Sanctuary Paradise

Chapter 921 Essential Modifier for Soul 5

That's right. Although the prayers in the Ash World have nothing to do with the word 'spell' in terms of learning process and release procedure, in reality, the underlying logic of these prayers in the Ash World is the same as that of the miracles and prayer system in the Astral Plane. They all rely on certain specific spells to be realized.

However, unlike the Astral Plane's system of miracles and prayers, which is freely available for study and research, and even hopes that you can create something new based on it, the Ash World's prayer system is so restrictive that it almost completely prevents learners from delving into its essence, as if it is afraid that someone will discover the key to prayer.

To put it more bluntly, the astral prayer and miracle system is like a system that gives users administrator privileges. Therefore, users can not only use existing programs, but also study related knowledge and edit new programs themselves.

The prayer system in the Ashes world is like a system that only grants users access rights. Not only are users only allowed to use fixed programs, but even the access process is strictly screened. Only when one has a sufficiently high oath level can one use the corresponding level of prayer, and the system is extremely fixed.

Just like the healing prayer they just released, although it seemed easy for them to release it without any hindrance, it was purely because they were wearing the Ring of the Deep, which was forged by fusing the Ring of Rosamira, the Ring of the Deep's Hatred, and the Crystallized Deep Sediment.

Once this thing is removed, according to Xin Lailai's attempts, no matter how eloquently they recite their prayers, the world's prayer system will not respond to them in the slightest.

As for why not try to directly replicate those spells that produce the effect of prayer?
The answer is clearly not that they cannot decipher it.

In fact, during the seven days they spent communicating with the blindfolded nun, thanks to the LV.EX level Deep Vow blessing provided by the Ring of the Deep Blessing, they had basically deciphered all the Deep Prayer-related spells from LV.1 to LV.3. It could be said that if it weren't for the restrictions of the Ash World's rules, they would have been able to modify and use these spells at will, just like the Astral Miracles system.

Unfortunately, many things don't have an "what if" factor.

According to their experiments, no matter what method is used, as long as one dares to bypass other steps and build the prayer-related rituals on their own, even the simplest rituals will immediately attract the blessing rules... that is, the appearance of the gray fog.

While their swift response is likely related to the intense scrutiny they now receive from Wang Huo, in any case, this attempt to bypass prayer-related procedures and build their own 'private interface' to 'steal water and electricity' is definitely not going to work at the moment.

However, this does not mean that they can only rigidly apply those prayers in the same way as everyone else in the world.

The LV.EX level of the Deep Oath grants them extensive access to the 'Deep Series Prayer' system, allowing them to directly view the spell content corresponding to a prayer while using it.

The profound knowledge brought by the masters of magic enabled them to easily decipher spells, readily identifying which prayer corresponded to which spell and what specific effect it had on that prayer.

Combining the two produces the following effect:

“Devour…life…absorb.”

"If we replace the life-absorbing part of this prayer with magical power and soul energy, and combine it with the content of the Deep Soul Absorption spell in the LV.3 prayer..."

Inside the grotto, Xin Lailai murmured to herself, lost in thought. Looking at the [Profound Braille Bible] before her, she rapidly deduced the possible combinations of spells corresponding to each prayer in her mind, like a precise machine, accurately adjusting every point that might cause conflict between spells.

The blindfolded nun standing nearby did not disturb the other party, but instead stared intently at Xin Lailai's face, as if quietly appreciating her contemplative expression.

"Have it!"

"Just like this... and like this again, um... no... the prayer at this node should be set up like this, so that it can be used later..."

Half an hour later, Xin Lailai, who had been deep in thought for a long time, suddenly brightened up, raised her head, and excitedly used the ground in front of her as a draft and the magic chip as ink, rapidly writing down obscure and difficult characters. Towards the end, she seemed impatient and began chanting incantations as she wrote:

"Marele Stpn al Profunzimii, Eu, cu sufletul meu ca ofert, Desfoar minuni sub numele de magie..."

A chant with a peculiar rhythm descended from the cave once more, and circles of black magic circles composed of strange runes lit up beneath Xin Lailai. Finally—

"Mnc, dar blesteme-m!"

In an instant, a deep black light emanated from beneath Xin Lailai. If one were to observe the surrounding area with their mental power, they would find that, along with the rise of the light, the previously uncontrollable free soul energy seemed to be stimulated and surged toward Xin Lailai's location, visibly replenishing her remaining half of her dark purple soul bar.

Om-! !

The next second, as if sensing something abnormal was happening here, wisps of gray mist appeared out of thin air. But this time, they seemed like lost souls, spinning around in place for a while before dissipating again.

