Others listen to advice and imitate celebrities, but you start by playing a god?
Chapter 5: Three Consecutive Holy Grails
*Clatter, clatter.*
Following two crisp sounds of the objects hitting the ground, Wang Chengyu aimed his phone camera at the *beijiao* (divination blocks) on the floor.
In the live stream, it was clearly visible that one block was flat and the other was curved, forming a "one yin, one yang" configuration.
The Daoist priest, who had been standing to the side with an unchanging expression, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise upon seeing the result
"It is actually a *Shengbei* (Divine Cup)!"
Seeing that the priest finally had an expression on his face, Wang Chengyu immediately moved the camera over and asked curiously
"Daoist, what does *Shengbei* mean?"
The priest did not shy away from the camera, though he had already regained his composure.
"One flat and one curved represents a *Shengbei*."
"And the *Shengbei* signifies that the deity has granted the inquirer's request."
Hearing this, Wang Chengyu said in pleasant surprise
"Doesn't that mean the Thunder Ancestor has agreed to let Lin Nan portray him?!"
However, the priest shook his head and explained
"Not yet. No matter what you ask the gods, you must ask three times. This was only the first time."
"Furthermore, if one wishes to portray a deity, the requirements are even stricter. You need to cast the blocks three times, and all three results must be *Shengbei*. Even a single *Xiaobei* (Laughing Cup) or *Yinbei* (Yin Cup) will not suffice."
Wang Chengyu’s surprise faded, and a hint of nervousness appeared between his brows.
"Three times in a row? That’s definitely a bit difficult."
At this moment, the netizens watching saw the result and flooded the chat with comments.
【I didn't expect it to actually be a *Shengbei*!】
【It seems the streamer not only looks like the Thunder Ancestor, but has also truly gained the favor of the Old Ancestor himself. The first cast was a good result.】
【Who is holding the camera? They clearly don't know anything about casting the blocks. Three *Shengbei* in a row is more than just "a bit difficult"—it's extremely hard! In our Fujian province, many people try to portray gods every year, but very few actually succeed. That's because only those approved by the deity can perform during the deity parade, and there are plenty who never get that approval.】
【I advise the streamer not to get too happy too soon. Getting three *Shengbei* requires true divine will; even a shred of wishful thinking won't work.】
【Streamer, hurry up and cast the second time! We're waiting for the result!】
Casting the *Shengbei* is like scratching a lottery ticket.
Before the result is out, everyone feels a sense of anticipation.
Seeing the comments, Lin Nan didn't dawdle. He picked up the *beijiao* from the floor and quickly cast them for the second time.
This time, the priest was no longer detached; instead, he kept his eyes fixed on the *beijiao* in Lin Nan's hands, eager to see the result.
*Clatter, clatter.*
Two more crisp sounds.
The priest's eyes widened!
Wang Chengyu’s excited voice rang out again.
"Holy crap, another *Shengbei*! Brother Nan, you are truly amazing!"
The priest shot him a glance, and he quickly corrected himself
"My sins, my sins! I shouldn't use foul language in front of the immortals. I was wrong! Thunder Ancestor, please forgive me!"
Jiang Tao also said excitedly
"Lin Nan, strike while the iron is hot! Let's cast for the third time!"
In the live stream, Lin Nan’s face—which bore a striking resemblance to the statue—also showed a hint of excitement.
Before Jiang Tao could finish, Lin Nan gripped the *beijiao* and quickly cast them out.
Watching Lin Nan’s movements, everyone at the scene didn't dare to breathe.
It was as if breathing too heavily might affect the result of the cast.
Two more crisp "clatter" sounds.
"Holy sh—oh, my god!"
Wang Chengyu’s excited profanity was quickly corrected under the priest's sharp glare.
The sight of the one flat and one curved *beijiao* on the floor made everyone at the scene erupt!
The priest, abandoning his previous detached attitude, stepped forward to advise Lin Nan
"Layman, all three casts are complete. You may rise."
"Furthermore, the Thunder Ancestor has agreed to your request. You may proceed with the portrayal. I ask that you learn more about the Thunder Ancestor and strive to replicate his demeanor and character."
