Chapter 817: Lan Qi's Sealer in the Resurrection Tournament

Chapter 817: Lan Qi's Sealer in the Resurrection Tournament

The winter nights in Kreithia arrive early.

The fleeting sunset quickly bids farewell, leaving behind a sky painted with ink-like darkness, adorned with starry sand and a silver moon.

After spending the afternoon chatting with friends on the second floor of Brillada Opera House, Lan Qi, accompanied by Talia and Sigrid, returns to Saint Kreithian Monastery.

Of course, they are joined by the little sister, ·Mei·Mei.

"Wow, wow..."

No matter what Ifatiya sees outside the car window, she is always filled with excitement and delight.

The main area of Saint Kreithian Monastery is traversed by a lush green avenue, with clear streams flowing by and marble towers and flying buttresses visible everywhere.

Having not ventured out of the underground palace beneath Brillada's Black Hand Party Port for a long time, she has not experienced such a free and normal life in ages.

The vehicle comes to a stop in front of a quaint mansion.

Without hesitation, Ifatiya opens the car door and dashes out, taking in the sight of her new residence.

A classical two-story building comes into view, its milky white walls glowing softly under the streetlights, and its deep blue roof and slightly dark brown window frames suggesting a building with decades of history.

The residence assigned to Lan Qi by Saint Kreithian Monastery turns out to be a two-story villa.

Although not as luxurious as her previous residence in Hutton's ducal mansion, living here for over a month would still be a blissful experience.

Ifatiya eagerly awaits the day when her entire family can be reunited, and she can return to Icrite with her loved ones. According to rumors, Antanas, Sinora, Pranae, and Armis are all in Icrite, and their entire magical family is about to be reunited!

"Is there anything we need to buy?"

Sigrid asks Lan Qi after getting out of the car.

With more people in the house now, they might need more ingredients.

"No need, I always order a lot of ingredients, so you two can eat as much as you like."

Lan Qi thinks for a moment, estimating that he, Sigrid, Ifatiya, and Cat Boss won't make much of a difference.

Even if a few more people join, it will be the same.

Adding one to one hundred only results in one hundred and one, which is essentially negligible compared to one hundred.

"What do you mean?"

Talia has already fixed her gaze on Lan Qi.

Lan Qi's words are polite, but his thoughts are quite devilish.

"I'm serious."

They walk along the garden path and arrive at the mansion's entrance.

Lan Qi pushes open the heavy mansion door and steps into his villa in Kreithia.

"Will I be staying in a guest room on the first floor tonight?"

Ifatiya dashes past the foyer and impatiently enters the living room.

She has long been curious about what her sister's home looks like.

On the coffee table next to the off-white sofa sits a freshly changed orchid, and beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows lies a meticulously tended garden. The path they had walked along earlier is illuminated by warm yellow lamps.

"Yes, I'll help you settle into your room. You can move in right away, and as for pajamas, you'll probably have to use mine for now. They might be slightly bigger in size, but I can buy some for you tomorrow."

Talia takes Ifatiya on a quick tour of the guest room on the first floor before explaining.

The king-sized bed in the bedroom is adorned with soft bedding, and the wardrobe contains neatly hung robes. By the window stands a bathtub, and when Ifatiya turns the faucet, hot water gushes out.

"Okay, okay!"

Ifatiya nods repeatedly and follows her sister out.

Since her childhood, this non-blood-related sister has cared for her like a mother, helping her completely let go of her thoughts of revenge and allowing her to perfectly integrate into the Demon King's Palace as a useless princess.

Having a sister is truly wonderful.

"Cat Boss, I might need your help with dinner. I'm afraid Lan Qi will blow himself up while engraving his job."

Talia looks down at the shadow beneath Lan Qi's feet in the living room.

Although she doesn't know why Lan Qi suddenly told her that he already has the materials, helping him with the engraving is no problem.

"Oh, right, Tata needs to help me engrave my job."

