I created the myth of the Great Old Ones.

After the palace examination, the remaining selection process was just a formality.

During this period, rumors about a new shrine maiden spread like wildfire, both within the Wajima Grand Shrine and in Wajima City.

On the second day of the palace examination, the Sanada family sent someone to find Lu Ban, hoping to befriend him. They also brought Sanada Makoto and staged a scene of Zhou Yu beating Huang Gai in front of Lu Ban, a scene of bitterness and suffering.

It must be said that although a family that has held power for a long time may have one or two members who are unreasonable, they can generally distinguish between advantages and disadvantages. As soon as they see that their family's priestess may not be able to become the successor, they will immediately change their tune and try to establish a kinship.

Lu Ban didn't care.

There's no point in trying to curry favor with someone who's going to leave this world in a few days and disappear from people's sight.

Besides the Sanada family, other people also came to visit. Originally, Lu Ban's courtyard was quite quiet, but now it was bustling with people, making it difficult for him to even take a nap.

Finding it troublesome, Lu Ban simply asked the aloof shrine maiden to change his residence, and then spent his days wandering around the island, gathering intelligence and acquiring a lot of first-hand information about this world.

The political system on the island is relatively loose, with a few daimyo as the main rulers. They check and balance each other. Many years ago, there were several wars between the daimyo, but each one ended hastily with the invasion of a large number of filthy creatures. Now, the overall power of the island has weakened, and the island magistrate of each island has become the de facto controller of that island.

For example, Sakurajima, where Kohaku's family lives, has a relatively closed political structure due to its distance from Kazuma.

The ships that the island patrons used were mostly for defense against pirates. In the open sea, pirates formed a structure similar to a regime, which opposed the central government of the island.

On He Island, the gap between rich and poor is not as obvious as in the ruined city. The poor fish and dry their nets to make ends meet and dress simply, while the rich wear luxurious clothes. But everyone can walk on the same street. Or, to put it another way, the productivity level of He Island is not so developed. It has not yet entered industrialization, so the accumulation of primitive capital is not so rampant.

As for the arcade and flower street.

With an investigative attitude, Lu Ban and Xia Dao went to check it out. Perhaps because the priest was there, the girls were all very well-behaved, sitting upright and honestly answering Lu Ban's questions, occasionally even throwing out a question mark.

Ultimately, Lu Ban expressed his concerns about the safety and hygiene of the Flower Street and offered suggestions for improvement. He had a cordial meeting with the people in charge of the Flower Street arcade, exchanged views, and the visit concluded successfully.

As for Leica, since the rest was already quite simple, he told Leica to go back and stake out the location beforehand, just in case he suddenly appeared in some strange place and caused a commotion, scaring the plants and flowers.

"The torch-passing ceremony is the most important ceremony of the shrine. During the ceremony, the new shrine maiden will inherit the purifying fire of the previous generation, complete the succession, and then enter the shrine maiden pavilion to ignite her first flame."

The aloof shrine maiden explained as she helped Lu Ban change into formal attire for the ceremony.

"Once the torch-passing ceremony is over, the priestess will have officially changed. At the same time, the island's society will announce the new priestess's era name. By the way, the current era name is Kazami."

She told Lu Ban in a serious tone, without any hint of casualness.

"What year is Fenghe now?"

Lu Ban couldn't help but ask.

"The thirty-seventh year of Fenghe".

The shrine maiden answered immediately.

"Does it really take a high priestess this long?"

Lu Ban sighed.

It's no wonder that those daimyo wanted to compete for the position of high priestess, because once successful, it meant more than thirty years of power, which would tempt anyone.

"Thirty-seven years is already considered very short, because the previous Divine Child's reign lasted only a short time, so the selection process was rushed and they couldn't wait for a sufficiently spiritual priestess to appear. In history, the reign of a Divine Child has ranged from thirty to one hundred and fifty years, with the longest being one hundred and sixty-eight years."

The shrine maiden spoke again.

"After the previous Divine Child abdicated, she would retire to the Pure Fire Palace. They were in constant contact with the Pure Fire, and even their breath was difficult for ordinary people to bear. We could not even see the Divine Child normally."

"So, how many divine sons does that Pure Fire Palace currently have?"

Lu Ban was curious.

“I don’t know. Only the most respected priestesses can enter the Pure Fire Palace. Matters concerning the divine child are taboo for ordinary priestesses like us.”

The shrine maiden shook her head.

"Ok."

