266 River God (1/2)

The Golden Lake Prefecture laid on the boundary of the Golden Court Lake. In the prefecture, there were 10,000 families and 55,000 people living here.

Although there were no majestic mountains and little farms, they relied on the Golden Court Lake to survive. They were living the average life; although not well-to-do, they were not poor as well.

In the prefecture, there were 5 districts and these districts were famous for their rice and silk.

Of course, the people here liked to pray and give offerings as well. Many different types of spirits would roam about and eat humans. The humans could live off harvesting different resources from the Golden Court Lake. As long as they were willing to work hard, they would be rewarded and their family would be able to survive. As for the unlucky 0.1% who would end up in the demon's stomach, they could only blame it on their bad luck.

Comparatively, the people living here had quite a high quality of life. Therefore, more and more people would shift here.

Scholars would exclaim that 'the harsh government is fiercer than the demons around'!

Regardless, after 10 over years, nothing had changed.

Xu Ren was tasked to one of the five districts here; to be the district minister of Black Lake District.

In the hierarchy of Da Chu Country, in every district, there would be a district leader, a person who was in control of a 100-mile radius of the district. The district leader would be a 7th Grade official. Additionally, there would be an 8th Grade official assigned as the district minister. In reality, the district minister was only a backup and was only required to learn from the district leader and do nothing else.

In the district town, there would be a district lieutenant, main assistant and the Six Division Ministers. All of them would have their own roles to play. It was similar to an enlarged sparrow; all of its organs have their own roles to play for the sparrow to survive, and this was similar in the prefecture governing system, and even the Imperial Court.

As Xu Ren arrived at Black Lake District, he first paid his greetings to the district leader before taking over from the previous district minister. Afterwards, he consulted his colleagues on an auspicious day for him to formally take up the appointment. All of the minute stuff made everything much more complicated.

Even Wan'er had to carry her unborn baby around and help out.

However, all of these were none of Fang Yuan and Li Luan's business.

Looking at how they were right now, they would instead scare people off.

In the backyard of the Xu Family Mansion, in a small pond, Fang Yuan laid within some seaweed and lazily looked up.

As nightfall drew closer, the front yard was brightly lighted up, and there were the sounds of a bamboo flute. It was Xu Ren inviting his colleagues to spend the night in his house.

”The fate energy of the people Dao is indeed interesting!”

Fang Yuan mustered up his demonic strength, opened his spiritual eye and noticed the changes happening in the front yard.

In his view, there was a bright glow shooting straight up into the sky, as though it was a warning for others not to get too close.

”This is especially so for Xu Ren. Previously, I've not felt much from him. However, after he became district minister, his fate energy has increased exponentially... Of course, I can still kill him if I want to, but the tribulations that would follow would be worrying...”

”When humans of the people Dao gather, they would strengthen their fate energy. However, this is because the people are gathered around him and is temporary. They are different from us. If our fate energy were to be increased, it would be buried deep in our bones. As long as we are alive, out fate energy would remain!”

In the pond, a Golden Red Carp poked her head out as Li Luan's voice was heard.

”That's true!”

Fang Yuan knew the difference between humans and demons and nodded his head.

”Li Luan, are you deciding to stay here?”

He looked at the Golden Red Carp and asked curiously.

”Hmm... There's an auspicious aura in this mansion and is suitable for me to rest and recuperate here!”

Li Luan sounded determined. However, in reality, she wanted to take advantage of the protection that came with Xu Ren's strong fate energy.

Fang Yuan already knew her intentions but did not expose her. As he smiled, he slithered out of the mansion.

In was nightfall. With his black body and enormous strength, he moved like the wind and was undetectable.

Using this chance, he explored the district town. The first impression he had was that there were too many people around, and the second impression was that there were too many temples! Too many of them!

There were Water God temples, General Temples, Lake God Temples and many more, confusing him.

Taking a closer look, he realised that there were many types of demons. Although there were righteous gods who only offered protection, the majority were evil demons often feasting on blood offerings.

”It has reached such a stage where the demons use fear to rule over their followers!”

Fang Yuan sighed. ”Even the officials can't handle the demons. They can only resort to allowing them to stay and rewarding them in exchange for peace. This is pitiful...”

Of course, karma was real and for everything that the demons had done today, they would have to pay back another day.

These demons and gods were now enjoying the offerings from humans. However, in the event of a Killer Tribulation, they might not even dare to step out and admit their doings.

However, it was reasonable considering that this was the prevailing trend in the area.

At least, Fang Yuan could guess that since many people were using their people Dao karma to reduce the intensity of their tribulations, their tribulations would be much easier. This would make the good gods stronger and they might be able to change the demons in the future.

Regardless of how evil-looking a god might appear, as long as the god had enough followers, the impression of him would change and become more acceptable to the public.

This was the idea of using followers to become acceptable and approved by the public.

”The god dao could be approved at the prefecture level. Most of the time, the district leader would send the letter of approval and the prefecture would usually approve it... Xu Ren, did you mention about building a temple to worship me? How about 'Black Dragon General's Temple'?”

As his thoughts ran wild, he leapt into a small river.

”Splash!”

As soon as he entered the water, he felt extremely comfortable.

Although he had transformed into a snake, he still retained many qualities of a carp. This was akin to giving a fish its water.

”Great!”

Fang Yuan slowly executed his techniques and could feel a huge amount of water-type spiritual energy rushing towards him at an unbelievable speed. He was overjoyed. ”It seems that I have developed a lot after leaping through the Dragon's Gate! With such a speed of absorbing spiritual energy and the fact that the Dragon Pearl is within me, I don't have to feed on others every day!”

To complete the Nine Steps of Dragon Transformation Formula, he would require a lot of resources.

Previously, Fang Yuan had no choice but to kill and eat fishes to absorb their elemental energy.

With his newly-acquired dragon properties, he could now absorb the spiritual energy from nature. With the assistance of the Dragon Pearl, there was no need for him to kill and eat fishes at the rate which he was doing previously.

'Does this mean I have completed the elementary stages of absorbing energy from blood and flesh?'

A weird thought popped up in Fang Yuan's head. ”From now onwards, I would disguise myself. Although I am now different from the rest, our innate ability is to be a thief! To steal from the heavens! To steal from the Dao!”

Regardless of how improved his methods of absorbing energy were, he still could not run away from the fact that he was stealing energy from something else, be it animals or the air.