Lan Qi lets out a sound of acknowledgment.

Usually, besides materials requiring Link or Mechanical attributes for engraving, the assistance of a magic craftsman is also required.

He could do it himself, but having a master craftsman like Tata would undoubtedly increase the chances of success.

"Meow?"

A black cat head emerges from the shadows.

It immediately floats into the air.

This family seems surprisingly harmonious, and the concerns Cat Boss had about potential conflicts have not materialized.

Even if Talia and Sigrid occasionally get jealous and compete for Lan Qi's attention, they would never let it affect the harmony of this family out of respect for the innocent and pure Ifatiya.

"No problem, meow."

Cat Boss agrees.

Initially thinking he might be optimized, Cat Boss never expected his importance to increase again.

"Oh, little kitty, you've reached the sixth rank?"

Ifatiya exclaims as she hugs the floating black bread in mid-air.

Today, Cat Boss particularly enjoys hiding in the shadows, and Ifatiya didn't see him on the second floor of Brillada Opera House earlier.

The last time she saw him, he was still at the fifth rank.

She never expected him to have advanced by a whole rank so quickly!

"... "

Both Lan Qi and Talia fall silent for a moment, unsure of how to explain that he is a ninth-rank divine beast.

"Destroy, hurry up."

Cat Boss doesn't feel like explaining anything further.

He doesn't even bother to say the word "meow."

"This family is filled with daily quests, and everyone is busy with their tasks."

Sigrid, who had arrived early and settled on the sofa, observes the family and mutters to herself.

All she needs to do is wait for dinner. There doesn't seem to be anything she needs to do in the house. Her room is shared with Tata, who has already tidied it up. It's evident that Tata is skilled at managing rooms.

"Then I'll go upstairs to the study to help Lan Qi engrave his job. If all goes well, it should be done within half an hour, so dinner is up to you, Cat Boss."

Talia is Lan Qi's best assistant, and they have been collaborating on card creation from the start.

"To be honest, I'm really curious about your cooking skills, Tata."

Sigrid was supposed to taste Talia's cooking at noon today, but due to some unexpected events, Cat Boss became the head chef.

All she can do is lean back on the sofa and complain.

"Plus one."

Ifatiya also raises her hand high.

She had never seen her sister cook in the Demon Realm.

Upon hearing that her sister had learned to cook, Ifatiya couldn't wait to witness her culinary skills.

"I'll cook for you all tomorrow."

Talia said helplessly.

The house was indeed bustling with life.

Initially, there were only Lan Qi, her, and Cat Boss.

Abigail and Toriado, being locals, might also visit to discuss important matters.

It felt like a gathering.

Besides, even with a few spare rooms, there likely wouldn't be any more guests.

"We'll wait for you."

"Let's eat dinner together!"

Sigrid and Ifatiya waved to them.

Lan Qi and Talia nodded briefly in greeting and ascended the stairs.

They reached the second floor.

Compared to the first floor, there was a smaller entrance hall, and this level felt more homely.

Of course, their primary destination was the study.

Opening the study door, they were surrounded by bookshelves. With Talia's reinforcement and arrangement, it now served as a magic workshop as well.

Lan Qi usually used communication magic or card creation in this study.

The clear winter moonlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and outside, fallen leaves were faintly visible in the night.

Lan Qi turned on the light, and the once tidy workshop now had its walls covered in blueprints pinned by thumbtacks.

"Lan Qi, where's your material?"

Talia had always been curious about where Lan Qi obtained the engraving materials from the void.

After all, she and Lan Qi had barely been apart during their journey.

Of course.

It was also possible that Lan Qi wanted to spend some time alone with her in the study under this pretext.

Anyway, without an engraving result, he could just go downstairs and claim failure.

He could repeatedly use this excuse to be alone with her in the future.

No matter how Talia thought about it, the latter possibility seemed higher.

It was quite obvious.

She could easily guess her apprentice's thoughts.

Sure enough.

Lan Qi approached her.

