Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 786 - 392. Preach and spread the gospel

Chapter 786: 392. Preach and spread the gospel

Pearl Island Province.

With an area of 4.59 million square kilometers, 201 subordinate islands, and a permanent population of 1.43 million people, the subtropical maritime climate brings abundant precipitation and rich resources. The convergence of warm and cold currents endows this place with the world’s highest-quality fishing grounds.

In the Dragon Satellite that is gradually eroded by the Void, having such a large island almost secluded from the world is indeed rare. Rich in resources, protected by the ocean from the invasion of the Void, a pleasant climate, sparsely populated—it can be described as an excellent place for seclusion.

Yet, even among the many warlords and lords of the Kingdom, no one dares to covet Pearl Island.

Because this place belongs to the true ruler of the Kingdom, governed by the fourth ’Sea Maiden’ of the Knights of the High Table, Melissa.

A pale blue breeze from the seas fallen to the Void passes between the luxurious jade railings, and a white crow lands in the palm of a delicate hand as it rides the wind.

A gentle voice rises:

"You’ve worked hard, go back and tell ’White Crow’ Aiwens that we are still safe here."

The speaker removes a letter from the white crow’s leg, then gently strokes its feathers and sends it into the air with a push. It vanishes in the blink of an eye.

"Melissa, did I hear the cry of a white crow? Has Aiwens sent some news?"

A man bedecked with pockets of all sorts sways out of the sleeping quarters. If one observes carefully, one can discern the hint of silver light shining through the seams of the luxurious armor hidden beneath the bags.

"...The situation is a bit strange, ’Peddler.’ It’s better if you see for yourself."

The ’Sea Maiden’ Melissa slowly turns around, her ray-like head gently swaying, her six small eyes shining with a yellow glow. She hands the letter to ’Peddler’ Mashnat, saying:

"Over the past two months, ’Garden’ and ’Dancing Maiden’ have been defeated by unidentified enemies while searching for Zhi Xiang. Disregarding ’The Poet’ Dr. Chen Wenjing, who has been taken in and controlled by the Fermi Research Institute, and the ’Warrior’ Walter, who died in battle, we’re now left with only four knights at the High Table."

The ’Peddler’ takes the letter, snorts without reading it, and says:

"Ha, if it hadn’t been for the betrayal of ’Maggot’ as our chief... the Kingdom Parliament wouldn’t have fallen to such a state!"

After that, he begins to read:

"’...Melissa, Mashnat, I know you two are together. I’ll cut to the quick. Gaden and Kristin have run into trouble. They were almost defeated on the same day, and their masks were taken. It’s not clear whether it was Zhi Xiang’s work or the Void’s. ’"

"’But there’s something peculiar: within the jurisdiction of the Kingdom, an unprecedented religious force has emerged... I know you may scoff, thinking that religion, a thing we eradicated decades ago, can’t shake the Kingdom’s dominion even if some shallow, misguided cults appear. ’"

As he reads further, Mashnat’s expression grows increasingly solemn:

"’...This time, the religious force is strange. They have an unprecedented organizational system, and their expansion rate far surpasses anything from the past. Yet no evil rituals have surfaced. Within just half a month, their population has swelled to hundreds of thousands, and those who know of them number in the tens of millions. They are immensely powerful, and I fear they may be on the verge of starting a rebellion...’"

The ’Sea Maiden’ rests her hands over her flat stomach, sighing:

"Now, do you comprehend the gravity of the situation?"

The ’Peddler’ looks alarmed:

"’The Chief God they worship is neither the Void nor Zhi Xiang, but an unheard-of entity... ’"

"’According to informants, his name is:[God of Vanquishing Delusion]Gio Zieou.’"

——————————

Clang!

Drums and gongs sound in unison, making a thunderous clamor.

"Come one, come all, have a look! Whoever joins the [Breaking Delusion God View] and believes in our lord Gio Zieou, will receive a gift!"

An old woman pushes a cart loaded with food, grains, oil, and eggs leisurely through the town streets. The loudspeaker on her cart calls out, drawing the attention of many people.

"It doesn’t matter if you don’t believe. Just come and take a poster, sign your name, and you can get two eggs."

This nearly giveaway deal instantly attracts the attention of many households from the streets and alleys. Curious old men and women approach the cart-pushing woman and ask:

"What church is this? Do you need to worship? Is there a regular gathering?"

The old woman waves her hand:

"No need, no need. Just sign your name, and you can get two eggs. Come on, brothers and sisters, give it a try."

"That’s a scam!" a passerby young man sneers. "Where’s the catch? This town has tens of thousands of people; aren’t you going to bankrupt yourself giving away free eggs?"

