ATEG Chapter 60

In the Earth God’s temple.

This was not Wangyue’s first time coming here, but she still couldn’t help feeling apprehensive.

There were simply too many deities here. Besides those gods from Shuigu Town whose faces she had grown familiar with, there were quite a few deities she had never seen before. Due to their different divine duties, the auras emanating from their bodies also varied.

The one that made Wangyue most uncomfortable was a ghost god dressed in armor. Most of the other deities gathered in twos and threes with familiar gods, but this ghost god stood alone, with an empty circle of space around him, his fierce bloody baleful qi completely unconcealed.

“That is the Inspector who presides over weapons of war.”

Wangyue turned her head at the sound and saw the ghost god from the Jiang Family Medical Hall standing nearby. Seeing her look over, he smiled and congratulated her on finally achieving demon godhood. “Congratulations.”

Seeing a familiar deity, Wangyue relaxed somewhat. “Thank you.” 

The Jiang ghost god continued, “This Inspector was formerly the great general Zhong Qi of Lu Kingdom, who died seven hundred years ago during the chaotic war period when the Yin Emperor unified the nations. Later, he received worship and achieved ghost godhood, becoming an Inspector within Lu Kingdom’s borders. Seventy li outside town there is a General’s Temple that enshrines him.”

Wangyue had never heard of the divine position of Inspector before, and couldn’t help asking, “……Inspector?”

The Jiang ghost god explained, “Inspectors are responsible for patrolling an area to see whether the deities have failed in their duties. Their main task is to monitor whether the destiny qi within each deity’s sphere of responsibility has fallen into disorder. Although the Earth God oversees an entire area, each minor god must also be responsible for the destiny qi of living beings connected to them. Just like you and me—if the fates of the Yun Family and Jiang clan fall into chaos, we cannot escape being held accountable.”

Wangyue’s eyes widened. “But I don’t understand destiny principles very well……”

Any cultivator would know at least some techniques for observing destiny qi, but knowing only basic qi observation and being proficient enough to oversee destiny principles were two completely different concepts.

The Jiang ghost god smiled. “You’ve only recently condensed your divine position, so naturally you’re not very clear about this. Within the Divine Court’s seal, there are inherent methods for observing and regulating destiny qi. With just a bit of practice, you can apply them.”

Wangyue thanked him, and the Jiang ghost god shook his head. “These are all recorded in the Divine Court’s seal. It’s just that because things happened so suddenly, you haven’t had time to examine them yet.”

This was indeed true. Wangyue had only just condensed the seal into her divine position when the guardian deity came to summon her. She had sensed from the seal that it was indeed a command from the Divine Court, but she didn’t know what exactly had happened and hadn’t had time to examine the inheritance and information within the seal.

Just as Wangyue was about to continue asking questions, the deities summoned here had finally all arrived.

The majestic, heavy earth qi in the Earth God’s temple suddenly condensed, encompassing and harmonizing the different deity auras in the temple. Many minor deities who had previously felt uncomfortable due to other deities’ auras immediately relaxed.

The Shuigu Earth God manifested in the temple, his face solemn as he surveyed the assembled deities. “You must have all sensed this through the Divine Court’s seal, so I shall dispense with empty words.”

“A strange calamity will arise between heaven and earth. This tribulation will not only descend upon the mortal masses but is also a calamity for us cultivators. It will first descend upon the mortal world, then come to the transcendent. For the mortal masses it is a tribulation of life and death; for us it is a disaster that will sever our cultivation paths.”

After finishing these words, the Earth God paused, allowing the assembled deities time to digest and accept this information.

After a moment, a deity in purple robes with white hair rose. Wangyue recognized this deity—he was Qiaolu Gong under the Earth God’s command, most skilled in array formations and layouts, with meticulous thoughts and long-lasting patience.

Qiaolu Gong asked, “May I ask, High God, how should we respond to this tribulation?”

The Earth God said solemnly, “Ensure this tribulation proceeds smoothly.”

