The people of the Douluo Continent had received more than enough shocks today, and the information they had learned had been analyzed over and over.
Now, while the Light Screen had no particularly important information to offer, many people began trying to practice the Primordial World's Qi Refining Method.
The timelines of the two worlds were also shifting, even drawing almost level.
(To make writing easier, I'm taking a particularly flexible approach to time. After all, time in the Primordial World is worth little, and there's also the saying that one day in heaven is a year on earth. Without this setting, things would fall out of sync. I think changes in time as the two worlds merge are reasonable enough.)
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
During those two days, Sword Douluo brought Ning Rongrong back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Dad, did you watch the Light Screen? That Xiao Wu is a Shrek student too. I nearly died laughing! And that Clear Sky Douluo-he and Tang San really are father and son."
"Both father and son actually like Soul Beasts."
As soon as Ning Rongrong returned to the sect, she let her personality run free and mercilessly mocked Tang Hao and his son.
A smile also lingered at the corners of Ning Fengzhi's mouth.
"All right, Rongrong, don't focus on laughing at others. What matters most now is making preparations."
"Preparations for what?"
Ning Rongrong was puzzled.
"The four who went to the Primordial World before were only the first wave to ascend. There must be a second wave."
Ning Fengzhi's tone was laden with meaning.
"What? Dad, you think I might be chosen?"
"Whether you're chosen or not, you must be prepared for it. Rongrong, do you know how to keep yourself alive in the Primordial World?"
Ning Rongrong immediately shuddered. The Primordial World was far too dangerous; she truly had no confidence.
"Dad, teach me."
"Of course. From what I've seen, Buddhism is quite..."
Just as Ning Fengzhi was about to instruct Ning Rongrong, Bone Douluo returned from outside.
"Uncle Gu, what did the other sects say?"
Bone Douluo shook his head. "Fengzhi, surely you know. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan and the Clear Sky Sect naturally agreed to stand together as branches of the same tree, but will this really help?"
"Of course it will. Once we reach the Primordial World, we'll be able to support one another."
Ning Fengzhi was very satisfied.
Bone Douluo put the matter aside and asked instead, "Fengzhi, have you had anyone try that Qi Refining Method?"
Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly. "I had the sect's disciples try it, but they gained nothing. My guess is that the Douluo Continent lacks sufficient Spiritual Qi."
"In that case, have them stop. If they really shatter their Soul Rings while there isn't enough Spiritual Qi, something could go terribly wrong."
"You have a point, Uncle Gu."
Spirit Hall.
Qian Daoliu also gave up cultivating. When he opened his eyes, he found all the consecration elders looking at him.
Qian Daoliu shook his head.
"The Douluo Continent probably hasn't merged enough with the Primordial World yet. I can sense the Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth, but I can't draw it into my body."
"We can't practice this Qi Refining Method for now."
"Fortunately, Xiao Xue has already taken this step. From what I've seen these past two days, she's made great progress."
Qian Daoliu looked proudly at the Light Screen. The gods of Douluo were certainly no match for Qian Renxue now.
She had already reached another level.
Meanwhile, the various factions had all confirmed over these two days that they could not yet practice the Qi Refining Method, leaving them no choice but to set it aside for now.
Within the Light Screen, evening had arrived in the Primordial World.
Inside Qingshui Village's Earth God Temple, a side room built from bricks and tiles had appeared. It was the residence of Qian Renxue, the temple keeper.
Grandpa Liu had led the village's laborers in building it over two days.
Qian Renxue had also brought out some trinkets and a little food she had brought from the Douluo Continent to express her thanks.
Now Qian Renxue had officially begun her duties as temple keeper.
A stick of incense each morning and evening was essential.
After offering the evening incense, Qian Renxue was wiping down the altar when her vision suddenly blurred.
"Earth Granny!"
Seeing the familiar Vihara before her, Qian Renxue knew that Earth Granny had summoned her.
