As the sun slowly set on the horizon, the soft and dense hissing of snakes began to rustle across the endless rice fields, moving in unison toward a certain direction.
By the time the sun had completely disappeared beyond the horizon, and the cold moonlight spilled over the land, a small altar in the middle of the rice field had become a paradise for snakes. Snakes of various thicknesses and colors coiled around the thin pillars surrounding the altar, staring eagerly at the black statue at the center.
"*That purple-black Poison Sphere Python must be the Bishop presiding over this ceremony.*"
Raising his snake tail and pointing at the Poison Sphere Python, the only one that could wind around the serpentine sculpture, a speckled snake with six small blue dots on its forehead and a large red dot beneath its jaw turned to the small, red snake beside him and said,
"*Is this divine selection of yours real? Are you sure that as soon as the position of the snake’s Bishop becomes vacant, you can unconditionally take over?*"
Hearing Senior Tom’s inquiry, Leon glanced at the slot where the [Weighing Gold Divine Selection (Devouring Wealth)] gleamed brightly, then nodded firmly.
Casting him a skeptical glance, the speckled snake spoke,
"*If you’re really confident, then it makes our actions much easier... In a bit, I’ll do some tricks and try to get rid of that Bishop. During the chaos, you go straight up and coil around the Snake Spirit statue, and you will be able to send a signal of danger to draw it back.*
As for the position, the best spot is at the tail end, or the further away from the snake’s head, the better. Just touch it briefly and then let go. After all, the divine selection you carry came unexpectedly. A short contact is fine, but a long one could expose you.*"
"*Alright, inch forward and be ready!*"
After giving these instructions, the speckled snake that Senior Tom had become wriggled backward, silently slipping through the gaps between the rice ears, while Leon followed his directions, squeezing into the densely packed group of snakes, inching towards the sculpture at the center of the altar.
Accompanied by a somewhat aged hissing sound, the purple-black Poison Sphere Python coiled around the Snake Spirit statue slightly raised its triangular head. Looking down at the venomous snakes below the altar, it spoke in an eerie human voice,
"’Shed the scales of old life, ring the endless tail, hunt the beast coveting wealth, lure the forbidden fruit...
Brothers and sisters who come to worship Lord Snake Spirit, I am a servant of Lord Snake Spirit and also a messenger carrying out the Lord’s decree, shepherding lambs on earth. You can call me Belos.’"
After introducing its identity, the purple-black Poison Sphere Python flicked its tongue and, with a hoarse and slow old man’s voice, leisurely addressed the snakes below the altar,
"’When the guide brought you here, they must have already revealed to you that this time, Lord Snake Spirit will descend in flesh.
So this time, not only can you connect spiritually with Lord Snake Spirit, but you also have the chance to witness the holy body of Lord Snake Spirit with your own eyes, to personally touch the magnificent scales of Lord Snake Spirit. You are the luckiest batch of believers!’"
After hearing the words of the Poison Sphere Python, the snakes coiling around below the altar immediately began to hiss chaotically, one by one raising their heads, eyes full of excitement, looking up at the stage, eager to witness the descent of the Holy Spirit as described. Some were so excited that they left the thin pillars and surged directly towards the altar.
Raising its head slightly, and hissing toward the crowd below to intimidate the overly excited believers, the purple-black python coiled on the black snake statue opened its giant mouth, two rows of fine and sharp teeth snapping out from its mouth, revealing a strange expression as if smiling.
"’Do not be impatient, no matter how brilliantly the wildflowers on the roadside bloom, they can never be planted in a pure gold flowerpot. Only the rare is precious.
This supreme gift of gazing upon the Holy Spirit, if bestowed indiscriminately upon everyone, would neither showcase the benevolence of our Lord Snake Spirit nor align with the creed of our master. So come! Show your devotion to our master!’"
Accompanied by the fervent speech, atop the head of the purple-black giant python, a small black and white crown quietly emerged... or perhaps a three-headed pearl serpent with black scales and white spots, hissing black and white forked tongues towards the eager crowd of snakes below.
"’Offer your wealth, and health shall be granted.’
The white little snakehead on the left spoke solemnly, slowly opening its mouth to the crowd below.
"’Offer your true love, and a position shall be given.’
The black little snakehead on the right grinned, then opened its mouth with teasing eyes.
"’Offer your soul, and peace shall be traded.’
The gray snakehead in the center, its eyes indifferent, opened its mouth, revealing lots of backward-grown sharp teeth.
After the three-headed Serpent Crown on its head stated the rules and opened its mouths one by one, the purple-black Poison Sphere Python also grinned and said smilingly,
"’Three ways to show your loyalty to our master, you can choose any one for offering. Go in the direction they face and present your sacrifice, and our master will give you a corresponding reward.
After everyone completes the offering, the one with the highest value item in each method will gain a spot to come up on the stage to worship, getting to face the divine body of Lord Snake Spirit and receive its grace!’"