After ng Lu left, Qin Liuxi’s playful smile faded. She caressed the Jade Box that held the Divine Stone and sighed.
Having heard the catastrophic scenes described by the Miao Great Witch, she truly felt as if the sky were about to fall, and she doubted whether she could defeat Si Luo.
More importantly, everyone regarded her as a leader, which made her feel even more pressured. What if she let everyone down?
No matter how powerful she was, she was still just flesh and blood.
Carrying this anxiety, Qin Liuxi went to the Nan County City God Temple, not forgetting to bring a roasted chicken and a jug of liquor.
It was still New Year, and the number of visitors to the City God Temple was noticeably higher than before, with many more devotees coming to worship. Likewise, due to the winter snow disaster, there were far more refugees in the area than elsewhere, but no one caused trouble; everything was orderly.
Had the security in Nan County suddenly improved?
Qin Liuxi was curious and walked forward until she saw a line at the end of which was a large banner reading "Qin’s Porridge Tent." She paused in surprise and walked to the end, where she saw a familiar face.
This seed to be one of Gongsun Cheng’s servants, instructing people to distribute buns and hot porridge. Everyone who received porridge and buns gratefully said, "Thank you, Immortal Qin."
Qin Liuxi: "!"
She felt so power of faith and rit flying toward her and couldn’t help but fall silent, grabbing a refugee nearby to ask, "Whose porridge tent is this?"
"Isn’t it from an immortal nad Qin? That’s what the master said, and it’s been here for several days," the refugee said with a simple, leathery smile. "Thanks to the immortal’s kindness, otherwise my family and I would have starved or frozen to death. Just for this hot porridge, I’d be willing to set up an Eternal Tablet for the immortal."
The faith power flowed from him, nourishing her Divine Soul.
Qin Liuxi smiled, patting his head, and said, "Blessings to the Infinite."
The refugee was montarily stunned, then returned her smile and ran off.
Qin Liuxi already felt less confused as she walked toward the City God Temple. Hui Neng was right; she wasn’t alone—there were people standing behind her to protect and help.
Gongsun Cheng was also using her na to give alms, allowing her to accumulate rit and faith power.
Sha Yuanzi was in the temple interpreting divinations for devotees. When he looked up and saw Qin Liuxi enter, his eyes lit up, and even his scarred face seed more animated.
"You do your thing," Qin Liuxi communicated, then offered the roasted chicken and liquor, lit so incense, and began her communication with God after offering her respect.
The City God was already enjoying himself, and upon seeing her communicate with God, looked at her carefully and said, "It seems like you, girl, turned misfortune into a blessing. You were struck by lightning without harm and even managed to use it for yourself."
Qin Liuxi laughed and said, "It’s all thanks to your bestowed divine light."
"Of course, I’m the City God, even though it’s just a small place, I’m still a god, so this divine light is bound to be effective. You know, despite the snow disaster in winter, with my protection, Nan County has been affected the least, otherwise, why would the incense in my temple flourish? Just wait, once I grow stronger, I’ll beco even more powerful and then grant you more wishing power." The City God pointed to the roasted chicken and wine before him, "But don’t forget to show respect to ."
"You old glutton," Qin Liuxi muttered softly.
The City God, while munching on a drumstick, asked, "You seem to have a lot on your mind. What’s troubling you?"
Qin Liuxi sat down, propped her chin, took his cup, and downed a gulp of liquor. The fiery drink slid down her throat as she said, "I’ve been lifted to the pedestal as a leader, about to lead them into a fight, yet the opposition is strong. I doubt whether I can win, and what if I don’t live up to everyone’s expectations?"
Although she was shaless, so of the treasures, like the ones given by Ksitigarbha and now the Divine Stone from the Miao Witch, did leave her feeling the weight of responsibility.
As the saying goes, when you take sothing from others, you beco beholden. If she didn’t perform well, those treasures would not only burn her hands but also her heart!
The City God noticed she had emptied his cup, twitched his lips, and quietly moved the cup back to his side.
Heh, she couldn’t reach it!
Qin Liuxi pretended not to notice his small gestures and continued to mumble about Si Luo’s attempts to wreak havoc and everyone’s expectations on her.
"Everyone expects to slay the monster. Where do they get such confidence?"
The City God responded, "In my view, you’ve been made the greatest fool!"
Qin Liuxi: "?"
"Think about it, you’ve been pushed out as the leader, so you need strength; you also have to be the vanguard, rushing at the front, but those are minor issues. Since you’re the leader, when sacrifices are needed, you must step forward. Doesn’t that make you the greatest fool?" The City God, gloating, added, "Consider the saying, ’If you don’t enter hell, who will?’ Reflect on it deeply!"
Qin Liuxi’s face twisted, "So, should I just give up?"
"That won’t do," the City God said. "For a Cultivator, the heart holds the Dao. Encountering a challenge and avoiding it would lead to a Heart Demon; the path would end with no further progress!"
Qin Liuxi: Isn’t that contradicting yourself?
Saying she’s the greatest fool, yet wanting her to face challenges; to fight or not?
The City God said, "As the saying goes, ’When the world is in chaos, every man holds responsibility.’ In such matters, the common people cannot be relied upon, and Cultivators cannot shrink back. If we Cultivators retreat, they will have no resistance left. While you are seen as the leading sheep, who says the leader must be a sheep? It could be a wolf!"
He looked at Qin Liuxi, "To be a wolf, you must increase your strength. So whether the enemy possesses the power to break the sky, you must first follow the correct path, understand it, and once you have the strength to ascend to heaven, you’ll have the confidence to contend, transforming from the greatest fool into a Savior!"
Qin Liuxi: I suspect you’re feeding chicken soup!
"Young people, why think so much? Isn’t every thorny path trodden through perseverance? You’re still young, cultivate diligently, roll over the enemy—that will settle it, right?" The City God shifted his tone, "This chicken is good, next ti bring two for !"
Qin Liuxi: "..."
As she watched him finish eating, she said, "I’m leaving."
Just as she was about to turn away, she felt a rush of intense divine light into her spiritual platform. She turned to look at the City God, full of bewildernt.
The City God smiled warmly, looking very kind, "It’s the New Year, you gave chicken and wine, so I grant you a bit of divine light. May you have peace and prosperity in the New Year."
Qin Liuxi recalled that he used to bless her similarly at New Year, and just as before, she knelt and bowed, saying, "Peace in the New Year, old man."
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