Infinite Professions

Chapter 360 - 189: Third Transformation

Before the grand hall, after the civil judge declared his judgment, a junior clerk stepped forward, holding a jade tray with both hands. On the tray was a set of light cyan official robes and a profound black gold seal.

It was the official robe and seal of the Little Yellow Mountain God.

From the ninth to the seventh grade, their influence is marked by cyan, and their official robes also bear this color.

Although the position of the Little Yellow Mountain God is merely a ninth-grade official, an official is still an official. It has crossed the class barrier and formally entered the Divine Dao official position system. Compared to the insignificant clerks, though not a heaven and earth difference, it is like clouds and mud.

In the Immortal Dao System, it would be akin to Cultivation Foundation Establishment, the fundamental step upon which a towering edifice is built; its importance is self-evident.

"This subordinate accepts the command!"

Shen Hex stepped forward and took the jade tray. Instantly, golden light radiated, and the official robes and seal on the tray rose with the light, directly merging with him, transforming him into an official wearing a long-winged hat and light cyan robes.

Not only did his attire change, but brilliance also appeared in his mind, transforming into a black gold seal as imposing as a mountain, which pressed down upon him— the Mountain God Seal.

At the moment of receiving this divine seal, Shen Hex gained several divine art inheritances, all related to "mountain and peaks" techniques, including moving mountains, lifting peaks, forest creation, commanding ghosts, and so on. Although there’s some overlap with land-related arts, being specialized gives these techniques greater power.

"Hmm!"

Seeing Shen Hex with the seal, Lu Ji nodded as well, "The Lord of the Mansion has high expectations for you; make sure you do not disappoint him."

Shen Hex bowed, "This subordinate will do his utmost, not failing the Lord’s nurturing and entrusting!"

"Good!"

Lu Ji nodded affirmatively, waved off the surrounding people, and conversed with Shen Hex a while before sending him off.

Old humans are astute; old spirits are wise. Associating with smart people is a pleasantly reassuring affair— such was Shen Hex; such was Lu Ji.

Seeing Shen Hex off and returning to the ministry hall, a person awaited, donning bright red official robes— the military judge of Jinyang Prefecture.

"Congratulations, Brother Lu, on unearthing a gem!"

Seeing Lu Ji return, the military judge spoke directly, "In just three to five years in office, you’ve taken down that Five Immortals’ illicit cult, an extraordinary feat."

"Ordinary or extraordinary, how does it matter?"

Lu Ji’s expression remained unchanged as he held a pen, handling documents.

The military judge looked at him, "Do you truly believe his claims?"

Lu Ji smiled, "Reasonable and logical, why wouldn’t I believe?"

"What’s reasonable or logical?"

The military judge coldly, "That Five Immortals Gang witch’s evil technique is remarkably powerful. Years ago, when troops from the prefecture surrounded her, she escaped. Even now, though aged and drained, she wouldn’t be overpowered by mere villagers, let alone facing the eight-grade Five Immortal Evil Gods behind her. As a minor land deity, a twelfth-class god, newly appointed for only three to five years, how could he possibly resist the illicit cult entrenched for a century? What’s reasonable or logical about any of this?"

"Who doesn’t have a few secrets?"

Lu Ji’s demeanor unchanged, "Now that he’s a regional deity, protecting his people, vanquishing encroaching demons, what’s unreasonable about rewarding his merits? Should doubts subvert the Divine Dao’s laws?"

"I merely don’t want you, Brother Lu, to get implicated by him."

The military judge smirked coldly, "This person has considerable ambition, now backed by you, Brother Lu; his future endeavors will surely be unbridled. Should any mishap occur, implicating you..."

Lu Ji smiled faintly, "Brother Zhang needn’t worry. If disaster strikes, I will handle matters myself."

"If that’s the case, I have nothing more to say, farewell!"

The military judge, seeing his stance, didn’t waste further words, simply turned and left.

Leaving Lu Ji alone in the study, his expression varied before settling into calm.

Elsewhere, outside the prefecture city.

Song Wu and his companions, driving horses and carriages, holding their appointment documents, embarked on a satisfied journey home.

Shen Hex riding alongside, watching over them while studying the Mountain God Seal.

Divine Dao’s entry-level, equivalent to Immortal Dao foundation establishment.

But compared to the Immortal Dao’s magical power, and subsequent Golden Core Nascent Soul, the Divine Dao’s divine power and seal seem to possess an external, hastily attained nature; once the decree is given, even an ordinary Yin Soul can leap into entry-level deity status, without any cultivation.

This also imparts a sort of superficiality to the foundation of Divine Dao, as if it could be seized anytime.

Indeed, it’s precisely the case; what others can give, they can reclaim.

Divine Dao, by nature, is not only subject to divine incense but also to superior gods.

But Shen Hex had already considered this shortcoming. With current professional power, he can manage. In the future, he can scheme to seize divine arts, uncovering divine secrets, turning shortcomings into advantages.

As a minor god, the authority to grant and revoke divine positions is naturally a drawback to you.

But once you become a great god, a pinnacle existence within the Divine Dao system, tightly holding the authority to grant and revoke divine positions, this drawback transforms into a potent means.

Thus, Shen Hex cares not for this minor issue; conversely, it serves as a shield.

The matter of obliterating the Five Immortals Gang and the Three Strongholds Bandits indeed exceeded norms.

But entering Divine Dao and receiving divine decrees places him within its system, with life and death decisions in the upper gods’ hands.

With the opponent holding such restricted means, naturally, they wouldn’t concern over his minor deviations.

Unlike the Cultivation World of Taiyuan, where any slight deviation or anomalous behavior invites attention and scrutiny, perhaps even deadly malevolence.

With absolute control in hand, other aspects become relatively relaxed.

This is also why Lu Ji willingly supports Shen Hex; he fears no loss of control, nor Shen Hex becoming too unwieldy.

Yet wasn’t Shen Hex the same?