Talia pretended to be reserved, took a step back, hugged her elbow with one hand, and sat on the desk, turning her head away from him.

But her heart was beating slightly faster, unsure of what Lan Qi wanted to say or do.

"Look."

Lan Qi lifted his hand, and a Holy Seal floated in his palm.

"Hmm."

Talia's vision was momentarily flashed by orange light, and she slowly turned her head to see a real seal in Lan Qi's hand.

The Holy Seal was a dazzling sun, radiating scorching light. Golden flames extended outward, forming a radiant crown, and at the end of each ray of light was an embedded brilliant gemstone, shimmering with different colors under the sun's glow, like the various emotions and powers that love evokes in people's hearts.

These arcs of light intertwined, both limited and limitless.

【Bishop's Seal - Passion】

【Category: Equipment Card】

【Grade: Orange Epic】

【Attributes: Link/Seal】

【Class: 0】

【Effect: Identity proof of the Passion Bishop, also usable by the Passionate Catholic Church. Can create Resurrection Seals of various levels for the Passion branch, exerting special attack and intimidation effects on lower-level Resurrection Seal holders. Can locate the approximate position of other branch priests, and can discern the authenticity of Resurrection Seals displayed by other branches. Can open the Bishop's Council Chamber, the Deathmatch Arena, and the Bishop's Voting Ceremony.】

【Note: Holder: Lan Qi Wilford.】

"Bishop's Seal... Passion?"

Talia looked at it in confusion,

"And Passion, isn't that the name of my demonization?"

A moment of awe overshadowed her embarrassment from random thoughts.

"After borrowing six seals from you and fusing them, I became a demon. Logically, I should have the majority, so Passion should be my title."

Lan Qi explained.

"Indeed."

Talia realized.

If Lan Qi were a demon and had revealed the true name of a great demon, it would be the Passionate Duke, so there would be no issue with the Bishop's Seal being named Passionate Bishop.

"But after I fused with Lanfu and became a demon, my title became yours, which feels a bit strange..."

Talia muttered, reflecting.

It was a bit like Lan Qi had written his name on her.

"What the hell are you thinking, Master?"

Lan Qi, without the need for a great love poet, occasionally understood Talia's erratic thoughts.

"Right, where did you get this Holy Seal?"

Talia looked back and forth between Lan Qi's face and the Radiant Crown.

Lan Qi became a Cardinal?? Talia still found it hard to believe, but due to the absurdity of the situation, she gradually accepted it.

"This is the last power Lorsang gave me."

Lan Qi clenched his fist slightly, looking down at his hand with satisfaction.

"I'll go to your Lorsang, did he pass everything down to you?"

Ever since Talia learned who Lorsang was, she no longer believed Lan Qi's heartfelt words.

This guy had taken Lorsang's magic cards and sealed the Primordial Tablet.

Now he had even snatched the Bishop's Seal.

So, Lorsang was your gift bag.

"Alright, let's get to work, Master."

Lan Qi's tone turned serious as he spoke to Talia.

Under the workshop's lighting, Lan Qi could clearly see the flowing light within the Radiant Crown Holy Seal, and ancient magic was shimmering.

This was the divine product of the Resurrection Church.

"Hmm."

Talia and Lan Qi walked to the workbench at a leisurely pace. The workbench was already covered with material calculations and preparations Talia had made for him earlier, as well as ready-to-use auxiliary materials.

The Bishop's Seal had inherently high compatibility, making it suitable as a substitute for any engraving material.

The materials Talia had prepared didn't need to be changed.

"Let's begin."

Talia shifted her attention back to the workbench, away from the Holy Seal.

All the equipment in the study workshop had been replaced with the highest-spec models purchased from the Creedentia Empire's Magic Craftsman Association.

After clearing a spacious area on the workbench, Talia took three divided plates from the three-tiered cart beside her, filled with Link Attribute materials. She checked the ratios she had prepared earlier.

