World version update

Chapter 272 Extraordinary Gathering, Human Saints

For Lu Yan, the labor union was an important part of his plan.

Establishing a church directly would be too conspicuous and would easily attract attacks from various forces. With Lu Yan's current strength, he would definitely not be able to directly confront the seven major righteous churches.

Through the extraordinary knowledge in Sain's mind and the information obtained from the Church of the Seven Gods in the Great Collapse version, Lu Yan gained a general understanding of the power of the extraordinary path.

Sequence nine and sequence eight are equivalent to the Qi Refining stage, and are considered low-sequence extraordinary individuals.

Low-sequence extraordinary individuals possess various special abilities, but most of them have embarked on incomplete extraordinary paths.

These incomplete extraordinary pathways are not only prone to getting out of control, but also bring many negative effects. The vast majority of wild extraordinary individuals will stop at Sequence Eight if they do not have the opportunity.

Sequences seven and six are the Foundation Establishment stage, representing intermediate-sequence extraordinary individuals.

This is almost the limit that wild superhumans can reach. Without proper superhuman inheritance, the limit of most incomplete superhuman pathways is only at Sequence Six.

However, reaching this level is far beyond the realm of humanity, enough to establish a medium-sized underground gang in the kingdom's capital, or to dominate a small city.

Once they reach Sequence Five, extraordinary individuals undergo a dramatic transformation, their strength becoming comparable to that of a Golden Core cultivator, enough to be considered a powerful being, and they can do whatever they want.

If one has no criminal record, joining the council of nobles is enough to obtain a knighthood.

Even if they are guilty of crimes, they can still establish large pirate groups overseas and become maritime overlords, or they can carve out a colony and become local emperors.

The extraordinary path that can reach Sequence Five means that this path was created by at least a being above demigod.

Sequence four represents those who have entered the realm of human saints, and are almost the strongest known beings in the secular world.

Most of the extraordinary paths that lead to Sequence Four have a long history and tradition, and the beings at the end of their extraordinary paths are still alive today.

The Saint Sheen that Lu Yan encountered in the Great Collapse version was a human saint of Sequence Four, possessing the powerful strength of the peak Nascent Soul stage.

Sequence three is called a demigod, or a god in the mortal world, corresponding to a Dao Lord who has transformed into a god.

The extraordinary paths that enable one to reach Sequence Three almost all originate from the true God.

Further up, Lu Yan only vaguely knew some rumors through Saiyin's memories.

However, it is certain that all seven major righteous churches have powerful figures at the second rank in charge.

Especially in Orank, where Lu Yan was located, Lu Yan vaguely sensed a dangerous aura in the largest steam church temple.

Even if Lu Yan were to exert all his strength now, he could at most contend with a Nascent Soul Dao Lord. In terms of strength alone, he was absolutely no match for the Seven Great Righteous God Churches.

In this situation, directly establishing a church and inviting an attack from the true church would be the most foolish choice.

It would be feasible to gradually establish and expand churches in remote areas, but that would take too long, and Lu Yan's time in the game is limited.

Therefore, Lu Yan chose to develop labor unions and use the power of workers to gain the capital to counter the church.

If the Mysterious Version is a world where strength reigns supreme, and the upper echelons of superhumans can disregard the lives of the common people and arbitrarily suppress everything, then guilds will be utterly worthless.

No matter how much the workers at the bottom resist, they can never fight against the superhuman beings at the top. Only by attracting absolute power can everything be overthrown.

However, in the mysterious version, the Heavenly Dao is hidden in the mist everywhere. Under its special environment, the true god and the church have an extremely urgent need for faith, and the faith is provided by the vast majority of the people at the bottom of society.

Faced with this factor, even a small group of people from the lower classes, when united, still cannot shake the upper-level order.

However, if the number of unions and workers expands to a certain extent and can influence the general trend of faith, these people at the bottom of society will unleash an influence that will be enough to make the church take notice.

At that time, the Underworld Divine Court will be able to appear in the world with the name of the Fengdu Emperor.

With the name of a true god in the present world, coupled with Lu Yan's strength and the influence of the guild, it is not impossible for him to force the Church of the True God to back down.

Of course, all of this is predicated on the fact that labor unions can develop rapidly under the suppression of capital and aristocracy.

However, with historical knowledge from his previous life as a reference, and with Lu Yan's strength to protect him, Lu Yan was very confident in the development of the guild.