Qiaolu Gong frowned without speaking upon hearing this, while the other deities couldn’t help but begin conversing with each other in low voices.

Why wouldn’t they think to prevent such a calamity that would take lives and sever cultivation paths, but instead want it to proceed?

“Silence.” A deep, cold, stern voice suddenly rang out.

The temple fell quiet. The one who spoke was the ghost god Zhong Qi who served as Inspector. He was not a deity from within Shuigu Town’s jurisdiction, but had come due to the Divine Court’s command.

The Earth God surveyed the assembled gods and said, “That this great tribulation arises between heaven and earth has its reasons. This tribulation was born from the accumulation of disorder in destiny qi over a long period. Like a great flood, it can be channeled but not dammed. If we forcibly suppress it today, an even greater disaster will inevitably arise in the future.”

“I know that among you, there are those who collect calamity qi and transfer disasters to cultivate or refine treasures, but during this calamity, you must put away all such methods and not use them. This calamity can only be dealt with, not altered.”

The Inspector likewise spoke. “Those who obstruct the calamity will be charged with the same crime as disturbing destiny qi.”

Though the assembled deities frowned, none questioned this. Though being able only to passively respond to the calamity would be somewhat troublesome, it was not impossible to handle.

“Besides this, there is one more matter.” The Earth God paused, and after confirming that every deity’s attention had fallen upon him, spoke extremely slowly and with extreme gravity. “During the great tribulation, destiny qi will undergo changes. When dealing with the great tribulation, do not forget our responsibilities.”

Qiaolu Gong’s brow tightened as he asked, “Will this tribulation disorder destiny qi?”

The Earth God nodded. “This tribulation is strange and exists outside the operation of destiny principles. All living beings who perish due to this tribulation will have their personal destiny principles forcibly severed. If left unattended, destiny qi will inevitably fall into disorder, causing this tribulation to become increasingly severe.”

“To respond to this tribulation, there are currently two methods. The first is to help the mortal masses survive this tribulation so their destiny principles do not fall into disorder. The second,” the Earth God surveyed the assembled gods, “is to adjust the destiny principles of living beings, adding within the great tribulation a disaster of sudden death.”

Wangyue’s heart jolted.

Living beings were born with their destiny principles already determined, like a network of rivers, only able to change at certain nodes, like entering different tributaries. Unless one performed great meritorious deeds or great evil acts, it was very difficult for the river of destiny principles to change course.

But on the path forward of the river of destiny principles, there was another special type of node, called sudden death.

Legend has it that in Liang Kingdom there was a scholar who was on good terms with a deity and learned he could live to eighty-seven years old. Once when crossing a river, he accidentally dropped a precious white jade disc into the water. The river current was swift, but the scholar thought that since he could live to eighty-seven, he jumped into the river to retrieve the white jade disc and ended up drowning.

This was sudden death. If a sudden death tribulation arose in a person’s destiny principles, even if their destiny principles were severed as a result, it would not disorder their destiny qi.

But a sudden death tribulation would not necessarily arise naturally in one’s destiny principles—it was also related to individual karmic causes and conditions. The same calamity might cause a sudden death tribulation to arise in one person’s destiny principles, severing their future life’s destiny principles, while another person’s destiny principles could continue on safely. 

If the latter died in the calamity, it would disorder their destiny qi.

Now that a strange calamity would occur between heaven and earth, using this as a cause, the deities could utilize the destiny principle methods in the Divine Court to add a disaster of sudden death into the destiny principles of living beings. Regardless of that person’s karmic causes and conditions, they would simply continue in their next reincarnated life. After forcibly adding this disaster of sudden death, even if these living beings all died, it would not disorder the destiny qi.

Only… if they acted this way, the mortal world would likely be strewn with corpses.

But if they responded according to the first method, in the later stages of the mortal masses’ tribulation, the cultivators’ tribulation would begin. If too much strength was expended helping the mortal masses deal with the calamity, when the tribulation that severs cultivation paths began afterward, it would likely be even harder to respond to.

