The gray-black light resembled a black hole, like a ravenous, ferocious beast greedily devouring all the surrounding energy.

The frosty white radiance condensed into a broken, cracked hexagonal snowflake, with specks of ice dust spreading out, and the intense cold seemed to swirl back and forth like the howling north wind.

Above both, a thin layer of black smoke swirled, and faint, malevolent curses seemed to emanate from them, as if hundreds of men, women, and children were cursing and wailing in anger.

This was the spoils he retrieved after responding to his girlfriend's ritual and traveling thousands of miles in spirit, risking his life to feign ignorance in front of the senior masters—the last remaining spiritual essence of the Wendigo King.

Or to put it simply... the beginnings of divinity!

Thanks to the centuries-long colonial era and the widespread dissemination of monotheistic culture, at least within the Union, people often equate the word "God" directly with lofty concepts such as "the supreme and unique universal truth."

However, for cultivators who have climbed to a considerable height on the path of the extraordinary, the concept of the existence of gods is not so lofty as to be unattainable.

The Radiant Paradise, Asgard, and Mount Olympus are prestigious institutions that ordinary extraordinary beings are naturally not qualified to visit.

However, the tribal totems and the likes of indigenous ghosts and gods are no stronger than the powerful among mortals in terms of strength.

Therefore, various schools of thought in the East and West have a considerable understanding of its essence.

Every deity possesses a domain of divinity. The Wendigo King beneath New York was formed from the spirits of priests and warriors who fought and died against the colonists, drawing upon the accumulated faith and spiritual power of the tribe.

Putting aside its combat prowess for now, in terms of rank alone, it has barely crossed the line between gods and humans, and therefore possesses corresponding domain power:

Famine; cold

If these two spiritual essences were to merge with humans, as long as they disregarded the corrupting and resentful aura emanating from the hatred of their genocide, they could immediately create two powerful superhumans. Of course, their mental state would be... well, let's just say it's questionable.

If it were obtained by an organization with shallow resources, it would probably only be able to use it in this way, at most creating two powerful henchmen whose intelligence is roughly equivalent to that of a brain-dead person.

Just a few months ago, Zhu Mingyao had no other options, but now he has a more cost-effective alternative.

Surrounded by auspicious light, the Three Primordial Palace opened its gates, and colorless, transparent flames, like crystal, ignited, enveloping two clusters of divine essence that drifted in leisurely.

Brain God Supreme Emperor, Forehead God Imperial Court, Hair God Azure Radiance, Eyes Brightening...

Lung spirit Haohua, Heart spirit Danyuan, Liver spirit Longyan, Kidney spirit Xuanming...

Muscle God Wan Jun, Skin God Tie Cheng, Marrow God Cang Hai, Blood God Chi Jiang...

From the upper scene to the middle scene and then to the lower scene, you will visit the twenty-four Taoist palaces in turn.

With each palace they passed, a portion of the intense resentment contained within the divine essence was extracted and merged with the small figures made of vermilion and yellow paper, transforming into warriors clad in black armor, broad-shouldered and burly, carrying talismans and wielding five-foot-long swords, serving the solemn or otherworldly deities in each palace.

With the appearance of these black-clad warriors, the once empty Dao Palace gradually shed its desolation and loneliness, becoming full of vitality. Apart from the illuminated inner landscape of gods, the other palaces also became clearer, no longer having the hazy outlines of the past, but possessing a real texture.

A complete cycle of the heavens is equivalent to a water and land ritual. He refines and transcends all the resentment left by the Native Americans, and then uses their spirituality to evolve and protect them, filling the magical treasures. It can be said to be killing two birds with one stone.

Then comes the final step!

Zhu Mingyao focused his mind and guided the dark hole, symbolizing famine, carefully into a palace that was entirely black and yellow and shaped like a pocket.

A golden bolt of lightning struck down, shattering the divine essence. Countless runes and true characters surged like boiling water, weaving together into obscure and incomprehensible patterns, exuding informational elements such as hunger, appetite, and devouring.

Zhu Mingyao frowned slightly, slowly releasing his magical power to forcefully suppress the somewhat restless energy. Then, he formed the Taishang Laojun mudra with both hands and softly chanted:

"With the essence of Yin and Yang, and the treasure of creation, I have transformed into a god, receiving the mandate of Heaven, to pacify all directions, and to summon the spirits, as swiftly as the law commands!"

The true text suddenly came into play, and a deity, dressed in a black and yellow brocade robe, with a broad and plump body and a prosperous face, appeared.

