CHAPTER 357: CHAPTER 304: THE PREMATURE GODHOOD RITUAL_2

"Willing to listen to your will."

"Responding with a nod, you accepted the ’Sheepskin Scroll.’ To avoid suspicion, you didn’t immediately look at its contents but instead followed instructions, arriving at the designated location. Using the ’Deceiving Apostle’s’ blessing, you masked your presence, ensuring that the surrounding ’Asgard’ residents wouldn’t become aware. Only then did you slowly unfold it."

"One by one, symbols belonging to the ’Devil’ emerged before your eyes."

"Relying on the blessing of the ’Deceiving Apostle,’ you comprehended the text inscribed above."

"You thought of your arrangements, your cooperation with that mysterious compatriot, countless thoughts surfacing in your mind, eventually settling into calm. To avoid arousing the ’Deceiving Apostle’s’ suspicion, you prepared to chant the incantation written there."

"But it was at this moment that your eyes narrowed—a startling realization struck you..."

"The demonic text on the Sheepskin Scroll wasn’t extensive; chanting in rhythm would most likely take at most an hour to complete. Yet the ’Deceiving Apostle’s’ divine ascension ritual was supposed to commence two hours later."

"This is fraud."

"The ’Deceiving Apostle’ had deceived everyone."

"The ascension ritual wasn’t scheduled for two hours later but had instead been moved up by an hour."

"This seemingly inconsequential change weighed on your mind, stirring an inexplicable sense of unease."

"You drifted into deep thought..."

"Subjugated by the ’Deceiving Apostle,’ a Otherworld adventurer, another crossroads of fate now lay before you."

"Will you choose to go with the flow, chanting the incantations silently and unhesitatingly?"

"Or will you take the risk to covertly convey this information to the allied ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune,’ enabling him to investigate any lurking threats and prepare a response?"

"Make your choice."

Meanwhile,

Mr. Death’s gaze suddenly sharpened.

Just as the game character had suspected, this change appeared trivial in the broader scheme of events. Yet it shouldn’t be forgotten that the ’Deceiving Apostle’ was, after all, a devil. Through the ’ritual,’ it was preparing to usurp the power of ’Fraud’ and ascend to godhood. Advancing the timeline by an hour—this act itself was a form of fraud and might activate certain mysticism elements, resulting in unpredictable consequences.

"What should I choose?" Mr. Death muttered to himself.

The option of going with the flow was the first to be ruled out. Replacing the ’Deceiving Apostle’ in becoming godlike—such a colossal scheme couldn’t be left to mere ’luck.’

But the second choice also failed to match Mr. Death’s expectations.

The reason was simple: it was far too risky. At such a crucial moment for the ’divine ascension ritual,’ the ’Deceiving Apostle’ would undoubtedly monitor every step meticulously. Sending a message to the ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune’ now, via the ’Devil’s Envelope,’ was an exceedingly hazardous move.

"Perhaps I should use the ’Nth Destiny,’ to see what the third option might be, then decide." Mr. Death recalled the disposable item he had snatched for thousands of Old Sacrifices at the ’Destiny Exchange,’ his eyes flashing briefly with a pang of regret—but he still determined to use it.

Just then, an envelope appeared before him.

It was a letter from the ’Hermit.’

Thoughts swirled in his mind. Mr. Death hesitated for a moment before deciding to open it.

[To Mr. Death]

[The stage is set, and all the actors have arrived in their designated positions according to the script.]

[Perhaps now, you can head to that land filled with lies and deceit, arrange the final Secret Ceremony, and complete the final missing piece.]

[Oh, by the way, a word of caution:]

[Taking chestnuts from the fire is a dangerous feat—a careless move could easily set yourself ablaze. So, at the crossroads of choice, don’t make the wrong decision.]

[Sender... Hermit]

After some contemplation, Mr. Death quickly composed a reply to the ’Hermit,’ detailing the possibility of the ’Deceiving Apostle’s’ ascension ritual being moved up an hour, and his own intention to set out immediately for the ’Deceit Prison.’ Then he used the [Devil’s Envelope] to dispatch the letter.

