Chapter 179.2: Forcing Growth? Wrong, Even the Earth God Is Powerful!

Xu Youping returned to Sandstone Town with a heavy heart. Upon arriving, he headed straight for the divine temple. "Paying my respects to Lord God"

Their god was called Ruo Yu, a peak Violet Palace divine being. He was clad in white robes, with a single feather tucked into his hair. Ruo Yu had slightly sunken eyes and a weary look on his face, as though exhaustion had seeped into his very soul.

"You went to Clearwater Village. Did you meet that ancient god?" Ruo Yu said.

Aside from Sandstone Town, nearly every other town and villages beneath them had converted to the new gods. Qiyuann Sovereign of Clearwater Village was a rare exception. Not only that, he had already slain several new gods in succession, making him highly conspicuous in the surrounding region. Many gods had taken notice of him. However, Clearwater Village belonged to Gale Wind Town. The more powerful new gods had yet to intervene, waiting for Qiyuann Sovereign to make a move.

"I didn't meet him," Xu Youping replied, then hesitated. "But something happened today that was shocking."

Ruo Yu's interest was piqued. "

Hmm

?"

Xu Youping proceeded to recount everything that had happened.

Astonishment flashed across Ruo Yu’s eyes. "An even stronger agriculture god than Great Venerable Youlong? Strange. I've never heard of such a god."

Although memories of his previous life had already awakened, he still didn’t recognize that god in the slightest.

Xu Youping said excitedly, "If that god came to Sandstone Town, our grain output would multiply several times over every year. We'd never have to worry about hunger again!"

Ruo Yu nodded in agreement. "That's true."

And yet, there wasn't much excitement in his heart. So what if agricultural yields increased tenfold, or even a hundredfold? It wouldn't change the overall situation. The threat from the other six towns was already pressing in.

Ancient God Yuan had not shown himself for a very long time. Dangerous currents were surging beneath the calm surface of Feihuang City. Only true strength could break the deadlock.

Even if Clearwater Village’s harvests became more bountiful than ever and they stockpiled grain in abundance, once Sarwolf acted, wouldn’t all of it end up in his grasp?

"What do you think of Qiyuann Sovereign?" Ruo Yu asked.

"He must’ve held an extremely high status in the ancient times," Xu Youping replied solemnly. "He's already produced two God Visualization Arts, one Rare and one Epic. With a few decades of time and a treasure that could break the barrier to True God, he might truly ascend just like the Ancient God Yuan."

Hearing this, the worry in Ruo Yu’s eyes only deepened. Not long ago, members of the Five Great Families had secretly contacted the evil gods of the other six towns. They seemed to be plotting something major. The god felt an impending sense of crisis. There wasn’t much time left.

"Send word to the god of Clearwater Village," Ruo Yu said at last, devoid of emotion. "Tell him that Feihuang City may soon face a great upheaval. He should be prepared, and if the outcome becomes inevitable, survival must come first."

Xu Youping's excitement was doused, as though cold water had been poured over his head.

"Lord God, is the situation truly that dire?" he asked softly.

***

Clearwater Village.

Shi Zhongshan arrived with an elderly man behind him, curiosity evident in his eyes.

"Yulei, why did Lord God ask us to bring people skilled in farming?"

Each village chief had brought along the most knowledgeable old farmer from their village.

Chen Xifan pondered aloud. "Could it be related to what happened in the fields today?"

Earlier that day, every field had undergone a sudden transformation. Seedlings shot skyward and crops ripened instantly. Such a miracle had stunned everyone.

"Lord God has comprehended a new God Visualization Art," Yulei said, puffing on his long pipe, his tone faintly unbalanced. "He intends to bestow it upon those proficient in agriculture."

Shi Zhongshan and Chen Xifan's hearts jolted.

"A new God Visualization Art?"

"Bestowed upon those skilled in farming?"

"

Uh...

If I start learning farming now, can I still make it in time?"

The village chiefs were consumed by envy. After learning one, Zhu Zhuangshi's dog’s status had skyrocketed. It now sat at the banquet table alongside humans. How could they not be jealous?

The elderly farmers responsible for agriculture were overjoyed, their excitement palpable.

"I have a chance to view a God Visualization Art?"

"Lord God is eternal!"

Under Yulei's guidance, a dozen or so people entered the temple, kowtowing in worship before stepping inside. They saw Qi Yuan seated with eyes closed, creating a cultivation method.

