Chapter 41

You don’t seem like a believer of [Chaos].

Yun Ni glanced at Cheng Shi with a smile, her voice hoarse with smoke:

“You’re orderly, not agitated—you don’t seem like a believer of [Chaos].”

“You hold back, don’t hurt people—you’re even less like a believer of [Annihilation],” Cheng Shi teased further.

This time, Yun Ni froze, frowned, shifted her stance instantly, and plunged her dagger into Cheng Shi’s shoulder socket.

Cheng Shi remained utterly calm, dared not panic—he knew this was Yun Ni testing him.

This sharp assassin couldn’t suspect him merely because he was orderly; she must have some other method, some faint sense that his identity was false.

He sighed, gripped Yun Ni’s cold small hand, pulled out the dagger, and then performed a healing spell bearing “Shared Divine Grace” before everyone’s eyes.

Seeing this healing spell, the others’ expressions grew clearly interested.

A healer with big healing power? Everyone’s happy.

But sadly, the healer is an Intellect Eroder.

As the name suggests.

Under the influence of [Chaos], an Intellect Eroder’s healing gradually dissolves the victim’s sanity until it shatters, they embrace Chaos, and descend into utter madness.

Yet this seemed useless to Yun Ni—she pressed the dagger again against Cheng Shi’s chest, irritably asking:

“In this division, I know nearly all of His believers—I’ve never heard of you. Who are you? Lie Like Yesterday? A [Deception] follower?”

!!!

They even know about Lie Like Yesterday?

Then again, 2400 points can unlock an SS-tier talent; if you stay in this division long enough, you’ll inevitably match with a [Deception] believer who has that talent.

Cheng Shi’s heart tightened, but his face showed no change:

“Who told you every player appears on the ladder?”

This was a lie Cheng Shi spun on the spot for self-preservation, meant to exploit mystery and slip past scrutiny.

But Yun Ni, upon hearing this, raised an eyebrow and immediately lowered her dagger.

Clearly, she fully accepted this statement.

?

Cheng Shi internally froze, bewildered.

Holy shit, are there really high-score players who never climbed the ladder?

What’s the situation above 2400 points?

Are all the demons and monsters hiding there?

This is big news.

But at least, he’d gotten through it.

Fang Jue, though a believer of [Order] and thus ideologically opposed to Cheng Shi, showed no overt hostility.

He surveyed the surroundings, then took charge of leading the group.

“His trial is simple: find the right sacrifice.

But since this trial lasts so long, I suspect our target didn’t appear at the outset—each of you go gather information; after sunset, meet on the first floor of the inn and share what you’ve found.

One more reminder: before you learn of the sacrifice, especially on the first day, don’t kill casually.

You’re all smart people—I doubt you need repeated warnings.”

After speaking, he glanced at Cheng Shi once more.

Clearly, his warning was aimed at the [Chaos] believer.

“Go forth on your divine mission. If you need help, I’m happy to assist.”

The Hunter of Fools, Wei Guan, scanned everyone, then chose to leave alone.

Du Qiyu waved his hand, a casual farewell to the group.

Yun Ni leapt over the railing straight down to the first floor, leaving the two opposing male believers staring at each other.

By the time Cheng Shi noticed, the man at the end of the corridor had vanished without a trace.

Silent, invisible—alive like a ghost.

“You’re the only priest, I’m the only singer—hope we cooperate well.”

“Asshole.”

Cheng Shi sneered, turned, and walked away.

Fang Jue felt no offense; if a [Chaos] player showed him special attention, he’d find that strange.

“Alright, hope I brought enough healing potions.”

Everyone split up. Cheng Shi returned to his room and quickly completed his divine mission.

Since the trial lasted long and investigation would take time, to avoid drawing excessive attention from nearby NPCs, he, like the others, changed into the inn’s provided clothing.

The clothes fit well but were ugly—he looked like a groom.

Wait, why did he think of a groom?

Cheng Shi chuckled, shook his head, and left the room again, wandering through the inn.

The inn’s name was oddly apt: “The Frantically Growing Light of Life.”

This flattery-filled naming made outsiders instantly know the owner worshipped [Prosperity].

The inn had three stories total, four vertical light wells connecting all levels, doors facing inward, windows outward—a standard “field” structure.

Cheng Shi leisurely examined every corner of the inn, politely chatting with anyone whose face seemed friendly, and soon gathered a wealth of information.

The inn was indeed one of the best places to collect intelligence; Cheng Shi sorted through the data in his mind and quickly pinpointed the players’ locations.

Not only did the innkeeper worship [Prosperity], but every single person in the small town of “Yong Zhan” worshipped [Prosperity].

This was the settled land of [Prosperity]’s believers, the place watched over by Him.

The town lay in the southwest of Star Fall Continent, nominally under the jurisdiction of the Grand Inquisition, but in practice governed autonomously by the Natural Alliance.

The Natural Alliance was not a political union, but a coalition of countless small factions sharing faith in various [Gods] along the Path of [Life].

The factions within the Alliance held autonomy, but due to extreme fragmentation and independent rule, their civilization and social development lagged far behind the organized, systemic Grand Inquisition and the Tower of Rationality.

Moreover, since the Alliance wasn’t geographically defined and was scattered thinly across Star Fall Continent, many of its factions had cooperation agreements with these two major powers.

In plain terms: when Alliance members faced trouble, they hired the major powers for help, paying appropriate fees.

Including—but not limited to—technological advancement, urban construction, and judgment of crimes.

And now, Yong Zhan Town had just encountered a problem requiring the Grand Inquisition’s aid.

“What? Where’s the fun at night? Are you suicidal? Going out at night? Aren’t you afraid... never mind, I won’t even say his name.”

“New here? You don’t know? Cultists are provoking [Prosperity]’s will—the town’s autonomous officials are tearing their hair out over it.”

“The Law Enforcement Bureau’s masters are swamped lately—they won’t bother with money-wasting matters. Why are they so busy? Because of those dead ones... ah, better not talk about it.”

“Rumor has it the Law Enforcement Bureau has already requested aid from the Grand Inquisition. I wonder if these Inquisitors have eyes all over their bodies—how else could they tell who’s guilty?”

“All things sprout, flourish, and prosper. I can see you’re a wanderer who just found your home—Yong Zhan Town welcomes you always. Go to the town center—He is waiting for you there.”

He?

Cheng Shi stared blankly at the spry innkeeper, blinking in confusion.

The innkeeper saw his bewilderment and smiled:

“Don’t be startled—He hasn’t descended, but His will protects us there.”

Without a word, Cheng Shi turned and walked toward the town center.