Chapter 305: The Promotion Ceremony of Chao Shen Da Shi!

"Captain Ya Bo Han, I never expected you to be such a captain!"

Ta Ke swayed the wine glass in his hand and laughed as he spoke.

"Hehe... I wish it were me, but unfortunately it's not."

Captain Ya Bo Han said lazily; Ya Bo Han, who possesses the Steam·Vampire sequence, exuded an elegance that ordinary people rarely possess.

"Oh?"

Ta Ke raised an eyebrow and looked toward Dr. Si Tan·Li beside him.

The unexpected real man turned out to be Dr. Si Tan·Li.

Seated steadily on the sofa, Dr. Si Tan·Li, accustomed to great storms, was not at all surprised by Ta Ke's startled expression.

He began to speak slowly.

"The Qianya Mermaid Tribe is the largest mermaid tribe in the depths of the Transcendent Ocean."

"It is also the tribe of my beloved."

"Originally, the ocean tribes had little interaction with our Sairi ONS Principality, and the deep‑sea tribes around the dual‑realm barrier were also relatively calm."

"But recently, as some extraordinary strategic moves from the Eastern Continent unfolded, the Qianya Mermaid Tribe has been affected by the Eastern Continent's strategic plans."

"Strategic moves from the Eastern Continent?"

Ta Ke felt a slight stir in his heart.

"Is it the Dark Sun Saint's creation? Or the preparation to erect a barrier tower to welcome a divine miracle?"

"The former is the cultivation of potential seeds, a matter where less movement is better, unlikely to involve grand actions."

"The latter, however, concerns which exotic transcendent being needs what built; the Eastern Continent has no reason to make a wedding dress for others."

"Besides these relatively important matters, the things in the Eastern Continent that can truly be called strategic actions..."

Ta Ke inhaled deeply, looked at Dr. Si Tan·Li, and said slowly.

"Stone Statue Empire Sovereign, have you begun preparing the promotion ceremony for Chao Shen Da Shi?"

"Yes."

Dr. Si Tan·Li nodded slowly.

"Just as I thought!"

Ta Ke groped his palm, his eyebrows lifting slightly.

Earlier, Ta Ke had also heard some news about the Stone Statue Empire Sovereign Fei Di Nan·Fei Li Ke Si's upcoming promotion to Chao Shen Da Shi.

But he did not expect that they had already begun preparing the promotion ceremony.

As the transcendent's rank rises.

The materials ingested become increasingly difficult to digest.

At the same time, the difficulty of promotion continuously escalates.

At this point, one must construct a suitable "Promotion Ceremony" to aid one's own advancement.

During the promotion process.

Whether it is suppressing the material's powerful negative traits.

Or the sequence's metamorphosis, when touching the transcendent source, the indescribable whispers from deep dimensions of alien realms.

Or the mutations and uncontrollable anxieties that arise when the transcendent ecology transforms.

All require a ceremony to bind them.

High‑level transcendants all need a "Transcendent Ceremony" to assist their promotion.

Transcendent Peak Level 9 at 99th rank promotes to Chao Shen Da Shi at 100th rank.

Thus one steps through the gate of the Transcendent Sanctuary, becoming a higher‑tier life form.

One can imagine how enormous the difficulty is.

Therefore, the ninth‑level ceremony to promote to Chao Shen Da Shi is exceedingly grand.

Even the preparations take several years to arrange.

"I guess... Padelin New Voyage Island certainly wouldn't just stand by and watch the Stone Statue Empire Sovereign prepare his own ceremony and smoothly complete the promotion," Ta Ke said slowly.

"Yes!" Dr. Si Tan·Li nodded solemnly.

"Once the Stone Statue Empire Sovereign completes the promotion to Chao Shen Da Shi."

"The entire Ogu Twin Stars Transcendent World will undergo a massive transformation."

"First, the Dark Sun Evil God Church will become a legitimate church throughout the Eastern Continent, rapidly expanding its scale."

"After all, the current Stone Statue Empire Sovereign is himself a follower of the Dark Sun."

"Since he has not yet become Chao Shen Da Shi, the top elites of the other two major tribes still retain some say within the Stone Statue Empire."

"Once a Chao Shen Da Shi is born, the Stone Statue Continent will have only one voice."

"A unified empire, a unified faith, will cause the entire Stone Statue Empire to seize the world‑barrier's pivotal passages."