"Little Xiao Xue, I've found a job for you. Remember to go to bed early tonight."
"Oh?"
Qian Renxue's eyes lit up. Earth Granny had told her long ago that once she became the temple keeper, she would arrange some work in the Underworld Bureaucracy for her.
All these jobs required her soul to leave her body to complete them. If she did well, she would surely leave a good impression on the other gods, and all of this would become steps on her stairway to godhood.
"Rest assured, Granny. I'll go to bed as soon as I finish cleaning."
After leaving the Vihara, Qian Renxue moved a little faster.
On the Douluo Continent, in Spirit Hall.
"Hahaha, the young mistress is officially beginning her Divine Examination! Hmm, it should be roughly the same concept as a Divine Examination, right?"
"I wonder what the job will be. I hope it won't be too hard."
"Don't worry. This Earth Granny is a good one. She probably won't make things difficult for the young mistress."
The consecration elders were all delighted. They were far ahead of the continent's other factions.
Bibi Dong studied the Light Screen with interest.
"I wonder what sort of work the gods of this world have to do."
She was very interested in the gods of the Primordial World.
"Xiao Xue can definitely do it. Believe in yourself."
Noticing Qian Renxue's nervousness, Qian Daoliu silently cheered her on.
"Divine Ancestor, grant your blessing. Earth Granny, grant your blessing. Great Heavenly Venerable, grant your blessing."
His prayers now included the Earth God and the Great Heavenly Venerable. These were the only two gods of the Primordial World he knew.
Some hoped Qian Renxue would succeed, while others waited to see her make a fool of herself.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the Clear Sky Sect.
"Becoming a god is so difficult, let alone a god of the Primordial World. She absolutely cannot succeed."
"She mustn't succeed! She's already a step ahead of us. If she succeeds again, how will we ever catch up?"
Ning Fengzhi, meanwhile, smiled bitterly. Why did all the good things fall into Spirit Hall's lap?
No one on the Douluo Continent slept that night. Everyone waited to see Qian Renxue's performance and this alternative "Divine Examination."
As time slowly crept toward the dead of night, Qian Renxue followed her instructions. She did not cultivate tonight, but lay down in bed early and went to sleep.
Half asleep and half awake, Qian Renxue suddenly found herself in Earth Granny's Vihara, but this time was different from the previous two visits.
"Granny, am I..."
Qian Renxue examined her transparent body.
"This is your Yin God, or rather, your Soul Leaving the Body. Mortals cannot see you. You'll carry out your assignment like this tonight."
"Yes."
Qian Renxue found it fascinating. This was her first time experiencing Soul Leaving the Body. She felt light and weightless, as though she could rise into the heavens or descend into the earth, capable of anything. What she saw was different from usual too.
Seeing her like this, Earth Granny could not help reminding her, "You must remember: when you aren't strong enough, never experience Soul Leaving the Body carelessly, especially during the day. Once sunlight falls on you, you'll..."
Earth Granny pointed at the lamp oil beside her.
Qian Renxue shuddered. "I understand, Granny. Please rest assured."
Before long, footsteps and strange, faint rattling sounds suddenly rang out.
"The Underworld Constables are here."
Earth Granny rose.
"Underworld Constables?"
Qian Renxue trembled all over, recalling the wandering ghosts Earth Granny had mentioned before.
She seemed to have guessed what tonight's work would be.
Soon, two Underworld Constables entered the Vihara, one in black and one in white. One held a Mourning Staff, while the other gripped a long hook attached to an iron chain. The mere sight of them sent a chill through the soul.
That strange sound had come from the iron chain dragging along the ground.
"Oh? Earth Granny, you're bringing along someone new?"
The Underworld Constable holding the Mourning Staff noticed Qian Renxue. Since she was experiencing Soul Leaving the Body, Qian Renxue was not wearing a veil, and her looks were still quite captivating.
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