The temple fell silent for a time, and many deities couldn’t help but display struggling expressions on their faces.

Inspector Zhong Qi’s face grew even colder and harder as he said sternly, “During this tribulation, anyone whose subordinate destiny qi falls into disorder will have their crime increased by one degree!”

The Earth God surveyed the assembled gods. “You all cultivate different methods. I only hope that you will not forget why you embarked on this path of cultivation.”

The Divine Court widely transmitted proper methods, so there were very many divine path cultivators. But how many had the ability to directly commune with the Huai River and achieve a divine position like the Huai River Divine Lord? Most divine path cultivators achieved their divine positions by relying on the incense and faith of the masses.

Qiaolu Gong sighed. “Then we shall examine the destiny principles of all living beings within our jurisdictions, record those who have not developed sudden death disasters, and watch over them to survive this tribulation.”

The other deities likewise nodded.

Inspector Zhong Qi, who had previously worn a cold, hard expression, now revealed a slight smile.

“Since the method for dealing with this strange occurrence here has been decided, I must proceed to the next location. My duties call, so I take my leave of you all.”

The Earth God bid him farewell. Zhong Qi looked at the assembled gods in the temple and said with softened tone, “Though this strange calamity will first descend upon the mortal world, I feel it is first descending upon us cultivators. Who’s to say the mortal masses’ tribulation is not a tribulation of temperament on our cultivation path?”

Having spoken, Zhong Qi did not linger and directly left the Earth God’s temple.

The Earth God looked back at the gods in the temple whose expressions were either shocked or suddenly enlightened, and his solemn face also revealed some smile. “Since you have already made your choice, do not waver anymore. Next we shall divide up the areas of responsibility. Each of you return and record the destiny principles of the living beings you’re responsible for, then report back to me. The calamity draws near—we don’t have much time……”

……

Deities everywhere had already begun busying themselves for the impending calamity, while the mortal masses remained peacefully unaware.

In Li Manor, Ding Qin sat on the cracked boulder at the gate in a daze. All day she had felt restless and unable to settle, but didn’t know why.

High God Li Chi was not in the manor. Before leaving, he had mentioned two things: one was that guests would come, the other was that heavy rain would fall after the hour of Wei.

By now the sun had already begun moving west from its zenith—the hour of Wei had arrived. In less than an hour there would be heavy rain. When would the guests coming up the mountain arrive?

Ding Qin was spacing out when Jin Yan suddenly flapped his wings and flew up from the foot of the mountain, saying, “Those brothers from Zheng Liang’s family are carrying wood up the mountain.”

Ding Qin’s spirits lifted. “I’ll go take a look.”

With a touch of her toes, she drifted down the mountain path. Halfway down, she indeed encountered the three Zheng brothers—Zheng Gu, Zheng Shu, and Zheng Ji. They carried back-baskets containing roughly shaped and polished lumber blanks and woodworking tools.

The three were delighted to see Ding Qin. Zheng Gu explained to her, “We are grateful for the immortal’s gift of immortal wine that cured our father’s leg ailment. When we came last time, we saw the courtyard railings were decayed. My second brother is quite skilled at woodworking, so we thought to repair them for the immortal.”

Ding Qin led them into the courtyard, saying, “High God is not here today. Before leaving, he said guests would come today and entrusted me to receive them. It must be you three.”

The three felt slightly disappointed. They curiously glanced at the monkeys in the courtyard and the silver fish swimming freely in the pond, then set to work.

The third brother, Zheng Ji, was one who couldn’t keep his mouth shut. As he worked, he began chatting with Ding Qin.

“……We could have come earlier, but last time when Second Brother and Tongdou went to town, they happened to encounter that strange incident. Though they returned safely, Tongdou was frightened and developed a fever when she got back. After several days passed, we finally dared to go look at the town.”

Having finished one story, he thought of another, his mouth never stopping.

