The Awakening and the Path of Incense Godhood

Time, like an arrow, flew by. Almost three years had passed since they had last gathered at this very pavilion.

The Ghost General sighed, a lament for the passage of time, as he gazed out over the landscape. This was the very same spot where the Ghost General had personally ordered a pavilion to be specially constructed.

It had to be said, Gong Nianxian possessed excellent foresight; this was indeed a perfect location for a pavilion. Turning his gaze to his ‘friend’, Gong Nianxian, the Ghost General spoke softly, pushing a cup across the table.

“Three long years have passed,” he observed, “and it appears Su Mo is finally on the verge of awakening.”

Gong Nianxian, uncharacteristically, found himself speechless, his expression etched with considerable tension. He mumbled to himself, a stream of hushed whispers, fearing that Su Mo might not recognize him as her ‘great-grandfather’.

It was a peculiar sensation, akin to becoming a father for the very first time.

“You old ghost,” Gong Nianxian began, a hint of hesitation in his voice as he looked up, “give me some advice… Should I even appear before Su Mo?”

The Ghost General’s brow furrowed in thought, realizing the validity of the concern. They couldn’t simply appear before Su Mo, revealing their true identities in such an overt manner.

Such a direct approach would undoubtedly strip away any sense of a trial, instead hindering Su Mo’s growth and development.

“What if we were to disguise ourselves as unassuming old men?” the Ghost General proposed.

“That’s not enough,” Gong Nianxian countered. “According to custom, those reincarnated from the Underworld must drink… what was it called again?”

“Forgetfulness Soup.”

“Yes! Forgetfulness Soup!” Gong Nianxian exclaimed. “Should we give it to her? He believed this method would be the most thorough.”

Allowing her to forget everything would enable her to better embrace new experiences.

“It’s gone,” the Ghost General interrupted, cutting short Gong Nianxian’s train of thought.

“Huh? What’s gone?” Gong Nianxian asked, bewildered.

The Ghost General took a sip from his teapot, wiped the corner of his mouth, and shook his head.

He explained, “How could the Underworld possibly afford to brew such a thing? I’m practically impoverished! The recipe for that soup was taken by Granny Forgetfulness, who declared, ‘The Underworld doesn’t handle reincarnation anyway, and I fear someone might steal the recipe if I leave it here.’ So, tell me, how am I supposed to procure any Forgetfulness Soup for you?”

“Are you saying that the Forgetfulness Soup now is so watered down it contains not a single drop of its original essence?” Gong Nianxian slumped back, feeling utterly helpless.

“More or less,” the Ghost General conceded, hoping to salvage a shred of his dignity. He had no desire to dwell on the subject, especially since Su Mo had not yet fully revived.

Besides, wasn’t the Ghost General, himself, entitled to some dignity? To think, a venerable Immortal Venerable of the Underworld had fallen to such a state of destitution!

“Speaking of which,” the Ghost General interjected, deftly changing the subject, “Xu Qingzhu has been stirring up quite a commotion recently.”

As expected, it instantly captured Gong Nianxian’s attention.

“That fellow,” Gong Nianxian murmured, his voice hushed in awe, “to have leaped into the Golden Core realm so swiftly, his comprehension of the Path of Poison is truly astounding.”

Were it not for his unease regarding Xu Qingzhu’s character, he would undeniably be an excellent candidate for investment. However, Xu Qingzhu cultivated the Path of Ruthlessness; sometimes, in adhering to the natural flow of the Great Dao, he might even destroy himself, a true demon.

Even in the eyes of the Great Dao, a True Demon was, in essence, no different from a cultivator.

“Indeed,” the Ghost General agreed, a frown deepening on his face. “Were he not preoccupied with finding secret arts, cultivation methods, and magical artifacts to locate someone, he wouldn’t have lingered in this minor realm for so long… It would become quite troublesome if he were to reach the Nascent Soul realm.”

He harbored no doubts whatsoever about Xu Qingzhu’s ability to reach the Nascent Soul realm. At his current cultivation pace, he could reach it even if he simply lay dormant until his dying breath.

It was a truly terrifying cultivation talent, as if he already knew everything and was merely retracing a path already trodden.

“Can cultivators at the Nascent Soul realm perceive and capture the Underworld?” Gong Nianxian asked. Having resided in the Underworld for such an extended period, he was gradually coming to understand its intricate operational rules.

According to the ancient rules established for the Underworld, it would draw near to the mortal realm each night to gather lost souls. However, this proximity allowed powerful cultivators in the Nascent Soul realm, capable of having their primordial spirits leave their bodies, to sense the Underworld and attempt to approach it.

The Ghost General found it difficult to intervene, the reason being that the Underworld’s operational logic was simply designed that way.

