Chapter 243: Chapter 126 Propelling Forces from Cause and Effect_3

Underneath the shroud of night’s canvas on the river’s surface, a massive wave suddenly surged.

Following that, a colossal catfish, as large as a whale in the sea, twisted and turned on the surface, revealing an impressive prowess of Qi Training Stage cultivation. Embedded within it was a faint scent of the Incense Offering Divinity Path.

Gong Buyu’s brows slightly creased, her dissatisfaction apparent towards the aquatic local deity that interrupted her solitude time with her master. As her long legs were about to make a move, Shen Yuan reached out to stop her.

The waves stirred up by the aquatic deity awakened the people on the steamboat including passengers and crew alike, with everyone turning their eyes towards the gigantic creature in the water.

The experienced captain made haste as he walked out of the cockpit holding a wooden box, and spoke loudly towards the deity in catfish form:

“Esteemed Water God, this is our offering. We kindly ask for your convenience.”

Under the shroud of night, the hefty catfish shook its head, its deep voice resonating aboard the steamboat.

“I am the Mingjiang River God, and I am not here for wealth.”

“Previously, the River Ji Dragon Sovereign ordered the Aquatic Tribe to persecute the Human Clan, which led to great trouble. I am here to atone for the sins of Jidu Aquatic Tribe!”

Once the words landed, it was as if the entire steamboat was lifted by huge waves, and the voice of the Mingjiang River God echoed once more:

“I will escort you on your journey to ensure that you’re not disturbed by the Aquatic Tribe, while the waves of River Ji will aid your speedy travel to Yun Province.”

After finishing his declaration, the waves rolled!

Under the vigilant eyes of hundreds of passengers, the steamboat which was initially traversing at a slow pace due to the push of the waves, began accelerating towards its destination. Rows of scenery on the banks of the river rapidly passed by.

Despite the increased speed, the steamboat seemed unaffected, and was even steadier than when it was cruising normally on the water surface.

A route that originally took one day was now shortened to a few hours, leaving the experienced captain staring in astonishment at the sight.

When did the common citizens on the steamboat witness such a spectacle?

Up till today, being unaffected by the Aquatic Tribe’s oppression was seen as a good fortune in Cang Province; a local deity from the Aquatic Tribe who could help the human race like the Mingjiang River God was simply unheard of.

People were amazed at the Water God’s strength while some also started to revere the Mingjiang River God’s name. Shen Yuan could see strands of Qi from the incense offerings rise into the sky.

Gong Buyu watched the scene with a hint of surprise on her cool face.

“Incense belief? This Water God is using humans to spread his name, building up his position with the incense belief!”

“Did Master already know his intention, and that is why he prevented me from taking action?”

Shen Yuan looked at the colossal catfish in the river, nodding with a hint of approval in his eyes.

Apparently, the words said by Mingjiang River God about atoning for the sins of Jidu Aquatic Tribe were just a pretense to conceal his true motives.

His real goal was to display his divinity in front of humans to propagate belief in him through the power of incense offerings, in preparation for the competition for the River Ji Divinity Path.

Before this, it was common knowledge that the Aquatic Tribe in Cang Province was domineering and tyrannical. Along with the incident of River Ji Dragon Sovereign ordering the Giant Clam Water God to massacre the city, this caused Jidu Aquatic Tribe’s reputation to plummet.

Whenever Jidu Aquatic Tribe was mentioned, it was inevitably linked with their numerous wicked deeds. Trying to change this image to gather incense offerings would certainly be challenging.

However, Mingjiang River God seized the opportunity when River Ji divinity returned to heaven and earth, and showed his goodwill towards the Human Clan.

By displaying his divine power under the pretense of atonement, he not only displayed the might of the Water God to the common people, garnering their respect, but also overturned the negative image of his race with a gentler bearing.

Considering the so-called escort role he provided, with River Ji Dragon Palace being suppressed by the Divine Monarch, which other Aquatic Tribe would dare to attack human boats?

The so-called escort was just a title after all.

It can be foreseen that even though Mingjiang River God’s approach was laborious, if he persisted, he would accumulate beneficiaries and definitely leave a reputation among the Human Clan.

Even if only a small portion of that reputation could be converted into belief through incense offerings, it would be enough for him to achieve the position of a canonical god within the Aquatic Tribe.

Moreover, by adopting the name of Mingjiang, a tributary of River Ji, once he achieves the position of a canonical god within the Aquatic Tribe, Mingjiang would become his divine territory, thus securing an advantage in the struggle over divinity.

Although Mingjiang River God employed a clever trick, Shen Yuan had no intention of intervening.

When he returned Jidu Divinity to heaven and earth, his aim was to prevent humans from suffering at the hands of the Aquatic Tribe. Naturally, he was pleased to see an aquatic deity as close to the Human Clan as the Mingjiang River God.

While deep in thought, Shen Yuan had failed to notice the increasing purple glow in the Divine Power Seed for purging Gods within his chest, a sign of gathering the willpower of the masses.