A Guide to Becoming a God Starting from a Monastery

"Ha, they paid a heavy price. As for what they're up to, we can easily guess." The man laughed. "They're looking to exploit the new Grand Master's weaknesses in order to defeat the Knights on the battlefield once again. And if they lose again, the Knights will no longer have the strength to fight the Crescent Moon Cultists at sea."

"It's not that simple," the woman said sternly. "I don't think they'd offer anything tempting if that were the case."

"After all, wouldn't it be more time-saving and labor-saving to wait until the new Grand Commander takes office before investigating his past?"

"That makes sense. What do you think about this?" the man asked.

"They might have a bigger plan. They might very well want to ambush and kill the new Grand Commander."

"This... seems difficult, right?"

"If you use magic, it won't be difficult," the woman said with a smile. "As long as you're willing to pay the price!"

"But... killing a Grand Master on his way to take office doesn't seem to be of much use. The Church will just send out the next one!"

"First, killing a Protector of the Nation or a Half-Protector of the Nation is absolutely a very rich victory. It doesn't matter if they are killed on the battlefield or assassinated in the wild. Secondly," the woman smiled. "It will buy valuable time."

"time?"

"Yes, if we want to completely control the seas, blockade the seas, and cut off the Holy Land's sea support, then the best option is to capture Rhodes Island. However, if we want to capture Rhodes Island, we must make thorough preparations. Whether it's mobilizing the fleet, preparing supplies, or even the final siege, it all takes time."

"As long as the new Grand Master is delayed in taking office, the Knights will have difficulty recovering their strength! That would be extremely advantageous. Otherwise, unless we achieve another great victory, there will be no chance at all!"

"that's right……"

"But it doesn't matter. Christianity and Islam can fight all they want. It has nothing to do with us. We just need to make all the money we can." The woman smiled and leaned closer. "Leave it to me. How can I contact you?"

"I set up a wolf den in a village outside the city," the man said. "It's a pity there's nothing we can do in the city."

In other cities, setting up a wolf's den might not be difficult, but in Rome it was completely different.

Birds flying back and forth... this kind of thing cannot be hidden from the eyes of those densely guarded guards.

It can only be placed outside the city.

"The last time the wolf's den was destroyed, are there any clues?" the woman suddenly asked.

"No, there's nothing suspicious. I suspect the church is using some kind of prophecy spell."

The two men slowly moved closer, and the man's breathing became heavier.

Sometimes, the performance must be performed in full. Who can tell whether there is a pair of eyes in the distance staring at this open window at this moment?

Chapter 26: Secret Visit 4

"How about it?"

Thomas felt a little curious and a little expectant.

If it was the fifth level of the magic web, he would be considered a genius in the church.

I just don't know how this kind of genius will be treated.

Hearing his question, the old man opposite did not answer, but continued, "Look at your bones again."

He placed his hands on Thomas's body, kneading his shoulders, ribs, neck and other parts one by one.

Then he returned to his original position and sat cross-legged.

He remained motionless, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Thomas waited patiently for a long time until he finally opened his eyes.

"Master, what happened just now? What happened to my bones?"

"Nothing, just estimating your age," he said. "Your records are correct. You are indeed only around twenty years old. Even if there is an error, it is only a year or two."

"And your magic..." he said. "It has been in contact with the fifth layer of the magic network! And it has been in contact with the fifth layer of the magic network for no more than a year!"

"And the time you've been practicing magic... should be around six or seven years! There might be a slight error, but it won't be too big."

"You're still trying to reach the sixth layer of the magic web, but it's still a long way off. This is probably because you've been slacking off on your meditation practice lately!"

"Overall, he's a true genius in a small town, but here, he's just like that."

The old man had a calm expression as he pointed out everything.

"But Rome is a place full of geniuses. Your magic skills are good, but if you continue to slack off like this, you won't have any hope of reaching even the sixth level of the magic network, let alone higher levels."

"The fifth level of the magic web is a crucial point. Before this point, slacking off in your magic cultivation doesn't matter at all. However, after passing the fifth level, slacking off in your cultivation will lead to a weakening and degradation of your spellcasting abilities. In other words, if you don't progress, you'll regress!"

"Of course, at this age and this level, it's really okay. Not bad!"

The old man poured himself a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

It’s not so much drinking as it is trying to suppress certain emotions through drinking.

"You know, in Rome, the fifth-layer magic web is everywhere. Not to mention the fifth layer, the seventh layer magic web is also popping up all the time."

"It's just that many people are diligent in their practice and focus on meditation, so they usually don't see it."

He paused and said calmly, "So don't think you're that great. To be truly powerful, you have to reach the ninth level of the magic network. Only when you reach that level can you be considered a true master."

Holy crap! That's awesome!

Thomas didn't realize it before, but after the other party explained his magical skills in detail, he realized how powerful it was.

The magic web is related to the soul and is difficult to detect directly.

Yet, the other party was able to explain it so accurately, especially explaining that he had been slacking off in his training recently, so his magical abilities hadn't improved at all... It was really amazing.

No wonder he was pulled out by the Cardinal to be the examiner.

All we can say is that although Christianity is corrupt, it has many talented people within it and has a profound and unfathomable foundation.

But no matter how much we sigh, there is another thing that is more important.

"Master," Thomas took a deep breath, his eyes sincere. "You appear to be deeply versed in magic... So, I'd like to ask about the formula for that secret potion you mentioned earlier, the Jade Bait..."

