The most direct test of the path of life and death had always been the battlefield.
Just as vile merchants pursuing maximum profit often made their fortunes from war by looting amidst chaos, directly trading yellow cakes for gold and taking everything you had in exchange for "the hope of surviving."
Whether intentionally or not, Lu PingAn had encountered the greatest temptation of his life—perhaps also the greatest trap along the path of a Professional.
One step forward, and he could become a Tree of Life that drew growth from countless lives, easily crossing the bottleneck of Tier 9 and nourishing that Tree of Life destined to ascend to the heavens with the hopes and despair of countless people.
"...But I don't like it."
Lu PingAn still chose to refuse.
He did not like the path of solitary wealth where "everyone existed for me" (meaning Lu PingAn himself). He preferred "everyone for themselves, everyone for their family." Lu PingAn did not like that kind of pure sacrifice that erased the self.
However, as a Trader, Lu PingAn could not ignore this prayer, this need.
"God of Redemption, please help me."
Lu PingAn was only Tier 8. He could hear the prayers of mortals and respond within a certain range because he possessed part of the traits of divinity and gods.
But he had a buddy who was a god.
"...Contract established."
The cold contract was also the most heartfelt covenant.
An alliance between a god and mortals might last only an instant, or it might be destined to endure. As the God of Redemption, he needed a contract to restrain his own actions.
The God of Redemption could hear the cries of the Blades of Despair across the entire world, but his power was limited. He and the other Gods