73: If you feel guilty about it, then you feel guilty about it.

As Liu Chunsheng's words fell, the scene was silent.

Everyone held their breath, looking expectantly at the divine statue emitting Holy Light, each wishing for this honor.

That was even more glorious than having their ancestral graves touched.

Compared to everyone else who was too nervous to breathe, Lin Chuping wasn't particularly bothered by the selection of the new Temple Official.

For him, choosing a Temple Official was like picking a watermelon—as long as it met the standards, it was fine.

Piety came first. Among these people, even Shen Jianxing, who had only recently arrived in Chang Sheng Village, could contribute 50 Incense Points at once, so their piety was beyond question.

Another point was that private desires should not be too strong. Wanting everything, being driven by desire, would ultimately lead to ruin by desire.

Lin Chuping scanned the crowd, his gaze finally resting on Shen Jianxing.

What could he do?

After all, he still liked gold.

Young man, I'm saving you!

Lin Chuping extended a finger and pointed from afar.

Shen Jianxing suddenly felt a great golden light burst before his eyes.

When his vision returned, he found himself amidst a vast, ethereal sea of clouds.

Amidst the swirling mists, an Immortal, dressed in a plain white robe with a hazy but serene face, was smilingly gazing at him.

Shen Jianxing's heart trembled, but he didn't panic. He immediately knelt, respectfully saying, "Disciple Shen Jianxing greets Lord Chuping."

Lin Chuping saw his proper demeanor, neither servile nor overbearing, and his eyes showed even deeper approval.

As expected of a Young Master from a prominent family.

"Shen Jianxing, I observe your firm Heart-Nature and virtuous conduct. I wish to entrust you with the important task of Temple Official, to manage the incense here on my behalf. Are you willing?"

Although the words were soft, they exploded in Shen Jianxing's heart like thunder.

No, Lord Chuping, aren't you a bit too casual!

You're not even going to set up three or five rounds of tests for him!

Such a huge golden pie falling on his head, he truly felt uneasy!

Undeserving! Undeserving!

Then he could only... undeservedly accept it.

Shen Jianxing suppressed the upward curve of his lips. He straightened his back, his gaze like a torch as he looked towards the clouds.

"Thank you for Lord Chuping's favor. Although Jianxing is of shallow talent and learning, he will surely do his utmost and not fail your trust!"

Lin Chuping nodded with satisfaction, waved his wide sleeve, and exited the dream.

In reality, it was but an instant. When Shen Jianxing suddenly came to, he found the surrounding villagers still holding their breath in concentration.

Liu Chunsheng was about to request a divine oracle again when he suddenly saw golden light burst from the statue's eyes, and a brilliant pillar of light shot directly at Shen Jianxing's crown.

This anomaly caused an uproar among the crowd, followed by thunderous cheers.

"It's Young Master Shen! Lord Chuping has manifested!"

"It should have been Young Master Shen! This temple was built by his family!"

"It's the will of Heaven!"

"Congratulations, Temple Official Shen!"

Amidst the exclamations, Shen Jianxing adjusted his green long gown and walked steadily towards the divine platform.

He knelt, performed the three bows and nine kowtows, his forehead striking the blue bricks with a crisp sound.

* * *

While peace reigned here, the other side was a living hell.

Prefecture City.

Under the violent rule of the Blood Fiends, the original Mortals in Prefecture City had long since perished.

Without enough Mortal blood Qi to sustain them, even the powerful Blood Fiends found it difficult to suppress the restless demon cultivators under their command.

After eating fine grains for so long, suddenly switching back to wild vegetables and steamed buns—who could accept that?

* * *

At this moment, on the outskirts of Prefecture City, two figures in dark red tight-fitting attire were riding the wind along the official road.

The one on the left had a fleshy, fierce face, looking utterly menacing, with a crooked scar like a dark red centipede across his right eye, appearing particularly gruesome.

The one on the right had a pointed chin, monkey-like cheeks, shifty eyes, and a rusty machete hanging from his waist.

"Old Six," the scarred man wiped sweat from his forehead and grumbled loudly.

"Look at this summer heat; people could practically smoke! Boss insisted we two come out to catch people. Isn't he deliberately tormenting us?"

The scarred man was a wild boor demon and hated the heat the most.

The thin man called Old Six chuckled, "Third Brother, I heard about a good place recently, called Chang Sheng Village."

"I heard it has the most people! If we catch ten or eight and bring them back, Boss will be happy and might even reward us with two jars of blood wine!"

"Wait," the scarred man's heart sank, and his expression became a little flustered.

"You're not talking about that Forbidden Ground Boss mentioned, are you?"

"What's there to be afraid of!" Old Six waved his hand carelessly. "We two brothers have Cultivated to the point where we can transform into human form. In this Qingzhou territory, as long as we're careful, we can go wherever we want and do whatever we want."

"Alright, I'll listen to you." The scarred man hesitated but still nodded.

"When we catch them later, let's pick one with abundant Spiritual Qi and devour it directly. We'll take the rest back. Although every time we hand over the captured livestock, the higher-ups let us Cultivate in a place with abundant Spiritual Qi for a while, it's not as fast as directly devouring and refining them, don't you think?"

The thin man was overjoyed upon hearing this. "Third Brother, you're still the most thoughtful! But we must keep this a secret; don't let it leak out."

"Hehe, Heaven knows, Earth knows, you know, and I know." The scarred man replied while quickening his pace. His great saber was already eager for action.

* * *

The Rat Sprites, who were ambushing on both sides of the road: "..."

Oh my Lord Chuping!

It seems they accidentally heard something incredible again.

The Rat Sprites exchanged glances, their lips curling into a mischievous and slightly lewd smile.

"Hehe, looks like our luck is good today," Rat Sprite whispered with a chuckle.

"Indeed, but since these two are subordinates of the Blood Fiends, we might as well plan something big," Rat Spirit said mysteriously.

The two demons huddled together, heads touching, whispering and discussing for a long time, occasionally exchanging glances, revealing a knowing and cunning look.

After the two unfortunate fellows had gone far, Rat Sprite and Rat Spirit slowly stood up, hunched over, and stealthily followed them.

They deliberately chose hidden paths, winding and turning, to get ahead and position themselves on the two demons' inevitable route. Then they rolled on the ground, covering themselves in dirt, their clothes disheveled, feigning a panicked escape, as if they were fleeing in disarray, just waiting for the fish to take the bait.