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

Chapter 23 Incense
It resolved a matter on my mind.

Chen Shunan felt extremely pleased.

At noon, we ate an extra bowl of pork offal in the main hall of Erhunpu.

The 10% profit promised by Master Li was just an unexpected bonus.

Chen Shunan didn't take it too seriously.

After all, this matter takes too long; it will probably take months.

A month from now, things may have changed drastically.

What Chen Shunan valued most was the promise that the Li family could offer!

Dark clouds surged like a tide, and the wind howled like a raging storm.

The sky churned like spilled ink, yet it stubbornly refused to let a single drop of rain fall.

This strange weather lasted for two whole days.

But people only occasionally look up at the sky, complain a few times, and then go back to making a living.

After all, it's natural for things to happen, like rain or a mother remarrying. Who can interfere with such natural order?
In Guaizao Alley, there is a meat shop.

Chen Shunan and a group of slackers squeezed onto a shiny elm wood table, eating until they were drenched in sweat.

In Coach Lin's eyes, Chen Shunan was only a potential second-rate player, not a true second-rate player.

Naturally, they were not entitled to eat at a private table in a private room every day.

Yesterday's events were merely like dangling a carrot in front of a mule—just a token of encouragement.

Even so, Chen Shunan could clearly feel that the other Shui San'er's enthusiasm for him at the dinner table was not diminished at all, and they would bring him tea and water from time to time, and ask about his well-being.

They all became good people.

There are no more 'evil people' like Fusheng.

As for yesterday's fight between the Shui San'er gang and Wanlong Duifang, it was as if nothing had ever happened.

Not only was there no movement from the Wanlong Mill, but Manager Li and even the owners remained silent.

But everyone knows this isn't over.

The rough earthenware bowl was piled high with dark red pig intestines, lungs, and fried tofu. The casings were glistening with oil, and amber-colored gravy clung to the folds.

The taste was as usual, with a rich and flavorful broth.

But Chen Shunan had to admit that it was far inferior to the hen and ginseng soup and the bird's nest stew with duck he had eaten yesterday.

Once you've tasted that flavor, it seems you can never go back.

"Avoid arrogance and impatience, and proceed step by step."

Chen Shunan told himself he had to be patient.

It's just a simple medicinal dish, a hen and ginseng soup.

Why worry?

After all, it won't be long.

……

Chen Shun'an had been longing for the hen and ginseng soup all day, and his heart was finally set on tasting it.

When he finished his shift, instead of going to the teahouse to listen to the opera, he went to the market to buy a Luyuan chicken, which originated from Jiangzuo Prefecture. The chicken was plump, tender, and delicious.

I went to the pharmacy and bought a three-year-old, low-quality wild ginseng.

After returning home, Chen Shunan pestered Wan Niang for a long time before she finally glared at him and went to stew the chicken.

"What a pity, it can't even match one-tenth of the original in terms of taste or medicinal effect..."

After the meal, Chen Shunan put down his chopsticks with some regret.

Of course, Chen Shunan would never say this aloud.

Instead, he showered Wan Niang with praise, saying things like, "Wan Niang's cooking is so delicious and beautiful, it's almost too good to pass the time."

There's also the saying, "This cooking skill is simply divine; even the chefs at Tianlangxuan are no match for it."

Hearing this, Wan Niang was overjoyed. The fatigue of a busy day was wiped away, and she was full of energy. She thought about making more varieties for her brother to try tomorrow.

After digestion, continue with the medicated bath as usual.

After Wan Niang left, Chen Shunan practiced martial arts by stepping on stakes in the courtyard.

Another Dragon-Elephant Bone-Tempering Pill was swallowed.

The pills dissolved instantly upon entering his stomach, transforming into a warm current along with his evening meal. As Chen Shunan continued his training and movements, the warmth quickly filled his entire body.

The large tendons in the center of the vessel were scalding hot and bouncy.

Half an hour later, he mastered two more fighting techniques.

Qi and blood condense, and the dragon returns to the sea.

A series of crackling and popping sounds followed.

The 117th Wonderful Sound.

Chen Shunan finished his practice and exhaled, his eyes shining brightly.

"Is this what it feels like to be a genius?"

There is progress every day, so clear and significant.

In just a few days, he had mastered seven fighting techniques and his energy and blood had greatly increased.

There are absolutely no bottlenecks!

With this in mind, Chen Shunan was even more eager for the advancement of Shenxiang Qingji and Caolu, his heart burning with anticipation.

If all goes well, the wish points should accumulate to 100 tonight. That can be exchanged for a stick of incense!
……

At night, everything is silent.

