Terrifying Indeed

Above the Minping Tribe, shimmering water light flashed.

A Spirit God descended, manifesting before Hachachar.

The Auspicious Spirit God looked at Hachachar's pained state, carefully examined the spell he was afflicted with, and said, "Your body is beyond saving. If your soul enters my Divine Domain, you might be reborn when an opportunity arises!"

Hachachar was secretly delighted. His body was already old, and he never expected to have the opportunity to enter the Divine Domain today, thus gaining an advantage.

He joyfully agreed, no longer suppressing the toxin in his body. His physical form rapidly decayed, turning into a pool of poisonous water that fell to the ground.

His soul, however, was stripped away by the Auspicious Spirit God and sent into the Divine Domain Dojo.

In truth, priests like Hachachar who believed in the Auspicious Spirit God would have their souls collected into the Divine Domain Dojo after death to continue providing incense and fire for the Auspicious Spirit God.

This was merely happening a bit earlier.

But Hachachar and the people of the tribe did not know the truth. They all believed it was the Auspicious Spirit God's favor, and their faith grew even stronger.

The Auspicious Spirit God used his divine power to condense Hachachar's soul into a human form, retaining his consciousness.

He spoke, "Spirit God above, my descendant Hachamu, in order to protect your divine majesty just now, suffered the Fiend's Poisonous Hand. He reversed the Auspicious Water Pattern, sustained severe injuries. I beg the Spirit God to show mercy!"

The Auspicious Spirit God said, "The loyalty of the Hacha lineage is known to me. Rest assured and depart!"

Hachachar's soul bowed solemnly and, carried by a stream of water qi, entered the Auspicious Spirit God's Divine Domain Dojo.

His descendant, Hachamu, was then summoned before the Auspicious Spirit God.

Hachamu's body was impacted by the Auspicious Water Pattern, and was now bright red, as if scalded by hot water. The pain contorted his features into a ferocious countenance, but he could only make a choked sound, unable to speak.

The Auspicious Spirit God blew a breath towards him, and Hachamu's body was nourished by spiritual energy, slowly recovering.

After doing this, the Auspicious Spirit God manifested before Chen Ming and said, "Fellow Daoist, may I ask how my believer offended you to warrant such a fatal move?"

Green light and golden light flickered in Chen Ming's eyes. He saw the Auspicious Spirit God's dharma body, standing on waves, with white fish and red carp faintly visible within the waves. Its countenance was merciful and gentle.

However, one who could occupy a tribe in this Vast Mountain Range with the strength of the Contemplation Realm could not be an ordinary Divine Path cultivator.

Moreover, the Minping Tribe was the Auspicious Spirit God's territory. He should have been clear about what happened, yet he pretended ignorance and questioned Chen Ming.

"Justice resides in people's hearts!"

"Auspicious Spirit God, do not play dumb with me. You know how I was provoked. Why do you ask!" Chen Ming said coldly.

Although the Auspicious Spirit God could only perceive Chen Ming's strength vaguely through a secret method, he sensed that Chen Ming was not weaker than himself.

He retracted his dharma body and transformed into human form, appearing as a handsome man with a pale blue water pattern on his brow, glowing brilliantly.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist!"

"I merely asked a question. With the strength we've both cultivated, we shouldn't cause a real fire over a few mortals and ruin our cultivation."

The Auspicious Spirit God spoke indifferently, shielding the mortals of the tribe from their five senses. Only Chen Ming could hear him.

Chen Ming smiled and said, "Auspicious Spirit God is indeed insightful. Smooth and Unassuming, you have truly cultivated Waterway Heartlessness."

"Fellow Daoist is joking. Just call me 'Qingyuan'. May I ask where you come from?"

The Auspicious Spirit God saw that although Chen Ming cultivated Demon Refining Methods, he was not stubborn. He revealed his name and began to inquire.

Chen Ming said, "This humble Daoist is Xuan Mingzi, a rogue cultivator. I was traveling to this treasure land just to see the scenery, but I didn't expect such a thing to happen. It's truly disappointing!"

"So, it's Daoist Xuan Mingzi. Since you've arrived here, why not rest a bit?"

"The Vast Mountain Range is in chaos. It's better to have more friends than enemies, don't you agree, Daoist Xuan Mingzi?" Qingyuan said with a smile.

After speaking, waves surged behind Qingyuan, and White Fish and Red Carp leaped out, repairing the great formation of the Minping Tribe and extinguishing the Golden Light Divine Flame that remained on it.

Chen Ming narrowed his eyes, knowing that the Auspicious Spirit God Qingyuan was showing him his strength.

"This humble Daoist is new here and not familiar with the Vast Mountain Range. I might as well ask Divine Venerable for some advice."

"However, Divine Venerable, please let me handle some trivial matters first."

Chen Ming withdrew his divine abilities and put away the Poisonous Smoke Insect Swarm, still appearing in the marketplace.

The youth Qin Yuyan was looking at the messy, damaged items on his stall, his eyes red, holding back tears.

Some kind-hearted people around were advising him, "Young Qin, quickly pack your things and leave the tribe with your grandmother!"

"You've offended the Priest and angered the Spirit Gods. If you don't leave now, disaster will strike!"

Qin Yulan could hear them and was preparing to pack his things and leave.

When he looked up, he saw Chen Ming.

Qin Yuyan, being insightful, immediately knelt and said, "Please, True Person, save me!"

Chen Ming still took out the vibrant medicinal herb and handed it to him, saying, "I'll take your tile. This herb is yours!"

Qin Yuyan did not take it. He kowtowed deeply and said, "There are many more tiles with these patterns in that ruin. I am willing to be your pawn, True Person, to pave the way for you."

"I dare not hope to be your disciple, True Person. I only wish to learn a bit of your skill!"

"You've seen my skills and methods. Others call me a fiend, and you still want to learn?" Chen Ming asked.

Qin Yulan was extremely firm and said, "I am willing!"

Chen Ming chuckled, calculated with his fingers, and had a feeling in the dark that this child would have further involvement with him in the future, but now was not the time.

"If your heart is firm, you will naturally find your destiny in the future!"

After saying this, Chen Ming floated away.

Qin Yuyan looked up again, and before him was only that Jade-Green Grass, Chen Ming's figure already gone.

Qin Yuyan put away the Jade-Green Grass and left quickly, muttering in his heart: "If your heart is firm, you will naturally find your destiny."

Chen Ming finished his business and, with the Auspicious Spirit God Qingyuan, concealed his form and left the Minping Tribe.

Water patterns flowed across Qingyuan's brow as he asked doubtfully, "I observed that youth and you had some destiny, why didn't you take him in?"

Chen Ming laughed, "Fellow Daoist Qingyuan's Profound Divine Abilities are truly marvelous, to be able to sense my destiny."

Qingyuan inwardly thought, this Fiend's mind is sharp. With just one sentence, he's already so guarded, he must be planning some move in secret.

Qingyuan, while remaining vigilant, explained, "That child is from my tribe and has offered me Incense and Fire Thoughts before. Now that he is nearby and his fate has changed, I have some vague sense of it."

"I thought Fellow Daoist Qingyuan's Profound Divine Abilities were so profound, they were terrifyingly so!" Chen Ming said.

"I dare not accept the title of 'terrifyingly so,' Fellow Daoist is joking!" Qingyuan said hastily.

The words "terrifyingly so" made his heart jump. For some reason, he felt a great terror within them!

Qingyuan circulated his magic power and opened his Divine Domain Dojo, where water light shimmered and Flying Fish Flowing Colors danced, like a marvel in the sea.