Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World-Chapter 1262 - 560: Divine Dao Ordainment, Rapid Advancement (Part 2)

Chapter 1262: Chapter 560: Divine Dao Ordainment, Rapid Advancement (Part 2)

At the center of the city, a compound with three courtyards was built, with the words "City God Temple" written on the plaque above the entrance.

Upon entering, one finds the main hall. There is no statue in the hall, only a golden emblem of the Jiushan Sect stamped on the wall, above which hangs a plaque inscribed with "Upright and Bright."

The Heavenly Emperor Body and some disciples had already been waiting there. Seeing Water Mother and others approach, he nodded gently at them.

"Everything has been arranged according to your instructions, Water Mother."

The Divine Dao Skill practiced by the Heavenly Emperor Body was only effective within the Jiushan Realm. As for how to spread faith in Xuanwei, they were at a loss, so they had to consult Water Mother.

"Actually, it’s quite simple. You can consider the Jiushan Realm your Divine Domain. What you need to do now is to connect the Jiushan Realm with this City God Temple, even letting it cover the entire city. The believers in this city will naturally provide you with the power of faith."

Seeing everyone nod in agreement, Water Mother continued, "Therefore, the most critical step in the Divine Dao is granting the talisman. Others may think a talisman is some mysterious rune, but in fact, a talisman is the passage connecting cultivators to the Jiushan Realm."

After all, she was Xuanwei Divine Dao’s foremost figure and founded such a grand sect as Turquoise Pool. When she speaks of the Divine Dao Skill, she cuts straight to the essence, making it exceedingly clear to listeners.

Understanding flashed in the Heavenly Emperor Body’s eyes. He had long fused with the Sun and Moon Clock, and now it could be said that he was the Jiushan Realm, and the Jiushan Realm was him.

Thus, the so-called granting of the talisman is essentially splitting off a part of himself to bestow upon appointed deities.

"The twofold system designed by your Jiushan Sect for Land and City Gods is actually quite simpler." Water Mother pondered and explained, "Because the affairs of the divine are few, the form of the talisman is also simpler."

Indeed, under the Divine Dao Inspection Institute system, the responsibilities of Jiushan Sect’s Divine Dao disciples are actually minimal.

For example, at Turquoise Pool, they need gods to manage agricultural seasons, gods to oversee climate, and so on, resulting in a variety of talismans.

But at Jiushan Sect, the Divine Dao duties consist solely of judicial oversight.

Other matters are all entrusted to the Jiushan Sect Administrative Court, enabling non-overlapping authorities.

The Divine Dao System designed by the Jiushan Sect is straightforward, with the city and countryside distinct; City Gods are established in cities, while Land Gods are appointed in villages.

Generally speaking, City Gods receive more power from incense, but cities are more complex and demand greater abilities, requiring not only discernment but also strong arithmetic aptitude.

Standing here is Jiushan Sect’s historic first City God—Xiaoqing.

Xiaoqing appeared somewhat nervous. The Heavenly Emperor Body smiled at her and led everyone out of the main hall.

Behind the main hall, an altar had already been set up. The Heavenly Emperor Body and Xiaoqing approached the altar, walking one after the other, while the surrounding disciples simultaneously burned incense.

Amidst the smoke, the scene above the altar slowly levitated, visible throughout the city.

The Heavenly Emperor Body looked at Xiaoqing and chanted, "By the decree of Nine Nether Emperor, thee are declared the City God of Sun City, overseeing criminal verdicts and holding the law mirror to illuminate the obscure.

Your duties are threefold:

First, inspect Jiushan’s integrity and corruption.

Second, prosecute wrongful imprisonments and error cases.

Third, subdue illicit and cunning arguments."

Xiaoqing bowed and said:

"Sun City God respectfully accepts the command, vowing by the Divine Dao Inspection Law:

First vow, to reflect truth in conscience, hanging the bright mirror to distinguish loyalty from treachery;

Second vow, to punish corrupt officials to warn officials, redress grievances to bring peace to the Nine Springs.

Third vow, to listen to people’s lawsuits as if hearing heavenly voices, protect constitutional principles like guarding the Dao Heart.

If the people are let down, willingly suffering the knife and saw penalties of Jiushan; if heavenly laws are defied, eternally falling into the frigid prison of Nine Nether!

May divine soldiers protect and ten thousand spirits oversee the pledge!"

A golden talisman shot from the Heavenly Emperor Body’s brow, landing in Xiaoqing’s chest and abdomen.

Xiaoqing’s attire transformed into dark colors, with a bright mirror suspended behind her head, appearing solemn and dignified, inspiring trust.

In the sky, threads of incense power flowed from throughout the city, gathering around Xiaoqing.

