44: Three years

Tables were set up in the courtyard.

All the villagers had arrived.

Steaming and fragrant dishes were served from large pots, appealing in color, aroma, and taste, and placed on every table.

Low-quality, home-brewed wine was also brought out.

Everyone was in high spirits.

The air was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

"Mengzhang, is it comfortable staying in the temple?" the village chief asked warmly, holding Yu Mengzhang's hand.

The other villagers were also curious and looked at Yu Mengzhang.

Yu Mengzhang now stayed in the temple all the time, but there were no beds in the temple, so the villagers were a bit worried he wasn't sleeping well.

Now that life in the village had improved, they all hoped Yu Mengzhang could return.

Yu Mengzhang nodded and said, "It's very good."

"Then we're relieved. Every time we go to see you, there are so many people outside the temple that we have to queue for half a day just to get in..."

The village chief laughed.

"Grandpa, uncles, and aunts, when you come over, you can come straight into the temple to find me," Yu Mengzhang said.

The village chief immediately turned serious and shook his head. "That won't do! Mengzhang, you are the High Priest of the Divine Dragon Hall. As your family, we can't be the ones to break the rules for you!"

The villagers all nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. You're the High Priest of the Divine Dragon Hall now. Who around Heaven Dou City doesn't respect you? How could we let your reputation be tarnished?"

"That's right, we certainly can't bring shame to you!"

"..."

The villagers were all thinking about not becoming a burden to Yu Mengzhang.

Not a single one asked Yu Mengzhang for a favor or demanded anything.

Looking at those simple, honest faces, Yu Mengzhang felt a warmth in his heart.

"Ying ying ying...!"

The "Green Lizard" suddenly cried out. It was fighting over a rattan ball with the Single-Horned Thunder Dragon and started playing.

Both little fellows were greedy eaters and never strayed far from the large pots.

"Grandpa, the clan hasn't been giving the village any trouble, has it?"

Yu Mengzhang asked again.

The village chief waved his hand, his face beaming with joy. He laughed and said, "Not at all! In fact, the clan gave us a large sum of money! They even said there would be subsidies and such for every festival in the future. Why has the clan suddenly become so kind?"

"Mengzhang, it was your doing, wasn't it?"

The village chief looked at Yu Mengzhang expectantly.

"Is there even a need to ask? A while after Mengzhang visited the clan, they started treating us exceptionally well. They must be afraid that another Genius like Mengzhang will appear among us and they'll regret it if we still refuse to join the clan."

The villagers had all cleverly guessed the "truth."

Yu Mengzhang smiled slightly and didn't explain.

Since the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hadn't explained the reason—that this was originally the clan's arrangement, only previously suppressed by Yu Luomian.

Seeing the villagers so happy now, he was also at ease.

The banquet was just about to begin.

A figure suddenly entered the courtyard.

The village chief immediately stood up and said in surprise, "It's Your Highness..."

The newcomer was indeed Xue Qinghe. Xue Qinghe immediately stepped forward to support the village chief, preventing him from bowing, and said with a smile, "Everyone, please don't mind me. I'm the one who should feel bad for intruding so suddenly..."

"Nonsense! Your Highness has been working tirelessly for all the surrounding villages. You've saved so many lives and are the greatest contributor after the Divine Lord! Everyone, squeeze together and make some room for Your Highness."

The village chief shouted.

The villagers were very cooperative, huddling closer to leave a seat for Xue Qinghe to sit down.

Yu Mengzhang glanced at Xue Qinghe. He could sense that the villagers truly supported him.

Xue Qinghe sat down next to Yu Mengzhang and winked.

"What a coincidence, High Priest, that we meet again... Don't misunderstand, I didn't come here for you."

Xue Qinghe said with a smile.

But a hint of guilt flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Although this time it was a chance encounter with Yu Mengzhang, he had been here several times before, naturally because of Yu Mengzhang.

Yu Mengzhang looked away and didn't speak to him.

"Chicken soup is here...!"

The last dish was served, and everyone began to eat.

Having survived the first year of the great drought, everyone's smiles were heartfelt.

And this was just a microcosm of the area around Heaven Dou City.

Millions of commoners had kept their homes and fields because of Yu Mengzhang's rainfall, giving them land to make a living... After the meal.

Xue Qinghe specifically waited for Yu Mengzhang to leave together.

Yu Mengzhang walked with him for a while.

Even though there was a carriage waiting outside, Xue Qinghe let it leave first.

The two walked slowly along the country path, flanked by lush green crops full of vitality.

Xue Qinghe suddenly said:

"High Priest, I am truly grateful to you. If it weren't for you, I don't know how many people would have been displaced by this year's great drought."

"..." Yu Mengzhang shook his head slightly; it was just something he did in passing.

Moreover, he mostly wanted to gain Karma and earn the recognition of heaven and earth.

"I heard that the Divine Lord is a Spirit Beast who became a god. High Priest, can you tell me the answer?"

Xue Qinghe suddenly leaned in front of Yu Mengzhang, looking at him curiously.

He certainly didn't dare to look into Yu Mengzhang's eyes.

Even though he was a descendant of the God of Angels and a prince of an Empire, he didn't dare look directly into those eyes that carried true divinity.

Yu Mengzhang shook his head. "No."

Xue Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief and patted his chest. "I knew it wouldn't be. And even if it were, he is first and foremost a good deity!"

"Some people, after living for a long time and reaching high positions, become timid, fearing they might encounter the Divine Lord and making terrifying guesses..."

"But I will always believe in the Divine Lord!"

Xue Qinghe said earnestly, looking bravely at Yu Mengzhang.

He had always had a suspicion in his heart that the Divine Lord he had briefly glimpsed might just be... Yu Mengzhang!

This guess was too bizarre, so he could only keep it to himself.

Right now, he just wanted to get to know Yu Mengzhang better, preferably becoming friends.

"..."

Yu Mengzhang remained silent. Thinking that the reason those people didn't dare to pry into him was because of this, they really were quite cowardly.

"The Imperial Astronomers predict that the great drought will last for three years. High Priest, how long do you think the Divine Lord will favor us?"

Xue Qinghe asked cautiously.

Yu Mengzhang said casually, "Three years."

"!!!" A bright smile immediately bloomed on Xue Qinghe's face... Three years later.

"Rumble...!!!"

Above Heaven Dou City, dark clouds gathered, and a bolt of golden lightning struck down.

The dark World was illuminated.

Immediately after, bean-sized raindrops began to fall.

At that moment, a streak of light flew out from the Spirit Hall, heading straight for the temple outside the city.

Following closely, two more figures quickly pursued.

"Don't be impulsive! Elder Spirit Kite, whatever you do, do not offend the Divine Lord!"

"Let her go to her death!"

Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo were behind, their attitudes differing.

In the flames at the very front, Spirit Kite Douluo's expression was resolute. She snorted coldly, "I have no intention of offending a god. I just want to take this chance to see what wonders the temple holds now!"