CHAPTER 376: CHAPTER 314: THE TRUE PURPOSE

’False Disguise’, or rather, ’Mr. Death’, has come to the Deceit Prison because the Hermit Association has set up arrangements here to usurp the ritual for the Deceiving Apostle’s ascension to divinity... The Deception Lord is one of the rulers of Endless Abyss, the master of all demons... The Deception Lord is a Pillar-level Old God who governs ’Fraud’... In this light, it seems natural that the Hermit Association would chant the Deception Lord’s full and exalted name.

But this incantation feels oddly unsettling.

Yang Qizhou’s mind churned with countless thoughts. Squinting his eyes, he mused inwardly, "To pray for his descent, to pray for his blessings, to wish for his might to manifest, and for his name to resonate throughout this world... Such a prayer sounds less like an attempt to steal the ’ascension ritual’ and more like a plea for the Deception Lord’s arrival."

At the same time,

As the prayer was chanted, the purple radiance flowing over ’Mr. Death’ became increasingly intense, nearly solidifying. Apparitions of illusory tentacles unfurled—one, two, three—each bearing indistinct patterns that seemed to stir arcane forces. Just a glance was enough to induce a dizzying, nauseating sensation.

At this moment, Mr. Death’s eyes shone with irrepressible fervor, excitement, and anticipation. The light emanating from his gaze could scarcely be hidden, despite the round-framed glasses he wore.

"Power, this is power. I am finally becoming a god—the only god in this world." His voice, charged with fierce emotion, reverberated through the dimly lit Deceit Prison.

Witnessing the scene before him, Zhou Xu grew frantic and couldn’t help but shout, "’Lamp Holder’, quickly, stop him."

Saying this, Zhou Xu sprang into action. Though severely wounded—with a dagger still lodged in his body, causing his blood to flow incessantly—he understood that if ’Mr. Death’ succeeded, catastrophic consequences would follow. Gritting his teeth against the agonizing pain, he raised his handgun and prepared to pull the trigger.

The Dark Star also grasped the gravity of the situation, using a miraculous artifact to distort and fold the Void.

Yang Feng wanted to act as well, but he was too grievously injured from the prior skirmish. Ambushed in a moment of deception, he could now only rely on the healing effects of a superior-grade artifact to prevent his injuries from worsening, with no room to spare for attacks.

Suddenly, Mr. Death’s gaze froze, brimming with disdain. A tentacle flung out and stirred the very symbol of ’Fraud’, causing Zhou Xu’s bullet to curve midair—redirecting it toward Yang Qizhou’s position.

At the same time, the warped folds of the Void surged like a tidal wave, rushing toward Yang Qizhou.

Both Zhou Xu and the Dark Star were struck with alarm, hastily shouting, "Watch out..."

The Iron Blood Spear swept forth, forming a blood-red curtain derived from the authority of Iron Blood’s Wrath. Two formidable strikes, terrifying even beneath the divine realm, rendered no harm to Yang Qizhou.

"The target of deception was redirected," Yang Qizhou thought to himself.

Seeing the ’Lamp Holder’ effortlessly neutralize the attack, Zhou Xu and the Dark Star let out relieved sighs. They dared not act recklessly, fearing their interference might only complicate the situation.

The sense of being burdensome weighed uncomfortably in their hearts.

"The might of a god is beyond your comprehension," Mr. Death’s figure grew increasingly obscure and surreal. Tentacle after tentacle unfurled, slapping against walls and floors, rendering his form indistinct apart from the head adorned with round-framed glasses.

Suddenly, he wielded several of his tentacles, once again stirring the symbol of ’Fraud’. In the dim Deceit Prison, all the cells automatically unlocked, their suppressive forces dissipating. The prisoners ensnared within the chaos of the No-True Deception Secret Ceremony had their eyes flare with intense intent to kill as they turned their focus on Yang Qizhou.

This was Mr. Death’s deception.

Yang Qizhou squinted contemplatively, debating whether or not to kill these ’prisoners’. Given his current strength, it would not be a difficult task. Besides, anyone imprisoned in the Deceit Prison must have committed heinous and unforgivable crimes. Killing them would not weigh on his conscience.

But Yang Qizhou soon abandoned the thought.

Judging sins was the job of judges. These prisoners were the concern of the Deceit Bureau, and Yang Qizhou had no interest in their fate.

"To think the Deceit Prison’s anomaly would involve the Deception Lord—a ruler of the Endless Abyss, and a Pillar-level Old God... Forget it. Better to suppress the scene quickly before things spiral out of control."

With this thought swirling through his mind, Yang Qizhou came to a swift decision.

He produced an emblem, gazing at Mr. Death’s tentacles slamming against the walls, his figure increasingly indescribable—with only the round-framed glasses and semblance of a head remaining relatively human. Sincerely, Yang Qizhou said, "Deceiving others is a wrongful act. Please cease your actions immediately."

Emblem of Justice,

Any belief held by its bearer, any words spoken, will be acknowledged by all.

Mr. Death’s gaze grew vacant, his tentacles falling still. He ceased his deceptions against the prisoners, the murderous intent that had run rampant dissipating through an utterly inexplicable means.

Zhou Xu and the others heaved sighs of relief, silently praising, "As expected of the ’Lamp Holder’; he resolved the crisis with ease."

By contrast, their adversaries—the Hermit Association—felt tremendous pressure crashing down upon them. They perceived themselves as standing before a divine presence, where all struggles and rebellions were exercises in futility.

Wearing a monster mask, the Hermit’s body subtly trembled—a reaction entirely unfamiliar to him until now.

"A Quasi-legendary artifact?"

"How many hidden cards does this mysterious player possess? Why have I never heard of him before?"

Quickly regaining composure, the Hermit seemed to recall something, restoring his confidence. He murmured under his breath, "No matter how formidable he proves to be, when the true divine descends, even he will face torment for his sins."