From a chaotic world of folk customs to becoming a god through extreme methods.

Two more days passed.

News from the town kept coming in.

First, the village head sent people to notify each household that a statue of the giant turtle should be erected and a shrine should be made for it, and each household should contribute money for incense offerings.

Those who were unwilling would be surrounded by several strong men inside the house and given a good talking-to.

When to pay, and when to leave.

With forceful measures, the silver was quickly collected.

……

On the third day of the seventh lunar month, the statue was completely carved and transported into the town.

The statue, twelve feet tall, was carved from a single piece of fine sandalwood and carried by eight strong men as it slowly walked from one end of the long street.

It has the body of a tortoise and the head of a dragon, with four legs treading on the waves.

It carried a stone tablet on its back, with four large characters engraved on it.

"The Righteous God of the Water Palace".

The dragon head was carved so lifelike, with its eyes wide open and two dark red beads inlaid in the pupils. I don't know what material they were made of, but they gleamed with a faint light in the sunlight.

Its fangs protrude outwards, making it extremely ferocious.

Upon seeing this statue, the people were all filled with fear and trepidation, kneeling on the ground, heads bowed, not daring to look directly at it.

Lin Yuan also took a few glances.

Watching the statue of the deity being carried away by strong men always sent chills down his spine.

This thing is exactly the same as the giant turtle character model from his previous life's game.

However, unlike game CG, the statue in front of us is more realistic, and the somber and evil feeling it evokes is also more profound.

In the game, when the giant turtle first appears, it is only mentioned briefly in the background, that it was subdued by an unknown master, and then it appears as a side quest boss.

At this point in time, the giant turtle has not yet been subdued.

The game's background is not fully explained, and the subsequent plot is unknown.

The statue was carried to the riverbank and placed in a temporary thatched shed, to be officially consecrated and enshrined in the temple on the day of the grand ceremony.

Lin Yuan shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and turned back to the courtyard.

Overthinking is useless.

The only thing I can do now is to keep practicing my swordsmanship.

……

Once the statue was completed, notices were quickly posted in the town.

On the fifteenth of this month, the night of the full moon, a grand ceremony will be held by the river.

At that time, the statue will be consecrated, and the giant turtle will be welcomed into the temple and officially honored as the main deity of the Chahe Town Water Palace.

The offerings for the grand festival are one boy and one girl.

Before the grand ceremony, the temple keeper would preside over the drawing of lots, and all families in the town with children of suitable age would place them in the lot.

Whoever's family is drawn will have to send someone.

The news caused panic among the townspeople, who feared their children might be selected.

Faced with such heinous acts, there are naturally many people who oppose them.

But soon, the village head and others dealt with them one by one, making an example of them.

First, Wang, a merchant at the west end of the town, was beaten up by several masked men right in front of his own house.

He was one of the people who joined his elder brother in resisting the erection of the idol.

But after being beaten, he was carried to the village head's house that same day.

He knelt for an hour.

They said they were willing to pay double the incense money just to have their child removed from the lot.

After the village head accepted the money, Wang, the merchant, kowtowed and knelt down, expressing his gratitude profusely before leaving.

As for whether his child's name was crossed out, no one knows.

Another day has passed.

A family surnamed Liu in Zhennan once said to the giant turtle after drinking, "This is no god at all, it's clearly a demon!"

The next day, his son developed a persistent high fever and fell into a coma.

After examining the patient, the doctor said it was due to fright.

The news quickly spread among the neighbors in the neighborhood, saying that they had offended the water god and were thus punished by heaven.

The old woman from the Liu family kowtowed to the wooden statue by the river all day long, her forehead bleeding profusely from the repeated kowtows.

The child's fever subsided that evening.

After the news spread, no one dared to say a single word against the statue, not even in private discussions.

……

The Lin family's backyard.

After Lin Yuan finished practicing a set of sword techniques, he sheathed his sword, stood up, and exhaled a long breath.

His business has completely shut down in the past few days.

All the goods at the docks were abandoned, all the shops were closed, and even most of the employees were laid off, leaving only a few servants at home.

Now the Lin family can only live off their savings.

All Lin Yuan could do was practice his swordsmanship.

On a whim, he opened the game panel.

Name: Lin Yuan

[Position: A flawed gem in a turbid world]

[Realm: First Body Tempering (x2)]

[Skills: Twelve Styles of Gentle Ripples (62.3%), Nine Styles of Rippling Waves (41.7%)]

[Folk Customs Highlights: 3 Points]

Equipment Slot: 1 (Unequipped)

[Lock function: Not enabled]

During this time, Lin Yuan rummaged through his house and extracted two essences of folk customs from several items imbued with spiritual energy.

Adding the one point that was originally left, there are a total of three points.

During his sword practice, Lin Yuan also discovered the profound mysteries of the technique.

After all, they come from the same source. Ripples and waves, once one is mastered to a higher level, can accelerate the cultivation of the other.

During this period, he devoted almost all his efforts to practicing the "Twelve Styles of Gentle Ripples," which is why he has reached 62.3% progress.

