Water elemental became a god, ultimately becoming the master of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers

Chapter 115 Liangjiang Military Academy

Even Li Shicheng's murmurs became clear and distinct.

Moreover, Chen Shunan focused his gaze on the incense stick. He had a premonition that with just a thought, he could break the incense stick and strip Li Shicheng of his true spirit.

Perhaps it will be obliterated, or perhaps it will be guided to the divine palace, or...

He was granted the title of god!

Li Shicheng already knew the name of the god 'Shangyuan Shuiyuan' and became a believer. Chen Shunan performed a divine blessing.

It's like stepping completely onto Chen Shunan's 'pirate ship,' with no way to back out or betray him.

"A single direct manifestation of divine power, distributing calming water, and a novice believer actually offered 65 wishes?"

Chen Shunan thought to himself.

This is already higher than the number of wishes Chen Shunan received from delivering blessed water for a day.

Superficial faith refers to having faith in a deity but not having undergone the ordination ceremony.

It can provide a considerable amount of pure wishes, but it cannot directly provide incense offerings.

According to Chen Shunan's understanding, the ordination ceremony is similar to the Taoist "bestowing of talismans" and the Buddhist "shaving of heads".

In essence, it is a kind of 'ideological imprint' that uses complex rituals to increase believers' sense of awe and identification.

Once ordained, one is registered in the Daoist tradition and is no longer considered a wandering, unorthodox practitioner.

They have established seniority, courtesy name, and lineage.

"Hiss, it seems I'll have to devise a new initiation ceremony? Water washing? Purification? Holy bath? It's a bit complicated, looks like I'll have to trouble Scholar Ma again..."

Chen Shunan's gaze shifted.

He suddenly remembered something and summoned the message.

[Remaining scales of the Ran Yi fish: 106/108]

The Ran Yi fish swimming in Chen Shun'an's mud ball had two scales plucked off.

Chen Shunan suddenly realized that harvesting incense offerings seemed to be a business transaction.

He tortured a third-rate martial artist to death, instilling fear in him and reaping more than ten points of wish.

This is a one-time, non-renewable resource.

By arousing curiosity and awe in top-tier masters like Hong Wuye and Bai Manlou, one can reap 30 to 90% of their desires.

All of this requires Chen Shunan to take action personally or indirectly, and he needs to bear the risks and devote his own time and energy.

Dividing into "Blessing Water" and "Peaceful Water" is expensive, while the former consumes money and the latter uses up fish scales.

It can be inferred that Chen Shun'an's future manifestations of divine power, summoning clouds and rain to quell floods, were also a way of expending divine power and magical energy to earn incense offerings.

You have to give up something to gain something, but how much you give up and how much you gain is a complex matter!
"50/50, 60/40... or should we harvest 90% and share 10%? No, that still seems a bit too much, let's do 10%.

If one day he were to confer titles upon subordinate deities, and outsource their divine duties, profiting from each layer of exploitation, I wouldn't have to worry about anything. I could simply sit on my throne, and the subordinate deities below would diligently perform their divine duties, continuously offering incense and prayers.

"Only by not making a move can one appear as a master. Ideally, one should also perform divine feats such as golden lotuses falling from the sky, sweet springs gushing from the earth, and auspicious clouds appearing with every step, while capturing various dragons and phoenixes as mounts to enhance the illusion of divine power."

Chen Shunan had vaguely grasped the true workings of the incense and deity system.

After a moment, Chen Shunan calmed himself down and stopped thinking about it.

"Let me appear in your dream tonight and ask Master Li about the Golden Snake Entwining Silk Hand technique. Is that snake demon human or a demon?"

……

Two days passed in the afternoon.

After renovation, the Chen family's old house was repainted, the walls were repaired, and the tiles were replaced, giving it a brand-new look. Among the neighborhood houses, it is the most magnificent one.

The silverfish and golden-scaled catfish kept in the courtyard have become more active.

Whenever someone passes by the Chen family's door, they always look on in surprise and full of admiration.

Chen Shunan went to the orphanage to look after the children, distributed water and bought some rice, oil, salt and flour.

Chen Shunan showed no mercy to Ran Yi'an, plucking one scale from Ran Yi'an every day.

After taking the medication for three days, Chen Shunan was able to gradually control the frequency and timing of falling asleep.

It allows you to fall asleep anytime, whether you are walking, sitting, or lying down.

Logically, the scales of the Ranui fish should be able to recover in some way.

After all, the way of the gods is not such an inconvenient thing.

However, Chen Shunan has not yet found the corresponding solution.

