306: Pre-war mobilization

"Mo Ran, you... what's going on?"

Looking at the crowd, full of hope and pent-up energy, Chu Tianci wore a bewildered expression.

The speech had actually been nearing its end, but he had only caught the final segment and felt a surge of passion well up inside him.

It even gave him the illusion, "Is this still Mo Ran?"

In truth, Mo Ran himself wasn't clear on what had happened either; he only felt a sudden surge of power.

The books and records Zhou Yan had given him instantly became clear in his mind, and he had subconsciously shouted them out.

Clearly, the content of his speech just now might not have been particularly profound, but it was highly inflammatory.

And a speech achieving that is already half the battle won.

At this moment, Qingxuan timely explained.

"Haven't you noticed that during this period, when you help others, the way they look at you is different?"

"Their perception of your words and actions is already filtered through a lens; this is the power granted by faith."

"What you just said is precisely what people wanted to hear; and because you've read a vast amount of knowledge passed down by the Holy Brother, what you say is something people can listen to and genuinely helps them."

"The Power Of Faith has many more wondrous uses; you need to experience and understand them yourself."

Understanding the cause and effect, Mo Ran looked at Chu Tianci and replied seriously:

"It's probably just talent."

"If you had this talent, you should've said so earlier! I was just thinking about how to introduce you to everyone; now's perfect!"

Saying this, Chu Tianci gave Mo Ran's shoulder a firm pat and then took him to meet the three Gang leaders from earlier.

Besides the already familiar Tavern owner, Old John, there were Chen Cheng from the Veterans' Gang, and Blackjack representing the street factions.

Mo Ran glanced over them; except for Old John's gentle demeanor, the other two were not particularly friendly towards him.

But the five of them quickly began discussions.

The direction of the discussion was for Mo Ran to step forward and persuade the people of the Pastoral Area to resist the tyranny of Grace City.

They, in turn, would provide resources and weapons, and gather manpower to assault the checkpoints.

According to Chu Tianci, the Nascent Soul experts in Grace City were only Butler Fu, the Nascent Soul Stage Early Stage Great Steward of the Grace Family, and a few Nascent Soul-level mechs operated by Core Formation elites.

If the plan was well-executed, they could have the Taiyi Sect's deity first take down those mechs. They also had retired mech pilots here who could be put to good use.

Once they also possessed Nascent Soul-level mechs, they could maintain a balance of power and strive for a chance to negotiate.

Guided by Qingxuan, they made the decision on the spot and began taking action with their respective plans.

Over the next two days, Mo Ran fully utilized his oratory skills.

Coupled with the fact that after the previous purge ended, the people of the Pastoral Area gradually shifted from initial fear to reflection, integration was successfully achieved in just two days.

Thus, led by several major Gangs, the Taiyi Sect became the temporary faith of the Pastoral Area, and they led their manpower and new followers to seize all the factories.

From several military factories, they obtained a large amount of equipment, even adding quite a few Core Formation-level combatants to their ranks.

On Mo Ran's side, operations were also in full swing. With Yuan Chenling tirelessly treating the followers' injuries day and night, and food constantly being transported from the Northern Frontier, the followers were kept warm and fed.

This also caused the followers, who initially only admired Mo Ran spiritually, to wholeheartedly devote themselves to Mo Ran and the Taiyi Sect.

Being able to eat their fill, receive medical treatment, and be led in resistance, especially with Mo Ran charging at the forefront and repelling several rounds of the company's suppression, faith reached its peak. The Taiyi Sect became the true faith of the Pastoral Area.

Everything seemed to be developing for the best.

"Mo Ran, it's time. Although it's only been two days, a bit rushed."

"But thanks to your speaking ability and charisma, this force is now sufficient."

"If we wait any longer, until their reinforcements arrive, that would be the most troublesome time."

"After all, Young Master Wang's father is a Soul Transformation Cultivator. If he doesn't return, we still have a chance. If he returns, it's all over."

