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

Chapter 56 The tide is turning! Divine beings gather! There's always someone stronger!

The next day, around 10 a.m.

Lu Chen and Sun Yourong finished packing and left the hotel.

"Miss Sun, Mr. Lu, please take care. We welcome you both to visit us again!"

At the entrance, hundreds of hotel staff stood in two rows to see him off.

The hotel only returned to normal and allowed other vehicles and guests to check in after Lu Chen and his group drove away in their luxury car.

"How was your sleep last night?" Sun Yourong asked, looking at Lu Chen, who was still yawning beside her.

"It's alright. How could I not be comfortable in a five-star hotel? Thanks to Sister Sun, I also enjoyed the treatment of an emperor."

"You're such a chatterbox." Sun Yourong chuckled, noticing that Lu Chen's backpack seemed even bulging than yesterday. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "What exactly is in your bag? It's so full."

"Some props for the ceremony later," Lu Chen explained casually.

He didn't rest at all after returning to the hotel last night.

They were so busy drawing talismans and preparing scriptures that they barely had time to breathe.

Lu Chen named this ritual: "Inviting the Dragon".

The term "jiao" refers to a type of Taoist ritual.

“Kekyi” is the same as “Taoist ceremony”, which is divided into two categories: “Zhai” and “Jiao”.

“斋” is more about personal cultivation, while “醮” is used to worship gods.

It can also be understood that "斋" is the preparation before "騮".

Before the sacrifice, one must purify one's body and mind through bathing, abstaining from meat and alcohol, and refraining from sexual activity, in order to express reverence for the gods.

Therefore, Lu Chen has not eaten a single bite of meat since last night.

Before setting off this morning, he took a bath and changed clothes to show that he was cleansed in body and mind and to strive for the success of the ritual.

The term "jiao" can be divided into "qingjiao" and "youjiao" based on its attributes.

The former is for praying for blessings and warding off disasters, while the latter is for the salvation of the deceased.

According to the specifications, it can be divided into "small ritual" and "large ritual".

Strictly speaking, this "Qinglongjiao" was a "Qingjiao" of medium to low rank.

After all, Lu Chen is only one person, so the scale can't be expanded much even if he wants to.

However, considering that all the previous methods had been remarkably effective.

He had a premonition that the effects of this official opening ceremony might far exceed expectations.

The three scriptures and nine volumes required for the ritual are as follows.

The three classics are: the Tao Te Ching, the Zhuangzi, and the Wen Shi Jing.

The nine volumes are: the Eight Gods Incantation, the Awakening to Truth, the Cantong Qi, the Taishang Ganying Pian, and other nine Taoist classics.

Of course, only for one night.

Even if Lu Chen were to bleed himself dry, he could never possibly transcribe all these classics.

What he prepared was the "Small Three Classics in Nine Volumes," which is a collection of excerpts from various classic texts, commonly known as abridged versions.

Although the effect is definitely not as good as the proper "Three Classics and Nine Volumes".

But Lu Chen believed it should be enough.

In addition, he also prepared a prayer tablet for invoking the gods and various talismans for rituals.

In short, Lu Chen didn't finish all the preparations until 2 or 3 a.m. last night, from 8 p.m.

In other words, he is experienced and adept at it.

If other young Taoist priests were to come, these things wouldn't come down for at least a week or two.

"By the way, did you hear thunder last night?" Sun Yourong suddenly asked.

"Yes, it was quite loud." Lu Chen nodded, recalling the sudden loud noise he heard while he was busy last night.

However, that was all.

"It hasn't rained or thundered in Longhu County for three years, so why is it suddenly thundering?"

Sun Yourong frowned, her tone revealing a hint of worry: "Lu Chen, I have a vague feeling of unease; I'm afraid things won't go so smoothly today..."

Lu Chen's eyes narrowed: "You mean, the Dragon King of the East Sea won't let this go?"

