...

The setting sun casts its last rays.

A rainbow hung in the mountains after the rain.

The air was filled with the fragrance of earth.

The once barren fields have become vibrant with life. The people kneel in the fields, thanking the Vermilion Bird God, whom they believe is a manifestation of divine intervention.

At the foot of Nantian Peak is the Zhuque Temple.

The Vermilion Bird Temple bears the marks of time; although incense offerings are few, they have never ceased.

Qin Luo led the stone into the Vermilion Bird Temple. The temple was deserted, and there were many Vermilion Bird totems on the walls, similar to the totem that appeared between the little dumpling's eyebrows.

An old woman stood in front of the main hall, dressed in a black and red sacrificial robe. She looked at Qin Luo, who had suddenly appeared.

Qin Luo smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and said softly, "Qin Luo of Longhu Temple greets Senior."

The old woman's face was lined with more wrinkles than the folds of a withered tree. She was hunched over and asked in a hoarse voice, "Master, what brings you here?"

"Master Qingxu of the Sword Dao Temple asked me to come here and take a look," Qin Luo replied truthfully.

A light shone in the old woman's eyes, and she said excitedly, "Did Master Qingxu ask you to come and help?"

Qin Luo was taken aback. At the time, Master Qingxu had not asked him to help. He smiled and nodded, "Senior, if I can help, I will do my best."

The old woman was overjoyed.

"Was this rain brought by the Taoist priest?"

"Yes."

The old woman looked up at Nantian Peak and said solemnly, "The disaster originated from the mountain peak! If we cannot eliminate the disaster at its source, all of this will be in vain."

Qin Luo looked up at the mountain peak. "Is it a disaster?"

"Many years ago, the Heavenly Dao collapsed, and the world was in chaos. The Vermilion Bird God quelled the unrest in the south, but He paid a great price for it. Later, when disaster struck, He used His last strength to seal the disaster on the summit of the Southern Heaven Peak."

"As time goes by, the seal of the Vermilion Bird God weakens and weakens, and with fewer and fewer believers, His power is no longer sufficient to seal away the calamity."

Upon hearing this, Qin Luo walked towards the Vermilion Bird Hall and asked with a smile, "Senior, may I offer a stick of incense?"

"Can."

The old woman smiled and nodded.

Qin Luo entered the Vermilion Bird Palace, where a tall goddess stood, clad in red armor, exuding heroic spirit.

Stone looked at her with awe and muttered, "Sister Tuanzi, will you be as amazing as her someday?"

The little dumpling peeked out of the pocket, looked at the Vermilion Bird statue, a smile playing on her lips, and said confidently, "I'll definitely be more powerful than Him in the future! Stronger than Him! And prettier than Him! Hehe!"

The old woman, upon seeing the Vermilion Bird pattern on the little girl's forehead, exclaimed excitedly, "Such rich Vermilion Bird bloodline! If you are willing to stay at the Vermilion Bird Temple, we are willing to venerate you as a saintess!"

"don't want!"

"I want to follow the boss!"

The little dumpling climbed onto Qin Luo's shoulder and sat there. Her eyes were firm as she said, "Even if you give me mountains of gold and silver and endless delicious food, I will not stay here."

Qin Luo placed the lit incense sticks into the incense burner.

As golden smoke rose, Qin Luo bowed and said, "Senior, I'll go to the summit first."

The old woman nodded and reminded him, "Master Qin, there are strong restrictions in the mountains. I cannot accompany you. Please be careful on your journey!"

"good!"

Qin Luo nodded with a smile.

The old woman escorted them to the entrance of the mountain trail.

Qin Luo walked up the mountain, with Shi Tou carrying the black pot behind him. He felt immense pressure, as if his legs were made of lead.

Stone walked very slowly, but Qin Luo walked at a leisurely pace, showing no intention of waiting for him. In order to keep up with Qin Luo, he could only grit his teeth and persevere.

We haven't even reached the halfway point of the mountain yet.

The stone fell to the ground.

Qin Luo didn't turn around to look at him.

Shi Tou chose to leave the scapegoat and his bundle behind, barely managed to stand up, and continued walking forward. He moved so slowly that he could no longer see Qin Luo's figure.

Qin Luo wanted to train the stone, so he neither encouraged him nor paused for a moment.

Stone hadn't gone far when he collapsed again, feeling as if he were carrying a mountain on his back, unable to move. He didn't give up, and continued to crawl forward, moving his body little by little.

The mountaintop.

There is also a statue of the Vermilion Bird here.

The statue's wings embrace the mountain peak.

Qin Luo's heart raced. He looked at the middle of the mountain peak, where blood-red fragments of the Heavenly Dao floated, sealed by the Vermilion Bird with a restriction. Even so, the leaked energy still made the surrounding land barren.