As for the "Nine Ripples Style," I only practice it occasionally.

Even so, he still improved very quickly, and was forcibly brought to 41.7% by "Twelve Styles of Ripples".

Therefore, he decided to go all out to improve his proficiency in the Weilan technique to 70%.

At that time, after using up the three points of folk essence, the second body tempering will be completed directly.

Next, it will drive the "Nine Ripples" to upgrade it at an accelerated pace.

This is currently the most profitable strategy, and it's also the goal Lin Yuan has set.

Once he breaks through one of his cultivation techniques, he should seriously consider acquiring the essence of folk customs.

With the strength gained from the second body tempering, the plan could then be put into practice.

Just as Lin Yuan put away the panel and prepared to continue practicing his swordsmanship.

But then there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

"Young Master."

It was Wang Gou Dan's voice coming from outside the door.

Lin Yuan stepped forward and opened the door, where he saw Wang Gou Dan carrying a bamboo basket containing several fresh fish.

"Bringing fish again?"

Lin Yuan let him in.

Wang Gou Dan nodded, came in, put down the basket, but looked somewhat sullen.

"What's wrong?" Lin Yuan asked.

Wang Gou Dan gritted his teeth and couldn't help but speak.

"Young master, those people at the sword-fighting hall are gossiping again."

"What did you say?"

"They say you're a coward, hiding at home and afraid to go out."

Wang Gou Dan became increasingly angry as he spoke, his face turning bright red.

"Some people are saying that the Lin family has offended the Water God and will be in trouble sooner or later, so I should stay away from them and not get involved."

Lin Yuan smiled faintly after hearing this, thinking it might be something serious.

"That's all?"

"Young Master," Wang Gou Dan said anxiously, "Aren't you angry when they talk about you like that?"

"What's the use of anger?"

Lin Yuan walked to the corridor and sat down, wiping the sword with a cloth.

"Don't pay attention to what others say. The prejudices of petty people are nothing but annoying flies. There's no need to bother with them."

Wang Gou Dan nodded thoughtfully.

Lin Yuan looked at the fish that Wang Gou Dan had brought, and then suddenly asked a question.

"Recently, water ghosts have been rampant, and many people in town have died. Dog Egg, you shouldn't send fish to your house anymore."

"Now that you've mastered martial arts, you'll have plenty of ways to make money in the future."

"Going fishing in the water is still too dangerous."

When this matter came up...

Wang Gou Dan also fell silent, lowered his head, and spoke with a hint of helplessness.

"There was no other way; my dad insisted on going fishing."

"Your dad?"

"Hmm." Wang Gou Dan nodded. "The headmaster waived my tuition, but since it's martial arts training, I still need to nourish my body."

"My dad was afraid that I would be wasted, so he insisted that I eat something good."

He said that this was all he knew how to do as a fisherman, so he went into the water to catch fish for me every day.

"I hope I can practice martial arts diligently, not get distracted, and make a name for myself so that I can bring him honor."

He looked up again, his eyes a little red.

"It's too dangerous in the water. I've tried to persuade him several times, but he won't listen."

"In this world, what son can ever persuade his father?"

Lin Yuan remained silent for a moment, then took out a small cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to Wang Gou Dan.

Wang Gou Dan was taken aback. He took the money and opened it, only to find twenty taels of silver inside.

His pupils dilated in shock as he looked at Lin Yuan.

"Young Master, this..."

"Take it," Lin Yuan said calmly. "You can focus on your martial arts training and tell your father to stay away from the water."

This money was what he had previously extorted from Zheng Laosan.

Wang Gou Dan is now one of Lin Yuan's few friends.

Because of a recommendation slot, they kept sending him good fish, and the folk customs extracted from them also helped him a lot.

Giving this money to Wang Gou Dan isn't a waste.

Wang Gou Dan clutched the money bag, his lips trembling, his eyes reddening even more.

"Young Master, you have already helped me too much, I... I can't repay you."

"No need to pay it back."

Lin Yuan stood up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Just practice your swordsmanship properly."

Wang Gou Dan nodded vigorously and carefully put the money bag away.

"By the way, young master, the master said that a grand competition will be held soon."

"Oh?"

"It's a competition between the disciples of three other martial arts schools in town, as well as a martial arts school in the neighboring town. The school owners will offer prizes, which will be distributed according to the rankings."

A fighting spirit ignited in Wang Gou Dan's eyes.

"I want to compete well and bring honor to my father."

Lin Yuan nodded.

"You can do it."

Wang Gou Dan stood there for a while, then left after expressing his gratitude profusely.

……

It was evening.

Uncle Fu hurried into the backyard, his face looking rather unwell.

"Young Master."

"What's wrong?" Lin Yuan stopped his sword and turned around.

Uncle Fu leaned closer and whispered.

"Young Master, there have been people loitering around the courtyard these past few days, watching our house, especially... Miss."

Uncle Fu's voice was filled with worry.

