During their conversation, the light-orb of faith on the right pan finally stopped expanding at a height of eight chi.
Seven zhang of merit on the left pan.
Eight chi of faith on the right pan.
The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor stared at the scale with a complex expression. After a long while, he gave a light flick of his sleeve.
The scale transformed into specks of dark-golden light and dissipated within the hall.
“Seven zhang of merit, eight chi of faith... Chen Zhou, do you know what this means?”
Chen Zhou shook his head.
He truly didn't know.
Regarding merit, he only knew that more was better, but he had no frame of reference for how much was considered a lot or a little.
As for faith, seventy million believers sounded intimidating, but how many living beings were there in this world?
Humans, demons, ghosts, spirits—if one included the unintelligent beasts, birds, fish, and insects, the living beings in Gloomlight Province alone would be counted in the hundreds of millions.
The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor seemed to see through his thoughts and shook his head slightly.
“You are mistaken.”
“In the ancient era, seven zhang of merit was already the sum of a lifetime's accumulation for some minor gods.”
“It is truly rare for you to accumulate this level of merit and faith in less than ten thousand years.”
After hearing this, Chen Zhou thought for a moment and spoke. “Perhaps it is because the outside world has changed.”
“The time since I embarked on the divine path's inheritance hasn't been long, but the places I've walked and the things I've seen aren't few.”
“Gloomlight Province, Tianchi Province, Cangzhou, and even the broader lands of all the outer provinces are filled with suffering.”
“In Gloomlight Province, there are false god creations that feed on sinful karma and treat human lives like grass. In Tianchi Province, filth energy flows everywhere, and living beings are turned into sinister sacrificial offerings in a world without sun. In Cangzhou, evil spirits have carved up the land, and commoners are reduced to blood food, without even the right to resist.”
“In today's turbid world, the ancient gods have all fallen, fiends and demons rule, the world has mutated, and the heavens punish the good while rewarding the evil.”
“The more suffering there is, the more people will seek something to place their hopes in.”
“They are willing to believe in me perhaps not because I am so good, but simply because this world is too terrible.”
The hall fell silent. The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor was slightly dazed. He had lived for an eon, seen countless deities, and heard countless high-sounding words.
Some gods said, “I protect all beings because I am compassionate.”
Some gods said, “I recruit many believers because I have a great vow.”
Some gods said, “I bestow miracles because I love the people of the world.”
But it seemed there had never been a god like Chen Zhou who spoke so bluntly.
The world was too terrible, so they had to believe in him; it was just a trade.
You need shelter from the wind and rain, and I need the power of faith. A fair trade, with neither side owing the other.
“I see.”
“So the outside world has fallen to such a state... old gods fallen, and only evil spirits running rampant.”
“Without competitors to fight over them, it makes sense that you could accumulate so many believers.”
There was a slight bitterness in his voice.
An eon of experience told him that what Chen Zhou said was likely true.
Otherwise, a new god of less than ten thousand years could not possibly accumulate seven zhang of merit and eight chi of faith in a normal divine path competition.
This wasn't something talent could explain.
There was only one possibility: there was no competition. All the old gods were dead, and he was the only one left.
Thus, those beings struggling in despair could only believe in him.
As for merit...
The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor recalled the scenes he had caught a glimpse of earlier within the golden light of merit.
That merit of saving the world, which faintly resembled the Heavenly Dao.
He didn't ask further.
Zhaoye's intuition told him that it wasn't something he could ask about, nor something he should know.
Some things were better left as they were; pretending not to see what one had seen was better for everyone.
He raised his right hand, and a dark-golden light flew out from his sleeve.
The light landed before Chen Zhou, transforming into a token.
The token was the size of a palm, pitch-black all over and warm to the touch. On the front was the character “Zhao”, and on the back were intricate ghost-patterns.
【You have gained the favor of the Zhaoye Ghost Emperor.】
【You have obtained the Zhaoye Ghost Emperor's legacy — Zhaoye Ghost Decree.】
【Believers are the cornerstone of the divine path and the source of a god's power.】
【The holder of this decree can consume one unit of Source of Divine Power to temporarily borrow the ability of any Devout Believer or higher under their command, elevating it to the level of a divine technique.】
【When borrowing an ability, the believer does not lose the ability themselves. The firmer the faith, the more complete the borrowed ability and the longer the duration.】
【Note: Only one ability can be borrowed at a time.】
Chen Zhou looked at the description on the system panel, his eyebrow twitching slightly.
The believers under his command now had a wide variety of abilities, each with its unique use. If they could all be elevated to the level of divine techniques for his own use, he would be even more at ease in the future.
The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor's voice continued to ring out.
“This is the passage token for the Zhaoye Ghost Emperor Mansion.”
“Holding this token, you can enter this mansion at any time without having to go through the trial of the black sludge pond again.”
“Furthermore, I have a word of advice for you.”
Chen Zhou took the token and said solemnly, “Please speak.”
“The divine path is a journey where one either advances or falls behind.”
“Your foundation is now solid, but do not become complacent.”
“Seven zhang of merit and eight chi of faith are indeed brilliant for a new god of less than ten thousand years.”
“But in the context of the entire world, before the truly ancient deities, it is far from enough.”
He paused, a hint of reminiscence entering his tone.
“Take the Northern Great Emperor, for example.”
“In life, his merit reached a hundred zhang, and his faith condensed into a river that circled his divine kingdom, never-ending.”
“Compared to that, you are still far off.”
Chen Zhou thanked him. “Thank you for the reminder.”
“I will continue to move forward.”
The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor nodded in satisfaction.
“Good.”
“However...”
He changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.
“I must remind you of another matter.”
“The foundation of your divine path is very solid; merit, faith, and divine authority are all taking shape.”
“But your cultivation level is too low.”
“You have only temporarily broken through to the initial phase of the eighth-stage Siming. Your true cultivation is likely still at the seventh-stage, correct?”
Chen Zhou nodded. “Seventh-stage, fifth symbiosis contract.”
The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor sighed.
“Seventh-stage, fifth symbiosis contract is still too weak on the divine path.”
“Each of the Five Direction Ghost Emperor Mansions has a different trial.”
“The Zhaoye Ghost Emperor Mansion tests merit and faith, having almost no requirement for cultivation.”
“But the remaining four mansions almost all have requirements for strength. In some, you wouldn't even be able to enter the door with your current cultivation.”
“However, there is also the Xuandu Ghost Emperor Mansion, which tests talent. Its cultivation requirement is relatively lower.”
“Of course, that is only relative.”
“In the past, those who could pass the Xuandu Ghost Emperor Mansion's trial were at least at the peak of the eighth-stage, or even Truth-Usurping stage existences.”
He paused, sizing Chen Zhou up.
“However, since you've reached this step as a new god of less than ten thousand years, your talent must be extraordinary.”
“You do have a chance to try it.”
“I suggest you try the Xuandu Ghost Emperor Mansion first.”
“If you can pass, that is best. If not, there is no need to be discouraged. It won't be too late to challenge it again after you truly break through to the eighth or even ninth stage.”
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