Greatly Improved Strength

It was late June. Within a quiet room in the Earth God's Law Domain, Fang Ming sat cross-legged.

His face alternated between red and white, and the light radiating from his body flickered unstably, as if he were undergoing some kind of transformation.

It had been some time since he had subdued the Anchang Four Great Families. The worship of the Earth God had been gradually promoted by these families. Together, these four families controlled nearly forty percent of Anchang County's power. Their efforts had naturally been significant, doubling Fang Ming's followers, and the number was still growing.

However, building a temple in the county town would have too large an impact and was not feasible openly. Thus, he could only have the Four Great Families bring back statues of the Earth God for worship. Initially, their clan members and houseborn children were to be the ones to pay homage. These were internal family matters, and the County Magistrate would find it difficult to intervene.

The influence then spread from the county town to Anmin and Changyuan townships. The Four Great Families contributed greatly to this effort. Fang Ming, true to his word, took in some of the recently deceased souls from the Four Great Families to be cared for in Qingshan Village, thus establishing trust.

Since these two townships lacked spiritual offerings and their Protective Aura was weak, Fang Ming's Earth God was warmly welcomed. Most villages established Earth God Temples, and the townships themselves were planning to do the same.

With this expansion, Fang Ming's followers had grown from around two thousand to nearly four thousand. The daily Power of Incense and Offerings he received had greatly increased, supporting Fang Ming's advancement to a higher level. But now, trouble seemed to be brewing.

Fang Ming hadn't expected this promotion to be more difficult than the previous ones. His followers had doubled, and the resulting fortune had already filled his Golden Seal. The fortune was a mix of red and white, each occupying half, while the rest transformed into red and white clouds surrounding the Golden Seal, dissipating and causing Fang Ming distress.

This was due to his natal qi. Although his human way merit had been used to alter it, it had been too short a time. While his natal qi was trending towards pure red, it was essentially still red and white qi. At best, he could reach the true eighth-rank. Further advancement was not supported.

At this moment, Fang Ming was in a state where his fortune outweighed his fate. He felt not only his fortune but also his divine power becoming unstable, restless, and seemingly on the verge of breaking free. This was because his power was too great, and he was struggling to control it, requiring a higher divine position to suppress it.

If this continued, the situation would be dire.

Fang Ming looked upwards. The golden human way merit continued to seep into his natal qi at a steady pace, altering his fate and causing his natal qi to turn red, but it was a very slow process, requiring considerable time.

"This is an emergency! I can't afford to be cautious anymore!" Fang Ming hardened his resolve. With a change in his thoughts, a large amount of golden merit was consumed and continuously injected into his natal qi. Before long, the golden merit was completely depleted, and the faint golden light surrounding his fortune vanished. "Still not enough?" Fang Ming gave a wry smile. The alteration of fate by human way merit relied on gradual influence. As a Deity, he could forcefully activate merit, and although it consumed a lot and had low utilization, it could speed up the process. Yet, even after exhausting his merit, his natal qi hadn't changed, leaving Fang Ming with a bitter smile.

Just then, a change occurred.

The red and white natal qi trembled and suddenly exploded, revealing a pure red natal qi that stood upright, dominating all other qi.

The appearance of the Golden Seal also changed drastically, expanding several times and becoming more solidified. The surrounding red and white fortune rapidly poured in, filling the Golden Seal to about sixty percent.

Within the Golden Seal, red qi swirled, radiating a dazzling light, with only a layer of white at the bottom. Strands of red qi descended, surrounding Fang Ming's divine body and transforming the divine power within him.

Inside Fang Ming's body, his white divine power suddenly compressed under immense pressure, turning into red divine power. This transformation was incredibly fast, happening in the blink of an eye. Seventy percent of the divine power within him turned red, responding to his will and operating smoothly. The previous restlessness vanished completely.

The surging red qi intertwined with the Divine Position Talisman. As the red qi continuously merged, the Divine Position Talisman was enveloped into a sphere, like a fireball in the sky, with flames rising and emitting a dazzling red and white light.

