Southern Continent

Wuzhi Qi passed through the dense dark clouds and landed in a mysterious and majestic valley.

On both sides of the valley stood countless divine sculptures, intricately carved into the massive rock walls, each statue unique, vividly displaying the majesty and strength of the divinities.

Hence, this valley was aptly named Divine Spirit Valley.

At the center of the valley was a wide avenue filled with blue pebbles, flowers, and grass along its sides. Various small demons busily scurried to and fro, laboriously carrying boxes of Incense Bronze.

The demons orderly transported the Incense Bronze from deep within the valley to its end.

At the end of the valley, there was a bright and mysterious light gate.

This dazzling light gate was the entrance to the Cave Heaven World, through which one could see a mysteriously unpredictable world with blue skies, incredible peaks, flowing waters, and spiritual lights, everything appearing dreamlike and illusory.

Ordinary little demons were strictly forbidden to enter this world, and even unsummoned divine beings could not step into it.

However, Wuzhi Qi naturally had the qualifications to enter.

As the ancient Huai River God who once arm-wrestled with Emperor Yu of the Human Race, his strength and influence were undoubted.

After he chose to join this divine kingdom that specifically collected the Power of Faith from the Human Race, he quickly attracted a large following of Incense Fire Divinities.

Aside from a small part of Human Race Cultivators, the rest were from the Demon Clan, who naturally held great respect for this legendary Huai River God with vast divine skills.

With the support of White Lotus Child, the Venerable controlling the divine kingdom, and the backing of many Incense Fire Divinities, Wuzhi Qi naturally became the leader of thousands of these divinities.

His duty was to patrol different areas, and punish those Incense Fire Divinities who failed to deliver Incense Bronze on time.

Within just a few days, he fought across four regions, punishing several dissenting Great Demons with the straightforward tactic of "killing the chicken to scare the monkey," swiftly rebuilding the prestige of the ancient Water God.

White Lotus Child was very pleased with him and soon took the initiative to sound out whether he wished to join the forces behind him.

This was precisely Wuzhi Qi's main goal—to ascertain the backgrounds of these people and ideally capture evidence with the Image Retention Pearl.

However, to prevent them from merely testing him instead of sincerely inviting, he haughtily refused.

Afterward, White Lotus Child probed him several more times, which he all cleverly deflected.

Until yesterday, when White Lotus Child once again invited him to talk in detail inside the Cave Heaven, stating his own impending departure and that someone would soon take over his duties, hoping that Wuzhi Qi would continue to assist the new Venerable in managing these Incense Fire Divinities.

To this, Wuzhi Qi readily agreed, but secretly synced all this crucial information to Yu Yuan through a bronze mirror.

At this moment, he was coming to Divine Spirit Valley to meet with that new Venerable, as invited by White Lotus Child.

Wuzhi Qi crossed the Light Gate and arrived within the Cave Heaven World.

Before him lay a vast expanse of water, with countless blooming lotuses vibrant and fragrant, permeating the air. At the center of the lotus pond, a seven-colored lotus blossomed magnificently with White Lotus Child seated atop, his appearance handsome, in fluttering white robes, surrounded by an immortal aura, appearing exceptionally extraordinary.

Wuzhi Qi did not bow or show deference, rather, he stepped directly onto the lotus flowers and approached White Lotus Child, frowning slightly and spoke impatiently, "Has that new Venerable not arrived yet? Waiting for others is what I loathe most in my life."

Before his words ended, a slightly chilly voice immediately followed.

"What a coincidence, I also dislike waiting for others."

Wuzhi Qi looked towards the source of the voice, only to see a tall and formidable middle-aged man emerging from the lotus pond.

His large physique, dark skin, fierce face, and flowing robes emitted a strong aura, his pupils gleaming with a sharp cold light, like a fierce beast.

Facing Wuzhi Qi, the ancient Huai River God, he merely crossed his arms over his chest in a bold and imposing manner, radiating an overwhelming pressure.

If Yu Yuan were here, he would definitely recognize this man as his defeated foe, the Yaksha King.

At this moment, although Wuzhi Qi did not know the background of this towering figure, he could sense the fierce and mighty aura emanating from the other, like a formidable beast ready to strike.

"Who are you?"

Wuzhi Qi's eyes sharpened in an instant, his muscles tensed, ready to confront the enemy. He clenched his fists, seemingly ready to strike at any moment.

Simultaneously, the Yaksha King's hair bristled, also sensing that dynamic and sharp aura from Wuzhi Qi which he could not ignore.

The two stood facing each other, the force emanating from them making the air around seem heavier.

It seemed as if an invisible bond connected them, both sensing that familiar aura from each other, a resonance between "kindred spirits."

This kindred resonance stirred the primal combat desire deep within their hearts, making them unconsciously gather their strength, sharpen their blades, ready to engage in a sensational showdown.

Both Wuzhi Qi and the Yaksha King understood not to underestimate each other's abilities.

"This is the New Venerable, the Clan Leader of the Western Yaksha Clan," White Lotus hurriedly spoke, sensing the tension between the two. "And this is the renowned Ancient Huai River God of Southern Continent, Wu Zhiqi."

