Upon arriving at the Tianzhong Grand Hotel, Chen Xiang was personally welcomed inside by the matriarch, who was exceptionally respectful.

"Everything is prepared," she said, slightly bowing her head. After the deaths of the nobleman and the old cripple, she had become the true master of the entire Nine Rings, second only to Chen Xiang.

Her address to Chen Xiang had also changed:

"Mr. Chen, we are just one ring short; the consolidation of the outer three rings will be completed. We have currently rebuilt the police department, fire department, air traffic control department, and even the education department."

"The criminal licenses have also been completely revoked. New laws will take a long time to formulate, so we are temporarily referring to the laws of the Great City. Furthermore..."

The matriarch respectfully continued, "Regarding what you mentioned about providing faith to the people, we have discussed it and perhaps found a better option."

"Oh?" Chen Xiang raised an eyebrow in surprise, then saw the matriarch gesture to a middle-aged man resembling a priest who approached with a respectful yet fearful smile:

"Mr. Chen!"

The matriarch introduced, "This man is Mori, a priest, professional swindler, and brainwashing master. He once defrauded a large city in the Fallen Nation, making off with all its finances."

"He also brainwashed an entire village in just fourteen days, making everyone worship him as the supreme master, voluntarily offering everything, including money, wives, and daughters."

"He is scum, yet a talent."

Saying this, the matriarch lowered her voice, "He might be of use to you."

Chen Xiang's expression shifted slightly: "Aunt Li, what do you mean?"

"He can help you spread the faith more quickly, or even..." The matriarch hesitated, "or even brainwash."

Chen Xiang frowned: "I don't need brainwashing; faith must come from the heart. However..."

He looked at the man named Mori, who was trembling: "However, you do seem somewhat useful. I want the faith of Emper Xiang to spread throughout the entire outer three rings within seven days, with at least ninety percent becoming general believers and a certain proportion becoming devout believers. Can you do that?"

"Seven days?? That's impossible!" Mori gasped, noticing the dangerous look in the matriarch's eyes. He shivered again and mournfully said, "That's very difficult."

"Is it difficult but achievable?" Chen Xiang asked with interest.

Mori, sensing the matriarch's gaze, broke out in a cold sweat: "Before I became a priest, I was a school teacher. I once spent five days brainwashing an entire class successfully, but faith is different from brainwashing, and this time the scope is not just a class; it's over a billion people in the entire outer three rings."

The matriarch interrupted him: "Just say yes or no!"

After a pause, she muttered to herself, "If you say you can, you're a useful scum. If you say you can't, you're useless scum. I usually prefer to turn useless scum into actual 'scum'."

"Yes! Absolutely yes!" Mori shouted hoarsely. "Brainwashing an entire class requires five steps; religion requires seven steps. Seven days is definitely enough!"

He himself wasn't confident, but at this moment, he had to sound confident.

"Seven steps, seven days?" Chen Xiang asked with curiosity.

He could feel that this Mori fellow was just an ordinary person, without any mastery of the Mystic Arts, but he seemed capable of exerting influence—and not a small one at that.

Mori, sensing the terrifying and indescribable pressure from Mr. Chen, swallowed hard and tried to calm his nerves while showcasing his eloquence:

"The seven steps: first, establish a 'movement' that everyone in the outer three rings can join and follow. Since Mr. Chen is looking to create a safe zone, this movement could be called the Order Movement. Yes, the Order Movement!"

"Second, build relationships and a sense of identity. Small-scale groups can use gatherings and seminars, but for such a large scale... There's a way—mass gatherings for prayer!"

"Third, instill doctrine and rituals; the most important part is the rituals. Good rituals and habits can greatly enhance participation and identification."

"Fourth, strengthen discipline and behavioral norms; fifth, emphasize loyalty and dedication. Those loyal and dedicated will be rewarded with the highest glory."

Mori became more and more excited as his thoughts grew clearer:

"Sixth! Exclude! Set up an enemy for the whole, hate and attack them. When everyone has a common enemy, they will unite immensely!"

