Chapter 234: Temple Mountain Opening

As one offering after another was presented on the altar, the drumbeats intensified.

The hearts of the crowd surged with the rhythm of the drums.

After fifteen minutes, the drumbeats gradually ceased.

People realized that Yu Su was about to appear, and eager gazes turned towards the altar.

"...Dong!"

With the final drumbeat, Yu Su stepped onto the steps of the altar.

A hush fell over the scene; everyone looked up at Yu Su as he, adorned with a magnificent mask, ascended the altar and turned to face the square. When they saw him, an air of profound reverence and impactful beauty enveloped the area, silencing any disrespectful thoughts.

The sacred and impactful beauty made people dare not harbor a hint of irreverence.

The first step remained the worship of the deities. Leading the crowd, Yu Su knelt before the idol of the God Bai Ze and the totem of Qing Ze, representing the devout faith of the people of Yucheng.

Next was Yu Su's ritual dance.

At this stage, almost everyone's blood was ignited with anticipation. People watched Yu Su on the altar without blinking.

Observing the citizens on the square devoutly gazing at the altar, Yu Su took a slow, deep breath and exhaled. He raised his left hand, adorned with tiny bells on the wrist that produced a crisp sound with his movements.

Today, he would perform the ritual dance on behalf of all the residents of Yucheng, offering a dance of devotion to the God above and the God of the Mountain.

He has two requests – one, to invite the deity's image into the Temple of the Gods, and two, to invite the mountain god into the Temple Mountain. The responsibility is significant, and he hopes everything will go smoothly today.

Casting aside distractions, Yu Su devoutly presented the meticulously practiced ritual dance.

The clear sound of bells echoed through the heavens, reaching the firmament.

A sacred dance connecting heaven and earth unfolded before the eyes of the deities with the accompaniment of the bell sound.

The devout people of Yucheng, spontaneously kneeling in this sacred dance, hands folded over their chests, sent forth their most sincere requests:

"O esteemed deities above, please hear our prayers."

"We devoutly offer to you, the most loyal believers. We are willing to present our hearts, offer bountiful sacrifices, seeking your blessings and protection. We implore you to dwell in the temple we sincerely prepared for you, and we will faithfully worship you day by day."

Countless sincere voices, witnessed by the heavens and the earth.

The deities, lowering their gaze, moved by the devotion, finally revealed a radiant light. A divine light descended from the sky, entering the grand temple.

"It's the deity!"

"The deity has heard our pleas!"

"Hurry, bow down!"

The citizens kneeling on the ground, reverently bowed, their heads touching the earth, worshiping their deities.

Watching this scene, the attending guests were awe-struck.

Even if they weren't residents of Yucheng, they too knelt down, bowing their heads towards the Temple Mountain.

Amidst the lingering clear sound of bells, the performer on the altar continued the divine dance.

Chi Nan gently lifted his head, gazing at the Temple Mountain.

No matter how many times he witnessed such miracles, he couldn't help but be moved.

The deity worshipped by the people of Yucheng seemed too partial to his followers.

Once, the marine tribe went through great efforts to hold numerous deity rituals, but never received a glance from their deity.

Yet, the God Bai Ze consistently responded to the heartfelt cries of Yucheng's people.

Rumors of Bai Ze being aloof and ill-tempered seemed entirely false.

This deity was undeniably gentle to his followers.

Gentle to the extent that Chi Nan couldn't help but feel jealous.

Chi Nan shifted his gaze towards the performer on the altar, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Perhaps, all of this was because of that person.

"Ding Ling Ling—"

The clear sound of bells gradually became distinct, purifying Chi Nan's murky thoughts.

As the distractions in Chi Nan's mind slowly receded, he saw a auspicious cloud approaching from the direction of Lu Shen Mountain.

As it turned out, after Yu Su invited the divine light of the upper god into the temple, he began the second request.

The second request was to invite the mountain god of Lu Shen Mountain to reside in Temple Mountain.

The crisp sound of bells resonated, and the crowd slowly raised their heads.

Upon the auspicious cloud, a noble and sacred white deer, adorned with iridescent light, descended gracefully onto the peak of Temple Mountain.

Standing atop the mountain, it gazed down upon the land, then tilted its head, emitting a green light.

The green light gradually expanded, transforming into a giant tree that descended into the pool at the mountain's summit. It instantly took root, sprouting vigorously with luxuriant branches and leaves, forming a canopy resembling clouds. The azure-green light turned into a faint mist, slowly lingering.

A dense aura of water essence condensed into white mist, covering more than seventy percent of Temple Mountain. Outsiders could no longer peek inside.

From this moment, Temple Mountain opened, and the deity concealed itself.

Yu Su slowly ceased the ritual dance, leading all the people of Yucheng to kneel and welcome the deity's residence.

When everyone looked up, they could only see the majestic main temple and the faintly visible giant tree on the mountaintop. The trace of the deity was no longer visible.

However, everyone knew that the deity resided on Temple Mountain.

It surely watched over them at all times.

"This is the deity's blessing. With the deity's gaze upon Yucheng, those residing here will undoubtedly receive the deity's blessings!" exclaimed a guest in the audience.

This cry awakened the crowd, and the leaders of the major tribes, recovering from the spectacle, gazed at Temple Mountain with deep amazement.

"With the protection of a true deity, we must settle in Yucheng!"

"I agree."

There were numerous guests in attendance, and at this moment, they were all becoming restless.

Yu Su extended his hand, pressing it down, "Silence."

A quiet command echoed in everyone's ears, making them immediately quiet down.

Yu Su looked at the people of Yucheng, "Next, those with a green leaf or water pattern on the back of their hands, please step forward to the front of the altar."

The people of Yucheng were in an uproar, understanding the significance. They lowered their heads to examine the backs of their hands, looking excited yet nervous.

"I don't have it."

"Neither do I."

"Sob, I don't have it either."

Most people's hands were bare, with nothing on them.

The hopeful citizens of Yucheng, with disappointment written on their faces, looked at their empty hands.

"I have it! My son has it on the back of his hand!"

"My daughter has it too!"

Soon, different voices emerged from the crowd, and several parents, holding their children, excitedly ran towards the altar.

"Lord Yu Su, my son has it on the back of his hand!"

"Lord Yu Su, my daughter has it too!"

As Mountain Yang speculated, the chosen divine attendants were pure-hearted children. The oldest was twelve, and the youngest was only five. In total, there were six of them, evenly split between boys and girls.

Yu Su beckoned to those excited children.

The six children walked towards Yu Su, the youngest girl being held by him. The other five had to climb the steps on their own, which they did exceptionally well, not leaving anyone behind.

Yu Su nodded in satisfaction, leading them into the main hall.

The first thing was to kneel before the deity Bai Ze's image. This image was slightly different from the one used in the deity ritual – larger in size and with more vivid colors, visible as soon as you entered the temple.

Now, the deity's image radiated divine light, and even Yu Su dared not look up too much.

He instructed the six children not to stare at the deity's image.

Firstly, out of respect, and secondly, the divine light on the image was something they couldn't endure.

All six children nodded, their expressions a bit nervous.

Yu Su reassured them, "Don't be nervous. You'll get used to it."

Yu Zhang courageously said, "Lord Yu Su, rest assured. I'll take care of my younger siblings."

Yu Su smiled, very satisfied with Yu Zhang.

After paying respects to the deity's image, Yu Su led them to the mountaintop to meet Qing Ze.

Qing Ze lounged leisurely by the edge of the pond, reclining on a large stone. He tilted his head to bask in the sunlight, and on his noble, pristine antlers, faint green and creamy-white spots gently flickered.