Starting with the Earth God, the path to immortality is deduced!

Lin Xuan is dead.

Died cleanly and completely.

Not a single crumb was left.

With the demise of this "ghostly land deity," the black mist that lingered on the ruins of the City God Temple was like soldier ants that had lost their queen.

Chaos.

scattered.

They sizzled under the scorching sun.

It turned into wisps of green smoke.

Completely return to the world.

The City God Temple was originally gloomy and terrifying, like a hellish place.

now.

It surprisingly exuded a rare clarity.

Although the main hall collapsed and the statues were shattered.

But that chilling, sinister quality is gone.

Instead.

It is a solemnity born of ruin.

It is a sacred thing that has survived countless calamities.

"call……"

Zhou Yuan let out a long breath.

His body swayed.

I almost fell on my bottom.

too tired.

This battle almost drained him of all his trump cards.

His spirit was exhausted.

My body aches and hurts.

But he knew that now was not the time to rest.

Lin Xuan is dead.

But someone still needs to clean up this mess.

The geomantic veins of Fengzhou City have been completely messed up by that madman Lin Xuan.

If not sorted out in time.

At best, it could cause an earthquake or landslide.

In severe cases, it can lead to rampant epidemics.

I am Tu Gong.

This area.

It's under my jurisdiction!

Zhou Yuan gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand up straight.

He raised the earth god seal in his hand, which was still warm.

His gaze sharpened.

"Imperial Edict!"

A low shout.

Like a thunderclap, it exploded in the sky above the ruins.

hum-

The divine seal trembled.

A halo of earthy yellow light rippled outwards from Zhou Yuan in all directions.

The halo was gentle and mellow.

It felt like the caress of a large hand.

Wherever they went.

The earth, which had been trembling slightly, fell silent.

The broken earth energy began to reconnect.

Those disordered ley lines are beginning to return to their proper places.

even.

In the shadow of the ruins.

Several trembling, ghostly figures slowly peeked out.

Those were a few remaining spirits from the original City God Temple.

They were also among the few remaining little ghosts that Lin Xuan had not devoured.

They looked at Zhou Yuan, who stood in the center of the ruins, holding the divine seal.

His eyes were filled with awe.

That is submission to power.

It is also a yearning for orthodox Shintoism.

"Greetings... Lord Tu Gong!"

One of the bolder underworld officials knelt down, trembling.

Followed by.

puff.

puff.

The remaining underworld officials also knelt down on the ground.

There was no cheering.

There is only the relief of surviving a disaster.

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly.

Its divine power is like a prison.

God's grace is as vast as the sea.

At this point, there's no need to say much.

Standing.

That's the rule!

"Well done."

A weak voice came from behind.

Zhou Yuan quickly turned around.

Uncle Liu was leaning against a broken stone pillar.

His face was as pale as paper.

The bloodstain on his chest was shocking.

But a look of satisfaction shone in his cloudy old eyes.

"Uncle Liu!"

Zhou Yuan's heart tightened, and he quickly ran over to support him.

It feels cool to the touch.

Uncle Liu's body was as cold as ice.

"Don't panic..."

Uncle Liu waved his hand, forcing a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"He won't die."

"These old bones of mine can't take any more strain."

He coughed twice.

Each sound was like coughing up their lungs.

"That sword strike just now damaged my very essence."

"And then there's the forced severing of the earth's veins..."

Uncle Liu sighed.

Looking into the distance, it seemed to pierce through layers of void.

"I need to sleep for a while."

Zhou Yuan was taken aback.

"sleep?"

"Um."

Uncle Liu nodded, his eyes becoming deep.

"This sleep might be a bit long."

"You heard Lin Xuan's last words."

"Behind the Wukong Sect, there is an even bigger fish."

"An anomaly beyond the heavens... The fall of the Yang God..."

"This pool of water is murky."

Uncle Liu reached into his robes.

He took out a black wooden plaque of unknown material and stuffed it into Zhou Yuan's hand.

The wooden sign was cold.

The character "柳" (willow) is engraved on it in an ancient style.

"Take it."

"If you encounter problems you can't solve in the future, or if you want to know about what happened back then..."

"Go to the North Continent."

"Find the owner of this sign."

Zhou Yuan gripped the wooden plaque tightly.

It feels heavy.

"Uncle Liu, where are you going?"

"I'm in that old willow grove outside the city."

Uncle Liu pointed in the direction outside the city.

"The soil there is rich in energy, which is suitable for recuperating from injuries."

"but……"

"I will seal off my six senses and enter a state of suspended animation."

