Chapter 383: The Path to Apotheosis

The school bell rang, and a moment later, groups of young children emerged from the schoolhouse.

Their faces bore innocent and bright smiles, skipping and jumping, as if it were the most pure and beautiful scene in the human world.

The school teacher walked in front, maintaining order.

Guangming Xiu saw this scene, his heart filled with immense emotion.

If these children were the offspring of nobles, he would not be surprised.

However, these were the children of laborers, the true bottom of society.

Such a scene did not exist in other kingdoms.

Even the Arcane Empire could not compare to this place.

"I never expected that the thing I have pursued all my life would actually be seen in... the Arcane Empire and Iron Stone City."

The Arcane Empire, the primary enemy of the Light Temple.

Iron Stone City, the most recent enemy of the Light Temple.

Guangming Xiu felt a complex mix of emotions within.

He recalled the words of Jiang Ruoyu once more.

Light, what if it is not just light?

Guangming Xiu decided to stay in Iron Stone City for a while.

He wanted to experience it thoroughly and understand if this place was merely an illusion.

Of course, there was also the intention of seeking enlightenment.

On Tieshi Mountain, Lin Chao's gaze was profound; beside him, Shivana's eyes were filled with worry: "Guangming Xiu has entered Iron Stone City, but he has hidden his identity; for now, we have yet to discover his whereabouts."

"It is fine, these are trivial matters." Lin Chao was not worried about Guangming Xiu.

Although Guangming Xiu was a man of the Light Temple, and even somewhat pedantic, in reality, he could not be considered a true villain.

"Recently, many refugees have been pouring into Koya City; you must arrange things properly on your end.

Currently, although Iron Stone City has begun to take shape, it lacks population.

These refugees are needed to fill Iron Stone City."

Lin Chao spoke, his gaze cold and stern.

These refugees, upon arriving in Iron Stone City, naturally could not immediately become citizens; otherwise, what would those who were the first to enter Iron Stone City think?

Of course, those who joined later would slowly work for Iron Stone City, and only those who made contributions would gradually possess the status of formal citizens.

"As you command." The look Shivana cast toward Lin Chao held a hint more tenderness.

This Nine Prince was the Nine Prince she liked.

Arcane City.

Heiniu was dressed in black, his eyes carrying a trace of desolation.

Before him stood Anwa.

At this moment, Anwa's face bore weariness, as well as a sense of relief.

Some time ago, the Death Temple had allied with the War Copper Kingdom, leading an army of one hundred thousand to invade the Arcane Empire, resulting in a great battle on the Burial Flower Plain.

This great battle lasted for a month and ultimately ended in the victory of the Arcane Empire.

This allowed everyone in the Arcane Empire to heave a sigh of relief, revealing long-lost smiles.

Of course, Anwa also understood that even though they had defeated this offensive by the War Copper Kingdom, the war was not yet over.

After all, there were four Temples in total, and six kingdoms.

Now, the force they had crushed was merely one-fifth of the coalition army.

"Anwa, the training here has ended; I must leave, and I have come specifically to bid you farewell."

During this period, Heiniu had already Slayed the Divine Creatures within the Arcane Empire's territory as marked on the map.

Now, he prepared to go to other places on the map to begin Slaying Divine Creatures.

Nowadays, Slaying Divine Creatures was, for Heiniu, absolutely the most important thing.

While Slaying Divine Creatures, he was shocked to discover that he could actually slowly obtain Divine Power and Divinity Fragments.

This was very important to him, as it meant he could, through this, have hope of stepping into the God Realm.

Therefore, he was even more eager to Slay Divine Creatures.

Anwa looked at Heiniu, having already concluded in her heart that Heiniu was the death-sworn warrior who had assassinated the Third Prince.

She felt deeply moved within.

However, with the Arcane Empire currently facing internal strife and external threats, this was not the time for her to dwell on such things.

"Mm, with wars breaking out everywhere recently, take care on the road." Anwa said a few brief words to Heiniu, then saw him out of the city.

Seeing Heiniu depart, Anwa returned to the city.

Inside the city, everywhere was filled with joy and harmony.

Many people were spreading the news of the great victory to one another.

In a tavern, a group of adventurers wore expressions of joy.

"The Death Temple has committed countless evils; this crushing defeat serves them right!"

"And that War Copper Kingdom, they deserve it too!"

"Long live the Arcane Empire!"

"With the Great Sage here, the Arcane Empire will surely sweep away the Four Great Temples!"

"Gods are nothing more than oversized nobles!"

These people of the Arcane Empire were truly filled with loathing for the gods.

At this moment, the entire Arcane City was shrouded in an atmosphere of victory.

In their view, with the national strength of the Arcane Empire, under the heavens, they were invincible.

