Chapter 374: Three Wishes
Chapter 374: Three Wishes
The pale golden figure regarded Lu Ke with a hint of surprise, seemingly puzzled that the one who summoned Him this time was not the "Mystic Queen" Bernadette Gustav.
After a moment, the figure’s eyes widened with increasing astonishment.
A moment later, the pale golden figure’s imposing voice echoed through the room.
“You carry a strange aura, one that is hard to understand and governed by rules different from this world.”
Among the items taken from Bernadette, the greatest gain was the sealed item 0-05, the "Wish Granting Lamp."
Though it was merely a Sequence Two "Miracle Worker" Extraordinary Trait from the "Fortune Teller" pathway, the "Lamp Spirit" inside was a "Child of Chaos" tricked and sealed by a Celestial Lord, possessing the rank, soul, consciousness, and some Extraordinary Traits of the Old Ones.
Lu Ke's eyes gleamed as he began to observe the pale golden figure, the "Lamp Spirit."
It was a twisted and chaotic rule manifested as a concept, formed within the shell of the "Miracle Worker."
He praised, “Even though you have lost your power and are trapped in the lamp, you still retain the discernment and standards of the Old Ones.”
Compared to the "Shifting Mist" in the cosmos, the "Lamp Spirit" before him, though incredibly weak, was closer to a complete "Child of Chaos."
In theory, it was the true entity.
The "Lamp Spirit" lifted its head. “I sense a false rank of the Old Ones in you. Are you one of us?”
Lu Ke nodded slowly. “Yes.”
The "false" rank of the Old Ones was due to the "Aggregation" symbol of the "Primordial Hunger", which could treat the main body and its avatars as a single entity. If the main body were devoured, other mystically linked avatars would also be devoured simultaneously.
The "Unifier of All Things", who governed "Aggregation" and "Rejection", could grant a certain degree of immunity, allowing Lu Ke’s avatars to maintain contact with the main body, but the density of this connection had to be controlled to prevent it from becoming too strong, which could result in a complete loss of resurrection opportunities.
Otherwise, Lu Ke’s advancement would have been even faster, whether in digesting magic potions or utilizing symbols.
Lu Ke smiled faintly. “Though I don’t fully embrace this identity, theoretically, I should call you brother.”
The "Lamp Spirit’s" voice was calm and steady. “You are the ‘Last One’?”
The initial proclamation of the First Creator spread through the Spirit Realm, the cosmic information hub, to all entities capable of receiving it, including the "Lamp Spirit", even with the Celestial Lord’s seal on Him.
After a brief moment of surprise, the "Lamp Spirit" calmed and shook his head.
“For beings of our rank, there’s no need to discuss superficial kinship, especially not for someone who joined us halfway.”
He paused. “However, we can cooperate to a certain extent.”
Lu Ke leaned back in his chair, adopting a relaxed and leisurely posture.
“Sure, go on.”
“You’ve done well, managing to sneak through the barrier in such a short time and return to the demigod level, defeating Bernadette and taking me over.”
The "Lamp Spirit’s" golden, indistinct form wavered slightly.
“Since you’ve summoned me, it means you have some use for me, or for the ‘Wish Granting Lamp,’ right?”
Lu Ke remained noncommittal. “Indeed.”
“I can allow you to use the ‘Wish Granting Lamp’ normally.”
“The ‘Wish Granting Lamp’ can grant the holder ten wishes. With my assistance, most wishes that don’t involve true gods can be fulfilled.”
“I will do my best to ensure that your first three wishes are not distorted or twisted. In return, you must release me and send me back to the cosmos by the year 1368 of this century.”
The "Lamp Spirit" spoke with confidence but without aggression, showing a degree of respect when negotiating with an equal.
Lu Ke seemed unmoved. “You can only guarantee the first three of ten wishes?”
The "Lamp Spirit" coughed lightly, lowering his voice. “This is a very lenient condition. Forcing the fulfillment of impossible wishes will inevitably cause terrible distortions, going against the wisher’s true desires.”
“If you don’t cooperate, the first three wishes will require careful consideration, and their effectiveness will be limited. Conversely, as long as your wishes don’t involve true gods, they can mostly be fulfilled.”
The golden figure finished speaking and let out a mocking laugh.
“Of course, after the third wish, you will start to suffer from backlash. However, with your false rank of the Old Ones, you might be able to make a few more wishes.”
“However, I must warn you that the further you go, the more distorted and terrifying the consequences will become.”
Lu Ke smiled and shook his head, standing up to look down at the golden figure, displaying a sense of disdain and superiority.
