The sky was slightly brighter, and the darkness above the night sky gradually faded away.
Soon, the sun will rise from the horizon, casting the first ray of golden light.
In the open space outside the temple, the Egyptians had already woken up early.
Most of them sat around the temple, some knelt on the ground, clasped their hands together, and prayed in a low voice.
Some looked up at the eastern sky, their eyes full of anticipation.
The elderly Egyptians were kneeling on the ground, trembling. They were much more excited than the young people.
These old men raised their hands high, their voices hoarse but full of piety: "Great Sun God Ra!"
"Please come again and protect your people!"
After saying this, several old men couldn't help but shed tears.
"We have waited too long, too long..."
Further away, several very young Egyptians gathered together, talking in low voices.
One of them said excitedly: "Hey! Have you heard it?"
"Today is the day the ceremony begins!"
"I heard from an old man that when the sun comes out again, flames will appear on the tail of the bird on top of the obelisk!"
The other person nodded immediately: "Yes! My grandfather and his family have waited for so many years, and finally this day has come!"
Having said that, he looked towards the old men near the Temple of the Sun, and saw his grandfather there, looking devoutly at the eastern horizon.
On the other side of the temple, the Hebrews stood in the distance, curiously watching the increasing number of Egyptians gathering.
They didn't dare to get close at all, but just watched the Egyptians' every move from a distance.
A young Hebrew man whispered to his companion, "What are they doing? Why are they all kneeling on the ground?"
His companion shook his head: "I heard that there will be some kind of ceremony to welcome them... It seems to be a god called the Sun God."
"Anyway, I'm not sure. I just heard it from others."
The young man just frowned and looked at the kneeling Egyptians from a distance: "This scale is almost catching up with the worship in Jerusalem."
Hearing this, his companion sneered, with a tone of disdain: "Are you kidding? How can it be compared with our pilgrimage?"
Although some of the Hebrews expressed disdain, many were inspired by the piety of the Egyptians.
And in the Temple of the Sun, everything is ready.
Torches were burning inside the temple, and the light shone on the murals and stone statues on the walls. At first glance, it would seem that the characters in the pictures were alive.
According to Renault's explanation, the ceremony of awakening the Temple of the Sun is called "Welcoming the Sun God Ra" and needs to be held in three times.
The first time was the sunrise ceremony, which symbolized the welcoming of the rise of Ra and required a morning ceremony.
The second time is the midday ceremony, which indicates that Ra's power has reached its peak and requires prayers and offerings.
The third time is the sunset ceremony, which symbolizes the farewell of Ra into the underworld and prays for Ra to defeat the evil snake god Apophis in the underworld.
At this time, the high-ranking priests of Holy Egypt had changed their clothes and put on special costumes that symbolized "servants of God."
These garments were made of pure white linen and embroidered with golden sun symbols, symbolizing that they were pure servants of the god Ra.
At this time, these high-ranking priests were carefully washing and wiping the statue of Ra with clean water. Their movements were gentle and careful, and they only wiped away the dust lightly.
At this time, Renault was standing in front of the altar, gazing at the eastern sky from afar.
There, the edge of the sun had already slightly appeared, and the morning light was about to shine on the earth and the city of Heliopolis.
The Temple of the Sun will soon light up again!
At this moment, Renault looked at the sky and took a deep breath. He felt that everything he could see with his naked eyes was so unreal.
The day before yesterday, I was still in the dark cellar waiting for someone to bring me food.
What he waited for was the King of Holy Egypt, and he was able to command everyone to repair the Temple of the Sun.
It's just like a dream.
So he turned around and looked at Lin Ke. Although he didn't say anything, it meant "the time is about to come."
Lin Ke nodded slightly, then he looked at the senior priests.
They now held silver kettles and slowly sprinkled clean water around the altar and temple.
According to Renault, this is a symbol of purification and a necessary preparation to welcome the god Ra.
Then, Renault went to the Temple of the Sun and lit a medicinal herb mixed with frankincense.
But in just a few minutes, a thin smoke slowly rose and filled the entire temple.
The aroma of frankincense is fresh and sacred, as if it can cleanse the human soul.
Then, the senior priests handed wet cloth to Lin Ke and everyone else and asked them to wipe their hands.
That represents purification of body and mind, it is a way of welcoming the god Ra and showing respect to it.
Lin Ke took the wet cloth, wiped his hands carefully, and then looked at the sky in the east.
It's time.
At this time, Lin Ke stepped forward, raised his voice and announced: "The ceremony begins!"
Inside the temple, Renault stood in front of the altar, raised his hands high, and said in a loud and solemn voice: "The morning light appears! Prepare to welcome the light of Ra!"
When the Egyptians heard this, they looked up at the distant sky and were so excited that even their breathing trembled.
At this time, Renault stood in front of the altar, raised his hands, and began to chant:
"Our great Ra, the light of the holy sun!"
"Please drive away the darkness and purify the filth here!"
"Please let chaos go and let order return!"
"Your light shines on the earth, your power protects all living things, and we are here to welcome your coming."
"May your glory remain forever in Heliopolis!"
At this time, the sun slowly rose in the distance, and the golden light shone on the sun disk and sprinkled on the altar.
But in an instant, the entire temple was illuminated brightly.
The image of the mythical bird on the obelisk seemed to come to life, and its tail became as red as the morning sun.
At this moment, the high-ranking priests in the temple also began to chant.
When the Egyptians outside the Temple of the Sun saw the Temple of the Sun become shining, they all exclaimed "Wow".
They prostrated themselves on the ground to show their piety to the great god Ra.
Their voices gradually merged together to form a unified sound.
"God Ra, please come and dispel the darkness and bring light!"
"We are willing to welcome your return with a pious heart!"
"Please protect your people and restore Heliopolis to its former glory!"
At the same time, Lin Ke turned his head and looked at Ramses.
He saw that Ramses' golden eyes began to flicker again.
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