Thinking this way, Zheng Fa could somewhat understand why those cultivators with smaller domains looked at him with such envy.
As for controlling clouds and rains, manipulating Yin Yang, and promoting agriculture and sericulture.
It was finally night time.
No more people came here to worship.
Only a girl stayed behind; she closed the temple’s doors and cleaned the floor.
She then took out a dark, coarse cloth and wiped down the altar and the base of the deity’s statue.
Zheng Fa watched the girl, unable to discern her age.
Her face looked about seventeen or eighteen.
Yet her figure seemed like that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old—excessively thin.
Is this my temple priest?
Isn’t she a bit too young?
After cleaning, the girl put away the cloth and bowed sincerely towards Zheng Fa, muttering to herself:
"Lord of Thunder God, I’m about to eat your offering! If you disagree, please show a sign!"
Zheng Fa was startled.
He then heard the girl say, "You agree? Thank you, Lord of Thunder God!"
Zheng Fa watched as the girl joyfully stuffed some unknown fruits from the altar into her mouth—these were offerings from believers, and they didn’t even seem to be from today—apparently no one offered fruits today.
It seems she kept them hidden herself.
"Lord of Thunder God," the girl continued devouring the fruits, mumbling, "if you don’t show a sign soon, no one will bring fruits, and I’ll starve to death..."
"If I starve to death, this city will no longer have someone willing to clean for you!"
As she spoke, there was a hint of a tone that suggested "it’s up to you, Lord of Thunder God."
Moved by a thought, Zheng Fa suddenly made a majestic voice echo throughout the temple.
The girl jumped in fright and looked towards the statue of Zheng Fa.
She seemed to realize that she had spoken disrespectfully just moments ago, and her face was filled with fear.
After being stunned for a while, the girl continued chewing the wild fruits quickly.
Although she didn’t speak, Zheng Fa could still hear her thoughts:
"Might as well die full!"
Seeing that Zheng Fa didn’t get angry, the girl cautiously approached the statue, and looking up, she quietly asked, "Lord of Thunder God, are you still there?"
Zheng Fa made no further sound, and the girl looked puzzled; eventually, she assumed she had hallucinated.
After staying in the world of the Heavenly Stele for a month, Zheng Fa suddenly felt a force pushing him, and when he regained his senses, he found himself outside the Heavenly Stele.
Zhang and Yuan were waiting for him.
Seeing him emerge, Zhang showed a slight smile.
"Junior Brother, how was it inside?"
Zheng Fa shared what he had experienced, Zhang thoughtfully frowned, seemingly pondering the implications, "Are you seeking the Grand Dao with Thunder Skill?"
Hearing Zhang’s words, Zheng Fa turned to look at the Heavenly Stele—was that its purpose?
"Sister, I do have an idea..." Zheng Fa began discussing another matter.
"This Heavenly Stele, if it were controlled by others, so be it, but if it could be controlled by our Jiushan Sect," Zheng Fa spoke softly, "the spiritual energy inside is abundant, the rules are unique..."
"You mean..." Zhang’s eyes lit up.
"I’m thinking, if a great disaster really comes one day, and the Spiritual Mechanism weakens, this place might serve as a retreat for our Jiushan Sect," Zheng Fa’s eyes gleamed. He didn’t know if others had this in mind, but the more he understood the world of the Heavenly Stele, the more he felt it was a treasure, not just for the spiritual materials.
The population is sparse, the spiritual energy is decent.
Most importantly, even though other spells can’t be used, cultivation is not hindered.