https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-54-The-Containment-Permit-Privilege-Cat-Goddess-Bastet/12623186/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-56-Vibrating-Armor-Technique-Skill-Enhancement-/12623188/
Chapter 55: Heh, The Difference
Chapter 55: Heh, The Difference
"The Heretic Religion?"
Xue Jing shook his head.
Wu Youqing paused for a moment before continuing, "After the New Era, various borderlands began to appear all over the world. As humans, through our exploration of these borderlands, we discovered many things."
"Among them were traces of gods from other worlds."
"We distinguished them from 'God' and called them—Heretic Gods."
Xue Jing asked, "So the Heretic Religion is a religion that worships these Heretic Gods?"
Wu Youqing nodded, her lilac eyes reflecting a depth that Xue Jing couldn't quite comprehend.
"Some people who found traces of the Heretic Gods in the borderlands studied the records related to them and, after countless attempts, eventually devised a unique ritual to communicate with the Heretic Gods and even... gained their blessings."
Xue Jing furrowed his brows. "Are the Heretic Gods actually living deities? I thought the borderlands were formed by the collision of two worlds that had lost their divine influence."
Wu Youqing's voice took on a mysterious tone. "That is true—but ultimately, is death truly the end for a god? If 'God' could leave behind divine artifacts, then it's not surprising that a 'dead' Heretic God could still have the power to connect with mortals and bestow powers upon them."
Xue Jing's expression turned pensive at her words, his worldview slightly shaken.
"In any case," Wu Youqing continued, "these followers of the Heretic Gods could, through their unique rituals, establish a connection with the Heretic Gods and perform a ceremony to receive their blessings."
"And those who successfully underwent the ceremony and gained the blessings of the Heretic Gods were known as 'Blessed Ones'."
Wu Youqing paused, letting out a sigh that hinted at a tinge of sadness. "You don't need to worry about the Blessed Ones for now. What we need to talk about is GOD-1391."
The young girl gathered her thoughts and steered the conversation back on track. "About a hundred years ago, there was a Heretic Religion called the Lion Saint Sect that worshiped a Heretic God named Bastet. After discovering the ritual, they performed the blessing ceremony countless times. Although they established a connection with Bastet, none could win her favor."
"Later on, a follower thought of a different approach. Considering that Bastet was the cat goddess, he surmised that she might only like cats and not humans. So, he changed tactics."
"He found GOD-1391, transformed into a cat, and performed the blessing ceremony again... He both succeeded and failed."
Wu Youqing explained, "The blessing ceremony was successful, but the recipient of Bastet's favor wasn't him; it was GOD-1391—Cat Tail Ring."
"From then on, GOD-1391 gained an even more mysterious power."
"If the wearer has a high compatibility with it, and their emotions become intense, they will fuse with GOD-1391, causing their body to take on cat-like features."
As he heard this, Xue Jing couldn't help but recall Ning Fengwan's appearance after she had transformed back into a human in the bathroom—cat ears, a cat tail, canine teeth... and that soft, tender, and slightly furry body.
Xue Jing quickly forced himself to stop his train of thought. [Visualization] was great, but sometimes it could be a nuisance, as his imagination was too vivid, and the images that formed in his mind were just too real.
"As the fusion progresses," Wu Youqing continued, "the wearer gradually gains the powers of Bastet, eventually becoming an embodiment of the goddess herself."
Xue Jing narrowed his eyes. "So, does that mean... they would be possessed?"
Wu Youqing shook her head and smiled. "Not exactly. Don't forget, the borderlands were formed by the collision of worlds that had lost their gods—Bastet is long dead."
"Becoming an embodiment of Bastet is the Lion Saint Sect's belief. They view those who fully inherit the powers of GOD-1391 as earthly incarnations of Bastet, akin to how the Jesus is viewed in Christianity."
"And the fusion is not that simple. After the initial emotional fusion stimulus, the wearer must continuously evoke the same emotion to deepen the fusion process."
The initial emotional fusion stimulus... Xue Jing's expression turned peculiar.
So, in order to deepen the fusion progress, Ning Fengwan would have to... to him from now on?
Xue Jing pondered for a moment before asking, "Does that mean that GOD-1391 only brings strength to the wearer, with no drawbacks?"
"That's the theory... At least, over the past hundred years, none of those who have embodied 'Bastet' have shown any abnormalities."
Wu Youqing spoke softly.
"The only problem is that this thing is a sacred artifact of the Lion Saint Sect."
"Even if the phenomenon of transfer occurs, the Lion Saint Sect will go to great lengths to retrieve it, and it rarely ends up outside their possession."
Wu Youqing subtly reminded him.
Xue Jing nodded thoughtfully, indicating that he understood.
...
After chatting with Wu Youqing for a while longer, Xue Jing left the library.
He boarded a bus, intending to head to the Hidden Dragon Dojo; consistent practice was key to martial arts mastery.
Seated on the bus, Xue Jing was browsing through his phone when a text message suddenly popped up on the screen.
【...Account ending in 3166 received a transfer of 231,511.31 Zyu Xia coins. Current balance: 235,212.25 Zyu Xia coins...】
Xue Jing's eyes widened in surprise.
Payday!
No, this should be the bonus from the containment mission.
He had read the employment agreement carefully when he signed it, and it stated that the bonus for a C-level containment mission, depending on its difficulty, could range from 50,000 to 500,000 Zyu Xia coins.
The containment mission, 'Pride of the Evil Woman', should be on the easier side of C-level missions, and the substantial bonus this time was mostly due to the unexpected incident he encountered.
Xue Jing felt a thrill of pleasure as he looked at the balance on his phone.
His fingers couldn't help but swipe faster as he browsed.
He kept returning to the home screen to re-read the text message.
This was the first time in his life that he had seen so much money, and he didn't know how to spend it.
Tonight, he'd buy some expensive ingredients and cook a good meal for his cat.
...
At the Hidden Dragon Dojo, in the training room.
"Whoosh! Slap! Whoosh..."
Xue Jing and Meng Qingjiao fought intensely in the center of the room, their fists and feet flying with every move, ripping through the air with sharp whistles. Each strike was filled with force.
Standing on the sidelines, Li Qi and Chen Fuguang watched with unwavering gazes, their eyes glazed over in awe.
Li Qi had somewhat gotten used to Xue Jing's rapid progress, but even today's performance exceeded his expectations.
As for Chen Fuguang, he was completely dumbfounded.
How long has this junior disciple been here?
And he's already able to fight Senior Sister Meng like this?
Ten minutes later, Xue Jing momentarily exposed an opening, and Meng Qingjiao seized the opportunity, striking him with a gentle yet powerful blow that sent him flying.
Xue Jing slowly stood up from the ground and exclaimed,
"Senior Sister Meng, you're so strong!"
Meng Qingjiao shook her head and walked up to him, ruffling his hair in an affectionate gesture.
Xue Jing was used to her way of communicating and smiled in response.
He rather enjoyed being doted on by an older sister like this.
Li Qi, standing nearby, scratched his bald spot and glanced at Chen Fuguang, "Hey, how long did it take you to go from entering the door to being qualified to practice the Shaking Armor skill?"
Chen Fuguang's jaw twitched.
"...It took me about eight months, Master."
"Eight months, my ass! It was nine months and seventeen days!" Li Qi retorted.
Chen Fuguang: "...”
Why are you asking me that for?
Li Qi glanced at him and then at Xue Jing, "Heh, what a difference."
Chen Fuguang: "...”
...
(End of Chapter)
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