Chapter 205: They Are All Good People!

When Zheng Fa was about to leave the Heaven Stele Realm, Banshan City had already changed somewhat.

Most of the Thunder Sect's core members had turned to ash.

The city might not have been one where lost items were returned or doors left unlocked at night, but those who dared to do evil were surely trembling in fear.

The rest, as judged by the Divine Register, were mostly not guilty of capital crimes—such people, though Zheng Fa would still punish them with heavenly thunder, the power varied greatly.

The strong ones still left victims severely wounded; the weak ones were merely thunderous noise with no real force:

Mostly just to remind them that heaven watches above.

Zheng Fa did nothing extra; every day he harvested heavenly merit at fixed locations.

Yet the incense offerings at the temple grew day by day.

Xiao Qing occasionally used surplus offerings to aid the elderly and weak.

No, there were no elderly.

Most people in Banshan City had short lifespans; once past thirty-five, one could be called an elder, and forty could be called advanced age.

Someone like Xiao Qing could barely be called a youth—Banshan City's poverty was bone-deep.

That day, the townsfolk came in groups, carrying baskets filled with dried mushrooms, smoked fish and shrimp, bolts of coarse cloth, and some delicate ornaments.

In modern times, let alone among the common folk of the Xuanwei Realm, these items were worthless.

But this was Banshan City…

These townsfolk seemed to know the Thunder God Lord no longer liked being disturbed; they placed a dozen baskets, bowed several times to the statue, and left.

"Thunder God Lord, do you know who these things in the baskets belong to?"

After this period of chatting, Xiao Qing had come to understand Zheng Fa wasn't a harsh nature, and now spoke more freely.

"I know."

Zheng Fa usually didn't care about Banshan City's affairs, but the thoughts of these people inside the temple, he couldn't avoid hearing.

These things were, of course, the property of the Thunder Sect's leader.

Only he could have scavenged such "vast wealth" from Banshan City.

"Thunder God Lord, you really know everything!" Xiao Qing nodded, looking admiringly, then added: "Now that the Thunder Sect is gone, we found these good things."

"Didn't I tell you to tell them they needn't offer anything? Let them divide these among themselves."

Zheng Fa asked.

These people were so poor, yet daily brought their own rations to the temple—he didn't approve.

He couldn't even eat them!

"I told them…" Xiao Qing protested: "They refused!"

"…."

"Why?"

Zheng Fa truly couldn't understand.

"They say…" the young temple attendant thought a moment: "They didn't expect the Thunder God Lord to be so good… they fear you might disappear again."

"Good?" Zheng Fa found it hard to comprehend: "What did I do?"

"Precisely because you did nothing—that's what's good!"

Xiao Qing widened his eyes, speaking as if it were obvious.

Zheng Fa pondered the logic of Xiao Qing and the people of Banshan City.

The Thunder Sect's leader seized their rivers; he didn't.

The Thunder Sect's leader collected taxes; he didn't take any.

The Thunder Sect's leader led cannibalism; Zheng Fa despised it deeply.

This Thunder God Lord didn't even accept offerings, and let the temple attendant distribute things for others to eat…

In that light, the Thunder Sect's leader had lowered the people's expectations of deities—this man, besides being inhuman, had actually done a little good?

Think of the nearly three hundred heavenly merit points on the Divine Register.

His contribution was substantial.

"I'll give you a few names; go distribute these things to them."

Zheng Fa thought a moment, then inwardly shook his head.

He named several people whose bodies had recently glowed faintly with golden light—these individuals had likely done many good deeds, and Zheng Fa remembered them.

These past few days, Zheng Fa had been pondering the Divine Register's principle of punishing evil and rewarding good, which granted heavenly merit.

Punishing evil was simple: use thunder.

Rewarding good was harder; distributing these offerings was a test.

"Alright!" Xiao Qing's eyes sparkled as he nodded quickly in agreement.

…

As Zheng Fa stepped out of the Heaven Stele Realm, he felt the relief of returning home after work—the Heaven Stele Realm was too boring; this past month, he'd felt more like he was in seclusion.

He had now accumulated nearly three hundred heavenly merit points, and those in Banshan City worthy of heavenly thunder punishment were nearly gone.

The remaining heavenly merit, Zheng Fa planned to explore other gathering points.

Banshan City was the most populous in his domain; other places were scattered, even lacking temples.

These two visits had confirmed for him:

The temple was still vital—he could only restore his spiritual power within it.

Elsewhere, Zheng Fa could only travel as a spiritual essence; unless he used heavenly thunder from the Divine Register, he couldn't sense his physical body at all, let alone restore spiritual power.

Even hearing the thoughts of Banshan City's people or discerning their good or evil seemed to require the statue.

This seemed another manifestation of the world's unique rules—or perhaps remnants of its former divine path civilization.

Other gathering points likely lacked a great evil like the Thunder Sect's leader, but their total evil was greater; gathering five hundred heavenly merit points for a Yang Thunder Spider's core was easy—what now limited Zheng Fa's efficiency was still his Foundation Establishment realm.