"No one can wake me up unless I wake up on my own."

Speaking of which...

Uncle Liu suddenly grabbed Zhou Yuan's wrist.

The strength of his hand was immense.

It hurt Zhou Yuan a lot when he was gripped.

"I've got it."

"Before I woke up."

"Don't be reckless!"

"To live."

"Only those who are alive have the right to talk about the future!"

Zhou Yuan looked at Uncle Liu's serious expression.

He nodded emphatically.

"I've got it."

"Don't worry, Uncle Liu."

Uncle Liu released his grip.

My eyelids are getting heavier and heavier.

It looks like I'm about to fall asleep any second.

"Alright..."

"This Fengzhou city..."

"I'm leaving it to you from now on..."

"Don't embarrass me..."

Before he could finish speaking...

Uncle Liu tilted his head to the side.

She actually fell asleep just like that.

Breathing is weak.

It's almost imperceptible.

If it weren't for the fact that he still had a heartbeat, he would be practically dead.

"Uncle Liu..."

Zhou Yuan felt a lump in his throat.

But he didn't cry.

he knows.

Uncle Liu is too tired.

He carried the burden of hatred for thirty years.

Thirty years of suffering endured.

Nowadays.

I can finally get a good night's sleep.

"Hello!"

"Is your cheapskate father alright?"

Ma Ling'er walked over carrying Gun Gun.

Although he can be quite sharp-tongued.

But his eyes still showed concern.

The black and white dumpling was currently nestled in Ma Ling'er's arms, fast asleep and blowing snot bubbles from its nose.

Clearly, that lightning strike had exhausted it quite a bit.

"fine."

Zhou Yuan shook his head.

They carefully carried Uncle Liu on their backs.

"I'm just tired and need to rest."

He glanced at Ma Ling'er.

I took another look at the devastated city of Fengzhou.

His gaze gradually hardened.

"Let's go."

"go home."

"We've passed this hurdle."

……

three days later.

Charity home.

It was late at night.

Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged in the quiet room.

before.

The mysterious book, "Tales of Gods and Monsters," floats in the air.

After these few days of rest.

His energy and spirit have returned to their peak.

even.

It's even stronger than before!

During these three days.

He was not idle.

While settling Uncle Liu in, they also dealt with the follow-up matters at the City God Temple.

more importantly.

He was processing what he had learned from that battle.

Lin Xuan is a negative example.

But he did manage to get a foothold in the Shinto path.

That kind of application of incense, vows, and rules.

This gave Zhou Yuan great inspiration.

"I'm still too weak."

Zhou Yuan looked at his hands.

His gaze was intense.

"Nighttime Realm..."

"It can only leave the body at night; once it is exposed to sunlight, its spirit will be damaged."

"With this level of strength, it's fine for dealing with ordinary vengeful ghosts."

"But what if we really encounter those powerful figures at the Yang God level, or high-ranking members of the Wukong Sect..."

"They don't even have the right to run for their lives!"

Must get stronger!

And it has to be fast!

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath.

With a thought.

They communicated with the "Tales of Gods and Monsters" that were floating in front of them.

slam-la-

The pages of the book are turned.

It stopped on that hideous portrait of the "Ghost Land".

Above.

Black mist swirled around.

It seemed as if it might rush out at any moment to devour someone.

[Enable deduction?]

This deduction will require a massive amount of Yin energy!

In my mind.

A notification sound plays.

"Activate!"

Zhou Yuan did not hesitate at all.

After Lin Xuan's death.

I devoured all of "Strange Tales of Gods and Monsters"!

That was Lin Xuan's wealth accumulated over thirty years!

Why not take advantage of it!

boom!

With Zhou Yuan's command.

The Book of Gods and Monsters was suddenly shaken.

A black torrent visible to the naked eye.

It burst forth from the pages of the book!

That's not water.

That was an extremely dense concentration of yin energy!

Every thread, every strand.

They all contain enough energy to drive ordinary cultivators mad.

"Well done!"

Zhou Yuan was not surprised but rather pleased.

Open your mouth and inhale.

Like a whale sucking in water.

He absorbed all that immense Yin energy into his body!

pain!

A tearing pain!

But amidst this pain...

It also contained an indescribable pleasure.

It was like parched land receiving a torrential downpour.

Zhou Yuan's soul.

In that instant.

It was stretched several times its original size!

But he didn't stop.

Because right after that.

Something even more important is coming.

[Shinto Analysis...Activated!]

hum-

Countless golden runes.

