Chapter 090: Holy Spirit’s Blessing
“No!” Dongfang clung to a small tree beside her, refusing to budge, her face defiant. “I’d rather eat a hundred roasted chickens than drink something so bitter. It’s disgusting.”
“Be good. If you drink this every day, I’ll bring you delicious food every day. I’ll take you wherever you want to play. It’s just a small vial, one gulp and it’s over…” At this point, to trick the little girl into submission, Chen Ran had to use all his trump cards. “After you drink it, I’ll immediately buy you candy!”
“Really?” Hearing such favorable conditions, Dongfang pouted. Although she was still a little reluctant, she picked up the test tube, pinched her nose, and drank it in one gulp. After drinking, she stuck out her tongue to show how truly disgusting it was.
Feeling the shamanistic power in Dongfang’s body gradually activate, catalyzed by the potion, the shamanistic nature within her would begin to circulate on its own, accelerating the growth of her spirit summoning power.
After observing for a while, Chen Ran finally nodded in satisfaction, instructing little Dongfang to persevere every day, promising a surprise.
Time passed quickly, and the opening day Chen Ran had mentioned at the ball arrived.
On this day, Chen Ran was woken up by the old gatekeeper, who said that there were too many guests outside. The carriages had already filled the entire street, all waiting for the High Priest to begin his lecture.
Having missed morning service for a month, Chen Ran had forgotten about this. He quickly got up, dressed up, and even struck a pose in front of the mirror before heading to the church’s main hall.
Although he had guessed that many people would come on this day, Chen Ran had still greatly underestimated the number of guests his abilities could attract. The people who came to the church were all wealthy and noble. Chen Ran didn’t see that many of them had any physical ailments. Perhaps most of them were just here to join in the fun.
But this was also good. It proved his unparalleled influence and handsomeness, a certain man thought to himself.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy that you can all gather here. I believe the God of Light will be very happy to see this once-declined small church filled with so many guests for the first time. May each of you be blessed by the God of Light every day.”
Fortunately, most of the people who came were polite. Although there was no one to maintain order in Chen Ran’s church, the atmosphere was still very harmonious, without any chaos.
Someone in the audience couldn’t help but ask, “Your Excellency High Priest, you said that night that you would start morning service today, and that your power could help at least three people recover their health every day. I would like to know what price we have to pay for this.”
Chen Ran smiled. “Indeed, using that kind of spell consumes a lot of my power, but for everyone’s sake, it’s worth it. Of course, this is not free. For the development of the church, everyone needs to pay a price. For now, we can only use a bidding method to obtain the healing slots.”
At this, Chen Ran specially declared, “Of course, I’m not short on this little bit of money. All the remuneration I receive for healing everyone present will be deposited in the church, not for my personal expenses. Those who get a slot can have their injuries healed, or they can choose one person for me to treat. I will record every single amount received, which will be used for the expansion of the church. I will also set up a roll of honor in this church to record the names of the contributors for everyone to admire. If anyone doesn’t trust me, I will have this fund’s usage observed by a reputable supervisor elected by everyone, and it will never be used for any of my personal purposes.”
These words immediately received warm applause from the crowd. Even if Chen Ran had said that this money was for himself, no one present would have had any objection. But to raise this to the level of the church, with the church’s doctrines, it could be promoted to a great extent.
In the world Chen Ran had originally lived in, this kind of charity donation was not uncommon. A celebrity could raise a considerable sum of money by singing a song or a star athlete by playing a game. He was fluent in organizing it, and his words made everyone nod in agreement, praising Chen Ran’s mind. Some clever merchants’ eyes lit up at Chen Ran’s description of the church fund, as if they had understood some useful principle.
All in all, Chen Ran’s words had a considerable effect.
After he had said what he needed to say, Chen Ran didn’t dawdle. Time was precious, and he wanted to go back to his room for a nap. So, he went straight to the point.
Although Chen Ran used a bidding method to select the three slots each day, the order in the hall was still harmonious.
Soon, after the first noble started the bidding at two thousand gold coins, another person directly offered five thousand. The price temporarily stopped at twenty thousand gold coins. Many people planned to wait and see the situation before starting to bid. After all, there were three slots a day, and Chen Ran would be holding classes to heal people every day recently. With money, they were not afraid of not getting help.
The first slot was temporarily decided. The person who got it was a noble man whose right hand was difficult to move freely.
“Mr. High Priest, my right arm was accidentally stabbed in a competition. The meridians were severely damaged. Although it’s not completely useless, I can’t grasp things properly, and many things can only be done with my left hand. Every time I lift my right arm, it hurts faintly. This kind of life has troubled me, and I have regretted it for a long time. Your Excellency High Priest, please be sure to heal this injured arm for me.”
Seeing the noble man have his attendant very directly throw two large-denomination imperial gold vouchers worth ten thousand gold coins into the donation box, Chen Ran nodded in satisfaction.
“God will bless you.”
The Hand of Silver lit up again. The brilliant silver-white halo was mesmerizing. To achieve an even more beautiful effect, Chen Ran also cast a Light and Shadow Art near him. Besides the light of the Hand of Silver, the tall statue in the center of the church exuded a holy aura under the effect of the Light and Shadow Art. And at Chen Ran’s side, two beautiful angel girls, draped in light veils and flapping their wings, appeared, as if a real miracle had descended.
Everyone was shocked by this beautiful and magical scene, their eyes filled with fascination. The light of the Hand of Silver covered the injured man’s right arm. The power of the Hand of Silver nourished the meridians and repaired the damaged right shoulder.
“Alright,” Chen Ran said, making a “please go ahead” gesture.
The noble man in front of him shook his truly intact arm, his face filled with joy. “It’s really healed! Thank you so much, Your Excellency High Priest!”
“Not at all. This is the power that the God of Light has granted me. I am just acting on his behalf. I hope this repaired right arm can bring convenience to your life,” then, Chen Ran said to the crowd below, “Alright, the next person, please prepare.”
After seeing the magical scene before, everyone was finally enlivened, and the bidding became bolder. But under Chen Ran’s maintenance, there was no malicious competition.
The second slot was won by a middle-aged rich man. He brought a little girl of eleven or twelve, who seemed to be blind, up to the stage.
