Prayer

Lord God Space.

A grand existence dressed in black divine robes stood within a river of stars formed by rules. He had his eyes closed, lost in thought.

"Order, have you felt that fellow's presence again?"

A deep, azure sphere of light arrived like a streak of flowing light, emitting syllables that only a god could understand.

The grand existence known as Order opened his eyes. They were incredibly deep, like lakes, with brilliant starlight particles flowing within them—divine, holy, and majestic.

"Yes, it is his power once again," he said.

The deep azure sphere of light dimmed slightly as if falling into silence for a moment before speaking, "That unknown god... I have already tasked Cassandra (God of Divination) with probing him..."

"Did he react?" A trace of human-like urgency appeared on Order's divine face.

The sphere of light fell silent once more, leaving Order puzzled by the reaction.

"If he did, he did. If he didn't, he didn't. What is the meaning of this silence?" Order asked.

The sphere of light replied, "Cassandra probed him, but she saw nothing. That god is a total blank to her."

"What!" the God of Order exclaimed in surprise.

"That god does not exist in the past, nor does he exist in the present. That leaves only one possibility..." The sphere of light paused for a moment.

"He comes from the future!"

Order's body trembled.

The sphere of light continued, "I have already heard news from the evil gods' side. Your old rival, Chaos, said that fellow intends to expel all the gods—leaving not a single one behind. If there is no shadow of us in the future he inhabits, then perhaps... he actually succeeded."

The sphere's speculation plunged both gods into a long silence.

"Expelling all the gods... he certainly makes bold claims," Order finally remarked.

"Both you and I can sense it. That new god is extremely arrogant; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to threaten us twice in a row." The sphere of light gave a soft, self-deprecating chuckle. "So, why has he disturbed us this time? Is he here to demand something again?"

"It is not a demand, but an equivalent exchange," the God of Order corrected.

"I help him revive his believer, and he gives me a portion of his providence. Equivalent exchange is my rule," he stated.

...

(Friendly reminder: Due to plot requirements, the following section takes place in reality. Knowing that readers generally dislike this, the author will try to finish this part as quickly as possible.)

...

"Something's wrong. Something is very wrong."

Lu Xun was currently standing at the bathroom door. Because he had sprained his right foot, he had to shift all his weight to his left leg while bracing himself against the wall with one hand.

The seat of his pants was completely soaked, evidence of a recent fall. He stared at the floor with a heavy expression as if trying to see through it.

"Between yesterday and today, I've fallen seven times. I've choked on water four times, got my fingers crushed by a door twice, and got my head stuck in a bed frame once."

"If this really isn't a coincidence, I'll bet my life someone is setting me up!"

With a grim expression, he slowly leaned his weight against the wall and carefully stepped out with his left foot.

Then, his foot slipped.

"Holy crap!"

This time, Lu Xun's entire back was soaked by the puddles on the bathroom floor. He stared blankly at the ceiling, falling into a state of intense self-doubt.

"Something's wrong. It's not just wrong, it's a disaster."

"Seven falls, four chokes, fingers crushed twice, head stuck once..."

"This can no longer be described as a coincidence."

Lu Xun's face turned pale. "I haven't... been haunted by something dirty, have I?"

As a university student, Lu Xun never believed in such feudal superstitions. However, he had been so unlucky these past two days that he felt he might actually die of bad luck if he didn't find a solution!

It was decided. Tomorrow, he would go to a nearby Taoist temple to pray for a blessing!

Lu Xun propped himself up with both hands, preparing to crawl out, but then both his palms slipped, and he faceplanted onto the floor again.

"Forget it. I'm going right now."

Lu Xun didn't know how he managed to crawl out of the bathroom. Perhaps the process was so painful that his brain automatically blocked out that memory.

Ever since he logged off the game yesterday, he had been this unlucky all day.

It was truly terrible.

...

Today was a fine day with bright skies and not a cloud in sight.

A cool breeze blew, making the bronze bells on the eaves chime crisply. The air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, making the atmosphere feel clean and open.

There weren't too many tourists in the afternoon, but the number wasn't small either. After all, New Year's Day was approaching, and many people chose to come to Qingshan Temple to pray for peace and prosperity in the coming year.

Master Suiyuan stood by the roadside. Seeing the smiles of peace on people's faces, his heart also found a sense of tranquility.

However, before he could walk more than a few steps, he was drawn to a strange-looking believer.

It was a young man who looked quite cheerful and somewhat handsome, but unfortunately, he seemed to be in a bad mood. He stood in the middle of the empty courtyard, just watching others while he remained rooted to the spot, afraid to move.

"Young benefactor, you seem to be in some trouble. Do you need help?"

"I do! I really do!" Lu Xun grabbed him as if he were seeing a savior. "Master, you must save me!"

"Benefactor, speak slowly. What difficulty have you encountered?"

"Master, I feel like I've been haunted by something dirty lately. I've been incredibly unlucky these past two days. I've tripped on flat ground at least ten times!"

Yes, on the way to Qingshan Temple, Lu Xun had fallen three more times.

Master Suiyuan chuckled upon hearing this and didn't take it to heart. "You've come to the right place. Our Qingshan Temple's luck-turning incense is exceptionally effective. For just two hundred yuan, it will surely reverse your fortune for the new year, ensuring peace and wealth."

"Really?" Lu Xun asked.

"Of course. Do you think someone of my age would lie to you?" Master Suiyuan puffed out his beard, his eyes appearing clear and honest.

"Fine, I'll buy it!" Lu Xun gritted his teeth and said.

To change his luck, he was going all in!

It was just two hundred yuan.

Thus, Lu Xun followed Master Suiyuan to a Buddha statue and received a bundle of incense from him.

"Master, is this really useful?" Lu Xun scratched his head in confusion while looking at the incense.

No matter how he looked at it, it just seemed like ordinary incense.

"Benefactor, prayer lies in the soul; external objects are merely comforts. As long as you believe it is useful, it will be!" Master Suiyuan said with a smile.

"...So, to put it plainly, you were just scamming me for my money, weren't you?"

"Benefactor, you shouldn't say that. Whether it works or not, you will know once you try."

Looking at Master Suiyuan's smiling face, Lu Xun felt a sudden sense of being cheated.

But since he was already here, he could only treat a dead horse as if it were alive.

"Namo Amituofo, may the Buddha protect me... may the Buddha protect me..."

Lu Xun knelt on the cushion, praying with a devout expression.

A minute later...

Lu Xun looked at Master Suiyuan. "Is that it?"

"Benefactor, sincerity brings results. If you are not sincere, it will not work," Master Suiyuan smiled.

"Master, I'm not joking. I've been really unlucky lately. Is this actually effective?"

"Benefactor, you look young. You should understand that gods are just a way for people to seek psychological comfort. The one who can truly change you must be yourself," Master Suiyuan said.

"...So you really were just messing with me, weren't you?"

"Benefactor, these are this old monk's honest words. The meaning of a god is bestowed by us humans. If you wish for it to be effective, it will be." Master Suiyuan smiled and pulled a red amulet from his sleeve. "Since you are sincerely seeking a change in luck, I shall hand this luck-turning talisman to you on behalf of the Buddha."

Lu Xun's gaze was dark, but he ultimately didn't say anything more. He took the luck-turning talisman and turned to leave.

"This old monk believes the Buddha will always protect you." Master Suiyuan smiled and bowed to Lu Xun.

Hearing a strange sound, Master Suiyuan turned his head in confusion toward the golden and noble Buddha statue.

On the Buddha's face, which originally bore a very kind smile, a crack had appeared!