107: Chapter 102: The Flesh Worm 107: Chapter 102: The Flesh Worm “Master, you’ve arrived?”

At the heights of Nan Mountain, in a deserted place, an Azure Bird revealed its form, greeting Chen Qing, the decreed ruler, with respect.

Among the demons and apparitions that Ghost Doll initially collected, the Azure Bird was the most frail; however, its strength lay in stealth and observation.

This trait led Chen Qing to decide to make it the first Mountain God, to better oversee each believer and provide the most practical data.

“How’s the situation?”

Chen Qing looked down at the mountain slope, where over a hundred followers of the Mountain God diligently busied themselves, evidently adapting to their roles.

Zhao Tiezhu, for instance, cautiously utilized the methods taught by the Mountain God to nourish the land, serving as a dedicated Earth Spirit.

At this moment, Zhao Tiezhu was immensely satisfied.

As an ordinary man suddenly endowed with supernatural abilities exclusive to immortals in folktales, he was thrilled beyond measure.

Even if he spent his days staring at clumps of yellow soil, it left him utterly content.

Whenever the soil under his care showed even the slightest improvement, he would leap for joy.

And thanks to the Mountain God’s blessings, his longstanding back injury had healed.

He felt that as long as he kept his faith in the Mountain God, his days would certainly be better than the harsh life of a former farmer.

“Reporting to the master, the populace’s faith is commendable.

With the power of the Karma Fruit, I can bless people and heal their bodies, which wins over their hearts the most.”

Hearing this, Chen Qing nodded.

A Mountain God could utilize the power of the Karma Fruit to produce Immortal Seeds.

The resulting Spirit Fruits and seeds were greatly beneficial to the health of both humans and animals when consumed.

Those who believed in the Mountain God and managed these Spirit Fruits were naturally grateful.

It wasn’t just humans – even wild beasts that were slightly spiritually aware would worship the Mountain God.

“How is the rearing of spiritual beasts going?

What species do we have now?”

“Master…” The Azure Bird cautiously replied, “it’s not going very smoothly.

Among the believers, there are few beast spirits, just three, and none of them have superior talents.

At present, each of them is only attempting to raise one kind of spiritual beast.”

“Luo Daxing has the best aptitude among the three; he is currently focusing on raising Spiritual Birds.

He has two that can already mimic human speech, which is very useful for sending messages and surveying the land.”

“Not bad…” Chen Qing nodded, impressed.

A breed suited to forewarn of enemy attacks or to survey the land was precisely what they needed at the moment, and Luo Daxing’s direction in cultivation was quite commendable.

“The second is An Xiaowang, raising Azure Bees that can harvest essence from flowers and plants grown from spiritual seeds, to produce honey.

The effects are excellent for calming, healing, and aiding in meditation.”

Chen Qing gave a slight nod.

The effects were indeed good, but not currently practical.

Though the honey could be used by many professions to cultivate spiritual power, what he needed more at the moment were substances that could replenish physical strength.

“The third one, Seow Kai, is cultivating a kind of flesh worm from the ground.

These worms primarily feed on decaying plant roots, leaves, and vegetables.

They were initially reared to loosen the soil, but unexpectedly, they grew extremely large.

The efficiency in tilling the ground is too high, and their rate of reproduction is excessively exaggerated.

At this rate, the ecology of Nan Mountain may become unbalanced; I’m considering telling him to give up.”

“Oh?” Chen Qing’s eyes brightened, and he quickly said, “Take me to see them!”

Mountain Gods possess the ability to transport themselves instantly within their domain.

In just a moment, Chen Qing and the Azure Bird arrived at the location of Seow Kai, who was evidently reluctant to part with the plump worms wriggling in the field – they were his hard work, after all.

That morning, he had heard the Mountain God say that these creatures should no longer be nurtured with spiritual energy.

Among the three beast spirits, the others had achieved results.

Seow Kai, who had always performed better than the two while hunting, even having a prettier wife, was now feeling an intolerable sense of defeat in this regard, since committing to the Mountain God.

“They really are quite plump!”

Chen Qing’s voice came from behind Seow Kai, nearly causing him to tumble into the field.

Upon turning and seeing who it was, he excitedly fell to his knees and bowed, “I greet the Mountain God, I greet the Prefectural Governor!”

Chen Qing nodded, continuing to observe the fat worms in the ground.

They resembled caterpillars, each one plump, about as thick as a child’s thigh, and rather frightful to behold.

Yet, due to being reared in spiritual energy, they appeared tame rather than ferocious, almost endearingly dim-witted.

“How many can one worm birth at a time?

How long does it take to grow this large?

I mean, without the stimulation of the Karma Fruit.”

“Reporting to the great one,” Seow Kai quickly replied, “these worms do not lay eggs but produce live young, around a dozen at a time.

However, they reproduce quickly, birthing a new generation every three months.

Without the blessing of the Mountain God, they would still grow this big in three months, and they could get even larger.”

“Good, good, good!” Chen Qing nodded in satisfaction, then asked, “How efficient is it at loosening soil?”

“Extremely efficient!” Seow Kai eagerly said, “These worms are quite strong; four or five of them can even pull a cart, capable of matching the village’s oxen in strength.”

“Not bad, not bad!” Chen Qing nodded again, relieved that he had come.

Otherwise, such a valuable species would have been wasted by that foolish bird.

This was indeed a treasure!

They could serve as labor in the fields and provide meat—a perfect species to meet the current urgent needs.

He must give it substantial support!

“What’s the quality of the meat like?”

“Eh?” Seow Kai glanced at the twisting fat worms in the soil and swallowed, “Sir…

you mean…

the quality of the meat from these worms?

Can they be eaten?”

“Why not?” Chen Qing said with amusement.

“In times of famine, people eat tree bark and even soil.

Why can’t they eat these creatures?”

“Well, that’s true…”

“Just try it!”

————————————–

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Government Office, Gu Bei was assisting Zhou Haitao.

The whole city was recruiting soldiers, and all able-bodied men had been called to gather there, staring excitedly at the notice.

Although they were now rescued and seemed safe inside the city, most people were uncertain about their future.

The Provincial Government Office had allocated temporary housing on North Street for them to stay, and provided thick rice porridge and steamed buns daily, seemingly ensuring they wouldn’t lack food or shelter.

Yet, not having work to do left them feeling uneasy inside.