Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

"Thank you, True Men, for saving Lanzhou from its tribulation!"

"True Man Zhang's skill reaches the heavens!"

When everyone returned to Tong City from the mountain, the entire Prefecture City was in an uproar, offerings were displayed, fine wine was served, incense was burned, and people knelt and prayed, creating a lively atmosphere.

There were prefecture officials and government officials bowing with hands clasped, scholars presenting freshly written eulogies, and wealthy men arranging a parasol for the people, while aged citizens with tear-streaked faces knelt all over the ground.

Although the National Guardian True Man could fly away, at this moment it was evidently inappropriate. Zhang Kui turned to look at the Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji, only to find everyone smiling and nodding at him.

Zhang Kui was also not inclined to refuse; he turned and clasped his hands, his bold voice instantly calming the entire clamor.

"Fellow citizens, please hear me."

"In times of great tribulation for humanity, we must not shirk our responsibilities. However, in vanquishing the Locust Demon of Lanzhou, the efforts of everyone present were indispensable. Please behold this object!"

Saying this, Zhang Kui extended his right palm, and a simple golden bell instantly floated into the air, its melodious chime cleansing the heart, divine light radiating in all directions.

"The Divine Court Bell!"

The crowd erupted in exclamations of astonishment, some stared wide-eyed in disbelief, while others were moved to tears with fervor.

Though they had been bowing before the bell's divine statue all day, the divine power had not manifested. Now witnessing its true form, it was indeed wondrous beyond compare.

"Precisely!"

Zhang Kui laughed heartily, in good spirits, "This is the Sacred Artifact of our humanity, containing within it the True God, Tai Shi."

As soon as he finished speaking, a golden phantom of Tai Shi, towering two stories high, slowly appeared, nodding slightly at the people before disappearing, sparking a wave of gasps and prompting many to bow hurriedly.

"What is a Sacred Artifact of humanity? Simply put, it gathers the Incense Fire Wish Power of countless humans, wards off disasters, and protects peace; with unified hearts, even heaven and earth can be changed…"

Zhang Kui carefully introduced the differences of the Sacred Artifact.

Behind him, the Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji appeared deep in thought, suddenly hit with a grand idea. If every state and county in Qian had this, perhaps the safety of humankind could be ensured.

But he quickly dispelled this thought, as the Divine Strange Pearl was too precious; even those evil-spirit-infested Forbidden Lands would vie for it.

"Everyone!"

After the introduction, Zhang Kui's expression became stern, "Lanzhou is only the beginning. If the locust plague across Central State isn't eradicated, swarms will rise everywhere, leaving endless misfortune. Therefore, in your daily lives, you must sincerely pray to help the Sacred Artifact cleanse the disaster demons!"

"True Man Zhang's words are most wise…"

"We shall burn incense day and night, bowing sincerely…"

The officials and citizens all agreed; according to what Zhang Kui said, this divine entity was genuinely powerful, capable of not only quelling the locust plague but even eliminating epidemics. Immediately, wealthy merchants made donations to build temples.

In a small incense-lit temple far away, the Lanjiang River God, severely injured by the Crane Immortal, was left as a mere shadow, staring over in a stupor, a terrifying thought flashing through his mind.

Could it be that this person intends to reforge the Divine Path…

Impossible, a fool's dream!

...

Haojing City, Zhengyang Hall of the Imperial Palace.

"The great victory in Lanzhou!"

"To report to Your Majesty, on the third day of the fifth month, True Man Zhang and several National Guardian True Men set up an altar at Jun Mountain, vanquished the Locust Demon, and relieved Lanzhou of its locust plague…"

The news quickly reached the Capital City, and when the courtiers learned of this, and that the National Guardian True Men had already headed to other states, smiles spread across their faces, as if the gloom over the Imperial City was gradually dispersing.

Sitting on the carved gold throne, Emperor Li Shuo also breathed a sigh of relief, for the locust plague came swiftly and fiercely, and with the court quarreling before him daily, he was unable to rest day or night.

The Astronomical Bureau was making good progress, and with the locust plague now addressed, it was simply a double blessing.

For a time, the rulers and ministers rejoiced and began discussing the matter of rewards.

It was then that Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites Liu Rusong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"Oh, go on."

Emperor Li Shuo was in a pleasant mood; before him, Liu Rusong was a person from Qiongshan Academy, recommended by Situ Yan, and had been by his side since, regarded as a trusted aide.

Liu Rusong's expression was stern, "Your Majesty, I have heard that while True Man Zhang conducted the national sacrificial ceremony to enshrine deities at Jun Mountain, although it was to vanquish the Locust Demon, the action was exceedingly presumptuous."

