Chapter 286 Chapter284-Infiltration in Disguise
"Very well, come with me." Upon hearing Ethan's agreement, the cloaked figure was visibly thrilled.
Leading the way, he guided Ethan through the streets and into a concealed building.
Within, a tunnel had been dug that led deep underground.
The duo journeyed downward through this subterranean passage for over ten minutes before reaching a vast underground plaza.
This plaza was stark in its simplicity, devoid of lavish embellishments.
At its heart, a colossal pyre blazed.
Surrounding this fire were numerous individuals in dark robes, chanting cryptic phrases as if partaking in some ancient ritual.
As Ethan emerged, the gazes of these robed figures shifted to him.
The cloaked man who had led Ethan down proclaimed, "I've discovered a true magical prodigy!"
Upon hearing this, the other robed figures sized Ethan up, their eyes glowing fervently.
They began to shout around the pyre, and amidst their cries, the flames of the central fire began to morph.
The fiery blaze condensed into a massive fiery orb, which then transformed again into an ethereal, flaming silhouette.
This flame shadow radiated an aura of grandeur, with a ring of fire hovering behind it.
"Why have you summoned me?" the flame shadow inquired with evident displeasure.
The cloaked figures prostrated themselves on the ground, pointing to Ethan as they said, "Esteemed master, following your directives, we bring before you a genuine magical prodigy. His magical prowess points directly to the primordium, rivaling the ancient gods who coexist with the world. We have brought him forth, believing he will serve as your vanguard in your conquest of this realm."
The flame shadow turned its gaze to Ethan. In an instant, the flames roared higher and more ferociously.
"You wretched fool, daring to deceive my disciples, attempting to glimpse the sun!" the flame shadow thundered in fury.
The numerous cloaked figures paled in shock, their faces etched with dread.
"Seize him!" one of them shouted.
Ethan furrowed his brow, sensing that something was amiss.
Before entering, he had meticulously disguised his aura using the Soul Language of Nature.
Under such concealment, it should have been impossible for him to be detected.
Furthermore, Ethan had discerned the essence of the flame shadow.
While indeed a deity, and perhaps even more formidable than the High Priest in life, this so-called Son of the Sun was currently severely weakened, possessing only a fraction -- perhaps a tenth -- of the High Priest's strength.
Ethan felt he could easily defeat such a diminished deity single-handedly.
Thus, it seemed even more implausible that this frail deity could see through his disguise.
Where had he gone wrong?
Or was it possible that the flame shadow was feigning this reaction deliberately?
After weighing his thoughts, Ethan concluded that this latter possibility seemed the most likely.
With deliberate defiance, Ethan retorted, "Hmph, just as I suspected, you're plotting something. Once I leave this place, I'll inform Her Majesty about everything here. She'll dispatch her troops to eradicate all of you!"
"Do away with me? Boy, you've never encountered a deity and can't fathom their grandeur!" The flame shadow responded with a bellowing laugh.
Turning his attention back to Ethan, he continued, "However, with such a terrifying magical talent, it would be a waste for you to just perish. Become my disciple, and I shall grant you boundless power!"
The flame shadow's words dripped with seductive manipulation.
Soon after, multiple strands of flames emerged from him, forming chains that bound Ethan.
Another massive surge of fire was then forcefully infused into Ethan's body.
Ethan's consciousness began to blur, his mind gradually consumed by a singular thought --
Praise be to my lord, the magnificent Son of the Sun!
Of course, all of this was mere pretense, a charade Ethan intentionally maintained.
After undergoing the first trial of the God of Sea and gaining the opportunity to practice in that peculiar space, Ethan chose to cultivate the Soul Language of Nature.
His prowess in soul-related matters was now unparalleled, with even the powerful Lana Mokos paling in comparison.
Thus, the flames from the flame shadow left no mark on Ethan.
Instead, in the depths of his consciousness, Ethan constructed an illusion, deceiving the flame shadow.
Those flames weren't ordinary ones, but instead a concentrated Power of Faith, tainted with the intentions of the Son of the Sun.
"Perhaps, through this opportunity, I can delve deeper into the Power of Faith."
"Being the source of power for a deity, the Power of Faith surely has its merits."
Ethan formulated his plan inwardly.
