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

Chapter 241 The Rules of the Dilapidated Temple! Brothers, let's go home!!!
“This…” Lu Chen hesitated for a moment, “May I have time to think about it, Lord City Lord?”

"Okay, I'll wait for your news. If you really don't want to, that's fine too, I'll help you with the report. But the tax rate for your own shipments is much higher than you think. The more capable you are, the more work you should do, so don't feel wronged."

"understand!"

Lu Chen changed the subject: "By the way, what exactly did you mean by saying 'stepping on the Sun family's head to rise to a powerful clan'?"

"You brat, you really haven't even heard of a 'ruined temple'?"

"A dilapidated temple?"

"sit down."

The two sat down on the sofa, and Yu Feng explained, "Simply put, for an ordinary family to become a new elite, all they need is enough military merit and funds. But going further up, each step is different."

For example, to be promoted to a high-ranking clan.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "In a second-tier city like ours, the maximum number of slots that a prominent family can have is only four."

Therefore, when the newly powerful members below have enough strength and want to be promoted to a major clan, they must go through the ritual of 'ruining the temple'.

In other words, only by challenging and defeating the existing powerful clans can one take their place.

"There's such a rule." Lu Chen frowned slightly. "I'm indeed not familiar with this aspect, I'll have to brush up on it later. But with my current strength, defeating a major clan seems like a piece of cake, doesn't that count as a successful temple raid?"

Yu Feng laughed: "Silly boy, what does a dilapidated temple have to do with mortals? The key is the battle between the gods behind the temple!"

He gave an example: "For instance, if your Lu family temple wants to destroy the Zhao family temple, then the 'destroying the temple' battle would be your family temple's core deities, such as the God of Wealth, the God of Plague, and the King of Hell, against the Zhao family's God of Longevity, the Emperor of Literature, and the Zhao Gongming, among other deities."

A duel of this caliber is completely beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Lu Chen's pupils shrank: "A god can personally descend to the mortal realm to start a war? That's not right... I don't remember any textbooks mentioning such an explosive record."

Yu Feng patiently explained, "It's not a descent of the Dharma bodies, but a contest between the gods at the Heavenly Court level."

The outcome largely depends on how much importance the deity places on the temple.

If both sides' deities offer special protection to their own, the battle will be fierce, and the outcome will be unpredictable.

However, some temples were already rejected by the gods.

In this situation, the probability of successfully destroying the temple is extremely high!
For example, the Wu family.

In the past, there was a family called the Ao family among the four great families of Jiangdu. They lost the protection of the gods because of their improper behavior.

Taking advantage of that opportunity, the Wu family rose to power in the dilapidated temple, becoming a new prominent clan.

Yu Feng said with a sneer, "So when it comes to finding bargains and taking advantage, the Wu family of Jiangdu is second to none."

Lu Chen nodded, then pressed on, "Since it's a battle of gods, what you're implying is that those powerful clans themselves are also crucial?"

Yu Feng: "Because the people themselves are not important, but the signature they make is. Only when the head of the family signs his or her consent can the temple destruction ceremony truly begin."

Lu Chen: "What if they don't sign? Wouldn't that mean we can't demolish the temple?"

Yu Feng chuckled: "If it really comes to that, and you take the initiative to challenge them, they won't be able to refuse and will have to accept the challenge."

So, as I just said, if you really kill them today and no one signs the document, you'll have no choice but to go through the Sun family to destroy the temple.

After all, as long as those three families insist on not establishing a new head of the family, you can't go through their procedures.

Frankly speaking, this is also a loophole in the rules.

After all, no family would deliberately kill its head of household to obstruct someone else's destruction of a temple.

Besides, the heads of each family are not to be trifled with.

Lu Chen clicked his tongue: "What if...this happens? Is there nothing we can do?"

"There is a way. Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Unless you challenge two or more powerful clans at the same time. In such cases, the clans' signatures are unnecessary. The imperial court would love to see such a promising talent and would sign on his behalf."

"Would it be different from ordinary powerful clans if they were to challenge two clans for advancement at the same time?"

"Of course it's different. If you can really make it this way, theoretically you could even skip the 'prestigious family' and directly advance to... a 'noble family'!"

—A prestigious family!
With three hundred positions for gods, almost half of the righteous gods of the Heavenly Court could be incorporated into the temple.

Lu Chen was about to ask another question when Yu Feng raised his hand to interrupt him.

"Alright, alright, don't try to do too much at once. Let's talk about any problems when you actually get to the big clan."

Lu Chen suppressed his emotions and nodded his thanks: "Okay, thank you for your understanding, City Lord."

He has a lot of information about the "ruined temple" today, and he needs to go back and digest it properly, as he will need it sooner or later.

Yu Feng then instructed, "I only have one request: as long as no one dies, you can do whatever you want. It's time to vent our anger!"

