110: Saying long live is a bit rude

As Granny Chen's words fell, the bell tower—no, now it was a temple—erupted in a thunderous cheer in front of it.

Lin Chuping watched the scene before him, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile.

Humans, when faced with adversity, always display immense vitality.

Perhaps this is why this race has endured a hundred years of oppression by demons and monsters without being wiped out.

"Lord Chuping has manifested!"

"Granny Chen didn't lie to us; there really are True Gods."

"Long live Lord Chuping!"

"If my mother were still alive, how happy she would be to see us living so well..."

"..."

As the crowd laughed, a woman suddenly collapsed to her knees, covering her face with her hands, tears uncontrollably gushing out.

No one around her mocked her.

After experiencing the great drought in Yan Province, every family had gone through similar hardships.

Every household's registry had lost a few names—people who starved to death, died of thirst, or went missing while searching for food.

However, at least now everything was better.

Lin Chuping silently watched all of this from within the divine statue, a warm current flowing through his heart.

He just hadn't expected that the term "long live" was also popular in this world.

Although, still.

To address a True God with "long live" was somewhat impolite.

How could he not at least be as old as heaven and earth?

Lin Chuping mused contentedly.

With the ceremony complete, Lin Chuping didn't linger.

He flashed into the divine statue and began to Cultivate.

Although the System had only symbolically deducted ten incense points yesterday, which was a drop in the bucket for him, Lin Chuping, who always had a sense of crisis, became even more determined to Cultivate and strengthen himself.

If the System dared to deduct 10 points today, it would dare to deduct 100 million tomorrow.

Cultivate, he must Cultivate faster!

However, before Lin Chuping left, he didn't forget to cast his Great Rejuvenation Technique—Blessing—upon the crowd below.

It healed everyone.

A soft, warm light poured down from the top of the divine statue, gently sprinkling onto everyone.

In an instant, spiritual light shone everywhere.

Wherever the light touched, fatigue vanished, and pain lessened, as if their bones had become two ounces lighter.

"This light is so warm, yet not irritating; it's truly miraculous."

"If only we had come to Qingzhou earlier, perhaps my father and mother wouldn't have..."

A young man's voice choked, and before he could finish, he lowered his head to wipe his eyes.

An old man beside him patted his shoulder with a long sigh.

"Yes, who doesn't want their family to be safe?

My old wife, and my grandchildren, are still suffering in Yan Province.

Lord Chuping has manifested, and we are saved, but they... why don't they believe it!"

"They even said I was senile."

The old man looked towards Yan Province, filled with both helplessness and worry.

"Who says it isn't true?

My sister's family also stayed there, and I don't know how they are doing now."

"I hope Lord Chuping can also protect them and let Yan Province regain its vitality soon."

"Lord Chuping is compassionate and will surely protect the people of Yan Province."

"Living well here is also a way for us to pray for Yan Province.

When we become strong, perhaps we can even go back and help."

"Granny Chen is right; we can't just wait here; we have to do something."

The young man raised his head, his eyes rekindling with hope.

"I've learned some martial arts; once I've recovered my strength, I'll go back and rescue my family."

"Count me in!"

"And me!"

At this time, in Baixi Village, Yan Province.

Several villagers sat around the withered tree at the entrance of the village, their faces full of worry and exhaustion, their cracked lips constantly moving, seemingly whispering about something.

"You all say, where did Zhao the Blacksmith go?"

A tall, thin man frowned, breaking the silence first.

"I don't know.

He's been gone for a while, and I don't know if he's still alive."

"I heard he went to Qingzhou."

A short old man next to him took up the conversation, a hint of envy in his eyes.

"With Zhao the Blacksmith's craftsmanship, he can make a living anywhere."

"I heard that many people followed him.

In Bai Shui Village next door, the village chief led everyone to Qingzhou."

The short old man smacked his cracked lips, envy flickering in his cloudy eyes.

"Even the village chief's family couldn't survive anymore?"

"Qingzhou... didn't the imperial court say that Qingzhou was already occupied by demons and monsters?

Why did they still go!"

"Qingzhou has water.

With water, even if you chew on leaves, you can live..."

The tall, thin man murmured, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

"Should we also go to Qingzhou?

It looks like Yan Province is no longer habitable; if we continue like this, we'll all starve to death."

"Go to Qingzhou? Easier said than done!"

The short old man sighed and shook his head.

"Our ancestors have been here for generations.

If we leave here, where can we go?

Besides, the journey to Qingzhou is long, and there are demons and monsters everywhere outside..."

"But if we keep waiting like this, it's also a dead end!"

The tall, thin man clenched his fists, his eyes full of unwillingness.

"If Zhao the Blacksmith can go, why can't we?

Maybe when we get to Qingzhou, we can find a way to live; it's better than waiting to die here."

"That's true, but..."

The short old man wanted to say more, but he was interrupted by a white-haired elder.

"Stop arguing, all of you."

"Zhao the Blacksmith going to Qingzhou is his choice.

Each of us has our own path to walk.

Going to Qingzhou might offer a way to live, but it might also mean dying halfway.

Staying here, though difficult, at least we won't encounter demons and monsters."

The old man's words plunged everyone into contemplation.

Yes, going to Qingzhou or staying here—it was indeed a difficult choice.

"I... I still want to try."

The tall, thin man gritted his teeth, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

"I'm young and strong; I can still walk.

Rather than waiting to die here, I'd rather go to Qingzhou and take a chance.

Maybe I really can make a name for myself."

"You... you're really going?"

The short old man's eyes widened, seemingly in disbelief.

"Yes."

The tall, thin man nodded.

"If you are willing, come with me.

If not, I won't force you.

But I must go."

Everyone looked at each other, each calculating in their hearts.

Going to Qingzhou meant the unknown and risk; staying here meant continuing to endure the torment of the great drought.

It was indeed a difficult choice.

"I... I'll go with you too."

A young man stood out, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"I've had enough of this drought, enough of this hunger.

I want to go to Qingzhou and find a way to live."

"And me!"

"Count me in too!"

As more and more people stepped forward, the initially hesitant crowd gradually split into two factions.

One faction decided to follow the tall, thin man to Qingzhou to try their luck, while the other decided to stay in Baixi Village, continuing to wait for the heavens to rain.

"Brother Hu, when are you leaving?"

"I'll go back and pack.

My family has been out of food for two days."

"Tomorrow."