I subdue demons and monsters, and cultivate immortality in hell to become a saint.

"Detected that 95% of the citizens of Guiling City have shifted their faith in the host to unwavering faith, triggering a hidden mechanism; the reputation system is now officially activated!"

The system notification sounded without warning, and the next second, a line of clear text appeared before Zhong Jiu's eyes:

[Reputation: 95]

[Related City: Guiling City]

In addition, there are 31 other cities with reputation values, but most of them have very few, with the highest being only 18 points, which is vastly different from Guiling City!

"Reputation? What's the use of that?"

Zhong Jiu raised an eyebrow and asked, not taking it too seriously. It was just an empty title; could it put food on the table?

Or can it increase our strength?

"Reputation points will directly affect the host's legend level! Like an ancient myth, the host's heroic act of saving Guiling City today will become a legend passed down through generations, forever remembered, as reputation accumulates!"

The system patiently explained.

Simply put, once your reputation in a city exceeds 95, you can trigger the reputation system, which is equivalent to establishing yourself as a "living legend"!

While increasing one's reputation is certainly a good thing, Zhong Jiu still felt a bit uneasy: "That's it? It can't be used as combat power, and it can't be exchanged for treasures. It's not very useful."

"The Reputation System is activated for the first time. The host can unlock hidden rewards. Would you like to redeem them immediately?"

The system threw out another surprise.

"exchange!"

Chung Kau didn't hesitate at all. Even a mosquito is still meat, no matter how small it is. Even if it's just a piece of scrap metal, it's still something to look at!

He didn't have high expectations, thinking they were just some insignificant gadgets, but the next second, the system notification made his eyes light up!

"Congratulations, host! You have obtained the supreme magical artifact—the Fallen Soul Bell!"

The down-on-his-luck Zhong?

Zhong Jiu was taken aback, then quickly checked the introduction. The more he read, the more excited he became, and he almost burst out laughing!

[The Bell of Despair: When struck, it causes the enemy to lose their senses and fall into a dazed state! The duration is linked to the difference in strength between the host and the enemy. The dazed state lasts longer for enemies of equal or lower strength; it lasts shorter for enemies of higher strength, but is still effective!]

Good guy!

Zhong Jiu gasped. This was no small trinket.

It's clearly a game-changing weapon and a reaping tool!

In the heat of battle, even a moment's distraction from the enemy can be enough to send their head flying!

Moreover, the more he heard the name, the more familiar it sounded to him. If he remembered correctly, in the myths and legends of Blue Star, the life treasure of Guang Chengzi, one of the Twelve Immortals of the Jade Void Sect of the Chan Sect, was called the Fallen Soul Bell! Later, it was passed down to his disciple Yin Jiao, who used it to protect himself when he attacked King Zhou. Shaking it would make the enemy lose their soul and faint!

Both Huang Feihu and his son had fallen into the hands of this treasure, but Nezha, who was incarnate from a lotus, was unaffected!

The Fallen Bell given by the system seems to be slightly less effective; it can't directly make people faint, but it can make them lose their senses. But that's already incredibly powerful!

In real combat, losing focus for even a second is equivalent to losing your life. This treasure is simply tailor-made for slaying powerful enemies!

What's even more interesting is that this dilapidated bell, despite its name, is actually only the size of a palm. Its exquisite design makes it resemble an ancient bronze bell, making it easy to carry and extremely discreet!

Zhong Jiu happily put away the broken bell, then waved his hand, releasing a gentle yet irresistible force that slowly lifted the kneeling citizens of the city to their feet: "Rise, everyone. Protecting the people is the duty of the City God!"

His gaze fell on Zhong Yingmei, a teasing smile playing on his lips. He walked over, hands behind his back, his tone calm yet tinged with amusement: "Mortal Zhong Yingmei, you were quite generous before, giving up the opportunity for protection I offered to your brother. Now that the ghost army has retreated, that opportunity is no longer needed. I hereby grant you permission to take it back. You may ask me for help again in the future, how about it?"

Chung Ying-mei is his sister, yet she gave up the opportunity to protect him, her "brother." It's ridiculous. Does she expect him to protect himself?

After thinking it over, Chung Kau decided to give the opportunity back. As a human (or god), one must always be reasonable!

"My lord! In that case, I have a request, and I hope you will grant it!"

Zhong Yingmei hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt down, her eyes red, filled with urgency and pleading.

"Please feel free to speak."

With a flick of his finger, Zhong Jiu lifted her up steadily, preventing her from performing the grand gesture.

"We implore you, sir, to send troops to save the people of the other thirty-one cities!"

Zhong Yingmei said through gritted teeth, her voice choked with emotion, "Guiling City has been saved, but our compatriots in other cities are still suffering terribly!"

The thought of her teachers and colleagues fighting bravely on the front lines, possibly dying at any moment, broke her heart. She wished she could rush up and help them immediately!

"You should know that I am the Chief Administrator of the City God's Office in Guiling City. According to the rules of the underworld, everyone has their own duties. How can I overstep my bounds and interfere in the affairs of other cities?"

Zhong Jiu deliberately sighed, pretending to be in a difficult position.

