Chapter 208
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Chapter 208: Title
The exchange meeting blazed with fervor across Zhongxia, yet the Special Bureau refused to let this singular event monopolize their attention. While Western nations remained oblivious, upper echelons of the bureau had already mobilized.
Inspectors received urgent orders to scrutinize their jurisdictions—any anomaly related to "local deities," "land spirits," "city gods," or "divine manifestations" demanded immediate reporting.
Special Bureau Headquarters
Zhan Yuan’s report about the Earth Deities’ resurgence two days prior had detonated like seismic news within the bureau. Their hard-won stability following the Awakening of Spiritual Energy now trembled under this revelation.
Yet societal tensions persisted. Critics still railed against spirit cultivators and the ghost clan, some absurdly claiming these beings stole human jobs—a notion shockingly embraced by many. One might question if such critics had severed ties with reality. Could entities unfamiliar with modern society’s complexities truly usurp professions?
Take A Bao’s panda-centric occupation—no human could replicate it. The viral meme about donning panda suits merely proved public amusement, not vocational threat.
Though Zhan Yuan’s warning accelerated their response, the Special Bureau’s sprawling intelligence network would’ve inevitably uncovered the truth. Earth Deities’ emergence was too monumental to conceal.
"How’s the clue consolidation progressing?" Lin Jing shouldered through his office door, his Chief’s badge no shield against the relentless timetable. A subordinate thrust forward stacked documents. "All accounted for, Chief Lin. No oversights detected."
Lin Jing’s eyes darted across pages. "Good. Summon everyone to the meeting room immediately. Include the Special Action Division—their field reports should complement this."
The Earth Deities’ Awakening outpaced all projections. Zhan Yuan’s initial report suggested manageable numbers, yet within forty-eight hours, branch offices flooded headquarters with six hundred suspected cases—over three hundred confirmed. Had Zhan Yuan not been sequestered at the Battleground, Xi Ning would’ve blister his ear about this exponential miscalculation.
For Zhongxia, this phenomenon cut both ways. Beneficially, these posthumous guardians required mere incense offerings to safeguard territories, their human origins fostering goodwill. Conversely, after mocking Africa’s spirit-saturated regions, Zhongxia now faced hundreds of homegrown deities—a karmic twist worthy of myths and legends.
History offered precedent. Ancient land worship and city god lore proved coexistence possible when diplomacy prevailed. Yet modern pragmatism clashed with tradition: a century after dismantling "superstitious" shrines, the nation now contemplated rebuilding temples for verifiable divinities.
"Your assessments on the Earth Deities?" Lin Jing’s gaze swept the assembly.
Cui Ming of Special Action Division One straightened. Since stabilizing Capital City’s post-Awakening chaos, he’d become their foremost Earth Deity negotiator. The challenge? Their metropolitan deity manifested as a controversial historical figure—a philanthropist whose earthly deeds drew polarized opinions, now sanctified through divine recognition.
Meanwhile, Capital City’s current city god emerged as a recently deceased professor—a recyclables-collecting educator who’d quietly funded generations of students. His funeral drew beneficiaries now thriving across industries, their collective gratitude cementing his spiritual authority.
"They’re non-threatening," Cui Ming asserted. "These Earth Deities were virtuous souls requiring only basic sanctums. No societal disruptions observed."
Tang Tong’s fingers interlaced as she reclined, her tone airy yet decisive. "Concurred."
Lin Jing surveyed nodding faces—field agents who’d directly engaged the deities. A smile crept across his features as he annotated his dossier. "Consensus achieved, then. We pursue diplomatic channels." His pen hovered over Cui Ming’s summary. "Their temple construction demand—we accommodate this?"
"All these are manageable… As for the incense offerings, there should be no issues once we announce it on the official website."
The people of Zhongxia aren’t particularly superstitious, yet many hold a degree of belief. Most would burn incense when visiting temples, even for those intangible deities they don’t truly revere.
Given this, they’ll undoubtedly treat the Earth Deities who actively protect them with greater devotion. The temples and statues of these terrestrial gods will soon witness ceaseless streams of devotees bearing offerings.
