Chapter 188: Talk of Faith

This Vision thing.

Luo De had always thought it wasn't a plaything.

This speculation is a shackle.

Although it may not be accurate, it still has some reference value.

Which normal outsider would casually obtain a bunch of Visions like he does?

So if one breaks, another breaks.

At most, it's just using one less type of elemental energy.

Anyway, with Nadixa's creations, he can still use Dendro elemental energy; it's just that this power isn't his own.

Next.

Following the Great Merciful Tree King's brief revival instructions, Luo De replanted the seedlings and then began land surveying work with Nadixa.

Before sending over the people who had been previously appointed in A Ru Cun.

This is something that must be carried out.

The fertility of the greened soil, land allocation, river flow, settlement placement, irrigation channel construction, groundwater conditions, windbreak forest planting arrangements, and so on.

If these aren't arranged in advance, when the people arrive, there will inevitably be a scramble.

"Is this the power of the grass dragon?"

Gazing at the ever-changing oasis, Luo De let out such a sigh once again.

In theory.

The oasis's source should provide only elemental energy.

However, what astonished Luo De and Nadixa was:

Besides providing Dendro elemental energy to generate the oasis—its normal function—this originally fern-like oasis source, while spreading Dendro elemental energy, was constantly undergoing self-evolution.

Roots, stems, leaves, vines, trees.

When this fern stretched its green leaves toward the sky, lush foliage and abundant blossoms vied to bloom across this land.

Such astonishing speed of evolution.

This also forced Luo De and Nadixa to halt their land-measuring work.

Before the oasis source exhausts its own elemental energy, it's impossible to continue measuring.

Luo De and Nadixa had just measured a datum when the vegetation on that plot grew lush again, and the soil quality became even more fertile under the intensification of Dendro elemental energy.

So they simply stopped and focused on waiting for the oasis to finish evolving.

They had only just rested a short while.

Then unexpected guests arrived.

As said before.

The oasis evolved from the oasis source is huge; according to Luo De's rough estimate, it's almost as large as Xu Mi Cheng.

As time passed.

The originally fern-shaped oasis source step by step evolved into a towering giant tree, and continued to grow visibly.

These sudden changes were truly too conspicuous.

Even anomalies could be detected from dozens of li away, let alone the tribe members and gilded travel groups that constantly roam the desert sands.

In the desert.

Once a new oasis is discovered, it becomes a contested prize for tribes big and small.

Not just tribes.

Even the established gilded travel groups won't let such a good place slip by.

Thus Luo De took action.

In less than a moment, he captured all the scouts sent by the tribes and the gilded travel groups.

Just right.

He was just idling around, bored.

After a brief questioning, Luo De had these scouts show the way, planning to sweep their main base as well.

But he wasn't out looking for trouble.

He was out to recruit people.

The title 'Red King's Divine Envoy' is now renowned in the desert.

Especially after the attack on the God King's relics and successive tribal assaults from A Ru Cun, the title 'Red King's Divine Envoy' left the desert folk who didn't know the truth bewildered.

Just like the small tribe Luo De is currently visiting.

In their chieftainess's understanding, the Red King's Divine Envoy should be someone who fanatically worships the Red King and raises a rebel banner against the Grass God.

But all the current signs indicate.

The Red King's Divine Envoy from A Ru Cun has not only bowed before the Grass God, but is openly attacking the desert populace.

Coincidentally, rumors are spreading that the Red King's Divine Envoy is unifying the desert tribes and gilded travel groups, exterminating those who refuse.

Therefore, the moment Luo De revealed his identity.

This chieftainess directly drew her saber, swiftly placing it across her own neck, and declared righteously: 'Even if you kill me, I will not listen to you, this lackey of the Grass God!!!'

"???"

Luo De, who had been ready to say a lot, was instantly dumbfounded.

No.

What the heck is happening?

What exactly have Tadelia and those in charge of recruiting tribe members done? Just hearing the four words 'Red King's Divine Envoy' triggers a reflexive reaction in them.

"No, listen to my explanation."

"I have no ill intent."

