She began to collect Incense Fire Divine Power again, following the Divine Dao Technique inherited in the Divine Talisman. Specks of 'Stove Fire' appeared, starting to forge the Divine Office, re-conceiving special buildings like the Fire God Hall, but most of the Divine Power was still infused into her Divine Body, and she began her cultivation in the manner of a True God.
The birth of the Kitchen God sent threads of Divine Light straight into the sky, with flames like red clouds swirling around the outskirts of Fengyang County, forming a radiant halo.
This transformation was visible to the True Gods among the surrounding mountains and waters.
"Kitchen God?"
Inside the City God Temple, City God Chen Qingyuan appeared, holding a Golden Sword, surrounded by a thick cloud of incense smoke that condensed into a Divine Light shrouding behind him. He frowned.
In that Divine Light, though the Divine Office had just emerged, its potential was great.
"If such a being can be incorporated into the City God Department, it will surely be a huge benefit!"
A glimmer flashed in Chen Qingyuan's eyes.
According to feedback from the Sheji Divine Dao, this newly born True God was not under the control of the City God system.
Nor did it belong to the gods of mountains, rivers, and domains.
But a being like this, if subdued and incorporated into the City God system, could often become a great assistance.
His Divine Power gathered around him, and strands of majestic City God Divine Department's power probed towards the outskirts of Fengyang County.
He could hardly suppress the heat in his heart.
Even he could see that the Divine Position of the Kitchen God was quite peculiar.
But in an instant, a dense, icy blue Divine Light flew from Bai Shui, crashing onto the City God Divine Department.
A violent booming sound erupted.
Golden light collapsed, scattering into the void!
But the Divine Power quickly re-gathered!
"Dragon Monarch, what are you doing?"
Chen Qingyuan's angry voice came from the Divine Light.
"Chen Qingyuan, that Kitchen God is not for you to touch!"
The deep blue Divine Light enveloped the city outskirts, surging with waves of Divine Power, suppressing the City God Divine Department.
Chen Qingyuan knew he was no match for Bai Shui Dragon Monarch, so he withdrew his Divine Power without a word.
The golden Divine Power solidified around the Divine Department, assuming a defensive posture!
Within the azure Divine Light, Bai Shui Dragon Monarch manifested his Divine Aspect, dressed in a deep blue Noble Robe befitting a Dragon Monarch, surrounded by mist and spiritual mechanism, resembling a Flood Dragon. He glanced lightly at the golden light surrounding the City God Temple.
He snorted coldly.
The relationship between the Kitchen God and Zhang Jian was something he was fully aware of, and naturally, he would not allow the County City God to suppress the Kitchen God.
Moreover, Chen Qingyuan had previously thwarted his efforts several times, which he remembered in his heart.
This matter was far from over!
There was a dangerous glint in Bai Nu's eyes.
Meanwhile, outside Fengyang County, several deities surrounded by flames also watched this scene, their eyes showing a hint of killing intent.
The Divine Position of the Kitchen God was extraordinary, and these Fire Gods could sense its importance to them.
...
"Succeeded?"
Within the Sports and Arts College, Zhang Jian was browsing through some local chronicles, supplementing the county records for the "Daqian Complete Book." At the moment of the Kitchen God's Divine Position being conferred, his soul felt something through the Soul Fusion Seal.
He could sense Lady Honghua's Divine Power swelling.
Divine Dao Magical Power was rapidly increasing.
There was a slight smile in his eyes.
But then he frowned!
"However, the method of condensing magical power is not particularly exquisite. It seems I must seek a Divine Dao inheritance for her from the Sect?"
The "Nine Heavens Divine Palace Golden Seal" of Tongshan was a powerful Divine Dao inheritance, but acquiring such a core inheritance was clearly unlikely. However, there might be other slightly lesser inheritances available.
A few thoughts crossed Zhang Jian's mind.
But then he restrained himself. Resources from the Sect were hard to come by; always relying on one's foundation to keep reaching out to the Sect wasn't a long-term solution.
One could reach out once or twice, and the Zhanmo Lineage might offer help based on his talent, but too many times, and it would breed contempt.
It was best to obtain resources by following the rules of the Tongshan Daoist Lineage.
Either through demon-slaying, aiding the Sect in Artifact Refining and Alchemy, exchanging spoils for resources in sacred grounds, or by improving cultivation techniques, or serving as a Tutor.
There were many ways.
Zhang Jian frowned, feeling that the matter returned to being about merit and fortune; vying for a bit of resources still required fortune, and perhaps even more than fortune.
Because in cultivation, one didn't need sleep to recover energy but could directly replenish consumption with magical power.
"Otherwise, perhaps I should do some research, write a few articles on cultivation, and see if I can exchange them for benefits in the Sect!"
Zhang Jian had thoughts in mind, having read countless books recently, and thanks to the comprehension granted by his Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart, he understood some of the profound truths of heaven and earth, especially gaining some insights into cultivating the mind and refining the Dao Heart.
Though these thoughts were on his mind, Zhang Jian was not in a hurry.
Currently, the Kitchen God had the orthodox Divine Dao cultivation technique bestowed by the Sheji Divine Dao, which should suffice for the time being.
In the following two months, Zhang Jian immersed himself in compiling the "Daqian Complete Book," utilizing his abilities to their fullest extent.
No matter how many ancient texts he read, he could easily remember, digest, categorize them, and then condense them into concise text, classifying them according to the Classics of the Confucian, Daoist, and Historiographical traditions, pinpointing any redundant content for correction.
Fill in the gaps!
"No wonder Scholar Zhang could achieve top honors in the Palace Examination; with such a unique ability, we can't compare!"
Huang Liangzhong, repeatedly in the public seats of the Jade Hall, couldn't help but praise Zhang Jian's performance.
With Zhang Jian's help, he had renewed confidence in compiling the "Daqian Complete Book."
And during the compilation of the "Daqian Complete Book," Zhang Jian discovered that his Vast Righteous Qi was continually gathering, and the Iron Bone Jade Heart within the depths of his heart further fused with the Vast Flame, gradually revealing strands of red light.
The jade brilliance turned red.
That was an anomaly of the Seven-Orifice Exquisite Heart entering its second stage, the Kind Heart and Bones.
In this state, even from classics written by ordinary people, he could gain insights into their essence, glimpsing the changes of the Heavenly Dao.
...
One day, Zhang Jian walked out of the library in the Sports and Arts College. Having been immersed in the sea of books for days, Zhang Jian didn't feel tired; rather, he found it utterly enjoyable.
"Now, these books that merely record local stories and customs seem to offer limited benefits, even if occasionally I find a few books on star formations or divination; the intricacies they contain are few and flawed!"
Under the sunlight, Zhang Jian gazed at the distant, towering glazed rooftops. Standing on the steps, he felt a sense of joy and contentment; his expression was a bit languid.
Working from dawn till dusk was invigorating.
At this moment, the magical power within him surged vigorously, the pure power integrated into his body, showing no outward signs, yet he had reached the Golden Liquid Peak, poised to solidify the core at any moment.
He hadn't deliberately cultivated; following the normal procedures, reading daily seemed to have naturally brought him to the Golden Liquid Peak.
"Next, I should focus on various classics. Whether Confucianism, Daoist School, or Buddhist Dao, the insights and understanding that these Three Religions' scholars have of the truths of heaven and earth should far exceed those of ordinary scholars!"