"These past few days, whenever Miss goes out to buy snacks, that man follows her. He can be caught wherever Miss goes."

"This old servant sent someone to chase them away, but they came back two days later."

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment, then asked.

"Do you know who it is?"

"I don't know, he looks unfamiliar, doesn't seem like someone from our town," Uncle Fu said, shaking his head.

Lin Yuan nodded.

"Understood. Have someone keep a close watch on the door. Wan'er, try not to go out these next few days."

Uncle Fu acknowledged and withdrew.

Lin Yuan stood alone in the courtyard, watching the sun set and the sky grow darker.

The feeling of irritability in my heart grew stronger and stronger.

On the fifteenth of July, when the moon is full, the town will hold a grand ceremony to honor the giant turtle.

At that time, one boy and one girl must be prepared.

They've offended those people, and they'll never let this go. They injured my brother last time, and this time they've probably set their sights on Lin Wan'er.

Lin Yuan couldn't help but grip the sword hilt tightly.

……

The next few days.

The town of Chahe suddenly became lively.

First, the three martial arts schools in town—Hanjiang Sword School, Jingang Fist School, and Chengfeng Martial Arts School—hung up colorful flags at the same time.

Subsequently, the Luomei Martial Arts School from the neighboring Qingxi Town, as well as the Iron Palm Sect, also arrived one after another.

Disciples from five martial arts schools gathered at Hanjiang Sword Academy to hold a grand sparring competition.

This is an annual grand event in the town.

Every autumn, each martial arts school selects a day and takes turns hosting a sparring session.

At that time, the disciples will spar and compete to experience real combat, learn from the strengths of various schools of martial arts, and discuss martial arts in the process.

In previous years, each family would take turns coming.

But this year, it should have been the turn of Luomei Martial Arts School in Qingxi Town to host, but the location was inexplicably fixed at Hanjiang Sword School, which is really strange.

When the news spread, Lin Yuan was practicing his sword in the backyard.

But upon hearing of this grand occasion, and after being invited by Wang Gou Dan,

Lin Yuan thought for a moment, then sheathed his sword, deciding to go and watch the excitement.

At this moment, at the Hanjiang Sword Pavilion.

The venue had already been set up.

A layer of fine sand had been laid on the bluestone ground in the courtyard, and a fence had been erected around it to separate the battle area from the spectator stands.

The disciples from the five martial arts schools stood in their respective viewing areas, each wearing a different colored training uniform, clearly distinguishing themselves.

To the due north, there are five grand master chairs.

Shen Jianhe sat in the center, flanked by Sun Lie, the master of the Vajra Fist School, Zhao Chengfeng, the master of the Chengfeng Martial Arts School, Han Tieshan, the master of the Iron Palm School from the neighboring Qingxi Town, and Liu Zhiyuan from the Luomei Martial Arts School.

All five masters of the academy are experts at the Meridian Opening Realm.

When Lin Yuan arrived, the competition had already been going on for a while.

He didn't move forward, but stood in the corner of the courtyard gate, watching from a distance.

Wang Gou Dan was standing in the middle of the field, holding an unsharpened iron sword, exchanging names with his enemies.

"Wang Gou Dan".

"Zhang Dashan".

The opponent, named Zhang Dashan, was a head taller than Wang Gou Dan, with arms as thick as tree trunks, making him look extremely intimidating.

He practiced the Iron Palm Sect's martial arts, and like Wang Gou Dan, he was a martial artist undergoing his first body tempering.

Both of them were eager to try.

"start."

Wang Gou Dan's eyes narrowed instantly, and then he moved, his sword already slashing out.

His excellent physical attributes, along with his long arms and slender waist, were clearly evident at this moment.

His movements were swift and steady. In actual combat, the iron sword seemed to come alive in his hands, striking, thrusting, parrying, and hooking with a continuous stream of sword strikes.

His speed was so fast that the enemy could only hastily defend themselves.

His palms flew, the wind from his palms whistling past, each strike powerful and heavy.

This person's Iron Palm technique can make his hands as tough as metal, so tough that they can be used directly as weapons to fight against others.

Therefore, their attacks were extremely fierce and brutal.

If an ordinary person were to be hit by this, they would be bedridden for at least ten days to two weeks.

Unfortunately, this aggressive warrior encountered the speed-type Wang Gou Dan.

His speed was ultimately too slow, and he could never touch the hem of Wang Gou Dan's clothes.

However, after three moves...

Wang Gou Dan's figure flashed, and with a flick of his sword tip, he was already pressing it against the enemy's throat.

"Wang Gou Dan wins at Hanjiang Swordplay Hall!"

With the referee's announcement, the outcome was decided.

Meanwhile, Shen Jianhe, who was sitting in a grand chair in the distance and watching, nodded in satisfaction, his eyes full of pride.

And then, Wang Gou Dan fought even more fiercely.

They won all three matches.

In each match, he easily subdued his opponent in no more than five moves.

This quickly attracted the attention of other museum owners, and the noise gradually increased.

"Who's this kid?"