A field of pure white filled his vision.
Fang Zheng stood at the center of the platform and felt nothing unusual. But that did not put him at ease. Having inherited this body's memories, he knew perfectly well that this world's power level was extremely high. It was not as if he had never read webnovels before. In many of them, so-called "rule-based" powers were powerful trump cards possessed only by the strongest experts. Yet in this world, people had even learned to use a certain degree of "rule-based" power as weapons and tools!
Like the platform array before him. What it used was the power of "order" and "purification," rules that the Cultists hated most. The Cultists could not resist that power at all, because it was one of this world's fundamental laws. Opposing it was equivalent to opposing the entire world.
What Fang Zheng worried about was what effect that power would have on him.
He was not a Cultist, nor was he interested in the nonsensical beliefs lodged in this body's mind. But Fang Zheng was not sure whether, as a reincarnated transmigrator, he might cause some kind of disturbance in this world's laws of order.
It was like antivirus software. If it merely "killed viruses," then it was simple: find the viruses that had harmed the system and eliminate them.
But one should not forget that firewalls sometimes warned that "unknown software is attempting to modify system settings."
"Ding."
Just as he had feared, the instant that thought crossed Fang Zheng's mind, a crisp system notification sounded beside his ear. A line of information appeared before him.
Order Parallel Port detected Beginning Port Activation
What the hell? Wait, tell me what this thing even is first!
Staring at the nearly useless message, Fang Zheng was instantly shocked. But before he could contact customer service and figure out what was going on, the notification vanished with a swish. Then Fang Zheng suddenly felt the pure white radiance around him begin to tremble.
"What is this...?!"
The old man looked up in surprise toward the platform before him. The pure white pillar of light was growing ever more dazzling. Not only that, but the Order Array engraved beneath the platform had begun to emit a golden radiance. It transformed into streaks of light that silently appeared around the white pillar, then became sacred-looking Runes.
"This is... Law Resonance!!"
"Whoosh—"
The white pillar vanished in an instant, leaving only Fang Zheng standing at the center of the platform. Everything from before seemed like an illusion. If not for the system notification that had suddenly appeared, Fang Zheng might not have noticed anything strange. But now... heh, seeing the old bishop's expression as though he had seen a ghost, Fang Zheng did not feel much better himself.
Didn't people say cheat abilities were supposed to help the protagonist? Why did this system do nothing but screw me over?
"Is something wrong?"
While silently cursing the system for being so good at causing trouble, Fang Zheng put on a curious expression and looked at the old man before him. Upon hearing the question, the old bishop shuddered, then stared at him in astonishment.
"Order above, I never imagined that you would trigger Law Resonance!"
"Law Resonance?"
Fang Zheng was utterly baffled when he heard the term and had no idea what it meant. But judging by the old bishop's expression, it did not seem to be a bad thing?
"Yes, sir. Please come with me..."
The old bishop's attitude had become far more respectful. Earlier, he had called Fang Zheng "young man," but now he addressed him as "sir." As he led Fang Zheng farther inside, he explained what Law Resonance was. Through the old bishop's explanation, Fang Zheng finally understood.
Simply put, "Law Resonance" was not, as Fang Zheng had imagined, some sign of a savior or symbol of a legendary hero. In fact, it was more like an omen. When it occurred, it meant that the person who triggered the Law Resonance was not rejected by order, but welcomed by it instead. It meant that order welcomed Fang Zheng's arrival here and believed that his presence would benefit the order of this place.
It was like drawing a "good fortune" lot. It was not as good as "great fortune," but it was still better than "misfortune."
"I remember that the last person to receive Law Resonance was a brave warrior. He helped us eliminate the Necromancer entrenched in the Black Tower... That was truly a difficult battle..."
The old bishop was quite excited, chattering endlessly about his past as they walked. Listening to him, Fang Zheng's tightly wound heart gradually relaxed. He had no idea what Law Resonance really was, but he could be certain it should not do him any harm... Well, probably not.
"...I know why you have come. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult for me to find you a guide. But thank heavens, Great Knight Stone is here. I believe he will certainly be interested in a chosen one who triggered Law Resonance!"
What the hell!!
Fang Zheng's face turned green at the old man's words. A Grand Knight was a rank above Knight, one of this world's mid-to-high-tier combatants. Fang Zheng had originally only wanted to join the Holy Temple as an ordinary Acolyte Knight, then take on some ordinary missions from the Holy Temple. But from the sound of it, they were planning to specifically assign him a mentor?
