Chapter 364: The Gift

Chapter 364: The Gift

Zhang Yi was a born pessimist, always preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Despite possessing formidable strength, he remained vigilant.

In terms of pure firepower, Zhang Yi’s current force could rival Tianhai City’s former strongest faction—West Hill Base.

While he lacked ordinary soldiers, his advantage lay in the superior application of weapons.

West Hill Base, devoid of spatial Superhumans, could only leave their heavy weapons gathering dust underground.

Zhang Yi, however, could transport them to the surface for actual combat.

Combined with his powerful team of Superhumans, he could now face off against West Hill Base’s army head-on.

“If we focus solely on defense, without taking the offensive, my odds of victory should be around 95%,” Zhang Yi murmured, furrowing his brow. “But 95% rounded down is basically a coin toss. If I step out and fight, it’s as good as suicide.”

His gaze hardened, and he clenched his fist. “It’s settled. Over my dead body will I step beyond the defensive line!”

With that, he retrieved Gao Yuan’s satellite phone from his Spatial Storage and called Hua Hua over. He whispered a few instructions to it softly.

---

That night, silence enveloped the Shelter.

Suddenly, the door to Zhang Yi’s room creaked open.

Hua Hua slipped out, a satellite phone clamped in its mouth, and silently descended the stairs.

The Shelter’s main gate opened, and Hua Hua darted out, racing swiftly across the river toward Xu Family Town.

---

In Tianhai City’s Tianfeng District, thick snow blanketed towering buildings. Once the city’s most bustling area, it was now a frozen graveyard.

Gray concrete structures stood lifeless, mirroring the bleakness of this post-apocalyptic world.

Yet, in one grand cathedral within Tianfeng District, the scene was different. Candlelight filled the space, illuminating a gathering of thousands of devout followers.

They knelt in solemn prayer, their eyes fixed on the enormous cross ahead. Beneath it stood a young woman dressed in white robes and a matching headscarf.

Her hands clasped, eyes closed, her expression radiated compassion.

As she began to chant, her voice carried a deep, resonant prayer throughout the cathedral:

“Snow in the heavens, life on the earth,

Our bodies are born from the ground,

Our souls descend from the skies.

The sun and moon illuminate our forms,

Pure snow cleanses our spirits.

We surrender ourselves to the cold winds sweeping the land,

Grateful for the miracle bestowed upon Snow God’s people.

May our hearts remain ever tranquil,

May we share joy with our brethren,

And bear their sorrows as our own.

Praise be to the followers of Snow God,

May we testify with our soul and body.”

As Yuan Kongye, the leader of the Followers of the Snow God, recited the prayer, an extraordinary power swept through the cathedral.

Her voice seemed to carry an enchanting quality, soothing hearts, dispelling hunger, cold, and pain.

To the followers, it was a divine miracle, deepening their devotion.

They bowed, offering their loyalty to Jesus, Buddha, the great Snow God, and Yuan Kongye—the Snow God’s earthly vessel.

Upon concluding the prayer, Yuan Kongye turned to face the congregation.

Her youthful face, radiant with vitality, betrayed her age—she couldn’t have been more than twenty. Yet, her authority was unquestioned.

Even the powerful priests in her service bowed respectfully before her.

Everything they possessed, they owed to her.

Yuan Kongye was one of the most extraordinary beings in this land, gifted with a unique ability known as 【Blessing】, enabling others to awaken their Superhuman powers.

Through this ability, she had built a vast religious following, even in a world teetering on the brink of despair.

The prayer session ended, transitioning into the “Gift” ceremony.

The crowd stirred momentarily but quickly fell silent, their eyes reverent as they gazed at Yuan Kongye.

A frail woman carrying a child made her way forward, staggering through the crowd before collapsing at Yuan Kongye’s feet.

Trembling, she raised her child high.

Yuan Kongye glanced down, her eyes filled with compassion. The child’s pale, almost lifeless complexion suggested he was on the brink of death.

With a serene expression, she placed her hand on the child’s forehead.

A gentle warmth, a soft breeze, and a faint white glow swept through the cathedral.

Moments later, the infant’s eyes fluttered open, followed by a strong, healthy cry.

“Waaah!”

The congregation’s eyes sparkled with awe and excitement.

“A miracle! A miracle!”

“Praise the great Snow God, and praise Her Holiness, the Snow God’s earthly vessel!”

This was Yuan Kongye’s other power, 【Gift】, which could heal physical ailments.

This ability played a crucial role in drawing so many followers.

The ceremony continued, with Yuan Kongye bestowing her blessings multiple times.

Eventually, fatigue crept onto her face.

A long-haired man in white, standing nearby, stepped forward.

“Your Holiness, please rest. The ceremony can resume tomorrow.”

His words caused a ripple of anxiety among those still awaiting their blessings.

In such dire conditions, even a minor ailment left untreated for a day could mean death in their sleep.

Yuan Kongye gently shook her head. “Continue.”

Her deputy, Grand Priest Zheng Yixian, reluctantly stepped back.

Within the Followers of the Snow God, Yuan Kongye’s will was absolute, her thoughts unchallengeable.

The ceremony pressed on until a sudden explosion echoed from outside, followed by a cacophony of gunfire.

Panic spread through the cathedral. Women clutched their children, shutting their eyes in fear.

Yuan Kongye gazed calmly toward the commotion and sighed softly.

Beside her, Zheng Yixian’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“Tong Zhan, Dai Mei—protect Her Holiness!”

“Han Chang, Li Qian, Wu Huan—follow me to confront the enemy!”

Priests flanking the altar, second only to Yuan Kongye and Zheng Yixian in the hierarchy, immediately obeyed.

As the Snow God’s avatar, Yuan Kongye seldom managed day-to-day affairs. That role fell to Zheng Yixian, who also led the defense against external threats.

Under his command, two priests took protective positions near Yuan Kongye, while Zheng Yixian led the others out.

Yuan Kongye clasped her hands in silent prayer.

“May the Snow God shield His followers, keeping us from war and suffering.”

Moved by her solemnity, the cathedral’s adult men stepped forward, their eyes burning with fervent devotion.

They followed the priests out, leaving the cathedral’s doors firmly closed behind them.

Yuan Kongye’s voice remained calm: “The Gift ceremony shall continue.”

Author's Note