Extracted from the image of the "Demon Land".

They transformed into streaks of light.

It burrowed into Zhou Yuan's brow.

That's the rule.

That makes sense.

It was an insight that Lin Xuan gained at the cost of his life.

Although he went astray.

But his understanding of the divine role of "land" was genuine.

"I see……"

"The earth is the origin of all things."

"It carries all things without complaint, and gives birth to all things without contention."

"This is the true essence of the Earth God!"

"Lin Xuan's attempt to rule the land with fear is utterly futile!"

In Zhou Yuan's mind.

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded.

The road ahead was originally unclear.

It became clear instantly.

He saw it.

He saw every vein beneath the city of Fengzhou.

I could see the breath in every single stone.

I witnessed the growth of every single plant.

I'm right here.

I am the earth.

The earth is me!

Boom!

A loud bang.

It exploded deep within Zhou Yuan's consciousness.

Some kind of invisible barrier.

Broken!

His soul.

It's no longer that eerie, ghostly atmosphere.

Instead, it began to emit a faint golden light.

warmth.

Intensely hot.

Like the rising sun!

"break!"

Zhou Yuan suddenly opened his eyes.

A beam of golden light shot out from his eyes.

Charge straight for the bull!

at this time.

It was dawn outside the window.

The first ray of sunlight.

It has just peeked out from the eastern horizon.

Zhou Yuan's lips curled up slightly.

He flashed a confident smile.

"Out of body!"

Whoosh!

A blurry figure.

He leaped off the top of his head.

It is no longer that elusive shadow.

Instead, it was a tiny, solid figure radiating a faint golden light!

That was Zhou Yuan's soul!

He did not dodge.

Instead, they faced the rising sun.

Step out!

hiss hiss hiss—

Sunlight shines on the soul.

It no longer emits black smoke as it used to.

Instead, it looks like it's been plated with a layer of gold.

warm.

It feels so good!

"Daytime trip!"

"This is the daytime travel zone!"

Zhou Yuan was suspended in mid-air.

Looking down at the sleeping city of Fengzhou.

A surge of heroic spirit welled up within me.

From then on.

Day and night.

Let me roam freely!

Nothing can hold me back anymore!

"what!"

A scream shattered the morning's tranquility.

Zhou Yuan looked down.

Ma Ling'er was standing in the courtyard.

She was holding a basin of water for washing her face.

He was staring in disbelief at him in mid-air.

The water in the basin spilled all over the floor.

The panda, who had just woken up and crawled out, got soaked to the bone.

"Awoo?"

Gun Gun shook its head, looking completely bewildered.

They clearly haven't figured out the situation yet.

"You, you, you..."

Ma Ling'er pointed at Zhou Yuan's soul.

He stammered:

"You...you went on a day trip?!"

"How is this possible?!"

"It's only been a few days?!"

"What did you eat to grow up like this?!"

"You're a monster!"

Zhou Yuan chuckled.

The soul flashed.

He instantly returned to his physical body.

He pushed open the door and went out.

I stretched out a big yawn.

His bones cracked and popped.

"What's wrong?"

"Envious?"

"If you're envious, just call me 'brother,' and I'll teach you."

Ma Ling'er rolled her eyes.

He threw the empty basin in his hand away.

"Pooh!"

"Dream on!"

"I am a legitimate successor of witchcraft!"

"I don't care about your unorthodox methods!"

Although that's what they say.

But there was a hint of shock and worry in her eyes.

But it couldn't be hidden no matter what.

How long has it been?

From calming the mind to nighttime travel, and then to daytime travel.

This speed.

It's like riding a rocket!

but……

This is a state of being forcibly elevated by relying on external things.

Are there really no hidden dangers?

Ma Ling'er looked at Zhou Yuan's radiant face.

Hesitant to speak.

In the end, he just sighed.

Squat down.

He vigorously rubbed Gungun's wet head.

"never mind."

"Anyway, you're not normal to begin with."

"I can't be bothered with you."

Zhou Yuan smiled.

There was no explanation.

Some things.

There's no way to explain it.

As long as you stay true to yourself.

Is he a god or a demon?

What does it matter?

The following days.

Fengzhou City became exceptionally peaceful.

This tranquility.

It wasn't that lifeless silence.

Rather, it is a well-ordered prosperity.

because.

The owner of the mortuary, Mr. Zhou.

It's unleashed its power.

Since breaking through the Day Travel Realm.

Zhou Yuan's control over the underworld of Fengzhou.

It reached a terrifying level.

day.

