Chapter 540 - 538: Benovia’s Trial—Court Slaughter

The next day, Hilia found Benovia and conveyed Rose’s intention.

Benovia pondered for a moment and agreed to hand over the items to Hilia.

After the Heart of the Magic Puppet was handed over, Benovia felt her connection with the Gods become weak, her heart skipped a beat, and a hint of tension appeared on her face.

But she quickly hid it.

Although Rose hadn’t given her a revelation telling her to hand over the Divine Format fragments to Hilia, she had long believed that Hilia was also a believer of the Gods.

After all, even though she had vaguely received a revelation from the Gods back then, the process of obtaining this ’Heart of the Magic Puppet’ didn’t involve Hilia, who had denied any involvement three times, yet over time, Benovia had already confirmed through clues that Hilia was connected to the Heart of the Magic Puppet.

Moreover, there was the major event in Southern Border City; even without investigating, one could know the situation.

Since Hilia didn’t say anything, she didn’t pursue it any further.

Knowing in one’s heart is enough, saying it out loud isn’t good.

Now that Hilia had suddenly approached her to retrieve the Heart of the Magic Puppet, could it be that it was under divine guidance?

Benovia thought the probability was very high.

As for what to do...

Benovia didn’t know, she chose to trust Hilia.

But she still wanted to ask, "So, what does Hilia plan to use it for?"

Hilia curled her lip, "Nothing much, just need to study the Tier Four Water Scroll recently, requiring something that possesses a vast amount of water magic power."

Benovia didn’t believe it but nodded, "I see, alright then."

Hilia took it over, "I’ll return it to you in the afternoon."

Benovia waved her hand, "No problem, I’m not in a hurry."

In reality, she was quite anxious because as the Heart of the Magic Puppet was handed over, the sense of the Gods in her mind grew weaker.

Just then, a revelation from the Gods appeared in her mind, easing her heart.

The suddenly appearing revelation made her relax.

As expected, it was an oracle from the Gods.

But why did it come at this time?

Benovia was somewhat puzzled but didn’t say anything.

The most important task now was advancement.

So Benovia bid farewell to Hilia and went to her classroom.

Benovia had completed all the courses earlier than Hilia but did not show it publicly; she was casually, a pretty little invisible girl.

Of course, during class, she mostly daydreamed.

Like now, appearing to listen attentively, but actually she was sensing external magic power.

A small flame continually appeared on her hand, its elemental fluctuations were so faint that the mentor wouldn’t mention it.

Benovia did not possess the Star of Ice, nor did she have direct help from the Gods, yet she had accumulated knowledge to comprehend her own unique method of engagement.

This was to go from shallow to deep, starting from the most subtle tricks, allowing even small tricks to invoke external magic power first before gradually moving into magic, quite the extreme compared to Hilia who felt directly using Tier Four magic.

She felt it wouldn’t take more than a few days.

"It’s just the magic power refinement... According to the experience summarized by Tier Four mages of previous generations, the higher the magic power refinement before sensing the Ascension God Stairs, the better, with the maximum being 120%, to have the Ascension God Stairs proactively call out to oneself, so..."

Thinking of the lone advancement by Hilia, an unyielding thought started to appear in Benovia’s heart.

"Being equally favored by the Gods, I am no worse than Hilia!"

In the evening, Benovia retrieved the Divine Format fragments back from Hilia, suddenly sensing a stronger energy fluctuation from the Heart of the Magic Puppet.

Though very subtle, due to long-term carrying, her perception was very keen.

"Could it be..."

Impatiently, Benovia returned to her joyful little house, activated the ritual, and re-established contact with Rose via the Divine Format fragments.

She found the connection from the Gods was strengthened!

Just as expected!

A smile appeared on Benovia’s lips, eagerly sending various random inquiries to Rose through the link.

The shadow of Rose appeared in her mind, ignoring all her questions, gazing at her, then stabbing into her body with spiritual power, swiftly stirring her magic, interrupting all her queries.

"Ugh..."

Benovia furrowed her brow, enduring the pain, and began engaging in torturous refinement practice.

Today she was well-prepared, using several magic-targeted potions to assist her in stabilizing her magic power more quickly and improving refinement.

After a long time, Benovia was drenched in sweat, finally calming her magic power, she sighed with relief, clenched her teeth, and requested, "Gods, once more! I can still endure!"

Rose raised an eyebrow, acting unceremoniously, continuing to stir her body.

After repeating this thrice, Benovia was exhausted to the point of collapse, resting for some time before dragging her weary body into the bathhouse in the back.

Over the next ten days or so, Rose performed special refinement forging for Benovia every night.

Under her own conscious drug-assisted practice, the refinement rate surged rapidly, gradually reaching the level of 120%.

Afterward, Benovia decisively applied, rejecting the school’s protection, and went to the joyful little house, instructing her subordinates to wait outside, then entered the ascension trial.

Rose followed Benovia inside, extending the depth of her connection to the Divine Realm to its maximum.

A palace slowly manifested before her.

Rose raised an eyebrow, displaying a look of interest.

"If memory serves, this girl first advanced by killing a bunch of court officials, leaving none of her father and siblings, now..."

If it were Hilia, facing a Star Ash Town replica, she might hesitate, unsure whether to make the move.

But Benovia was different.

Seeing the familiar royal palace, her eyes began to sparkle.

"Another round of palace slaughter?"

Approaching the palace, Benovia summoned the magic puppet without hesitation and charged inside.

Rose shook her head upon seeing this.

She wondered how much resentment Benovia harbored against her father, to be so stubborn.

"This girl, so reckless, is bound to suffer later."

The deep Divine Realm trials differ entirely from the shallow ones, requiring fulfillment of particular conditions to formally begin the ascension trial, as Hilia did.

If Hilia hadn’t completed the task then and directly killed villagers, she would have faced countless Tier Four scorpion sand insects and other demons; enemies outside won’t gather like villagers did, leaving her no time to prepare a big move.

The demons outside must be defeated; otherwise, ascension cannot proceed.

The situation for Benovia was quite similar.

"Ordinarily, it wouldn’t be problematic, but then..."

Rose shook her head, watching Benovia indulge in reckless slaughter.

Then, her ability to directly kill diminished sharply.

Because as the killings continued, the strength of the palace guards approached Tier Four level.

"Looks like she overdid the killing... No, why would their strength increase to Tier Four..."

Benovia blinked, finally noticing something was amiss.