Divine Sacrifice Fire

At the crack of dawn, the faint, crisp, and melodious chirping of birds echoed from the jujube tree outside the window.

Gu Jianlin let out a yawn. He hadn't slept all night, spending the entire time studying.

It had been a long time since he had applied himself so diligently to his studies. Most of the school curriculum was basic material for him, requiring no threshold to understand, but the world of the extraordinary was different—everything was novel.

He had already finished reading the code of conduct for the Ether Association and the common knowledge for Ascenders.

What intrigued him most, and what held the most value, was the brief introduction to the path of the Divine Priest.

"Without a doubt, among all the ancient paths in the East, the Divine Priest is the most powerful. If you ask me why? Because I am a Divine Priest, the strongest Divine Priest. I have traversed the world for two hundred and ten years, invincible."

—King of Azure.

Gu Jianlin could only comment that this person was showing off.

He didn't know what kind of sacred figure the King of Azure was, and the Deep Sky network couldn't find any information on him either.

He was currently just a rookie who had just entered the extraordinary world; he didn't yet grasp the concept of what "the strongest" meant.

But if the one currently lying in Mount Li was also considered the strongest, then the strength of this King of Azure was a bit terrifying.

Of course, this document wasn't written by the King of Azure himself; it merely borrowed that quote.

The key information he extracted from it was as follows:

First, Divine Priests were the fewest in number among the ancient paths because advancement was difficult and they were hard to master.

Second, the Divine Priest was the most versatile path. It was unclear when it first originated, but it saw a concentrated explosion during the Chu State of the pre-Qin period, leaving behind a brilliant culture, hence it was named after the Nine Songs.

A quick search on Baidu revealed that the Nine Songs was a section of the Songs of Chu, originally the name of ancient songs in Chinese mythology, which were later reimagined by the Chu poet Qu Yuan during the Warring States period.

There were eleven pieces in total: Eastern Emperor Taiyi, Lord of the Clouds, Xiang Jun, Lady Xiang, Grand Life Controller, Junior Life Controller, Eastern Lord, River Earl, Mountain Spirit, State Martyr, and Ritual Soul.

Qu Yuan was a figure no one was unfamiliar with—the one who threw himself into the river in primary school textbooks, and for whom the Dragon Boat Festival was supposedly created.

The promotion chain of the inheritance path was:

Life Controller, Junior Life Controller, Grand Life Controller, Lord of the Clouds, Star Lord, Heavenly Lord, Eastern Lord, Eastern Emperor...

As for the final rank, it remained unknown for the time being, perhaps involving classified information that was not disclosed.

The essence of the Divine Priest's abilities was to master the mysteries of life and obtain powerful strength by communicating with nature.

Therefore, there were two core abilities.

First, Life Perception.

Second, Divine Sacrifice Fire.

The former was passive, the latter active.

"Divine Sacrifice Fire, by communicating with nature, draws life force and feeds it back to oneself. It is similar to flowers, plants, trees, and even some animals; all are valid targets for extraction."

Gu Jianlin whispered to himself, "This must be referring to that pale flame."

He focused his attention, and pale ghost fire ignited on the pads of his right hand's fingers.

He tried pressing his hand onto the cactus on the windowsill and whispered:

"Sacrifice!"

The ghost fire on his five fingers flickered, and countless pitch-black incantations twisted and spread like living creatures, as if constructing a mysterious and profound ancient formation in the void, igniting clusters of firelight.

Visible to the naked eye, the emerald cactus emitted a puff of black smoke and withered away in a bizarre fashion!

Gu Jianlin felt a sudden realization.

The moment the cactus withered, a rich surge of life force poured into his body like cool spring water.

The wounds on his forehead and shoulders began to itch.

He hesitated for a second before removing the bandages and gauze.

To his surprise, the injuries had healed as if they had never existed!

The abrasions on his back were also completely gone.

Amazing!

Gu Jianlin was truly shocked by this scene; this was a superpower.

After using the Divine Sacrifice Fire, he clearly felt his spirit grow hazy, as if something had been consumed.

If he wasn't mistaken, it must have been a consumption of his spirituality.

From this moment on, he truly felt the reality of being an Ascender.

