I fabricated myths to guide the revival of spiritual energy.

[Xiangxi, an unnamed cave, early morning]

The rising sun pierced through the thin mist and shone on Gu Qing.

He was shirtless, his skin taking on a translucent, jade-like quality in the sunlight. The sickly aura that had accompanied him for years, like that of rotting leaves, had completely vanished, replaced by a clear, spring-like fragrance.

Gu Qing took a deep breath.

Moisturized air enters the trachea through the nasal cavity, fills the lungs, and then enters the bloodstream, being transported to every cell in the body.

No pain, no blockage, only smooth flow.

"He's alive."

Gu Qing clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking. He casually picked up a fist-sized piece of limestone from the ground and applied slight pressure with his fingers.

"Snap... rustle..."

The hard rock turned to dust in his palm and slipped through his fingers.

This is the power of the [Innate Dao Body (Primary Level)]. Although it has not yet been formally cultivated, the strength of this physical body alone has already surpassed the limits of humanity.

"System, settle this scenario."

Gu Qing was in a great mood and summoned the light blue interface in her mind.

[Script Title: Xiangxi: The Transformation of Gods and Demons]

[Script Rating: S (Epic)]

The settlement statement is as follows:

Fear level: 185,000 points.

Sources: The Thousand Gu Devouring the Sky Insect Tide, Ghost Bride, Ghost Train, Public Panic About Unknown Disasters.

Awe Value: 320,000 points.

Source: The descent of Chi You's Dharma form, the resistance against space-based weapons, and the collapse of the official high-level worldview.

Faith/Gratitude: 55,000 points.

Source: Zhao Feng and the surviving soldiers' unwavering loyalty to the "wandering Taoist priest" and the people's prayers for the "guardian deity".

Total Income: 560,000 Faith Points.

[Deducting expenses: 380,000 Faith Points (including Chi You special effects, body reconstruction, various props, and scene construction).]

Current balance: 180,000 Credit Points.

[Bonus Reward: Unlocks basic "Aura Revival" privileges (allows you to increase a small area's aura concentration).]

"180,000..."

Looking at the number, Gu Qing realized that although it was less than his peak, considering that he had not only cured his terminal illness but also gained an extraordinary body, this deal was incredibly profitable.

More importantly, he gained more than just numbers.

He harvested a "seed".

"Zhao Feng and his thirty-six men are now 'living victims' under the very noses of the authorities."

Gu Qing put on his coat, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"As long as they live and continue to grow stronger, the authorities will never be able to deny the existence of cultivators. They will desperately try to analyze this power and search for that 'non-existent Daoist sect'."

"When a lie is endorsed by the state apparatus, it becomes the truth."

……

[In the online world, public opinion is fermenting]

Although officials tried their best to suppress the news, explaining last night's red light as a "rare atmospheric optical phenomenon" and an "electromagnetic anomaly caused by geological activity."

But the internet has a memory, and it also has vulnerabilities.

Discussions about "the red light of western Hunan", "the giant human figure" and "the mysterious Taoist priest" have exploded on major forums and short video platforms.

Original Poster (a bystander): "Guys, I saw it in Huaihua last night! There really was a flag in the sky! It was terrifyingly red!"

Reply 1: "I saw it too! And my uncle is serving in the army there. I heard the troops have been deployed there and are still firing artillery! It's definitely not some natural phenomenon!"

Reply 2 (from someone knowledgeable): "That's the banner of Chi You! It's mentioned in the Records of the Grand Historian! The arrival of the God of War is an ominous sign!"

Reply 3 (before it was deleted): "I have a video! Although it's blurry, you can see a figure on the mountaintop exchanging beams with something in the sky! Holy crap, it's like gods fighting!"

Although these posts will soon be taken down by a 404 error, the seeds of doubt have already been sown in the minds of hundreds of millions of netizens.

Gu Qing scrolled through her phone, looking at the blurry screenshots that hadn't been deleted yet, and nodded in satisfaction.

"That's right."

"Mystery is the best catalyst. Let the bullets fly a little longer."

……

[System Space, Item Preparation]

Gu Qing put away his phone and turned his gaze to the book in his hand, "Body Tempering Technique - Military Edition".

"Next, we need to deal with this."

He didn't intend to just throw the book at Zhao Feng.

That would be too cheap and too easy to be suspected.

"It has to be a little ritualistic."

Gu Qing redeemed an antique-style rosewood box from the system shop and placed the book inside. He also redeemed a phonograph and tucked it between the pages.

He recorded a message in the talisman. A desolate, regretful, yet hopeful last message.

"System, locate Zhao Feng."

[Target location in progress... The target is located at a field hospital on the front lines in western Hunan and is under close surveillance.]

"monitor?"

Gu Qing chuckled lightly, "There is no place in this world that I cannot enter."

With his current skill level, combined with the system's [invisibility] and [wall-penetration] functions, going to a field hospital is like strolling through his own backyard.

"However, now is not the time."

According to traditional Chinese customs, the soul returns to the body on the seventh day after death.

"Since that wandering Taoist priest died saving people, let's send this inheritance to him on the night of his seventh day memorial."

"That was when the official psychological defenses were at their weakest, and when they were most likely to resonate with the public."

Gu Qing put the wooden box away, stood up, and walked out of the cave.

At this moment, outside the blockade line at the foot of the mountain, several black Hongqi sedans were driving into the camp.

The license plate is 京A·000XX.

Gu Qing squinted at the cars.

"It seems that the bigwigs in Beijing have finally had enough."

"Director Li Guozhong, welcome to the new world."

"Hopefully, that medical report that 'doesn't conform to evolution' will give you a good night's sleep tonight."

Gu Qing turned around, her figure gradually disappearing into the morning mist of the mountains and forests.