Chapter 543 - 327: Aftermath of the God’s Fall: The War of Faith (3)

At this thought, he waved a dismissive hand at the Void Ghost Crab.

"Enough. We can discuss that old turtle later. Let’s talk about converting the believers."

When the Void Ghost Crab saw Han Feng’s completely nonchalant attitude while mentioning the terrifying "King of the Swamp," its heart skipped a beat.

Its less-than-developed brain began to whir at high speed.

’There are only two possibilities.’

’Either this human is a reckless fool who doesn’t know what he’s getting into.’

’Or the power behind this human is so immense that they have no fear of the Negative Stele Tribe and their Ancient God bloodline.’

Recalling the elusive spatial abilities Han Feng had previously demonstrated, as well as his power system that was completely different from the natives of the Dragon Abyss World, the Void Ghost Crab found itself leaning more toward the latter.

’Foreigners... they’re all unfathomable, just as I thought.’

At this thought, the anxiety in its heart actually eased somewhat.

The Void Ghost Crab forced its Divine Thought to stabilize, and its tone became respectful and composed.

"My lord is clearly confident. It was this humble god who was overthinking things."

"However, since you do not fear Profound Prison, I presume that subjugating the people of the Black Viper Tribe is part of a grander plan."

It paused for a moment to organize its thoughts.

"To have them switch their allegiance and submit to a New God is not, in fact, a difficult matter."

"With just three steps, they can be made utterly subservient, never to waver."

Han Feng raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

The Void Ghost Crab waved its pincers and began to impart its charlatan’s wisdom.

"The first step is ’Justification’."

"My lord must proclaim to all creatures in the Cyan Miasma Swamp that Hiss’s death was no conquest, but ’divine retribution’!"

"It was she who betrayed the ancient covenant; her sins were monstrous."

"You are merely the agents of heaven’s will, come to deliver them from their sea of suffering."

"Only then will your cause be just."

"The believers will no longer feel a sense of guilt. Upon surrendering, they will feel as though they are forsaking darkness for light, merely following the will of heaven."

Han Feng nodded thoughtfully. "Not just killing the body, but crushing the spirit. First, you build a monument to your own virtue. Interesting."

The Void Ghost Crab continued, "The second step is ’Bestowal of Grace’."

"Those ignorant masses fear power and are won over by benevolence."

"My lord should gather all the Snake Lizard People, choose an auspicious time, and hold a ’Divine Descent Ceremony’."

"At that time, you must not be frugal with your Divine Power. You must send down a blessed rain of divine grace."

"Heal their injuries, cure their stubborn ailments, make the blind see and the lame walk."

"Such miracles, akin to raising the dead, are more persuasive than ten thousand words."

"You simply need to make them understand: believing in the old god leads only to a dead end."

"Submitting to the New God is the only path to survival. They’ll be fed, clothed, and can even gain power."

"Survival is a creature’s most basic instinct. They will naturally make the wise choice."

Han Feng nodded repeatedly. The strategy was cliché, but it certainly grasped the fundamentals.

"And the third step?"

A vicious gleam flashed in the Void Ghost Crab’s eyes.

"The third step is a ’Bloodletting’."

"The Priests and minions of the old regime are all Hiss’s diehard loyalists. Their very souls have been branded by that venomous snake. To let them live is to invite future disaster."

"You must use thunderous force to execute them all, proclaiming to the masses that this is the bitter fruit of the old god’s sins!"

"Then, from among the oppressed common folk, you shall select new seedlings to cultivate."

At this point, the Void Ghost Crab’s voice grew somber.

"My lord, a Celestial God is lofty and does not concern himself with mundane affairs. You need to prop up your own ’Whippers’."

"From among the creatures who revere you most, who crave power most, you shall elevate a new High Priest."

"You will bestow authority upon them, and they will become your most loyal hounds."

"After all, everything they have comes from you. If you were to fall, they would surely suffer the backlash and die without a grave."

"Using lizards to rule lizards—that is the path to long-lasting control."

After listening, Han Feng couldn’t help but give the large crab a second look.

This three-step process of "Justification, Bestowal of Grace, and Bloodletting" was a textbook example of how to rule.

’I never expected this dopey-looking crab to be so full of cunning schemes.’

"Got it." Han Feng stood up, dusting himself off.

’First, pin a huge crime on Hiss, then put on a divine show and hand out some freebies.’

’Finally, slaughter the old guard and prop up a bunch of local collaborators. This whole playbook is just plain dirty.’

Although the Void Ghost Crab didn’t understand the term "collaborators," it could tell Han Feng had taken its advice to heart.

It rubbed its pincers together obsequiously. "My lord is wise."

