“Please take a look, Superior Lord. These three underworld treasures, though not top-grade in rank, would roughly fall between fifth and sixth grade by mortal world standards.”
The brocade boxes opened in response.
The first brocade box contained a blood-red flower, its crimson so rich it seemed ready to drip.
The second was a piece of jade marrow emitting an astonishing chill.
The third was a pale white blade of grass.
“Fifth and sixth-grade treasures?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen’s pupils suddenly contracted.
If converted into military merit…
That would be at least tens of thousands!
He never imagined that one day he too would be bribed like this.
“Superior Lord, this first item is called [Shore-of-the-Afterlife Flower Silk]. This flower blooms only when a wandering soul’s ‘obsession is at its peak.’ Each plant produces only three strands, which must be carefully drawn out using one’s own soul power to harvest.”
“The second item, [Nine Nether Cold Marrow], is a single drop formed over a thousand years from the ‘soul chill’ within the Ice Hell. Extremely rare.”
“The third item, [Soul-Returning Grass], grows in the stone cracks beside the Bridge of Helplessness, feeding on the ‘homesickness obsession’ of dead souls. Each blade of grass corresponds to a wandering spirit that has not yet entered reincarnation. Before picking it, one must first fulfill its wish, and only then can it be successfully harvested.”
“To think such wondrous things exist. Truly an eye-opener.” Lu Chen found it quite interesting, yet could not help but be curious: “But what use are these underworld treasures to me? Could they… be used for cultivation?”
Upon hearing this, City God Li smiled: “For cultivation, naturally they cannot be used. Ever since the Temple System came into being, all treasures in this world have become offerings meant for the gods…”
As he spoke, he paused, slightly surprised: “Could it be… Superior Lord, that you have heard something, or read some ancient and wondrous book?”
Lu Chen remained impassive, revealing a faint smile meant to seem profound, and said: “Why not ask Your Excellency to enlighten me?”
City God Li suddenly understood, and smiled: “It seems my guess was not wrong. Superior Lord is indeed widely learned.
Indeed! It is said that before the Temple System was established, cultivators could indeed use treasures to temper themselves.
However, after the Heavenly Court established the Incense Temple, this branch of cultivation was banned by heavenly law.
From then on, mortals could no longer cultivate through this path. Only by offering sacrifices to the gods could they improve their cultivation.
As for the reason behind it, that is beyond what I, your humble servant, can know. Surely Superior Lord understands it better than I do.
And these treasures also became the finest offerings for mortals to present to the gods.
Surely Superior Lord also knows that when mortals burn incense and worship the gods, after a certain stage, it no longer serves to increase their Servant God Degree.
If they wish to continue improving,
Either they are someone with destined fate,
Or, like Superior Lord, someone with divine abilities and great fortune beloved by the gods.
As for the remaining two paths, they are completing tasks for the corresponding god, or offering treasures as tribute.
Therefore, these few treasures, Superior Lord, can either be offered to the underworld gods,
Or used as materials for magical artifacts. For example, this Nine Nether Cold Marrow is an excellent auxiliary material for enhancing yin-specter treasures.
And this Shore-of-the-Afterlife Flower Silk and Soul-Returning Grass are indispensable materials for making certain precious medicines.
Only, they cannot be used to cultivate oneself.”
After hearing this, Lu Chen’s heart was already in turmoil.
He never expected that before the current Temple System, heaven and earth had been in a completely different state.
“Strange… Why would the Heavenly Court bind gods and cultivators so deeply together? Is it merely to gather more incense?”
But even without doing so, the power of incense and vows had never been in short supply.
Lu Chen recalled that the Plague Emperor had said something similar before.
At the time, he already found it strange, but could not piece it together.
Now, City God Li had brought it up again. Though he still could not grasp the key,
Lu Chen was certain that behind this there must be a shocking secret!
Otherwise, why would the Heavenly Court go to such great lengths?
Drawing a deep breath, Lu Chen temporarily suppressed his doubts and nodded: “Thank you, Your Excellency, for the explanation.”
“Superior Lord is too kind. I understand. This was Superior Lord testing my knowledge.”
City God Li cupped his fists humbly.
Lu Chen: “…”
Little bastard, you really know how to talk~
His gaze swept over the brocade boxes before him. After a moment of thought, Lu Chen asked: “How is the position of Prefectural City God assessed? Is there a time limit?”
City God Li’s expression turned serious: “The position of Prefectural City God is no small matter. Therefore, the assessment is strict, not much less so than that of the Ten Halls of Yama. So on the Supreme One’s side, they will certainly be extremely cautious. A decision likely cannot be made in the short term.”
“There must be a deadline, right? Surely the last Prefectural City God was replaced hundreds of years ago?”