Luo De, who was both laughing and crying, tried every which way, and finally got this matriarch to put down her knife, willing to have a proper talk with him.

It's just that the process wasn't very harmonious.

But there was nothing to be done.

This person's hostility is too strong; without using some tactics, he simply wouldn't be willing to listen to Luo De.

"Is that new oasis a trace of the Dendro Archon's divine power?"

"Do you want to recruit us to develop a new oasis?"

After hearing Luo De's words, the matriarch named Fadena was stunned for a moment, then blurted: "You're not here to conquer us, are you?"

"What would I gain by conquering you?"

Luo De furrowed his brow and asked: "Has any tribe recently been wiped out under my name?"

"Um."

Upon hearing this question, Fadena began to hem and haw.

Alright, no need to say more.

Luo De saw his expression and knew it; it must be so.

At first, his reaction was that a tribe had offended Tadela and her group, and then they were made an example of.

But upon further thought,

Something's off.

Tadela would never do something like that.

Before she set out, Luo De had indeed told her not to let people bully her—to kill those who should be killed, strike those who should be struck—but given Tadela's way of handling things, wiping out an entire tribe is absolutely impossible.

What's more, doing it in Luo De's name to wipe out an entire tribe is out of the question.

"Someone is impersonating my name, seeking to expand their influence in the desert or suppress dissent."

It's a simple matter; Luo De quickly figured out the cause and effect.

Tsk—

Really, what audacity.

Luo De gave a cold snort, then stopped discussing the topic, turning to tell Fadena the recruitment policy he and Nadixa had agreed upon.

"What?"

"Paid recruitment?"

"The same treatment as the villagers of A Ru Cun?"

"The amount of land you can reclaim is the amount you can own?"

"Do you get paid for work?"

"You won't force us to change our faith? We can build our own Flower God temple?"

Fadena could hardly believe her ears.

This treatment is too good to be true!!!

Luo De promised a lot.

Not only land and money, but also that descendants can study and work like ordinary people, without needing to change their faith in the Flower God.

The only requirement is to abide by the law and not rebel against the Dendro Archon who bestowed all this, as before.

Compared to those benefits,

This requirement really isn't much.

Although Fadena's mouth, like those Red King radicals, also shouts "Luo De, lackey of the Dendro Archon," in reality, for these small tribes, they say that only because the desert rumors have demonized Luo De to an extreme, akin to a man-eating demon.

Let me say something unpleasant.

In the rumors spread by word of mouth among these small tribes,

Even the name of Luo De, lackey of the Dendro Archon, can reach the point of stopping a child's nighttime crying.

There's nothing to be done; it's just that terrifying!

But seeing is believing, hearing is false.

Speaking frankly.

Without looking at Luo De's earlier instant subduing of himself, just looking at this young man before him, he truly cannot connect Luo De with the legendary figure who could, without changing expression, tear people apart into fragments.

"I know you're worried I might be deceiving you."

"Or will you wait until your tribe really moves to the oasis, then turn against us, not recognize us, and seize you for hard labor?"

Seeing Fadena's obviously moved yet hesitant expression, Luo De smiled and said: "I am the Red King's divine envoy, representing the Dendro Archon; this credibility must still exist."

"I know."

"In the desert, deception is the most common thing, so you would doubt me and the Dendro Archon's credibility."

"But I'll say something unpleasant—don't dislike hearing it."

"Even if I harbored ill intentions, I wouldn't scheme against a small tribe of just a few hundred people."

"That's just the fact."

"Look at your tribe: the able-bodied laborers total at most a few dozen, the rest are elders, women, and children."

"What's the use of tricking you into becoming laborers?"

With that effort, I could go capture the remnants of the God King, or I could go capture the Afeiya tribe—what's the point of targeting a small tribe like yours, with little labor and many mouths to feed?

"Let me say something even more unpleasant."

"Dealing with you, why waste words and deceit? I could just seize you—your tribe's martial level is so low I could push you over with two hands in ten minutes."

You're right, aren't you, Madam Fadena?

Luo De's words were very pragmatic.

Saying that made Madam Fadena's old face flush for no reason.