"Although the Grand Duke level of the Sairi ONS Principality is relatively high."

"But the Sovereign of the Sun Rock Empire and the Stone Statue Empire Sovereign, both Chao Shen Da Shi, together may not lose to the Sairi ONS Grand Duke."

"Add to that the Northern Territory Dark Sun Church's watchful eyes."

"The Sairi ONS Principality may not be able to withstand it."

"If such a situation arises."

"We might instead become the side expelled from the Transcendent World."

"Although promoting to Chao Shen Da Shi is extremely difficult and the odds of success are low, we still must do everything to sabotage it."

"Its successful cost is too enormous for us to bear."

Dr. Si Tan·Li's exposition made Ta Ke furrow his brows.

The birth of a Chao Shen Da Shi has an overwhelmingly huge impact on the Aogu Twin Stars Supernal World.

It is even more serious than the consequences of Saint Land being breached.

One could even say.

The emergence of a Chao Shen Da Shi on the Stone Statue Continent is a situation the present Sairiangs Principality cannot bear at all.

Although in the future, with the advent of the Chaos Runes divine miracle,

many Chao Shen Da Shi as well as mid‑tier and high‑tier supernal beings will descend.

But!

The ecological will of the Aogu Twin Stars Supernal World does not permit foreign Chao Shen Da Shi to enter arbitrarily.

Foreign‑arriving Chao Shen Da Shi can only remain atop the World Barrier; they may observe this world, project a Chao Shen Da Shi image, and even comprehend the Chaos Runes while on the Barrier.

But they cannot come inside.

External forces can exert some influence on internal affairs of the Aogu Twin Stars Supernal World.

Yet what truly matters is the Sairiangs Principality itself.

After Ta Ke digests this information,

Dr. Stan Lee continued,

"Based on the intelligence I have gathered so far,"

"This time, the Stone Statue Empire's Sovereign is preparing a grand Ascension Ritual."

"All aspects of the Eastern Continent are involved."

"Especially the Dual-World Barrier nodes, which are of utmost importance."

Hearing this, Ta Ke thought and said,

"The Sovereign, placing such weight on the Dual-World Barrier, most likely intends to channel the Barrier's power to counter the foreign whispers that arise during the Ascension."

"Perhaps even to use the Barrier to reinforce their own ecology, resisting potential mutational runaway risks."

【Barrier】

Ta Ke is an expert in this field.

Looking across the entire Aogu Twin Stars Supernal World, no one knows the Barrier better than Ta Ke.

"Indeed, you're the one who truly masters the Barrier."

Dr. Stan Lee smiled.

"The World Barrier, though not as unfathomable as the Great Barrier, still contains the Barrier's power."

"It is a crucial component of the Stone Statue Empire's Sovereign's Ascension Ritual."

"Nowadays, many of the Stone Statue Empire's strongmen are continuously attacking and seizing Dual-World Barrier Nexus nodes."

"Clearly, they aim to capture more World Nexus nodes, thereby providing greater aid to their Sovereign."

"About half a month ago, when I wrote you this letter."

Dr. Stan Lee continued,

"I have received a plea for aid from the Qianya Fishfolk Tribe."

"The tribe's chieftain told me,"

"One of the Nine Demon Seas, the Dragon Shark General, led his 'Dragon Shark Pirate Crew' to contact the 'Volcanic Giant Shark Tribe' and together seized an island of the Qianya Fishfolk Tribe."

"Subsequently, the strong members of both tribes entered negotiations."

"The negotiation essentially required the Qianya Fishfolk Tribe to submit to the Volcanic Giant Shark Tribe and relinquish the large World Barrier Nexus node they currently occupy."

"The Qianya Fishfolk chieftain postponed that negotiation."

"Citing the need for thorough internal discussion."

"In reality, it was a stalling scheme."

"At present, the Qianya Fishfolk Tribe is both seeking external aid and reinforcing the defense of the Nexus node."

"That massive Dual-World Barrier Nexus node is the Qianya Fishfolk Tribe's core nest, a convergence point of abundant source energy; its Supernal Source Energy ecology is by no means inferior to the Source Realm Island we previously occupied."

"Moreover, as a Dual-World Barrier Nexus, it can freely traverse the two great oceans of the east and west, making it a strategic stronghold itself."

