Chapter 263: Chapter 144: Legendary Grand Priest
「Star Trace Spirit Realm Battlefield, Starry Sky District.」
The Snake Woman, Selena, looked over the intelligence that had been verified in the past few days.
Even with her extensive experience handling intelligence, she found the matter utterly bizarre and incomprehensible.
After all!
That was a war fortress constructed in the battlefield zone by a Divine Kingdom, one where they had gathered considerable forces.
And yet... that [Evil Spirit Wizard], Zorn Corick, had led a group of enslaved followers and brutally wiped it out.
Reportedly, only a single Wizard managed to escape from the entire tower.
The other thirty-plus people had all perished.
The incident was so outrageous that Selena hadn’t dared to report it to the Lord Holy Crowned Priest so rashly.
She needed to verify the intelligence’s authenticity herself.
Now that the intelligence had been confirmed, it was time to report to Lord Holy Crowned Priest Aster.
As the altar ritual began,
soon, the projection of Holy Crowned Priest Aster appeared within the altar.
"Selena, how have things been? Have you found that [Evil Spirit Wizard] yet?"
Holy Crowned Priest Aster looked over, his gaze gentle.
"Lord Holy Crowned Priest Aster, we have found traces of the [Evil Spirit Wizard]. However, a few days ago, he caused quite a stir in the Starry Sky District."
"A few days ago..."
Selena proceeded to recount the intelligence she had gathered in detail.
As Holy Crowned Priest Aster listened to Selena’s account before the altar, his expression was a mixture of shock and pleasant surprise.
’Upper Rank Level... That kid definitely wields Upper Rank Level power. That’s the only way he could have taken down the Star Remnant Divine Kingdom’s tower at just Level 10.’
’A guy like that has astonishing potential. He absolutely has a chance to advance to the Legendary Realm in the future. This is no small matter.’
The worldly Holy Crowned Priest Aster was well aware of the unique qualities of such rare Double Sequence Transcendent beings.
Now that this [Evil Spirit Wizard] had displayed such astonishing strength, it proved that his potential was staggering—he was without a doubt a supreme genius of the Divine Kingdom.
His mind racing, Holy Crowned Priest Aster immediately said in a grave voice,
"Selena, you must contact that [Evil Spirit Wizard] as soon as possible. I will report this to Lord Legendary Grand Priest Ossirion at once."
Selena’s heart trembled upon hearing this.
’Ossirion... He was a top-tier Legendary Grand Priest.’
’Even Lower Rank Gods, who had reached Divinity Ascension at the Holy Crown rank and a level in the teens, were utterly respectful to him.’
’Even the [Middle Rank Gods]—those who had ignited their Divine Fire in the Legendary Realm and undergone nirvanic ascension—dared not slight Lord Grand Priest Ossirion.’
’Aside from the [Upper Rank Gods]—those who had broken through the Legendary Realm and achieved Divinity Ascension above Level 25—’
’...within the Divine Kingdom, Legendary Grand Priest Ossirion’s power was immense.’
’A top-tier expert like her, already stationed on the Spirit Realm Battlefield, could at most warrant the attention of Lord Holy Crowned Priest Aster.’
’But a terrifying individual like the [Evil Spirit Wizard], Zorn Corick... would command the attention of the Legendary Grand Priest himself.’
...
「Star Plateau Border.」
In the endless, deep expanse of the Starry Sky.
An armored Ancient Heroic Spirit, as vast as a mountain range, was steadily drawing near.
Every attack from the Ancient Heroic Spirit caused the border of the plateau to crumble away.
After tens of thousands of years of constant war, the collapsing plateau had already exposed the very roots of the Disaster Court Magic Ring Tree.
If they could be repaired in time, the loss of the Divine Tree’s roots wouldn’t be too severe.
But if they couldn’t be repaired, or the repairs were not timely, it would become a gluttonous feast for the remains of those Ancient God Spirits.
Grand Priest Ossirion, who had guarded this border for over five hundred years and fought countless wars, wore a solemn and grave expression. He endured the temporal scouring from the Ancient Heroic Spirit while simultaneously using powerful Divine Arts to restore the plateau’s border and drive the mighty creature back.
In the middle of casting a Divine Art, Ossirion suddenly received a ritual link from within the Divine Kingdom.
He turned his head, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked back at the Divine Tree supporting the towering Calamity Court.
When he opened the communication link, the slight furrow in his brow smoothed out moments later.
’Fighting Master and Evil Spirit Wizard Dual Sequence... The strength of his Domain resistance is astonishing.’
’Shortly after arriving on the battlefield, he killed a top-tier Divine Blood Berserker.’
’Then he was struck by the Star Remnant Divine Kingdom’s Star Orbit Ceremony.’
’After more than half a year of secluded cultivation, the Evil Spirit Wizard suddenly counterattacked and completely smashed through the Star Remnant Divine Kingdom’s war fortress on the battlefield?’
’And at Level 10, he already possesses the strength of a Level 11 Upper Rank.’
’It seems... he also unearthed a powerful Ancient God Curse from the battlefield?’
’His strength, temperament, foundation, and the favor of fortune he carries are all of the highest caliber.’
’Ancient divine spirits are beginning to reawaken, and powers from the depths of the cosmos are stirring. Any special Sequence born in a time like this is bound to be extraordinary.’
’I suspect... our Calamity Court is about to produce another powerful Legendary. He might even... reach for something greater.’
After some thought, Legendary Grand Priest Ossirion looked at Aster’s projection and announced,
"Give him one of the five slots for Divine Kingdom Angel Saint."
"Additionally, provide him with the cultivation resources needed to reach Level 15."
