Chapter 179: Luguang Selapis

An image of an elderly man clad in a bright red robe, exuding great authority, slowly materialized above the prepared ceremony.

After Hongguang's figure appeared, Leiketon, with great skill, bowed and greeted the other party:

"Good afternoon, esteemed Red Light, Mr. El Moria~"

Hongguang El Moria's voice rang out, dignified, as he began to speak:

"Good afternoon, 'Keeper of Knowledge', what question do you have for me?"

Leiketon nodded, offered no small talk, and went straight to the point:

"I wish to obtain knowledge of the spirit realm, preferably concerning emotions and desires."

"May I ask what advice you have on this?"

Hongguang El Moria looked at Leiketon with slight puzzlement, then said:

"You may seek Luguang Selapis; they are the emblem of the spirit realm, whose nature is emotion and art."

"In the prayer directed at them, you only need to replace the corresponding words with 'the Green of Emotion and Art'."

Leiketon understood and nodded; the reason he prayed to Hongguang was that he guessed one of the Seven Lights corresponded to the spirit realm.

Having received the answer he sought, Leiketon nodded gratefully toward Hongguang El Moria and said:

"Thank you very much for your answer; it means a lot to me!"

Just as Leiketon was about to conclude the ceremony, Hongguang El Moria unexpectedly spoke to Leiketon, entrusting him with a task:

"As the Seven Pure Lights at the pinnacle of the spirit realm, we possess an extraordinary status and perception within it."

In Leiketon's increasingly puzzled gaze, Hongguang El Moria finally revealed his purpose.

"We sense that the Great Sovereign above the spirit realm is returning; according to our calculations of the Seven Lights, your destiny intersects significantly with that Sovereign."

"My request is that, during the Great Sovereign's return, you provide him with some assistance. Perhaps you already know that the apocalypse approaches, and this world needs the emergence of a spirit realm ruler."

Leiketon suppressed his surprise, lifted his gaze, and looked at the stern, authoritative elder.

Leiketon was not surprised that the Seven Lights of the spirit realm detected the disturbance at Yuanbao, but it was astonishing that they could adjudicate a connection between himself and Kelei En.

"Is it because I've interacted with the Seven Lights so much that they have uncovered some of my hidden secrets, thereby glimpsing aspects of my destiny?"

Although a torrent of thoughts swirled in his mind, Leiketon's emotions remained well controlled; he smiled, bowed to Hongguang El Moria, and said:

"No problem; I likewise hope the Great Sovereign above the spirit realm returns swiftly, though it must not be the former one—better that they remain dead."

Hongguang El Moria's imposing expression softened slightly; after a slight nod, he said:

"As a reward, we will grant you ample knowledge so you can swiftly assimilate the secret master's elixir, and we will also assist with subsequent elixir digestion."

"You have little time; within two months you must voluntarily ascend to demigod status. Your humanity is already destabilizing; should you exceed this limit, you will directly ascend to the Sage, becoming their vessel in the mortal world."

Hongguang El Moria said little more, merely reminded Leiketon, offered a promise, and then voluntarily severed the ceremony's magical link.

After the ceremonial magic passively disengaged, the room's light and temperature returned to normal.

He waved his hand, sending a ripple of spiritual energy that extinguished the candle.

Leiketon looked up at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind, yet the words Hongguang El Moria had just spoken kept replaying in his thoughts.

Time is short... Is my humanity's instability that obvious? Even the Seven Lights of the spirit realm can see it? The 'He' spoken of by Hongguang...

Muttering to himself for a while, Leiketon found no solution, only feeling more irritable.

Standing dazed in the room like that, after about ten minutes, Leiketon finally came to his senses.

He let out a long sigh, readjusted the ritual layout on the floor, replaced some materials, and relit the candle, adding essential oil.

With everything prepared, Leiketon rose, took a step back, and began chanting the incantation aimed at Luguang:

"Everlasting light of the spirit realm, embodiment of boundless knowledge, the Green of Emotion and Art."

"I pray to you, seeking knowledge of the spirit realm."

Luguang Selapis appears as a middle‑aged figure wearing a green robe, a ring set with a green gem on his right hand, and long hair befitting an artist.

As Luguang Selapis's figure materialized, Leiketon composed his expression, bowed toward him, and said:

"Good afternoon, esteemed Lord Luguang Selapis!"

Luguang Selapis possesses the elegance and noble bearing of an artist; his facial expression is minimal, yet his tone is very gentle:

"Good afternoon, 'Keeper of Knowledge', I already understand your thoughts."

