Chapter 129: The Returning Soul

The origins of evil gods are diverse, encompassing both indigenous and foreign entities. In a sense, "evil god" is a collective term in this world; these beings vary greatly in nature and possess vastly different foundations. Not every evil god requires the power of faith, nor are all of them rejected by this world. However, those capable of cultivating followers are generally quite powerful.

Indigenous evil gods arise primarily from three sources. Fang Yue had once speculated whether the unorthodox cultivation methods—which lack a ceiling on power—might eventually lead one to become an evil god. Memories salvaged from Magistrate Wen confirmed that a portion of indigenous evil gods did indeed originate this way. However, these practitioners who stumbled into godhood were often burdened by immense sin and blood debts, inciting such universal wrath and resentment that they were rejected by the heavens and earth, forcing them into hiding.

The second category of indigenous evil gods consists of those like Fang Yue, who ascended through accidental circumstances by utilizing the power of incense and wishes. Yet, these "gods" lacked Fang Yue’s fortune—specifically, the merit required to cleanse the negative emotions, such as stray thoughts and desires, that shroud such power. Upon ascending, they were dominated by these negative impulses, becoming mad, evil, and erratic. Furthermore, they were trapped within the regions supplied by their incense, unable to stray far. Once discovered by the Imperial Court, their only fate was death. This was the reason Lin Qingmiao had claimed there were no true gods in this world. Because this world is fractured, the path to becoming a true deity through incense and wishes has been severed, leading only to the creation of evil gods.

"It is fortunate that my region of incense supply is limited to a small town like Yutou Town," Fang Yue mused. "If the area were larger, the incense would be more abundant and my divine power stronger, but the accompanying negative emotions would also increase. My merit points are insufficient; if I couldn't control those negative emotions and they fused into my divinity, it would be dangerous." He had no desire to be consumed by such impulses and become a raving "evil god." Such a state would be meaningless. Nevertheless, he realized that in the future, if necessary, he could pose as such an entity.

The third category of indigenous evil gods has a more peculiar origin, one which Magistrate Wen did not fully understand. Beyond these, there are foreign evil gods, many of whom hail from strange and bizarre worlds, possessing equally uncanny natures. These foreign entities are rejected by this world and cannot easily enter the human realm. Of course, this does not mean they are entirely barred; they can descend through various means, though it always comes at a price. For example, they might develop followers and use the guidance of faith to descend into specific areas without being rejected, or they might employ blood sacrifices, surrogates, or other diverse methods.

"From other strange, bizarre worlds?" Fang Yue was curious, but this was beyond his reach for now.

Setting these thoughts aside, he had more pressing matters. Killing the ghost bailiffs had earned him about three thousand merit points each, and the head bailiff had provided over nine thousand. Defeating and suppressing Magistrate Wen had yielded over ten thousand, even if less than a direct kill. In total, he had gained over thirty thousand points—a substantial harvest.

"Sacrifice." Fang Yue spent his points to release the remaining incense wishes stored within the statue, dissolving the grey-black negative emotions clinging to them. After consuming over sixteen thousand points, he finally cleared the haze, obtaining a mass of pure, milky-white wish power. Fusing this into his divinity, his divine power took a significant leap forward.

"A pity, just a little short." Fang Yue felt a pang of regret; he was just a hair’s breadth away from reaching a level of divine power equivalent to a Martial Saint. "No matter, I shall wait; more incense will come in time."

Calming his mind, he recalled the contents of the *Dragon-Turtle Breath-Holding Technique*. Over the course of the night, he applied his divine power to relearn the first two stages he had already mastered, this time integrating them into his divine body.

As dawn broke, Fang Yue, possessing the statue, activated the technique. The divine power within the idol immediately retracted completely. From the outside, it appeared as nothing more than an ordinary clay statue. "Even an entity two or three levels higher than me would be unable to detect my divine avatar unless they stepped into this Sea God Temple and approached the statue."

Fang Yue breathed a sigh of relief, only to suddenly realize he had forgotten something. He stood on the altar, frowning in deep thought, unable to recall what it was. It was not until a town resident arrived early in the morning to offer incense that a flash of realization struck him.

"My human body."

He had completely forgotten to return to his physical form, remaining blankly in the statue all this time. "How bizarre. This divine power actually clouded my mind, making me neglect my own body and nearly trap me in the statue indefinitely." Fang Yue’s expression shifted. A day and a night had passed—he had no idea what state his physical body was in. If someone had destroyed it, he would be forever bound to the statue, trapped in Yutou Town. He dared not delay, instantly withdrawing his consciousness from the idol. The next moment, he opened his eyes, lying on his bed.

...

Bai Taoru’s eyes were red from crying as she kept watch by the bedside. Her clothes were stained with blood—the blood she had smeared on herself while holding Fang Yue. When he had been struck by the agonizing headache, he had rolled on the floor, bumping his head and bleeding profusely. She had guarded him from yesterday afternoon until this morning without stepping away, not even finding the time to change.

"Taoru, go and get some rest. I will watch him," Qiu Shiyan said, her expression calm, though she too had not slept all night.

"It’s fine, I’m not tired," Bai Taoru insisted.

Qiu Shiyan looked at her with complex emotions; anyone could see the girl’s feelings now.

"Young Miss, do you think Junior Brother will be all right?" Bai Taoru looked up, her eyes rimmed with red, seeking comfort.

"The doctor said it was fine, that he had merely fainted and might wake up soon," Qiu Shiyan said, keeping her voice as steady as she could. In truth, the two doctors they had summoned had admitted their helplessness, unable to identify the cause and suggesting he might never wake. They had advised her to seek a more skilled physician.

Bai Taoru murmured an acknowledgement and turned back to gaze longingly at the unconscious Fang Yue. Qiu Shiyan bit her lip, offered no further persuasion, and walked to the door. She stepped out and closed it behind her.

Bai Fu was waiting outside. Seeing her emerge, he asked, "Young Miss, how is Master Fang?"

Qiu Shiyan shook her head.

Bai Fu sighed. "What a streak of bad luck. How could such a thing happen? And that silly girl of mine… alas."

As he lamented, a cry of joy suddenly erupted from the room: "Junior Brother, you’re awake!"

Qiu Shiyan’s expression changed instantly. Without a word, she rushed back into the room. Bai Fu stood stunned, watching her hurried silhouette.