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

The golden light faded.

Zhou Yuan stood in the main hall of the City God Temple.

He clenched his fist slightly.

A loud, explosive sound seemed to come from the air.

That is power.

It is also authority.

If the previous Xiangting land was merely the controller of a small stream.

That's the current county town god.

He is the River God who controls three great rivers!

Even stronger.

Because this is not just an increase in the amount of water.

Rather, it is an essential sublimation.

Zhou Yuan closed his eyes.

His divine sense spread out like a tide.

It is no longer limited to Liujia Village.

No longer confined to that small, tiny space.

Pingyang County.

Jingning County.

Suburbs of Fengzhou.

These three maps were now dazzlingly bright in his mind.

Every inch of land.

Every river.

Even every old tree swaying in the wind.

They all seemed like part of his body.

clear and distinct.

within reach.

"Is this... the perspective of the county god?"

Zhou Yuan murmured softly.

This feeling is wonderful.

It's like watching an old TV that only shows pixelated images.

Suddenly, it was replaced by a giant 8K ultra-high-definition screen.

Even the trail of an ant moving its nest on the ground.

Everything is clearly visible.

But then...

A tremendous roar exploded in his mind without warning.

"May the City God bless my sow and grant her many piglets!"

"I can't survive in this world anymore, please, sir, take me in..."

"That damned Wang Ermazi owes me three coins and won't pay them back! I beg the City God to send lightning to strike him dead!"

"I want to eat meat..."

"I want to get rich..."

"I don't want to die..."

Countless voices.

Countless thoughts.

Men, women, old, young.

Greedy, desperate, malicious, pious.

It was like millions of flies simultaneously swarming into Zhou Yuan's brain.

It was buzzing and making random noises.

It gives you a splitting headache.

Zhou Yuan's brows furrowed sharply.

His body swayed slightly.

I almost lost my footing.

This is the drawback of the worship of incense and deities.

To be worshipped by others.

One must bear the consequences of others' actions.

These thoughts are the "impurities" in the incense offerings.

This is what is known as "the poison of the mortal world".

If it were an ordinary wild god, it would probably have been turned into an idiot by this immense power of will.

Or they became puppets who only knew how to respond to prayers.

But Zhou Yuan is not.

He wrote "Strange Tales of Gods and Monsters".

"snort!"

Zhou Yuan snorted coldly.

Within the sea of ​​consciousness.

The ancient and unusual book trembled slightly.

It emitted a soft, clear glow.

"Give me silence!"

Like a resounding bell.

The cacophony of prayers was instantly filtered out.

Those trivial, malicious, and meaningless noises.

All of them were kept outside the sea of ​​consciousness.

Only the prayers of those who have truly encountered evil spirits and suffered injustice remain.

Then it turned into starlight.

It reached Zhou Yuan's ears.

world.

Finally, it's quiet.

Zhou Yuan let out a long breath.

Open your eyes.

He happened to see Zhang Zhengming looking at him with a worried expression.

"The difference is..."

"No, you should now address him as Lord Prefect."

Zhang Zhengming quickly changed his tune.

He bowed deeply to Zhou Yuan.

"Lord, you have just been promoted; are you experiencing any discomfort in your spirit?"

"The incense offerings and prayers in these three counties are incredibly diverse."

"If we absorb it rashly, it might shake our divine foundation."

Zhang Zhengming was, after all, a veteran City God.

Although his realm has fallen.

But the experience remains.

He knew all too well the terror of the soul being assaulted by the prayers of the masses.

"It's alright."

Zhou Yuan waved his hand.

He walked to the main seat that belonged to the City God.

He sat down with an air of authority.

His black official robes shimmered with a faint divine light.

It made him look incredibly dignified.

"It's just a bit noisy."

"It's all right now."

Zhou Yuan tapped his fingers on the armrest.

It makes a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

"Old Zhang."

"We've expanded our operations significantly now."

"With just you, me, and these few day-traveling inspectors..."

"I'm afraid they can't manage it all, can they?"

Zhou Yuan had just glanced at it briefly.

Within Pingyang County alone.

There are tens of thousands of wandering ghosts who haven't had a chance to be reincarnated.

Not to mention the many unsolved wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice that have been accumulated.

And those low-level evil spirits hiding in dark corners.

If you let him catch it by himself...

He could work himself to death and still not finish.

Even immortals can die from overwork.

Zhang Zhengming gave a wry smile.

He cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty is wise and sagacious."

"Pingyang County originally had a complete underworld organization."

"Civil and Military Judges, Black and White Impermanence, Ox-Head and Horse-Face, Day and Night Patrol Gods, Twenty-Four Department Heads..."

"pity."

"They were all refined by that beast Lin Xuan."

Speaking of it.

A flicker of pain crossed Zhang Zhengming's eyes.

Those were his long-time subordinates.

"Now the entire Pingyang Underworld."

"Except for this old man."

"There are only two or three big cats and little cats left."

"Indeed...we're stretched thin."

Zhou Yuan nodded.

He had anticipated this.

"Since there's no one here."

"Then confess!"

"Since there is no god."

"Then seal it off!"

