Storm of Gods

Chapter 37 The Secret Fortress
Even after so many years, Luo Xue's memories of the castle remain so vivid. In that mysterious place, a group of children of different ages desperately tried to survive in order to obtain a serial number, as only by possessing a serial number could they increase their chances of obtaining divine relics.

Having a serial number completely changes the treatment, and once you have a serial number, you have to desperately improve your ranking. Everyone who goes there has a clear purpose and is risking their lives. In addition to completing the training of the secret fortress, the internal struggle is also very fierce. Life and death are not what the secret fortress cares about, because there will be a constant stream of people vying to be sent in.

Luo Xue also went through many rounds of fighting to obtain a serial number and successfully acquire the sacred relic, and it is likely that Li Xin did the same.

Without matching value, there is no value of existence. Luo Xue is lucky; she obtained a precious divine relic, which made her cultivation twice as effective and won a significant advantage for the continued glory of her family.

Li Xin's help during the test was really important to her at that time, so she was deeply impressed. Moreover, she now has a close relationship with the Grand Inspector, who is known for his justice, and is a reliable person!

Li Xin had no idea that Luo Xue had imagined so much. His memories of his previous life were incomplete, and even his memories of his past life were somewhat fragmented. He woke up in the castle and did not know that the children who came were all there voluntarily, or even paid for. He thought they had all been kidnapped.

After all, that place looked like it was conducting all sorts of experiments, and a significant portion of the experiments were inhumane, making it resemble a cult from beginning to end.

Was it all just for distributing divine relics? Doing good deeds?

Is it really that indecent...?

He certainly didn't believe it, but he could tell from Luo Xue's tone that at least one thing was certain: if the secret fortress only appeared once every fifty years, then he would have fewer concerns.

Seeing Li Xin remain silent, Luo Xue said softly, "My selection was also obtained by my family through secret channels. There are too many Awakeners, and good divine relics are extremely precious, practically priceless. Even for the direct descendants of the royal family and nobles, obtaining high-level divine relics is not easy. Moreover, it involves the compatibility of souls, making it even more difficult for others. In the early stages of spiritual energy growth, the difference is not apparent, but as time goes on, the difference between having divine relics and not having them becomes apparent."

While divine relics certainly carry many risks, the greater potential makes them more attractive to many.

Li Xin looked at Luo Xue and asked, "What exactly is the Secret Fortress?"

"No one knows exactly what it is. It has existed for thousands of years. All we know is that every now and then they appear and select outstanding young people to bestow divine relics upon them. Perhaps they have a purpose, but for the participants, it is undoubtedly more beneficial than harmful," Luo Xue said with a smile. "Li Xin, it's so good to see you again!"

Li Xin spread his hands, "I never felt this way before."

"You're a man, don't be so stingy. I've looked at your file, and you've wasted so much these past few years. To have such strength, it just goes to show that anything from the Secret Fortress is bound to be top-notch." Luo Xue laughed. "Black Rose needs you. If we join forces, we can definitely restore the glory of the Tianjing Order Academy!"

Upon seeing Li Xin, she immediately gathered all his information, including his relationship with the Night Patrolmen. It was truly regrettable that Li Xin had spent the last six years in the underground city. Fortunately, he had a good foundation, and her recent probing suggested that he had most likely acquired the Eye of Insight. Having this starting point was enough.

"Reappear? Is our Order Academy really that weak now?" Li Xin perked up. It was related to the mission. Luo Jin also seemed worried when he mentioned the Order Academy.

"The predecessor of the Church of Christ was the Knights' Psionic Academy. When the Grand Consul was alive, Hextech was a crucial indicator of the Church of Christ's standing, accounting for half of its evaluation. But things have changed. In recent years, the Upper House has reverted to the standards of the former Knights' Academy, and Hextech has gradually become more like philosophy and art. This is extremely disadvantageous for us, who are primarily focused on Hextech. My being sent to the Secret Fortress was for this very reason. The Church of Christ's level will directly affect the positioning of Tianjing," Luo Xue said. As the president of the Black Rose of Tianjing, this was her responsibility.

“I can’t carry this alone. As far as I know, other councils have similar members, or even more. In terms of foundation, Tianjing is indeed inferior to other places.” Li Xin was silent for a while. Tianjing is a rising power, the cradle of Hextech. The divine relics and secrets representing traditional power need time to accumulate, and it is definitely lacking in this aspect.

Previously, Luther used Hextech to change social order and rules, but after Luther's death, order regressed to some extent. Tianjing was raised very high because of Hextech, so it will fall the hardest. Li Xin vaguely felt that there was some other purpose hidden behind this, but he couldn't see through it yet.

“I’m also a member of the Black Rose. I can’t handle big things, but I can manage small things,” Li Xin said, taking a sip of coffee. “The main thing is not to add extra work without paying me.” “I heard that church donations have decreased because the faith in the Moon Goddess has declined drastically. Is there a cult infiltrating the Church’s inner circle?”

"Cult?" Since they were all from the same clan as Li Xin, Luo Xue had no reservations in front of him. "This is the Order of the Church, so it shouldn't be. It's probably because of freedom of religion. Compared to the strictness of the Moon Goddess Church, the Hundred Martial Hall is more popular now."

Luo Xue herself is a believer in the Moon Goddess, as is her family.

Li Xin somehow became the nephew of Luo Jin, the Grand Disciplinary Officer. Luo Jin was the captain of the Moon Goddess Church's night patrol, so Li Xin must be on the Moon Goddess's side.

Li Xin thought about it and concluded that it was highly likely. The abyss worms were really asking for trouble if they wanted to find a carrier here. Even if they did, with so many awakened psionicists and potential ability users, they would still be easily discovered.

In other words, the decline of faith in the Church is most likely due to the Moon God Church itself being too incompetent. Without the promotion of power by the Grand Consul, it has begun to lose its ability to hold onto its territory. Over the years, he has also come to understand the character of the Lilong people. Historically, they have been constantly at war. Although they have unified and grown stronger, the Lilong people admire the culture of the strong at their core. In comparison, the situation of the God of War is more in line with their inner needs.

But for Luther at that time, the incredibly wealthy Moon Goddess Church was definitely a better choice. With everything in ruins, what was needed was not fighting spirit, but unity and solidarity.

What's the most effective way to unite people? Money, of course.

Times are changing, and people's thoughts will certainly change as well. However, since the Moon Goddess has been kind to me, it's okay to believe her, especially considering the connection with Luo Jin.

Old Luo sent him here, and the so-called task was mostly incidental. More importantly, he found a high-sounding reason to transfer himself from the Night Patrol to the Order House.

He's a seasoned veteran, sigh. Uncle Bian, Aunt Kongxiang, and Aunt Fei changed his view of the world and calmed him down. To be honest, after suffering torment back then, his thought for a long time was to take revenge on the world.

“Li Xin, if we join forces, we can definitely protect the Black Rose of Tianjing,” Luo Xue said.

“I don’t have that much confidence,” Li Xin said. “You’re trusting me a bit too much. I’ve wasted my time these past few years. Let’s think this through.”

Luo Xue was both amused and exasperated, and couldn't help but shake her head. "I've met a few of our people in the past few years, and they're all now criticizing everything and everyone, trying to be the next loser. You're really... special."

"You can be a coward if you want to. From now on, I'll rely on the president to protect me," Li Xin said with a smile. Life will be easier once you have someone you know.

(End of this chapter)