Sun Yourong pondered for a moment, then nodded gently: "Although I don't know exactly what you did, I do have a bad feeling."

Lu Chen smiled casually, "It's alright. Even if He really comes, I doubt He would dare to make a move."

Sun Yourong looked at him in surprise: "Why? What...what methods did you use?"

Lu Chen simply smiled and remained silent.

Unless... the Dragon King of the East Sea wants to spend his time in the Heavenly River Prison.

Otherwise, even if He came, what could He do?

Of course, to put it another way, what if the Dragon King of the East Sea really did go berserk on the spot?

Well, Lu Chen... he had no choice but to accept it.

At that time, we'll have to rely entirely on my brother's words, "I'll be more than capable of protecting him," to carry enough weight!

But now, the die is cast, and there's no turning back.

Lu Chen had no choice but to take this gamble!
Fortune can be lost in danger, but it can also be gained in danger!
How can one achieve great things if one is afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind?!

Opportunities are always created through hard work!

As the vehicle drove towards Dalongtan, Lu Chen noticed that all the cars and people along the way were heading in the same direction.

"Looks like quite a few people came today!" Lu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone firm: "Come on, the more the merrier!"

……

Half an hour later, at Dalongtan.

Looking from afar, a high platform has been erected in the center of the lake, as requested by Lu Chen.

"Uncle Chen, Uncle Wang!"

Lu Chen and Sun Yourong quickly climbed onto the high platform.

"Xiao Lu is here."

Chen Tiansheng's complexion was just as bad as yesterday, or even worse.

It seems that making the idol yesterday really took a lot of his energy.

"Here you go, everything you asked for is ready."

Chen Tiansheng handed over a box.

When Lu Chen opened it, he found that all the necessary items were there.

Especially that Taoist robe, which instantly brought back memories of Qingfeng Temple to his mind.

"Thank you, Uncle Chen!"

"Don't mention it, we should be thanking you. By the way, Lao Wang, how's the headcount coming along?" Chen Tiansheng turned to Wang Zhongmin with a smile.

“There are about 30,000 people from the county who have arrived so far, but there are still a lot of vehicles on the road. I estimate that the final number may be more than 100,000. Xiao Lu, you really made the right choice in choosing this place. If it were anywhere else, it really wouldn't be able to accommodate so many people.” “Great! The more people the better! Then I will make preparations first. Twelve o'clock is the auspicious time. As soon as the auspicious time arrives, I will immediately start the ritual!”

"Alright! You can handle things on stage, we'll take care of things off stage, so you can rest assured!"

Wang Zhongmin and Chen Tiansheng bowed to each other and stepped down to arrange the follow-up matters.

Lu Chen then neatly arranged the Three Classics and Nine Scrolls, the petition, the ritual talismans, and other items on the stage.

Sun Yourong looked at these unfamiliar and strange objects, and although she was full of curiosity, the timing was not right, so she did not ask any questions.

But the more I feel that Lu Chen is shrouded in an unfathomable mystery.

"Could this special ritual have also been taught to him by that God of Wealth?" she wondered to herself.

As the time drew near, more and more people gathered around Dalongtan, forming a dense, dark mass, like a surging tide.

Thanks to the efforts of all the staff in the county, the scene was relatively orderly, and people entered the Tan area one after another.

……

"Why are there so many people here?"

"Yes, they just said they wanted rain, but they didn't say anything specific."

"Is it that rain-summoning sage that was rumored yesterday?"

"Who cares? As long as it rains, I'll crawl over here!"

"Let's hope they don't let us down this time, we've had enough!"

Various murmurs arose from the crowd from time to time.

"Get out of the way, get out of the way!"

Suddenly a commotion arose, and there was a sight of the Spirit Water Master sitting on the Red-spotted Woman's shoulders, rafting straight ahead.

Seeing how strange the two looked, the people around them naturally made way for them.

"Humph!"

