Chapter 270 Chapter268-Power of Faith
"Back to the Dungeon," Ethan declared, his tone brooking no argument.
Mia and the others, sensing the gravity of the situation, didn't press for answers.
They followed Ethan out of the black market, and once they found a secluded corner, Ethan swiftly activated a space gate.
Together, they stepped through, finding themselves back inside the Dungeon.
Only once they were safe within the Dungeon did Mia voice her curiosity. "Ethan, what did you discover?"
Ethan lifted the Dragon sculpture, "There's a distinct power hidden within this sculpture."
"What kind of power?" Mia examined the Dragon closely but couldn't discern anything unusual.
"Mia, can't you sense it?" Ethan questioned.
He then proceeded to extract the latent energy from the sculpture, pooling it into his palm where it manifested as a smoky essence.
Mia, finally registering it, nodded, "It is... peculiar."
It was the first time Mia had witnessed a power that could be visualized in such a manner.
She even felt a certain pull towards it, a whispering promise that if she absorbed this energy, her abilities might soar to new heights.
But along with that allure, there was an unmistakable unease.
Ethan then turned his gaze to Victor, inquiring, "Victor, any insights?"
Victor met Ethan's eyes and responded candidly, "Lord Ethan, I have a speculation. Of course, it's just that -- a speculation. Whether it holds true needs verification."
"Go on," Ethan commanded.
Victor began, "This energy, I believe, is the 'Power of Faith', and it appears to be quite pure."
Upon hearing this, Ethan, Mia, and Eluna were immediately intrigued.
Victor continued, "There are numerous paths to ascend to deity status. It's not strictly limited to the primary methods we're familiar with. However, alternative paths are often so challenging and elusive that they're rarely pursued, hence the delineation of mainstream approaches."
Ethan nodded in agreement, sensing the truth in Victor's words.
In recent times, especially since returning from the Dragon Garden, Ethan had intensely studied the lore of deities.
These teachings were hidden within Old John's secret collection, both clandestine and comprehensive, offering Ethan a profound understanding of deities.
At its core, becoming a deity is about grasping the Power of Rules.
Under the influence of this power, one can effortlessly shatter personal limits in certain aspects, subsequently spurring growth in other areas.
Thus, deities are merely more potent beings.
To comprehend the Power of Rules, one could follow Ethan's path, leveraging some divine blessing for a fleeting opportunity to transcend one's limits; or, undertake the trial of the god, earning the Power of Rules bestowed directly by the deity.
Another path involves sheer determination, forcibly pushing past boundaries...
Yet, there's another way, by utilizing certain precious artifacts.
Ancient alchemical texts note that a formidable Divine Alchemist can concoct a potion imbued with the Power of Rules.
Consumption of this elixir could grant an ordinary individual command over the Power of Rules.
However, crafting such a potion is exceptionally challenging. Historical records clearly mention its creation a mere twice.
"Power of Faith, at its core, is a force born from the heart of the faithful when they pray to a deity. The more people pray, and the more devout they are, the more Power of Faith accumulates," Victor elaborated.
For better clarity, he provided an analogy, "When someone finds themselves in peril, perhaps pinned beneath a boulder, teetering on the edge of life and death, their desire for life can trigger a burst of immense strength, enough to push the boulder off and survive."
"The Power of Faith is akin to this force."
Such an explanation provided significant clarity to the gathered.
Ethan nodded thoughtfully before asking, "And what is the price for wielding such power?"
Such immense strength, enough to elevate an ordinary being to the stature of a deity, surely comes at a cost.
"The consequences are grave," Victor solemnly replied. "Once an individual taps into the Power of Faith to enhance themselves, it begins to repel all other forces within them, ultimately leaving only the Power of Faith. By then, even if one becomes a deity, they are merely a vessel for the Power of Faith. Should the faith of their believers wane, the Power of Faith will dissipate, resulting in death."
"However, the Power of Faith does possess significant utility," he added. "Its paramount function is to elevate the quality of certain objects."
Grasping Victor's implication, Ethan inquired, "You're suggesting that this Power of Faith can be used to enhance the quality of the Blasphemous Spear?"
Victor nodded in affirmation.
After a moment of contemplation, Ethan discarded the thought, promptly sealing the Power of Faith back within the Dragon sculpture.