Chen Shunan had just finished washing up and was getting ready to rest.

Then I heard familiar murmurs in my ears.

Scholar Ma, the family of Little Confucius who catches scorpions, the old blind man who was expelled from the Imperial Stud's music bureau...

[Wish +8]

[Wish: 87 → 95]

A moment later, a few unfamiliar murmurs came over.

"The master's clothes are extremely smelly and need to be changed three times a day... Fortunately, there is plenty of dirty water, so they can be washed clean, otherwise he would have been scolded by Steward Zhao again. That Shui San'er is really a good person."

"Yes yes yes..."

[Wish +1]

[Wish +1]

"Flying Horse, you should eat less fodder and drink more water. If you eat any more, not only will you not survive, but I will also lose my job."

[Wish +1]

...

"Since the troubles that befell my Li family, there have been many who have kicked us while we were down, but few who have offered help in our time of need. Our family's secret martial art, 'Golden Snake Entangling Silk Hand,' has been sold again and again... I never imagined that a turning point might fall on a mere boatman! Brother Shun'an, thank you so much, thank you so much..."

[Wish +4]

The oil lamp was still lit, making the bedroom somewhat dim.

Chen Shunan's expression suddenly changed, and he sat up in bed.

In just a short while, the entire Li family had submitted 14 wishes!
Especially Li Shicheng, who alone has as many as 4 points.

Over the years, Chen Shunan has roughly summarized the patterns in the feedback from individual beneficiaries regarding their wishes.

This is related to his strength, potential, and strong emotional fluctuations.

For example, Ma Xiucai, although he was just a poor scholar who couldn't even kill a chicken, was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics, as well as martial arts and Taoist scriptures.

One person's willingness is twice that of others.

For example, Qingpi Ma, although he was just a hoodlum.

However, on his deathbed, he was terrified of Chen Shunan and his emotions fluctuated greatly. So he sacrificed himself for others and contributed more than ten wishes to Chen Shunan.

This is more than what Chen Shunan earns for delivering blessed water for a normal day.

Li Shicheng, the current head of the Golden Snake Li family, was once a first-rate martial artist. However, he went astray during his training, causing his mind to become restless and his mental state to deteriorate significantly.

He felt grateful for the coldness of the world and had as many as four wishes.

What a wonderful benefactor!
[Wish: 95 → 109]

At the very moment when the wish reached 100, the [Three Primordial Water Official True Spirit Treasure Proclamation] in Chen Shunan's mind shimmered with golden light.

Even that desolate, lifeless, and strange place has gained a faint, almost imperceptible sense of life.

A sudden inspiration struck Chen Shun'an, and he thought to himself,
"Transform the incense offerings."

These words, spoken as if by divine authority, were a prophecy fulfilled. The accumulated wishes, like rays of light flowing upstream, converged before Chen Shunan.

The tiny sparks shone brightly, eventually coalescing into a single flame emitting a faint glow, like cloud patterns.

The sandalwood incense burns softly and quietly.

In a daze, Chen Shunan seemed to see one face after another, filled with joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, as well as one bittersweet story after another, of Ma Xiucai, Xiao Kongzi, Li Shicheng, and others.

This is incense, an offering to the gods.

It is the embodiment of the believer's own spirit and the basis of their spirituality, which they pray day and night.

Looking at the wisp of incense, Chen Shunan felt a surge of joy.

Like an old farmer tending to his orchard, watering the crops day and night, he finally harvested the first fruit.

Satisfied and gratified.

"Should we put it into the talisman first to increase its progress, or leave it for now and wait until we have enough incense sticks to upgrade Qingji?"

Chen Shunan then looked thoughtful.

Soon after, Chen Shunan decided to go all in.

Why hoard things? Let's convert our resources into strength first!

Let's see what changes the upgrade of the herbal talisman will bring!
After all, according to Chen Shunan's understanding, the improvement of the Grass Talisman is similar to the advancement of a Grass God's realm.

The grass talisman is to the divine image what the trunk of a tree is to the fruit.

A strong tree trunk and deep roots should, in theory, be more important than the upgrade of a divine form.

Chen Shunan was naturally clear about the distinction between primary and secondary matters.

"Offer incense and bestow the herbal ordination certificate!"

The thought had barely formed when a message appeared before Chen Shunan's eyes.

【Grass Scroll (2/100)】

[The divinity of the Grass God is further revived.]

Once the herbal talisman is halfway complete, invest 5 points of divine power to choose the next deity.

(End of this chapter)