Can't I raise myself?

After hanging up the phone, Ryan leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

Tomorrow, once tomorrow is over, he'll be completely free from Adler's control.

Swish!

Silver light sliced through the night, black flames spreading along the dagger, burning the demon spirit's body.

On the interface, 'Lin Qi' weaved through the alleys of the slums, quickly clearing the demon spirits around her, while her Demon Spirit leaped from the shadows, dealing with a few other demon spirits.

In a flash, 'Lin Qi' accelerated and sharply turned, crossing paths with the Demon Spirit. Her sharp dagger plunged into the body of an elite demon spirit, while the Demon Spirit's attack landed on another demon spirit chasing her.

Interlocking, covering, attacking... Ryan noticed that as 'Lin Qi' leveled up, her proficiency in fighting with her Demon Spirit seemed to be rapidly improving. In previous battles, there was always a clear distinction between the main attacker, either 'Lin Qi' or the Demon Spirit, and sometimes there would be a 'stutter'.

But now it was different. Watching the battle unfold like a dance show, Ryan could only describe the scene before him with 'aesthetics'.

Smooth, natural, effortless.

"The Demon Spirit is under the main body's control. If I were controlling the character myself, it would probably be a gradual adaptation process, but the AI is much faster than me."

This thing is actually combat skill. Character abilities are just numbers; if you can't use them, they're useless.

So, skill is very important. It's no exaggeration to say that with 'Lin Qi's' current combat skills, at the same level, she could definitely defeat the 'Lin Qi' who had just transferred classes, without any chance to retaliate.

Bang!

The elite demon spirit, under 'Lin Qi's' pursuit, dropped two small light orbs before meeting its maker.

A Roasted Chicken, and a piece of low-level equipment.

[Card's Bracelet]

[Quality: Tier 1 · Common]

[Effect: Spirit +2, Magic Power +2]

[Description: Too lazy to describe.]

It wasn't equipment worth a second glance, not even having an equipment requirement. However, for the current 'Lin Qi' and 'Shyarly', it was still a decent item.

After all, they had no other choice.

Ryan's gaze moved down.

[Your level has increased to Lv20]

[You have heard the echo of time and space.]

The chime of time and space sounded again. There was no clock tower nearby, so the sound originated from some kind of extraordinary power.

[Fragmented ancient spirits wander in the rifts of time and space, peeking into a corner of reality from the gaps. The Silent Nun never allows unholy beings to exist in this world—Do you accept the trial?]

"Advancement quest?"

Ryan clicked yes.

The next second, five figures appeared beside 'Lin Qi'.

[Lingering Rift Spirit Lv25 · Elite]

"Damn, this is ridiculous."

Cross-level challenges were one thing, but even five Lv25 demon spirits attacking simultaneously would be troublesome, let alone elite monsters. These things had significantly increased damage and health, especially health. The Blade of Erosion was already struggling to keep up after Lv20.

"Time to change weapons."

Ryan secretly shook his head as he watched 'Lin Qi' struggle a bit. The only reason she could still kill them was the Silent Nun's high class growth and the Demon Spirit's assistance. If it were any other class, he figured he'd turn and run.

Ryan had even considered teaching 'Lin Qi' combo skills, but he ultimately held back. 'Lin Qi' wasn't a high-attack-speed class; half of her attack frequency came from the Demon Spirit, and the Demon Spirit's combos likely weren't counted.

If that were the case, the advantage of combos would be difficult to leverage.

Ryan knew of an assassin class, but he couldn't obtain it for now.

Pfft~

With the Demon Spirit's cooperation, they forcibly took down one.

'Lin Qi's' health had been hovering below half.

As a precaution, Ryan used the Ring of Death's exemption skill. This item had been transferred from 'Shyarly' to 'Lin Qi'. Taking advantage of the twenty seconds of invincibility, he took down another one. The remaining three were slowly ground down over several minutes before being successfully dealt with.

[Congratulations on passing the trial.]

[You have successfully advanced.]

Under the moonlight, grey-black flames surged out, rising around 'Lin Qi'. Her robes fluttered as if in a wind, and the Demon Spirit circled behind her like a guardian god. 'Lin Qi', wreathed in flame, appeared exceptionally cold.

[You have learned the class skill 'Magic Nullification Domain'.]

[Magic Nullification Domain: Renders spellcasting within a certain range ineffective. The effect is related to the user's attributes.]

Chapter 48: Whitewashing! Ryan: Goodbye Adler, and my cowardice [8.5k!]

Magic Nullification?

Ryan blinked in surprise.

"This thing... seems pretty awesome."

As everyone knows, the reason Transcendent beings are so powerful relies heavily on the use of Magic Power.

This is especially true for classes specializing in spells, like Singers, who typically attack and defend through the power of their spells. Once they lose this advantage, their combat effectiveness plummets.

Not every class experiences dual growth in both high Physique and high Magic Power like the Silent Nun. Most are 'specialized' in one area, and the Magic Nullification Domain clearly exists to counter those high Magic Power, low Physique growth classes.

