Lu Yao kept his view fixed above Sanilo City.
This ghost city's infrastructure had reached a feudal-era standard. Its streets were paved with stone slabs, its various buildings were constructed from a mix of wood and stone, and drainage ditches and flowerbeds lined the roads. There were even Trees planted along the streets.
Sanilo's residents were all Ghosts. Unlike normal Pixelated Villagers, their bodies were translucent, like enlarged versions of the gray little figures that had appeared above the Barbarian Tribe. Ghost residents also had one distinctive trait: level markers above their heads.
The vast majority of ghost residents were between level 1 and level 5.
The soldiers ranged from level 5 to level 10. These ghost soldiers wore Chainmail, Copper helmets, and carried Spears. Their attire was completely different from that of ordinary citizens, marking them as true professional soldiers.
Leading the soldiers was a [Commander] named Alex. He was as high as Level 12, clad in silver half-armor and carrying a shield and a one-handed sword.
Every Ghost possessed an ability: [Evasion].
[Evasion] Can evade damage from certain attacks. The chance is higher against creatures weaker than itself.
The Sand Worms had this ability too.
Against ordinary people, this ability was utterly overwhelming.
The level markers above the Pixelated Villager Ghosts' heads meant they had surpassed the level of ordinary people. In other words, every Ghost possessed the strength of a Hero or a monster.
A city of over ten thousand Ghosts was a nightmare-level force to the surrounding tribal civilizations.
But who said this guy didn't have an Apostle?
Lu Yao looked at Isabelle. She was being surrounded by Mayor Chapman and Commander Alex.
Breaking through Sanilo City's entire defense system alone was Isabelle's charm.
Mayor Chapman poured out his grievances.
"Because of the Deity Totem, other Gods' Flames of Faith cannot be lit here."
"Because of the Totem's influence, Sanilo's Ghosts cannot leave, and outside Ghosts cannot enter. Yet certain monsters can come here to wreak havoc and kill."
"Sand Worms in the desert sometimes attack the city as well. Every time, we struggle greatly to fend them off."
"There are Sea Monsters in the ocean too. Sometimes they attack the harbor."
"Over the years, the Ghosts within the city have continued to dwindle. If this continues, Sanilo City will eventually head toward destruction."
Commander Alex also said, "The soldiers within the city have been continually depleted. We now have only fifty-eight soldiers. Our defenses are still weakening. Although I have been training ordinary citizens to become soldiers, the results have not been good."
"..."
Isabelle fell silent for a moment. "In other words, the key to Sanilo's curse is the Deity Totem. As long as the Totem is gone, this city will no longer be restricted in terms of faith and population."
"You are correct."
Mayor Chapman immediately pleaded, "But manpower cannot destroy the Deity Totem. It is a mark left behind by a God. Even if the statue housing it is destroyed, the mark will remain."
"Only a God can oppose a God."
"Sanilo has always hoped that a God would come save our city. We are willing to offer the faith of all our people, just as we once served the Forest God. Wherever we go, we will spread word of the God's blessings and name."
Isabelle looked toward the screen and dropped to one knee.
A Dialogue Box that only Lu Yao could see appeared above her head.
"My lord, will you accept the departed souls of Sanilo?"
--Ghosts can provide faith?
"Yes."
Isabelle said, "All things in this world, so long as they possess awareness or Wisdom, possess the Power of Faith."
What else was there to say?
He wanted the whole city!
Lu Yao turned his gaze toward Sanilo City's plaza.
The plaza was the city's center, where all streets converged. The circular plaza was surrounded by buildings resembling City Hall and Watchtowers, while a blue sculpture stood in the middle.
Lu Yao took a closer look.
Well, if it wasn't the old Qi God Totem.
He had already struck one down with Lightning in the East River Tribe, so he had no psychological burden about tearing down a second.
Lu Yao selected Lightning from [Miracle] and fired one at the Totem.
Lightning descended from the sky, only to vanish without a trace as it neared the city.
[Because the Deity Totem protects it, your Miracle cannot take effect.]
The Totem's defenses did not surprise Lu Yao. What surprised him was that even after ten strikes of [Lightning], the Totem had merely developed a few cracks and remained standing.
He realized that Totems might have levels too.
