Chapter 792 - 552: Advancement!
[Fortune: 85→98]
Observing the changes in fortune, Chen Sheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"A round of spiritual performance was indeed worth the effort; fortune increased by thirteen points at once, and the goal of reaching one hundred is not far away."
This kind of spiritual performance was meticulously crafted as a major feature by him, with the purpose of concentrating the faith of the pilgrims more on himself.
The statue of the City God cannot speak or grant charms, all the "miracles" are orchestrated by him alone.
Over time, what the pilgrims revered was no longer the ethereal City God, but him, the "spiritually adept" Daoist Chen.
In his heart, he silently calculated:
"When these pilgrims return and spread the word today, his fortune will inevitably rise to one hundred."
...
At this time, the spiritual ceremony had ended.
The other pilgrims, having witnessed such a divine scene, could no longer contain themselves and took out Silver Taels, hoping to obtain a peace talisman.
Even if it’s not an enlightened spirit talisman, it can still bring peace of mind!
Little Wang came over slowly, holding a vermilion chest, on which were carved four large characters, "Accumulate Virtue and Do Good Deeds."
He stopped, bowed respectfully to the crowd of madams, and said with a clear and respectful voice:
"Everyone, please be patient. Divine Power grants charms only for those who are good people, not for money!"
After a pause, he continued:
"You may donate according to your heart, all Silver Taels donated will go into this chest of virtues, and will be used for porridge distribution, bridge repair, and road paving for refugees outside the city, alleviating the poor."
"This act accumulates virtue and good deeds, and Yin virtue returns to you good people, disasters naturally dissipate, and Divine Power will surely protect."
The pilgrims, already awed by the spiritual ceremony, were now told that their donations could accumulate virtue and good deeds, and seek Divine Power’s protection.
Each of them was very generous, taking out Silver Taels and placing them into the merit chest.
Five taels, ten taels...
And Madam Wu, who was granted the enlightened spirit talisman, was even more generous.
She directly took out a golden ingot worth a hundred taels from her portable embroidered box and placed it into the merit chest without hesitation.
...
Dusk deepened, and the last touch of golden sunbeam spilled into the True Treasure Temple.
The pilgrims had all left, and only the lingering smoke remained in the temple, mixing with vermilion and sandalwood, serene and tranquil.
Chen Sheng dismissed all the disciples, sat alone on the meditation cushion, closed his eyes for rest, lightly pressed his Dantian.
Amidst the daytime spiritual granting, incense, faith, and donations surged forth, his fortune had already neared the critical point.
He waited quietly.
[Fortune: 99→100]
Chen Sheng’s heart leapt suddenly.
Success!
He couldn’t contain his joy, his thoughts moved decisively:
"Add points, upgrade professional level!"
[Professional Level: Level 1→Level 2]
[Daoist Level 2 (0/1000)]
Boom!
Within his Dantian, the dormant volcano suddenly awakened, a surge of pure and heavy ’True Qi’ exploded, sweeping through his body along the meridians.
The cool energy that was like a trickle now turned into a rushing river.
The volume increased more than tenfold!
Chen Sheng’s heart moved:
"So much, finally no need for penny-pinching!?"
He instinctively checked new skills, but none appeared from the new professional level.
"Only the quantity increased?"
A trace of regret began to rise in his heart, but the next moment, he was engulfed by a greater surprise—
Talismanic Magic!
The previously familiar talismanic magic in his mind unfolded layer by layer, countless mysterious details spouting forth.
Material selection for talisman paper, vermilion ratio, rune trajectory, power infusion, spell acoustics...
Each place had a new understanding.
The simple talismanic magic, at this moment in his eyes, was sublimated again!
"So this is how it is... and it can be done this way!"
"Such mysteriousness indeed!"
Chen Sheng’s eyes suddenly shone brightly.
He stood up abruptly, walked quickly to the table.
Top-grade Yellow Talisman, fine vermilion, custom-made wolf hair brush, clear mountain spring water, laid out one by one.
At this moment, ’True Qi’ in the Dantian surged like the sea.
Chen Sheng’s fingertips condensed, mighty power coated the brush tip.
He began to write, vermilion flowing.
The lines were more intricate, smoother, and more precise than before, straight through, without the slightest hesitation.
Runes concealed the order, subtly resonating with the energy around him.
’True Qi’ in the Dantian poured out swiftly.
Chen Sheng paid no mind, his eyes burning.
As the talisman was completed—
The talisman paper turned red, brilliant, vibrant, far more intense than before.
Chen Sheng held the talisman in the bowl, reciting a new obscure spell.
With the incantation, the talisman transformed into red light, sinking into the water.
The clear mountain spring instantly glowed with a thick red hue, warmth embracing, mixed with vitality and sandalwood, refreshing the heart.
A bowl of new talisman water was made!
The Dantian was nearly exhausted, emptiness and fatigue swept in.
But in Chen Sheng’s eyes, there was only anticipation, he held the bowl in both hands, lifted his head, and drank it all.
Warmth entered his throat, dissipating instantly.
The next moment—
Boom!
The energy and blood within surged like thunder!
The scorching power swept through limbs and bones, making him feel like a small furnace, with white steam rising from his head.
The meridians flushed by the violent power, bones softly sounding, muscles tautened, relaxed, reshaped.
Every inch of skin, every thread of energy and blood, was being wildly strengthened, nourished, transformed.
Chen Sheng let out a muffled hum, he could clearly feel:
Power, endless power, was crazily gushing out from deep within his body!
No one knows how long, the heat gradually dissipated, the white steam vanished.
Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, simply took two steps:
"Truly, I am refreshed, light as Yan!"
He looked down at his arms, the previously slender lines now solid, smooth, full of explosiveness.
Lightly clenched his fist, muscle contours clear, the sense of strength overwhelming.
"Let’s try..."
His gaze shifted, landing on the solid copper incense burner in the corner of the hall.
Used for the City God tributor, heavy and rustic, nearly three hundred pounds, usually requiring two young disciples to move.
Chen Sheng walked over slowly, took a deep breath, grasped the edge of the burner, and suddenly exerted force.
Initially heavy as a mountain, his arms slightly aching, muscles tautening.
But he didn’t stop, exhaled loudly again:
"Rise—!"
The copper burner over two hundred pounds lifted off the ground slowly!
Raised steadily, suspended in mid-air!
Arms slightly trembling, legs heavy, but he had indeed—lifted it!
Chen Sheng was overjoyed in his heart!
He paused in suspension for a moment, then slowly set the copper burner down.
Thud—
The ground shook, the muffled sound echoed.
Chen Sheng clenched his fists, feeling the surging and endless power within, secretly said:
"This... this is truly Divine Power!"
"And the talisman’s mystery goes beyond this!"
Recalling the information in his mind, the true mystery of this talisman lies in:
"Strengthening energy and blood, replenishing origins, generating new flesh, mending broken bones, regenerating severed limbs!"
The bones softly sounding, the muscles reshaping feeling, he had just experienced firsthand, his body was thoroughly nurtured anew.
"For ordinary knife wounds, fractures, old ailments, strains, this talisman water entering, can quickly heal as good as new."
"For torn muscles, broken bones, bloody flesh, it can slowly reconnect, leaving not a trace of scar."
"As long as enough energy, severed limbs can regrow, dry bones can generate flesh!"
Chen Sheng took a deep breath, secretly said:
"The way of talismanic magic is truly vast and profound."
"Now at Level 2, it can regenerate limbs, in the future, it’s not impossible to reverse Yin Yang, bring back the dead."
...