In addition to this, a zero-rank Divine Priest also mastered another ability—the Ghost Curse Technique!

By using the target's body tissues, clothing, or daily items as a medium, and burning one's own life force as a cost to cast a curse, it could cause physical or mental destruction that was difficult to defend against.

It seemed like an ability that traded injury for injury, but that was not the case.

Because the Divine Priest path was not afraid of injury at all; one could replenish their life force at any time.

"I roughly understand why it's said that the Divine Priest path is difficult to master. If a normal person gained the ability of Life Perception, they would essentially gain an extra sense. It would probably be hard to adapt, and when interacting with others, they would be affected by those rhythms," Gu Jianlin muttered.

There were so many lives in the world, so many people, so many rhythms.

Whether good or bad, having them echo in your ears was indeed a form of torture.

However, Gu Jianlin was quite used to it; his profiling was already quite eerie to begin with.

"Secondly, the Divine Sacrifice Fire is the same. Just now, after absorbing the life force of the cactus, there was a clear sense of addiction. If one couldn't restrain themselves, it's very likely they wouldn't be able to stop."

Gu Jianlin judged calmly.

As for the Ghost Curse Technique, he hadn't used it yet, so he didn't know what it felt like specifically.

After finishing those documents, he knew that what Ascenders feared most was losing control.

Once they lost control, they would become Fallen.

And the Divine Priest path seemed to have a very serious impact on the mind.

"Since I have become a Divine Priest, I must find a way to advance as soon as possible."

Gu Jianlin glanced at the time; it was already seven in the morning, and he had to return to school in the evening.

Last night, he had already entered the redemption code into the Deep Sky network's supply warehouse.

He had redeemed his three bottles of Spirit Potion and his exclusive Alchemy Armament.

For an Ascender wanting to advance, the most important thing was the Spirit Potion!

At this moment, the door next door suddenly opened.

Su Youzhu walked out, yawning and looking dazed.

"Didn't sleep?"

The girl was bare-faced yet still exquisite and pretty, wearing a loose pink camisole nightdress and slippers.

A single strand of hair stood up on the top of her head.

"Had some things to do last night."

Gu Jianlin hummed, "Mom and Uncle Su are coming back tonight. Have you finished copying your homework?"

When Su Youzhu heard this, her face visibly fell: "Too much homework, didn't finish."

Seeing her like this, Gu Jianlin guessed it was because her period was coming soon.

Thinking of the girl's evaluation of him last night, the corner of his eye twitched.

"If you didn't sleep well, go back and take a nap. I've already ordered breakfast delivery."

He suggested sincerely.

Su Youzhu gave a soft hum and turned toward the bathroom.

Suddenly, a ding-dong sound rang out.

The doorbell was rung.

Gu Jianlin thought it was the food delivery, so he got up to open the door.

To his surprise, a man in black stood at the door, holding a cylindrical courier box and a safe.

"Deep Sky Technology, at your service."

He lowered his voice and handed over the items: "Reserve Agent Gu Jianlin, please sign for these."

Gu Jianlin was stunned; he hadn't expected it to arrive so quickly, and he subconsciously took the courier box.

The man in black turned and left without a hint of hesitation.

"Who is it?"

Su Youzhu poked half her head out of the bathroom, looking exquisite and cute.

Gu Jianlin looked at the label on the courier box.

"Deep Sky Technology, Primary Spirit Potion, Model CMJ113."

As for the safe, it was marked with a striking string of text.

"Deep Sky Technology, Modified Silenced Desert Eagle, equipped with one hundred alchemy bullets. Use with caution!"

Damn it, why did these people put the names on the packaging?

Gu Jianlin thought that this stuff couldn't be seen, so he hurriedly hid it behind his back: "It's nothing, just a delivery."

"Then what's there to hide?"

Seeing his nervous expression, Su Youzhu asked suspiciously: "You didn't buy a masturbator, did you?"

Gu Jianlin froze, his expression blank.

"No need to hide it, use it if you want."

Su Youzhu said expressionlessly: "I understand the normal needs of you boys."

Gu Jianlin: "..."

No, I don't think you understand...

