Above Destiny

Chapter 509 Prayer
No one can say for sure whether there is a heaven above the clouds, but the heaven above the earth is before everyone’s eyes.

In the Eastern Diocese, in the Central City, under the afternoon sun, the marble spires glowed with glittering light, as bright as crystal. The bits of light gathered together, as if they had turned into stars under the scorching sun.

One magnificent temple after another stands on the earth. Under the many extremely gorgeous and extravagant decorations, each one looks solemn and dignified. Each one is ingeniously designed and beautifully different.

Around hundreds of giant churches, there are still many unfinished churches under construction. Even the foundations and beams are carefully wiped clean by believers...

When the bells ring, prayers and hymns can be heard in every church. Even in the streets and alleys, when it is time to sing, passers-by will kneel on the ground devoutly and pray towards the direction of the central parish and the Heavenly City.

Praise God for giving me a new life, praise God for creating such a peaceful world, praise God for giving me eternal life...

The same piety is engraved on each of the completely different faces.

Why not believe?

Why not praise?!
Brothers and sisters, aren't we in the Kingdom of God right now? Haven't you ever felt the love and mercy of the Holy Spirit from the warm sunshine and gentle moonlight? Aren't our lives at this moment all given by the great and holy God?

So praise him, pray to him forever, for only in this way can we repay the love of rebirth, and only in this way can we humble mortals get closer to the sacred throne...

This is what is called heaven!
"It's so beautiful."

Ji Jue stood on the street, staring at everything in front of him, sighing from the bottom of his heart.

Like a puppet, he controls countless tools, making them spontaneously offer everything to him, even their ego and soul. Even if he levies heavy taxes, he will only regard it as the love of the gods, and be grateful...

Why didn’t I think of such a wonderful way to deal with it?
Could it be that his underground assembly line had gone astray?

Learn, learn, and learn more...it will be useful in the coastal industry.

For some reason, Yan Fei, who was following Ji Jue like a follower, paused subconsciously and felt a chill. But when he looked up at Ji Jue, he only saw a familiar smile.

It's an illusion, probably.

He shook his head to dispel the previous thought, and then tried hard to keep his expression calm, with his eyes lowered, like any humble pilgrim.

Just stepping on the ground near the temple was enough to make me almost...vomit!
How much he admired and worshipped all this in the past, how much resentment and resentment he now feels.

One day, Yan Fei, one day.

You have to burn all these things to ashes!

Even if my teeth are broken, my nails are worn off, my hands are worn flat, and my blood is drained...

Snapped!
Someone suddenly patted him on the shoulder, causing his gradually ferocious expression to twitch, as if he had just woken up from a dream.

It’s Ji Jue.

"Eat candy?"

Ji Jue opened his palm, revealing a few lumps of sugar extracted from malt.

Yan Fei subconsciously shook his head, wanting to refuse, but the candy was stuffed into his hand.

"Eat it. Children should eat candy. Sugar is good. It can dilute the bitterness in your mouth."

Ji Jue threw a piece into his mouth and said calmly: "If you feel pain, just eat candy, Yan Fei. No matter how tormented and desperate you are, as long as you can still feel sweet, it means that they haven't taken everything from you."

Yan Fei remained silent, holding the candy in his hand for a long time, then stuffed the broken candy into his mouth, lowered his head, and followed closely.

To be fair, even the most demanding person would not be able to say anything critical when seeing such a city and scene, right?
Everyone loves each other, everyone loves each other, the streets are filled with a warm atmosphere, there are no quarrels, no hatred. Although there are not many goods in the store, the prices are low. You don't have to work day and night to gain a place, nor do you have to fight to the death to win a higher position.

Here, even an ordinary person doesn’t have to worry about being hungry or the future.

Pray, just pray.

Those who can come here have proved that they are the most devout believers. As long as they continue to prove their piety, they can win eternal peace.

Except for those who know the details of this yellow millet dream, all the souls involved here are happy, spending every day in ignorance and peace.

In the eyes of many of them, they had already died in the spiritual plague, and the fact that they had a second life was entirely a gift from God.

So what's the reason not to believe?

Even if non-believers are treated so cruelly, isn't this as it should be? Since you have been reborn by the grace of God, you still treat God hypocritically, and even overestimate your own abilities and ambitiously want to blaspheme the Holy Spirit... You really deserve to die!

Pious, focused, smiling, happy.

Continue to be pious, continue to be focused, continue to smile, and continue to be happy.

To the extent that... the people in it have never realized how long it has been since their expressions changed. And can any other expressions and spirits appear on that empty face that has nothing but a smile?
Greed, hunger, jealousy, anger...

How long has it been since I felt this way?
"That is to say, only those who pray devoutly and gradually wash away their original sin can be so pure, right?" Ji Jue asked curiously.

Yan Fei remained silent and nodded.

Complying with Ji Jue's request, he restrained the vicious words that came out of his mouth, as well as the expressions of hatred and resentment that were inconsistent with this place.

It was like he was at the bottom of the sea. In just a few hours, he was almost suffocating.