The corpses of Master Xinzitang, Master Jin, and others were still displayed and hung at the entrance of the market, where crowds thronged and the people were used to it.

But undercurrents were quietly surging, and the eyes of almost all the major and minor forces in Wuqing County were focused on this vegetable market.

Will the people from the Guolu Association come?
On this day, Chen Shunan walked into Weiheng Street amidst the fireworks of the morning light.

"Alright, you guys practice on your own. Old Liu, if you keep pushing yourself, you should be able to break through to the second tier by the end of the year. The rest of you too..."

Lin Shouzhou was pointing out the group of Shui San'er, his pipe never leaving his mouth, making "crackling" sounds as he puffed on it.

Upon seeing Chen Shunan, Lin Shouzhou tightened his belt and walked over.

"They're here. Let's go to the Liangjiang Military Academy together."

Sun Xiao and Cheng Bin put the waterwheel away and came over: "Let's go."

The Guolu gang has reappeared in an effort to prevent a repeat of the collapse of order in Wuqing County two months ago.

Led by the Wuqing County government, the event mobilized large gangs such as the Water Wozi, the Four Great Rice Mills, the Four Great Pot-Making Gangs, the Fishing Gang, and the Salt Gang, as well as various martial arts schools.

Whether they were from the legitimate or criminal underworld, they all gathered at the Liangjiang Military Academy, seemingly to hold some kind of consultation meeting.

Chen Shunan guessed that he wanted to raise funds, collect money, grain, and manpower.

The requirements for the participants are not low; at the very least, they must be mid-level second-tier professionals.

On the gravel well side, there were only four people, including Lin Shouzhou, who could be considered as representatives.

The Liangjiang Military Academy is located in the Tie Gong Ancestral Hall in the north of the county. This ancestral hall enshrines Tie Yu, a martial arts master who came from Wuqing County three hundred years ago.

Three hundred years ago, during the flood that ravaged Wuqing County, Tie Yu fought against a dragon. Although he was no match for it, he severely injured it and delayed the arrival of the immortals.

Afterwards, Tie Yu suffered severe injuries that never healed. He secluded himself for several years, but ultimately could not reverse the situation and tragically passed away.

The founder of the Liangjiang Martial Arts Academy was Tie Yu's eldest disciple. By establishing the academy using this martial arts mantle, he was continuing to carry on the will of Grandmaster Tie Yu.

As Chen Shunan and his three companions walked along the road, they were surrounded by the vibrant autumn scenery of red leaves and yellow flowers in the old garden, which goes without saying.

Cheng Bin was beaming, as if he had encountered some joyous occasion, and looked several years younger.

There seemed to be something under the limp foot, so there was not much difference in how he walked.

He said to the three of them,

"Old Chen, Sun Xiao, Instructor Lin, remember to come to my wedding banquet on the sixteenth of next month." Lin Shouzhou asked curiously, "You old bachelor, how come you're suddenly getting married? Where did this young lady come from?"

Sun Xiao was somewhat envious and said sourly,
"Old Cheng, didn't we agree to be a carefree wanderer, leaving no trace among the ladies? Why are you having a wedding banquet now?"

Chen Shunan cupped his hands and smiled, "Then congratulations."

Cheng Bin said with a smile, "She's a girl named Xiaoman, only seventeen years old. She accidentally went to a brothel, but she has always kept herself pure and is a chaste woman."

When Cheng Bin talked about Xiao Man, his eyebrows danced with excitement, and his mustache curled upwards.

"This woman knows everything about astronomy and geography, and is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She is simply a wonderful person..."

Cheng Bin was talking animatedly over here.

Chen Shunan's expression was somewhat strange.

Wait, Xiaoman?
Could it be that prostitute with tears streaming down her face?
Chen Shunan remained silent for a moment.

Lin Shouzhou and Sun Xiao were somewhat surprised, but they didn't say much.

After all, this was the prevailing social atmosphere in the Holy Dynasty: scholars and officials spent their nights drinking, carousing, and indulging in the company of actors and entertaining patrons.

It was not uncommon for people to keep prostitutes or redeem actors from prostitution.

Since Cheng Bin was willing, no one else could say anything.

"Brother Cheng, marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Do not act impulsively."

Chen Shunan could only offer indirect and tactful reminders.

"Don't worry, Lao Chen. I, Cheng Bin, am an old hand at this. What haven't I seen?"

Cheng Bin laughed it off, completely unconcerned.

Chen Shunan felt somewhat helpless.