Moments later, amidst the flashing red light, the Divine Position Talisman also turned red, its appearance changing significantly. Several mysterious runes appeared, emitting spiritual light and transmitting information to Fang Ming's sea of consciousness: "Seventh-rank Earth God position, governing Qingxi, Anmin, and Changyuan townships, and a small part of Anchang County town." A new great divine ability also emerged, causing Fang Ming's expression to brighten with joy.

The divine position promotion had now concluded, but Fang Ming did not move. He closed his eyes, savoring the insights gained during the promotion of the Divine Position Talisman. These were special rules from the interaction between heaven and earth, incorporating the laws of his previous world, and even some anomalies from his temporal travels, making them profound and highly enlightening for Fang Ming.

After a long while, Fang Ming confirmed that the insights were firmly imprinted in his mind and would not be forgotten. He then rose and went outside.

"My Lord, please use this!" Zhenzhu had been waiting outside for a long time. Seeing Fang Ming emerge from seclusion, she handed him hot water and a towel, serving him attentively.

Although Fang Ming was a Deity, he enjoyed mortal comforts. Even though Deities could achieve these things with a mere thought, physical objects were more satisfying and served as a nostalgic reminder of his past life as a mortal.

After washing up, Fang Ming gave an order: "This time, this venerable one has gained much from his seclusion. Announce that a grand banquet will be held. This venerable one has matters to impart!"

"Yes!" Zhenzhu bowed in response and immediately went out to relay the order. The servants waiting outside would then pass it on.

Since Fang Ming's continuous promotion, his subordinates had grown in number. Within the Law Domain, there were now more people serving and guarding day and night, unlike before when he had so few subordinates that he had to deliver messages himself.

By nightfall, the main hall of the Qingxi Township Earth God Shrine Domain was brightly lit.

The banquet was already in full swing, with all of Fang Ming's subordinates who could be considered leaders in attendance.

In front of each person was a long table laden with fine wine, delicacies, fruits, and pastries. The dishes were exquisite, and maids and servants frequently approached to replace bowls and plates, offering more food.

These dishes were prepared by a master chef Fang Ming had selected from the wandering souls he had taken in. They were exquisite and fragrant, no less impressive than those from Yingke Tower.

This person had originally been a chef for the Zhou Family, considered a branch family member. He had passed away not long ago, coinciding with Fang Ming's agreement with the Four Great Families, making him quite fortunate.

He had also selected some maids and servants to work in the Earth God's Law Domain. Fang Ming was not simply keeping them idle; he ensured they were put to good use.

At this moment, Fang Ming truly felt like an Earth God. Looking at his subordinates filling the hall, with their strong numbers and, more importantly, his own elevated divine position and growing magical power, his heart was filled with joy. He raised his cup and drank heartily. Seeing their Lord in good spirits, his subordinates also continuously toasted him, livening the atmosphere. For a time, all present were in high spirits.

Once the banquet concluded, it was time for discussions.

After the servants cleared away the cups and plates and tidied up slightly, the officials stood solemnly, divided into two factions: civil on the left, military on the right. Fang Ming looked at his subordinates, who were indeed talented and numerous, with red qi swirling around the hall, and was very satisfied.

Fang Ming then turned to the side and asked, "Spiritual Maiden Gu, you are skilled in Taoist arts. How do you assess this venerable one's fate and fortune?"

Gu Xiaolian had considered for several days before finally pledging allegiance to Fang Ming. In this world, which was still a feudal agricultural society, men were superior to women. Naturally, women could not hold official positions, except perhaps within the imperial palace where there were some female officials.

Fang Ming found it difficult to go against societal norms, so he bestowed upon her the title of Spiritual Maiden under the Earth God, keeping her by his side to participate in important matters, essentially serving as an aide or consultant.

Gu Xiaolian stepped forward and bowed, saying, "The art of observing qi requires profound cultivation and the reception of a specific method. With my meager Taoist skills, how could I possibly perceive my Lord's aura? However, I do possess a rudimentary method of sensing qi, allowing for a slight observation. It is merely to amuse my Lord!"

