Ghostly Faith is Still Faith

Lu Yao paused his view above Sanilo City.

This ghost city's infrastructure had reached a feudal-era standard: the ground was paved with stone slabs, the various buildings were a mix of wood and stone, drainage ditches and flower beds lined the edges of the streets, and roadside trees had even been planted.

Sanilo's residents were all ghosts. Unlike normal Pixelated Villagers, their bodies were translucent, like an enlarged version of the gray figures that had once hovered above the Barbarian Tribe. Another trait of the ghost residents was the level markers on their heads.

The vast majority of ghost residents ranged between Level 1 and Level 5.

The soldiers, meanwhile, varied from Level 5 to Level 10. These ghost figures wore chainmail, bronze helmets, and carried spears—a stark contrast to the ordinary citizens' attire. They were true professional soldiers.

Leading the soldiers was a [Commander] named Alex. His level was as high as LV12, and he wore a silver half-plate armor, wielding a shield and a single-handed sword.

All ghosts possessed one ability: [Evasion].

[Evasion]

Allows the user to evade damage from certain attacks. Against weaker lifeforms, this probability is higher.

Sand Worms also had this ability.

To ordinary people, this ability was a form of absolute suppression.

The level markers on the Pixelated Villager ghosts signified that they existed on a plane beyond normal humans. In other words, every single ghost possessed the strength of a Hero or a monster.

A city of ten thousand ghosts was a nightmare-level force for the surrounding tribal civilizations.

But hey, who said this guy didn't have an Apostle?

Lu Yao looked at Isabelle. She was currently flanked by Mayor Chapman and Commander Alex.

Single-handedly breaking through Sanilo City's defensive system—that was Isabelle's charm.

Mayor Chapman poured out his grievances.

"Because of the Deity Totem's existence, the Flame of Faith from other gods cannot be ignited here."

"Also due to the totem's influence, Sanilo's ghosts cannot leave, and outside ghosts cannot enter. Instead, some monsters come here to wreak havoc and kill."

"The Sand Worms in the desert sometimes charge at the city, and every time we hold them off, it's an immense struggle."

"There are also Sea Monsters in the ocean; sometimes they attack the harbor."

"Over the years, the number of ghosts in the city has been dwindling. If this continues, Sanilo City will eventually face its doom."

Commander Alex added, "The city's soldiers are constantly being depleted. Now, there are only 58 soldiers left. Our defensive strength keeps weakening. Although I've been training ordinary citizens to become soldiers, the results haven't been good."

"..."

Isabelle was silent for a moment. "So you're saying the key to Sanilo's curse is the Deity Totem. As long as the totem remains, the city will be bound by restrictions on faith and population."

"You are correct."

Mayor Chapman immediately pleaded, "But human strength cannot destroy a Deity Totem. That is a mark left by a god. Even if the statue's physical form is destroyed, the mark remains."

"Only a god can oppose a god."

"Sanilo has always hoped that a god would come to rescue our city. We are willing to serve as we once served the Forest God, offering all our faith and spreading the god's blessings and name wherever we go."

Isabelle looked toward the screen and knelt on one knee.

Above her head, a Dialogue Box appeared that only Lu Yao could see.

"My Lord, do you wish to accept Sanilo's departed souls?"

—Can ghosts provide faith?

"Yes."

Isabelle said, "All things in the world, as long as they possess intelligence or Wisdom, hold the Power of Faith."

Then what was there to say?

I want the whole city!

Lu Yao shifted his gaze to Sanilo City's plaza.

The plaza was the city's center, where all streets converged. The circular plaza was flanked by buildings resembling a town hall and watchtowers, and at its center stood a blue statue.

Lu Yao took a closer look.

Oh, isn't this an old acquaintance—the Qi God Totem?

Anyway, he'd already struck one down with lightning in the East River Tribe, so dismantling this second one carried no psychological burden.

Lu Yao selected [Lightning] from [Miracle] and fired a bolt at the totem.

A flash of lightning fell from the sky, but as it neared the city, it vanished without a trace.

[Due to the Deity Totem's protection, your Miracle cannot take effect.]

The totem's defense didn't surprise Lu Yao. What did surprise him was that after firing ten bolts of [Lightning], the totem only showed a few cracks and still stood firm.

