"A Divine Spirit?!"
Sun Yi was also startled.
’In the Great Zhou, all Divine Spirits are imperially enfeoffed. Where would a Divine Spirit come from in a newly annexed Desolate Realm like this? I wonder what its Status is...’
"Let’s go down and see! Everyone, on alert!"
The Flying Boat slowly descended.
When Sun Yi and his party stepped onto the earthen mound, treating it as if a great enemy awaited, they witnessed a sight they would never forget for the rest of their lives.
Amidst the swirling yellow sand, an old man with a kind face and gentle eyes, dressed in a simple and ancient official robe, stood there quietly.
At his feet was a small patch of green grass, about ten feet in diameter, forming a stark contrast with the surrounding desolation.
The aura emanating from the old man was not the sinister and violent Wild God Evil Qi they had anticipated. Instead, it was a profound, warm, and pure Divine Power, like that of a nurturing mother earth.
The purity of that golden light was even a few degrees denser than that of the City God in Chuannan Prefecture’s City God Temple!
"This..."
Sun Yi felt his throat go dry. His official instincts told him at once that the being before him was no pushover, but he was also no enemy.
He took a step forward, straightened his robes, and tentatively cupped his hands in a fist. "I am Sun Yi, Magistrate of Chuannan Prefecture, here under orders to take possession of this land. Might I ask who Your Excellency is...?"
The Land God smiled faintly, tapped his Jade Staff on the ground, and returned the gesture.
"This old one is the land god of this place. By the grace of the heavens, I am titled the Lingma Land God."
His voice was gentle, yet it carried an undeniable dignity.
"Lingma?"
The Steward from the Dao Record Department at his side quickly flipped through the dossier in his hands. His expression changed, and he whispered to Sun Yi, "My lord, the Lingma Mountain God was one of the original rulers of this realm. He is said to have perished. This one... I fear he is an existence that has inherited the Mountain God’s legacy."
Sun Yi’s heart tightened.
’If he really inherited the legacy of a True God, then this must be handled with the utmost seriousness.’
"So, it is the venerable Land God."
Sun Yi’s attitude immediately became more respectful, and a broad smile spread across his face. "To think that such a barren land is watched over by a venerable Land God. It’s just that... now that this thousand-mile wasteland has been incorporated into the Great Zhou, by law, everything must be re-registered. May I ask if the venerable god has received an official edict from the Court?"
Hearing this, the Land God’s expression remained serene.
He didn’t say much, but a point of golden light began to glow between his brows.
"I have not."
"However, having received the legacy of my Commanding Officer, I have already attained the body of a True God. If the Great Zhou is willing to accept me..."
The Steward from the Dao Record Department gasped, hastily bowing low. "This subordinate was blind! My respects to the venerable god!"
Sun Yi, too, was profoundly shaken.
Once his identity was confirmed, the vigilance in Sun Yi’s eyes instantly transformed into ecstatic joy.
This wasn’t trouble.
This was a treasure trove!
What was the biggest fear when developing a Desolate Realm? Unstable Earth Veins, causing frequent earthquakes. Unacclimated soil and water, making it hard for crops to survive. The proliferation of Demons, leaving the common people with no peace.
And now, here was a ready-made "Local Bully" who controlled the Earth Veins and was friendly to the Human Race!
"Venerable God!"
Sun Yi took another step forward, his tone fervent. "Since you are a True God, then we are all one family! This land may be desolate, but now that it’s part of Chuannan Prefecture, the Prefecture Yamen will surely relocate displaced people here to cultivate the barren fields. It’s just that, the matter of sorting out the Earth Veins and harmonizing the soil and water..."
The Land God looked at the official whose attitude had changed so dramatically, but his thoughts turned to the instructions Chu Bai had given him before leaving.
’To protect the peace of this place, Divine Power alone is not enough. You must borrow the power of the mortal Government to gather the populace.’
Having understood this point, the Land God nodded slightly and began to speak:
"Lord Zhao, you need not say more. This old one was entrusted by my Commanding Officer to stand guard over this place, precisely to protect the local land and its people."
"This thousand-mile Earth Vein may be shattered, but with me here, I can ensure favorable weather and prevent any earthquakes."
"As long as the Prefecture Yamen can bring people here and the life that comes with them, this old one is willing to cooperate with the Government."
"Truly?!" Sun Yi was overjoyed.
"I do not speak idly."
The Land God raised his Jade Staff and pointed to the patch of green at his feet. "This is a show of my sincerity."
Sun Yi gazed at that spot of green swaying in the sand-filled wind, his heart completely at ease. With this True God’s promise, this so-called wasteland could be turned into fertile fields within a decade, as long as it was managed properly!
"Good! Good! Good!"
Sun Yi said the word "good" three times, then solemnly promised, "I will return and report to the Prefect at once, and immediately allocate funds and provisions for the relocation of displaced people! We will also rebuild your temple here, recast your Golden Body, and see that you enjoy the incense of ten thousand homes!"
"In that case, my thanks."
The Land God bowed slightly.
After the two parties finished their exchange and agreed upon future arrangements, the group from Chuannan Prefecture departed, laden with unexpected joy.
The wind and sand blew on.
The Land God stood once more upon the earthen mound, watching the Flying Boat disappear into the distance before turning his head to look in another direction.
Having been enfeoffed by Chu Bai, he could naturally sense his general location.
"Commanding Officer, did you see that?"
"The first step has been taken."
"You can continue your cultivation in the Extreme North with peace of mind. By the day of your return, this old one will have transformed this thousand-mile barren land into a boundless expanse of fertile fields. At that time, this will be your most solid support."
A hopeful light glinted in the old man’s cloudy eyes.
"Protect the mountains, bless the people, and thus repay my Commanding Officer."
"This vow is witnessed by the mountains and rivers."
On the dark red, stony desert of Luoxing Slope, the wind and sand blew on.
For the next few days, Chu Bai was in no hurry to leave. Like an ascetic monk, he traveled no more than ten li a day, slowly adjusting the harmony between his Flesh and Blood and his newly forged bones within the gradually weakening Gravity Field.
With every step he took, the Geng Metal Qi in his body integrated more deeply with his Flesh and Blood.
As he slowly walked out of the core region ravaged by the Primordial Magnetic Storm, the surrounding scenery finally showed more signs of life. On the once deathly-still crimson earth, drought-resistant thorns began to appear sporadically, and the Gravity also slowly decreased from a terrifying ten times normal to the roughly three-times-normal level of the outer region.
By the time he reached this area, the figures of Cultivators had become more numerous.

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