"Seventh and final step: prevent exits, maintain control. Encourage members to report on each other, establish faith authorities, and punish heretics. If I can achieve these seven steps, I'm confident we can bind the entire outer three rings together as one!"

Chen Xiang laughed: "Isn't this just the same old brainwashing technique?"

Mori was silent for a moment and cautiously said, "Religion and faith have similarities with brainwashing. In a sense, what benefits the masses is faith; what harms is called brainwashing."

Chen Xiang contemplated for a moment, then asked indifferently, "But can you really complete these seven steps within seven days?"

Mori's mind raced: "Normally, it wouldn't be possible, so we need an 'anchor'!"

"Anchor?" Chen Xiang inquired, puzzled.

"Yes!" Mori said respectfully. "An anchor of faith, a symbol. For example, in ancient history, there was a non-supernatural church that was renowned worldwide; their initial 'anchor' was called 'Jesus'."

"You would be perfect as this anchor. The matter of establishing a safe zone aligns with the interests of the lower classes. By making you the anchor and packaging you as the son of God, becoming the embodiment of faith will facilitate the spread of that faith."

The matriarch curiously asked, "How specifically will you do this? How will it align with your seven steps of... er, faith?"

Mori flattered, "By Mr. Chen initiating the Order Movement and conducting daily prayer gatherings, with Mr. Chen himself as the object of prayer, along with rituals and daily habits all incorporating Mr. Chen's presence for seven days; this will be enough for Mr. Chen to become the anchor of faith!"

"So fast?" The matriarch questioned skeptically.

"Just that fast," Mori said seriously. "Initially, I only took five days to make an entire class go from strangers to obedient. People have a tendency to conform."

Chen Xiang closed his eyes, lost in thought, while Mori felt anxious and fearful. His trembling legs indicated that his future depended on this man's words.

After arriving at the Tianjing Grand Hotel, Chen Xiang was personally received by the matriarch, who treated him with great respect.

"Everything is ready."

The matriarch slightly bowed her head. After the deaths of the Duke and the Old Lame Man, she had become the true master of the entire Nine Rings, second only to Chen Xiang.

Stolen story; please report.

Her way of addressing Chen Xiang had also changed:

"Mr. Chen, we are just one ring away. The consolidation of the outer three rings will be complete. We have now rebuilt the police department, fire department, air traffic control, and even the education department."

"The criminal licenses have been completely revoked. The new laws will take a long time to establish, so we have temporarily referenced the laws of the Great City. Additionally..."

The matriarch respectfully continued,

"What you mentioned about giving the people faith, we have discussed it, and perhaps we have a better option."

"Oh?"

Chen Xiang looked at her with surprise, and the matriarch made a gesture. A middle-aged man resembling a priest came over, walking cautiously with a respectful yet fearful smile:

"Mr. Chen!"

The matriarch introduced,

"This man is Mori, a priest, a professional con artist, and a brainwashing master."

"He once defrauded a large city in the Fallen Nation, stealing all of its finances, and he also managed to brainwash an entire village in just fourteen days, making the villagers worship him as their supreme master, willingly offering everything, including money, wives, and daughters."

"He is scum, yet also a talent."

Saying this, the matriarch whispered,

"Perhaps he could be useful to you."

Chen Xiang's expression shifted:

"Aunt Li, what do you mean?"

"He can help you spread the faith more quickly, or even..."

The matriarch hesitated a moment:

"Even brainwash."

Chen Xiang frowned:

"I don't need brainwashing; faith should come from the heart. However,"

He looked at the man named Mori, who trembled at the gaze.

"However, you do seem to have some skills. I want the faith of Emper Xiang to spread throughout the entire outer three rings within seven days, with at least 90% of the population becoming followers, and a certain proportion becoming devout believers. Can you do it?"

"Seven days? That's impossible!"

Mori was taken aback. Noticing the matriarch's dangerous gaze, he trembled again and groaned,

"That's very difficult."

"Difficult but doable?" Chen Xiang inquired with interest. "Is that so?"

