Caspar City, inside the grand auditorium of Binaph University.
An elaborate ceremony was underway, with numerous business elites dressed in formal suits attending their graduation ceremony.
Among them, Wu Ming stood out particularly.
At just fifteen years old, having just reached the legal age of adulthood according to the kingdom’s laws, he had applied for early graduation and successfully passed all evaluations to obtain his degree.
“Congratulations!”
The principal handed Wu Ming his diploma and shook his hand for a commemorative photo. “The school will be proud of you!”
“Thank you!”
Wu Ming smiled politely, and their images were captured forever in a black-and-white photograph.
What Principal Binaph did not know was that this photograph would, in the future, become the most precious treasure of Binaph University, bringing untold honor to the institution.
…
For Wu Ming, this graduation was merely a small matter. After dealing with the ceremony, he ignored the curious and flirtatious glances from numerous beautiful senior female students and did not attend the evening ball, instead walking directly out of the school gate.
“Your Holiness!”
A long line of black cars was already silently waiting there, and Lady Lina, like a saintly figure, personally stepped out of the vehicle to open the door for him.
“Let’s go, to the Church headquarters!”
Wu Ming closed his eyes. At this moment, he had completely shed his shyness and was now the leader of a great church with hundreds of thousands of followers spread across the entire Kin Oak Kingdom.
The headquarters of the Church of Redemption still remained in Caspar City, but after gaining wealth, the church had relocated its headquarters to the suburbs, where it purchased dozens of acres of land, constructing a massive cathedral and holy residence. Pilgrims came in an unbroken stream every day, bringing enormous revenues that could fully sustain the entire headquarters.
Upon arriving at the headquarters, Lina and several other holy maidens reverently helped Wu Ming remove his suit and dressed him in formal clerical robes.
These robes were personally designed by Wu Ming, primarily white in color, incorporating the essence of both Hanfu and traditional priestly robes from his previous life, with wide sleeves and grand, luxurious, and solemn designs.
His papal vestments were naturally even more exquisite, with golden embroidery along the edges.
“With secular matters concluded, I can finally focus all my attention on church affairs!”
Wu Ming smiled as he spoke to the other senior members of the church.
He had gradually shifted his focus from Yinchao City to Caspar City and, in the future, might even relocate his entire family here.
After all, as the birthplace of the church, the Church of Redemption had developed best here, already boasting over 50,000 followers, with supporters and sympathizers even within the city hall.
“Kart, please give another report on the church’s status!”
Wu Ming looked at the others. These individuals were all at least bishops of certain regions and were considered the core leadership of the church.
After recruiting Andarniel into the church, the Church of Redemption received support from the upper echelons and rapidly expanded throughout the kingdom. Now, Wu Ming believed it was time to strengthen the faith and reorganize the church.
“As you command, Your Holiness!”
Kart, being Wu Ming’s senior in school, had graduated earlier and devoted all his energy to the development of the church.
“Currently, our Church of Redemption has dedicated churches in all major cities throughout the kingdom, with over 800,000 followers. The fifth batch of priests has successfully graduated, giving us a total of 1,367 priests, and a Holy Warrior Corps of 500 members…”
Compared to the church’s scale, this number of priests and holy warriors was still insufficient, with many regions facing shortages. However, Wu Ming was determined to maintain high standards, ensuring only those with firm faith and completed theological and divine studies were certified as priests, weeding out opportunists and casual believers.
After all, priests were the backbone and foundation of the church, an area where no compromises could be made.
As for how to distinguish the worthy?
Within the Church of Redemption, one’s devotion could be judged purely by the amount of spiritual energy contributed.
Wu Ming had developed a divine technique for this, which bishops and above could perform.
This led to a widespread belief within the church: “Your devotion to the deity can be directly seen by the priests!”
After this belief spread, the faith and unity within the entire church were significantly enhanced.
“Currently… in Caspar City, we already have three council members who came into power through our support, and we are cultivating and supporting others in other cities…”
Kart continued his report: “Our next goal is to find a suitable political party and push our candidates into the Kingdom Parliament!”
This marked a move from regional influence to central power. Considering the current scale of the Church of Redemption, it could indeed be said to possess the capability and qualifications for such a move.
“Hmm… excellent!”
Wu Ming glanced at the data from the Lord’s Space:
[The Lord’s Space]
[Controlled Zones: AI Zone, Divine Realm Zone, Reincarnation Zone]
[Number of Petitioners: 52,938]
[Number of Reincarnators: 3,109]
[Reserve of Spiritual Energy: 60,810,000 units]
…
Within the Lord’s Space, the reincarnators were still in soul form, but the accumulated spiritual energy and contribution points had already reached a level on the verge of qualitative change.
