Wandering Gods of Day and Night
Chapter 204 - 162 Tangkou Order_4

Chapter 204: Chapter 162 Tangkou Order_4

Surpassing the "Witch" is also unlikely, as it is one of the nine oldest Tangkou.

But could they at least rank just behind those two Tangkou, firmly holding the third in Mingjiang Prefecture?

For now, it looks rather challenging, but if there were a Great Buddha supporting the "Divine Stealer" Tangkou from behind, the situation would be different.

The standing of the Great Buddha is even slightly higher than that of Gods and Alien Ghosts, but the Great Buddha does not establish Tangkou or carry on any direct inheritance.

Should a Tangkou have the Great Buddha as its backing, it would ascend instantly, and its position would advance securely.

"The position of a Tangkou concerns interests—huge interests."

With a higher position, the Tangkou could grasp more "order," which, from a secular perspective, translates into having more territory and bigger business.

This also forms a positive feedback loop.

More territory and bigger business mean more disciples in the Tangkou.

With more disciples, the incense offerings of the Tangkou flourish.

The Alien Ghosts and Gods backing a Tangkou establish these entities precisely for such incense offerings, don’t they?

The more abundant the incense offerings, the stronger the powers linked to the Alien Ghosts or Gods behind the Tangkou become.

Thus, the positive feedback loop begins to circulate.

Take the kidnapper, for example: although no Great Buddha backs him, he built his momentum by affiliating with a Great Tangkou.

Of course, the kidnapper also tread a third path—"management."

Though ten years ago the incense offerings of the kidnapper’s Tangkou had already surpassed those of the "Divine Stealer," and he frequently bullied the "Divine Stealer" Tangkou, often infuriating Si Ming,

Si Ming remained deeply impressed by the kidnapper’s Hall Master.

The strategies that Hall Master employed in managing the Tangkou disciples were nothing short of ingenious.

Thinking about this,

Si Ming’s emotions grew even more complicated.

"Why don’t I have the patience and boldness of the kidnapper’s Hall Master?"

Si Ming could only pin his hopes of advancing the Tangkou’s rank on Zhou Xuan being the reincarnation of the Great Buddha.

"Young Master, you absolutely must be a Great Buddha. If you are one, the Divine Stealer Tangkou would gladly link its incense offerings to you."

Without even stepping into the temple, Si Ming was already making wishes in his heart.

"This temple does seem a bit strange, though."

Zhou Xuan’s voice under the temple’s gate broke Si Ming’s train of thought.

Si Ming asked, "What seems strange?"

"It’s not genuine Buddha energy."

Zhou Xuan felt that the Buddha energy in Qiye Temple was similar to that in the Sheep Horn Tattoo or the Star Covering Charm—superficial and hollow, just a facade.

"Perhaps it’s because we’re outside the temple, and the perception is skewed. Young Master, why not step inside and feel it out?"

Zhou Xuan found the suggestion reasonable and strode towards the temple. As soon as he reached the entrance, it was as though he hit an invisible wall of air—a massive unseen force bounced him backward.

"Blocking me from entering, is it?"

Zhou Xuan extended his right hand forward—fake and formless Buddha energy, let me ask you: can you stop a Heavenly God?

In an instant, his hand pierced the barrier of fake Buddha energy.

It was like a blade stabbing taut fabric; once the blade breached the fabric, the tension snapped, tearing it in two.

Zhou Xuan walked effortlessly into Qiye Temple.

The process of breaking the barrier was so smooth, coupled with how superficial the Buddha energy was, that he didn’t even bother emitting a significant blue glow from his right hand. Si Ming didn’t notice anything unusual.

However, Si Yuer sensed something and turned to give Zhou Xuan a lingering look.

"Brother Zhou."

"What is it?"

"You suddenly seem so... powerful," Si Yuer said, dazed.

Zhou Xuan: "..."

...

The three of them entered the temple. While Zhou Xuan broke the temple gate’s intangible Buddha energy barrier with a single hand, Si Ming didn’t catch any remarkable details, and Si Yuer only faintly sensed something had happened without knowing the truth of it.

But someone else noticed.

On the mountainside near Qiye Temple stood a high platform,

where a middle-aged man in a black mandarin jacket raised his head, gazing at the clear, azure sky.

"It hasn’t rained in quite a while."

The man was a Qi Observation Master, seated on the elevated platform, naturally engaged in observing qi.

The purpose of observing qi was to guard "order."

In Mingjiang Prefecture, there were quite a few Qi Observation Masters, each responsible for watching over a designated area, ensuring the "order" in all of Mingjiang operated seamlessly.

"Order changes every year."

Each Tangkou was assigned a portion of order along with corresponding territory.

"Crossing the boundary must be avoided."

The Qi Observation Master chuckled to himself mockingly.

In principle, boundaries shouldn’t be crossed. But if the transgression wasn’t excessive, he would overlook it. How to define "crossing the boundary," and by how much, all depended on the "measure" in a Qi Observation Master’s heart.

Within the measure, all was well.

Beyond the measure, he would report it.

Of course, if he were to receive significant private benefits, he would expand the "measure" until it could grow no more—for any further leniency would alarm the God Traveling Department.

"Buzz."

Suddenly, the Qi Observation Master detected an anomaly; it seemed as though a wave of energy traveled from afar, striking the high platform and causing it to tremble slightly.

"Something’s stirring?"

The Qi Observation Master looked towards the direction of the energy wave and saw a faint blue hue emanating from within Qiye Temple.

A natural sensitivity to energy was essential to becoming a Qi Observation Master.

To ensure fairness, Qi Observation Masters were selected from various Tangkou across Mingjiang.

Of course, fairness was relative—being the most powerful Tangkou in Mingjiang Prefecture, the Bone Elder Association’s protégés, the "City Gods," commanded the largest share of Qi Observation Masters.

This particular Qi Observation Master happened to be from the "City God."

"The order within Qiye Temple seems to have shifted!"

The Qi Observation Master produced a talisman paper, intending to stain it with blood and report to the City God—a disruption of Qiye Temple’s order was underway.

But upon closer inspection, aside from the earlier faint blue force, Qiye Temple appeared relatively calm.

"Did I misjudge just now?"

Pulling a porcelain bottle from his pocket, he poured out blood mixed from bulls and snakes and inscribed the Buddhist "卍" symbol onto his face with it.

Using the Buddhist "卍" for blessings could enhance the precision of observing Qiye Temple’s Buddha energy.

The Qi Observation Master began scrutinizing Qiye Temple with greater focus...