And a Grand Knight at that?
Fang Zheng could not guarantee whether those higher-ups knew of his existence. What if the other party knew this body's original identity and drew his sword to cut him down the instant they met?
He had wanted to take the low-level route!
But now, it seemed his plan had to change again.
At the same time, the old man had already led Fang Zheng to a training ground on the side of the Holy Temple. The place was wide open, with only a tall figure swinging a longsword in training.
He was a middle-aged man with blond hair and the sturdy build typical of a Westerner, standing a full two meters tall. Bare-chested, he vigorously swung a two-handed Greatsword. The blade was two palms wide and taller than a person. Yet in the man's hands, such a massive Greatsword moved as lightly as a willow branch. Fang Zheng could barely make out the path of his swings. After quite a while, the blond man abruptly stopped and stepped back. At the very instant he did so, a powerful sword aura erupted, blasting all the wooden posts around him into fragments.
So this was the power of a Grand Knight?!
Fang Zheng could not help but be moved by the sight. Such power was practically enough to take on a thousand men alone and sweep through them all!
"Yo, Hark, what are you doing here?"
The man turned his head toward the old bishop beside Fang Zheng and flashed a smug grin.
"What, are you planning to come down and trade a few moves with me too?"
"I'll pass. These old arms and legs of mine can't withstand your abuse, Stone."
Hearing Stone's words, the old bishop rolled his eyes, then turned slightly and gestured.
"I brought him to meet you."
"A pretty little noble boy?"
Upon hearing the old bishop, Stone glanced at Fang Zheng and curled his lips disdainfully.
"Why did you bring him to see me? It's not like he's some noble young lady."
"He wishes to join the Holy Temple and become a Guardian Knight Trainee."
"Can't you handle that yourself? Dealing with noble young masters who just want to coast through life is your specialty, isn't it?"
Stone clearly had no interest in Fang Zheng, which was understandable. This body's original physique was not particularly strong; it could even be called frail. In Stone's eyes, Fang Zheng was clearly just another descendant of a decadent noble family. Stone had always looked down on such people.
But the old bishop clearly did not care about Stone's remarks. He merely smiled faintly and offered a reminder.
"He triggered Law Resonance just now."
"Oh?"
Only then did Stone stop moving. He narrowed his eyes and studied Fang Zheng carefully for the first time.
"Kid, you want to become a Guardian Knight Trainee?"
"Yes."
Fang Zheng nodded at Stone's question. Now that he had come this far, there was naturally no turning back. Hearing Fang Zheng's answer, a mocking expression appeared on Stone's face.
"Then if you want to become a Guardian Knight Trainee, you should know that everyone has to pass an assessment, right?"
"Of course."
"Very well."
As he spoke, Stone stepped onto the training ground and casually swung the Greatsword in his hand again, looking at Fang Zheng with a half-smile.
"Then come on. You're lucky—I'll personally oversee your assessment. Well? Isn't that an honor?"
"This..."
Looking at the muscular man before him, Fang Zheng was momentarily speechless. The old bishop beside him frowned as well.
"Stone, don't go too far."
"What does it matter, old man?"
Stone clearly did not take the old bishop's dissatisfied complaint to heart and simply waved a hand.
"Didn't you say he triggered Law Resonance? Then I want to see exactly what this scrawny kid can do to have triggered Law Resonance!"
Sure enough, standing out came at a price.
Hearing Stone's words, Fang Zheng sighed inwardly. But after considering it for only a moment, he walked down the steps and entered the training ground. Seeing his actions, both the old bishop and Stone froze. Concern appeared on the old man's face, while Stone let out a whistle.
"Not bad, kid. You've got some guts. Are you ready? You can use all your strength. Let me see your limits."
"Of course, Sir Stone."
As he spoke, Fang Zheng slowly drew Skybreaker from his waist. He had already made up his mind. Since things had developed to this point, the plan had to change. If he could not take the low-level route, then he would display his strength and take the high-level route instead. With such a huge buff as "Law Resonance" hanging over him, it should be acceptable for him, as a man chosen by fate, to possess some unexpectedly powerful abilities, right?
Besides... Fang Zheng also wanted to experience the strength of a true powerhouse in this world.
"Please guide me."
Fang Zheng spoke softly to Stone. Then his entire body flashed, and the longsword in his hand instantly became a bolt of lightning as it thrust forward!
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