Gods of the Nation: You worship the God of Longevity, I worship the King of Hell!

Chapter 151 A True Battle of Gods—[The Dilapidated Temple]!
That night.

All the newly rich and prominent families in Jiangcheng received invitations from Yu Feng.

The city lord's mansion will hold a general meeting at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Although Yu Feng did not mention the content of tomorrow's meeting during the phone call.

But everyone knew perfectly well that it was inextricably linked to the Ma family affair that had shaken the entire city today.

Not to mention the four major families and various new elites, even many people in the streets already know that the Ma family is using evil cultivators to try to achieve immortality through corpse liberation, and the news is spreading like wildfire.

This time, the Ma family is completely finished, with no chance of recovery.

However, it is clear to everyone that tomorrow's meeting probably has a deeper meaning.

Jiangcheng is likely about to gain another new elite.

Most incredibly, this newcomer rose from humble beginnings to this position in just over half a month.

Such a rapid rise is unprecedented, even in the grand scheme of history!

This is worthy of being recorded in history!

……

Sun Family Villa, south of the city.

The atmosphere in the brightly lit living room was slightly tense.

Sun Dechang, Sun Qingcang, Sun Yourong, and others sat in their respective places, and no one spoke for a long time.

Finally, Sun Qingcang let out a long sigh, breaking the silence: "So many things have happened in one day... The Ma family has lost their minds. Why choose this dead end when there are so many other options? Even if they had to swallow their pride and beg Xiao Chen to extend his father's lifespan, there might still be a chance for a turnaround."

“Dad, the timeline is wrong.” Sun Yourong reminded him softly, “Ma Shilong made his move almost a month ago, when… Lu Chen was still unknown.”

Sun Qingcang nodded in realization: "That's true." He leaned back on the sofa and sighed: "It really feels like a lifetime ago. Just half a month ago, I was talking to him about your grandfather's illness at the Zhao Family Temple. Now, in the blink of an eye, I'm about to witness him rise to a new rank. It's truly... the younger generation surpasses the older generation."

Sun Xingwen muttered under his breath, "This isn't just a rising wave, it's a tsunami."

Laughter erupted from the living room at these words.

Sun Qingcang nodded and said, "Yes, you're right this time, it really is a tsunami! Look at you, and then look at Xiao Chen, how come there's such a big difference?"

Oh my god, I'm being dragged into this again?!
Sun Xingwen is a complete idiot.

He simply shut his mouth and pretended to be deaf and dumb.

“However, Rongrong…” Sun Dechang, sitting in the main seat, slowly spoke: “Xiao Chen’s military merits for his promotion to a new elite are probably enough, but in terms of funds… is it sufficient? If not, you can tell him that our Sun family can provide him with a ‘bridging’ loan, without charging a penny of interest.”

While one billion is not a small sum, it is still within the Sun family's means and will not cause them serious damage.

Sun Yourong nodded: "Okay, I'll ask him what he thinks later."

Sun Dechang instructed, "As soon as possible. Don't let the Wu family take advantage of any loopholes. That old fox is cunning; few in Jiangcheng can match him."

"Yes, Grandpa."

"Oh, Xiao Chen is such a promising child." Song, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but sigh, "His parents must be so proud."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on his daughter.

Sun Yourong felt a little uncomfortable being stared at: "Mom, why are you looking at me like that?"

Sun Qingcang picked up the conversation and asked with a smile, "Rongrong, tell Dad the truth, how are things going between you and Xiaochen? I heard there's a girl who's quite interested in him, and she's just as pretty as you. If you're really interested, you'd better hurry up and not miss out."

Sun Yourong's expression changed slightly: "Which girl?"

"I think the surname is Li? I can't remember exactly." Sun Qingcang waved his hand.

Sun Yourong's face darkened at first, then she realized her lapse in composure, hurriedly tidied her hair, and tried to remain calm: "Don't make wild guesses. Lu Chen and I... are just friends, or rather, comrades-in-arms. Don't try to match us up."

"Alright, alright, whatever you do, your parents will support you. But Dad has to say something: if you really like someone, it's fine for a girl to take the initiative. Your mother did it back then..."

"Sun Qingcang! What nonsense are you spouting!" Madam Song raised her eyebrows.

"Okay, okay, I'll take the initiative, it's my initiative," Sun Qingcang quickly begged for forgiveness.

After the laughter subsided, Sun Qingcang's expression turned serious again, and he tapped the sofa armrest lightly with his fingers: "However, once Xiao Chen becomes a new elite, his open and covert struggle with the Zhao family will probably really have to be brought to the forefront."

Sun Dechang responded in a deep voice: "Given the Zhao family's consistent way of doing things, it will be difficult for Xiao Chen to have things go smoothly like before...."

Sun Qingcang looked at his father and said firmly, "Dad, don't worry. Xiao Chen has done a great service to the Sun family. If the Zhao family dares to use underhanded tricks, I will never stand idly by."

Sun Dechang nodded: "Maintain a good relationship with Xiao Chen. This may be a great opportunity for our Sun family. Don't forget, to become a powerful clan, a new noble must 'break the temple'! Judging from the current situation, the Zhao family is most likely to become the target... They will definitely do everything they can to suppress Xiao Chen. This is the time for us to lend him a hand."

—A dilapidated temple!
The moment those two words were uttered, everyone in the living room felt a chill run down their spines.

To become a rising star, all you need to do is meet the threshold.

But for the newly rich, every step is fraught with peril.

If one wishes to rise to the top and become a powerful clan, one must step over the "corpses" of the superior clans and destroy their temples in order to succeed.

And this is—the dilapidated temple!
This is also an insurmountable barrier that most newly wealthy families can hardly overcome even if they spend their entire lives trying.

