Chapter 85: Emperor Gaozong Sent Xue Li According to His Promise
The temple satisfied the Heaven-Defying Taoist greatly, and the incense was certainly thriving; anyone on duty in the palace was expected to offer incense.
The Heaven-Defying Taoist looked on contentedly and said, "Not bad, not bad! His Majesty has gone to great lengths."
But Li Zhi replied with cupped hands, "Taoist Master is too kind, and in the future, your assistance will still be indispensable."
Li Zhi was indeed astute, but the Heaven-Defying Taoist didn’t call him out on it. Instead, he chuckled, "Hehe! This poor Taoist will now absorb the Incense Willpower. Your Majesty, please return for now. After I have refined the Incense Willpower, I will seek an audience with Your Majesty."
Li Zhi nodded and left by carriage to return to the palace.
The Heaven-Defying Taoist indicated to Wukong to go back and find Yuan Hong first. He himself would stay and absorb the Incense Willpower. Wukong had no objection, left the Great Revolution Seal and the World-Cleansing Dust Whisk to the Heaven-Defying Taoist, and departed with a flip on the Somersault Cloud. Seeing Wukong gone, the Heaven-Defying Taoist cast an Invisibility Technique and entered the temple.
Inside the temple, there was a towering statue holding a horsetail whisk and slung with a long spear, one hand forming a spell.
The Heaven-Defying Taoist chuckled softly, turning into a golden light and entering the statue, immediately feeling an infinite surge of Incense Willpower coming towards him. But along with it came the thoughts of thousands upon thousands of common people... These thoughts were quite mixed, with prayers for blessings, making vows, complaints, and even resentment.
"It seems I must demonstrate some powers to ensure the sincerity of their offerings. These mixed thoughts are difficult to refine," the Heaven-Defying Taoist thought to himself.
At that moment, a palace maid came to pray and lit incense, closing her eyes, and silently prayed, "The young master has been ill for a month and still has not recovered. I implore the Taoist Master to show great mercy and ensure the young master returns to health soon."
The Heaven-Defying Taoist heard her clearly, seized that strand of incense, noticing that the thoughts within this strand were much purer.