"What you’re talking about, young man, that’s not the case," the old woman chuckles. "We are justified by faith. Our lord Gio Zieou is generous and kind-hearted. It has been a tough year for everyone. Out of compassion for mankind, he acts thus."

"Really?"

Many old men and women were immediately tempted and, with a try-and-see attitude, signed their names on a form; those who couldn’t write had someone write for them.

"This is insane..."

A passing young man muttered, watching as more and more people lined up to receive gifts. He even began to question himself:

’So many people are getting them, there shouldn’t be any problem, right?’

With this thought, even those who were originally indifferent started to join the queue.

"Don’t rush, don’t rush, there’s something for everyone! Auntie, you’ve signed your name; how about filling out a questionnaire as well? I even have a potato for you..."

"Oh, sister, you’re so nice, even filling out the questionnaire. Why not fill out this form too? We’ll give you an umbrella as well. You’ll have some shelter if it starts to rain substance."

"You’re really a good person! You know what, let me tell you, on Sunday morning, there used to be a stage under the big elm tree at the eastern end of the village, with handsome men and beautiful women singing songs and performing stage plays. I got you two tickets, you can bring the elderly and the kids, or your partner, just for fun... "

It started with just signing a name to get a gift, but later they would lead you step by step into more activities, making as much contact as possible to increase outsiders’ cohesion with the cult.

And that’s not all.

The ’Breaking Delusion Divine View’ which worships ’Gio Zieou’ as the Chief God, spreads its doctrines not just through charity and surveys.

...............

In the fast-food restaurant on the same street, young boys and girls with innocent looks were dragging some confused youths around, excitedly speaking with a booklet in hand:

"Hey friend, do you know about Breaking Delusion? I’m on a mission here recruiting new members; let me introduce you to our organization..."

"Here’s how it works. Our organization has a clear promotion system. If I recruit three people, I can become a group leader. Then as a group leader, if I help my subordinates develop three more group leaders, I can be promoted to an area manager..."

"And let me tell you, the whole Breaking Delusion system is inheritable, meaning the contacts and subordinates you’ve accumulated can be passed on to your children and relatives..."

"Oh, we’re not a business, we’re a non-governmental organization..."

...............

In the middle school campus next to the fast-food restaurant, a touching parent-student meeting was in full swing.

"I remember when I was very small, I was very naughty and turned my house upside down. I loved to play, play video games, skip classes, date girls, until one day, when I came home, my mother told me with profound sorrow, ’Child, your father has been buried in a mine and will never come back,’ and then I came to a realization..."

On stage, a middle-aged man in a suit and leather shoes tearfully pleaded to the students, who were still in the throes of adolescence:

"Students, think of your fathers and mothers, how hard they work every day! Day and night, up at dawn and to bed late at night, all for you to become the pillars of the Kingdom Parliament. The kindness of parents asks for no reward, such boundless kindness, their grace can never be repaid!"

From the speakers, a touching tear-jerking melody began to play, moving many teachers and students to tears. Seizing the moment, the middle-aged man quickly said:

"Students, think about it, how long has it been since you last said to your father: ’Dad, you’ve worked hard!’ How long has it been since you last said to your mother: ’Mom, I love you!’"

"Now, let’s put aside our mischievous spirits and give your fathers and mothers a good hug and tell them: ’You’ve worked hard, I love you...’"

"The fault of an unfilial child is the father’s mistake, and lax teaching is the teacher’s laziness. Let’s strike while the iron is hot, have a heart-to-heart talk with your parents, and for the sake of enhancing the relationship between parents and children, we have carefully prepared some educational material: ’Why We Should Learn to Be Grateful—Listening to Gio Zieou Speak.’ Now, I’d ask the class teachers to help us distribute it to the students and parents for a good read..."

Books bearing the emblem of ’Breaking Delusion Divine View’ were distributed page by page into the hands of students and parents. Amidst the moving music, they tearfully accepted these books full of disciplining and gratitude, love and life, positivity, and confidence. Yet, they failed to notice that among the lines, a substantial amount of doctrinal propaganda had been added.

...............

"It’s really, unimaginable..."

In the dark room, Gio Zieou raised his head, feeling the power continuously converging on him from between heaven and earth.

"Despite having no actual base or church established, people keep sending me their faith incessantly."

Although this body had a limited capacity for divinity and was entirely incapable of holding so much faith, let alone controlling it to change according to his will—yet, collecting such an absurd amount in such a short time, even Gio Zieou could only describe it with one word:

Truly freaking unbelievable!

"How did they manage it..."

He couldn’t help but turn his gaze toward the side where Li Aozi sat cross-legged, immersed in meditation.

"Lord Leo, what exactly did you do?"