In reality, he had already planned it all out. Putting everything else aside, every city he saved meant one more group of people who believed in him, and one more pile of incense points and faith points!

Those evil spirits slaughtering the city were practically stealing his "family property," how could he tolerate that?

While the rules of the underworld are important, he is now the boss of the underworld in Guiling City. If he occasionally "makes exceptions," who dares to say anything?

Moreover, he is currently the only one in charge of the entire underworld!

The reason he pretended to be in a difficult position was simply to make the "sending out of troops" more reasonable, to demonstrate the majesty of the underworld, and to prevent people from thinking that he, the city god, was someone who could be summoned and dismissed at will!

"My lord! Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! The people of all regions are in imminent danger, and no one but you can save them! We beg you to consider the well-being of all people and lend a helping hand!"

Zhong Yingmei was unaware of Zhong Jiu's thoughts, assuming he was genuinely hesitant, and hurriedly and excitedly tried to persuade him, her tone extremely earnest.

Seeing her eager expression, Zhong Jiu chuckled inwardly and was about to agree when the system notification suddenly sounded!

[Host has triggered an emergency mission: Reinforce 31 cities!]

[Mission Requirements: Successfully defend at least ten cities and repel or annihilate the invading demon army!]

[Task Rewards: 1. All remaining main halls of the Guiling City God Temple; 2. Special Hall – Zhuyin Hall!]

[Mission Failure: No penalty, but all rewards are forfeited!]

Upon hearing about the reward, Zhong Jiu instantly perked up, his eyes shining with an astonishing light. All the remaining hall masters!

This means that his City God Palace underworld system will be completely perfected!

And that Candle Shadow Palace, just from the name it's not simple, it's probably a heaven-defying treasure!

Anything produced by the system is guaranteed to be top-notch! This task must be completed!

"Very well! I will grant your request!"

Zhong Jiu's mind raced, but on the surface he appeared to be persuaded by Zhong Yingmei, and said in a deep voice, "Although I may have overstepped my bounds, the common people are of paramount importance! If the officials of the Underworld hold me accountable, I will bear all the blame!"

"Thank you so much, Your Excellency! Your kindness is immense; on behalf of the people of the Thirty-One Cities, I kowtow in gratitude!"

Zhong Yingmei was so moved that she shed tears and was about to bow again when Zhong Jiu stopped her in time.

Zhong Jiu chuckled to herself. If Yama were to punish you, a mere mortal girl like you, your small body wouldn't be able to withstand it!

However, he naturally wouldn't say these words aloud.

The siege of Guiling City has been lifted!

Zhong Jiu turned to face the officials of the City God's Palace, his voice authoritative and thunderous: "All soul officers and soldiers of the Inspection Hall, Swift Wind Hall, Rewarding Goodness Division, and Yin-Yang Division, remain in Guiling City and guard the city strictly without fail! Xuanjia Army, accompany me on this expedition!"

"My lord! We are also willing to follow you, to serve you, and to save the people of other cities!"

The leader of the Gale Hall stepped forward, cupped his hands in a gesture of invitation to battle, his eyes burning with eagerness. He hadn't had enough of the fighting just now and wanted to take this opportunity to make more contributions!

After a moment's thought, Zhong Jiu nodded in agreement: "Very well! Now that both the Gale Hall and the Rewards and Benevolence Division have their leaders in charge, plus veteran soul officers and soldiers like Elder Lei, their combat strength is not weak! I'll leave the neighboring Ziyang City to you. You must defend the city and slay the evil spirits!"

"Yes, sir! I will certainly not fail you!"

Everyone shouted in unison, their spirits soaring!

Zhong Jiu had already learned about the battle situation in other cities through the internet: some cities had fallen completely, and the entire population had been massacred. Even if he rushed there now, it would be too late; but there were still many cities where the Ghost Army had just arrived and had not yet launched a full-scale attack. This was his opportunity!

With firsthand information at our fingertips, our objective is crystal clear!

"Our first target: Rucheng City!"

Zhong Jiu's gaze was sharp as a knife. He ordered in a deep voice, "Rucheng City is only eighty kilometers away from Guiling City. It's not far, but it's not close either. But at this critical moment, every second counts. We must rush to their aid!"

"System, exchange for one thousand Soul Steeds!"

Zhong Jiu currently has a very high amount of incense offerings. The people of Guiling City are grateful and flock to the City God Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings. The incense offerings are continuous and sufficient to support his consumption!

The Soul Horses weren't expensive; exchanging a thousand for one wouldn't be a problem for him at all!

He immediately distributed three hundred soul horses to the leader of the Gale Hall and others, and left the remaining seven hundred to the Xuanjia Army. These soul horses were not living creatures, but were transformed from the souls of warhorses that died in battle!

Each of the Soul Horses was covered in wounds, some even exposing their bare bones, but this did not diminish their imposing presence; on the contrary, it exuded a fierce and valiant spirit of fighting a bloody battle!

Their eyes gleamed with a dark, green light, and their nostrils spewed out icy, malevolent energy. With each step, they covered dozens of meters, their speed increasing rapidly, like lightning, almost as if they were flying through the sky and plunging into the earth!