I Can Use Myriad Divine Abilities-Chapter 176: Celestial King Hall

Xia Ruins, Central Ruins.

An ancient tower, mostly collapsed, stands silently at the center of Ruins City.

It is considered the landmark building of Xia Ruins, its remaining height greatly exceeding the city walls.

Therefore, it can be seen from a great distance.

Having endured hundreds or even thousands of years of harsh weather, the surface of the ruined tower is covered with marks of natural forces.

Yet its bones remain strong and firm.

The Primordial Celestial King Hall is inside this tower!

When Zhang Yuan arrived, the area around the tower was already a sea of people.

Countless people, holding incense talismans, knelt before the Celestial King Hall, praying for divine protection.

After the ritual, they placed the incense talismans into the copper burners.

Surrounding the tower are over a dozen large copper burners, specifically for offering incense.

Wisps of blue smoke spiral upwards, gathering into a swirling mist.

Straight up towards the sky!

Such a grand scene is quite normal before the arrival of the flood season.

In fact, many who come here to kneel and pray are farmers from the Outer Ruins.

They sell the painstakingly grown harvest in Ruins City, then use the leftover copper coins from their meager savings to buy incense talismans from the Daoist children serving the Celestial King.

And suppression talismans.

Finally leaving satisfied.

Zhang Yuan, after observing within the crowd, also took out silver taels to purchase an incense talisman.

Actually, for him, the effect of the suppression talisman should be minimal.

For low-level anomalies, Zhang Yuan can handle them himself.

For advanced ones, the suppression talismans are no more useful than waste paper.

But not buying would be a bit odd, and besides, they aren’t expensive.

So he bought two from a Daoist child.

The suppression talisman is the size of a palm, made from yellow hemp paper, with vermillion runes drawn like dragons and phoenixes.

It has a hint of Dao practice in it.

"Boundless Celestial Venerable!"

The Daoist child bowed, saying, "This layman, by purchasing five suppression talismans, you can enter the main hall to offer incense together!"

Zhang Yuan couldn’t help but laugh.

Such a sales pitch was quite familiar to him.

This Daoist child seemed to have a discerning eye, recognizing that Zhang Yuan could afford silver taels, so he deliberately said more.

"Good!"

Zhang Yuan straightforwardly bought three more suppression talismans.

Then he was led into the Primordial Celestial King Hall.

The believers in this hall were not few, and it was filled with spiraling smoke, enshrouding the majestic statue.

Yet the attire and demeanor of those here were markedly different from those outside.

Zhang Yuan did not compete for position with others and found a corner to light his incense talisman.

He bowed three times before the Celestial King statue at the center of the hall.

Zhang Yuan was well aware.

Regardless of the Primordial Celestial King, Dragon God, Earth Traveling God, City God, or Earth God.

None are true deities.

They are the embodiment of collective belief, a spiritual refuge, that over time developed spirituality.

Thus they gained the powerful ability to counter the anomalous.

To protect the people of the land.

While Daoist masters can borrow belief power, draw talismans, and cast spells to unleash various magic.

Zhang Yuan straightened up, his gaze on the Celestial King statue.

This statue stands over ten meters high, clad in Cloud Dragon Golden Armor, holding a hammer in its left hand and a scepter in the right. Its physique, appearance, and posture convey immense might.

The brow of this Primordial Celestial King even has a vertical eye.

Zhang Yuan stood to the right of the statue, not directly facing the Primordial Celestial King.

But when Zhang Yuan stared at the statue, the Primordial Celestial King’s vertical eye seemed to suddenly "come alive," turning to meet his gaze!

Zhang Yuan was startled.

The next moment, a strange power suddenly surged towards him.

Before Zhang Yuan could react, it disappeared abruptly.

Like a breeze brushing past, leaving no trace.

But his chest suddenly emitted a faint golden glow!

The incense talisman in Zhang Yuan’s hand burned away at a startling speed.

A murmur arose around him.

Many noticed the anomaly with Zhang Yuan, staring at him with wide eyes.

Eyes filled with excitement and longing.

Some even with envy.

Zhang Yuan didn’t understand, but felt something was amiss.

Such attention is not what someone with a five thousand tael bounty needs!

"Boundless Celestial Venerable!"

Fortunately, a Daoist appeared just in time, shielding Zhang Yuan from the many covetous glances.

This Daoist had an upright posture and handsome features, with long, slender eyes and an androgynous aura.

He smiled, bowing to Zhang Yuan, "This layman, I am Daoist Xuan Cheng, may I have a word with you?"

Zhang Yuan nodded, "Alright."

Though cautious, refusing wasn’t a wise choice.

So Daoist Xuan Cheng led Zhang Yuan to a side hall.

After they sat down, Daoist Xuan Cheng began, "May I ask the layman’s honored surname?"

Zhang Yuan replied openly, "Zhao Yun."

This Daoist seemed unlikely to have malicious intent—at least, Zhang Yuan couldn’t sense any.

"So it’s Layman Zhao."

Daoist Xuan Cheng nodded, then asked, "Pardon my rudeness, but would you be willing to serve as an Outer Guardian for our hall?"

Outer Guardian?

Zhang Yuan was taken aback.

He knew what an Outer Guardian meant.

It’s similar to being an Honored Guest Elder in a guild, a prestigious position not just anyone could hold.

However, this was Zhang Yuan’s first visit to the Celestial King Hall, with no connections, except for...

He realized, taking out the suppression talismans hidden in his robe.

The five suppression talismans’ vermillion runes had turned golden.

Their grade elevated instantly!

"Surely the layman understands now."

Daoist Xuan Cheng smiled, "The Celestial King’s blessing is a rare chance, the layman is fated with our hall!"

Zhang Yuan had not expected that buying a couple of suppression talismans would trigger the statue’s spiritual mechanism.

A fortunate event indeed.

However, after considering Daoist Xuan Cheng’s proposal, Zhang Yuan politely declined, "Thank you for the invitation, but I don’t favor restrictions, please understand."

He bore a great secret, even wielding a Divine Soldier.

Moreover, Zhang Yuan was an enemy of the Cyan Cloud Temple.

As the saying goes, all Daoist lineages under heaven are one family.

Exposure of his secret or identity could lead to dire consequences!

Although the responsibilities of an Outer Guardian are light, the involvement would complicate matters.

Zhang Yuan had traveled long distances to Xia Ruins, not to stand out.

"A pity, then."

Daoist Xuan Cheng wasn’t surprised, only slightly regretful, "Since the layman is not willing, I cannot force it."

After a pause, the Daoist continued, "If you ever change your mind, you are welcome anytime!"

Zhang Yuan nodded, "Alright."

Such courtesy needed to be shown, giving Daoist Xuan Cheng a graceful exit.

Daoist Xuan Cheng carried an ethereal aura, far from ordinary.

Such a person, even if not a friend, there’s no need to make an enemy.

Daoist Xuan Cheng personally escorted Zhang Yuan out of the hall.

Upon parting, he said meaningfully, "Layman, the flood is coming, be careful."