Please be my partner.

However, interpersonal relationships are not such a simple matter, and Dong Xiao clearly did not intend to do so.

Mellen feigned ignorance and said, "I'm still a little confused about the current situation. Would you mind explaining it to me?"

Dong Xiao said, "You must have accidentally wandered into the City God's domain. This is the realm of the underworld, not a place for a living person like you. But don't worry, I'll send you back to the mortal world right now."

"You don't need to worry about being troubled after you go back. The Yin-Yang Division has special magic that will blur your memory of this period. You will just feel like you had a dream."

To this, Mellen neither confirmed nor denied, and continued to ask, "Who were those who just attacked us?"

Dong Xiao turned around and glanced at the dilapidated street, shaking his head and sighing, "They're nothing but pathetic ghosts chasing after the light of humanity."

"Those are just the most ordinary ghosts. They entered the City God's domain in a daze, yearning for the light of humanity, but unable to get close. So they can only wander around the very edge of the City God's domain all day long, waiting to dissipate naturally."

“The City God’s Realm is connected to Fengshan City. Occasionally, there are people like you who accidentally wander in. Whenever this happens, the ghosts that linger on the edge of the City God’s Realm will be alerted and instinctively launch an attack.”

"Are you just going to let them gather there without doing anything about it?" Mellen asked curiously.

Dong Xiao smiled wryly, "Manage? How can we manage them? Even if we wipe out a batch, more will gather in no time. It's impossible to control them. It's said that the Yin-Yang Division used to frequently send forces to clear them out, but they gradually stopped doing so. Everyone knows this tacitly. After all..."

Dong Xiao reached out and let the light shining from inside the City God's domain fall into his palm, and continued, "Although these ghosts instinctively yearn for the light of humanity, they simply cannot withstand even a sliver of that light."

Looking at the ghostly creature hiding in the shadows of the dilapidated street, four words popped into Mellen's mind... unattainable desire.

Next, Mellen and Dong Xiao chatted casually. Perhaps because Dong Xiao thought that Mellen would be subjected to a forgetting spell and would not remember anything even if he knew it, Dong Xiao did not hide anything from him about some non-sensitive issues.

Mei Lun learned that Dong Xiao was not a constable, but a Yin soldier belonging to the Yin-Yang Division. The Yin-Yang Division assisted the City God in supervising the Yin and Yang realms. The patrol, security, and arrests in the City God's territory and Fengshan City were all under the jurisdiction of the Yin-Yang Division, which naturally had its own Yin soldiers and generals.

Correspondingly, there is also the Bureau of Swift Reports, which is in charge of all external affairs, and the ghost soldiers and generals in it are often even more ferocious.

Seeing that Dong Xiao had led him to the gate of the Yin-Yang Bureau, Mellen stopped and said to Dong Xiao with a slight apology, "Brother Dong, thank you for leading the way, but I have some things to do in this City God Realm and I don't plan to leave for the time being."

For some reason, Dong Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely felt that something was wrong, but he still forced a smile and said, "Brother Mellen, you wouldn't be looking for your dead relatives and friends in the City God Realm, would you?"

"Let me tell you, this folk legend is not credible. After people die, they go directly into the underworld for reincarnation and do not stay in the City God's realm at all. Don't be fooled."

Mellen smiled slightly and said, "You guessed right. I am indeed here to see someone, but not a relative or friend."

Seeing that Mellen had bypassed the Underworld and was heading towards a more central area, Dong Xiao quickly blocked Mellen's way and said, "Brother Mellen, the Underworld has strict rules; you can't just wander in!"

Dong Xiao gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Mellen, you might as well tell me who you're looking for. Don't underestimate me just because I'm a lowly soldier in the underworld. I actually have some connections and might be able to help you."

Mellen looked at Dong Xiao in surprise, not expecting him to say that. However, he could sense that Dong Xiao meant no harm and seemed genuinely worried that he would get into trouble by wandering around.

