The three sons also understand propriety. After becoming deities, they adhere to the etiquette between monarch and subject, never addressing each other as father and son in public occasions.

Of course, this is also related to his increasing dignity day by day.

Shen Hex lowered his gaze: "What is the matter?"

"A name card from the Jinyang Prefect."

Song Cai presented a bright red name card: "Invite the Divine Monarch to the mansion for a conversation."

"Hmm!?"

Shen Hex’s eyes narrowed, his right hand lifted, and the card instantly appeared within it.

"Please enter the mansion for a conversation. Jinyang City God Zhou Qian!"

The card was not intricate, with only twelve words written, yet it made Shen Hex furrow his brows.

Though in recent years there have been rumors that this Jinyang Prefect regards him favorably, and even has plans to pass the position to him, only Shen Hex knows that they have no real relationship, having met only once back at the Yin Department court trial when he faced the Buddhist Sect in court.

Since then, he has not met this Jinyang Prefect, and even this letter exchange is the first instance.

Thus, the question arises, what is the opposite party planning by inviting him to the mansion at this time?

Although there are many fools in the world, there is no shortage of wise ones, especially among those deities who have lived for thousands and tens of thousands of years, observing worldly changes. Each is as perceptive as a cunning old fox with deep schemes.

Regarding the affairs of Jinling, Shen Hex sees through the schemes of the Hidden Dragon; he, too, is well aware.

Sending a card at this moment to invite Shen Hex, who is merely an acquaintance with some rebellious intent, into the mansion indeed has a hint of a "Hongmen Banquet."

After all, he is a Fourth-rank True God and doesn’t have deep ties with Shen Hex. Not to mention that the heritage transfer rumors are merely outside conjectures, hard to verify. Even if he truly intends this, now that the Hidden Dragon is challenging Song Xiang, he ought to adjust his strategy and choose someone else.

After all, the fundamental reason for this "Divine Dao succession" is the deep-rooted incense poison in his bones, necessitating reincarnation and cultivation to purify the true spirit, thus establishing the rationale for succession. The successor also has to assist him after his reincarnation, even guiding him back to the Divine Dao.

Currently, with Shen Hex under the scrutiny of the Hidden Dragon, his situation is precarious. If he passes the succession to Shen Hex, wouldn’t that be putting all eggs in a basket about to break?

A wise man wouldn’t do this!

Hence, choosing others, or even collaborating with the Hidden Dragon to plan against him seems logical. If they can eliminate him, the culprit, in the mansion, allowing the Hidden Dragon to completely seize an intact Jinyang effortlessly, it would undoubtedly be to their delight, making them officials supporting the dragon’s restoration.

At that time, reincarnation might not even be necessary, and they could directly use the True Dragon Power to ascend to the Third-rank Great God, suppressing the incense poison.

Hongmen Banquet, should one attend?

Shen Hex was silent for a moment, then stored the name card, and began to walk outside.

...

Anping County is merely a thousand miles away from Jinyang City, and with the power of a Divine Being, it can be reached instantly.

Guided by the name card, Shen Hex flew into the City God Realm of Jinyang, arriving at a waterside pavilion within the mansion.

The pavilion was filled with the chirping of birds and fragrant flowers, with a person inside standing with hands behind his back, dressed in everyday clothes, appearing to be a middle-aged man.

It was actually the Jinyang Prefect, Zhou Qian.

Golden light descended, revealing Shen Hex’s form, facing him directly.

"You have arrived?"

"I have arrived!"

Upon meeting, there were no surface pleasantries, only a palpable tension.

"Ha!"

Zhou Qian laughed, shattering the tense atmosphere instantly, looking at Shen Hex, calm and deep as the sea, with admiration in his eyes: "If I were you, I wouldn’t dare come."

Shen Hex replied: "I have my reliance."

Zhou Qian looked at him: "Merit?"

Shen Hex shook his head: "Not just that."

"Wonderful!"

Zhou Qian nodded, indifferent.

Though it appeared somewhat baffling, making one feel confused, wise words are always like this, revealing many insights with just a few words.

Zhou Qian looked at him, speaking calmly: "Your means, wisdom, courage, and boldness can be considered the best I’ve seen, even surpassing the True Dragons of all ages."

Shen Hex’s expression remained unchanged: "You flatter me."

"Not flattery."

Zhou Qian shook his head, turning to look towards the direction where Jinling lies: "Hidden Dragon’s restoration, destiny must be there, chaos will ensue, a grand era will arrive; though you are a prodigy, possessing extraordinary qualities, your accumulation is insufficient, the foundation shallow, fear you can’t resist!"