"Silence, traitor!"

Immediately, an Imperial Censor couldn't bear it, stepped forward, and cursed: "The True Men toil for the country, and everything was done as a temporary measure—you vile person, how dare you slander behind their backs."

The Qiongshan Academy had made a significant entry into the court as officials and occupied part of the Astronomical Bureau, infringing upon many interests, long becoming the target of hatred, and immediately several people attacked together.

For a time, Zhengyang Hall descended into chaos again.

"Silence, all of you!"

Emperor Li Shuo's mood suddenly soured, glaring at everyone with a dark gaze.

"This matter is to be discussed later…"

To have merit is worthy of respect, but if one constantly has a group of meritorious individuals over one's head, it is uncomfortable.

In Emperor Li Shuo's eyes, a hidden light flickered; he wondered how the Astronomical Bureau was faring…

...

Grand Profound Lake.

The lake shore shimmered with waves, and the grasses grew, warblers flew.

"Fellow students…"

Qin Yi's lips curled in a slight smile, "The chaos in this world stems from a lack of order, allowing demons to rampage, leaving the people unable to live. The Astronomical Bureau holds great power, yet is rotten and ineffectual."

"Our actions are to set things right; your names shall be recorded in history, starting today!"

"We shall not fail Instructor Qin's expectations!"

His words inspired the students, stirring their blood. They mobilized the townsfolk immediately, beginning to dig and bury Magical Artifacts, laying bronze rune tracks everywhere.

Qin Yi smiled slightly, turning to walk towards the Seven Stars Pavilion, thinking these fools are so easily deceived; a grand title can make them lose themselves.

Square Immortal Road encompasses alchemy, poison crafting, astrology, and medical curses; why would he be foolish enough to pass it all down; he merely taught some minor skills and paths.

It was enough to perform tricks on the Capital City's Grand Array…

Upon entering the Seven Stars Pavilion, three huge figures greeted him in the main hall, humanoid Piggy Dragon demons.

Seven or eight meters tall, their bodies covered in dark scales, clad in bronze armor; their jaws large, filled with tusks; sharp claws gleaming with a chilling light.

The most peculiar were their eyes, entirely cast in bronze, with runes shimmering a gloomy light upon them.

"Hahaha…"

Qin Yi couldn't suppress his laughter, "The Great Zhou Dynasty captured the Divine Travel Realm demons, and the Square Immortal Road refined them into Secret Technique Puppets. To think, three of them were hidden beneath Grand Profound Lake. Emperor Qianyuan was truly a man of great fortune, yet now they are all at my disposal."

When Zhang Kui first joined the Astronomical Bureau, he observed Grand Profound Lake with the Tongyou Skill, seeing these as the Bureau's foundation and thus ignoring them.

No one expected that the inheritance left by the Square Immortal Road two thousand years ago during the Great Zhou Dynasty would fall into the hands of a demon.

"Not enough, not yet enough..."

Qin Yi looked at the ground, his eyes brimming with greed, "The millennium essence of the Square Immortal Road, once I seize this Divine Corpse, even those evil-spirit-infested Forbidden Lands will be powerless against me."

"Haha, hahaha…"

Qin Yi burst into laughter again, a bronze cauldron suddenly appeared in his hand, green flames within, with the Nine-Child Ghost Witch's face continually crying out.

"Thanks to you, dry mother…"

...

Far away, over the North-South Canal, the water surged, and the Astronomical Bureau's fleet sailed mightily, the "National Guardian and Exorcism" banner billowing in the wind.

In one of the cabins, the scent of sandalwood lingered; Zhang Kui sat cross-legged, staring out the window, lost in thought.

Discussing where to go next, the few National Guardian True Men reached a consensus, and Zhang Kui made the decision to start with the states without demon-infested Forbidden Lands.

By slaying the Locust Demon's clone, he had gained over sixty points; unless he ventured into those Forbidden Lands and slew several Celestial Tribulation Realm Old Demons, he would never acquire so much.

Currently, his Grain Avoidance Skill was at level three; upgrading to level four required fourteen points, level five required fifteen points, and so on, with the full level requiring one hundred and nineteen points.

In other words, once he eliminated the Locust Demon in another state, he would undergo an earth-shattering transformation.

In Qian, there were thirteen states; the Four Caves and Five Water Mansions took up nine, leaving four states likely safer.

Moreover, after the incident in Lanzhou, all state mansions began temple-building campaigns, promoting the whole endeavor, and during this time, the "Divine Court Bell" was experiencing miraculous changes daily, extraordinary in its divine nature.

At that time, perhaps, there would be a chance to maneuver…