Beast God
Chapter 54: Getting a Reaction

Chen Guan stared at Ji Nanhong with confusion, unable to comprehend what she was talking about.  

In this era where everyone practiced cultivation, nearly all people engaged in spiritual training. However, not everyone possessed talent, nor was everyone willing to risk their lives for it.  

While it was true that everyone cultivated, most didn't make hunting Mystical Spirits their primary occupation.  

Ordinary people usually held regular jobs, using their earnings to purchase cultivation resources.  

Chen Yulian also cultivated and had reached Second Awakening, but her main profession wasn't spirit hunting—she worked as a makeup artist.  

No matter the era, women's innate love for beauty remained constant. Men cared about appearance too, though not as intensely as women.  

Thanks to new materials from various mystical realms, cosmetic technology had advanced rapidly. Modern products could enhance one's looks while leaving no visible traces of makeup.  

Chen Guan couldn't understand—why would Ji Nanhong consider such an ordinary profession as makeup artistry so remarkable? And why should he feel ashamed about such a respectable job?  

Noticing Chen Guan's expression, Ji Nanhong mistakenly thought he was uncomfortable with her investigating his family background and quickly explained, "I meant no offense—I just wanted to understand you better."  

When Chen Guan remained silent, Ji Nanhong continued, "Really, there's no need to hide your mother's profession. I have no prejudices against it. In fact, I think morticians perform a noble service—they grant the deceased their final dignity and respect, serving as life's last escorts. For a woman to reach the top of this industry proves her exceptional ability."  

"Mortician?" Chen Guan gaped at Ji Nanhong. "What are you talking about? My mom's a makeup artist, not a mortician."  

Ji Nanhong paused momentarily before understanding dawned. "Yes, calling her a makeup artist isn't wrong either. Your mother must have gone to great lengths for you—she's truly wonderful. But you're an adult now and should be able to appreciate her sacrifices."  

Chen Guan frowned slightly as comprehension struck him. "Are you saying my mother does makeup... for corpses?"  

"More than just makeup," Ji Nanhong said seriously. "When dealing with incomplete remains, she reconstructs bodies through suturing, bone reassembly, and appearance restoration. For a woman to excel in this field beyond male practitioners—she's truly extraordinary."  

"So that's the kind of makeup artist she is." Realizing Ji Nanhong's information was likely accurate, Chen Guan recalled how Chen Yulian had never taken him to her workplace—probably to protect him.  

Morticians did carry social stigma—many shunned professions dealing with the dead.  

"Mom's had it rough," Chen Guan sighed.  

They returned home for dinner around five, with Chen Guan avoiding any mention of his mother's profession. If she hadn't disclosed it herself, he wouldn't be the one to break the silence.  

Chen Yulian invited Ji Nanhong to stay overnight, but pressing matters required Ji Nanhong's immediate departure to another city.  

Seeing Ji Nanhong off, Chen Guan noticed a parked SUV outside. A woman dressed in professional attire—her age indeterminate but carrying an Eastern teacher's demeanor—opened the car door for Ji Nanhong. After helping her in, the woman glanced at Chen Guan before entering the opposite side.  

As the SUV drove away with Ji Nanhong waving through the window, Chen Guan watched until it disappeared before heading inside.  

Inside the vehicle, the woman studied Ji Nanhong. "Nanhong, are you seriously considering a relationship with this man?"  

"Why not?" Ji Nanhong smiled.  

"His background and capabilities fall far short of yours—what exactly attracts you?" the woman questioned.  

"His good looks," Ji Nanhong replied.  

"Looks don't put food on the table," the woman countered.  

"Then why did ancient people coin the phrase 'feast for the eyes'?" Ji Nanhong joked.  

"I mean you should find someone reliable to lean on," the woman persisted. "Otherwise life will be exhausting—handling everything alone without support during hardships. Frankly, he's just average-looking—plenty of more attractive, capable men from better families exist. Don't rush your decision."  

"You don't understand—he's premium quality," Ji Nanhong said earnestly. "If I don't act now, some other woman might snatch him away. Whatever the future holds, his prime years will belong to me."  

"Is he really that remarkable? I genuinely don't see it," the woman stared perplexedly at Ji Nanhong, as if she'd been bewitched—speaking as though she was the lucky one in this pairing.  

With Ji Nanhong's beauty, pedigree, and abilities, she could have any man—why this urgency?  

Ji Nanhong simply smiled without explanation, thinking privately: You lack appreciation—you haven't seen Chen Guan's eyebrows properly groomed.  

She wouldn't enlighten the woman—after all, she was just a woman.  

Chen Guan's eyebrows grew rapidly—within two or three days they'd returned to their original state. Maintaining their shape required daily grooming.  

Late at night in a deserted forest outside the city, Chen Guan summoned the Great Black Heaven Demon Statue in secrecy.  

The statue's colossal size made indoor summoning impossible—it would have pierced through the ceiling—forcing him to find this remote location.  

Gazing at the demonic deity's towering form, Chen Guan activated Cheerleader's Soul and launched into lavish praise:  

"You are the mightiest deity, supreme among gods and demons, the greatest Mystical Spirit in existence..."  

He even incorporated classical poetry, yet the statue showed minimal reaction—his efforts proving almost ineffective.  

"What kind of praise would actually move it?" Chen Guan racked his brain fruitlessly before resorting to his phone, searching online for flattering phrases to recite:  

"Ah! You are the Creator's grandest masterpiece..."  

"Among all Mystical Spirits, you alone are my one and only..."  

"Your beauty is incomparable... the fairest flowers pale before you... the quintessence of womanhood... the pinnacle of wives... celestial maidens seem plain by comparison..."  

Halfway through, Chen Guan realized this particular line was pickup artistry targeting lonely housewives—but he'd already spoken it.  

Just as he prepared to switch lines, the Great Black Heaven Demon Statue suddenly showed a reaction.