https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-254-Two-Incense-Sticks-Cultivation/12917071/
Chapter 255: The Unpredictable Red Lantern Goddess
Chapter 255: The Unpredictable Red Lantern Goddess
"Where am I? Who am I? What am I doing?"
The Red Lantern Goddess was in the Crimson Gate Village outside the Bright Province Capital, eagerly anticipating the completion of her temple day by day, yet also feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension.
As usual, she bowed in the four cardinal directions daily, praying that the powerful master hiding in the Bright Province Capital would not make things difficult for a weak woman like her. But on this particular night, as she was bowing her head, she suddenly felt a strange sensation and was inexplicably pulled over.
She was startled for a moment, thinking that the master had summoned her.
However, upon arriving at the spell altar in the remote wilderness, she saw the young Junior Overseer on the altar and suddenly realized:
"How is it him?"
Still dazed, she slowly came to her senses: "Am I... summoned here?"
It wasn't until she saw the half-length red incense that she finally understood what was happening.
Normally, only the disciples of the Red Lantern Goddess or those who burned incense could borrow her spiritual power, and even then, they had to recite her name, dedicate their lives, and show reverence. Only if she was willing would she lend them her power.
This unannounced summons, especially one that directly summoned her spiritual power and essence, could only mean two things:
One, someone with immense power had directly summoned her.
The other possibility was a special reward she occasionally granted to her disciples.
Managing such a large Blood Feast Guild was exhausting.
When disciples achieved great feats, they couldn't be neglected, but rewarding them with blood feasts for every achievement wasn't feasible.
It wasn't enough! Blood feasts were limited, and she needed them, as did those above her and the Left and Right Protectors. Even the incense burners desired them.
Some received more, while others got less, but none could be left out.
If everyone received too much, what would be left for her? Moreover, rewarding every achievement with blood feasts wouldn't highlight the value of exceptional feats. Thus, the Red Lantern Goddess, once troubled by this issue, decided to offer her disciples a unique reward based on the suggestion of her most trusted Right Protector:
"What's the point of giving blood feasts or promotions? If blood feasts become too common, they lose their value. And if promotions are given too easily, they become meaningless."
"So, you give them a chance to save their lives."
"For those who have made outstanding contributions, give them half-length incense, promising that if they light it, you will lend them a third of your power to save their lives."
"After all, this doesn't cost a single penny, and even if they receive it, they won't use it casually. You, the Goddess, will gain a good reputation without having to physically rush to save their lives..."
"..."
At that time, the Red Lantern Goddess genuinely didn't know such a method existed.
After a moment of hesitation, she found that this reward was unexpectedly effective, and all the disciples who received it were thrilled.
The Right Protector was indeed brilliant...
The same was true for the Junior Overseer who had helped her during the duel, as his contribution was significant yet crucial at a critical moment.
Giving him too much blood feast would make her feel anxious, but not rewarding him would cause everyone in the Blood Feast Guild to look at her. So, based on the Right Protector's suggestion, she gave him a half-length life-saving incense, putting this matter to rest...
...But would he actually use it?
Didn't the Right Protector say that people would typically keep such items, hide them, and never use them?
In that instant, the Red Lantern Goddess felt a mix of emotions, unsure what to say. But before she could fully process everything, she noticed something else: "Wait, not only did this kid summon me, but he also set up an altar..."
Do you understand the rules? You summoned me to save your life, which is one thing, but by setting up an altar, you're trying to put yourself on equal footing with me...
Or even, with you on the altar and me below it, how dare this bold and confident Junior Overseer attempt a rebellion?
The Red Lantern Goddess, sensing this, was genuinely dissatisfied and even wanted to get angry, but when she saw the Junior Overseer look up, presumably realizing her presence, she immediately felt delighted.
She turned to a dark-faced but charming girl beside her and said, "It's alright, the Goddess has arrived."
"Rest assured, Zhang Agu, throughout the Bright Province Capital, everyone knows that our Goddess is kind-hearted, building temples and burning incense, a true savior of the suffering."
"I said that inviting her here would calm our hearts, no matter how many demons find us."
"..."
Zhang Agu was taken aback by these words: "Usually, you don't speak so highly of your Goddess..."
The Red Lantern Goddess, about to get angry, was also momentarily stunned by these words: "This is on the altar; Junior Overseer, don't speak recklessly..."
The spell altar connects heaven and earth; who knows who might hear these words!
...Although they were quite flattering!
...
At that moment, Hu Ma, while praising her, stared at the red lantern, seemingly not too angry and not eager to take her life.
She immediately felt relieved, thinking she had appeased him.
Aware of the urgency, she quickly recited the incantation, shouting:
"Red Lantern hides the life of Ghost Jiao'e, the Goddess's chariot crosses the Bridge to the Underworld."
"I invite the Goddess to descend her power, holding the red lantern that illuminates the four directions!"
"Red Lantern, Hu Ma, the Junior Overseer of Green Stone Town, respectfully invites the Goddess to descend!"
