[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-becoming-a-god-through-horror":3,"chapter-becoming-a-god-through-horror-becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-208":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Becoming a God Through Horror",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2273751,4441,"Chapter 208: Delay, Intrigue, Fire Magic Power","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-208",208,"\u003Cp>Within the searing fissure, molten flame flowed, burning the soil and rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame, soil, rock, char, white mist…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gray, white, black, yellow, red—five colors rotated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the scalding steam hot enough to boil a man alive, a figure slowly rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis took a deep, unharmed breath; his heart pulsed faintly, the Fire Qi of the Five Qi Art began to circulate, and a thread of crimson magic power was born within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether the air was scorching or not posed no great problem for Louis, who wore the Ten Thousand Illusions Robe, impervious to fire and water, and had cultivated the Fire Qi of the Five Qi Art to a certain level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Louis’s condition was far from good—his magic power was nearly depleted. Though his Fire Qi heart accelerated recovery amid the high heat with each breath, it could not replenish much in the short term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without magic power, many spells and magic treasures lost their potency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Louis was at his weakest since reaching the Pure Yin Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the other side was not faring well either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson streak flashed from beneath the ground and appeared in Louis’s hand, spinning rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis gazed at a hazy mist in the dark corner. “Marsus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his Spirit Eye, the small cluster of black mist was Marsus’s remaining avatar—its vessel, a porcelain doll’s head, precisely the head component of the Annabel doll.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Priest, let’s make a deal. What is your wish?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can fulfill it. You surely know the reputation demons have in the mortal world—once a contract is made, the wish will surely be granted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can grant you three wishes, as long as you take my vessel and leave this place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Marsus was far more obedient—he actually began negotiating, even offering three wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis’s lips curled slightly, then vanished instantly; his face remained expressionless as he stared at it. “Three wishes? Can you truly fulfill wishes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing Louis’s greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mist, still gently pulsing, suddenly froze in motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though humans misunderstand us demons, the fact that we can fulfill wishes is true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As a priest, you’ve surely heard: once, humans kept demons specifically to fulfill their wishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!” Louis snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can a demon kept as a pet truly fulfill the wishes of someone stronger than itself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, we are not like humans. You must even learn from us to obtain what you call magic—but to us, such things are merely innate talents.” The voice from the mist carried a hint of contempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our demonic abilities far surpass human imagination. Of course, not all demons can fulfill wishes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only great demons can partially fulfill human wishes. Those kept as pets are actually special aberrant demons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough of this nonsense. If you agree, you can become my follower, gain power greater than now, or become a ruler or wealthy man in human society.” Marsus’s tone grew impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Power, authority, wealth—name it, and I can make it happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis stroked his chin, feigning thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he was genuinely considering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberrant demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A weak demon that could be kept—and still fulfill wishes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss, this description feels oddly familiar…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jester Demon—Jack’s Puppet Box?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That jester demon, forcibly fused by humans, sealed by a priest, lacking demonic dignity, yet capable of granting wishes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So… that thing was an aberrant demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis’s mind stirred. At the same time, watching the increasingly agitated mist, he sensed the surge of crimson magic power his heart was generating in this high-heat environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This condition of yours… let me think. Is there a contract?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes! Demons always carry contracts with us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mist’s voice trembled with excitement; within it, the doll’s head bobbed up and down, the mist calming, no longer restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cluster of black mist coalesced, then instantly became a parchment scroll, inscribed in English, beside it a feather pen that flew toward Louis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The parchment exploded; the mist scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis remained calm. Almost simultaneously, crimson magic power surged from within him, forming a giant crimson hand that descended from above, slamming down upon the black mist enveloping the doll’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sizzle-sizzle-sizzle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant palm ignited in flames, resisting the black mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to his previous attributeless magic power, this crimson magic power was vastly stronger—within three seconds, it consumed all the mist, while its own consumption was less than half of the mist’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis’s Soul-Still Ruler above his head separated the hallucinogenic mist before him; he extended a hand slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crimson giant hand instantly reshaped into a chain, coiling the doll’s head into a ball, then flying to Louis’s front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the head, Louis smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems I still have the upper hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, they had been