“You try to guide me into arguing over the terms of the negotiation, but I haven’t forgotten that the choice to cooperate is mine.”
"You're right. Beings of our caliber aren't swayed by shallow emotions. But what do you think will happen to you when the apocalypse arrives in 1368?"
"Your 'Realm of Disorder' is the embodiment of Order and rules. More than one of the Elder Ones is interested in this essence. As the original owner, now sealed and at your weakest, what do you think will happen to you?"
The Lamp Spirit remained silent for a moment before a grand, resonant voice spoke.
"The Shifting Mist will come to reclaim the 'Realm of Disorder,' to reclaim the remaining Uniqueness and Sequence Extraordinary Traits, to reclaim me, and become the complete 'Child of Chaos.'"
Lu Ke's smile deepened. "That brings us to the second question."
"You're pinning all your hopes on the Shifting Mist. Have you considered whether He can outcompete the other Elder Ones? Have you thought about whether the Shifting Mist still desires your consciousness to return?"
"You've been separated for far too long. Even if He still desires your return, you were once the core of the 'Child of Chaos,' but in the future... heh heh."
"I believe that, for the Shifting Mist, becoming the complete 'Child of Chaos' is very important..."
The pale golden figure flickered, and the next words seemed to form in his mind automatically.
But who becomes the complete 'Child of Chaos' doesn't matter!
The Lamp Spirit's thoughts raced, but he remained indifferent.
"The Shifting Mist and I are one, longing for each other. I am not the complete 'Child of Chaos,' nor is He. The amount of consciousness we hold may differ, but only by uniting can the 'Child of Chaos' be reborn."
Lu Ke couldn't say he entirely disbelieved or entirely believed this claim.
Not all beings can achieve the complete trust and acceptance that Lu Ke and his kind can.
Especially in the world of mysteries, where even the Outer Gods have an instinct to merge.
Without a significant 'mediator' to connect them, the dark forest law emerges, making every being both hunter and prey.
"You believe in the Shifting Mist, but the Shifting Mist may not believe in you."
Lu Ke added lightly, not really expecting a few words to create a rift between the Lamp Spirit and the Shifting Mist, but planting a seed of doubt was a low-risk move.
The Lamp Spirit's expression darkened. "What are you trying to say?"
Lu Ke's face broke into a warm, welcoming smile. "I can release you, and it will be before the apocalypse of 1368, giving you ample time to prepare."
"Moreover, I can help you hunt the Shifting Mist, suppress His consciousness, and assist you in merging as the dominant entity."
The Lamp Spirit's tone remained steady. "What is the price?"
Lu Ke held up two fingers and gave a sheepish smile. "I want your 'Arbitrator' and 'Black Emperor' Uniqueness, along with the corresponding Sequence Extraordinary Traits."
"Absolutely not!"
The Lamp Spirit's pale golden form rapidly morphed into various shapes, as if in a state of rage.
"I didn't ask for your most precious 'Realm of Disorder,' which shows my good intentions."
Lu Ke's expression was modest as he tried to persuade. "And you know that these things are already in the outside world, and you can't control their fate. Even if you refuse, I can still find them."
The Lamp Spirit's state stabilized slightly, but his expression remained grim.
"The 'Arbitrator' and 'Black Emperor' Uniqueness are the foundation of my existence. I cannot give them to you."
"Only as a temporary measure."
Lu Ke explained calmly. "I need to regain enough power to help you break the seal, but my ascension will be hindered by the true gods on Earth. I need your strength to assist me."
"If you agree to my conditions, once you become the 'Child of Chaos,' you can trade the Uniqueness and Sequence Extraordinary Traits from other paths to get them back from me. What do you say?"
The Lamp Spirit fell into a long silence.
Lu Ke took advantage of the moment. "Brother, you don't want to stay sealed in this lamp forever, do you?"
The Lamp Spirit: ...
"If you still refuse, then there's nothing left to discuss."
Lu Ke shrugged, as if about to put away the Wish Granting Lamp.
The Lamp Spirit's pale golden form wavered, and his grand voice echoed once more.
"I agree to your terms."
His voice suddenly carried an indescribable authority.
In Lu Ke's eyes, the conceptual rules within the Lamp Spirit began to take effect, forming a highly binding contract.
"My condition is that you break the seal before 1368, and help me suppress the Shifting Mist's consciousness so I can merge as the dominant entity."
Lu Ke's eyes flashed with a brilliant light, and another binding contract began to form.
