Volume 1 Flood 082: Fusion of Faith

  Gabriel explained, "To be exact, I wasn't even aware of it at the time. It was five years ago when I was sent out on a mission to slay the mutated beasts that frequently raided villages in the deep mountains. The situation was extremely perilous, and someone privately told me that a certain priest wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to get rid of me, so they suggested sending me on that mission. A kind-hearted person advised me not to take risks and to be extra cautious, just slaying a few ordinary beasts at the edge of the mountain and returning to report would be enough."

  When I got there, I realized that the situation was indeed so, and it shouldn't have been just me, a sixth-level warrior. But in the countryside, I saw villagers who were attacked by monsters, those lonely widows and children crying in front of me, their fathers and husbands all died under the claws of the monster, they regarded me as the messenger of God, their only hope.

  I prayed in a humble temple, the deity remained silent but gazed at me. At that time I closed my eyes and listened to the voice from within, what was the significance of accepting this mission? What was the oath I made as a warrior? I didn't come here because I was framed by others, nor did I do something to avoid being framed, finally my heart was calm.

  The next day, I took my sword and walked into the deep mountains. After seven days and seven nights, I finally came out, having killed thirteen mutated beasts that had been attacking villagers. It was for the mission I shouldered, for the oath I made to myself. I knew why I was sent here, but since I've come, I must clarify what my true pursuit is in my heart. I didn't kill those mutated beasts just for a certain priest in the temple.

  I was born into a noble family, and before that, I had already undergone the second awakening of power, so I could cultivate low-level divine techniques. Although it wasn't as profound as a dedicated divine technique practitioner, my foundation in divine meditation has always been my most focused cultivation. On the night I returned to the village, I suddenly felt a sense of liberation in my quiet contemplation, and from then on, I possessed seventh-level achievements, becoming a great warrior. This was something that hadn't been anticipated beforehand, so it's said that I forgot because I simply never thought about it."

  Amun involuntarily leaned forward, and asked: "Liberation, can you explain it more clearly?"

  Gabriel smiled wryly, "My words aren't very good, can't describe it accurately, or rather a kind of fusion feeling. What I seek and what I do, my soul and my will, my aspirations and my path, my strength and my spirit are all fused together without distinction. This is an experience completely different from that of a 6th-level warrior. If one day you also achieve this, you'll understand clearly."

  ……

  After returning from Gabriel, Armon spent several days thinking. The great warrior couldn't explain how she became a great warrior, but she told Armon about her breakthrough experience, which was also a very important inspiration. Armon had a feeling that this breakthrough was similar to the "Faith Fusion" trial of cultivating divine magic. And before Maria became a great divine magician, the classics she read were hymns written by a saint 100 years ago, not any divine magic secrets.

  It seems that whether it's martial arts or spiritual arts, to achieve a seventh-level accomplishment, apart from diligent practice, the most important thing is probably still a breakthrough in one's heart. The words Gabriel spoke, Amun has been repeatedly asking himself: are his desires and actions, his soul and will, his aspirations and path, his strength and spirit integrated as one?

  After careful consideration, Ah Meng felt that he had not done enough. It wasn't that he didn't want to, but rather his experience and skills hadn't reached that level yet. This is like painting a picture - it's not just about being able to outline all the contours in your mind, but also about being able to bring them to life on paper, achieving perfect consistency between what's in your heart and what you've drawn.

  Since Gabriel said he had forgotten, Amun didn't deliberately think about it, but instead quietly practiced the 6th level of Body Technique and Divine Art. With the achievement of the 6th level of Body Technique, the power awakened in his blood was not only stronger, but also able to trigger energy resonance waves from within, although this was something Amun could do before, but now he did it more smoothly.

  What does this mean? A warrior can also counter the effects of magic. Magic is nothing more than a form of energy communication and transformation, and absolute power can still be countered against it, especially in close combat.

  A sixth-level magician can cultivate high-order divine techniques, which means they can grasp rules that were previously not understood. Armon first cultivated the very difficult spatial divine technique. If it were another divine technician, they might choose a more powerful and easier-to-handle one, such as fire elemental divine technique. At this time, Armon is not inexperienced; he has already read enough classics to know how to get started more easily, but still chose what he wanted to do most.

  If the four special divine stones and the tear of the gods were all inlaid into the iron branch staff, it might be comparable to the holy maiden's staff. However, Armon didn't do that, he didn't want to use the tear of the gods in Dream Flying City for fear of unexpected situations. That bone was currently his best staff, but there was one inconvenient point - it was too heavy, and only mastering high-level space divine techniques could solve this problem.

  For a god's technician, having a spatial artifact that can be used freely is really too convenient. If not for that bone, Amun would have died several times already. The old madman probably didn't think that Amun would get Osiris' rib bone, but he had prepared a spatial artifact for Amun in advance, which was the refined Wind Charm Dance.

  The Wind Dancer itself is worth 300 divine stones, already a precious treasure in the world. After being crafted into a spatial artifact by the top master craftsmen on the continent, its value is immeasurable, because the gods who possess such things almost never take them out to sell.