On the top floor of the Deep Sky Technology building, Lu Zijin was fiddling with a tablet computer expressionlessly, whispering: "Joker, a first-rank Magician, nothing particularly strange about him. The problem is that he stole two pieces of Mythic Armament. What a nuisance..."

The glass door of the office opened automatically, and footsteps sounded from the side.

"Sister."

Lu Zicheng walked in with hurried steps, his expression grave.

"Sit."

Lu Zijin leaned back in the soft leather chair, her slender legs dangling in mid-air beneath her skirt.

Lu Zicheng sat opposite her and asked directly: "What's the result?"

Even though she hadn't slept all night, Lu Zijin was still as exquisite as a doll. As an Ascender of department-head level, her energy was far beyond what ordinary people could compare to: "Talked to the people from the Tribunal for two hours. See for yourself."

She yawned lazily and tapped the tablet screen, playing a recording.

"Saint Li Qingsong's meaning is that since this newcomer has the quality to challenge across ranks, he should display his talent."

"After all, the organization Joker belongs to has already set its sights on him. Whether he participates in this mission or not, they will come for him. We look forward to seeing his outstanding performance in the mission; if he can kill Joker, those two pieces of Mythic Armament will be his spoils of war."

It was a man's voice, carrying a condescending arrogance: "This is a test for a genius."

Lu Zicheng recognized this voice; it was Deacon Nie of the Tribunal.

God-tier nonsense, using Mythic Armament as spoils of war. What a pie in the sky.

This was the same as telling someone to pluck the moon from the sky in exchange for the position of the Ether Association's chairman—pure nonsense.

Lu Zicheng cleared his throat: "It's too dangerous for Gu to participate in this mission. After all, the organization Joker belongs to has always wanted to get his father's legacy from him, even if no one knows if the thing exists. Sister, I want to help him in secret."

"One should be grateful for kindness; that's what you taught me."

He emphasized: "Professor Gu was kind to us; we owe him a favor."

Lu Zijin said lazily: "I know, but we must handle official business. If you are by Gu's side, Joker's danger perception will be able to detect you. What's the point? We still won't be able to lure these Fallen out, and you can't stay by his side all the time."

For a moment, Lu Zicheng's face darkened.

"Joker's actions are directed by the Yan Family. Yan Wu wants to set three fires before taking office."

Lu Zijin said gloomily: "Ever since the Blood Moon Massacre, the Tribunal and its lackey families have suffered heavy losses. They have always suspected that Professor Gu hid something, but their investigations have never yielded results."

"So?"

"Originally, the Tribunal had given up, but because of the appearance of Li Changzhi, they became suspicious again."

Lu Zijin paused: "This time they will watch him very closely, not only wanting to eliminate these Fallen but also wanting to see if there is anything special about Gu. Furthermore, the assessment mission in Feng City concerns the Omega Project; you helping him is cheating."

Lu Zicheng said in a deep voice: "What about Gu? If I can't protect him in secret, he's in too much danger."

A hint of cunning flashed in Lu Zijin's clear, watery eyes, and she sneered: "Your bad ideas, what does that have to do with me?"

After saying this, she turned and left.

Lu Zicheng wasn't angry, because his sister had placed an exquisite gift box on the table before leaving.

He had a bad premonition and asked suspiciously: "Corpse Bride Veil? Heavenly Derivation Coin?"

Lu Zijin didn't look back, playing dumb: "What things? I don't know."

Lu Zicheng opened the box, and sure enough.

A blood-red veil.

An ancient copper coin.

The Heavenly Derivation Coin would help determine if the boy was in danger, ensuring he could predict it in advance and set an ambush.

At Gu Jianlin's current rank, the divination would absolutely not be wrong.

After all, this was a family heirloom of the Lu Family, a precious Mythic Armament from the Baize Clan.

The Corpse Bride Veil could help him temporarily hide his aura; no one would discover his tracks.

Lu Zicheng held his forehead: "Help me..."

This item was a type of Mythic Armament that also possessed concealment effects, but the side effect was that after wearing the veil, one would have nightmares for a month, dreaming of becoming the groom of a female corpse, accompanying her through the long, lonely nights...

This time, the favor the Lu Family owed would likely be repaid in full.

4000-word chapter, another update in the middle of the night!