Sorcerer’s Handbook

The two Demi-Gods of the Transcendent Cult are located on the 100th level of the building’s lower level, the “Upload Chamber.” It’s worth noting that although this level is referred to as one, it boasts an impressive height of a hundred meters, featuring tiered seating for spectators around the perimeter and a central arena-in the departed Gray Fox Divine Era, this might have been a sports field, Arena, or even an auction venue for entertainment.

However, in the wasteland era, this place has become the worship venue for the Transcendent Cult.

As time approached 7 PM, the seats in the Upload Chamber gradually filled. Aside from those on necessary duties, the majority of the Transcendence followers would come to the Upload Chamber to participate in worship, without interruption, every night.

“Our Raven Annihilation worship isn’t quite this formal.” In the corridor, Tamashi leaned against the wall, his voice distorted under the raven mask. “It’s more like a gathering or a banquet where everyone chats after dinner.”

“During the day, the Raven Annihilation members are either honing their skills or out tracking down criminals, with hardly any time to gather. The only break is the night worship after dinner.”

“At that time, returning warriors would tell stories of how many evil ravens they hunted. For instance, Captain of the Warriors, Qieshu and Kalan, are the most frequent hunters. Kalan is especially eloquent; he recounts the countless misdeeds of the evil ravens and how they evade capture. When the apprentices are agitated, he changes the tone, claiming he finally caught up with the evil raven and subjected them to the blood raven punishment, to much applause from everyone.”

“By the way, you may not know what a blood raven is. It involves tearing open the evil raven’s back and pulling out their lungs, which look like bloody wings… I performed my first blood raven under his guidance.”

“However, not everyone is absorbed in the pleasure of slaughtering evil ravens, such as the ‘Debater’ Arnoi. Whenever he’s present at worship, it eventually turns into a debate, discussing which crimes warrant killing and the dilemmas faced by the Raven Annihilation. I’ve debated with him as well; once, I encountered a sorcerer slaughtering merchants, but clues revealed the merchants had first plotted against the sorcerer, yet there were children among the merchants… Beyond my mentor, he’s taught me the most.”

“Apart from debating and storytelling, the most popular aspect of the worship is the performance. Raven Annihilation has always had a tradition of dancing, and our ‘Dance of the Raven Flock’ is the finest performance! Ye Lu is the dance instructor, and whenever she’s at worship, people ignore Kalan and Arnoi, all waiting for Ye Lu’s dance troupe to perform… She’s always wanted me to dance too, but I’m too shy to perform in front of so many people.”

“There’s also Tanomoo; she’s incredibly smart. We found a piano from the ruins that no one knew how to play, but she figured it out bit by bit. She even composed a few pieces herself. Her performances with Ye Lu are always the highlight of our return home…”

As Tamashi spoke, his proud tone gradually softened. He looked at the crowd in the Upload Chamber, and who knows what rhythm the heart hidden beneath his terrifying raven skin was beating.

“When the worship begins, remember not to look,” he said finally. “I know my own limits, but you might succumb in just a second.”

Ashe and the others nodded in agreement.

Worship is a collective Ritual inherent in every cult, rooted in the need for the Demi-Gods to be replenished by the disciples.

When disciples engage in worship, the Demi-Gods not only regain their strength but can even grow stronger-this is why the Tribulation Fire Temple has such faith in the strength of the Inferno of Tribulations Demi-God. Theoretically, it is the top combat power in the Land of Senlo due to its long existence.

The forces of tribulation, fire, consciousness, faith… Each cult provides similar explanations for why disciple worship can power the Demi-Gods, with everyone believing that the Demi-Gods draw energy from the disciples.

Ashe initially thought the same, but Igor had a different perspective, with only one reason: “Why do other Kingdoms not have Demi-Gods?”

Perhaps disciples truly can sustain the Demi-Gods, but this energy is not overt; otherwise, other Kingdoms would have updated their versions by now.

The relationship between the Demi-Gods and disciples is unique to Senlo.

Igor even suspects there’s no such thing as faith power; rather, the Senlo Kingdom has a reward mechanism specifically for Demi-Gods. The Demi-Gods do not extract energy from disciples but trigger the reward mechanism by increasing the number of followers. The best evidence of this is the Four Pillars Cult, where the Four Pillars aren’t Demi-Gods, yet they can also draw energy through worship.

Regardless, worship, like the Demi-Gods, is common knowledge in the Land of Senlo. Every cult’s worship is different, but they share one principle: If you do not intend to follow the cult, never partake in their worship.

Worship not only empowers the Demi-Gods but also connects them to the disciples.

As Tamashi would put it, before they lost the Raven Annihilation Demi-God, no one would falter in their ideals; after losing the Demi-God, no one could uphold the will of the Raven Annihilation.

“Simply put, worship is a brainwashing Ritual between the Demi-God and the disciples,” Igor remarked to Ashe after Tamashi moved away.

Despite this, the Demi-God itself does not have consciousness; it is merely a force condensed from ideals. If you could steadfastly uphold your ideal and strive to realize it for a lifetime in this wasteland, would that be a good thing or a bad one?

Because of the unique nature of worship, the Transcendent Cult does not prohibit outsiders like Ashe from approaching the Upload Chamber. If Ashe and the others dared to rush inside, they wouldn’t have control over anything, not even what they wore.

As the time displayed on the Firmament dome reached 18:59, Ashe and his companions prepared themselves mentally.

The Demi-God is not placed openly on the field; it is encased within a transparent glass cabinet. Although it’s described as glass, given it protects the Demi-God, it must be a special material capable of withstanding legendary Spellcasting.

They are confident that the Silver Lantern will act during worship because it is only at this time that the Transcendent Cult opens the glass cabinet, allowing full contact between the Demi-God and the disciples. The cabinet opens one minute before worship begins; at this moment, worship hasn’t started yet, but the Demi-God is exposed, making it the best opportunity for the Silver Lantern to make its move.

As time ticked away, Ashe and his group clutched their Miracles, ready to unleash them if the Silver Lantern appeared. At this moment, the sound of running echoed down the corridor. Ashe turned to see a group of elementary school students, seemingly on the verge of being late for worship.

As they passed Ashe and the others, they glanced at Harvey. Ashe recognized one of the children; it was the girl who had the guts to speak up to the necromancer.

Once the children entered the venue, the time reached 19:00, and the Transcendent Cult’s worship officially began.