164: Brotherly moments

"Big Brother is really amazing, he even knows this."

Shen Jianxing genuinely gave his Big Brother a thumbs up.

Royal secrets, such a hot potato, yet Big Brother managed to pry them out of the Emperor's mouth. This kind of skill isn't something an ordinary person possesses.

"Stop being a smart aleck. Who am I doing all this for?!"

"It's clear that Liu Chongshan was behind your Gu poisoning back then. What are you going to do now?"

Shen Jianhong looked at the radiant and energetic young man before him, no longer seeing the emaciated figure who lay on a bed a year ago.

The smile on Shen Jianxing's face faltered, slowly disappearing.

"Big Brother, I won't let him off."

Shen Jianxing was once such a proud person, exceptionally talented, a young Prodigy, dashing and spirited. Of course, his temper matched his talent.

For such a Prodigy to be persecuted to the point of almost losing the will to live, the twists and turns involved are imaginable.

If the Shen Jianxing of three years ago had known the truth, he would have probably already rushed straight to Liu Chongshan's base to demand an explanation.

But the current Shen Jianxing's Heart-Nature is completely different; he is more composed and more focused on the bigger picture.

"Big Brother, Liu Chongshan's strength is far greater than we imagined. Although I constantly wish him dead, I am still willing to cooperate with Your Majesty."

Moreover, given his current identity—if Shen Jianxing were to act, others might inevitably think it was Lord Chuping's intention.

It's complex and inextricably linked.

"Xingxing, you've grown up."

Shen Jianhong looked at his brother's calm eyes, then suddenly raised a hand and ruffled his hair, just like when he was little.

Shen Jianxing was startled, then smiled helplessly: "Big Brother, how old am I? Still doing this..."

"No matter how old you are, you're still my little brother."

Shen Jianhong withdrew his hand, his eyes filled with relief, "That little firecracker who used to explode at the slightest provocation has now learned to plan before acting."

Shen Jianxing snorted lightly: "Isn't it all because of your nagging? From childhood to adulthood, you always said, 'Think more when something happens,' and my ears got calloused from hearing it."

Shen Jianhong laughed heartily: "What, now you understand Big Brother's painstaking efforts?"

The two brothers exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere lightened for a moment.

Shen Jianxing suddenly remembered something and pulled out a small porcelain bottle from hisin my arms: "Oh, right, I brought this for you."

"This is..."

Shen Jianhong opened it, and his eyes lit up, "Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill?"

"Yes, Lord Chuping bestowed it."

Shen Jianxing said casually, "I have enough. The extra is for you."

Shen Jianhong's hand holding the porcelain bottle tightened slightly.

He knew very well how precious this Medicinal Pill was—back when Shen Jianxing was dying from the Gu poisoning, it was a Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill that saved his life.

Now, his brother casually gave him such a life-saving Medicinal Pill... It felt like raising a child for many years and finally seeing a return on the investment.

And it was an extraordinary return.

However, such a valuable Medicinal Pill must have been hard to come by.

Shen Jianhong sternly pushed the porcelain bottle back, "You've just been cleared of the Gu poison in your body, so you need this even more."

Shen Jianxing nimbly stepped back half a pace, raising an eyebrow and smiling.

"Has Big Brother forgotten? I am now Lord Chuping's Temple Official, so I naturally don't lack such Medicinal Pills."

In a way, Lin Chuping was a very generous "boss."

His three Temple Officials received one Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill every month.

Amulets were even more commonplace, with a new layer often applied.

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Shen Jianhong's eyes.

Shen Jianhong never questioned his brother about being a Temple Official, so as to avoid offending Lord Chuping unknowingly.

Shen Jianhong solemnly put the porcelain bottle into hisin arms, patted his brother's shoulder with a complex expression: "It seems Lord Chuping treats you well. You should be even more dedicated."

"Big Brother is right. Big Brother, I'm returning to Nan Shu Village tomorrow. I will diligently Cultivate and bring you Liu Chongshan's head as soon as possible."

As Shen Jianxing said this, his expression was serious. Lin Chuping, whose Divine Sense had just swept over the scene, felt a stir in his heart, and a plan gradually formed in his mind.

* * *

Just taking his head isn't enough. A person like Liu Chongshan, who has committed so many evil deeds, should experience all eighteen levels of Hell in the Netherworld.

"Tong Ge, I have an idea."

"Granted."

Lin Chuping had already grown accustomed to the System's sassy voice.

"Tong Ge, what do you think about having my Temple Officials help with missions in the Netherworld?"

Three heads are better than one.

His three Temple Officials are too underutilized just maintaining the System in the temple every day.

"The Host's method is feasible, but these people are still alive. How can they enter the Netherworld? Why not let them die for a bit?"

Dying for a bit is, of course, impossible.

Given the loyalty of these individuals, if Lin Chuping were to make such a request, they would not refuse.

But if Lin Chuping truly let them die and then enter the Netherworld as Souls, what would be the difference between him and an evil Cultivator?

Although Lin Chuping was no Saint, he disdained using such methods.

"Moreover, if they were truly to die once, even if they could be resurrected, their Souls would be damaged."

Shen Jianxing had only just recovered from the Gu poison. If he were to suffer further damage because of Lin Chuping's plan, he would truly be unworthy of that trust.

"System, is there any other way?"

"Yes, to avoid injury, strengthening the Divine Soul is the most fundamental method. Some people's Souls are as fragile as smoke after death, while stronger ones might be like a ball of cotton."

"But Cultivating Cultivation Techniques related to the Divine Soul can make the Divine Soul as tough as metal."

Lin Chuping nodded thoughtfully, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

"Tong Ge, isn't the God Cultivation Art I Cultivate a Cultivation Technique specifically for strengthening the Divine Soul?"

"Can ordinary people Cultivate it?"

Lin Chuping hadn't thought much when he bought this Cultivation Technique before. He had no physical body and was in a Soul state, so he naturally chose the God Cultivation Art.

This Cultivation Technique was excellent; there was no Bottleneck in Cultivating it, as if it were tailor-made for him.

"Ordinary people can also Cultivate it, but the speed is slow. Perhaps their Cultivation speed would be better after they die."

Lin Chuping: "..."

The System still hadn't given up on the idea of letting them die for a bit.

This idea was too dangerous. Lin Chuping rubbed his temples, deciding not to discuss the "die for a bit" option with the System anymore.

"System, display the personal information panel."

"Host: Lin Chuping"

"Level: Ninth-Rank Land Deity"

"Jurisdiction: Qing Province, Yan Province"

"Divine Power: 0"

"Divine Arts: Enter Dream, Blessing, Thunder Punishment Lv2, Rain Summoning Technique"

"Items: Amulet, Nine Revolutions Soul Return Pill, Star Isolation Grand Formation * 1, Thunder Talisman * 6, Eight Gates Confinement Array * 1"

"Cultivation Technique: God Cultivation Art Third Layer"

"Believer Cultivation Technique: Faith Cultivation Art"

"Incense Value: -360 million (can be used to convert Divine Power, purchase Divine Arts)"

"System Mall: Lv2"

This is good news; after just a period of closed-door Cultivation, the debt is almost gone.

It seems it won't be long until he turns his fortunes around.