49: The City God of Fengyang spared no expense! The River God Girl was shocked!
A moment later.
"Snake Demon!?"
A startled cry rang out inside the Immortal Cave.
A hint of fear appeared in the girl's dark, shining eyes.
She shook her head repeatedly, her two long braids swaying like waves behind her: "No way, I'm terrified of snakes!"
The Fengyang City God's face stiffened, and he cursed inwardly.
She was a Grade Five Water God and a Middle-Grade Cultivator, yet she was afraid of a Snake Demon that had only recently reached a thousand years of Cultivation Level?
It was a complete waste of her own strength.
He grumbled internally, but the smile on his face remained unchanged as he continued to persuade her: "River God, with your strength, what is there to fear? How about this, I'll give you ten percent of the Incense Offerings collected by my City God Temple this year?"
The girl was still hesitant.
The Fengyang City God cursed incessantly in his heart, continuously raising the reward.
Not until he increased the two chests of Jewels to ten chests, raised the Incense Offerings share this year to twenty-five percent, and promised to replace the Jingyue River God's Immortal Cave with a larger one.
Only then did the girl reluctantly nod.
"But we need to agree on this beforehand: I won't risk my life. If I can't win, I'll run, and you can't go back on the reward!"
The Jingyue River God reminded him.
Hearing this, the Fengyang City God secretly sneered.
With such strength, entering the mountains to capture a demon should be effortless. How could she say such a thing!
Despite his thoughts, he still trusted the Jingyue River God immensely.
Don't be fooled by her baby face, making her look like a delicate Young Lady from a Noble Family.
In reality, her strength is considerable, and her Cultivation Level and Dao techniques are profound. She would be considered decent even across the entire Yunzhou!
"Don't worry, I'll have someone send the items over immediately. I guarantee not a single copper will be missing!"
The Fengyang City God patted his chest and said.
To be honest, he felt great heartache, but there was nothing he could do.
To deal with that Snake Demon, the Fengyang City God Temple had truly gone all out.
The Jingyue River God nodded, finally agreeing.
The Underworld Messengers traveled along the underground Yin Veins, moving extremely fast.
Before long, more than ten Underworld Messengers arrived outside the Immortal Cave at the bottom of the Jingyue River.
Ten chests of jewelry and Jewels, plus three jade bottles containing twenty-five percent of the entire Fengyang County's annual Incense Offerings!
To show his sincerity, the Fengyang City God brought all the rewards directly!
The Jingyue River God's eyes sparkled. She first accepted the three bottles of Incense Offerings, and then happily began selecting the Jewels.
"Um... River God, the items have been brought. We're counting on you for this matter," the Fengyang City God said.
The girl waved her hand and said, "Got it, got it."
"Then I won't disturb you any further."
The Fengyang City God bowed and left.
The Jingyue River God spent a long time choosing, took out an earring, put it on, and only felt satisfied after checking herself in the bronze mirror for a while.
Afterward, she began to cheer herself up.
Such thoughts as 'It's just a big snake,' 'If it's too scary, I'll just run,' and 'This Young Lady's Evasion Technique was famously powerful across the neighboring villages back then.'
After stalling for a long time, she finally walked out of the Immortal Cave and hurried toward the upstream direction of the Jingyue River.
As a Water God, the Jingyue River God traveled without hindrance.
A long time later.
The girl quietly came ashore by a riverbank. Seeing the village not far away, she secretly concealed her figure and walked in.
Soon, she saw the Azure Snake statue.
"That gaze... it's terrifying!"
The Jingyue River God's braids trembled slightly.
She suppressed the distracting thoughts in her heart, examined it carefully, and her expression became strange.
"The Incense Offerings are pure, and every wisp of faith is sincere. These villagers were not misled by Gu!"
"They genuinely believe in him!"
"Could it be... he really is a Mountain God?"
A trace of doubt appeared in the girl's large eyes.
After looking for a long time, she walked out of the village and entered the jungle.
Perhaps because she was cautious, the Jingyue River God walked very slowly.
Almost every distance she advanced, she had to re-plan her retreat route.
"Caution is always right. Careless fellows will capsize sooner or later!"
The Jingyue River God muttered to herself.
Along the way, she encountered some demons.
She chose not to act.
The Jingyue River God's Cultivation Level was evident; after concealing her aura, she silently slipped past them every time.
She gradually went deeper into the mountains and forests, when suddenly her steps halted, and she looked with some shock at the scene in the distance.
She saw two teams appear in the distant jungle.
Teams composed entirely of Yao!
One team was full of Snake Demons, and the other team was full of Monkey Demons.
They were each carrying large baskets woven from branches, filled with various spirit fruit and Spiritual Plants.
The two teams moved side by side. Although they were different kinds of demons, they were very orderly, and no friction occurred.
Some Snake Demons and Monkey Demons were even chatting happily and laughing!
It was as if they had known each other for a long time!
At the very front of the two teams were two Monkey Demons, one fat and one thin, wearing armor and holding weapons, seemingly the leaders.
What shocked the Jingyue River God was their Cultivation Level.
Both Monkey Demons had a thousand years of Cultivation Level!
Judging by their appearance, the girl had an absurd notion.
This group of demons... seemed to be on their way to offer treasures!
But what the girl found most unbelievable were the two teams themselves!
As a member of the Yao Race, the Jingyue River God still had some understanding of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.
Usually, every territory is ruled by a single, same-species group. It is almost impossible to see different races living together and in such harmony!
Unless... there is an extremely powerful existence who uses his own authority to force different races to coexist peacefully.
Who could be the existence capable of making Monkey Demons and Snake Demons travel side by side?
Thoughts surfaced one after another in the Jingyue River God's mind.
She suddenly had a bad feeling.
Had she been too rash in agreeing earlier?
The Jingyue River God had the urge to turn around and leave immediately.
But thinking of the huge reward the Fengyang City God gave her, running away without doing anything felt somewhat unjustifiable.
"I'll observe from a distance first!"
She murmured softly to herself.
Having said that, she started moving forward again.
At the same time.
At the Taihang Mountain Peak.
Xu Qing, coiled up like a small azure mountain, suddenly opened his eyes. His massive head turned, and his golden pupils looked towards the distant jungle.
In his ears, an unfamiliar female voice was still echoing.
Bai Ling, who was meditating beside Xu Qing, raised her head and asked, "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, we have an uninvited guest."
Xu Qing said softly.
"Is it someone from the Demon Spirit Realm?" Bai Ling stood up, looking a little nervous.
"Don't worry, rest easy. I'll be back shortly." Xu Qing reassured Bai Ling.
Immediately after.
"Clang..."
His massive body slowly moved and stretched, his scales clanging together, and the aura belonging to the Lord of Taihang Mountains rippled out.
A cold light shone in his golden vertical pupils.
Xu Qing deployed the Breath Concealment Art, and simultaneously used the Earth Hearing Technique to lock onto a direction, firmly targeting the cautious uninvited guest.
Immediately, he mobilized the vast magic power within his body, transforming into a streak of azure shadow, and rushed straight down the mountain!