With the help of similar spiritual concepts, the [Stomach God Yukang] was born. From then on, he could draw spiritual energy and nutrition from all food. Wildflowers and grasses were enough to fill his stomach. He could also eat a bushel of rice or go without food for ten days. Given time, he could survive on wind and dew. It can be called the supreme divine skill of survivalist!

Zhu Mingyao hesitated slightly about how to handle the six-pointed snowflakes that symbolized "coldness".

Among the gods in the inner landscape of the Yellow Court, which ones are related to elements such as ice, cold, and low temperature?

Eyes? Mind? Neither seems to fit together...

Chapter 367 San Francisco

The gods in the Yellow Court Inner Landscape are derived from the Shangqing Immortal Method, with lofty aspirations and boundless vision. They encompass many paths of the Dao, and some of them are closely related to the element of "coldness".

Since the Kidney God is named after Xuanming, it naturally shares similarities with the ancient northern god in legends, possessing the connotation of being in charge of ice, frost, rain, and snow, making it the best choice.

However, as a strong and handsome young man with normal hormone secretion, Zhu Mingyao had already activated this vital energy that is of great significance to men. Since the spot was taken, he had to find another target.

According to the orthodox Huangting Zhenjing of this world, there is also a corresponding Right Yin God in the Great Cold of the 24 solar terms, which can be used as a lower-level substitute.

The problem is that the cultivation method he practiced originated from the Shangqing sect of another world, and was modified by his predecessors. It is similar in name but different in reality from the local Maoshan lineage, and the structure is quite different. There is no matching deity, so he had no choice but to give up.

Neither approach works, which is really a dilemma. As for simply swallowing it whole, that's just wishful thinking on the part of laymen.

Just as some people are allergic to tonics like ginseng and deer antler, there are countless examples of how individual constitutions vary greatly, and what is a honey to one may be poison to another.

If supplements require such caution, then naturally items containing powerful and extraordinary energy, such as rare and precious herbs and magical potions, should be used with even greater care.

The more rigorous the cultivation system, the more it avoids the casual mixing of foreign energies. Even vampires, who are most skilled in this art, must carefully distinguish when plundering the life essence of their enemies, lest they accidentally consume something deadly.

Therefore, even if everyone obtains similar good things, they need to make full preparations and plans, and then gradually absorb and refine them to benefit themselves.

Otherwise, it would be a waste of energy, a minor issue compared to the potential for a disastrous outcome like stuffing ice into a furnace, or even the risk of contaminating the very foundation of the business.

He rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought for a long time, when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him, and he slapped his thigh.

"Damn it, I'm so confused. Why am I getting so hung up on this? We're part of an organization, why don't we just try to find some off-site support?"

……

……

The emerald green lotus leaves are as large as cart canopies, and the clear blue lotus blossoms radiate auspicious light. The pond is full of exotic and rare flowers that sway in the breeze, colliding with each other and making a crisp sound, just like fine gold and jade.

A faint, sweet fragrance drifts through the air, passing through the elegant bamboo grove, seemingly permeating the soul.

"Neither real nor illusory, half-illusion and half-reality, this territory is becoming more and more stable..." Zhu Mingyao picked up a sharp bamboo leaf, forcefully exhaled it, and shattered it into dust. He felt the wisps of juice quickly dissipate into strange energy that escaped from between his fingers, and he sighed with envy:

"It seems that the sect leader's cultivation level has improved again."

"You're pretty fast, kid. It hasn't been long and you've already reached the threshold of True Talisman. You're even stronger than your ancestors!"

The pure, transparent crystal ball rolled in my palm, the hexagonal snowflakes sealed inside emitting a misty chill, forming a thin layer of glistening white frost on its surface.

Zhang Shouzhong pulled off his reading glasses, stuffed the crystal ball back into the box covered with talismans, and casually wiped the water stains off his hands on his bulging cotton Taoist robe.

"Let's skip the flattery. Anyway, the sect leader is away, so let's get straight to the point."

"The atmosphere in China is strict. Those who engage in licentious and evil rituals will be killed as soon as they show their faces. It will be difficult to find a suitable Taoist nature (divinity) to replace it."

He put his hands in his sleeves, looked up and thought for a moment, "There might be one or two treasured materials in the sect's treasury, but we've only been back to our ancestral home for a year or so, and we've already reaped a lot of benefits. If we ask for more, it would seem too greedy, and I wouldn't have the face to join my fellow disciples at the mahjong table in the future."

