I Became Invincible By Offering Up Sacrifices To My Sect's Grandmaster

Late at night, Zhou Dao returned home, not even bothering to eat or drink, and closed the door tightly.

This night, the Demon Control Department was bound to be sleepless.

However, he was only a Demon Sealing Master, and the ones who were really busy were the Demon-slaying Guards. After work, everything had nothing to do with him.

Zhou Dao took out a yellowish-white candle from the cupboard and lit it.

Immediately, a gentle fragrance filled the air, the rising smoky wisps curling and dispersing, giving off a warm sensation.

This was no ordinary candle. It was the Fire Cloud Candle, and its fiery smoke could nourish the muscles and strengthen the blood energy.

Legend has it that this kind of candle was mixed with thirty-one precious herbs and many demon treasures, refined using a secret method.

Only disciples from wealthy and influential families could afford such items for their cultivation.

In the market, such a Fire Cloud Candle would cost one or two pieces of red gold, making it incredibly valuable.

It was only by sacrificing an Evil-grade medium Yao that Zhou Dao had obtained this Fire Cloud Candle.

Zhou Dao took a gentle breath, inhaling the clouds and fog.

The flickering candlelight swirled the smoke, like tiny snakes burrowing into Zhou Dao's body, spreading through his limbs and bones, nourishing his muscles, and bolstering his blood energy.

Ancient books stated that heaven and earth had gods and Buddhas, to whom one must offer incense to show their respect.

The incense used here was made with an ancient secret method, containing treasures. The gods and Buddhas would receive offerings, which could enhance their divine powers and bestow blessings.

Thus, throughout the ages, rituals to honor gods and Buddhas have been presided over by Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries. Ordinary people also needed to enter these temples to make offerings.

That's because they held the secrets to refining incense.

Many Taoist temples and monasteries do not accept outside incense offerings.

Zhou Dao's Fire Cloud Candle was not even considered a top-grade item.

The ''Demon-resisting Agency Work Manual'' mentioned a type of incense called Nine Treasures Wishing Candle. When this candle is lit, whatever one wishes for in their heart will come true. "As I wish, as I wish, just as I desire, quickly manifest."

The method to refine this incense came from a special demon beast called the Fragrant Beast.

Legends say that King of Buddha in the Nine Lands eternally guards the Netherworld, educating lost souls.

Next to him stood an incense burner, where the seven emotions and six desires of the human world were burned, transforming into ash.

The Fragrant Beast was born from this incense burner.

In the myths and legends of this world, the King of Buddha in the Nine Lands was equivalent to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the Earth King in Zhou Dao's previous life.

Of course, the Fragrant Beast was just a legend.

However, the Nine Treasures Wishing Candle was indeed real, as Zhou Dao had heard from Old Yuan before.

Thirteen years ago, a Nine Treasures Wishing Candle appeared in the Fire Phoenix City, causing great turmoil, even attracting the attention of many powerful demons.

For a time, there was a struggle akin to a once-in-a-century event. In the end, the Nine Treasures Wishing Candle was obtained by a great expert from the Demon Control Department.

"It would be great if the Ancestral Master could grant me a Nine Treasures Wishing Candle someday." A beautiful fantasy arose in Zhou Dao's heart.

He was a layman, with many wishes he wanted to fulfill.

However, even if one sacrificed a High-Level Evil Class demon beast, it would not be enough to obtain a treasure like the Nine Treasures Wishing Candle.

"It's better to focus on work." Zhou Dao shook his head, suppressing his wild thoughts, and took out the Red Fox Tail from the Green Coiling Treasure Bag.

Despite being separated from its body, the fox's tail still exuded a strong demonic energy.

If an ordinary person were to come into contact with this energy, they would likely lose their life in a short period of time.

Even a regular cultivator, having achieved the Refining Realm Fourth Transformation [Wandering Divine Control], would likely fall seriously ill after coming into contact with such energy.

But Zhou Dao was completely unaffected.

With his current cultivation, this small amount of demonic energy was nothing at all.

Zhou Dao gently stroked the Red Fox Tail. Its red fur glimmered with an oily sheen, reminiscent of burning flames, captivating to the senses.

To offer a sacrifice to the Ancestral Master, a complete demon beast was needed. Although this fox tail could not be used for that purpose, it was still a rare demon treasure, bound to fetch a good price from Old Yuan.

As recorded in the ''Demon-resisting Agency Work Manual'', deep in the mountains, a wild fox can eventually become a demon.

Long ago, a villager had an aggressive wife who constantly oppressed him, making his life unbearable.

One day, the villager went into the mountains to gather herbs and found a severed tail, which he took home.

From that point on, his wife's behavior changed completely, and she became obedient to the villager.

As such, the tails of vixens are incredibly valuable, and particularly among the upper-class who appreciate such "demon treasures".

Especially a red fox tail like this, which is even more effective and powerful than taking medicine.

Thus, red fox tails are in high demand, especially in black markets where they are often sold out quickly upon appearance.

"I'll ask Old Yuan tomorrow to see if I can sell it for a good price."

Zhou Dao carefully cleaned the red fox tail, then wrapped it nicely in a beautiful brocade box.

Last time, a Bei embryo fetched a medium-level Evil-grade demon beast in exchange.

This red fox tail should be worth even more than the Bei embryos, so a good return is expected.

...

The next day.

Zhou Dao took the wrapped tail to Old Yuan's house.

"A red fox tail! So complete, and it's from an Evil-grade high-level Yao Fox!"

Old Yuan's eyes widened, his muddy pupils flashing a greed-filled green color, akin to a weasel eyeing the chicken.

As a "demon treasure" dealer who frequents the black market, he doesn't come across something like this very often.

"Where did you get such a great find?" Old Yuan couldn't help but ask.

Even though the imperial court forbids the production and sale of demon treasures via any means or channels,

But that's for outsiders. Do you know how profitable the "demon treasure" business is?

The Demon Control Department acts upon it, the business can only be monopolized by them, with others barely getting a taste of the profits.

Zhou Dao, taking advantage of his position, occasionally managed to get some trimmings to make "demon treasures" and sell them to Old Yuan.

But that was just taking advantage of opportunities.

Good items like a red fox tail wouldn't usually make it to the outside.

"Old Yuan, don't worry about that. Just don't break your rules," Zhou Dao shook his head.

Money and goods are separate, no questions asked - that's the rule for this line of work.

"Hehe, I heard that the Demon Control Department had a misfortune last night," Old Yuan grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

"This old man is really well-informed," Zhou Dao cursed silently.

"I bet you took advantage of the chaos to get this, didn't you?" Old Yuan's eyes sparkled with intelligence as if he could see right through Zhou Dao.

"Old Yuan, you're truly perceptive," Zhou Dao nodded, his face not red, nor short of breath.

"I'll take it," Old Yuan closed the wooden box and gently patted it.

With a treasure like this, many people would be clamoring to buy it, especially wealthy people wanting excitement in their empty lives.

Once this treasure changes hands, the profits will be substantial and worth doing.

Worst case scenario, he could keep it for himself.

"Hehe, Old Yuan, you could actually keep this for yourself," Zhou Dao grinned.

As an elderly person living alone, Zhou Dao thought it necessary for Old Yuan to keep the red fox tail.

"Stinky kid, are you making fun of me, an old man?" Old Yuan's face turned red, as if his secret thoughts had been exposed, glaring at Zhou Dao.

"Enough chit-chat, just state your price!!!"

Zhou Dao's eyes gleamed as he stretched out a hand with five fingers.