Controlling Incense and Faith Dao! Imperial Favor
After instructing He Yingyu to feed Su Yan Yan the Green Lotus Qi Uniting Pill, the other party's weak aura seemed to gradually recover and strengthen, so Chen Dengming was relieved.
He immediately left the sect again to go to the deserted island to find his clone and resolve the issue of Incense and Faith power within the Heart of the Ocean.
Although the Heart of the Ocean absorbs water-based Spiritual Qi much slower after leaving the depths of the sea, it doesn't completely stop absorbing it.
Even if it's just a tiny bit of absorption, over time it will still put pressure on the clone, causing it to be in danger of exploding.
However, Chen Dengming is currently in a calm state of mind.
He knew that nothing in life could be accomplished overnight.
Deer die because of their antlers, elephants die because of their tusks.
Even the most precious treasures created by nature will face the danger of being manipulated or destroyed from the moment they are born.
Not to mention things that are beyond the reach of common sense and can be achieved prematurely.
The clones we see today are something that has transcended the realm of ordinary reason.
Even though its birth was due to a confluence of fortuitous opportunity and the assistance of exceptional Spiritual Material, setbacks and difficulties were inevitable.
Acquired achievements mean that the process of birth is often fraught with difficulties, unlike the smooth and harmonious process of being Xiantian.
Fortunately, judging from the current rate at which the Heart of the Ocean absorbs Spiritual Qi, it will not pose a significant threat to the clone in the short term.
Moreover, the balance between expansion and contraction, tension and relaxation in the universe, is also a profound truth.
The Heart of the Ocean will absorb it.
Clones can also release Spiritual Qi through Technique Method and other means.
By alternating between contraction and expansion, a balance can be achieved.
However, once the clone frequently uses Technique Method, it will quickly consume Mental Strength and shorten its existence time. This is still unable to escape the 'vicious cycle' that the clone cannot exist for long and will eventually disintegrate, which is not what Chen Dengming wanted.
"Now that my clone is by my side, I can provide him with Mental Strength and extend his existence, so that problem is easy to solve. The only problem is that I need to keep this clone with me at all times."
"There's another possible solution: to break through the 'Modified Scattering Flowers from a Celestial Maiden Technique' to the master level. At my current proficiency, that should be quick."
Chen Dengming glanced at the progress of his cultivation of the <Modified Scattering Flowers from a Celestial Maiden Technique> on the panel.
"<Modified Scattering Flowers from a Celestial Maiden> (Mastery 84/100)"
Based on the current cultivation speed where every ten clones summoned increase one point of Cultivation Method proficiency,
He only needs to summon 160 clones for the <Modified Scattering Flowers from a Celestial Maiden Technique> to break through.
This revised Technique Method can now be considered part of the Immortal Celestial Lineage Heavenly Immortal Way tradition.
Each use requires consuming a certain amount of Immortal Celestial Dao Power to condense a mental imprint.
Therefore, each time Chen Dengming condenses a Heavenly Immortal Clone, it consumes a significant amount of his Immortal Celestial Dao Power.
With his current Immortal Celestial Dao Power, he can only condense three Heavenly Immortal Clone a day, and the remaining power is only enough to use the Heavenly Eye twice.
After an Immortal Celestial Dao Power is completely depleted, it takes Heavenly Timing to fully recover.
Therefore, if he wants to cultivate the <Modified Scattering Flowers from a Celestial Maiden Technique> to the point of breakthrough, he will need at least 480 days.
"What a pity. If the sect's Heavenly Immortal Hall were still intact, things wouldn't be like this. With my current strength, I could absorb twice as much Immortal Celestial Dao Power."
After considering the situation in his mind, Chen Dengming couldn't help but sigh at the many twists and turns of the Dao Path.
At this moment, a deserted island could be seen ahead, and even the clone sitting on the mountaintop of the island could be vaguely seen.
After absorbing a large amount of water-based Spiritual Qi, the Heavenly Immortal Clone has now grown to over three zhang in size, sitting atop the mountain and radiating spiritual light, resembling a small giant.
Because the Heart of the Ocean was still absorbing water-based Spiritual Qi, the spiritual power emitted by the Heavenly Immortal Clone was difficult to conceal for the time being.