Mori felt the matriarch's glare and started sweating profusely:

"Before I became a priest, I was a teacher. I once spent five days brainwashing an entire class, and it worked, but faith is not the same as authoritarian control, and this time the scope is not just a class; it's over a billion people in the entire outer three rings."

The matriarch interrupted him:

"Just say whether you can or cannot?"

After a pause, she muttered to herself:

"If you can, you're a useful scum; if not, you're just useless scum. Useless scum, I usually enjoy turning them into 'rubble.'"

"Yes! Absolutely yes!"

Mori shouted,

"Brainwashing an entire class requires five steps; for religion, it requires seven steps. Seven days will definitely be enough!"

He himself was not sure, but at this moment, he had to be confident.

"Seven steps in seven days?" Chen Xiang asked with interest. "Tell me about it."

He could sense that this man named Mori was just an ordinary person, without any practice in the Mystic Arts, but he seemed capable of having some impact—possibly significant.

Mori felt the terrifying, indescribable pressure from Chen Xiang, swallowed hard, tried to calm himself, and began to articulate his thoughts:

"The seven steps: First, establish a 'movement' that everyone in the outer three rings can join and follow. Since you are about to create a safe zone, this movement could be called the Order Movement. Yes, the Order Movement!"

"Second, establish relationships and a sense of identity. Small groups can use gatherings and seminars, but for such a large scale... got it, large-scale prayer gatherings!"

"Third, instill doctrine and rituals; the most important thing is the rituals. Good rituals and habits can greatly enhance participation and identity."

"Fourth, strengthen discipline and behavioral norms; fifth, emphasize loyalty and dedication. Loyal and dedicated members will be rewarded with supreme glory."

Mori grew more excited as he spoke, his thoughts becoming clearer:

"Sixth, exclude outsiders! Set up a common enemy for everyone to hate and attack. When everyone has a common enemy, they will be united!"

"The seventh and final step is to prevent withdrawal and maintain control. Encourage members to report each other, establish faith authorities, and punish heretics. If we can accomplish these seven steps, I'm confident we can unite the entire outer three rings into one!"

Chen Xiang laughed:

"Isn't this just the brainwashing routine?"

Mori fell silent for a moment and carefully replied,

"Religion and faith inherently have commonalities with brainwashing. In a certain sense, faith is beneficial to the masses, while brainwashing is harmful."

Chen Xiang pondered for a moment and casually asked,

"But can you really complete these seven steps in seven days?"

Mori's mind raced:

"Normally, it wouldn't be possible, so we need an 'anchor'!"

"Anchor?" Chen Xiang inquired.

"Yes!"

Mori said respectfully:

"A faith anchor, a symbol. For example, in ancient history, there was a globally renowned non-superordinary church whose early 'anchor' was named 'Jesus.'"

"You are suitable to be this anchor. The matter of establishing a safe zone aligns with the interests of the lower classes. As you become this anchor, I will package you as the Son of God or something similar, turning you into the faith anchor, becoming the Holy Son in the hearts of the people. This will facilitate the spread of faith."

The matriarch curiously asked,

"Specifically, how will this align with your brainwashing... I mean, the seven steps of faith?"

Mori smiled obsequiously:

"Mr. Chen will initiate the Order Movement, hold daily prayer gatherings, and the object of prayer will also be Mr. Chen. The rituals and daily habits will incorporate Mr. Chen's presence. Seven days will be sufficient for Mr. Chen to become the faith anchor!"

"So fast?" The matriarch questioned skeptically.

"Just that fast," Mori stated seriously. "When I did it before, I only took five days to turn an entire class from strangers to obedient followers. People tend to conform."

Chen Xiang closed his eyes, falling into thought, while Mori felt anxious, trembling, aware that his fate depended on the next words from Chen Xiang.

After a long moment, Chen Xiang patted his shoulder:

"You truly are a talent."

Mori breathed a sigh of relief.

"In seven days, if there is success, I will spare you from a painful death as a reward. If there is no success..."