  Amon spent three months mastering the advanced spatial magic, finally opening up the divine space within the Wind Charm Waltz. He was still only a 6th-level magician and couldn't fully utilize the mysterious effects of the spatial artifact, able to use it only for storing or retrieving items.

  The space that a spatial artifact can utilize is also related to the user's spiritual cultivation, and the higher the boundary, the larger the space that can be utilized. However, the artifact itself also has its limits. Amun is currently unable to open up the divine space of Wind Charm Dance to its limit, but it is enough for him to store all his belongings.

  At this point, he finally understood that the grade of space equipment was also different. The Wind Charm Dance left by the old madman was higher than the Space Ring left by Nero, and if it were that ring, only a great god wizard could open it. Of course, the one with an even higher grade was that bone, which Amun opened when he achieved Three Extremes.

  There is another rule for spatial artifacts: an object that opens up space cannot be put into another spatial artifact. For example, if Amun opens the Wind Charm Dance's space and loads things in it, he can't put this divine stone into Nero's Spatial Ring, and vice versa, because divine spatial skills cannot infinitely extend and overlap.

  Kaamon immediately discovered another wonderful thing, that bone was not subject to this rule, and he could still put the well-packed Wind Charm Dance into the bone.

  In the highest-specification archive, Amun truly realized that this thing cannot be called an ordinary divine artifact, it is called a sacred object or a divine instrument. Divine instruments can change with the magical power of a great magician, that is to say, if it is a spatial divine instrument, in theory, space can be infinite, but in fact, the space that can be unfolded is limited by the user's magic.

  Amun initially unfolded the bones into an invisible large ship, which was the smallest form that this spatial divine instrument could unfold. Now Amun's unfolded bone space is still so big, it seems that he doesn't have enough skills to trigger more changes in this instrument.

  When Ah Mon mastered the high-level spatial divine technique, he no longer felt heavy when picking up a bone or Wind Charm Dance filled with things. This can be described as a kind of "letting go". Before, he was equivalent to carrying heavy objects, and when casting high-level spatial divine techniques, it was equivalent to putting the heavy objects on the ground, the weight still existed, but was borne by the earth.

  This description may be inaccurate because it is another space opened up by divine magic.

  Amun had an idea, what if such a divine space was not opened by relying on spatial objects, but rather created a vast and stable space using spatial divine techniques? When Bell was about to die, he sealed off a piece of space, which wasn't opened until thirty years later by Amun, but that didn't look like another independent space.

  Perhaps only the gods can do it, Ah Mon once entered the underworld of Anu Naqi's divine domain, is that a space like this? Ah Mon could only guess, and now it's too early to verify this question.

  The day after Amun mastered the first advanced divine technique, at noon, a subordinate reported that someone was looking for him outside the temple. Ordinary people cannot enter and exit the Isis Temple at will, fortunately, Amun is now the captain of the guard and has some status, so someone will report to him. Amun walked out of a small gate on the west side of the temple complex and unexpectedly saw Medanzo.

  The warrior from Balenwald has now regained his noble status, and although he is dressed as a commoner, he cannot hide the radiant aura that makes him look handsome and refreshing. He sees Amun with an excited expression.

  Before Medanzo could speak, Armon quickly walked up and pulled him away from the temple surroundings, turning into a secluded alley before asking in a low voice: "Wasn't it agreed that we would meet at Link's tribe? How did you end up coming to Mufei Si, and how did you find me?"

  "By the gods, your exploits have reached even Barren. I heard and came to see you for myself. You're now Captain of the Isis Temple guard... do you still have time for Link's tribe?"

  Amun was taken aback: "What have I done, how did it spread to Balen, and how did you hear about it? Tell me carefully... Don't talk here, where do you live?"

  Mei Danzuo: "I live in Meng Feisi's merchant Xiao's house, and I was treated with great enthusiasm."

  Ammon was stunned again: "Xiao Yu, how did you know him and move into his house?"

  It's a long story, Mei Danzuo explained as they walked, and Ah Meng only got a rough idea. Xi Ao was a merchant who also had a business in Haicheng City-State, mainly trading goods between Balen Kingdom and other places. Some time ago, he had a caravan going to Wuluo City-State, and because the goods were extremely valuable, Xi Ao went there personally again, hiring enough bodyguards at great expense.

  He did a lot of business with the merchant Lyscott-Lee from Uruk City-State and lived in Lyscott-Lee's house. Lyscott-Lee asked him why he hadn't come over personally for such a long time, and Hsiou sighed while drinking: "Younger brother, last time I left your place, I almost lost my life."

  Kishio, fueled by alcohol, began to talk about his experience in the desert. The caravan encountered a very vicious bandit, and only he and Isso survived, rescued by a warrior named Amun, who also knew Lyscott-Lee. He didn't mention that the bandits were the Nightwolves, but the experience was indeed shocking.

  Xiao then started bragging because he met an extraordinary hero and became sworn brothers through thick and thin.

