Steam Old Days: The Extraordinary Begins with a Corpse Collector

St. Caleb's Church is located at the northern end of the Wool Cross district, its gray walls gleaming with a pale gold light in the sunlight.

The church was packed with people.

A somber purple banner was hung between the walls and between the windows.

The air was filled with the smell of burning candle wax, along with a faint, almost imperceptible, frank scent of frankincense.

The towering dome loomed over everyone sitting inside.

The pointed arch windows are decorated with stained glass depicting the images of the six gods, with the god of light and glory still in the center.

He was a young warrior clad in golden armor, with a handsome and resolute face.

He held a shield in his left hand and a spear in his right.

Over the golden armor was a white robe, the edges of which were embroidered with golden laurel leaf patterns.

The deity wore a laurel wreath, which held in place his long, golden hair, which flowed like a golden flame burning in the wind.

In mythology, Nicholas Cronus had no eyelids; his eye sockets burned with an inextinguishable flame.

He used these eyes to see through all the falsehoods and absurdities of the world, and with these eyes, he burned away all the evil in the world.

Therefore, His followers used yellow glass to represent His eyes.

He stood on a chariot drawn by four white horses, looking down at everyone in the church.

The four white horses symbolize dawn, flames, triumph, and glory.

The believers sat upright on the benches, their fingers interlaced, heads bowed, and placed on their foreheads.

Whether they were elegantly dressed gentlemen and ladies or busy women and workers, everyone had a solemn expression.

Even a five- or six-year-old child, sitting in a church, imitates the adults, reciting classic texts that they haven't even memorized.

They may not even know the meaning of those words; they just hear adults say that they should do it this way, and as for why, they will understand when they grow up.

These grown children can then teach their descendants how to remain humble before the image of the gods.

"Why is it so lively today?" Lyndon raised his head and looked ahead. "Why can't I see a single pastor?"

Lyndon and Alastor had originally followed Robin Hood to find the fur shop.

But when Lyndon passed by the church and saw how lively it was inside, he insisted on going in to take a look.

Alastor had no choice but to take Robin Hood and follow Lyndon inside.

They took Robin Hood and sat in the last row.

"The church holds its biannual recruitment drive. We were lucky enough to be there."

"Recruiting new members?" Lyndon asked.

"Recruit new people," Alastor said to Lyndon, crossing his legs, leaning back in his chair, and tilting his head.

"The church doesn't just chant scriptures and pray all the time. Faith needs to be passed down, war needs heroes, and nations need talented people. They hold the sole power of blessing, and the extraordinary beings in the United Kingdom are almost all members of the Holy Oath Church."

"Those who pass the Church's test become recognized as extraordinary individuals by the entire kingdom. They've endured so much suffering; what's wrong with giving them a little ceremony?"

Alastor patted Lyndon on the shoulder and said dismissively.

"Why not spread doctrines and strengthen people's faith while holding the ceremony?"

"And what about you? You don't seem very interested in these things, or do you worship the other five gods?"

"Faith? Hmph!" Alastor scoffed. "I don't believe in any gods, I only believe in this!"

As he spoke, Alastor produced a check.

"God can't save you in this world, but gold pounds can."

At this moment, Lyndon turned to look at Robin Hood, who was so respectful that even the thief was praying to the gods for blessings, despite the shady things he was doing.

In a daze, the church bells rang.

The melodious chimes echoed through the spacious church.

A neat line of people walked out from the side door.

The people in the queue looked calm; they wore white robes and shawls of earth-colored fabric.

They walked up to the altar and stood there.

Then, five more middle-aged pastors walked out of the side door one by one.

Some of the middle-aged pastors wore black shawls, while others wore white shawls.

They stood in front of the newlyweds.

Finally, three elderly men in white robes appeared.

They wore yellow shawls and held brass scepters in their hands.

The oldest man in the middle, with the longest beard, was holding a thick leather-bound book.

As solemn music began, the initiation ceremony at St. Caleb's Church in Veltlin commenced.

"...These lucky chosen ones, in Saint Caleb, willingly dedicated themselves to the glory of Cronus, loyal to the great king and kingdom, taking it upon themselves to suppress the barbarians and protect the people of God..."

The bearded old man walked to the pulpit, opened the leather-bound book, and spoke each word loudly into the ears of the believers present.

The believers in the audience burst into enthusiastic applause.

The bearded old man beckoned, and two men came out carrying a stone slab.

Starting from the left, people in the queue stepped forward one by one and placed their hands on the plate.

As the incantation was chanted, a faint silver pattern appeared on the inside of those people's wrists, resembling some kind of rune.

"Is this a blessing?" Lyndon stared in shock, not daring to even blink.

"No, that's just a secret technique used to monitor superhumans. They became first-tier Earth Embryos long before the recruitment ceremony, otherwise they wouldn't be qualified to stand here."

Alastor glanced at it and said.

"What is a 'earth-born' person?"

Upon hearing this, Alastor looked at Lyndon in disbelief, as if he were looking at some rare and exotic animal.

"You don't know what a 'native earth person' is?"

Lyndon shook his head.

"Do you know how many ranks there are among extraordinary individuals?"

Lyndon thought for a moment, then tentatively held up nine fingers.

Alastor nearly fainted from shock upon seeing this.

"You're also a transcendent being, a Witcher, and you even have a Nightmare inside you! And you don't even know how many ranks there are for transcendent beings?!"

Linden looked at the different faces in the queue on the altar ahead and asked, "So how many tiers are there in total?"

Alastor stared at Lyndon for a full half minute, then sighed heavily, like a teacher facing a student who got a zero on a test but was still self-righteous.

"Seven! Remember that!"

Alastor held out his hand and counted on his fingers as he explained to Lyndon, "According to the kingdom's classification, there are seven levels of transcendence, from low to high. Each level has a different name, and they are all named based on different substances. For example, the first-level Earth Embryo is the lowest level."

"After that, there are the second-tier stone body cultivators, the third-tier lead gallbladder cultivators, the fourth-tier iron bones cultivators, the fifth-tier copper heart cultivators, the sixth-tier silver soul cultivators, and the most supreme seventh-tier golden ring cultivators. It is said that those who reach this level are almost one step away from becoming gods."

After saying that, Alastor said with a sigh, "It's a pity that in the vast history, there have been many talented people who have reached the sixth level, but no one has reached the seventh level. The only one is still just a legend."

Looking at Lyndon's bewildered expression, Alastor murmured, "I can't believe you don't even know this. You're making me feel like an idiot for the first time."

Hearing Alastor's complaint, Lyndon said helplessly, "Nobody taught me this! You didn't tell me!"

Alastor's eyes widened: "But you didn't ask me!"

Lyndon opened his mouth, frowned as if remembering something, and then calmly said to Alastor, "I forgot..."

"You...forgot..."

Alastor tilted his head back and pinched the bridge of his nose: "The second time..."