Shen Hex kept his hands behind his back: "Whether I can or not, I will know only after trying!"

Zhou Qian looked at him, his gaze indescribable: "Have you considered withdrawing?"

Shen Hex shook his head: "Responsibility burdens my shoulders, how can I withdraw?"

"Ha!"

Zhou Qian laughed: "Indeed a person of responsibility!"

After speaking, he again looked outside the mansion, his gaze inexplicable: "Though Hidden Dragon’s restoration is destined, destiny is only a momentary opportunity. Whether he can seize it remains uncertain. The Jinling Lord is a Third-rank Great God, also needing to deter that Lanruo Ghost Realm, won’t easily intervene, so at most, they can only mobilize Fourth-grade power."

Shen Hex’s eyes narrowed: "Buddhist Sect’s Huide?"

"Most likely!"

Zhou Qian nodded, then showed a bitter smile: "Daoist Sect and Confucian Sect might also intervene. After all, you’ve acted too boldly in these years, making all sides feel as if a fierce tiger stands by, a sharp sword hangs above. Now, with such a rare opportunity, naturally, they all intend to borrow the strength of Hidden Dragon to eliminate you."

Shen Hex, hearing this, remained indifferent, merely looking at him: "The Lord also among them?"

"I did have that intention."

Zhou Qian smiled, not concealing: "But now that you’ve come, I must dispel it. Who asked...you indeed have your reliance!"

Shen Hex’s expression unchanged: "The Lord has wise discernment!"

"Only avoiding misfortune."

Zhou Qian shook his head, then looked at the sky, his gaze deep, murmuring: "Like you, I also rose from humble beginnings, starting as an unranked Twelfth-Class Water Elder, step by step, enduring for thousands of years to climb to today’s position."

"But unlike you, I lack your means, your wisdom, your courage, and your reliance!"

"So, through these thousands of years, step by step, I walked as if on thin ice, encountering countless difficulties and regrets, bitterness and hatred..."

Within his words, he turned his gaze back to Shen Hex, speaking calmly: "I have had enough!"

Frank words, sincere emotions revealed!

"..."

Shen Hex remained silent, not responding.

Zhou Qian was indifferent, retracted his gaze, his words growing resolute: "What they contend for, I also contend!"

Shen Hex then spoke: "The Lord wants to reincarnate?"

"Correct!"

Zhou Qian nodded, his words calm yet resolute: "This destined grand opportunity lies with him and with me!"

Shen Hex, hearing this, fell silent again.

It turns out external rumors hold true; this Jinyang Prefect indeed intends to reincarnate into the world, even aiming to leverage the Hidden Dragon’s restoration opportunity to compete for fortune and merit.

"As of today, I am only Fourth-grade, the foundation shallow, reincarnation brings uncertain prospects."

Zhou Qian spoke softly, looking up at Shen Hex again: "Therefore, I wish to form a good bond with you."

Shen Hex’s eyes narrowed, then responded decisively: "This is Song Xiang’s fortune!"

"Ha!"

Zhou Qian laughed, straightforwardly addressing the crux: "I will retrieve all divinely sealed Divine Seals under my governance, fully dedicated to reincarnation. At that time, including you, all subordinate gods under the governance of Jinyang Prefecture City God will be stripped of their divine positions, falling from divinity. You must immediately take charge to prevent chaos caused by evil ghosts and demons, avoiding sin upon yourself, as well as contend with the Three Religions and Hundred Schools’ people to prevent them from seizing the Jinyang authority."

The words had arrived, already solemn: "As long as you can secure Jinyang, before the destined opportunity manifests, the Hidden Dragon will be powerless against you, even after the chaotic world of destiny, it still depends on strength."

Shen Hex looked at him, his gaze changing, eventually bowing his head, bowing: "The Lord’s great kindness, Song Xiang shall remember it in his heart!"

"It barely constitutes great kindness."

Zhou Qian shook his head: "My divine power shall be wholly committed to reincarnation, to ensure safety of the reincarnated self, all I can leave you is this object."

After speaking, he raised his sleeve, golden light gathered, revealing an object, handed before Shen Hex.

Shen Hex glanced only to find the object entering his vision was actually an ancient book, seemingly woven of golden threads, shimmering with faint golden light, and seven characters inscribed on its surface.

"Cave God Eight Emperors’ Original Transformation Scripture!"