Star Sky Professional

Shangwu City.

Fang Xing slightly altered his facial features, making him even more like a gentleman of jade-like elegance. Wearing a slightly faded green robe, he carried a half-worn bamboo book basket on his back as he walked through the city gate.

"Halt, where's your pass?"

Near the city gate, several soldiers lazily spoke.

Fang Xing could tell that these soldiers were all quite capable, and their current laziness was akin to a tiger taking a nap, preserving their strength. Moreover, there was someone who appeared to be the captain, whose eyes were like a hawk, scanning every person entering the city.

'This Great Zhou Divine Dynasty indeed has abundant martial virtue…'

His mind moved, and he handed over his identification and travel permit.

"Fang Yun, a native of this province, a disciple of miscellaneous studies, currently on a study tour?"

The soldier glanced at it and saw that the description on the paper was not just similar to Fang Xing, it was exactly the same.

"That is correct…"

Fang Xing bowed gracefully, embodying the demeanor of a scholar.

"No need for that, enter the city."

The soldier made way.

In the cities of the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, there was no entry fee.

Entering, Fang Xing saw a street wide enough for several carriages to pass side by side, with various shops standing in close succession. The crowds were bustling, very lively indeed.

"What a lively atmosphere…"

He smiled and blended into the crowd.

The identity of this 'miscellaneous disciple Fang Yun' was naturally obtained through those cult followers.

This person did indeed exist but had been dead for some time, leaving only the identity papers in the hands of cultists.

As long as Fang Xing knew the Disguise Technique, impersonating this person was no difficult task, flawless… well, as long as that family didn't expose him.

'However, exposure doesn't matter, I'm best at playing a nesting doll game…'

'Beneath this identity of a miscellaneous disciple is a cultist secretly practicing the Paper Folding Technique…'

The Paper Folding Skill is widespread, with evil cultists occasionally learning it in the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, which is quite normal.

Moreover, the Spirit Light Paper House Cave in Fang Xing's hand was enough to prove his long immersion in this path.

'Peel off my cultist skin, and you'll find I'm still a Great Druid from the Outer World…'

'And if you peel off my Great Druid skin, you might discover my Divine identity…'

'The key is, beneath my Divine identity, there's also the identity of an Otherworld visitor…'

'But it might not even be necessary, just my 'God's Eye Can't Reach' talent and heroic fortune alone wouldn't allow the peeling of even the first layer of skin…'

'Moreover, this identity is merely for brief amusement, discarded after use…'

Fang Xing tightened the bamboo basket on his back.

This Fang Yun was unlucky. Originally, as a disciple of miscellaneous studies, he was prepared to travel extensively, accumulate knowledge, and then apply to the State Academy.

In the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, one must participate in the examinations to enroll in the State Academy and obtain 'student status', thereby gaining true 'spellcasting rights' and the ability to learn various supernatural abilities without being cast into the ranks of cultists.

Those who excel in the State Academies can then apply to enter the 'Imperial College' located in the capital of the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty!

Once enrolled, after successful graduation, the minimal status is a High Rank Professional.

Although this High Rank Professional, placed in the Outer World, is comparable to a Yin God True Person rank.

Not only that, but after graduating from the Imperial College, one can directly become an official!

Being an official of the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty comes with many benefits, most critically posthumous honor, allowing one to immediately become a City God or Earth Deity spirit.

If one achieves 'Divine Enthronement in Life', converting yang lifespan to yin lifespan while alive, they can extend their life by several times, a mystery beyond explanation.

'This is the reason Outer World cultivators admire the Great Zhou Divine Dynasty, purely a matter of interest…'

'This Divine Dynasty, likewise, has famine-stricken streets and unspeakably tragic events…'

Even in ancient times, during the so-called flourishing eras, it was nothing special.

Far inferior to modern times, let alone the productivity of the interstellar era.

The Great Zhou Divine Dynasty has Divines, with supernatural abilities, which makes things somewhat better, yet it seems… to be marred precisely because of these Divines.

Fang Xing suddenly reached into his robe and pulled out a stick, striking it onto a small dirty hand.

This hand almost reached his waist to grab his money bag.

Smack!

The small hand retracted like an electric shock. Fang Xing looked over, only to see several beggar-like youngsters burrowing into the crowd. Utilizing their knowledge of the terrain, they disappeared without a trace in an instant.

'However... trying to hide from the senses of a legendary Druid like me?'

He chuckled, not quickening his pace, yet his speed mysteriously increased as he entered an alley.

Before long, faint voices echoed from ahead:

"That guy, it hurt so much when he hit me!"

"Damn, we misjudged, turns out he's a practitioner!"

"Today's earnings aren't enough, Master Tiger won't let us off."

...

Ahead, several little beggars were gathering, their faces showing some bitter expressions.

On the body of one small beggar, there was a hint of supernatural spirit light.

Fang Xing glanced over and discovered that the opponent had a spell-like ability, similar in effect to 'nimble fingers', making him excellent material for a thief.

