Chapter 748: Corpse-Oil Candle (Final Day—Requesting Moon Tickets)

A magical item made from the Unique of the Ironblood Knight? The Law of Unique Aggregation really works... The Hunter of Fate's sensitivity to destiny probably contributed too... Or could this be the result of deliberate arrangement? Lu Mi was initially thrilled, then immediately fell victim to the aftereffects of his Gift Trauma.

The Magician seemed to sense his thoughts and smiled slightly.

"I don't know if this is fate's gift, but even if it is, it's a gift that matches our expectations—we can accept it without hesitation."

Lu Mi nodded silently.

The Hanged Man beside him spoke calmly.

"Don't overcomplicate it—just clarify two points:

"First, you currently have no ability to escape the arrangement; sometimes, what you think is resistance or rebellion is merely a pre-set step. The Angel of the Fool cannot always be beside you to offer protection. Remember: accepting reality is not cowardice—accepting reality and persisting in seeking opportunity within it is the very symbol of courage.

"Second, maximize the benefits brought by fate's gifts and strive to strengthen yourself. This doesn't mean giving up—it tests your wisdom and resolve even more. When you sense danger, when you notice something unusual, remember: we will always stand with you. Remember, the Fool can interfere with that one's arrangements, but you know He has not yet awakened and cannot frequently grant you protection—this can only be used in critical moments."

Lu Mi listened carefully and slowly nodded. He had thought these things himself, but hearing them spoken aloud gave them a different weight and persuasiveness.

The Hanged Man paused, then added:

"The most urgent concern right now is that he wants the Blood Emperor to revive within you. You must be doubly cautious if you encounter similar scenarios again."

"I'll remember. Thank you, Mr. Hanged Man." Lu Mi bowed sincerely.

The Magician then steered the conversation back on track:

"You may now retrieve the items you've acquired. I'll examine their abilities and negative effects for you."

With assurance and guarantees secured, Lu Mi reached into the Traveler's Satchel and gripped the hilt of the iron-black greatsword.

Instantly, he felt his inner anxieties—like dark clouds suspended in midair—scattered by a terrifying gale, vanishing in an instant.

"Why fear fate's gift?

"Why fear the gods' design?

"Die!

"All of you—die!"

In that moment, Lu Mi was filled with courage. Even if the True Creator appeared before him now, he would dare to swing his greatsword at Him!

He drew the black greatsword, its flames extinguished but still scorching hot, and handed it to the Magician.

The Magician glanced at him, then took it, teasingly saying:

"How about calling this the Sword of Courage?"

"Sword of Courage..." Lu Mi froze.

As the black greatsword left his palm and was taken by the Magician, he shuddered violently.

"What was I just thinking?

"I nearly cursed His holy name outright...

"How could I have thought I could kill a god right now?"

Filled with dread, Lu Mi turned his gaze to the black greatsword in the Magician's hand.

Was this its negative effect?

Could it grant the courage to kill gods?

The Magician's eyes shimmered with specks of starlight as she stared for a moment, then said:

"This sword fills its bearer with courage, preventing them from being crushed by fear or paralyzed by dread. Had you held this sword just now, even if you were ultimately conquered, you would have endured longer.

"It is extremely hard and sharp, capable of blocking direct attacks from a demi-god level and significantly impairing the defenses of many demi-gods. It can even allow you to unleash a Harvest at the level of the Ironblood Knight—but this consumes immense spiritual energy, surpassing even the 'Pushing Fate' ability, draining nearly two-thirds of your spiritual reserves in a single use.

"It also absorbs damage for you: even if you fail to block an attack and suffer a fatal wound, it will take half the damage, turning a fatal injury into a severe one.

"Each strike carries searing heat, and according to your will, the flames can spread along the contact point between your blade and the enemy's weapon. You can also make each strike produce a massive explosion.

"If it comes into contact with the target's blood or burns them with its flames, you may throw this sword skyward from up to five kilometers away. It will wrap itself in fire, like a living artillery shell, autonomously locking onto the target and plummeting down to create a violent explosion capable of destroying everything within a standard square.

"The maximum range is five kilometers, and it won't return on its own—you must retrieve it.

"It has two negative effects: First, excessive courage is a lethal poison. Fear and dread are among the key reasons humanity has survived to this era. A person who lacks fear and dread, and possesses only courage, will inevitably lose judgment and analytical ability—and die quickly.

