CHAPTER 274: CHAPTER 274: THE DEMON GOD IS ACTUALLY MYSELF?

Jiang Yuan swiftly and agilely traversed the water surface of Golden Carp Lake, stepping on a large silver fish. As he passed through the bustling river section crowded with small boats, finding it impossible to squeeze through, the silver fish unexpectedly adapted and quietly submerged.

"Bong!"

With a soft sound, he realized that he was wrapped in a fish bubble spat out by the large fish, not even getting his coat tail wet. He glided over the lake bottom on the back of the fish, looking up at the shimmering water surface, enjoying an entirely different scenery.

After swiftly crossing the crowded river section, the fish raised its head, allowing him to continue moving steadily along the water surface.

"Worthy of being a unique magical artifact of the Mermaid Race—its smoothness is truly fantastic!" Jiang Yuan still savored the unique imagery seen from underwater, and after the silver fish gently arched to send him ashore, its form dissipated in the rippling waves.

The Money Shop at Golden Carp Lake Market was far more grandiose than the one at Cyan Fish Mountain Market, with towering, dignified buildings adorned with layers of eaves and protruding corners visible upon looking up.

He planned to exchange parts of his silver notes to round up his account balance to three million, allowing him to withdraw Immortal Jade or other currencies whenever needed, and keep the remaining silver notes in his Storage Bag for transactions and purchasing other items.

[Du Yiyun, Head Shopkeeper of the Marketplace Money Shop at Golden Carp Lake Market. Bone Sacrifice Realm Demon Cultivator, a member of Bloodthirst Hall]

Just entering the reception hall of the Money Shop, the system continuously popped up identity information of cultivators passing by, immediately spotting an unusual presence with a long health bar, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

The owner of the money shop at Cyan Fish Mountain Market was a Demon Cultivator from Bloodthirst Hall, and the Head Shopkeeper of the money shop at Golden Carp Lake Market was an accomplice!

It seems Hu Jiu’s guess was correct; the Demon Cultivator invasion incident was toned down, or else Du Yiyun wouldn’t have been able to remain calm here as a shopkeeper.

Thinking this, he watched the person rushing past towards the back hall, Jiang Yuan kept a calm expression as he walked directly to the counter to hand over the silver notes, "I want to exchange them for Spirit Stones."

"All eighty-six thousand to be taken out?" The squirrel-like demon in charge of processing transactions behind the counter, sporting a huge fluffy tail, peeked over the silver-rimmed round glasses to glance at the silver notes and then at him, warmly stating, "The amount is a bit large; I need to apply to the Shopkeeper and retrieve the Spirit Stones from the warehouse. It might take a bit longer, please make yourself comfortable in the VIP room and enjoy some Spirit Tea while you wait."

She stood up and gestured politely, Jiang Yuan followed her to a small, warmly decorated room on the eastern side of the hall to wait for the Spirit Stones to be counted.

"Esteemed guest, please enjoy some tea." As soon as he entered and sat down, a maid served a cup of fragrant light green tea before retreating quietly.

[Ten-year Flowing Cloud Tea, with a fresh aroma and clear tea soup. Drinking a cup can relieve some fatigue, Physical Strength +30]

Oh, worthy of a wealthy money shop, offering guests Spirit Tea that increases physical strength.

Jiang Yuan took a sip, immediately savoring the aromatic tea between his lips and teeth; though he was not a tea connoisseur, he felt it was far more rich and mellow than the reportedly expensive tea offered by Chuci.

With nothing better to do, he opened the System Mall to check for tea plant seeds available for purchase, thinking of planting them and bringing back the Otherworldly tea aroma for his family and friends.

Browsing through the greyed-out interface sections not yet unlocked due to insufficient level, beyond occasional common vegetables, many Wilderness World specialty vegetable seeds would be unlocked once the courtyard reached Level Four, not mere mundanity as their names suggest.

Later, he opened the summer-closed seed section, finally seeing the various tea trees that could be planted in summer, such as Dragon Well, Maojian, Jasmine, etc...

[Detected sacrificial summoning nearby, enabling summoning of followers and interpersonal relations. Would you like to consume five thousand Faith Value to open the receiving sacrifice channel?]