"My condition is that you fully grant my three wishes, transfer the ownership of the 'Arbitrator' and 'Black Emperor' Uniqueness and Sequence Extraordinary Traits to me, and allow me to redeem them when the 'Child of Chaos' acquires the Uniqueness and Sequence Extraordinary Traits from other paths."
An intangible bond now bound the two, the contract having been sealed.
The "Lamp Spirit", who had attempted to twist the rules and make some small maneuvers, cast a deep, penetrating gaze.
"Do you possess the authority related to 'contracts'?"
"I can't compare to the 'Chaos Child,' who wields the rules, but fortunately, you are now sufficiently weakened."
Lu Ke replied with a slow, deliberate smile, "A contract is more secure when it's in duplicate, don't you think?"
The "Lamp Spirit" said nothing more.
Although the process had some discrepancies, the moment the contract was sealed, He felt an unparalleled sense of relief.
From the First Epoch to the present, it had been far too long. He would finally be able to return to the stars in the near future.
Thinking of this, His heart couldn't help but feel a bit more passionate, and He restrained Himself to ask:
"What is your wish now?"
Lu Ke directed his gaze toward Jowood District, far from Queens District, to the small but cozy apartment where he had stayed for so long.
He sighed with a smile, "Fate, even at our level, is still quite wondrous."
To be honest, becoming lovers with Xiu Dilcha was purely accidental.
She just happened to be the first "acquaintance" he had "aggregated", a beautiful and excellent woman who happened to fit his preferences in some ways, so he had managed to talk her into bed.
However, over time, as he watched her study legal codes at night to better perform her duties as an arbitrator, as he saw her concern for the future of the country, and as he felt her care and tolerance for him, Lu Ke couldn't help but be touched.
Xiu Dilcha was indeed a very good girl, diligent, kind, serious, and with a firm belief and a strong determination to change the world.
So, it was only right to give such a good girl some special treatment.
A few fleeting glints passed through Lu Ke's eyes, and his deep voice followed.
"My first wish is for Xiu Dilcha to be able to accommodate the 'Tremstowt Brass Book.'"
This wish involved a very high level of power, and it would normally result in an irreversible and negative outcome.
Fortunately, the "Tremstowt Brass Book", which was the "uniqueness" of the "Arbitrator", fell under the "Lamp Spirit's" jurisdiction, and the requirement was only to accommodate it, which reduced the cost.
However, the first wish wasn't for himself?
The "Lamp Spirit" gave Lu Ke a surprised look but showed no significant emotional fluctuation.
The contract had been signed, and He had to abide by the rules and fulfill the wish.
"Remember your promise. If you breach it, both you and your original body will fall."
...
In a hidden apartment in Jowood District.
Xiu Dilcha, wearing a slightly dirty apprentice knight's uniform, sat on the living room sofa. She was flipping through a book but couldn't focus on the intricate text, feeling a bit restless.
It had been four days since Lu Ke and Fols had left, and while living alone wasn't a problem, she felt a sense of emptiness.
Xiu walked to the mirror, where her reflection showed her increasingly pale and fair face and her graceful figure.
She touched the delicate hairpin in her hair and the brooch on her chest, then looked at the room, which was cleaner and tidier than usual, and sighed in frustration and helplessness.
It was those two who were at fault, and now they weren't even coming back to apologize!
If they just apologized...
No, even an apology wouldn't be enough to forgive them easily!
Knock, knock, knock—
The door was suddenly knocked on, and Xiu froze for a second, her face lighting up with joy. She took a few steps toward the door, then stopped.
Then, Xiu took a deep breath, letting a stern demeanor replace her joy, and she put on a scowling face as she walked over to open the door.
"Coming to apologize now..."
Her voice trailed off.
The person standing before her was not Lu Ke or Fols, but an elderly man with a smooth, beardless face and deep, penetrating eyes, dressed in a black and red bishop's robe.
"Lord Saint Anthony, hello."
Xiu pursed her lips and politely greeted the high bishop of the Church of the Night.
The last time she had gone to the Darkness Goddess Church to pray, she had met a friend with whom she had a pleasant conversation. On her way home, this bishop had stopped her and asked if she wanted a "coronation."
But before she could ask for more details, the bishop had disappeared.
"We meet again, my lady."
The bishop smiled warmly and kindly, "The coronation ceremony is about to begin."
"Coronation ceremony?"
"Yes."
Saint Anthony smiled and pointed to a certain direction, "We will travel to the Vessark Empire to prepare the laurel crown for you."
"Um, it's not quite the right shape."
(End of Chapter)
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