This Totem was far tougher than the one in the East River Tribe.
Lu Yao glanced at the upper-right corner.
Population: 401 Faith: 522
He still had Faith ammunition.
Isabelle was watching beside him, and Sanilo City's Ghosts were watching too. Maintaining a God's dignity was important. On a larger scale, this concerned his future prestige and whether the Ghosts' faith would remain steadfast.
Since things had come to this, he had to take it down in one go.
Lu Yao furiously clicked [Lightning].
Only then did he discover that a number had appeared after Lightning.
So he could choose the amount of [Lightning] at once—or rather, its intensity.
Lu Yao dragged it straight to the maximum.
[Lightning] ×25!
He locked the target area above the Totem and clicked his mouse.
A cluster of flickering blue arcs lit up in the Pixel World's sky. The blue light gathered into a Thunder Pillar in midair and crashed down upon the Qi God Totem!
This time, it went smoothly. The Totem was instantly reduced to ash by the electricity, and a large scorched patch appeared where the sculpture had stood.
As the Totem shattered, the residents of Sanilo City erupted in cheers.
"The curse is gone!"
"Long live God Yao!"
"We have a new God!"
"Sanilo is free!"
"Praise God Yao! Great God Yao!"
A smiling face symbol appeared above Mayor Chapman's head as well.
He told Isabelle, "On behalf of all Sanilo citizens, I sincerely thank the God for His mercy and tolerance. From this day onward, we of Sanilo will believe in God Yao and offer our faith and loyalty."
Commander Alex also dropped to one knee. "Loyal to God Yao!"
The soldiers behind him followed his example, kneeling to declare their allegiance.
"Loyal to God Yao!"
"Loyal to God Yao!"
At that moment, Lu Yao stared fixedly at the upper-right corner of the game screen.
His Faith remained completely still at twenty-two points.
He began to worry.
No way. Had he been scammed?
Just as he grew anxious, his Faith Points suddenly soared!
His Faith jumped directly from twenty-two to 10,754 points!
Lu Yao could not help pumping his fist hard!
It worked, brother!
This was the fast-paced playstyle of God Simulator. Find groups with large populations everywhere. It did not matter whether they were human or not. As long as they had faith, they could be brought under his command. This was called expanding the audience and external demand.
After recovering somewhat from the joy of becoming rich overnight, Lu Yao noticed that the population beside Faith had also surged.
Population: 11,133 Faith: 10,754
Ghosts really could provide faith, and they even counted as believer population.
Lu Yao moved his mouse over the population field.
For the first time, a detailed list appeared below it.
Ghosts accounted for the overwhelming majority of the population, while living people had become the minority.
But another problem arose.
How should he handle Sanilo?
Mayor Chapman made a request of Isabelle. "Lady Apostle, Sanilo's residents are all Ghosts. Ordinary people cannot see Ghosts. Ghosts can only be seen by other Ghosts or other special extraordinary beings."
"Normal urban development may no longer be suitable for Sanilo."
"But Ghosts have their own advantages."
"We do not need food or rest, and we possess long lives. The more Ghosts there are in Sanilo, the stronger everyone will become... and higher-ranking Ghost individuals can also be born."
"Accidents often occur at sea, so there are many departed souls there. We wish to bring them into Sanilo. This would not only develop more believers for the God, but also further expand the city's scale."
Lu Yao strongly approved and praised this proposal.
This mayor named Chapman had some real ability.
In the Pixel World, population was the foremost productive force!
Through Isabelle, Lu Yao offered his suggestion.
--Search the desert. There should be plenty of Ghosts there too. Also, head north along the desert. There are departed souls around the Garlic Tribe and in the forest.
Seeing that his suggestion had been affirmed, a smiling face symbol appeared above Mayor Chapman's head. "All right, all right. We will send soldiers to receive these Ghosts shortly."
Lu Yao formed a plan in his mind for the future development of Sanilo, the ghost city.
As the saying went, old people needed old methods, while newcomers needed new methods.
When people from the Garlic Tribe and surrounding tribes died, their Ghosts could enter Sanilo, continue to shine and contribute, offer faith, and build the world in another way after death.
Whether Ghosts were powerful was also directly related to the size of their group. It was a win-win situation.
Perfect.
Before you continue