"Three Holy Crown Forbidden Curse Seeds and one Holy Crown Ancient God Curse Seed."
The Legendary Grand Priest’s pronouncements left even Priest Aster slightly stunned.
’This is... far too generous. Does the Lord Grand Priest really think so highly of this Evil Spirit Wizard?’
’There have been top-tier experts in the past, but none have ever been valued so highly by the Lord Grand Priest.’
As if sensing Aster’s confusion, Ossirion said in a calm tone,
"Just do as I have commanded."
"Yes!"
Aster responded respectfully.
"However, the three designated slots for the Angel Armaments have already been assigned."
"The other two are open for public competition."
"With this Evil Spirit Wizard joining the running..."
"Of the three designated slots, just replace one of them."
"If we do that, I’m afraid the candidate nominated by the Priest whose choice we’re replacing won’t take it well."
"Then let them fight for it in the Divine Kingdom’s arena."
"The winner gets the designated slot. The loser can compete for the two remaining Angel Armaments."
"Yes!"
Aster replied.
’Directly bestowing such an important reward would likely cause discontent among the other Priests.’
’But settling it with a battle in the Divine Kingdom’s arena was perfectly fair.’
The Divine Kingdom’s arena was established for the very purpose of resolving such disputes.
From the Lower Rank Level all the way up to Holy Crown, and even the Legendary Realm, when many matters were difficult to decide, victory and defeat in the Divine Kingdom’s arena would settle them.
After all,
the stronger one was, the more territory they could conquer for the Divine Kingdom and the more they could strengthen the foundation of the Tree of the Magic Ring.
Strength was truth!
...
「Star Track Ceremony Tower.」
Inside the Sequence Source Pool on the top floor.
’Mmm... the Sequence Essence here is so pure!’
’This is a tower built by a Divine Kingdom, after all.’
’In another half a year at most, I can bring my Sequence Level to the peak of Level 10.’
’Then, after another two or three years of secluded cultivation to push my Sequence Level a little further into Level 11, I should be able to leave this Divine Kingdom and advance to the Upper Rank Level.’
As he mused, Zorn looked out into the depths of the Starry Sky.
He sensed several faint, indistinct figures.
Zorn rubbed his fingers together thoughtfully.
’They’re not thinking of counter-attacking the tower to take it back, are they?’
He felt the Evil Spirit Calamity that was already starting to form a Calamity Boundary Land.
’The Calamity Boundary Land has already formed.’
’My [Tree of Calamity Magic Ring] has taken root here. Even if they manage to take the tower back, it will be useless to them.’
’When it comes to absorbing the World’s source...’
’...nothing can compare to a [Calamity Divine Kingdom] nurtured by the [Cosmic Demon Pool].’
"If they dare to come, they’ll just be throwing their lives away!"
’They think I’m strong now, but this is merely my weakest form!’
’Once I advance to the Upper Rank Level, I can begin to absorb and digest the final remnant of Egunus’s flesh.’
’And establish my Divinity!’
’At the same time...’
He immersed his consciousness in his Divine Kingdom.
Zorn could feel that his Divine Kingdom had already made contact with the Cosmic Demon Pool.
’A Divinity born from the Cosmic Demon Pool as its source...’
’I wonder what kind of surprise it will bring me.’
Just as Zorn composed himself after a moment’s thought, preparing to resume his cultivation, Akelo’s voice reached him through their connection of Faith.
"Master, the Calamity Court Priest Envoy, Selena, has arrived outside. She is from the Calamity Court Divine Kingdom and says she wishes to have an audience with you."
’A Priest Envoy?’
Zorn’s interest was piqued.
’If it were any other Transcendent from the Calamity Court Divine Kingdom seeking an audience, Zorn could simply refuse to see them.’
’But a visit from a Priest Envoy was a different matter entirely.’
’Priests!’
’They were the ruling class of the Calamity Court Divine Kingdom.’
Moreover, Zorn was aware that this Priest Envoy was likely one of Lord Legendary Grand Priest Ossirion’s subordinates.
After all, Lord Ossirion was in charge of the Star Trace Spirit Realm Battlefield.
He was one of the twelve Legendary Powerhouses who served as the pillars of the Divine Kingdom.
He was also one of the candidates most likely to break through the Legendary Realm and ascend to become an Upper Rank God.
"Bring her to the top floor!"
Zorn commanded Akelo.
"Yes, Master!"
Akelo, who was guarding the entrance, received his master’s command and turned to the Snake Woman, Selena.
"Follow me. The master will see you."
Following behind the impressively strong Akelo, Selena was secretly alarmed.
’This [Evil Spirit Wizard] isn’t just formidable in combat; his methods of bewitchment and manipulation are truly terrifying.’
Although Selena had also dreamed of one day being able to storm the tower of another Divine Kingdom, she never thought she would enter one in this way.
And as she entered the tower and its permeating Evil Spirit Calamity zone, Selena’s expression suddenly grew grim.
Her strength, after all, was no less than that of figures like the Divine Blood Berserker Baluk and the Divine Mage Frank.
She had even mastered formidable techniques like the powerful Ancient God Curse, "Doomsday Petrification."
Yet upon entering this Evil Spirit Calamity zone, the astonishing power of Death still managed to seep into her very Sequence.
The infiltration was slow, but given enough time, the Calamity Black Mist could undoubtedly kill her.
Originally, Selena had felt that the terms offered by the higher-ups were too extravagant.
But now, facing this astonishingly powerful Evil Spirit Wizard, Selena was beginning to understand.
Perhaps the terms offered by the higher-ups weren’t extravagant at all.
