Chapter 15 015 With such a barrage of praise and criticism, there's no guarantee that everyone...
At the exact moment of Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the platform filled with divine tablets suddenly lit up with divine light, and a huge golden scroll of divine lists descended into the air. The list on it contained the names of all the celestial beings who met the registration requirements for this Ascension Assembly.
The long-waiting pilgrims rushed forward, trying to find the name of their chosen deity on the list. Some cheered excitedly, while others who did not make the list left disappointed.
After the initial surge of people subsided, everyone was drawn to the name at the bottom of the list of gods.
"The Celestial God Zhiwei? Who is that?"
"Never heard of it! I've never seen this temple of the gods."
"Who is this? There must be a mistake. His incense offerings can't possibly be higher than my Heavenly God's! It doesn't make sense that he can be shortlisted while my Heavenly God is eliminated!"
"It's impossible to make a mistake. It's said that the Celestial Venerable set up the laws for this selection long ago with his divine power, and no one can interfere with it."
Discussions arose one after another until someone stood up to clarify things for everyone.
"Ah, I know who this Zhiwei is! Isn't he the god who built thousands of temples overnight!"
"Are they those temples whose construction can only be heard at night? Legend has it that they were built by Her Highness the Princess for the new god she is promoting?"
"So it was him!"
"This is so unfair! Besides Her Highness the Princess, what other pilgrims does he have? Why is he pushing out our Immortal Lord who has so many pilgrims?"
"Why would we need any other worshippers? The worship of the Princess alone is worth more than that of millions!"
"Heh heh, I'm afraid all the taxes and tributes we pay are being squandered like this..."
Rumors spread, and before the Ascension Ceremony even began, Zhiwei's name, like Yun Tianjiao's, became infamous throughout Yunchi Kingdom.
Those pilgrims who had been pushed down by him were afraid of Yun Tianjiao and dared not smash or destroy his temple, but they could not help but go there in groups to throw rotten eggs and tomatoes at him.
A thousand temples were erected, but the number of worshippers did not increase much. Instead, the rebels' ranks grew stronger, a feat unprecedented for a newly ascended deity.
...
Since returning to the palace from the outskirts of Yunji Mountain, Yun Tianjiao has been somewhat absent-minded, constantly glancing at Zhiwei.
Zhiwei is extremely sensitive and can always sense her immediately. She looks over with a smile, and Zhiwei quickly looks away.
This can't go on...
Yun Tianjiao felt somewhat frustrated, knowing that a certain firm foundation within his heart was being slowly shaken.
When he pointed to the place where she first lit incense for him and said it was his thousandth temple, when he said, "This place is extraordinary to me, and it is enough for Your Highness to know," she was horrified to find that a voice in her heart no longer reminded her as before: these are just insignificant gods, deliberately trying to curry favor in order to gain incense offerings, and should not be taken seriously.
At that moment, the first thing that came to her mind was the man's outstretched hand as he helped her onto the horse, the peach blossom branch he conjured for her with magic, the vibrant peony he painted on her ankle before going to the Ghost Realm, and the way he grabbed her wrist and asked when he was praised for his superb acting skills in front of Qingyuan: "Your Highness, can't I just be jealous?"
This is terrible.
She is only a mortal, and with such an offensive, she cannot guarantee that she can defend her heart every time.
Chunxi suddenly came to report: "Your Highness, Miss Shen is requesting an audience, and we servants cannot stop her."
After a moment's thought, Yun Tianjiao roughly guessed what Shen Qiongzhi had come for and said, "Why are you stopping her? Let her in."
Chunxi said worriedly, "Your Highness, Miss Shen seems to have come with great force, as if it's about the Ascension Ceremony..."
"It's alright, let her in."
When Shen Qiongzhi stormed into Chang Le Palace, she looked like she was there to interrogate someone.
"Sister Tianjiao! Didn't you say that no deities you worshipped would participate in the Ascension Ceremony this time? How come everyone outside is saying that you built a thousand temples in three months and promoted an unknown new god to the Ascension Ceremony?"
Yun Tianjiao smiled, his features as beautiful as a painting, and waved to Shen Qiongzhi, "Don't rush, come and have some tea first."
Shen Qiongzhi saw a celestial-looking man in black robes gracefully approaching, carrying a tray. However, for the young lady Shen, whose heart and eyes were completely devoted to Immortal Lord Zhu Jing, any handsome man in the world was nothing more than a skeleton.
"Who are you? I've never seen you in Chang Le Palace before."
“Replying to Miss Shen, I am Shen Zhiwei. We met at the incense-lighting platform last time.”
Shen Qiongzhi had long forgotten, but when she heard the name "Zhiwei," her eyebrows shot up. "So, you're the one at the bottom of the God Ranking! The one who's got connections and has suppressed so many respectable immortals!"
Yun Tianjiao coughed lightly, "Qiongzhi—"
Shen Qiongzhi realized she had been somewhat presumptuous, so she obediently lowered her head and gave Yun Tianjiao an apologetic bow, while muttering to herself, "What merit do I have..."
In just three months, a total of one thousand temples were built from scratch! If they all belonged to her Immortal Lord Zhu Jing, how wonderful that would be!
Zhiwei, without changing her expression, poured peach-colored fruit tea for the two of them and said to Yun Tianjiao, "I heard that Your Highness has not had an appetite for several days. This fruit tea was brewed by me with hawthorn, dried plum and several kinds of flower petals that can help with digestion. Your Highness, would you like to try some?"
