Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

Clang!

The Divine Court Bell rang without being struck.

With the melodious sound of the bell, a visible golden ripple spread outward from the peak of Jun Mountain, reflecting the pristine white snow on the mountaintop, both sacred and resplendent.

Originally, the ripples formed by the Disaster Exorcism Skill were invisible to mortals, but in Tongzhou City below, even an old man with poor eyesight could now see the sky over Jun Mountain filled with golden light.

Buzz!

In Zhang Kui's mind, a grand sound of rituals and wails suddenly echoed, coming from the altars all around Lanzhou.

And the wails were the people's fear of the locust plague.

The few National Guardian True Men within the Five Elements Array nearby showed strange expressions, having heard the sound as well, marveling at the subtlety of the Divine Path.

But it was far more than that.

From the towns below to the major cities, from the county government offices to the homes of the people, anyone who sincerely prayed heard this sound resonating in their minds.

Some were amazed, some in disbelief, while others revealed fervent expressions, but without exception, they all began to pray devoutly from their hearts.

"Protect us humans, help us through this great calamity!"

Inside the Divine Court Bell, a space had formed, and the Three-Eyed Taoist Shen Xu gazed at the increasingly prominent golden figure, eyes full of astonishment.

This method of offering to the gods was something he and Zhang Kui had discussed many times, focusing on that Disaster Exorcism Skill.

Of course, Zhang Kui hadn't mentioned the matter of the stars in his mind. No one expected such a miraculous phenomenon to occur.

Clang!

Another bell toll.

Now, almost all the people no longer doubted, bowing sincerely, devoutly and earnestly.

The elderly scholar was tearful,

"Our human race suffers, when will it end!"

The gray-haired old farmer trembled all over,

"Pray to the Upper Gods to eliminate the locust plague!"

The toddler just learning to speak widened their eyes,

"Kill those bad bugs!"

At the peak of Jun Mountain, a hint of anticipation flashed in Zhang Kui's eyes. This newly emerged god, carrying the hopes of the people, already innately capable of the Disaster Exorcism Skill, certainly could help him eliminate the Locust Demon…

Below Jun Mountain, in the big river, the Lanjiang River God half-submerged in water, stared firmly at that golden light, his dim old eyes filled with greed.

A national sacrifice... deification... what a grand gesture!

This Incense Fire Wish Power is almost manifesting. If it were mine, how wonderful would that be...

Outside the grand array, the originally quiet Crane Immortal suddenly widened his eyes, staring intently at the great river below the mountain.

"You insignificant evil spirit, how dare you spy!"

The Crane Immortal suddenly burst into fury. Ever since seeing the endless green mountains destroyed, he had been suppressing his temper. Immediately, he spread his wings and, accompanied by a howling wind, swooped down.

The Crane Immortal cultivated his bloodline and had already entered the Celestial Tribulation Realm. If not for Elder Huayan frequently using Pills to dissipate his Spiritual Power, he would have long faced the three disasters and perished.

Though his Mana no longer grew, he was, after all, an old Demon of the Celestial Tribulation Realm. The Lanjiang River God was no match, hurriedly fleeing.

"I am not an evil spirit, I am the Lanjiang River God."

"Harboring evil thoughts, and you still claim not to be an evil spirit!"

Clang!

Another bell toll.

The deity inside the bell now half-manifested, appearing as a majestic and powerful person, with facial features somewhat similar to Zhang Kui but lacking a certain ferocity, exhibiting more authority.

He wore a bright yellow robe, resembling a Taoist robe yet more like an Emperor's Robe, with cloud patterns floating, symbolizing his identity.

The bell's sound grew more urgent, reverberating among the mountains.

It was as if stirring up the winds and clouds, from the wet dark ditches, from the ancient graves between mountains, from the muddy depths of rivers... countless black mists rose, vaguely visible greedy and twisted faces, rushing madly toward Jun Mountain.

Though Zhang Kui had some speculation, he hadn't expected the act of deification to have such a great attraction to these Yin Souls.

Only when the new god had not yet emerged and occupying the divine position's incense fire, they could instantly undergo Bone Transformation, avoiding rotting away in the darkness.

In the sky, locust swarms surged, blocking out the sun, while on the ground, ghostly winds rose, wails and howls echoed. Around Jun Mountain, it suddenly seemed like a ghostly prison.

Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji rarely took action, but at this moment, his expression was sullen, his entire body exuding evil Qi.

"Demons and spirits, how dare you covet the divine position!"

Clang!

The long sword unsheathed, a streak of white light shot down the mountain, instantly tearing the spectral figures apart.

It turns out that Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji was also a sword cultivator.

