A man among dragons, building a mysterious ancient church.

Chapter 309 Divinity, Humanity, Anchor

This time, Bao Lie did not immediately call people up for a meeting, but asked the main body to let him take a break first.

The previous sight of so many unique dogs had really startled Bao Lie. Xu Lie took advantage of this time to pet Fugen's dog. It must be said that after not petting a dog for half a year, the little guy's fur had become even softer, making him quite fond of it.

When it was almost time, we released the Hound of Fortune back into the mists of history to lead the pack in play. This little guy is now the king of the pack.

While calming down, Bao Lie didn't forget to send a pop-up message to the members in advance, informing them that it was time for a meeting and that those who had other things to do should try to postpone it.

Chu Zihang and Susie, who were still on duty during their summer vacation, exchanged a glance and smiled knowingly; Fingel and Eva strolled through the Kassel Gardens, their smiles a mixture of joy and apology.

Chen Motong, who had treated Caesar to a lavish meal, looked embarrassed and made an excuse to go to the restroom; Nuwa and Erii happily crawled back into their RV; Asou Makoto dumped his work on Inuyama Taro and went into the side hall.

Half a year later, that deep red that seemed to grow ever more familiar bloomed before their eyes once more, reappearing above the gray mist after a long absence. Each member seemed quite excited and couldn't help but look around.

Having attended so many meetings before, I've become so accustomed to the bronze long table, bronze benches, and the surrounding bronze pillars; everything about them feels familiar and comforting.

To fit in, Xu Lie had no choice but to look around with 'novelty,' a sight meant for Bao Lie at the head of the table to see, while Bao Lie, hiding behind the gray fog, laughed silently and unrestrainedly.

After the initial excitement subsided, everyone greeted each other respectfully: "Good afternoon, Mr. Fool."

Bao Lie quickly adjusted his mindset, no longer laughing at the actions of the original body, and like a kind elder, praised the progress of the younger generation: "Congratulations, Mr. Baita."

"Congratulations also to Ms. Dreamer and Ms. Moon."

"You have made great progress."

The three people who were named exchanged glances, and a knowing smile appeared on their faces.

After the events on Belllo Island, Fingal sought Fenrir's help and successfully predicted an earthquake involving high-level powers, thus becoming a Sequence 4 prophet.

By acquiring the most core ability, prophecy, one can learn more profound and mysterious occult knowledge related to destiny.

For example, imitation used to require Fingel to personally witness other hybrids releasing their incantations, learn how to analyze them, and finally imitate and use them.

Now it's unnecessary. Even if he sees a scorched earth bombed by the Lord's Flame, Fingel can read the entire process of the Lord's Flame bombing the place from the connection of fate, and use it to analyze and understand.

In summary, our ability to learn, analyze, and apply knowledge is becoming increasingly extraordinary.

Chen Motong was not to be outdone. During her summer vacation in Kassel, she went to a carnival in North America with 100,000 people. Amid the emotional resonance of the 100,000 people's carnival, she completed the ceremony very smoothly and easily and was promoted to Sequence 4 Manipulator.

Their physical abilities were dramatically enhanced, allowing them to run faster than a steam train.

In terms of mind control, it also gains abilities such as mind manipulation, mind storms, and mental plagues. Its strongest ability is to manifest an incomplete mythical creature form—a mind dragon—to engage in combat.

Aso praised the moon every night, easily digested the Crimson Scholar, completed the ritual, and advanced to Sequence 4 Witch King.

His physical abilities have also been greatly improved, and he is proficient in various spells in the lunar, dark, and supernatural realms, especially in substitution spells.

Of course, they all acquired their own incomplete mythical creature forms, except for Chen Motong. The other two needed to restrain themselves as much as possible.

At the same time, upon reaching Sequence 4, one has already begun to be influenced by divinity.

Fortunately, Fingel had Eva as an anchor, and many alchemists admired his achievements;
Aso Makoto and Chen Motong are also revered by the believers in their respective parishes, and are considered as potential anchors for them, thus still able to maintain their humanity.

Therefore, their behavior remained largely the same as before, without becoming aloof or indifferent. Naturally, the three of them were also extremely confused by this change.

They wanted to know what had happened to them, but they couldn't find anyone to ask. The gatherings had been suspended for six months, and they could only wait anxiously.

That's why they were smiling so happily when they learned there was going to be a meeting.

Those who weren't mentioned, such as Chu Zihang, Su Xi, and Nuwa, felt somewhat awkward.

Chu Zihang had been promoted to Reaper for a few months, but because he had gone back to Binhai City with his father, Chu Tianjiao, to visit his mother, Su Xiaoyan, he had been delayed for a while and had not yet fully digested the Reaper potion.

Susie is very tenacious. After a month of continuous bad luck, she successfully advanced to Sequence 5 Winner. Her premonitions were greatly enhanced, and she was able to control her own luck, accumulating it for use at crucial moments, or sharing it with others, or giving limited misfortune to her enemies.

Similarly, in the battle against 'Lu Mingfei' on Bello Island, Nuwa held out until 'dawn', successfully digested the magic potion, and smoothly held the ascension ceremony, advancing to Sequence 5 Guardian, with her close combat power increasing several times over.

Unfortunately, I didn't reach Sequence 4 and thus failed to receive a special commendation from Mr. Fool.

This invigorated them, and they decided to actively perform and digest the material after the meeting, so as to advance to Sequence 4 more quickly.

Seeing the members acting like elementary school kids, smugly pleased with his praise, Bao Lie's initial shock at being overwhelmed by the sheer number of unique individuals gradually eased.

Each gathering was his only source of amusement while he was imprisoned in Source Castle: "Now that you have reached Sequence 4, there are some things I should tell you."