"If you follow this plan, the Black Viper Tribe will be completely won over within three days."

The Void Ghost Crab finished in a rush, carefully observing Han Feng’s reaction.

This "annexation process" was the most traditional and effective method used between the gods of the Dragon Abyss World.

It had revealed everything without reservation, both as a pledge of loyalty and as a demonstration of its own value.

Han Feng fell silent for a moment after hearing the plan.

This combination of moves would certainly solve the problem quickly.

"I understand," Han Feng said flatly.

He turned to leave, then suddenly stopped and glanced back at the Void Ghost Crab.

"You’re right. That was very useful."

A wave of joy washed over the Void Ghost Crab’s Divine Soul. ’If I have this lord’s approval, my position is secure.’

"As a reward, take this."

Han Feng flicked his finger.

A thumb-sized wisp of incomparably pure, golden mist shot from his fingertip, flying straight toward the Void Ghost Crab.

That was... Divine!

And it was Divine of the highest quality!

The Void Ghost Crab’s Divine Soul trembled with a primal, instinctual craving.

For "Wild Gods" like itself, Divine was the ultimate tonic. A single wisp was worth more than a century of bitter cultivation.

Without a second thought, it opened its Divine Soul Origin and devoured the wisp of golden mist.

Immense and pure Energy exploded within its Divine Soul, a sensation so blissful it almost moaned aloud.

In that instant, its Divine Soul Strength actually increased by a small margin!

This was an absolutely heaven-sent opportunity!

"Thank you for your generous reward, my lord! This humble god..."

The Void Ghost Crab’s grateful words caught in its throat as its Divine Soul abruptly froze.

’Wait!’

’This Divine aura... it’s so familiar!’

When it identified the source of the aura, a bone-deep chill instantly swept through its Divine Soul.

’It’s Hiss! The aura of the Three-headed Illusory Yin Snake, Hiss!’

’This wisp of Divine... it was clearly refined from Hiss’s Divine Format!’

In that moment, the Void Ghost Crab felt its Divine Soul freeze over.

It had swallowed Hiss’s Divine.

If Lord Profound Prison were to investigate and use a Divine Technique to trace events back, he would discover its body was tainted with the residual aura from Hiss’s Divine Format.

At that point, it would be hopelessly incriminated, unable to prove its innocence no matter what!

It wouldn’t be able to explain its way out of this if it had a thousand mouths!

’A reward?’

’This is a blood oath! A shackle!’

’This lord never fully trusted me from the beginning.’

’With this one move, he’s cut off all my escape routes!’

The Void Ghost Crab’s Divine Soul fluctuated violently, shifting from ecstasy to terror, then to bitterness, and finally settling into a dead, resigned helplessness.

It looked at Han Feng’s calm face and suddenly felt that it was a hundred times more terrifying than the legendary, ferocious turtle head of Profound Prison.

’Trying to play mind games with this lord... I must have a death wish.’

"My lord is wise."

After a long pause, the Void Ghost Crab finally forced out those words, its Divine Thought laced with resignation.

The corner of Han Feng’s mouth lifted in an almost imperceptible smirk.

’When dealing with old monsters who’ve lived for centuries, you always have to keep a trick up your sleeve.’

"Do good work, and you will be well rewarded in the future."

With that, Han Feng’s figure transformed into a streak of light and vanished over the horizon.

The Void Ghost Crab was left in its wake, its Divine Soul in turmoil, unable to find peace for a long, long time.

’Since I’ve already fallen into the Yellow River, there’s no washing myself clean.’

It silently felt the "evidence" within its body—now branded with its own mark—and after weighing its options, its resolve hardened.

’Betrayal is no longer an option. The only way forward is to see this dark path through to the end.’

’What if...’

’What if this lord can actually stand against Profound Prison, or even topple the Xuanwu Tribe?’

’Then, as one of his first ’Ministers of the Dragon,’ my future accomplishments would far surpass anything I could achieve by hiding in this canyon like a petty king.’

’I’ll take the gamble!’

A look of sheer determination flashed in its eyes.

"Relay my divine decree! All tribe members, pack your belongings at once! We are preparing to move!"

"Where are we going?" the new High Priest asked, confused.

"To... the rear of the Cyan Miasma Swamp."

The Void Ghost Crab’s voice became unshakeable. "From this day forward, our Split Tooth Tribe will be good neighbors to the human encampment."

It was tying the fate of its entire tribe to Han Feng’s war chariot.

Once war broke out, its territory would be at the rear of the Foreigner’s base. If Profound Prison wanted to make a move on it, he would have to get through the Foreigners first.

At the same time, it had to make its own preparations.

A holy war that would engulf the entire region was likely just around the corner.