locked in a battle of wits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was buying time to find a way to escape; he was buying time to use the high-heat environment to rapidly generate fire magic power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the contract and the talk that followed—neither believed the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were merely stalling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, clearly, he had the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His magic power recovered faster, and his methods were sharper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Annabel—no, Marsus. I’ve finally caught you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the doll’s head in his hand, Louis moved his palm slightly; the chain tightened instantly, fully sealing and covering it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demons love to deceive, just as ghosts lie endlessly—untrustworthy in every word; listening even one more moment is irresponsible for one’s own safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I return, I can listen as much as I want, interrogate however I please.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ten Thousand Illusions Robe flickered faintly with white light; the next instant, Louis shot skyward at high speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight upward!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the fissure—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Warrens could not approach at all; the ground was far too hot. Even slight proximity risked further collapse of the unstable geology—they dared not come closer!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do we do?” Luo Lin asked. She no longer dared use soul perception to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she knew nothing of what lay below. If the mysterious man won, perhaps it would be fine—but if the demon won, they must act immediately!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ed shook his head. His thoughts differed from Luo Lin’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could not enter the scene now, so they had to consider other angles. Ed thought of something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, they had come this way chasing the weeping woman—but if they had arrived here, where was the weeping woman from earlier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This doesn’t add up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luo Lin, let’s retreat. We’re powerless here. Prepare to report to the Church—and…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he finished speaking—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure flashed past their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crimson figure shot straight into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid twisting flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mist, red clouds, fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yinyinjian , the Warrens even felt the figure before them resembled some divine entity!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis landed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the Warrens nearby, raising an eyebrow. He hadn’t expected them to come here—weren’t they supposed to be on the other side?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever. No need to meet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis turned to leave—but the next second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ed shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis also realized something and halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned back; the Ten Thousand Illusions Robe had already changed form—he was now completely concealed beneath hood and cloak, indiscernible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ed froze. He hadn’t expected that a mere shout would make the stranger stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly recovered and said, “Sir, could you speak with us? All this… you’ve caused…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I only deal with demons. The rest is none of my concern,” Louis replied, voice hoarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ed raised an eyebrow. “May I ask who you are?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, Mr., you're right—I have no right to ask.\" Ed sighed; after all, he was only a half-church, half-official, half-civilian hybrid of three-and-a-half roles, and often had no authority to meddle in others' affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But may I ask if you’ve subdued that demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course—it wasn’t even a match for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis said this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Ed nodded; that was good enough—barely a good sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You asked me one question. Now, it’s my turn to ask you.\" Louis suddenly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ed blinked, caught off guard, but quickly recovered. \"Fine, that’s reasonable. Please, go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is a demon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Louis asked this question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was genuinely curious—was the Joker demon a demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ed Warren frowned slightly, thinking carefully. He had read many books on the supernatural—including church texts and folk legends from all over—and was well-traveled in knowledge, the intellectual pillar of their husband-and-wife team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He always played the role of the knowledge repository. Now, this mysterious man’s question had successfully triggered his memory—but he vaguely recalled having seen or heard this term somewhere before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think. Think hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Luo Lin kept her eyes fixed on Louis. Louis slightly lifted his head; his Ten Illusions Robe stirred restlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been Luo Lin who just tried to peer into Louis. Now that she was sensed, the Ten Illusions Robe reacted instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Lin’s perception warned her—she quickly lowered her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is what happens when you’re not formally trained in the occult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, this is what happens on lands without complete lineages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In places with proper lineage, disciples are always warned: never casually spy on others—it risks drawing their attention, even inviting backlash or disaster!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Luo Lin, self-taught, clearly didn’t know this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a voice sounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1559,"2026-06-19T23:34:31.517Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ac543dc515c365dd8de4878501cd7562e212924024502aa876a520716f1706fa","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-209","becoming-a-god-through-horror-chapter-207",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbecoming-a-god-through-horror-cover.jpg"]