"Thank you, sir!"

"It's nothing. If there's nothing else, go home and spend more time with your family."

"Yes."

Lu Chen stood up, a golden light flashing in his hand, revealing five rare and precious herbs.

It was a rare and precious natural treasure from the Fire Path—the Grade 5 Crimson Cloud Fruit.

Lu Chen had picked a lot of hemp in the secret realm before.

"Sir, this is just a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it. Let's not stand on ceremony."

Lu Chen chuckled and handed over the Crimson Glow Fruit.

Yu Feng was taken aback when he saw this, then pointed at him and said, "You brat... go ahead!"

"Goodbye, sir!"

Watching Lu Chen close the door and leave, Yu Feng toyed with the Crimson Glow Fruit in his hand, a leisurely and smug expression on his face: "I, Yu Feng, am truly unparalleled in judging people!" — "Kid, go for it! Let's see how high you can go."

……

A moment later, at the entrance of Chengnan Prison.

"Squeak-"

The heavy iron gate slowly opened, and a group of people staggered out.

Wang Zhidong, who was in charge, was covered in injuries and could only walk with the help of others.

"Elder Wang!"

Zeng Rou, who was waiting outside the door, burst into tears and quickly went to greet him.

Wang Zhidong suddenly became agitated: "Elder Zeng, what brings you here? I didn't reveal the secret formula! I swear to God, I've never done anything to betray the leader! You have to believe me! I don't know why I was released..."

Seeing his incoherent and terrified expression, Zeng Rou wiped away her tears and gently comforted him, "I know, I know you didn't leak anything. You were able to get out because..."

She turned around and pointed to the distance: "The leader is back!!"

Wang Zhidong looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a familiar figure standing there quietly.

At that moment, he was struck dumb, his pupils contracted sharply, and his face was filled with disbelief.

The two or three hundred Rakshasa Cult members behind him also froze on the spot, their eyes fixed, as if they could not believe their eyes.

"Cult...Cult Leader!!!"

Wang Zhidong's legs went weak, and he was about to kneel down to pay his respects.

A faint light flashed, and Lu Chen stepped forward, steadily supporting him.

Looking at Wang Zhidong, whose body was covered in wounds and whose appearance was emaciated.

Lu Chen suppressed his emotions and forced a smile: "Elder Wang, you've suffered these past few days. Don't worry, I'll find the best doctor to treat your injuries!"

Wang Zhidong was still somewhat dazed, and subconsciously shook his head: "It's not bitter... I'm not bitter. Master, it's so good that you're back..."

Lu Chen gently patted his shoulder and helped him steady himself.
"Let's go home."

He looked up at the dark mass of followers behind him and said loudly:

"Brothers—Let's go home!!!"

At that moment, hundreds of believers were stunned.

These two words, like a good medicine, instantly soothed the torment and trauma they had suffered for half a month.

These men, who had once walked on the edge of a knife, suddenly opened their eyes wide, felt a lump in their throats, and their eyes reddened.

"go home!!"

"go home--!!!"

In an instant, shouts resounded through the sky.

Inside the iron gates, the jailers, hearing the commotion, smirked, yet were also inexplicably moved: "These cultists have really changed..."

……

--boom! !
North of the city, the Zhao family villa.

A heavy punch slammed into the table, shattering a sandalwood table into pieces.

"presumptuous!"

Upon hearing the news, Zhao Jiutang, who had been out on business, immediately returned and was furious when he saw his nephew wrapped in bandages.

The doctor standing nearby was so frightened that he trembled all over.

Suppressing his anger, Zhao Jiutang glared at him coldly: "Dr. Li, how long will it take for my nephew to recover?!"

"Reporting to Patriarch Zhao, it will probably take at least a month. Young Master Zhao has injured his bones and muscles, and he probably won't recover so quickly."

"Lu Chen!!! You're simply taking advantage of the Zhao family's lack of talent!!"

Zhao Jiutang roared in fury: "Wanliang, don't worry, your second uncle will immediately gather the troops and charge over there!"

On the bed, Zhao Wanliang, who was wrapped up like a dumpling, shook his head, his eyes so cold they could drip water: "No need, Second Uncle. A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years. That kid has so many fourth-rank evil spirits helping him now, we are no match for him."

Zhao Jiutang was about to speak again.

Zhao Wanliang suddenly had an idea: "Second Uncle, you all go out first, I want to be alone."

"Ten thousand taels..."

"Go out."

Zhao Wanliang's voice turned cold.

Helpless, Zhao Jiutang could only let out a huff of anger and turn to leave.

The room was soon empty.

——Huh~
But at that moment, the space rippled out like water.

A figure dressed in an official's robe slowly appeared.

Zhao Wanliang struggled to his feet: "Grandpa..."

It was indeed—Li Chenghuang.

　The second update is still in progress...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)