Once Xiaoqing began to adapt to her new identity, the Heavenly Emperor Body led her down from the altar, cautioning: "Though both are City Gods, Sun City is quite different; your duties are heavy."

Xiaoqing solemnly nodded, understanding the significance.

Sun City was originally the residence of Haori Mountain cultivators’ families, and after millions of years of development, it has become one of the top three cities in East Continent. Even the calamity of the Gu God hardly affected Sun City—after all, Haori Mountain cultivators need families too.

The Jiushan Sect previously did not establish any major city in Xuanwei; their primary focus remained within the Jiushan Realm.

Therefore, Haori Mountain, now the Jiushan Sect’s foremost city in Xuanwei, adjacent to Haori Base, is exceedingly safe.

Entrusting this city to Xiaoqing is naturally due to trust; Xiaoqing has herself matured excellently among Jiushan Sect’s Divine Dao disciples, being one of the best, and even the concept of the Divine Dao Inspection Institute originated from Xiaoqing.

"What you need to do is not merely perform the duties of a good City God, but more importantly, identify areas where the Supervision Institute is still incomplete and report them to the sect."

Listening to the Heavenly Emperor Body’s reminders, Xiaoqing pursed her lips and responded loudly: "Disciple will remember!"

Leaving Sun City, Zhang inquired with concern, "How do you feel about yourself?"

"My cultivation is progressing faster; although Sun City’s population is far less than Jiushan Realm, it also represents new followers."

"As more people come to believe in the Sun City God, your sense of progress will become more apparent." Water Mother chuckled with a touch of pride, then sighed as if realizing something, "Actually, the Investiture of the Gods is most suited for granting the talisman."

"Investiture of the Gods?" Zhang looked at Water Mother, "Are you referring to the Investiture of the Gods within the All Heaven Stars Formation?"

While every deity possessed their Investiture of the Gods, clearly, Water Mother was not referring to those trivialities.

Water Mother nodded slowly, contemplating what to say but choosing to hold her tongue.

Zhang and the Heavenly Emperor Body exchanged glances, knowing that Water Mother harbored some hesitation and that her words lacked full candor.

The two did not urge her, instead constructing Land and City God temples across various locations, resulting in a rapid advancement in the Heavenly Emperor Body’s cultivation speed.

...

In the Deep Chaos, three figures stood at the corner of the bronze platform, watching the meditating Zheng Fa, only daring to communicate softly: 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Master Zheng’s leader, prior to saving us, couldn’t even undergo the final transformation of the Independent Immortal realm..."

Lord Ni Chang spoke.

Taiyin Fairy and Qingnv shared grateful expressions, naturally reluctant to disturb Zheng Fa’s cultivation. After half a day, Qingnv seemed bored and asked, "When do you think we’ll be able to leave?"

"..."

Taiyin Fairy shook her head. Now that Zheng Fa had complete control of the All Heaven Stars Array, their lives were no longer in danger.

But due to the Evil Water Mother, returning was impossible for them.

"I also wonder how my Taiyin Immortal Realm is doing..."

Taiyin Fairy sighed; Qingnv’s expression similarly darkened, given Turquoise Pool’s unfavorable situation. Being distant from their own Golden Immortal world, anything could happen.

Yet urging Zheng Fa was not an option—they themselves instigated the current trouble, courtesy of their Water Mother’s actions.

"Once Master Zheng’s cultivation heightens further, perhaps he’ll be able to fully subdue this Evil God?" Lord Ni Chang placed her hopes on Zheng Fa.

"How high?" Taiyin Fairy breathed a sigh, "True Immortal? He indeed isn’t far from True Immortal, but typically, an Independent Immortal needs a thousand years to transform into a True Immortal, right?"

"Even with his outstanding talent, might it take a hundred years? A hundred years here is equivalent to thirty thousand years below..."

Even Lord Ni Chang’s face darkened, pondering how Turquoise Pool’s cultivators might well shave their heads by then!

"Yet, is True Immortal sufficient?" Taiyin Fairy added, "He previously wasn’t weaker than a True Immortal, but that Evil God seems entirely unharmed..."

Such words left others speechless.

"If his True Immortal strength is inadequate and he must reach Golden Immortal to escort us out... I shudder to imagine the state of Xuanwei then."

Before the words settled, Zheng Fa suddenly glowed, layers of radiance enveloping him as he seemed to cycle through renewal.

"True Immortal transformation..." Taiyin Fairy murmured, disbelief shadowing her gaze.

"A hundred years?" Lord Ni Chang’s tone contained pride, "Even though, Taiyin Lady, you’ve aimed to greatly estimate Master Zheng."

"Yet Master Zheng... requires not even a hundred days."