Mo Ran looked at the assembled crowd before him. During this time, trained by retired security personnel, they had developed a certain level of combat capability and discipline.

"Uncle Chu is right. The time has come. We rise today."

That said, in reality, Mo Ran could directly command few people; most manpower remained under the control of the major Gangs.

Chu Tianci subsequently notified the major Gangs, agreeing to jointly charge the checkpoint this afternoon.

After making all preparations, Mo Ran returned to the original church.

Now, unlike the overcrowded scene of the past few days, it had regained its former silence, with only one person remaining.

"An Xu, I'm back."

This An Xu, the former "4399," had changed out of his previous ragged clothes. With the help of Yuan Chenling, who possessed divine duties, he was gradually recovering his health.

Apart from his eyes still being bandaged with white cloth, he looked no different from an ordinary child.

"Master, welcome back. Is it time for the final step?"

Mo Ran handed his coat to An Xu and nodded with a smile.

During this period, the other party had confessed everything to him. He originally thought it would be very complicated, but apart from making Mo Ran feel somewhat disgusted, there were no further entanglements.

The Palace of Eternal Joy was a small Secret Realm, harboring the filth of high-ranking officials and powerful nobles from multiple cities.

For example, they often captured some people or children, let them hide in caves or woods, and then hunted them down one by one.

Even more cruel, after killing, they would hold parties as if treating livestock, using the corpses as food.

Even to make the taste more "delicious," they would subject the prey to special treatment before they could escape.

There were many more things that distorted human ethics and were utterly devoid of conscience, which An Xu told Mo Ran word by word.

After hearing it, Mo Ran wished he could immediately dismantle the Palace of Eternal Joy and kill everyone inside.

And 4399, that is, An Xu, knew so much because he had been taken there.

Only his circumstances were slightly better; he was brought in by his own Family elders and offered to the nobles for their amusement.

His eyes were also eaten there; he was tied to a dining table and had them "elegantly" gouged out with a dinner knife.

Perhaps due to his miserable state at the time, or perhaps due to the resonance of the remnant Souls, those faint, almost imperceptible remnant Souls entered his body then.

This both preserved his life and allowed the remnant Souls to temporarily reside.

It wasn't until after he escaped that those remnant Souls gradually manifested.

He had counted; including himself, there were 4399 Souls in total. Therefore, later, he changed his name to "4399."

This is also why a single prayer from him could generate so much faith; he himself carried the will of many people.

Afterwards, he escaped from that Family. He thought he would be hunted down, but unexpectedly, his Family was silenced first.

On the contrary, because he left early and entered the Pastoral Area, he lucky survived.

Only, he didn't live well, always living under the shadow of the company, not daring to show his power, afraid of entering those people's sight again.

After clearing the air, Mo Ran counseled him and also told him the truth about hope and the Taiyi God.

Perhaps due to the effect of faith, or perhaps because Mo Ran was already imbued with faith, An Xu gradually let down his guard and ultimately became his Disciple.

Looking at this Disciple, Mo Ran felt very gratified.

Although numerous wills often washed over him, causing him to endure continuous pain, Mo Ran believed that once all this was over, the Taiyi God would save him.

Then, the lost Souls would find rest, An Xu would gain freedom, and those evildoers would absolutely not be spared.

Mo Ran quickly changed his clothes, first storing the yuanwu xielü idol in his Storage Ring, then handing the small-sized Yuan Chenling idol to An Xu to carry with him.

After handling everything properly, he walked out of the church.

Outside the church, a dense, dark crowd had gathered, led by that white-haired youth.

"Let's go, Pontiff. Everything has come to the end. It's also time to put a period to this matter."

Looking at Qingxuan and the soldiers behind him, whose faces had grown resolute through these days of trials, Mo Ran nodded heavily, then waved his hand grandly and walked ahead of the crowd.

"Let's set off."