"Hey, even the walking dead have such a nickname..."

Ji Jue sincerely sighed: "Human creativity is truly infinite."

The bell rang again!

Prayers and hymns like the tide of the sea rang out again, covering every corner of the streets and alleys, and everyone knelt on the ground respectfully.

In the corner, two people wearing amulets that reduce their presence and draw less attention from others are as inconspicuous as the statues of saints that can be seen everywhere.

Ji Jue knocked on the wall next to him curiously. Suddenly, a brick fell off from the towering church, and fell across a distance of hundreds of meters.

Bang!
A believer who was kneeling on the ground praying had his head smashed into a ball of flesh in an instant.

The believers nearby turned a blind eye, as if they had not sensed anything, and lowered their eyes to praise. It was not until the prayer was over that screams of fear were heard from the street.

Finally someone discovered...

At the highest point of the church, the brilliant and glorious glazed tiles fell off!

What a neglect!

The crowd gathered, surrounded the surroundings, and worked together to repair the situation, climbing over the headless body beneath their feet. The believers on the ground gradually grew heads again and climbed up, regretting that they had not been able to complete their prayers just now. They volunteered to roll up their sleeves and climb up.

Amidst everyone's cheers and shouts, the tiles were reinstalled.

Ji Jue was also amazed and almost moved to tears - could it be that a tool like this could be so useful?

How awesome!

He silently witnessed the incredible scene before him, as well as the bright and sparkling flashes above the churches.

The light rose up, even if it was only a tiny wisp so fleeting, countless lights gathered together and turned into a mighty river, converging towards the Heavenly City of the Central Diocese in the distance.

Such a magnificent scene will appear every three hours, and even more often late at night. There are countless people praying day and night without a break!
No, it's more like... paying taxes than praying.

With the help of the phantom emblem in his soul, Ji Jue has seen the source of countless light spots... all the consciousness and souls in the dream at this moment.

God is so generous.

There is no need for offerings of money, nor is there any need for hard work and sacrifice from mortals. All that is needed is prayer. As long as one continuously pays taxes with one's "self", it is enough to please the gods and they will bestow generous gifts.

The so-called "prayer" is the process of gradually peeling off the deepest core of the soul, which constitutes the "self-nature" of consciousness, through concentrated meditation.

Countless self-natures turned into light spots and fell into the mouth of the gods continuously.

It's just like herding cattle and sheep.

In this dreamlike slaughterhouse, the lambs unknowingly tore apart their own souls and offered them on the altar without any resistance.

Over time, soil piles up to form mountains and water accumulates to form seas. Through this kind of long-term, wide-ranging and small-yield harvest, the value and benefits of believers are maximized.

In the process of gradual separation and separation of "self" and "self-nature", people will gradually lose their emotions, persistence, desires, and even the ability to think, step by step towards the end of becoming a walking corpse.

In the end, he even completely forgot his own appearance and transformed into a faceless praiser in his dream. Even if he was no longer worth harvesting, he could still serve as a fulcrum of the dream, making this pipe dream more stable.

Even until the end, they didn't know what they had lost.

Perhaps, even if I knew, I wouldn't care.

Self? Is it useful?
In the outside world, can I get a piece of bread? Can I get a special medicine for emergency treatment? Even if I kneel down and kowtow, abandon my dignity, and show my ugly behavior, can I make those warlords raise their guns an inch higher?

Compared to the cruel reality, isn't this dream a kind of mercy?
In the end, people will willingly go to the place they choose... no matter if it is hell or heaven ahead.

But how much blood and tears is heaven made of?

Who created hell?

"How pathetic..."

Ji Jue murmured softly and continued forward at his usual pace.

Yan Fei followed behind him, still walking step by step, but, as he walked, he couldn't help but always raised his head and looked at the back in front of him.

For some reason, he felt that Mr. Ji didn't seem to be smiling anymore.

"Oh, you two, you're finally back."

Behind the magnificent church, outside the inconspicuous warehouse, Bao Dacai smoked his own hand-rolled cigarette, yawning lazily: "It's really hard for an old man like me to wait. Don't the young people nowadays know how to respect the elderly and love the young? My old arms and legs..."

"Dear, I suggest that if you can't wait, you can go directly to the funeral."

Ji Jue replied with a smile.

Are you guys, Nirvana and Deng Shao, taking advantage of your seniority to bully others?

He dared to bet that if something really happened, Old Deng would run with the bucket, and the speed of his old legs would be faster than a missile...

"Oh, there are two new faces this time."

Next to Old Man Bao, the elegant middle-aged man also smiled warmly and took the initiative to extend his hand: "You are indeed a young talent. There are so many heroes in the resistance camp."

"Thank you."

Ji Jue also held the other person's hand with both of his own hands, as if they were reunited as lovers, inseparable: "The development of the camp still depends on the support of knowledgeable people like you!"

"No, it's just the icing on the cake, just the icing on the cake."

The middle-aged man stroked his beard and laughed triumphantly.