He addressed both, "Though you two have not met before, from today onwards, you will be working together. I hope you can collaborate successfully to increase the presence of Incense Fire Divine".

"If you can spread Divine Temples throughout the Southern Continent, you will be able to gather ten times more Incense Bronze than currently, which will lead to rewarding both of you with unexpected Spiritual Treasures."

Wu Zhiqi frowned, perplexed, "Before, when the Demon Gods under my command wanted to expand, it was you, Venerable, who disagreed and strictly prohibited the expansion of Incense Fire Divine elsewhere.

Why have you changed your mind now and intend to fully promote the Incense Fire Divine Dao?"

"Times have changed..." White Lotus started to speak but stopped, glanced at the Yaksha King, seeing no reaction, he smiled and continued, "It's fine to tell you now. We are disciples of the Western Sect, only because Xiniuhezhou is barren and sparsely populated, we had no choice but to travel countless miles to Southern Continent, harvesting the Power of Faith from the Human Race.

This act couldn't be openly acknowledged and wasn't accepted by Xuanmen and the Three Sects, hence I've always kept it hidden, slowly planning in the southwest.

But now our sect is cooperating with Chan Sect, naturally, there's no need to sneak around anymore."

"Cooperating with Chan Sect?"

Wu Zhiqi's heart stirred slightly. He wasn't too surprised when White Lotus admitted they were disciples of the Western Sect, his face even kept a "I had guessed as much" smile.

But the cooperation between Western Sect and Chan Sect truly surprised him.

Meanwhile, as an undercover agent, he keenly realized this might just be the "evidence" Yu Yuan was seeking!

If he could obtain proof of Chan Sect and Western Sect collaborating to harvest Human Race's Faith Power, then his mission would be considered complete.

With this, he was just one step away from regaining his freedom.

As this thought crossed his mind, it felt like when sleepiness comes, a pillow is handed to you; he heard White Lotus say, "Both of you should prepare well. Later, a Pharmacist brother from our Western Sect will accompany Chan Sect disciples here to observe, let's hope there are no mishaps."

The opportunity came so quickly?

A rush of excitement flickered in Wu Zhiqi's mind, this must be the "big fish" Yu Yuan wanted to see!

Though his heart fluttered with shock and joy, his expression remained calm as usual, placidly he said, "Some minor issues, what complications could arise?"

White Lotus nodded satisfactorily, praised Wu Zhiqi to the Yaksha King, then asked him to prepare.

Wu Zhiqi didn't linger, leaving the Cave Heaven World immediately, messaging Yu Yuan while hiding some Image Retention Pearls in a few secretive spots within the Divine Spirit Valley.

Hours later, having received prior news, White Lotus and the Yaksha King were already waiting quietly at the entrance of the valley.

Moments later, a cloud of Seven-colored Clouds floated across the sky.

Wu Zhiqi looked up and saw two figures above the clouds.

Ahead, one sat on a lotus platform, tall and upright with a dignified face, his bright and compassionate eyes revealing endless wisdom and kindness.

He held a blooming lotus in his hand that radiated a majestic, sacred glow, its fragrance detectable even from afar, immediately refreshing the spirit and clarifying the senses.

Clearly, this lotus possessed some special effects.

Behind him was an unremarkable old Daoist, with twin hair buns riding a plum deer, wearing a gray Daoist robe, surrounded by glimmering halos, exuding an airy fairy presence with a seven-colored aura spouting overhead.

"Salutations to Vice Sect Hierarch Randeng! Salutations to Pharmacist Brother!"

At the valley entrance, White Lotus and Yaksha King bowed respectfully.

Randeng and the Pharmacist descended from the clouds into Divine Spirit Valley, afterwards being led by White Lotus and Yaksha King to observe the scenes within the valley.

White Lotus meticulouslyexplained the Incense Fire Divine Dao, and the process of harvesting the Power of Faith from humans, proudly pointing at the stone sculptures on both sides of Divine Spirit Valley, explaining that these tens of thousands of sculptures were all his subordinates as Incense Fire Divine.

These Incense Fire Divine were initially no more than ants, but by following the Incense Fire Divine Dao and gathering the Power of Faith, they had grown significantly powerful within mere decades.

"Now just by my command, these Incense Fire Divine can transform into thousands of obedient Divine Generals!" declared White Lotus earnestly.

This was precisely what Randeng was interested in.

The Chan Sect, pursuing a path of elites, immediately felt a dearth of usable personnel after falling out with Jie Sect, and now needed to seek external forces to fill the gap.

"Besides, there's a powerful Commander!"

White Lotus, energized, proudly pointed towards Wu Zhiqi in the valley, introducing, "This is the Ancient Huai River God, who now commands these Incense Fire Divine..."

Before he finished speaking, Randeng's expression suddenly changed, he frowned and asked, "Why is Wu Zhiqi here? Shouldn't he have been subdued by Yu Yuan?"

Though Randeng wasn't present during Yang Jian's incident, he had reviewed the situation afterwards and remembered clearly that Wu Zhiqi was captured by Yu Yuan using the Clear Glass Bottle.

Now that this Ancient Water God appeared here, it was clearly problematic!

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