Shulong Daojun

In the coming spring, a light rain falls like butter, the grass is shrouded in mist, and orioles sing sweetly.

Inside the rear hall, Lin Shu looked at the plum blossom painting on the table and smiled with satisfaction.

The eighty-one plum blossoms on it are lightly tinged with rouge. The faint red that used to spread out gradually becomes more and more vibrant as the day goes by. Now, when you look at it, it is already lush and full, with the joy of welcoming spring.

It perfectly embodies the four-character phrase: "Winter hibernation, spring growth."

At this time, the four seasons proceed in their course, and all things come into being.

Within Qingwu City, the phoenix trees are sprouting new shoots, with tender green buds faintly emerging from their branches, creating a thriving scene. Every household has also begun to busy themselves with agricultural work.

The new city is also showing a new look.

Although the earthen houses have not yet been built, earthen walls have already been erected, forming rows of earthen houses that are arranged in a staggered and orderly manner, resembling a city.

During the coldest days of winter, people live in this place.

Major issues are rare, but minor issues are frequent, such as disputes over land allocation or arguments over saving face.

However, with the land guards on duty, they coordinated and handled the situation, each taking their own responsibility, thus preventing any major trouble.

In addition, Lin Shu often went to the new city to check on things and brought Qing Min to comfort people. As a result, the eighty-one days were peaceful and the forty-five achievements were all accomplished.

However, to his surprise, after nine rounds, Heaven and Earth added another stroke to complete the final task of protecting the city throughout the winter:

"Having protected the people throughout the winter, ensuring their survival, and with the success achieved, I hereby bestow upon you thirty merits."

It was no small sum, and Lin Shu was unexpectedly overjoyed.

After a few breaths, he finally calmed his mind and continued to consider the follow-up arrangements for Qingwu City and the new city.

The path of spiritual cultivation is often summarized in four words: Dharma, companions, wealth, and place.

For the first three, he already possesses profound skills, or has like-minded people, or has Dharma support; he can proceed step by step.

But this last one...

Lin Shu thought of this, his eyes flickered slightly, he pondered for a moment, picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote four characters on the plum blossom painting: Zhenxia Qiyuan.

As winter fades and spring arrives, changes will surely occur in the land.

With a sudden inspiration, he transformed his brush into a scroll and mounted the painting of plum blossoms inside the hall. He then summoned Qi Yannian and two other county gods, along with a group of local earth gods in blue robes, to discuss matters.

However, before Lin Shu could even speak, a local deity stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Excellency, I have come across an item that I do not know its origin, but it is of extraordinary origin and must be a treasure. Therefore, I present it to you."

Lin Shu raised an eyebrow: "Oh, what is it?"

The landowner dared not delay, and quickly took out something from his bosom, held it in his palm, and respectfully handed it over.

Its shape resembles snake scales, but its texture is like ice, emitting a faint chill, and it is gradually melting and shrinking.

"It looks familiar..." Lin Shu thought to himself as he looked at it.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he narrowed his eyes and whispered to the earth god, "Was this dropped by the white python when it was slithering around?"

"Your Excellency has discerning eyes," the local deity praised, and then explained in detail: "The area under my jurisdiction is far from the city and is quite remote."

During the coldest days of winter, as I was routinely inspecting my jurisdiction, I suddenly saw a celestial being riding a python, displaying truly extraordinary divine power.

At this point, the land was filled with envy. After a pause, it continued, "However, the white python was extremely ferocious, and it seemed to be going mad, recklessly crashing its body around everywhere."

The earth immortal seemed to have some reservations, only suppressing most of its ferocity and casting a spell to protect the surroundings, then letting it run wild.

I dared not approach and could only watch from afar.

Only after the Supreme Emperor's python had gone far away did he breathe a sigh of relief and continue his patrol.

To my surprise, this was discovered; it was truly a rare find.

The land smacked its lips, its eyes widened slightly, and then it gave an awkward smile. "I was thinking of offering it up then."

However, considering that the adults were busy with their affairs and that the weather was at its coldest at that time, it was more important to protect the people through the winter, so the matter was temporarily put aside.

However, due to oversight, I forgot about it for a while.

It wasn't until the lord summoned us that I brought it with me and took this opportunity to hurriedly report this. I hope the lord will not be offended.

After saying this, his expression tightened, and he quickly bowed.

Lin Shu glanced at him with a half-smile, said nothing more, nodded slightly, and said, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

The land dared not raise its head, but bent its waist, holding up the object in its hands with even greater respect.

Seeing this, Lin Shu casually grabbed it and held it in his palm, examining it closely.

It is indeed a fine treasure, carrying a faint hint of the power to conceal all things. It would be quite good for alchemy or to aid in enlightenment.

However, it is formed by the heavens and the four seasons, and cannot be refined by human power.

The cultivation level of a Human Immortal is certainly out of the question, but the Earth Immortal level...

Although Lin Shu did not know whether it was possible, he knew that if he refined it, it would be a troublesome thing that would incur karmic debts to heaven and earth, and he would need to use his own power to assist the great cycle of heaven and earth.

After all, this item was originally intended for this purpose.

If one place is missing, another will make up for it.

The four seasons of heaven and earth correspond to the movement of "qi", thus generating, flourishing, gathering, and hibernating.

Those who specialize in this path belong to the Primordial lineage.

He belongs to the Taiyi lineage and cultivates the word "nothingness," which is "the ultimate Dao before the appearance of Qi."

The two are unrelated, so the thing in my hand is like a chicken rib.

Not to mention that it is now springtime, and things from winter are out of season and will naturally disappear into the world.

This is also why the land was offered up.

Useless! Thinking of this, Lin Shu smiled helplessly, casually placed it on the table, and then wanted to discuss the spring with Qi Yannian and others.

However, as he looked at the group of righteous gods, a thought struck him, and he said calmly, "This thing that fell from the white python was born in accordance with the time of heaven, and it is not something you can handle."

If you happen to find it within our jurisdiction, please do not have any ill intentions.

Upon hearing this, all the gods were startled. After exchanging a secret glance, their hearts sank: A warning! These words must be a warning from the God of Manifestation to us.

They had all secretly kept quite a few of those snake-scaled items.

Whoever lets something fall into their territory and finds it, it belongs to them.

The white python has an extraordinary origin, and what it carries is certainly no ordinary thing.

It is indeed too extraordinary, and I can't figure out its purpose at all.

I wanted to think about it some more, but after hearing what the Immortal God said...

Qi Yannian seemed to understand something, cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "My lord, I also happened to find this item on my way to the Temple of the Gods."

I had intended to ask the adults for advice on how to handle this, but after hearing their words, I knew the best course of action was to leave it to them.

As he spoke, he flipped his hand and took out an object the size of a washbasin, covered with scales, and gently placed it on the table.

The scales on the surface showed an unusual color, which surprised me slightly.

There are so many of these?

The thought had barely formed in his mind when a hearty laugh rang out: "Isn't this a coincidence? Brother Qi picked up a piece, and so did I."

"Sir, look, the one I found is quite large."

Upon hearing the sound, Lin Shu looked over and saw Xiong Shan, as if presenting a treasure, laughing heartily as he took out an object the size of a millstone and respectfully placed it on the ground.

The next second, before he could speak, half of the figures among the group of blue-robed earth spirits followed suit, each taking out an item and placing it in front of them.

They come in all shapes and sizes, large and small, thick and thin, and are covered with scales.

Lin Shu stared at the scene before him, and fell silent for a moment.

It wasn't that the white python had too many things on its body, but rather that there were too many righteous gods who had ulterior motives.