“Fortunately, Su Mo will awaken within days, and even if Xu Qingzhu comes looking, he won’t find her,” the Ghost General said, a hint of probing in his voice. “Once she awakens, perhaps we should find a suitable family and send her there?”

He seemed to be holding back other thoughts, yet deliberately kept them unsaid.

Gong Nianxian suddenly grew serious. When it came to matters concerning Su Mo, he approached them with utmost solemnity.

Their tea grew cold as the demon and the ghost sat, gazing at each other, lost in contemplation. After a long period of deliberation, they finally stirred.

Almost simultaneously, they both spoke:

“What about the Path of Incense Godhood?”

They froze, astonished by their mutual understanding. The implication of their words, however, would undoubtedly astound any bystander.

What was the Path of Incense Godhood? Judging by the Ghost General’s formidable strength, one could glean that it was an incredibly potent divine path. Unlike the immortal path pursued by cultivators, this was a path where one first attained a divine body, then gradually enriched its core essence.

It involved absorbing the incense offerings of countless devotees, bestowing blessings upon the populace, enlightening all creation, and observing the mortal realm. It was a true Great Dao.

“You old ghost,” Gong Nianxian began, his tone serious, “is your intention the same as mine? I propose we have Su Mo establish an Incense God Temple first, to achieve the Great Dao… No matter how one looks at it, this would provide a solid foundation, ensuring her future wouldn’t be too bleak.”

“Naturally, my thoughts align with yours,” the Ghost General affirmed with a nod. “For Su Mo to establish the Path of Incense Godhood as a Nine-Tailed Fox, her potential is undeniably vast! With our combined efforts to propel her forward, it would be a simple matter for her to surpass us, becoming even greater than her mentors.”

The plan was excellent, yet its inherent difficulties might prove insurmountable. The Path of Incense Godhood had not become a widely propagated Great Dao precisely because of its exceptionally high threshold.

It wasn’t something ordinary people could achieve simply by shouting a prayer, erecting a statue, and gathering a few worshippers. It required the assent of higher immortals and gods; the more divine beings who nodded in approval, the greater the recognition for the ‘Incense God’ in question.

Concurrently, heaven and earth would bestow their recognition, granting the Incense God corresponding divine power, duties, and authority. Yet, without any inherent ability, lacking accompanying merit, and possessing an unkind nature, who would ever agree to such a thing?

Not even a dog would bother acknowledging them.

“Five… how are we to find five immortals and gods to give their assent?” Gong Nianxian fretted. Five was the absolute minimum requirement; anything less would result in an incomplete Incense God, diminishing Su Mo’s potential by at least eighty percent.

He, a True Demon, barely counted as half; the Ghost General, a legitimate Incense God, counted as one. But where would they find the remaining three and a half?

“…Old fellow,” the Ghost General said, raising his eyes with a glimmer of expectation, “how many can you persuade?”

Gong Nianxian swallowed hard, admitting to himself that he truly didn’t have much confidence. When True Demons met, they were notoriously hostile. It was always a matter of killing everyone present, or being killed by them.

Any friendships among True Demons were merely temporary alliances forged by shared interests. Such was the current relationship between Gong Nianxian and the Ghost General. Perhaps they could coexist and cooperate for a few hundred, or even a thousand, years.

With a sharp “Clap!”, Gong Nianxian slammed his hand on the table, gritting his teeth.

“I can bring in two True Demons!” How would he manage that? The buffalo horns on his head were considered highly valuable among True Demons. A perfect pair, at that.

They were his bargaining chips, his keys to opening doors. To merely enter the threshold of the Path of Incense Godhood, the sacrifices required were far beyond what an ordinary cultivator could ever afford.

Thus, most immortals and gods who ascended to the Path of Incense Godhood had first achieved great deeds before their apotheosis. To pave a divine path for Su Mo from the very beginning would prove rather challenging.

Not all immortals and gods would simply nod in agreement at the prospect of benefits. Some would rigorously scrutinize those petitioning to ‘establish an Incense God Path’. Even the slightest impropriety could lead to an immediate and unwavering refusal.

Touching his wrist, the Ghost General spoke with a grave expression.

“With my extensive and powerful network,” he stated, his voice trailing off slightly, “I can certainly bring in three immortals and gods… That should be enough.”

His voice, however, was somewhat faint, utterly lacking in conviction. Yet, neither of them pointed out the other’s shortcomings. After three years of companionship, they understood each other’s limitations all too well.

With such a combined effort, perhaps, probably, possibly, it should be enough?

****

Suddenly, a resonant hum filled the sky. A nine-tailed imprint materialized above, its crimson hue painting the Underworld’s firmament a vivid red. Both simultaneously looked up, then rose to their feet and departed. Without a single word, they knew: Su Mo had returned.