Elder Huayan flicked his duster, and thousands of starlights fell like a rain cascade.

Helian Boxiong struck the ground with his long halberd, and an endless bloodshed accompanied by the sounds of battle built a long wall outside the grand array.

Huo Yu with Double Pupils and Gu Ziqing also used their own methods to slay all the spectral figures and strange creatures in the mountains.

Zhang Kui ignored everything around him, his eyes fixed firmly on the direction of Lanjiang Water Mansion. These spectral figures were insignificant. The real fear was if the water mansion would make a move.

He was gambling too.

If one were to deify in another place, it would certainly provoke the evil spirits from the forbidden land, but Lanzhou belonged to Lanjiang Water Mansion. The Karmic Fire Red Lotus had already been activated, and that black-robed scholar knew it would attract the Locust Demon.

Zhang Kui was betting that he'd wish him alive for the moment.

At this moment within Lanjiang Water Mansion, countless water ghosts, yakshas, and river demons on the periphery were already restless, and several stone towers began to buzz, their surfaces shedding layers of ice.

A towering black shadow suddenly appeared. Within the swirling black mist were blood-red eyes, and a majestic voice emerged from the mist: "All of you, return. After the locust plague, no blade of grass will grow. You're fine, but what if the little demons below starve to death? Let him be for now!"

All the stone towers returned to tranquility, and the surging water ghosts and river demons also calmed down.

"Hmph, appears honest but is actually cunning!"

The black shadow cursed secretly.

After waiting for a while longer, despite the sky remaining dark, there was no further movement from the direction of Lanjiang Water Mansion. Zhang Kui finally breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed his gamble had paid off.

At this moment, the golden light of the Divine Court Bell hovering in the air suddenly contracted, and immediately, a golden figure strode forth.

Gold robes and coronet, bearing a majestic aura and a dignified expression.

He first looked at Zhang Kui, giving a slight bow, "Tai Shi, pays respect to the Star Lord."

Uh...

Zhang Kui felt slightly disappointed in his heart.

Having put in so much effort, with such a great commotion, he thought the god might emerge, proclaiming to all beings: "In all heaven and earth, I alone am supreme."

Unexpectedly,

The first thing that happened was to greet him...

But then again, after all, it's just a state within the Qian Dynasty, even the entire Qian is merely a human dynasty at that. If it were a sacrifice from all humankind, probably heaven itself would have a hole...

Still, the Divine Court Bell had gained fortune this time, the State Preceptor's possession was the National Guardian Divine Artifact, my power would grow with the incense fire wish power, considered a National Guardian Holy Artifact.

Thoughts flashed through his mind, Zhang Kui spoke solemnly: "Friend, grant me aid in slaying the Locust Demon!"

Tai Shi's expression was stern,

"I am obliged, receiving the incense fire of humanity."

The new god had emerged, those demons and ghosts, spectral figures were completely dispelled of hope, and with the majority being slaughtered by the National Guardian True Man, they scattered and fled.

Disregarding those little ghosts, the few National Guardian True Men all looked at Tai Shi floating above the altar, a trace of joy flashing in their eyes.

This, perhaps is Central State's first True God in a thousand years...

However, this was merely the first step.

Everyone looked to the sky, unknowingly it had darkened like night, and a dense swarm of locusts like surging seawater was inverted over the sky.

Even strong as the National Guardian True Men, upon witnessing this sight, couldn't help but take a sharp breath.

This was just the locusts of Lanzhou, if all of Central State were like this, then indeed, there would be no hope left.

Seemingly stimulated, without Zhang Kui needing to activate it, the Red Lotus Karmic Fire suddenly rose over three feet, its blood-red flames ominous and terrifying.

The surrounding area instantly became shockingly cold, those in the Grain Avoidance Realm couldn't withstand it, Zhang Kui hastily ordered them to retreat, leaving only a few National Guardian True Men at the summit.

The birth of the Locust Demon didn't seem random, the locust swarm was already impatient, yet still gathering continuously.

Suddenly, the entire swarm started moving, converging in one direction, forming a massive vortex in the black sea of sky.

The sound of a whirlwind arose, the locust swarm forming a black tornado, swirling down from the sky, plunging directly into the blood-red flames.

The Karmic Fire blazed fiercely, consuming all.

Like oil on fire, the blood-red flames instantly soared several stories high, crackling incessantly.

Since the Red Lotus Karmic Fire is cold fire, no burning smell was present, only drifting white ash fell.

Suddenly, as if something was refined from the Karmic Fire, a streak of blood-yellow evil aura appeared in the sky, followed by more similar aura intertwining together.

An intent of madness driven by hunger slowly emerged...