Not only because advancing to a powerful clan requires even more astonishing military achievements and wealth accumulation.

Furthermore, this "dilapidated temple" pass was extremely dangerous.

That's not just about conflicts between ordinary families...

"I hope Xiao Chen can create another miracle. I... have high hopes for him." Sun Dechang's gaze was more determined than anyone else's.

Sun Yourong remained silent, but her hand clenched tightly in her sleeve.

……

at the same time.

In the east of the city, at the Wu family residence.

"Dad, it seems the north of the city is going to be lively from now on."

Wu Jingzhi, the current head of the Wu family, served his father, Wu Zhong, a cup of tea. Wu Zhong accepted it, took a sip, and nodded slightly: "The younger generation is formidable, like a tiger climbing a mountain; however, the Zhao family has been entrenched for many years and is also a powerful force in the area. I'm afraid that a fierce battle between these two families is inevitable in the future."

Wu Jingzhi sat down in the armchair and sighed, "But this young man is indeed excessively powerful. It's truly a blessing or a curse that someone with such great potential has appeared in my Jiangcheng."

"Oh?" Wu Zhong raised his eyes, a look of interest on his face. "What do you mean by that?"

Wu Jingzhi chuckled: "I don't have any insights, Dad. I just think this kid is incredibly lucky, and his methods are mysterious and unpredictable, unlike any other genius or extraordinary person I've ever seen before."

I had actually inquired about what he had done before, whether it was praying for rain in Longhu County or treating the wife of the former prefect. It seemed that there were several dead ends behind these things.

Even so, he still managed to crack it.

You can imagine what methods he might use.

Moreover, it is said that his success rate in worshipping the gods is 100%.

The first time you make offerings to the God of Wealth, the level of service to the deity soars to 5%, and the second time it soars to 30% or 40%.

Even Yama, the King of Hell, was the same later on.

The first time it happened, it triggered an unusual phenomenon.

You say that the first time this happened was just luck, and I believe you.

I believe the second time was just luck.

But the third time... that definitely wasn't a fluke.

There's only one explanation!

"What explanation?"

"He must have mastered some unique method of worshipping the gods, which is why he is so successful in everything he does."

“Hmm, what you think makes sense. But… you’ve overlooked one thing.” Wu Zhong slowly put down his teacup.

Wu Jingzhi was taken aback: "Please enlighten me, Father."

Wu Zhong stroked his beard and said, "This boy is invincible against unpopular deities. But against those popular gods with great incense offerings... he may not be so miraculous. As far as I know, he once went to the Sun family temple to worship the Thunder God. Guess what happened?"

"How about it?"

"He suffered a backlash from spiritual energy."

"What! Spiritual energy backlash?!"

Wu Zhong nodded: "And it's very likely that he suffered a backlash from spiritual energy the first time, because he lit a total of twenty incense sticks, but there were still nineteen left in the trash can, and there was clearly his blood on the ground."

"Such a thing is true!" Wu Jingzhi was greatly shocked: "This... the probability of suffering a backlash on the first offering is much lower than the probability of successfully praying for blessings on the first time! Why is that?"

Wu Zhong smiled slightly: "This shows that his methods, which are always effective against less popular deities, may not work against a powerful god like Lei Zu, who has a large following. Otherwise, why would he have gone to such lengths to worship Jun Caishen instead of Zhao Caishen, who has a larger following?"

Wu Jingzhi nodded as if he suddenly understood: "Father is absolutely right! If that's the case, then it means that this kid isn't as powerful as we thought!"
Even if he is good at lighting a cold stove, a cold stove may not necessarily be prosperous.

Running a temple is not as simple as just worshipping the gods; there are many intricacies involved.

Whether the pilgrims will accept it is another matter.

Wu Zhong shook his head: "Whether he admits it or not, it's too early to say."

After all, the temple has its own exclusive missions. If this kid has other tricks up his sleeve, he might shine in the temple missions.

Perhaps he really can forge a unique path.

Don't forget, we still haven't figured out his business of selling counterfeit money.

Wu Jingzhi comforted him, "Father, there's no need to worry too much. After all, we don't have Lu Chen's supernatural abilities."

However, my son believes that as long as the spiritual practitioners we have trained rise in their divine abilities...

"Our Wu family will eventually get a piece of the pie in this ghost money business; after all, there's no such thing as an absolute monopoly in this world."

Wu Zhong nodded: "Let them put in more effort."

A storm is brewing in the north of the city; let's wait and see.

If necessary, we can also help the Lu family boy.

After all, the Zhao family is currently at the height of its power and enjoying great momentum.

It's not the Ao family that was replaced by my Wu family back then.

Back then, the Ao family's fortunes had run out, and they were also rejected by the gods, which allowed my Wu family to succeed in ruining the temple and gain an advantage.

But the Zhao family...

Wu Zhong paused, a hint of anticipation and amusement in his eyes: "If this boy really has the ability to challenge the Zhao family's status..."

That's going to be a good show.

After all, Jiangdu has been without a proper "dilapidated temple" for a full sixty years.

I don't know if I will live to see such a grand occasion again!
If that day ever comes…

His eyes were filled with anticipation as he exclaimed, "That was truly a battle of gods!!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhi's eyes also lit up with longing, and he murmured, "A dilapidated temple!..."

"However, speaking of which, the incident involving the Ma family this time is really too strange. I suspect that there may be more to it than meets the eye."

"Father refers to...the Zhao family?"

"Without evidence, you cannot speak recklessly. Listen carefully and watch closely at tomorrow's meeting."

"Yes, father!"

　Chapter Two: During the day, the young author went to sleep.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)