Human beings have an insatiable will to survive; the workers endured exploitation simply because they had no other choice.

Now that we have a choice, who would want to be overworked and die from overwork in their teens? Who would want their child to start working at the age of two and die young at the age of five or six?

Walking slowly down the streets of the industrial zone, Lu Yan's black figure contrasted sharply with the gray background.

He listened to the roar of machinery and the shouts of workers from the factories on both sides of the road, feeling the pulse of this era. The fog that had always shrouded the city seemed to thin out, revealing a sky full of possibilities behind it.

"The seeds have been sown; now let them grow strong and healthy!"

"But before everything grows, I have some important things to do."

Lu Yan quickened his pace and disappeared into the mist.

Leaving the industrial area, you are greeted by wide streets bustling with traffic, a stark contrast to the previous scene. Here, there is no soot, no workers' shouts, and no suffocating atmosphere.

Neat rows of poplar trees line both sides of the street, adding a rare touch of greenery to the area.

The gentlemen passing by were dressed in impeccably tailored tailcoats and top hats, exchanging elegant nods and greetings, while the ladies wore tiered tutus, carried exquisite parasols, and wore polite smiles.

Although it's only a street away, the area in front of us seems like a completely different world from the industrial zone.

And that is indeed the case. This is the central district of Orank, inhabited by Orank's true upper class. A brick thrown here could be used to strike a lord or a rising capitalist.

The architectural style of the central district is also quite different from that of the industrial district.

The buildings here are mostly constructed of milky-white limestone, with classical columns and exquisite carvings everywhere. The wide, bright windows reflect the radiant sunlight.

In the fountain square, water splashes and several elegantly dressed children play, showing none of the precociousness and haggardness often seen in children from industrial areas.

Referring to his memory, Lu Yan walked toward the row of neat carriages at the street corner.

He chose a gleaming black four-wheeled carriage, drawn by two strong chestnut horses. The sides of the carriage were decorated with exquisite gold patterns, and a gleaming bronze plaque was inlaid on the door.

Lu Yan stepped forward, and the middle-aged coachman in a dark blue suit immediately noticed him. The coachman was tall and thin, with a stern face and meticulously trimmed gray sideburns. Maintaining a professional smile, he bowed slightly with elegant manners and asked, "Sir, where are you going?"

Lu Yan took a gleaming gold coin from his pocket, twirled it lightly between his fingers, and the golden luster shimmered in the sunlight. He handed the coin to the coachman, his tone steady: "Violet Manor."

The driver accepted the gold pound, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes, but he quickly regained his professional demeanor. He bowed again and opened the carriage door for Lu Yan: "Please get in, sir. It's a long journey, but I promise I'll get you there as soon as possible."

Lu Yan stepped onto the small stairs and entered the carriage, which was covered in deep red velvet. The interior of the carriage was exquisitely decorated, with beautifully carved patterns on the wooden panels and soft, comfortable seats.

With a soft whistle from the coachman, the carriage slowly started moving, entering the wide streets of Orank and heading towards the Violet Manor on the outskirts of the city.

Looking out the car window at the divided city, Lu Yan was filled with a myriad of thoughts.

In the mysterious version, supernatural powers are strictly forbidden by the Church.

While there is certainly a need to maintain social stability, the most crucial factor is that supernatural powers are too uncontrollable.

As described in the background text of the Mysterious Version, once one embarks on the path to transcendence, loss of control and madness will constantly accompany all those who possess extraordinary abilities.

Even if only the lowest-ranking Sequence Nine transcendental goes out of control, the resulting harm could affect hundreds of ordinary people.

Especially those flawed extraordinary paths created through crude means harbor many hidden dangers.

However, the more it is prohibited, the more people want to try to access supernatural powers.

This group includes commoners, scholars, and nobles. The great nobles with long-standing traditions naturally possess complete access to extraordinary abilities, but some emerging nobles and capitalists from the early industrial era have difficulty accessing such powers.

The great nobles intentionally limited these emerging noble capitalists' control over supernatural powers, while the emerging nobles were even less qualified to access supernatural powers through the church.

Left with no other choice, these newly emerging nobles began to gather extraordinary powers from the common people, which eventually led to the formation of some extraordinary gatherings.

Violet Manor is the estate of Earl Violet, a famous banker in Orank, and one of the extraordinary gathering places known to Sain.