"If I can ensure that this clone does not disintegrate, given the wonders of the Heart of the Ocean, and with the power of the Heart of the Ocean continuously strengthening the clone in the future, wouldn't I then be essentially having an Eastern Immortal Sea clone?"
Chen Dengming flew towards the mountain peak, suddenly had a brilliant idea, and felt a secret thrill.
A moment later.
He landed on the mountaintop and stood Heavenly Immortal Clone, feeling waves of spiritual power rushing towards him, causing his robes to flutter.
"Let's see if we can indirectly control the power of Incense and Faith by using the Heart of the Ocean!"
Chen Dengming gave instructions to the Heavenly Immortal Clone.
The Heavenly Immortal Clone's eyes suddenly gleamed, and a wisp of Divine Sense swept towards the Heart of the Ocean, which was located within the Sea of Consciousness in the upper Dantian.
But deep within the Heart of the Ocean, a pale blue light curtain lingered.
Within the light screen, layers upon layers of illusory figures flickered. In each different scene, devout believers either lit incense and offered sacrifices, or lit bonfires and danced around them, praying and offering sacrifices.
Strands of faith gathered on the light screen, but gradually coalesced into swirling clouds that struggled to break through the screen, like a flock of lost lambs searching for their faith, unable to find the Outer Realm Devil lord.
This phenomenon amazed Chen Dengming, and his clone's Divine Sense began to tentatively probe into the light screen.
Just to be on the safe side, Chen Dengming evacuated the deserted island first to avoid being wiped out in an accident.
The clone's Divine Sense truly entered the light screen at this moment, and immediately felt the prayers more clearly and the strong power of faith and incense.
At this point, even the burning of incense and other religious offerings had begun to evoke doubt and resentment in some people.
"Um?"
Chen Dengming felt a strange sensation.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, deep within the island forest, targeted by True Man Yu Ding Ye Yong and Chen Dengming's clones.
A group of Devil Cultivator wearing eerie masks prayed and worshipped around a roaring bonfire, creating a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.
However, as the bonfire burned out, the incense in the tripod censer on the altar above the bonfire did not light.
In the center of the altar stood an unidentified demonic statue, with a red face, fangs, a raised nose, and Red Hair all over its body. It rode on the back of a monster that resembled a lion or a tiger, standing over two zhang tall. It was decorated with colorful sculptures and gold ornaments, and was quite imposing, but it also gave people a sense of evil and eeriness.
Several bound Demon Beast were still struggling in front of the statue, and were not burned as sacrifices by the bonfire.
This means that the demon lord they worshipped did not accept their prayers and sacrifices.
An unusually gloomy and dejected atmosphere began to permeate the woods.
Hundreds of masked Devil Cultivator were in a state of panic and confusion, discussing among themselves, unable to understand why their revered demon lord was not responding to their devout prayers.
At this time.
In the mountains and forests, an old man wearing a robe woven from seashells, crystals and seaweed walked out shakily, bowed to the ground, and chanted incantations as he worshipped and prayed.
He, too, could not understand, and felt uneasy and fearful, mistakenly believing that the second batch of sacrificial offerings still failed to gain the approval of the Demon Lord.
But at that moment, a roar came from the depths of the mountains and forests, and a powerful, evil spiritual force suddenly spread out, conveying a message.
The group of Devil Cultivator who were praying and worshipping suddenly became even more agitated, their eyes behind their masks filled with resistance, fear, confusion, and bewilderment.
The elderly man in the magnificent robes was the first to rise and resist, his voice vehement.
In the distant clouds beyond the mountains, hidden within them, True Man Yu Ding Ye Yong exclaimed with delight, "Your Highness Daozi, it seems it's true, as you said. The source of their faith has encountered a problem. This is the second batch of offerings they've failed to deliver."
It seems they've already had disagreements and started to doubt themselves.
Chen Dengming's other clone glanced at True Man Yu Ding Ye Yong, nodded slightly, and said, "As I said, in order to resolve the source of this demonic power, even Martial Aunt Su is injured now. It's impossible for them to be unaffected."
True Man Yu Ding solemn. "Martial Aunt Su's injury is a great loss to our Longevity Sect Your Highness Daozi. Your Highness, should we take advantage of this infighting among these Devil Cultivators and make a move?"