“That is not quite so.” City God Li thought briefly, then answered: “According to precedent, if such a situation arises, the Supreme One will usually personally inspect the province and evaluate the various State City Gods.
If there is a favored candidate, they will be promoted to fill the vacancy.
If none satisfy, then the Supreme One will personally select someone and install a Prefectural City God from above.
The length of the cycle… at the quickest, over a month; at the slowest, about half a year.”
“So that means it is still early. Only a few days have passed.” Lu Chen nodded with a smile. “Very well, I have noted this matter. Once I finish the urgent tasks at hand, I will naturally find time to speak with the Star Lord.”
“Thank you, Superior Lord!!!” City God Li was moved to tears: “If with Superior Lord’s full support, Qingyuan can truly ascend to the prefectural position, this grace and kindness will never be forgotten!”
Having said that, he actually seemed about to kneel.
Fortunately, Lu Chen was quick-eyed and quick-handed, holding him up at once: “Your Excellency must not! This place is City God Street. Do not lose your dignity.”
“I obey Superior Lord’s teaching!” City God Li’s eyes reddened slightly, his voice choking.
Lu Chen drew with his palm, pulling the three brocade boxes into his hand: “These three treasures are of no small value. Your Excellency has truly gone all out this time. Why not wait until the Supreme One inspects and present them then? Would that not be more direct?”
“Superior Lord jests. If I dared to do such a thing before the Supreme One, never mind the prefectural position, even this official hat on my head would likely not be safe.”
“Then what about the Capital City God? Offering them to him would also gain you the upper hand, no?”
“Superior Lord does not know. Although the Capital City God is the head of all City Gods, he only coordinates with Prefectural City Gods. With us State City Gods and County City Gods, there is almost no interaction. Even if I wished to give gifts, I would have no way to submit them.”
“So that is how it is.” Lu Chen smiled and said no more, placing the brocade boxes into his Sumeru Ring.
The predicament of this State City God, to put it plainly, was just four words: [No way to give gifts].
Yet he had happened to run into him.
He deserved his good fortune.
Looking back now, when he had left City God Street earlier, the other’s attitude had suddenly changed.恐怕 from that moment on, this City God Li had already been secretly scheming for the prefectural position.
And now his reverence had only grown, even to the point of sacrificing his lifespan to help solve the case…
Everything that had seemed unreasonable now became perfectly logical.
Well, better to resolve a feud than create one.
Since he had accepted the gifts, speaking a few good words for him in the future was not out of the question.
After all, having another person with real power in the underworld as an ally was never a bad thing.
Seeing that matters were settled, Lu Chen cupped his fists: “In that case, I shall take my leave first.”
“Superior Lord, take care! If there is any command, Qingyuan is ready at any time! Even through fire and water, I will not refuse!”
“Many thanks.”
As Hu Sanniang tore open the barrier again,
City God Li bowed and bade farewell.
At the instant the barrier closed,
City God Li slowly straightened up, and the humble, eager smile on his face receded like the tide.
He reached out unhurriedly and removed the mask, revealing the withered, expressionless face beneath.
Those eyes, previously full of reverence and excitement, now held only a deep, bottomless coldness.
“Fortunately, my junior brother’s [Assignment] is the same as Wanliang’s, otherwise…” He drew a deep breath, a cold sneer rolling through his throat: “Today’s performance would truly have exposed a flaw.”
His gaze swept toward the direction where space had just been torn apart. City God Li’s eye corners lifted slightly, and his fists hidden within his sleeves slowly clenched, producing a series of “crack crack” sounds:
“Junior brother, rest easy. Your ‘exposure’ today was not in vain.
When I ascend to the prefectural position and hold the authority of a province’s underworld in my hands, that will be the day I help you receive the title of City God and enjoy incense forever!”
——
“Whoosh!”
Space was torn open again. Hu Sanniang returned after leaving, kneeling on one knee: “My lord, the general has been safely sent back.”
City God Li only gave a faint “Mm,” his tone steady, revealing not the slightest emotion: “Tell Wanliang to notify Ma Shilong to be ready at any time and act according to plan.”
“Yes, my lord!” Hu Sanniang acknowledged the order and rose to withdraw.
“Wait.”
“What other instructions does my lord have?” Hu Sanniang immediately stopped and lowered her head respectfully.
City God Li looked down at her from above. In that cold gaze, a stingy trace of gentleness finally appeared:
“Rest assured, once the matter is done, the position of Jiangdu City God will be yours. Consider it my compensation to you.”
Hu Sanniang bowed deeply: “Thank you, my lord, for your cultivation!”
“Go.”
“Yes!”
After she bowed and withdrew, City God Li stood alone in the hall, gazing at the ancient underworld lamp hanging from the ceiling, his eyes heavy.
Laughter could no longer be suppressed.
“Truly—heaven helps me!”