"Second, it requires companions. You must prepare at least thirty ordinary straight swords and place them within the same container to complete the sealing. Otherwise, within about fifteen minutes, it will begin indiscriminately attacking everyone nearby—including you. Don't think of using the Blood Emperor's residual aura to evade or intimidate it, because this isn't due to the sword possessing a living trait—it's an expression of destructive divinity.

"It continuously emits intense heat, gradually melting ordinary straight swords. So you must periodically replenish its companions. Likewise, for the wielder, this is a gradually intensifying burn injury—but as the Harvester, you can endure it longer.

"That's about it. If you don't mind, call it the Sword of Courage."

Lu Mi nodded.

"Can the negative effect of being overwhelmed by courage be avoided by storing it in the Traveler's Satchel?"

"Yes." The Magician gave a slight nod.

Lu Mi thought for a moment, then asked:

"In the room where I found this sword, there were only armor, an altar, and two other items. Why didn't it destroy those?"

"That armor is its companion." The Magician had already anticipated the question.

Lu Mi didn't ask further, instead pondering how to use the Sword of Courage:

I must wait until I've fully analyzed the situation and made a clear judgment before drawing the sword and charging...

This isn't a commander's staff—it's a battle horn...

Each use must not exceed fifteen minutes...

As he thought, Lu Mi reached out and took the Sword of Courage.

The next second, he realized he didn't need to overthink it:

Fear this, fear that—only leads to failure!

Don't be overly cautious, don't hesitate—just act!

What's there to fear?

The Magician reached into the void and pulled out dozens of straight swords, each with slight variations in design, letting them fly autonomously toward Lu Mi.

After placing the Sword of Courage among them and returning the bundle to the Traveler's Satchel, Lu Mi instantly regained clarity.

He couldn't help silently mocking himself:

"The Ascetic's ability doesn't help here at all..."

Then he pulled out the fine, white leather and the translucent glass vial containing the semi-solid, pale yellow-and-red candle.

Once again, the Magician's eyes shimmered with brilliant starlight as she took the two items and studied them for over ten seconds.

"This is indeed the Witch of Despair's potion formula, but the human skin carrying it belonged to an ancient Witch of Despair, saturated with potent, mystically powerful viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Anyone who touches or gazes upon it will gradually contract different diseases. If contact or observation lasts less than ten seconds, the body can heal itself." The Magician briefly described the white leather.

Her gaze shifted to the strange candle:

"This is corpse-oil candle, made by blending the corpse oils of the Ironblood Knight and the Witch of Despair with other substances."

Corpse-oil candle... from two demi-gods... Though Lu Mi had seen many strange things, he still found the candle inherently sinister and terrifying.

"What's its use?" he asked, his unease outweighed only by his curiosity.

The Magician considered her words carefully:

"When lit and used in rituals or meditation, it should be paired with a ceremony—but the exact details and final effects are unclear. Hmm, you have the Blood Emperor's residual aura—perhaps you can bypass the ceremony and try directly."

Lu Mi didn't hesitate:

"Fine. I'll try now."

With an Angel and a Saint watching, even if something went wrong, they could still save him. If not now, when? Wait until he was alone?

The Magician and the Hanged Man made no move to stop him.

Lu Mi took the glass vial containing the corpse-oil candle, sat cross-legged on the deck.

Snap—he rubbed his fingers together, igniting a brilliant white flame, instantly lighting the black wick of the corpse-oil candle.

Then he closed his eyes, visualized the pattern, and began meditating.

In the state of tranquil dispersion, a faint, dark fragrance entered his nostrils, making his marrow itch as if slowly burning.

Lu Mi didn't try to suppress the sensation—only held fast to his meditative state.

After an indeterminate time, a mist tinged with deep black suddenly appeared before his "eyes."

He felt as if he stood within the mist, on the edge of a street barely visible in outline.

Across the street, various low buildings flickered in and out of sight, reduced to mere shadows.

Ding-ding-ding—a vehicle resembling a steam train rolled in from the far end of the street. It had only two carriages and no distinctive chimney; instead, strange supports extended from its top, connecting to something in the sky.

This... Lu Mi's memory instantly flashed with a similar scene.

He had seen this exact scenario in Trier of the Fourth Era!

It had triggered the appearance of the second layer of that peculiar mirror world.

PS: Last day—double moon tickets please~

(End of Chapter)