My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

The lights were bright and warm, making the entire temple appear solemn and dignified.

Even the pile of bones under the offering table was covered by a huge cloth curtain, and no one knew where it had been moved to; there was no trace of it.

The local earth god sat there, looking at his masterpiece, and nodded in satisfaction.

But its heart was not as calm as it appeared.

It saw everything that happened in the inn just now.

Those three ancient corpses were placed by a feng shui master hundreds of years ago to suppress the yin energy in this area.

It had considered taking those three things as its subordinates several times, but each time it was defeated and forced to flee in disarray.

But that master swordsman cut him down with a single sword stroke.

The local earth god touched his neck and felt a chill.

It's not someone you can mess with.

They are absolutely not to be trifled with.

So it changed its mind.

It's not a test, it's making friends.

It's not about devouring the other person, it's about currying favor with them.

It sat there, mentally planning how to speak, how to greet the other person, and how to please them.

Outside in the rain, a black sedan chair was rapidly approaching.

The local earth god took a deep breath and stood up.

The temple gates were wide open, and it stood at the entrance, its face beaming with the most sincere and humble smile.

In the distance, the sedan chair grew closer and closer.

The sedan chair landed silently.

Ye Qingfeng lifted the sedan curtain and stepped out.

There was a temple in front of us.

With its blue bricks and gray tiles, upturned eaves, and a plaque hanging above the door with four large gilded characters, it reads "Temple of the Earth God".

Two large red lanterns hung in front of the door, with bright candlelight burning inside, making the golden characters shine brightly.

The temple gates were wide open, and the inside was filled with the smoke of incense and brightly lit.

A clay statue with a golden body sits in the center, holding a cane, with a kind face, and really does look a bit like the local earth god.

At the entrance, an old man stood bowing.

He was dressed in a bright red official robe, wearing a black gauze hat, with a long beard reaching his chest, and a broad smile on his face.

The smile was sincere and humble, and the waist was bent so low it was almost broken in two.

"A great master has arrived! This humble one has failed to greet you properly; please forgive me!"

The voice of the local earth god was respectful and enthusiastic. As he spoke, he took a few steps back to make way for the entrance.

Ye Qingfeng glanced at it, said nothing, and stepped inside.

......

The temple is more spacious inside than it appears from the outside.

The altar was laden with exquisite pastries, bright red spiritual fruits, and a pot of steaming wine.

Several bright oil lamps illuminated the entire hall, and the scent of sandalwood filled the air, refreshing and delightful.

In the corner, a huge curtain covered something, but you could vaguely see an undulating outline beneath it.

Ye Qingfeng glanced at it but didn't ask any further questions.

The local earth god solicitously led him to the seat of honor and personally pulled out the chair:

"Please sit down, sir!"

Ye Qingfeng sat down calmly.

The local earth god sat down opposite him and clapped his hands.

Immediately, several paper figures floated out from the back room.

They wore brightly colored clothes, had stiff smiles painted on their faces, and carried trays in their hands, on which were placed more spiritual fruits and fine wine.

The paper figures placed the tray on the table and then floated back.

The local earth god personally poured a full cup of wine for Ye Qingfeng:

"This is a rare spirit wine, brewed from a hundred fruits grown in the mountains, and buried for a hundred years. Please, esteemed master, try it; does it suit your taste?"

Ye Qingfeng picked up his wine glass and took a small sip.

The wine, upon entering the throat, carries a refreshing sweetness and a subtle, ethereal quality. It is indeed excellent, far superior to any wine found in the mortal world.

He nodded:

"Good wine."

The smile on the face of the ghost earth god deepened:

"As long as the expert likes it! As long as they like it!"

It also picked up its glass, drank it all in one gulp, then put the glass down and remarked:

"I've lived in these Hundred Thousand Mountains for over a hundred years and have seen quite a few extraordinary people. But this is the first time I've encountered someone as esteemed as you."

As it spoke, its eyes were filled with genuine admiration:

"Those three ancient corpses have been suppressing this inn for hundreds of years. I have tried to take them out several times, but each time I was defeated and forced to flee in a sorry state."

But a master swordsman cut him down with a single stroke... Such skill is unheard of!"

Ye Qingfeng didn't speak, but simply picked up his wine glass and took another sip.

The local earth god didn't mind and continued his rambling:

"May I ask, if you are the master who cultivates on which sacred mountain? If fate allows, I will certainly pay you a visit."

Ye Qingfeng glanced at it and said indifferently:

"Wandering the world, with no fixed abode."

The local earth god was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly:

"I understand! Truly great people are unconventional and carefree; that's what makes them real immortals!"

It poured Ye Qingfeng a full glass of wine, then filled its own, and raised its glass:

"Come, sir, let me offer you another toast!"

Ye Qingfeng picked up his cup, clinked it with his, and drank it all in one gulp.

......

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

The local earth god had lost his initial restraint and began to recount his experiences in the Hundred Thousand Mountains in great detail.

It tells those mountain spirits and monsters, those extraordinary people and strange tales, with vivid detail and great enthusiasm.

Ye Qingfeng nodded occasionally, took a sip of wine occasionally, and asked a question or two occasionally, showing interest at just the right time.

The local earth god got more and more excited as he spoke, feeling that although this wise man didn't say much, every question he asked hit the nail on the head, making him a rare confidant.

As it got excited, it suddenly clapped its hands:

"Guards, bring up all my treasures!"

Several paper figures floated out again, this time carrying several boxes. The boxes were opened, revealing dazzling jewels and an overwhelming spiritual energy.

The local earth god stood up, walked to the box, and looked smug.

"Please take a look, sir. These are some trinkets I've collected over the past hundred years. They may not meet your standards, but they are still quite interesting."

It took out a fist-sized piece of jade from the first box; it was entirely emerald green and faintly shimmered with light.

"This is a thousand-year-old warm jade. Wearing it will keep you warm in winter and cool in summer, and will protect you from all diseases."

Then he took out a palm-sized bronze mirror, its surface hazy:

"This is a demon-revealing mirror, capable of revealing the true forms of all demons. I've used it to capture many mountain spirits and wild monsters."

Then she took out a string of beads, nine in total, each a different color:

"This is the Nine-Turn Spirit Pearl. It is said to have been crafted by a master. Wearing it can gather spiritual energy, making cultivation twice as effective."

As it introduced itself, it glanced at Ye Qingfeng, hoping to see a hint of amazement on his face.

Ye Qingfeng merely glanced at it and nodded:

"good."

The local earth god's heart skipped a beat.

good?

Is that all the reaction you're going to get?

It gritted its teeth, walked to the second box, and took out a...

A spiked club.

The spiked club was over ten feet long, jet black, and covered with countless sharp spikes.

Each spike was as thick as a finger, gleaming coldly, and just looking at it made one's scalp tingle.