AZI Volume 7 Chapter 22

"Fine. We'll head outside to ask for backup. But answer me this, you all…- Just what is your deity?"

Towards Liang Jin He's question, Xu Tian Kun lazily replies—

"Lord Tian She Zi is Lord Tian She Zi, an ancient deity worshipped by many—as simple as that."

"This deity of yours is dressed like an Immortal, how could you possibly say that it isn't one as well?!"

"…"

"…"

Following these words, hostility emanates from all the villagers, and with it, the entirety of the gathering is seemingly split into two factions.

"Xun Yu, the hell are you doing?"

Seeing Xun Yu standing with the villagers, the Moon Guards widen their eyes beneath their masks.

"I've decided, I'll leave the Long Yue family, and join this village."

Towards Xun Yu's answer, the villagers direct a warm set of eyes at the former, whereas the Moon Guards shout—

"Are you mad?!"

"You're going to die without a tune-up!"

Smiling beneath her shattered mask, Xun Yu replies—

"Since almost nothing is impossible with Lord Tian She Zi's power, I need only pray to him to keep me alive."

"…"

Hearing this from a distance, Long Hua's expression darkened.

(Quite a devotee this one…)

Towards the Tai Xuan Emperor's remark, Long Hua mutters—

"One that I can do without…"

Having experienced what it's like to be able to wield faith energy, Long Hua can say for certain that too much of this energy—in the long run, it would definitely turn a supposed god into a tool that can be exploited by mortal lifeforms.

(This energy is powerful, but the detriment of it is just as great. A person would need a powerful force of will to maintain their individual sense of self and sanity—when wielding or receiving it. The reason for this, it's because—prayers, these are the manifestations of a single lifeform's will. If prayers varied in nature, things would be easier to control. However, when faced with prayers—formed of numerous mortal lifeforms' unanimous wills, attempting to accept these unified wills upon oneself is extremely difficult, for doing so would cause one's individual will to be devoured by the masses. Ai… The strength of an individual's own will and wishes, it simply isn't powerful enough to content against a sea of unified wills and wishes.)

Thinking of this, Long Hua glances at the sphere of golden radiance, where his main body is.

...…

"…"

Directing a cruel smile at the remnant will of numerous Lord Tian She Zis of the past, which takes on the form of a face, Long Hua asks—

"Well? Anything you all like to share?"

Towards Long Hua's question, the remnant will replies—

"Th-This isn't possible! Y-You shouldn't be capable of maintaining your own sanity! Just what are you?!"

Taking out his calabash, Long Hua downs a mouthful of wine, and answers—

"That unpleasant bastard, he said that you're all worthless failures. I would have to agree."

"…!"

Hearing this, the remnant will widen its eyes with an expression of shock.

"H-He…-? Y-You can talk directly with the monarch?"

"Monarch…"

Muttering this, Long Hua heaves a sigh.

Monarch, this should be the name of the unattainable apex that is sought after by many—where the criteria to have even a shot at attainment, it would require one's cultivation base, body, and soul to reach a very specific level.

Raising another sigh, Long Hua remarks—

"I don't have much use for you all. So, let's just…"

Snapping his fingers, Long Hua summons the phantom maw of a serpent behind the remnant will.

"We can…-!"

Paying no heed to the remnant will's words, the maw lunges forth, and swallows it whole in a single bite.

"…"

As the maw vanishes, Long Hua frowns, and mutters—

"Missing a portion of one… Hmm, well, finding it shouldn't be too difficult."

Taking out Xia Chen Hai's storage pouch, Long Hua uses faith energy to erase the seal on it, and begins to search through its contents.

"Hm?"

The first thing that stands out to Long Hua is an egg, the size of a person's head.

"This is…?"

(The egg of a magic beast?)

"Can I trade this in for rolls?"

(We don't take that here, *-laoban.)

Not interested in raising a pet, Long Hua stores the egg away into his own storage pouch for the time being.

Continuing to comb through Xia Chen Hai's storage pouch, Long Hua eventually feels like he had been scammed.

"What the hell is up with this? That guy's strength—it can't be considered weak; shouldn't he be loaded?"

The most notable items to Long Hua are mainly spirit herbs and pills.

Other than that, there really isn't much else contained in Xia Chen Hai's storage pouch.

(Maybe the guy was out on a stroll before coming here, so he didn't bother to pack much? I doubt anyone would think to carry a massive bag of gold around when they're in their own backyard.)

"…"

As soon as the Tai Xuan Emperor had pointed this out, Long Hua frowns. The odds of it being true are quite high.

"Tch. Whatever, how's the total right now?"

(Still going through the items, but expect more than enough to grant three pities at least.)