Just as there are traitors everywhere, there is never a shortage of traitors who are willing to take risks for personal gain.

Who could have imagined that this revered priest of the Eastern Diocese would be the biggest collaborator of the resistance camp?

Living in a temple is not easy.

If you can't take care of your boss, how can you stand out from the countless other competitors? How can you... make those annoying eyesores and stumbling blocks go to the prison on their own?

It’s all cooperation, it’s all business.

It's good for you and it's good for me, so why not do it?

After some warm greetings, they were soon invited into the warehouse. Although the warehouse looked ordinary, its interior was magnificent and luxurious, even not inferior to the temple.

"Here, everyone, have a taste of the fine tea."

The middle-aged man picked up the black tea and took a sip elegantly. There were even various fresh fruits and snacks presented by the servants. The hookah stove was lit, and the aroma was rich and fragrant.

After taking off his religious robes, the priest put on a long robe made of silk and gold thread and lay on the couch, enjoying the massage and clothing of the girl. He waved his hand generously and asked the servants to bring more delicacies and fine wine.

Ji Jue didn't despise it at all. He calmly rolled up his sleeves and started eating without any hesitation. He even tore off a roasted leg of lamb, sprinkled it with spices, and gave it to the boy behind him.

Seeing that Ji Jue was so down-to-earth, unlike those people before who were envious and pretentious, the priest's smile suddenly became a little brighter.

It looks like I'll be able to make some money this time.

Unfortunately, I heard that the other party’s camp is about to collapse, and there will be less and less business like this in the future...

After eating and drinking, the priest washed his hands and clapped his hands. Naturally, a servant presented a prepared list with various supplies on the list for them to choose from.

Flour, cloth, steel, even drugs that accelerate regeneration and holy water that can instantly restore a bone to its original state even if only one joint is left - almost everything is available.

And the price is... more than ten or a hundred times more expensive than its real value!
This is the benefit of being the only one.

If you don't want it, can you buy it somewhere else?

"It's just a panacea that speeds up recovery, but it actually requires forty tons of water jade essence?" Ji Jue pinched his chin, looking embarrassed: "Isn't this... a bit too exaggerated?"

"Oh, there's nothing I can do."

The priest sighed, looking distressed: "This is not just my business. I have to take care of everyone along the way. Besides, these things have been strictly checked by the higher-ups lately, so it's not easy to cheat."

Although his face was sad, his heart was also a little sad.

After all, it seems difficult to get any benefits from this resistance camp.

Otherwise, report them and sell them. Anyway, there are other camps, so there is no need to worry about lack of business. It just so happens that the recent holy expedition is still lacking a lot of progress. If you add some positioning in the supplies and follow the clues, you may be able to catch some big fish!

In his scattered thoughts, he heard Ji Jue's voice.

"I want this, this, and this, and these."

Ji Jue took the pen and started marking on the form without stopping. His speed was so fast that the priest was almost stunned and couldn't believe it.

Just looking at the things he had outlined, and the price that had to be paid… just thinking about that number, the priest's face turned red and he could hardly breathe.

Damn it, how come it felt like there was no oil or water just now, but now it starts spewing out phlogiston?
No, man, are you guys in the resistance camp so rich? !

Or did they loot the warehouses of other parishes and then sell the stolen goods?
His eyes lit up. In this case, the price would have to be severely reduced!

Seeing Ji Jue’s almost completed list, Ji Si was so happy that he could hardly close his legs and was about to burst with joy.

Then, I heard Ji Jue’s last voice.

"Oh, by the way, this time, besides buying some items, my main job is to sell them."

Ji Jue paused for a moment, then suddenly grinned, revealing a warm smile with eight teeth: "I wonder if you accept the barter method of transaction?"

Sell… sell? Barter… for goods?
In the brief silence, the priest stared at him in a daze, and suddenly smiled.

I don't know whether he was amused or angry.

sell?

What the hell can you sell to me when you can't even build a textile factory? Oh, the old men and women in the camp have nothing better to do and are doing handicrafts?
Are you looking for me to sell you knitted sweaters or embroidered paintings?

Snapped.

At that moment, the thing in Ji Jue's hand fell on the table and slid over.

The sharp edges left two scratches on the smooth paint surface, which made the priest frown. But then he saw what was in front of him.

So familiar.

That is……

"...Holy Seal?"

The priest held the thing in his hand, frowned, and frowned again and again, so tightly that almost all his facial features were wrinkled into a ball. He tilted his head and looked at Ji Jue, as if he was looking at a mentally retarded person.

No, you are a representative of a resistance camp, and you come to the cult and find me, wanting to sell several holy seals to the believers, which the cult gives out for free during festivals?
Wait a minute, let me sort it out.

Excuse me, are you crazy or am I crazy?

Or are you here to tease me?!

"Yes, it is indeed the Holy Seal."

As the priest's gaze gradually darkened, Ji Jue continued to smile warmly, "But I like its other name better..."

He paused and said slowly:

"——Fully automatic prayer machine!"

(End of this chapter)