The Earth God opened the jade bottle; inside were several hundred round, gleaming beads. He frowned and asked,
"Why are there only these?"
"You can't blame this humble monk for that. Last year Layman Zhao and the Dragon Lord caused a great drought, and now, before the year's out, another locust plague."
Hong Luo sneered and mocked, "With all these harvests the people had to make, it's no wonder the incense has grown thin!"
The Earth God paid the ridicule no mind and said, "No matter how flourishing or sparse the incense is, the number I require must be met. The shortfall should be made up by the sorcerer."
"Don't even think about it!"
Hong Luo's eyes widened furiously. He opened his mouth and spat out a pitch-black bowl, making the first move in aggression.
A sudden gust of eerie wind howled; demonic clouds surged. The bowl grew to the size of a house and came crashing down upon the Earth God.
