Storm of Gods

Chapter 72 The Baptism of the Chief Bishop
In the afternoon, Li Xin was called to the office of the Department of Education by a pretty senior female student. He thought someone was trying to chat him up, and his happiness lasted less than three seconds before he realized it was Lao Luo.

"Uncle Luo, what are you doing here? If you had come earlier, we could have had lunch together." Li Xin's voice carried a hint of resentment.

“As the Grand Disciplinary Officer of the Order of the Instruction, isn’t it only natural for you to be here? On the contrary, I’ve received quite a few complaints about you.” Luo Jin tapped the table. “I, as the Grand Disciplinary Officer, haven’t even established my authority yet, and I’ve already been accused of using connections.”

"Ahem, Uncle Luo, let's just talk things out. Don't keep scaring me. I'm still young and need to be cared for and grow up," Li Xin said with a grin.

"What's your opinion on the Four Nations Tournament?" Luo Jin asked.

"I don't know. If we win, wouldn't we just be doing all the work for Zhao Xun?"

"These are not things for you to consider. Victory belongs to the entire Tianjing. As a member of the Black Rose and a special recruit of the Order of the Instruction, you can only silence the doubts by showing outstanding performance. Otherwise, my first act as the Grand Disciplinary Officer will be extinguished."

"Understood, don't worry, Uncle Luo, I'll definitely put in the work and effort." Li Xin said. As long as he had a clear goal, that would be fine. He figured the church also needed this victory to boost morale. After all, the financial backer of the Tianjing Order Academy was the Moon Goddess Church. No matter what Zhao Xun's purpose was, the church couldn't afford to lose.

"You and I will go to church in a little while. Casey has gone to pick up Xueyin. The chief priest will perform a baptism for you," Luo Jin said.

"Baptism? A hair wash?" A scene of hair washing appeared in Li Xin's mind, but he didn't know if it was the same.

"It's a blessing ceremony that summons divine favor. If you're destined, you'll receive the moon goddess's blessing, which will be of great benefit to you. With divine favor, the side effects of your divine relics will be greatly reduced, or even completely eliminated," Luo Jin laughed in exasperation. "Don't be so glib when you see the chief bishop."

"Yes, Uncle Luo!"

Despite his stubbornness, Li Xin was still very grateful. Lao Luo's understated words were probably something he had begged for by using his influence.

Half an hour later, the four of them rode in Casey's luxurious private carriage to the church. As the leader of the Night Patrol, Luo Jin also had a carriage, but when they saw Casey's ride, everyone made the right choice. Xueyin even gave a good reason: the smell of smoke in Luo Jin's carriage was too strong.

When the carriage arrived at the church, everyone there recognized her. Today, Cathy was wearing exquisite white calfskin boots, clean and tidy, and jeans that were taut over her rounded hips, neither too big nor too small, exuding youth and a touch of maturity that was pleasing to the eye.

Inside the church, Archbishop Matthew was carefully wiping the seats where believers prayed.

“Uncle Matthew, we’re here. You look even younger.” Kathy greeted the Archbishop with a beaming smile.

"Haha, our little Casey knows how to talk. The sunshine seems brighter with you here, unlike Luo Jin, who always has a stern face, like everyone owes him money," Matthew laughed.

“Uncle, that’s not how it is. Captain Luo has worked very hard.” Casey wouldn’t have it and immediately shook Matthew’s hand.

"Okay, okay, just protect him, stop shaking him, he's about to fall apart." Matthew quickly waved his hand, looking at Li Xin and Lin Xueyin.

Upon meeting his gaze, Li Xin could feel the surging vitality within the Archbishop and a comfortable affability, unlike when he saw him from afar at the City Hall. "Greetings, Archbishop."

Li Xin performed the finger-pointing salute as the night patrolmen would, while Xueyin had already been taught to perform the half-moon salute.

Lin Fei never neglected to teach Xueyin manners. Although life in the dungeon was frugal, she was rich in spirit.