Even if the Four Great Temples and the Six Great Kingdoms joined forces, it would not be enough to look at.

Anwa looked at the joy on these people's faces, and her mood also became a bit more cheerful.

She returned home and discovered something unusual.

"Anwa, you've returned." In the courtyard, a weathered voice spoke.

"Master Kong Ping!" Anwa saw the person who had come and revealed a respectful expression.

The person who had come was none other than Great Arcanist Kong Ping.

"How has An Qian been lately?" Great Arcanist Kong Ping asked.

An Qian was Anwa's younger sister.

However, three years ago, An Qian had an accident and had been trapped in a deep sleep ever since, and she had not yet awakened even now.

Anwa loved this younger sister very dearly.

"She hasn't." Anwa sighed, her eyes carrying a look of worry.

She did not know when her younger sister would be able to wake up.

"Sigh, poor child." Master Kong Ping sighed, "You need not worry, An Qian's body is in no great danger, and one day she will wake up."

"Mm." Anwa nodded.

Great Arcanist Kong Ping was right; Anwa had already sought out many physicians for her sister, and those physicians all said that her sister's body had improved, her vital signs were stable, and waking up... simply required waiting for an opportunity.

"I have a matter that I need to arrange for you to do." Master Kong Ping spoke at this time, stating his purpose, "Nine Prince Lin of the Shaya Kingdom has some dealings with me.

Yibei has also been arranged to be in Koya City to carry out the mining of Star Sand.

I have some books that need to be delivered to the Nine Prince.

You help me take them, and at the same time, cooperate with Yibei to mine the Star Sand together."

This arrangement came suddenly, and Anwa was somewhat puzzled, but she still nodded and agreed: "As you command."

"By the way, take your sister An Qian with you.

She has been sleeping for so long; perhaps breathing the air outside will cause her to wake up." Great Arcanist Kong Ping added another sentence.

Anwa's heart jumped violently, and a look of confusion appeared in her eyes: "Master... has something happened... to the Arcane Empire?"

Anwa was not a fool. If the Master just wanted her to go to Koya City, that would be nothing.

But to have her younger sister, who was still in a deep sleep, go as well—that was certainly not so simple.

"With the Great Sage here, what could possibly happen to the Arcane Empire?" Great Arcanist Kong Ping's eyes held a smile, "Nowadays, our Arcane Empire has soundly defeated the Death Temple; nothing will happen.

There is no special intention behind the matter I have arranged for you; you need not overthink it."

After Master Kong Ping finished speaking, he bid farewell to Anwa and turned to leave.

In the large courtyard, only Anwa was left behind, not knowing what she was pondering.

After a long while, she entered the inner courtyard and looked at the beautiful young girl on the bed, a flash of heartache appearing in her eyes: "Sister, when... will you be able to wake up."

It could be said that in this world, she only had one relative left, and that was her sister An Qian.

Half a month later.

Bauhinia Empire.

Kainsi left the headquarters after reporting on affairs, an excited expression on his face.

With the help of Nine Prince Lin's letter, the headquarters had already decided that he would continue to serve as the manager of Iron Stone City to expand trade routes.

His heart was incomparably excited; he knew the potential of Iron Stone City, and in the future, it would certainly become a massive city.

And at this moment, a slightly contemptuous voice came: "Manager Kainsi, congratulations, you have actually become the manager of Iron Stone City; this is... a promotion."

Kainsi looked at the coquettish woman speaking, a flash of displeasure appearing in his eyes.

The woman was named Rena, and she had always been at odds with Kainsi.

The region managed by this woman was wealthy, so her status within the Huiteng Chamber of Commerce was much higher than Kainsi's.

The two had developed a grudge because, back then, Rena had wanted to arrange a position for her lover in the Huiteng Chamber of Commerce, and the position she arranged was to become the manager of the Huiteng Chamber of Commerce in Koya City.

But unexpectedly, Kainsi went to Koya City and became the manager, so the two had formed a feud.

At this moment, Rena was congratulating him on the surface, but in her heart, she was actually mocking him.

Sure enough, the man beside Rena revealed a mocking expression on his face: "Where is this a promotion? Sister Rena, you don't know the situation in Iron Stone City.

I heard that it is a barbaric land, a newly built city with a population of less than ten thousand; it can't even compare to that dump of a place, Koya City.

No manager is willing to go there at all; it's only treated as a treasure by some.

Tell me, is the person who treats it as a treasure not sharp-eyed?"

Rena also laughed along, patting her chest, looking flamboyant.

Kainsi looked at the two, his expression somewhat gloomy, but he did not pay them any mind and instead left directly.

He would not associate with such short-sighted people.

He left and then went to meet some old friends to help Nine Prince Lin purchase some maps.

