The concept of a born saint begins with Strange Tales from Liaozhai.

If what is recorded in this bamboo slip is true, then doesn't that mean that neither the Quanrong nor the Shenhou army of that time could do anything about the Wushan God?

The bamboo slips also subtly suggest that King You of Zhou never died and, under the protection of the God of Wushan, lived to old age and died!

Gao Sui's breathing quickened, and he hurriedly checked the bamboo slips behind him.

Unfortunately, there were not many records after that, and the bamboo slips soon came to an end.

The study was quiet.

The oil lamp flickered gently, but Gao Sui's expression remained unsettled for a long time.

“Lord Wushan…” he murmured.

For a while.

A thought involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

If the God of Wushan truly exists.

What will happen when Duke Huan of Qi personally goes to Wushan to offer sacrifices this time?

……

At the same time.

As Duke Huan of Qi prepared to go to Wushan to offer sacrifices to the god of Wushan, news of this spread continuously.

This matter quickly spread to the various vassal states.

For a while.

The reactions of the rulers of different countries varied.

It was far away in Luoyi, where the Zhou royal family was located.

King Xiang of Zhou, who was nominally the ruler of all under heaven, also heard of this news.

King Xiang of Zhou had a somewhat complicated expression.

There are some taboo records about Lord Kiriyama within the royal family, but these matters are rarely mentioned to outsiders.

Why would Duke Huan of Qi suddenly decide to go to Wushan to offer sacrifices?

Could something have happened?

King Xiang of Zhou couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions that were hard to express.

This moment.

Whether it was the rulers of the various vassal states or King Xiang of Zhou, they all couldn't help but pay attention to the situation of Duke Huan of Qi's sacrificial ceremony and what might happen next.

Soon, all the major vassal states, as well as King Xiang of Zhou, the nominal ruler of the world, instructed their people in Qi to pay attention to the situation of Duke Huan of Qi.

These people included envoys from the State of Qi, wandering scholars and their retainers, and spies hiding their identities.

All eyes were fixed on the Qi royal palace and on Duke Huan of Qi's every move.

Was Duke Huan of Qi's sacrifice truly intended, or did he have ulterior motives?

……

Not long after.

Outside the capital of Qi.

A large procession slowly set off from the city gate.

With banners fluttering and chariots standing in rows, it was Duke Huan of Qi's sacrificial procession heading to Wushan.

Hundreds of armored soldiers and guards, armed with spears and shields and clad in bronze armor, marched in orderly formation, their expressions solemn, clearing the way ahead and protecting the surrounding area.

Among them were dozens of carriages, high-ranking officials, and ministers.

The cart also carried cattle and sheep, wine vessels, bronze sacrificial vessels, and bamboo slips containing sacrificial texts.

A solemnly decorated chariot moved slowly through it.

Seated in the carriage was none other than Duke Huan of Qi, the hegemon of the State of Qi, dressed in dark robes with a dignified expression.

Beside him stood Guan Zhong, the prime minister of the State of Qi.

Guan Zhong remained calm, constantly observing the formation and the surrounding situation.

The procession also included officials such as priests, shamans, historians, and musicians.

The entire team was large and numbered over a thousand.

They marched westward with overwhelming momentum.

……

More than twenty days later.

The massive procession finally arrived at the foot of the misty, fog-shrouded mountain.

Looking into the distance.

The misty mountain was shrouded in a thin veil, making it seem as if it were completely isolated from the outside world.

Duke Huan of Qi's troops camped at the foot of the mountain.

Several days later.

The day of the sacrifice finally arrived.

early morning.

An altar had already been erected at the foot of the mountain.

The altar was built of wood and stone, with bronze sacrificial vessels placed on top. Cattle and sheep were led aside, and wine vessels were neatly arranged.

Around the altar, soldiers from the State of Qi stood in formation.

Within the ranks, some seemingly normal people were secretly observing everything; they were none other than spies from various vassal states.

All eyes were fixed on the area surrounding the altar.

Soon, the sacrificial ceremony began.

The first to step forward was the ritual official from the State of Qi. Dressed in sacrificial robes and holding bamboo slips, he walked to the altar and loudly recited the sacrificial text.

"Lord Qi, with fine wine and sacrificial animals, respectfully informs the God of Wushan..."

"...Having heard that the deity resides here, I have come here today to offer sacrifices and express my respect..."

The sound of the sacrificial text echoed among the misty mountains.

Afterwards, the officiant withdrew, and Duke Huan of Qi slowly walked up to the altar.

The surroundings fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the scene.

Duke Huan of Qi took the bronze wine cup from his attendant and then slowly poured the wine onto the altar.

After a set of sacrificial rituals.

On the altar.

Duke Huan of Qi pondered for a moment, then suddenly spoke, his voice echoing around him.

"If the Divine Lord were here, I would like to ask you something!"

These words were spoken.

The expressions of those around him changed slightly, and doubts and curiosity arose in their hearts.

What questions were the ruler and the Marquis of Qi about?

Under their questioning gazes, Duke Huan of Qi continued,

"Some time ago, a blue shadow was seen wandering among the thunderclouds above the State of Qi. I wonder if it was the descent of a divine lord?"

The words fell.

A sudden silence fell over the surroundings.

Qi Guoxingshu, the eight-year-old girl, stared wide-eyed, her expression one of astonishment and shock.

Strange phenomena have appeared in the skies of Qi Kingdom?

Qingying?

Between thunderclouds?

Among the crowd.

A spy from the State of Jin immediately turned pale.

He was tall and slender, and his complexion was somewhat sallow from years of traveling between countries.

At this moment, Xun Li's face was very gloomy.

What happened in the State of Qi recently?

Damn it, I didn't even notice!

if it is real……

Does this mean there really is a God of Mist Mountain?

Did the God of Wushan also descend upon the State of Qi?

Is destiny perhaps in Qi?

Xun Li couldn't help but think this way.

Not only him, but at this moment, spies from various countries had this thought to varying degrees, and they all felt a sense of resentment and sudden realization.

No wonder Qi became the most powerful vassal state; it turns out it was favored by the gods.

For a moment, looking at the Marquis of Qi protected by the armored soldiers on the altar, Xun Li and the others couldn't help but feel jealous and gnashing their teeth.

This Marquis of Qi is truly cunning and treacherous!

They only found out about this now!

At the same time, around the altar.

The people of Qi were astonished and suspicious; it was the first time they had ever heard of such a thing.

A cacophony of voices arose.

Seeing them discussing amongst themselves, Zhu Guan immediately stood up and shouted, "Silence!"

After he finished speaking, the fishy mouth shattered, and the foot of the misty mountain gradually quieted down.

All eyes were fixed on Duke Huan of Qi on the altar.

The mountains and forests were silent, with only the sound of the wind howling.

Everyone held their breath and waited quietly.

However, as time passed, the area around Mount Kiri remained quiet.

There were no signs, no response, nothing happened.

The spies from the various vassal states, including Xun Li, couldn't help but reveal subtle expressions on their faces.

"It seems..."

"These are merely the Duke of Qi's wildest imaginations..."

Xun Li sneered inwardly.

If the Marquis of Qi sincerely and repeatedly performed sacrifices and inquired about matters from the gods, but received no response, then...

Xun Li and others were somewhat gloating.

At this moment, on the altar.

Duke Huan of Qi also became nervous.

Standing on the altar, gazing into the depths of Wushan, he felt a sense of panic and loss.

……

Just then.

Deep within the misty mountains, atop the peak.