However, Earl Violet has an extremely high status and can access extraordinary levels of the supernatural. Someone like Sequence Seven, who follows a flawed path to the supernatural, is not qualified to participate in the supernatural gatherings at Violet Manor.

Lu Yan's purpose in going to Violet Manor was precisely for this extraordinary gathering.

The carriage slowly came to a stop outside Violet Manor, its wheels making a soft creaking sound on the cobblestone road. Lu Yan stepped out of the carriage; sunlight filtered through the branches of the tall oak trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

The Violet Manor before us is magnificent, constructed of pale purple stone, with soaring Gothic spires piercing the clouds and elegant wings extending from the wide main building. The manor is surrounded by meticulously manicured mazes of shrubs and vibrant gardens, with an artificial lake in the distance, its surface shimmering in the sunlight.

Lu Yan noticed that there were already many carriages parked outside, some of which were more luxurious than the one he was riding in, decorated with various family crests, highlighting the owner's noble status.

The drivers gathered in twos and threes to chat, occasionally casting curious glances at each other.

It was already noon, and the gates of Violet Manor were closed. Only a few uniformed guards stood outside, their expressions serious.

The closed doors signify that the extraordinary gathering has begun, and the activities inside must not be disturbed.

Upon seeing Lu Yan alight from the car, a servant dressed in a purple tailcoat and white gloves quickly came forward to greet him. He had a dignified appearance and proper manners, but his eyes carried a hint of polite aloofness.

"Sir, the banquet has already begun. Please be on time next time." The attendant bowed slightly, his voice firm and unwavering.

Lu Yan didn't speak, but slowly raised his hand and reached into the void.

With a slight flick of his finger, he manipulated creation to probe into Sain's memory. Under the immense power of creating something from nothing, an invitation existing in Sain's memory fell into Lu Yan's hands.

The invitation was made of exquisite material, with gold thread inlaid along the edges, and the Violet Family crest printed in the center—a blooming violet flower encircling an ancient sword.

The attendant took the invitation, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, before examining it closely. Although the invitation was completely blank, the attendant seemed to see the information he sought within it; his gaze gradually became respectful, and his face immediately showed reverence.

"So it was Mr. Lu Yan of the Guild, personally invited by His Excellency the Earl." The attendant's disdain vanished, replaced by genuine respect. "Please come in, sir."

As he spoke, the servant immediately led Lu Yan into the Violet Manor.

The wide stone path was lined with various precious flowers, with violets being the most prominent. After passing through a sculpture garden, Lu Yan was led to the main building of the manor.

Inside the main hall of the manor, a crystal chandelier cast a soft glow, illuminating the marble floor and the walls adorned with portraits. Dozens of elegantly dressed young nobles and capitalists chatted amongst themselves around several extraordinary individuals, creating a lively yet refined atmosphere.

These extraordinary individuals, dressed in either magnificent formal attire or mysterious robes, exuded an extraordinary aura in every gesture. Some had a faint glow emanating from their fingertips, others were surrounded by a subtle, strange aura, and still others possessed a mysterious glint in their eyes that was not of ordinary descent.

These extraordinary individuals talked among themselves, and their discussions about extraordinary sequences and potion advancements drew envious glances from the young nobles.

While most nobles and capitalists are qualified to access extraordinary pathways, these are often pathways with limited potential and hidden dangers, posing a significant risk to those who are already nobles.

Therefore, nobles generally tend to first understand and seek some extraordinary protection methods, and then let their relatives choose extraordinary paths to become extraordinary. In this case, those extraordinary paths with low risks naturally become the most sought-after.

Count Violet stood in the center of the hall. He was an elegant middle-aged man with meticulously combed silver-grey hair, dressed in a magnificent purple and silver suit. Looking at the scene before him, the count's face showed delight; he was clearly very satisfied with the gathering he had organized.

Suddenly, a servant strode into the hall and approached Earl Violet with an anxious expression, whispering something in his ear.

Upon hearing the voice, the elegant middle-aged man subconsciously frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and whispered, "An invitation? Mr. Lu from the union?"

"I don't recall Mr. Lu being among those who sent out the invitations. Could it be a forgery?" Count Violet's expression turned serious. Impersonation was a serious crime at such a high-level gathering.

Just as Count Violet was wondering what was going on, he saw the main hall doors, which had been closed, suddenly burst open, and a servant respectfully led a young man into the banquet hall.