Mellen chuckled and said, "Brother Dong, I'm afraid you can't help me with the person I'm looking for."

Dong Xiaolian asked, "How do you know I can't help if you don't tell me?!"

Mellen laughed and said, "I'm looking for the City God."

Dong Xiao seemed to choke for a moment, pausing for a long time before saying with a wry smile, "Brother Mellen, this is no joke. The City God is a man of great esteem. Even the heads of the various underworld departments need to report in advance if they want to see him. You... sigh!"

Mellen gently patted Dong Xiao's shoulder, and a force invaded, instantly freezing the latter in place: "A mere City God, he doesn't have the ability to refuse my meeting."

As he spoke, he walked past Dong Xiao and headed deeper into the City God's domain.

Once inside the City God's domain, the environment was completely transformed from the dilapidated outside. Towering buildings stood majestically, each adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, and divine beasts guarding the city, showcasing the City God's majesty and nobility.

The glazed tiles on the roof ridge, illuminated by the light of humanity, reflected a dazzling brilliance, like stars lighting up the sky.

In front of each department, there are different stone sculptures of mythical beasts, each seemingly representing a different meaning. Of course, Mellen doesn't know much about these things.

Walking here, you can feel the weight of history. With every breath, you can almost smell the ancient woody fragrance and the air mixed with spices, like some kind of sandalwood, but with a distinct difference.

As Mellen, a man with the aura of a living person, swaggered through the sacred grounds of the City God, he naturally attracted attention very quickly. A group of ghost soldiers rushed over, not intending to ask any questions, but rather to take him away and imprison him, and interrogate him later in the Underworld prison.

Of course, Mellen wouldn't let them have their way; a talisman exploded, freezing them all in place.

Soon, a group of Yin generals arrived with a large number of Yin soldiers, but they still could not escape being immobilized.

This caused an uproar in the City God's realm. All the major officials, generals, and judges appeared one after another, and even the City God himself displayed his divine power, transforming into a magnificent divine figure standing high in the sky, looking down on Mellen.

Seeing this, Mellen chuckled to himself, "I told you it wouldn't be difficult, but this is quite a grand affair."

A judge shouted, "Who goes there? How dare you trespass into the territory of my Fengshan City God! Do you know your crime?!"

As the judge spoke, a vast and oppressive aura emanated from the entire City God Realm. Under this targeted pressure, even the Ghost King's strength would likely be reduced by more than 50%.

Even those who are included in the register, as long as their rank is lower than that of the City God, will also be subject to varying degrees of suppression.

But this didn't work for Mellen!

Although Mellen's humanistic rank has not yet reached the level of City God due to time constraints, his understanding of the power of humanity far exceeds the limitations of that level. The power of the City God's domain not only does not oppress him, but he can even directly counter the power of the City God's domain if he only needs to delay for a short while.

However, given Mellen's increasingly powerful strength, he could deal with the City God even without resorting to tricks; it would just require a bit more effort.

The method of commanding the gods originated from Melon. The gods who were transformed naturally contributed a portion of Melon's power. After subduing the demons of Wushan, Melon was greatly enhanced. After subduing the Blood Flame Demon King and his forces, his power expanded even more significantly.

This is also the source of Mellen's confidence in venturing alone into the City God's domain.

Mellen had no intention of engaging in pointless verbal sparring; he went straight to action.

As talismans were drawn, an invisible spatial force began to stir and converge.

Sensing that the entire City God's domain was being affected, the City God was enraged and immediately ordered an attack.

In an instant, countless attacks rained down on Mellen.

He is bound by the rules of the underworld; he is struck by the clash of swords and spears; he possesses the art of ink painting, his brushstrokes transforming into sharp edges...

But in just a moment, the City God's expression changed several times, and he shouted to stop.

Because, under this overwhelming attack, the City God not only felt that he had not harmed the invaders, but the power of the City God's domain was being constantly depleted. It felt like he was using his own spear to pierce his own shield.