Talia placed them next to the workbench, and with Lan Qi's assistance, she calmly and skillfully finished processing the materials.

The clock in the study ticked away.

Unknowingly, several minutes had passed.

"Lan Qi, are you ready?"

Talia put down the last processed material, ready for use, and asked Lan Qi, who was waiting by her side.

The process ahead might be akin to using Lan Qi as a vessel to create a 7th-rank Mana Device, and he may endure pain, pressure, or danger.

But Talia believed that with Lan Qi's mindset and her own skills, she could definitely guide him through it seamlessly.

"Hmm."

Lan Qi responded, then paused as if remembering something. "Wait, Master, can you be a little more ruthless? I feel like I'd be more focused that way."

"Not ruthless enough?" Talia asked, a hint of distraction in her golden eyes.

"Just bring back that initial feeling, like I owe you money, and let me feel like there's a strict teacher watching over me. You're completely different now..."

"Is this the feeling you want?" Talia's gaze gradually turned cold, as if she felt Lan Qi was ungrateful.

That familiar icy stare instantly increased the pressure on Lan Qi.

"That's it." Lan Qi gave a thumbs up in approval.

"Idiot." Talia lightly tapped Lan Qi's head, catching him off guard, and her aura returned to the way it was back home.

"What's wrong?" Lan Qi asked, confused, as he held his head.

"You just need to relax. Don't be as tense as when you're making cards. Just let your body be guided by me, and I'll lead you." Talia spoke softly, no longer exuding the initial coldness she had in South Vantine. She was once again the gray-haired girl who had gone through thick and thin with Lan Qi.

"Like this?" Lan Qi asked, dazed.

"Yes, maintaining a positive mindset has always been your strength, so keep it up." Talia acknowledged with a warm smile.

Lan Qi nodded.

Without further delay, Talia dipped her finger into the magic ink she had prepared—a mixture of seal attribute mana crystal powder and link-specialized mana core liquid. She gently touched Lan Qi's forehead, spine, and temples with the ink.

The moment the ink touched Lan Qi's skin, his mana began to resonate and synchronize with it. The ink Talia had prepared seemed to actively accommodate Lan Qi's mana.

Without the need for testing or measurement, Lan Qi was certain that Talia had mixed the perfect ratio for him.

He closed his eyes, sensing the flow of his mana, while Talia's mana began to infiltrate and rewrite his mana pathways, expanding his capacity to withstand greater power.

As Lan Qi's closed eyes gradually glowed with the manifestation of Talia's mana, the engraving process entered its most crucial stage—modifying and enchanting the core materials, using them as the foundation to extend his body's magical circuits.

This process required the engraver's undivided attention and the engraved's complete relaxation, achieving a state of perfect synchronization.

Talia continuously engraved the runic symbols, constructed from the combined mana of both of them, into every pre-planned circuit. Translating and rewriting a mix of human and demon magical text, the runes wriggled and twisted within Lan Qi's body like a dense, intricate nest of worms.

They both poured their hearts and souls into the engraving, oblivious to any disturbances in the outside world, as if the study had become its own separate space.

Gradually, the concept of time faded away.

The study's clock had ticked by, round after round.

As the night deepened in Brillada, the curtains on the second floor of the mansion were drawn, casting a dim light outside the room, while the warm glow from within illuminated the study.

Lan Qi sat at the workbench, surrounded by a transparent arc of intense danger that radiated outward, distorting even his own mana fluctuations under the immense pressure.

At this moment, he resembled a magic card on the verge of exploding.

But Lan Qi felt no fear, trusting Talia completely. Even if she intended to kill him, he would still surrender himself to her without resistance.

"Lan Qi, don't be afraid. It's almost done." Talia stood in front of Lan Qi, her eyes fixed on him, as she connected the magic engravings of the Bishop's Seal of Passion within him, forming a complete mana circulation route. This would allow Lan Qi to sustain his own operation after his mana recovery.

Lan Qi must have already been enduring excruciating pain.