Those flashy, cheap women are only after older, love-starved veterans like you.

It is impossible to guard against it!
When they arrived at the Liangjiang Military Academy, the area around the two stone lions was already filled with carriages and horses, and the muscular martial artists in short, tight-fitting clothes were chatting amongst themselves.

Some were full of bravado, chatting and laughing; others were cautious in their words and actions, rarely smiling.

"Brother Wei Jin, it's been many years."

"This is Senior Lu Jing, I've heard so much about him!"

"Brother Ma, you've come too."

Chen Shunan followed Lin Shouzhou into the military academy. He was somewhat famous in the water pit and even the mill, but here he was just a nobody, ignored by everyone.

So when people saw Lin Shouzhou coming to greet them, they would, out of courtesy, nod to Chen Shunan and Sun Xiao and exchange a few words.

After all, martial artists are skilled at fighting. Whether it's fighting for territory, challenging martial arts schools, or catching thieves and criminals, they have to fight to the death. Afterwards, they praise and exaggerate each other, frequently visit each other, and try to win each other over.

Only then can you build a reputation.

Chen Shunan's strength increased too quickly, and he did not have enough time and achievements to convert his strength into fame.

Inside the military academy, there are artificial hills, pagodas, pavilions, and towers.

A shrine stands silently in the center of the military academy, its doors wide open, allowing anyone to pay their respects.

Chen Shunan saw many familiar faces in the crowd, including He Qiqiang, Zhou Qing, and Yue Ting from Wanlong Mill.

“Brother Shouzhuo, and also…Brother Shunan.”

He Qiqiang walked through the crowd and stood in front of Lin Shouzhou.

Two months had passed, and He Qiqiang had aged considerably, looking listless and with graying temples.

Lin Shouzhou and He Qiqiang were originally Zhao Dongjia's most sought-after and promising martial artists.

The two engaged in open and covert struggles, and their rivalry was quite intense.

He Qiqiang even implicated Chen Shunan in this, hoping to use him to delay and hinder Lin Shouzhuo's breakthrough speed.

As a result, it had no effect.

Chen Shunan was not fooled at all.

Now, Lin Shouzhou has successfully broken through to a new level and entered a brand new world.

He Qiqiang remained in the same place, unable to find a breakthrough opportunity.

even……

He Qiqiang glanced at Chen Shunan, his expression complex.

That old man Chen Shunan is almost catching up with us!

"Brother He." X2
Lin Shouzhou and Chen Shunan exchanged a few pleasantries with Qi Qiang.

"The Iron Buddha Nie Zheng has arrived! He was originally the direct descendant of the hidden martial arts school of Nanyang, the 'Zhuixing Bajiquan'. His parents were beheaded by the court as traitors, and he himself was wanted for many years. Unexpectedly, he turned to public service and is now the inspector of the Wuqing Patrol Office... He killed the Guolu Society members."

Suppressed murmurs drifted over, some expressing amazement, others mockery.

Chen Shunan's heart stirred, and he looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a tall man with a cold and hard temperament striding into the martial arts hall.

People along the way kept their distance and dared not look him in the eye.

"Haha, Brother Nie, I've long admired your name, please come in!"

A hearty laugh rang out, completely drowning out all the noise in the room.

Now, Lu Jing, who is the chief instructor of the military academy and whose status is second only to a handful of people with military backgrounds such as battalion commanders and headmasters, has made great strides forward.

"Brother Lu."

Nie Zheng forced a few awkward smiles and clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"Yun Ruo, the Cloud Chaser, has also arrived! Of the Five Eccentrics, Four Masters, and Three Top Scholars, she is the most skilled in movement techniques and has the strength to slay three thieves. She usually stays in Tongzhou City, but I didn't expect her to return to Wuqing County!"

"That's... Hong Junxian, Senior Hong? Wasn't it said that he had already perished? How did he come back to life? What? He has now joined Zhao Guanghui's faction and is a retainer of Guanghui Money House?"

...

For a time, the military academy was filled with experts.

The most powerful among them is Lu Jing, who is in charge of the overall situation and has the strength to kill the four thieves.

There are also more than twenty other top-notch experts.

It is not that Wuqing County alone can cultivate and possess so many top-notch masters.

People move freely between towns and among different factions.

A top-notch expert is often active in multiple regions and holds multiple positions.

However, due to Wuqing County's special geographical location as a major waterway transportation hub, most top-tier martial arts masters frequently travel back and forth there, and some even settle down in the area.

Over time, this place will become a gathering place for many experts.

(End of this chapter)