Simply put, it's designed to counter mages.

Even high-level Transcendent beings struggle to utilize their full strength if they can't fight with spells.

For example, Cassidy is a typical mage. If you nullify her magic, she'll just have to obediently present her defeat CG.

"Wait, this thing has restrictions for me too, right?"

Ryan activated the Magic Nullification Domain and then had 'Lin Qi' attempt to use Purification Spell. The system prompt indicated it couldn't be used.

"I'm stumped. This is idiotic, killing a thousand enemies while losing eight hundred yourself."

"Huh? The Demon Spirit didn't disappear?"

Ryan saw that the Demon Spirit remained by 'Lin Qi's' side, guarding her like a bodyguard.

"Hmm... I'll recall one idiot."

What does the Silent Nun primarily rely on? Isn't it the Demon Spirit!

As long as the Demon Spirit isn't affected, with 'Lin Qi's' high stat growth, she can suppress her opponent even without using other spells.

"I wonder if it's that all class skills are unaffected, or if it's just the Demon Spirit. I'll find an opportunity to verify this later."

Ryan opened the new status interface--

[Name: Lin Qi]
[Gender: Female]
[Class: Silent Nun]
[Level: 20]
[Physique: 28.7+3]
[Spirit: 25.4+3]
[Magic Power: 37.6+5]
[Intelligence: 12]
[Charisma: 16]
[Skills: Swiftness Lv3, Purification Lv2]
[Class Skills: Demon Spirit Summon, Demon Spirit Entanglement, Magic Nullification Domain]
[Equipment: Blade of Erosion, Black Gloves, Ring of Death]

The high stat boost from advancing was directly reflected on the panel. However, the most important thing was skill acquisition. Overall, 'Lin Qi's' combat power increased considerably after advancing.

No wonder so many people were willing to risk it despite the dangerous advancement ritual.

"Everything is ready, except for the east wind."

Setting 'Lin Qi' to AI auto-battle, Ryan washed up and fell into bed.

He needed to be in good condition for the cleansing tomorrow.

The next day.

Ryan set out from the General Bureau early in the morning, leading the police officers to secure the Janus Church inside and out.

"Ah, Captain Ryan, may Janus bless you."

At the church entrance, Father Peter, who was preparing for the ceremony, greeted Ryan with a smile.

"Good morning, Father." Ryan nodded in acknowledgment. "Where is the Priestess?"

"The Priestess is inside the church."

"Are you preparing for Mass?"

"Ah, no, I will be presiding over the Mass."

Peter didn't quite know how to explain. Theoretically, the Priestess should be attending, but 'Lin Qi' said she didn't want to, and then High Priestess Lia actually agreed?

However, this was a good thing for Peter. After all, presiding over a religious ceremony was a form of honor, and in other churches, a mere priest wouldn't get such an opportunity.

If he performed well, he might even have a chance to be promoted to Priest in a couple of years.

Ryan walked to the church doors and saw 'Lin Qi' talking to Lia inside. The latter noticed someone approaching, said a few words to 'Lin Qi', and left through a side door.

Although her identity wasn't public, Lia was considered part of Janus Church's personnel. However, Ryan learned from 'Lin Qi' that Lia would not be participating in the plan to apprehend Adler.

After all, in principle, people from the Gate of Janus couldn't interfere in the Empire's internal affairs. Adler was, at the very least, a Secretary-General. While not particularly important, if someone chose to make an issue out of it, it could inevitably cause trouble.

As for 'Lin Qi', firstly, her status wasn't high. Secondly, she was personally friends with Cassidy.

Helping a little as a friend, who could say anything negative?

"Hi, Ryan!"

About half an hour later, Jonathan arrived with his people.

He walked towards Ryan, a cigarette in his mouth, and waved hello.

"How are you feeling? Nervous?"

"Adler should be the one feeling nervous," Ryan chuckled. "We're the good guys, catching a bad guy. What's there to be nervous about?"

"Haha~ I like your attitude." As he spoke, Jonathan patted Ryan's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Remember, safety is the most important thing. Her Highness the Princess wants to catch Adler, that's her business. This is a struggle for the imperial succession. We'll do our best, but don't risk your life."

The Empire didn't belong to any single prince or princess. The League of Fire only served the Emperor. If the Hand of Darkness hadn't been involved, Jonathan wouldn't have agreed so readily.

But in his eyes, capturing Adler and exposing the person behind him was clearly not as important as Ryan's safety.

At 9:30 AM, people began arriving continuously outside Janus Church. Some of those selected to participate in the ceremony could enter the church, while the rest could only stand outside and soak in the atmosphere.

As for who was selected, that question was as obvious as asking whether one preferred royal pastries or stale bread.

"Her Highness the Princess has arrived!"

At this moment.

Someone in the crowd shouted.

Soon after, Cassidy appeared at the front of the church, surrounded by guards. The mayor, Bill, was with her. Ryan saw Adler, dressed impeccably, following Bill, looking composed and calm.