Chapter 122: The Mastermind Behind the Drying Water Sources (Part I)

Chapter 122: The Culprit Behind the Depletion of Water Essence (Part One)

No amount of boasting compares to tangible divine power and genuine, concrete benefits. A single clear, winding river was enough to make the Rock Tribe hang on every word. As for the Mud Crocodile God? What kind of nonsense was that? Hold on, not listening, goodbye.

"Respected Great God, what offerings do you require?"

Compared to the excitement of the tribespeople, the old shaman was thinking much further ahead. When the Mud Crocodile God brought forth fresh water, it demanded a young maiden and a vast quantity of flesh and blood as tribute. By logical extension, what would a clear, flowing river require? Surely, it would cost at least half the tribe!

The old shaman’s dark, withered face sank further into a grimace. He prayed silently, hoping that this god from the Heavenly Court would leave a few able-bodied men behind for the Rock Tribe. Otherwise, they would never survive the cold, food-scarce winter.

In the barbaric age, tribal organization was simple: able-bodied labor, women for cooking and child-rearing, elders for preserving knowledge, and newborn infants. Their status in the tribe followed a descending hierarchy. Infants could be replaced; if the elders passed, the shaman remained; if women were lost, they could be raided; but without the able-bodied labor force, it was undoubtedly a death sentence in this perilous, savage world.

Deep in thought, the old shaman had already prepared the list of those to be sacrificed. Gripping his staff tightly, he lowered his head respectfully, waiting for the powerful deity to speak. It was a cruel dilemma, but for the sake of survival, a choice had to be made. Between sacrificing a group of people and the total extinction of the tribe, the old shaman decisively chose the former. This was the wisdom—or rather, the desperate necessity—required to survive in a world teeming with demon gods.

In his youth, the old shaman had once passed by a massive tribe of ten thousand. Because they had failed to entertain a demon god properly, in a single moment, the objects of his awe and envy were reduced to food in the demon god’s belly. The only reason the old shaman had survived was not luck, but because the demon god wanted him to live to spread its terrifying reputation. Since then, the old shaman had lived in despair, clearly recognizing the chasm between humanity and the demon gods. Perhaps the great figures in the ancestral lands could defeat or even kill these demon gods, but for a small, wandering tribe like his, it was utterly impossible.

"This deity does not care for blood offerings. Sincere prayer is enough."

"Tidy up; I have some questions for you." Luo Feng said indifferently.

The old shaman looked up in astonishment. There were actually demon gods in this world who didn't eat people? He then added nervously, "Great God, the Rock Tribe is but a small tribe. We have no white jade or gold to offer."

In the Tianchen Realm, there were two kinds of extraordinary beings: demons and gods, collectively known as demon gods. Most demon gods favored blood sacrifices, while a small portion preferred white jade, gold, or rare minerals. They were somewhat akin to the divine beasts and monsters in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

"This deity does not need white jade or gold either. If you truly wish to repay me, just erect a..."

"Just set up a wooden tablet and carve 'Water God of the Heavenly Court' upon it."

Luo Feng had initially considered asking for a statue, but he realized that a statue’s likeness carried significant karma. It was better to use a drawing, a tablet, or a name. It was simple, easy, could be worshipped anywhere, and would minimize karmic entanglement. *I really am a clever little spirit.*

"No blood sacrifices, no jade or minerals."

The old shaman was completely stunned. He had never encountered such a demon god. Though surprised, he did not know whether Luo Feng’s words were true or false. However, his long-standing reverence for the demon gods made him act immediately, preparing to serve his guest according to the highest standards of the tribe.

...

A short while later, the old shaman produced a black bear pelt and an array of fruits from thin air. Seeing this, Luo Feng’s eyelids twitched. The humans of the Tianchen Realm indeed possessed cultivation methods; the old shaman’s powerful mental energy was not innate. However, that was none of his concern. Once the water veins were settled, he would leave and never return to the Tianchen Realm again.

After laying layers of pelts over a dry stone and respectfully inviting Luo Feng to sit, the old shaman asked in a hushed, lowered voice, "Great God, what questions do you have?"

"I’ll skip the pleasantries. Tell me, when did the depletion of the water veins begin?"

"Remember, I am not asking about just this river, but all of them." Luo Feng gestured toward the river in front of them.

The old shaman was startled, then replied tremblingly, "Reporting to the Great God, we do not know when the water stopped."

"The Aqing River has been dry for nearly a year, but we know nothing of the other rivers."

Luo Feng frowned. "Not even a shred of news?"

The old shaman hesitated. Luo Feng understood, and his voice turned stern and majestic.

"The living beings of this realm are in dire peril. I act on behalf of Heaven to clear up the issues with the water essence of this world."

"If the water vein issue is not resolved, the system cannot be sustained, and the water cycle will fail. The Aqing River will dry up again within ten days at most."

In an instant, the old shaman broke out in a cold sweat. *What is wrong with me? Whether it is the man-eating demon gods or this god from the Heavenly Court who does not eat people, neither is someone I can afford to neglect.* He was about to kneel and beg for mercy when he felt a great force holding him up.

Luo Feng said impatiently, "Enough, enough. You are not my followers, and besides, I am a legitimate god of the Heavenly Court, not some man-eating evil deity. We don't do that here."

"Speak quickly if you have something to say. Don't dawdle."

The old shaman felt a daze. The deity before him was equally formidable, but clearly different from the demon gods.

"Answering the Great God, actually... there is a rumor circulating among many tribes."

"What rumor?" Luo Feng’s eyes lit up. Following the standard tropes, anything that was a rumor was likely the truth.

The old shaman clutched his robe, his heart sinking, and gritted his teeth. "The rumor is that the Great God of Tianzhu Mountain became enraged and swallowed the water."

"Tianzhu Mountain?"

Luo Feng’s eyes darted toward the north, pointing at a faint, white line standing between heaven and earth in the far distance.

"Is it that mountain?"

When Luo Feng first arrived in this world and overlooked the land, he had noticed that incredibly tall peak piercing the clouds. By his calculations, it was truly the highest mountain in the Tianchen Realm. It was no mistake that mortals called it the "Heavenly Pillar." As for the "Great Gods," he presumed they were the indigenous deities and demon kings residing on the mountain.

The old shaman nodded heavily. "It is indeed Tianzhu Mountain."

Luo Feng asked, "Was it that Great God of Tianzhu who became enraged?"

It was common knowledge that great mountains and rivers were always inhabited by immortals. Just like the Kunlun Mountains in the Primordial Universe—where the Three Pure Ones resided in the East and the Queen Mother of the West in the West, along with countless other sacred beings—the deities and demon kings of Tianzhu Mountain must be numerous, and surely included the strongest beings in the Tianchen Realm. Perhaps the depletion of the water essence was indeed the doing of Tianzhu Mountain.

The old shaman shook his head. "Great God, the Rock Tribe is but a small tribe; how would we know such things? Even the rumor was heard from people of the larger tribes."

"It is said that at the time, someone saw countless streams of water flying toward Tianzhu Mountain, and a few days later, the rivers began to dry up."