By the time the two made their way to the backyard, the area was already bustling with activity. Following Daoist Priest Xuan Zhen's instructions, a ritual altar was erected in less than half a day.
Flags bearing images of the Four Divine Beasts fluttered in the wind around the perimeter. In the center, a mahogany table had been set up, already laid with candles and an incense burner.
In the center, a portrait of a Daoist priest, exuding an otherworldly demeanor, was enshrined, seemingly glowing with a faint golden radiance.
The old Daoist priest knew him; he was the founder of the Tianyi Teachings, rumored to have truly achieved Ascension to Immortality.
Patriarch Gao stood below the stage, looking up at the busy Xuan Zhen and asked anxiously, "Daoist Priest Xuan Zhen, is the altar ready? The time for the monster's arrival is almost upon us."
Xuan Zhen stood atop the altar, with the fluttering sutra banners and the table of burning incense making him appear even more professional.
"Rest assured, Patriarch, the altar is ready. Should that monster dare to come, I will ensure it has no way back," Xuan Zhen said proudly, and he gave the old Daoist priest a provocative glance.
The old Daoist priest's face darkened instantly, but he said little, merely grunting softly.
Lin Fang observed with great interest, wondering what method Xuan Zhen would use to confront Zhu Bajie.
Though he was in this place, his consciousness was continuously maintained in a Leakless state. The more he practiced, the more he realized the importance of Leakless, wanting to keep it constant at all times.
Just then, a fierce wind picked up, swirling dust and gravel that smacked against the walls, making a sharp snapping sound. Gao Lao Village was thrown into chaos as everyone hurried to shut their doors and windows.
The sutra banners whipped about in the air, and the flames from the candles trembled as if they might go out any second in the fierce wind. Yet suddenly, a powerful force emerged from the hung portrait, calming the flickering flames, standing firm despite the howling winds.
This display sparked a glimmer of hope in Patriarch Gao's eyes, filling his heart with belief that this particular Daoist priest might indeed eradicate the monster tarnishing his family's reputation.
A dark cloud rushed in from the west, and immediately, the scent of demonic energy filled Lin Fang's nose.
Only those who had genuinely embarked on the path of cultivation possessed such acute senses, easily identifying the hidden scents in the air. Of course, this was also because Zhu Bajie had not concealed its presence, maintaining a Leakless condition.
Although Xuan Zhen's mana was not high, the overwhelming, undisguised demonic energy was still perceptible to him. At that moment, he lost his previous confidence and frowned, looking up into the sky.
A ferocious pig's head emerged from the dark cloud, its hair like steel needles, baring its fierce tusks, looking immensely fearsome.
The sight was indeed terrifying – no wonder Patriarch Gao was so determined to eliminate it; after all, appearances matter in this world.
"Father-in-law, why bother with all this? Wasting so much money when you could just leave it to your old Zhu. I could look after you in your old age!" Zhu Bajie looked down at the array and said with a laugh.
Patriarch Gao's face turned bright red, and he jumped up and yelled, "You shameless monster, tarnishing the Gao family's reputation, you deserve to die!"
Seeing Patriarch Gao's enraged face, a look of pleasure appeared on Zhu Bajie's face.
Patriarch Gao, upon seeing this, said to Daoist Priest Xuan Zhen, "I beg the Taoist priest to slay the demon and protect the way. There shall be a grand reward afterwards."
Stimulated by Zhu Bajie, Patriarch Gao now took a stern stance, even he, usually so stingy, was prepared to pay a significant price this time.
Hearing this, Xuan Zhen's face showed excitement, and in his heart, he secretly planned. If he could complete this mission, he might be able to join the core disciples of the Tianyi Teachings, perhaps even having a chance for Ascension to Immortality in the future.
He spoke righteously, "Exterminating demons and protecting the way is the divine duty of us cultivators. Patriarch, rest assured, today I will rid you of this monster and return peace to your household."
"Kid, be careful not to twist your tongue in the strong wind!" Zhu Bajie said disdainfully.
Being young and hot-headed, Xuan Zhen was infuriated by such scornful words and shouted loudly, "Demon, cease your prattle, witness my divine skills!"
He picked up a Copper Coin Sword from the desk, silently reciting incantations. The little sword, made from nine copper coins linked together, transformed into a streak of sword light heading straight for Zhu Bajie's head.
Zhu Bajie saw this, neither dodging nor evading, and with a clang, the Copper Coin Sword broke into pieces, yet not even a mark was left on his head.
After all, he had once been an immortal in the heavens. Even though he had been banished to the mortal world, his memories remained intact. Although his practice of cultivation was short, he was not someone that an unaccomplished cultivator like Xuan Zhen could contend with.
Xuan Zhen looked painfully at the shattered Copper Coin Sword. It was not easy for him to have created this magic artifact, and he had not expected it to be destroyed so easily. He also realized that the fearsome-looking demon was indeed not an ordinary opponent.
He glanced at the portrait of his patriarch on the desk, saw the light swirling above it, and sighed with relief. Fortunately, he still had a trump card; he refused to believe that this demon could defeat an immortal from the heavens.
"Wild demon, do not be arrogant!" Xuan Zhen shouted loudly, stepping with the Strength Step, muttering words under his breath. The candle on the desk blazed brilliantly, its light shining on the portrait, as if connecting with a mysterious realm. A deity in golden armor emerged from the portrait.
His appearance was the same as the patriarch in the portrait, only lacking a bit of the ethereal demeanor and possessing a more austere air.
Upon seeing the descending deity, Xuan Zhen was overwhelmed with joy, and quickly knelt to the ground, fervently shouting, "Disciple greets the arrival of the patriarch's divine frame."
The Golden Armored Deity walked past Xuan Zhen, who was fervently expressing his devotion, paying him no heed. His gaze had been fixed on Zhu Bajie from the start.
"The monster must be killed!" The voice carried not a hint of emotion; it was like the cold wind howling through winter.
Zhu Bajie, facing the imposing Golden Armored Deity, wore a disdainful expression and said, "Here is another puppet-like existence, I am truly tired of you."
"The monster must be killed!" The Golden Armored Deity seemed to only repeat these few words mechanically.
But his movements were incredibly agile, and his mana was extremely pure. Once the battle began, he rushed forward with a fearless attitude.
In the midst of dark clouds appeared the bulky figure of Zhu Bajie, who pulled out his Nine-toothed Rake and swung it at the head of the Golden Armored Deity.
The nine teeth of the rake flashed nine chilling beams of light through the air, instantly smashing the head of the Golden Armored Deity. However, no blood flowed, and the deity fell to the ground, turning into a beam of golden light that dissolved between heaven and earth, while the portrait that had been venerated burned to ash simultaneously.