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

Chapter 188 Ascending to the Heavenly Throne? At this moment, all the immortals of the Heavenly Court have emerged!

Now, let's move the timeline forward a little...

Outside the South Heavenly Gate, on the glazed ground of Mount Sumeru, stands the Hall of the Four Heavenly Kings.

A huge mirror of mysterious light hung in mid-air, its clear light reflecting a real-time scene.

On the throne in the cloud platform, the Four Heavenly Kings lowered their eyes and gazed at the scene in the mirror.

After leaving the hotel, Lu Chen headed straight for the temple.

"What is this kid up to?" The Heavenly King of the North frowned slightly.

The Heavenly King of Growth pondered, "Just now I saw him making a statue of a deity in the hotel. I never imagined... he would have such abilities. Judging from the appearance of that statue, it seems to be the Kitchen God?"

Guangmu Tianwang continued, "Brother is right, it is indeed the Kitchen God. It's strange, the Kitchen God is a household deity, but since the Great Heavenly Venerable established the tradition of temple incense offerings, his incense offerings have been declining day by day, and he has almost disappeared from the human world. I didn't expect this boy to have a connection with the Kitchen God. He probably really has some tricks up his sleeve."

The Heavenly King of Growth nodded: "Unfortunately, when we were making our supplication to the gods, the secrets of heaven were obscured, and we do not know what the Kitchen God said to him."

At this moment, a strange unease arose in His heart.

What exactly did he say that made him rush to the temple so hastily?
Which deity are we going to invite?
Seeing his elder brother's worried expression, the Heavenly King Dhritarashtra in his arms trembled slightly and comforted him in a loud voice: "Brother, rest assured. This great formation of mine took a thousand years of effort to complete. How could it be easily broken? No matter how many immortals he searches, it will be in vain."

The Heavenly King of Growth still had doubts: "Third brother, is your great formation truly without any weaknesses?"

The Heavenly King of the Nation played his zither and laughed, “Of course there is a weakness. Everything in the universe has its counterpart. Apart from the Three Pure Ones, what perfect method is there in heaven and earth? However, the flaw in my method is something that ordinary immortals and gods probably cannot even imagine. Even if they could guess it, the difficulty of breaking it would be far beyond what this boy can achieve.”

The Heavenly King Duowen said in a deep voice, “Third brother, do not be arrogant. The Kitchen God’s time to become an immortal is long before ours. His knowledge and experience are among the best in the Heavenly Court. Do not underestimate him.”

The Heavenly King of Growth nodded: "Second brother is right. Ordinary immortals and gods may not be able to see the key to your great formation, but the Kitchen God may not."

The Heavenly King Dhritarashtra's expression changed slightly, and he suddenly plucked the strings of his zither. A beam of clear light swept through the palace, completely sealing off the Heavenly King's Hall.

He then burst into laughter: "Big brother, second brother, so what if he really finds it? In less than four hours in the mortal realm, what can that kid do? Even if he finds a flaw and tries to break my great formation, there won't be enough time."

"Four hours?"

Upon hearing this, the other three Heavenly Kings were all taken aback.

Guangmu Tianwang hurriedly said, "Third Brother, didn't you say it would be two mortal hours? How come it's become four hours? Oh! I understand! You deliberately misled him and threw him into disarray!"

"Fourth brother is right." The Heavenly King of the Nation's expression suddenly turned solemn: "This matter of the rare treasure is of utmost importance. At this critical juncture, it is not unreasonable to use some means. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, how will we brothers explain ourselves to the Marshal?"

The Heavenly King of Growth's gaze sharpened: "You said four hours, could it be..."

Dhritarashtra nodded: "Just now, when we were confronting the Five Plague Envoys, I secretly released a wisp of my divine sense and, with the help of the [Grand View Netherworld-Breaking Array] that my second brother had previously set up, entered the area and carefully investigated. I found that the Fortune-Stabilizing and Soul-Suppressing Lotus has already formed its aura and can be harvested in a few hours!"

Upon hearing this, the three Heavenly Kings all showed joy on their faces.

"So brothers, there's no need to worry. Even if this kid finds the key, so what? He thinks he can break my great formation in four hours? That's just wishful thinking."

Dhritarashtra snorted coldly, his expression arrogant.

The other three Heavenly Kings breathed a sigh of relief, looked at each other and smiled: "That's excellent! That's excellent!"

As they were talking, a dazzling beam of light pierced through the air and landed in the hall, transforming into a colossal shadow.

"So it's Brother Giant Spirit who has graced us with his presence."

The Four Heavenly Kings immediately rose from their seats and greeted them with clasped hands.

The one who came was none other than the Giant Spirit God, who was also a guardian deity of the Ministry of War.

"The Four Heavenly Kings and the Marshal have ordered me to inquire about the rare treasure—when will we be able to see that Destiny-Stabilizing and Soul-Suppressing Lotus?"