Lu Ban didn't ask any further questions; clearly, that was all she knew.

The thought that Amber might have to be a god for decades, separated from everyone in solitude, guarding this world filled him with a deep sense of loneliness.

It's like being at the end of the world.

After changing his clothes, Lu Ban looked at himself in the bronze mirror.

He was already handsome, and when dressed in formal attire, he appeared even more composed and reserved.

"...It's alright, I guess."

The aloof shrine maiden snapped out of her daze.

At that moment, Lu Ban saw over her shoulder that a girl dressed in white, wearing scarlet hakama, a pine and crane patterned kimono, a golden crown, and hairpins was standing at the door.

"Lord Son of God."

The aloof shrine maiden noticed the person behind her, and she immediately took a few steps back and bowed to Amber.

"You may leave now."

Amber waved her hand, signaling the other person to leave, leaving only Lu Ban and her inside.

"How about it?"

Amber raised her sleeve and turned her body slightly.

"It's not quite right, why don't you take it off?"

Lu Ban made a half-joking remark, half-serious.

"No, I've already made up my mind."

Amber understood Lu Ban's meaning and simply smiled.

She reached into her bosom, took something out, and placed it in Lu Ban's palm.

"This is the amulet I obtained for you, hoping you will be safe and sound."

The amulet was ordinary, like any other amulet obtained at the Wajima Shrine, but since it was the amulet of the high priestess, it might actually have some lucky effect.

[Lucky Amulet]

[An amulet blessed by the shrine maiden of Wajima Taisha Shrine]

People are accustomed to praying to the gods for blessings, and the shrine maiden is there to convey the gods' will.

As for how to interpret it, that varies from person to person.

At the same time, such system text flashed in Lu Ban's field of vision.

Seeing this, Lu Ban realized that this was a world on the verge of collapse.

Filth could invade the island at any time, while the ever-burning purifying fire slowly devoured everything.

"Please protect this world well."

Lu Ban placed his hand on the hand that Amber had given him as a protective charm.

"Well, I will."

Amber nodded, and then said.

"Do you know that if you become a god, you will have the power to see the whole world? No matter where you are in the future, I will be able to see you."

"That's really nice."

Lu Ban smiled.

Outside the door, several priestesses were urging Amber on, as if she had broken the rules and secretly come to see Lu Ban.

"I should go to the ceremony."

Amber lowered her eyelashes.

"I'm leaving."

"Bon Voyage."

Lu Ban waved his hand.

Amber arrived at the door, and she looked up slightly at the clear sky.

"The moonlight should be beautiful tonight."

"Yes."

Lu Ban responded.

Outside the door, gently falling cherry blossoms formed a pale pink path, and Amber, dressed in gorgeous attire, slowly departed.

Lu Ban remained motionless until the other person disappeared at the end of the crimson torii gate.

Chapter 359 The Fire-Passing Ceremony

The ceremony itself was quite routine for Lu Ban.

After a series of routine procedures, Amber, dressed in magnificent clothes, left under the guidance of the elderly priestesses and entered the main courtyard where the Divine Child Pavilion was located.

Lu Ban saw a long ladder being erected, and the priestesses carrying Amber entered the Divine Child Pavilion. After a while, the priestesses left, leaving the Divine Child Pavilion hanging alone in mid-air.

In the long silence, Lu Ban felt that something was entwining that pavilion, establishing a subtle connection between Shenying and Shenzi Pavilion.

The next moment, the purifying fire ignited.

Lu Ban had previously thought that the Divine Child's Pure Flame was already dazzling enough, but Amber's Pure Flame far surpassed it.

In an instant, the whole world turned black and white, and even the midday sun could not rival the brilliance of the amber.

Within the dazzling pure fire, a multicolored black began to swirl and envelop the Divine Son Pavilion.

Lu Ban seemed to hear Amber's voice, and his heart fluttered slightly as he recalled some scenes.

For example, the image of a girl holding a longbow shooting an arrow in a dojo illuminated by moonlight.

For example, a scene where a young girl looks at the sailors playing around through the window on a ship and feels a little longing.

For example, the sleeping face of a girl who falls asleep peacefully while adrift on a lonely sea.

For example, the smile of a young girl dressed in plain clothes, expressing her longing and anticipation for the future.

For example, the silhouette of a girl looking up at the moonlight in front of her own house.

The surrounding light gradually dimmed, and everyone regained their sight.

After a brief silence, people began to cheer.