69: Worship is the most important

Overwhelmed with emotion, Shen Jianxing suddenly felt a dizzy spell, then his vision went black, and his consciousness completely plunged into darkness.

Before he fainted, he seemed to see a figure walking towards him—it was Liu Chunsheng, the leader of that group of villagers.

* * *

When his consciousness returned, Shen Jianxing's eyelids felt as heavy as lead.

The pungent smell of medicinal herbs was the first to assault his nostrils, followed by an aching soreness throughout his body, as if his bones had been dislocated.

"Young Master, you're finally awake."

A familiar voice reached him. Shen Jianxing painstakingly opened his eyes and saw Xiao Tao's swollen eyes.

The young girl held a steaming bowl of herbal soup, her eyes, red and swollen like walnuts, gazed at him with worry.

"How long... have I been asleep?"

Shen Jianxing's voice was hoarse, his throat feeling as if it had been scorched by fire.

"Young Master, a full three days and three nights."

Xiao Tao helped him sit up and brought the herbal soup to his lips.

"You suddenly fainted; it frightened us servants terribly."

"Thankfully, the accompanying doctor didn't die on the way."

Xiao Tao paused, then continued, "Young Master, you don't need to worry. This is our Wanbao Merchant Guild's branch in Chang Sheng Village. Shopkeeper Jin arranged a private courtyard for you; it's very safe."

Shen Jianxing, however, waved his hand and struggled to get up: "Xiao Tao, help me to the Lord Chu Ping Temple to offer sacrifices."

This was something his Young Master had repeatedly and tirelessly reminded him of before leaving the capital: he must go to offer sacrifices to Lord Chuping immediately upon arriving at his destination.

Only by praying to Lord Chuping with the utmost piety could there be a chance to obtain that sliver of hope for survival.

After his thrilling encounter with the Tiger Demon, Shen Jianxing also developed a strong interest and deep admiration for the deeds of Lord Chuping.

"Young Master, how can your body withstand such exertion!"

Xiao Tao stomped her foot in distress, trying to dissuade him.

"My mind is made up. Lord Chuping protects Chang Sheng Village. Now that I have arrived, I must go and pay my respects, and ask him for guidance."

Shen Jianxing's gaze was firm. Ignoring Xiao Tao's objections, he insisted on getting out of bed.

With each step, Shen Jianxing felt his legs weaken, as if he were treading on cotton, but he gritted his teeth and, with Xiao Tao's support, slowly shuffled out of the courtyard.

"Xiao Tao, tell me what has happened these past three days."

Seeing that she couldn't dissuade him, Xiao Tao could only support him while speaking with a worried tone.

"Young Master, after you fainted, Temple Official Liu learned that we were sent by the Young Master, and he immediately arranged for Shopkeeper Jin of the Wanbao Merchant Guild to receive us."

"Oh, and Temple Official Liu is that young man who was leading the group last time."

"Young Master, this village is so strange. It's called a village, but it has more people than a small city, and everyone here is a believer of Lord Chuping."

"Captain Zhao also found traces of Yao Race activity in the village, but the villagers don't seem to mind."

"Young Master, watch your step."

"..."

Xiao Tao rattled off a lot of information like spilling beans, and Shen Jianxing's interest grew even stronger.

If he ultimately couldn't be cured, dying in such a peaceful place would be a Perfection ending.

"What were the specific circumstances of the Yao Race traces Captain Zhao found? Also, since the villagers know but don't care, have you asked them why?"

"I heard these minor Yao Race members are also believers of Lord Chuping..."

"..."

Supported by Xiao Tao, Shen Jianxing walked out of the courtyard, and the sight of Chang Sheng Village immediately came into view.

The village roads were wide and smooth, with houses neatly arranged on both sides, and meticulously tended vegetable patches and flowerbeds interspersed among the grey bricks and dark tiles.

In the distance, cooking smoke curled upwards, and nearby, children played, presenting a scene of peace and harmony.

No one could have imagined that in this era of rampant and tyrannical demons, such a tranquil sanctuary lay hidden.

"Young Master, please go slower."

Xiao Tao firmly supported Shen Jianxing's arm with both hands, her gaze never leaving him, fearing that he might fall if she wasn't careful.

Shen Jianxing took a deep breath; the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and vegetation, and also a faint, almost imperceptible, unusual Demonic Qi—weak and non-aggressive.

It seems the people and the Yao Race here really have a good relationship.

How strange.

Looking back at the hundred years of Great Yan's history with detailed records, humans and the Yao Race have been like sworn enemies, mutually incompatible.

Humans regarded the Yao Race as evil beings that brought disaster, eager to eliminate them; the Yao Race, in turn, treated humans as insignificant ants, trampling on them at will.

The hatred between the two sides accumulated over years, generation after generation, piling up endlessly, a cycle of death and vengeance.

During this time, although there were benevolent individuals who tried to mediate and change this situation, without exception, all ended in failure.

Now it seems that the path of reconciliation was not entirely blocked; it was just that the previous attempts were too weak.

The two walked along the main village road, and occasionally villagers cast curious glances at them.

These villagers were dressed simply but neatly, with rosy complexions, appearing to live quite prosperously.

What surprised Shen Jianxing even more was that their eyes showed no fear of the powerful, which was common among ordinary folk; instead, they held a peaceful curiosity.

"The Lord Chu Ping Temple is just ahead."

Xiao Tao pointed towards a hillside in the distance.

Shen Jianxing looked up, recognizing it as the place where he had seen the white light flash yesterday.

"Let's go!"

* * *

Inside the main hall of the temple, incense smoke swirled.

"Hahahahaha!"

"I have it! The God Cultivation Art is finally mine!"

Three days ago, after Lin Chuping killed the Tiger Demon with a single strike, his incense value finally broke through the ten million mark.

Lin Chuping did not hesitate to purchase the first step of the divine Cultivation Technique.

With the Cultivation Technique in hand, Lin Chuping eagerly tried to Cultivate.

He didn't expect to master it so easily.

"Hahahahaha!"

At this moment, Lin Chuping's eyes were closed, fully concentrating on feeling the Divine Power within his body.

This power flowed through his body like a trickling stream, washing over every nerve, even making his Soul clearer.

It was distinctly different from the ethereal feeling he used to get when calling upon Divine Power from the System.

At this very moment, Lin Chuping truly felt how real this power was, existing within his body.

It was like a part of his body, intimately connected to his Soul, continuously providing him with endless energy.

This was the grounded feeling.

This power was now completely his own; he no longer had to worry about losing it.

He was no longer merely a medium between the System and the real world, but a true being with his own divinity.

Today's Lin Chuping was not yesterday's Lin Chuping; he had ascended!