But I'm a proper river god, you know! - Chapter 6

Before Yuan Ji and her companions could get closer, they saw thick, endless plumes of smoke rising from the lush forest ahead. Layer upon layer of dark smoke swirled upward with the wind, weaving into a massive net that shrouded the trees below.

“So dense… this demonic aura,” murmured Luan Yu, exchanging a glance with Luan Xuan before quickly rushing forward to stop Yuan Ji.

“River God, you mustn’t go any further!”

Luan Xuan halted, her breath uneven. “The demonic energy ahead is too strong—it must be a frenzied beast from the demon realm. Going now would be too dangerous!”

As she spoke, horrific images flashed through her mind—their clansmen being torn apart by rabid demonic beasts. Her face paled further.

Though they were spirits with considerable power, newly awakened lesser spirits stood no chance against mindless demonic beasts.

Yuan Ji, however, was surprised by the siblings’ appearance. She had assumed they would continue following her in secret.

With a slight nod, she showed no intention of retreating. A tantalizing scent drifted from ahead—reminiscent of the white jade cakes she had smelled earlier.

Her eyes darkened as the memory of a certain figure surfaced in her mind.

“No need to worry.”

Seeing Luan Yu’s hesitant expression, she added reassuringly, “The beast’s frenzy might just be from hunger.”

Everyone: “…”

Under their mixed gazes of awe and bewilderment, Yuan Ji quickened her pace, soon closing in on the swirling demonic miasma.

Whimpers echoed from a dilapidated house, tendrils of demonic energy seeping through the broken walls, coiling upward into the dark smoke they had seen earlier.

Fang Mingzhu clung to Wu Boshan’s arm, her body stiff with fear as fragmented memories flashed through her mind.

“Boshan… River God… maybe we should leave.”

“River God, are we really going in?” Luan Yu frowned, summoning a silver-blue longbow adorned with glittering jewels—a weapon as elegant as it was deadly.

A-Tong, who had been floating ahead, returned swiftly. “Yuan Ji, you’re right. There’s only one enraged demonic beast inside… and a few villagers.”

“Villagers?” Yuan Ji paused, surprised that anyone could live in such a desolate, hostile place.

Her expression turned odd. “You didn’t see a—”

“What?” A-Tong asked, confused.

“Never mind. Let’s go.” She swallowed her words and stepped forward.

The others exchanged glances before gritting their teeth and following.

As they approached, the sight before them stunned them all, drawing a collective gasp.

Luan Xuan trembled, hiding behind her brother like a frightened child. “Brother… my eyes are tired. I’ll just… close them for a bit.”

“Alright.” Luan Yu soothingly patted her hair, but his gaze flickered to Yuan Ji, whose eyes gleamed as if she had spotted treasure.

Truly worthy of the River God—fearless in the face of danger.

Yuan Ji’s excitement was understandable. The demonic beast was only slightly larger than a wild boar—likely just as delicious.

Pressing a hand to her aching stomach, she gazed at the frenzied creature with something akin to pity. Don’t struggle too much. If you lose weight, the meat won’t be as good.

“ROAR—!”

The beast, sensing intruders, let out a deafening roar and charged toward a collapsed door inside the house. It reared up, gathering all its strength before slamming down—

Unnoticed beneath that door were five or six pairs of terrified eyes.

The beast’s shadow, magnified through the cracks, loomed over them like an executioner’s axe.

The light in their eyes dimmed. Yan Ku, trembling, pulled those beside him into a tight embrace, bracing for the end.

BOOM!

A deafening explosion erupted above them. Splinters of wood, grass, and stone rained down.

But the expected pain never came. Instead, a faint, mouthwatering aroma filled the air.

Yan Ku swallowed hard. It’s been so long since I’ve tasted meat… This must be a dying hallucination.

With a shaky breath, he opened his eyes—and jolted in shock.

His cracked lips parted, but no sound came out. Disbelieving, he nudged his companions, urging them to look up.

Staring fixedly at the figure before them, he finally managed to choke out:

“R-River God! The River God has descended!”

“Look! The River God has come to save us!”

The cries grew louder, shifting from shock to exhilaration. Yan Ku stood, his eyes blazing with hope, his wounds forgotten.

I knew it! The River God would answer us one day!

“Really?” His fellow villagers looked up and saw a young woman whose figure matched the River God in their temple’s paintings. In that instant, they knew—this was no ordinary cultivator.

