Chapter 305: The Majesty of the Cat

Draple truly misunderstood Chu Danqing, for whether it was the Cat Goddess, the Dog God, or birds and fish, he could always produce things these animals favored.

Yet despite the misunderstanding, Draple still accepted Chu Danqing’s gifts and asked how to use them.

Chu Danqing generously explained in detail, after which Draple happily arranged a tent for Chu Danqing and his companions.

He vowed that if even a single mouse entered their temporary camp that night, he would go beg the Goddess’s forgiveness the next day.

Chu Danqing could only comply.

After entering the tent, Da Bao tugged at Chu Danqing’s sleeve and said: “Book, book.”

“What book?” Chu Danqing frowned, then watched as Da Bao pulled out a familiar-looking volume from under his armpit.

“Isn’t this the Butcher’s Shop of Azkurus? No—how did you get it?”

Seeing the familiar cover, Chu Danqing’s eyes widened in shock.

He was certain the book had been in Ke Te’s possession—how had it ended up in Da Bao’s hands?

“Little Guo, knock, drop.”

“I run, see, pick up,” Da Bao summarized in his usual terse manner.

It seemed Ke Te had dropped it when Guo Ming beat him, and Da Bao had spotted it and snatched it up while fleeing.

But he’d had no chance to hand it to Chu Danqing along the way, so he’d kept it tucked under his armpit all this time.

Even Guo Ming, listening nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly—he’d genuinely missed that detail.

Fortunately, Da Bao had retrieved it; otherwise, Chu Danqing would’ve suffered another loss.

It was a skill book—and not one limited to a single use.

【Skill Book: The Butcher’s Shop of Azkurus】

【Type: Active/Passive】

【Quality: Exquisite ~ ???】

【Effect 1: Upon use, acquire Azkurus’s Dissection Technique, increase damage against humans】

【Effect 2: When Azkurus’s Dissection Technique reaches LV.MAX, acquire skill ???】

【Effect 3: ???】

【Learning Restrictions】

【1. Possess Rationality attribute】

【2. Maximum Rationality value: 200 points】

【3. Possess complete experience of dismembering a human】

(Note: Upon learning, effects activate automatically upon meeting conditions)

A skill book with three effects—and its quality fluctuated.

Chu Danqing glanced at it once, then shoved it into his storage space.

He couldn’t learn it—Rationality was a higher-tier attribute, akin to Charm or Luck.

Typically, this attribute was used by Dimensional Apostles of the Cthulhu path to monitor their mental state.

Sales weren’t a concern—it would sell easily.

It was just unsettling to look at.

As for giving it to Guo Ming, Chu Danqing had no intention of doing so.

First, because of the cost; second, because this trial world was stronger than Guo Ming’s, and giving it to him would cause problems.

“Rest for now—we depart tomorrow,” Chu Danqing told Da Bao and Guo Ming.

As for Yang Qianyuan, he had already fallen asleep—deeply.

Even Chu Danqing’s conversation with Da Bao hadn’t woken him.

“Alright, then we leave night watch to you, Brother Chu,” Guo Ming said without hesitation, then lay down clutching the Su Nü Sword.

Da Bao also closed his eyes to rest inside the tent.

That night, everyone except Chu Danqing had been thoroughly worn out.

Such was the advantage of the Summoning path—in most cases, no matter how dangerous or exhausting, the burden never fell upon the Apostle himself.

Once the Norris Nomadic Caravan’s camp fell silent again, Chu Danqing re-summoned the Pure Yang Celestial General, the Yin Xuan Maiden, and the Vajra Warrior.

And he reabsorbed them back into his talisman.

Unfortunately, the Beast Companion skill’s tier had been reset.

He’d have to wait another twenty days before it could recover.

This loss was significant—it stripped Pure Yang Celestial General and the others of 40% of their stat bonuses.

Of course, even if they hadn’t died, they would’ve vanished anyway.

Even at max level, they disappeared if separated by more than thirty kilometers.

Guo Ming had led them far beyond thirty kilometers.

Chu Danqing didn’t even know where they were now.

Fortunately, this trial mission was a single large task—if it had been split into stages, there would’ve been a time limit.

He might’ve failed outright.

Still, Chu Danqing would’ve preferred a time limit—it meant completing the task within the deadline would guarantee success.

Without one, who knew what unforeseen variables might arise?

The next morning, the Norris Nomadic Caravan began stirring.

The events of the previous night spread quickly through the family caravan; everyone was curious about the substance called catnip.

“Mr. William, are you awake?” Draple’s voice came from outside the tent.