The priests believed that anyone who received a deity's approval was blessed by them. Communicating with such a person would undoubtedly bring good fortune, which led to a shift in their attitude.
Lin Nan finally let out a sigh of relief, stood up, and put on his shoes.
"Thank you, Daoist."
【Suggestion received: ⑥ Learn about the Thunder Ancestor and replicate his demeanor and character.】
The system’s suggestion reminder chimed at the right moment.
A new item had been added to Lin Nan’s list of incomplete suggestions.
Upon learning that he could portray the Thunder Ancestor, Wang Chengyu immediately rushed over with his phone, excited.
"Brother Nan, you're the best!"
Jiang Tao also gave Lin Nan a thumbs up.
With this, Lin Nan’s portrayal now had a legitimate claim.
He was a performer approved by the Thunder Ancestor himself!
Since the deity himself had agreed, those on the internet naturally had no reason to doubt Lin Nan anymore.
Lin Nan nodded at the two with a smile, then took the phone and switched it to selfie mode.
As he walked out of the temple, he checked the comment section.
【Holy crap, it really was three *Shengbei*!】
【Received "Starry Light" *1 from "Hertz"】
【The streamer is awesome!】
【Hahahaha, no one can stop the streamer from portraying the Thunder Ancestor now, right?】
【Received "Starry Sky Bottle" *1 from "Genius's First Step"】
【I can't wait to see what the streamer looks like as the Thunder Ancestor!】
【To witness three *Shengbei* in person... the streamer really has something special. Looking this much like him, maybe his ancestors have some connection to the Thunder Ancestor!】
【Streamer, the Thunder Ancestor has agreed, hurry up!】
Looking at the scrolling gifts on the screen, Lin Nan couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.
This was only his second live stream, and people were already sending gifts!
Although the amounts weren't high and the platform took a cut, there would be a second, third, and fourth time. The days of making money were just around the corner!
Facing the urging of the netizens, Lin Nan said
"Thank you, Hertz and Genius's First Step, for the gifts."
"Don't worry, everyone. The Thunder Ancestor's approval is just the first step in the preparation."
"Next, I will follow the suggestions provided by you immortals and go find a tailor to finalize the design and measurements for the robes and the crown."
"I'll strive to show you the full portrayal by today or tomorrow!"
Just as Lin Nan’s voice faded, the mechanical sound unique to the system appeared again.
【Congratulations to the host for completing the suggestion: Ask the Thunder Ancestor for his approval.】
【Thunder Ancestor portrayal completion increased: 0.1%】
【Completion is less than 1%, no rewards can be granted.】
Hearing the words "congratulations on completing the suggestion," Lin Nan felt a surge of joy; he was dying to know what the system rewards were!
However, a 0.1% increase was truly pathetic—there wasn't even a shadow of a reward in sight.
But then again, it made sense.
He had only obtained the Thunder Ancestor's approval; it didn't count as a major breakthrough in the portrayal itself, so it was understandable that the completion percentage didn't increase much.
Following the three consecutive *Shengbei*, the sudden influx of comments led to more recommendations from the platform, and the live stream broke through five hundred viewers again.
The comment section scrolled even faster.
【I heard the streamer is going to portray a god?!】
【Yeah, he just asked the god during the live stream and got three *Shengbei* in a row.】
【What state of the Thunder Ancestor are you planning to portray?】
【Last night he decided on the black armor and the crown, so it should be the Thunder Ancestor while casting spells, right?】
【I really want to see what the clothes look like. He must look so cool while casting spells!】
Seeing the growing number of viewers, Lin Nan decided not to end the stream.
He held his phone up, ready to head to the tailor shop not far from the school.
"My fellow immortals, I understand your curiosity about the finished armor."
"I am heading to the tailor shop now to discuss the details of the armor with the owner."
"Please continue to provide your guidance and suggestions."
"As long as it fits the image of the Thunder Ancestor, I will do my best to convey your requirements to the tailor."
(End of chapter)