Chen Zhou did not pause for a single moment. Controlling the bone palm, he swept it forward, and the death energy gathering in its center spread out like a black tide, surging toward the snake demons lying limp across the ground.
Those massive black snakes—whether fainted, struggling, or attempting to slither away—stiffened instantly the moment they were touched by the death energy. Their scales rapidly lost their luster, and in the blink of an eye, they went still.
In just a few breaths, the dozens of snake demons that had surrounded the village were reduced to cold corpses, without even the slightest room to struggle.
The villagers of Shideng Village watched with dropped jaws, even forgetting to breathe.
Was this the power of a god?
To annihilate demons that had scared them out of their wits with such effortless ease?
Someone quietly pinched themselves, and only when they winced in pain did they dare to believe that everything before them was not a dream.
Chen Zhou swept his gaze over the mountain of snake demon corpses, then looked at the fanatical expression on Shitou's face.
'It seems I don't need to worry about what comes next.'
'With all these precious materials scattered everywhere, the kid should be able to bring them back for me.'
With that thought, Chen Zhou manipulated the skeleton to turn around and fly toward the floating blood-vein wood tablet.
As the skeleton approached the tablet, it transformed into a streak of black mist and merged into it. The tablet's glow gradually dimmed, and it drifted slowly back into Shitou's arms.
Only then did the villagers seem to break free from the stagnant air, erupting into a burst of uncontrollable cheering.
"Lord God! Lord God has saved us!"
"There really is a god! He even helped us slay the demons!"
"We never have to fear demons again!"
Some wiped away tears of excitement, while others continuously kowtowed toward the tablet in Shitou's arms. Any previous doubts they had about the god had now transformed into genuine, profound awe.
The leading man rubbed his hands and walked over to Shitou, his face filled with guilt.
"Shitou, your uncle was foolish before. I shouldn't have doubted you. Please don't take it to heart!"
"That's right, Shitou. It's all thanks to you, and thanks to Lord God!"
Other villagers swarmed around, their voices thick with gratitude.
Shitou gripped the wooden tablet tightly, his heart full of peace.
The task was complete, and the people of Shideng Village were safe. It was time for him to return to Dead Man's Forest and report back to Lord God.
He cupped his fists toward the villagers. "Uncles, aunts, the demon disaster has been eliminated. It is time for me to return to Dead Man's Forest."
"Return to Dead Man's Forest?"
Hong Ling suddenly stepped forward, her voice clear as she blocked Shitou's path. "I'm going with you."
This statement stunned many.
Someone even hurriedly pulled at her sleeve. "Hong Ling, have you gone mad? You’re supposed to go to the White Jade Sword Sect next year..."
"Once you go to the White Jade Sword Sect and learn their skills, you'll be an immortal master. Why would you need to fear demons?"
"She’s not going to the White Jade Sword Sect anymore," Father Hong interrupted the man, looking at Hong Ling with a determined gaze.
"The protection of the White Jade Immortal cannot be relied upon; only Lord God's power is real. I want to see Lord God. I want to follow Lord God."
Her words were like a stone cast into a pond, instantly creating ripples.
There were some things she didn't say.
For example, of the children sent to the White Jade Sword Sect, she had never seen one return.
For example, despite everyone singing the praises of the White Jade Immortal, not a single person had actually seen him.
Furthermore, one could glimpse the attitude of the White Jade Sword Sect through the way White Jade City treated ordinary mortals.
The immortal masters all said the great Dao was heartless, and that one had to sever mortal ties to glimpse the path.
That was why the children sent to the sword sect in previous years practiced within the sect and could not easily descend the mountain.
If they had severed their mortal ties, then what did the life and death of mortals have to do with the immortals?
Hong Ling had been sharp-witted since childhood; these thoughts were far too rebellious to be spoken aloud to others.
A villager who had previously been paralyzed with fear by the snake demons spoke up hesitantly.
"Shitou, I... I want to go with you too."
"My family is gone, so staying in the village is pointless. Didn't you say that by following Lord God in Dead Man's Forest, we’d have food to eat, be healthy, have work to do, and never have to fear demons again?"
"Can I come along..."
"Me too! Me too!" another villager immediately chimed in.
"I used to think the god was a fake, but now I know he is a true god! To follow a true god is my blessing!"
In an instant, more than half the villagers gathered around, looking at Shitou with pleading eyes. "Shitou, take us with you!"
"We want to go to Dead Man's Forest too. We want to worship Lord God!"
No one could remain unmoved after witnessing a miracle with their own eyes. The god could slay demons, bestow power, and ensure they were fed and clothed.
Compared to the ethereal protection of immortal masters or the precarious life of the village, following Lord God was the only way to survive in this chaotic world.
However, a small portion of people insisted on staying.
Some still believed in the White Jade Immortal, feeling that a true deity wouldn't manifest so casually.
The higher and more aloof they were, the greater their divine powers must be.
Others simply couldn't bear to leave their ancestral land; after all, it was the place where they had lived for decades.
Because of this, no one forced them to leave together.
Li Dazhu patted Shitou on the shoulder and said with a smile,
"It looks like quite a few people want to come back with us. Let's not delay and set off early. We shouldn't keep Lord God waiting."
"We have to bring these snake demons along too!" the dark-faced man added urgently. "We have many people now; everyone lend a hand!"
The young men of Shideng Village immediately responded with fervent energy.
Shitou looked at the expectant villagers, then touched the wooden tablet in his arms and nodded gently.
He thought that since Lord God cared for all living beings and had sent him to slay the demons, He probably wouldn't refuse these people who sought a way to survive.
Chen Zhou, of course, would not refuse!
Having already returned to the Ghost Domain, Chen Zhou could foresee that people would definitely follow Shitou and the others back.
The number of people for land reclamation had expanded, which meant the speed of material collection would increase, and thus the efficiency of his own growth would rise!
How could anyone refuse a massive crowd of workhorses who were crying and begging to work for him?
However, the current land reclamation positions were no longer enough; he needed some new production buildings.
Chen Zhou turned his gaze to the system panel.
【Yin-Wind Lumberyard】
【Grade: Yellow Grade】
【Materials Required: ordinary stone x200, ordinary wood x200, ordinary flesh x200】
【A basic eerie lumberyard filled with gusts of yin wind. Nourished by flesh and blood, it produces second-stage and below wood.】
【Workable Population: 0/1000】
【Personnel Requirement: wood spiritual root】
...
【Wailing Mine】
【Grade: Yellow Grade】
【Materials Required: ordinary stone x200, ordinary wood x200, ordinary bone material x200】
【A basic eerie mine from which bouts of wailing emerge. Hidden within white bones, it produces low-grade spirit stones and second-stage and below ores.】
【Workable Population: 0/1000】
【Personnel Requirement: earth spiritual root】
With a dozen Daliang Village residents clearing the land day and night, the edge of Dead Man's Forest had been mostly logged, clearing a large, open space.
Chen Zhou selected a spot and began constructing the two new buildings.
Rate on N.U.
