No mortals are fools these days.
Once, twice, someone might offer worship.
But over time, mortals would gradually give up.
The reason is simple: if you're not effective, who would worship you?
For example, if someone prays for a child, and one person, two people, three people... no one gets their wish, then no one will ever worship again.
It's a waste of time; they might as well go home and try harder!
Cultivators are busy cultivating and seeking the Way. Who has time to stay in temples all day helping "believers" fulfill their wishes?
Aren't they supposed to be cultivating?
Besides, for some "wishes," even if cultivators wanted to help, they'd find it difficult!
Take "praying for a child" again.
How can cultivators help with such matters?
By butting in, bah, by interfering?
Hmph.
If they're discovered, they'll have their temples burned down!
In short, it's all impractical.
Building temples and tricking "believers" is basically a dead end.
But there's always a solution to every problem.
"Merit Stones" are the key to solving this issue.
"Merit Stones" are miraculous. They can react mystically with "merit and prayer power," altering heavenly destinies and achieving all sorts of incredible feats.
In plain language: "Merit Statues" built with "Merit Stones" can absorb and store "merit and prayer power" generated by "believers," and can also consume "merit and prayer power" to fulfill "believers'" wishes.
This way, the faith of the "believers" will grow stronger and stronger.
"Believers" will upgrade from "ordinary believers" to "loyal believers," "fanatics," "divine envoys"...
As their rank increases, the "merit and prayer power" generated by "believers" will also increase.
"My Lord, Merit Stones are indeed marvelous! Our greatest gain from this great battle was those Merit Stones!"
"Cao Pi" concluded.
"Liu Xiu'er," upon hearing this, was also very pleased. He smiled and said,
"General Cao, you truly know a lot about Merit Stones!"
"Cao Pi" chuckled and explained.
"Reporting to my Lord, in the past, when I was with the court faction, I was selected to join the Imperial Observatory! The Imperial Observatory had a secret plan to build three hundred Merit Statues within the Great Xin Dynasty to absorb a large amount of merit and prayer power..."
As a highly valued "immortal seedling" of the "Dragon Tiger Heavenly Sect," "Cao Pi" was highly regarded and vigorously nurtured by the "court's high echelons."
Although "Cao Pi" was only a "Golden Core cultivator," he was exceptionally promoted to the "Imperial Observatory" and even appointed as a "Three-Coin Heavenly Master."
The "Three-Coin Heavenly Master" held a not-so-low position in the "Imperial Observatory," gaining access to many "secrets."
The "Merit Statue Project" was not highly classified.
After all, building "Merit Statues" nationwide made it impossible to keep secret!
Therefore, "Cao Pi" was intimately familiar with "Merit Stones."
"My Lord, the court's construction of three hundred Merit Statues is to absorb merit and prayer power for the Heavenly Dragon Dharma King!"
The Heavenly Dragon Dharma King?
This "arch-villain," "Liu Xiu'er," had heard of him.
"Liu Xiu'er" had left the "Purple Jade Bamboo Forest" a long time ago, back when Hao Ren hadn't yet clashed head-on with the "Heavenly Dragon Dharma King."
"Liu Xiu'er" had learned about the "Heavenly Dragon Dharma King" from the "Purple-Eyed Golden Ferocious Beast."
This "arch-villain" was his master's enemy!
Defeat him!
His master's enemy is his enemy!
Defeat everyone who opposes his master!
The usually gentle "Liu Xiu'er" suddenly erupted with an incomparably powerful and terrifying aura.
"Cao Pi" beside him was startled.
But then, "Cao Pi" transformed into a "little fanboy" again, his eyes sparkling with "little stars," looking at "Liu Xiu'er" with admiration.
My Lord is so majestic, so handsome!
At this moment, "Liu Xiu'er" said in a deep voice,
"No matter what, we must thwart the court's Merit Statue Project and not let them succeed!"
"Cao Pi" snapped back to attention and immediately echoed,
"Yes, my Lord is right! We must resolutely stop the court's conspiracy!"
"Liu Xiu'er" pondered for a moment and then asked in a deep voice,
"General Cao, is there any way to destroy Merit Stones?"
Uh...
Destroying such miraculous "heavenly materials and earthly treasures" like "Merit Stones" would be a complete waste!
"Cao Pi" couldn't help but advise,
"My Lord, we could actually sculpt the Merit Statues in your likeness, and you could absorb the merit and prayer power!"
This... what a good idea!
"Liu Xiu'er's" eyes lit up, and he asked excitedly,
"General Cao, is this method feasible?"
Feasible!
Of course, it's feasible!
"Cao Pi" nodded seriously and affirmed,
"My Lord, the Merit Stones in Muwang City have not yet been sculpted into statues. In principle, they can be sculpted into anyone's likeness!"
"Cao Pi" thought for a moment and added,
"The total amount of Merit Stones in Muwang City is considerable, enough to sculpt two Merit Statues!"
Really, that's great!
"Liu Xiu'er" was overjoyed.
"Cao Pi" was also very happy.
In his view, someone as wise and great as "my Lord" should receive incense offerings and be revered by all people!
"Cao Pi" said eagerly,
"My Lord, I will return to Muwang City immediately to arrange for the best artisans to sculpt you, and I will surely showcase your peerless demeanor..."
However, before "Cao Pi" could finish speaking, he was interrupted by "Liu Xiu'er."
"No, not my statue, but my master's statue!"
Huh?
"Cao Pi" was momentarily bewildered.
"Liu Xiu'er's" abrupt change of direction was too fast, making "Cao Pi" unable to keep up.
"My Lord, Merit Statues built with Merit Stones are not ordinary statues; they can continuously absorb merit and prayer power and develop believers..."
"I know!"
"Liu Xiu'er" nodded, looked towards the east with a deep gaze.
"If there is one person in this world worthy of universal reverence, of receiving countless prayers, it must be my master!"
Master is light, master is electricity, master is the sole legend!
Master is warmth, master is wind, master is the April of the human world!
...
Under "Liu Xiu'er's" insistence, the first "Merit Statue" of a certain senior was soon erected in the center of Muwang City's most prosperous street.
This "Merit Statue" was far more grand and sophisticated than the "worship statues" in Qingyang Village.
The "Merit Stone" held divine light within, and the "Merit Statue" sculpted from it flowed with radiance, swirling with brilliance.
Bathed in the "statue's glow," one felt as if basking in a spring breeze, refreshed and invigorated, as if all ailments could be cured.
On the first day the "Merit Statue" was erected, it attracted a large crowd of onlookers.
The commoners, with a 'let's give it a try' attitude, stepped forward to burn incense and offer prayers to the "Merit Statue."