46: Can you just use your sincerity?

“Nine hundred seventy thousand Incense Value, still a long way from the ten million needed for the God Cultivation Art!”

Lin Chuping rubbed his temples, feeling a headache.

This God Cultivation Art was very likely the key to his Breakthrough from his current predicament.

Even if the price was ridiculously high, he had to find a way to get his hands on it.

The System was clearly trying to cultivate him into a “Saint Mother God”—punishing evil and promoting good, free from desires, tolerant, and compassionate.

This was evident from the attributes attached to the Thunder Punishment divine art.

“What a joke!”

Lin Chuping gritted his teeth, “I’m already a god, why should I still be so frustrated?”

“Forget it, only a fool would want to be a Saint Mother; in this day and age, Saint Mothers are outdated, only perverts are real.”

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Lin Chuping.

“So what if the Wanbao Merchant Guild occupied this temple? I can open branch temples!”

This thought was like a bolt of lightning in the dark night, instantly illuminating the path ahead.

Nan Shu Village, Prefecture City, Imperial City... As long as the Incense Value was continuous and temples bloomed everywhere, what was a mere Chang Sheng Village?

“Faith is immortal, and gods are eternal!”

Lin Chuping muttered to himself, his tense nerves finally relaxing.

Indeed, he had only become a god recently, which was why his eyes were clouded by the current predicament.

“Hahaha!”

Lin Chuping couldn't help but burst into laughter, “Tonight, I’ll give my believers dreams; these branch temples must be opened!”

Imagining Jin Er’s expression when he discovered temples everywhere after all his scheming, Lin Chuping couldn't help but want to laugh.

He suppressed this mischievous thought and refocused his attention on the movements outside the temple.

***

No sooner had Jin Zihua left than Liu Chunsheng and Li Fu rushed over.

Jin Er roughly pushed aside an old servant who was about to step forward, then darted to Shen Jianhong’s side in a few quick steps, haughtily shouting at Liu Chunsheng.

“Temple Official Liu, this is our Young Master of the Wanbao Merchant Guild! A big shot who can make the ground shake if he stamps his foot in Great Yan! If it weren’t for our Young Master, you poor villagers wouldn’t even have salt to eat!”

After speaking, his expression immediately changed, and he bowed obsequiously to Shen Jianhong, introducing, “Young Master, this is the local Temple Official Liu, and next to him is Village Chief Li of Chang Sheng Village.”

His smug, fawning face was completely different from when he was with Jin Zihua, which made Li FuCan't help it take a second look.

“What are you looking at?”

Jin Er glared back fiercely, “Later, when you speak, be smarter! Don’t cause trouble for yourself.”

“Step down.”

Shen Jianhong spoke coldly, his voice carrying a biting chill.

At this moment, he wished he could strangle this idiot—offending Li Fu was one thing, but how could a mere peddler offend Liu Chunsheng?

Where did Jin Zihua find such a useless person who could only mess things up!

Seeing Jin Er about to speak again, Shen Jianhong frowned, and immediately, guards stepped forward and dragged the garrulous idiot away.

Liu Chunsheng and Li Fu looked at each other, both completely bewildered.

They didn’t know what kind of show this Young Master Shen was putting on.

Shen Jianhong composed himself and cupped his hands to Liu Chunsheng, saying, “Temple Official Liu, I apologize for the disturbance today. The Guild’s affairs are complex, and I must act cautiously.”

“Young Master Shen, you speak too seriously.” Liu Chunsheng quickly returned theetiquette, “Young Master Shen has traveled a long way; I presume you have important matters?”

Shen Jianhong looked around, and only after the guards had retreated to an inaudible distance did he lower his voice and say, “To be honest, I have come for the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill.”

Liu Chunsheng’s expression shifted, “Lord Chuping did indeed bestow a Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill previously. At that time, Shopkeeper Jin urgently needed it, and we have already...”

“I understand.”