"Oh, that." The old man smiled and stood up, stretching his legs. "But it's a secret technique that can't be passed on to others."

"Master, I can pay. One thousand florins..."

"Money is not necessary," the old man said. "Although I am not a rich man, do you think I need this little money?"

Thomas looked at the other person dressed as an ascetic monk and wanted to complain, "I do think so," but when he glanced, he saw the wine bottle from before.

The old man said that this wine could easily be sold for more than three hundred florins.

In other words… despite his simple attire, this old man treated himself to no fuss. Calculating the price, the few glasses of wine he drank in just half a day were worth at least fifty florins.

"Master, what do you mean?"

"You, boy, to be honest, are quite my cup of tea." He stroked his short beard and thought for a moment. "Do you really want to learn? I could take you in as a student..."

"Master, please accept my disciple's greeting!"

Thomas had never learned how to become a disciple—becoming Giuliano's student wasn't a formality; it was simply a matter of meeting and exchanging a few words. But the saying goes, "learning is applying what you learn." There are certain things in the East and the West that share a common spiritual core.

Anyway, Thomas knew that he was a member of the church, so it would be a win-win for him to recognize such a capable and well-connected teacher!

How many people want to find a real teacher, but no one is willing to accept them!

"Hmm, not bad, not bad. You're quite perceptive!" The old monk's lips curled slightly, but he immediately calmed down. "I'll report your situation... Your affairs will be arranged in a few days."

Before Thomas could come to his senses, the old man left through the door.

Oh, three hundred florins worth of fine wine just left there, unattended.

Hey, wait, teacher, I don’t even know your name or identity...

Thomas wanted to chase after him, but found that the door the old man left was locked.

After calming down, Thomas suddenly felt as if he had been deceived.

This teacher didn't feel anything at all. He was just dismissed with a simple "I'll make arrangements in a few days".

But... what are you trying to trick me into believing? I'm just a low-ranking cultivator... what's there to be cheated about?

But I couldn't figure it out for a moment.

Unable to figure it out and unable to stay here for long, Thomas could only leave in disappointment.

On the other side, Leo XI walked up the stairs to the rooftop courtyard of the cathedral.

To reach the roof garden, one has to climb 330 steps. Even though Leo XI was in good health, he still felt a little out of breath.

During this era, the rooftop courtyard was not open to the public, so at this time the courtyard was quiet, with only the Pope himself in it.

Looking out over St. Peter's Square from the rooftop, you can see the beautiful clouds on the horizon.

Even though it took a lot of effort, I still couldn't suppress my inner excitement.

Here, a statue is erected.

It is a statue of a holy angel holding a sword, symbolizing that the angel destroys all enemies of Christ.

The angel stood atop a stone tablet bearing a relief depicting the stigmata of Saint Francis. The relief wasn't by a famous artist—the stone tablet below was clearly a minor component compared to the statue above. Perhaps it was the work of a single sculptor. Yet, the image of Saint Francis, gazing heavenward, with his palms turned upward, kneeling before an angel with wings spread out, was clearly discernible. The five stigmata on his hands, feet, and ribs were as sharp as black nails.

"Lord, thank you!" The Pope knelt down in front of the statue and prayed devoutly.

"This is the will of the Lord," he said to the statue, seemingly speaking to himself, and then seemingly explaining to another person, "just like an angel descending to Lot in Sodom."

He stood up, looked at the clouds in the distance, and took a deep breath.

His emotions were surging, and he covered his mouth with one hand to stop himself from laughing. However, the violent ups and downs of his breathing made it almost impossible for him to suppress it.

Section 27 Temporary Training 1

"Hahahahahaha!!!"

"God bless you!" He laughed wildly at the sky. "A bunch of idiots! Twenty years old, relying entirely on their own half-step to protect the country! And on the fifth level of the magic network! Oh my God!!"

His face turned red from laughing wildly, his body was staggering and he could hardly stand up straight.

"No... No, I'm too excited!" He didn't dare to laugh anymore. But his lips couldn't help but curl up.

This is God’s blessing!

Such a talented person unexpectedly appeared when he was needed most.

Thomas of Bohemia.

He originally believed that it was a high-level spy or even a killer assassin.

But I never expected... that this would be the result.

Leo XI felt as if he was in a dream at this moment. He thought he might be crazy about wanting a talented apprentice.

It took him a long time to come back to his senses from his trance.

Then I reminded myself that there is still a lot to do!

A few days later, the Vatican.

The bells for morning prayers have already rung, and basically all the monks are preparing to go out and do their work.

As soon as Thomas walked out the door, he was stopped by several patrolmen wearing armor (who looked like patrolmen).

"Thomas of Bohemia?" the leading soldier said. "You have been ordered to be temporarily transferred for a few days."

He then showed Thomas a document.

There was a bright red seal on the document - you could tell it was the real thing at first glance.

How is this going?

Is it because the superiors urgently need manpower and I have the core strength, so I was temporarily transferred?

It seems to make sense.

But... Thomas keenly noticed that only his name was written on the document.

In other words, this is a transfer order targeting Thomas and does not involve anyone else.

This is not normal.

But Thomas didn't do anything. He just turned around to change into his armor, then came out and left with a few patrolmen.

Thomas believed that he had not done anything wrong here and had no bad record. Even if someone wanted to deal with him, they would not resort to such blatant behavior.

Therefore, this matter is most likely related to the teacher he just met.

Soon after, they arrived at a camp in the city.