The fierce wind swept up snow, obscuring the view.

By now, night had fallen. In the dense fog, the Qingyang Palace had no lights or sounds, like a monster lurking in the darkness, eerily silent.

What Li Yan and the others didn't know was that just an hour ago, people from the Qingcheng Sect outside the dense fog array saw the Qingyang Palace still brightly lit, with gongs and drums resounding.

The current state clearly indicated something had happened.

The procession of the Flower God didn't just include them; passing down the street, it also attracted a crowd of frenzied citizens, at least a thousand.

Though they were already insane, they retained a trace of memory, and instinctively followed the annual Flower God Procession.

Holding torches, they were quite boisterous.

As the procession in front halted, these blood-red-eyed citizens instantly became restless; some wanted to rush forward, some fought among themselves.

Seeing that chaos was about to break out, Sha Lifei quickly stepped forward, whispering, "What should we do? Should we go check it out first?"

Li Yan recalled the fading arm of the Dragon Lady in his previous dream and shook his head, "They are already taking action, there's no time, conduct the ceremony directly."

"Daoist, you conduct, we'll protect!"

"Okay!"

Without another word, Wang Daoxuan instructed Hou Xuan's subordinates and the women with flower baskets to arrange the setup.

This was the plan set up beforehand.

Wang Daoxuan had already learned the entire "Flower God Procession" ritual and could handle it alone, while the rest focused on protection.

The main parts of the ceremony included the "Three Offerings", "Burning Silk and Naming", and "Procession to Scatter Blessings".

The so-called "Three Offerings" involved three stages of sacrifice.

The "First Offering" had the Magistrate of Chengdu leading scholars to offer fresh flowers and Flowers Cake, reciting the "Flowers Ode".

The "Second Offering" had a flower farmer representative offer the "Hundred Flower Hoe", with the Taoist marking the hoe blade with vermillion, symbolizing "cutting filth and desolation, protecting flowers and aiding farming".

The "Final Offering" involved the public throwing Copper Coins into the "Hundred Flower Furnace", where the fire would blaze suddenly and the smoke would condense into the shape of flowers, seen as a good omen.

Given the current situation, it couldn't be performed normally.

As long as the ceremony could be completed, using the incense fire wish power of the people at the back to ignite the Flower God Ritual Artifact, there was a chance to revive the Dragon Lady.

The procession halted, and Hou Xuan and others carried out a large iron basin.

This was the "Hundred Flower Furnace", a nice name but actually just made of ordinary iron, mainly for burning sacrifices.

Soon, kindling and incense were thrown in, and Hou Xuan poured in some kerosene and tossed in the torch, causing a fierce blaze.

Ring ring ring!

Wang Daoxuan shook the Bell, performing the Astral Step, circled the fire basin while chanting loudly, "The Flower God bestows grace, the five grains flourish..."

This was the "Flowers Ode", used for sacrifices.

According to past customs, offerings of fresh flowers, cakes, and other sacrificial items would be thrown into the furnace, but this year's unusual weather had Hou Xuan only find some plum blossoms and dried flowers, which he mixed with cakes and threw into the fire basin.

Instantly, various fragrances and scorching smells filled the air.

Were the elders of Chengdu Prefecture to see it, they'd certainly comment on breaking the rules, but Wang Daoxuan didn't care.

He had realized the true essence of this ritual was to gather the incense fire wish power of the common people through a solemn process.

And the followers in the back clearly didn't need these.

Sure enough, those citizens saw the blazing fire and, without a trace of solemnity, raised their torches and cheered loudly.

Wang Daoxuan cast a glance, and Hou Xuan immediately handed over the prepared hoe with respect.

Wang Daoxuan then pretended to draw charms with a vermillion pen.

Worshiping the Flower Fairy was not only for planting flowers but also connected to farming, praying that the fields wouldn't fall barren the following year.

This was what truly concerned the people.

So, even though the followers had gone a bit mad, in this stage, they ceased their noise and stared with blood-red eyes earnestly.

Seeing the Taoist draw the vermillion charm on the hoe, the crowd once again raised their torches and cheered, taking Copper Coins from their waists and necks, and threw them into the fire basin.

This was the third stage.

Seeing them take out the "Joyful God Money", Li Yan and the others grew cautious, breaking into a cold sweat.

Fortunately, the spell on the "Joyful God Money" had been transferred, and they acted like normal coins, not interfering with the ceremony.

Ting, ting, ting!

The dense Copper Coins fell into the fire basin, scattering some charred wood, extinguishing flames in some areas.

For a moment, thick smoke rolled.

Seeing this, Wang Daoxuan quickly performed a mantra, cast a Yellow Talisman, and suddenly, a whirlwind rose, swirling upward, causing the smoke to scatter like blooming flowers.

"Awoo~~"

Seeing this, the crowd grew even more frantic.

Taking the opportunity, Wang Daoxuan unfolded a large Yellow Silk, rang the Bell loudly, and proclaimed, "The Flower Fairy enrolls the names, bestows blessings to dispel disasters and ensure a bountiful year..."

Hearing this, those citizens suddenly turned frenzied, rushing forward, biting their middle fingers, and pressing bloody handprints under the Yellow Silk.

This was the "Burning Silk and Naming" stage.

Originally, it wasn't supposed to be so bloody; writing one's name for blessing suffices, but the citizens now were already deranged.

Fortunately, although the ceremony went off-script, its effect remained.

With Wang Daoxuan tossing the Yellow Silk into the fire and lighting incense for sacrifice, those citizens also cheered and jumped along.

They were already cursed and mad, yet their wishes for blessings hadn't changed.

Li Yan hastily picked up the bronze flower basket, placed it next to the fire basin, and placed the Dragon Pattern Jade given by the Dragon Lady into the basket.

This bronze flower basket was a treasure he found in the ruins of the Dragon Girl Temple, as in the ancient Shu Kingdom's sacrifices it had become a National Sacrificial Divine Artifact.

For hundreds of years, its spiritual charm hadn't dissipated, and it felt even more powerful than the "Ruyi Treasure Pearl", though unfortunately difficult to activate.

It was just right to use this ceremony to gather incense fire.

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