"Crack!"

A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, accompanied by thunder, as the rain poured down like a waterfall. The pleasant autumn weather suddenly turned into howling cold winds and torrential rain.

"It's just early autumn, and the weather is already unpredictable. The rain is so heavy it seems like it's pierced through the sky. I wonder how the citizens of East Lake Port are doing." Hu Zhile looked at the downpour, revealing her fluffy big fox tail to wrap around herself like a shawl, adding some noble elegance to her warmth.

Yun Mo heard her and used his wings to form a canopy, looking down at the farmland below, and said with relief, "Fortunately, Mr. Jiang's farmland is unaffected. Look, the flowers that should bloom are blooming, and the fruits that should bear are bearing.

If the harvest in East Lake Port is affected by the weather, Mr. Jiang can always share some grain, which will be enough for them to survive the winter."

In the summer, East Lake Port faced difficulties. The two of them helped transport refugees home and witnessed Mr. Jiang protecting the region.

Now in the first month of autumn, the gloomy weather makes the thoughtful Hu Zhile concerned for those fragile mortals.

"There's still some time before the Wilderness arrives, so why don't we go take a look?" she suggested. "The Venerable Family has been busy lately; Senior Bai is preparing for the Walking Flood Dragon; only the two of us have some spare time, so let's see if there's anywhere that needs help."

Bored He Miancun, being a Ghost Cultivator, disliked thunder and lightning. He was hiding under the Divine Tree to avoid the rain, and sneakily poked his head out upon hearing this. "Where are you planning to go? Can I join you to see what's happening?"

Yun Mo nodded in agreement, "Mr. Jiang has been protecting a village next to East Lake, and today's heavy rain is making me anxious. Senior Hu is thinking of looking into the mortals' situation. If Senior He is interested, let's go together."

Wow? Mr. Jiang is protecting mortals?

Is he trying to go the route of divine worship to become a god? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He Miancun was quite curious upon hearing this. He had long heard that some cultivators pretended to be immortals in the Human World to protect regions and earn incense offerings. It's a rare chance to see which deity Mr. Jiang impersonates to receive mortal worship.

As the two demons and the ghost were preparing to leave, Leng Yutang descended from his small artifact refining courtyard with a troubled expression, just standing there in the rain.

Being a Demon Cultivator and a respected Artifact Refiner, the rain naturally couldn't penetrate his water-repellent Magical Robe to drench him, but the scene still looked a bit desolate.

"Daoist Leng, what's the matter?" Hu Zhile asked considerately.

He then noticed the people up on the tree house, which seemed lively, and hastily greeted and replied, "It's nothing, merely a bottleneck in artifact refining.

The rolling thunder is perturbing my thoughts, so I wanted to get some fresh air. Seeing Mr. Jiang's thousand acres of fertile land unaffected by the wind and rain, but instead growing greener and taller under the autumn rain, has brightened my mood."

Yun Mo echoed, "Indeed, Mr. Jiang's Shennong techniques are truly impressive. Despite the tempest and sudden temperature drop, not only ordinary things but even the crops mortals plant and eat remain unaffected, probably due to the protection from arrays below."

Hu Zhile invited, "In that case, why not join us to East Lake Port? Venturing into the vast outside world will be uplifting. I heard from the Venerable Family that recently a few mountains were moved, increasing East Lake Port's area and accommodating more refugees, along with newly reclaimed farmland.

Daoist Leng, known for crafting practical Magical Artifacts, perhaps going there and observing the situation could lead to creating some gadgets that may make life more comfortable for the mortals protected by the Venerable Family."

Crafting Magical Artifacts for mortal use?

Leng Yutang was taken aback, wondering if they would understand how to use them.

Then he thought about storing Spirit Stones periodically, allowing the Magical Artifacts to operate independently, eliminating the need for mortal intervention.

This idea was still quite unexpected, as in the widespread knowledge among demon cultivators, mortals are an inferior existence compared to Demon Beasts, not even qualifying to voluntarily become slaves, how could they be worthy of using Magical Artifacts?

Moreover, Mr. Jiang himself protecting those mortals is already a great honor for them, how could they covet Magical Artifacts?

"Daoist Leng, do you think mortals are insignificant, and crafting Magical Artifacts for them deteriorates your status?" Seeing his hesitation, Hu Zhile laughed, "I have often traversed between the Wilderness and the Human World, and consider myself to understand mortals well.

Among them are many noble and talented individuals who garner the respect of demon cultivators. Though they lack Spirit Roots and can't cultivate, their virtues and talents are better than many demon cultivators. Judging status by the ability to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy is truly unfair.

Besides, I personally believe all creatures are born equal without distinction between high and low.

If indeed virtuous, even mortals deserve respect; if sinister and malicious, causing harm regardless of cultivation level, they are but scum endangering the world.

Taking a step back, the Human World carries the fallen Wilderness World, and mortals do not cause any harm. Instead, it is those unrestrained Demon Beasts making their survival difficult.

It's a virtuous act for the strong to protect the weak. If Daoist Leng's crafted Magical Artifacts can benefit the region, provide for all, and earn the gratitude of the citizens, wouldn't that accumulate goodness for yourself?"

Initially frustrated by the inability to finish crafting a Magical Artifact, Leng Yutang felt like being hit by a stunning realization upon hearing these words.

He recalled the past oppression of the Furious Fire Bear Race as the weaker side, remembered his own hardships after being expelled, and suddenly realized, regretting how such a simple truth was unclear to him.