Chapter 93: Ultimately, How Is a Child Conceived

The Tianlu Book, while difficult to produce, isn't necessarily valuable; it's simply rare. Ji Yuan speculated that despite its minimal material requirements, it places high demands on its creator, and its content is quite challenging and troublesome to read.

This Earth God's cultivation was clearly not at a level to comprehend profound truths or discern arcane mysteries. Even someone with significant wisdom might struggle.

As soon as Ji Yuan mentioned the Tianlu Book, the Earth God became visibly excited.

"Sir, is it an extraordinary treasure?"

"The Tianlu Book is merely a method of recording text; its inherent value isn't necessarily high. Its true worth depends on the content itself. What's written in your yellow paper booklet, Earth God, is called 'Zhengde Baogong Lu'."

Ji Yuan pointed to the yellow paper booklet and offered a brief explanation to the Earth God, then quickly scanned its opening section before elaborating further.

"It appears to be a sacred record concerning the divine path and cultivation linked to the earth's ley lines. The opening passage mentions certain validations of the divine path. I haven't examined the rest in detail yet."

Firstly, Ji Yuan didn't understand much about divine matters and wasn't particularly interested. Secondly, as it was the Earth God's personal book, it wouldn't be appropriate to read more without his explicit permission.

"Sir!"

The Earth God quickly stepped down from the stone mill and respectfully bowed to Ji Yuan.

"Please, Sir, could you read the contents of this book for me? This booklet has been with me for over a hundred years. It cannot be torn or shredded, it's impervious to water and fire, and it doesn't absorb spiritual energy or incense offerings. I even asked the County City God to look at it, but he also found nothing. I beg you, Sir, please teach me!"

"Hmm? A County City God couldn't see it?"

Ji Yuan asked, surprised.

"This old man speaks nothing but the truth! Actually, the City God did mention the Tianlu Book back then, and he explicitly said that this yellow paper booklet was not one. Since you, Sir, can see the words on this yellow paper, I beg you, please teach me!"

"Earth God, please stop bowing for now. Let me think."

Ji Yuan reached out to support the Earth God, then frowned as he gazed at the folded yellow paper booklet, which had neither a cover nor any casing.

Although the Tianlu Book is difficult to read, a County City God, with his level of cultivation, would certainly be able to see the words if he focused calmly with a clear mind. This was not a supposition but a certainty.

Regardless of the City God's individual strength or magical power, his divine position as the legitimate deity of a major county was established.

This meant it might truly not be an ordinary Tianlu Book, or perhaps it required some other specific condition.

Of course, Ji Yuan couldn't easily draw parallels regarding this condition, as his own eyes were truly exceptional. Therefore, the most likely explanation might be found within the book itself.

"Earth God, I will first examine the content on this yellow paper."

"Yes, yes, please look, Sir, and examine it closely!"

The Earth God desperately wished Ji Yuan would finish reading it thoroughly right away, then dictate it to him, or even better, write a copy for him.

Meanwhile, Ji Yuan had already focused his attention on the yellow paper. He unfolded the entire sheet, which was roughly the size of a newspaper from later generations.

The more Ji Yuan read, the more his brow furrowed. The overall content initially seemed no different from other Tianlu Books, but upon closer inspection, he noticed some awkward phrasing. While this might be expected from a less educated student, it was highly improbable in an esoteric Tianlu Book.

'It's as if irrelevant words were inserted every now and then?'

The Earth God dared not make a sound, standing carefully to the side. He watched as the eyes of the mysterious expert, which had been half-closed, gradually widened, allowing him to clearly see their ancient, calm, and profound grey color.

In Ji Yuan's eyes, the yellow paper booklet in his hand was transforming. The awkward words and phrases originally interspersed within the paragraphs now had vital energy flowing through them, circulating across the entire paper to form a blurry image that covered its surface.

Furthermore, the colors continuously shifted, sequentially displaying white, black, green, red, and yellow, before finally transforming into the simplest black and white. In Ji Yuan's eyes, the yellow paper was now completely covered in white essence, while a large black character formed in its center.

"敕..." (Chì)

After subconsciously uttering this character, Ji Yuan's heart tightened.

With a soft rumble, a faint divine light flashed. At that moment, scorch marks appeared in many places on the large yellow paper. All the awkward words vanished, leaving only the original text of "Zhengde Baogong Lu."

"Uh..."

Ji Yuan was utterly embarrassed at that moment, feeling a hot flush on his back as if he were about to sweat. Had he perhaps damaged the yellow paper booklet?

The Earth God on the side also stared, dumbfounded, at the yellow paper booklet he had cherished for so long. But before he could react with anger or any other emotion, he suddenly saw words appear on the paper. He also perceived a coherent vital energy flowing throughout the text, and a glance confirmed that the content was complete and undamaged.

