First Meeting with Korur, Good Deeds, Good Karma

"What? You don't want it either?" Gru felt as though he had misheard something.

"You've already split your soul twice in a row. Faith Power will be a great help to your future cultivation." Gru, thinking Jie Ning might not understand the value of Faith Power, earnestly tried to persuade him.

"Maybe you don't feel it yet, but once you monopolize the faith of an entire empire, over time, the boost to your cultivation will surprise you."

"I've already resolved my soul issue." Jie Ning explained seriously.

"Ah—" Gru suddenly grew a bit worried about himself. As a God-level powerhouse, he seemed to be experiencing auditory hallucinations.

But upon careful recollection, it seemed he hadn't misheard after all. He cast a doubtful look at Jie Ning.

Seeing Gru's skeptical gaze, Jie Ning took the initiative to release his own soul aura.

"How is that possible!" Sensing Jie Ning's powerful soul aura, Gru found it utterly unbelievable.

"How is your soul stronger than mine?" Through the aura, Gru could feel Jie Ning's immense soul power, which left him incredulous.

Arannis, standing nearby, said nothing, but seeing Gru's shock, she couldn't help feeling delighted inside. 'This is Jie Ning, after all.'

Jie Ning briefly explained his method, but Gru was completely lost. After all, each field is a mountain apart, let alone the chasm of the Heaven and Earth Laws.

After listening, Gru could only sigh, "Perhaps this is a miracle unique to the Life Rule."

Jie Ning shook his head and said, "I don't think so. All the Heaven and Earth Rules are facets of the universe. I believe that, in theory, every Rule should be able to achieve the same effect—just through different means, all roads leading to the same destination."

This insight came to Jie Ning only after he became a god through the Death Rule.

Sometimes Jie Ning even wondered if he had a Soul Mutation, he might have already found a point of convergence between the Life Rule and the Death Rule from some angle.

Gru really couldn't grasp it, so he went along, "Maybe that's the case."

"But, are you sure you don't need the Faith Power?" Gru still urged. "Even if your soul issue is resolved, Faith Power can still provide some help to your cultivation."

Gru suddenly realized that even a hard currency like Faith Power could have trouble being sold.

Jie Ning refused Gru again, "No need."

The Faith Power from this Material Plane simply couldn't catch Jie Ning's interest.

"I might head to the Supreme Plane at any time. Rather than making the people change their faith again later, it's better to leave it all to you now, Senior Gru."

"You're going to the Supreme Plane too?" Gru felt a flame ignite in his heart.

As if sensing Gru's interest, Jie Ning quickly added, "I'll go, but not now. After all, there are countless Material Planes in the world, but only four Supreme Planes. There must be many strong beings there, so I need to play it safe."

"I'll choose to go to the Supreme Plane only when my strength hits a bottleneck."

The flame in Gru's heart was instantly doused like cold water. His tone turned a bit dejected. "Maybe it's only geniuses like you who feel that a Material Plane can't keep up with your growth."

"Becoming a Mid-level God... I wonder how long it'll take me to reach that step." As he spoke, Gru's eyes were filled with longing.

Jie Ning suddenly realized that Gru seemed to have a misunderstanding about himself. Perhaps because the few self-made gods he'd encountered so far were all extraordinary, Gru thought that not becoming a god within a hundred years meant he wasn't a genius?

What kind of logic was that?

The Profound Mystery he had comprehended was the Explosive Profound Mystery. The reputation of the Fire Profound Mysteries for powerful offense largely came from the Explosive Profound Mystery.

But Jie Ning didn't know how to console Gru. Fight him to build his confidence?

Jie Ning didn't think he would lose, having become a god through two Rules.

'And it seems Gru believes the limit of a Material Plane is a Demigod?' Where did he get that idea?

Jie Ning was a bit surprised that Gru thought this way. In his view, the reason those two Lords were stuck at the threshold of Mid-level God was simply that the Bana Continent's environment wasn't suited for cultivating those two Heaven and Earth Rules.

That was easy to solve. Once Jie Ning's Life God Avatar became a Mid-level God, Gru would naturally correct his mistaken belief.

As for whether his Life God Avatar could break through, Jie Ning was full of confidence.

"Jie Ning, I have a favor to ask of you." Gru suddenly took a deep breath and pleaded with Jie Ning.

Jie Ning looked at Gru in surprise. "Tell me what it is first."

"I want to know, can this 'Spirit Nourishing Technique' of yours that strengthens the soul be used on others?" Gru asked nervously.

Jie Ning looked at Gru, thought for a moment, and finally nodded. "The effect might not be as good as on myself, but it's just a difference in efficiency."

