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

Destroying cities and saving souls is done to act on behalf of Heaven and complete system tasks, but if we can take this opportunity to promote the underworld and harvest some faith points, why not?

"So that awful place called the City of Desolation is called the Forbidden Land of Demonic Traces?"

Zhong Jiu muttered to himself, this was the first time he had ever heard of such a claim.

Out of curiosity, he casually accessed the Special Operations Department's internal documents and, after some research, realized that the so-called "Forbidden Zone of Demonic Appearances" was a top-level dangerous area jointly marked by global authorities.

In Nanling Province, besides the Silent City of Tears Valley, there is another forbidden area where demons are lurking.

Data shows that the forbidden area covers an area three times larger than the Tears Valley, and is even more dangerous.

Not to mention entering the forbidden area, even the area within a radius of fifty kilometers is designated as an absolute danger zone, where hundreds of explorers and special agents have lost their lives over the years.

Zhong Jiu memorized the location of this forbidden area and then focused his attention on upgrading and advancing his rank.

He has already exceeded his faith requirement. Now, all he needs to do is govern Guiling City well and transform it into a truly peaceful and prosperous place, and he will be able to advance to the rank of a fifth-grade judge.

After returning home, Zhong Jiu completely abandoned foreign wars and devoted all his energy to the internal affairs of Guiling City.

All departments of the City God's Palace were operating at full capacity, and all the backlog of official business was cleared up one by one. After receiving the notice from the Soul Envoy, the government also fully cooperated and introduced a series of policies to encourage agriculture and sericulture and develop the economy. They also launched the expansion project of Guiling City.

As Guiling City becomes more and more stable, more and more people are coming to settle there.

Originally just an inconspicuous third-tier city, its population tripled in just a few months, and its economic growth rate led the country, showing a trend of challenging first-tier cities.

After staying in Guiling City for more than a month, the monk Fuzhu saw that the country was peaceful and prosperous and that Zhong Jiu's governance was well-organized, so he took the initiative to bid farewell.

Zhong Jiu had long seen through the monk's thoughts. As long as he offered to recruit him, Fu Zhu would definitely agree without hesitation.

But he didn't do that. Firstly, the time wasn't right, and secondly, Fu Zhu, a born warrior monk and a natural-born killer, was destined to grow through killing and experience. Keeping him by his side now would only limit his development.

Zhong Jiu believed that when they met again, Fu Zhu would have grown into a strong person capable of standing on his own.

Time flies, and two months have passed in the blink of an eye. The earth is warming up, and it is finally time for spring plowing.

In the fields of Guiling City, farmers are busy everywhere.

The lush green rice seedlings were carefully planted in the field, and plump seeds were buried in the soil. With the spring breeze, the whole earth was full of vitality, and every farmer's face was filled with hope for the future.

In the main hall of the City God's Palace, Zhong Jiu, holding the City God's seal, slowly stamped it onto a golden official document and solemnly announced: "By imperial decree! For the next three years, Guiling City will enjoy favorable weather and abundant harvests!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an invisible divine power emanated from the City God's Mansion, spreading rapidly to every inch of Guiling City like a gentle tide.

Ordinary people didn't feel anything special, only that a gentle, warm breeze brushed their faces, making them feel comfortable and instantly filling their tired bodies with energy; while the little devils and monsters hiding in the shadows, after sensing this sacred power, were terrified and fled from Guiling City for their lives.

Just then, the system's notification sounds rang out in Zhong Jiu's mind one after another, clear and loud:

[Ding! Congratulations, host! Guiling City has achieved the "Great Order" achievement!]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have met all the upgrade requirements. Would you like to be promoted to a fifth-rank judge?]

finally come!

Zhong Jiu breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes. All the hard work and effort he had put in over the past few days had finally paid off.

Guiling City has transformed from a place of widespread fear and rampant evil to one of peace and prosperity where everyone lives in contentment. His efforts have not been in vain, and this "benevolent governance" is enough to support his promotion.

"upgrade!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhong Jiu issued the command in his mind.

boom!

A deafening roar suddenly resounded, and colorful clouds instantly gathered above Guiling City. Brilliant golden rays shot from the direction of the City God's Mansion into the sky, like pillars of light piercing through heaven and earth, dazzling and eye-catching.

Farmers working in the fields, merchants bustling on the streets, and patrolling spirit soldiers... all felt this sacred aura, and they all put down their work and involuntarily bowed down in the direction of the City God's Mansion.

Although they didn't know what had happened, they had a vague premonition that this was a great event for the entire Guiling City!