"If that massive Dual-World Barrier Nexus is captured, it will grant the Stone Statue Empire's Sovereign considerable power for the Barrier Ritual's protection."

After hearing Dr. Stan Lee's exposition, Ta Ke's brows twitched slightly.

"I've heard of the underwater Volcanic Giant Shark Tribe; its reputation has never been good."

"And the Dragon Shark General…"

Ta Ke looked at Dr. Stan Lee, who merely nodded.

"The Dragon Shark General, one of the Nine Demon Seas, leads the Dragon Shark Pirate Crew, which the Eastern Continent has been covertly funding; they belong to the Stone Statue Empire's maritime forces."

【Dragon Shark General】.

He is one of the Nine Demon Seas in the Supernal Ocean, and, like the oceanic powerhouse Blood Waterfall General, is a Seventh‑Tier strongman.

Under his command rules the notorious 'Dragon Shark Pirate Crew'.

The Dragon Shark General is immensely famous, extremely cruel, and blood‑thirsty.

His Supernal Body is a Supernal Shark Lord bearing a Dragon bloodline.

It is said his father was a dragon and his mother a Supernal Giant Shark.

Hmm… dragons of that sort rarely engage in such affairs across many Supernal worlds.

Supernal Giant Dragons, as powerful sources of Supernal life, can merge with the Supernal essences of other beings to spawn all manner of strange lifeforms.

The Supernal form that the shape‑shifting Dragon Shark General condenses leans toward a 'Shark‑person' appearance—changed, yet not wholly transformed.

"In other words, our destination—the Qianya Fishfolk Island—appears to be relatively welcoming to us."

"Moreover, it will be one of the key nodes for opposing the Stone Statue Empire's Sovereign's Ascension Ritual."

"And… the key material for my fifth‑stage ascension is also there!"

Ta Ke thought for a moment and asked.

"Yes!"

Doctor Si Tan Li gave a confirming reply.

His expression remained as calm as water, yet Ta Ke felt a deep happiness.

There are only a few large Dual‑Realm Nexus Nodes.

Originally, Ta Ke was pondering to find a medium‑sized Nexus Node to cultivate for a while, at least reaching Bishop rank before qualifying to occupy a large Dual‑Realm Nexus Node.

He did not expect a large Dual‑Realm Nexus Node to appear right before his eyes.

Although it is not Ta Ke's personal one.

But the problem is, Ta Ke does not need to claim it for himself at the moment.

Ta Ke only needs to anchor and idle‑grow.

Going to that Qian Ya Fishfolk Tribe's Dual‑Realm Nexus Node this time has many advantages.

It can heavily strike the oceanic forces of the Stone Idol Continent while strengthening the ascension ceremony of the Stone Idol Empire's ruler.

Being able to damage the Stone Idol Empire, Ta Ke is naturally eager for it.

After all!

The Stone Idol Empire is, after all, the stronghold of the Dark Sun Evil God Church.

There are indeed many good points.

The upcoming Battle of Qian Ya Fishfolk Island will also be a tough fight.

Only by winning can one qualify to grow.

After all, this time the enemies are the formidable "Dragon Shark Pirate Guild" and the underwater "Volcanic Giant Shark Tribe".

After carefully digesting the numerous pieces of information,

Ta Ke looked at Doctor Si Tan Li and asked.

"Doctor, besides seeking the power of the World Barrier, what other aspects does this Stone Idol Empire ruler's ascension ceremony involve?"

After thinking, Doctor Si Tan Li replied.

"As far as I know, besides seeking the protection of the World Barrier, there is also the guardianship of Dark Sun Faith and the Kingdom Ecology's national power."

Doctor Si Tan Li is evidently very familiar with the ascension ceremony requirements of high‑level cultivators.

Dark Sun Faith and Kingdom Ecology!

Ta Ke swiftly mobilized his knowledge network to seek related information.

"Dark Sun Faith requires the Dark Sun Evil God Church to build a holy temple, with Dark Sun missionaries preaching, gathering believers, and gradually guiding them out."

"And Kingdom Ecology needs to use a nation‑level framework, planning the populace, driving it with policies, to construct the ecological community of the species 'Human'."

"When necessary, nobles and city‑states serve as nexus points to strengthen the people's identification, obedience, and honor toward the Kingdom, thereby reinforcing the stability of Kingdom Ecology."