Under the watchful eyes of the robed figures, Ethan initially struggled.
However, as his resistance persisted, his eyes began to be filled with flames until they gleamed with a fervent heat.
This indicated that Ethan had become one of them.
"Praise be to our lord!" The chorus of cloaked figures echoed in unison.
Subsequently, the flame shadow began inquiring about Ethan's identity.
Without hesitation, Ethan fabricated one.
Neither the flame shadow nor the cloaked figures doubted his words.
Soon after, the robed individuals raised their voices once more, this time in farewell.
But at this moment, Ethan spoke up.
With zealous fervor, he addressed the departing flame shadow: "Great Son of the Sun, I beseech you to bestow upon me endless power, so that I might vanquish all enemies on your behalf!"
The flame shadow sensed something amiss.
Such an occurrence had never happened before.
However, confident in his methods, he quickly rationalized the situation to himself -- Ethan's unparalleled talent was what set him apart.
Thus, another substantial surge of Power of Faith was channeled into Ethan's being. Ethan absorbed it all without reservation.
After bestowing this power, in an effort to highlight his regard for Ethan, the flame shadow spoke, "Black Dragon, my most loyal disciple, I have endowed you with formidable power! From this moment, you shall sweep aside all obstructions for me. Moreover, I will grant you unparalleled glory, allowing you to bear my name! Remember this, I am the progeny of the sun, the Son of the Sun Aneropo, the king who conquers worlds!"
"Your devoted disciple has etched your esteemed name upon his heart, great Son of the Sun Aneropo!" Ethan exclaimed in awe.
Pleased with what he heard, Aneropo departed with contentment. The central fire pit once again returned to its tranquil state.
Subsequently, the other robed figures turned to Ethan and said, "Black Dragon, you have now become one of us. Moving forward, you are to promote the reagent infused with the power of Son of the Sun in various cities. Those who ingest the reagent will, after two days, become disciples of Son of the Sun during the Descent Ritual!"
"No, I have my own means to assist the Son of the Sun!" Ethan retorted outright.
Understanding the true nature of the reagent, he naturally could not assist.
Yet, owing to Son of the Sun Aneropo's attention towards Ethan, the other cloaked figures did not doubt him and responded, "If that's the case, Black Dragon, proceed in your own way!"
With these words, the assembly dispersed one by one.
Ethan left alongside these robed figures, but upon exiting the tunnel, they parted ways.
Yet, after stepping out, Ethan still didn't seek out Hilna.
"Lana Mokos..." Ethan murmured softly, promptly opening a space gate leading to the capital of the Azure Empire.
He was familiar with Lana Mokos's aura, allowing him to easily pinpoint her location.
The moment the space gate materialized, Lana Mokos likewise sensed Ethan's arrival.
Her reaction to Ethan's presence was nonchalant.
Or perhaps, that was her typical demeanor.
"It seems I need to establish a barrier around my residence," Lana Mokos remarked, casually stowing away a piece of parchment.
Ethan caught a fleeting glance of it and noted a Magic Circle depicted upon it.
The pattern of the Magic Circle resembled a trident, prompting his curious inquiry, "Have you deciphered the secret of the trident?"
"No, not at all. This is just a minor project," Lana Mokos shook her head, continuing, "That trident is no simple artifact. Its composition is merely common coral rock, yet it can withstand power close to that of a deity. It's truly remarkable. I believe there might be more clandestine truths hidden within."
"That Magic Circle just now..." Ethan inquired.
"It's merely one of the Magic Circles from the trident, not the core one. Its function is simply to absorb seawater and store it. If wielded correctly, it might be able to conjure tsunamis hundreds of meters high, enough to obliterate all the coastal cities of the Eastern Shore," Lana Mokos answered with her usual equanimity.
This elicited a sigh from Ethan, who remarked, "Don't you think what you're researching is a bit too violent?"
Lana Mokos fixed her gaze on Ethan, responding icily, "If you've come today just to discuss this with me, then you might as well leave. It seems we aren't as acquainted as you believe. If not, state your intentions clearly. Otherwise, I won't hesitate to once again prove who's the stronger of us."
Not wishing to dwell on the matter, Ethan moved on, posing his burning question, "Lana, are you familiar with the Power of Faith?"
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