Can humans really ascend to godhood after birth?
Is the deity conferred by the other party a god known to me from a past life?
If the Yellow Heaven Dao can truly elevate beings to godhood, the implications might be beyond my imagination.
Once a deity truly emerges, the world will experience an upheaval, a wave that will sweep across all lands.
The conflict between the Human Dao and the Divine Dao will begin, leading to another calamity amidst the mundane world.
Zhang Chen stood nearby, listening to the old Daoist, his heart somewhat alarmed.
"You must maintain good relations with Xie Lingyun, as Xie Lingyun’s association with the Inspection and Supervision Department could decide whether our Yellow Heaven Dao can completely remove the last obstacles and fully control the Northern Land. The masters of the Daoist Temple intend to use Xie Lingyun to drag Xie Xuan down, so whether you can win over Xie Lingyun and gain entry into the Inspection and Supervision Department is crucial. They have tens of thousands of elite troops stationed in the Northern Land, posing a grave threat to our Yellow Heaven Dao," the old Daoist spoke solemnly.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen remained silent. Bringing Xie Lingyun down with them? How could that be possible! Zhang Chen was not someone who would betray his friends. Besides, he wasn’t stupid; with Xie Lingyun in the Inspection and Supervision Department as his backing, even if caught in the Yellow Heaven Dao’s influence, he would have a retreat, seeking Xie Lingyun’s help to clear his name. But if Xie Lingyun was dragged down by the Yellow Heaven Dao, there would truly be no escape.
"You’d better go and send a message to Xie Lingyun, inviting her to attend the Water God Conferment Festival, where you can use the blessing of the Water God to aid her in advancing further in her cultivation and take the opportunity to strengthen your relationship," Liu Feng said, stopping in his tracks to look at Zhang Chen. "You send the message to Xie Lingyun; I’ll wait for you outside the city. Once you’ve delivered the message to Xie Lingyun, we’ll return to the mountains."
"If you can accomplish this, there will be benefits waiting for you in the Daoist Temple." Liu Feng vowed with firm conviction.
What more could Zhang Chen say?
He could only head towards the city; to establish himself within the Yellow Heaven Dao, gaining the right to access its highest scriptures, he had to make significant achievements.
Liu Feng waited in the mountains while Zhang Chen descended, using an Invisibility Rune to enter the city again, waiting in the inn. It wasn’t long before Xie Lingyun’s Yin Spirit appeared by the door.
"Why haven’t you left the city yet? The Prince Pingbian’s Mansion is relentlessly hunting you and would love nothing more than to tear you apart," Xie Lingyun entered the room, closing the door, looking at Zhang Chen with worry. "The Prince Pingbian’s Mansion is determined to finish you off; if they capture you, I’m afraid even I won’t be able to save you."
Zhang Chen chuckled when he heard this: "I’m not that easy to catch. I was planning to leave, but then I encountered the Observatory Master of Huangli Temple on my way. The master asked me to send you an invitation; the Huangli Temple is preparing for the God Sealing Ceremony, intending to designate a God of Nature. At that time, the deity will bestow blessings to aid you in advancing your cultivation."
Xie Lingyun’s eyes lit up at these words: "The Yellow Heaven Dao wants to designate a Natural Divine Spirit? Is that God of Nature the Divine you mentioned? If we slay it, wouldn’t our Martial Dao cultivation advance further?"
Xie Lingyun’s eyes shone brightly, filled with intense light.
"It should be possible," Zhang Chen thought briefly before replying.
In theory, a Natural Divine Spirit is no different from a god like Eastern Emperor Taiyi.
"How could a blessing from the deity compare to directly slaying it and using its divine blood to safely further one’s Martial Dao cultivation?" Xie Lingyun’s eyes burned with fervor, showing her excitement.
"Don’t cause trouble; the Yellow Heaven Dao isn’t that simple. There are numerous powerful figures that are hard to deal with," Zhang Chen cautioned, alarmed.
Xie Lingyun, however, dismissed his concerns: "It’s just a loose civil organization. How formidable can it be? A single decree from the court could swiftly wipe it out. If what you say is true, and the Divine’s blood can elevate Martial Dao cultivation, then the Yellow Heaven Dao does have some use."
"Go back and tell the Observatory Master that I’ll definitely be there," Xie Lingyun instructed.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen looked at Xie Lingyun and saw the glimmer of ambition in her eyes. He felt that Xie Lingyun was planning something big.
But is the Yellow Heaven Dao that easily manipulated?
Zhang Chen shook his head silently, knowing that he couldn’t persuade Xie Lingyun, a remarkable woman with long-standing power, to change her mind easily once she had made a decision.
Zhang Chen then bid farewell and left. Watching Zhang Chen’s retreating figure, Xie Lingyun’s eyes were filled with fervor: "If I can pave a great road for martial practitioners under Heaven, even if it costs me my life, how could I spare my mere existence?"
Zhang Chen initially intended to leave the city directly, but remembering that girl Xiaodouding, he went to a street seller, bought some snacks, instructed the Fox Immortal Nannan to carry them, then headed towards the city’s exit.
Once outside the city, Zhang Chen summoned the Great Freedom Celestial Demon:
"But isn’t Xie Lingyun already pure and kind-hearted? Why would she harbor covetous thoughts towards a deity?"
Zhang Chen felt a bit suspicious, wondering if the Great Freedom Celestial Demon was trying to deceive him, knowing it was Xie Lingyun’s Heart Demon and would certainly know what was on her mind.
"Xie Lingyun is someone with a conviction; she wishes to carve a path for martial artists under Heaven. Most importantly, Xie Lingyun believes those deities are mere anomalies of Heaven and Earth, not true life, thus lacking the compassion you speak of," the Great Freedom Celestial Demon replied with a smile.