Regardless of any prejudice they might have toward Luo De and the Dendro Archon, he has indeed been somewhat persuaded by Luo De.

A poor tribe lacking both strength and money really isn't worth scheming over.

Just like that.

The first tribe was persuaded by Luo De and began preparations to migrate.

Next.

Luo De then went to other tribes and a mercenary band, using the same rhetoric to persuade them to head for the New Oasis.

However, after these visits.

Luo De discovered.

Whether it was the desert tribes that worshipped the Flower God or the gilded mercenary group that served the Red King.

Upon hearing the name of the Red King's Envoy, they all showed the same fear, almost drawing weapons at the mere mention of Luo De's name.

This also made Luo De furrow his brows after leaving those tribes.

Those scoundrels who ran amok in the desert under their own names have caused great trouble for his and Tadela's and Dixiya's recruitment efforts.

If left untreated.

the subsequent work of unifying the desert would likely be delayed considerably.

"Don't let me find out who did this."

Muttering to himself, Luo De returned alone to the Oasis Source.

He checked the time.

This recruitment trip took him a full day.

Fortunately, Nadixa showed no impatience; upon seeing Luo De return, she happily greeted him and told him what had happened in his absence.

"Has the Great Merciful Tree King's consciousness awakened again?"

This was good news; hearing it, Luo De's lips curled into a smile.

The effect of the Oasis Source is indeed good.

In just a short day's time.

The Great Merciful Tree King, who had been unable to communicate, woke up twice; it seems her full awakening is not far off.

"By the way, could you send a message to Dixiya for me?"

Luo De gave his self-made divine void terminal to Tadela; now his ordinary void terminal can't reach deep into the desert, so he has to rely on Nadixa for help.

Then.

He passed on to Dixiya the information that someone had been impersonating him and causing trouble in the desert, asking her to settle the matter of the God King's Legacy and then, if she found the person, to let him know.

After receiving Dixiya's affirmative reply.

Nadixa curiously asked, "Is someone impersonating you in the desert?"

"Hmm."

"Just a bunch of rats; no need to worry too much."

Luo De grunted in displeasure: "Thanks to them, the progress of unifying the desert has met considerable resistance, so don't let me find out who it is, or I'll tear them apart."

"."

"Maybe we shouldn't be so heavy-handed."

That's what he said, but Nadixa didn't press him further and instead asked, "How's your recruitment plan going? How did the tribesmen and mercenaries respond?"

"How else could they respond? Hehe, they surely all agreed."

Luo De first chuckled, then recalling the tribes' situation, his face sank slightly as he shook his head and sighed, "Ah, people are just that simple."

"They talk about reincarnation, past lives, future lives, and still always place their spiritual reliance on the gods."

"But deep down?"

"What they really care about are this lifetime's firewood, rice, oil, salt, wealth and honor, and a warm hearth with wife and children."

"So whether it's those tribesmen who dig for food in the sand each day or those mercenaries who lick blood from blades all day, if they have a chance to live a stable life, they will gladly give up everything and desperately seize that opportunity."

"Heh—"

"In people's hearts, the gods are never first; they themselves are."

"They may pray to the gods, kneel before them, offer their faith, but ultimately, humanity has never belonged to the gods."

Having expressed these sentiments.

the atmosphere suddenly grew somewhat stiff.

Nadixa stared at Luo De without blinking, her small face full of a pensive expression.

At the same time.

The flower sprouts beside her also bowed slightly, and even the gentle breeze that stirred could not move her body, as if they too were pondering Luo De's words.

After a long while.

Then Nadixa asked, "Is this the reason you told Kantisi you wanted Lahman to oversee the New Oasis?"

"Hmm."

"Yes."

"No matter how much of a faith fanatic he is, faced with reality he will change and think."

Luo De spread his hands and said, "After all, humans are the most pragmatic of beings; clinging to the faith of a dead god won't fill their stomachs or keep them warm, so even if Lahman is crazy and steadfast in his faith, he would be willing to join me in saving you—even though he later cursed me, his attitude shows that, in the face of a life that can provide ample food and fine clothing, any devotion to the Red King is, well, empty."

(End of chapter)