Zhou Yuan's voice was resolute.

He is now a county city god of the ninth rank.

He held the divine authority of the Great Ling Dynasty in his hands.

Although he couldn't be given a very high-ranking official position.

But they sealed off a few ghost soldiers and ghost messengers.

They even appointed several subordinate gods of the ninth rank.

That's more than enough!

"Old Zhang, over here in the administrative department."

"You hold the line for now."

"Go through all those backlogged case files."

"As for military positions..."

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes.

He flipped his palm over.

A wisp of black smoke emerged from his sleeve.

Upon landing, it transformed into a ghostly figure.

It was the homebody that Zhou Yuan always kept by his side.

That old devil.

Ever since I started following Zhou Yuan.

Although I suffered a lot.

But they also consumed a lot of incense offerings.

In addition, there was some Yin energy that Zhou Yuan had leaked out when he killed the evil spirit.

Modern-day homebody.

His strength has reached the peak of the Manifestation Realm.

He was just one step away from becoming a Yin spirit.

"Master...Master."

The otaku ghost appeared.

They immediately felt the terrifying divine power emanating from within the main hall.

They were so scared they were trembling.

He lay directly on the ground.

They didn't even dare to lift their heads.

It can sense it.

The owner has changed.

It has become even more unfathomable.

Even more... terrifying.

"Still calling me master?"

Zhou Yuan looked at its cowardly appearance.

It's kind of funny.

"It's time to change your tune."

"The homebody ghost is hereby granted an official title!"

A low shout.

Like a thunderclap.

The otaku shuddered.

Although I don't know what's going to happen.

But instinctively, he knelt up straight.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhou Yuan stood up.

The warm City God's token in my hand.

Suddenly, it burst forth with dazzling golden light.

"Now there is a loyal and devoted ghost who has rendered meritorious service in my battles."

"By special imperial decree, he is appointed as the Chief Clerk of the Chenghuang Temple in Pingyang County!"

"Commanding the ghostly army of an entire county!"

"Give me the Demon-Beating Whip!"

"Give me the Soul-Locking Chains!"

"Bestow upon me a body imbued with the yin energy of the fifth rank!"

The words were spoken.

The law follows.

A golden edict.

It flew out from the City God's decree.

It was printed directly on the otaku's forehead.

boom!

The otaku felt an unimaginably powerful force.

It instantly permeates the entire body.

Originally, it was a somewhat ethereal and elusive ghost.

Under the influence of this divine power.

It quickly solidified.

The tattered robe he wore.

It transformed into a majestic black iron armor.

A chilling iron whip now adorned his waist.

He now held a rattling chain in his hand.

the most important is.

Its scent.

It broke through the bottleneck directly.

He has entered the Yin God Realm!

Although it is a pseudo-yin god who was merely artificially elevated to a divine position.

But on this small piece of land...

As long as the City God Temple stands.

It is a genuine Yin God powerhouse!

"roar--!"

The otaku ghost couldn't help but look up to the sky and howl.

In that whistling sound.

It was filled with ecstasy and power.

It never dreamed of this.

I am just a lonely ghost who only knows how to hide in the old house and scare people.

Some of them were even wearing official robes.

A day when I'm eating the government's rice!

This is a legitimate Shinto organization!

This is a momentous event that brings glory to our ancestors!

"Thank you, Your Excellency!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Excellency!"

"Your humble servant... no, I will give my life, even unto death!"

The otaku was so excited that he became incoherent.

He kowtowed repeatedly to Zhou Yuan.

The blue bricks on the ground were all chipped and cracked.

"Alright."

"Stop kowtowing."

"If you keep kowtowing, we'll tear down the temple."

Zhou Yuan sat back down in his chair.

His expression was calm.

"I'll give you half a day."

"Go to the city and recruit all the remaining wandering ghosts and spirits who are still usable."

"Assemble a large army of ghost soldiers."

"The number of participants is tentatively set at 500."

"Anyone who dares to cause trouble."

"Just whip them directly."

"If we encounter a tough opponent..."

A cold glint flashed in Zhou Yuan's eyes.

"State my name."

"I will personally go and reason with him."

The homebody pounded his chest so hard it shook the heavens.

"Rest assured, Your Excellency!"

"If you can't even handle this small matter properly..."

"I'll twist my own head off and use it as a football!"

Done.

The ghost was carrying a soul-locking chain.

He carried the menacing aura of a newly appointed official.

They marched out of the main hall with great pride and high spirits.

That kind of presence.

He's even more arrogant than Lin Xuan was back then.

Watching the ghost's departing figure.

A hint of envy flashed in Zhang Zhengming's eyes.

Such methods.

He directly conferred the title of Yin God.

Even at his peak, he couldn't have done it with such ease.

This new boss.

He is indeed a person with great opportunities.

"Old Zhang, don't just sit around doing nothing."

"Go and draft a charter."

"We're not just going to catch ghosts."

"The rules for these three counties also need to be revised."

Zhou Yuan looked at Zhang Zhengming.

"The old rules were too lenient."

"Starting today."

"I want these three counties."

"Humans have humanity."