“Of course, Mr. Draple,” Chu Danqing knew the man had come for a reason: “Are we departing?”

“Not yet, sir,” Draple smiled. “We’re preparing to offer a sacrifice to the Goddess—using the cat food, cat treats, and catnip you gifted us last night.”

“Unbelievable—the cats loved them.”

“I believe the Goddess will too, so I invite you and your companions to join us in this morning’s sacrifice.”

Chu Danqing was slightly surprised: “You normally sacrifice things cats like?”

Draple immediately understood Chu Danqing’s implication and gave a knowing smile: “Of course not—we’d never use such precious items to worship the Goddess.”

“More often, we sacrifice heretics.”

Chu Danqing’s lip twitched—he’d truly mistaken the Cat Goddess for a harmless, cuddly kitty based on her followers’ behavior.

From Draple’s warning, he now confirmed the Cat Goddess was a cruel and bloody deity.

But since Chu Danqing had gained something and encountered her followers as gentle, his perception had been skewed.

Reality, however, would not bend to his illusions.

Yet from Draple’s words, Chu Danqing detected a blind spot.

“If your group could secure a stable supply of catnip, cat food, and cat treats, would that mean the Goddess no longer requires blood sacrifices?” Chu Danqing asked.

Draple shook his head: “I cannot fathom the Goddess’s mind—but it’s not impossible. Still, she is extremely picky.”

Meaning: possible, but if Chu Danqing intended to supply her long-term, he’d need not just quantity, but high quality.

“I’m just asking—if we truly wish to worship the Goddess, we must find a way to obtain these things,” Chu Danqing said bluntly.

“Then I await your good news, Mr. William,” Draple replied without concern. “The ritual is about to begin—you wouldn’t want to miss it.”

With that, Draple led Chu Danqing, Da Bao, Guo Ming, and Yang Qianyuan to the ceremony.

Yang Qianyuan had just woken when the physician named Sai Li shoved another pill into his mouth.

His Heavenly Mechanism backlash was severe—his injuries wouldn’t heal easily.

Not only were Chu Danqing and his companions invited; Rudolf and the other lawyers were also invited to observe.

The ritual began—a simple dance and chant, followed by the offering of sacrifices.

Such ceremonies were rare outside specific holy days, unless heretics had been captured.

Only with a proper offering to the deity could the ritual proceed.

Sacrifices weren’t limited to followers or kin of other gods—they included mythic beasts as well.

As the ritual neared its end, a glow shimmered from the central statue of the cat, shaped like a lioness.

A female phantom with a cat’s head and human body emerged, bathed in moonlight—even though it was daytime.

She held a shield adorned with a lion’s head in her left hand, a bell-fork in her right, and a small pouch slung over her left shoulder.

Draple was stunned—he had never seen the Goddess manifest a divine avatar.

In all their years of worship, the statue had only ever glowed faintly.

Instantly, ecstatic fervor spread across his face.

The dancing and chanting, nearly ended, surged back with renewed intensity.

All members of the Norris family danced and sang around the Goddess, while her phantom remained motionless.

Only when the dance ceased did the Cat Goddess open her mouth and speak: “Meow!”

Honestly, Chu Danqing had expected her to deliver a speech.

But then again, it made sense—she had a cat’s head; of course she spoke in meows. To speak human language would be absurd.

After the meow, the phantom vanished back into the statue, and countless specks of light flew out, landing on every person and every cat in the Norris Nomadic Caravan.

But one exception occurred—a single speck flew into Chu Danqing’s body.

——

【You have received the Blessing of the Cat Goddess】

【You have gained the status: Cat’s Majesty】

——

【Feline Dominion】

【Effect 1: All rodent-caused damage to you is reduced by 99%】

【Effect 2: All rodent creatures within ten meters of you must make a stat check once per second; failure induces fear, panic, or similar states】

【Effect 3: When a follower or devotee of the Three-Leaf Rat attacks you, it suffers equal damage and cannot kill you】

(Note: This state vanishes upon leaving the trial world; if you re-enter this trial world using the same identity, you will regain it)

Damn, they directly gave a state specifically targeting the Three-Leaf Rat.

Too bad this state seems usable only by himself—he can’t let Guo Ming or the others benefit from it.

But Chu Danqing knew the protective effect of this state was likely secondary.

The real purpose was to tell the Three-Leaf Rat that he was under Its protection.

【The base goodwill granted by the Sun’s Mark and the Owl’s White Jade Seal created the opportunity for Catnip and Cat Meal to take effect.】

【Perhaps I could forge an alliance with the Cat Goddess—but first, I need to learn more about Her.】 Chu Danqing thought.

(End of Chapter)