Chapter 400: Around Yunshan to Conceal Tricks

“Elder Master?”

Qi Wen repeated the title, and couldn’t help but think of the talking characters from before. That night, when the *Sword Intent Scroll* unfolded, Yunshan Temple experienced its liveliest night ever, which he still found very interesting to recall.

“Yes, just ‘Elder Master.’ That’s all you need to say. There’s no need to elaborate on any other details.”

Daoist Qingsong was very pleased with his idea. Seeing Qi Wen's expression, he seemed to approve as well. However, looking up at the Star Streamer in the main hall, he spoke earnestly to Qi Wen.

“Yunshan Temple is now a cultivation sect. We’re considered important figures here now, and to expand Yunshan Temple’s lineage in the future, strong cultivation is essential. So, you must train diligently from now on!”

“Of course. By the way, Master, will you still be going out to tell fortunes?”

“Uh…”

Daoist Qingsong was instantly speechless, thinking that as his cultivation grew, he wouldn't be afraid of ordinary punches and kicks, or even those from martial artists.

“Ahem, cultivation is cultivation, and hobbies are hobbies. Mr. Ji has so many hobbies, and of course, they don’t hinder his cultivation.”

Seeing his master like this, Qi Wen knew his master probably wouldn’t change his ways in this lifetime.

The two little minks had also finished their cultivation. They got down from their prayer mats, looked up at the Star Streamer, chirped twice at Daoist Qingsong and Qi Wen, then darted out of the main hall and ran out of the temple courtyard, disappearing into who knew where in the mountains.

At Yunshan Temple, the master and disciple cultivated and bantered, while the two little minks cultivated. Meanwhile, Ji Yuan, the Old Dragon, and Qin Zizhou naturally had matters to attend to.

The three of them hadn't actually gone far, flying near Yunshan. Compared to Ji Yuan and the Old Dragon, who could both ride the wind and clouds, Qin Zizhou hadn't yet mastered such divine abilities. However, he possessed the embryonic form of a World-Traveling Deity, allowing him to traverse the heavens using the power of celestial stars. His speed, though, wasn't comparable to normal flight, so Ji Yuan and the Old Dragon still carried him.

Despite this, neither the Old Dragon nor Ji Yuan ever looked down on Qin Zizhou. Even the Old Dragon regarded him as an equal. Previously, it was more out of admiration for his character; now, it was more in anticipation of his future.

With Yunshan Temple as his foundation, Qin Zizhou, who originally possessed a pure Yang body, had seen his destiny solidify. If there was a 30% chance when he was first brought here, that chance had now surged to 60%.

As they flew over Maeqian Town, the Old Dragon pointed to a spot below and said,

“Is that where the Human God is located?”

Ji Yuan glanced at the Old Dragon and corrected him.

“That person is Huang Xingye. To be precise, the Human God is still one with him.”

“Haha, it’s all the same. How many years does a mortal live? Huang Xingye wasn't young back then, and he doesn't have many years left. Sooner or later, he will become the Human God. Such deities are rare in this world. If, after Huang Xingye's death, the Human God could escape into the world to seek its own opportunities, that would be good. But if it dissipates with Huang Xingye's life and death, that would be a great pity!”

The Old Dragon’s words had a deeper meaning, and he believed Ji Yuan surely had plans. Ji Yuan wouldn't deny this in front of the two beside him; naturally, the more backup plans, the better.

“Indeed, that would be a great pity. After the incident, I left an imperial decree with the Earth God of Maeqian Town and asked him to help look after Huang Xingye. Additionally, I cast a spell to conceal the already faint anomaly on Huang Xingye. Daoist Qingsong has predicted that this person will live out his days peacefully.”

Regarding Qi Xuan’s fortune-telling ability, even the Old Dragon now had to express his admiration. Although he was a mortal with many restrictions and prerequisites for divination, his predictions were truly accurate. Ji Yuan must have sought out those little characters last time precisely to let Qi Xuan try his hand at it, and it turned out to be a piece of cake.

“Let’s go!”

As Ji Yuan's voice fell, the three rode their clouds towards Maeqian Town and soon landed not far from the Earth God Temple.

It was still early, but nearly everyone in Maeqian Town was engaged in farming, so they rose early. Many people were already moving along the town's roads, though few were heading to the Earth God Temple.

Each of the three, Ji Yuan, the Old Dragon, and Qin Zizhou, would stand out as extraordinary in a crowd, let alone gathered together: one in elegant white robes with an exceptional demeanor, one in a wide, long robe with white eyebrows and beard, and one in luxurious attire exuding nobility.

As the three walked together towards the Earth God Temple, they should have drawn repeated attention from those around them, yet at this moment, it seemed no one noticed them.

A farm woman, holding a three or four-year-old child, had just come out of the Earth God Temple after offering incense. She, too, didn't pay much attention to Ji Yuan and the other two, who were now close by. However, the child in her arms was immediately drawn to the trio, especially Qin Zizhou’s long white beard that reached his chest.

Ji Yuan and the other two exuded a calm and refreshing aura, so the child wasn't afraid of these strangers. He even stretched out his hand, wanting to grab Qin Zizhou's beard.

“Grandpa, can I touch your beard?”

“Oh, no, no, no, you can't do that. If you pull Grandpa’s beard, it will hurt!”

