Chapter 602 - 361: Skin

Chapter 602: Chapter 361: Skin

Seeing that Luoti was relatively easy to talk to, Lu Cang decided to take this opportunity to learn more about things that were normally difficult to discover.

"May I ask something?"

"This Trial... is it really mandatory?"

"If I were to recruit followers without passing the Trial, would something bad happen?"

Lu Cang asked, confused.

Luoti didn’t keep him in suspense and simply replied, "If it’s just for followers, you don’t need to pass a Trial. But if you want your own Disciples, a Trial is necessary."

"Disciples?"

"Yes. I don’t know what you call them in your current era."

"But it’s essentially the means by which gods bestow some of their Authority upon ordinary people."

"Passing the Trial also deepens the bond between a god and their Disciple, making it easier for the god to channel their power into the world."

"It’s not just a Trial; it’s also a Ritual."

"During the Trial, you can also cultivate your Disciples into beings with power similar to your own. Some gods can even use their Disciple’s body to descend into the mortal realm."

Lu Cang’s tone grew a bit grim. "That doesn’t sound like a good thing."

Luoti’s tone was light, as if it was no big deal. "It’s fine—at the end of the day, it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. Both sides gain from it."

"Besides, beings who have ascended to godhood generally look down on mortal vessels."

"Those who attain godhood have their own unique qualities... They can hardly be bothered with ordinary mortals. Harming a follower is disadvantageous, and if word got out, they risk losing the faith of the people."

"It would make it even harder to gather followers."

"The gods are in their Divine Kingdoms and cannot descend. To complete the Ritual that truly breaks their shackles, they must rely on the efforts of their followers."

"Furthermore, some individual Disciples are groomed to be true successors."

"Although I haven’t seen the final outcome, it’s possible that to complete their descent, they need someone else to take their original place."

"The other Moons might also be preparing for that day."

’So that’s how it is...’

’Does that mean Inheritors like Yelieya and Rhine actually have a slim chance of becoming a Moon?’

’These gods are certainly practical.’

After answering Lu Cang’s questions, Luoti didn’t give him another chance to ask more, saying directly, "The third Trial... is a choice."

"By now, you should already know the nature of the Deep Land."

Lu Cang said, "Yes, I know."

"If Xin Qianhuan was correct, the Deep Land is a world made real from the thoughts that naturally form in our minds."

"Before I realized it was all just my thoughts, I believed it was real, and so it was."

Luoti said, "Correct. So, the third Trial is a choice for you."

"I can make you forget everything you’ve experienced since your Awakening and let you return to the sweet dream of the Deep Land."

"I won’t go back on my word."

Luoti asked, "What is your choice?"

Lu Cang gave a wry, helpless smile. "I feel like I’ve gone through this kind of test too many times today."

"I have no intention of losing myself in some sweet dream."

"In the real world, my true parents are still waiting for me. I also have promises to keep with my master and the people who’ve helped me in this world."

"I’ll admit, the thought of escaping has crossed my mind, but I don’t think my conscience could bear it if I ran away like this."

Of course... there was another reason Lu Cang didn’t mention.

’This is just a rehearsal. Once time is up after I make my choice, don’t I have to go back to reality anyway?’

After receiving Lu Cang’s answer, Luoti nodded lightly. "I see... In that case, you’ve passed the third Trial as well."

’Heh... what a casual Trial.’

’Could you possibly be any more arbitrary?’

’Normally, shouldn’t a trial for divine selection involve difficult hurdles like interrogations of the soul, a baptism of life and death, or a struggle of faith?’

’But for me, it’s just a single question?’

’It’s obvious Luoti really wants me to be her Disciple... She’s going so easy on me it’s like she’s opened the floodgates.’

"You are truly a person of talent, to have passed three Trials in a row." Luoti clasped her hands by her face and congratulated him happily.

’No...’

’Aside from the first Trial being a bit unusual, were the other two difficult at all?’

"Actually, there was some difficulty to them."

Lu Cang hadn’t spoken his thoughts aloud, but Luoti seemed to have anticipated them and answered anyway.

"While not everything must be solved through combat, sufficient combat prowess provides the foundation for resolving most issues."

"As for the choice, it served to verify your convictions."

"If your will is not firm, you can be easily exploited by others, even if you possess great power."

"The Trial itself exists for the purpose of selection; there’s no need for too many pointless tests."

"And from what I’ve seen, you are indeed a suitable candidate."

Luoti said, "All that remains is the final Trial..."

Lu Cang asked, "There’s more?"

Luoti said, "Yes, four in total."

’I thought it would end after three. I didn’t expect there to be four Trials.’

’But seeing how easy the last two were, the fourth Trial probably won’t be too difficult either...’

WHOOSH—

The scene before his eyes blurred once more.

This time, when the scene sharpened from a blur back into focus, Lu Cang found himself in the middle of a roiling sea.

"On the continent two million kilometers ahead of you is Aertemi’s Advent Altar."

"They are likely about to perform the Sacrifice of Ten Thousand Skins... to prepare for their conflict with me."

"Please, destroy their plan."

Lu Cang now understood the contents of the final Trial. It was simple and clear enough.

’But... Aertemi, of all beings.’

’An old acquaintance, indeed.’

Lu Cang hovered in mid-air, gazing forward for a moment—

BANG!

In an instant, he transformed into a slender streak of light.

He shot straight ahead!

Luoti looked down upon the illusion she had created. The place where Lu Cang was located was a world of pure illusion.

’Such incredible Speed...’

’Is this really the Speed of a Level 5 Reincarnator?’

Luoti had a faint feeling that Lu Cang must be an incredible genius, likely a famous figure in the outside world.

But all information about Lu Cang was completely and utterly concealed.

He was very much like a certain Moon whose name was completely unknown.

’But... that’s for the best.’

’If Lu Cang really is a one-in-a-million genius, then I’ve truly struck gold. When it comes to Disciples, it’s about quality, not quantity.’

’It’s just...’

’Lu Cang’s Level is far too low.’

Luoti’s thoughts raced as she considered her future plans.

For the fourth Trial, Luoti didn’t actually expect Lu Cang to complete it perfectly. As long as he could disrupt a part of Aertemi’s Ritual, she would be satisfied.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, Lu Cang had already crossed the full two million kilometers.

His Speed was truly astonishing.

It couldn’t compare to a god’s, but when measured against Reincarnators below Level 8, it was on par with some of the most outstanding Level 7s she had ever seen.

Upon arriving at his destination.

Lu Cang hovered in the air, a wave of nausea washing over him.

Any human who saw this continent would feel a visceral sense of unease.

It was a continent paved entirely with skin, piled high with countless human hides.

It was impossible to imagine how many people they had killed, how many they had skinned, to create something of this scale.

Even Lu Cang couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

’These bastards... they’re far too cruel.’