“Kart! Lina! Bob…”
Wu Ming called out the names of his senior staff: “I plan to hold a grand ceremony on the 15th of next month. This day will be a holy day, which will later become our Divine Birthday!”
“The day of our Lord’s arrival?”
The believers present were all deeply moved.
“Correct, it was the day I received divine revelation, and the day our God descended into this world!”
Wu Ming answered in a tone of religious fervor. The believers, having been indoctrinated, would even mentally fill in any inconsistencies they might perceive.
“On the Divine Birthday, all the faithful must pray at the church. On that day, our Lord shall bestow His glory…”
Wu Ming added slightly.
Large religious ceremonies were the best way to harvest spiritual energy. Wu Ming needed a grand celebration to provide a massive infusion of energy into the Lord’s Space, thus achieving a qualitative transformation.
…
With the church’s promotion, the Divine Birthday soon arrived.
On this day, devout followers came from all directions, almost causing traffic congestion throughout Caspar City.
Over 100,000 followers gathered at the headquarters of the Church of Redemption to begin their devout prayers. In other cities, followers who could not make the journey could only gather in their local churches, listening to the sermons of their priests in regret.
“There are a lot of people!”
At the headquarters, Wu Ming looked at the sea of people, the holy warriors striving to maintain order, and the reporters desperately trying to push their way in with cameras raised high, as he spoke to Kart beside him.
“Actually, compared to the older religions, we are still far behind in both number of followers and influence!”
Kart replied.
“The glory of our Lord must spread throughout the world!”
The subtle influence of faith, along with the nourishment and validation of divine power, had transformed this former business elite into an unwavering fanatic.
Wu Ming looked at this scene, feeling rather speechless inside.
“Remember to maintain order carefully and avoid any overcrowding or stampeding incidents at all costs!”
Out of caution, he still summoned Bob and gave him detailed instructions.
“I have already had the priests prepare healing spells. If necessary, even if it means revealing a little, our lambs must not be harmed!”
“I understand, Your Holiness!”
Bob solemnly agreed.
Time quickly approached noon. At exactly 12 o’clock, Wu Ming appeared inside the grand cathedral.
“Your Holiness!”
“Your Holiness!”
Seeing the appearance of Wu Ming, who had already become a symbol and spiritual figurehead, the followers stirred with excitement, but were soon calmed by the priests and holy warriors, lining up in orderly fashion.
“Our Lord, the God of Redemption, was born from chaos and bestowed divine revelation upon us on this day several years ago, saving humanity…”
Wu Ming spoke solemnly, his voice naturally carrying a calming power.
“Now, let us pray!”
“Our Lord, born from chaos, holds the authority of redemption!”
“Our Lord, Your path walks through the world, and Your divine kingdom is the resting place of our souls after death!”
…
The prayers of 100,000 followers formed a tidal wave of fervor.
The intense devotion caused the expressions of many onlookers, including reporters, to change dramatically.
Not only in Caspar City, but in Yinchao City, Eagle City, Victoria Harbor… practically all major cities across the Kin Oak Kingdom were filled to capacity in their Redemption Churches at this moment, with countless followers praying simultaneously.
Wave after wave of fervent spiritual energy poured in, making the Lord’s Space feel as if it were “getting full.”
“Not enough, still not enough!”
Observing the rapidly rising reserve of spiritual energy, Wu Ming contemplated, forming a new idea.
Buzz!
In an instant, at the center of the grand cathedral, the statue of the God of Redemption suddenly radiated a golden glow.
“What is that…”
A follower screamed, pointing at the statue.
“Our Lord! Our Lord has descended!”
“A miracle! This is a miracle!”
Wu Ming loudly declared.
“Because of our devotion, our Lord has specially descended a miracle to show His great power and approval!”
“A miracle! A miracle!”
Many reporters were stunned, yet did not forget to quickly press the shutter buttons on their cameras, while the followers outside wept and tried to push their way in. Fortunately, Wu Ming had prepared in advance, with Bob, the holy warriors, and a temporarily assembled group of guardians and priests maintaining order and calming the crowd, preventing any major incidents.
Boom!
The glow from the statue grew increasingly intense, eventually forming ripples that spread outward.
The core group of followers felt the benefits first, their ailments vanishing instantly. Even the priests and holy warriors felt their divine powers strengthened.
“This is the blessing of our Lord…”
They knelt down almost in tears, their prayers filled with the utmost devotion.
This scene was not only happening at the church headquarters; in countless churches, the statues of the God of Redemption were similarly emitting unparalleled golden light.
The followers were ecstatic, and the surge of fervent spiritual energy formed a holy tide.
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