He had an inkling that this force would prove invaluable in times to come.
"By the way, Victor, with your profound knowledge about deities, were you once a deity yourself?" Ethan's unexpected question caught Victor off guard.
Victor swiftly shook his head, chuckling, "Lord Ethan, how could that possibly be..."
Yet, meeting Ethan's skeptical gaze, Victor reluctantly elaborated, "I've merely read a lot in the past, and witnessed more than most."
"Oh, is that so?"
Ethan clearly wasn't convinced.
Subsequently, Ethan departed with Mia and Eluna in tow, leaving a flustered Victor standing alone.
"Sigh."
Watching the trio leave through the space gate, Victor let out a profound sigh, murmuring to himself, "Deity, a title all too familiar to me. Alas, the Path of the Sage has been severed; there's no hope anymore..."
At that thought, Victor was engulfed in a deep melancholy.
And so, he sought out Henry Powell, who was engrossed in forging armor.
Noticing the frustration etched across Victor's face, Henry Powell burst out laughing, saying, "Never thought I'd see the day when Mr. Victor would be this vexed. In celebration, I've decided to uncork a barrel of my finest wine."
"Enough, Henry Powell, just keep your mouth shut."
Victor snapped, and then tentatively posed a question to Henry Powell, "Henry, do you think, if I were to share the news of the Path of the Sage with Ethan, he might stand a chance to pass through those trials and wield the power that belongs to a Sage?"
"Victor, have you lost your mind?"
Henry Powell looked on in astonishment, shaking his head in disapproval, "The Sage's power belongs to the Human Bloodline, and the most potent blood coursing through Ethan's veins is that of the Dragon. Sending him on the Path of the Sage is a guaranteed death trap, absolutely impossible."
"But what if... I mean, what if Ethan could possess an avatar?"
Victor inquired with a smirk.
The whites of Henry Powell's eyes grew wide as he registered Victor's serious demeanor.
After a moment, he could only curse, "Alright, spill it. How do you need my help? You do realize that creating such a thing is no less challenging than crafting a divine artifact. And I alone won't be enough; you'd need someone skilled in Life Magic."
"From what I know, there's only one who truly masters Life Magic--"
"The sealed Elf Queen, Audrey Kane."
Victor nodded solemnly, "I intend to seek her out."
Henry Powell fell silent for a moment before inquiring, "Victor, have you foreseen something? You wouldn't be this anxious otherwise. Nor would you rush Ethan towards the Path of the Sage. Especially when, compared to Ethan, I think that--"
He pointed upwards, continuing, "That Lana Mokos from the Azure Empire isn't half bad. She has fewer burdens on her mind, less likely to be distracted by external matters."
"No, it's different."
Victor shook his head, unwilling to delve deeper into the topic.
He looked up at Henry Powell, continuing, "Henry, I've indeed glimpsed fragments of the future. In those fragments, deities are hung on gallows facing judgment. The earth splits, spewing molten magma. Terrifying monsters emerge from the depths of hell, claiming the world... Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons-- all surface-dwelling races are slaughtered en masse. It's an omen of the apocalypse. What's even more despairing is a colossal meteor descending from the starlit skies, crashing into the world, splitting it in two."
"You truly saw this?"
Henry Powell seemed somewhat incredulous. If these visions came to fruition, it would indeed signify the end of the world.
Victor nodded, replying, "As you know, I once embarked upon the Path of the Sage. Though I didn't succeed, I reaped some insights. Not all of the foreseen scenes may come to pass, but even if just one does, it'd still spell immense catastrophe."
"Alright, if you've made up your mind, I'll assist you."
Henry Powell finally agreed.
This matter remained a secret between the two, with no mention made to Ethan.
At that moment, Ethan had left the Dungeon and once again entered the black market of Blue Sea City.
If a single shop could yield such treasures, what might the rest of the black market hold? Ethan was filled with anticipation.
His expectations were not disappointed.
After visiting a few more shops, several items now graced Ethan's possession: mysterious ancient tomes, rare materials, and formulas for reagents.
The appearance of these items left Ethan pondering.
He couldn't help but muse aloud, "Why does it feel like there are so many relics in the world now? As if the remnants of those ancient kingdoms are eagerly revealing themselves..."
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