May My God's Heart Be Clear

At this point, Wu Gou paused. The image of Cangming’s sycophantic behavior flashed through his mind, and his lip couldn't help but twitch.

"No, perhaps it's three regions."

"As this poor monk sees it, the Eastern Region has likely been played for a fool by that great devil as well."

Song Zi'an only half-understood, but he only needed to know one thing.

Trusting the Lord and not causing trouble was the greatest help he could provide.

"Then do we just wait here?" Song Zi'an asked.

"Wait?"

Wu Gou chuckled.

"A monk takes compassion as his core. Since I have seen the suffering of this mortal world, how can I simply stand by and watch?"

"I do not know his specific plan."

"But since he dared to enter this Golden Buddha's game alone, he must have something to rely on."

"This chaotic situation right now is perhaps... also within his expectations, or at least a tribulation he must face."

He sat down cross-legged again, his hands forming a seal, looking solemn and dignified.

"The vows of living beings always find an echo."

"The vengeful spirits filling this city and the suffering everywhere are both sinful karma and vow power."

With that, Wu Gou closed his eyes again and began chanting sutras.

One by one, golden Sanskrit characters drifted from his mouth, turning into golden butterflies that flew out the window and into the ghost qi filling the sky.

"This is..." Song Zi'an watched the flying golden characters and felt a sense of peace wash over his heart. Even the ghostly wails outside seemed more distant.

"The vow power of all beings can purify defiled earth and settle the spirit."

Wu Gou spoke slowly, still chanting with his eyes closed.

"This monk's power is meager, and I am still young."

"I can only use this remaining sliver of Buddha-nature to gather the prayers and good intentions of the living that have not yet fully dissipated from this place."

"I hope these can turn into a bit of empowerment to aid him from afar."

"May my god's heart be clear and undisturbed by external demons."

Song Zi'an stared blankly at Wu Gou.

At this moment, although Wu Gou still had a youthful face, he made Song Zi'an feel as if he were looking at a golden-bodied arhat who had stepped out of a mural.

The worry for Chen Zhou in his heart eased slightly due to Wu Gou's words and actions.

Just then, Song Zi'an's nose suddenly twitched.

A scent familiar to his very bones pierced through the blood and stench outside, drifting into his nostrils.

Song Zi'an's eyes widened, and the bowl of noodles in his hand nearly fell to the floor.

"Master?"

He muttered to himself in disbelief and rushed to the window.

He inhaled deeply, his entire body freezing up.

Wu Gou stopped chanting and asked in confusion, "Benefactor Song, what is it?"

Song Zi'an trembled with excitement, pointing outside incoherently. "The smell... Master's smell..."

"I smell it! It's the aroma of food made by Master!"

"A soul-settling banquet is being prepared! I couldn't be mistaken!"

Wu Gou's brow furrowed.

They had been secretly investigating the provincial capital palace for many days and had searched nearly every corner, yet they had never found any trace of the legendary Heavenly Chef.

Combined with the various eerie occurrences in the palace and Yin Wudao's style of doing things, everyone had actually assumed the worst in their hearts.

That Heavenly Chef had likely already met with disaster.

Even Song Zi'an himself, after a long search, had silently accepted this fact in his heart, even if he refused to say it out loud.

But at this critical juncture, with demons dancing wildly outside, how could the Heavenly Chef suddenly appear to cook?

And it was a major dish on the level of the soul-settling banquet?

"Are you sure?" Wu Gou asked in a deep voice.

"The ghost qi is rampant right now, and various breaths are mixed together. Could it be some kind of illusion or a demonic trick to bewitch the heart?"

"I am certain!" Song Zi'an replied decisively, tears already flowing uncontrollably.

"Novice Wu Gou, you don't understand."

"The soul-settling banquet is my master's unique secret. Its essence lies not in how rare the ingredients are, but in the cook's heart-intent while preparing it."

"The wish for the diners to be peaceful and satisfied, forgetting all their worries."

"Even in a desperate situation, eating a mouthful of this food allows one to temporarily lay down a thousand-pound burden, settling the soul and heart to find a moment of respite and warmth."

"Master often said that the best chef..."

"Is not the one who can make the most expensive or exotic dishes, but the one who can make the diners finish their last meal with a smile."

"No matter how great the skill, it is only a technique. Only when the heart-intent is present will there be a soul in the food."

"It makes people full so they don't miss home or dwell on worries. No matter how hard the road ahead, once the stomach is settled, the heart has confidence and hope."

"Smell it—the soul in this scent."

"Besides Master, there is no second person in the world with such heart-intent, who can truly cook the soul into the flavor!"

As if in response to his words, another violent tremor shook the ground. A group of already teetering palaces not far outside the hall collapsed with a roar, sending dust everywhere.

And amidst that dust, a clearer and richer aroma of food drifted over.

This time, even Wu Gou smelled it clearly.

The aroma was not simply that of meat or vegetables, but a more complex scent with distinct layers.

A single sniff made one's mouth water, but upon careful savoring, a warm current seemed to sink into the dantian. It truly had the bizarre effect of settling the soul and calming terror.

Just smelling the aroma allowed his mind, which had been slightly shaken by the tragic scenes outside, to stabilize again.

"It really is... the Heavenly Chef's methods?"

A flash of surprise crossed Wu Gou's eyes.

This effect could not be achieved by ordinary cooking or illusions.

Was that Heavenly Chef really still alive?

And nearby?

His mind raced.

Currently, in the provincial capital, almost all the experts who coveted the Golden Buddha and had the strength to fight for it had been drawn to the core battlefield of the Star-Picking Platform.

Although the outer perimeter was filled with rampaging evil ghosts and black-spot monsters due to the earthquake just now...

For him, as long as he didn't encounter the very top-tier entities, protecting Song Zi'an's safety shouldn't be a problem.

Even if he did encounter them, it was no big deal.

More importantly...

He turned his head toward the direction the scent was coming from, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily.

That was the legendary Heavenly Chef!

Little Benefactor Song's cooking was already delicious. What kind of exquisite delicacies would the real Heavenly Chef prepare?

The Heavenly Chef was the person the Lord specifically asked to find. I must get this done properly.

"Namo Amitābha."

Wu Gou pressed his palms together, his face full of righteous indignation.

"Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."

"Since Benefactor Song has such filial piety, then this monk shall risk his life to accompany a gentleman and join you on this journey!"

With that, he withdrew the defensive Buddhist light from the side hall.

"Roar—"

The evil ghosts and black-spot monsters who had long been waiting impatiently outside saw the golden light vanish and immediately rushed forward with a roar.

The dream demon little pig saw this and its eyes lit up, feeling that its chance had come.

It wanted to take advantage of the chaos to fly out and back to Chen Zhou's side to help.

The sky was falling; how could the Lord be without it by his side!

However, just as it took flight, the scruff of its neck was accurately seized by a hand.

"Hmph!"

The little pig struggled dissatisfiedly, baring its teeth as it manifested its true dream demon form.

Countless dream demon eyes burst open on its body, its fangs flared out, and a threatening low growl issued from its throat, attempting to scare off Wu Gou.

"Smack!"

Wu Gou unceremoniously slapped its forehead, knocking it back into its original form.

"What are you barking for? Think you're so capable, huh?"