Nourished by the daily generous vegetarian meals, the old man had a rosy complexion and looked very healthy. He pushed the box away and touched his chin, which had become much rounder.

"This Dao nature leans more towards the Yin aspect of the Ren-Kui water in the North, with death over life. I would suggest using it to refine magical artifacts or altar deities, as it would be more suitable."

He continued, "Go to the headquarters of Hualian and ask Old Lü for advice. He specializes in the art of summoning ghosts and gods and is also an expert in weapon crafting. He will definitely be able to make the best use of everything."

After giving his advice, he grabbed the young man who was about to leave and steered the conversation to personal matters.

"I heard you've been getting really close to two witch girls lately, and even caused quite a commotion at their headquarters. What's going on with you...?"

Do you still want that girl from before...?

What's their family situation like...?

You're so old, don't keep making me worry..."

The endless chanting of the old man's classic verses was comparable to a series of profound incantations. Amidst the rambling, Zhu Mingyao, who had failed to escape, sat upright like a primary school student, trying his best to maintain a well-behaved fake smile, gradually transforming into a dazed Psyduck.

Uncles and senior brothers... hurry up and drag this bored old man to the recreation room to play mahjong!

For young adults of marriageable age, the most terrifying and unbearable thing in the world is not facing powerful and bizarre supernatural demons, but rather having their elders hold their hands and repeatedly ask them about their personal relationships.

—The future primordial spirit immortal, Mingyao Zhu.

……

……

The 2.7-kilometer-long red and orange steel bridge, resembling a giant rainbow, spans the Kinmen Strait, with the golden afterglow of the setting sun floating on the Pacific Ocean, reflecting the vast expanse of water.

On the world stage, there are always some cities that attract countless people's attention with their unique charm, and among the many famous cities, San Francisco can be considered quite unique.

Here, you can feel the fusion and collision of Eastern and Western cultures, appreciate the unique customs of different ethnic groups, from the bustling atmosphere of Fisherman's Wharf to the fashionable charm of Union Square, from the tranquility of Golden Gate Park to the mysterious atmosphere of Alcatraz Island, every corner of this city is full of stories and legends.

For the descendants of the Chinese people who crossed oceans and settled in foreign lands a century ago, this city holds a place in their hearts that no other place can compare to.

Because in Eastern languages, it also has a name that contains bitterness and suffering, sweat and tears.

San Francisco!

As the first stop for those who came here to make a living, this place holds countless stories of joy and sorrow. By peeling back the rust of history, one can see a complete pioneering path laid out by our ancestors.

Fortunately, that's all in the past. Today's San Francisco can, in a sense, be called a city of Chinese people.

Not only does it dominate the traditional business sector, but it also holds a significant position in local politics.

Behind all of this lies a gigantic shadow that appears and disappears.

Zhu Mingyao stood with his hands clasped in front of the spacious nine-story commercial building, his gaze sweeping over the antique-style glazed eaves. However, he did not enter the magnificent Hualian Chamber of Commerce headquarters. Instead, he crossed the street in front of the building and walked straight into a narrow alley.

Although they were not far apart, the alley was quiet and still, as if an invisible force had completely isolated it from the noise of the outside world.

He gently knocked on the door of an old-fashioned shop that resembled a general store, and the glass door slid open quietly.

"Welcome, distinguished guest."

A pair of smiling children stood on either side, politely extending their hands in invitation, their tone respectful and courteous.

There's only one thing that doesn't quite fit: these are two paper figures with rosy cheeks and ink dots in their eyes!

Chapter 368 Suggestions

The pale cardboard head has been simply sculpted with facial features, and the grotesque smile drawn haphazardly in crimson cinnabar is comical. The floral jacket is only half-painted, leaving large blank areas. It resembles a craft project made by an elementary school student, with the overall design revealing the creator's carefree and casual approach.

Faced with this bizarre scene, ordinary people might be terrified, while ordinary superhumans would confidently believe, based on faint psychic energy fluctuations, that they have seen through its facade.

However, Zhu Mingyao's reaction was different from both of theirs.

He looked admiring and gently patted the forehead of one of the paper dolls. "Please inform Boss Lü that Zhu Mingyao from Maoshan Soap Pavilion has come to pay his respects."

With ink-stained eyes that darted about like pearls, the paper child nimbly twisted her body to avoid his palm, a shy smile on her face.

"Yes, yes, we know. Our esteemed guest contacted us in advance, and we remember that."

Another boy waved a small hand made of yellow paper, making a rustling sound, and the floor silently collapsed, revealing a stone staircase.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like