Become!

As Xin Lailai watched this scene, her eyes flickered, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

Consuming 100 Soul Energy can, in turn, restore a full 300 Soul Energy/Mana/Health. Exploiting the rigidity of the Blessing rules in the Ash World, coupled with the unique LV.EX Deep Covenant, this is a bug-level prayer that's practically a 'modifier'—the Deep Divine Prayer.

born!

……

……

Two days later, at the site of the fire-giving ceremony, at the suspension bridge.

“Mncarea dragonului!”

"Roar--!!!"

A deafening roar of a dragon erupted. In front of the suspension bridge outside the deep sacrificial site, a huge, jet-black dragon head soared into the sky from the cliff below, slamming its terrifying jaws, which were more than twenty meters wide, heavily onto the opposite bank of the cliff, causing the entire cliff to tremble violently.

Xin Lailai, who was on the opposite side of the cliff, nodded slightly as she watched this scene, a look of satisfaction in her eyes.

Very good, with that, the last LV.4 Prayer of the Deep has been mastered.

The prayers in the Ash World are divided according to the oath level. Taking the [Deep Braille Codex] in their hands as an example, the prayer content is directly divided into five levels from LV.1 to LV.5, the highest level. As for the LV.MAX level prayers, which are even higher, they are not recorded in the prayer book, but can only be extracted and learned from the soul memories of top powerhouses in the Deep system such as Elizid and Rosamira.

Of course, they don't have that opportunity right now, after all—

……

Black Sword (Middle)

Right-hand weapon: "Ancient Hero Greatsword (100%)"

Left-hand weapon: "Counterattack Shield (100%)"

Additional weapon: "Endless Dark Hand (100%)"

Upper body armor: "Dragon Armor (100%)"

Lower body armor: "Angel Legplates (100%)"

Amulet: "Ishirul's Blessing"

Ring slot 1: "Greedy Serpent Ring (Silver)"

Ring Slot 2: "Ring of the Deep's Blessing" Ring Slot 3: "Ring of the Dark Crystal"

……

The equipment has been completely upgraded.

This was their greatest achievement in the past ten days, aside from the "Profound Divine Prayer Technique".

The legendary weapon "Ancient Hero Greatsword," forged from the soul of an ancient hero and a hero-grade greatsword, boasts triple bonuses of Strength (A), Agility (A), and Constitution (A).

Forged from a whopping 400 million Soul Points and numerous Hero-level equipment, this rare shield boasts a base block strength of 300 points, embodying the power of sheer numbers – the "Shield of Counterattack."

Forged from the souls of Elizid, Rosamira, the Staff of the Deep, and the Crystal Bell, this weapon, "Hand of Endless Darkness," possesses a dual scaling of S mana and S soul, and can be worn as an extra weapon without occupying a primary weapon slot.

There is also the Ring of the Deep, crafted from two legendary rings and Deep Sediment Crystals, which played a crucial role in their learning of the Deep Prayer and is considered the premier treasure of the Deep system in the Ashes world.

Add to that the rare-grade equipment like the "Dragon Armor," "Angel Legplates," "Night Hunter's Bow," and "Dark Crystal Ring"... Although it's a pseudo-proposition, if they were to actually face Elizid again wearing this set of equipment and with these abilities, Xin Lailai was confident that she could beat him to the point of questioning his existence without him even lifting a finger.

"Lord Black Sword, your learning speed is really fast! You've already learned most of the Deep Prayer in such a short time."

A slightly biting wind swept by, ruffling the dress of the blindfolded nun who was standing guard nearby. She gently brushed aside her wind-blown hair, gazed at the distant scenery, and murmured.

"It's only because of past experience that we have this knowledge. And without Sister's help, it would probably take us several months just to decipher that prayer book."

Upon hearing this, Xin Lailai gently shook her head, showing no sign of complacency or pride.

Every systematic spell has its own rules. Just as someone who understands addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division can calculate the results of various basic equations, for them, as masters of magic, as long as they understand the most basic part of the spell in the Deep Prayer, they will naturally make great progress in learning the rest.

"Lord Black Sword, you flatter me. I was merely fulfilling my duty. You and Lord Bai Yu have been taking care of me all along the way, and being able to do my part for you is more of a comfort to me."

In response to Xin Lailai's modesty, the blindfolded nun simply looked up at the hazy gray sky and murmured softly amidst the fluttering of her dress and hair, "Speaking of which, after today, Lord Black Sword will be setting off again, won't he?"