"I believe in you, Master." Lan Qi's eyes remained closed, his expression calm as if he had already thought it through.

Compared to his previous experience in the Teberius Mirror, this was nothing.

"Hmm, it seems you're truly willing to entrust your life to me. Good, you're a worthy apprentice." Talia said, and without further words, she focused entirely on the final process.

Perhaps due to their intense concentration, neither of them noticed the surge in Lan Qi's mana until the very last moment when the circuits were set.

His mana began to multiply exponentially.

In the tumultuous mana sea, it gradually stabilized and calmed...

Talia released Lan Qi's head and exhaled in relief.

No one knew Lan Qi's mana characteristics better than her.

They were the partners who had collaborated to create the 8th-rank Epic Magic Card, 'Overflowing Warm Embrace.' Having Talia engrave his job class was the perfect fit.

"The 7th rank is truly a whole different level." Lan Qi sensed his newfound strength, guessing that even Talia would need some effort to take him down now.

Already known for his mental and physical prowess, Lan Qi had become a true tank at the 7th rank, with high magic resistance and life force.

But at the 7th rank, the most important thing was that he could finally use his magic card.

Lan Qi raised his hand as he usually did, and a red light orb appeared.

The magic card gradually revived in his hand.

The card's surface was pitch-black, a deep darkness that devoured light, as if it were the very essence of darkness solidified in the endless depths of a bottomless pit, yet it seemed alive.

Black Sun Tyrant Eternal Punishment Decree

Category: Spell Card

Grade: Red Legend

Attribute: Seal

Class: 7

Effect: Upon activation, continuously consumes mana to lock the life state of a single target.

Note: Roll the dice, choose the number of steps to take. Even if there's only one step, if you take a wrong step, you will fall into the abyss, and even if this road is endless, you can only adapt to regret until everything becomes a memory.

In an instant, Lan Qi completed the soul binding, and the card merged with his soul.

The intricate alchemy patterns on the card's surface, once clarified, formed a gateway to an unknown realm, swirling and intertwining in the red light. The next moment, it seemed as if the patterns would burst and scatter from the red glow, transforming into terrifying magical creatures.

The red light shattered and dissipated like glass.

The magical card also calmed down, transforming into a semi-transparent card engraved with a black sun.

"Should we test its effect?"

Talia observed this wondrous red legend from the side.

Although in the Shadow World, she was afraid of Lan Qi using the Immortal Eternal Punishment, this Extreme Ascension-like Black Sun Tyrant Eternal Punishment Edict no longer had negative effects.

"This spell feels so familiar."

Lan Qi smiled contentedly.

He finally learned a proper spell.

Immediately, he cast the Black Sun Tyrant Eternal Punishment Edict.

In an instant, the study they were in began to be enveloped by overwhelming black mist mana.

The stable barrier mana on the wall shelves started to fluctuate, as if being drawn.

The lights suddenly dimmed further.

Lan Qi and Talia only saw the immense mana gathering in the air, emitting waves similar to the Black Sun, but even more intimidating, akin to the supreme power of the underworld.

The black mist mana gathered and weaved, causing even the air to tremble, until it finally enveloped Lan Qi, forming a black snake around him, and the swirling black mist suddenly contracted and rushed into his face.

Throughout the process, he was protected by an invisible force, preventing anyone from getting close to him.

When the engraved spell of the black mist settled on Lan Qi's right cheek, the surrounding mana fluctuations gradually subsided, the light dissipated, and everything returned to normal.

"..."

Lan Qi silently gazed at his reflection on the desk.

The feeling was similar to what he had imagined.

It was the Immortal Eternal Punishment, but he could release and recast it at will.

"Lan Qi, your face..."

Talia reached out and touched Lan Qi's face.

She had wanted to try wiping off the black imprint, but in the Tabirius Mirror, she lacked a physical form and couldn't touch Lan Qi.

The actual test result was that this mana imprint couldn't be budged.