Looking at Lu Chen busily working on the high platform in the distance, Master Lingshui snorted coldly: "You brat, it really is you!"

"Husband, what is he doing?" the woman with red spots asked in her hoarse voice.
"Who knows what this kid is up to? Let's wait and see." Master Lingshui's face was gloomy.

Recalling the magical fluctuations that Lu Chen unintentionally emitted during yesterday's conflict.

He's just a mere first-grade spiritual practitioner.

This low-class scum dares to ruin his plans?

This thing is doomed!

……

Just as the crowd at Dalongtan was bustling with activity.

Above Longhu County, amidst clouds tens of thousands of meters high.

The Four Dragon Kings of the Seas churned and appeared and disappeared.

"So it was you, brat! You dared to cause trouble at Dragon Pool! You've gone too far!!!"

Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, stared intently at Lu Chen, who was busy on the high platform, his dragon eyes filled with murderous intent.

The other three Dragon Kings were also enraged!
"But brother, this lad seems unremarkable. What tricks did he use to get Jun Caishen to take him as his sworn brother?"

After calming down, Ao Ming, the Dragon King of the South Sea, was quite puzzled.

“Look at the formation he has set up… what exactly is his intention?”

Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea, also spoke up to remind them.

"Whatever! I want to see which deity he can summon to bring rain!"

Ao Shun, the Dragon King of the North Sea, had sharp, interlocking teeth and wished he could swallow Lu Chensheng whole immediately.

Upon hearing this, all three dragons nodded.

Ao Guang sneered, "Fourth Brother is right! Let's see which colleague from the Ministry of Water dares to disrespect me, Ao Guang, and come here to bring rain!"

Having said that, He felt something and looked up at the Xuan Dou Palace in the heavens above.

Suddenly, it seemed as if a piercing gaze pierced through the clouds and came straight at them!

Ao Guanglong's eyes narrowed, his neck shrank, and he suddenly disappeared into the clouds.

"Oh no! The Star Lord is also observing this matter?!"

"Star Lord?!"

The three dragons' expressions hardened, and they all dispersed into the clouds.

Only after a moment did he dare to peek out again.

Dragon King of the South Sea: "Brother, no! I did not sense anything."

West Sea Dragon King: "Me too."

The Dragon King of the North Sea: "Me too."

Ao Guang breathed a sigh of relief, glancing with lingering fear in the direction of Xuan Dou Palace: "It seems I was mistaken... Oh well, since the Star Lord didn't notice, it's a good thing for us!"

The four dragons once again perched on the clouds, looking down upon the world.

Little did they know, high above in the Xuan Dou Palace...

The Water Deity and the God of Wealth are drinking together in the hall.

In the center of the palace, a mysterious mirror gleamed brightly.

Not only does it reflect the myriad forms of life in Dalongtan, but the four dragons in the clouds are also clearly visible.

"Hmph! This Ao Guang has quite the nerve!"

The Water Deity Star Lord roared in anger, his face ashen.

Despite being ordered not to cause trouble, He dared to openly disobey and gather the other three dragon gods to spy on us!

They completely disregarded his decree!
"Brother Shui De, there's no need to be angry. If they are just observing from afar, it's fine."

Jun Caishen sipped his tea calmly.

His gaze fell upon the mirror.

"Let's see what my sworn brother intends to do!"

The God of Wealth was equally curious about the arrangement of this high platform.

Clearly, his virtuous brother was hiding some secrets that had not yet been revealed.

"Brother Juncai, your sworn brother's pomp and circumstance is indeed quite novel!"

Upon hearing this, the Water Deity Star Lord's anger subsided, and he nodded with a light laugh: "Very well, let us sit in the high hall and observe the situation calmly!"

The God of Wealth gently stroked his long, shimmering beard and nodded slightly…

　This climax was quite difficult to write; I thought about it for a long time…

　　Please forgive me.

　　If it's not written well, it won't be beautiful.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)