“Well, after all, the equipment has already been forged, and given the limited time, it’s better to set off as soon as possible.” Xin Lailai nodded slightly, glanced at the equipment panel on the blessing interface, which had been completely revamped, and said.

"I see, that makes sense... Staying here would indeed be too willful."

"Does Your Excellency wish to remain at the sacrificial site for the time being?"

"No, you misunderstand. For me, as the Fire-Given Sister, you are my destiny. It's just that... I feel a little reluctant to leave at times."

The blindfolded nun gently shook her head, gazing at the distant sky with a tender and reminiscent expression. She murmured, "For some reason, the time I spent studying that prayer book with you was exceptionally peaceful."

"Therefore, the thought that this kind of life is about to be disrupted, even though I understand that it is inevitable, still makes me feel a little reluctant."

"Lord Black Sword, didn't you and Lord White Sword ask me what I would do if I had the chance to leave this world and see what the outside world is like?"

"I've thought about it carefully. If that day really comes, perhaps... I'd prefer to choose a quiet corner where no one will bother me and read stories from all over the world, rather than traveling and witnessing them in person?"

The blindfolded nun murmured, then chuckled self-deprecatingly, shook her head slightly, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Lord Black Sword, for making you hear these somewhat inexplicable words. Please forget them..."

"Hmm... I see. It's an ideal that suits your personality quite well, Sister. In that case, once we're on our way, I'd like to trouble you to tell us about the contents of the books we looted from the Deep Cathedral. I hope you won't mind?"

“But those books weren’t written in encrypted form, you should…”

"Books are a bit too boring if you're always reading them alone, aren't they?" Xin Lailai smiled slightly, looking at the blindfolded nun who was stunned in front of her, and teased her with a wry smile:
"Besides, since you've said that, if I don't react, Bai Yu will probably start making trouble for me again."

"Indeed! Tsk, at least Xiao Hei has some conscience this time! But I didn't expect Sister Wu Huo to like reading so much, that's wonderful! She has so many interesting books here~! I'll definitely... Ugh! Waaaaah!!"

A pale blue phantom of a soul appeared, and Ling Yuzi poked his head out of the soul space and muttered excitedly. Before he could finish speaking, Xin Lailai, who had already read the heaven-defying books that the other party intended to share, twitched her eyes twice and, amidst the strong struggle and protests, covered the other party's mouth and stuffed him back into the soul space.

"...Lord Black Sword, this..."

"Ahem, don't worry about it, it's just a little incident. Anyway, please bear with us for the rest of the journey, Sister. Of course, if you find that too troublesome, you can always let us know!"

With a slightly stiff expression, Xin Lailai gave a somewhat awkward smile and spoke to the blindfolded nun. The blindfolded nun looked at her like this, paused for a moment, and then couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Pfft, Lord Black Sword can be quite strange sometimes, can't you?"

"...Actually, I personally really wish I hadn't heard that."

……

……

The following day, fire was bestowed upon the sacrificial site.

"Um... what am I doing..."

The soft light streamed down from the pale dawn sky. At the edge of the cliff, a faint murmur of murmurs escaped her lips. The blindfolded nun, who had been resting her head on the black-haired youth's lap, stirred slightly. Slightly bewildered, she used the youth for support to sit up. After looking around blankly for a moment, she jolted awake, scrambling to her feet in a panic, and said guiltily:
"Ah, I'm so sorry! Lord Black Sword, I, I..."

In her memory, she vaguely remembered that she and Xin Lailai were discussing which books and biographies to prioritize for their upcoming trip yesterday. Lost in their conversation, they unknowingly talked until late at night, and then…

“It’s alright. We don’t really need to rest here anyway. Besides, we’ve been troubling you, Sister, with interpreting prayers all this time. It’s normal for you to feel tired.”

"I..." The blindfolded nun was about to say something when she heard this, but as if she remembered something, her expression quickly calmed down. After letting out a long sigh, she nodded slightly and said softly, "Yes, thank you for your trouble last night, Lord Black Sword. I rested very well, so please don't worry."

On her journey to the Church of the Deep, she made a promise with Sin Lai Lai and Ling Yu Zi that she would not blame herself for falling asleep from overwork again, and the blindfolded nun clearly did not intend to break this promise.

“There’s no need to be so formal.” Seeing the blindfolded nun’s reaction, Xin Lailai smiled, then glanced at the endless gray sky behind her and said, “However, since Your Excellency has rested well, then…”

Unlike their initial cautiousness and trepidation, this time they possessed the power to overcome everything and had an incredibly clear and definite goal.

therefore--

"It's time to see what the king who has bound himself to the top of the snow mountain looks like."

……

(End of this chapter)