"Interesting!"

"He actually cultivated a small spell... no, it's more as if it was bestowed upon him?"

"Unexpectedly, in such a small city, there's even an organization like a Thief's Union..."

If it were only Fang Xing's avatar, he surely wouldn't understand.

But since Fang Xing also has his true form, he recognized immediately that the spell-like ability on the thief was a gift from a divine!

The other was a follower of the 'God of Shadows and Thieves'!

This 'God of Shadows and Thieves' is a true god within the Great Zhou divine system, whose power is lacking, having been beaten by Asta.

'The divine positions are 'Shadow' and 'Thieves'... thus requiring the dark side of society to exist...'

Even the local government, for the sake of respecting the true god behind it, would not easily intervene.

And thieves easily breed various crimes.

For example, stealing children, teaching them to steal, even crippling children and disguising them as beggars, etc...

Similar to the ancient practice of 'harvesting life and limb', in Great Zhou it has merged with the Thief's Union.

"This is undoubtedly a tumor, hindering societal development, but the Great Zhou cannot eradicate it... why? Because the 'God of Shadows and Thieves' is one of their own... even if the Main God of the Great Zhou divine system is helpless, he can only concede!"

'Within the Great Zhou divine system, even the weakest true god, as long as they hide in the Divine Country, their safety is secure, they don't need to heed the Main God... or rather, the divine system is like a company, with the Main God similar to a chairman, and the God of Shadows and Thieves at least a minor shareholder...'

'Although the chairman appears to hold power, if they dare to disregard the interests of minor shareholders, there is a possibility of being overthrown by their joint force...'

'Therefore, the Great Zhou divine dynasty cannot sever ties... similar is the God of Desire and Love...'

Fang Xing quietly walked away, not intending to lend a hand.

These thieves seem to be doing fairly well, and some have already converted to that God of Shadows and Thieves.

Going over there would only expose oneself without any benefit.

'The rules of the divine, but at this time have instead become an obstacle for Great Zhou to advance further?'

Fang Xing murmured inwardly, and arrived at a temple front.

This was the City God Temple of Shangwu City, and one could see the flow of people like a weaving pattern, the incense flourishing.

Countless prayers, incense, and the burning of paper money gathered into colorful law networks, spreading throughout the city.

The central City God even faintly had the power of a Yang God.

'More critically... he can, with a single thought, communicate with other Earth Spirits of Great Zhou... and even report to the Heavenly Court.'

'Such a massive earthly divine dynasty, who could possibly overthrow it?'

At least, the previous Asta could not see any hope at all.

Even when covertly preparing to hunt for some benefits, he was beaten almost beyond self-care.

Now in place of Fang Xing's true form, naturally, there wouldn't be such recklessness.

"The Great Zhou divine system, the Heavenly Court's power is immense, suppressing all evil spirits... unfortunately, I am one of those evil spirits..."

"On the ground, the Earth Deities' network is like a snare, although there are some black sheep and tumors... in reality, they don't hinder anything."

After all, the majority of people just want to live their lives, and as long as they can still manage that, they won't rebel.

Now, the Great Zhou divine dynasty is known as the 'earthly divine country' with divine offspring governing the world.

Although there are some inadequacies, life can undoubtedly continue, and even if the poor fall ill, they can go to a church to try their luck, and a benevolent priest might heal them.

Compared to a truly supernatural power-lacking ancient feudal society, it's already much better.

And the ruling class is extremely strong, so no one is willing to revolt at this time.

It can be said that besides the few bleeding points like the Outer World, there are no weaknesses, but rather immense strength.

"Though just a single leaf, I can already see autumn..."

Fang Xing did not enter the City God Temple, instead finding a place to leave the city: "The Heavenly Court, the mortal world... are almost flawless."

"Perhaps I should find an opportunity to take a look at the Underworld?"

If the Heavenly Court is the upper plane, then the Underworld is the lower plane.

In this world, the Underworld is unique, with a total of eighteen levels, known as the 'Eighteen Levels of Hell', specifically used for punishing unbelievers.

True devotees ascend directly to the Divine Country of the divine.

'So... this world has no concept of reincarnation? Every fetus is a brand new soul... when one completes a life, according to their faith's destination, they either go to heaven or hell?'

Even after entering hell, there's no idea of reincarnating as a pig or dog.

It's just continuous torment, torment... until the soul dissipates, at which point the suffering ends.

However, it's simple for souls to enter the Underworld, but very difficult for living people to go there.

Without the power of the Yang God realm, it's generally a fantasy.

Even a True Monarch of the Yang God may very likely never return.

'Fortunately, my true form is a true god, and I'm quite adept at retrieving souls from the Underworld...'

'Otherwise, those followers of the Killing Life Sect and the real Demon Lord would be too miserable...'

Though some evil gods are not trustworthy, Fang Xing still has quite a good business reputation.

At the very least, anything he promises, he will definitely try his best to fulfill.