The young man was dressed in a well-tailored black swallowtail coat, elegant and composed, holding an ebony cane with a silver lion's head inlaid at the top.

His attire was no different from that of the nobles present, but he exuded an extraordinary and refined aura that made people want to get close to him while also feeling awe.

The banquet fell silent for a moment as several nobles and extraordinary individuals turned their gazes toward the uninvited guest. Some looked at Earl Violet with displeasure, as if blaming him for making a mistake in his arrangements.

Faced with the gazes of the crowd, Earl Violet couldn't help but step forward and ask in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

Lu Yan stopped in his tracks, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Lu Yan from the union." His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it carried clearly to every corner of the hall.

"What is a union?" a well-dressed young nobleman couldn't help but murmur.

"It seems to be a small organization I've never heard of before."

Among the crowd, a superhuman dressed in a gray robe snorted coldly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

He had just been discussing a deal regarding extraordinary talismans with a young nobleman when Lu Yan's arrival interrupted the impending transaction. The nobleman's attention had been drawn to this mysterious intruder, and the deal naturally fell through.

After confirming that Lu Yan was not Earl Violet's guest, the gray-robed superhuman did not hesitate to make his move. A silver glint flashed in his eyes, and his face twisted into a strange smile.

Sparks of light slipped from his fingertips, like stars falling to earth, leaving brief trails in the air. The gray-robed superhuman raised his hand and pointed at Lu Yan, chanting obscure incantations in a low voice, the silver light in his eyes growing ever stronger.

In an instant, a chilling, biting wind swept through the hall and rushed toward Lu Yan.

This was no ordinary cold wind; it was a soul-destroying wind capable of directly attacking the soul, as if it wanted to blow Lu Yan's soul away from his body. Wherever the cold wind passed, the air condensed into tiny ice crystals, shimmering with a ghostly blue light under the lamplight.

The power of a Sequence Six transcendent immediately drew everyone's attention at the banquet. The nobles stepped back to make room for the two, their eyes filled with both wariness and anticipation.

Young nobles and capitalists, in particular, who had little exposure to the extraordinary, were filled with astonishment. For some of them, witnessing the demonstration of extraordinary power for the first time was far more awe-inspiring than any description in books.

Count Violet frowned but did not intervene. In the extraordinary world, strength is the only rule. If Lu Yan trespassed into the banquet and was powerless to protect himself, then he could only blame himself for overestimating his abilities.

Facing the biting wind, Lu Yan didn't even glance at it, as if it were nothing more than a gentle breeze. He simply shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips, and murmured:

"What an rude guy."

His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone present, as if it resonated directly in the depths of their souls.

Lu Yan made no move whatsoever—no incantation, no gesture, not even a change in his gaze. The dispersing, chilling wind suddenly halted in mid-air, as if encountering an invisible barrier. The next moment, the wind strangely changed direction, swirling back towards the gray-robed superhuman.

The gray-robed superhuman's smile froze, and an incredulous fear flashed in his eyes. He hurriedly tried to stop the spell, but it was too late.

In an instant, his soul dissipated, and the gray-robed superhuman's body froze in place, the light in his eyes rapidly dimming. His skin turned pale at a visible speed, quickly covered with a thin layer of frost, and finally his body turned into a frozen ice sculpture, lifelike and frozen in the posture of casting a spell.

For a moment, you could hear a pin drop in the hall.

Everyone stood frozen in place, while those superhumans who had initially been watching with a detached, spectator's eyes now revealed an uncontrollable fear.

They could clearly sense that Lu Yan did not exhibit any extraordinary fluctuations or cast any known spells, yet the gray-robed superhuman suffered a spell backlash, which was almost beyond their comprehension.

At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a dark red suit suddenly changed his expression during the banquet.

He was a highly experienced Sequence 5 powerhouse, and at this moment, as if recalling some ancient legend, his pupils trembled violently, unable to conceal his inner shock, and he exclaimed:

"Backlash from one's position!"

These three words exploded in the hall like a bombshell. Upon hearing this, the other extraordinary individuals turned even paler, and some even unconsciously took a few steps back.

The fifth-ranking expert suddenly performed an ancient and solemn salute to Lu Yan, his voice filled with unprecedented reverence: "Are you a sage among mortals?"

(End of this chapter)