Varna unconsciously caressed the mark of the flag banner on his brow, then lowered his gaze to feel his own condition, murmuring with a complex expression, "Is this what it means to be a Beyonder without Fate…"
His current state was extremely peculiar; his uncontrolled Fate had been grafted onto Alista Tudor in the mirror, but the Conqueror characteristic had been successfully assimilated by him through a loophole in the order. He could clearly feel the elevation of his divinity and Beyonder characteristic, a state somewhat similar to an Ancient Sun God who had regained his sanity.
"Shortcuts always leave hidden dangers. Your current balance is entirely dependent on the rules within the Nation of Disorder. Once you return to reality, without the protection of Concealment, a Sequence 1 Beyonder without Fate's influence on the River of Fate is enough to attract the attention of all high-level beings with authority in the domain of Fate."
"And a Beyonder without Fate is almost a lamb to the slaughter before them…"
One by one, the twelve-segmented Worm of Time squirmed and reformed into Pallez's figure. He spoke in a low voice, his gaze already turning towards Aaron.
Feeling the convergence of gazes, Aaron placed the silver full-body mirror, covered and enveloped by the Realm of Mysteries, not far from Roselle's mausoleum, and responded calmly:
"The mental imprint of Tudor in the Conqueror characteristic has been cleared. The most troublesome issue has been resolved. All that's needed is to complete a simplified advancement ritual, ending the theft and grafting at the last moment of the ritual, and returning Fate. This will still be a complete advancement."
"I've already had Astolfo and Azik prepare. The Highland Kingdom and the Balam Empire will assist you in completing the ritual in the Southern Continent."
"Before everything is ready, you should stay in the Nation of Disorder and make the most of this window to digest some of the Conqueror Beyonder potion. I'll arrange everything else!"
Seeing that Aaron already had a plan, Pallez said no more. His thoughts wandered, and he suddenly sighed with a hint of regret.
It was a pity that Mobet had advanced to Sequence 3 Mentor of Deceit too recently. Both his Beyonder potion digestion and his control over theft were too weak. Otherwise, an active Fate theft by a Sequence 1 Angel would have been the most perfect Trojan Horse of Fate advancement ritual.
Roughly guessing what the old man by his side was thinking, Aaron glanced at him but said nothing. He turned to look at Bernadette and Bornova, sensing the changes in the rules of the real world, especially the Astral World, and spoke calmly:
"The confrontation in the Astral World has ended. I have cleared the aura of the original island attached to you. After returning to the real world, quickly refine those demigod Beyonder characteristics into Mystical Items."
At this point, Aaron paused. After a moment of thought, two Cards of Blasphemy appeared in his palm, clearly the Black Emperor card and the Justiciar card.
After he assimilated the Uniqueness and further integrated the Nation of Disorder, he had already touched upon the power of the Sequence 0 level. These two Cards of Blasphemy were no longer mere decorations to him.
In the Fifth Epoch, as the various Sefirah on the Western Continent gradually eroded their seals and infiltrated reality, he only needed to wait for the right moment. The most recent and practical opportunity was the return of Mr. Door, triggering the Door Pathway's god-ascension ritual, during which all seals would temporarily fail or weaken!
Although the Cards of Blasphemy do not possess Beyonder characteristics, their Beyonder characteristic is high enough to fully receive the blessings of the Nation of Disorder.
Compared to reluctantly sending an Angel to the Western Continent to explore, risking the loss of Beyonder characteristics or corruption by other Sefirah, it was clearly safer and more concealed to use the Beyonder characteristic of the Nation of Disorder to retrieve or bestow blessings.
If he could mass-produce them, he could even have a certain number of dependents on the Western Continent in a short period, though they would likely be classified as a cult in another sense.
"This is something I can ask the Evernight Goddess about. After all, wasn't the Church of the Evernight Goddess a subterranean cult during the Ancient Sun God's reign…"
Reining in his increasingly wandering thoughts, Aaron bestowed the two Cards of Blasphemy upon Bornova and explained his idea of creating similar items.
As an Angel-level Artisan, Bornova was extremely familiar with the Cards of Blasphemy made by his father. He glanced at Bernadette, who was also somewhat surprised beside him, and then spoke after careful consideration:
"Father advanced from Knowledge Magister to Knowledge Emperor. The special nature of the Cards of Blasphemy comes more from the latter's authority."
"With that Hermit card, I can make similar items, but the effect will likely be far from your expectations."
Without the slightest hint of disappointment, Aaron's lips curved slightly. He looked up, as if through the boundless dark golden mist, towards reality, towards the Astral World, and spoke with a majestic voice tinged with amusement:
"Don't worry, you can make the containers first. As for the Knowledge Emperor, there should be a result very soon…"
-----------------
Winter County, Amantha Mountains.
Audrey, wearing a white dress with green trim, looked nervously at the valley ahead. Virtual personalities split off, entering the Sea of Collective Subconscious and standing by, constantly monitoring Alfred Hall, who was advancing to a demigod.
The battlefield was cruel, but it also meant more opportunities.
Melissa, who had already advanced to Astronomer, and Xio, who had advanced to Disciplinary Knight even earlier, followed behind Audrey. Only Fors was idly teasing Susie.
Xio watched particularly intently, afraid of missing any details, after all, she was also of the Justiciar Pathway.
Without warning, an invisible wave swept through, followed by a breathtaking pressure. However, this divine pressure had no effect on the ladies present.
As members of the Tarot Club, even the most laid-back Fors had seen the great existence of The Fool. Only Susie, who had not joined the Tarot Club, had her golden fur stand on end and whimpered:
"Audrey…"
Fortunately, the pressure came and went quickly. Audrey's eyes flashed with obvious joy. Hearing Susie's whimper, she quickly came back to her senses, stroked her smooth golden fur, and gave her a "comfort" on her corresponding spiritual island.
Steady footsteps came from the valley. Alfred, in black armor, walked out of the darkness. His brilliant golden hair hung casually, and his azure eyes still held a hint of gold.
"Alfred!"
Slightly lifting her skirt, Audrey, with the still timid Susie, stepped forward first, a gentle and soft smile appearing on her face. The virtual personalities in the Sea of Collective Subconscious acted together to soothe Alfred's newly advanced, restless divinity.
The golden light deep in his eyes slowly faded. Alfred lowered his gaze and felt for a moment. Then, with a hint of apology, he half-knelt and stroked Susie's smooth golden fur, looking at his sister and murmuring with great emotion:
"A demigod is indeed a leap in life level. Brother has finally caught up to you."