Qin Zizhou pretended to grasp his beard and pull away, but "accidentally" allowed the child's chubby little hand to brush against it, letting the small hand stroke the beard as they passed.

“Hmm? Child, who are you talking to?”

The farm woman paused, adjusted her child in her arms, and looked back, but didn't notice any "Grandpa."

The child pointed over there, babbling incoherently.

“There, there, beard, long beard, long-bearded Grandpa!”

“Long-bearded Grandpa?”

The farm woman looked behind her, wondering if the child had seen the Earth God.

Farmers in Maeqian Town, like those elsewhere in Dazhen, were generally superstitious. Coupled with the common belief that children could see things adults couldn't, she quickly felt it was possible and immediately held her child and bowed towards the Earth God Temple.

Inside the Earth God Temple, there were few worshippers to begin with. Currently, only the temple caretaker was resting on a bamboo chair. For such a small temple, the "caretaker" was essentially an elder from the surrounding area who knew a bit more and managed it.

As Ji Yuan, the Old Dragon, and Qin Zizhou stepped past the temple wall, the caretaker grew drowsy and fell asleep in his chair within a few breaths.

They walked to the Earth God statue and saw a good number of offerings on the altar, as well as an ever-burning lamp with a windproof design, and two jars of lamp oil nearby.

“Maeqian Town Earth God, please show yourself.”

It wasn't a critical moment, so there was no need for crude methods like forcefully summoning a god. Ji Yuan’s calm voice, imbued with Daoist resonance, penetrated the statue and reached the ears of the Earth God underground.

After waiting for about ten breaths, the Earth God emerged from the ground accompanied by a wisp of smoke. He looked up and saw Ji Yuan and the other two. His heart trembled, and he quickly bowed.

“The Earth God of Maeqian Town greets the three Celestials!”

The Earth God recognized Ji Yuan. The Old Dragon's not-so-concealed dragon aura, combined with past events in the area, suggested he might be the Dragon Lord of Tongtian River. And the white-browed, white-bearded man standing alongside them was certainly no ordinary individual, likely a "True" level figure.

“Earth God, there’s no need for excessive courtesy. While looking after Huang Xingye wasn't a hard task, it still required decades of careful attention, so it wasn't simple. Today, we’ve come to present you with a fortuitous opportunity!”

Ji Yuan spoke directly, making the already restless Earth God of Maeqian Town even more excited.

“You haven’t been the Earth God of Maeqian Town for many years, and your original form was an earth spirit. You probably haven’t been formally recognized by this region’s City God, have you?”

The Earth God dared not lie and said truthfully.

“Because of the incident at the Huang Residence last time, both the City God of Lexian County and the City God of Changchuan Prefecture have already formally recognized my deity status as Earth God. It’s endorsed in the Underworld.”

“Heh heh, that was quite fast!”

The Old Dragon chuckled, not looking at the Earth God or Ji Yuan, but at Qin Zizhou, who merely stroked his beard and smiled, then spoke unhurriedly.

“Then, Earth God, if you were given a choice: one, to continue cultivating under the care of the prefectural and county City Gods within Changchuan Prefecture; or two, to come under my jurisdiction in the future, which would you choose?”

The Earth God hardly thought about it, blurting out his answer without needing to consider.

“This humble deity wishes to come under the Immortal Elder’s jurisdiction!”

What a joke! The Immortal Elder came and said he would grant him a great fortune. Wasn't that clearly telling him how to choose?

After speaking, he cautiously looked at Qin Zizhou.

“May I ask who this Immortal Elder is?”

“I am Qin Zizhou. I have no great renown or high status. For now, you may call me Elder Qin.”

“Oh, Elder Qin!”

The Earth God quickly bowed again.

Ji Yuan thought for a moment, then took out a small stack of shimmering golden magic coins from his sleeve and handed them directly to the Earth God.

“Take these. They’ll be useful. That imperial decree might still be difficult for you to fully activate with your current magic power, but using these magic coins will make it much more potent.”

The Earth God’s eyes widened at the sight of the magic coins. He carefully took them with both hands, thanking them profusely. He knew a little about magic coins, but these… they were clearly treasures. The moment they were in his hands, he could feel the spiritual essence within, stirring a surging feeling in his heart.

“Oh! When did Mr. Ji conjure up something like this again? Can I have one to play with?”

The Old Dragon’s childlike curiosity was piqued again, so Ji Yuan simply tossed him five coins to play with.

“By the way, Celestial, now that I am under your command, do I need to perform any rituals?”

Qin Zizhou smiled.

“Just remember it. No need for rituals now, and there’s no need to inform the Underworld either. Just carry on as usual; they’ll find out when the time is right.”

“Yes! This humble deity receives your decree!”

In truth, rather than saying the Earth God was coming under Qin Zizhou’s jurisdiction, it was more about him helping to guard Yunshan Temple’s entrance in the future. However, his prospects would undoubtedly be brighter than remaining the Earth God of Maeqian Town.

Bidding farewell to the Earth God and leaving the temple, the trio then went to the Huang residence to check on Huang Xingye. Afterward, they circled Yunshan, descending at appropriate spots. The Old Dragon gathered water spirits, Ji Yuan drew with his brush to establish formations, and Qin Zizhou guided the descent of starlight.

Working together, the three placed various measures throughout Yunshan.