Returning his gaze to the screen, Mr. Death ultimately didn’t use [Nth Destiny] but instead chose ’Two.’

"Despite the risk, notifying the ’Dark Crow of Profane Fortune’ and using him to uncover any hidden dangers behind the ritual’s change, or to avoid or extinguish them, is undoubtedly the most efficient choice."

"Trying to overthrow the ’Deceiving Apostle’ and usurp its godhood—such a monumental scheme can never be risk-free."

"Having chosen this path, there’s no use being overly cautious."

After completing his actions, Mr. Death didn’t return to the game anymore. Adjusting his glasses and donning an overcoat, he left the mysterious room with his cellphone in hand.

Just as the ’Hermit’ had said, he was heading to the center of the stage.

...

Elsewhere, in Sky Mountain Garden No. 10.

Yang Qizhou was refreshing the storyline when suddenly a notification popped up—a ’False Disguise’ letter had arrived. The contents within caused his eyes to narrow.

"The ’Deceiving Apostle’ moved up the divine ascension ritual by an hour? Was this an unforeseen deviation, or was this act of fraud itself a prelude to the ascension ritual?"

"For some reason, there’s an overarching feeling of incongruity lingering in the whole affair."

Yang Qizhou couldn’t shake the sense that a beam of spirit light flickered within his mind—but it remained veiled in layers of mist, intangible and unclear.

Shaking his head to dispel the thought, he temporarily refocused his attention back on his cellphone, pondering that perhaps the subsequent Chapters would shed light on the vague intuition he had.

The game continued.

...

"The ’Deceiving Apostle’ advanced its divine ascension ritual by one hour?"

"Upon receiving the ’False Disguise’ letter and learning of this revelation, you couldn’t help but squint, numerous speculations swirling within your mind—yet none of them formed a complete thought."

"Just like Mr. Death, you also felt that the ritual’s sudden advancement concealed a deeper secret, one that couldn’t be ignored without unrest."

"But where to begin investigating?"

"Your first thought was to approach the Sin King God who had replaced the ’Iron Blood Ancient God.’ As a fellow entity of the ’Endless Abyss,’ this godling might possess insight into the ’Deceiving Apostle’s’ decision to move the ritual forward. Of course, given their antagonistic relations, it was likely he wouldn’t cooperate and might even kill you outright."

"Next, you considered Jilv Ancient God. According to previous ’False Disguise’ intel, the ’Jilv Ancient God’ maintained hostile relations with the ’Devil’ and could be leveraged as an ally. Perhaps something useful could be learned from him."

"Finally, you thought of the ’Tree Ancient God.’ As the ruler of ’Asgard’ and a true Divine Sovereign, any activity in this ’God’s Fortress’ would hardly escape His notice. Since the ’Tree Ancient God’ had allowed the ’Deceiving Apostle’ to conduct the ritual, He might know its underlying cause."

"How should you decide?"

"A adventurer from the Otherworld who has shepherded four divine beings—the crossroads of fate once again presents itself to you."

"Will you choose to venture into the Divine Domain of the ’Iron Blood Ancient God,’ seeking the truth behind the ritual’s timing?"

"Or seek aid from the ’Jilv Ancient God’?"

"Or perhaps, as with the previous times, exploit the ’Dream Hidden World Clothes’ for its effects, once more fleecing the ’Tree Ancient God’ and uncovering potential clues?"

"Make your decision."

...

Another decision to make?

Yang Qizhou’s lips instinctively curled into a faint smile as he began calculating the potential gains of this choice—though it was a shame that this time, it was a three-choice scenario, offering only a thirty-three percent chance of securing the optimal storyline.

"Which should I pick?"

"Speaking of the last two times, I managed to rake in considerable benefits from the ’Tree Ancient God.’ The first time revealed the pollution of ’Divinity,’ and the curse faced by deities. The second time unearthed the existence of the ’Lord of Blasphemy.’

"This time."

"I might just be able to milk Him for more valuable insights."