Matthew looked Li Xin and Lin Xueyin over and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad, I think there's a chance. Let's get started now."

Yukine tilted her head and asked curiously, "Chief Archbishop, is it that straightforward? I thought you were going to talk for hours." Hearing this and seeing Yukine's adorable expression, everyone couldn't help but laugh. Matthew patted Yukine's head, "Why?"

“Everyone here loves to spout grand theories that are hard to understand, but the dungeon doesn’t,” Xueyin said. At first, life in Tianjing City was indeed quite exciting and stimulating, after all, there were spacious and bright classrooms, elegant and knowledgeable teachers, and a group of troublesome little brats. But as time went on, she also found that there were many rules, it was troublesome, and many people liked to spout grand theories. The dungeon never told anyone what to do.

For some reason, Yukine felt a little nostalgic for that kind of authenticity.

“Oh, yeah, sometimes I say things that even I don’t understand. Talking nonsense is part of life,” Matthew said. “Li Xin, Xueyin, you two come with me. Xueyin, you go first.”

In the very center of the church is a female statue whose face is obscured. All the statues in Daoyuan are blurry. The statues' hands are in a cupping gesture, but there is nothing inside.

...It's a bit simple...plain, not quite what I imagined. Shouldn't this be adorned with gold and silver? It doesn't seem like a place where I can ask all sorts of questions.

Lin Xueyin stood two meters in front of the statue, her index fingers and thumbs forming a half-moon shape as she respectfully prayed.

“Don’t be nervous, the worst that can happen is just feeling like you’ve taken a shower,” Matthew laughed, taking a deep red crescent-shaped pendant from his robe. A thick black rope was wrapped around his arm, and he clasped the pendant in his palms. “Lord of the night, embodiment of tranquility, controller of evil, supreme moon goddess, turn your gaze upon the mortal realm, your devout servant is calling…”

The chief priest did not use the common language of Daoyuan, nor the local language of Lilong, but the language of the gods, which has been passed down for thousands of years and circulated in the church. The language of the gods is required for related formations and divine power. It was passed down by a great scholar named Hera and is also known as the language of Hera.

The next second, a pale red light emanated from Matthew's body, followed by the statue behind him, which also emitted a faint light. However, this seemingly weak light carried an unparalleled pressure, like that of a god. Xueyin's curious eyes widened, and a circular red magic circle appeared beneath her feet, enveloping Xueyin in light.

This power made Yukine feel very comfortable, and slowly a faint light emanated from her body before gradually dissipating. Beads of sweat appeared on Matthew's forehead.

Luo Jin and Casey exchanged a glance, and Casey smiled. Xueyin was blessed; Archbishop Matthew had used his own cultivation to bless her. Xueyin was not an Awakened One and was essentially unable to gain attention, but with the blessing bestowed by the Archbishop using divine power, she was at least healthy and free from calamities. The Moon Goddess's authority was darkness, tranquility, and calamity, which was essentially the power of calamity. Of course, believers avoided this, as worshipping the Moon Goddess allowed them to control calamity and avoid its harm.

Yukine didn't feel anything, but she felt very comfortable and her vision was clearer.

Matthew smiled and said, "Alright, Yukine, you must study hard from now on."

She was initially quite happy, but upon hearing this, Xueyin's face tightened up, as if this wasn't a very good blessing.

“Li Xin, stand here,” Matthew said.

When Li Xin arrived before the statue, looking at its indistinct features, he felt a strange sense of dread, as if the statue itself was watching him.

Not daring to let his mind wander, Li Xin quickly straightened his stance and adopted a proper attitude. He cleared his mind, raised his right hand in a gesture of respect, and stood solemnly and respectfully.

"Don't be nervous," Matthew said kindly.

The chief bishop once again exerted his power, and red light covered Li Xin, then flowed out of Li Xin's body very smoothly and dissipated.

?

"It's been a while since I've been baptized, I'm a bit rusty, let's do it again."

(End of this chapter)