Chen Dengming was taken aback and quickly tried to dissuade him.
With only his clone and a Golden Core Early Stage cultivator, True Man Yu Ding, trying to deal with the Devil Cultivator here is like throwing a meat bun to a dog—a one-way trip.
Moreover, his clone is now attempting to control this Devil Cultivator through the power of Incense and Faith.
Having experienced the split-person state while on the deserted island, Chen Dengming had deduced that these people must have had a disagreement.
The terrifying Devil Creature deep within the mountains suspected that the will of the Outer Realm Devil Venerable had shifted and no longer focused its attention on this place, demanding that the Incense Believer continue to offer sacrifices to it according to the old ritual standards.
However, the Incense Believer found this explanation and demand difficult to accept, even when faced with a representative demon envoy personally chosen by the Demon Lord.
As soon as this resistance arose, an astonishing roar echoed from the depths of the mountains and forests, followed by trees shaking and breaking wildly.
A colossal beast shrouded in eerie Devil Qi suddenly burst forth from the depths of the mountains, whipping up a fierce wind.
The fierce wind it whipped up instantly darkened the sky, sending sand and stones flying everywhere. It was as if several giant pillars of wind had transformed into thick hands, gripping the necks of the trees and shaking them, bending the mountains and forests so that they could never straighten up again.
The hundreds of Incense Believer in the mountains were terrified, their faces ashen, and they scattered in all directions. Not one of them was willing to prostrate himself on the ground and submit to the Devil Creature that had rushed out, demonstrating the extremely firm power of their faith.
"Is it really infighting among themselves?"
Seeing this scene, Chen Dengming felt a strange sensation. His clone's Divine Sense subconsciously moved even deeper and closer, like a drop of water falling into the surface of a body of water, creating ripples.
Instantly, this wisp of consciousness, out of control, swept directly towards the golem on the altar.
Chen Dengming was startled and immediately withdrew his attention from the clone, leaving only a single independent thought to observe.
But the moment the clone's Divine Sense entered the demonic statue, the statue emitted a strange dark light, and a sinister aura burst forth from it.
Immediately, the incense on the altar burned on its own.
Several struggling Demon Beast let out a mournful howl as their bodies spontaneously combusted, sending up billowing smoke.
The souls flew out of the body and headed straight for the shining golem, entering through its large, raised nostrils.
In that instant, all the Demon Beast ceased their struggles and were reduced to skeletons as they burned in the flames.
Chen Dengming, on the other hand, felt an extremely pleasant, almost addictive, sensation arising from the distraction.
A considerable force inexplicably traveled along the connection between the Divine Sense and the clone, reaching into the clone's body.
It instantly merged into the golden core of the clone.
A faint feeling of being about to burst instantly emanated from the clone.
At the same time, the clone quickly established a connection with the clouds of Incense and Faith floating in the corresponding light screen scene.
"Offering incense as tribute? Is this how the Outer Realm Devil Venerable obtains power through tribute?"
Chen Dengming's mind raced, and he made an accurate judgment. He then realized that his clone was under even greater pressure, which made him quite frustrated.
Thank you so much!
This sudden influx of power is accelerating the destruction of his clone, and it might even contain demonic energy.
No, he had to immediately 'spit out' the power that he had absorbed into his clone's golden core.
However, at that very moment, the numerous Devil Cultivators and Devil Creature who were about to erupt into a chaotic fight in the forest all fell silent, their eyes filled with surprise and reverence as they looked at the demonic statue that shimmered with dark light and exuded a sinister aura.
They had already keenly sensed that the 'Demon Lord' they worshipped had returned.
Not only did they accept their incense offerings and tributes, they also re-established contact with them.
This spiritual connection is extremely subtle, like hundreds of seemingly unconnected lines becoming clear, gradually transforming the bewildered from doubt to unwavering conviction.
"What happened?"
Upon observing this situation, True Man Yu Ding's expression changed slightly, and he became uneasy. He sensed a suppressed and evil aura emanating from the distant altar, which made him feel uneasy.
"It's just a fragment of my Divine Sense, don't panic."