Zheng Gu glared at him. “Even work can’t stop your mouth!”

Zheng Ji sheepishly closed his mouth, when suddenly someone interjected, “Don’t stop, I quite enjoy listening.”

This wasn’t Ding Qin’s voice. The three were startled and looked toward the sound, only to see a dove perched on the table, tilting its head to look at them.

Zheng Ji asked carefully, “Bird Immortal, was that you speaking just now?”

Jin Yan smacked his beak. “Don’t call me Bird Immortal, that’s too unpleasant! My name is Jin Yan.”

“Immortal Jin Yan?” Zheng Ji attempted.

Jin Yan considered this and was quite satisfied with the title. He and Zheng Ji both possessed chatterbox attributes, and before long they were chattering away together.

Just as they were talking happily, Ding Qin suddenly interjected, “The hour of Wei is almost over and heavy rain approaches. I’ll escort you down the mountain.”

Jin Yan said with regret, “Rain is coming—you should go down the mountain.”

The three Zheng brothers looked at each other in confusion. They’d only just started their work and were somewhat reluctant to leave it.

Zheng Ji looked up at the sky and asked, “There’s not a single cloud—how could it rain?”

Jin Yan shook his head. “That’s what High God said before leaving.”

Zheng Shu thought for a moment. “Since there are no clouds now, the rain probably won’t be too heavy. The sky is still bright, so let’s work a bit longer.”

Zheng Gu thought the same.

Ding Qin shook her head. “High God said it would be heavy rain. You should return.”

The three Zheng brothers had no choice but to pack up their things and prepare to leave.

Just as they reached the main gate, with the hour of Wei nearly over, wind suddenly arose in the mountain forest. This wind swirled fiercely and chaotically, sending broken stones and branches flying—extremely strange.

Everyone involuntarily stopped. Ding Qin’s heart suddenly gave a violent thump, and she instinctively looked up at the sky.

After the wind arose, clouds suddenly formed in the sky. These clouds of unknown origin quickly grew dense and thick, blocking the sun from view. Heaven and earth instantly darkened, and the sky turned an ominous sandy yellow color.

Through her spiritual eyes, Ding Qin looked at the spiritual essence in the wind. The originally light and free spiritual essence had already begun to roil in chaos.

She said decisively, “I’ll escort you partway!”

With that, she employed divine techniques and quickly brought the three Zheng brothers to Liquan Village entrance. Without waiting for them to thank her, she turned and returned to the mountain.

When Ding Qin returned to Li Manor, she couldn’t help but frown. By now the sky had completely turned a turbid, murky yellow, and the light grew increasingly dim. The spiritual essence in the wind grew more turbulent and chaotic. When she employed the same techniques, the consumption of divine power was many times greater than usual. This was an unprecedented phenomenon.

The manor spirit Hou Li had somehow manifested in the courtyard at some point. Ding Qin’s heart grew increasingly uneasy, and she couldn’t help calling out, “Mister Hou Li……”

Hou Li looked up at the sky and said gravely, “The hour of Wei has passed.”

Just as the hour of Wei passed, the thickly accumulated clouds immediately released rain. The raindrops were as large as finger joints, and in mere moments they pounded vision into a blur.

Ding Qin suddenly felt the mountain forest beneath her feet seem to shake, but when she felt carefully, it seemed like an illusion again.

A light, misty qi suddenly arose from the mountain forest, enveloping and supporting the rain before it could fall to the ground. The rain seemed to slow somewhat, then fell into the mountain forest.

Ding Qin was somewhat puzzled.

Hou Li’s expression grew even more solemn as he explained, “The mountain’s spiritual veins shook. The mountain has a spirit and is spontaneously responding. This rain is wrong.”

Ding Qin caught several raindrops in her palm but didn’t discover any problems. She raised her head again and reached out to pluck down several raindrops directly from above the mountain mist.

The rainwater was clear, transparent, and crystalline as dew.

Ding Qin tasted it.

“This rain……is salty and bitter!”