While planning his farming plans, Jiang Yuan was startled to see the popped red dialogue box.

Reminding him of the Riverfront Village blood sacrifice summoning of Little White, near bringing up similar notifications, back then, interpersonal relations with followers weren’t enabled for summoning.

Should I open the channel?

Five thousand Faith Value isn’t much, considering the variable Faith Value gained from each completed public welfare order, accumulating a small hundred thousand, used for upgrading titles besides enchanting Protective Talismans.

Just spend the five thousand Faith Value, yet the critical concern lies with the outcome upon accepting. Could the other party visualize my appearance?

Jiang Yuan hesitated for two seconds, clicked and equipped the Mutated Fierce Ghost Skull to display, transforming his head into a ghastly white skull emitting black ghostly aura, three protruding sharp horns on the forehead.

After completing the disguise, Jiang Yuan clicked to enable the receiving sacrifices channel.

However, no changes occurred, with the anticipated extraordinary scene failing to appear or being transported away, only hearing the distinct murmuring prayers, "Oh great Demon God, please accept my sacrifices and protect your loyal people and descendants..."

Accompanied by whispered prayers, the system interface showed a "broadcast screen."

Du Yiyun, the Demon Cultivator seen in the Money Shop hall earlier, was kneeling in a prayer mat, devoutly worshipping and praying.

[Current Offerings: Yin Demon Pearl x100,000; Celestial Vault Spirit Grass x10; Demon Phoenix Blood x10 drops, selectable response methods]

[1. Ask what the summoner desires from the Demon God]

[2. Accept sacrifice without response]

[3. Demand more sacrifices]

Aside from Yin Demon Pearl, Jiang Yuan was unfamiliar with the other two offerings, choosing the first option after consideration.

In the secret chamber at the back hall, where Du Yiyun fervently knelt to seek favor from the Demon God, suddenly heard a ethereal yet majestic and authoritative voice echoing, "Who are you? What do you seek?"

Du Yiyun’s heart skipped a beat, his face turning blood-red with excitement, trembling body prostrate and uttered in a shaking voice, "Follower Du Yiyun, descendant of the tribe where Demon God resided before ascension! The follower wishes to offer tributes, asking Demon God for protection!"

Jiang Yuan witnessed he didn’t need to show his face, removing the skull disguise and leisurely sipping tea while pondering the subsequent dialogue choice.

"You have cultivated to the Bone Sacrifice Realm, why do you seek shelter?"

"In response to Demon God..." Du Yiyun never anticipated his prayer to receive an actual response, momentarily at a loss for words, only selecting the crucial parts, "Follower was subordinate to Bloodthirst Hall, assigned in Wilderness World Market as Money Shopkeeper.

Yet, recently Bloodthirst Hall withdrew en masse overnight, leaving the follower abandoned! You know Demon Realm and Cultivation Realm never get along, follower trapped amid danger unable to escape, pleas for Demon God’s compassion and protection!"

[1. Accept donations, informing of trading rules]

[2. Demand more sacrifices]

Jiang Yuan first scrutinized the trading rules, generally summarizing that once offerings reach a certain value, corresponding help will be granted.

Including but not limited to granting a Guardian God statue, accepting lifespan sacrifices at critical moments to remove danger, and more.

Of course, offering these assistances, either choosing hands-on involvement or consuming certain Faith Value to complete.

Nonetheless, lifespan sacrifice, when accepted and completed, enhances one’s own lifespan, adding much allure!

The key lies with the last rule in transactions: all interpretation rights belong to "Demon God," even merely accepting offerings without fulfilling responsibilities is permissible.

Additionally, with corresponding explanations in the rules — except lifespan sacrifice, all prayers from followers are attended only when "Demon God" receives them and has time.

Followers may decline transactions entirely by not offering sacrifices, but billing for this summoning must be paid upfront.

"Truly a representation of unequal supply-demand parties, these terms are quite domineering." Jiang Yuan, having reviewed, chose not to trouble the other party, stopping amicably and informing them of the trading rules.

Du Yiyun, moved, persisted in expressing gratitude to Demon God, witnessing his offerings vanish instantly without any spatial disturbance, collapsed seating with heart racing chaotically.