He had promised Prince Lin to purchase maps marked with Divine Creatures.

Having stayed at the Huiteng Chamber of Commerce headquarters for half a month, Kainsi had purchased over a hundred maps in total.

This man was also decisive; the money Prince Lin gave was not nearly enough to purchase these hundred-plus maps.

However, Kainsi understood that this was his "letter of intent."

Deep in his heart, he was not merely satisfied with being a manager of the Huiteng Chamber of Commerce.

He had already seen the potential of Prince Lin and Iron Stone City; he wanted to do something big.

Therefore, this time, he expended a great deal of effort, even emptying the family's coffers.

He was not satisfied with being an Ordinary merchant.

Kainsi's unusual actions also attracted the attention of those with ulterior motives.

Especially Rena, whose words were quite disdainful toward Kainsi, mostly consisting of mockery.

Kainsi naturally did not know about these things, and even if he did, he would not pay them any mind.

At this moment, in a tavern, an old man with a white beard was drinking murky wine, a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Kainsi, that map is not simple.

What exactly are you using it for?"

The old man before him was also an old friend of Kainsi.

"Someone is buying it, and I am helping him purchase it.

As for its purpose, I do not know either.

Old Fei, just sell the map to me," Kainsi said slowly.

"Sigh, I can sell the map to you.

However, you must warn the buyer never to send anyone to investigate those Divine Creatures.

Those Divine Creatures are not simple Divine Creatures." Mentioning this, the white-bearded old man looked solemn.

"Old Fei, you aren't trying to deceive me, are you? Someone buying this map surely intends to use it.

If one doesn't let people investigate the Divine Creatures, how would they know if they are real or fake?"

"Kainsi, do you not trust my character?" Old Fei was immediately displeased.

"No, no, no," Kainsi hurriedly waved his hands.

Although Old Fei was not from the Bauhinia Empire, but rather from the distant Eastern Continent.

Yet, Kainsi trusted Old Fei deeply.

"On this map, a total of eighteen Divine Creatures are marked; fifteen of them can be investigated, but the remaining three must never be investigated, otherwise... people will die.

Even if a Legendary goes... they will surely die without a doubt!"

Speaking of this, Old Fei's eyes held deep fear, as if he had experienced something.

Kainsi frowned, his expression grave: "Fine, I will convey these words to the buyer."

If even a Legendary would surely die, that was absolute peril.

He chose to believe Old Fei's words.

After all, Old Fei came from the legendary Ancient Tang Empire, which was an extremely mysterious Eastern nation.

After eating and drinking his fill, Kainsi left; Old Fei lay in the room arranged by the tavern, his hair disheveled, muttering unconsciously.

"On the lonely Starry Sky path, how many return from the wars of old and new?"

"The Dao of Heaven turns; it is the... Era of Calamity. Is there... still hope for the human world?"

"Our bitter cultivation is but a fleeting dream, just a dream!"

Iron Stone City.

A player announcement caused a stir among tens of thousands of players.

At this time, many players gathered together, looks of excitement appearing in their eyes.

"Path to Godhood?

I must complete this quest!"

"Hahaha, to become a god, I want to become a god too!"

"Chen Ergou, become a god my foot, you aren't even a High-level Professional right now!"

"What's wrong with that, looking down on me, Chen Ergou?"

Just a moment ago, a group quest was released.

This quest had no time limit, and the task was very simple: to Slay Divine Creatures according to the map.

According to the quest description, Slaying Divine Creatures would grant a portion of Divine Power and Divinity.

When one's strength met the requirements and the values of Divine Power and Divinity reached a certain amount, the player could ascend to godhood.

The first player to ascend to godhood would also be granted a mysterious grand prize by the Manager.

This stirred up waves among the players.

For most players, of course, the stronger the better.

It's a game, after all, grind monsters and level up.

Of course, the game "Twilight of the Gods" did not just have this one way to play.

For instance, Hong Ying was addicted to infrastructure and farming.

Of course, there were also some unscrupulous players who found a new world in the game and unlocked new postures.

Those were currently only a minority, and Lin Chao had not explicitly forbidden them.

However, most players still hoped to level up and become stronger, enjoying the thrill of leveling up.

"Should we form a party? These Divine Creatures are very strong; the weakest are all High-level Professionals.

If we form a party to Slay them, the system will distribute rewards based on our contributions."

"Of course we should form a party, going alone is just asking for death!"

"Is anyone looking for a party? I am a mage, healing type, only level eight."

"Holy crap, a healer! We'll take them, don't fight us for them!"

Among the players, many were discussing the matter of the Path to Godhood.

Of course, those qualified to discuss this nowadays are all individuals of great strength.

Thanks to 【Long Zhi Zi Suan Ni】 for the tip!

(End of chapter)