A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

Gandalf sighed. "Ask."

He still owed Thomas a favor in this regard, so he would answer all his questions free of charge.

"Someone told me something," Thomas said. "One must be perfect in both body and soul... in order to ascend to the Protectorate? And if there's even the slightest discord between the two, then ultimately, one can't ascend to the Protectorate, only reaching what we usually call 'half-step Protectorate'? This seems different from the promotion ceremony you mentioned."

"I understand what you mean... there's a theory about that," Gandalf replied. "Some believe that being a half-step protector is an unstable state. It's simply that during the process of becoming a protector, the changes in soul, mind, and body are so drastic that the original natural fit becomes less compatible. In other words, there's nothing to do, just wait patiently for enough time, and a half-step protector will become a protector... But in reality, there's another factor to consider."

"What factors?"

"The aging of the body. As the Chinese say, it's called the decline of Qi and blood," Gandalf said. "When will the soul and body become harmonious? No one can say for sure. However, the average human body begins to age after the age of thirty, and the aging process accelerates significantly at forty... This is an objective fact. Numerous examples have proven this. It's common to see a battle-hardened warrior appear healthy and flawless at twenty or thirty, but at forty, old injuries will flare up... Once the Qi and blood decline to a certain point, even if the soul and body finally reconnect, you won't be able to become a protector of the country!"

"Sure enough..." Thomas said. It's not that simple!

"So, how do we harmonize body and soul?" Thomas asked. "The ascension ceremony?"

"That's not certain. Everyone's situation is different," Gandalf said. "Take, for example, the Blasphemous Knight... you know. He doesn't need any training. But as far as I know, such cases are rare. The Ascension Ritual is just the final step... They can be two unrelated things. First, you must ensure that both your soul and body have reached perfection, and then use the Ascension Ritual to take you one step further. In fact, the Ascension Ritual is just the most economical and simple method, not a must. Apart from anything else, this magic crystal can completely replace the Ascension Ritual. In fact, if you want to use that essence... well... you don't even need to worry about the ritual! The ritual itself is not difficult, and it can be done with three thousand florins."

"I was attacked by magic before, a spiritual one," Thomas said lightly. "I think I might have hidden dangers."

"Ah!" Gandalf looked regretful.

“Is there any way to solve this problem?”

"Well... to be honest, there is. But I know it exists, but I don't know the specific details." said Gandalf.

"In Rome?"

"So you already knew? Yes, the Vatican holds the secret to this step. There's nothing we can do about it; they have the resources to research... but I heard that the House of Wisdom in Baghdad also has a similar method. But since you're a Christian, Rome is a better choice."

"Where can I find it in Rome?"

"Uh, I don't know. I can only offer one suggestion: the best way is to find a cardinal or even the Pope... Don't look at me like that, as long as there's enough money, it's not difficult! It would be much easier to ask them to help you find it. Forget about such a small matter, as long as the money is in place, you can directly use the divine enlightenment technique to be promoted to Protector of the Nation!"

"Is that the legendary eighth-level magic?"

"It should have been level nine, but after being transformed into a ritual spell, the difficulty was greatly reduced. However, the price has barely changed. From what I understand, you need to prepare one million florins." Gandalf sighed.

This magic essence is equivalent to a divine revelation, which is one million florins.

Thomas understood now.

"Okay, I'll be leaving first." Thomas said, packed his things and left.

In the next three months...

Well, there is plenty of time. He knows that he will probably be busy in the near future because he has a lot of things to do.

Now that you have made up your mind, don't procrastinate.

Apart from anything else, all the prince’s property must be taken out first.

Then he got the money promised by several branch leaders.

There was also the Wolf's Den that needed to be dealt with. After all, this trip would take several months, and going back and forth would be inconvenient.

Even if the message was delivered by birds, it would be impossible to send a letter from Kyiv to Rome, right?

Finally, we set off.

Whether it is the memories of the previous life or the information obtained now, it shows that Rome is a typical city of money.

The kind of person who can travel the world with money but cannot take a single step without money.

Thomas quickly rode back to the road.

Although I've only been here for two or three years, which isn't very long, about the same as my time in Bohemia, when I was actually preparing to leave, I felt a strange feeling.

Are you a little reluctant?

However, Thomas quickly put this misconception aside.

Leaving is leaving, but it doesn’t mean you won’t come back.

After all, he still retains the identity of a branch leader here.

One day in the future, he will come back as a protector of the country, and as long as he is willing, he will still be the next commander-in-chief.

It can even be said that at that time, even a major commander felt a little wronged him.

It would be appropriate for the Grand Duke to divide the land and grant fiefdoms.

Perhaps a city near Kiev (not an annexed city) would be directly granted to him as a hereditary territory.

The sun rises and the moon sets, time flies.

A few months passed quickly.

In a corner of Kiev, there is an ordinary-looking house.

There was a sign outside the house indicating that it was a place offering money for lending.

Everyone knew that this shop was run by a Jew and that the owner was a young Jew.

Although he is young, his business methods are not ambiguous at all.

In other words, anyone who has done business here understands what it feels like to be bitten by sharp claws.

That afternoon, the Jew and several assistants were settling accounts here when footsteps were suddenly heard outside the door.

It was not an ordinary sound of footsteps, but was mixed with the sound of metallic clanging.

As soon as I heard it, I knew someone in armor was coming.

The Jew was shocked and immediately signaled his assistant to take the account book and move away.

He himself waited anxiously, trying hard to put on a smile.