Joy erupted among them, replacing the terror of death with radiant hope.

“It’s really her!”

“The River God is here to save us!”

“We’re saved!”

Meanwhile, Yuan Ji noticed the others gaping, their mouths wide enough to fit an egg. After a moment’s thought, she nodded in understanding.

“It does smell delicious.”

In her memories, she recalled baby birds opening their beaks wide, waiting to be fed. Naturally, she linked their expressions to hunger.

“No wonder they’re starving too.”

The flame at her fingertip flickered proudly, its golden glow a stark contrast to the inferno that had just roasted the demonic beast to perfection.

A-Tong stared at Yuan Ji, then at the flame, then back at Yuan Ji, utterly bewildered.

Something’s off… but I can’t put my finger on it.

Wait—

A-Tong gulped, its gaze fixed on the flame. Is that the same ordinary fire seed I knew? What did Yuan Ji do to make it this… terrifying?

Amid the growing aroma of roasted meat, the tension dissolved, replaced by an almost leisurely atmosphere.

Luan Xuan’s stomach growled first. Blushing, she peeked out from behind her brother. “Brother… it smells so good.”

One by one, the others swallowed hard, some staring at the sky, others fidgeting. Who would’ve thought a life-or-death battle could turn into something so… appetizing?

Truly, the River God is extraordinary.

Yuan Ji stepped forward, signaling Wu Boshan to help her move the beast to a cleaner spot. Though mostly cooked, a faint fishy smell lingered—it needed a bit more work.

Normally, Wu Boshan would’ve been too terrified to approach a demonic beast. But with the River God present, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing lean, muscular arms.

The beast, though dead, was still the size of a man and heavy. As Wu Boshan lifted it slightly, he froze—

Beneath it, six pairs of gleaming eyes stared back.

Wu Boshan: “…”

Almost screamed.

“River God! There are people here!” Once he regained his composure, he called for help.

Hearing “River God,” an elderly villager’s clouded eyes welled with tears. “It’s really Her! The River God has returned to us!”

Fang Mingzhu and the others rushed to assist, soon pulling out six emaciated, wounded villagers.

They were from Yan Village, a settlement that had worshipped the River God for generations. A prophecy foretold that one day, the River God would descend from the heavens to lead them to peace and prosperity. Thus, they had built this temple, returning yearly to offer prayers.

Just moments before, Yan Ku and the others had placed their village’s last scraps of food on the altar, begging for protection from demons and a bountiful harvest.

Then the beast attacked.

Yan Ku, who had trained as a cultivator in his youth, fought desperately to protect the villagers. But against a frenzied demonic beast, even his skills were no match. Injured, he could only lead them into hiding.

And then—the River God appeared.

“River God!”

After thanking Wu Boshan, the villagers fixed their fervent gazes on Yuan Ji, their voices trembling with emotion.

Yuan Ji rubbed her neck, unnerved by their intensity, but nodded.

Their cries grew even more ecstatic. The elder wept openly. “River God… You’ve finally come…”

Yuan Ji, rooted in place: “…?”

Why do I feel like some heartless scoundrel who abandoned them?

You all are… very emotional.

Yan Ku stepped forward, bowing deeply. After explaining the situation, he noticed Yuan Ji’s lingering glances at the roasted beast and volunteered:

“River God, I have some skill in cooking. If you’ll allow me, I’d be honored to prepare this beast for you.”

Under Yan Ku’s doting gaze, Yuan Ji nodded stiffly. “Alright.”

True to his word, Yan Ku pulled out an array of spices and sauces from his spatial ring. With honey glaze, fruitwood smoke, and skilled hands, the already fragrant meat became utterly irresistible.

As they gathered around the fire, watching Yan Ku work, the sound of swallowing filled the air.

Yuan Ji wanted to watch too, but the villagers’ unwavering stares—as if she might vanish—made her sigh.

I’ve encountered some… peculiar people.

[Ding: Congratulations, Host! You’ve unlocked the River God Temple. The Faith Value system is now active. Faith Value correlates with your abilities. Please collect it diligently.]

[Current Faith Value: 100]

Yuan Ji: “…?”

Faith Value?

Before A-Tong could explain, noise erupted outside the temple.

“Elder! The demon is inside!”

“Quick! Let’s kill her and avenge our senior brother!”