She glanced at the old digital watch on her wrist and said:

"It's getting late. We need to get back to our own homes before the streetlights come on.

"Next is the final part, the Holy Communion."

After speaking, she and the Ms. Thompson walked together through the passage into the inner room.

In less than a minute, they came out one after the other. One was carrying various tableware—small bowls, large bowls, plastic lunch boxes, and porcelain spoons—while the other was holding a large cylindrical container filled with something dark.

A rich aroma quickly drifted into Brian Carter's nose, making him unconsciously raise his right hand to wipe the corner of his mouth.

It was the scent of sesame and sugar!

Similar things, including ordinary snacks, cost 60 contribution points per jin, even more expensive than pork!

As for the high-end stuff, it was about 720 points per jin. Brian Carter's daily breakfast only cost 8 to 10 points.

Soon, Ms. Thompson distributed the tableware to everyone. Alice Cooper, holding a semi-transparent plastic container in one hand and a soup ladle in the other, scooped the dark food into the followers' bowls and lunch boxes, one ladle per person.

With each serving, she would say:

"This is today's Holy Communion, black sesame porridge."

Those who received the Holy Communion would solemnly respond:

"Praise your mercy!"

As a new member, Brian Carter was the last to be served after Alice Cooper and Ms. Thompson, and his ladleful was quite generous, almost filling the small bowl in his hand.

"This is today's Holy Communion, black sesame porridge," Alice Cooper said as usual.

Brian Carter responded with utmost devotion:

"Praise your mercy!"

The one distributing the Holy Communion, Alice Cooper, was in some sense the embodiment of the "Year Warden" Siming, so "you" referred to Siming, not Alice Cooper.

Ms. Thompson observed the changes in Brian Carter's expression and smiled as she asked:

"Are you moved?"

"Moved!" Brian Carter held the bowl in one hand, raised the other, and wiped the corner of his mouth again.

Alice Cooper and Ms. Thompson said nothing more, returned to the bedside, divided the remaining black sesame porridge, lowered their heads slightly, and solemnly said:

"Praise your mercy."

Everyone echoed the phrase, then began to enjoy the Holy Communion.

The Holy Communion seemed to have been prepared in advance and was a bit cool, but that didn't affect its taste—rich, sweet, and with the unique character of sesame.

After carefully tasting a spoonful, Brian Carter paused briefly, then began to eat rapidly, sending spoonful after spoonful of the black sesame porridge into his mouth.

Clang, clang, clang—he didn't even leave the bits stuck to the sides of the bowl, scraping it clean.

After finishing, he glanced around and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

When the Holy Communion ceremony ended, everyone praised the Siming who presides over December in unison, then lined up to return their tableware to Ms. Thompson and Alice Cooper.

When it was Brian Carter's turn, Ms. Thompson smiled and asked:

"This is your first time attending a gathering. How do you feel?"

Brian Carter answered seriously:

"It was delicious."

Ms. Thompson's expression froze for a moment, then she asked:

"Do you have any suggestions for us?

"Don't hold back. Now that you've joined the congregation, we're all family. There's nothing family can't say to each other."

Brian Carter thought for a moment and said:

"More Holy Communion."

"...Anything else?" Ms. Thompson forced a smile.

Brian Carter's eyes moved slightly as he said:

"Brush your teeth in advance."

Ms. Thompson couldn't help but cough:

"Everyone may leave now. Brian Carter, stay behind. The 'Guide' has something to say to you."

James Sullivan and the others left one after another. Ms. Thompson and her husband, carrying the tableware, went into the inner room.

Alice Cooper walked up to Brian Carter, her smile gentle as she said:

"You've just joined the congregation, so you need to quickly learn the knowledge related to prayer.

"Don't worry, it's all very simple. Our Lord Siming, the true deity who presides over the years, doesn't care about these things—there are no complicated rituals."

Brian Carter nodded, indicating he was listening.

Alice Cooper slowed her speech and said:

"We don't have fixed prayer times, but we usually choose to pray right after waking up in the morning, to thank Siming for letting us live another day.

"We place the most importance on the birth of infants and the passing of the dead. So, our formal ceremonies or religious rituals are held when a new life reaches one month old or when the deceased is buried. At other times, we have similar sermons, but the timing isn't fixed.

"Mm, on the first day of December, there's a grand ceremony to welcome our Lord Siming's arrival, and on the last day of December, there's also a grand ceremony, wishing our Lord to open the gates to a new world.

"You've already learned the gesture—imitating the gentle rocking of a baby in your arms. The corresponding phrases are mainly three types: when it comes to death or passing, say 'All will eventually return to Siming'; when mentioning the nobility of life or our Lord's grace, use 'Praise your mercy'; when it involves new life, you can say 'New life is like the sun' or 'Life is paramount.'

"That's basically it. As for the Holy Communion, it's different every time. It could be black sesame porridge, or it could be milk, juice, soy milk, meat broth, vegetable soup, yogurt... Hehe, have you noticed what they have in common?"

Brian Carter thought for a moment and said:

"They're all delicious."