Inside Chang'an City, the autumn chill was gradually deepening.
Ever since the day the True Monarch manifested his divinity, the atmosphere in the city had been changing day by day.
The teahouses and wine shops that used to discuss romance and scenery were now filled with talk of the legends of that Black-robed True Monarch.
Especially the True Lord Temple in the eastern city.
It had become the premier bustling destination in Chang'an City.
At this very moment.
On the plaza in front of the True Lord Temple, there was a rather peculiar sight.
On both sides of the temple gates, seven or eight figures were currently sitting cross-legged.
These people were all dressed in the brocade uniforms of the Demon Suppression Division, but the clothes looked like they hadn't been changed in some time.
They were wrinkled and even stained with a few bird droppings and fallen leaves.
Each of them had haggard faces, sunken eye sockets, and scruffy beards.
If not for the faint rising and falling of their chests, one might have mistaken them for freshly unearthed mummies.
"Oh my, they've been sitting there for three days and three nights, haven't they?"
"Exactly, they haven't even had a drop of water. What kind of immortality are they cultivating?"
"Shh! Keep it down! Don't you see those are the lords from the Demon Suppression Division?"
The spectating commoners pointed and discussed fervently.
How could they know?
These few were Geniuses who, following White Jade Tower and the others, had the fortune to enter the Path of the Golden Body Technique.
According to Lu Changfeng's instructions.
Having just entered this Dao, their Foundation was still shallow.
They needed to bathe day and night in the place where incense Power Of Will was most concentrated, which was right in front of this Golden Body temple.
They used this to cleanse their Physical Bodies and comprehend that mysterious and profound Great Dao of Incense.
Aside from basic biological needs, they sat here in meditation, unmoving as thunder.
"Go, go, go! Everyone move back a bit!"
"Don't block the lords while they're practicing their skills!"
Just then.
A rather Divine Qi-filled shout drifted out from inside the temple gates.
An old man dressed in a bright red brocade robe and wearing a square cap walked out swaggeringly with his hands behind his back, walking with splayed steps.
This old man looked extremely strange, with two horns growing from his forehead and a ruddy complexion. His brocade robe, wherever he had found it, looked incredibly tacky, yet it exuded an inexplicably festive air.
It was precisely the Old Scarlet Flood Dragon.
Now.
It also held another identity.
The current head of the True Lord Temple in Chang'an City—the Temple Invoker.
As soon as it came out.
The originally noisy crowd immediately quieted down significantly.
The commoners all looked at this Temple Invoker with eyes full of awe.
They had heard that this gentleman was a Divine Beast in human form under the True Monarch's command, specifically handling the mortal incense for the True Monarch, and possessed great abilities.
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon very much enjoyed this feeling of being the center of attention.
It cleared its throat and pointed at the several Demon Suppression Guards on the ground who looked like clay or wooden sculptures, wearing a look of profound mystery.
"As the saying goes, sincerity can crack even gold and stone! These lords have received the True Monarch's decree to comprehend the Heavenly Dao here. Once they understand it, they will be figures like earthly immortals!"
As it spoke.
It waved its sleeves with a look of disdain, shooing away several children who had gotten too close.
"Go, go, go! Don't cause trouble here!"
"If you disturb the lords' cultivation, watch out or the True Monarch will go into your dreams tonight and spank your bottoms!"
The children were so frightened that they scattered in all directions.
The surrounding adults smiled apologetically and cupped their hands one after another.
"The Temple Invoker is right, quite right."
"The Temple Invoker truly knows so much."
Someone summoned their courage to ask: "Temple Invoker, where is the True Monarch... currently located? We've burned so much incense, has she... received it?"
Hearing this.
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon's eyes widened, and its beard bristled.
"Nonsense!"
"What kind of figure is the True Monarch?"
"With one step, she covers ten thousand miles; she can turn her hand to make clouds and flip it to make rain!"
It pointed toward the sky and began to boast, spittle flying everywhere.
"To tell you the truth."
"The True Monarch is currently in the western regions, reasoning with that group of ignorant demons and monsters!"
"That scene..."
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon clicked its tongue twice, a look of reminiscence on its face as if it had seen it with its own eyes.
"With one punch, mountains crumble and the earth splits!"
"With one kick, rivers flow backward!"
"Those demon emperors and great devils who usually act all high and mighty, upon seeing the True Monarch, are so scared they wet themselves and kneel on the ground crying for their ancestors!"
"The True Monarch is kind-hearted and even asks: 'Do you submit?'"
"If they don't submit..."
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon suddenly slapped its thigh with a loud 'crack', startling everyone.
"Then it's a slap across the face, sending them straight to reincarnation!"
"Good!"
"The True Monarch is mighty!"
The commoners were fired up as they listened, cheering loudly.
Each of them felt as if the scene were right before their eyes, wishing they could be there themselves to wave flags and shout for the True Monarch.
Seeing the crowd's looks of adoration.
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon stroked its beard complacently.
In its heart, however, it was overjoyed.
Hehe.
This job as a Temple Invoker is truly a lucrative post.
Not only is there food and drink every day and offerings from the people.
But I can also show off before others and satisfy my craving for talk.
Most importantly... it stole a glance at the mountain-like pile of incense Power Of Will inside the temple.
These past few days.
It had put in no small amount of effort to keep the True Lord Temple in perfect order, and the incense was growing more prosperous by the day.
It had even paid out of its own pocket—though it was actually skimmed from the temple's daily intake—to provide prayer mats for these newly initiated Demon Suppression Guards.
This should count as a great service, right?
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon thought happily to itself.
What do you call this?
This is called having foresight!
This is called knowing how to get things done!
It wasn't like that stupid ox who only knew how to work with its head down.
As a lackey, one doesn't just look at strength; one's brain must also be sharp.
By helping the master manage the backyard well and gathering the incense...
When Your Highness returns... and sees such a grand occasion, and sees the incense filling the city...
Won't Jiang Yan be greatly pleased?
At that time... wouldn't its good days finally arrive?
Thinking of this.
The smile on the Old Scarlet Flood Dragon's face became even more radiant.
With its hands behind its back, it hummed a little tune and took a stroll around the several Demon Suppression Guards who were in bitter cultivation.
It didn't forget to offer a few words of 'earnest' advice.
"All of you, focus!"
"Straighten your backs!"
"Don't embarrass the True Monarch!"
"If anyone dares to slack off, this Temple Invoker will record it in my little notebook and present it to the True Monarch for review later!"
The several Demon Suppression Guards, who were at a critical moment of meditation, felt their brows furrow and the corners of their mouths twitch upon hearing this noisy voice.
Yet they didn't dare to lash out.
They could only curse this Old Flood Dragon, who was acting powerful on someone else's authority, to high heaven in their hearts.
This old thing.
Treating a chicken feather like a command arrow.
Does he really think he's someone important?
Just you wait.
When Your Highness returns, see if I don't file a complaint against you!
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon didn't care about any of that... it was now the grand manager of the True Lord Temple... aside from His Majesty the Emperor, who would dare say a word against it?
Just as it was immersed in such a beautiful fantasy.
Suddenly.
A faint sense of palpitation inexplicably rose in its heart.
The smile on the Old Scarlet Flood Dragon's face froze slightly.
It subconsciously raised its head and looked toward the sky.
There, amidst the clouds at the horizon.
A blue figure had appeared at some point, looking down at the temple with an indifferent expression.