Chen Shi was quite moved.

At this time, Talisman Masters of Red Mountain Hall rushed over, pushing County Magistrate Hu aside to pay respects to the instructor.

The wooden cart immediately entangled them, begging them to inscribe talismans on its body. - This Evil Spirit had some intelligence, not very high, but it knew that whenever it encountered these Talisman Masters, it could always gain some advantage.

The Qianyang Mountain Lord and Huang Hu also came to meet. Chen Shi offered them incense, and just as they were conversing, the Stone Rock Lady and some cultivators arrived from afar.

After paying her respects to Chen Shi, the Stone Rock Lady said, "Upper Envoy, I am now protecting Xinxiang and repelling sea demons, not daring to slack for a day. May I ask the Upper Envoy when I can return to the temple?"

Chen Shi looked over the Stone Rock Lady. After not seeing her for more than four years, her body had mostly recovered. She no longer had a large head and a small body, and she appeared dignified and graceful with the demeanor of a divine being.

Chen Shi laughed and said, "Stone Rock, you are now a deity protecting a region, guarding the people. The people revere you with incense fire, so why would you need to return to my small temple?"

The Stone Rock Lady unhappily said, "It's better to be in the small temple, rather than building my own and fighting ghosts and demons while protecting the people."

Many Ghost Clan members from Heavenly Pond Country were also present, conducting trade with Xinxiang. Upon hearing of Chen Shi's return, they came to pay their respects.

However, their greeting was three kneelings and nine kowtows, as if they were paying respects to the emperor.

For a while, the mountain was lively. Hu Feifei didn't have any opportunity as she was busy with her affairs and soon went off to handle her duties.

After the commotion, Chen Shi was about to look for the Great Snake Xuan Shan and Granny Zhuang when a familiar voice called out: "Little Mr. Chen, long time no see, Yan Xianzhi greets you!"

Chen Shi looked and saw the Chief Minister of the Cabinet, Yan Xianzhi, walking over. He was very surprised and puzzled: "Why is he here?"

Chen Tang whispered, "There was upheaval in the Western Capital, and Yan Xianzhi fled. After the merging of the two realms, the geography changed drastically, and he got lost, eventually escaping here. His family members nearly all perished en route, leaving only his youngest son and a concubine. Seeing his plight, I allowed him to stay."

Yan Xianzhi appeared much older than before, no longer having the demeanor of a chief minister, dressed simply in plain clothes, and approached Chen Shi quickly, bowing: "Old Yan Xianzhi, pays respects to Little Mr. Chen!"

Chen Shi supported him by the arms, preventing him from bowing, and laughed: "Lord Yan, why such a grand gesture? You humble me."

Yan Xianzhi laughed: "When relying on others, more courtesy means less blame from the host."

Chen Shi said sternly: "We were officials together, how could I not help you when in distress? Please, don't say such things."

He turned and whispered: "Father, arrange for him a few acres of land to work on, he shouldn't get free meals."

Chen Tang whispered: "It's already arranged. Qianyang Mountain doesn't support idlers."

Chen Shi asked: "Is he working diligently? No offense, Lord Yan, I mean he must be diligent."

"Fairly diligent."

"That's good, Qianyang Mountain doesn't support idlers. In our place, he can't throw his weight around."

Chen Shi, smiling broadly, exchanged pleasantries with Yan Xianzhi and said: "Tonight my family is hosting a banquet to welcome me back... I mean to say you can send greetings, no need to come in person. Please, Lord Yan."

Chen Shi waved him off, then looked at Chen Tang.

Chen Tang helplessly said: "When he arrived, he was severely injured, with only three surviving out of a family of hundreds. I took pity and let him stay. Here at Qianyang Mountain, he isn't as he was before, honestly farming and doing what he's told."

Chen Shi's gaze fell on Yan Xianzhi's back, saying: "Pity him? There are many more pitiful than him in the world. He doesn't throw his weight around because he knows the Thirteen Families have declined, not like before. If he had the chance, he'd still stir trouble for us."

Chen Tang said: "Yan Xianzhi is knowledgeable. The school on the mountain needs his help."

Chen Shi thought for a moment, knowing Yan Xianzhi could still be useful, not entirely worthless.

"By the way, there's one more thing. Over at Gao Gang, there's been more activity lately."

Chen Tang looked serious and said, "Little Ten, your godmother is possibly extraordinary. Under the incense fire of the Huaxia Gods, her revival might be soon!"