Shen Jianhong nodded slightly.

Jin Zihua’s letter made it very clear that his visit had a deeper meaning.

Shen Jianhong lightly tapped the jade pendant at his waist, producing a crisp sound.

“Temple Official Liu, may I have a word with you privately?”

The three came to the ancient locust tree behind the temple. Amidst the dappled shadows, Shen Jianhong took out a brocade box from hisPregnant.

The moment the lid opened, a rich Medicinal Pill fragrance wafted out, startling even the sparrows on the branches into flying away.

“This is...” Li Fu’s eyes widened.

“Three-hundred-year-old Purple Ganoderma.”

Shen Jianhong closed the brocade box.

“This is an offering to Lord Chuping. If Lord Chuping is willing to bestow another Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill, the Shen Family is willing to offer treasures worth ten times the market price.”

Liu Chunsheng’s breath hitched.

Although he hadn’t heard of Purple Ganoderma, the name alone sounded extraordinary!

It was much more Advanced than Doctor Wu’s herbs.

“Young Master Shen, may I ask what the market price of the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill is?”

Liu Chunsheng asked cautiously.

“The market price is one hundred thousand Spirit Pearls.”

Liu Chunsheng: “...”

Ten times the market price, wouldn’t that be one million!

How many taels of silver was that converted to!

What to do?

He was incredibly tempted.

Liu Chunsheng was secretly excited, imagining himself sleeping on a pile of silver. Finally, he secretly pinched his thigh to calm down.

He was already a Temple Official; he couldn't be so short-sighted.

“Young Master Shen, the temple never accepts offerings.”

Liu Chunsheng took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steady.

“Temple Official Liu misunderstands.”

Shen Jianhong suddenly lowered his voice, “My younger brother is gravely ill, and the imperial physicians are helpless... He only showed some spirit after taking the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill last time, but the Medicinal Pill’s effects lasted too short...”

Liu Chunsheng... So, he plans to use the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill as a life-extending pill?

Awesome, a Medicinal Pill worth one hundred thousand Spirit Pearls, and you want to eat it like candy!

Truly a great Family.

“To be honest, Young Master Shen, if it were an ordinary illness, one Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill would be enough. Since the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill cannot completely cure it, you should try other methods as soon as possible.”

Liu Chunsheng advised cautiously.

He still had to consider the patient’s Family’s feelings.

Given the illness of the Shen Family’s third Young Master, which even the Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill couldn’t save, it would be better to make plans early.

Shen Jianhong’s face darkened slightly upon hearing Liu Chunsheng’s words. He knew Liu Chunsheng’s words were reasonable, but concerning a close relative, how could he give up so easily?

He tightly gripped the brocade box, his eyes showing a hint of stubbornness, and slowly said, “Temple Official Liu, to be frank, my Shen Family has searched for famous doctors everywhere, and all have said that my younger brother’s vitality is fleeting. Only this Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill seems able to sustain his last breath.”

Just then, Liu Chunsheng suddenly spoke.

“Young Master Shen, have you worshipped Lord Chuping yet?”

Shen Jianhong was slightly stunned by Liu Chunsheng’s words, only then realizing that since entering the temple, he hadn’t yet worshipped Lord Chuping’s divine statue.

He inwardly cursed his oversight, but his expression remained calm as he cupped his hands and said, “I have not yet worshipped; it is my disrespect.”

Liu Chunsheng was silent for a moment, his gaze falling on the brocade box in Shen Jianhong’s hand.

“Young Master Shen, you wish to exchange wealth for a Medicinal Pill, which is not feasible in the temple. However, if you can prove your sincerity with your true heart, there might still be a glimmer of hope.”

“If the heart is not sincere, the god will not respond; that is precisely the principle.”

“Only with a true heart?”

Shen Jianhong muttered to himself. He put away the brocade box, looked at Liu Chunsheng solemnly, and said, “Temple Official Liu, thank you for your guidance.”