Just as Yun Tianjiao was about to pick up the teacup, Zhiwei had already taken the cup for her and fed her the teacup to her lips.
Yun Tianjiao was already used to Zhiwei's service, so he took a bite from his hand and nodded, "Hmm, not bad."
Zhiwei gave a smile that could only be described as virtuous and gentle, "I'm glad Your Highness likes it."
Shen Qiongzhi: "..."
She rubbed the goosebumps on her arms, a little worried that this "Knowledgeable God" would feed her by hand just like he did to the Princess. However, she soon realized she was overthinking it. The God's gaze never left the Princess, as if she were invisible.
After drinking half a cup of tea, Shen Qiongzhi was still unwilling to give up and complained, "Your Highness, your move this time was really too extravagant. People are talking about it now, saying that your actions... your actions..."
Yun Tianjiao raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do you think of this?"
"This is unfair!"
Shen Qiongzhi placed the teacup on the table, lifted her skirt, walked around the table, and sat down next to Yun Tianjiao, taking her arm in a half-coquettish and half-scolding manner.
"Sister Tianjiao, people outside are saying that since you can build a thousand temples overnight to promote a new god, you can continue to spend money at the Ascension Conference to make this unknown new god the champion. In that case, the Ascension Conference won't be very interesting."
Yun Tianjiao said calmly, "This is not unique to me. Before the God Ranking was released, which god's worshippers didn't raise money and busily build temples and add incense for their gods? When the Ascension Conference officially begins, there will be no shortage of gods who rely on worshippers to spend money to raise their rankings."
"That's different! In terms of wealth, who in the entire Yun Chi Kingdom can compare to Your Highness? If you insist on having someone take the top spot, it's just a matter of lifting a finger."
Yun Tianjiao smiled faintly, "Look at what you're saying, as if I'm some kind of domineering person."
Shen Qiongzhi pouted, "Isn't that just domineering? The last time we met, he said that none of the gods he worshipped would be participating in the Ascension Ceremony. I don't know what kind of bewitching potion he's been given in these past few months!"
Yun Tianjiao feigned anger and pinched Shen Qiongzhi's cheek. "Well, you're getting more and more unruly, daring to make fun of me. It seems Lord Shen is right, it's time to find a tutor to properly teach you the rules of the palace."
Shen Qiongzhi wasn't afraid at all. Instead, she seized the opportunity and clung to Yun Tianjiao, shamelessly asking, "So why did you change your mind?"
Yun Tianjiao seemed annoyed by the pestering and surrendered, saying, "Fine, fine, I'll tell you. Actually, I just want Zhiwei to help me win the prize for the champion of this year's Ascension Tournament."
Shen Qiongzhi sat up straight instantly, her almond-shaped eyes wide open. "Just for this? Why didn't you say so earlier? You went through all this trouble!"
Yun Tianjiao remained unmoved. "Oh? What difference would it have made if I had said so earlier?"
"I can put in a good word with Immortal Lord Zhu Jing, and once he wins the championship, I can just give you the prize money!"
Yun Tianjiao's lips curled slightly. "What, you think you can make decisions for Immortal Lord Zhu Jing?"
Shen Qiongzhi said proudly, "It's not that I can make the decision, but my Zhu Jingxianjun has always been indifferent to material possessions. As long as you say you need it, he will give it to you for free."
"really?"
"Really? Really! Sister Tianjiao, it's settled then. I'll talk to Immortal Lord Zhujing and ask him to give you the prize after he wins. But you have to promise..." At this point, Shen Qiongzhi glanced at Zhiwei, making no attempt to hide her contempt, "...that during the Ascension Ceremony, you can't be so generous with incense offerings for any Tom, Dick, or Harry!"
Before Yun Tianjiao could respond, Zhiwei had already taken the initiative and bowed deeply.
"Your Highness."
The man, who had kept his head down, looked up and his eyes met hers.
"Your Highness has been so kind to me, I am already extremely grateful. The Ascension Ceremony is the focus of the whole country, and I dare not let Your Highness continue to help me at the risk of damaging your reputation."
Yun Tianjiao let Shen Qiongzhi in because of Zhiwei's words.
It's more dignified for him to speak up than for her to kick him out directly.
Just as she was about to agree, Zhiwei added, "However, I am still willing to do my best to help Your Highness fulfill your wish."
He spoke earnestly and solemnly, as if presenting her with a weighty sentiment.
Shen Qiongzhi, listening from the side, curled her lip, thinking to herself, what does this person mean? Does he think that without Her Highness the Princess's support, he can win the championship of the Ascension Conference on his own? On what grounds? Just because of his obsequious brothel-like appearance?
At least this person has some sense.
"Your Highness, look, even the Heavenly God Zhiwei himself has said so, what are you still hesitating for!"
Yun Tianjiao looked away, no longer glancing at Zhiwei.
She had already experienced firsthand how captivating a man's eyes could be.
"Since you have this wish, I will grant it to you, as this will be good for your future path to immortality. However, in this way, you will not need to stay by my side forever. Instead, you should take advantage of the time before the Ascension Assembly begins to go out and preach, bestow blessings, and gather pilgrims."
This time, Zhiwei didn't persist as shamelessly as usual. He just looked at Yun Tianjiao for a moment, then smiled slightly and kowtowed, saying, "Yes, Your Highness, this humble god will obey your decree."
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