Chen Shi was invigorated and smiled: "I haven't offered incense to my godmother in a long time. This time back, I must pay my respects properly! By the way, are Grandpa and Granny Sha back?"

Chen Tang shook his head.

Chen Shi frowned slightly, whispering: "They went to find Grandpa, it's been over four years now, they should have found him by now."

Chen Tang said: "Perhaps they encountered other issues. Chen Yindou being away for long periods is normal, you can't expect him to come home voluntarily."

Chen Shi's face darkened: "Chen Tang, don't speak of my grandfather like that!"

Chen Tang snorted with a displeased face: "You've become bold after one trip out!"

Chen Shi said indifferently: "I've advanced to the God Refining Realm; soon we might be in the same realm. Tell me, are my wings strong?"

Chen Tang gripped the Xuanwei Sword.

Chen Shi's eyes glinted fiercely.

Their auras intensified; then Wu Qingyu's voice called: "A-Tang, come over here and help me pick vegetables!"

Chen Tang released the sword hilt and turned away.

Wu Qingyu diverted Little Dun and whispered: "A-Tang, I feel something off with your daughter-in-law. At times she's very enthusiastic, at others, cold as ice, like a different person. And when I asked if she's pregnant, she was so embarrassed..."

Chen Tang said: "I also think there's something wrong with Little Ten, becoming wilder than before. I'm considering whether I should give him a good thrashing while I still can."

The couple whispered to each other while Chen Shi went to visit the Great Snake Xuan Shan and Granny Zhuang.

The Great Snake Xuan Shan saw Chen Shi from a distance and was startled. His divine image transformed into a man in black descending from the sky, holding a Green Rain Umbrella.

As Chen Shi approached, he unexpectedly felt a deep sense of peace in his heart and spirit.

"Little Ten, your demonic nature is strong. Take this umbrella with you." Before leaving, the Great Snake Xuan Shan gifted the Green Rain Umbrella.

Chen Shi thanked him and descended the mountain with the umbrella.

The Great Snake Xuan Shan watched him leave. As soon as Chen Shi reached the foot of the mountain, the Green Rain Umbrella suddenly burst into flames and was completely consumed in an instant.

The Great Snake Xuan Shan frowned.

He underestimated Chen Shi's demonic nature, thinking the umbrella could suppress it easily.

"I should have followed him with the umbrella, but I cannot leave those I protect behind." He shook his head.

However, even with such a strong demonic nature, Chen Shi should have transformed long ago. Strangely, he maintained his rationality, just not with much sense.

The next morning, Chen Shi left home early, heading straight for Gao Gang.

Still hundreds of miles from Gao Gang, Chen Shi saw rosy clouds illuminating the sky in brilliant colors. The rosy clouds resembled veils of light hues, drifting gently in the air.

From afar, he could hear strange chanting, lofty, profound, and ancient, as if from another time and space, the recitation of ancient deities calling on another supreme presence, solemn and grand.

"The people of Despair Slope once came here, attempting to remove your godmother, but couldn't get close to Gao Gang."

Chen Tang walked alongside Chen Shi, looking serious. "That person was a Heavenly Dao Practitioner from Despair Slope, named Yu Changbai, probably eaten by your Fifth Uncle. He said your godmother is called Emperor Houtu, also known as Earth Mother Lady, Ground Mother Primordial Monarch, Lady Houtu."

Chen Shi and Chen Tang arrived in front of Gao Gang, awestruck by the grandeur before them.

In the sky, strands of vast, shimmering light descended, outlining a temple on Gao Gang. Within the light flowed the incense fire qi of the Huaxia Gods, carrying the chanting of the gods, inexplicably shaking the soul.

In those illuminated temple scenes, deep within, were scenes of birth, reproduction, death, and reincarnation among countless races.

These weren't the births, reproduction, deaths, and reincarnations of the Human Clan, but encompassed myriad species!

Beyond these scenes, one could vaguely see an endless ocean of profound yellow qi, vast like the open sea. From it floated continents and islands.

"Buzz!"

Two rays of rosy light descended from the sky, forming a couplet on either side of the temple.

The continents of the Earth Immortal Realm rise and fall, the vast righteous qi of Heaven and Earth

In the Outer Heaven, the Thousand Realms flare and fade, the limitless brilliance of the universe

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