Chen Dengming inwardly scoffed, but pretended not to notice and offered words of comfort, telling him to calm down.
At the same time, he has also figured out a way to regurgitate the power that he absorbed into his clone's golden core.
In the mountains and forests.
"Demon Lord!"
"Demon Lord!"
The numerous scattered Devil Cultivator, including the powerful Devil Creature, gradually gathered beneath the altar and began to worship devoutly. Their initial surprise and doubt were quickly replaced by reverence and fanaticism.
Only the demon with the strongest aura, resembling a giant black pangolin, whose eyes had revealed a hint of confusion, was chosen as a demon Devil Creature.
It vaguely sensed that the golem, now awakened and radiant again, seemed somewhat different.
Although this idea seems particularly offensive and dangerous, shaking one's faith and being the most unfaithful.
But the thought still surfaced uncontrollably.
As Devil Creature that was once favored by the power of the Outer Realm Devil Venerable, it is naturally very familiar with and sensitive to the power of the Outer Realm Devil Venerable.
But just as this disloyal thought arose in its mind, a dark light suddenly burst forth from the wide-open mouth of the golem above the altar.
All the Devil Cultivator were overjoyed when they saw the ball of dark light flying out. Their expressions became even more devout and fanatical, and many of them began to breathe heavily.
By chance!
This is the Demon Lord's favor!
Whom will the Demon Lord favor this time?
The powerful, pangolin-like Devil Creature, who had been skeptical, was suddenly shaken, its eyes filled with longing as it gazed excitedly at the flying dark light.
"This thing you offered me as tribute is too much, and it might even contain some strange demonic power. You should return it to me."
Chen Dengming had just figured out how to make his clone extract the power it had just absorbed from his golden core.
Without any hesitation, he unleashed his power, intending to return it to the Devil Cultivator.
But seeing that all these Devil Cultivators had longing in their eyes, as if they were all full of anticipation, he couldn't help but find it interesting.
Through a sliver of connection established with the Incense and Faith, he had vaguely grasped the psychological fluctuations of these Devil Cultivators.
"My practice is called 'favoritism,' and those who are favored will become more pure believers and be regarded as messengers."
Through this exchange of tribute and favor, a loyal and fervent following is cultivated, and the power of faith is strengthened."
Chen Dengming suddenly understood, and thus gained a preliminary understanding of the 'interest relationships' and principles behind this kind of Incense and Faith.
Those who are worshipped can provide their Incense Believer with numerous benefits and spiritual satisfaction through appropriate feedback and miracles, thereby making their faith more devout and gaining the power of faith.
The Incense Believer then have a place to anchor their faith, and the most fervent among them truly receive a reward, which naturally makes them even more fanatical. If you believe, it exists; if you don't, it doesn't.
At this moment, with a thought from Chen Dengming, the power of his blessing instantly traced a graceful arc in the air and landed on the cultivator wearing a magnificent robe.
This scene was witnessed with envy and fervor by the hundreds of Devil Cultivator around them.
The pangolin Devil Creature, who had initially been suspected, now showed a flash of jealousy and disappointment in its eyes.
But soon, both of these emotions were replaced by a more fervent and repentant expression.
It felt remorse for its previous doubts about the Demon Lord.
It reflected on itself, realizing that it was precisely because of its doubts that its faith wavered, which prevented this favor from coming upon it.
This is its fault, as are jealousy and loss. Only a more fervent faith and repentance can atone for these mistakes.
After Chen Dengming completed the act of having sex with a woman, he immediately gained the faith of a large number of Incense Believer through his clone.
The connection between this power of faith and his alter ego seemed to have become even stronger.
This allowed him to directly grasp the various active psychological fluctuations of these believers.
The powerful Devil Creature's self-repentance was even more thorough than Di Hua's imagined scenario, leaving him speechless.
"I can feel their fanatical faith now. Non-Self can now command them through my clone?"
"This power of faith is currently only establishing a connection with the Divine Sense of my clone, and it's just one of many light screens among them. It has no connection with my main body. Trying it shouldn't pose too much risk."
Chen Dengming, assessing the situation, decided to use a clone to test the power of the incense offerings he had just stolen.
If it really works, then this stolen incense will truly be fragrant...