"When exactly do you intend to make the announcement?" Chief Liang from Information Section 2 fixed Lin Jing with a grave look. "This revelation will undoubtedly cause a massive surge in website traffic."
"We should leak partial information first to prevent chaos during the formal disclosure."
"The full announcement will come when the time is ripe."
"Shouldn’t we wait until the exchange meeting concludes…" Liang An paused, considering his words.
Lin Jing shook his head decisively. "Today marks the first day of the seven-day conference, but the Earth Deities matter can’t remain concealed that long."
"Western countries will learn of this eventually, though their habitual skepticism renders their knowledge inconsequential."
Since the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, Zhongxia had emerged as a prominent force, nearly eclipsing the self-proclaimed global beacon nation – an unimaginable shift from pre-Awakening days.
Surpassing certain powers meant those nations dared not impose sanctions as they once did.
The law of Blue Star remained unchanged – might makes right. Only now, spiritual potency replaced military might. Less formidable nations could only watch helplessly as Zhongxia closed the gap and vaulted ahead.
Liang An shrugged. "The deputy director defers to your judgment. Your call stands."
Lin Jing turned to Cui Ming. "Coordinate with regional branches for Earth Deity interactions. Ensure each team includes at least one Analysis Department member to prevent misunderstandings."
"Consider it done." Cui Ming nodded.
Across Zhongxia, citizens engrossed in live broadcasts remained oblivious to brewing developments.
Yet not all missed the signs – astute observers always find patterns in the informational tapestry.
*
Battleground Arena.
Zhan Yuan’s attempt to supervise the rambunctious children in the spectator seats failed spectacularly – a momentary lapse left him staring at empty seats. His frustration compounded when he realized Hu Mei, their supposed guardian, had also vanished.
…Trusting that cunning vixen had been a mistake. He’d forgotten that while Ao Lan’s group were mere children, Hu Mei herself remained barely past adolescence. Her competence shouldn’t obscure her minority status.
Turning to the impassive Yin Chai officials, Zhan Yuan massaged his temples. "Might you know their whereabouts?"
The crowd’s roar drowned his words as spectators cheered Daoist Priest Li Canghai’s opening victory.
"Procuring sustenance," Yin Yan stated flatly.
"They… logged out?" Zhan Yuan blurted, then immediately regretted it – none would abandon this historic event voluntarily.
"Snacks."
"But… there’s no food vendors here!" Zhan Yuan protested, scanning the arena’s familiar contours.
A belated message ping revealed Hu Mei’s location – the Food District’s bustling thoroughfare.
–!! Since when did Battleground include commercial zones?
"Honored Yin Chai," Zhan Yuan addressed the officials, "I must retrieve them. Perhaps you’d prefer to remain…"
The spectral enforcers exchanged glances. "The judge commanded our attendance. We accompany you."
Zhan Yuan sighed. "Very well."
*
Food District.
What began as a simple street now sprawled into a gastronomic empire, its vendors offering global delicacies through ingenious concession agreements.
"Urban exploration proves delightful," Hu Mei declared, juggling takoyaki and candied citrus with feline grace. "Who imagined Battleground’s island facade conceals space for billions? Commercial infrastructure here rivals physical cities."
The human tide flowed around them, patrons sampling culinary wonders. Noticing Xiao Ye’s disappearing act through the throng, Hu Mei belatedly recalled her responsibilities. "Cease wandering! Losing you brings complications!"
*
Battleground Podium.
Jiang Nan rubbed his tingling nose, observing the spirit cultivators clashing with woodland elves below.
Invincibility breeds ennui.
His NPC designation granted immunity – no challenger could breach his green-coded sanctuary. Perfect safety, perfect monotony.
‘System: Food District profitability report.’
【Revenue shows positive growth. Query: Purpose of this venture?】
【Rationale for culinary infrastructure?】
‘Necessary groundwork… Explanations would prove futile. Virtual space remains underutilized anyway. Future developments will clarify.’ His mental tone turned enigmatic.
He’d never confess this self-indulgent scheme – not while drowning in system debts. If impending doom loomed, he’d savor these borrowed moments.
Let them call it hedonism. He called it survival.
