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

The mountain god took a deep breath—though it was only a remnant of consciousness, the action was exceptionally solemn.

"The immortal just saw it. The evil spirit in that earth god temple has taken over my temple, stolen my incense, and devoured countless people. I was powerless to expel it when I was alive, and I can do nothing about it after I die."

It paused:

"But in these 100,000 mountains, there is more than just one evil spirit. There are also the mountain people, hunters, herb gatherers, corpse drivers, spirit mediums, and shamans."

They have made their living in these mountains for generations, respecting and fearing the mountain god, and praying for his protection.

"When I'm alive, I can protect them. When I'm dead, who will protect them?"

Ye Qingfeng remained silent.

The mountain god continued:

"My old mountain god seal is the foundation of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and is the position of a true god conferred by Heaven and Earth."

After I die, it will be ownerless and will find a new owner on its own.

"But that will take time. Maybe a few years, maybe decades, maybe hundreds of years."

Its voice carried a hint of pleading:

"During this period, without the suppression of the mountain gods, those evil spirits will become more and more rampant. Those mountain people will suffer more and more."

"I beg the immortals to help me find a suitable person to inherit this Mountain God Seal."

It looked at Ye Qingfeng, its eyes full of expectation:

"The immortal only needs to provide a little guidance so that Na Yin can find someone with a pure heart who is willing to protect this mountain. Na Yin will then take care of the rest."

Ye Qingfeng remained silent.

The mountain god waited a while, but received no response, so he quickly said:

"If the immortal is willing to personally appoint someone as the new mountain god, I will have no complaints. The immortal has enabled me to wake up this time, and I trust the immortal."

As it spoke, the faint figure swayed a few more times, and the light dimmed even further.

Ye Qingfeng looked at it and suddenly spoke:

"Aren't you afraid that I'll take this seal and claim the position of mountain god for myself?"

The mountain god paused for a moment, then smiled.

There was not a trace of doubt in that smile, only a kind of knowing composure:

"The immortal just wiped the dirt off my face without asking for anything in return. The immortal's heart is more steadfast than these 100,000 mountains."

"Would someone like that care about my meager possessions?"

Ye Qingfeng looked at it and remained silent for a moment.

Then he nodded slightly.

"If it's just about finding you a position as a mountain god, that would be fine too."

The mountain god's eyes lit up.

The light was already quite dim, but those eyes shone exceptionally brightly in that instant.

Although Ye Qingfeng overcame the tribulation himself to attain the Heavenly Immortal Dao Fruit, without this ordeal, it's uncertain when he would have become an immortal.

The mountain god listened, a look of realization flashing in his eyes.

Ye Qingfeng looked at it and said calmly:

"This matter is related to you. I have received your kindness, and naturally I should repay you with a reward."

The mountain god opened his mouth, as if to say something, but found that he could not say anything.

Finally, it simply bowed deeply, its faint figure bending low:

"Thank you, Immortal."

As soon as he finished speaking, a golden light suddenly shone from the chest of the stone statue.

The golden light carried an aura of grandeur and majesty, seemingly about to soar into the sky. The mountain god's expression was somewhat ferocious, as if he wanted to control it.

However, it proved to be extremely difficult.

Ye Qingfeng didn't speak. With a wave of his Daoist robe, the golden light that had been blooming was instantly contained within a small area.

"Thank you so much for your help, immortal!"

In the light, a palm-sized seal slowly emerged.

The seal was made entirely of green jade, square in shape, and engraved with patterns of mountains and rivers.

The seal knob is a coiled Qilin, so lifelike that it seems ready to come to life at any moment.

The voice of the mountain god came:

"This is the Mountain God Seal of the Ten Thousand Mountains. With it, one can control the fortune of the Ten Thousand Mountains, command all the evil spirits in the mountains, and mobilize the power of this world."

Ye Qingfeng remained silent for a moment, as if he had remembered something, and finally reached out and took the seal.

Upon handling the seal, it felt warm and smooth like jade, and one could faintly sense the immense power it contained.

That power is connected to these 100,000 mountains and resonates with this world.

He tucked the seal into his sleeve and looked at the mountain god:

"Is there anything else?"

The mountain god paused for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face, and the corners of the stone statue's mouth actually curved upwards.

"There's one more thing."

As it spoke, the light flickered a few more times, and suddenly a tiny thing floated out from between the stone statue's eyebrows.

The thing was only the size of a fingernail, and it was entirely emerald green, like a tiny seed.

Yet, as it floated in the air, it emitted a faint spiritual light, and one could faintly smell a delicate fragrance.

The mountain god said:

"This is a seed of a celestial gourd that I obtained when I was young. A true celestial gourd can contain heaven and earth, hold all things, and transform everything into wine. I nurtured it for thousands of years before it produced this one seed."

The light dimmed slightly.

"Unfortunately, after the chasm collapsed, this immortal gourd also lost its spiritual power, leaving only this one seed. Although it still retains some of its mystique, it is far less powerful than before."

It looked at the seed, its gaze filled with reluctance:

"It's of no use to me now. If the immortal doesn't mind, please accept it. With careful nurturing, it will gradually regain its spirituality. Perhaps it will come in handy in the future."

Ye Qingfeng reached out and took the seed.

The seeds felt slightly cool to the touch, and you could feel a faint spark of life inside, gently pulsating.

He tucked the seeds into his sleeve and looked at the mountain god:

"What else?"

The mountain god shook his head:

"That's all. I've said everything I needed to say."

The light grew weaker and weaker, and the black grime on the stone statue began to spread slowly again.

The erased parts are being gradually covered up again.

The mountain god's voice grew weaker and weaker:

"Immortal... there's something I've always wanted to ask..."

Ye Qingfeng looked at it.

The mountain god struggled to speak:

"Is the immortal... really just passing by?"

Ye Qingfeng remained silent for a moment.

The mountain god's eyes were full of anticipation.

The black grime had spread to its nose.

Ye Qingfeng suddenly spoke:

"This humble Taoist comes from Biyou Palace in the East Sea."

He can use this title with ease now, it comes naturally to him.

Since the other party has tacitly agreed, then he may use it.

The mountain god was stunned.

The light suddenly flickered, becoming brighter than ever before.

"Bi...Biyou Palace..."

Its voice trembled, filled with an indescribable shock.

The black grime had already climbed onto its lower eyelids.

But its eyes revealed a smile.

A genuine smile.

"I see... I see..."

The light grew weaker and weaker, dimmer and dimmer.

Finally, a voice came from the darkness, so faint as to be almost inaudible:

"Thank you for informing me, Immortal..."

The stone statue was completely swallowed by blackness.

The light disappeared.

Inside the dilapidated temple, only a black stone statue remained, standing there silently.

The moonlight shone in and fell on the stone statue, making only a blurry outline visible.

But the corners of his mouth, as outlined, seemed to still carry a hint of a smile.

Ye Qingfeng stood there, staring at the stone statue, without moving for a long time.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the rain and mist drifted by. When things became clear again, there was no one in sight.

Even the mountain god temple has vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed.

......