Chapter 74

Xuankong's primordial spirit and the heavenly demon's demonic aura neutralized each other. The heavenly demon's aura was completely dissipated, while Xuankong remained calm and composed.

It had been less than a month since the heavenly demon's last attack, which destroyed its physical form. How much demonic aura could it have accumulated?

Xuankong believed that with his foundation, he could recover by adding an extra hour of meditation each night. He would be able to replenish his losses within a week without damaging his body. He ground the heavenly demon's demonic aura to nothing and compressed the demon's true form into a tiny figure, which he enclosed within his primordial spirit.

Only then did he withdraw his supernatural power and transform back into human form.

This heavenly demon was indeed formidable. Relying solely on its magical power, it had nearly put him in a life-threatening situation several times. Fortunately, he had seen through the secrets of the demon's true form and understood the principles of harmony between heaven and man.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to investigate the Zhang family compound tonight, let alone protect his physical body.

Having dealt with the heavenly demon, Xuankong's mind finally settled, and he recalled his original purpose.

He secretly formed a magical gesture. Without the constraints of a physical body, Xuankong's primordial spirit could barely perform the immortal technique of transforming into a rainbow for flight. At least in terms of speed, it was a significant improvement, making it a good choice for tracking enemies or escaping.

He shook his primordial spirit, transforming it into a silver light that quickly merged into the night sky.

In the night sky, Xuankong's primordial spirit emitted a moist aura that protected its exterior. The silver light within his primordial spirit became even more brilliant, burning the heavenly demon, which he had imprisoned in a corner of his spirit, causing it to grimace and jump around.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning cut through the dark night, its golden light crossing the sky in an instant.

Xuankong stopped his flight in mid-air, looking into the distance with a puzzled expression. "Hmm, how could it be him?"

He clearly saw a giant golden-eyed eagle spreading its wings in the golden light. The golden-eyed eagle was a creature from the primordial era, flying at great speed. In the blink of an eye, it had already passed through Ninghai County and was heading deep into the Northern Sea.

However, the aura of this golden-eyed eagle was similar to his own, far inferior to the giant eagle Mingwang he had seen atop the city wall in Bianliang.

Xuankong remained in the air, pondering for a long time but could not figure it out.

Fortunately, the divine eagle was just passing through and did not interfere with his actions. Xuankong no longer paid it any mind, adjusted his direction in the air, and descended toward the Zhang family compound, which he had learned about from the steward during the day.

The Zhang family was a wealthy and powerful clan in Ninghai County, but they lived far from the city center, situated outside the county.

Night had fallen, and the Zhang family's servants, who had worked hard all day, had already retired early. The vast Zhang family compound was quiet, with only a few night guards patrolling.

Xuankong's primordial spirit, being intangible, could pass through walls and water without hindrance. However, the Zhang family compound was so large that he had trouble finding his way.

"Unusual events must have some strange cause."

Logically, a wealthy family had no reason to live far from the city. The city was bustling with people and protected by various deities, making it difficult for demons and monsters to act recklessly. However, in the wilderness, the world's demons were not all vegetarians.

Xuankong walked around the inner courtyard, but found nothing.

He stopped, pondered for a moment, then opened his eyes, emitting two beams of light to carefully examine the roofs of the Zhang family compound. In his eyes, the compound was eerily quiet, which made it even more suspicious.

Only in the rear-left corner of the compound did a faint demonic aura emanate from a few buildings. This must be Xiaoge, the fox spirit who had cooperated with Milie Chan Shi in the act during the day.

Xuankong had a bit of a liking for the amusing fox spirit, but it was not his target.

He looked again and saw a demonic aura descending over the main residence.

Xuankong smiled inwardly, knowing he had found the right place. He shook his primordial spirit and sneaked toward the Zhang family's main residence. Inside, Milie Chan Shi had a large burlap bag at his feet. He kicked it with a smile, pleased with his substantial loot.

His face showed delight as he bent down and struggled to lift the bag, which contained money, gold and silver jewelry, lacquerware, silverware, and other trinkets. This bag was a treasure, containing a world within.

If Milie Chan Shi had not studied the art of subduing dragons and taming tigers under the abbot Fahai of Jinshan Temple, he would not have been able to lift it.

Antiques and treasures were displayed in abundance, their luster almost blinding Milie Chan Shi.

He did not mind, turned around, and took a stool to sit at the table, counting the items one by one. As he counted, he dipped his fingers in water to carefully clean the jewels. "This portion is mine, to be used for household expenses."

"This portion is for Xiaoge, to help his sister's family."

"This portion is mine, to find some pretty girls in the western part of the city, hehe..."

"This portion is still mine, to visit the new gambling house in the eastern part of the city and try some new gambling tools."

"This portion should be kept for my younger brother, who is practicing the art of raising insects, which is quite expensive."

"This portion, should it go to Xiaoge or be kept for my little nephew? Ah, let's keep it as a gift from Xiaoge to my nephew."

Milie Chan Shi smiled, having colluded with Xiaoge to put on the act and agreed to split the loot equally. However, he thought, what use did a family of little fox spirits have for so much gold and silver? Hadn't the Buddha said, "All is emptiness, these material things are not good, not good"?

"Let this little monk go to hell and accompany my Lord Dizang!" Milie Chan Shi leaned on the table, circling the pearls and treasures with his arm. He muttered, "These are all mine, no one can take them away..."

He was a wine-drinking, meat-eating monk, indulging in all the vices forbidden in the Buddhist order.

But in the past, he had been cautious while following Abbot Fahai.

Now, returning to Ninghai County, his hometown, if he didn't go out to play with roosters, fight dogs, visit brothels, and gamble, how could he still be the pampered young master of the Zhang family in Ninghai County? However, these pleasures required a considerable amount of money. Milie Chan Shi believed that:

Xiaoge's family, living in his house, had no place to spend their gold and silver. Besides, living in someone else's house meant they didn't have to pay rent, right?

In short, giving Xiaoge one-tenth of the loot was already a sign of his old friendship. He completely forgot that when he, the young master of the Zhang family, had run away from home, he had known nothing and was plagued by a century-old evil ghost. If it hadn't been for Xiaoge's family's kind assistance, he would have long been a corpse in the wilderness.

In his view, he was blessed and destined for greatness, naturally aided by a benefactor. He used his wealth to gain the favor of the previous abbot of Jinshan Temple and became a nominal disciple of Fahai, feeling extremely proud. Only when he returned to his hometown and needed the help of a demon did he think of Xiaoge's family of little fox spirits.