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The Earth God reached out, his aged hand trembling slightly, and offered the seal to Wei Yuan.
"Wei Yuan," he rasped, his voice carrying the weight of centuries, "I ask you to take this seal, and with it, the mantle of Earth God of this place."
Wei Yuan's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait... anyone can just become an Earth God?"
A chuckle, dry as rustling leaves, escaped the old man. "Not just anyone. The power resides in this official seal. It designates the territory. He who holds the seal, is the god."
Understanding dawned on Wei Yuan. It wasn't about inherent divinity, but tangible authority. He recoiled slightly, waving his hands.
"I'm... I'm not worthy of such a thing! How could I possibly manage an entire area?"
The Earth God's expression shifted. He bowed deeply, a gesture that spoke of immense burden and fading strength. "I have a grave request... a heavy one, I know."
Here it comes, Wei Yuan thought. He'd been about to refuse, but this was no ordinary being. A genuine Earth God, and one who seemed to be on the verge of... departure. It felt wrong to simply dismiss him.
"Please, Earth God, tell me what you need. I'm... I'm still just a kid, and my abilities are limited, but I'll do what I can."
The old god offered a faint smile, a flicker of warmth in his weary eyes. "Do not worry, young man. What I ask is well within your capabilities." A strange, unsettling undercurrent ran beneath his words, sending a shiver down Wei Yuan's spine.
Despite the disquieting tone, Wei Yuan felt a sliver of reassurance. As long as it wasn't an impossible task, he would try to help.
"I have a descendant, Li Degui. He resides in Caixu Town, some twenty miles from here. I need you to deliver a message to him," the Earth God explained.
Wei Yuan's brow furrowed. "But... you're a god. Couldn't you appear to him in a dream, or something?"
"Alas, I no longer possess the strength for such feats. And even in my prime, influencing the dreams of ordinary men was beyond my reach. I can only commune with those... touched by the unseen, like yourself, or those with exceptionally potent spirits."
The Earth God's gaze intensified, locking onto Wei Yuan's. "You must understand, then, the rarity of your gift. Individuals like you... I have only encountered mention of them in ancient, fragmented texts. You are the first I have ever met who was born with the ability to perceive the divine."
Wei Yuan nodded slowly, a sense of awe, and a touch of unease, settling over him.
"So... what is this message I must deliver to Li Degui?" he asked, his voice hushed with a strange reverence.
The Earth God spoke slowly, each word etched with profound importance. "Tell him this, and this only: 'Do not let it touch you.'"
Wei Yuan frowned, repeating the cryptic phrase. "'Do not let it touch you'?" Was there a hidden meaning within those words?
"Precisely. That is the message. Do not let it touch you." The Earth God repeated it, his voice fading, as if the words themselves were draining his remaining strength.
Wei Yuan swore, multiple times, that he would remember.
"Then... I entrust this to you," the Earth God said, his gaze intense. He pressed the seal, the very symbol of his divine authority, into Wei Yuan's hands.
Wei Yuan accepted it. The seal was unexpectedly heavy, cool to the touch, and etched with bizarre, swirling patterns that seemed to writhe before his eyes. He turned it over, examining it from every angle. Two characters, ancient and powerful, were carved into its surface: "Earth God."
He looked back at the old man, a question forming on his lips. "So... how do I use this?"
"It is simple, in concept. Upon my passing, you must stand within this temple, holding the seal. At that moment, the land... becomes yours."
That's it? Wei Yuan was incredulous. It sounded less like a divine ascension and more like inheriting a dusty old estate. Even gods have hand-me-downs?
The Earth God seemed to sense the disbelief in Wei Yuan's expression. A soft, knowing chuckle filled the air. "It sounds simple, child, but true power... that is harder won.
To flourish, you will need the devotion of the people. The more inhabitants within your domain, the more temples they raise in your honor, the greater your strength will become."
He paused, a shadow passing over his face. "But, of course, those places teeming with people and rich in faith... those territories are already claimed."
Wei Yuan considered the implications. It made a certain, pragmatic sense.
"And to truly command the seal's power... you must merge with it."
"Wait, what?" Wei Yuan's head snapped up. "Merge? You mean... like, eat it or something?"
The Earth God inclined his head. "When you and the seal become one, you will be able to draw upon the energy of worship.
Your spirit will be freed from the confines of your flesh. You will traverse the celestial realms and plumb the depths of the underworld. You will wield powers beyond imagining."
That... that definitely had Wei Yuan's attention. The mundane inheritance had suddenly transformed into a tantalizing promise of extraordinary potential.
"Wei Yuan, remember your promise," the Earth God urged, his voice growing fainter. "And... my descendant. Li Degui. He carries my... legacy.
He is a master of the martial arts. If fate smiles upon you, you might even become his student, and learn skills of true power. Imagine, young one... to be both a revered Earth God and a formidable warrior. Then, you shall truly command your destiny."
The words painted a vivid picture, grounding Wei Yuan's soaring thoughts. He realized, with a jolt, the gravity of the situation.
This Earth God was truly fading. If he possessed any real power, he wouldn't need to plead; he would simply compel.
"....."