He realized the totems might also have different levels.

This totem here was far sturdier than the one in the East River Tribe.

Lu Yao glanced at the upper right corner.

Population: 401 Faith: 522

Still had faith ammunition.

With Isabelle watching beside him, and the ghosts of Sanilo City also watching, his dignity as a god was still very important. To put it broadly, it concerned his future authority and the firmness of the ghosts' faith.

Since things had come this far, he definitely had to secure a one-time victory.

Lu Yao frantically clicked [Lightning].

He only then noticed a number had appeared after Lightning.

So it turned out he could select the amount—or rather, the intensity—of [Lightning] at once.

Lu Yao maxed it out.

[Lightning] ×25!

He locked the selection range above the totem and clicked the mouse.

In the sky of the Pixel World, a cluster of flickering blue arcs lit up. These blue lights gathered in the air into a Thunder Pillar, crashing down directly onto the Qi God Totem!

This time it went smoothly. The totem was instantly electrocuted to ashes, leaving a large charred patch where the sculpture had stood.

As the totem shattered, the residents of all Sanilo City erupted in cheers.

"The curse is lifted!"

"Long live God Yao!"

"We have a new god!"

"Sanilo is free!"

"Praise God Yao! Great God Yao!"

A smiley face symbol also appeared above Mayor Chapman's head.

He said to Isabelle: "On behalf of all citizens of Sanilo, I sincerely thank the god for their mercy and tolerance. From now on, Sanilo will believe in God Yao, offering our faith and loyalty."

Commander Alex also knelt on one knee: "Loyal to God Yao!"

The soldiers behind him followed suit, kneeling to pledge allegiance.

"Loyal to God Yao!"

"Loyal to God Yao!"

At this moment, Lu Yao stared at the upper right corner of the game interface.

Faith didn't move, staying at 22 points.

He muttered to himself.

No way? Had he been tricked?

Just as he was feeling anxious, the Faith Points suddenly skyrocketed!

Faith jumped directly from 22 to 10,754 points!

Lu Yao couldn't help but punch the air in excitement!

Got it, bro!

This was the fast-paced gameplay of God Simulator. Scour everywhere for large populations, never mind whether they were human or not—as long as they had faith, they could be brought under his wing. This was called expanding the audience and external demand.

Coming down slightly from the joy of overnight riches, Lu Yao noticed that the population beside Faith had also surged.

Population: 11,133 Faith: 10,754

Ghosts indeed had faith, and they even counted toward the believer population.

Lu Yao moved his mouse to the population bar.

For the first time, a detailed list appeared below.

Ghosts occupied the vast majority of the population share, with the living becoming the minority.

However, the next question also arose.

How to handle Sanilo?

Mayor Chapman made a request to Isabelle: "Apostle, the residents of Sanilo are all ghosts. Ordinary people cannot see ghosts. Ghosts can only be seen by other ghosts, or by other special extraordinary beings."

"Normal city development may no longer suit Sanilo."

"But ghosts also have their advantages."

"We don't need food, don't need rest, and have long lifespans. The more ghosts in Sanilo, the stronger everyone's power becomes... and higher-tier ghost individuals can also be born."

"Accidents often happen at sea, so there are many lost souls. We want to go and bring them into Sanilo. This way, we can not only develop more believers for the god but also further expand the city's scale."

This proposal received Lu Yao's strong approval and praise.

This mayor named Chapman had something to him.

In the Pixel World, population is the primary productive force!

Lu Yao offered his suggestion through Isabelle.

—Suggest searching the desert; there should be plenty of ghosts there too. Also, follow the desert northward—there are lingering souls around the Garlic Tribe and in the Forest.

Mayor Chapman, seeing his opinion affirmed, had a smiley face symbol appear above his head: "Alright, alright. We'll send soldiers out soon to escort these ghosts back."

Within Lu Yao's mind, a plan for the future development of Ghost City Sanilo began to take shape.

As the saying goes, old methods for old people, new methods for new people.

The dead from the Garlic Tribe and surrounding tribes—their ghosts enter Sanilo, continuing to shine and contribute faith, building the world in another way after death.

A ghost's strength is also directly tied to the size of its group—this is a win-win.

Perfect.