As soon as he stepped out of the Heaven Stele, he encountered Yan Wushuang.

Or rather, he encountered Yan Wushuang and many other cultivators who had entered the Heaven Stele Realm.

They seemed to be waiting for someone, gathered around the stele without leaving.

The moment Zheng Fa emerged, all eyes turned sharply toward him.

He turned back—no one was behind him. He looked again at the crowd—their gazes were still fixed squarely on him.

Zheng Fa felt a chill run down his spine…

"Brother Yan…"

He bowed and asked.

"Brother Zheng! You're finally out!" Yan Wushuang walked over: "We've all been waiting for you!"

"…Waiting for me?"

Zheng Fa froze, puzzled why they waited for him.

"Come see!" Yan Wushuang pulled him into the crowd, to the base of the stele—where the name "Zheng Fa" stood prominently at the very top.

"…."

Honestly, Zheng Fa disliked this ranking.

The Heavenly Thunder Spiritual Energy Equation was a dimensional crush against these cultivators in the Heaven Stele Realm—he naturally accumulated heavenly merit fast.

What he disliked was that this ranking made him too conspicuous—no benefit, only enemies.

His Five-Color Divine Light had already nearly scared Master Pang to death; he should have stayed low-key.

But this ranking was unique to the Heaven Stele…

He glanced warily at those present.

In truth, they were all his competitors.

What surprised him was that some in the crowd did show caution.

But many others looked at him with pure kindness!

Even kindness filled with encouragement and admiration…

When they saw him looking their way, many smiled warmly, their expressions enthusiastic.

Some even stepped forward to introduce themselves:

"I'm Cheng Tianxin, from the Profound Heaven Sect… Brother Zheng, a pleasure!"

"I'm Yun Yang, from the Righteous Qi Sect…"

"I'm…"

In an instant, many cultivators present introduced themselves, clearly eager to befriend Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa responded mechanically, bewildered.

Wait—how had the Xuanwei Realm's culture suddenly improved so much? These people showed zero envy or jealousy?

Not being jealous was one thing—but why so friendly?

…

As if sensing Zheng Fa's confusion, Yan Wushuang chuckled, glanced around as if fearing someone might appear, then whispered: "Brother Zheng, look who's second."

Zheng Fa looked up—Xiao Yuying's name sat directly beneath his.

He was slightly surprised—he'd expected to rank first thanks to the Heavenly Thunder Spiritual Energy Equation.

But Xiao Yuying…

Her talent was truly extraordinary.

Remember, she'd only just entered the Heaven Stele Realm, a full month after him—had they compared only first-month heavenly merit, he'd have been behind her.

But on the other hand……

Are these people being warm to me because of him?

"Brother Zheng, you don't know this—Miss Xiao is like this…" Yan Wushuang began recounting his experiences from thirty years ago.

"This…"

Zheng Fa was beginning to understand the nature of this Miss Xiao.

Hearing Yan Wushuang say this, others also began speaking up:

"Ten years ago… an ancient cave mansion appeared…"

"My senior brother also encountered her…"

"My master! He was once confronted by this woman, and ultimately failed to overcome his inner demons…"

As he listened, Zheng Fa suddenly realized… this Xiao Yuying was almost as great a person as the leader of the Thunder Sect!

Given the atmosphere of the Xuanwei Realm, with me now ranked first, I wouldn't be hated—but I certainly wouldn't be liked:

Who wouldn't want to control the Heavenly Stele?

But with Xiao Yuying around, it's different…

She has made so many enemies that she's gained a fan club of her own.

Their meaning is simple: we're not supporting you, but whoever can beat Xiao Yuying, we back!

Thinking this way, Zheng Fa unexpectedly found himself developing a certain fondness for this Miss Xiao.

While everyone was still discussing, another figure suddenly emerged from the Heavenly Stele—it was Miss Lingye, Xiao Yuying.

The moment she appeared, everyone fell silent; the earlier bustle instantly died down.

Everyone looked at her awkwardly, with reverence and a hint of anger.

No…

One person was an exception—Zheng Fa now found her increasingly agreeable.

Xiao Yuying seemed long accustomed to such glances, even showing a touch of disdain; yet Zheng Fa's kind gaze appeared unusually obvious, causing her to glance at him a second time.

She didn't even bother to examine the rankings on the stele closely—she walked outward while glancing only at the very top of the list…

One look, and her steps halted.

Slowly, she turned back and walked toward the Heavenly Stele.

Others silently parted to let her approach, watching as she studied the rankings for a long while.

Their eyes held no shortage of amusement.

Afterward, she frowned, as if trying to recall something, but couldn't.

After a moment, she suddenly looked up, scanning the crowd—her gaze passed over the others and settled on Zheng Fa, as if remembering the rare kindness in his eyes:

"Esteemed fellow cultivator, I'd like to ask you something," Xiao Yuying said, her tone still polite: "Who exactly is this Zheng Fa?"

When she spoke the name "Zheng Fa," her tone clearly carried interest and a touch of resentment.

"... am Zheng Fa."

"..."

(End of Chapter)