"The individual's willful identification and centripetal force are the key to Kingdom Ecology."

"This 'national ecology' provides immense aid to the empire's king, a transcendent being who controls the core ecological power."

"I recall that many Ninth‑stage transcendent beings in the Transcendent World borrow Kingdom Ecology to achieve the advancement of a Chao Shen Da Shi."

"Originally, the king of the Sairiangs Duchy, the Grand Duke of Sairiangs, ascended while holding the throne."

"Even the mighty Three‑Eyed God Holy Spirit Empire refuses to abandon the benefits of Kingdom Ecology, and to this day still maintains its national form and Kingdom Ecology."

"Kingdom Ecology is the most crucial element among the three ascension ceremony components for the Stone Idol Empire's ruler Fei Di Nan Fei Li Ke Si."

"And the best way to destroy Kingdom Ecology is war, a physical flattening."

"When the kingdom perishes, the ecology perishes with it; even if it rises from ashes, it lacks its former power."

"But for me alone to eradicate it is rather difficult."

"But I can create panic and disaster."

"Humans are the most basic unit of Kingdom Ecology."

"As long as terror and disaster are sufficient, and enough people are killed, the Kingdom Ecology will be shaken."

When Ta Ke's murderous intent rose in his heart,

"Gaga…"

In the depths of Ta Ke's pupils, a faint raven screech could be heard.

"The Stone Idol Empire's 'Butcher of Nations' sounds… rather nice!"

"Hmm! Wanton slaughter of the Stone Idol Empire's residents who follow Dark Sun, to some extent opposes Kingdom Ecology, and the king's will will sense my presence."

"And this is why the Dark Sun Church does not dare to easily send strongmen to cause large‑scale unrest within the Kingdom Ecology of the Sairiangs Duchy."

"Ecology instinctively tends toward stability, and those who stir turmoil will be repelled and despised by Kingdom Ecology."

Ta Ke thought quietly.

"But if… I mean, if I use a forbidden curse to nuke a Transcendent City‑State, then amend Kingdom Ecology's rejection of me, how would the Stone Idol Empire respond?"

The three of them drank while listening to Doctor Si Tan Li expound on many matters concerning the Qian Ya Fishfolk Island.

Regarding the Transcendent World's oceanic observations and knowledge.

The two together still fall far short of Doctor Si Tan Li.

A ship with an elder is like a treasure; it's quite good.

Doctor Si Tan Li's exposition caused Ta Ke's odd knowledge to continuously expand.

Unnoticed, dusk had already arrived.

After a whole day of downwind sailing, the Blood Demon Hand had entered the true Transcendent Deep Sea Region.

Here, sea tribes have already begun to appear.

At the same time, this place is also the domain of pirate ships.

In the area of Padlin New Navigation Island and the continental shelf, there might also be naval steam turbine ships, and possibly steam merchant ships, passenger ships, and the like.

And the deep sea beyond Padlin·New Navigation Island.

Everything you encounter are enemies who want to take your life.

Push open the aft cabin stern window.

Ta Ke, who wanted to see the sunset, only then discovered that the ghost sail, covered in the Sequence of the Undead, had already been unfurled, blocking the red light of the sunset.

"It's been quite a while since leaving the area shrouded by the Ashen Lands; I've started to miss those long days of the gray night and gray day."

Ta Ke, having pushed open the cabin door, leisurely walked to the stern position.

His gaze intertwined with the sunset behind, and he stared for a moment at the shimmering sea surface.

Ta Ke rubbed his brow.

"It's rare to enjoy a bit of sunset time, yet that group of sea folk really knows how to find an opportunity."

"Hmm… about four or five sharks of over level thirty that are being herded are trailing behind."

"The extraordinary sequence 【Ocean·Herder】 should be around level forty, a sea‑folk shark with extraordinary intelligence."

"They are following far behind underwater, being very cautious; obviously they are also worried that the demon‑ship will discover them."

"They clearly know this demon‑ship is the Blood Demon's Hand, yet they still dare to follow."

"Looks like… there will be a night battle once night falls!"

Ta Ke felt his fingers, a little anticipatory.

Ta Ke both looks forward to this impending battle.

He also looks forward to the fins of those extraordinary sharks, which are a top‑grade sea delicacy.

Going out to sea, if you don't get to eat a shark‑fin meal, it's simply soulless.