Almost simultaneously, similar events occurred among devout believers worldwide. Of course, "similar" here doesn't mean they were being spoken about, but rather that they all received that ray of golden light and cultivation methods from Ding Yun.
The reactions weren't entirely consistent.
But for the most part, they were happy, surprised, and excited.
Following that, some chose to diligently and quietly cultivate on their own, others tearfully embraced their children with joy, and still others immediately shared the news with friends and family, and even shared the cultivation methods with them.
As information fermented and spread.
Ding Yun's remaining followers split into two factions.
A very small minority, finding themselves without any gains, began to complain, feeling it was unfair and unacceptable. They thought, "I also offered sacrifices and worshipped the statue, so why don't I get any benefits?"
Consequently, resentment and curses were not uncommon.
The remaining majority, after carefully inquiring with those who had received the cultivation methods, roughly understood the differences between them. They realized it might be due to their insufficient faith, so they didn't complain or resent Ding Yun, but instead strived to become more devout.
Of course, many more were diligently collecting and understanding the contents of those cultivation methods, wanting to cultivate themselves without relying on faith.
In addition to this, there were still billions of followers of other deities in the world who resolutely refused to believe in Ding Yun. They felt that since Ding Yun, the Sun God, had already revived, the deities they believed in might also revive soon, and at that time, those with firm and devout faith would surely receive even greater benefits.
Of course...
There were also those who remained loyal to their original faith, not for any benefits.
However, overall, it was a good thing. Many devout believers' faith became even stronger, many true believers' faith level advanced to that of devout believers, and many superficial believers became true believers. It was just a pity that the number of saints did not increase, remaining only the original three.
Finally, considering that continuous benevolence wasn't the way.
Ding Yun took this opportunity to employ divine punishment for the first time, descending divine light and incinerating those who had cursed her most venomously, even those who had directly smashed her statue and defiled it.
She used the divine fire of the sun to burn them. After the burning, the ground beneath their feet turned into a glassy, glazed appearance.
Later generations called this the Glazed Hell, or Divine Punishment Glaze.
Initially, those who had cursed Ding Yun saw the divine light appear and thought their curses had taken effect. They even provocatively shouted that the Sun Goddess was being unreasonable, just like the Sea Dragon King, needing to be scolded and even bombarded with cannons to obey.
Then they were incinerated into ashes by the golden light.
The most crucial point was that after their physical bodies were turned to ash, their souls still remained in place, not vanishing. They were confined by Ding Yun, trapped above that glazed ground, still enduring a much weaker, yet incredibly agonizing, burning of golden fire that would not cause their souls to perish.
This is the origin of the name Glazed Hell.
This action served as both divine punishment and a deterrent.
If, after ten days to half a month, anyone truly and sincerely repented, Ding Yun, although she wouldn't revive them, could still release their souls.
As for now, they could just endure it.
In the information age, information flows at an incredible speed. Less than five minutes after the physical bodies of those dozen or so blasphemers were incinerated, related videos and brief messages were rapidly released.
However, the comments were few this time, mostly inconsequential remarks, let alone any questioning or scolding.
Even other excessive actions were absent.
Because the times had changed, they no longer dared to speak so recklessly online as they used to, nor did they worry about being punished. The arrogant taunt, "If you have the guts, come through the internet and hit me," was inapplicable to deities. While deities couldn't come through the internet to attack them, they could punish them at any time and any place.
Punishment that ignored laws and was based solely on mood.
The awe of divine power, like a prison, was engraved in their hearts for the first time.
[Finally, someone is punishing the foul-mouthed!]
[I think, perhaps, everyone doesn't need to worry or be too scared. From my understanding, the Sun Goddess's descent of divine punishment this time can be considered a good thing.
Because I believe the Sun Goddess's attitude is that the past is forgiven, but any blasphemous actions after her revival will certainly be noticed by her.
Therefore, those who have been on tenterhooks for the past period can now rest assured!]
[Do you feel now what it means to have divine power like a prison, what it means to have divine power like the sea? Since ancient times, blasphemers have been punished by believers.
They are fortunate to be personally handled by the Goddess.
It can also be considered an honor.]
[The Goddess is mighty, long live the Goddess!]
[I suspect the person above is cursing the Goddess and has evidence. The Sun Goddess should at least be able to exist as long as the sun and moon, right? Isn't "long live" a curse?]
[Don't you find this terrifying? Doesn't this mean there is now an existence above the law in this world? Fortunately, this one is on the side of justice. If evil gods were to revive in the future, I dare not imagine what would happen. I have a feeling that the current era of peace and prosperity might disappear.]
[What's so terrifying about this? Was there no one above the law before any deities revived? Were all cases enforced justly, all grievances redressed, and all countries peaceful and prosperous, enjoying the so-called golden age?
What utopian dream are you living in?
If I were to describe this era, it is undoubtedly an era of extraordinary brilliance, the beginning of a new era, and the last hope for everyone to change their social class for countless years to come. It's an opportunity where even a pig can soar to the sky, but if you miss the opportunity.
Then your descendants will undoubtedly have a difficult life.
It can be said that we are all standing at the cusp of this era. Whether we can become new wealthy first-generation individuals and become practitioners of the new era in the future depends on ourselves.]
[What's the deal with faith? I feel like I believe in deities very much, and I burn incense every day, but it still doesn't seem to meet the standard.
Those who received cultivation methods from deities entered the threshold immediately upon receiving them. But I've practiced several cultivation methods and felt nothing. So, are those cultivation methods only possible to enter the threshold with divine grace?]
[As someone who has received the Sun Goddess's grace, I kindly advise everyone not to waste your time practicing cultivation methods passed down from others. Because when we practice, we can feel a continuous flow of energy being transmitted to us from the void. This is energy that cannot be felt by those around us. I have reason to suspect that those who cannot feel this energy will not be able to cultivate at all, and the world lacks the energy for cultivation.]
[Instead of trying to practice cultivation methods, it's better to focus on improving your faith level. A few minutes ago, a friend of mine who didn't get a cultivation method, possibly because her faith level met the standard, has now entered the threshold. And her experience is the same as mine; she can feel the continuous energy from the void that can be absorbed.
This is likely a restriction imposed by the Sun Goddess.]
[But how do I improve my faith? It feels so difficult. I feel like I believe quite a bit. I burn incense three times a day, and I can even recite the Sun Sutra from memory.
And it still doesn't meet the standard...]
[Perhaps faith is judged by intention, not by action. Your heart is not sincere, so no matter how much you do, it's just superficial effort.]