"No, aren't you my mother? When you see dirt on your child's face, you want to wipe it off."

Lan Qi dodged, speechless.

He never expected Talia to want to wipe his face.

"Well, I just think this tattoo-like imprint doesn't suit you. You look better clean, but..."

Talia observed Lan Qi, but her words trailed off halfway.

The centipede-like engraved curse on Lan Qi's cheek, combined with his eternally indifferent and calm demeanor, made it seem as if the invincible Pope from the Tabirius Realm had returned.

"Tata, hit me and see."

Lan Qi spoke to Talia.

He had wanted to conduct this experiment for a while.

Talia hesitated, clenched her fist, controlled her strength, and lightly struck Lan Qi's cheek.

There was no reaction, as if hitting cotton.

Then she started to use more force, hitting Lan Qi several times.

A series of loud bangs echoed.

There was no damage at all, as if an immunity field had been activated.

"My goodness, I'm starting to suspect you're a Ninth Rank now."

Talia stared at her fist in astonishment.

She had never felt Merogass to be so resilient, even when she fought him in her state of Mad Love Demon Lord.

At least in that state, she could give Merogass a good scraping, but hitting Lan Qi under the Black Sun Tyrant Eternal Punishment Edict was truly unrewarding.

Talia felt the despair of Merogass, the Profane Duke, when he saw the Pope taking her ultimate move with his face in the Shadow World.

It was mainly due to Lan Qi's unwavering Pope-like aura.

He was the genuine Saint Psyche Lant Pope!

"But this spell consumes mana so quickly."

Lan Qi received a satisfactory answer and nodded.

He wasn't sure if Talia had been testing seriously or venting her previous frustrations as she hit harder and harder, and seemed to enjoy it.

Based on his understanding of Immortal Eternal Punishment, the lower the rank of the target's life state that was fixed, the lower the mana consumption, and the higher the rank of the target, the higher the mana consumption.

"You should use me more often."

Talia suggested.

Mad Love Demon Lord was, after all, a genuine Eighth Rank summoned being, and if it came to a fight, Mad Love Demon Lord was the better fighter.

Moreover, she didn't want Lan Qi's mana to be completely consumed by the Black Sun Tyrant Eternal Punishment Edict, as she needed to feed on his mana.

"No, no, no, Master, you are the heavy-duty, high-power magic card, don't belittle yourself."

Lan Qi sincerely advised her.

"I'm not heavy at all!"

Talia immediately became excited.

"This Seventh Rank spell card is at most the power of a household magic conductor, but when you start casting, it's like a military-grade weapon."

Lan Qi used a comparison to help Talia intuitively understand the difference.

"Shut up, you little thing, gold coin explosion!"

Talia pinched Lan Qi's neck and shook him, as the current Lan Qi couldn't die, and she could mess with him freely!

They were married, and by law, she could inherit Lan Qi's property.

"Haha, stop, it tickles."

Lan Qi couldn't feel pain or get injured; he only felt itchy from Talia's actions.

As always, they started bickering.

After a while, Talia tired herself out and let go of him.

"It's indeed very sturdy, a waste of energy."

Talia shook her head and sighed.

She didn't want to compete with this zero-attack, full-defense big brother anymore.

Even if she disregarded the study's barrier and used all her strength, she couldn't break through Lan Qi's defense.

Lan Qi still had no attack power, but his defense had reached the level of Lanloss.

Upon careful thought, Lan Qi seemed to have become her final boss, and she didn't need to worry about him dying; just standing on the field would be enough to annoy their opponents.

"You mostly use this spell on yourself, right?"

Talia asked Lan Qi.

In her opinion, Lan Qi didn't need this spell to seal others; it was most effective when used to protect himself.

"Of course."

Lan Qi nodded.

"Heh, watch me perform a transformation spell with a white robe and silver mask. I'm going to Blood Moon City to tell Rashal that I'm not dead and that I won the revival match."

Lan Qi looked at the workbench and planned.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end