Chapter 12: A Blue Star God's Analysis — The God Invocation Art

Two hours later.

Li Yue furrowed his brow.

No news?

Could he really be dead?

All manner of messages were scrolling through the Regional Chat.

["Whatever happened to that guy? I'm still waiting."]

["Same here. My situation's pretty much identical to his — if he pulls it off, I'll have my Temple Priest lure the target in right away!"]

["You don't think he's dead, do you?"]

["No way. Is the third mission really that hard?"]

["Looks like that guy really is gone. This mission probably can't be completed until after we promote to Ninth Grade (Lower)."]

["Alright, pack it up. The man is dead — burn some paper for him."]

["There's no underworld in this world. Where exactly would the paper go?"]

["Come on, we're gods ourselves. We'll eventually become City Gods — why would we burn paper for anyone?"]

["Brother, we're still just Feral Gods right now. Who knows how far we are from becoming City Gods."]

A short while later.

Li Yue was already thinking about closing the Regional Chat interface and taking a stroll around Four Seas Village.

The village's area had nearly doubled by now.

And his Divine Jurisdiction had expanded along with it.

In other words —

The Divine Path Rules recognized the absorption of other villages into Four Seas Village.

Through this method, his Divine Jurisdiction could keep growing!

He even found himself wondering: if he sent people out to establish villages in various places and then merged them into Four Seas Village —

Could his Divine Jurisdiction expand without limit?

But that was just idle thinking.

He was certain that the rigorous Divine Path Rules would never allow him to exploit such a loophole.

["Everyone, I'm back. I'm not dead — but I didn't complete the third mission either."]

That message suddenly flashed through the Regional Chat.

In the Regional Chat, every person had an avatar — their own face — which could not be faked.

So Li Yue recognized at a glance that this was indeed the fellow who had gone to test the demon himself!

He immediately perked up and read the man's messages.

["I can tell you all responsibly: the demon target for the third mission has strength at the peak of the second grade — on par with us!"]

["I fought that wild boar demon until the sky went dark. I unleashed ten Golden Blade Arts in total, slashing the boar until its hide split and blood poured out."]

["But that boar demon had thick skin and tough flesh. Though I dealt it heavy wounds, it still managed to flee outside my Divine Jurisdiction. Mission failed. A great regret!"]

["So you basically just wasted ten points of Divine Power for nothing? Blank stare.jpg"]

["You insufferable wretch!! Rage.jpg"]

["...That guy was testing the demon's strength on behalf of all of us. How can you be so heartless? Doghead.jpg"]

Peak second grade…

Li Yue's eyes flickered.

It seemed this mission was quite difficult for the Blue Star Feral Gods.

After all, an Unranked Feral God's strength was also at the peak second-grade level — exactly matching the mission target.

However —

An Unranked Feral God was still a god!

The power of a god was the power of the Divine Path Rules between heaven and earth, and it greatly restrained demons and evil spirits.

With careful preparation, even an Unranked Feral God had a chance of slaying a peak second-grade demon.

"A mere peak second-grade demon…"

"There is no need for me to act personally. Li Youming can handle it."

Li Yue's expression remained calm.

Li Youming's strength was comparable to a mid second-grade warrior, which naturally wasn't enough to kill a peak second-grade demon on his own.

But as his Temple Priest, Li Youming could use the God Invocation Art!

When the Temple Priest used the God Invocation Art —

He could choose to respond or not.

If he responded, he could borrow the other's body to unleash Divine Arts.

However, Divine Arts channeled through the Temple Priest's body —

Only had one-third of the power he could produce himself.

Yet the Divine Power cost was no less than usual.

But the key advantage was that it could be used outside his Divine Jurisdiction!

Why could a Temple Priest walk the mortal world on a god's behalf?

Precisely because of the God Invocation Art!

"Even at one-third power, the Divine Arts are more than enough to instantly kill any second-grade demon."

He said calmly.

Then he turned his gaze toward the outside of the Divine Domain.

Inside the Land God Shrine.

Temple Priest Li Youming was busy… indoctrinating… the former Chen Family Village residents who had come to pay their respects to Lord Zhangyue.

No — that is to say, he was teaching them the way of virtue and goodwill toward others.

"In three years' time, the wolf demons of Thousand Wolf Mountain will descend again to prey on people!"

"But now you are all villagers of Four Seas Village!"

"Our Four Seas Village is protected by Lord Zhangyue!"

"As long as you devoutly worship Lord Zhangyue — burning two sticks of incense every morning and evening without fail — you need never again fear being seized and devoured by wolf demons!"

"Lord Zhangyue's divine might blankets Four Seas Village. This place is forbidden ground for all demons and evil spirits!"

Li Youming's voice rang out with passionate fervor, stirring the villagers' blood.

Protected by Lord Zhangyue!

No more fear of being carried off and eaten by wolf demons!

Four Seas Village — forbidden ground for demons!

In this terrifying age, anyone who heard these words would be moved.

After all —

The world was as it was. Finding a place free from the harm of demons and evil spirits was extraordinarily difficult.

They had even heard rumors of entire villages, towns, and even county seats being completely devoured by demons!

In an instant, the crowd was fired up as if injected with adrenaline — excited and devout, they knelt before the Land God Shrine, offering incense and prayers to Lord Zhangyue.

Li Youming sat down with satisfaction.

Beside him, his eldest son Li Desheng immediately poured a cup of tea and presented it.

"Desheng, I know you also want to receive Lord Zhangyue's blessing and become a Warrior in one leap."

"After all, your younger brother is already a Warrior, and you don't want to fall behind him."

"But you must understand — only the most devout Believers of Lord Zhangyue can receive his blessing."

"Your heart is not sincere enough."

Li Youming took a sip of tea, his tone carrying a hint of disappointment.

"Father, I really have been very sincere."

"Why don't you put in a word with Lord Zhangyue on my behalf?"

Li Desheng said with a pained expression.

He truly had been sincere — burning two sticks of incense every morning and evening with great diligence.

"Sincerity isn't measured by what you do. It's measured by what's in your heart."

"Whether you truly worship Lord Zhangyue with absolute devotion in your heart — only you know that."

"As for asking Lord Zhangyue for a blessing on your behalf?"

"Don't even think about it."

Li Youming set down his teacup and spoke evenly.

From the moment he became Temple Priest, he had gained a clear understanding.

To be a worthy Temple Priest, one must never cause trouble for Lord Zhangyue.

Unless something of truly monumental importance arose, one must never initiate contact with Lord Zhangyue on one's own.

Lord Zhangyue was a god.

His time was beyond precious — how could he waste it?

Just then.

Li Youming felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him.

This immediately filled him with excitement. He understood at once that Lord Zhangyue must have another Divine Decree to deliver.

"You, step outside."

He waved his hand, dismissing his eldest son.

Then he shut the door, propped his head in his hands, and drifted into a deep sleep.

More than ten days had passed, and the simple makeshift shelter had become somewhat more presentable — at least it had a proper room now.

Around the Land God Shrine, four Warriors patrolled at all times, so even while he slept there was no danger whatsoever.

Not to mention —

This was right in front of the Land God Shrine.

Right under Lord Zhangyue's watchful eye.

Who could possibly mean him harm here?

The moment he fell asleep —

He saw the sky-filling form of Lord Zhangyue appear in the heavens, gazing down at him with an indifferent expression.

Without a moment's hesitation, he immediately knelt on the ground with deep reverence and called out:

"Li Youming pays his respects to Lord Zhangyue!"