"..."
These were the words used when inviting the Red Lantern Goddess in the guild, but this type of invitation required special red lanterns crafted by the artisans. However, Hu Ma couldn't manage that now.
The young man respectfully addressed the Goddess, his tone filled with reverence. He then raised the redwood sword in his hand and exclaimed, "I beseech the Goddess to protect my life, as I recite your name day and night, forever grateful for your great favor!"
Despite his polite words, the redwood sword in his hand suddenly pointed, and the red lantern beside him floated up.
The Goddess, residing within the lantern, was drawn involuntarily towards the evil spirit emerging from the woods.
At that very moment, within the woods, as Old Lady Cui struck the four altars with her shoe soles, a peculiar fragrance wafted out, and the green mule, seemingly under the influence of some dark spell, charged towards the spell altar, panting heavily.
Just then, the Goddess, suspended in mid-air, emanated a sinister red glow from the lantern, casting a crimson hue upon the surroundings.
"Huff..."
The fragrance from the woods reached the red lantern, causing the lantern in mid-air to sway precariously.
"This kid..."
Before the Goddess could fully react, several evil spirits rushed towards her, startling her:
"Are you here to disrupt our business?"
"Why are they so powerful?"
But before she could fully process the situation, the four evil spirits that had emerged from the woods surrounded the Red Lantern Goddess, snapping and biting at her.
These spirits, beaten by shoe soles, were filled with intense resentment and devoid of any blessings, making them truly malevolent ghosts.
At the same time, the Red Lantern Goddess, having received some incense offerings in preparation for building a temple, had cultivated a faint aura of incense. However, the plague aura emanating from the crazed green mule below made her head spin.
Anger welled up within her, and she unleashed it in that instant.
"Do you think I'm easy to provoke?"
The red lantern floating in the air suddenly intensified its crimson glow, exuding an eerie aura as it entangled with the four evil spirits.
These four evil spirits were painstakingly nurtured by Old Lady Cui and were exceptionally formidable. The Red Lantern Goddess had only descended a fraction of her true spirit onto the altar, yet she managed to suppress the four evil spirits.
"Our Red Lantern Goddess is so formidable..."
Hu Ma, standing on the altar, could see more than just the light from the lantern.
He could vaguely make out the Red Lantern Goddess lifting her sleeves, her hair loose, as she struggled against the four evil spirits.
His heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but marvel, "When will Little Red Tang be able to learn this skill too..."
"Little Red Tang still has a lot to learn. Even dealing with a ghost cat is challenging."
But before he could finish his thought, a foul stench reached his nostrils. He quickly looked ahead and saw the green mule, reeking of decay, charging straight towards the altar. In a short while, it would reach the front of the altar.
The crazed animal was terrifying to behold, and its appearance seemed amiss.
"Young Master, don't let that animal come over here..."
Aunt Zhang, standing nearby, was startled and exclaimed, "That's a cursed technique, the lowest of the low. If that animal comes over, it won't just disrupt our altar, but it will also infect us with sickness."
"Crooked ways..."
Hu Ma became cautious, following Aunt Zhang's instructions. He recited an incantation and casually plucked a straw from the ground, tossing it forward.
"Plop..."
At that moment, the spell power on the altar was at its peak, and Hu Ma's casual throw caused the straw to land by the altar. The charging animal tripped as if its hooves were tied, falling directly to the ground.
But the animal, already crazed, merely knelt, then struggled to its feet and charged towards the spell altar, its eyes wide with madness. The faster it ran, the more frantic it became.
Hu Ma suppressed his urge to draw his sword like a New Year Guardian and instead followed Aunt Zhang's instructions. He picked up a stone from the ground, recited an incantation, and threw it beyond the spell altar.
"Bang!"
This stone was even more powerful than the straw he had thrown earlier. The green mule, about to reach them, collided with an invisible wall and fell, breaking its neck due to its speed.
"Impressive..."
Although it was his own doing, Hu Ma felt like he had witnessed an extraordinary feat, and he marveled deeply.
Unbeknownst to him, Aunt Zhang, who was assisting in protecting the altar, watched him with widened eyes, astonished: "This...
"This is the first time he's performed a ritual, and he's so skilled..."
...
"Their altar is hard to break..."
Meanwhile, within the woods, Old Lady Cui and her companions were growing anxious.
The animal had been stopped, which was a minor issue. They merely wanted to contaminate the opponent's spell altar, making their spellcasting more difficult. However, the red lantern they had summoned was truly formidable.
The pressure from the altar intensified, and the four altar armies could only withstand it for a moment. Suddenly, one of the altars burst open, and the bones inside struggled as if trying to crawl out. But they only managed to emerge halfway before melting into black water.
The remaining three altars visibly shook violently, pressed down by endless pressure, as if they might explode at any moment.
Who was this person they had encountered? The altar's ghosts were fierce, making it a challenging situation to handle...
(End of Chapter)
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