Seeking Immortality in a Bizarre World-Chapter 561 - 556: Living a Second Life? Thousand-Eyed Divine Statue_1
"Where is Chief Yan? The envoy has arrived; inform him to go and welcome the guest immediately."
The Daqian envoy had arrived in Wuhu City, and the government office immediately sent someone to notify Yan Yuankang.
Just as Jia Ren was scrounging a haul from the Zhenyuan Office and preparing to leave, he heard the news and hesitated about whether to leave immediately.
The Divine Skills of the Daqian Kingdom were unknown, and there was no guarantee that his true identity wouldn’t be exposed. The approaching envoy was an excellent means of testing whether his disguise could be seen through. This would help him avoid entering the core hierarchy of Daqian, only to be covertly exposed and trapped. Understanding the Daqian Kingdom’s methods in advance would save him a lot of trouble.
Besides, there was another important point. If he were to leave now, and news of his departure reached the ears of the Daqian Kingdom’s envoy, it could lead to potential hidden dangers. He had to handle the loose ends properly, leaving no traces.
Jia Ren hurried to the county government office, where the three chief officials of Wuhu County had already been waiting for some time.
"The envoy is no ordinary person. The Daqian Kingdom pays great attention to matters concerning heretical cults. I just received news that Marquis Wu himself is coming this time. We absolutely cannot afford to provoke him." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
Marquis Wu?
His status is indeed not low.
The three were puzzled. Marquis Wu was a noble of merit; someone like a departmental emissary should have been dispatched for such affairs, not Marquis Wu himself.
Only one person present knew the inside story.
Although the Qian Long Guard died at the hands of the Crow God Cult, information about the Kylin must have leaked. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have drawn such significant attention from the Daqian Kingdom.
The group of four rode the wind to the crossroads leading from Wuhu County to Black Bull Town and waited quietly.
Subordinates awaiting a superior should only arrive early, never late.
An Hour later, the shadow of a Flood Dragon faintly appeared on the horizon.
A cerulean Flood Dragon pulled a luxurious chariot, its frame seemingly made of Gold and adorned with gemstones, streaking towards them at astonishing speed, like a bolt of lightning. The carriage was intricately detailed with countless talismanic inscriptions. It could float in the air and possessed formidable defenses; it was a top-tier Magical Treasure.
Before the carriage arrived, a rich floral fragrance wafted from within. Through the beaded curtains, one could faintly glimpse a jade-like arm resting languidly inside the carriage. A long-haired young man with an obscured face, wearing a black robe with golden patterns, had his arms around two stunningly beautiful concubines.
Marquis Wu didn’t appear to be on official business; he seemed more like he was on a leisurely countryside outing.
The three county officials kept their heads bowed submissively, eyes fixed on their noses, noses aligned with their hearts, daring not to spare more than a single glance at the Gold and jewel-adorned luxurious carriage.
"This subordinate greets Your Lordship!"
Everyone bowed, their postures extremely deferential.
Marquis Wu would not easily visit a remote place like Wuhu County. They might go their entire lives without a chance to see such an important figure. Their hearts burned with eagerness, hoping to gain Marquis Wu’s favor and achieve a meteoric rise through the ranks. It’s said that having connections in court makes an official’s career easy. Without a powerful backer, advancing in the officialdom is as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
"You may dispense with the formalities!"
Jia Ren did likewise, quietly waiting for the superior to speak.
Marquis Wu did not leave the luxurious carriage. The four county chief officials felt as if they were being cursorily scanned. He possessed a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivation Level, his Realm far exceeding Jia Ren’s. Marquis Wu’s Divine Sense did not linger on Jia Ren for long and was quickly retracted. A mere Golden Core Stage Cultivator wasn’t worthy of Marquis Wu’s attention.
"I’ve summoned you here merely to gather information about the Crow God Cult, including their operational bases. There is another matter of utmost importance: maintain a close watch for any Kylin activity in the vicinity."
"Unfortunately, it’s not a Phoenix. What Emperor Gan most desires to find is the Phoenix. If you report a Phoenix sighting and it’s confirmed as true, you will undoubtedly be promoted, ennobled, and granted inexhaustible glory and riches."
Recalling that since the founding of the Daqian Kingdom, there had never been any news of the Divine Bird Phoenix, he said no more.
The Flood Dragon pulled the carriage, soaring into the air and flying off into the distance, heading towards Black Bull Town.
Is that all?
The three officials retracted their gazes, a sense of disappointment washing over them.
Why would a Nascent Soul period cultivator need the assistance of one Golden Core Stage Cultivator and three Foundation Establishment Cultivators? Though all were Cultivators, the disparity in their Realms was so vast it was inconceivable; a single sneeze from Marquis Wu could probably kill a large number of people.
The officials weren’t annoyed; this was all within their expectations. Marquis Wu was such an eminent figure, with countless individuals currying favor with him. It was only natural that he wouldn’t deign to notice them.
Not wishing to bungle the tasks assigned by Marquis Wu, they each returned to organize the relevant information.
"The national beast of the Daqian Kingdom is the dragon. Yet, for some reason, Emperor Gan is particularly fond of the Phoenix. The Imperial Demon Management Bureau is said to keep many birds with Phoenix Bloodline."
"They even vainly hope that these spirit birds will undergo atavistic regression to become the legendary divine birds!"
Just as Jia Ren was about to bid farewell and depart, he happened to overhear a remark from the County Assistant, and his eyes couldn’t help but light up.
The Imperial Demon Management Bureau has a large number of birds with Phoenix Bloodline? I wonder if there are any descendants with the bloodline of a Seventh-order Demon Beast among them? If I can find a bird with the desired Phoenix Bloodline, it seems my third Divine Beast is within reach!
"Heh heh, Emperor Gan has lived for over ten thousand years. Who knows why he’s been unable to achieve Ascension to the Immortal Realm. Perhaps he wants to use the Phoenix’s power to live a second life!"
The Divine Bird Phoenix possesses the power of nirvanic rebirth. Ancient legends say that someone once used a Great Divine Power to seize the Phoenix Origin and live a second life. Whether this news was true or false was impossible to determine, but it was certainly not baseless. It was perfectly normal for Emperor Gan, unable to achieve Ascension to the Immortal Realm, to want to extend his lifespan.
"Silence!"
The County Magistrate shot a glare back at the County Assistant, extremely displeased. How dare he speculate about the Sacred Sovereign? Is he tired of living? Isn’t he afraid I’ll send him to the Dragon Execution Platform?!
They glanced in the direction Marquis Wu had departed, wondering if His Lordship could have overheard their inappropriate discussion and if it would bring fatal disaster upon them.
Jia Ren parted ways with the three county heavyweights and then strode off.
This visit had been quite fruitful. First, he confirmed that Marquis Wu, who was at the Body Integration Realm, could not see through his disguise. Second, he learned that the Imperial Demon Management Bureau was breeding a large number of Magical Beasts with Phoenix Bloodlines. This might help him undergo atavistic regression and become a true Divine Bird Phoenix.
I’ll scour other areas for resources, make gradual attempts, and finally, try to see if I can replace a superior in the Imperial Demon Management Bureau and send birds with strong bloodlines into the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl.
There was no need to stay in Wuhu County any longer. The next step was to figure out how to deal with Yan Yuankang.
I wonder what the deal is with these heretical cults... could that path be viable? I’ll go investigate a heretical cult and, while I’m at it, resolve the Yan Yuankang situation.
Known heretical cult strongholds flashed through Jia Ren’s mind. Finding no one around, he flew with astonishing Escape Light speed towards an area near Changle County. This place was on the border between Wuhu County and Changle County, still within Wuhu County’s territory, and thus under the jurisdiction of the Wuhu Town Zhenyuan Office.
Jia Ren arrived and released his Divine Sense to probe the area for a moment.
No strange powers? Just ordinary evil gods; this left Jia Ren slightly disappointed.
The temple was dilapidated from age and neglect. It housed a battered, unknown idol that hadn’t received incense offerings in a long time. Unattended, it had fallen into decay. This, however, was a misperception, an illusion deceiving outsiders. In reality, this place enshrined an evil god whose entire body was covered in eyes.
Inside the temple, over a hundred fanatical followers were gathered. Additionally, seven Cultivators emitting Spiritual Power Fluctuations were also entrenched here. A stronghold of the Thousand Eyes God Cult was hidden here. It boasted an Evil Cultivator comparable to the Golden Core Stage; their overall strength was not weak. The Zhenyuan Office had discovered it not long ago but had not yet acted rashly.
"I want to join the Thousand Eyes God Cult." Jia Ren strode into the dilapidated temple, his gaze directed towards an apparently empty area.
"Join the Thousand Eyes God Cult?"
The members of the Thousand Eyes God Cult were stunned for a moment. They stared in astonishment at the Cultivator wearing the robes of the Zhenyuan Office. The hundred or so fanatical followers also turned their gaze towards him. Eerily, their eye sockets were empty, containing only hollows oozing black blood—a deeply unsettling sight.
"It’s one of the Daqian Kingdom’s hounds!"
"Golden Core Stage Cultivation Level! This is the Wuhu Town Abyssal Chief!"
They carefully sensed his presence and confirmed he had come alone. Their fear lessened somewhat, and they believed they could handle him.
"You can join the Thousand Eyes God Cult. However, you must gouge out your own eyes and offer them to the Thousand Eyes God to prove your sincerity."
The enshrined statue of the Thousand Eyes God seemed to come alive. Its numerous eyes shifted back and forth, gazing at him eerily. It was as if living human eyes had sprouted from the stone itself.
Is it because the believers offered their own eyes?
No fear could be seen in Jia Ren’s eyes. His gaze swept past the Miscellaneous Fish, focusing on the Thousand Eyes God statue.
"To be precise, I’m not here to become a disciple. I’m here to become your evil god!"
"Tell me, what is the source of your power?"
Become their evil god?
His statement utterly bewildered the cultists, who then erupted in fury. A malevolent light flared in the eyes of the seven Evil Cultists who possessed Cultivation Levels. But before they could make another move, they froze, utterly immobilized. They were like insects trapped in amber, unable to move a muscle.
Jia Ren prodded the strongest Golden Core Stage Evil Cultist and searched him over but found nothing unusual. He released his Divine Soul and probed carefully, finally discovering a clue. The power of the seven was connected to the Thousand Eyes Evil God statue. It acted as a conduit, allowing them to manipulate nature’s spiritual energy.
The evil god statue was similar to the Daqian Kingdom’s Daoist Tablets and the Great Qian Official Seal. Unlike the other two, upon contact with it, an unholy voice would echo in one’s mind: "Serve me, and you shall attain eternal life..." Only by becoming a believer of the evil god could one become a Cultivator, and the conditions were far more stringent than for the other two methods. Its advantage over the Daoist Tablets and the Great Qian Official Seal was a relatively low entry threshold, making it accessible to the common populace.
The problem might lie with the evil god itself. Only by becoming an evil god might I get the answer.
Jia Ren hadn’t gained much from this. He then released Yan Yuankang from within the Heaven and Earth Mountain and Sea Pearl.
"Go on, fight!"
The next moment, the cultists discovered they had regained their mobility. Conversely, that ’terrifying’ individual stood frozen in place, like a corpse.
"Thousand Eyes God above! Praise the Thousand Eyes God!"
The cultists, having recovered, believed it was the Thousand Eyes Evil God’s doing. They all attacked Yan Yuankang. In a short time, Yan Yuankang was heavily injured, already half-dead.
That should be enough.
The next moment, Yan Yuankang’s Evil-Slaying Sword, a Magical Treasure, flared with power, Slaying all the cultists present.
After Jia Ren finished everything, he erased Yan Yuankang’s recent memories and eliminated all traces of his own presence before swaggering away.
Chief Yan delved deep into the dragon’s den and tiger’s lair, Slaying the cultists of the Thousand Eyes God Cult. Unfortunately, he was affected by the evil qi, leading to recent memory disturbances. No one from Daqian died; only the heretical cultists perished, thus avoiding attracting the Daqian Kingdom’s attention. Retaliation from the Thousand Eyes God Cult...? Yan Yuankang killed those people. What has that got to do with me, Jia Ren? The matter of using a Substitute One Thing for Another can also be easily concealed, avoiding any trouble for the next person who takes over this identity.
Having dealt with matters in Wuhu County, Jia Ren headed towards Gan Capital.