"If it's for you, Gru, I..."

"No, not me." Gru interrupted Jie Ning. "I was hoping, if possible, could you help the two Lords?"

Jie Ning looked carefully into Gru's eyes. It was the first time he had seen Gru like this.

For some reason, he suddenly thought of the magic and Battle Qi manuals Duke Darut had sent him on his wedding day.

"Alright." Jie Ning nodded with a smile.

To be honest, after today's understanding, he was now full of curiosity and respect for the two founders and maintainers of order on the Bana Continent. Without them, who knew what the Bana Continent would look like today.

The current information on the continent about External Godhood, refining divine sparks, and other matters related to becoming a god all came from their selfless sharing after personal practice.

Much of that crucial information had already become common knowledge among most Saint Realm experts on the Bana Continent.

Leaving the Temple of the Fire God, Jie Ning and his two companions flew directly toward Corul City, the heart of this empire.

Under Gru's guidance, the three of them landed before an ordinary little courtyard in the southwestern corner of Corul City.

Arannis looked curiously toward the courtyard gate, seeking confirmation from Gru. "Senior Gru, does His Highness Korur really live here?"

In her eyes, this small yard was no different from any other nearby courtyard—it simply didn't match the reputation of the God of War.

"I do live here." Just then, the courtyard gate suddenly swung open, a voice rang out, and a young-faced man stepped out from within.

Korur's appearance caught Jie Ning off guard.

Noticing the surprise in Jie Ning and Arannis's eyes, Korur laughed. "I'm not what you imagined, am I?"

Korur had the build of a lean, sturdy young man, dressed in simple, loose blue coarse linen clothes that looked exceptionally clean and tidy, with a sunny smile on his face.

"His Highness Korur," Gru greeted.

At Gru's greeting, Korur waved his hand helplessly. "How many times have I told you, Gru? Just call me Korur. There's really no need to be so respectful."

Gru's stance was firm. "The contributions you and His Highness Dinarl made to the continent deserve the respect of all who came after."

Jie Ning also expressed his stance. "Good day, Your Highness Korur."

Arannis followed suit.

"Forget it, forget it." Korur felt a bit speechless. "I really don't know how that unreliable Darut ended up with such rigid descendants. And with his cowardly demeanor, his descendants actually produced two God-levels..."

Korur's tone was full of envy. Why were his own descendants so unambitious?

Gru shook his head and said, "Compared to you two and Jie Ning, I'm hardly a genius."

Korur looked at Gru, his voice tinged with melancholy. "Now I finally understand why Darut always wants to beat you up. I'm starting to feel the same way."

With that, Korur deliberately avoided looking at Gru and turned to Jie Ning. "So you're Jie Ning. Ascending to godhood in two systems, and with the rules of Life and Death at that..."

"Calling you the greatest genius in the history of our Bana Continent wouldn't be an exaggeration."

Jie Ning replied politely, "Your Highness Korur flatters me too much."

"Why are you like this too..." Korur suddenly seemed a bit deflated.

"Alright, alright, all of you, come in." Korur turned and walked into the small courtyard, gesturing for them to follow.

Once inside the house, everyone took their seats.

Korur looked at Gru and Jie Ning. "So, have you two already come to an agreement?"

Gru shot Jie Ning a look. 'You want to say it yourself?'

Jie Ning spoke with a natural expression. "I discussed it with Senior Gru."

Gru added inwardly, 'That was more like informing.'

"We believe the two empires could be merged into one."

Korur was taken aback. He glanced at Gru before speaking. "In that case, having two divine faiths within one empire is far less effective than the current arrangement. Two empires, each devoted to one god, would gather more faith..."

Jie Ning quickly added, "Within the new empire, only the God of Fire would need to be worshipped."

Korur looked at Jie Ning in confusion. "I recall you also chose External Godhood..."

Jie Ning repeated the same explanation he had given Gru, finally releasing a trace of soul aura.

Korur's face showed the same shock Gru had earlier.

"You really are a monster."

"Compared to you, I can hardly call myself a genius," Korur suddenly said with self-deprecation.

At that moment, Gru began looking back and forth between Jie Ning and Korur with a strange expression.

Korur eyed Gru suspiciously. "What are you doing?"

Seeing Gru like this, Jie Ning couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, which also drew Korur's attention.

"Your Highness Korur, would you be interested in this secret technique of mine?" Jie Ning looked at Korur.

Korur didn't catch on at first. "What?"

Jie Ning repeated himself, then added, "This is my thanks for your good deeds."

I won't say much more today—consider this a rushed update.

Continuing to ask for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets.