Source of Divine Power

Chen Zhou had no idea what kind of mental theatrics the people below were concocting for him.

He slowly withdrew his hand, the phantoms of the golden dragon and the judgment platform gradually fading away, and the judge's brush transformed into a stream of light that returned to his body.

At the same time, Chen Zhou felt a surge of warmth flow into his body out of thin air.

【You have determined the final destination of ten million lost souls, restored order to a region, and fulfilled your divine duties.】

【You have earned the gratitude of ten million souls.】

【Congratulations to the host for obtaining one unit of the Source of Divine Power!】

An unexpected harvest?

With a thought, Chen Zhou pulled up the system panel.

Under the godhead column, a new row of golden numbers appeared:

【Current Source of Divine Power: 1/10】

【Source of Divine Power: The foundation of a true god, obtainable only when a god or their subordinate god fulfills their inherent duties and maintains the operation of the rules. This is a necessary consumable for using high-level divine arts, repairing the godhead, and even increasing status.】

Chen Zhou understood after a quick glance; the system's explanation was very detailed.

The system had also hinted at this when he first obtained the Sinful Karma Punishment ability.

【Please use this ability with caution; it requires the consumption of the Source of Divine Power. Excessive use will lead to damage to the godhead and a drop in status.】

So this was his mana bar.

He could replenish it by performing his divine duties?

【Yes indeed~】

【Since you now possess a godhead, you are already the only registered evil god in Gloomlight Province, so you naturally get to enjoy the treatment an evil god deserves!】

【^_^】

Chen Zhou raised an eyebrow and asked in return.

"Then did my previous actions—saving the commandery, saving the countless human-livestock of the Southern Region, and the countless living dead of the Northern Region—not count as fulfilling divine duties?"

"Why wasn't I given anything then?"

"Are you not going to compensate me now?"

【That is not possible~】

【When you did not possess a godhead, your actions were considered personal conduct and could not receive feedback or rewards from the rules for the fulfillment of divine duties.】

【To put it simply, when you aren't part of the official registry, you cannot enjoy the rights and stipends that come with a tenured position~】

【Those are the rules.】

Chen Zhou was speechless.

So that was the catch.

"So you're saying that all my previous hard work was just me working off the books?" Chen Zhou's tone was unfriendly.

【...】

The system played dead.

After waiting for a few moments, the panel remained motionless.

"Fine, then I won't do it anymore."

"The four regions of Gloomlight Province are settled. I have the vast sea in the east, the yellow sands in the west, the snow plains in the north, and the mountains in the south. The territory spans over a hundred thousand li with tens of millions of living beings."

"This little patch of land is enough for my retirement."

"I couldn't care less about other territories."

As he spoke, Chen Zhou slowly stepped down from the Looking-Home Platform.

Just as his foot touched the final step—

【Ding!】

【Due to the host's excellent past performance, the system is specially gifting you one unit of the Source of Divine Power.】

【Current Source of Divine Power: 2/10】

Only then did the corners of Chen Zhou's mouth curl into a satisfied smile.

Only he could have others work off the books for him; there was no way he would do the same for others.

He wouldn't allow the natural order to be reversed.

Two units of the Source of Divine Power were equivalent to two opportunities to use his ultimate abilities without worrying about the consequences.

This gave him another trump card in addition to sacrifice.

In a good mood, Chen Zhou walked down the high platform.

The crowd immediately gathered around him with fervent gazes.

Chen Zhou looked at Hong Ling.

"The matter of the malevolent ghosts is settled, the provincial capital is in ruins, and the ghost dynasty has fallen."

"A new order must be established here."

Hong Ling immediately composed herself and said respectfully, "Please give us your instructions, Lord."

Chen Zhou said in a deep voice, "You will be in overall charge of the reconstruction."

"Mobilize the craftsmen and resources from the City of the Wrongfully Dead and Lantao City, and combine them with the strength of the Bone Temple to clear the rubble and plan a new city within a month."

"Those Yin soldiers and earth-bound spirits who chose to stay, especially the craftsmen and officials, are all at your disposal."

"You may employ them as you see fit to assist in the reconstruction, but there must be methods of checks and balances."

"The provincial capital can no longer be a kingdom for the dead, but the deceased also need a place. We shall implement separate governance for humans and ghosts, so each may live in peace."

"Yes!" Hong Ling accepted the command solemnly, her eyes flashing as she began to rapidly formulate a reconstruction plan.

"Shitou."

"Your subordinate is here!" Shitou's spirit was roused, and he quickly took a step forward.

"Lead the patrol team from the City of the Wrongfully Dead to clear out the remaining black spots and unstable factors around the provincial capital."

"Establish a perimeter and maintain order."

"The malevolent ghosts in the labor camp are also under your supervision. Assign them labor as a form of punishment."

"If any of them slack off or their violent nature resurfaces, there is no need to report—execute them on the spot."

"I obey your divine decree!"

Shitou responded loudly, feeling his blood boil.

This was a sign of great trust from his lord!

After arranging the internal affairs and security, Chen Zhou continued.

"Huaishuang, Cangming, Cangche."

Jian Huaishuang, who had been standing closest to Chen Zhou, immediately bowed slightly. "Your subordinate is here."

Cangming and Cangche also stepped forward excitedly and knelt on one knee. "Please give us your orders, Lord Dragon Ancestor!"

"The Eastern Region has just been settled, and the Sea Race needs to recuperate. Although the source of the black spots is in the Western Region, the Eastern Region must not let its guard down either."

"You will return to the Eastern Region with me now."

"We obey!" the three of them replied in unison.

Cangming and Cangche were incredibly excited. After waiting for so long, they finally saw the Dragon Ancestor's return.

This was a return home in glory; they had to let their father and all their clansmen see the majesty of the Dragon Ancestor!

Chen Zhou then looked at Su Xue, who had been standing quietly to the side.

"The journey to the Western Region is tentatively scheduled for after the reconstruction of the provincial capital has stabilized."

"There may be a great plague following the war. Although the Plague Rat is here, the bodies of ordinary people might not be able to withstand it."

"Su Xue, assist Hong Ling first by handling the placement of the wounded and plague prevention. Do not be stingy with the spiritual herbs grown in the City of the Wrongfully Dead."

Su Xue responded softly, her eyes curving into crescents.

"You can rest assured, Lord. Su Xue will do her best to heal every patient."

Finally, Chen Zhou's gaze fell upon Song Zi'an and the Nine-Age Crane that had been pacing anxiously.

Song Zi'an's eyes were still swollen, clearly having not yet recovered from the grief of his master's departure.

"Song Zi'an."

Song Zi'an quickly pulled the Nine-Age Crane forward and knelt on the ground. "I am here."

"The soul of your master, Yu He, has been entered into the registry of my City of the Wrongfully Dead and will be reborn soon."

Chen Zhou stopped speaking in riddles and told him directly.

"Are you willing to enter the City of the Wrongfully Dead to continue practicing the Path of the Chef?"

"When your master's reincarnated body grows up, you may be able to resume your bond as master and disciple."

"At that time, whether he teaches you or you teach him will depend on your own ability."

Song Zi'an hurriedly kowtowed. "I am willing, I am willing."

He had guessed before that his master might not have completely vanished, but hearing Chen Zhou's personal confirmation finally set his heart at ease.

However, while Song Zi'an urgently wanted to go back and see his master, so many people remained in the provincial capital and everyone needed to eat.

The young man was still a bit shy but also kind-hearted, so he wiped his tears and spoke up.

"Lord, since my master is safe, I no longer have any concerns."

"The reconstruction of the provincial capital has just begun, and with so many people gathered here, food is also a major concern."

"Though I am untalented, thanks to my master's teachings, I have some experience in the culinary arts."

"I am willing to stay temporarily to assist Miss Hong Ling and take over the catering work for everyone."

"Once things have stabilized here, I will go to the City of the Wrongfully Dead to find my master!"

Chen Zhou looked at him and nodded. "As you wish."

He let the boy go. The child had a pure heart and was a promising talent.