonder, Erlang Shen Yang Jian.
"Erlang Shen, got a light?"
Gu Tianchen smiled at the approaching Yang Jin.
"I don't smoke."
Gu Tianchen: (ー_ー)!!
In a few brief words, Gu Tianchen explained his situation.
Yang Jin nodded. "I see. No wonder I sensed the aura of the Ancestral Witches that day. It was you…"
"So, I need your help. Give me a wisp of True Samadhi Fire to help Senior Zhurong manifest sooner," Gu Tianchen said.
Yang Jin hesitated, then extended his hand, conjuring a wisp of True Samadhi Fire and passing it to Gu Tianchen.
Gu Tianchen absorbed the flame and channeled it into the Pangu Temple.
The True Samadhi Fire appeared in the hall, dissolving into scattered firelight, but the task progress remained unchanged.
"Invalid? What's wrong?" Gu Tianchen frowned.
Zhurong's voice boomed, "A True Samadhi Fire conjured by magic lacks an origin. The Pangu Temple won't accept it."
"Ugh…"
"That won't do. True Lord Erlang, can you give me a True Samadhi Fire with its origin?" Gu Tianchen asked.
Yang Jin gave a wry smile and shook his head. "To be honest, I only recently awakened from reincarnation. The mana I've cultivated these days was just enough for that wisp of True Samadhi Fire."
"What? You're that weak now?" Gu Tianchen said, shocked.
Yang Jin's face was etched with helplessness. Xiao Heilai growled softly at his feet.
"Besides regaining my past-life memories, I'm no different from an ordinary person. Otherwise, I wouldn't have stood by while my cousin's friend died protecting our family…"
Yang Jin's fists clenched, knuckles whitening from the strain.
The war god who once shook the Three Realms had lost his divine power to protect Great Xia, reduced to a mortal, powerless as Night Watchmen battled monsters.
His anguish and guilt were no less than Lin Qiye's…
Gu Tianchen patted Yang Jin's shoulder with a smile. "To protect Great Xia, you gods shattered your Heavenly Court origins, sacrificing your divine power to form the nine Divine Steles of the Nation, holding back the Mist's invasion and safeguarding countless citizens. Compared to those Outer Gods who sacrifice their own people to sustain their divine realms, Great Xia's gods have done more than enough."
"With gods like you protecting Great Xia, how fortunate we are!"
Gu Tianchen bowed to Yang Jin.
Yang Jin wondered how Gu Tianchen knew so much, but then realized—as Zhurong's agent, with the Fire God unable to sense the Heavenly Court's origin, and with the nine Divine Steles brimming with Great Xia's divine power at the border, it wasn't hard to piece together.
Yang Jin quickly helped Gu Tianchen up. "Great Xia's people have endured countless trials yet remain resilient. Whether it's soldiers dying for their homeland or Night Watchmen bearing the burden in the dark, they dare to fight gods with mortal bodies. They are Great Xia's true guardian gods. I, Yang Jian, am unworthy of such praise."
"With Outer Gods eyeing us and most of Great Xia's deities still in reincarnation, their powers unrecovered, when will Senior Zhurong manifest?" Yang Jin asked urgently.
"I need to collect nine different flames for Senior Zhurong to appear. I've only found two so far. I came to you for the third, but without the flame's origin, it didn't work," Gu Tianchen said regretfully.
"My main arts are the Eight-Nine Mysterious Art and Five Thunder Technique, not fire-based spells. But my brother Nezha is a master of them. Once he regains his strength, he might provide you with a True Samadhi Fire with its origin," Yang Jin said.
"Alright, focus on recovering your strength. To defeat gods, we need gods. Great Xia's people still need you. Until then, the Night Watchmen will protect Great Xia."
"If that Heavenly Court rebel monkey ever wakes up, let me know. I'll borrow a spark from him."
Gu Tianchen turned to leave, waving farewell to Yang Jin.
Yang Jin watched the receding figure, his eyes filled with relief.
"Great Xia's people don't rely solely on divine power. With their unyielding spirit, they fight demons, gods, and the heavens themselves. With such resolve, Great Xia will never fall!"
***
If you want to see more chapter of this story and don't mind spending $5 monthly to see till the latest chapter, please go to my Patreon.[1]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/Granulan