In the blink of an eye, a day had passed.
On this fleeting day, Xia Chuan had fully stabilized his cultivation in the Silver Realm. His cultivation speed had been so rapid that had his foundation been unstable, it could have led to catastrophic consequences. Yet, with the assistance of the immense power of faith, his foundation remained unshakable. Every bone in his body had been tempered into golden bones, filled with immortal breath and strength.
Vaguely, he could feel his body evolving, shifting toward something far beyond human—toward the body of a god. An unfathomable aura emanated from him.
"I am not a true god yet, but soon, I will become one," Xia Chuan murmured, his fist clenched, feeling the powerful energy that surged within him. His body had begun to transform in a direction no human ever could.
Boom!
At that moment, mysterious voices echoed in his ears, resembling the chants of countless ancestors, the Sanskrit melodies of Buddhas, and the prayers of innumerable believers.
"Are these... the voices of my followers?" Xia Chuan's heart stirred.
He focused, peering into the void, and saw countless golden threads of faith connecting to him. As if hearing their prayers, he could feel the deep reverberations of their devotion. Each prayer was a surge of energy, fueling his power.
His mind's eye saw them—countless believers, kneeling in awe, their bodies glowing with golden light, their devotion radiating through the universe.
"How did the number of my followers increase so quickly?" Xia Chuan blinked in surprise.
Yesterday, he had been completely immersed in cultivation, refining his energy and tempering his body, unaware of the rapid accumulation of faith around him. Now, as he focused, he could see how the threads of faith had multiplied, intertwining with the Book of Wisdom, growing denser than before.
"Master, your believers have surpassed 12 billion, and the number continues to grow rapidly," the Book of Wisdom explained.
"What? 12 billion believers?" Xia Chuan's eyes widened in astonishment. "How did it rise so fast?"
Even the entire population of Xuan Huangxing was barely over 7 billion. To think his followers had already surpassed that number—his influence had become unimaginable. If word got out, the shock would be immeasurable.
The Book of Wisdom continued, "After a year, the Kingdom of Tang has completely annexed the Kingdom of Thunder, absorbing its vast population. As a result, the number of your believers has surged to 12 billion."
In the blink of an eye, a day had passed, fleeting and silent.
Xia Chuan, his heart steady, nodded as he absorbed the information. "So, Tang Guo has fully annexed Thunder Country's territory?"
The Book of Wisdom's voice resonated in his mind, clear and unwavering. "Indeed, Master. It was as expected. After a year, Tang Guo completed the integration of Thunder Country."
Xia Chuan's gaze darkened. This outcome had been foreseen—an inevitable result after the high-ranking officials of Thunder Country had been slain by his hand. Most of the kingdom's elite forces had been seized. If such a task had failed, it would have been a blow to Li Xiao's competence.
Thankfully, Li Xiao had proven his strength. In a mere year, Tang Guo's borders now stretched across Thunder Country, and with it, the number of Xia Chuan's followers grew exponentially.
"But why, then, am I suddenly hearing the prayers of so many believers?" Xia Chuan's mind swirled with confusion. "What has happened?"
Normally, every prayer from a believer would be sent to Xia Chuan through the lines of faith, but those prayers were usually filtered through the protective barrier of the Book of Wisdom. It shielded him from the overwhelming flood of messages that could easily drive him to madness.
Yet, now, something had changed. The messages were no longer filtered.
"The cause, Master," the Book of Wisdom explained, its tone even and grave, "is a grand worship ceremony led by Li Xiao. He gathered all the believers across the land of Thunder to unite in worship, hoping for a divine miracle to be shown."
Xia Chuan's expression shifted, realization dawning upon him. "So, Li Xiao seeks to unite his people with my power... to solidify his rule over this vast territory?"
"Indeed. Despite the annexation, unrest still lingers. Many enemies of Tang Guo seek to restore the old regime. Li Xiao believes that a display of divine might will not only solidify the faith of his followers but also send a message to those with ill intentions."
Xia Chuan, his fists tightening, understood the magnitude of the situation. "He needs my divine presence to secure the hearts of the people and ensure stability in the kingdom."
A quiet chuckle escaped his lips. "How quaint. But if they want a miracle, I will give them one."