"The spirit realm contains abundant material on emotions and desires; you may prepare several blank books. I will tell you a ceremony; through it you can communicate with me, and I will copy the relevant knowledge onto a book for you."

"No problem, thank you for your help!"

Leiketon bowed to Luguang Selapis once more.

"You need not be formal; once you are ready, you may request knowledge from me through the ceremony at any time."

Luguang Selapis gave a slight nod, then his figure vanished swiftly like an ink wash painting of ever‑flowing colors.

Leiketon glanced at the spot where the distinctive Luguang had vanished; the ceremonial magic's knowledge had already entered his mind.

Perhaps because he often seeks the hidden Sage for instruction, Leiketon felt no discomfort when Luguang Selapis imparted the ceremony's knowledge.

After the ceremony, Leiketon quickly gathered the ritual items from the room and stored them in the adjacent storeroom.

Baiyin City, Dairike, having concluded the Tarot Society, silently paced back and forth in the dimly lit candle‑filled room.

His reason told him that Mr. Hanged Man's advice was his best option, yet the thought that his action amounted to a battlefield retreat, while the others on the mission faced grim odds, tormented Dairike's heart.

By doing this I betray them; should I seize an opportunity to petition the Chief, informing them that the half‑ruined temple belongs to the True Creator who holds the Shepherd's Path?

But how can I speak so the Chief will believe me, rather than think I, like Elder Luoweiya, have likely been ensnared by a dark god?

Dairike anxiously raked his fingers through his hair as lightning streaked across the sky, casting intermittent brilliance into the room, while the Hurricane Axe beside him emitted faint glimmers.

Stopping his steps, Dairike gazed at the pitch‑black sky, as if seeing his parents' final moments again, recalling the pain of the thrusting straight sword.

Dairike suddenly recalled his conversation with Mr. White Tower at the Tarot Society:

"Saving Baiyin City cannot rely on you alone; you also need your own companions and friends."

Dairike remembered Mr. White Tower's words: "Every day for them is the apocalypse!"

He recalled his resolute answer, "Save Silver City!"

Some courage seemed to rise in his heart, along with a bit of hope for the future.

"I should trust Silver City, trust the Chief!"

Dai Li Ke's self‑comforting words gave him a little more courage and a sense of responsibility.

He decided, following Mr. Inverted Man's and Mr. White Tower's suggestion, not to join this expedition to the half‑ruined shrine, but not by shirking and letting the others of Silver City explore—or even die—on their own.

Summoning his courage, Dai Li Ke picked up the Hurricane Axe that lay nearby and strapped it to his waist.

Carrying a beast‑skin lantern, he left his room and headed to the high tower where the Six‑person Council convened.

Upon arriving, Dai Li Ke, having something very urgent concerning the next exploration of the half‑ruined shrine, sought an audience with the Chief.

While waiting anxiously and uneasily, Dai Li Ke received a messenger from the guard.

Standing before the Chief's office door, the courage that had risen in Dai Li Ke's heart suddenly faded away.

He felt a urge to retreat; he didn't know whether the Chief would believe his explanation, nor how the Chief would deal with him.

After hesitating at the door for quite a while, he finally raised his arm stiffly and knocked on the office door.

"Dong dong!"

"Come in."

The Chief's calm, deep voice came from inside.

Dai Li Ke felt his heart pound faster than ever, his lips clenched, as he pushed open the Chief's office door.

With a creak, the door opened slowly, and Dai Li Ke saw the Silver City Chief, Ke Lin Yi Li Ya Te, seated at a broad desk.

The Silver City Chief had hair streaked with gray, unkempt and rather disheveled, heavy law‑lines, light‑blue eyes that were deep and world‑worn, and cheeks marked with several old scars, some deep, some twisted. He wore a linen‑colored shirt underneath, and a belt with many compartments encircled his waist.

Dai Li Ke silently closed the door behind him and, with heavy steps, walked up to the Chief.

Looking at the Chief before him, Dai Li Ke involuntarily lowered his head, and his voice grew stiff:

"Chief! I have very important information to report to you."

"Hmm, the guard messenger already told me you hesitated at the door for a long time. Are you worried that I won't trust you?"

Ke Lin Yi Li Ya Te gave a slight nod, then directly asked Dai Li Ke why he had hesitated at the door.

Dai Li Ke was stunned for a moment, his prepared words thrown into panic by the interruption.

He pressed his lips together, unsure how to answer, and could only stare, nodding briefly before hurriedly shaking his head.

"Chief, I'm just a little worried."

(End of chapter)