Sure enough, when the dust settled, Mellen stood there unharmed, still rapidly drawing talismans, surrounded by the power of the City God's domain.

The City God stared in disbelief and exclaimed, "You...you...how could this be...?!"

Mellen drew the last talisman and then laughed, "The real surprise is yet to come."

As the last talisman merged into the void, the entire City God Realm instantly flipped, and Mellen briefly gained control of it.

Whether it's the City God or the officials below him, such as the chief judge, generals, and judges, they all exist within the City God's domain. Mellen's move to undermine their power created a reverse suppression effect on them that was even greater than that of the invading ghosts. For a time, they couldn't even move.

Mellen stepped into the void and slowly ascended the steps, arriving before the City God.

Upon closer inspection, the City God, a middle-aged man, exuded an air of majesty and nobility, which fits some of the stereotypes in Mellen's mind.

At this moment, the City God's eyes were wide with rage. If looks could be lethal, Mellen would surely have been torn to pieces by now.

A divine command talisman appeared at the tip of Mellen's finger and floated lightly into the City God's body.

"Whether you want to live or die is up to you."

Chapter 682 Extraordinary People

The City God unsurprisingly made the right choice.

Feeling the completely different power surging within his body, the City God's face was filled with bewilderment and shock as he murmured, "This...this is..."

Mellen laughed and said, "In the past, no matter how glamorous you appeared on the outside, you were nothing more than a ghost in essence. But now, you are a true deity, worthy of the title 'City God'."

The City God's gaze became unfocused, as if Mellen's words had helped him understand many things.

After a long while, the City God looked at Melon with a complicated expression, his lips trembling as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't bring himself to speak.

Mellen casually said, "From now on, you can call me God."

The City God breathed a sigh of relief and respectfully said, "Yes, Lord God."

Mellen looked down at the frozen crowd and said, "You know what to do next, right?"

"Also, the Blood Flame Ghost King of Fire Flame Mountain, like you, has become my subordinate. I plan to relocate the humans from Fire Flame Mountain here and bring them into a stable order. Please make the arrangements."

The City God said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will handle everything properly."

Mellen nodded slightly and prepared to leave, but then remembered something and casually said, "Hmm, Dong Xiao is not bad. He is very serious about his work, and I admire him."

After saying that, without waiting for the City God's response, his figure flashed and disappeared.

After Mellen left, the City God regained control of the City God's domain, and the officials, generals, and judges who had been immobilized resumed their movements and immediately surrounded him.

The chief priest, generals, judges, and even all the spirits existing in the entire City God's realm are inextricably linked to the City God; their fates are truly intertwined.

Therefore, after the City God briefly explained the situation, he didn't have to put in much effort to get everyone on Mellen's 'chariot'.

Once everything had settled down, the City God suddenly asked, "Do any of you know someone named Dong Xiao?"

"Dong Xiao?"

The high-ranking figures in the City God's domain looked at each other, while only the head of the Yin-Yang Division showed a hint of hesitation.

The City God immediately noticed the unusual behavior of the Director of the Yin-Yang Division and asked, "Minister Dong, have you discovered anything?"

The head of the Yin-Yang Division had no choice but to say, "Reporting to the master, not long ago a junior member of our clan entered the City God's domain. His name is Dong Xiao, and he is currently in the Yin-Yang Division."

To be honest, Dong Xiao and the head of the Yin-Yang Division did have some connection, but in reality, their relationship had long since transcended the five degrees of kinship; otherwise, Dong Xiao wouldn't have been just a patrolling soldier.

The City God casually asked, "What is Dong Xiao's current position?"

The head of the Yin-Yang Bureau quickly replied, "He's just a patrol soldier, responsible for patrolling the edge of the City God's territory on a regular basis."

The City God nodded slightly and said, "That is a bit of a waste of talent."

That topic is settled. The next thing everyone is discussing is how to complete the task assigned by Mellen.