"You must have felt it too, right? After advancing to Sequence 4, the extraordinary characteristics within your bodies will affect your humanity."

Fingel, Chen Motong, and Asou Makoto nodded repeatedly, sparking curiosity and attention from the other members. Would advancing to Sequence 4 affect one's humanity? What was going on?
But without Mr. Fool's permission, they could only keep their many questions to themselves and wait quietly for Mr. Fool to speak.

"In Sequence 4, this effect is not yet obvious, but as you advance further, the influence of divinity will become increasingly strong, and humanity will become increasingly difficult to maintain."

“You will become unlike yourselves, unable to empathize with ordinary people, and gradually become aloof and indifferent.”

"Once you advance to Sequence 2, the influence of divinity will be enormous. If you don't maintain your humanity, you may even lose yourself and completely lose your humanity."

"Because you are gradually becoming inhuman, constantly advancing towards becoming mythical beings."

The members then realized that continuing to advance in the ranks was such a dangerous thing!

If one continues to be influenced by divinity, one may very well lose oneself—what a terrifying end that would be.

The members shuddered at the thought that they were not themselves, but rather some other mythical creature devoid of human compassion and devoid of all human kindness.

For example, Chu Zihang, who just saved his father; Fingel, who is currently passionately in love after reviving his lover; and Asou Makoto, who is worried about his grandmother—everyone is extremely resistant to the risk of losing their humanity.

Fingel, who was already at Sequence 4, was somewhat anxious and looked to Borg for help. Borg didn't keep him in suspense and gave a direct solution: "No problem."

“Within the Church, we follow the ancient laws left over from the Old Age, and tend to call those extraordinary beings of Sequence 3 and Sequence 4 saints; and those extraordinary beings of Sequence 2 and Sequence 1 angels.”

"With your help, this mission to Bello Island has convinced all the mixed-race people in the world that it is the Black King's incubator."

"As a reward, you who are now or will be promoted to Sequence 4 are eligible to become saints of the Church."

"By presenting one's own symbols, names, and deeds, and openly having believers worship them, one can anchor oneself to humanity and oppose divinity by using believers as an anchor."

“If you need it, I will issue orders to all dioceses to proclaim your names to the faithful.”

Fingel immediately understood why the church was so persistent in expanding its mission: because every believer could become an anchor point for humanity within the church, for the higher-ranking powerful beings to anchor their humanity!

If there are enough believers, it can greatly help those of Sequence 4 and above to anchor themselves in humanity and resist divinity, thus allowing high-sequence extraordinary individuals to maintain their individuality.

Aso Shinya subconsciously looked at Xu Lie. Could it be that Xu Jun already knew about this top secret as early as last year? And that's why he left the wrong symbolic mark and honorific name in the Tokyo Diocese!

No wonder, now I understand!
At this point, Makoto Aso didn't even consider his own humanity; he was still thinking about continuing to expand and recruit more believers for Xu Jun, using them as an anchor point for Xu Lie's humanity.

Chen Motong blinked, but usually within the Old Church, he only heard of the names of the Nine Old Ones, and had never heard of Mr. Fool or the deeds of the other predecessors.

Thinking of this, Chen Motong couldn't help but raise his hand curiously.

Seeing this, Bao Lie paused for a moment and raised his hand to indicate that Chen Motong had something to say.

“Respected Mr. Fool.” Chen Motong stood up and bowed, voicing his doubts: “If that’s the case, why haven’t we heard of the names or deeds of other seniors within the church?”

Regarding this point, Bao Lie had already prepared his thoughts long before explaining the concepts of divinity and human anchors to the members.

Without hesitation, he recited: "Good question, and that's exactly what I want to tell you next."

“An anchor may not necessarily be a believer, and may not even need your name or deeds. It can be a vivid, important, and mystical mark on your life; it can also be the believers’ admiration for you.”

"In the former case, the historical imprint of the 'ancient scholar' is an anchor; the repeated amnesia and rebirth of the 'immortal' is also an anchor; the baptism of the 'Silver Knight's' repeated hunting experiences can also be an anchor."

“Even some methods, such as the restart of fate, do not require an anchor and can maintain one’s humanity.”

"In the latter case, the bishops and grand priests of the major dioceses are generally revered by the local believers. Even if the believers do not know the achievements of the diocese bishops and grand priests, they can serve as anchors in their daily interactions."

At this point, the members present weren't fools, and they could basically understand what Mr. Fool meant.

The reason why the members had not heard of the names and deeds of the other senior members within the old church is probably because some church seniors did not need believers as anchors; the seniors had their own 'marks' to maintain their humanity.

Another group of church elders, who were bishops or high priests themselves, did not need to publicize their names and deeds to be revered by the local believers; it was just that Chu Zihang and the others were unaware of this.

Members like Fingel would consider what paths 'ancient scholars' and 'immortals' belong to.

When Nuwa heard the name 'Silver Knight', her eyes lit up. The name sounded very warrior-like. Perhaps it would be her future sequence name. She could learn from it.

Chen Motong still held her hand up, but her gaze swept over Finger: "Then just publicizing Mr. White Tower's name and deeds is enough, right?"

He thought to himself, no wonder she didn't seem to have changed in human nature after she advanced to Sequence 4 Manipulator. It turned out that she had secretly conformed to the latter of what Mr. Fool said.

Chen Motong calls himself the bishop of the Kassel diocese, and many of the Kassel alumni who were secretly poached and willing to join the old church do indeed respect Chen Motong.

The other one, Aso, is a genuine bishop of the Tokyo diocese. Only Fingel is neither a bishop nor a temple keeper.

(End of this chapter)