"Mr. Chen, I will certainly present you with a satisfactory report. But for these seven days, I may need your cooperation."

"That's fine." Chen Xiang emphasized: "But remember, I don't want another cult; I want a good church that gives the public faith and can restrain evil and chaos!"

"I understand your meaning."

Mori exhaled, and flattered, he said:

"Let's call it the Seven Days of the Lord."

"Shortened to, the Lord's Seven Days."

………

Day One.

Relative to the order of the seven rings, the eighth ring was being rebuilt, and the ninth ring had initially escaped complete chaos.

Everyone in each ring and area was gathered in their respective districts, and all thirty-six districts of the outer three rings held grand speeches simultaneously, with only one theme.

"Order, order, and more order!"

"The Order Movement initiated by Mr. Chen will eliminate chaos from the outer three rings. The Great City has abandoned us, but Mr. Chen has not!"

"Order, order, order!"

"This is the order brought by Mr. Chen!"

Speeches, flyers, announcements—dense, overwhelming public information declared order while subtly linking order with Mr. Chen.

By the end of the first day, people still scoffed at it.

"This is just the beginning; trust me!" Mori said.

Day Two.

The crime rate in the outer three rings was forcibly reduced to zero. The former thugs, under the matriarch's high pressure, transformed into 'good neighbors,' cleaning the streets, picking up trash, and helping the civilians.

"This is all because of order, the order brought by Mr. Chen!" the thugs said.

On the evening of the second day, the thirty-six districts again held large-scale gatherings for 'prayer.'

"Emper Xiang pities the suffering of all beings. He hates chaos and evil. He wants order; he wants stability; he wants everyone to live and work in peace."

"Therefore, He has sent Mr. Chen. Chen Xiang is the Son of Emper Xiang, who descended into the world on the second day; order has begun to take shape!"

The rarely stable populace began to doubt, still scoffing at Emper Xiang and Chen Xiang.

"Another cult," someone commented.

By the end of the second day,

"This is still just the beginning, but indeed a good beginning!" Mori respectfully reported to Chen Xiang.

Day Three.

"When you harbor ill thoughts, clasp your hands together and raise them above your head; this is repentance!"

"When you encounter danger, clasp your hands together and raise them above your head; this is a plea!"

"Every morning, conduct solitary prayer, clasp your hands together and raise them above your head!"

"At the end of each day, conduct solitary prayer, quietly enjoy the 'holy meal' distributed by Mr. Chen, and the believers of God will never sleep on an empty stomach!"

The day passed peacefully, and as they fell asleep, hungry wanderers cried tears while eating the sweet mush provided as the 'holy meal.'

"Praise Emper Xiang!"

"Praise Chen Xiang!"

The wanderers clasped their hands together, raised them above their heads, and when the thugs distributing the 'holy meal' saw them, they gave an extra portion. In the midst of gobbling down, the wanderers became even more devout.

By the end of the third day,

"Results, we have already seen results!" Mori took a deep breath and respectfully told Chen Xiang.

Day Four.

Everyone in the outer three rings received a pure white new garment.

"This is the ceremonial garment; wear it during prayers and gatherings, and the divine will protect you."

"The great Son of Emper Xiang, Mr. Chen, will protect everyone wearing the pure white ceremonial garment!"

That day, during the large-scale prayer gathering after the holy meal, some people looked at the clean and tidy streets and felt the sensation of 'order' for the first time.

That evening, many people clasped their hands together above their heads before sleeping.

"Praise Emper Xiang."

"Praise Chen Xiang!"

The praises rose and fell throughout the entire outer three rings.

At this moment.

"This is..."

At the top of the Tianjing Grand Hotel, Chen Xiang felt a subtle, mysterious, and indescribable special power descending upon him.

His soul's origin was growing, his mental strength was increasing, his thoughts were clear, and he could hear a myriad of overlapping voices.

"Praise Emper Xiang!"

" praise Chen Xiang!"

Chen Xiang marveled:

"This is... faith."

"Weak, insignificant, but the faith that truly exists. Mori is indeed a talent!"