"Is everyone here?" Qi Yuan opened his eyes and went straight to the point. "These are the ones skilled in agriculture?"

"Yes!" the elderly men replied in unison, barely able to contain their joy.

Qi Yuan tossed the glowing scripture into the air. "I’m granting this God Visualization Art for you to contemplate together."

Yulei, Shi Zhongshan, Chen Xifan, and the others stared at the golden radiance, their eyes turning red with desire. It was an Epic-tier art, one destined to give rise to a True God! Chen Xifan was practically drooling.

Meanwhile, the elderly farmers knelt and thanked Qi Yuan before beginning their focused contemplation.

Standing to the side, Chen Xifan couldn’t help but ask Qi Yuan, "Lord God, could I maybe take a look at Big Black Dog's visualization art? I've been spending a lot of time learning from the village dogs lately..."

Shi Zhongshan cursed Chen Xifan inwardly for his shamelessness.

How could he even say such a thing?!

He quickly stood as well. "Lord God! Just the other day, I swore brotherhood with Big Black Dog. I yearn deeply for that method as well!"

Qi Yuan glanced at the two of them, amusement in his eyes. "That God Visualization Art's level is limited. At best, it can only produce a single True God. I won't show it to you."

After all, ten Violet Palace cultivators were no match for one True God.

The two men were left speechless.

A True God?

Even their wildest dreams fell short of reaching that far. Becoming a Violet Palace cultivator already felt impossibly extravagant. And yet, Lord God seemed to be aiming for the True God realm! He was giving them far too much credit! A backwater mountain village producing a True God? They might as well say their ancestors' graves were emitting divine smoke.

"Today, we continue hunting evil gods, then we feast," Qi Yuan said casually. "The stronger the evil gods, the more God Visualization Arts there will be. Don't worry, you will get your fair share in the future. Prepare yourselves. We march!"

The crowd erupted with joy. "Understood!"

However, a few faces still held traces of worry that their god was simply painting them a beautiful dream.

***

In Feihuang City.

Huang Mengying gazed out the window at the fine drizzle. Worry lingered in her gaze as she propped her chin in her hands.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and a man in fitted combat attire entered.

The worry in her gaze vanished instantly, replaced by cold composure. "Well?"

The man lowered his head, his expression grim. "Some time ago, the five great clans contacted the evil gods of the various towns. It seems they're plotting something significant."

A chill ran through Huang Mengying's heart. "Could they be summoning a new god?"

So the five great clans had finally reached this point. It seemed they no longer bothered to hide their intentions.

"That seems likely," the man replied.

"Pass down the order," Huang Mengying said decisively. "Stockpile more medicinal herbs. Also, send people to the neighboring cities. Buy herbs at any price, and bring back as many physicians as possible."

She had a fairly clear idea of which new god they intended to summon: one associated with illnesses. In the coming days, the clans and those new gods would almost certainly spread disease. Unfortunately, Huang Mengying’s side had no way to slay the evil gods, nor could they stop the epidemics entirely. All they could do was mitigate the damage and ensure that fewer people died.

"Yes, ma'am," the man replied.

Then, Huang Mengying seemed to recall something. "What about the ancient god from Clearwater Village?"

He had left an impression on her.

"According to reports from below, he's captured several more of the new gods’ villages."

Huang Mengying couldn't help but sigh. "A rare ancient god who truly despises evil. What a pity his strength is still lacking. He doesn’t have much time left."

In such a chaotic era, those who believed in ancient gods had no real path to survival. Worshipping the new gods only resulted in a brief respite. In the long run, they would be assimilated and stripped of all individuality. Huang Mengying couldn’t bear to see the land where she had grown up reduced to a city of walking corpses.

After a brief pause, she asked, "And what about contact with the Ancient God Alliance?"

The man's expression darkened. "The Ancient God Alliance has no manpower to spare for Feihuang City. Their liaison said that if we abandon the city, they could offer assistance."

Huang Mengying's voice hardened. "Do not mention leaving ever again."

How could she abandon her homeland? How could she stand by and watch millions turn into soulless husks?

After a moment's thought, she added, "Find an opportunity to pass the Ancient God Alliance's message to the ancient god of Clearwater Village. He has considerable potential. If he finds them in the future, he might become a True God one day."