"Ghosts have their own way of doing things."

"Those who reach out without permission."

"cut!"

The word "斩" (zhǎn, meaning "to cut" or "to kill").

A murderous aura emanated from them.

This caused the temperature inside the main hall to drop by several degrees.

"yes!"

Zhang Zhengming's expression hardened.

He accepted the order and left.

……

He sent his men away.

Zhou Yuan was the only one left in the main hall.

He did not rest.

Instead, he sank back into his sea of ​​consciousness.

"Book Spirit".

"Stop playing dead."

"You just ate so much."

"Time to get to work."

Following Zhou Yuan's will.

The book "Strange Tales of Gods and Monsters" is opened again.

It just devoured the resentment and evil spirits that had been buried underground for thousands of years.

This book is definitely too much to read.

The pages of the book all looked exceptionally glossy.

This trip was very fruitful.

[In-depth analysis is possible.]

[Do you wish to consume all current Yin energy reserves to perform a supernatural power analysis on the deity [County God]?]

"Analysis!"

Zhou Yuan did not hesitate.

Yin energy.

The old will not go, and the new will not come.

It'll just get moldy if you keep it.

It would be better to switch to real combat power.

Splash!

The pages of the book are turned.

Countless golden runes danced before Zhou Yuan's eyes.

That is the deep mystery of the City God's divine office.

[Deduction in progress...]

[Analysis successful!]

Unlock the City God's exclusive divine power—[Judgment]!

Unlock the City God's exclusive divine power—[Soul Capture]!

Unlock hidden knowledge—the Divine Ladder (fragment)!

A flood of information rushed into my mind.

Zhou Yuan felt a swelling between his eyebrows.

a long time.

He slowly opened his eyes.

Two sharp glints flashed in his eyes.

He opened his palm.

In the palm of your hand.

A small, black, phantom-like hammer appeared.

This is the trial.

A hammer fell.

It can be considered a crime.

It can determine life and death.

If the other party has committed grave sins.

With that, the hammer fell.

It directly shattered the soul, leaving no chance for reincarnation.

In the other hand.

It was a dark, phantom-like chain.

【Soul Capture】.

Ignore physical defenses.

Straight hook of the soul.

As long as the opponent's spiritual strength is not as strong as one's own.

That means you can catch them every time.

Absolute control technique!

"With these two tricks..."

"We'll deal with those heretical cultivators in the future."

"It will be even easier for me then."

Zhou Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

But what truly terrified him was...

It's information from the fragments of the "Divine Ladder".

Based on the deductions in the book.

The divine way of this world.

In fact, it has not been completely cut off.

It was simply blocked by some kind of force.

Above the county town's city god.

It is the City God of the Prefecture.

Above the City God Temple.

There are even more terrifying things out there.

But that passage.

It was artificially cut off.

All divine power.

All the incense offerings.

After flowing towards that fault line.

It just disappeared without a trace.

It's just like……

There is a huge black hole above.

Stealing the world's nourishment.

"He who steals a kingdom becomes a prince; he who steals a hook is executed."

"That one who stole the Heavenly Dao..."

"And what should we do then?"

Zhou Yuan looked at the dark beam above his head.

It's as if you're looking through it.

I saw the lofty heavens beyond the heavens.

An indescribable chill rose in my heart.

The water of this world.

It was more than he had imagined.

It needs to go deeper.

It needs to be muddy.

"Hey!"

Why think so much?

"I'm just a minor county god now."

"The sky is falling down."

"There are tall guys to cover for them."

"What if all the tall guys die..."

Zhou Yuan sneered.

"Then I'll take the hit myself!"

Just then.

A commotion arose outside the hall.

Followed by.

A cheerful voice rang out.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

"Get out of the way!"

"If my puppies get too thin from starvation, can you afford to compensate me?!"

Zhou Yuan's lips curled up slightly.

You know it without even looking.

It's that carefree girl who's back.

really.

next second.

Ma Ling'er carried the peach wood sword that was cleaved like a saw.

He strode in.

Behind him followed a round, chubby panda.

This guy was holding half a roast chicken that he'd somehow gotten his hands on.

They ate until their mouths were greasy.

"Oh my god!"

Ma Ling'er entered the door.

I was dazzled by Zhou Yuan's outfit.

She circled around Zhou Yuan three times.

Tsk amazed.

"Great job, Joo Won!"

"Clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse."

"You've put on your official robes."

"It really does seem that way."

"I don't know."

"I thought some kind of upright and just official had descended to earth."

Ma Ling'er reached out to touch Zhou Yuan's purple-gold crown.

Zhou Yuan slapped him away.

"Don't touch me."

"What kind of behavior is this?"

Zhou Yuan said that.

But the smile in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

"cut!"

"So stingy."

Ma Ling'er pursed her lips.

He plopped down on the chair next to him.

There was no need to stand on ceremony.

He grabbed the offerings from the table and started eating them.

"I'm speaking, Lord Zhou."

"You know what you were doing just now."

"Did you make a big fuss?"

"I'll stay over there and keep watch."

"Those wandering ghosts were running this way like madmen."

"They were all terrified by your golden light."