* Rustle! *
Sunlight shone through the window into the study, causing the air to seem to be filled with a layer of dust.
In the quiet study, only the sound of Wu Ming flipping through the pages could be heard.
'So, the ancient book called this continent the Seer Continent. The Wind Firefly Plains is only a part of it. There are also the highlands, Storm Corner, University City, Jade Port, and other large and small territories. Many kingdoms and duchies of various sizes were born there …
'On the Wind Firefly Plains, the first to be unified was Thale the Conqueror. He was the first blue-blooded person, and the kingdom he built split up after two hundred years. Nobles of various sizes were formed, and they were the decisive force on the Wind Firefly Plains. They were known as the blue-blooded nobles, and they strongly rejected other outsiders and circles …
'The church had once expanded, and the' Lord 'they worshiped had performed miracles. However, as they interfered with the nobles and the royal power, they were unanimously boycotted by the continent. Now, the church not only has to face the challenges of various beliefs and ancestor totem worship, but also the hostility of the nobles. The right to preach is given to the lord. If one preaches without the lord's permission, the lord has the right to hang the preacher!'
From one of the records, Wu Ming clearly saw the boundary between gods and humans. 'Let the gods belong to the gods, and the mortals belong to the king and the nobles!'
Although it was only a short line, the bloody terror of the struggle between divine power and royal power seemed to overflow from every word.
'Only by familiarizing myself with history can I better understand the current situation …'
After understanding the situation on the Wind Firefly Plains, Wu Ming focused his attention on knights and other extraordinary powers.
In a world with such strict restrictions, where even gods could not easily intervene, what kind of power would it develop?
'Miracles …'
Naturally, Wu Ming was most interested in the power that the 'Lord' of the church had once displayed.
'The Lord said that I came by splitting the mountains and rivers, and that my representative will obtain the authority of power … Saint Gabriel is someone I care for …'
'In the Year of Plague, Saint Gabriel followed the oracle and brought a thousand believers of the Lord to the Devil Strait. He said that the Lord gave us the authority to walk in the sea! The sea suddenly split apart, responding to the saint's call … '
'Splitting the sea?' Wu Ming read a paragraph of the records. It really is a miracle … especially in this world … "
The era of Saint Gabriel was the most glorious era of the Church. However, since then, the God they believed in had never performed any miracles again. Even Gabriel gradually aged and died.
"Don't tell me they couldn't make ends meet and lost everything?"
Wu Ming speculated maliciously.
With the harshness of this world, the amount of energy needed to change reality to such an extent was simply enormous. Even with the replenishment of faith, it would probably be far from enough.
Gods needed to be managed as well. If they couldn't keep up with the supply of power of faith, they would probably fall into a deep slumber due to serious injuries.
He strongly suspected that this was also the reason why the Lord had not given any clear oracles even though the Church had been in decline until now.
After reading this brief history of religion, Wu Ming opened another manuscript, which was about the mysteries of knights.
"The advancement of a knight was once thought to be a gift from the Lord, until the other great nobles discovered the secret of the holy oil and were able to complete the Knight Baptism on their own …"
"In a knight's baptism, the holy oil, oath, and ceremony are all very important. The former determines the foundation, while the latter determines the extent of improvement …"
"In the Church, when a glorious knight puts on a white robe, he needs to renounce everything in the secular world and pledge loyalty to the Lord, fighting for the Lord for life!"
"The other great nobles' knight baptism is similar, but the object of the oath is changed to the Lord they are loyal to …"
"From this, we can infer that the oath and ceremony are only superficial. What really determines the extent of advancement and success is the knight's own faith! Passion and firm faith are both helpful for a knight's breakthrough … "
This manuscript was obviously very knowledgeable about knights. He did not know which scholar had left it, but his analysis was quite reasonable. Reading it, Wu Ming kept nodding his head.
"Faith! In fact … this is the requirement for spiritual power! "
He put down the manuscript and rubbed his eyes. "Physical fitness reaching the limit of the race, spiritual power meeting the requirements, and holy oil like the key, these are the three main factors to unlock the extraordinary!"
There had never been a scholar like him who could look at a problem from a strategically advantageous position.
"Apart from the composition of the holy oil, there are no secrets for me to advance to a knight …"
Wu Ming thought with some regret, "I've only found some clues about the extraordinary priest after going through the books of a few scholars … But how can I really believe in a god?"
A Level Six powerhouse could draw upon the World Force and was like a god in their own world.
In fact, if they encountered a slightly more ignorant race, a Level Five or even Level Four would be worshipped as a God.