"Zhengde Baogong Lu! I can see it! I can see it! Thank you, Sir, for lifting the enchantment, thank you, Sir!"

The Earth God repeatedly bowed and cupped his hands, his already hunched body swaying and bending exaggeratedly. In the brief moment Ji Yuan stood there awkwardly stunned, he had already received countless bows from the Earth God, demonstrating the old deity's immense excitement and rapid movements.

Realizing what was happening, Ji Yuan quickly reached out to support the Earth God, returning the yellow paper booklet as he spoke.

"Earth God, please don't bow anymore. Your ability to see it is also a matter of your own destiny. It's just that I've caused some scorch marks on this Tianlu yellow paper booklet."

"No harm done, no harm done! Sir, your magic is profound. You broke the enchantment without damaging the text's essence. This old man is immensely grateful!"

The Earth God excitedly took back the yellow paper with both hands, continuously scanning its contents.

Ji Yuan naturally understood that the scorched portion hadn't affected the main text. Moreover, it seemed to have activated some vital energy, allowing the Earth God to easily see the Tianlu Book. He presumed this truly indicated a destined connection between the Earth God and the booklet.

'But... that wasn't just a restriction on this yellow paper booklet, was it?'

As he was thinking this, Ji Yuan's heart stirred again. With a brief contemplation, he discovered astonishing changes occurring within his realm of consciousness. Simultaneously, an esoteric Heavenly Heart sensation arose, indicating that he himself had gained something extraordinary.

The Earth God had already read several hundred characters, and these few hundred characters alone made him realize the extraordinary nature of the text. As an Earth God who achieved his status as a ghost body, sustained by years of offerings from the villagers, he couldn't cultivate and advance on his own like the nature deities of spiritual lands. Zhao Family Village was small, and the incense offerings from its villagers barely maintained his divine position, meaning his potential for cultivation had long been fixed.

Yet, this "Zhengde Baogong Lu" surprisingly allowed him to grasp a subtle transformation: how a ghost body cultivating divinity could evolve into a true nature deity. This was a genuine qualitative change, offering even this small local Earth God a chance to pursue the Grand Dao.

Even though the Earth God hadn't seen much of the world, he knew this was truly extraordinary. He understood how fortunate he was to have encountered a genuine enlightened master willing to help; what might have happened with someone from another immortal sect was anyone's guess.

"Earth God, if I may presume to ask, where did you obtain this booklet?"

Hearing the sudden question from the expert who had just seemed lost in thought, the Earth God suppressed his urge to immediately study the text. He carefully put away the yellow paper booklet before solemnly answering Ji Yuan's question.

"To answer you, Sir, frankly, this object was originally unearthed by me while digging in a field during my lifetime. Seeing that it wasn't covered in much mud, and paper being precious, I simply took it home. Later, I might have forgotten where I put it, and since I couldn't find it, I didn't give it much thought. It wasn't until many years later, after I died and became an Earth God, that this yellow paper booklet surprisingly reappeared inside my underground temple. Only then did I realize its extraordinary nature."

"It seems it truly is something destined for you. Actually, the enchantment on it just now was quite interesting. If you, Earth God, had been able to break it yourself, that would have been profoundly significant. As it is, it seems I've benefited..."

Ji Yuan found it inconvenient to explain clearly, but he still hinted at it in an ambiguous way.

"This old man is content, truly content. If it weren't for your help, Sir, I would still be pondering over this yellow paper for countless more years!"

The Earth God naturally assumed Ji Yuan's words were a humble remark. Even if there were real benefits, for such an expert, it would merely be "interesting"; the main value still lay in the magical techniques on the paper.

Ji Yuan said no more. What the Earth God had gained was already extraordinary for a ghost-cultivating Earth God. If he were to receive even a shred more of such destiny, Ji Yuan feared the Earth God himself might not be able to bear it!

He couldn't quite explain why, but Ji Yuan just had this feeling. Thinking of this, he very solemnly warned the Earth God.

"Earth God, the origin of this booklet is extraordinary. In the future, do not easily show it to ordinary people. And having obtained this method, no matter what achievements you gain, you must not forget your original purpose as an Earth God. I wouldn't want my actions today to lead to avoidable consequences for both of us in the future."

The Earth God heard Ji Yuan's tone, understood the gravity of the matter, and even felt considerable pressure. Although the expert hadn't stated it explicitly, there was an unspoken implication: "Today I help you; if you dare to use this to disrupt the Dao, I will personally intervene..."

"Zhao De, Earth God of Zhao Family Village, obeys your teachings, Sir."

The Earth God, not daring to be negligent, solemnly bowed again. However, this time his movements were slow, and he couldn't straighten up for a long time. Ji Yuan also had no choice but to bow in return.

A new 'Void Seed' only flashed after both parties had bowed to each other, not when the yellow paper booklet was returned earlier, which also made Ji Yuan fall into deep thought.