"Thank you for your help, Brother Giant Spirit, to inform the Marshal that the treasure has matured and we will personally deliver it to the Marshal's residence shortly!"

"Won't there be any mishaps?" The Giant Spirit God suddenly changed the subject. "The Marshal already knows about your confrontation with the Plague Envoys in the mortal realm, so he specifically ordered me to come and ask for details."

The Heavenly King of Growth's expression hardened, and he clasped his hands solemnly, saying, "Please tell the Marshal that there are absolutely no mistakes! My four brothers and I will certainly handle this matter properly for the Marshal!"

"Very well, then I'll be off."

Before the myth of the giant spirit had even faded, it had already transformed into a stream of light and flown out of the Heavenly King's Palace.

The Heavenly King of Growth turned around and ordered, "Once the treasure is fully mature, we will all enter the formation together to harvest it and present it to the Marshal!"

"Yes, elder brother!" the three Heavenly Kings responded in unison.

The Heavenly King of Growth looked at the Mysterious Mirror again, only to find that Lu Chen had already entered the temple, and the scene ended there.

The temple was filled with immortals, and even the Star Lords and True Gods were not allowed to peek inside.

"Forget it, he can't cause any trouble anyway. Let's meditate."

The Four Heavenly Kings are about to meditate and cultivate themselves.

"Clang! C ...

A thunderous bell tolled suddenly, resounding throughout the heavens and earth, sweeping across the entire Heavenly King Palace with unstoppable force!
"What is that strange noise?!"

The Four Heavenly Kings trembled and immediately transformed into four rainbow lights, rushing out of the hall and standing in mid-air.

"Brother! It's the Wenzhong bell! It's the Wenzhong bell outside the Jiutian Kaihua Palace ringing!"

The Heavenly King Guangmu cried out in alarm.

"It seems that another great talent has appeared in the world."

The Heavenly King of Growth gazed into the distance and said, "I wonder which of the Gods of Literature has descended to earth to cultivate and has accumulated a lifetime of merit and literary virtue, and is about to return to the ranks of the immortals."

The Heavenly King of Duowen sighed softly: "These Kui Xing (gods of literature) have the easiest way to cultivate. They descend to the mortal world and write a few brilliant articles, which is equivalent to hundreds of years of hard cultivation for you and me."

“Different lineages cannot be compared,” the Heavenly King of Growth replied calmly.

While the three heavenly kings were chatting, they were completely unaware of the sudden change in expression of the Heavenly King Dhritarashtra behind them.

"It can't be such a coincidence, can it?... Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Suppressing his surprise and doubt, he also said with certainty, "It must be a certain Kui Xing who has descended to earth and completed his cultivation!"

……

"Clang! Clang!!!"

The bell tolled, its sound echoing throughout the universe.

At this moment, the entire Heavenly Court knew!

——Nine Dragons Palace, [Plague Department].

The Plague Emperor stood with his hands behind his back in front of the palace, while the five Plague Envoys behind him stood bowing and silent.

At this moment, the five plague envoys all wore expressions of disbelief: "Star Lord, could it be that this Wen Zhong..."

They had just seen their junior brother confidently step into the temple through the Star Lord's Mystic Mirror, and then the Wen Bell shook the Heavenly Court.

They found it hard to believe that the two were completely unrelated.

A hint of warmth flashed across the Plague Emperor's cold eyes, and he suddenly chuckled, "This kid is quite shrewd."

The Five Plague Envoy's eyes narrowed: "Is...is it really Junior Brother?"

……

"Clang! Clang!!!"

Inside the Temple of the God of Wealth.

The God of Wealth suddenly opened his divine eyes, golden light swirling within them: "Oh? The bell of literature is ringing... Which God of Literature has achieved perfect merit and wishes to return to the ranks of the immortals?"

At the same time, strange phenomena occurred throughout the Heavenly Court.

The Twenty-Eight Mansions and their corresponding constellations—

"Clang! Clang!!!"

The guardian star officials transformed into rainbows and gathered at the top of the star palace.

"The Wen Bell is ringing?" The Pleiades Star Official looked at the Kui Wood Wolf beside him and asked in confusion, "Which Kui Star has completed his cultivation and is about to return to his position?"

"It's hard to say. But since ancient times, it's not often that Kui Xing (the God of Literature) descends to earth and strikes the Wen Zhong (a type of ancient Chinese bell). This commotion probably means he has performed a great act of merit!"

“That makes sense.” Pleiades Star Lord nodded.

The other dozen or so star officials behind him were discussing amongst themselves, and a commotion broke out.

……

At this moment, all departments of the Heavenly Court—except for the Heavenly Venerables and the Eight Righteous Gods—are present.

The thunder god and lightning goddess, the five hundred spirit officials, the seven stars of the Big Dipper, the sixty Jiazi Tai Sui gods, the three Lingbao masters, the seven fairy maidens, and all the other immortals and gods were drawn to the sound of the Wen bell.

