After hearing what Madoka said, I nodded.
"Okay! Then I will take up the body of this poor little earth god now, and burn it after salvation."
In fact, it was killed by a ferocious evil demon, and its soul was already gone, leaving only an empty body. Transcendence has no practical meaning, but it can be regarded as a kind of comfort that is better than nothing...
I stretched out my hand and gently punched out a ray of true energy into the deep pit, which turned into a breeze and picked up the body of the earthly mouse, bringing it back to the surface.
Then a simple and serious Taoist salvation ceremony was held, and then burned with talisman fire into fine ashes, which were swept up by the breeze and scattered in the air throughout Wenjia Village...
I sighed.
"Although I don't know what kind of connection you have with Wenjia Village, since you protected the village for the sake of the land, you should return to heaven and earth here after your death."
Seeing that Xiao Yuan didn't speak, I asked her.
"Are all earth lords such weak little monsters? Are there any more powerful ones?"
Madoka came to her senses and replied.
"The so-called land is related to the place where humans live, and they use the incense of humans to worship the good demons and ghosts who practice. So the land is basically the incense and earth veins of a village or small town. Even bigger... ...For example, in a city, he is called the City God!"
City God's Temple?
I was slightly startled.
"Is there really a city god?"
A spread of small round wings.
"There are all the underworlds in the underworld, why is there no city god? But just like the underworld, it has not appeared for a long time. In fact, since the demise of the previous dynasty, all the city god temples have been empty. It seems that the new dynasty has not been born. As a cultivating creature from the [City God’s lineage], I remember that I haven’t seen the City God for who knows how long.”
I was silent for a moment, and then I thought about it carefully.
"Maybe it's because... most of the city gods need to be canonized by the court. In modern society, science and technology are prosperous, and atheism is on the rise. The court can no longer grant these titles."
Madoka said with a strange yin and yang.
"That's natural. They are all so-called ghosts and snake gods. It's okay if I don't completely destroy you. Why do you still want to be canonized? Niubi and Baldhead are also because they are too deeply connected with China's own history and civilization, are too powerful, and they themselves are too weak. He is a living practitioner. That is why he is preserved."
well……
I sighed. These major events and general trends that are really related to the destiny of the world and the trend of the times are not something that a "little monk" like me can think about and discuss.
But I'm also curious, what was the level of strength of the "City God" in ancient times?
Madoka told me.
"Like the land, the city god also depends on the popularity of the connection, the size of the land line, and the amount of incense offered. However, because Buddhist monks always come to snatch these, they have been at a disadvantage."
oh!
This is equivalent to a "competitive relationship".
As a "foreign household", Buddhism quickly attracted a large number of believers after localization. Not only did it take away the Taoist sect's share, but the "yin gods" like "land" and "city god" who need to offer incense and vows to practice are also greatly affected...
The lands are a bit better, since they are mainly in rural villages and small towns anyway, so the conflict with Buddhism is not too great.
The city god suffered a loss!
What is even worse is that after entering modern civilized society, science emerged. Without being canonized by the imperial court, they simply disappeared—not defeated by Buddhism, but defeated by the changes of the times!
Madoka said again.
"Generally speaking, the level of most lands is only a little better than that of lonely ghosts. It is quite difficult to deal with evil spirits at the level of real demons, fierce ghosts, and vicious corpses. The strength of the city god is much stronger, and most of them are in Around the level of [Breathia] and [King]."
It thought for a while and gave a specific example.
"Looking at an area the size of Fubei County, if the ancient Fubei City God still existed... Wu boy, if you don't use magical weapons and fight it with your bare hands and magic, you two are probably in the middle of the pack. If If you want to shamelessly use the sword that the bad woman left for you, I guess the Fubei City God is not as good as you."
I was pleasantly surprised.
"Holy crap! I'm actually more powerful than the City God?"
Madoka raised her right wing angrily and kept poking my chest with the tip of her wing to scold me.
"Nonsense! You melon boy, don't you have any idea about your current level? Although you are nothing in my eyes, I can make you kneel down and sing "conquer" with just a breath. But looking at the entire Chinese cultivation world ——Especially now that we are still in the age of the end of the Dharma—I am afraid that no one among the younger generation can be found more perverted than you.”
After dealing with the matter of the landlord in Wenjia Village, Xiao Yuan and I carefully felt the terrifying jet-black evil spirit remaining in the scars of the clay statue. I also tried to use [Qi Seeking Talisman] to see if I could track the opponent, but found that it didn't work!
I don't know if it's because too much time has passed, or if there are other reasons - such as the other party deliberately erasing the own aura contained in the demonic aura or having magic skills that are good at concealing traces.
In short, the inability to trace the mastermind behind the murder of Wenjiacun's land is always a hidden danger.
Before leaving, Madoka, an idiot, sighed.
"Well, the amount of incense and wishing power that permeates the area is not small. I don't know how many years the poor rat land has worked hard to gather in this small temple. Before it was all absorbed and digested, it was The harm caused by evil demons and the destruction of the body and death can only be dissipated slowly. It is such a waste! It is a pity that I, the Bird Master, do not practice this way, otherwise I will have to accept it."
I also felt it was a pity and echoed.
"Indeed, it would be great if you could use it. However, my master has always disliked the incense and wish power, and I also stayed away from it."
In fact, most orthodox Taoist practitioners are not willing to get involved in the "incense and aspiration power" thing.
To use my master’s original words: No matter what others think, she herself feels that this thing is both a shortcut and poison for practitioners who truly have great ideals and great future!
Of course Madoka is a youkai, so that doesn't matter.
It's a pity that the "power of incense and wish" here belongs to the mouse and earthly master, and it is originally a "thing with an owner". Unless it is given as a gift, it will be difficult for others to absorb it.
But the Rat Land is dead, so the power of these incense wishes can only slowly dissipate between heaven and earth.
"Let's go, silly bird. It's not always possible to pick up such a windfall."
I waved my hand to persuade Madoka, and she nodded.
"Young man Wu is right, I can't take advantage every time."
Get ready to leave with me.
I never expected that all of a sudden!
Buzz, buzz buzz!
The star blade I carried with me vibrated on its own at this time, making the sound of a sword.
A clang!
The star blade flew out of the scabbard and floated in the air.
Sizzle, sizzle!
The blade of the sword released a blue arc of lightning, which penetrated the air and made a unique hissing sound, like little snakes wandering around.
Then I felt that the pervasive "incense and wish power" were quickly decomposed and restored, becoming the pure spiritual energy of heaven and earth!
Then, it was absorbed by the Star Blade.
I:"……"
Madoka: "..."
"Your uncle, Mr. Wu!!! I just persuaded me to calm down and stop trying to take advantage. I just want you stupid sword to take advantage, right? You shady guy, ah ah ah ah, I'm a bird I’ll fight with you today! I’m all friends!”
"It's unfair, you damn fat bird!"
I can't argue.