However, the next day, Hong Qihua and his men were severely punished for several crimes, including dereliction of duty and embezzlement of military merits. Dong Xiao, who belonged to Hong Qihua's team, became a typical example of a positive role model and was rewarded. He was immediately promoted to team leader, and his patrol area was changed from the edge of the City God's territory, which was disliked by everyone, to the inner city, where there was more money and comfort.

After leaving the City God's domain, Mellen returned to Fengshan City. He tossed a transparent crystal about the size of a thumb into his hand. This was actually a wisp of the City God's thoughts, which contained a lot of information about the City God.

After reading the information, Murren was speechless.

Indeed, as Mellen guessed, although the City God belongs to the order camp under the influence of humanitarian forces, this does not mean that all City Gods are 'good people'.

Because there is a natural conflict of interest between the City Gods, namely the population, all City Gods can be said to have a potential competitive relationship.

Even if city gods who are close to each other reach some alliance agreements, such alliance agreements are usually limited to trade and economic matters. Offensive and defensive alliances do exist, but they are rare. Even if relevant agreements are signed, if a city god is attacked by ghosts, other allied city gods may not necessarily lend a helping hand in time.

After all, if we assume the worst, when the city protected by the City God is breached, it means that a large number of refugees will appear.

The relationships between the City Gods are intricate and complex, much like a six-person girls' dormitory with seventeen WeChat groups.

However, this is actually a good thing for Mellen, since the more scattered they are, the easier it is for Mellen to conquer them.

When Mellen found Old Man Yu, the latter looked haggard and his eyes were bloodshot, as if he hadn't rested at all during this time.

Seeing this, Mellen said, "Elder Yu, you don't need to rush to make a decision. As I said, we will reserve enough positions for the human race."

Old Master You stared intently at Mellen, remaining silent for a long time before finally asking, "You went to see the City God of Fengshan City before? What was the result?"

Mellen laughed and said, "Whatever the result."

With this attitude, there was no need to ask any further questions. Old Master You closed his eyes, then slowly opened them and said, "I believe you, but I also have to be responsible for my old friends. Let me experience your divine command method first."

"Are you sure?" Mellen asked.

Old Master You nodded slightly.

Without hesitation, Mellen drew a divine command talisman and shot it toward Elder You.

With divine light shining brightly and special care from Melen, Old Man Yu's transformation into a deity proceeded very smoothly.

Once the transformation was complete, Old Man You looked at his new body in disbelief. Not only were his long-standing injuries healed... no, perhaps it wasn't a cure, but rather a complete transformation... his power had reached an unprecedented level, far surpassing his peak strength.

Elder You could clearly sense that this was just the beginning, and that his strength would grow rapidly over time. At least for now, he couldn't see where the bottleneck was.

Old Man Yu looked at Mellen and an instinctive feeling immediately arose in his heart that the man before him was the master he needed to serve, and that every word he spoke was absolutely correct, inviolable, an iron law, a truth, and that he should fight for it for the rest of his life, until the end of his life.

“This is really…” Old Yu sighed. He wanted to say, ‘This is really terrible,’ but before the thought could fully form, it was replaced by some new thoughts.

And all of these new ideas, without exception, made him respect Mellen even more.

Mellen calmly explained, "As I've said before, the Shinto system has many drawbacks, one of which is the ability to tamper with thoughts. Don't worry, your loyalty is meaningless to me. I will lift the restrictions once everything has stabilized, but not now."

Old Master You nodded solemnly, appearing to agree.

"Well then," Mellen asked, "you seem to be prepared to recommend some people to me."

Old Master You said, "That's right. Although I went into seclusion in Fengshan City after I became disheartened, I made many brothers when I was young. They were all extraordinary people with special abilities."

Mellen nodded slightly and said, "Then, I'll leave it to you, Elder Yu, to gather them here."

……

In a mortuary nestled in a dark mountain forest, besides rows of neatly arranged coffins, there is an old man dressed in a simple Taoist robe.

With a flapping sound of wings, a yellow paper crane landed on one of the coffins, and it even preened its feathers like a real bird.