But from Wu Ming's point of view, even a Level Seven Golden Immortal or a Level Eight Grand Luo would not be able to make him bow down and offer his faith.
"Apart from priests, there's only a little bit of a story about sorcerers and wizards …"
Wu Ming scratched his head.
Ever since he saw the history of the decline of the Church, he had a premonition.
It seemed that from the moment the gods showed their miracles, this world, or even the universe, began to strongly reject the power of magic.
After all, the structure of this universe was rather unique. It was not a collection of many worlds, but only this world in the middle. In other words, this Seer world was the core of the entire universe!
"If that's the case, the benefits of changing this world line might be beyond imagination!"
Wu Ming walked out of the study and politely bid farewell to the butler. He also asked him to send his regards to Scholar Lu Lun.
…
"No matter what, I have to get the seed of extraordinary power first … There will be free knights participating in the tournament …"
These free knights were people who had obtained the holy oil through various means and were lucky enough to pass the baptism of a knight, obtaining the strength of a knight.
They had power, but they did not have the corresponding honor and authority. They could only mix around with adventurers and mercenaries, waiting for opportunities to come.
In the previous battle between the Earl of Blue Mountain and Viscount Garcia, many of these knights had sided with Viscount Garcia, becoming the core force that destroyed the Earl's army.
Now, the Earl of Blue Mountain also recognized their usefulness.
In contrast to the free knights, there was a type of "noble knight". They referred to people who had knighthood and fiefs, but did not have the strength of a knight.
Although Wu Ming was confident in his overall strength, and there were not many independent knights like him, most of them had already pledged allegiance to Viscount Garcia and obtained the title of a knight, he could not guarantee that there would be a few of them in the competition.
It was always necessary to make a few more preparations.
"Honorable Mister William, I've rushed over as fast as I could after receiving your notice!"
In the inn, Wu Ming ordered two barrels of golden rum and looked at the triangular-eyed man in front of him.
He was the fellow who had attempted to steal and was taught a lesson by Wu Ming. His nickname was Rat Quark, and he was very familiar with the dark places of Howl City.
Now, in front of Wu Ming, Rat Quark lowered his head humbly. "May I know how I can be of service to you?"
"I want to go to the black market, the largest in Howl City!"
Wu Ming stared into Quark's eyes.
"That's simple. As long as you show enough wealth in front of the examinees, I'm very willing to introduce you!"
When Quark heard this, he immediately relaxed.
Recalling William's performance that day, he had already regarded William as a free knight who had gone through the baptism of a knight.
Such a person was either the second or third son of a noble family with a profound background, or he controlled a mercenary group, guild, or other powerful forces. None of them were to be trifled with.
If he could form a relationship with them, it would also be beneficial to his future.
"Pardon me for asking, but what are you going to buy in the black market?"
Quark asked carefully.
"Of course …"
Wu Ming's voice was as soft as a mosquito, but it clearly entered Quark's ears.
"As expected …"
After hearing this, Quark also showed a bitter smile. "This kind of thing can only be found in Howl City's black market … But, my lord, have you prepared a sufficient price?"
"You don't have to worry about that!"
Holy oil that was enough to complete a knight's baptism was not a small sum no matter where it was.
After all, it had to be smeared on the body for a few days straight!
However, Wu Ming's request was different. He only needed a small spoonful, and the rest was for him to try and deduce the formula himself.
Of course, this was his secret, so he naturally would not tell Quark.
"At midnight two days later, there happens to be a black market transaction … I believe the item you need will appear, sir. How about I invite you then?"
Quark thought about it for a while before answering.
"Two days later, midnight? I'll keep that in mind … "
Wu Ming waved his hand. Quark drank the golden rum in front of him in one gulp, not missing a single drop. Then, before the maid served Wu Ming's steak, he bowed respectfully and left.
"Mr. William, your steak!"
The hotel maid placed Wu Ming's dinner on the table and winked at him.
The maids in this kind of hotel usually had a second job as well. Plus Wu Ming was generous with his money and decent looks, he naturally became a hot target.
"Thank you!"
Wu Ming thanked her politely and tipped her.
The maid, however, showed a trace of sadness on her face before she turned around and left.
…
Two days later, the stars and moon filled the sky, plating the land with a layer of silver brilliance.
Wu Ming wore a mantle and covered his face as he arrived at the agreed place, beside a broken bridge.
"My lord, is that you?"
A moment later, Quark's voice came from the bridge opening.
"It's me!"
Wu Ming's ears twitched. He was very satisfied with Quark's tactfulness.
As a matter of fact, he was a little paranoid. Although Quark had a certain force behind him, he would not dare to make a move on an official knight.
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