The saying that "Kui Xing has appeared in the world" quickly spread throughout the Heavenly Court.

Even the Kitchen God, who was cultivating in a secret realm, heard this bell ringing that resonated throughout the universe through his Heavenly Palace, the Nine Heavens Kitchen God Mansion.

He suddenly opened his eyes, his divine gaze filled with disbelief: "Could it be that the Wen Bell... was really struck and rang?!"

……

Meanwhile, the Silu Mansion, which was in charge of literary affairs, was already in complete chaos.

Upon hearing the sound, the two attendants assisting the Emperor—the Crimson-Clad God and the Star Lord of Kui Xing—immediately unfolded the register of merits and sought to find out which Star Lord of Kui Xing had descended to earth and returned.

Unexpectedly, upon investigation, the two gods' expressions changed drastically.

"There have been no recent records of Kui Xing (the God of Literature) descending to earth!"

"Strange, could it be that his literary talent was naturally nurtured by the fortune of humankind?"

Kui Xing also remembers that he has not arranged for Kui Xing to enter the world recently.

"Could it be... that some mortal desires to attain enlightenment through literature and rise to the highest ranks?"

The two men exchanged a glance, both feeling utterly bewildered.

It should be known that ever since the Great Heavenly Venerable, who wielded the Heavenly Mandate and established the tradition of temple incense offerings, the only way for mortals to ascend to the Heavenly Court is to receive a divine office and seek a position.

All other methods were severed.

Now, a mere mortal is attempting to break free of his shackles and soar to the top with his vast literary talent?!

How could this not shock the two deities?

"No, we must report to the Emperor immediately. The Ministry of Finance has not sent Kui Xing to the mortal realm recently!"

After speaking, the Crimson-Robed God was about to transform into a rainbow of light and head to the Nine Heavens Enlightenment Palace.

"No need."

But at that moment, an unparalleled divine voice suddenly resounded throughout the Silu Mansion.

It is indeed the Emperor Wenchang!

The two gods immediately knelt down and paid their respects.

"I have investigated the background of this person. You need not concern yourselves with the subsequent matters."

"I will obey the Emperor's decree!"

His divine sense withdrew from the Silu Mansion back to the Jiutian Kaihua Palace. The divine light in the eyes of Emperor Wenchang flowed like a vast sea of ​​stars.

"Previously, he clearly lacked literary talent, but now he has the momentum to rise to the top... Where did this young man get this opportunity? I will go and see for myself."

With a thought, the Emperor sent out a clone that had already descended to the lower realm.

……

At this moment, in Rongcheng, at the Hu Clan Temple.

Outside the Wenchang Hall.

Wang Yiming was sitting with his legs crossed, completely at ease.

Unfortunately, spiritual senses cannot extend too far from the temple, otherwise he would definitely want to see what Lu Chen is up to inside.

"Look! There's something strange in the sky!!"

Suddenly, someone nearby exclaimed in surprise.

"What's going on?" Wang Yiming looked in the direction of the voice and saw that everyone was looking up at the sky.

He looked up as well—

Above the horizon, the white clouds that had been drifting leisurely suddenly began to swirl again, forming a huge cloud vortex.

"I'll blanch it!!!"

Wang Yiming's pupils constricted, and he jumped up from the stool, exclaiming with wild joy, "I fucking knew there would be a show! I knew it!! Hahaha!!!"

From within the swirling clouds, a dazzling golden light shot down, piercing the roof of the hall and disappearing into the Wenchang Hall.

Inside the palace.

Lu Chen, who had just recited the line "To find truly remarkable figures, look to the present," suddenly felt a dazzling light behind him and abruptly turned around—

The statue of Emperor Wenchang in the hall shone with golden light, radiating brilliance and exuding a sacred aura.

"It's done!!"

Lu Chen felt his blood and qi surging throughout his body, reaching every part of his limbs and bones.

—The Kitchen God was right!
This method of using literature to invoke the divine is indeed effective!
Before his thought had even settled, the divine voice of the Wenchang Emperor had already resonated throughout the land:

"What a fine line, 'To find truly great men, look to the present.' Young man, what brilliant writing you have."

Lu Chen clasped his hands in a deep bow: "This humble commoner, Lu Chen, greets Your Majesty! I am truly unworthy of the title 'literary talent'!"

"Oh?" The Emperor's voice was calm and unwavering: "You just recited so many beautifully written verses, why don't you dare accept such praise?"

“Because…” Lu Chen slowly raised his head, his gaze clear, and said frankly, “These poems were not written by a commoner!”

As soon as the words were spoken, the light emanating from the statue suddenly froze.

Deep within his consciousness, Emperor Wenchang sat upright on the cloud platform, a hint of doubt and surprise suddenly appearing on his usually calm and composed face.

--strangeness.

I haven't even questioned him yet, how come he confessed on his own?

　Waaaaah, this plot is too intense, the author can't handle it!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)