He helped people with funeral arrangements at the mortuary.

Which elderly person has passed away?

Which family's child has been possessed by an evil spirit?

As long as we find the mortuary.

No matter how difficult the matter is.

It ended up in Zhou Yuan's hands.

That's as simple as eating and drinking.

"Boss Zhou, my dad appeared in my dream last night saying he was cold."

"Burn two sets of paper clothes, extra thick, and burn them specifically for him, so that wandering ghosts won't steal them."

"Boss Zhou, my well has been gushing black water lately."

"There's a drowned water ghost trapped at the bottom of the well. I'll put up a talisman later to send it away and help it reincarnate."

"Boss Zhou, I..."

"Line up! Everyone line up!"

At the entrance of the mortuary.

It's bustling with traffic every day.

The place was so popular with worshippers that it hardly seemed like a place for the dead.

It resembled a bustling market.

But then it got dark.

That's another world.

Zhou Yuan's soul left his body.

Holding the seal of the Earth God.

Inspect the entire city.

Those wandering ghosts who originally wanted to cause trouble after the City God Temple collapsed.

Before they even showed themselves.

He was then slapped back to his hometown by a golden light.

"This territory."

I say one.

"Who dares to say they're second?"

The mass grave in the west of the city.

Zhou Yuan stood with his hands behind his back.

feet.

A group of trembling, fierce ghosts knelt there.

Those are ghosts from out of town who have been wandering around in the last few days.

They don't know the rules.

He wanted to become king of the mountain.

As a result, Zhou Yuan single-handedly took on the entire group.

"after."

"I want to make a living in Fengzhou City."

"You have to follow my rules!"

"It won't harm anyone."

Do not do evil.

"Just wait patiently to be reincarnated."

"Anyone who dares to cause trouble..."

Zhou Yuan snorted coldly.

His body shone with a brilliant golden light.

That kind of majestic divine power.

The group of vengeful ghosts were so frightened that they almost lost their souls.

"I will obey the decree of the Earth God!"

"I won't do it again! I'll never do it again!"

In a short time.

The Yin and Yang realms of the entire Fengzhou city.

It was governed by Zhou Yuan and became as solid as an iron barrel.

Even those troublesome individuals who are usually the most difficult to deal with.

Now, when we mention the name "Zhou Tugong"...

They all trembled a couple of times.

This day.

Zhou Yuan is writing an epitaph for a deceased elderly person at the mortuary.

Sudden.

His pen paused.

A drop of ink.

It fell onto the Xuan paper.

A black flower bloomed.

But he didn't care.

Instead, he suddenly looked up.

He looked in a certain direction in the void.

There.

There was nothing there.

But in Zhou Yuan's perception.

Yet there was a strange fluctuation.

It is resonating with the divine entity within its body.

That is……

A call from a higher level!

With the continuous accumulation of incense offerings and prayers during this period.

As his understanding of Shinto deepened.

His position was originally just the lowest-ranking [Lishe Land God].

It's starting to loosen!

The divine essence is burning hot.

The seal of God is rejoicing.

It seemed like there was something there.

It is breaking through the ground!

"This is……"

Zhou Yuan put down his pen.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.

He could sense it.

One's own Shinto territory.

It's expanding outwards!

It's not just this small city of Fengzhou.

even.

This includes the surrounding towns and villages!

An even larger and more majestic aura.

It's brewing within him.

Zhou Yuan slowly stood up.

I walked to the window.

Looking at the rolling mountains in the distance.

A smug, ambitious smile curved his lips.

Ninth grade Shinto.

On the land of Lishe.

This is for...

[Xiangting Land]!

"It seems..."

"This small town of Fengzhou."

"It's almost too big to contain this dragon."

Zhou Yuan clenched his fist.

Since you're going to cultivate the divine path...

Then we must build a road that leads to the heavens!

This is the shrine of the local earth god in the village.

I want it!

But at that moment...

A gust of cold wind.

Without warning, the gates of the mortuary were blown open.

In the wind.

It has a faint fishy smell.

And a trace...

A murderous intent from afar.

Zhou Yuan frowned.

He turned to look outside the door.

All that could be seen was the pitch-black night.

It seems to have a pair of eyes.

They are watching this place intently.

That was a new challenge.

Too……

New prey.

"interesting."

Zhou Yuan licked his lips.

His eyes gleamed with fighting spirit.

"I was just about to go to sleep."

Someone sent me a pillow.

"Then let's take a look."

"You really are something else, coming from out of town."

"I'm still the local bully..."

"Even more ruthless!"