Deifying Through Incense: From a Wild Shrine God to the Dao of the Great Overarching Heaven

Shen Yuan transmigrated into the Age of Dharma Decline and became a dried-up well in Qingshi Village. Prayers brought him incense offerings, sacrifices brought him incense offerings, and suppressing evil spirits brought him incense offerings too. He summoned the underground spring to end a terrible drought. The whole village made offerings to him, and his incense offerings soared. From a dried-up well, he transformed into a spirit well, gathering ghost messengers, great demons, and Daoist soldiers under his command, and establishing himself as the City God. With a well for a body, he connects to the earth’s veins, links to the netherworld, reflects the hearts of people, and suppresses demons and evil spirits. A weasel that had cultivated for a hundred years came to the well to ask for a blessing: “Grandpa Well God, do I look like a human or a god?” Shen Yuan studied it for a long while. “You look like a soft, sweet little blonde girl.” Golden light descended, and the old weasel transformed on the spot. She wore twin ponytails and a yellow dress, and even the tip of her tail was white. “From today onward, you’ll be my chief offering. Travel the mortal world with me and gather incense offerings.”