The system notification sounded again, carrying a festive tone:

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have successfully advanced to the rank of Fifth-Rank Judge of the City God's Palace in Xingsha City!]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received a reward: a fifth-rank official robe with purple ribbons and auspicious clouds!]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received a reward: Judge's Pen (Divine Artifact)!]

[Ding! Please report to the City God's Palace in Xingsha City within three days to assume the position of Fifth-Rank Judge!]

"From this day forward, I shall be the judge."

Zhong Jiu murmured softly, a complex emotion welling up in his heart. Since transmigrating to this world, he had spent most of his time in Guiling City.

From the initial cautiousness and difficult establishment, to the gradual development and extermination of evil spirits, and now to the peace and prosperity of the country, he has devoted too much effort to this land and left too many ties.

The people who once lived in constant fear now wear peaceful smiles; the once remote and backward third-tier city has become a sacred place that the whole world yearns for; the border that was once haunted by ghosts is now so safe that not a single ghost dares to set foot within fifty miles.

He had long developed a deep affection for Guiling City.

But now, he is leaving this place to take up a post in the more expansive city of Xingsha.

Xingsha City, the provincial capital of Nanling Province, is a veritable megacity with a population of 20 million and twelve districts under its jurisdiction, covering a total area of ​​over 20,000 square kilometers.

In the history of this world, Xingsha City was the capital of seven dynasties. It has a flat terrain, a network of rivers, abundant resources, and developed agriculture. The surging Han River flows through seven provinces, and Xingsha City is located in the middle reaches of the Han River.

"Congratulations, sir! Congratulations, sir!"

Just as Zhong Jiu was feeling sentimental, beams of golden light shot out from all directions of the City God Temple. All the gods of the City God Temple, including Lei Bo, the Earth God, the Night Wanderer, and the Day Wanderer, revealed their true forms and bowed in respect towards Zhong Jiu, their faces full of reverence and joy.

They all sensed the transformation in Zhong Jiu's aura and heard the system notification, knowing that their City God had finally been promoted!

Zhong Jiu turned around, glanced at his subordinates who had followed him for many years, suppressed the complex emotions in his heart, and smiled faintly.

After being promoted to a fifth-rank judge, his strength also experienced a qualitative leap: his cultivation level broke through from the Illusionary God Realm to the True God Realm, and his human cultivation level also advanced to the Earth Immortal Realm!

However, the evil energy generated in his body due to the Yin-evil Palm attack, although reduced in size, has not yet been completely eliminated!

Earthly Immortals are deities or immortals living on land.

Once you reach this realm, you will have a long lifespan and be completely free from the shackles of your mortal body.

Many cultivators believe that only by entering the Earthly Immortal Realm can one truly embark on the smooth path of cultivation.

Before reaching the Earth Immortal realm, both cultivators and martial artists worry about their lifespan, struggling on the edge of life and death like ants; but after becoming an Earth Immortal, one's lifespan can reach 3,600 years!

Such a long lifespan is enough for them to cultivate at their leisure and explore higher realms.

Just like the former abbot of Wuyin Temple, he took a risk and tried the method of becoming a god through incense offerings because he knew that he had no hope of entering the Earth Immortal realm in this life. In the end, all he wanted was immortality.

But Zhong Jiu didn't feel much about this level.

In his eyes, a lifespan of three thousand six hundred years was nothing. He was a god himself, and as long as his faith continued, he could live as long as heaven and earth. Why would he care about a mere three thousand years?

"Look! Those are the deities from the City God's Palace! So many deities!"

"My God! What day is it today? To see so many deities appearing!"

"All the deities are bowing towards the City God's Temple. Could it be that something serious has happened to the City God?"

"This is the first time I've ever seen so many gods gathered together; it's truly awe-inspiring!"

Outside the City God's Palace, the people who witnessed the gods' manifestation stopped in their tracks, stood on tiptoe to look, and whispered among themselves.

They all stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with curiosity and awe. What earth-shattering event could have caused so many deities to manifest themselves and pay homage at the same time?

Seeing this, Reber smiled and stepped forward, saying to Zhong Jiu, "Master, now that you've gone to Xingsha City to take up your post, who knows when you'll return? Why not take advantage of today's divine manifestation to explain things to the people? That way, everyone can feel at ease."

Lei Bo knew that Zhong Jiu was a native of Guiling City and had feelings for this land and its people, which is why he made this suggestion.

Zhong Jiu pondered for a moment, then nodded.