Conspiring Against the Tiger Demon

It was nothing much, really; he simply hadn't succeeded in his cultivation.

But after he reached his natural end, the younger generation of the village revered him and erected a temple for him to enjoy the offerings of incense.

The previous Land God had long since vanished without a trace, and his miracles had ceased, so he officially became the Land God of this village.

Only after becoming the Land God did he realize that his predecessor had been enfeoffed by the previous dynasty, and when that dynasty fell, he had been cast down from his divine altar, leaving Locust Tree Village without protection for a long time.

At the same time, it was only after attaining godhood that he gained some understanding of the scriptures, which made it easier for him to grasp the authority of his divine office.

His mastery over his divine duties grew increasingly refined; not long after becoming a god, he was already comparable to a seasoned, veteran Land God.

But ever since he heard that a Tiger Demon had descended from the mountain to devour people, he knew in his heart that it was likely the same beast he had encountered in the cave back then.

As that Tiger Demon continued to scour the nearby villages, he knew it would find its way here sooner or later.

Therefore, he had long since dismissed the villagers, preparing to put up a fight against the Tiger Demon.

It was not that the City God was unwilling to help; it was simply that most of the Yin spirits within the City God's jurisdiction were ghosts, and that Tiger Demon was a natural bane to ghosts, rendering them helpless against it.

The sorcerers and wandering knights invited from the mortal realm had also mostly perished at its hands.

"The time is growing late, sir, you should leave quickly."

After the Land God finished speaking, he looked at the rising sun and said, "Either today or tomorrow, that Tiger Demon will surely find this place.

This Beast Skin Scroll should be able to conceal your aura. If you carry it, as long as you are not spotted by the Tiger Demon, it should not be difficult for you to leave."

"If even the City God is helpless against it, what means does the Land God have to deal with that Tiger Demon?" Ling Qing asked curiously, pressing the Land God for an answer.

"Having listened to your exposition of the scriptures, I have gained a deeper understanding of this Land God's authority. Combined with certain spells, I should have a fifty-percent chance of victory."

The Land God said with a chuckle, "Even if I fail, I can still escape.

Through your explanation, I have comprehended a method from these scriptures that allows me to abandon my divine position without becoming a wandering ghost.

It is just that I must forsake this ancestral heritage."

As he spoke, he turned his head with some reluctance to look behind him at the rustic village bathed in the morning sun; the homes that should have been curling with cooking smoke were already empty.

"Since you have a fifty-percent chance of success and are confident in your ability to escape, then I shall stay and help you, Land God."

Ling Qing pondered for a moment before speaking.

As he spoke, he channeled the Natural Force within his body and pointed his long staff at a nearby thicket of thorns.

A flash of green light swept over, and the thorns twisted and intertwined like a nest of snakes, growing larger and larger while their spikes became longer, sharper, and glinted with a cold light.

Before long, the small patch of thorns had transformed into a wall of thorns, with several spear-like spikes crisscrossing through it.

"Although I lack the ability to deal with that Tiger Demon, I still have ways to handle ordinary tigers.

Besides, with the Mud Pellet and the Beast Skin Scroll you gifted me, I can leave at any time and evade the Tiger Demon's tracking."

Upon hearing this, the Land God saw that he was indeed not a scholar without the strength to truss a chicken, and he had already provided him with the means to escape.

After some unsuccessful attempts to dissuade him, and having received Ling Qing's promise to flee if things went awry, he no longer insisted.

Afterward, Ling Qing and the Land God discussed how to deal with the approaching Tiger Demon and its pack.

The most effortless method was to use traps.

Although a Druid's trap-making skills were not as sophisticated as a hunter's, they could still construct many traps in the wilderness, and theirs were far more concealed.

Moreover, there was the Land God, who held authority over the land.

Having grasped the true meaning of the scriptures, manipulating the earth was as easy as turning over his hand; raising soil, lifting mud, softening stone, and hardening walls were all at his beck and call.

Combined with Ling Qing's ability to control vegetation, the entire area around the village was filled with pits and snares within half a day.

Still uneasy, Ling Qing relied on his own knowledge of identifying plants and the medical expertise he had acquired previously to concoct some poisons.

Of course, these traps were mostly meant for ordinary tigers; they would likely have no effect on that supernatural Tiger Demon.

To eliminate the Tiger Demon, one still had to rely on the Land God's abilities.

Ling Qing found many poisonous plants, mushrooms, and mosses in the nearby forest.

He returned to the front of the Land God Temple and began to manufacture the poison.

He was not particularly skilled at making poisons, but having previously obtained a recipe for Detoxification Powder, he naturally understood various symptoms of poisoning and toxic plants.

At the same time, he was well-versed in several common poisons.

Ling Qing took a simple set of pharmaceutical tools from his Book Box and was just about to begin when he suddenly heard the Land God ask, "I wonder where you obtained this item, sir?"

He turned to look and discovered a Stone Tablet floating in front of the Land God, held by his magic.

It was the very Stone Tablet that had been transformed from the tombstone he had obtained in the previous dungeon.

"This was an accidental find..."

Ling Qing omitted the details of the dungeon and told the truth.

Aside from the fact that he could vaguely sense a connection between the Stone Tablet and that graveyard while he was in that dungeon, he had discovered nothing miraculous about it.

But once he moved slightly away from that land, the connection was severed, let alone after leaving the dungeon.

It was merely filled with a large amount of Yin energy, which made it feel cool to the touch, which was rather interesting.

However, this thing was merely a remnant left behind after purifying the tombstone, and Ling Qing had no hobby of fiddling with it in his spare time.

Therefore, it had been kept inside his previous Medical Chest, and now his Book Box.

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the Land God's face lit up with joy, and he laughed, "Truly, heaven is helping me! With the aid of this Stone Tablet, this old man might just increase his chances of dealing with that Tiger Demon by thirty percent."

"How so? Does this Stone Tablet possess some peculiar quality?" Ling Qing asked out of curiosity, seeing him so delighted.

"I wonder if you would be willing to part with this Stone Tablet, sir?"

"If it can be of help to you, please, take it without worry." Hearing the Land God's request, Ling Qing replied generously.

This Land God was upright and clear-minded, distinct in his gratitude and grudges; he was not like those evil gods who would seize by force or demand without limit.

Whether it was asking him to explain the scriptures before or requesting this Stone Tablet now, he always inquired and asked, showing not a shred of intent to take by force.

He had even gifted that miraculous Ancient Scroll to him so casually, so Ling Qing was more than happy to help him in return.

Stories like those in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio were filled with demons, treacherous villains, and wicked ghosts, with few caring for mortals.

It was evident that not all divine beings in this world were like this Land God.

The Tiger Demon about to strike led a pack of tigers to devour humans wantonly; if this Stone Tablet could help the Land God slay that Tiger Demon, then so be it.

From then on, the world would have one less Tiger Demon and one more righteous deity, which could be considered a meritorious deed.

At the same time, slaying the Tiger Demon did not violate the Dao of Nature in Ling Qing's heart, so he could naturally gain some experience.

What's more, he might even obtain the other half of the Divine Script from the Tiger Demon and complete the entire skill.

With such a triple benefit, why not part with a mere Stone Tablet that was useless to him?