  Amun is a sixth-level warrior, just one step away from becoming a seventh-level great warrior. He obtained the staff of the Sea Cape's chief god and a large amount of precious treasure in the deep mountains, and brought it back thousands of miles to return it. The lord of the Sea Cape city-state and the great divine magician both thanked and praised him, and he even received praise from the Holy Maiden herself, becoming an honored warrior of the Isis Temple.

  Then he asked again, "Have you heard? Before I came, something big happened in Dreamflight City. During the ceremony of Goddess Isis' blessing, an assassin actually dared to attempt to assassinate Her Holiness..."

  Just as he said that, Lyscott-Lee hastily reached out to interrupt him, ordering the servants beside him to retreat, and lowering his voice, saying: "Brother Hsiao, the matter of the Holy Maiden being stabbed in your place is a taboo topic in the Uruk City-State. When you're outside drinking, be sure not to mention it randomly, otherwise you might get beaten up for no reason."

  Xie Ou jumped in surprise and asked inexplicably: "What does this have to do with the city-state of Uruk?"

  Lugalzagesi sighed and said, "This matter has spread far and wide, haven't you heard the rumors? Many people are guessing that someone with such skills and audacity must be our lord Gilgamesh and his brother Enkidu. These two lords are heroes who stand tall in the eyes of heaven and earth, and are revered by all the people here. How can they tolerate such groundless suspicions? Even the citizens of Uruk feel it is an insult."

  Xiǎo let out a sigh of relief: "So that's how it is, thank you for reminding me. I won't dare to speak carelessly here."

  Laiscott-Lee continued to ask: "It's okay to talk to me alone here, how did this involve Amun again?"

  Xiao's expression became proud again: "It was my friend Amun who first discovered the assassin and rushed up to fight with the assassin, stopping this assassination... Later he received the reward of Meng Fei, the lord of Dream Flying City, and the chief high priest of the temple, and was promoted to the position of guard captain."

  Lyscott-Lee asked incredulously, "Is it the entire Isis Temple's Guardian? The Isis Temple has more than a dozen great warriors... Is it Amun who stopped the assassination, not to mention that several great mages and warriors couldn't catch the assassin? How could Amun have such great abilities?"

  Xiǎo somewhat reluctantly explained: "Of course, it's not the entire Isis Temple guard captain, that's Long Teng's position. Amun is the archive hall guard captain, which is already very honorable... The assassination was not stopped by Amun alone, but he was the first to block the assassin. He is my lifesaver and good friend, his glory is also my glory, I wonder how many people envy me?"

  Amon is not only the lifesaver of Xie Ou, but also saved Leskath-Lee. As far as Leskath-Lee knows, Amon was a magician, how did he end up in Dreamflight City and become a glorious warrior in the temple? The experience of this young man is indeed legendary

  But Lyscott-Lee's character was much more steady than Xiao's, he didn't tell Xiao about his encounter on the Barren River, let alone telling Xiao that Armon was a magician, he just listened to him bragging while drinking.

  Two people were talking, and a servant came to report that the benefactor of the old master had sent someone to return the carriage. Leskot-Lee was surprised, just mentioning Armand, and Armand actually sent someone over. Although Armand had said long ago that he would return the carriage, this businessman did not expect Armand to be so trustworthy, and hurried out the door to greet him, only to find that the person who came was Medanzo.

  Meadanzo was already a noble warrior of Wangdu, and Laiscott-Lee had to receive him with respect.

  At first, Mei Danzuo followed Princess Xiao Qian back to Balun City and restored his noble status. Princess Xiao Qian told him that it was not easy to restore his title and fiefdom, since he was familiar with the cave-dwelling barbarians in the deep mountains, why not complete a task, and the great god of Malduke would bless him.

  Luckily, Amun reminded him before he left, and Medanzo had a plan in mind. He accepted the task without making any promises, saying only that he would give it a try, and set off once again from the capital to head west. He intended to cross the Barren River at Kish City-State, passing through Akkad Town once more. Emperor Chi, the town mayor, had been promoted to deputy director of the city-state's financial affairs bureau, but there were still many old friends here who had helped rescue Princess Xiao Yan together with Medanzo, and he received a warm welcome.

  He lived in the original inn, found that the carriage left at the beginning was still there, indicating that Armon had not returned. When Armon left, he asked Maidanzo to leave the carriage in the inn and left a sum of money for the inn owner, specifically stating that the carriages were borrowed from Laiscott-Lee, a merchant of Uruk City-State, and needed to be returned.

  Meadows understood Armon's temperament and promised to do something, it seems that something has delayed him. Anyway, the time to meet with Armon is still early, so he helped him get this thing done, and called out to the coachman, driving the carriage from the official road to the city-state of Uruk, finding Laiscott-Lee's home.

  The person who came to return the carriage was not a slave, but a noble warrior from the capital, which was already enough to shock Lyscott-Lee. The news of Princess Sian's kidnapping and rescue had long been spread throughout the kingdom of Balen, and when Lyscott-Lee heard that Medanzo and Amun were the brave warriors who rescued the princess at that time, he was even more shocked!