But as soon as the man came in, the smile on the Jew's face changed from fake to real, because the man who came was not the extortionist he had expected, but an old customer of his.

"Oh, Captain Thomas!" He took the initiative to step forward, showing 100% enthusiasm.

This client is no ordinary person.

He didn't know anything else, but he knew very well that this client had to put in all his effort to borrow 10,000 florins from the very beginning.

But in just two years, the money he had on his side exceeded one hundred thousand.

Chapter 297 Harvest 5

"Your Excellency's presence truly brings honor to my humble abode..."

"Don't be polite," Thomas said, shaking his hand. "I want to save some money."

As he spoke, he pulled out a pocket from under his cloak. "Here's one thousand."

"Of course." There had been enough back-and-forth, so both sides moved quickly. The Jew didn't even open the pocket to count the exact amount inside. He simply took the pocket and immediately produced a document.

A withdrawal voucher for one thousand florins.

Although in this era, people all over the world agree that Jews are a group of vampires, everyone must admit that these vampires provide services that others cannot provide.

Otherwise, they would not be able to survive and live well under the widespread common hostility among their surroundings.

Thomas now comes here every now and then to deposit some money, and then he can withdraw the money wherever he does business.

In Thomas’ previous life, it was a very common bank deposit and withdrawal service.

Any bank offers it.

But in this era...at least in Russia, only the Jews can provide it.

Although there are secondary planes, they are still a bit troublesome to use.

And you had no money on you just now, and now you're taking out mountains of florins - anyone would know that something is wrong.

So Thomas wanted to use a smaller amount of money to cover up a larger amount of money.

One hundred thousand florins is a very suitable amount.

However, a person only carries a certain amount of money. If they carry money directly, a horse can carry about 10,000 florins.

On the contrary, documentary evidence... is much simpler.

One thousand florins is just a piece of paper, and ten thousand florins is just a piece of paper.

Any traveler will always have space to stuff a few pieces of paper.

Preparations in all aspects are almost complete.

Go to the old miser to get your magic items.

Thomas's mind became increasingly clear about the road ahead.

Although I knew that I had to go to Rome 99% of the time, I had to give it a try before leaving.

Use that natural essence and see if you can be promoted to protector of the country.

Success would be the best, but if you fail, you should become a half-step protector of the country, which can provide more capital for the next plan.

After all, the elite troops are in Rome, so they are probably nothing.

After being promoted to a half-step protector of the country, you will have a certain degree of confidence, and even when facing those big forces, you will be worth negotiating with and being won over.

Then you need to find the right channel and use money or other means to obtain that secret special method.

By bringing the body and soul into complete harmony, one can truly enter the path of ascension.

He wants to stand higher, master more, and become stronger.

Only by standing high can you see far and understand yourself better. Only by mastering more can you have more room for error and be able to afford to lose. Only by becoming stronger can you avoid danger.

Only in this way can you truly control your own destiny in this life.

Thomas had already taken out all of Prince Yaroslav's scattered inheritance.

Although the process had its ups and downs, it was generally smooth because the prince had no idea that he would die in such an unclear manner before accomplishing his great task.

He had no plans for such a situation, and without any preparation, it was not difficult to get his inheritance.

The difficulty lies in knowing where his legacy is and how it is preserved.

Adding all his other possessions, Thomas had amassed a fortune of over 1.5 million florins.

This money should be enough.

The next step is to find a suitable channel to obtain the secret technique. This is much easier than making money.

After leaving the Jewish place, Thomas rode his horse and soon arrived at the familiar forest cabin.

Gandalf was sitting in the open space outside the cottage, seemingly basking in the sun leisurely.

"Master Gandalf!" Gandalf was not surprised by Thomas' appearance. He stood up slowly, as if he had been waiting for Thomas' arrival.

"Everything is ready," Gandalf said. He walked into the hut and came out with a bag in his hand. He then took out the items one by one.

The first one is a small bead, which Gandalf made into a small pendant that can be used as a necklace pendant.

The kind that you can hang around your neck with a chain.

Such a big snake head plus a snake bead the size of a volleyball, and finally made into such a small thing... Thomas wondered how much Gandalf must have made from it.

"A poison pearl," Gandalf said in a voice devoid of emotion. "You can control it to glow or go out by rubbing it gently with your fingers. It can illuminate in the dark, but its real use is to dispel magical darkness. Also, if you soak it in water for a minute or so, it releases a strong poison. I don't know the extent of the poison, but I strongly advise you not to take it into the water. If it rains and you get soaked, you'd better be very careful."

"In fact, if you want to wear it as a necklace pendant, I suggest you find some membrane and wrap it up, just in case."

Thomas tried it on, then stuffed it into his bag.

"This, underwater breathing tablets."

Gandalf took out the second thing. Those disgusting fish eggs, now turned into some flakes.

"It works when you hold it in your mouth. I made five of them in total," said Gandalf.

Thomas was sure there were more than five eggs, but... well, that was part of the processing.

This is the advantage of mastering technology. No matter what Gandalf says, Thomas has no choice but to believe it.

So Thomas didn't ask any questions, because even if he did, it would only be annoying.

"And this, a wooden golem helmet!" Gandalf took out the third thing.

A metal helmet - a common style in Ross's area - with two miniature antler-like decorations inserted at both ends.

Thomas looked at it over and over, but no matter how he looked at it, it looked like it had just been forged in a blacksmith's shop.

"Don't look at it, I really asked the blacksmith to make this, and the real useful part is the antler." Gandalf said. "If this helmet breaks one day, or you want to replace it, you can just plug it in and out."