She then silently circulated her yin power and meditated. Her lineage possessed a method to roughly gauge fortune. At this moment, she felt a red light enveloping her, and red qi surging powerfully, almost making her dizzy. She couldn't help but say, "My Lord is surrounded by red qi, which must be due to a significant increase in your magical power. It is subtly forming a full moon shape, a sign of perfection. I congratulate my Lord!"

"Oh!" Fang Ming's interest was piqued. It seemed the Taoist arts in this world truly had some depth. After a moment of thought, he asked, "How would you assess this venerable one's current magical power compared to the major sects?"

"My Lord carries the hopes of countless people and the fortune of the masses. No individual can resist such power. However, the major Taoist sects possess supreme treasures that suppress their fortune and bestow long-lasting blessings..." This was the honest truth, but Gu Xiaolian dared not say the rest.

"Heh heh... The supreme treasures of the Taoist sects are often revered and possess great fortune. This venerable one indeed needs to avoid their direct confrontation. There is nothing to shy away from!" Fang Ming knew what Gu Xiaolian was thinking but paid it no mind.

Since taking Gu Xiaolian under his wing, Fang Ming had gained a deeper understanding of the Taoist sects in this world. Taoist cultivation primarily focused on the individual. Not only could it not accumulate fortune, but it also consumed good fortune. Therefore, whether in his past life or this one, there was the saying of "cultivating magic to ruin a family."

Taoist practitioners envied the fortune of the government and often sent disciples to take up official posts, absorbing fortune for their cultivation. However, the entanglement of karma brought about trouble.

The greatest hope for a Taoist priest was to assist a hidden dragon in ascending the throne, becoming a national preceptor, absorbing the fortune of a nation, and achieving immortality. Of course, throughout history, human rulers had, at most, bestowed the title of True Person, never handing over their national destiny.

The strength of Taoist priests was also within the scope of the mortal world. There were records of hundreds of armored soldiers surrounding and killing a True Person.

As for Taoist arts and divine abilities, their power naturally diminished when facing individuals with strong fortune. A Taoist priest fighting alone against the fortune of all the people in the world, no matter how profound their cultivation, would have their power gradually worn away, significantly reducing their Taoist cultivation.

Fang Ming's current magical power, although perhaps slightly inferior in quality to that of core disciples in major sects, far surpassed them in quantity. He could exhaust them to death. However, when facing a True Person, he was still not powerful enough.

As for the fortune supreme treasures, they are used to suppress the sect's fortune foundation and are not deployed until the verge of destruction. As long as Fang Ming doesn't attack their mountain gate, there's basically no need to worry.

Below, his subordinates heard the exchange and knew their Lord's magic power had greatly advanced, so they all bowed to offer congratulations.

Fang Ming smiled in response. After the greetings were finished, he said with a smile, "This venerable one's promotion today is indeed a joyous occasion. I am greatly pleased that you all work together with one heart, bravely expand, and spread the incense and fire of the land ever wider. You shall be rewarded according to your merits!"

"Wang Liulang, you are loyal and diligent in your duties, have been with me for a long time, and can also bring benefits to the region. I now confer upon you the ninth-rank Baishi Village Earth God. I hope you can continue to bless the common people and protect this area!" Baishi Village is a village under the jurisdiction of Anmin Township.

"Ah!" A great uproar arose from the crowd below, marveling that their Lord was even bestowing divine positions. Having been subordinates for so long, how could they not know the preciousness of a divine position? Now, seeing their Lord truly bestowing a divine position, the hearts of those below could not help but burn with fervor.

Wang Liulang's head spun, his heart burning hot. Looking at his Lord's encouraging gaze, he felt that the grievances of being ostracized from the army and seeing Xie Jin gradually rise in position over these past days melted away like snow in spring with his Lord's words.

He knelt down forcefully, bowed, and said, "Thank you, my Lord!"

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